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Hey Wildings, welcome to the New Year! If you're wondering what all the fuss is about, you've tuned into the right frequency! We have our very own supernatural elder, none other than Bobby the Bigfoot, join us in the studio for a very extensive, expansive, and enlightening look at the tradition of marking another trip around the Sun, aka the birthday of The Year?! We talk other new beginnings, like resolutions (got any, wildings?) and what it's like to move. Evan's got a real feisty Cryptid this time - don't call it a Marmot! And, we're graced by the cosmic presence of astronomer Wendy Freedman, who chats Dark Matter, Dark Energy, the EXPANDING UNIVERSE, and, oh ya, the new project she's working on called the Giant Magellan Telescope that will be able to see the very first starlight. Yeah, we're starting the year off right, Wildings - so grab a snack, tell a friend, stay curious and, as always, keep it WILD!!! Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Timestamps for this episode are available below. 00:00 - Episode 18 Intro 01:19 - Reelin' in the (New) Years with Bobby the Bigfoot 12:42 - Favorite Sound 13:31 - Call for Submissions 13:58 - The Expanding Universe with Wendy Freedman   23:51 - Riddle Clue 24:19 - New Year's Resolutions 26:19 - Joke Time! 27:07 - Cryptid Corner: The Barbegazi 29:25 - Unpacking the Big Move 33:08 - Grandparent Stories: Naomi and Levi's Grandmother Nonna 40:07 - Riddle Answer 40:40 - Preview of Episode 19 41:32 - Credits, Call for Reviews, and Word of Mouth 42:05 - Bloopers wildinterest.com

Buckle up buttercups! In this thrilling Wild Interest, we mic Evan up for the first HUGE rollercoaster ride of his life. Listen to Evan shriek as he whips around Candymonium, the tallest, fastest, and longest coaster at Hershey Park. Then listen to Nichole harangue Evan for being too short to go on a zipline by himself. (Typical big sister behavior.) Finally, hear them both shout to the treetops as they whizz along the longest zipline in Central America. Brooklyn’s PS 66 gets in the mix with a mind-bending riddle; Dean in New Paltz, NY interviews his grandma; and Gianna in New Jersey shares her favorite sound. Oh, and there’s even a Cryptid who rides rollercoasters. Leave it to Evan. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Timestamps for this episode are available below. 00:00 - Episode 17 Intro 01:28 - Rollercoasters! 04:18 - Hershey Park 05:08 - Evan's First Big Rollercoaster Ride: Candymonium 07:27 - Riddle Clue from PS 66 in Brooklyn   07:53 - Ziplines! 11:11 - Favorite Sound 11:47 - Call for Submissions 12:14 - Cryptid Corner: Rollercoaster Ghost Riders 15:09 - Joke Time 15:53 - Grandparent Stories: Dean's Grandma 20:14 - Riddle Answer from PS 66 in Brooklyn 20:37 - Credits 20:48 - Call for Reviews & Word of Mouth 21:10 - Bloopers wildinterest.com

People use language to express themselves, but do you ever wonder how other animals communicate with each other? If they don’t speak like us, how do they convey information? In our first Animal Talk episode we learned about the complex ways animals communicate, and how some species even have their own languages and dialects. In “Paw 2” we find out even more about the amazing world of animal talk, and about the science behind linguistic development in animals. Evan interviews Dr. Irene Pepperberg, research professor at Boston University in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences about her groundbreaking work with Alex the African Grey Parrot. Dr. Pepperberg worked with Alex for 30 years and taught him over 100 English words. Not only was Alex able to communicate with humans, he even asked what color he was when looking at himself in the mirror, becoming the first known non-human to ask a question! Nichole goes beneath the waves with Dr. Aude Pacini from the Marine Mammal Research Program at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. Dr. Pacini records whale and dolphin song with sophisticated underwater microphones. She was part of an expedition where the world-class cellist Yo Yo Ma played music for whales from the deck of a famous Hawaiian canoe! Evan takes us down to North Georgia with Project Chimps, a chimpanzee sanctuary where over 90 retired lab chimps roam freely on six protected acres of forest. Our hosts are also joined by the very human creator of the Brooklyn Folk Festival, Eli Smith, who plays some banjo for us and talks about the upcoming festival this November 7-9. This episode is jam-packed, but don’t worry, we still found room for favorites like Cryptid Corner, Grandparent Stories, jokes and more. Let’s get wild! Listen now and have a whale of a time - this episode's a hoot! Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Timestamps for this episode are available below. 00:00 - Episode 16 Intro 01:36 - Dr. Irene Pepperberg & Alex, the African Grey Parrot 14:03 - Joke Time 14:57 - Cryptid Corner: The Wow! Signal 20:09 - Riddle Clue  20:31 - Deep Listening with Dr. Aude Pacini 27:48 - Favorite Sound 28:35 - Call for Submissions 29:02 - Eli Smith & the 2025 Brooklyn Folk Festival  34:44 - Going Ape at Project Chimps with Caregivers Lauren and Tawnya 44:31 - Grandparent Stories: Papa Artie 48:22 - Riddle Answer 49:00 - Preview of Episode 17 49:13 - Credits 49:45 - Bloopers The background music in our interview with Dr. Aude Pacini features audio of live performances by Hawaiian musicians Gary Haleamau and Ledward Kaapana, as retrieved from the Library of Congress. wildinterest.com

