Birds & Nerds Podcast

About Birds & Nerds Podcast

We're exploring the connection between birds and, well, everything. Hosted by Ramona Schindelheim.

Publisher

Ramona Schindelheim

Category

education · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

7 Sept 2025

Latest episode

4 Nov 2026

Latest episodes

18 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   4 Nov 2026

   Starlings: Beautiful Invaders, Extraordinary Survivors | Julia Zichello | Birds & Nerds

   They shimmer with purple and green, gather in spectacular flocks, and thrive in places other birds struggle to survive. So why do starlings have such a bad reputation and what can they teach us about evolution? On this episode of Birds & Nerds, Ramona Schindelhei welcomes evolutionary biologist Julia Zichello, a professor at Hunter College, City University of New York, and research associate at the American Museum of Natural History, for a fresh look at a bird hiding in plain sight. A glance out a museum window sparked Julia's curiosity about starlings and opened up bigger questions about genetics, adaptability, and our relationship with nature. Together, they explore the birds' introduction to Central Park more than a century ago, the shaky evidence behind the famous Shakespeare origin story, and the remarkable flexibility that helped starlings spread across the United States. The conversation goes beyond "love them or hate them" to examine their impact on farms, what research can and can't tell us about competition with native birds, and why even an exceptionally adaptable species can experience population decline. Julia also shares how storytelling makes science more accessible and why ordinary urban wildlife deserves a second look. Whether you're a birder, a science nerd, or simply curious about the birds on your block, this conversation will give you a new reason to stop and look. Learn more about Julia Zichello:  https://www.juliazphd.com/ Buy her new book Bird on the Street: https://cup.columbia.edu/book/bird-on-the-street/9780231226349/ Watch all episodes on our YouTube channels: https://www.youtube.com/@BirdsAndNerdsPodcast Subscribe to Birds and Nerds for more conversations connecting birds, science, and everyday life. Have you noticed starlings in your neighborhood? Share your observations in the comments. #BirdsAndNerds #Starlings #Birdwatching #Evolution #ScienceCommunication

2. 

   21 Oct 2026

   Bird Word Mysteries Solved | Word Nerd Jess Zafarris Guests on Birds & Nerds

   Why is it a "murder" of crows and a "parliament" of owls? And what do magpies, nightingales, parrots, kiwis, penguins, and mourning doves reveal about the history of language? In this episode of Birds & Nerds, host Ramona Schindelheim talks with etymologist Jess Zafarris, author of "Into the Words: An Etymologist's Field Guide to Plants, Animals, and Nature" and co-host of the "Words Unravelled" podcast. Jess traces the surprising routes bird names take through history — from the "pie" in magpie and the night-song behind nightingale to bird names inspired by calls, colors, movement, Indigenous languages, and explorers. Ramona and Jess also explore bird idioms, the research behind reliable etymology, and the clever corvids and young red-shouldered hawks Jess watches near her home. Join us for a lively, curiosity-filled conversation about birds, words, and the unexpected connections between them. 📖 Jess's new book "Into the Words" is out November 3. Preorder here: https://bookshop.org/p/books/into-the-words-an-etymologist-s-field-guide-to-plants-animals-and-nature-jess-zafarris/82fd48fd0dfb5892 💻 Watch "Words Unravelled" and subscribe here: https://www.youtube.com/@WordsUnravelled 💻 Visit Jess's website: https://jesszafarris.com/ 🐦 Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ 🤷🏻♀️ Who am I? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything! Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/ #BirdsAndNerds #JessZafarris #Etymology #BirdWords #WordsUnravelled #IntoTheWords #Birding #Language #wordmeaning

3. 

