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Artwork for The Natural Curiosity Project

The Natural Curiosity Project

Dr. Steven Shepard
Curiosity
Science
Education
Artificial Intelligence
Fordlandia
Biodiversity
Climate Change
Wind
Conservation
Halloween
Language
Yakhchals
Sound Safaris
John Steinbeck
Serendipity
STEM
NOAA
Carl Sagan
Notable Scientists
Words

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!

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes369Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Education

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Artwork for The Natural Curiosity Project

Latest Episodes

Just some intriguing thoughts about Halloween.

Philip Caputo wrote more than a dozen books, including ‘Notes from the Longest Road’ about a trip he took with his wife that started in Key West, Florida, and ended in Point Barrow, Alaska, towing an Airstream camper behind their pickup. The goal? An... more

60 years ago, Peter Sugarman began a project that would consume his entire life: how could he develop a linguistic bridge between humans and another sentient species, specifically dolphins? In this interview, Peter walks us through the research, his ... more

The world is currently gaga over AI—artificial intelligence. It is a remarkable technology, with the potential to create remarkable opportunities in many fields in the coming years. It is, however, enormously powerful, and in my opinion, requires rig... more

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Recent Guests

Peter Sugarman
Dolphin researcher focused on interspecies communication and dolphin acoustics
Episode: Episode 333-Peter Sugarman's Dolphins
Curt Lindbergh
Chair of the local Conservation Commission in the Mad River Valley, Vermont
Conservation Commission (Mad River Valley)
Episode: Episode 331-Talk Dirty to Me Part 2
Jennifer Comeau
Jeweler, marine conservationist, and author
Reef Kaya Jewelry
Episode: Episode 324-Jennifer Comeau and Milo the Green Mussel
Holly Hughes
Publisher at Empty Bowl Press; writer and poet; former fisherman
Empty Bowl Press
Episode: Episode 319-Holly Hughes, Publisher and Much More
Russ Willis
Accomplished academic, poet, ethicist, strategic advisor, ordained pastor
Author of AI and the Crisis of Control: How Leaders Can Reclaim Responsibility in the Age of AI
Episode: Episode 317-Russ Willis-AI Ethicist
Stephen Morris
Contributor to The Silverback Digest; author of Clixed-Up Miches
The Silverback Digest
Episode: Episode 315-Clixed-Up Miches with Stephen Morris
Stephen Shepard
Author of 'The Sound of Life,' a novel with a conservation message
Episode: Kyle Steele Interview
Shaun Borri
Founder of Borri Audio Laboratories, a manufacturer of wax cylinder recordings
Borri Audio Laboratories
Episode: Episode 303-Interview with Shaun Borri
Amorina Kingdon
Science writer and fiction writer, avid hiker and part-time figure skater.
Author of 'Sing Like Fish'
Episode: Episode 286-Conversation with Science Writer Amorina Kingdon

Host

Steve Sheppard
Photographer, writer, and storyteller focused on the natural world and curiosity-driven learning

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 50 ratings
  • Insightful Knowledge Every Episode

    Applicable to business and life.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    alphred
    United States4 years ago
  • Best podcast series

    Can I give this six stars? I only recently discovered the Natural Curiosity Project podcast series. It’s a wonderful, entertaining and thought provoking series and I enjoy both the current and earlier episodes.

    Steven Shepherd’s insights and observations are fascinating as are his many guests. It’s well worth perusing the episode list. There’s something for everyone.

    Highly recommended!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    NJ-listener
    United Kingdom4 years ago
  • The Best Storyteller I’ve Ever Been Around

    I had the pleasure of hearing Dr Shepard speak twice, and both times I was left in awe. I wondered how one person could seemingly live so many lives & know so much about a wide variety of topics.

    He said it was his curiosity, he asked questions and was sincere.

    When I saw this podcast on LinkedIn I went to iTunes and am hooked.

    Thank you Dr Shepard for sharing your curiosity with all of us!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ksteele85
    United States4 years ago
  • Growing my curiosity

    Curiosity is one of those funny things that can sometimes get hungrier after it is fed, and the Natural Curiosity Project has a way of simultaneously satisfying my curiosity and driving my desire to keep learning. What a delightful paradox!

    I love the varied topics and formats of each episode, always with Steve’s unique blend of playful insight and adventure at the helm. The radio-ready production quality and voice talent don’t hurt, either!

    This podcast is an absolute gem, with something he... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Golden State Naturalist
    United States4 years ago
  • Always Curious

    Enjoy the topics that I probably never would have been thinking about. Even the mention of Wichita, KS in the current one. I call it home.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Gutfeld Fan
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Production quality and immersive sound are praised, and the episode format is described as a good fit for commutes.
Listeners value the reflective, curiosity-centered perspective and say the stories encourage further thought and learning.
The wide variety of topics is a recurring draw, with listeners saying each episode offers something new to learn.
Listeners praise the host's engaging storytelling, clear explanations, and ability to make unfamiliar subjects approachable.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 333-Peter Sugarman's Dolphins
Q: Where are we? Where are you in this research? What stage are we at?
Sugarman says he has developed software to detect and classify dolphin whistles and created whistle units that can be combined with natural whistles, but defining whistle units remains an unresolved research challenge.
Episode 333-Peter Sugarman's Dolphins
Q: What got you into this amazing field? How did you find yourself in the world of dolphin communications?
Sugarman traces his interest to childhood experiences talking with his dog and trying to teach a parakeet words, followed by studies in animal behavior and inspiration from John Lilly's book Man and Dolphin.
Kyle Steele Interview
Q: Where does The Sound of Life pick up?
It picks up the story five years later with characters coming to grips with their newfound wealth.
Kyle Steele Interview
Q: What drove you to write a sequel to Inca Gold, Spanish Blood?
Readers consistently asked for a sequel due to their attachment to the characters and relationships.
Kyle Steele Interview
Q: Do I have to read Inca Gold, Spanish Blood to appreciate what happens in The Sound of Life?
No, but it helps to appreciate and enjoy the story in The Sound of Life better.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Natural Curiosity Project

What is The Natural Curiosity Project about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Curiosity-driven storytelling connects natural history and environmental science with books, technology, history, culture, and everyday objects. Most episodes are solo narratives led by Steve Sheppard, who uses personal observations, field experiences, accessible explanations, and lively analogies to make complex ideas approachable. Interview episodes bring in writers, conservationists, publishers, and other practitioners to discuss their work and the experiences behind it.

The range is deliberately broad: soil acoustics and invasive species sit alongside deep-sea biology, engineering, children's books, and civic ideas. A consistent thread is the belief that asking better questions can lead to discovery and a deeper understanding of the wo... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Natural Curiosity Project?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Natural Curiosity Project:

1. Achieve Your Goals with Hal Elrod
2. The Permanent Questions With David Brooks
3. The Ancients
4. The Daily
5. The New Yorker Radio Hour

How many episodes of The Natural Curiosity Project are there?

The Natural Curiosity Project launched 8 years ago and published 369 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 The Natural Curiosity Project?

Recent guests on The Natural Curiosity Project include:

1. Peter Sugarman
2. Curt Lindbergh
3. Jennifer Comeau
4. Holly Hughes
5. Russ Willis
6. Stephen Morris
7. Stephen Shepard
8. Shaun Borri

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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