Lake Doctor | A Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams Podcast

In the final episode of season two of the Lake Doctor Podcast, Indiana DNR Herpetologist Nate Engbrecht takes a fascinating deep dive into the world of turtles. We discuss everything from common painted and snapping turtles to rare species like Blanding’s, spotted, and even an unexpected alligator snapping turtle documented in Kosciusko County. Nate shares insights on critical spring breeding grou...

In Episode 22 of The Lake Doctor Podcast , we make an exciting announcement: Grace College and the Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams has received a transformative grant from Lilly Endowment to launch Lake Rx — a bold new initiative to create customized “prescriptions” for improving the health of local lakes. Dr. Nate Bosch explains how Lake Rx will develop targeted, holistic solutions for individ...

In Episode 21 of The Lake Doctor Podcast , Jason Kissel, Executive Director of ACRES Land Trust, joins us for a fascinating conversation about forested wetlands and ephemeral wetlands. Jason's lifelong passion for trees was sparked at age five while standing on a mountaintop with his U.S. Forest Service father. Jason also shares why northeast Indiana is special as a crossroads of prairie, for...

In Episode 20 of The Lake Doctor Podcast , hosts Suzie Light and Dr. Nate Bosch revisit the best moments from Season 2 episodes about wetlands. They explore how wetlands act as nature’s kidneys—filtering nutrients, reducing floodwaters, and protecting lakes from pollution—while explaining the differences between marshes, swamps, bogs, and fens. Featuring insights from Landon Vine, Nathan Herbert,...

In Episode 19 of The Lake Doctor Podcast , we welcome Jacob Macke, owner of Chapman Lake Nursery and a passionate engineer-turned-native plant grower. Jacob shares his inspiring journey—after erosion threatened his new Chapman Lake home during windy storms, he discovered native plants' deep roots for shoreline stabilization. Starting with milkweed during the 2020 COVID summer, his family rais...

Dive into the wild heart of northeast Indiana in this episode of The Lake Doctor Podcast, where we sit down with Nathan Herbert—a lifelong herpetology enthusiast turned Northeast Indiana Conservation Lands Manager for The Nature Conservancy. Nathan takes us on a captivating journey from his childhood days flipping rocks for snakes in Pennsylvania to his current role stewarding remarkable natural t...

In Episode 17 of The Lake Doctor Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Stephen Jacquemin, professor at Wright State University’s Lake Campus, to explore the remarkable recovery of Grand Lake St. Marys, Ohio’s largest inland lake. Once a poster child for harmful algal blooms—fueled by shallow depths and heavy nutrient runoff from surrounding agriculture—the lake hit crisis levels with toxins in the 99th pe...

In this episode of The Lake Doctor Podcast, we honor the legacy of Dr. Ron Manahan, one of the original founders of the Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams and a lifelong example of faithful stewardship and environmental care. Though Dr. Manahan has passed away, his influence continues to shape the mission and heart behind the Lilly Center’s work. This episode reflects on his vision and the relatio...

In this episode of The Lake Doctor Podcast , we sit down with Annalieze Frentzel, Research Lab Coordinator at the Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams, to put lab research under the microscope and discover the work that keeps lake science moving. Annalieze shares what happens long before published data ever reaches the public—from coordinating lab workflows to supporting research that directly impac...

In this unique episode of The Lake Doctor Podcast, Dr. Nate Bosch and co-host Suzie Light have a 'behind-the-scenes' conversation about a new way of thinking about lake care. Rather than focusing on single problems or quick fixes, they introduce a holistic approach to lake health—one that views a lake as a living system. Drawing from years of applied research and on-the-ground experience...

Nate and Suzie sit down with Brant Fisher, a Non-game Aquatic Biologist with the Indiana Department of Natural Resources. Brant brings a wealth of knowledge about the often-overlooked species that quietly keep Indiana’s waterways thriving—from freshwater mussels and darters to mudpuppies and rare invertebrates. He shares how these creatures act as early warning indicators for water quality and why...

Episode 12 of The Lake Doctor Podcast features Ben Schlipf of Schlipf Precision Agriculture, a local expert who blends hands-on farming experience with a deep commitment to environmental stewardship. Ben brings a lineup of innovative ag-tech gadgets to the studio, giving listeners a behind-the-scenes look at how modern tools help farmers make smarter, data-driven decisions. From precise chemical a...

