that quirky bird girl

have you struggled to find your place in new rooms? does meeting new people feel incredibly daunting? if so, you’re not alone. millions of people feel exactly that way — including me. my whole life has felt like a journey of finding my voice in rooms that sometimes felt exclusive instead of inclusive. and now, so many people ask me: “how do you do it?” the truth? sometimes we all need guides. in m...

what do you think about yourself? seriously — sit with that question for a second. do you see yourself as strong, brave, and capable of overcoming whatever crosses your path? or are you more like past-me… where i struggled to recognize my own strength and instead labeled myself as weak, small, incapable? if you relate to the latter, this episode is for you. for years, i struggled with my self-imag...

have you been questioning yourself a bunch lately? have you been struggling with your own self-talk lately? are you unsure about what it might look like to truly love and embrace yourself? this episode is all about finding the answers to those same questions… and honestly (genuinely), it’s about time you start being kinder to yourself 🦆 cultivating self-kindness usually needs a catalyst, and for...

ANOOOOOTHA episode of that quirky bird girl is up and this is a topic that I personally know alllllllll tooooooo wellllllll (because i had to fight for it) - joy! this series has been so much fun to build and from last week's episode of resilience, it's only natural that our next topic is joy! why? because joy is a direct result of your ability to be resilient and recognize the beauty in o...

Welcome to SEASON 5 of THAT QUIRKY BIRD GIRL -- I cannot believe we have come this far and that I'm typing this, a year after launching this podcast and growing my community, we are now at over 10,000 quirksters and chirpers AND have a budding IRL community of over 800 people in NYC. As this community grows, I've been spending a lot of time thinking about the advice and life experience tha...

I had the best conversation with Kelly VanZant — and this one really stayed with me (all the way through and to Ecuador, if you've been following my TikToks lately!). 🥹✨ We talk about what it actually looks like to move through the world with dyslexia, ADHD, and dyscalculia — and how Kelly went from feeling challenged by those experiences to recognizing them as her superpowers . Not in a sur...

iiiiiiiii’m baccccckkkk! 🦆🦅 In this episode, I sit down with the lovely Ryan Goldberg , author of the newly published Bird City . Together, we talk birds, community, and the stories that shape who we become. Ryan shares how his passion for birds began, the people who supported him along the way, and what it took to bring Bird City to life—a four-year journey shaped by both human and avian connec...

BUCKLE IN - we are at Vanderbilt, chatting about two birds that I absolutely love and have heard a lot from during my time here. hope you enjoy :) 🛍️ Order your limited edition That Quirky Bird Girl pin here:⁠https://square.link/u/YK7XiuV8📲 Find all my other content, links, and lives here:⁠https://linktr.ee/learnaboutbirds⁠

In this episode of That Quirky Bird Girl , I sit down with the lovely and incredibly intelligent Daisy Yuhas — author, science writer, and genuinely one of the most grounded people I’ve ever talked to about birds!! 🐦‍⬛ We dive into her lifelong love of birds, how her childhood curiosity turned into a career in science communication, and the story behind her gorgeous book A Field Guide of Birds ....

In the season premiere of That Quirky Bird Girl, I explore what three incredible birds — the early-mating American Woodcock, the curious juvenile Red-bellied Sapsucker, and the clever Corvid family — have taught me about navigating business, creativity, and self-growth. From showing up before you feel ready, to valuing learning over comparison, to keeping a wide perspective when things get tough,...

In this episode, I’m getting a little more personal. I open up about some of the toughest challenges I’ve faced — and how, somehow, birds always found a way to guide me through them. From the boldness of Blue Jays to the quiet persistence of American Robins, these birds became my teachers, my mirrors, and my reminders that growth isn’t always graceful, but it’s always worth it. They helped me rebu...

Hi there chirper or quirkster!! In this (reluctantly: heartwarming) episode, I’m sharing how birds have been my greatest teachers, motivators, mentors, and mirrors through every major chapter of my life. From American Robins reminding me to stay curious, to Steller’s Jays showing me the power of using my voice, birds have guided me through fear, change, and EVEN the moments when I doubted my own p...

In this episode, I sit down with Nick Bayard, Executive Director of BirdNote, the beloved nonprofit radio program that has reached over 10 million listeners nationwide with stories that spark wonder and action for our lovely birds. Nick shares his journey from being a peacekeeper in Paraguay to leading a non-profit that uniquely blends education, storytelling, and even humor to bring bird conserva...

