Whale Song and Elephant Communication with Katy Payne, Whale Language with Gašper Beguš and Project CETI, The Dance of the Honeybee, Feeding Ben Stuff, Cryptid Corner, Grandparent Stories, Jokes, Riddles and More

Do animals talk? The answer might surprise you! Join us as we dive deep with zoologist and pioneering animal researcher Katy Payne and discover the complex ways whales and elephants communicate. She even does her best whale song impression for us! Project CETI works to understand what whales are saying. CETI linguistics lead and professor Gašper Beguš talks with Wild Interest about his work with sperm whales, and the whale language his research is discovering. It even has an alphabet! Dance with us as we buzz about the sweet ways honeybees talk to each other, and bundle up for frigid tales of the Ningen, an aquatic cryptid said to inhabit the Arctic Ocean north of Japan. We’re back with a second hilarious installment of Feeding Ben Stuff, and all the usual fun you’ve come to expect like Favorite Sound, Grandparent Stories, a real stumper of a riddle, jokes and more. Let’s get wild!

Timestamps for this episode are available below. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message: www.wildinterest.com/submissions

00:00 Episode 11 Intro
01:48 Animal Talk
03:45 Whale Language with Gašper Beguš and Project CETI
10:52 Joke Time
11:46 The Dance of the Honeybee
14:56 Riddle Question
15:20 Cryptid Corner: The Ningen
18:08 Favorite Sound
19:01 Call for Submissions
19:28 Grandparent Story
23:32 Feeding Ben Stuff
29:25 Whale Song and Elephant Communication with Katy Payne
38:31 Riddle Answer
38:53 Preview of Episode 12
39:25 Show Credits
39:57 Bloopers

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Join us as we get into the holiday spirit with a special Christmas-themed episode! Frankincense sounds intense... what the heck is myrrh? Learn about the three wise men, also known as the Magi, and the gifts they carried across the desert. Pucker up as we unravel the mysteries of mistletoe, and hear all about Three Kings Day, which comes 12 days after Christmas and is believed to be the day the Magi first saw the baby Jesus. Our special correspondent Rio tells us how he celebrates Christmas in Puerto Rico, and we get to enjoy a special holiday song from musician OK Ivy. All that plus Grandparent Stories, jokes, songs, and a real stumper of a riddle.

To hear the original, longer version of Wild Interest producer Scott Gurian's story about parranda Christmas caroling in Puerto Rico, check out his podcast Far From Home.

Music in this episode included Act II Hygro by Jo Wandrini courtesy of Epidemic Sound.

Timestamps for this episode are available below. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message: www.wildinterest.com/submissions

0:00 - Episode 10 Intro
1:28 - Three Kings Day
6:29 - Joke Time
7:04 - Call for Submissions
7:31 - The Music of OK Ivy
13:32 - Favorite Sounds
15:03 - Riddle Question
15:24 - Singing a Christmas Round
16:27 - The Meaning of Mistletoe
21:07 - Frankincense and Myrrh
22:27 - Christmas Caroling in Puerto Rico
26:25 - Grandparent Stories
33:56 - Riddle Answer
34:17 - Christmas Reflections
34:58 - Twas the Night Before Christmas
39:38 - Preview of Episode 11 / Call for Reviews
40:18 - Show Credits
40:58 - Bloopers

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Join us as we give thanks for a wonderful first year of the Wild Interest podcast. Put on your aprons, grab your pots, and grease your pans as we learn all about cooking up fun family time in the kitchen! Get that warm fuzzy feeling with a touching “best of” Grandparent Stories featuring excerpts from our first nine episodes. Just try not to crack up during Joke Time with hilarious zingers submitter by you, the listeners! And this time we’re coming at ya’ with not one, not two, but three head scratching riddles, a chef’s favorite sound, a chance to sing along with us, and last but not least, an interview with a real live turkey!

