Is music truly the universal language? And what in the world is the Voyager Golden Record doing floating around in space right now?

In this episode of Wild Interest, sibling hosts Nichole and Evan continue their sonic exploration by taking a trip to Belize to sit in with drummers carrying on the African Garifuna tradition as they gear up for the epic "Battle of the Drums!" Then, they chat with bluegrass pioneer Ron Thomason of the Dry Branch Fire Squad about mandolins, guitars, horses, and how to turn your own body into a drum kit.

But wait, there's more! Ever wonder what aliens might think of human music? Nichole and Evan dive into the incredible story of the Voyager Golden Record—a musical time capsule about life on Earth that's currently 15 billion miles away in interstellar space! Plus, in Cryptid Corner, Evan investigates the Fossegrim, a harmless but damp Norwegian creature who's suspiciously amazing at playing the fiddle.

This episode features all your favorite segments: Animal Call, Grandparent Story, Favorite Sound, jokes and a riddle.

Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message.

Listen now and discover the wild rhythms that connect us all!

Timestamps for this episode are available below.

00:00 - Episode 14 Intro
01:43 - Ron Thomason
08:59 - Animal Call Clue
09:28 - Word of Mouth
09:44 - Garifuna Drummers Kirwin Ramirez and Kayton Martinez
17:48 - Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters
22:10 - Riddle Clue
22:28 - Favorite Sound
23:21 - Grandparent Stories: Eileen
29:59 - Animal Call Reprise
30:11 - Cryptid Corner: The Fossegrim
33:16 - Joke Time
34:03 - Call for Submissions
34:28 - Animal Call Reveal
35:42 - Voyager Golden Record
46:51 - Riddle Answer
47:16 - Preview of Episode 15
48:10 - Credits
48:34 - Bloopers

Click here for tickets to Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters in Nashville

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Mabuhay Wildings! What in the world does "mabuhay" mean, and how did the Philippines give us both Olympic champions AND the modern yo-yo?

This week on Wild Interest, our Philippines Independence Day special is one great big celebration of Filipino life and culture around the world. First up: Nichole says "hi" to Hidilyn Diaz, champion weightlifter and the first Filipino ever to win an Olympic gold medal. Next, Evan riffs with Ramón de Ocampo, acclaimed actor and voice of the hit Diary of a Wimpy Kid audio books.

But wait, there's more! Ever wonder about the history of yo-yos? Evan spins a yarn about yo-yos with his pal Jaxx, and learns some tricks from world champion freestyle yo-yo pro Bryan Jardin. Plus, our hosts take listeners on a lush audio journey through the beautiful island nation.

This episode features all your favorite segments: Grandparent Stories from Manila, Animal Calls, jokes, a pesky riddle, and an extra-creepy Cryptid Corner that takes us into the forest realm of the shape-shifting Tikbalang. Happy Independence Day — let's get wild!

Listen now and celebrate the wild culture of the Philippines!

Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message.

Timestamps for this episode are available below.

00:00 - Episode 13 Intro
02:15 - Philippines Travelogue
05:31 - Riddle Question
05:51 - Ramón de Ocampo
15:22 - Animal Call Clue
16:12 - The Yo-Yo: Pedro Flores, Jaxx, and Bryan Jardin
23:45 - Animal Call Reprise
25:03 - Hidilyn Diaz
32:07 - Joke Time
33:05 - Call For Submissions
33:31 - Grandparent Stories: Carmen
37:50 - Favorite Sound
39:09 - Animal Call Reveal
40:28 - Cryptid Corner: Tikbalang
44:26 - Riddle Answer
44:46 - Preview of Episode 14
45:26 - Credits
46:06 - Bloopers

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Hey Wildlings! Do you believe in rooting for the underdog? What about the under-eagle? And what in the world happened 45 years ago that made everyone believe in miracles?

This week on Wild Interest, Evan takes us back to the "Miracle On Ice" when the US Olympic hockey team didn't have a snowball's chance in heck of beating the stronger, faster Russian team — but somehow they did! He reports in person from where the magic happened in Lake Placid, NY. Plus, Nichole talks to educator and parenting expert Jayme Yannuzzi of Teach Talk Inspire about what it's like to be a momfluencer, and learns how easy it is to make the icky, gooey non-Newtonian liquid known as Oobleck.

But wait, there's more! Ever wonder about the Russian Revolution? We learn about it through Nichole's experience in the musical "Anastasia." Think you're sharp? See if you can hold your own in Concentration 64 as Evan and Nichole face off in this hand-clapping, rhythmic battle of wits.

This episode features all your favorite segments: Animal Calls with a particularly prickly little guy, jokes, Favorite Sound, Grandparent Story, and an ice-cold riddle that's sure to freeze you in your tracks. Let's get wild!

Listen now and discover the wild power of believing in miracles!

Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message.

Timestamps for this episode are available below.

00:00 - Episode 12 Intro
02:07 - Evan's Miracle on Ice
07:00 - Riddle Clue
07:18 - Anastasia
13:07 - Animal Call Clue
13:38 - Favorite Sound
15:07 - Concentration 64
19:13 - Animal Call Reprise
19:34 - Cryptid Corner: Mermaid, Whale, or Spy?
22:40 - Joke Time
23:39 - Call for Submissions
24:06 - Grandparent Stories: Vincas
30:10 - Animal Call Reveal
31:46 - Jayme Yanuzzi of Teach Talk Inspire
41:11 - Riddle Answer
41:32 - Preview of Episode 13
41:43 - Call for Reviews + Word of Mouth
42:00 - Credits
42:22 - Bloopers

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