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HumaNature

Megan Feighery

HumaNature explores where humans and our habitat meet. You'll hear real stories about human experiences in nature. Along the way, we’ll meet people whose encounters help us reflect on our own place in the natural world.

© 2021 HumaNature

HumaNature explores where humans and our habitat meet. You'll hear real stories about human experiences in nature. Along the way, we’ll meet people whose encounters help us reflect on our own place in the natural world.

© 2021 HumaNature
51hr 60min
Thumbnail for "HumaNature Season 8 Trailer".
Join us as we gear up for season 8 of HumaNature.
Thumbnail for "Episode 115: A Zucchini Haters Guide to Growing Zucchini".
Thumbnail for "Episode 114: The Running Man".
Thumbnail for "HumaNature Season 10 Trailer".
Thumbnail for "Episode 113: The Air We Breathe".
Erin Parisi is on a mission to become the first trans woman to summit the highest mountain peaks on all seven continents. She’s conquered five of them and wants to save Mount Everest for last, but one mountain keeps standing in her way.
Thumbnail for "Episode 112: Buckaroo and The Blues".
Gayle Woodsum loves llamas. And her work with them would lead her to help evacuate hundreds of them from a Montana animal sanctuary in 2011. It is still one of the largest rescue operations ever documented in U.S. history.
Thumbnail for "Episode 111: Ruffin' It: A Road Trip Adventure".
Carolyn Hochlowski never liked the outdoors. But when she turned 36 she realized life was passing her by.
Thumbnail for "Points North: No Ice Is Safe Ice".
A collaboration between Points North and HumaNature.
Thumbnail for "Episode 110: A Discovery of Whales".
Doreen Cunningham always loved whales. So when she got the chance to live with an Iñupiaq tribe, whose survival depends on whales, she jumped at it.
Thumbnail for "Episode 109: Close Encounters of the Wild Kind IV".
This week we will bring you two stories from listeners who have gotten a little too close for comfort with some of nature’s critters while spending time outdoors.
Thumbnail for "Episode 108: The Night Shepherd".
Josh King grew up in small town Wyoming. So he never imagined that one day he would end up being a night shepherd in the Swiss Alps.
Thumbnail for "Episode 107: Where we're going we don't need roads, just rivers".
In our final episode of the season, join us as two outdoor adventurers find themselves back together on a journey they won't forget.
Thumbnail for "Episode 106: Paws in peril, expect the unexpected".
When Jeff Bonhert's dog didn't come home one day he feared the worst. Two months later he got a phone call that changed everything, and Jeff realized his dog may have been closer to home than he realized.
Thumbnail for "Episode 105: Not all who wander are lost, but some definitely are".
Mike Sarvey was an experienced hunter who felt confident in his outdoors skills. But one day he ventured in the Wyoming wilderness and lost his bearings. As the sun began to set, he realized he had made a huge mistake and that you can never be too prepared.
Thumbnail for "Episode 104: Hey now, you're a lob-star".
When Brady Brandwood decided to see what would happen when he bought a lobster to keep as a pet, he never expected it to change his life. This is the story of Leon the Lobster and his unlikely journey from grocery store tank to social media sensation.
Thumbnail for "Episode 103: The mountains are calling and I must go...grab my peanut".
In 2022, Bob Salem broke a very unusual record. He now holds the fastest time for pushing a peanut up Pikes Peak Mountain with his nose. Hear Bob's story and the history of this unusual feat on this week's episode.
Thumbnail for "Episode 102: Urban Birder".
David Lindo always loved nature, but he grew up in the middle of the city and didn't feel like he had access to it. Until one day he realized that nature is everywhere. He started looking up, looking around, and inadvertently found a career in the process.
Thumbnail for "Bonus: Modern West ‘Rematriation".
As we ring in our 100th episode, current and former HumaNature producers and hosts share their favorite episodes.
Thumbnail for "BONUS 100th Episode Celebration W/ Ryan Kelley EP 4".
As we ring in our 100th episode, current and former HumaNature producers and hosts share their favorite episodes.
Thumbnail for "BONUS 100th Episode Celebration W/ Micah Schweizer EP 3".
As we ring in our 100th episode, current and former HumaNature producers and hosts share their favorite episodes.
Thumbnail for "BONUS 100th Episode Celebration W/ Charles Fournier EP 2".
As we ring in our 100th episode, current and former HumaNature producers and hosts share their favorite episodes.
Thumbnail for "BONUS 100th Episode Celebration W/ Megan Feighery EP 1".
As we ring in our 100th episode, current and former HumaNature producers and hosts share their favorite episodes.
