2025
To Coexist or Not to Coexist?
Author Jonny Hanson joins HumaNature to discuss the pros and cons of reintroducing large predators (lynx, wolves, and bears) back to the wilds of Britain and Ireland. It's a controversial and politically charged subject to say the least and sparks a lot of emotions on both sides. Don't miss this fascinating conversation and make sure to check out Jonny Hanson's latest book Living with Lynx: Sharing Landscapes with Big Cats, Wolves and Bears to learn more.
To Coexist or Not to Coexist?
Dear Listeners,
I have always wanted to see a mountain lion in the wild. I grew up in Southern California and have spent many hours hiking in areas known for mountain lions, and yet they have always eluded me. Or perhaps they’ve been there the whole time, watching me. I’ll never know.
Humans have lived alongside predators since the dawn of time, but it is still a very contentious issue. And this conflict is at the heart of this week’s episode. Author Jonny Hanson joins me to discuss his book Living With Lynx: Sharing Landscapes with Big Cats, Wolves and Bears which deals with the idea of rewilding Britain and Ireland by reintroducing carnivores. Hanson takes a neutral stance in the book and talks to fierce advocates both for and against. It’s a fascinating conversation and Hanson really wants everyone to consider the pros and cons before taking a stance on the issue.
This is the last episode of season 15, so make sure you’re all caught up and send your favorite episode to your friends and family. As always, follow us on social media (links below) and if you haven’t already, consider leaving us a 5-star review wherever you listen. It really helps the show reach more people.
HumaNature is always looking for new stories, and some of my favorites have come directly from our listeners. So if you have a story to share, let us know! You can reach out on our website, message us on social media, or email us at humanaturepodcast@gmail.com.
Until next season, happy trails friends!
-Megan Feighery
S&E Hot Air Balloon Ride Egypt
S&E Northern Lights
S&E with the Globe
S&E at World End Ushuaia
81 And Still On The Run
Sandy Hazelip and Ellie Hamby are not your typical travel influencers, they're both grandmothers in their 80's widely known as the TikTok Traveling Grannies. This week you'll hear about how they've been breaking barriers for decades, their journey around the world to celebrate turning 80, and why Easter Island has the best food.
S&E Depart for Around the World
S&E at Uluru in Outback
S&E Grand Canyon
States of Adventure with Fitz Cahall
Fitz Cahall, founder of The Dirtbag Diaries podcast, joins host Megan Feighery to talk about life, finding adventure in your own backyard, and his new book States of Adventure: 30 Outdoor Adventure Stories About Finding Yourself By Getting Lost.
Dear Listeners,
This week’s episode is extra exciting for me. I’ve been a big fan of The Dirtbag Diaries podcast for a long time, so when I had the opportunity to interview its founder, Fitz Cahall, I jumped at it.
The Dirtbag Diaries is one of the original outdoor adventure shows. Fitz started the show in 2007, the early days of podcasting, and he says he had no idea what he was doing back then and never could’ve guessed what it would become. Eighteen years later, the show has three hundred episodes and over twenty million downloads, a very impressive feat. But Fitz’s success makes sense to me– he loves what he does. He has a passion for his subject matter, and people responded to it.
Fitz’s new book, States of Adventure: 30 Outdoor Adventure Stories About Finding Yourself By Getting Lost, is a collection of some of the best and most memorable subjects Fitz has interviewed over the years. It’s beautiful and was a pleasure to read, regardless if you’re a long-time listener of his show or just hearing about it. I highly recommend picking up a copy.
This is the last episode of our season, but HumaNature will be back really soon with a brand new season. We are actively looking for stories to feature on upcoming episodes, so if you or someone you know has a tale to tell let us know! You can email us at humanaturepodcast@gmail.com, contact us on our website humanaturepodcast.org, or DM us on social media (links below).
I want to take a moment to thank you for your support; without you, this show couldn’t happen. I appreciate all of you more than you’ll ever know.
Until next season friends, happy trails!
Megan Feighery
Where the River Mends
Bridget Crocker is a world-class whitewater rafting guide and author of the book "The River's Daughter." Bridget also grew up in an abusive household and suffered from severe trauma and PTSD. Through it all, she always had her special relationship with the river- something that would bring her the courage and resilience to persevere no matter what.
Show notes: This episode discusses violence, sexual assault, trauma, PTSD, and suicidal thoughts. Listener discretion is advised.
