Two Chicks and a Hoe

Send us Fan Mail A lost wallet. A sister’s memory. And a simple question: what do you do with love after loss? After Kristina Ulmer lost her younger sister Katie in a sudden car accident, she found herself holding onto something small but heavy—Katie’s wallet, still filled with the tips she earned that morning. For years, it sat untouched. Not spent. Not given away. Just… held. Until one day, she...

Send us Fan Mail Some episodes start with a plan. This one starts with a tree. Not a mystical forest or some faraway place—just a regular neighborhood, and a tree where people come to tie ribbons. But what gets left there… it’s anything but ordinary. Names. Grief. Gratitude. Prayers. Promises. The quiet things we don’t always know how to say out loud. We’re sitting down with Karen, a modern shaman...

Send us Fan Mail “Whale sex” might be what gets people’s attention… but this episode goes a whole lot deeper than that. We recorded this one from San Ignacio Lagoon in Baja California—wind whipping, sand everywhere, and gray whales moving through the water just offshore. It’s one of the most important gray whale nurseries in the world, and you can feel that the second you arrive. There’s something...

Send us Fan Mail What if the most enduring civilization on Earth has six legs? Ants have been organizing, farming, waging war, recycling waste, and engineering ecosystems since the age of dinosaurs — and most of us barely notice them. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Brian Fisher of the California Academy of Sciences to explore ants as superorganisms: colonies that eat, share, and decide as o...

Send us Fan Mail What happens when the most elite combat divers in the world turn their training toward saving coral reefs, rescuing sea turtles, and restoring the ocean?  You get Force Blue —a nonprofit that retrains and redeploys special operations veterans to work alongside marine scientists on urgent conservation missions… and in the process, helps veterans rediscover the thing many lose after...

Send us Fan Mail The power of a simple question can change everything. When a man named Isaac approached our cleanup team in Ewaso Ngiro, Kenya, and asked, “Can you give me the tools to clean up my side of town?”—none of us could have predicted what would follow. That single question launched Project PickUp (phase 2) , a community-led movement that’s now reshaping how waste is handled in rural Ken...

Send us Fan Mail Think rats are pests? Think again. Meet the HeroRATs — a team of highly trained Giant African Pouched Rats saving lives around the world. Through the nonprofit APOPO, these intelligent rodents are sniffing out landmines, detecting tuberculosis, and even helping stop wildlife trafficking. In this episode, we dig into how these whiskered heroes work with astonishing accuracy and spe...

Send us Fan Mail Horses have a unique ability to heal, inspire, and empower, and Bridle Up Hope harnesses this power to create life-changing experiences for women and girls. In this episode, we introduce you to Rosemarie Rubalcava-Stokes and Sally Ford, the visionary women behind Bridle Up Hope in San Jose. Joined by my dear friend and hiking companion, Vikki, we explore their transformative progr...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine a sanctuary where over 1,800 stray dogs roam freely in the lush mountains of Costa Rica, living lives filled with joy and dignity. Join us as we uncover the remarkable journey of Territorio de Zaguates, a haven founded by Lya Battle and Álvaro Saumet, where love and compassion reign supreme. From spaying and neutering to rehabilitating even the most aggressive dogs, this e...

Send us Fan Mail What if spending time in nature could significantly improve your mental and physical well-being? In our latest episode, we explore the transformative practice of forest bathing with our esteemed guest, Kira White, a certified forest therapy guide. With her background in psychology and education, Kira will walk us through how immersing oneself in a forest environment can reduce str...

Send us Fan Mail What does it take to bring a species back from the brink of extinction? Join Vanessa from "Two Chicks and a Hoe" as she welcomes Monica Fox, a dedicated veterinary technician at the Oakland Zoo, to share the incredible comeback story of the California condor. Discover the awe-inspiring journey of North America's largest bird, whose wings span an impressive 9 to 10 f...

Send us Fan Mail Can wildlife corridors save species from the brink of extinction amid the relentless pace of human development? Two Chicks and a Hoe brings you an eye-opening conversation with Dana Page, a wildlife biologist from the San Francisco Bay Area, who sheds light on the vital role these passageways play in preserving biodiversity. This episode explores how corridors are essential for th...