   7 Oct 2026

   Trust Matters: In Journalism, Communities, and Nature | Craig Newmark & Sally Lehrman | Birds & Nerds

   What do trustworthy journalism, resilient communities, and the birds outside our windows have in common? They all depend on attention, reliable signals, and relationships built over time. In this episode of Birds & Nerds, host Ramona Schindelheim talks with Sally Lehrman, CEO of The Trust Project, and Craig Newmark, founder of craig newmark philanthropies, about how we can recognize credible information, strengthen local news, and rebuild trust in one another. They explore The Trust Project's trust indicators, the growing challenge of AI-generated misinformation, Craig's "Take Nine" approach to pausing before you click or share, and why trustworthy reporting is essential to healthy civic life. Then the conversation takes flight: from fake bird images and trusted bird-identification tools to neighborhood pigeons, crows, ravens, owls, and a great blue heron named Brian. The guests reveal how noticing birds can draw people outdoors, spark conversations, create informal local knowledge networks, and deepen a sense of community. Listen for a thoughtful, hopeful discussion about checking sources, staying curious and building trust—whether you're reading the news, talking with a neighbor, or identifying the bird in your backyard. 🔗 Learn more about The Trust Project: https://thetrustproject.org/ 🔗 Follow Sally Lehrman: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sallylehrman/ 🔗 Learn more about Take 9: https://pausetake9.org/ 🔗 Follow Craig Newmark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craignewmark/ 🐦 Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: 💻 https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ 🤷🏻♀️ Who am I? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything! 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/ #BirdsAndNerds #TrustInNews #Community #MediaLiteracy #Birding #LocalNews #CraigNewmark #SallyLehrman

4. 

   23 Sept 2026

   What Declining Bird Populations Tell Us About The Future of Our Planet | National Audubon Society | Birds & Nerds

   🦅 How is climate change affecting birds and what can bird populations tell us about the future and health of our planet? In this episode of Birds & Nerds, host Ramona Schindelheim speaks with Chad Wilsey, Chief Scientist at the National Audubon Society, about how birds serve as early warning signs for climate change, habitat loss, ecosystem stress, and biodiversity decline. Drawing on Audubon's climate research, Chad explains why nearly two-thirds of North American bird species are at risk from climate change, how extreme heat, drought, flooding, false springs, and sea level rise are changing bird habitats, and why grassland birds have become one of the clearest warning signs of environmental change. 🌎This conversation also explores hopeful climate solutions, including citizen science such as the Christmas Bird Count, native plant gardening, clean energy, natural climate solutions, and Audubon's Conservation Ranching program, which supports healthier habitats for birds while helping ranchers and communities thrive. 🎧 Listen now to learn how protecting birds can help protect clean air, clean water, healthy ecosystems, and the future we all share. If you care about climate change, conservation, birdwatching, biodiversity, sustainability, or practical climate action, this episode offers science-based insight and hopeful solutions. 💻 Watch the full interview on the Birds & Nerds YouTube channel: https://youtu.be/a7ey7tp_oMw 🔗 Learn more about the work of the National Audubon Society: https://www.audubon.org/ 🔗 Follow Chad Wilsey on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chadwilsey/ 🐦 Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ 🤷🏻♀️ Ramona Schindelheim is an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything! 🔗 Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/ #ClimateChange #Birds #Audubon #BirdWatching #Conservation #Biodiversity #Sustainability #CitizenScience #ChristmasBirdCount #ClimateAction #HabitatLoss #GrasslandBirds #ConservationRanching #NativePlants #ClimateWeekNYC

5. 

   9 Sept 2026

   Birds & Nerds | Apple's AI Future + A Viral Bird Soap Opera | David Pogue, Author and Journalist

