All Creatures Podcast

Chris speaks with Atlanta Journal-Constitution reporter Drew Kann about Georgia’s Okefenokee Swamp and its new status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

They explore the swamp’s blackwater wetlands, remarkable wildlife, and delicate balance of fire and water. Drew explains how a proposed titanium mine raised concerns about water loss, severe fires, and damage to nearby rivers—until public opposition and a conservation land purchase stopped the project. They also discuss the power of local journalism and why continued protection remains essential.

Timeline

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
03:24 What Makes Okefenokee Wild
06:46 Ecology Fire Water Wildlife
09:23 Mining Threat Origins Trail Ridge
13:35 Pushback Science and Local Stakes
17:11 Politics and Public Opinion
20:15 How Journalists Tell Complex Science
22:50 Accountability Reporting and Impact
27:24 Buyout and UNESCO Journey
31:27 What World Heritage Really Means
34:08 Local Journalism and What Gets Missed
36:59 Blueprint Hope and Persistence
43:06 Where to Follow Drew Closing

==

Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.

Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE.

We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife.

Please contact us at [email protected]

if you would like to advertise on our podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris and Angie will record a special live episode of the All Creatures podcast on Sunday, October 11 at 6:00 PM at the Grosvenor Auditorium in National Geographic’s new Museum of Exploration in Washington, DC. The live 90-minute event will feature National Geographic explorer, photographer, filmmaker, and conservation storyteller Amy Vitale, whose work documents relationships between people, wildlife, and shared landscapes, including major conservation projects. The event includes audience Q&A, images shown onstage, a post-show meet-and-greet, and tickets can be purchased below.

Live Podcast Tickets HERE

You can also visit the National Geographic Museum of Exploration website and search under What's On- Events.

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Chris talks with ecotherapy facilitator Shaz Audibert about how reconnecting with nature can support wellbeing, ease overwhelm, and inspire conservation. Shaz explains that ecotherapy recognizes humans as part of nature and shares accessible ways to reconnect—even in cities—through parks, street trees, houseplants, the sky, and simple practices such as a daily 10-minute mindful walk.

Connect with Shaz:
Instagram: @wildhuman.natureEmail: [email protected]

Or access her Linktree https://linktr.ee/wildhuman.nature

Timeline:

00:00 Welcome and Guest Intro
01:14 Shaz Ecotherapy Journey
03:48 What Ecotherapy Means
04:38 Inside a Session
06:55 We Are Nature
11:43 City Nature Connections
14:54 Science Behind Benefits
16:08 Noticing Self and Life
18:54 From Connection to Conservation
20:48 Small Actions and Hope
30:02 Daily Practices and Growth
32:55 Find a Facilitator
33:54 Socials and Final Wisdom

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Chris and Angie explore Cookiecutter Sharks, small deep-sea predators that use suction, sharp teeth, and a twisting bite to leave neat circular wounds on much larger animals.

They discuss their strange appearance, warm-water range, nightly migrations, and glow-in-the-dark underside, which may help them hide or attract prey. The episode also looks at reproduction, rare reported human bites, and why these little-known sharks are so difficult to study. Finally, they place the species in the wider context of shark conservation, including the ongoing impacts of shark finning.

Be sure to monitor National Geographics Museum of Exploration Website for our upcoming live even on Sunday October 11, 2026 HERE

Timeline

00:00 Meet the Cookiecutter Shark
01:35 Wild Traits and Parasitic Feeding
03:32 Ocean Tangent Sand Dollars
05:05 Alien Looks Size and Anatomy
09:39 Range Habitat and Midnight Zone
11:58 Do They Bite Humans
17:07 Night Snorkel Manta Rays Story
22:11 Why This Shark Matters
24:14 Shark Finning Conservation Soapbox
33:52 Shark Family Tree
35:20 Ancient Survivors
36:40 Florida Shark Teeth
38:46 Physiology and Senses
44:28 Bioluminescent Glow
51:48 Cookiecutter Bite
56:26 Diet and Migration
58:18 Reproduction Mysteries
01:03:51 Conservation Resources
01:06:05 Final Takeaways

==

Another thank you to all our Patreon supporters. You too can join for one cup of "good" coffee a month. With your pledge you can support your favorite podcast on Patreon and give back to conservation. With the funds we receive each month, we are have been sending money to conservation organizations monthly. We now send a check to every organization we cover, as we feel they all are deserving of our support. Thank you so much for your support and for supporting animal conservation.

Please considering supporting us at Patreon HERE.

We also want to thank you to all our listeners. We are giving back to every conservation organization we cover and you make that possible. We are committed to donating large portions of our revenue (at minimum 25%) to every organization we cover each week. Thank you for helping us to grow, and for helping to conserve our wildlife.

Please contact us at [email protected]

if you would like to advertise on our podcast

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this classic episode from 2020, Chris and Angie explore the remarkable sun bear—the world’s smallest bear and one of Southeast Asia’s most overlooked animals.

From their distinctive golden chest patch and extraordinary climbing skills to their love of insects, fruit, and honey, sun bears are perfectly adapted to life in tropical forests. But habitat loss, poaching, and the illegal pet trade continue to threaten these elusive bears. Join us to discover why sun bears matter, what makes them so unique, and why protecting their forest home protects so much more.

Sun bears remain listed as Vulnerable, with habitat loss and illegal trade among their major threats. IUCN Red List, Bornean Sun Bear Conservation Centre

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