Have you ever had that dream where you arrive at school but something’s a little… off? Join us for our Back to School Special where Nichole and Evan experience exactly that. Their plan to squeeze the most out of the final days of summer is thwarted when they doze off by the pool and fall into an unexpected dream that lands them back in the classroom. But this time they’re not students — they’re the teachers! Sharpen your pencils, Wildings: this is learning the Wild Interest way. Prepare to earn your Podcast PhD as our hosts show you an easy way to make ice cream cake at home, and a great prank you can play using a banana. Find out what a palindrome is, and memorize a catchy song that helps you learn the names of all 50 US states. Dive deep into why we have daylight saving time and leap years, and discover the science of solar eclipses from a real astronomer! But wait, there’s more! What’s ASMR? How do you play Concentration 64? How do honeybees communicate? (Hint: they get their groove on!) Kids will come out of this episode prepared to dazzle their schoolmates with scads of new astonishing knowledge — and you’re in store for another hilarious cameo from everyone’s favorite cryptid, Bobby the Bigfoot! Sit back, relax, and let’s get wild! Timestamps for this episode are available below: 00:00 - Episode 15 intro 02:50 - ASMR 05:40 - Cicadas 07:12 - How Honeybees Communicate 10:25 - Leap Years 12:28 - Solar Eclipses 15:18 - Daylight Saving Time 17:17 - Taste Explained 20:48 - Turkey Facts 23:43 - Ice Cream Cake 25:26 - Sliced Banana Prank 26:47 - Concentration 64 30:28 - Singing a Round: Row Row Row Your Boat 32:09 - Singing a Round: Frère Jacques 34:19 - States Song 36:02 - Palindrones 37:10 - Grammartime 39:30 - Magical Number Nine 42:45 - Fun Facts 44:41 - Nichole Wakes Up From Her Dream 46:22 - Credits 46:46 - Bloopers wildinterest.com

Can a podcast hosted by kids be truly awesome? Yes, it can! Wild Interest takes you on an amazing ride through science, fun facts, natural mysteries and more, all hosted by siblings Nichole and Evan. Perfect for your next road trip, school pickup, or anywhere you want to spark a conversation driven by curiosity. Enjoy the magic that happens when kids are inspired by other kids! wildinterest.com

Is music truly the universal language? And what in the world is the Voyager Golden Record doing floating around in space right now? In this episode of Wild Interest, sibling hosts Nichole and Evan continue their sonic exploration by taking a trip to Belize to sit in with drummers carrying on the African Garifuna tradition as they gear up for the epic "Battle of the Drums!" Then, they chat with bluegrass pioneer Ron Thomason of the Dry Branch Fire Squad about mandolins, guitars, horses, and how to turn your own body into a drum kit. But wait, there's more! Ever wonder what aliens might think of human music? Nichole and Evan dive into the incredible story of the Voyager Golden Record—a musical time capsule about life on Earth that's currently 15 billion miles away in interstellar space! Plus, in Cryptid Corner, Evan investigates the Fossegrim, a harmless but damp Norwegian creature who's suspiciously amazing at playing the fiddle. This episode features all your favorite segments: Animal Call, Grandparent Story, Favorite Sound, jokes and a riddle. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Listen now and discover the wild rhythms that connect us all! Timestamps for this episode are available below. 00:00 - Episode 14 Intro 01:43 - Ron Thomason 08:59 - Animal Call Clue 09:28 - Word of Mouth 09:44 - Garifuna Drummers Kirwin Ramirez and Kayton Martinez 17:48 - Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters 22:10 - Riddle Clue 22:28 - Favorite Sound 23:21 - Grandparent Stories: Eileen 29:59 - Animal Call Reprise 30:11 - Cryptid Corner: The Fossegrim 33:16 - Joke Time 34:03 - Call for Submissions 34:28 - Animal Call Reveal 35:42 - Voyager Golden Record 46:51 - Riddle Answer 47:16 - Preview of Episode 15 48:10 - Credits 48:34 - Bloopers Click here for tickets to Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters in Nashville wildinterest.com