   💻 Apple did not begin in a garage, and the real story behind its 50-year rise, fall, and miraculous rebound is even wilder than the myth. In this episode of Birds & Nerds, host Ramona Schindelheim is joined by seven-time Emmy winner and pioneering tech writer David Pogue, author of Apple: The First 50 Years. Pogue reveals how Steve Wozniak, Steve Jobs, and a nearly forgotten third founder helped launch a company that was once rejected, nearly bankrupted, and then transformed into the most valuable business on Earth. He unpacks the hidden origins, the brutal lows, and the comeback that changed everything. 📱 Pogue also breaks down Apple's AI strategy, including private cloud compute, on-device processing, and the company's effort to make generative AI useful without turning it into a cheating machine or a deepfake factory. He explains what Apple is building next, why smart glasses and AirPods may matter more than you think, and what geopolitical, manufacturing, and cultural headwinds could shape the company's future. 🐦 The conversation takes a delightful turn into the natural world, as Pogue tells the internet-famous story of the finch family nesting on his porch. A small camera captured every twist: the eggs hatching, a crow attacking the nest, the family's emotional investment, and the eventual fledging of the surviving finch. 🦢 It's part birdwatching, part nature documentary, part internet soap opera—and a perfect example of how technology can pull us into the real world instead of away from it. 🎙️ This episode is essential listening if you want the inside story of Apple's rise, the future of AI and privacy, and a reminder that birds, like great companies, can reveal a lot about the world we're living in. 🔗 Learn more about David Pogue's work here: https://davidpogue.com/ 🔗 Follow David Pogue on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pogue/ 🕊️ Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ 🤷🏻♀️Who am I? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything! Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/ #birds #bird #viralfinchfamily #davidpogue #applehistory #ai #stevejobs #stevewozniak

6. 

   8 Sept 2026

   Birds & Nerds Season 2 Trailer | Where Culture, Science, Storytelling, and Birds Meet

   What do Apple, AI, climate change, film, journalism, language, and cocktails have in common? On Birds & Nerds, the answer is always more surprising than you expect. Each episode starts with a curious conversation about a random topic—technology, culture, science, storytelling, current affairs, or whatever sparks the question—and then follows the trail until it lands, somehow, on birds. Smart, funny, and full of unexpected connections, this is the podcast for anyone who likes to learn something new and leave with a fact worth repeating. Season 2 of Birds & Nerds kicks off on Wednesday, September 9! Watch the trailer on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ieXlQwztVfY Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ Hosted by award-winning journalist and storyteller Ramona Schindelheim, who is curious about everything! Follow her on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/

7. 

   5 Aug 2026

   Birds & Nerds | Animal Parenting Is Wild: What Crows, Monkeys, & Spiderlings Can Teach Human Parents

   Think human parenting is exhausting? Wait until you hear what happens in the animal kingdom. In this special summer episode of Birds & Nerds, host Ramona Schindelheim talks with science journalist Elizabeth Preston, author of "The Creatures' Guide to Caring," about the surprisingly tender—and sometimes deeply unsettling—world of animal parenting. Some animal parents cooperate, sacrifice, and support each other in ways that feel shockingly familiar to exhausted human moms and dads. But nature also has a darker side: spiderlings that eat their mothers and birds that make brutal survival choices when resources are scarce. From robins taking a "driveway moment" before feeding their babies to monkeys raising young as a team, Elizabeth reveals what nature can teach us about burnout, community, and why humans may not be built to parent alone. 🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛And then there are the crows. 🐦⬛🐦⬛🐦⬛ Ramona and Elizabeth also dig into Elizabeth's article in the summer issue of Audubon magazine, "Are Crows Really Our Friends?" It features the  story of Sal and Pal, two neighborhood crows who may have formed something that looks a lot like a relationship with humans. They dig deep into the crow-human relationship. Are crows just using us for snacks? Can they recognize us? Hold grudges? Choose favorites? You may never look at parenting—or the crow in your yard—the same way again. ‼️Listen if you've ever wondered: * Are humans parenting the wrong way? * Do animals get burned out too? * What's the weirdest parenting strategy in nature? * Can crows actually be friends with people? * And what can wild creatures teach us about raising our own kids? 🔗 Learn more about Elizabeth Preston and buy her book "The Creatures' Guide to Caring": https://elizabethgpreston.com/ 🔗 Read and subscribe to the Audubon magazine: https://www.audubon.org/magazine 🎧 Listen now on all podcast platforms. 💫 Watch all episodes on the Birds & Nerds YouTube channel:  https://www.youtube.com/@BirdsAndNerdsPodcast 🐦 Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ 🙋🏻♀️ Who am I? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything! Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/

8. 

