From the deepest seas to the tallest trees, our planet is overflowing with wild stories to tell. But like all good stories, these ones are filled with conflict. Wilder Insights explores wild spaces, the fascinating creatures that inhabit them, and the dedicated people working toward the resolution of their stories.
Interested in being a guest? Or maybe you've got a question—email wilderinsightspodcast@gmail.com to reach out.
The Night Shift: Talking Bats in BC with Tina Watters | Ep 13
In this episode, I sit down with Tina Watters, the Ominica Regional Program Coordinator for the BC Community Bat Program. We talk about which bat species call BC their home, a little about their biology, and what threatens their populations. We also touch on volunteering for bat conservation in BC and what you can do to get involved in protecting the bats of your backyard.
If you want to learn more about how to help bats, learn more about Bat Friendly Communities
https://bcbats.ca/get-involved/bat-friendly-communities/
Links:
Community Bat Programs of BC Website: https://bcbats.ca/
Info on WNS: https://www.whitenosesyndrome.org/
Small correction from the episode:
PD was first detected in New York in 2006, not 2001.
Want to become a guest on the show? Do you know somebody who you think would make a great guest? Or want to share a conservation story of your own?
Email wilderinsightspodcast@gmail.com or dm me @wilderinsightspod (https://www.instagram.com/wilderinsightspod/) on Instagram and Facebook.
24 Apr 2026
Thunder in the Underbrush: The Importance of Grouse Conservation with Skye Irwin | Ep 12
In this episode, I sit down with Skye Irwin, an undergraduate student at the University of Northern British Columbia, partnered with the Ruffed Grouse Society. We talk about her undergraduate thesis, how she got started with this project, what grouse are eating in Northern BC, and what her data means for habitat management. We touch on hunting, conservation, a love for nature, and the overlap between all three.
Links:
Ruffed Grouse Society Website: https://ruffedgrousesociety.org/
Ruffed Grouse Society Canada Website: https://www.rgs.ca/
Grouse Hunters BC Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61587189544069#
Grouse Hunters BC Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/grousehuntersbc?utm_source=ig_web_button_share_sheet&igsh=ZDNlZDc0MzIxNw==
Want to become a guest on the show? Do you know somebody who you think would make a great guest? Or want to share a conservation story of your own?
Email wilderinsightspodcast@gmail.com or dm me @wilderinsightspod (https://www.instagram.com/wilderinsightspod/) on Instagram and Facebook.
27 Mar 2026
Out of Place: When Invasive Species Invade with NWIPC | Ep 11
In this episode, I sit down with North West Invasive Plant Council board members Michelle Miller and Katie Cunningham to talk about invasive species in the North West. We touch on what defines a species as invasive, the impacts of these invaders, and what it means in terms of biodiversity loss. Are some of your favorite wild species actually invasive? Tune in to find out.
Links:
NWIPC Website: https://www.nwipc.org/ (https://www.nwipc.org/)
How to identify invasive plants in Canada: https://inspection.canada.ca/en/plant-health/invasive-pests-and-plants/invasive-plants (https://inspection.canada.ca/en/plant-health/invasive-pests-and-plants/invasive-plants)
Want to become a guest on the show? Do you know somebody who you think would make agreat guest? Or want to share a conservation story of your own?
Email wilderinsightspodcast@gmail.com or dm me @wilderinsightspod (https://www.instagram.com/wilderinsightspod/) on Instagram and Facebook.
13 Mar 2026
EE - Biodiversity
Welcome to the Environmental Encyclopedia. This series aims to bridge the gap between scientific jargon and everyday language, so that we can all be part of the conservation conversation.
In this episode, we cover Biodiversity
3 Mar 2026
A Journey of Rewilding and Resilience with Katie Stacey | Ep 10
In this episode, I sit down with author Katie Stacey to talk about her new book, No Paradise with Wolves. We touch on the public's opinion of Iberian wolves in Northern Spain, letting nature manage itself, and the rewilding of their little farmland known as Wild Finca. What challenges come with letting the land take the reins? Tune in to find out.
Book Bio:
In 2018, Katie and Luke, moved to Asturias, Northern Spain, in search of a home. As conservation storytellers, they were drawn to the story of the Iberian wolf - a much-maligned creature facing relentless persecution right on their doorstep. But as they delved deeper, they discovered that the story was far more complex than they had imagined. While searching, they found a dilapidated old dairy farm, which they purchased with a vision to rewild its surrounding land.
They named their new home Wild Finca and soon realized that promoting coexistence with wolves - and all wildlife - wasn’t about exposing the darker aspects of the relationship but about proving that living alongside wildlife was truly possible by doing it themselves.
