What’s Up, Interpreters? A Podcast from the National Association for Interpretation

Masa Shintani is a pioneer in the field of community-based ecotourism field. He established “NGO ECOLOGIC” with the mission “to protect the natural environment, regional cultures, and dignity of the local community through community-based ecotourism and interpretation.” He has supported CBET development activities in 18 countries around the world. Masa is joined live from his ecotour site near Mt....

Jessica Doleh and Lauren Hennessey, members of the leadership team for NAI's Young Professionals Section, share insights into this new community and its significance as a resource for young professionals. They discuss the unique challenges young professionals face and the exciting future plans for the section. NAI's Emily McCowan and Madison Hyatt join them in the conversation.

This week, we are excited to welcome Theodore 'Ted' Johnson, the Community Engagement Specialist at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve and Fort Caroline National Memorial. Ted shares insights into the challenges of interpreting a site rich in both history and nature, highlighting the diverse voices that contribute their stories and the crucial role of community support. Joining him in this...

This week's podcast features Toby Bloom, the National Program Manager for Travel, Tourism, and Interpretation at the USDA Forest Service. Toby shares her journey into this role, the significance of interpretation within a federal agency, and her collaborative efforts with international sites. NAI’s Paul Caputo and Song Stott join the conversation.

Katie Shea, Member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation & NAI Board, is steadfast in her commitment to educating about the cultural and political sovereignty of Indigenous peoples. Katie’s passion for elevating voices through connection and community quickly revealed to her that promoting cultural understanding can be impactful through the art of interpretation. She joins NAI's Heather Manier and...

Registration is open for the NAI Conference, December 3–6, St. Augustine, Florida! Join the NAI Conference Committee for this preview of NAI 2024. Amanda Thompson, Conference Chair Marthalynne Allen, Program Chair Jennifer Chapman, Community Outreach Chair Alaina Allen, Volunteer Chair Caroline Lochner, Local Arrangements/Field Trip Chair Learn more at nai-us.org/NAIConference

Marc Stern and Bob Powell have served as the editors of NAI's Journal of Interpretation Research for more than half a decade. In this episode, they discuss the value of research within the profession, and their own work as researchers. Marc J. Stern, PhD, is a
professor in the Department of Forest Resources and Environmental Conservation
at Virginia Tech. Bob Powell
is the director of the Institut...

In this episode, we welcome Nadina Galle, Ecological Engineer, National Geographic Explorer & Author of "The Nature of Our Cities." Nadina shares her insights on urban ecology, discussing how environmental data and natural behaviors can bridge the gap between technology and nature, emphasizing the role interpretation can play in this process. She joins NAI's Heather Manier and Song Stott.

Liz Morrell is the Strategic Planning & Historic, Cultural, and Community Resources Manager for the Parks and Recreation Department in Mecklenburg County, North Carolina. She discusses the process of restoring Latta Place and highlights the involvement of community partners. Latta Place is reimagining its operations and interpretive experiences to ensure historically accurate and inclusive sto...

Colby Brokvist is an adventure guide, author, and trainer of interpretive guides around the world. Colby published a book on adventure guiding, The Professional Guide's Handbook, which includes a chapter summarizing thematic interpretation principles for guides. Colby joins Song Stott and Paul Caputo to discuss adventure guiding and interpretation.

The "Interpreting Environmental Justice" online conference is back for a second year! This episode of "What's Up Interpreters?" features leaders from the two NAI sections that are putting on this event: Caroline Lochner of the NAI Sustainability Section and Richard Munoz of the NAI Justice, Equity, Diversity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Section. Caroline and Richard join Heather Manier and Paul C...

James is a Conservation Interpreter at the Dallas Zoo and a Senior Guest Experience Associate at the Children's Aquarium Dallas. He has been working as an interpreter for over 7 years, yet his connection with interpretation extends far beyond that, spurred by his deep appreciation for communication and human bonds. His travels commenced in late 2020, leading him to delve into diverse cultures acro...

Heather Pressman and Danielle Schulz discuss their book Art of Access with NAI's Paul Caputo and Heather Manier this week. Heather Pressman has worked in museum education, development, and communications. She is a founding member of the organizing committee for the Art of Access Alliance in Denver, a consortium working to make Denver’s arts and cultural attractions accessible to all. Danielle Schu...

This week on the podcast, we're celebrating baseball season! Guest Jef Lambdin created the mascot Wool E. Bull for the iconic minor league baseball team the Durham Bulls, made famous in the movie Bull Durham. On this episode, Jef joins hosts Song Stott and Paul Caputo to discuss the challenges and opportunities he faced communicating with audiences at scales small and large—something every interpr...

Lawana Holland-Moore is the Director of Fellowships and Interpretive Strategies at the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, National Trust for Historic Preservation. In this week's episode, she discusses the importance of the sites AACHF funds, big or small, and how they preserve stories throughout history. She is joined by NAI's Heather Manier and Song Stott.

Liz Moore is the founder of Planning School , which provides education and training in contemporary strategic planning and change leadership, including courses designed for interpretive programs. She joins NAI's Paul Caputo and Song Stott on this episode.

Mynesha Spencer worked in the National Park Service for 13 years and was a panelist on the "From Barriers to Bridges" keynote panel at the NAI National Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mynesha is the Founder, CEO and Principal Inclusion Strategist at All of Us Together Co., a human relations firm that specializes in diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and was established to improve huma...

Carla Gull is the coordinator of the Master of Arts of Environmental Education program and associate professor at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College in northern Indiana. Dr. Gull helps educators incorporate more nature in the everyday early childhood setting and nature preschools. During this episode, she talks about the relationship between environmental education and the f...

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) strives to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community. On this episode, ASALH’s Aaisha N. Haykal and Ariel Roy join NAI’s Parker McMullen Bushman and Paul Caputo to talk about the work they do and their shared experience at the ASALH confe...

As we close out 2023, "What's Up, Interpreters?" hosts Paul, Song, and Heather recap the year, share their New Years plans, and look forward to 2024. Also, there are NAI podcast T-shirts available on NAI's store !  

Christina is a longtime member of NAI"s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, is an associate editor for NAI's Legacy magazine, and will serve as the guest editor for an upcoming special issue of Legacy on "Women in Interpretation."

Join seasoned experts in interpretive planning, Halley Fehner and Scott Vierick, as they unravel the intricacies and importance of this process. Halley and Scott highlight the essence of interpretive planning, discussing its role in reevaluating program goals, themes, and future strategies, often spanning several years. They also delve into the challenges of navigating sensitive historical context...

The 2023 NAI National Conference, "Building Bridges," took place in Little Rock, Arkansas, took place last week, November 7-11. This episode features a series of visits with conference participants who share their conference experience!

Ian Beard brings history to life at the Historic Arkansas Museum, where his passion for trades like smithing, printing, cooking, and brewing merge with his skills as an interpreter. If you're heading to Little Rock, Arkansas, for the NAI National Conference this month, you can meet Ian and hear his stories in person at the opening reception—or you can head to the museum, just blocks from the confe...

Budd Wentz is a former creative consultant for the Mr. Wizard television show and a world traveler. He has degrees in mechanical engineering and law, and his childhood passion for building things led him to create the microscope company Wentzcope, a longtime NAI commercial member responsible for optical devices that have appeared in thousands of museums. He joins NAI’s Heather Manier and Paul Capu...