Call or text 988 for the Suicide and Crisis Hotline.
Call 1-800-799-SAFE or text "Start" to 88788 for the National Domestic Violence Hotline.
Call 800-656-HOPE for the National Sexual Assault Hotline or visit Rainn.org for more resources.
Episode 126: The House That Esbee Built
Anissa Beal is the founder of Edgar and Ivy's Cat Sanctuary in Corpus Christi, Texas. She loves what she does but in late 2023 she wasn't sure she could afford to keep going. Then she got a phone call that changed everything.
Special thanks to Spencer of SB Mowing and Esbee the Cat for making this episode possible.
Episode 127: Where the River Mends
Dear Listeners,
A few years ago, my husband and I went whitewater rafting on the Nile River in Uganda. I am a bit of an adrenaline junkie; bungee jumping, skydiving, paragliding, I love it all. But when I tell you I have never been more terrified than I was going through Class V rapids on the Nile, I mean it. We had been well prepared and had spent the morning practicing flipping the raft, the proper hand signals, and relaxing into the rapids, but when the moment finally came, my mind went blank. I managed to take in a mouthful of air before the force of the water flipped the boat, and I was plunged deep in the river. My body was flung around like a rag doll, and every time I thought I was surfacing, I was thrown right back down.
Logically, I know I wasn’t underwater for more than a minute, but it felt like hours. When I finally resurfaced I was picked up by one of the guides in a safety kayak.
“How was it?” he asked.
“Incredible!” I gasped, “Let’s do it again!”
That one afternoon was one of the most thrilling of my life, so when I got the chance to speak with Bridget Crocker, a world-class rafter and guide, I was ecstatic. Bridget has traveled all over and rafted on some of the most incredible rivers in the world. She’s also endured a lot of hardships in her life and always turned to nature for healing and guidance.
Bridget is the author of “The River’s Daughter,” a gorgeous memoir detailing her childhood and the early days of her career as a guide. I loved this book so much that I tore through it in a day and plan on sending copies to my friends and family. So do yourself a favor and pick up a copy. Bridget is also doing a book tour, so come out and support her. Find the dates here.
This episode is a story of pain, perseverance, healing, and forgiveness. It’s emotional, raw, and joyous, and I hope you love listening to it as much as I loved producing it.
Please note that this episode does discuss domestic violence, sexual assault, trauma, and PTSD. Listener discretion is advised.
Until next time, happy trails!
-Megan Feighery
Episode 126: The House That Esbee Built
Dear Listeners,
I am so excited to be back with a brand new season of HumaNature! As always I think we have some incredible stories and I hope you share them with your friends and family.
Our first episode of the season is near and dear to my heart and I teared up more than once producing it. Anissa Beal is the founder of Edgar and Ivy’s Cat Sanctuary in Corpus Christi, Texas. She’s given her life to rescuing sick and injured cats, but it’s an expensive operation to run and as 2024 began, Anissa wasn’t sure she could afford to keep going. Then she got a call that changed everything.
“The House That Esbee Built” is a story about kindness, perseverance, and the power of social media. It’s a story of hope and finding ways to do good in your own corner of the world. It’s also the story of a really cute cat who is a very good boy.
Make sure you’re following HumaNature on social media (links below), and if you haven’t already, please leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts. We appreciate it so much and it really does help the show.
If you or someone you know has a story to tell, reach out and let us know! We are actively looking for stories for our upcoming season and we’d love to hear from you. You can send us a message on our website or email us at humanaturepodcast@gmail.com.
Until next time, happy trails.
Megan Feighery
Episode 125: The Magic of Darkness
Leigh Ann Henion is the author of Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark, a beautiful celebration of all the things that come alive in the dark. In a time where artificial light is ever-present, Leigh Ann invites you to think of darkness as a habitat and explore the biodiversity that exists at night in your own backyard. You never know what you might discover.
Dear HumaNature Listeners
I am embarrassed to admit how unprepared I was for my first overseas trip. I was 19 on a solo-backpacking trip in Italy with only a borrowed Lonely Planet book for guidance (this was long before smartphones). The opportunity to go was sudden and I didn’t have long to prepare, which was very evident the first time I tried to plug in my hair dryer and realized I didn’t have a converter. Oops. I also got scammed by a cab driver, almost had my purse snatched in a crowded market, and locked in a small train station overnight after missing my connection. It was the best two weeks of my life and I’ve been traveling ever since.