Mabuhay Wildings! What in the world does "mabuhay" mean, and how did the Philippines give us both Olympic champions AND the modern yo-yo? This week on Wild Interest, our Philippines Independence Day special is one great big celebration of Filipino life and culture around the world. First up: Nichole says "hi" to Hidilyn Diaz, champion weightlifter and the first Filipino ever to win an Olympic gold medal. Next, Evan riffs with Ramón de Ocampo, acclaimed actor and voice of the hit Diary of a Wimpy Kid audio books. But wait, there's more! Ever wonder about the history of yo-yos? Evan spins a yarn about yo-yos with his pal Jaxx, and learns some tricks from world champion freestyle yo-yo pro Bryan Jardin. Plus, our hosts take listeners on a lush audio journey through the beautiful island nation. This episode features all your favorite segments: Grandparent Stories from Manila, Animal Calls, jokes, a pesky riddle, and an extra-creepy Cryptid Corner that takes us into the forest realm of the shape-shifting Tikbalang. Happy Independence Day — let's get wild! Listen now and celebrate the wild culture of the Philippines! Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Timestamps for this episode are available below. 00:00 - Episode 13 Intro  02:15 - Philippines Travelogue  05:31 - Riddle Question  05:51 - Ramón de Ocampo  15:22 - Animal Call Clue  16:12 - The Yo-Yo: Pedro Flores, Jaxx, and Bryan Jardin  23:45 - Animal Call Reprise  25:03 - Hidilyn Diaz  32:07 - Joke Time  33:05 - Call For Submissions  33:31 - Grandparent Stories: Carmen  37:50 - Favorite Sound 39:09 - Animal Call Reveal  40:28 - Cryptid Corner: Tikbalang  44:26 - Riddle Answer  44:46 - Preview of Episode 14  45:26 - Credits  46:06 - Bloopers   wildinterest.com

Hey Wildlings! Do you believe in rooting for the underdog? What about the under-eagle? And what in the world happened 45 years ago that made everyone believe in miracles? This week on Wild Interest, Evan takes us back to the "Miracle On Ice" when the US Olympic hockey team didn't have a snowball's chance in heck of beating the stronger, faster Russian team — but somehow they did! He reports in person from where the magic happened in Lake Placid, NY. Plus, Nichole talks to educator and parenting expert Jayme Yannuzzi of Teach Talk Inspire about what it's like to be a momfluencer, and learns how easy it is to make the icky, gooey non-Newtonian liquid known as Oobleck. But wait, there's more! Ever wonder about the Russian Revolution? We learn about it through Nichole's experience in the musical "Anastasia." Think you're sharp? See if you can hold your own in Concentration 64 as Evan and Nichole face off in this hand-clapping, rhythmic battle of wits. This episode features all your favorite segments: Animal Calls with a particularly prickly little guy, jokes, Favorite Sound, Grandparent Story, and an ice-cold riddle that's sure to freeze you in your tracks. Let's get wild! Listen now and discover the wild power of believing in miracles! Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Timestamps for this episode are available below. 00:00 - Episode 12 Intro 02:07 - Evan's Miracle on Ice 07:00 - Riddle Clue 07:18 - Anastasia 13:07 - Animal Call Clue 13:38 - Favorite Sound 15:07 - Concentration 64 19:13 - Animal Call Reprise 19:34 - Cryptid Corner: Mermaid, Whale, or Spy? 22:40 - Joke Time 23:39 - Call for Submissions 24:06 - Grandparent Stories: Vincas 30:10 - Animal Call Reveal 31:46 - Jayme Yanuzzi of Teach Talk Inspire 41:11 - Riddle Answer 41:32 - Preview of Episode 13 41:43 - Call for Reviews + Word of Mouth 42:00 - Credits 42:22 - Bloopers wildinterest.com

