Constant Wonder

Exploring deeper in the ocean than anyone before him—into the dark depths of the sea where no ray of sunlight reached—William Beebe saw shocking lights, colors, and critters that made him question life on land. In this episode of Constant Wonder, meet a scientist as interesting as the watery worlds he discovered. Guest: Brad Fox, author of The Bathysphere Book: Effects of the Luminous Ocean Depths...

For Jenedy Paige, journaling started as a childhood habit and became a lifeline in adulthood, especially after the tragic drowning of her son. Art and writing gave her voice; running and climbing gave her release. Her practice of seeking both God and growth eventually led her to the national stage of American Ninja Warrior. Through it all, she has come to see strength not only as personal resilien...

What if cultivating awe could change the way we see the world? In this special joint episode of Constant Wonder and The Lisa Show, hosts Marcus Smith and Lisa Valentine Clark talk with child development expert and author Deborah Farmer Kris about her new book, "Raising Awe Seekers: How the Science of Wonder Helps Our Kids Thrive." Together, they explore how everyday moments of awe—in nature, in ki...

After a tragic car accident took the life of Jeff Olsen's wife and young son, the young father struggled with guilt and his own excruciating physical recovery. Eventually, he drew solace from divine love, and with joy he realized the gift of the human body. He even finds awe in his prosthetic leg. Guest: Jeff Olsen, Director of Creative Services at BYU Broadcasting Find Jeff Olsen online: Author p...

A dream inspired Navajo artist Eugene Tapahe to take his art to the National Parks, spreading hope during the frustrating and fear-filled early days of the pandemic. His "Art Heals: The Jingle Dress Project" has now traveled the globe, inspiring hope and healing among all people. Also, hear about some incredible up-close experiences that this photographer has had with wildlife. And, learn how you...

Storyteller Kevin Kling has overcome trauma and learned to live with disability, without ever losing sight of the hilarious–even in the horrible. We follow him from his mischievous childhood to his empathetic and inspiring performances around the world. He still laughs often, and so will you, during this episode of the "Constant Wonder" podcast. Guest: Kevin Kling, author, playwright, and storytel...

Kelsey Timmerman grew up in rural Ohio, right across the border from Indiana. By the time he graduated from college, he was eager to leave the Midwest. He started buying one-way plane tickets and traveled to dozens of countries. When he started his own family and put down roots in rural Indiana, his travels made him consider how he could be a better steward of the land where he and his family live...

Dying patients often profess to see deceased loved ones around them in the days and weeks before they pass. So often that hospice care doctor Chris Kerr decided to make a scientific study of the phenomenon. He found that while the medical community typically views death as defeat, there is actually a great deal of spiritual growth right there at the end of life. This podcast episode invites you to...

Jonathan the Giant Tortoise was born in the 1800s and is still alive today, thanks to vet Joe Hollins. Hear about Joe's adventures with Jonathan and with a herd of skittish reindeer. Also find out what happens when a vet jumps to conclusions in the search for the mysterious killer plaguing a fold of lambs. Fascinating stories from islands at the end of the Earth. Guest: Jonathan Hollins, author of...

Thor Hanson reminds us that wonder isn’t reserved for far-off rainforests or remote islands—it can thrive right outside our door. From looking up to spot bald eagles to crawling  on your hands and knees to find new insects, Hanson shares how attentiveness and curiosity can open up astonishing worlds. Join us as we explore how slowing down and observing carefully can awaken the same thrill of disco...

On a tiny, remote island, an English farmer and writer captures the story of Anna Måsøy, a Norwegian "duck woman." In a practice that dates back to the Vikings, islanders coax wild eider ducks to nest on their islands, where the birds leave behind eiderdown—a material so precious that even kings and queens of Europe used it in their bedding. In learning Anna's story, this Englishman reconnects wit...

Karen Lloyd is no stranger to life in the extremes: she has encountered super-resilient microbial life near volcanoes, on the ocean floor, and deep in the crust of the Earth. Some of these microbes can survive extreme temperatures, "breathe" minerals like gold, and some can even live for thousands of years. In this episode of Constant Wonder, learn about how extraordinary life on Earth can be. Gue...