This is probably why I got along with this week’s guests as well as I did. Sandy and Ellie are not your typical travel influencers, they’re both grandmothers in their eighties. A few years ago they decided to celebrate turning 80 by going around the world in 80 days. A local news team picked up the story and Sandy and Ellie started posting photos and videos on social media. Much to their surprise, people loved them and their story quickly went viral.
They both seem surprised by their fame, but after speaking with them it makes perfect sense to me. Sandy and Ellie are warm and funny and never let anything slow them down. Their friendship and adventures are inspiring, and in a world that demonizes aging, Sandy and Ellie are a much needed breath of fresh air.
I hope this episode makes you laugh, brings you joy, and just maybe encourages you to book your next trip. And if you’d like to know more about Sandy and Ellie you can buy their book (it’s so good) or follow them on social media.
Remember to follow us on social media (links below) and if you haven’t already, please leave us a 5-star review on whatever platform you listen to this podcast. It really helps us reach more listeners.
Until next time, happy trails folks!
-Megan Feighery
Episode 125: The Magic of Darkness
Dear Listeners,
When I was a kid, my grandparents bought a house outside of Twentynine Palms, a few miles outside of Joshua Tree National Park. Their nearest neighbor was over a mile away and the silence was like nothing I had ever experienced before. But the thing I remember most was the nights. My grandfather had a telescope and we would spend hours outside looking at the stars. He taught me about the constellations and planets and in 1997 we watched in awe as the Hale Bopp comet streamed across the sky.
It was also the first time I learned about light pollution. Whenever I went back home to Orange County, I couldn’t understand why I couldn’t see the same constellations that I did in the desert. The sky just seemed…different. Turns out, it wasn’t the sky that was different, it was the artificial light. And that’s what this week’s episode is all about.
Leigh Ann Henion is the author of Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark. It is a beautiful celebration of all the things that come alive in the dark; mushrooms, moths, bobcats, salamanders, owls, glowworms and more. In a time where artificial light is ever-present, Leigh Ann invites you to think of darkness as a habitat and explore the biodiversity that exists at night in your own backyard. You never know what you might discover.
This is our final episode of the season, but never fear, HumaNature will be back in the spring with a brand new set of stories for you. As always, make sure you’re following us on social media (links below) and if you have a story to share, let us know! We love hearing from our listeners. You can contact us at humanaturepodcast@gmail.com, humanaturepodcast.org, or just send us a DM.
Until next time, happy trails.
Megan Feighery
Episode 124: The Woman of Star Island
Alexandra de Steiguer is an artist, author, poet, musician, and photographer who has spent the last twenty-eight years working as the winter caretaker of Star Island off the coast of Maine and New Hampshire. She spends about six months completely alone, taking care of the vacant hotel and cottages that will fill with tourists in the summer months.
Original music by Alexandra de Steiguer used in this episode:
0:38 - One Day_Instrumental Version
9:21 - Oceanic_Instrumental Version
16:44 - Whistling Wind_Instrumental Version
22:50 - The Novelist_Instrumental Version
S&E Monkey Park Bali
Episode 123: A Most Unlikely Friendship
Catherine Raven lives in a remote cabin in Montana near the Yellowstone River. About 20 years ago she befriended a wild fox who she came to deeply care for. She wrote a book called Fox and I about their relationship and what humans can learn from animals.
Episode 124: The Woman of Star Island
Dear Listeners,
I’ve never really been a tropical island person. If you asked me to choose a vacation destination, there would be a lot of places I would pick over the Cayman Islands or Aruba. Sitting on a beach in paradise just really isn’t my thing. But if you offered me a chance to stay on a rugged, weather beaten island off the coast of Scotland or Newfoundland, sign me up. There’s something about a coastline full of jagged rock formations, their surfaces worn by centuries of saltwater and wind. The spray of seafoam from the waves relentlessly crashing against the cliffs, and the patches of hardy grass and trees that survive despite the unforgiving weather. It’s dramatic, beautiful, and humbling all at the same time. And that is probably what attracted me so much to this week’s story.
Alexandra de Steiguer is an artist, author, poet, musician, and photographer who has spent the last twenty-eight years working as the winter caretaker of Star Island off the coast of Maine and New Hampshire. She spends about six months completely alone, taking care of the vacant hotel and cottages that will fill with tourists in the summer months. Alex says she’s never lonely and finds companionship with the animals that share her island; flocks of Canada Geese, snowy owls, gulls, seals, and muskrats. During our conversation I was struck by the fact that Alex embraces solitude and boredom and allows them to fuel and inform her art. It made me stop and think about the last time I had ever truly been bored, the last time I had just allowed myself to sit and be without reaching for my phone or opening my laptop. I was embarrassed that I couldn’t remember.