Thumbnail for "Episode 101: Seas the Day".
Emma Harper lives in Cornwall, England. She's a wife, a mother, and...a real-life mermaid! Emma spends hours each week in the Cornish seas frolicking in the waves. But she also uses her platform to speak up for our oceans and why they need protecting.
Thumbnail for "Episode 100: Bigfoot, a gorilla, and a potato all walk into a bar...".
For the 100th episode of HumaNature, we’re bringing you two stories! In the first, a man plays the ultimate prank on his brother. In the second, a man out doing trail maintenance finds something odd at his campsite.
Thumbnail for "Episode 99: All Beagles Great and Small".
This time, almost 4000 Beagles are rescued and given a second chance at life.
Thumbnail for "Episode 98: The Long and Winding Trail".
After months of isolation during the pandemic one Vermont family, and their dog Moshi, decides to thru-hike a 272-mile trail for the very first time.
Thumbnail for "Episode 97: Chekhov’s Bear Spray".
Kirk Speckhals spent most of his summers in Wyoming mountain biking. He lives in Jackson Hole and always felt comfortable venturing into bear country. But that all changed on a beautiful August day when Kirk found himself face to face with a grizzly bear.
Thumbnail for "Episode 96: Reggie the Alligator".
In the early 2000’s Los Angeles became obsessed with a new celebrity – a six foot alligator named Reggie. And when city officials set out to capture him, Reggie went on the lam.
Thumbnail for "HumaNature Update".
A HumaNature update.
Thumbnail for "Episode 95: Close Encounters Of The Wild Kind III".
It's late spring and animals are on the move. Sometimes their paths cross with people. For our last episode of the season, here are two stories…this time from the deep.
Thumbnail for "Episode 94: Surfing With Jason".
Justin Murray and his brother Jason spent their childhoods in Florida. They did everything together: fishing, surfing, making their own surfboards. But when they grew up, they forgot about their old dreams and got corporate jobs--until something happened that reminded Justin what life was all about.
Thumbnail for "Episode 93: Reaching Rob's Roadhouse".
Greg Mills and his best friend Rob adventured together in the Alaska wilderness. Their dream was to run the Iditarod Trail Invitational Trail together. A wild river seemed to present an insurmountable obstacle. Despite everything, Greg kept going.
Thumbnail for "Episode 92: Fireline".
Introducing Montana Public Radio's new podcast, Fireline. When Lily Clarke arrived at the August Complex Fire, it was a fire of sensational size. The blaze eventually burned more than 1 million acres, becoming the largest recorded wildfire in California history. Across the country in 2020, flames charred an area nearly 5 times the size of Yellowstone National Park — the largest swath of land burned since reliable records began. Wildfires across the country are getting bigger, hotter and more devastating. But what's all this fire really mean — for the west, for firefighters and for everyday folks? And what's it really like to fight fire on the ground?
Thumbnail for "Episode 91: Meeting A King".
Shermin de Silva was an elephant researcher looking for a sign. Then she met a king.
Thumbnail for "Episode 90: These Boots Were Made For Hiking".
Wyn Wiley thought they had to pass for straight, even in their beloved outdoors. But then a special pair of boots came into their life.
Thumbnail for "Episode 89: Beyond The Court ".
Damen Bell-Holter faced a lot of trauma growing up in his small village in Alaska. He formed a goal to play professional basketball. But reaching for his dreams revealed an even larger purpose.  
Thumbnail for "Episode 88: From One Glowworm To Another".
How has your relationship with nature changed during the pandemic? The HumaNature community weighs in.
Thumbnail for "Bonus Episode: Ten Steps  ".
We're on a holiday break until January 20. In the meantime, here's a dramatic story from the archives. In December 2016, Karen Klein got trapped in a snowstorm near the Grand Canyon. But she pushed through it to save her family.
Thumbnail for "Episode 87: 'Have I Had My Last Good Oyster?'".
HumaNature's taking a holiday break. We'll be back with a fresh new episode on January 20. In the meantime, we'd like to introduce you to Life Raft, an upbeat podcast about living with climate change. In this episode, they take us on a journey from a famous oyster bar in New Orleans to a lab that’s trying to prepare oysters for a more turbulent future.
Thumbnail for "Episode 86: A Vegan's Guide To Eating Chicken".
Muyambi loved biking, so when his friends asked him to plan a cycling trip across his home country of Uganda he was thrilled. But challenges arose one late night when they had to get creative for dinner.
Thumbnail for "Episode 85: The Unclimbables".
