Libsyn Directory

15. The Wild World of Birds: A Naturalist Walk at San Elijo Lagoon w/ Alex Wild (Part 2)

Release Date: 05/07/2025

32. Land of Flowing Water: Indigenous Knowledge & The Theft of Owens Valley w/ Seth Bizardi Tsosie

Planet People Podcast

Join us as we explore the Eastern Sierra Nevada with Seth Bizardi Tsosie, a Native American monitor from the Lone Pine Paiute-Shoshone Tribe, whose ancestral knowledge reveals the profound relationship between indigenous peoples and the land of flowing water. Seth shares what it means to grow up with generations of traditional ecological wisdom about this remarkable region, as well as the devastating story of how the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power systematically exploited and diverted the Owens Valley’s lifeblood. As we approach Thanksgiving, this essential conversation challenges...

31. Antarctica’s Frozen Secrets: Adélie Penguins and the Driest Desert on Earth w/ Dr. Steve Emslie

Planet People Podcast

Join us as we journey to the frozen continent of Antarctica with Dr. Steve Emslie, a leading Antarctic ecologist whose groundbreaking research on Adélie penguins has revealed fascinating insights into one of Earth’s most extreme environments. From the remarkable adaptations of these charismatic seabirds to the surprising revelation that Antarctica is technically a desert, Dr. Emslie shares his discoveries from decades of fieldwork in the coldest, windiest, and driest place on our planet. This eye-opening conversation explores the delicate balance of polar ecosystems and why understanding...

30. Meditation & Bird Walks: San Diego Climate Week Event Recap

Planet People Podcast

This episode takes you behind the scenes of our San Diego Climate Week event, where we combined mindfulness meditation with birdwatching to forge a deeper connection with the natural world and raise awareness about one of climate change’s most vulnerable victims—our birds. Hosts Natalie and Coral share why they chose to lead a meditative bird walk during Climate Week, highlighting the critical relationship between climate change and declining bird populations. As habitats shift, migration patterns are disrupted, and food sources vanish, birds are serving as early warning indicators of our...

29. Halloween Folklore: The Spooky Spoken History of Ravens, Coyotes, Tarantulas, and Owls

Planet People Podcast

It’s Halloween on Planet People Podcast, and this episode dives into the eerie intersection of nature and folklore. Hosts Natalie and Coral are joined by their teammate Hugh Carr to explore the misunderstood realities of four creatures that have long haunted human imagination—the raven, coyote, tarantula, and owl. Hugh unpacks the mythological roots of ravens and coyotes as tricksters and spirit messengers. Additionally, he presents a fascinating theory regarding what may have contributed to ravens’ dark portrayal throughout history and today… Natalie sheds light on the tarantula’s...

28. Zombie Wasps, Tarantulas Hawks, Army Ants, Oh My! An Eerie Look Into the World of Desert Insects w/ Scott Heacox

Planet People Podcast

Join us in continuing this Spooky Season as we sit down with Scott Heacox to explore the truly exciting world of parasitic insects in the Coachella Valley. From wasps that turn their hosts into living nurseries to fungi that create zombie ants, Scott reveals the fascinating and sometimes horrifying survival strategies of desert insects. This spine-tingling conversation uncovers the complex relationships between parasites and their hosts, demonstrating that the scariest stories aren’t found in horror movies—they’re happening right now in the desert ecosystem around us. RAY OF HOPE:...

27. Ravenous Ravens: Time To Talk Trash At The Living Desert Zoo w/ Katie Shaw

Planet People Podcast

Join us as we sit down with Katie Shaw, a social scientist with The Living Desert Zoo in Palm Desert, to explore the fascinating intersection of human behavior and wildlife conservation. Kate shares insights into their innovative “Time to Talk Trash” conservation program, which targets the root cause of rising raven populations that threaten endangered desert tortoises. This eye-opening conversation reveals how changing human behavior around waste management can have profound impacts on desert ecosystems, demonstrating that sometimes the most effective wildlife conservation happens by...

26. Gamifying Conservation: Outsmarting Ravens to Save the Desert Tortoise w/ Tim Shields

Planet People Podcast

Get ready for our most innovative episode yet! In this episode, we explore the cutting-edge world of conservation technology (CTs) with Tim Shields from Ornilogic, who is revolutionizing desert tortoise protection through creative technological solutions. Tim shares mind-blowing conservation tools, including laser guns to deter raven presence and ingenious fake tortoise babies filled with grape juice designed to discourage ravens from eating real tortoise youngsters. This fascinating conversation explores how CTs are transforming wildlife protection by gamifying conservation efforts and making...