Timestamps for this episode are available below. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message: www.wildinterest.com/submissions

0:00 - Episode 9 Intro
3:15 - Grandparent Stories Part 1: Esme and Bibi
4:45 - Grandparent Stories Part 2: Bedloe and Mama Lou
6:09 - Fun Turkey Facts
9:58 - Joke Time
10:55 - Grandparent Stories Part 3: Evan and Eggy
13:25 - Facts to Share at Thanksgiving
15:31 - Grandparent Stories Part 4: Theo and Grandpa
18:23 - Favorite Sound
19:20 - Call for Submissions
19:47 - Grandparent Stories Part 5: Jaylee and Grandma
23:05 - Riddle Questions
23:48 - Grandparent Stories Part 6: Zora and Grammy
26:54 - Makin’ Gravy
29:29 - Grandparent Stories Part 7: Rose and Poppa
35:29 - Family Time: Singing a Round
37:50 - Grandparent Stories Part 8: Nichole and Tita Salud
42:23 - Interview With a Turkey
44:09 - Riddle Answers
44:58 - Show Ending
45:23 - Preview of Episode 10
45:43 - Show Credits
46:05 - Bloopers

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Our latest episode is all about the wild, wonderful world beneath our feet. Where does the word “dirt” come from? How do plants get nutrients from the soil? Could getting dirty be good for you? What about eating dirt? Nichole interviews Brandy Hall at Shades of Green Permaculture and learns about the importance of mindful landscape design, and how kids can get involved in healthy soil projects at home. We speak with biochar expert Peter Olivier about how charred organic matter can make soil healthier, and interview archeologist Casey Sharp about the amazing stories dirt can reveal about ancient people. We investigate garden grubs with a gaggle of kid correspondents, shine a light on the fascinating process of photosynthesis, feature a Bobby the Bigfoot guest-hosted Cryptid Corner, and as always present the usual jokes, riddles, Favorite Sound and Grandparent Stories.

Timestamps for this episode are available below. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message: www.wildinterest.com/submissions

0:00 - Episode 8 intro
1:19 - Etymology of Dirt
4:02 - Riddle Question
4:22 - Permaculture
11:13 - Biochar
13:53 - Favorite Sound
14:53 - Grubs
18:33 - Mabuhay Moment
20:22 - Magic Dirt
22:59 - Joke Time
24:03 - Archeology
28:39 - Grandparent Stories
31:27 - Good Dirt
34:26 - Cryptid Corner: The Loveland Frogman
37:08 - Riddle Answer
37:45 - Call for Reviews and Submissions
38:32 - Credits
39:03 - Bloopers

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Our seventh episode is all about sound, performance and storytelling. Nichole interviews Taryn Janelle and LeRell Ross of Atlanta’s Synchronicity Theatre who adapted John Steptoe’s 1987 award-winning children’s book “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters” into a musical theater piece for all ages. Our special correspondent Nicholas drops the needle on some choice selections from his personal vinyl record collection, then drops in on Michael Greig Thomas at Echo Base Records to see how vinyl records are actually made! We also investigate how insects called cicadas make “music” by vibrating their abdomens, explore the alien secrets of Area 51 in Cryptid Corner, and bring you our usual Grandparent Stories, hilarious jokes, and a brain-twisting riddle.

Timestamps for this episode are available below. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message: www.wildinterest.com/submissions

0:00 - Episode 7 Intro
1:18 - Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters
13:10 - Riddle Question
13:30 - The Music of Cicadas
18:35 - Joke Time
19:38 - Dropping the Needle on Vinyl Records
29:13 - Favorite Sound
30:30 - Cryptid Corner - Area 51
34:20 - Grandparent Stories
39:18 - Riddle Answer
39:42 - Episode Ending
39:58 - Preview of Episode 8
40:21 - Call for Submissions
40:45 - Credits
41:18 - Bloopers

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Hot on the trail of adventure, we track down otters with Jessica Kraft, learn to read the forest with Mark Warren, and learn about how technology is tracking us and what to do about it with McKenzie Funk. Along the way, Bobby the Bigfoot tells us how Sasquatches induce ASMR, and Nichole tells us about the number nine’s magical properties. As if that weren’t enough, she also teaches us a song to remember the names of all 50 states. And Evan tells us about his latest cryptid — a cute little critter that appeared in Dover, Massachusetts in 1977. Or did it? Last but not least, Evan and Nichole do the Tinikling, Electric Slide, and Cupid Shuffle at a Philippine Independence Day celebration. Plus, we have our usual favorite sounds, jokes, riddles, and general hijinks. It’s wild!