   31 Mar 2026

   Birds & Nerds at SXSW 2026 | It All Begins With Birds | Ramona Schindelheim & Dr. Elizabeth Gray

   This episode of the Birds & Nerds podcast was recorded live on stage at SXSW 2026 in Austin, featuring Dr. Elizabeth Gray, CEO of the National Audubon Society, and podcast host and journalist Ramona Schindelheim. This conversation explores how birds serve as vital indicators of planetary health, powerful drivers of conservation, and sources of personal wellbeing, creativity, and community. National Audubon Society CEO Dr. Elizabeth Gray explains that birds are often the first species to disappear from degraded habitats and the first to return when areas are restored, making them key signals of environmental change and climate impacts across the Americas. Also during the live taping at SXSW 2026, host Ramona Schindelheim also explores bird intelligence and social behavior—from cooperative formations in migrating geese to the grudges held by crows—using these behaviors as metaphors for leadership and resilience. They connect birdwatching to mental health, citing research that observing birds increases brain matter in regions related to attention and perception and can lower stress, with universities now testing bird-focused interventions for older adults with cognitive issues. Other highlights: 🐦 There are more than 96 million birders in the U.S. over the age of 16 and why birding is becoming more popular with people of all ages. 🐦 Efforts by the National Audubon Society to halt and reverse declines in bird populations in the Americas through habitat protection and restoration. 🐦 How individuals can support birds by creating bird‑friendly yards and supporting conservation groups like Audubon. 🐦 Birds inspire music, art, and literature. 🐦 Meet Austin's most famous bird species. This episode is sure to entertain and inspire! What it here or download it wherever you get your podcasts! Visit the National Audubon Society website: https://www.audubon.org/ Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ Who am I? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything! Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/

9. 

   10 Mar 2026

   Birds & Nerds | Bestselling Author Amy Tan on Finding Hope and Beauty in Your Own Backyard

   Bestselling author Amy Tan says ten years ago she was so overwhelmed with despair at the state of the world, she turned to the natural beauty in her own backyard — specifically birds — in search of hope. Her book The Backyard Bird Chronicles is a beautiful collection of sketches and reflections on that personal journey. In this episode of the Birds & Nerds podcast hosted by award-winning journalist Ramona Schindelheim, Tan shares her creative journey, exploring the transformative power of writing and the influence of her family relationships. She discusses how despair led her to find hope through nature and birdwatching, using birds as a metaphor for life and emotional understanding. Tan emphasizes the importance of compassion and conservation, encouraging listeners to connect with the natural world and discover the joy of observing birds. Learn more about Amy Tan at https://amytan.net/ 🐦Listen now on all podcast platforms. Watch all episodeson the Birds & Nerds YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BirdsAndNerdsPodcast Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ Who am I? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything! Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/

10. 

    3 Mar 2026

    Birds & Nerds | The Transformative Power of Music and Birdsong | Eric Alper

    A specific song can be our own powerful time machine — reminding us of a past experience — good or bad. And it can also help us make sense of the current world around us. In this episode of the Birds & Nerds podcast, host Ramona Schindelheim is joined by the always delightful Eric Alper — a music publicist and industry expert — who has spent his career exploring what it takes to create that magic through the right combination of notes and lyrics. Musicians often take their inspiration from birds, both figuratively and literally — think Blackbird, Fly Like and Eagle, When Doves Cry, and so many songs that are a part of our music history. And the music we hear in nature — birdsong — can reduce stress and improve our overall well being. Research shows it can also improve our memories, so being called a "bird brain" is not necessarily an insult. Eric is passionate about music and the joy it brings to people. He shares his own journey in the music industry, discussing the emotional connections people have with certain songs — good and bad — and the generational shifts in music appreciation. Do we like the same music as our parents? Do our kids like the same music we do? Has it changed in 50 years? Listen now on all podcast platforms. Watch here on the Birds & Nerds YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@BirdsAndNerdsPodcast Follow Eric Alper on social media at @ThatEricAlper. You'll be glad you did! Learn more about him at www.thatericalper.com Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ Who am I? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything! Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/

11. 