Links:
Get No Paradise with Wolves here: https://www.wildfinca.com/no-paradise-with-wolves (https://www.wildfinca.com/no-paradise-with-wolves)
Learn more about The Wild Shift here: https://thewildshift.com/homepage (https://thewildshift.com/homepage)
Learn more about Wild Finca here: https://www.wildfinca.com/ (https://www.wildfinca.com/)
Follow Wild Finca on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/wildfinca (https://www.instagram.com/wildfinca)
Want to become a guest on the show? Do you know somebody who you think would make a great guest? Or want to share a conservation story of your own?
Email wilderinsightspodcast@gmail.com or dm me @wilderinsightspod (https://www.instagram.com/wilderinsightspod/) on Instagram and Facebook.
13 Feb 2026
EE - Symbiosis
Welcome to the Environmental Encyclopedia. This series aims to bridge the gap between scientific jargon and everyday language, so that we can all be part of the conservation conversation.
In this episode, we cover Symbiosis
4 Feb 2026
Fatal Light and Window Strikes: How Our Buildings are Killing Birds with Michael Mesure | Ep 09
In this episode, I sit down with FLAP Co-founder and Executive Director Michael Mesure. We discuss bird collisions caused by invisible windows and light in the night, the value of birds in our economy, and why you should care about birds dying. The vast number of bird deaths caused by human architecture will shock you. What can we do to change this? Tune in to find out.
FLAP Canada website: https://flap.org/
Report a collision - Global Bird Collision Mapper: https://www.birdmapper.org/
Want to become a guest on the show? Do you know somebody who you think would make a great guest? Or want to share a conservation story of your own?
Email wilderinsightspodcast@gmail.com or dm me @wilderinsightspod (https://www.instagram.com/wilderinsightspod/) on Instagram and Facebook.
16 Jan 2026
EE - Animal Activity Patterns
Mike Bryden explores animal activity patterns, explaining how these patterns are studied and why understanding them is crucial for conservation efforts in this educational episode.
26 Dec 2025
Caribou Cafeteria: Can Supplemental Feeding Save Declining Populations with Doug Heard | Ep 08
Biologist Doug Heard discusses supplemental feeding as a conservation strategy for the declining Kennedy Siding Caribou herd in North-Central BC, addressing predation and population tracking in an interview with Mike Bryden.
8 Sept 2025
What's next for Wilder Insights | End of Season 01
Host Mike Bryden reflects on the first season of Wilder Insights and teases future developments for the podcast.
29 Aug 2025
Conservation Social Science with Dr. Lauren Harding | Ep 07
Host Mike Bryden interviews anthropologist and UNBC professor Dr. Lauren Harding about how culture shapes perspectives on wildlife conservation.
25 Jul 2025
Becoming Bear Smart: Safety, Science & Coexistence with Urban Bears - Part 2 | Ep 06
Researchers Vanessa Uschenko and Nicole Botten explore bear conservation through poop analysis and community involvement, revealing how local actions support bear health and safety in an interview with the host.
27 Jun 2025
Becoming Bear Smart: Safety, Science & Coexistence with Urban Bears - Part 1 | Ep 05 Bears
Kayla Wiens and Nicole Button discuss the increase in black bear encounters in Prince George, BC, exploring safety measures and conflict reduction strategies for humans and bears to coexist peacefully in this interview.
9 May 2025
Stop the Spray and the Natural Regrowth of Aspen in BC's Cut Blocks with James Steidle and Hengda Liu| Ep 04
In this episode, I sit down with forester Hengda Liu and James Steidle of Stop The Spray BC to discuss the effects of glyphosate spraying in BC's forestry. We touch on its effects on wildlife, vegetation, and, more specifically, Aspen trees. Tune in to discover why we may benefit from letting Aspen grow, and the results of natural regrowth in cut blocks.
Want to become aguest on the show? Know somebody who you think should be a guest? Or want toshare a conservation story of your own?
Emailwilderinsightspodcast@gmail.com or dm me @wilderinsightspod (https://www.instagram.com/wilderinsightspod/) onInstagram.
Read more about Stop The Spray BC:
Stop the Spray BC (https://stopthespraybc.com/)
UNBC ForestryPodcast Episodes Mentioned:
Ep 14 | Dennis Loxton - From Tree Planter to Shepherd & Sheep Vegetation Management in BC's Forestry (https://open.spotify.com/episode/2VQly5hmzFCarIXo9ZFFpY?si=077baa6f19fb4532)
Ep 4 | Liam Parfitt from Freya Logging on Selective Logging and Biodiversity in British Columbia (https://open.spotify.com/episode/2Cs1BO9rxL7nvpmFYC5HKB?si=dd25ea9d330f4d3b)
Sources:
https://thenarwhal.ca/bc-glyphosate-forestry-map/ (https://thenarwhal.ca/bc-glyphosate-forestry-map/)
https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/14_2004 (https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/14_2004)
Intro/Outro Song:
Sea - Funeral Culture (https://open.spotify.com/track/3KQvkFuaEscnmkE5Q8gh5Y?si=eb5d9fd0a1fd49e2)
25 Apr 2025
Rehabilitation and Connection: Boomer's Story | Ep 03
Sometimes, saving a species doesn’t start in the forest, but with one bird, its connection to people, and the story it shares. In today's episode, I recount a story shared with us by Korinne Bengert of Regina, Saskatchewan. Through her experience at a Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre, Korinne shares the moving story of a great horned owl in recovery.