Mo Beck was a professional climber who regularly won gold in competitions. But when she joined a team on a long expedition in the remote Cirque of the Unclimbables, she was amused to witness the tension between two of her fellow teammates...and the stinky solution.
Thumbnail for "Episode 84: Out On The Road".
Mikah Meyer grew up the son of a pastor and secretly struggled with his sexuality. But on a record-setting road trip to all of America's national parks, he realized its success hinged on being open about who he was.
Thumbnail for "Episode 83: The In-Between IV".
The leaves are scattering down the sidewalk and fog touches the tips of the trees. It's that time of year again when the shadows lengthen and we bring you stories that aren't quite human or all the way natural. Welcome to a most haunted theatre.
Thumbnail for "Episode 82: The Afrovivalist".
Sharon Ross wanted to be prepared for anything. But when she joined others getting ready for the end of the world, she found herself the odd one out.         Header photo by Sera Lindsey Additional links https://blackpdx.com/destinati
Thumbnail for "Season 6 Preview".
A glimpse of some of the stories coming your way this season, starting October 14.    
Thumbnail for "Bonus Episode: The Source".
Climate change is all over the news, from burning forests to melting ice sheets. But it can seem like a big, abstract problem. Writer Manasseh Franklin wanted to make the melting of glaciers more real to people. So on an Alaskan rafting trip, she followe
Thumbnail for "Bonus Episode: Row Row Row Your Boat. Or Not.".
As summer wanes, we’re reaching into the archives for a story about a classic summer activity: a leisurely river float. At least, that’s what it was supposed to be. But when they lost their guide, a group of tourists got more than they bargai
Thumbnail for "Bonus Episode: Tipping Point".
While we work on new stories for this fall, here’s a summer favorite from 2019. Natalie Warren and Ann Raiho paddled thousands of miles in a canoe from Minneapolis to the shores of the Hudson Bay. The journey tested their physical strength – and th
Thumbnail for "Episode 81: The Ghost Of Africa".
South Africans Chris Diedericks and Anna Calitz wanted to go on a romantic getaway, but their adventure broke down before it even began.             Music Blue Dot Sessions
Thumbnail for "Episode 80: Starstruck".
Juan Martinez grew up in South Central L.A. in the early nineties. He was struggling to find his way until he traded detention for a pack of jalapeño seeds. Those led him all the way to the stars.       Juan at Yosemite National Park with
Thumbnail for "Episode 79: The Feeling Of Being Alive".
Boyd Varty lives on a game reserve in South Africa near Kruger National Park. After his family began returning the land to its wild state, it awakened something wild in him, too.       Photography by Amanda Ritchie     Connect wi
Thumbnail for "Episode 78: Biking On Empty".
After cycling across America, Taylor Thibodeau had a lifetime of adventures ahead of him…until a mysterious illness cut that short. Then he decided to adventure anyway.         Photos from their trip across America    
Thumbnail for "Episode 77: Morley’s Vision".
Morley Nelson delighted in watching raptors in aerial combat as they fought over nesting sites. And he made it his life’s mission to protect the part of Idaho’s Snake River with the highest nesting density of birds of prey in North America. T
Thumbnail for "Episode 76: Close Encounters Of The Wild Kind II".
It’s springtime and Earth Day! Animals are on the move, and sometimes their paths cross with people. Here are five stories to help you get outside while you’re stuck at home.       Learn more about Nate Summers’ book, Primal: W
Thumbnail for "Episode 75: Trying To Get Home".
Michael Benanav studies nomadic people as a writer and photographer. So when he was invited to accompany the Van Gujjar of northern India on their annual migration with their water buffalo, he jumped at the chance. Turned out, they wanted a journalist al
Thumbnail for "Bonus Episode: Hiking Through History".
When Tarik Moore became an Outdoor Afro leader, the first hike he planned wasn’t a traditional one. He took his group down city streets to commemorate Philadelphia’s Osage Avenue bombing.     Listen to Tarik’s episode The Summ
Thumbnail for "Episode 74: Does A Kid Poop In The Woods?".
Cindy Ross wanted to keep pursuing her long-distance hiking passion after she had kids. But she didn’t know how to make that happen. Then a chance encounter with a llama breeder opened the path to the Continental Divide Trail.        
Thumbnail for "Episode 73: Not Healed, But Healing".
Brandon Kuehn survived the Iraq War. But after he got home, he struggled with nightmares and addiction. Then he found trail running…and the Pacific Crest Trail.     If you like HumaNature, help us tell more stories! Support us at https://donate
Thumbnail for "Episode 72: Everyone Needs A Purpose".
