Environmental Professionals Radio (EPR)

Share your Field Stories! Laura and Nic interview Dr. West Bishop, principal scientist of applied water management at SEPRO Scientific, to explore harmful algal blooms, golden mussels, and the science behind managing aquatic invasive species. From protecting freshwater supplies to developing targeted solutions for toxic algae and invasive weeds, this episode highlights how research and innovation...

Share your Field Stories! What are today's hiring managers actually looking for? Laura interviews Mike Mayer, Past President of NAEP and Principal Environmental Project Manager at HDR, about the skills needed to succeed in environmental consulting and how NAEP has shaped his career. Plus, Mike shares how he balances working full-time with being a published author. Welcome back to Environmenta...

Share your Field Stories! Laura and Nic interview Christopher Tracey, director of conservation science applications at NatureServe, to explore how biodiversity data, GIS, and AI can support smarter conservation and land-use decisions. From discovering rare species in the field to transforming complex data into actionable tools, this episode highlights the value of curiosity, technology, and lookin...

Share your Field Stories! Laura interviews Dr. Tim Gallaudet, retired U.S. Navy rear admiral, former acting NOAA administrator, and author of "Holding Fast in Heavy Seas," to explore servant leadership, scientific integrity, and leading through turbulent times. From navigating career setbacks and empowering others to scuba diving with sharks, this episode examines how humility, empathy,...

Share your Field Stories! Laura and Nic interview Dr. Troy Hartley, executive director of the Renewable Energy Wildlife Institute, to explore how collaboration and science can advance renewable energy while protecting wildlife and ecosystems. From building genuine professional relationships to navigating a dynamic career across sectors, this episode highlights the power of curiosity, connection, a...

Share your Field Stories! Laura and Nic interview Ryan Hathaway, Director of Climate and Environmental Justice at Lawyers for Good Government, to discuss his time at the White House, efforts to protect federal grants, and the power of community-driven environmental action. From recovering billions of dollars for communities to lessons inspired by Mr. Rogers, this episode explores how decency, opti...

Share your Field Stories! Laura interviews Deepti Chatti, assistant professor at the University of California, San Diego, to explore energy access, clean cooking transitions, and how social, cultural, and environmental factors shape climate solutions around the world. From interdisciplinary research and teaching climate justice to finding hope in the next generation of environmental leaders, this...

Share your Field Stories! Laura interviews Kae Hovater, president of EcoCredit Marketing, to explore how mitigation banking supports responsible development while restoring and protecting wetlands, streams, and wildlife habitat. From navigating changing regulations and building a career through connection to planning successful conferences and discovering hidden travel gems, this episode highlight...

Share your Field Stories! Laura and Nic interview Jeremy French, Chief of Ecological Restoration for the Southeastern Grasslands Institute, about restoring some of America’s rarest grassland ecosystems, rebuilding habitat in national parks, and the surprising role bison play in shaping landscapes. From conservation leadership and mentorship to curiosity, reinvention, and dreaming big, Jeremy share...

Share your Field Stories! Laura and Nic interview Wasseem Emam, founder and head of research at Ethical Seafood Research, to explore fish welfare, ethical aquaculture, and what it takes to build a career around an emerging and often misunderstood cause. From shrimp sentience to sustainable seafood systems, this episode dives into how research, policy, and cultural perspectives can reshape the way...

Share your Field Stories! Laura and Nic interview Sunny Fleming, Kelly Easterday, and Healy Hamilton live from the Esri User Conference to explore how GIS, digital twins, biodiversity data, and conservation technology are reshaping the future of environmental work. From building community to using maps as powerful tools for storytelling and action, this episode dives into the people, ideas, and in...

Share your Field Stories! Laura and Nic interview Natalie Hendricks, a leaking underground storage tank case manager with Washington D.C.’s Department of Energy and Environment, to explore how a geology background can lead to a career in environmental remediation and public service. From underground storage tank cleanups and vapor intrusion to career pivots, government work, and fostering rescue d...

Share your Field Stories! Laura and Nic interview Dr. Gabrielle Patterson, historian at the Southeastern Grasslands Institute, to explore the forgotten history of America’s grasslands, the role of Indigenous fire stewardship, and how historical research can support modern conservation efforts. From uncovering centuries-old journals and maps to finding a career fueled by passion, this episode revea...

