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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How do we perceive the world around us? With our senses, of course! But what in the world are those two mystery senses you may have never considered?

In this episode of Wild Interest, Evan gets a closer look at the world of sight with eyeglass merchant Adrien Bouet in Paris, France, and Nichole tantalizes your taste buds while discussing the fantastic world of ice cream flavors with Pete Van Leeuwen of Van Leeuwen Ice Cream. Then we go beyond the five senses and explore two new mystery senses you may have never considered!

But wait, there's more! Ever wonder about legendary creatures with massive wingspans? Evan's Cryptid Corner takes on the Thunderbird; a legendary creature with a wingspan so broad it's said to whip up storms! Plus, we're introducing a new segment: Bobby the Bigfoot hosts "Name Stuff," a game show where kid contestants try to guess what grown-ups do for their jobs. Let's get wild!

Listen now and discover the wild world your senses reveal!

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.

0:00 - Episode 11 Intro
2:26 - Ice Cream Magician Pete Van Leeuwen
15:44 - Favorite Sound
16:51 - Call for Submissions
17:19 - Name Stuff
25:04 - Riddle Question
25:27 - Grandparent Stories
30:16 - Joke Time
31:25 - Two New Senses
34:14 - Riddle Answer
35:07 - Cryptid Corner: The Thunderbird
39:18 - Call for Reviews + Word of Mouth
39:41 - A Daylight Savings Time Diatribe
42:04 - Eyeglass Merchant Adrien Bouet
49:52 - Preview of Episode 14
50:10 - Show Credits
50:37 - Bloopers

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Music is the universal language! But what in the world does it feel like to rock out in the New York subway? And how do bluegrass kids make magic together?

In this episode of Wild Interest, prepare to be dazzled by two amazing groups of kid musicians. New York's Retro Rebelles rock out in the subway, and the plucky Carolina bluegrass quartet Young Mountain Magic picks us a tune or two and talks about what it feels like to play together as a band.

But wait, there's more! Ever wonder about legendary creatures in the Himalayas? You'll brave the Himalayan peaks in search of the legendary Yeti in Cryptid Corner. Plus, toss back some root brewskis as Nichole and Evan get to the bottom of the barrel in an exciting root beer taste test!

This episode features our new segment "Grammartime," animal calls, Favorite Sound, an ancient riddle, jokes, and not one but two Grandparent Stories. It's wild!

Tune in now and explore the universal language that connects us all!

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 10 Intro
02:39 - Retro Rebelles
07:58 - Joke Time
08:51 - Animal Call Clue
09:26 - Grandparent Story "Lily"
17:17 - Grandparent Story "Maliya"
20:22 - Animal Call Reprise
20:43 - Young Mountain Magic
29:43 - Call for Submissions
30:06 - Riddle Question
30:53 - Cryptid Corner: The Yeti and the Banjhākri
36:20 - Animal Call Answer
36:56 - Grammartime
39:14 - Favorite Sound
40:07 - Root Beer Taste Test
48:21 - Riddle Answer
49:01 - Preview of Episode 11
49:13 - Show Credits
49:37 - Bloopers
50:16 - Young Mountain Magic Encore

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Do animals talk? The answer might surprise you! But what in the world are whales actually saying to each other? And how does a whale language even have an alphabet?

In this episode of Wild Interest, we dive deep with zoologist and pioneering animal researcher Katy Payne and discover the complex ways whales and elephants communicate. She even does her best whale song impression for us!

Project CETI linguistics lead and professor Gašper Beguš talks about his work with sperm whales, and the whale language his research is discovering. It even has an alphabet!

But wait, there's more! Ever wonder how honeybees communicate? Dance with us as we buzz about the sweet ways honeybees talk to each other. Plus, bundle up for frigid tales of the Ningen, an aquatic cryptid said to inhabit the Arctic Ocean north of Japan.

This episode features a second hilarious installment of Feeding Ben Stuff, plus Favorite Sound, Grandparent Stories, a real stumper of a riddle, jokes and more. Let's get wild!

Dive in now and discover the wild conversations happening all around us!

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 9 Intro
01:48 Animal Talk
03:45 Whale Language with Gašper Beguš and Project CETI
10:52 Joke Time
11:46 The Dance of the Honeybee
14:56 Riddle Question
15:20 Cryptid Corner: The Ningen
18:08 Favorite Sound
19:01 Call for Submissions
19:28 Grandparent Story
23:32 Feeding Ben Stuff
29:25 Whale Song and Elephant Communication with Katy Payne
38:31 Riddle Answer
38:53 Preview of Episode 10
39:25 Show Credits
39:57 Bloopers

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Our latest episode is all about the wild, wonderful world beneath our feet. Where does the word “dirt” come from? How do plants get nutrients from the soil? Could getting dirty be good for you? What about eating dirt? Nichole interviews Brandy Hall at Shades of Green Permaculture and learns about the importance of mindful landscape design, and how kids can get involved in healthy soil projects at home. We speak with biochar expert Peter Olivier about how charred organic matter can make soil healthier, and interview archeologist Casey Sharp about the amazing stories dirt can reveal about ancient people. We investigate garden grubs with a gaggle of kid correspondents, shine a light on the fascinating process of photosynthesis, feature a Bobby the Bigfoot guest-hosted Cryptid Corner, and as always present the usual jokes, riddles, Favorite Sound and Grandparent Stories.

Timestamps for this episode are available below. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message: www.wildinterest.com/submissions

0:00 - Episode 8 intro
1:19 - Etymology of Dirt
4:02 - Riddle Question
4:22 - Permaculture
11:13 - Biochar
13:53 - Favorite Sound
14:53 - Grubs
18:33 - Mabuhay Moment
20:22 - Magic Dirt
22:59 - Joke Time
24:03 - Archeology
28:39 - Grandparent Stories
31:27 - Good Dirt
34:26 - Cryptid Corner: The Loveland Frogman
37:08 - Riddle Answer
37:45 - Call for Reviews and Submissions
38:32 - Credits
39:03 - Bloopers

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Our seventh episode is all about sound, performance and storytelling. Nichole interviews Taryn Janelle and LeRell Ross of Atlanta’s Synchronicity Theatre who adapted John Steptoe’s 1987 award-winning children’s book “Mufaro’s Beautiful Daughters” into a musical theater piece for all ages. Our special correspondent Nicholas drops the needle on some choice selections from his personal vinyl record collection, then drops in on Michael Greig Thomas at Echo Base Records to see how vinyl records are actually made! We also investigate how insects called cicadas make “music” by vibrating their abdomens, explore the alien secrets of Area 51 in Cryptid Corner, and bring you our usual Grandparent Stories, hilarious jokes, and a brain-twisting riddle.

Timestamps for this episode are available below. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message: www.wildinterest.com/submissions

0:00 - Episode 7 Intro
1:18 - Mufaro's Beautiful Daughters
13:10 - Riddle Question
13:30 - The Music of Cicadas
18:35 - Joke Time
19:38 - Dropping the Needle on Vinyl Records
29:13 - Favorite Sound
30:30 - Cryptid Corner - Area 51
34:20 - Grandparent Stories
39:18 - Riddle Answer
39:42 - Episode Ending
39:58 - Preview of Episode 8
40:21 - Call for Submissions
40:45 - Credits
41:18 - Bloopers

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