Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters

Sharon Hosko retired in 2018 after a 31-year career with Cleveland Metroparks as a Naturalist and Nature Center Manager. She shares her perspectives on the importance of the Emerald Necklace, Cleveland's network of parks and preserves, and nature centers in helping urban dwellers connect with nature.  Next week Tim Merriman talks story about adventure tourism with Christian Gernez, CEO and Natural...

Jean Marie Twambaze grew up near Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda, home of the Mountain Gorillas. As a young boy he dreamed of being a park ranger or tourism guide and today he owns his own guide company, JeanMarie Wild, taking guests to the national parks of Rwanda and especially for a trek with mountain gorillas. Tim Merriman and Jean Marie reminisce about training Jean Marie attended...

Susan Strauss has a long and very successful career as a storyteller and author who also understands interpretive approaches. Susan's book, The Passionate Fact: Storytelling in Natural and Cultural Interpretation has been popular since being published in 1996. Tim Merriman and Susan discuss her new book, Tree with Golden Apples: Botanical and Agricultural Wisdom in World Myths, which blends storie...

Kristin K. Robinson is an interpretive planner, consultant and trainer with her own business, the Naked Stage. She has a long history with interpretation and tourism management and training, especially on the river tours of Europe. Kristin and Tim Merriman each train Certified Interpretive guides virtually via Zoom and in person and share their experiences with this growing program for National As...

Dr. Larry Beck, Professor Emeritus at San Diego State University, co-author with Dr. Ted Cable of The Gifts of Interpretation and author/co-author of other important books in the interpretive profession, talks story with Tim Merriman about his professional journey and trends in the profession.  Next week Tim will talk story with Kristin K. Robinson, Certified Interpretive Trainer, of Connecticut,...

Lisa Brochu spent more than three decades doing interpretive planning for both private and public organizations. In this conversation she shares with Tim Merriman what led to writing her book, Interpretive Planning: the 5-M Model for Successful Planning Projects. She also talks in detail about one of her favorite interpretive plans in Sichuan, China. Join us for a 40-minute conversation about inte...

Clark Hancock studied to work in the technical side of theater at Tulane University and he did that for several years. When he found a role at Austin Nature Center as a maintenance worker, it evolved into exhibit and visitor experience design and interpretive training. As a Certified Interpretive Trainer he has trained many at his nature center, but now, in retirement he consults as an interpretiv...

Wren Smith is the Interpretive Programs Manager at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest in Kentucky. She is a Certified Interpretive Trainer with National Association for Interpretation and uses the Certified Interpretive Guide (CIG) training program with her staff and volunteers. She made a unique contribution to improvement of the CIG course that we discuss in this one hour of conversation. Jo...

Bill and I continue talking story about his late career transition to serve as Chief of Interpretation of American Battle Monuments Commission in Paris, France. They manage 26 cemeteries and 29 Memorials around the world dedicated to the memory of American service members who lost their lives in foreign wars. Bill also shares his 12 Points of Living History, some very thoughtful guidelines about c...

Today I am Talking Story with Bill Gwaltney, an old friend of 42 years, and a gentleman with an amazing career with National Park Service as a living history interpreter at Bent's Old Fort to being Superintendent of Booker T Washington National Monument. He was an advisor and participant in the 1989 movie, Glory and eventually served five years as Chief of Interpretation with American Battle Monum...

Dr. Ted Cable is Professor Emeritus at Kansas State University after a 34 year career as a Professor. Also he has been author or co-author of 15 books on interpretation, conservation and birding. He has traveled more than 50 countries teaching and training and in retirement he continues to write interpretive resources and lead birding tours to international destinations. Join Ted and Tim Merriman...

Gabby Plumasseau shares her interesting journey in heritage interpretation with Tim Merriman. She grew up in Merida, Mexico, now lives in Paris, France, and trains Certified Interpretive Guides in Europe and in varied venues in Central and South America, working in Spanish, French and English. In recent years she has been an active organizer with the I-PAL Network - Heritage Interpretation: Latin...

Justin Legge is Manager at Benbow KOA and Tour Director at Benbow Historic Inn near Arcata, California. He recently took the Certified Interpretive Guide course with us and plans to become a trainer. He uses interpretive approaches to engage visitors to the tall trees (redwoods) of northern California. 

Jim Covel recently retired as Director of Training and Interpretation from Monterey Bay Aquarium. He was President of Western Interpreters Association when Tim Merriman was President of Association of Interpretive Naturalists in the 1980s. They worked together to consolidate the two groups in 1988 to create National Association for Interpretation. He shares his personal journey in the profession a...

Valya Stergioti is Training Coordinator for Interpret Europe and an independent interpretive planner, writer and trainer. She shares with us her professional journey from her home in Volos, Greece. 

Shelton Johnson is well known as the National Park Service Interpreter who portrays Buffalo Soldiers and shares their amazing story in the creation of the park service. He shares more here about how he got involved in the Ken Burns documentaries about NPS and a visit by Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King. 

Lisa Brochu and Tim Merriman played key roles in the consolidation of the Association of Interpretive Naturalists and Western Interpreters Association to create National Association for Interpretation in 1988. They reminisce about their 50 years involvement with these professional associations.

Chris Mayer is a Professor of Ecotourism and Interpretation at Ferrum College in Virginia. He has an interesting professional journey from interpreter to teacher, having spent many years in Latin America in the Peace Corps and later as a consultant and trainer. 

Stephanie Watson and Ashley Wyland use an interpretive approach to communication with children and community members in Pinellas County Florida (Saint Petersburg area) to explain how the county protects natural resources through careful recycling and solid waste management. Each member of the staff earned the Certified Interpretive Guide certificate with National Association for Interpretation.

Tim Merriman talks story with Valeria Biasi, a tour company owner/partner and very experienced guide in Verona, Italy. She recently delved deep into interpretation by earning the Certified Interpretive Guide certificate in a virtual course with Tim and also by taking an Interpretive Planning course with Lisa Brochu. She shares her perspectives on taking an interpretive approach to guiding in her u...

Tim Merriman, former Executive Director of National Association for Interpretation (NAI) is talking story with Paul Caputo, the newly appointed Executive Director of NAI. Tim hired Paul in 2002 as a Graphics Designer but Paul has thoughtfully grown into greater responsibilities and now manages the staff of 9 and services for more than 6,500 members. Their conversation covers their history and expe...

Dr. Sam Ham has trained and assisted guides and interpreters in more than 60 nations around the world. This conversation shares his continuing work as Professor Emeritus at  University of Idaho, his station for more than 35 years as a professor and former director of the Center for International Training and Outreach.