Rephonic
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The Wild Idea

Wild Idea Media
Public Lands
Conservation
Roadless Rule
Climate Change
Endangered Species Act
Forest Service
Trump Administration
National Park Service
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness
American Prairie
National Environmental Policy Act
Appalachian Trail
Bureau Of Land Management
Department Of Interior
Wildlife Management
Southern Environmental Law Center
National Parks
Joshua Tree National Park
Alaska
Wilderness Society

The Wild Idea is an exploration of the intersection of wild nature and our own human nature. The hosts, Bill Hodge and Anders Reynolds, through conversations with experts and thought leaders will dive into the ways that humans have both embraced and impact the function and vitality of our remaining wild places.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes143Foundeda year ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NatureScience

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Artwork for The Wild Idea

Latest Episodes

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Are America's public lands getting more public, or less? Two of the sharpest legal minds in the field join Bill and Anders to dig in.

Andrew Mergen, faculty director of Harvard Law Scho... more

This week, a Senate committee drops most of its wilderness, national park, and wild and scenic river bills in favor of energy permitting measures, a federal judge in Anchorage clears the way for transferring more than 2 million acres along the Dalton... more

What would it take to rewrite the rules of American conservation?

Lynn Scarlett, former Deputy Secretary of the Interior, and Matt Lee-Ashley, Executive Director of Ground Shift, join Bill and Anders to talk about a new initiative asking that exact... more

This week, proposed federal rules would gut tribal consultation and historic-preservation protections under the National Historic Preservation Act, and the Trump Administration opens a comment period on drilling near Chaco Canyon, a UNESCO World Heri... more

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Recent Guests

Ira Matt
Executive Director of Indigenous Diplomacy and Federal Relations
National Association of Tribal Preservation Officers
Episode: The Wild Line: Proposed NHPA Changes Undermine Tribes, Administration Targets Chaco Canyon, Okefenokee Makes Bid for UNESCO Designation
Kim Bednarik
Executive Director of the Okefenokee Swamp Park and Okefenokee Adventures
Okefenokee Swamp Park / Okefenokee Adventures
Episode: The Wild Line: Proposed NHPA Changes Undermine Tribes, Administration Targets Chaco Canyon, Okefenokee Makes Bid for UNESCO Designation
Brooks Lamb
Rooted in family ranching, works with American Farmland Trust
American Farmland Trust
Episode: Brooks Lamb: Land, Legacy, and Who Comes Next
Autumn Gellard
Coordinator for the Grand Staircase-Escalante Intertribal Coalition
Grand Staircase-Escalante Intertribal Coalition
Episode: The Wild Line: Trump Guts Utah Monuments, Admin Rewrites 'Harm,' Red Wolves Recover as Grizzlies and Whales are Targeted
Scott Braden
Executive Director
Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance
Episode: The Wild Line: Trump Guts Utah Monuments, Admin Rewrites 'Harm,' Red Wolves Recover as Grizzlies and Whales are Targeted
Heather Hansman
Journalist and author of Fierce Country
Author, Fierce Country
Episode: Heather Hansman: Fierce Women Who Ignited America's Love for the Wild
Ramona McGee
Senior Attorney and Wildlife Program Leader for the Southern Environmental Law Center
Southern Environmental Law Center
Episode: The Wild Line: A New Tracker for Public Land Comment Periods, Eastern States Invest in Wildlife Crossings, and Forest Service Retirees Join Suit to Stop Reorg
Bill Avey
National Chairperson of the National Association of Forest Service Retirees
National Association of Forest Service Retirees
Episode: The Wild Line: A New Tracker for Public Land Comment Periods, Eastern States Invest in Wildlife Crossings, and Forest Service Retirees Join Suit to Stop Reorg
Dawn Mancini Moyer
Regional Sustainability Manager
Fjällräven (North America)
Episode: Paul Hendricks, Jen McLaren & Dawn Mancini Moyer: Why Outdoor Brands Are Speaking Up for Public Lands

Hosts

Bill Hodge
Host with a background tied to The Wild Line and Wild Idea Media, focused on wild lands policy and advocacy.
Anders Reynolds
Co-host and policy-focused commentator, appears across episodes discussing public lands, governance, and advocacy strategy.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 104 ratings
  • Most Important Nature Podcast

    The four part series on the roadless rule opened my eyes to the importance of roadless and wilderness lands that I had not experienced in the 50+ years I’ve been hiking in roadless and wilderness lands.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jim Medlock
    United States6 months ago
  • You’ve gotta listen to this podcast!