Do you want to be a guest on the show? Do you know somebody who should be a guest? Or do you want to share a conservation story of your own?
Emailwilderinsightspodcast@gmail.com or dm me @wilderinsightspod (https://www.instagram.com/wilderinsightspod/) on Instagram.
If you enjoyed this episode, consider leaving a rating and sharing it with your friends.
Wildlife Rehabilitation Centres Mentioned:
Prince Rupert Wildlife Rehabilitation Center (http://www.prwildlifeshelter.org/)
Salthaven Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre (https://www.salthaven.org/)
Sources:
Captive Wildlife in Saskatchewan (https://www.saskatchewan.ca/business/environmental-protection-and-sustainability/wildlife-and-conservation/captive-wildlife/captive-wildlife-in-saskatchewan)
Great Horned Owl - All about birds (https://www.allaboutbirds.org/guide/Great_Horned_Owl/lifehistory)
8 Apr 2025
Making Change and Western Toad Conservation with Ashley Sutherland | Ep 02
In this episode, Ashley Sutherland and I talk about the project she's created to help protect Western toads around Shane Lake in Prince George, BC. We discuss how she's gotten to where she is now and what it takes to make the change you want to see in the world.
Read up on the Western Toad:
https://bcreptilesandamphibians.ca/western-toad/ (https://bcreptilesandamphibians.ca/western-toad/)
Check out Ashley's iNaturalist project:
iNaturalist - Shane Lake Amphibian Migration Project (https://can01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.inaturalist.org%2Fprojects%2Fshane-lake-amphibian-migration-project&data=05%7C02%7Cmbryden%40unbc.ca%7C470ca3c48fae43e50b2008dd72fbbea6%7Ca7ee9abb4885492eb331a6fa051a39bb%7C0%7C0%7C638793147729786007%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&sdata=aNWmSiy2NG%2B3UfRzL3qVEf0IYpy%2BR9tp8Lhy4lfbTWg%3D&reserved=0)
Want to become a guest on the show? Maybe you know somebody you think should be a guest, or want to share a conservation story of your own? Email wilderinsightspodcast@gmail.com or DM me @wilderinsightpod on Instagram.
Thanks for your support!
Message from Ashley Sutherland:
The Aleza Lake Research Forest staff would like to extend a massive “thank you” to all our major partners (so far) on the Shane Lake Amphibian Migration Project! These partners include:
Society for Ecosystem Restoration in Northern BC (SERNbc)
College of New Caledonia Research Forest
Spruce City Wildlife Association
University of Northern BC (UNBC)
The Wildlife Society, UNBC
Matt Robinson RPBio, Mark Thompson RPBio, Sara Sparks RPBio,
And countless other individuals who have contributed to the project in small ways to help maintain the momentum.
Sounds Effects:
Frog Sound Effect (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MbPG5TMZNEw&ab_channel=GamingSoundEffects)
Western Toad Call (https://bcreptilesandamphibians.ca/western-toad/)
30 Mar 2025
Anglers and Citizen Science with Sean Simmons | Ep 01
In this episode,Sean Simmons and I discuss Anglers Atlas and the role anglers play inconservation.
Check out theAnglers Atlas Website: https://www.anglersatlas.com/ (https://www.anglersatlas.com/)
Want to participatein citizen science while fishing? Upload your catches to the MyCatch app: https://mycatch.ca/ (https://mycatch.ca/)
Want to become a guest on the show? Maybe you know somebody you think should be a guest, orwant to share a conservation story of your own? Emailwilderinsightspodcast@gmail.com or dm me @wilderinsightpod on Instagram.
Thanks for your support!
19 Feb 2025
Welcome!
Welcome to Wilder Insights! Thanks for stopping by.
Song: Sea - Funeral Culture
Who has been a guest on Wilder Insights
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Doug Heard
Dr Lauren Harding
Vanessa Uschenko
Nicole Botten
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
4,657,709,572
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Spotify
5.0 / 5
13 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 38 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
26
Social presence
0
YouTube
93
Engagement
32
Contact Wilder Insights
Guest appearances
Does not typically book guests
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