The Natural Curiosity Project

The animals we know today didn't always have the names that we know them by, and some of the older original names are arguably better than the ones they have today. Have a listen.

Ben Link Collins is a sound recordist who’s also an architect—or maybe he’s an architect who also likes to tramp around in the woods and listen to the sounds of nature. But he does a lot more than that. For example, not long after we met, I received a package in the mail from Huntsville, Alabama, where he lives. In it was a bottle of the best habanero hot sauce I’ve ever tasted. Ben grew the peppe...

Just a little fun for the holidays. Wishing you all the best!

What happens when you write a letter to someone you've never met--a great challenge for us all.

Scientists are working feverishly to develop a coronavirus vaccine to help our immune systems ward off disease. Perhaps what we need as well is a vaccination against ignorance and pseudoscience. Oh wait, we have one. Have listen.

As we increasingly rely on digital tools to stay connected with one another, many believe that they are driving us apart. I disagree--I believe that digital tools are actually making us closer, as I discuss in this episode.

Recently, the news has been peppered with stories about cyberattacks on maritime assets. It makes sense: they’re among the most vulnerable of all physical assets. Ports, by their very design, must be open. In this interview with my friend and colleague (and co-author) Gary Kessler, we take a look at one specific attack mechanism: Ransomware.

Shazad Ahmad was one of my students, but quickly became a good friend as out conversations wandered all over the landscape. Equal parts VERY technical resource, author, philosopher, spouse and parent, Shazad has a lot to say—as you’ll hear. This is one of my favorite interviews—enjoy. http://awesomelifebook.com/

In this follow-on episode to the last one, we dive a little bit deeper into the technology behind nio.

Doug Standley is one of the smartest people I know--and one of the most technical. Yet he is passionate about farming, then environment, clean water, and the future of the planet. Join me as I interview him in this episode--this is an episode not soon-forgotten.

Steve interviews his old friend and colleague Bob Dean of Dean Learning (and formerly of EY, Grant Thornton and Heidrick & Struggles), about the state of the online learning world and the importance of rigor in business writing.

My interview with Danny Olusegun Ojedokun, the graphic artist in Nigeria who does my book covers, business, cards, etc. He talks about what it's like to work for Fiverr, a well-known platform, and about the challenges of working in Nigeria with clients who are all over the world.

To celebrate the 100th episode of this Podcast, I bring together a handful of stories and a plea for common sense. Enjoy--and thank you SO MUCH for staying loyal to the program!

I part two of our series on letter-writing, I introduce my friend Kenn Sato and have a chat about the craft of letter-writing. We also talk about some of the weird things that people used to be able to mail--like people, for example.

In this episode, I resurrect the long-lost art of letter-writing, and challenge my listeners to pick someone they care about--and write them a letter. As in, by-hand!

No narration, just a few minutes of rain and gentle thunder. Enjoy.

This track accompanies the book, "Capturing Wildlife Sound: A Useful Guide."

In the same way that bacteria are taken over by viruses and turned into virus factories, books are the host for viral ideas. Today, while we're all in lockdown, is a great time to start reading again. In this episode, I talk about the importance of reading today. And for those of you who are lamenting the fact that we can't travel, relax--let a good book transport you!

Today, while we're all sequestered at home, business operations continue. Without the benefit of face-to-face communications, our ability to influence and indeed create relationships with others is a serious challenge. One truth is that we are all writing more than we ever have before--emails, white papers, blogs, and other forms of communication. Those written communications form part of our pers...

Steve speaks with wildlife sound recordist Roger Boughton about curiosity, wildlife sound recording, and the sound that sap makes as it rises in a tree.

This track accompanies the book, "Capturing Wildlife Sound: A Useful Guide."

This track accompanies the book, "Capturing Wildlife Sound: A Useful Guide."

This track accompanies the book, "Capturing Wildlife Sound: A Useful Guide."

Interesting sense, smell. Ever wonder why turkey vultures hover over pipelines? They do. Find out in this episode.

It is time to raise our collective voices against the specter of racism that has come to dominate and define our country. Please listen, then act. As James Nachtwey says, "An abundance of means, but a confusion of aims, is the tragedy of our time."