Wild Interest – Details, episodes & analysis

People use language to express themselves, but do you ever wonder how other animals communicate with each other? If they don’t speak like us, how do they convey information? In our first Animal Talk episode we learned about the complex ways animals communicate, and how some species even have their own languages and dialects. In “Paw 2” we find out even more about the amazing world of animal talk, and about the science behind linguistic development in animals. Evan interviews Dr. Irene Pepperberg, research professor at Boston University in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences about her groundbreaking work with Alex the African Grey Parrot. Dr. Pepperberg worked with Alex for 30 years and taught him over 100 English words. Not only was Alex able to communicate with humans, he even asked what color he was when looking at himself in the mirror, becoming the first known non-human to ask a question! Nichole goes beneath the waves with Dr. Aude Pacini from the Marine Mammal Research Program at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. Dr. Pacini records whale and dolphin song with sophisticated underwater microphones. She was part of an expedition where the world-class cellist Yo Yo Ma played music for whales from the deck of a famous Hawaiian canoe! Evan takes us down to North Georgia with Project Chimps, a chimpanzee sanctuary where over 90 retired lab chimps roam freely on six protected acres of forest. Our hosts are also joined by the very human creator of the Brooklyn Folk Festival, Eli Smith, who plays some banjo for us and talks about the upcoming festival this November 7-9. This episode is jam-packed, but don’t worry, we still found room for favorites like Cryptid Corner, Grandparent Stories, jokes and more. Let’s get wild!

Listen now and have a whale of a time - this episode's a hoot!

Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message.

Timestamps for this episode are available below.

00:00 - Episode 16 Intro
01:36 - Dr. Irene Pepperberg & Alex, the African Grey Parrot
14:03 - Joke Time
14:57 - Cryptid Corner: The Wow! Signal
20:09 - Riddle Clue 
20:31 - Deep Listening with Dr. Aude Pacini
27:48 - Favorite Sound
28:35 - Call for Submissions
29:02 - Eli Smith & the 2025 Brooklyn Folk Festival 
34:44 - Going Ape at Project Chimps with Caregivers Lauren and Tawnya
44:31 - Grandparent Stories: Papa Artie
48:22 - Riddle Answer
49:00 - Preview of Episode 17
49:13 - Credits
49:45 - Bloopers

The background music in our interview with Dr. Aude Pacini features audio of live performances by Hawaiian musicians Gary Haleamau and Ledward Kaapana, as retrieved from the Library of Congress.

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Our latest episode is all about the wild, wonderful world beneath our feet. Where does the word “dirt” come from? How do plants get nutrients from the soil? Could getting dirty be good for you? What about eating dirt? Nichole interviews Brandy Hall at Shades of Green Permaculture and learns about the importance of mindful landscape design, and how kids can get involved in healthy soil projects at home. We speak with biochar expert Peter Olivier about how charred organic matter can make soil healthier, and interview archeologist Casey Sharp about the amazing stories dirt can reveal about ancient people. We investigate garden grubs with a gaggle of kid correspondents, shine a light on the fascinating process of photosynthesis, feature a Bobby the Bigfoot guest-hosted Cryptid Corner, and as always present the usual jokes, riddles, Favorite Sound and Grandparent Stories.

Timestamps for this episode are available below. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message:  www.wildinterest.com/submissions

0:00 - Episode 8 intro
1:19 - Etymology of Dirt
4:02 - Riddle Question
4:22 - Permaculture
11:13 - Biochar
13:53 - Favorite Sound
14:53 - Grubs
18:33 - Mabuhay Moment
20:22 - Magic Dirt
22:59 - Joke Time
24:03 - Archeology
28:39 - Grandparent Stories
31:27 - Good Dirt
34:26 - Cryptid Corner: The Loveland Frogman
37:08 - Riddle Answer
37:45 - Call for Reviews and Submissions
38:32 - Credits
39:03 - Bloopers

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Our seventh episode is all about sound, performance and storytelling. Nichole interviews Taryn Janelle and LeRell Ross of Atlanta’s Synchronicity Theatre who adapted John Steptoe’s 1987 award-winning children’s book “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters” into a musical theater piece for all ages. Our special correspondent Nicholas drops the needle on some choice selections from his personal vinyl record collection, then drops in on Michael Greig Thomas at Echo Base Records to see how vinyl records are actually made! We also investigate how insects called cicadas make “music” by vibrating their abdomens, explore the alien secrets of Area 51 in Cryptid Corner, and bring you our usual Grandparent Stories, hilarious jokes, and a brain-twisting riddle.