In this episode of The Lake Doctor Podcast, we dive into the inspiring story of Jace Morgan, an ultra-endurance athlete with a growing passion for environmental stewardship. Earlier this year, Jace took on an incredible challenge — swimming the entire 17-mile circumference of Lake Wawasee in his event, Lap the Lake. What started as a test of endurance quickly became a journey of purpose and connec...

In this episode of The Lake Doctor Podcast, we wade into the world of wetlands with Landon Vine, a wetland scientist at V3 Companies. Landon shares his passion for these vital ecosystems and explains how wetlands serve as nature’s filtration systems—cleaning water, supporting biodiversity, and protecting communities from flooding. Through his work, Landon bridges the gap between environmental scie...

In this episode of The Lake Doctor Podcast, we’re joined by Eddie Gill, Executive Director of The Friends of White River in Indianapolis, Indiana. Eddie shares how his organization connects people to the water through hands-on programs, community events, and environmental outreach. From river cleanups to outdoor education initiatives, he discusses the importance of creating opportunities for peopl...

In this episode of The Lake Doctor Podcast, we welcome Ryan Workman—Grace College alumnus and current environmental scientist at Stantec. Ryan reflects on how his years with the Lilly Center for Lakes & Streams gave him hands-on research opportunities, professional mentorship, and a deeper understanding of real-world environmental challenges. From conducting water-quality studies to collaborat...

In this episode of The Lake Doctor Podcast, we sit down with Treleen Cox, a first-grade teacher at Leesburg Elementary who is passionate about hands-on learning. Treleen shares how she introduces her students to the wonders of the natural world through exploration, curiosity, and interactive experiences. From outdoor, exploratory lessons to engaging classroom experiments, her approach shows how ev...

In this episode of The Lake Doctor Podcast , we dive into the often-overlooked world of riparian rights and lake law with local Warsaw attorney, Steve Snyder. Steve brings years of legal expertise to help listeners understand who owns what when it comes to Indiana’s lakes—where private property ends, where public access begins, and how shoreline use is governed. With practical examples, engaging s...

In this episode of The Lake Doctor Podcast , we dive into a topic that often goes unnoticed—what happens after you flush the toilet? Tyler Hammerle, Project Manager at Wessler Engineering, breaks down the fascinating journey of wastewater, from your home to wastewater treatment facilities and beyond. With clarity and a touch of humor, Tyler explains how modern infrastructure protects both human he...

In this episode of The Lake Doctor Podcast, we welcome Nate Simons, Executive Director of Blue Heron Ministries and a long-time leader in ecological restoration. During our discussion, we will explore what it means to be stewards of the land. Nate shares stories from decades of restoring native habitats like prairies and wetlands across Indiana and offers a hopeful vision for how thoughtful human...

On this episode of The Lake Doctor Podcast , we’re joined by Dugan Julian, Northeast Regional Specialist for Indiana at the Cooperative Invasive Species Management Area (CISMA) and a former student of Dr. Nate Bosch (The Lake Doctor). Dugan shares how his circumstances and time with the marines eventually led him into a career combating invasive plant species across Northern Indiana. From lake sho...

Join us as we chat with Brian Peterson, owner of Brian Peterson Real Estate and a trusted voice in the housing market in Kosciusko County and northern Indiana. Brian brings years of expertise helping buyers find the home they're looking for, with ample knowledge navigating the unique dynamics encountered with lakefront properties. Explore how the quality of our local lakes—especially factors...

Welcome Jessie Kreider, the Program Director at Camp Alexander Mack and a regular volunteer at the Lilly Center for Lakes and Streams. Jessie brings her passion for outdoor education and environmental stewardship to the conversation, sharing stories from her experiences as a program director and her work connecting people with nature. From teaching the importance of freshwater ecosystems to facili...

Russell Anderson embodies a rare perspective in the conversation about water quality and land management – he's simultaneously a farmer, owner of Wawasee Boat Co., and a lake resident. In this thought-provoking episode, Russell shares his journey toward regenerative agriculture and how these practices are helping protect Lake Wawasee and surrounding waterways. Discover the fascinating evoluti...

Nathaniel Wise vividly remembers the moment birds captured his imagination. It wasn't spotting a rare species or an encounter with a majestic raptor—it was a plush mourning dove toy that played authentic bird calls when squeezed. This seemingly simple experience sparked a lifelong passion for connecting bird songs with the creatures that make them, eventually leading him to study how birds an...