This week’s episode is a beautiful celebration of art, creativity, and solitude. Alex is a wonderful storyteller and it felt really special to interview her while she was heading into her final weeks of being on the island. Alex also shares beautiful photographs and musings during her time there so definitely follow her on social media.
I hope you enjoy “The Woman of Star Island” and be sure to share it with friends and family, word of mouth is our best advertisement. If you haven’t already, please leave us a five star review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get your podcasts, it really does help us reach more listeners. HumaNature will be back in a couple of weeks for our final episode of the season, so make sure you’re following us on social media (links below) for news and photos.
Happy trails!
Megan Feighery
S&E Train Ride
A Most Unlikely Friendship
Hello Listeners,
I’m so thrilled to be back with a brand new season of HumaNature! I absolutely love the stories we are bringing you and I hope you love them too.
Our first episode “A Most Unlikely Friendship” is near and dear to my heart and it was a pleasure to bring this story to life. I discovered Catherine Raven’s book Fox and I: An Uncommon Friendship a few years ago and always had it in the back of my mind that it would make an incredible HumaNature episode. So imagine my delight when I reached out and she enthusiastically agreed to an interview.
Catherine lives in a very remote part of Montana. She doesn’t have a smartphone, cable, has to have propane delivered to her house, and since her street is unnamed she technically doesn’t have an address. But that’s the way she likes it. Catherine has an incredible view of the mountains and Yellowstone River and spends a lot of time watching the wildlife that frequent her property. When we spoke, it was bald eagle mating season and Catherine described how a mating pair were tumbling and turning in the air right outside her window.
But of all the animals Catherine has watched over the years, none will ever be as special as Fox, the little runt that became her friend. Fox was a curious, smart, playful soul that came around every day at the same time to say hi, and he is like no other animal Catherin had ever met.
This week’s episode is moving, funny, and full of joy. It’s a celebration of an often misunderstood animal and might make you think differently about the world around you.
So make sure you’re subscribed to HumaNature on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts, and send this episode to a fellow animal lover in your life. Follow us on social media (links below) so you never miss an update. And if you have a story to share, let us know! Some of my favorite episodes have come directly from our listeners.
Happy trails!
-Megan Feighery
Host/Producer
Hike Your Own Hike
Just before her 30th birthday, Julia Sheehan realized she wasn't happy. She had a house and a great career, but wanted something more. So she sold her home, left her job, and set out to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. What follows is a journey of self-discovery, transformation, and a trail that will test her in ways she never imagined.
S&E Husky Sleigh Ride Lapland
S&E on Camels in Egypt
S&E at Taj Mahal
S&E in Antarctica
S&E on frozen Lake Baikal
S&E Happy Swing Balloon
Dear HumaNature Listeners
It’s so good to be back with a brand new season and we’re starting off strong with an episode titled “Hike Your Own Hike.” Julia Sheehan was about to turn 30 and thought she had done everything right; she owned her own home and had a stable job in a good field. But she was miserable. So she left her old life behind to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail, not knowing what she would find or who she would be by the end (if she made it).
In episode two you’ll meet a pair of unlikely travel influencers, two grandmothers in their 80’s who are set out to prove that adventure has no expiration date. Be warned, this episode will inspire you to pack your bags and book a trip ASAP.
Then finally you’ll hear an interview with author Jonny Hanson about his book Living with Lynx: Sharing Landscapes with Big Cats, Wolves and Bears. Hanson investigates what it might mean to reintroduce carnivores back into Britain and Ireland, a controversial and fascinating topic to say the least.
I had a lot of fun putting these episodes together and I hope you enjoy listening to them. As always, make sure you’re subscribed to HumaNature on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts. And if you haven’t already, please leave us a 5-star review, it really helps the show reach more people.
For photos, follow us on social media (links below) or check our our website humanaturepodcast.org.
And finally, public media is facing a very uncertain future and that includes HumeNature. If you would like to support this show you can do so on our website or by clicking right here. Thank you from the bottom of my heart, we truly cannot do what we do without you.
That’s all for now, happy trails folks!
Megan Feighery