Timestamps for this episode are available below. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message:  www.wildinterest.com/submissions

0:00 - Episode 7 Intro
1:18 - Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters
13:10 - Riddle Question
13:30 - The Music of Cicadas
18:35 - Joke Time
19:38 - Dropping the Needle on Vinyl Records
29:13 - Favorite Sound
30:30 - Cryptid Corner - Area 51
34:20 - Grandparent Stories
39:18 - Riddle Answer
39:42 - Episode Ending
39:58 - Preview of Episode 8
40:21 - Call for Submissions
40:45 - Credits
41:18 - Bloopers

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Hot on the trail of adventure, we track down otters with Jessica Kraft, learn to read the forest with Mark Warren, and learn about how technology is tracking us and what to do about it with McKenzie Funk. Along the way, Bobby the Bigfoot tells us how Sasquatches induce ASMR, and Nichole tells us about the number nine’s magical properties. As if that weren’t enough, she also teaches us a song to remember the names of all 50 states. And Evan tells us about his latest cryptid — a cute little critter that appeared in Dover, Massachusetts in 1977. Or did it? Last but not least, Evan and Nichole do the Tinikling, Electric Slide, and Cupid Shuffle at a Philippine Independence Day celebration. Plus, we have our usual favorite sounds, jokes, riddles, and general hijinks. It’s wild!

Timestamps for this episode are available below. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message:  www.wildinterest.com/submissions

0:00 - Episode 6 Intro
01:35 - Mark Warren animal tracking
12:59 - Riddle Question
13:15 - States Song
14:43 - Jessica Kraft - tracking otters
20:03 - Joke Time
20:56 - Mabuhay Moment
25:33 - ASMR
27:17 - McKenzie Funk - Protecting Your Privacy
38:08 - Favorite Sound
39:09 - Cryptid Corner
43:34 - Wild Nines
46:58 - Grandparent Stories
54:17 - Riddle Answer
54:34 - Preview of episode 7
55:02 - Call for Submissions
55:27 - Credits
55:57 - Bloopers

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In this episode we talk to the heroes at the Sheldrick Wildlife Trust in Kenya who rescue orphaned baby elephants, raising them until they can return to the wild. They tell us all about a special baby elephant named Toto. We’re also joined by musician, historian, and creator of the Brooklyn Folk Festival, Eli Smith. He talks about his life in folk music, plays us the same song on two very different banjos, and explains the competition he invented that involves tossing banjos into Brooklyn’s murky Gowanus Canal (if you have an iPhone or Apple device, be sure to check out his banjo toss video game). Next we hit the slopes with Ariana and learn about the history, hard work, and thrill of ski racing in Vermont. We also get a report from our on-the-ground correspondent Nola, who walks us through the city of New Orleans with all its special flavors and sounds. Not to be outdone, Bobby the Bigfoot returns to chat with Evan and (try to) play a banjo. Plus, we have our usual favorite sounds, jokes, riddles, and general hijinks. It’s wild!

Timestamps for this episode are available below. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message:  www.wildinterest.com/submissions

Timestamps:

(0:00) Episode 5 Intro

(1:11) NOLA in New Orleans

(5:09) Favorite Sound

(5:56) Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage 

(13:30) Riddle Question

(13:49) Taste Explained

(17:57) Grandparent Story

(22:49) Ski Racing on Stowe Mountain

(25:41) Bobby the Bigfoot Calls In 

(27:32) Cryptid Corner

(29:53) Eli Smith Banjo

(38:26) Jokes

(39:23) Bobby the Bigfoot On Banjo

(40:20) Riddle Answer

(40:42) Episode 6 Preview

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Ever wondered what it’s like to be the voice of a bossy guinea pig on a hit TV show? Look no further. We are joined by Sofie Zamchick, the voice of Linny on The Wonder Pets. She tells us about playing Linny (she can still do the voice) and her career as a songwriter, actor, and master marimba player. Nichole introduces a new segment called “Feeding Ben Stuff” where her picky-eater friend Ben tries new foods blindfolded. Evan gets to the bottom of the shiny monoliths popping up from Utah to Wales and then expands our palindrome horizons beyond "racecar." Theo in Alameda, California interviews his grandpa, who grew up 30 miles out to sea. He tells us about how he and his friend "Moose Breath" used to count the number of times the town bell rang for fun. Plus, we have our usual favorite sounds, jokes, riddles, and general hijinks!

Timestamps for this episode are available below. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes, favorite sounds, or send us a message:  www.wildinterest.com/submissions

Timestamps:

[1:12] Sofie Zamchick of The Wonder Pets

[15:27] Riddle Question

[15:40] Cryptid Corner: Monoliths

[20:21] Prank

[21:19] Joke Time

[22:03] Palindromes

[22:45] Grandparent Stories: Theo talks with his grandpa 

[27:21] Sing A Round: Row Your Boat

[28:50] Favorite Sound

[29:47] Feeding Ben Stuff

[34:36] Preview of Episode 5

[35:24] Outtakes

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April Fools' and an eclipse in the same month? Wild Interest has got you covered. We get ready for the eclipse with astronomer Mark Lancaster. And we've got the perfect prank for you to play -- all you need is a banana and a paperclip. Nichole talks with Grammy Award-winning artist Tim Maxey about his band Not The Twos and his production and songwriting (for Kendrick Lamar, Summer Walker, Baby Rose, and others). He even shows us how he wrote his song Paradise, which opens Kendrick Lamar's United In Grief, the first song on Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers. We visit the Erben Organ, the last untouched, original pipe organ in New York City to hear it played just before it gets taken apart for the first time since Abraham Lincoln was president. Nichole goes to the principal's office with Paul Bianchi, legendary leader of Atlanta's Paideia School. Evan dissects the Congressional hearings on UAPs, and Jayleigh in Decatur, Georgia interviews her Grandma. Plus our usual assortment of favorite sounds, jokes, riddles, and general hijinks!