How do we perceive the world around us? With our senses, of course! But what in the world are those two mystery senses you may have never considered? In this episode of Wild Interest, Evan gets a closer look at the world of sight with eyeglass merchant Adrien Bouet in Paris, France, and Nichole tantalizes your taste buds while discussing the fantastic world of ice cream flavors with Pete Van Leeuwen of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. Then we go beyond the five senses and explore two new mystery senses you may have never considered! But wait, there's more! Ever wonder about legendary creatures with massive wingspans? Evan's Cryptid Corner takes on the Thunderbird; a legendary creature with a wingspan so broad it's said to whip up storms! Plus, we're introducing a new segment: Bobby the Bigfoot hosts "Name Stuff," a game show where kid contestants try to guess what grown-ups do for their jobs. Let's get wild! Listen now and discover the wild world your senses reveal! Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Timestamps for this episode are available below. 0:00 - Episode 11 Intro 2:26 - Ice Cream Magician Pete Van Leeuwen 15:44 - Favorite Sound 16:51 - Call for Submissions 17:19 - Name Stuff 25:04 - Riddle Question 25:27 - Grandparent Stories 30:16 - Joke Time 31:25 - Two New Senses 34:14 - Riddle Answer 35:07 - Cryptid Corner: The Thunderbird 39:18 - Call for Reviews + Word of Mouth 39:41 - A Daylight Savings Time Diatribe 42:04 - Eyeglass Merchant Adrien Bouet 49:52 - Preview of Episode 14 50:10 - Show Credits 50:37 - Bloopers wildinterest.com

Music is the universal language! But what in the world does it feel like to rock out in the New York subway? And how do bluegrass kids make magic together? In this episode of Wild Interest, prepare to be dazzled by two amazing groups of kid musicians. New York's Retro Rebelles rock out in the subway, and the plucky Carolina bluegrass quartet Young Mountain Magic picks us a tune or two and talks about what it feels like to play together as a band. But wait, there's more! Ever wonder about legendary creatures in the Himalayas? You'll brave the Himalayan peaks in search of the legendary Yeti in Cryptid Corner. Plus, toss back some root brewskis as Nichole and Evan get to the bottom of the barrel in an exciting root beer taste test! This episode features our new segment "Grammartime," animal calls, Favorite Sound, an ancient riddle, jokes, and not one but two Grandparent Stories. It's wild! Tune in now and explore the universal language that connects us all! Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Timestamps for this episode are available below. 00:00 - Episode 10 Intro 02:39 - Retro Rebelles 07:58 - Joke Time 08:51 - Animal Call Clue 09:26 - Grandparent Story "Lily" 17:17 - Grandparent Story "Maliya" 20:22 - Animal Call Reprise 20:43 - Young Mountain Magic 29:43 - Call for Submissions 30:06 - Riddle Question 30:53 - Cryptid Corner: The Yeti and the Banjhākri 36:20 - Animal Call Answer 36:56 - Grammartime 39:14 - Favorite Sound 40:07 - Root Beer Taste Test 48:21 - Riddle Answer 49:01 - Preview of Episode 11 49:13 - Show Credits 49:37 - Bloopers 50:16 - Young Mountain Magic Encore wildinterest.com

Do animals talk? The answer might surprise you! But what in the world are whales actually saying to each other? And how does a whale language even have an alphabet? In this episode of Wild Interest, 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 linguistics lead and professor Gašper Beguš talks about his work with sperm whales, and the whale language his research is discovering. It even has an alphabet! But wait, there's more! Ever wonder how honeybees communicate? Dance with us as we buzz about the sweet ways honeybees talk to each other. Plus, bundle up for frigid tales of the Ningen, an aquatic cryptid said to inhabit the Arctic Ocean north of Japan. This episode features a second hilarious installment of Feeding Ben Stuff, plus Favorite Sound, Grandparent Stories, a real stumper of a riddle, jokes and more. Let's get wild! Dive in now and discover the wild conversations happening all around us! Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Timestamps for this episode are available below. 00:00 Episode 9 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 10 39:25 Show Credits 39:57 Bloopers wildinterest.com

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 wildinterest.com

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 wildinterest.com

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