Christopher McDougall is famous for starting the barefoot running craze with his book ‘Born to Run.’ And now he has an unusual new running partner⁠—a donkey named Sherman.     If you like HumaNature, help us tell more stories! Suppo
Thumbnail for "Bonus: Moose Surprise".
We have a snazzy new t-shirt design for you. But it isn’t without a little controversy.   Support This Podcast If you like HumaNature, help us tell more stories! Support us at https://donate.nprstations.org/wpr/humanature. You can also follow
Thumbnail for "Episode 71: The Summit".
Tarik Moore always enjoyed nature. So when he found an outdoorsy community, it led to new adventures—like becoming a member of the first all-Black American team to summit Mt. Kilimanjaro.         Go here to learn more about Outdoor Af
Thumbnail for "Episode 70: Through Oliver’s Eyes".
When Wendy Hellowell’s son Oliver was born, he was diagnosed with Down syndrome. She realized the two of them would face enormous challenges. But they got help from a little faith and a camera.       Oliver Hellowell’s website
Thumbnail for "Episode 69: Brain On Nature".
We’re taking a little break for the holidays, so we have a special treat for you from down under. The Australian podcast Brain on Nature tells the story of how going into nature helped a woman recover from a traumatic brain injury. We hope you love
Thumbnail for "Bonus Episode: Why Elephants Never Forget".
As you feast on podcasts during the holidays, here’s a second helping of an old favorite. Aubrey Bertram traveled to East Asia to help animals that had been abused by humans. But a harrowing experience taught her that good intentions might not be enough.
Thumbnail for "Episode 68: All The World’s A Deer Stand".
Fisher Neal was a struggling actor in New York City. So he turned to his old hunting skills for a side job extremely off-Broadway.         Fisher’s Instagram   Header image by Nicholas A. Tonelli via https://creativecommons
Thumbnail for "Episode 67: The In-Between III".
A burned-bare house. A pervy spirit. The ghost of Schafer Meadows. A haunted woman. It’s our annual Halloween episode—keep your friends close and your lights on as we find the place that’s not quite human or all the way natural.    
Thumbnail for "Episode 66: The Secret Of The Adirondack Lean-tos".
Jeff Osgood and his friend Anthony just wanted to go on a winter hiking trip in the Adirondack Wilderness in upstate New York. But after a series of mishaps, their adventure took a strange turn with the discovery of a mysterious VHS cassette tape.  
Thumbnail for "Episode 65: Deserted".
Josh Patterson loved taking photographs of rare finds in the Mojave Desert. But on one trip, things didn’t go as planned.     Photos by Josh Patterson   Music Blue Dot Sessions  
Thumbnail for "Episode 64: Migrations".
Caroline Van Hemert and her husband Pat were nearly finished with the most ambitious trip of their lives, a 4000-mile trek across the Yukon and Alaska following animal migrations. But bad weather and a missed food drop put their lives in jeopardy.  
Thumbnail for "Season 5 Preview".
HumaNature returns on September 11 with a new season of stories where humans and our habitat meet.     Music Blue Dot Sessions  
Thumbnail for "Episode 63: Impermafrost".
All across the Arctic, frozen soil is thawing out. A lot of stuff is buried there – plants and animals that lived more than 10,000 years ago. This episode from Threshold asks what happens when a Paleolithic bison bone starts to decompose for the first ti
Thumbnail for "Bonus Episode: Time Bomb".
For her final episode as the host of HumaNature, Caroline has chosen an old favorite. Brian Corliss just wanted to quench his thirst. But on a snowmobile outing, he grabbed the wrong bottle. *Disclaimer: The actions taken in this story do not constitute medical advice. In the case of poisoning, call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222.
Thumbnail for "Episode 62: Lost Bearings".
Curt Meyer was looking for adventure, so he took a job aboard a Japanese fishing trawler on the Bering Sea. But when a storm hit, the lack of a shared language kept him in the dark as things turned deadly.           Music Blue Dot Ses
Thumbnail for "Episode 61: Tipping Point".
Natalie Warren and Ann Raiho paddled thousands of miles in a canoe from Minneapolis to the shores of the Hudson Bay. The journey tested their physical strength – and the strength of their friendship.       align=”aligncenter”
Thumbnail for "Bonus Episode: Carbon And Dust".
An encore presentation of our 2019 PMJA Best Station Podcast award-winner. Felicia Friesema and Steve Julian had a “miracle relationship.” They carved out an oasis in the middle of Los Angeles. But then they found themselves facing one of the
Thumbnail for "Episode 60: The Source".