Timestamps for this episode are available below. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message: www.wildinterest.com/submissions

0:00 - Episode 6 Intro
01:35 - Mark Warren animal tracking
12:59 - Riddle Question
13:15 - States Song
14:43 - Jessica Kraft - tracking otters
20:03 - Joke Time
20:56 - Mabuhay Moment
25:33 - ASMR
27:17 - McKenzie Funk - Protecting Your Privacy
38:08 - Favorite Sound
39:09 - Cryptid Corner
43:34 - Wild Nines
46:58 - Grandparent Stories
54:17 - Riddle Answer
54:34 - Preview of episode 7
55:02 - Call for Submissions
55:27 - Credits
55:57 - Bloopers

wildinterest.com

In this episode we talk to the heroes at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya who rescue orphaned baby elephants, raising them until they can return to the wild. They tell us all about a special baby elephant named Toto. We’re also joined by musician, historian, and creator of the Brooklyn Folk Festival, Eli Smith. He talks about his life in folk music, plays us the same song on two very different banjos, and explains the competition he invented that involves tossing banjos into Brooklyn’s murky Gowanus Canal (if you have an iPhone or Apple device, be sure to check out his banjo toss video game). Next we hit the slopes with Ariana and learn about the history, hard work, and thrill of ski racing in Vermont. We also get a report from our on-the-ground correspondent Nola, who walks us through the city of New Orleans with all its special flavors and sounds. Not to be outdone, Bobby the Bigfoot returns to chat with Evan and (try to) play a banjo. Plus, we have our usual favorite sounds, jokes, riddles, and general hijinks. It’s wild!

Timestamps for this episode are available below. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message: www.wildinterest.com/submissions

Timestamps:

(0:00) Episode 5 Intro

(1:11) NOLA in New Orleans

(5:09) Favorite Sound

(5:56) Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage

(13:30) Riddle Question

(13:49) Taste Explained

(17:57) Grandparent Story

(22:49) Ski Racing on Stowe Mountain

(25:41) Bobby the Bigfoot Calls In

(27:32) Cryptid Corner

(29:53) Eli Smith Banjo

(38:26) Jokes

(39:23) Bobby the Bigfoot On Banjo

(40:20) Riddle Answer

(40:42) Episode 6 Preview

wildinterest.com

Welcome to our Spring Holiday special! Spring is the season for flowers, baby animals, and major holidays! In this very special episode, we travel the globe to celebrate Easter, Passover, Holi, and Ramadan. We learn about Easter traditions from the washing of the feet to an Easter Day procession in the northern Philippines. We hear the Passover story from musical phenom Alica Jo Rabins, and Simone in Northern California invites us to her family’s Seder dinner. Evan throws colors at a Holi celebration. And we learn about how Ramadan is celebrated from Jakarta to Turkmenistan.

Timestamps for this episode are available below. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes, favorite sounds, or send us a message: www.wildinterest.com/submissions

Timestamps:

[00:00] Intro

[1:24] Holi: Festival Of Colors

[4:12] Ramadan: Turkmenistan To Brooklyn

[6:40] Ramadan: Rustam In Jakarta

[8:53] Easter: Washing Of The Feet With Fr. Jeffery Ott

[12:54] Easter: Lola Lita In Manila

[16:16] Passover: Alicia Jo Rabins

[22:17] Passover: Simone Invites Us To Her Seder

wildinterest.com