Wild Interest

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/submissions0:00 - Episode 6 Intro01:35 - Mark Warren animal tracking12:59 - Riddle Question13:15 - States Song14:43 - Jessica Kraft - tracking otters20:03 - Joke Time20:56 - Mabuhay Moment25:33 - ASMR27:17 - McKenzie Funk - Protecting Your Privacy38:08 - Favorite Sound39:09 - Cryptid Corner43:34 - Wild Nines46:58 - Grandparent Stories54:17 - Riddle Answer54:34 - Preview of episode 755:02 - Call for Submissions55:27 - Credits55:57 - Blooperswildinterest.com

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/submissionsTimestamps:(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 Previewwildinterest.com

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/submissionsTimestamps:[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] Outtakeswildinterest.com

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/submissionsTimestamps:[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] Blooperswildinterest.com

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!wildinterest.com

Jon Kornbluh, a passionate beeswax candlemaker, shares the wonders of bees and their wax, discussing its historical significance and unique properties. Dr. Jeff Meldrum, a Sasquatch footprint expert, dives into the enigmatic world of Bigfoot, revealing insights from his extensive collection of tracks and the allure of cryptids. Meanwhile, guest reporters Nola and Maxine explore Brooklyn's Greenwood Cemetery, encountering a lively flock of wild green monk parrots, blending themes of nature and curiosity.