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Artwork for Season Watch

Season Watch

KAXE
Phenology
Minnesota
Climate Change
Nature
Spring
Hummingbirds
Long Lake Conservation Center
Maple Trees
Bird Migration
Wildlife Observations
Deer
Robins
Bald Eagles
KAXE
Owls
Frogs
Dragonflies
Ecology
Wildlife Observation
Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund

"Season Watch" is a KAXE podcast for the curious, filled with the delights of nature in Northern Minnesota. Hosts are Charlie Mitchell, Heidi Holtan, John Latimer and a rotating cast of characters, often featuring voices of young nature observers from around the state. From owl calls to sleeping bears and freezing frogs, we want hear from you! Record a message and send us what you are seeing in na... more

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes40Founded10 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NaturePlaces & TravelScienceSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Season Watch

Latest Episodes

Co-hosts Heidi Holtan and Charlie Mitchell ponder the importance of rest, the benefits of sugar, and celebrate the first full year of the Season Watch Podcast.Send us a voice memo through SpeakPipe!

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During the Phenology Report for the week of Oct. 20, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on migrating birds, the taste of cranberries, and first frosts.

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Charlie Mitchell listens to Sandhill Cranes, ponders Bald Eagle courtship, and learns about cold hardiness in plants.Send us a voice memo through SpeakPipe!

YouTube

During the Phenology Report for the week of Oct. 13, 2026, Staff Phenologist John Latimer remarks on changing fall colors, Ruffed Grouse, and insects.

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Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

David Wilson
Applied Forest Science Coordinator with the Minnesota Forest Resources Council
Minnesota Forest Resources Council
Episode: In defense of naps and highbush cranberries
Al Kowaleski
Professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison who studies plant cold hardiness
University of Wisconsin–Madison
Episode: Are you cold hardy? How plants protect themselves from the winter chill
Julia Schrenkler
Director of Audience Engagement at KAXE
KAXE
Episode: Yes, but why is your face like that? An ode to the American Woodcock
John Latimer
Phenology and Nature expert; guest on this episode
Season Watch / KAXE
Episode: Mourning cloak and comma butterflies bed down for a long winter
Christopher Smith
Expert guest discussing red-backed salamanders
Unknown (interview segment)
Episode: Parasitoid wasps are a big bummer (and have one too)
David Vernala
Listener mentioned by hosts
Listener/community contributor
Episode: Parasitoid wasps are a big bummer (and have one too)
Greg Stephens
Fellow traveler in the desert trip
Independent (desert exploration partner)
Episode: Hummingbirds depart as fall color begins
Stella Mayerhoff
Science journalist with a background in primatology; field researcher in Congo, Puerto Rico, and Costa Rica
Independent science journalist; formerly primatology researcher
Episode: Chickadees and chimpanzees: Two geeks gab about the joy of science
Stella Meyerhoff
Coworker and intrepid reporter
KAXE
Episode: What's the difference between a groundhog and a woodchuck?

Hosts

Heidi Holtan
Co-host guiding Season Watch segments; leads phenology reporting and nature observations.
John Latimer
Phenology reporter and host delivering weekly field notes and observations.
Charlie Mitchell
Co-host and nature observer; contributes field insights and hosting presence.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 36 ratings
  • Great!

    Thanks for featuring kids voices!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Fan MN 55112
    United States3 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners enjoy the kid voices and community involvement.
Strong sense of regional connection and accessible nature storytelling.
Sponsorships are well integrated and not disruptive.
Episodes mix science with practical outdoor tips.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Are you cold hardy? How plants protect themselves from the winter chill
Q: You're measuring cold hardiness. How exactly is that determined? Is it a chemical composition in the leaf, sugars, or what?
Kowaleski says cold hardiness has several contributing factors, including buds becoming less connected to water in the stem, cell connections closing to limit ice spread, and stored starch being converted into simpler sugars that protect water inside cells.
Are you cold hardy? How plants protect themselves from the winter chill
Q: I want you to sort of start off by talking about cold hardiness, because we are coming into the season where it's going to make a difference to all the plants that we're looking at out here.
Kowaleski explains that plants use shorter day length to initiate dormancy and prepare for cold, then gradually gain cold hardiness as temperatures fall. This involves seasonal changes in buds and cell connections and the accumulation of protective sugars.
In defense of naps and highbush cranberries
Q: Is the suppression of fire contributing to the amount of dead trees?
Wilson says fire suppression contributes to fuel buildup in southern boreal forests, where historical fire cycles periodically cleared debris.
In defense of naps and highbush cranberries
Q: What uses do these dead trees have?
Wilson says dead wood provides habitat, including roosts and nesting cavities for wildlife, and contributes to forest biodiversity as snags and downed logs.
Yes, but why is your face like that? An ode to the American Woodcock
Q: What makes the woodcock distinctive in appearance and behavior?
The woodcock has a reverse teardrop body, extremely long bill, eyes placed toward the back of the head, and a unique corkscrewing courtship flight, all of which make it visually and behaviorally remarkable.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Season Watch

What is Season Watch about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Nature-focused and community-driven, this series centers on weekly field observations, seasonal changes, and citizen science in Northern Minnesota. Hosts share firsthand yard and local-area wildlife notes, plant blooms, and phenology updates, often weaving in practical ID tips, anecdotes, and calls for listener submissions. A strong emphasis on local ecology, seasonal cycles, and citizen science is complemented by expert guests and seasonal sponsor messages, creating a friendly, educational vibe for outdoor enthusiasts, families, teachers, and nature lovers alike. A notable strength is the participatory format, which invites audience voices and field reports to shape episodes, making it approachable for beginners while offering depth for se... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Season Watch?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Season Watch:

1. Backyard Almanac
2. Up North Report
3. Science Magazine Podcast
4. BirdNote Daily
5. Letters from an American

How many episodes of Season Watch are there?

Season Watch launched 10 years ago and published 40 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Season Watch?

Recent guests on Season Watch include:

1. David Wilson
2. Al Kowaleski
3. Julia Schrenkler
4. John Latimer
5. Christopher Smith
6. David Vernala
7. Greg Stephens
8. Stella Mayerhoff

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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