Manasseh Franklin wanted to make the melting of glaciers more real to people through her writing. So on an Alaskan rafting trip, she followed water to its source.         Music Blue Dot Sessions  
Thumbnail for "Episode 59: Vicious And Viral".
Travis Kauffman went for a trail run near his home in Colorado. But an unexpected run-in almost turned him into trail mix. Then the internet got involved.           Music Blue Dot Sessions  
Thumbnail for "Episode 58: Close Encounters Of The Wild Kind".
It’s spring! Animals are on the move, and sometimes their paths cross with people. Here are four stories.     This episode’s storytellers: Matthew Manguso, Dale Dunn, Tara Pappas, Faye Fulton   Music Blue Dot Sessions  
Thumbnail for "Episode 57: Forest Bathing".
When she became a mom, Andrea Sarubbi Fereshteh went from full speed ahead to a full stop. But then she found a place that showed her stillness is okay.           Music Blue Dot Sessions  
Thumbnail for "Episode 56: The Shuidong Connection".
In 2016, a team of undercover investigators infiltrated an international ivory-smuggling ring. It all began with a sea cucumber trader in Zanzibar.   To read the Environmental Investigation Agency report on the Shuidong Connection, click here.  
Thumbnail for "Episode 55 Part 1: The Sinking Of The Blythe Star".
For this special two-part story, the Australian podcast Off Track takes us across the globe to the coast of Tasmania and back in time to 1973 for a story of survival and loss.      Listen to Part 2       Cover image by Alan Levin
Thumbnail for "Episode 55 Part 2: The Sinking Of The Blythe Star".
For this special two-part story, the Australian podcast Off Track takes us across the globe to the coast of Tasmania and back in time to 1973 for a story of survival and loss.     Listen to Part 1       Cover image by Alan Levine
Thumbnail for "Episode 54: A Life For Science".
Sergio Avila Villegas always loved big cats. But his faith in his scientific research was shaken when he discovered its true cost.       Music Sleepwalker III by Sergey Cheremisinov is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial License
Thumbnail for "Episode 53: We’re Thru-(Hike)".
Emily Pennington was super in love with her boyfriend. But a backpacking trip put that to the test.         The hike to Mount Whitney   Music Beautiful Rain by Ketsa Wilson’s Snipe by Chad Crouch is licensed under an Attrib
Thumbnail for "Episode 52: A Positive Experience!".
Monty Hudson wanted his daughter, Siena, to have a good time on her first backpacking trip. But things didn’t go according to plan.             Music The Frequency Shift by Ars Sonor is licensed under a Attribution-Sha
Thumbnail for "Episode 51: The Water At The Roof Of The World".
Wang Ping wanted to go to Tibet to bless the world. But to do that, she had to risk her own safety.       The first trip with the Yangtze and Mississippi River flags in 2013   The second trip to Mount Everest on the Nepal side of the
Thumbnail for "Episode 50: Witness".
Gayle Woodsum finally found a safe place in the remote Rocky Mountains. But when an oil rig moved in, she wondered how safe it was after all.         Music What True Self, Feels Bogus, Let’s Watch Jason X by Chris Zabriskie is l
Thumbnail for "Bonus Episode: Finding The Way Home In A Purple Canoe".
While we’re putting the finishing touches on a great new release, here’s a rescored episode from Season 1. Patrick Dobson was stuck in his life, so he decided to take a trip by canoe from Montana to Missouri. Only he had never canoed before.
Thumbnail for "Episode 49: Murphy’s Law".
Marty Edwards wanted to go on a fun trip with his girlfriend. But Mother Nature had other plans.         Music Credits A Vital Piece of Music for All Your Soundtrack Needs by Steve Combs is licensed under an Attribution License March
Thumbnail for "Episode 48: The In-Between II".
A haunted shop. An interview with spirits. A protective force field. It’s the time of year when the shadows lengthen and we bring you stories that aren’t quite natural and aren’t all the way human.   Erin and Caroline interviewing
Thumbnail for "Episode 47: Protector".
Miho Aida wanted to tell unheard stories about the outdoors. So she set out on a bicycle to promote her documentary about the people who live in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. But when she encountered a different point of view, she found she had to
Thumbnail for "Bonus Episode: Catch And Release".
Here’s a re-scored episode from Season 1. Tonia Hanson had a secret. But when a private river retreat turned out to be very, very public, Tonia found unexpected healing.     Music Credits Avec Soin – Romance by Kevin MacLeod is lice
Thumbnail for "Episode 46: Sanctuary".