Timestamps for this episode are available below. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message:  www.wildinterest.com/submissions

Timestamps:

[1:19] Solar eclipses: how do they work? What's the best way to enjoy one? 

[7:10] Riddle question

[7:32] Erben Organ -- hear Martin Scorsese's favorite organ played by Jared Lamenzo before it gets taken apart for the first time in 150 years! 

[16:03] Emory's Favorite Sound

[16:51] Paul Bianchi takes Nichole to the principal's office.

[22:44] Grandparent Stories: Jayleigh talks with her Grandma.

[29:57] Cryptid Corner: UAPs are the new UFOs

[39:45] Jokes

[40:34] How to send us a message or contribution. And a message from Bobby, a bigfoot who is miffed about Mothman.

[42:40] April Fools' banana prank

[43:52] Tim Maxey, father of Not The Twos and producer to Kendrick Lamar, Summer Walker, and Baby Rose

[51:39] Riddle Answer

[52:13] Preview of our next episode

[52:32] Bloopers

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Wild Interest is a kid-created and hosted audio magazine. In this episode, legendary NFL quarterback Jake "The Snake" Plummer talks with guest reporter Justus about making big plays, being nice to people, and life after football. Nichole talks with Dr. Andrew Newberg about what's great about yawning and why some Olympic athletes do it right before they compete. Evan tells us about Mothman, the winged creature with a penchant for O'Hare International Airport. Nichole teaches us how to turn your favorite ice cream into a delicious cake. We visit nine Filipino soldiers marooned (on purpose) on a partially sunken ship. And we learn how to sing Row Your Boat as a round! Plus our usual grandparent stories, favorite sounds, jokes, riddles, and general hijinks!

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Wild Interest is a kid-created and hosted audio magazine. In this episode, Nichole tells us everything we need to know about leap years and then geeks out on bees and their wax with beeswax candlemaker Jon Kornbluh. Evan goes deep on his favorite cryptid Bigfoot and speaks to Dr. Jeff Meldrum, professor at Idaho State University and keeper of the largest collection of Sasquatch footprint casts in the world. And guest reporters Nola and Maxine visit Brooklyn's Greenwood Cemetery to meet its flock of wild green monk parrots. In Grandparent Stories, Esme in Los Angeles speaks with her grandma, Bibi. And Chanel in Kabete, Kenya shares a recording of her favorite sound. 

Perfect for car rides or quiet time alone, Wild Interest is Brain Broccoli's answer to brain candy.

Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message:  www.wildinterest.com/submissions

00:00 - Episode 1 Intro
01:13 - Leap Years
5:04 - Riddle Clue
5:20 - Cryptid Corner: Bigfoot
13:35 - Favorite Sound
14:18 - Beeswax Candlemaker Jon Kornbluh
20:30 - Joke Time
21:02 - Mabuhay Moment
24:34 - Grandparent Stories: Bibi
28:43 - Brooklyn's Greenwood Cemetery with Nola and Maxine
32:05 - Riddle Answer
32:30 - Preview of Episode 2
33:05 - Bloopers

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Have you ever had that dream where you arrive at school but something’s a little… off? Join us for our Back to School Special where Nichole and Evan experience exactly that. Their plan to squeeze the most out of the final days of summer is thwarted when they doze off by the pool and fall into an unexpected dream that lands them back in the classroom. But this time they’re not students — they’re the teachers! Sharpen your pencils, Wildings: this is learning the Wild Interest way. Prepare to earn your Podcast PhD as our hosts show you an easy way to make ice cream cake at home, and a great prank you can play using a banana. Find out what a palindrome is, and memorize a catchy song that helps you learn the names of all 50 US states. Dive deep into why we have daylight saving time and leap years, and discover the science of solar eclipses from a real astronomer! But wait, there’s more! What’s ASMR? How do you play Concentration 64? How do honeybees communicate? (Hint: they get their groove on!) Kids will come out of this episode prepared to dazzle their schoolmates with scads of new astonishing knowledge — and you’re in store for another hilarious cameo from everyone’s favorite cryptid, Bobby the Bigfoot! Sit back, relax, and let’s get wild!

Timestamps for this episode are available below:

00:00 - Episode 15 intro
02:50 - ASMR
05:40 - Cicadas
07:12 - How Honeybees Communicate
10:25 - Leap Years
12:28 - Solar Eclipses
15:18 - Daylight Saving Time
17:17 - Taste Explained
20:48 - Turkey Facts
23:43 - Ice Cream Cake
25:26 - Sliced Banana Prank
26:47 - Concentration 64
30:28 - Singing a Round: Row Row Row Your Boat
32:09 - Singing a Round: Frère Jacques
34:19 - States Song
36:02 - Palindrones
37:10 - Grammartime
39:30 - Magical Number Nine
42:45 - Fun Facts
44:41 - Nichole Wakes Up From Her Dream
46:22 - Credits
46:46 - Bloopers

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