    24 Feb 2026

    Birds & Nerds | Expats and Birds Take Flight

    Have you ever fallen in love with a city hours after you first stepped off the plane? Did it make you want to pack your bags and move there, even if it was in another country? That happened to Mike Huckman, former journalist and now principal of life sciences consulting company Huckman Group. In this episode of the Birds & Nerds podcast, Mike and journalist and host Ramona Schindelheim discuss what attracted him to San Miguel de Allende, a small town about three-and-half hours from Mexico City with a thriving expat community. If you're thinking about taking flight yourself, Mike shares how he made the move from the U.S. to Mexico and the secret weapon for making it work. Part of the attraction of San Miguel de Allende is the spectacular nature that surrounds it, so, of course, we talk about the birds of Mexico, some of them familiar and some new. Learn more about Mike here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-huckman-71b21412/ Learn more about Huckman Group here: https://www.huckmangroup.com/ Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ Who am I? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything! Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/

12. 

    20 Jan 2026

    Birds & Nerds | Birds Are Dinosaurs!

    Did you know that birds are living dinosaurs? 66 million years ago, a huge asteroid struck Earth, triggering earthquakes, tsunamis, and global wildfires, plunging the planet into darkness, and wiping out most species, including non-bird dinosaurs. In this episode of Birds & Nerds, we're asking why did birds survive the KPG impact and what else can we learn from this catastrophic event. Paleontologist Roger Benson of the American Museum of Natural History is the lead curator of the museum's new exhibit IMPACT: The End of the Age of Dinosaurs. He joins me to talk asteroids, dinosaurs, and, of course, birds, including the inaccessible island rail, penguins, pelicans, and more. Learn more about the exhibit: https://www.amnh.org/ Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ Who am I? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything! Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/

13. 

    11 Dec 2025

    Birds & Nerds | Birds! Birds! Birds! This one is ALL about birds!

    If you love birds, you're going to love this episode of the Birds & Nerds podcast. National Audubon Society CEO Elizabeth Gray joins host Ramona Schindelheim in a discussion about what's behind the boom in popularity of birdwatching in the United States — 96 million people self-identify as bird lovers! They also look at the alarming decline of bird populations in North America and what Audubon is doing to reverse it. Elizabeth shares how everyone be a part of the effort to protect birds and their natural habitats, including through community science projects like the upcoming Christmas Bird Count, which starts on December 14. You can also help the effort financially by becoming a member of the National Audubon Society! You can watch the episode on our YouTube channel here: Birds & Nerds Podcast Learn more about the National Audubon Society and join here: https://www.audubon.org/ (https://www.audubon.org/) Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ Learn more about Ramona Schindelheim, award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything, by following her on LinkedIn: Ramona Schindelheim (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/)

14. 

    25 Nov 2025

    Birds & Nerds | Americans feel isolated, invisible, and insignificant and it's hurting our health

    America is in the midst of a loneliness crisis. People of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds are feeling isolated, invisible, and insignificant. Social disconnection and digital isolation are rampant. In addition to taking a toll on us mentally and emotionally, it is hurting us physically and economically. Studies show stress can decrease our longevity and can manifest in physical symptoms, which can lead to more trips to the doctor. In this conversation, I am joined by Jean Accius, president & CEO of CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, to explore the emotional, mental, and physical state of health in the United States. It is all connected and we're looking at ways to significantly improve the feeling of community and connections to address this crisis. Nature can aid the healing. Building connections can alleviate loneliness. Jean and I discuss the therapeutic benefits of nature and community engagement, particularly through shared interests such as birdwatching. Jean shares that he just recently started pausing to observe birds on his walks and runs and how that has changed his perspective about several things. I share how watching an eagle nest cam connected me to a new community during COVID, one that continues to thrive today. You can watch the episode on our YouTube channel here: Birds & Nerds Podcast Watch now for these and more stories. Learn more about CHC: Creating Healthier Communities: https://chcimpact.org/ Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ Who am I? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything! Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/ BONUS: Here is the link to the eagle nest camera: https://www.friendsofbigbearvalley.org/eagles/

15. 

