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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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:...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
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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...
info_outlineListen to Brooke Mitchell’s podcast Rewildology here:
"Where the Wild Calls: A Journey Through Patagonia's Route of Parks"
"Where the Wild Calls" is produced in partnership with Conservación Patagónica and the Route of Parks initiative. A portion of proceeds supports on-the-ground conservation efforts throughout Chilean Patagonia.
Episode Summary
Join host Brooke Mitchell on an epic 1,700-mile journey through Chile's spectacular Route of Parks, a groundbreaking conservation corridor stretching from the puma territories of Torres del Paine to the ancient Alerce forests of Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park.
From tracking elusive pumas in Torres del Paine to witnessing the recovery of ancient temperate rainforests in Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park, this series captures the ecological diversity, conservation innovations, and human stories that make Chile's Route of Parks a global model for large-scale conservation.
Featured Destinations Discussed
This landmark series takes you deep into one of our planet's most ambitious conservation projects, where wildlands protection meets community development to create a model for the future of conservation worldwide.
Each episode brings you face-to-face with the remarkable wildlife, landscapes, and people that make Patagonia one of Earth's last great wild places.
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Torres del Paine National Park: Track elusive pumas alongside conservation scientists working to reduce human-wildlife conflict
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Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park: Explore ancient temperate rainforests and the legacy of Douglas Tompkins' visionary conservation work
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Kawésqar National Park: Discover marine conservation initiatives protecting the pristine fjords and channels of Chilean Patagonia
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Patagonia National Park: Witness grassland restoration and wildlife recovery in this former ranch turned conservation showcase
Special Guests and Stories
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Conservation Pioneers: Exclusive interviews with the visionaries behind Chile's Route of Parks
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Indigenous Guardians: Learn how native communities are reclaiming their role as stewards of ancestral lands
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Scientific Discoveries: Join researchers documenting rare species and ecosystem recovery
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Local Champions: Meet the guides, rangers, and community members on the frontlines of protection
Episode Resources
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Field Trip - podcast
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Project Patagonia - Listen, experience, and protect in April 2026 at Torres Del Paine
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Donate to protect pumas with Project Panthera and Brooke Mitchell
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“Walking with Pumas” Rupestre - famous puma
How to engage
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Listen: Available on all major podcast platforms
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Follow: @rewildology and @planet.people.pod on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content
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Support: Each episode connects you with specific conservation initiatives making a difference in Patagonia
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Visit: Plan your journey along the Route of Parks with our companion travel guide