25. Western Snake Wrangler: Saving Rattlesnakes & Shifting Perspectives in the Mojave Desert w/ Danielle Wall

Planet People Podcast

Join us for an unforgettable conversation with Danielle Wall, recorded live at a studio in Joshua Tree, California! In this exclusive episode, Danielle shares wild stories from her years as a snake wrangler out West, fascinating fun facts about rattlesnake behavior, and essential rescue advice that could save both human and snake lives. The interview becomes even more exciting when Danielle brings out a baby rattlesnake, providing us with a rare up-close look at these remarkable desert predators. From dramatic rescue calls to the intricate world of snake biology, this episode will completely...

24. Joshua Tree or Asparagus? A Breakdown of the Joshua Tree Conservation Act

Planet People Podcast

In this important episode, hosts Coral and Natalie discuss the history of Joshua tree conservation in Southern California and examine the groundbreaking Joshua Tree Conservation Act. They explore what it takes to protect these iconic desert trees under their own dedicated legislation, analyzing the current threats Joshua trees face from rapid solar development and the escalating impacts of climate change. This comprehensive conversation covers the legislative journey, conservation challenges, and the critical importance of specialized protection for one of the Mojave Desert’s most beloved...

23. An Ocean-Positive Future: Combating Deep-Sea Mining & Protecting Marine Ecosystems w/ Carissa Cabrera

Planet People Podcast

Carissa Cabrera, CEO of FutureSwell and marine biologist, joins us to discuss her multifaceted approach to ocean conservation through media, education, and community building. Based in Hawaiʻi, Carissa integrates Indigenous management with modern conservation practices while serving as a National Geographic educator and content creator. We explore the challenges facing marine ecosystems, including the ongoing threat of deep-sea mining, where regulatory decisions continue to be delayed until 2025. As both a scientist and entrepreneur, Carissa shares insights on building a conservation media...

More Episodes

Listen to this episode on your favorite podcast platform or watch the video version on our YouTube channel to see the birds we identify during our walk!

Episode Overview

This episode continues our conversation with park ranger Alex Wild, featuring a guided nature walk around San Elijo Lagoon. Alex identifies various birds and plants while discussing his role as a park ranger and sharing stories about inspiring environmental elders. This episode follows our previous discussion with Alex about recent attacks on National Parks and federal worker cuts that affected him personally. We had a special guest join us, Franklin the desert tortoise, Alex's former pet now serving as an animal ambassador at San Elijo. Keep reading to learn more about the birds we saw in this episode!

Key Topics Discussed

Major talking points included bird identification and birding tips, including creating a "life list" for birding. We also defined "Spark Birds" - the species that ignite someone's passion for birding and how ornithology lends itself to Alex's responsibilities as a park ranger. Spiritual connection to the land and the importance of role models as environmental elders who inspire. Most importantly, we discuss what it means to use our voice to protect natural spaces we love.

Poetry Feature:

"The Peace of Wild Things" By Wendell Berry

When despair for the world grows in me

and I wake in the night at the least sound

in fear of what my life and my children’s lives may be,

I go and lie down where the wood drake

rests in his beauty on the water, and the great heron feeds.

I come into the peace of wild things

who do not tax their lives with forethought

of grief. I come into the presence of still water.

And I feel above me the day-blind stars

waiting with their light. For a time

I rest in the grace of the world, and am free.

Featured Segments

Endangered Bird Segment: Endangered bird species are under threat! This recently published report from the 2025 US State of the Birds Report by the American Bird Conservancy outlines the threats that birds face across America and defines proactive solutions to protect bird populations for future generations.

Key findings from the new report show that more than one-third of U.S. bird species are of high or moderate conservation concern, including 112 Tipping Point species that have lost more than 50 percent of their populations in the last 50 years.

Betty Reid Soskin Park Ranger segment: Betty Reid Soskin (born Betty Charbonnet; 1921), now retired, was a park ranger with the National Park Service, assigned to the Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park in Richmond, California. In 2015, Betty was selected to participate in the national tree-lighting ceremony in President’s Park at the White House, introducing President Barack Obama during the PBS telecast. At 100 years of age in 2022, Betty retired as the oldest park ranger in the National Park Service. Thank you for your hard-earned work, Betty!

Episode Overview

Key Topics Discussed

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