In 2012, 30 wolves and wolf-dogs were living at W.O.L.F. Sanctuary in northern Colorado. But one sunny June morning, a massive wildfire closed in on their mountain home. The HumaNature team at W.O.L.F Sanctuary   The wolves in our episode   The
Thumbnail for "The Event Horizon Part 3: Death".
To Alua Arthur, life made no sense. But then she began to make sense of death. This is Part 3 of The Event Horizon, a three-part series where we’re considering creation and destruction. If you haven’t heard Part 1 or Part 2, go back and listen.   Fu
Thumbnail for "The Event Horizon Part 2: Creativity".
If creative and destructive forces are linked, what does this say about artists, or mothers, or god? This is Part 2 of The Event Horizon, a three-part series where we’re considering creation and destruction. If you haven’t heard Part 1, go back and liste
Thumbnail for "The Event Horizon Part 1: Black Hole".
This is the first part of a three-part series on creation and destruction. Black holes are the most destructive force in the universe. But what if they’re also creative? An event horizon is the point of no return at the border of a black hole. In this se
Thumbnail for "Bonus Episode: Through The Keyhole".
An encore presentation of our 2018 PMJA Best Station Podcast award-winner. Tyler Dunning went into the wild to distract himself from his grief…but ended up coming face to face with it instead.           Music by Kai Engel is lice
Thumbnail for "Episode 45: Remembering How To Be Human".
After almost a decade making art in New York City, Stephanie Housley craved being closer to nature, her source of inspiration. So she moved to Bondurant, Wyoming – population 93.       The Western-inspired designs of Coral & Tusk. The
Thumbnail for "Episode 44: The Elephant Guardian".
When Patrick Kilonzo Mwalua saw wild animals suffering from drought, he decided it was his responsibility to bring them water.
Thumbnail for "Bonus Episode: Hoofprints On The Heart".
Here’s a re-scored take on one of our all-time favorite episodes. It’s the story of a love that spans continents. Jon Dunham set out on the longest, toughest walk of his life. But along the way, he met someone who helped carry the weight. Music Credits S
Thumbnail for "Episode 43: Dogs On A Plane".
When Paul Steklenski got his pilot’s license, he didn’t just want to fly to lunch. Instead, he flew to the pound.         Just a tiny selection of adorable photos with Paul’s furry passengers. Music Credits High Valley (ID 395)
Thumbnail for "Episode 42: Out Of The Frying Pan".
Cheryl and Greg left Portland, Oregon, one hot summer for the cool of the mountains. But that put them out of the frying pan and into the fire.       Music Credits The last ones by Jahzzar is licensed under an Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 In
Thumbnail for "Episode 41: Carbon And Dust".
Felicia Friesema and Steve Julian had a “miracle relationship.” They carved out an oasis in the middle of Los Angeles. But then they found themselves facing one of the most fundamental aspects of nature: death.     Click here to see
Thumbnail for "Episode 40: Her Legacy".
This episode is about what we do that leaves a mark: the visible impact we leave behind on the country we live in and the countries we visit. Another podcast we admire, She Explores, takes us to Torres del Paine National Park in Patagonia. Listen to more
Thumbnail for "Episode 39: Junk".
Marcus Eriksen wanted to draw attention to a problem no one could see. So he sailed into the middle of it.   Learn more about Marcus’ conservation work here:  5Gyres Leap Lab       Source: ReuseThisBag.com   Music Credits R
Thumbnail for "Episode 38: The Hunt".
Jessi Johnson is a modern-day Artemis. But the perfect shot led her on a heartbreaking odyssey.     Learn more about Jessi’s conservation work here:  artemis.nwf.org  wyomingwildlife.org Music Credits Heliograph by Chris Zabriskie is licensed u
Thumbnail for "Episode 37: Crispy Crickets, Not Your Spin Instructor’s Paleo".
The paleo diet aims to take nutrition back to the basics—to the way Paleolithic people ate. But prehistoric people didn’t eat boneless chicken breasts and pre-washed baby spring mix. Tory Taylor set out to discover what folks really ate thousands of year
Thumbnail for "Extra: Hurricane Of The Heart".
It was 2012. Caroline was in love. But then heartbreak washed over her, like the storm surge from Hurricane Sandy.   These photos are all from the night Sandy hit, taken in the middle of 6th Avenue right after lower Manhattan lost power. No traffic,
Thumbnail for "Episode 36: The Oregon Trailblazer".
In 2011, Rinker Buck crossed the Oregon Trail — yes, that Oregon Trail — in a covered wagon pulled by a team of mules. He traveled with his brother Nick and a Jack Russell Terrier named Olive Oyl. The journey forced Rinker to confront his greatest fear.