    Every week, you’re going to be learning something new… well, sometimes actually you might be learning something old… from Bill, Anders, and their guests.

    You never know what’s going to be around the next bend.

    Regardless, you’ll be both entertained and better informed.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The Wild Tberrys
    United Statesa year ago
  • Timely and timeless

    This is the most important conversation happening right now about public lands, and I only wish we had been having it sooner. I look forward to every episode drop and I enjoy feeling like I’m in the room with friends. The hosts have great chemistry and even greater passion for our shared public lands. Keep it up!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Meeeeeee is me
    United Statesa year ago
  • Excellent

    Timely, highly relevant digestible deep dives into the past, present, and future of America’s wild public lands.

    Grade A podcast.

    Thank you!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Ellen StuHae
    United Statesa year ago
  • Informative

    Great guests and insightful topics.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    bob0828
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are consistently knowledgeable and well-prepared.
Insightful and timely discussions that connect policy to real-world impact.
Hosts bring energy, expertise, and a clear passion for wild places.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#118
United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#36
New Zealand/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#177
Ireland/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#190
Norway/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Brooks Lamb: Land, Legacy, and Who Comes Next
Q: What makes audio storytelling the right medium for discussing farm transition?
Audio storytelling allows farmers to hear themselves in the narrative, which can reduce defensiveness and encourage empathy, leading listeners to take concrete actions like starting conversations or contacting a land trust.
Heather Hansman: Fierce Women Who Ignited America's Love for the Wild
Q: What inspired you to write this book and what hesitations did you have about telling these stories?
She discusses the epigraph from Simone de Beauvoir and the push to present a more inclusive history, addressing her own concerns about reclaiming voices traditionally overlooked in conservation lore.
Heather Hansman: Fierce Women Who Ignited America's Love for the Wild
Q: Could you tell our audience about Georgie White, Anne LaBastille, and Dolores La Chapelle and why they were chosen for this book?
Hansman explains these three women as pivotal figures in early recreation and conservation, each bringing different perspectives—ranging from guiding and climate science to backcountry philosophy—that together redefine the narrative of American wilderness.
Heather Hansman: Fierce Women Who Ignited America's Love for the Wild
Q: But as I am often want to do, tell me about a little bit about where your love of water, the outdoors and capturing that love began for you.
Hansman describes growing up near Boston with outdoors-minded parents, early experiences backpacking and river guiding, and how those formative moments shaped her sense of place and her eventual career as a writer and educator.
Paul Hendricks, Jen McLaren & Dawn Mancini Moyer: Why Outdoor Brands Are Speaking Up for Public Lands
Q: How can smaller retailers participate effectively in advocacy without adopting the same scale as large brands?
Small retailers can act by leveraging their local communities, building partnerships, joining broader campaigns, and using practical tools and templates that enable them to contribute meaningfully without requiring large budgets.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Wild Idea

What is The Wild Idea about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful, issue-driven series centered on wild places and the policies that shape them. Episodes often thread leadership changes, legal battles, and conservation strategy through interviews with guests who are policymakers, advocates, scientists, and nonprofit leaders. Expect accessible explanations of complex public lands debates, deep dives into fire ecology, old-growth forests, and wilderness protections, plus on-the-ground perspectives from tribal voices and local organizers. The show stands out for its long-running engagement with policy, practical advocacy, and a willingness to spotlight both governance challenges and tangible conservation wins, making it a strong fit for listeners who want to understand how national decisions fil... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Wild Idea?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Wild Idea:

1. Hidden Brain
2. 10% Happier with Dan Harris
3. The Dirtbag Diaries
4. The Happiness Lab with Dr. Laurie Santos
5. Fresh Air

How many episodes of The Wild Idea are there?

The Wild Idea launched a year ago and published 143 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 Wild Idea?

Recent guests on The Wild Idea include:

1. Ira Matt
2. Kim Bednarik
3. Brooks Lamb
4. Autumn Gellard
5. Scott Braden
6. Heather Hansman
7. Ramona McGee
8. Bill Avey

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