When she was growing up, Dr. Kate Kennedy dreamed of becoming a professional cellist. After a devastating injury at music school, this dream was cut short. However, in recent years, Kennedy has reclaimed her identity as a cellist. She set out across Europe to investigate how cellists connect to their instruments. On her journey, she learned about the story of Pál Hermann—a composer and cello virtu...

Everyday people overcome seemingly insurmountable hurdles to produce fine art. Due to decades of historical isolation, the quilters of Gee's Bend, Alabama developed a radical, abstract approach to quilting. We meet two quilters from the small town who have quilts on display in some of the finest museums in the country. We also meet a contemporary furniture maker whose work is a living history of B...

Facing the loss of her Elkmont cabin in the Great Smoky Mountains—a family treasure for five generations—Lynn Faust began to pay more attention to the fireflies there, the "light show," as the family called it, where thousands of fireflies would light up in unison. When she read that synchronous fireflies did not exist in North America, she knew that scientists were wrong. The creatures were right...

The Hanbury-Tenisons have turned to a rare temperate rainforest on their family farm for solace and renewal after emotional and physical trauma. Now they want to share this healing resource with others. But they also want to restore and expand the ancient forest. Healing the land and healing ourselves in this episode of Constant Wonder. Guests: Merlin Hanbury-Tenison, author of "Our Oaken Bones: R...

Ever since "Dracula," bats have been seen as terrifying threats that carry disease. They're actually essential to our agriculture and industry. In this episode of Constant Wonder, you'll meet an expert who can set the record straight. No wonder he's known as "The Batman of Mexico"; he's been obsessed with the flying mammals since he was young! Guest: Rodrigo Medellin, Professor of Ecology at the N...

Hummingbirds are often admired for their dazzling speed and iridescent beauty, but their nesting habits remain one of nature's best-kept secrets. Citizen scientist Eric Pittman takes us into this hidden world, sharing his firsthand observations of hummingbird mothers as they build intricate nests and nurture their young—right in his very own backyard. Join us as we explore the hidden wonders of na...

Educator and activist Septima Clark used her passion for teaching to increase literacy rates in the Deep South, preparing Black citizens to pass the voter registration tests that were designed to disenfranchise them. Guest: Elaine Weiss, author of "Spell Freedom: The Underground Schools that Built the Civil Rights Movement" Septima Clark reader: Janice L. Jones Find Elaine Weiss online: Author pag...

The best way to see the world is on foot, it might be argued. Mary Colwell has had amazing encounters with wildlife on her walking treks around the globe. She's even used her walks to raise awareness and increase protection of the fascinating but imperiled curlew. Mary Colwell, Director of Curlew Action; TV and radio producer, conservationist; author, "Curlew Moon" Learn more about Curlew Action:...

When Paula Whyman started trying to rehabilitate 200 acres she'd just bought, she knew very little about conservation. Among many other challenges, she faced off with mile-a-minute vine and rattlesnakes, but, with self-effacing humor and passion for this corner of the Blue Ridge Mountains, she persisted (and still persists!) in restoring the land to a healthy equilibrium. Guest: Paula Whyman, auth...

Use the power of retreat and meditation to ease the stress of our frenetic lifestyle. From decades of friendship with the Dalai Lama, Pico Iyer has learned the value of sacred silence. Guest: Pico Iyer, author of "Aflame: Learning from Silence" Explore Pico Iyer's work: https://picoiyerjourneys.com/#about

After waking from a coma with devastating brain damage, Samina Ali relearns to walk and speak alongside her newborn son. Guest: Samina Ali, author of "Pieces You'll Never Get Back: A Memoir of Unlikely Survival" Find Samina Ali online: https://saminaali.net/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/samina.ali.writer/?hl=en

When Chloe Dalton starts caring for a newborn hare, the line between "indoors" and "outdoors" blurs—inviting her to explore the natural world that she previously took for granted. Guest: Chloe Dalton, author of "Raising Hare: A Memoir" Visit Cloe Dalton online: https://www.chloedalton.uk/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chloedaltonuk/?hl=en © The British Library; Creative Commons Attribution-...

From rural oddity to New York Times writer, Wilson Bentley's singular devotion to snow and desire to share it with others changed snow science forever. Guests: Wayne Howe, former president of the Jericho Historical Society; Kenneth Libbrecht, professor of physics at the California Institute of Technology; Anna and Juniper of Jericho, VT; Seth of Provo, UT. Special thanks to Rod Gustafson for voici...