The Wolf Connection – Details, episodes & analysis

John Potter grew up in the Upper Great Lakes region, spending his formative years immersed in the lush forests of the Great Northwoods, where he developed a profound love for the natural world that continues to inspire his work today.

After a successful 20-year career as an award-winning illustrator, John transitioned to painting full-time in 2002. 

John visited Wolf Connection for 3 days, immersing himself in the on-site programs, interacting with the wolf pack, and experiencing all the sanctuary had to offer. He spoke about his time at Wolf Connection and what impacted him the most. 

John Potter Website

@johnpotterart

@thewolfconnectionpod

Melissa Smith is the Executive Director & Founder of Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife and has served on D.C. environmental committees with a deep understanding of the Endangered Species Act.  

She explored the significance of sociological sciences within state policy management of species, how this influences the effectiveness of State Endangered Species Acts (SESA) and State Wildlife Action Plans (SWAP), and the way governmental agencies on all levels can be ineffective in implementing protection plans for all species. 

Great Lakes Wildlife Alliance/Friends of the Wisconsin Wolf & Wildlife

@endangeredspeciescoalition

@thewolfconnectionpod

Nita Strauss is a Los Angeles born guitarist who has toured around the globe, playing with musical artists like Demi Lovato and Alice Cooper, while releasing two solo albums Controlled Chaos (2018) and The Call of the Void (2023). She was also the first female to have a signature guitar through Ibanez guitars, the Ibanez JIVA. 

We spoke with Nita about her creative process, both in her instrumental work and collaboration with vocalists, asked about the inspiration for the song The Wolf You Feed feat. Alissa White-Gluz and how the meaning of the song has resonated since its release. 

Nita Strauss Website 

@hurricanenita

@thewolfconnectionpod

John E. Marriott has been photographing wildlife for over 30 years and has authored multiple books on wolves, bears and national parks. He is involved in Canadian conservation issues with his non-profit organization, EXPOSED Wildlife Conservancy, which provides ethical and science-based solutions to solve the most pressing wildlife management challenges today.

John spoke at length about his experiences as a young, up and coming photographer, his wolf books, The Kootenay Wolves: Five Years Following a Wild Wolf Pack and The Pipestone Wolves: The Rise and Fall of a Wolf Family, and his conservation efforts in Canada's wilderness.

John E. Marriott Website

Exposed Wildlife Conservancy

@johnemarriott

@thewolfconnectionpod

Michelle Lute is the Co-Executive Director for Wildlife For All, whose mission is to reform wildlife management in the U.S. to be more democratic, compassionate and focused on protecting wild species and ecosystems. She is a conservation scientist and advocate with nearly twenty years experience in biodiversity conservation on public and private lands around the globe.

Michelle spoke about the efforts of Wildlife For All, the impacts of wildlife management on wolves and other predators, and how collaboration could be the key to reach solutions for wildlife and wild lands.

@wildlife.for.all

@coolhandlute

Wildlife For All

@thewolfconnectionpod

**UPDATE** Shortly after we recorded this episode, an Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife kill order for the Five Points Pack, claimed the lives of 4 wolves from that pack. That order has been lifted, however another kill order was issued for the Lookout Mountain Pack for up to two wolves. These orders were issued due to livestock depredations and conflicts.

Updates on these lethal removal orders from Oregon Department of Fish Wildlife can be seen here also follow John Marchwick on Twitter (X) for more information @JohnMarchwick

John Marchwick is a multi-generational Montanan who grew up in the Greater Yellowstone area, and as a young child he was taught to have a hatred towards wolves.

However, at 15 years old, wolf OR-54 whom he learned about from a family relative in California, began to change his perception of wolves. He is currently a sophomore at Cal Poly Humboldt majoring in wildlife management and conservation, and hopes one day to become a wolf biologist.

We first heard about John's story at the Yellowstone Wolf Summit in Gardiner, Montana. He spoke candidly about his upbringing, the ways he was taught to dislike wolves, and how he became a wolf advocate on multiple fronts. 

@thewolfconnectionpod

California Wolf Watch

Dave Stalling is a former Force Recon Marine who has deeper understanding of what it means to be part of the natural world. He was the former conservation writer for the Rocky Mountain Elk Foundations - Bugle Magazine for a decade. He has also worked for the U.S. Forest Service, the National Wildlife Federation, Trout Unlimited and is a past President of the Montana Wildlife Federation. 

He now serves on the Advisory Committee for Wildlife for All.  

Dave spoke about his deep passion for Grizzly Bears, nature, and all predators including wolves. He went in depth about the beliefs within his hunting circles and communities, which led to his departure from several organizations, and why wildlife management practices need to change.

Dave Stalling Wildlife For All

@thewolfconnectionpod

Katie Jackson is a freelance writer who covers adventure travel, camping, national parks, and outdoor gear, that has been featured in Outside Magazine and USA Today.
She recently published an essay in Outside Magazine titled: My Rancher Parents Hate Wolves. I Took Them on a Wolf-Watching Tour in Yellowstone to Change Their Minds.

She talked with us about her upbringing in a ranching family, the career she's built as a freelance writer, and how she looked to bring two differing views on wolves together.

My Rancher Parents Hate Wolves. I Took Them on a Wolf-Watching Tour in Yellowstone to Change Their Minds.

@katietalkstravel

@thewolfconnectionpod

Joanna Lambert is a Professor of Environmental Studies and Faculty in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology for the University of Colorado, Boulder. She has been teaching for over 25 years. Her research has covered primates in Africa, wolves in the Rocky Mountain West, and animals as they adapt to human based landscapes. She is also the Senior Science Advisor for the Rocky Mountain Wolf Project.

Joanna spoke to us about wolves in her research, their relationship with humans over time, and shared more information about the upcoming wolf reintroduction in Colorado.

@joanna.e.lambert

Joanna Lambert Website

Lambert Lab

@thewolfconnectionpod

Candace Dyar is a nature and conservation photographer, educator, wildlife & wolf advocate based in Washington State for nearly two decades. Her work has captured the attention of global audiences and been featured by acclaimed outlets such as World Wildlife Fund and The Weather Channel / Pattrn.

Candace shared some of her incredible wolf photos and the stories behind them! She also spoke about her background, and the impact her photos have made on people around her.

Candace Dyar Photography

@candacedyar

@thewolfconnectionpod