    4 Nov 2025

    Birds & Nerds | A pencil is just a pencil... unless it is a Blackwing

    A pencil is just a pencil… unless it's a Blackwing. Welcome to the Birds & Nerds podcast. In each episode, we explore a random topic — today, we're all in on the best pencil EVER made — and, as always, we find the connection to birds. The legendary Blackwing 602 pencil was first manufactured in the 1930s and was favored by the likes of John Steinbeck, Chuck Jones, Steven Sondheim, Quincy Jones and so many more writers, musicians, and artists. A broken piece of machinery brought a half-century of production to a halt until 15 years ago when California Cedar Products revived the brand, recreating the celebrated tactile feel of its specially-formulated graphite against paper, and spawning a new generation of Blackwing devotees. The incense cedar wood used to make the Blackwing pencils is the product of sustainable forestry in California and Oregon, which promotes conservation, biodiversity, and supports birds in their crucial role in our ecosystem. Blackwing CEO Charles Berolzheimer joins me to discuss his lifetime connections to birds and how his family has always celebrated and protected our feathered friends. He talks about his favorite bird, the Osprey. Charles also explains how the simple act of using a pencil and paper can help people find balance in a fast-paced digital world, and how his Blackwing Foundation is funding and developing K-12 music and arts education programs and introducing that new generation to the joys of creating. In this episode, you'll learn a lot about the history of the Blackwing pencil, pencil making in general, conservation, and birds. You'll also hear a couple of really good haikus inspired by birds and the Blackwing. Devotion to a pencil may seem a bit much, but as a decades-long fan myself I guarantee that once you try the Blackwing you will understand. You can watch this episode on our YouTube channel: Birds & Nerds Podcast https://blackwing602.com/ https://blackwingfoundation.org Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ Who am I? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything! Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/

16. 

    20 Oct 2025

    Birds & Nerds | There's strength in numbers: Lifting up the most vulnerable is good for everyone

    Did you know that 55% of Americans don't have enough savings to simultaneously weather a loss of income and a rise in expenses? In this episode of Birds & Nerds, we're talking about ways to financially strengthen vulnerable Americans, providing them with the financial security they need to reach their full potential. And, as always, we find examples in nature where protecting and lifting up the most vulnerable in the flock makes a stronger community. "In our country, we tend to think we can make everyone better off just by income. But it's actually the combination of income, benefits, and (intergenerational) wealth," says Joanna Smith-Ramani, co-executive director of the Aspen Institute Financial Security Program (FSP). She tells host Ramona Schindelheim, "You can't beat a retirement account and really good healthcare insurance. Paid leave is necessary — either sick time or vacation time — just to rejuvenate yourself." FSP is looking an innovative solutions that are helping build that wealth, such as employee ownership programs that give workers a share of a company, or programs that allow people to buy into the land underneath their rentals. As the saying goes, there is strength in numbers. "We're firm believers in the good of humans and the ability to make big change and be disruptive when we're working together," says Smith-Ramani. Working together across public and private organizations can help lift up all others. "We will not solve all of this on our own if there is still burdensome medical debt and bad health outcomes. Education, when I talk to educators directly or with folks in that system, they know that hungry kids, kids who come from houses where they don't have stable housing, they're not going to thrive in schools. So, they're all interacting with each other. And we've got to be much more thoughtful about the complementary policy and practice." "I want all children to really feel like their community, their country cares about their thriving and is investing in them in all sectors, in private and public. I don't mean this as just like a government responsibility. But that they feel like they are living in a place that knows they have something to contribute and wants to make sure they can get there," says Smith-Ramani. Working collectively to help the most vulnerable is something that you see in nature, including among birds. Tune in to see how waddles of penguins demonstrate that together a flock is much stronger than each bird fighting to survive on its own. You can watch the episode on our YouTube channel here: Birds & Nerds Podcast Learn more about FSP at Aspen Institute: https://www.aspeninstitute.org/programs/financial-security-program/ Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ Who am I? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything! Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/

17. 