Thumbnail for "Extra: “What Is Grain Alcohol, And Where Can I Get Some?”".
As we discovered in Episode 35, sometimes grain alcohol is the solution, not the problem. For Sandra Jones, it was a bit of both. Photo by Liz West via Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic
Thumbnail for "Episode 35: Time Bomb".
Brian Corliss just wanted to quench his thirst. But on a snowmobile outing, he grabbed the wrong bottle. *Disclaimer: The actions taken in this story do not constitute medical advice. In the case of poisoning, call Poison Control at (800) 222-1222.  
Thumbnail for "Extra: “Watch Out For the Damn Horny Toads!” And Other Thoughts On Not Having Enough".
In 2017, the Great American Eclipse drew thousands of spectators to otherwise wild and desolate spots in Wyoming. For writer Liberty Lausterer, this was a cause for concern.
Thumbnail for "Episode 34: The Law Of Gravity".
Bruce Smith was on a routine helicopter flight in the remote Wind River Mountains. But what goes up must come down…one way or another. Music Credits I Am Running with Temporary Success from a Monstrous Vacuum by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creati
Thumbnail for "Episode 33: Ten Steps".
On December 22, 2016, Karen Klein got trapped in a snowstorm near the Grand Canyon. But she pushed through it to save her family.       Music Credits Celeste by Alex Fitch is licensed under an Attribution-NonCommercial 3.0 International Li
Thumbnail for "Episode 32: Trash Bandits And Border Collies".
Maggie had it all: a fine house, a loving family, and a big yard. But she threw it all away for adventure. And when things got bad, she had to use her wits.   Screen grabs from the camera footage of Maggie getting into the University of Wyoming Racc
Thumbnail for "Bonus Episode: It’s All Downwind From Here".
For your Thanksgiving podcast binge, here’s a second helping of an older episode. Sophie May grew up in Alaska, spending lots of time outside. But when it came time to explore the wilderness as an adult, she found out she had more to learn.   Bear s
Thumbnail for "Episode 31: Why Elephants Never Forget".
Aubrey Bertram traveled to East Asia to help animals that had been abused by humans. But a harrowing experience taught her that good intentions might not be enough.     Music Credits Namaste by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons A
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A possessed basement. A magic mirror. A shop of spirits. Mysterious lights where they don’t belong. Gather around the campfire as we open the portal to a place that isn’t quite human or all the way natural.     Our storytellers are Brian
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Linda McGurk wanted her children to love the outdoors, just like she did as a little girl in Sweden. But when she moved to the U.S., she found out it wasn’t quite that simple.   Linda’s children’s adventures in the outdoors Music Credits
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When the Massaro family traded life on dry land for a life at sea, they encountered some unexpected company.    Photos from the Massaros’ life at sea aboard Benevento   Music Credits Candlepower by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Crea
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Lucy came face-to-face with a family secret that upended her life. So she seized the moment. Photos from Lucy’s time in Alaska Music Credits Harbor by Kai Engel is licensed under a Attribution License. January by Kai Engel is licensed under a Attri
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Season 3 of HumaNature takes to the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, the middle of an Indiana creek, and into one woman’s DNA.
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In this episode, we’re excited to introduce you to a great storytelling podcast from Montana, Last Best Stories. Two friends were on a hike in Glacier National Park when a pair of fuzzy, cuddly-looking grizzly cubs crossed their path. But they knew momma
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Science journalist Lynda Mapes takes us deep into a New England forest, where one tree is telling the story of climate change. This is the final episode of our summer series, Science Camp, where we’re exploring the human side of science.    
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This is the second episode in our three-part Science Camp series, where we’re exploring the human side of science. Paleobotanist Ellen Currano noticed a lack of other women in her field. So she decided to dress up as a man.     Music Credits Di
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This is the first episode in a three-part summer series, called Science Camp, where we’re exploring the human side of science. Ryan Haupt had a lot of questions about his faith. When he started looking for answers, he unearthed them in unexpected places.
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We’re starting a new three-part summer series on June 21: Science Camp, where we explore the human side of science.  
Thumbnail for "Episode 22: Through The Keyhole".