Share your Field Stories! Laura and Nic interview Alex Ghenis, CEO and Principal Consultant at Accessible Climate Strategies, to explore the intersection of disability and climate justice, accessible climate planning, and the importance of ensuring everyone has a seat at the table. From disaster preparedness and climate resilience to advocacy, burnout, and building more inclusive communities, Alex...

Share your Field Stories! Laura and Nic celebrate the Fourth of July with a lighthearted EPR Summer Camp minisode. Along the way, they connect summer camp nostalgia with environmental fieldwork, teamwork, patience, and the unpredictable fun of being outdoors. Welcome back to Environmental Professionals Radio, Connecting the Environmental Professionals Community Through Conversation, with your host...

Share your Field Stories! Laura and Nic interview Shannon Oelkers, owner and principal consultant at Integrity Environmental, about growing a business, using AI thoughtfully in environmental work, and how hiring is changing in an AI-driven world. They also dive into the complex energy and infrastructure challenges facing western Alaska, along with the memorable field experiences that come with wor...

Share your Field Stories! Laura and Nic sit down with Alice Madden, Senior Director of Climate Strategies at the National Audubon Society, to talk about Colorado’s clean energy transformation, what it takes to lead progressive policy change, and how strong teams help turn big environmental goals into action. Along the way, Alice shares candid career advice on mentorship, fundraising, public servic...

Share your Field Stories! Laura and Nic sit down with Dr. Kaitlyn Kingsland, Director of 3D Digitization at Environmental Research Group, to explore how LiDAR, photogrammetry, and digital twins are transforming archaeology, environmental consulting, and the way we document and monitor change over time. From preserving historic sites in perpetuity to using repeat scans to track environmental degrad...

Share your Field Stories! Nic and Laura interview Dr. Natalie Schmitt , an ecologist, conservation geneticist, explorer, filmmaker, and founder of Wild Tech DNA, to explore rapid field-based DNA technology, big cat conservation, and the power of making conservation tools accessible to frontline communities. From snow leopards and blue whales to Indigenous knowledge and the need for deeper human co...

Share your Field Stories! We’re LIVE from NAEP 2026 in Anchorage! Nic leads a special on-stage episode featuring Anna Kohl, Carolyn Nelson, and Fred Wagner as they dive into Alaska’s unique environmental landscape, NEPA challenges, and the realities of project delivery. With candid insights, legal perspectives, and memorable field stories, this live recording captures the humor, complexity, and en...

Share your Field Stories! Laura interviews Dr. Angela Seligman, senior geoscientist from Clean Air Task Force, to explore the cutting edge of geothermal energy, the science behind volcanoes, and what it takes to turn curiosity into a meaningful career. From next-generation clean energy to the importance of science communication, this episode dives into how understanding what’s beneath our feet can...

Share your Field Stories! Welcome back to Environmental Professionals Radio, Connecting the Environmental Professionals Community Through Conversation, with your hosts Laura Thorne and Nic Frederick!  On today’s episode, we talk with Chase Cain , meteorologist and the former climate correspondent for NBC News, now the creator of a new YouTube series "Chase What Matters" about Meteorology...

Share your Field Stories! Welcome back to Environmental Professionals Radio, Connecting the Environmental Professionals Community Through Conversation, with your hosts Laura Thorne and Nic Frederick!  On today’s episode, we’re LIVE from Hutchinson Island at the FAEP Conference ! In this episode, we’re joined by Kelley Samuels, Senior Ecologist and Certified Project Manager at AECOM. Kelley shares...

Share your Field Stories! Welcome back to Environmental Professionals Radio, Connecting the Environmental Professionals Community Through Conversation, with your hosts Laura Thorne and Nic Frederick!  On today’s episode, we talk with Angela Perri , Vice President of International at Chronicle Heritage about Cultural Resources Management, Transitioning from PhD to Field Archeology, and Working in S...

Share your Field Stories! Welcome back to Environmental Professionals Radio, Connecting the Environmental Professionals Community Through Conversation, with your hosts Laura Thorne and Nic Frederick!  On today’s episode, we talk with Melissa Troutman , award-winning journalist and filmmaker about Oil and Gas industry, Investigative Journalism, and the Permian Basin.  Read her full bio below. Help...