    2 Oct 2025

    Birds & Nerds | Families are complicated: Uncovering family secrets through genetic testing | Bill Griffeth

    "Genealogy is the pursuit of truth, and if you choose to begin researching your family's history, you had better be prepared to accept whatever truths you uncover." That's the advice from Bill Griffeth, retired CNBC anchor and author of two books on his own family history. Welcome to the Birds & Nerds podcast, hosted by me, Ramona Schindelheim! In each episode, I'm exploring a random topic I want to know more about with an expert in that field. Somehow, we always find the connection — sometimes unexpected — to my favorite animals, BIRDS! Bill is my nerd in this episode of the podcast and we have a lot to talk about. We discuss whether we will one day have mandatory genetic testing for insurance purposes, and we delve into the world of genealogy, exploring personal stories of family history, and the impact of DNA testing, including the emotional, often life-changing journey of uncovering family secrets. We each share a few of our own family secrets! How does this all connect to birds? Turns out that some birds are not as monogamous as we were led to believe. Sanderlings, we are talking to you! It's complicated, just as it is with people! Yes, humor can be a coping mechanism for dealing with complex family dynamics, so we have quite a few laughs along the way. You can watch the episode on our YouTube channel here: Birds & Nerds Podcast -0- Books by Bill Griffeth on Amazon: A Stranger in My Genes By Faith Alone Follow Bill Griffeth on social: Instagram: @thebillgriffeth Threads: @thebillgriffeth Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ Want to know more about me? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything! Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/

18. 

    7 Sept 2025

    Birds & Nerds | Getting AI governance right is critical, especially as we push its creative limits | Vilas Dhar

    Who is in charge of making sure AI is being used for us and not against us? And can we use artificial intelligence to understand what birds are saying to each other, and then learn how to talk with birds directly? That would be pretty cool, dontcha think!? Welcome to the Birds & Nerds podcast, hosted by Ramona Schindelheim! In each episode, I'm exploring a random topic I want to know more about with an expert in that field. Somehow, we always find the connection — sometimes unexpected — to my favorite animals, BIRDS! My nerd for this episode is Vilas Dhar, president of The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, a philanthropic organization advancing AI and data solutions to create a thriving, equitable, and sustainable future for all. Vilas offers a compelling metaphor: society is moving through the "five stages of grief" with AI — form denial to over-optimism, fear, anger, and now, pragmatic acceptance. "We're no long asking if we should use AI, but how we should us it responsibly." In the podcast, we discuss the tension between short-term efficiency and long-term value creation. Vilas offers a third path: use Ai to enhance productivity, not replace workers. "This isn't just about regulation — it's about redefining our social contract in the age of AI," Vilas tells me. And then there were birds! Vilas and I talk about how AI is already being deployed to understand birds' migration patterns to better protect them, especially those species that are under threat. We also talk about how AI is in the hands of birders, helping them identify birds through apps such as Merlin and eBird. We take the conversation a fantastic step further: What if AI could decode birdsong and tell us exactly what a bird is saying!?! We image what they might say to us, given the chance to express their opinions! A great conversation. Lot's of good information about the ethical use of AI for people and society. And we find the connection between AI and birds. You can watch the episode on our YouTube channel here: Birds & Nerds Podcast Learn more about the work of The Patrick J. McGovern Foundation: https://www.mcgovern.org/ Visit the Birds & Nerds website and subscribe to notifications: https://www.birdsandnerdspodcast.com/ Want to know more about me? I am an award-winning journalist and storyteller curious about everything! Follow me on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ramonaschindelheim/

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