Send us Fan Mail Unlock the secrets of the land with wildlife biologist Dana Page, as she guides us through the rejuvenating embrace of 'good fire' in forest management. Step inside the world of prescribed burns, where each flame is a careful calculation for conservation. Together, we'll dismantle the fears surrounding controlled burns and marvel at the intricate dance of destructio...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever watched the sunset alongside a furry friend and felt an unparalleled sense of connection? That profound companionship is what we explore in our latest heart-stirring conversation, where Genesis Rendon from Project Street Vet reveals how the love between pets and their unhoused owners transcends all barriers. Our discussion honors the incredible work of those who prov...

Send us Fan Mail Imagine living a life where your yearly trash fits into a single mason jar. Sounds like a tall order? Not to Heather Bedy, our special guest and Zero-waste sage, who joins me to inspire you with the notion that a near-zero waste existence isn't just a pipe dream—it's an attainable reality. We dissect the lifecycle of disposable coffee cups to uncover the significant envi...

Send us Fan Mail When Alex Mondragon, known under the spotlight as Belladonna, stepped into the world of drag, a bold tapestry of self-expression unfurled before them. Their journey, marked by the trials of growing up non-heteronormative and the quest for acceptance, is the beating heart of our latest episode. Through a candid conversation, Alex shares how drag became more than just an art form—it...

Send us Fan Mail Ever wonder about the intricate journey of your morning java? Prepare to have your curiosity quenched. We sat down with coffee expert and industry innovator, Mariana Faerron Gutierrez, owner of Tico Coffee Roasters, to explore the complexities of the coffee industry. Brace yourself for a stimulating conversation as we traverse the terrain of coffee origins, growth methods, and env...

Send us Fan Mail Ever contemplated the impact of discarded flip flops on our marine life? Get ready to have your eyes opened as we connect with Erin Smith, CEO of Ocean Sole. In this enlightening episode, Erin pulls back the curtain on the global crisis involving these seemingly innocuous footwear items that are wreaking havoc on our oceans. Strap in as Erin walks us through the journey of these d...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready for an inspiring discussion with the renowned conservationist, Dr. Laurie Marker, as she delves into the complex challenges confronting cheetahs today. Cheetah Conservation is not solely about saving these majestic big cats; it's also an exploration of the human-driven factors shaping their existence. Dr. Marker will enlighten us on the profound impact of our action...

Send us Fan Mail Meet Paul Thomas, a front-of-house sound engineer who became an animal rescue hero during the pandemic. With his touring skills, a van, and a lot of love for dogs, Paul crafted an innovative solution he calls 'Roadies and Rescues'. This incredible initiative transports rescue animals from overpopulated areas to places with fewer animals, giving the animals a second chanc...

Send us Fan Mail Have you ever judged someone before truly getting to know them? We sat down with Ronni Abergel, founder of the Copenhagen based The Human Library, to discover how the power of conversation can challenge stereotypes and prejudices. We delved into the importance of understanding diversity and fostering connection through open dialogue with people from diverse backgrounds and experie...

Send us Fan Mail Did you know there's a surprising connection between gorillas and cell phones that's impacting the environment and wildlife in a major way? That's what we uncover in today's episode with our guest, Eric Ronay, founder of Eco-Cell, a cell phone recycling company helping to make a positive change in the world. Eric shares his journey into the world of cell phone...

Send us Fan Mail Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to our environment. Single-use plastic is manufactured to last forever, yet is often used for only a few minutes, before being thrown away.  But this episode isn’t really about trash - it’s about hope and what a small group of people can do to start a change.   It’s not about tackling the island of plastic floating in our oceans it’s ab...

Send us Fan Mail Get ready to embark on an incredible journey into the world of honey with our special guest, Steve Demkowski, also known as the Bee Guy! Ever wondered how bees create that sweet, golden nectar we all love? Steve's expertise will guide us through the fascinating process of honey production, from the types of flowers bees visit to the distance they travel from the hive – all fa...

Send us Fan Mail In this installment, Steve, the "Bee Man," has shed light on the vital role bees play in our ecosystem and the concerning decline in their populations.  However, he urges us to remain hopeful and take action.  By implementing pollinator-friendly practices, reducing pesticide usage, supporting local beekeepers, and spreading awareness, we can collectively work towards the...