The Natural Curiosity Project - podcast cover

The Natural Curiosity Project

Dr. Steven Shepardwww.steven-shepard.com
I photograph, record, and write about the natural world. I see, I listen, I write. I fundamentally believe that curiosity can save the world—so I publish stories to make people curious. Ultimately, curiosity leads to discovery, discovery leads to knowledge, knowledge leads to insight, and insight leads to understanding. Please enjoy!
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Episodes

Episode 116 - Why All Companies Should Be Led By Seasoned Birders

Birders are a funny lot: They will go out of their way to help novice birders learn, without reservation. Wouldn't it be nice if business leaders and managers developed their people as effectively? In this episode, Steve recounts an recent experience where his lack of knowledge was on sharp display--but he was rescued by a fellow birder with far more knowledge.

Jan 22, 202114 min

Episode 112 - Foods I Have Known

Sometimes the best language to learn when you're traveling is food. In this episode, I discuss some of the exotic and strange foods I've eaten during my long career as a traveler and storyteller, and the incredible gifts of friendship that people have bestowed on me--through food.

Jan 02, 202132 min

Episode 114 - The Problem With Labels

More often the not, we're more alike than we are different, but the labels we glue on each other's foreheads get in the way of seeing that. Here are the results of a little experiment I did.

Jan 02, 202112 min

Episode 115 - The Contributions Of Bell Laboratories

Think the tech industry is geeky? Maybe. But what has come out of the telecom world may surprise you. Mobile phones are one tiny slice of their creative output. In fact, some of the things that were created at Bell Laboratories will surprise you.

Dec 31, 202010 min

Episode 113 - What's In A Name

The animals we know today didn't always have the names that we know them by, and some of the older original names are arguably better than the ones they have today. Have a listen.

Dec 31, 202010 min

Episode 110 - An Interview With Ben Link Collins

Ben Link Collins is a sound recordist who’s also an architect—or maybe he’s an architect who also likes to tramp around in the woods and listen to the sounds of nature. But he does a lot more than that. For example, not long after we met, I received a package in the mail from Huntsville, Alabama, where he lives. In it was a bottle of the best habanero hot sauce I’ve ever tasted. Ben grew the peppers and brewed them with a handful of ingredients to create the sauce. In this episode, we hear from ...

Dec 24, 202011 min

Episode 108 - Inoculation Of Knowledge

Scientists are working feverishly to develop a coronavirus vaccine to help our immune systems ward off disease. Perhaps what we need as well is a vaccination against ignorance and pseudoscience. Oh wait, we have one. Have listen.

Nov 03, 20209 min

Episode 103 - Being Human In A Digital World

As we increasingly rely on digital tools to stay connected with one another, many believe that they are driving us apart. I disagree--I believe that digital tools are actually making us closer, as I discuss in this episode.

Oct 07, 20209 min

An Interview With Gary Kessler On Maritime Ransomware Attacks

Recently, the news has been peppered with stories about cyberattacks on maritime assets. It makes sense: they’re among the most vulnerable of all physical assets. Ports, by their very design, must be open. In this interview with my friend and colleague (and co-author) Gary Kessler, we take a look at one specific attack mechanism: Ransomware.

Oct 07, 20208 min

Episode 107 - An Interview With Shazad Ahmad

Shazad Ahmad was one of my students, but quickly became a good friend as out conversations wandered all over the landscape. Equal parts VERY technical resource, author, philosopher, spouse and parent, Shazad has a lot to say—as you’ll hear. This is one of my favorite interviews—enjoy. http://awesomelifebook.com/

Oct 07, 202026 min

Episode 102 - Interview With Bob Dean Of Dean Learning

Steve interviews his old friend and colleague Bob Dean of Dean Learning (and formerly of EY, Grant Thornton and Heidrick & Struggles), about the state of the online learning world and the importance of rigor in business writing.

Sep 09, 202033 min

Episode 100 - A Cry From The Deep

To celebrate the 100th episode of this Podcast, I bring together a handful of stories and a plea for common sense. Enjoy--and thank you SO MUCH for staying loyal to the program!

Sep 07, 202013 min

Episode 99 - How To Write A Letter, Part 2

I part two of our series on letter-writing, I introduce my friend Kenn Sato and have a chat about the craft of letter-writing. We also talk about some of the weird things that people used to be able to mail--like people, for example.

Sep 07, 202021 min

Episode 97 - How To Write A Letter

In this episode, I resurrect the long-lost art of letter-writing, and challenge my listeners to pick someone they care about--and write them a letter. As in, by-hand!

Aug 19, 202014 min

Episode 96 - On The Subject Of Books

In the same way that bacteria are taken over by viruses and turned into virus factories, books are the host for viral ideas. Today, while we're all in lockdown, is a great time to start reading again. In this episode, I talk about the importance of reading today. And for those of you who are lamenting the fact that we can't travel, relax--let a good book transport you!

Jul 16, 202014 min

Episode 95 - Top Ten List For Business Communications

Today, while we're all sequestered at home, business operations continue. Without the benefit of face-to-face communications, our ability to influence and indeed create relationships with others is a serious challenge. One truth is that we are all writing more than we ever have before--emails, white papers, blogs, and other forms of communication. Those written communications form part of our personal and professional brand, but we often rush through them, leading to less-than-ideal results. Thi...

Jul 16, 202015 min

Sap Rising in Sycamore

This track accompanies the book, "Capturing Wildlife Sound: A Useful Guide."

Jun 15, 202052 sec

Episode 92 - Raising Our Collective Voices

It is time to raise our collective voices against the specter of racism that has come to dominate and define our country. Please listen, then act. As James Nachtwey says, "An abundance of means, but a confusion of aims, is the tragedy of our time."

Jun 10, 202018 min

Episode 91 - An Interview With Dumbledore (Dick Todd)

I recently met Dumbledore. Actually, his name is Dick Todd, but he could be Albus Dumbledore’s brother. Not only do they look alike, with the white beard and long white hair, the places where they work are very similar. Every surface in his workshop is buried under mountains of car parts, oddly-shaped pieces of metal and plastic and rubber and glass, tools that I couldn’t begin to name, much less tell you their purpose, coffee cans full of odds and ends, and books, magazines, and drawings. But t...

May 18, 20209 min
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