After a whirlwind of travels, I’m back in New York City and diving headfirst into creating again — and what better place to start than Central Park? 🌳 In this episode, I take you on a joyful, quirky chat in the park, sharing the bird species that call it home (both native and non-native), what makes them unique, and why birdwatching in an urban environment matters more than we realize. From commu...

In this episode of That Quirky Bird Girl , Steph (I) sit down with Christine Mott , animal law attorney, advocate, and author of Free Bird . Together, we dive into the incredible true story of Flaco the owl , whose escape from the Central Park Zoo captured hearts everywhere, and the powerful message his journey holds about resilience, freedom, and compassion. Christine shares how her passion for s...

Hi chirpers and quirksters — it’s Steph, That Quirky Bird Girl! This episode is a cozy one, recorded right from my bed in my PJs, fresh off the highs of a NYC bird tour!! I’m diving into how birds like the American Robin, Blue Jay, Osprey, and Red-tailed Hawk have each taught me to push past doubt and take brave steps forward... even when I questioned myself at every turn. I am also so excited to...

In this high-energy, bird-filled episode of That Quirky Bird Girl , I sit down with Brandon — a long-time Angry Birds fan and creator — to dive deep into the colorful, chaotic, and community-driven world of one of the most iconic bird franchises ever. We chat about Brandon’s journey from discovering Angry Birds back in 2011 to creating his own YouTube content in 2016, and how Rovio has kept the fa...

Hi friend — I’m Steph, That Quirky Bird Girl . If you’re new here, I’m so glad you landed in my little corner of the internet. I talk birds, mental health, NYC life, travel, and navigating the world as an AuDHD (Autistic + ADHD) creator. This episode is the most personal I’ve ever shared. For the first time, I open up about my divorce — the pain of ending a 10-year relationship, what it meant to l...

Hi there my quirky bird people -- This is a later in the week podcast episode (thank you for the patience!!) ALL ABOUT building community...An endeavor that I have fallen completely head over heals in love with. I have spent the past 6 months honing in on my community nurturing and I finally feel ready to talk about what the journey behind the scenes has looked like AND how your can replicate it a...

Hi my chirpsters and quirksters!! I hope your summer is as sun shiny as you are! This episode is all about exploring birds in the great state of California -- San Francisco! Along the way we chat Common Ravens (and their tails!), Chestnut Backed Chickadees, and House Finches! Be sure to follow and subscribe (on YouTube !) -- I'm heading to Australia before the end of the year and will be documenti...

Hi Chirpsters — it’s your girl, Steph! In this episode of That Quirky Bird Girl , we’re back with Season 3, Episode 2 and this one is all about community . I’m diving into how birds have helped me build real-life friendships, deepen connections, and find people who get it, people who get me. We talk about how showing up in bird spaces (awkwardly or not!!!) has helped me grow my network in a way th...

Hi chirpsters -- it's your girl, Steph! In this episode of that quirky bird girl, we launch into the THIRD SEASON with a few anecdotes about birds that have quite literally made all of the difference for me. I chat about the American robins that taught me to stim, Blue jays that released me from obsession with Cinderella's love story, and the curiosity of a Gray Catbird. As an auDHDer, the...

Hi everyone!!! It's your favorite bird creator and chirper, Steph! This week, I am joined by the lovely Monica who is the Founder of the Urban Bird Collective . UBC is an organization that is dedicated to centering bipoc and queer folks in their birding experiences and outings. This Pride month, centering voices -- particularly of color -- has been a primary goal of mine and I am so grateful t...

Welcome to the very first episode of something a little different . In this pilot adventure of Chirpchasing Banter with Steph — yes, you heard that right (!!!!)— I take this podcast out of the studio and into the field, literally, for a walk through nature with author, birder, and all-around brilliant human, Steve Burrows . Steve and I go chirpchasing together — not just spotting birds, but slowin...

In this special start-of-the-month episode of That Quirky Bird Girl , I’m embracing all of me — my queerness, my autism, and my deep love for birds — and kicking off a month of celebration, softness, and honesty. This one’s personal. I talk about what it’s taken to get here — to feel safe enough to say out loud that I’m queer, that I’m autistic, and that I deserve to feel whole without tucking par...