Ep. 896: Who Were the Neanderthals?
Steven Rinella talks with authors Dimitra Papagianni and Michael A. Morse.
Topics discussed: What we mean when we say “neanderthal,” taal v. thaal; 23andMe; human and neanderthal interactions; how language may have operated; cannibalism through the ages; neanderthal fashion; the limits of site excavation; and more.
Ep. 892: Ryan Callaghan on Public Lands and Conservation
Steven Rinella talks with Backcountry Hunters and Anglers President and CEO Ryan Callaghan.
Topics discussed: Cal’s life as a new dad and new CEO; the BHA mission; creating coalitions, community, and giving a shit; how our natural resources are not guaranteed; politicians claiming to carry TR’s torch; throwing the baby out with the bathwater in regards to regulation; approaching rollbacks and management changes with clarity; motivation behind scrapping the Roadless Rule; the pitfalls of absolutism; corner crossing; being engaged in the minutiae; and more.
Ep. 889: The Boss of All Fishing Records
Steven Rinella talks with Jason Schratwieser.
Topics discussed: the history of IGFA and world of fish record keeping; conservation efforts for bluefin tuna and billfish; innovative satellite tagging technology; IGFA record validation process transforming our understanding of marine life; species identification techniques; conservation and sustainable fishing practices; and more.
Ep. 886: Who Was the Real Johnny Appleseed?
Steven Rinella talks with author Isaac Fitzgerald.
Topics discussed: Isaac's new book, American Rambler: Walking the Trail of Johnny Appleseed; the true story of Johnny Appleseed (John Chapman) versus the mythologized version; land speculation, westward expansion, and environmental impact; Appleseed's religious influence; the role of storytelling in shaping national legends; the role of apples and cider in American history; John's role in the War of 1812; and more.
Ep. 883: A New History of Lewis and Clark
Steven Rinella talks with author Craig Fehrman.
Topics discussed: Craig's new book, This Vast Enterprise: A New History of Lewis & Clark; York, Ordway, Black Buffalo, Sacajawea, and other key players on the expedition; Sacajawea's sense of humor; diplomacy and discovery; medical care; views of slavery and Lewis and Clark's different views on it; the abundance of species; and more
Ep. 877: Does Predator Management Actually Work?
Steven Rinella Steven Rinella talks with Mike Bodenchuk.
Topics discussed: Predator-prey dynamics; predator impact and wildlife management from a strategic removal perspective; predator snails; predation rates impacted by nearly a dozen factors; how coyote management is ineffective if not time-targeted after breeding pairs mate; controlling wolves by controlling pack size; how recreational hunting is absolutely insufficient at managing the wild hog population, but hunters shooting young sows can still be helpful; linear habitats; and more.