Tyler Dunning went into the wild to distract himself from his grief…but ended up coming face to face with it instead.     A Field Guide To Losing Your Friends from Chad Clendinen on Vimeo.   Photos from Tyler’s book Header photo cred
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After breaking his back, doctors told Gary Havener he would never walk again. So…he decided to run. Photos by Tyler Tomasillo and Myke Hermsmeyer. Make your own Tarahumara pinole energy bars! Thanks to Andrew Olson of oneingredientchef.com for shar
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In 2007, more than 50 pit bulls were discovered at a dogfighting ring in Virginia. Most people thought they couldn’t be saved. But their stories had just begun.             Music Credits Thaw (Outro) by Kai Engel is li
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150 years ago, two girls crossed the Missouri River trying to escape a life of slavery. In the summer of 2016, Barry Jurgensen set out on a 500-mile journey to follow in their footsteps. Listener advisory: Just a note that this episode deals with themes
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Arik was burning to share his faith with the world. But the people he thought needed his message the most weren't interested in what he had to say. And the camels weren't, either.
Thumbnail for "Episode 17: The Ents Of Melbourne".
Melbourne, Australia wanted its residents to help keep an eye on its trees. So they gave every tree an email address. But then the trees started to write back.     Share your love for trees! Post a picture of you with your favorite tree (or jus
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It was November 9, 2016. Amy was worried about the new political landscape. But some unusual encounters at work gave her fresh perspective.     Music Credits Less Than Three by Adrianna Krikl is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareA
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In this episode, we’ll introduce you to another outdoor show we really like…New Hampshire Public Radio’s Outside/In. 12-year-old Tyler Armstrong was on a quest to climb Mount Everest, but he had people wondering: how young is too young to climb Mount Eve
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Sophie May grew up in Alaska, spending lots of time outside. But when it came time to explore the wilderness as an adult, she found out she had more to learn.   Bear spray tips from My Open Country Essentials in Bear Country, a breakdown by the Alas
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For our 13th episode, we venture off the beaten path to hear about Bigfoot and the scientist who’s on a mission to find him.    Photos from visiting John Mionczynski’s home in the Wind River Range.   A look into John Mionczynski’s S
Thumbnail for "Episode 12: Home On The Waves With A Seafaring Cowboy".
Herb Pownall wanted to see the world. So he boarded a ship bound for Europe…along with 800 cows. Photos taken by Herb during his time in Newport News, Va., on the sea, and in Germany.  
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This is the story of a love that spans continents. Jon Dunham set out on the longest, toughest walk of his life. But along the way, he met someone who helped carry the weight.  A small portion of Jon’s photos from his trek with Judas across Mexico
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Caroline and Micah reminisce about how HumaNature’s first season came about. And they play a part of the never-before-heard pilot episode. Fire up your grill(e)! Roy Hunter’s Roadkill Recipes  Here is my philosophy. In general, I like my game to ta
Thumbnail for "Episode 10: The Moon And The Possum".
Where do we come from? And where do we go when we die? Paul Taylor shares one of the oldest answers to those questions.
Thumbnail for "Episode 9: May The Road Rise Up To Meet You, And May The Wind Stop Blowing In Your Face".
Christina Lee should have been having the time of her life. Instead, she was stressed and lonely. Until she decided to run away from the rat race…all the way from New York to San Francisco.
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It was supposed to be a leisurely float down the Snake River. But when they lost their guide, a group of tourists got more than they bargained for.
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Micah Schweizer was skiing in the back-country when he uttered a curse against snowmobilers. But you know what they say—be careful what you wish for.
Thumbnail for "Episode 6: In The Beginning, God Created The Heavens And The Earth And The Allosaurus".
Erin Jones thought the answers were written in stone. But a summer internship at a remote dinosaur quarry eroded her certainty.
Thumbnail for "Episode 5: Finding The Way Home In A Purple Canoe".
Patrick Dobson was stuck in his life, so he decided to take a trip by canoe from Montana to Missouri. Only he had never canoed before.
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Tonia Hanson had a secret. But when a private river retreat turned out to be very, very public, Tonia found unexpected healing.
Thumbnail for "Episode 3: When A Search And Rescue Becomes A Search For Something Else".
Greg Ley was deep in the Rocky Mountains, training as an outdoor guide, when his group encountered tragedy. What happened next forever changed his beliefs about the importance of humans to the wilderness.
Thumbnail for "Episode 2: A Ballroom Dancer, A Shark, And A PR Problem".
Debbie Salamone was an environmental journalist who was passionate about the ocean—and ballroom dancing. One day at the beach, all that changed.
Thumbnail for "Episode 1: Up A River, Without… A Pigeon?".
Charlie Thomas worked as a whitewater rafting guide in the 80s. His boss became obsessed with selling photos of clients taken while they ran the rapids. The only problem was getting the film back across the river and into town to be developed before the

HumaNature Season 8 Trailer

Thumbnail for "HumaNature Season 8 Trailer".
July 6, 20231min 24sec
Join us as we gear up for season 8 of HumaNature.