In this heartfelt episode of Robin’s Nest, we welcome Sgt. Bo, the 2025 American Humane Hero Dog Award winner, and his handler, Faye Okert. Once a stray in Nashville, Sgt. Bo’s life was transformed through rescue into one of extraordinary service as a therapy dog with the Metro Nashville Police Department.

Known for his calm presence and gentle spirit, Sgt. Bo supported children and adults during moments of crisis, helped de-escalate traumatic situations and provided comfort when words fell short. Faye shares how Sgt. Bo’s journey reflects the powerful healing potential of rescue animals and the critical role therapy dogs play in trauma-informed care.

From comforting survivors after a tragic school shooting to leaving behind a lasting legacy of hope in retirement, Sgt. Bo’s story is a moving testament to compassion, resilience and the life-changing bond between humans and animals.

On this episode of Robin’s Nest, we sit down with Dr. Temple Grandin, world-renowned animal behaviorist, autism advocate, and Professor of Animal Science at Colorado State University. Temple explains how thinking in pictures allowed her to revolutionize livestock handling systems, designing environments that reduce stress and improve animal welfare worldwide. From the invention of her “hug machine” to curved chute systems now used by nearly half of North American cattle, her approach blends science, compassion, and measurable accountability.

Temple also shares her personal experiences with autism, offering a unique perspective on how neurodiverse thinking can be a powerful strength. She discusses her memoir Thinking in Pictures, and the Emmy-winning HBO film about her life, as well as a peek at her upcoming book, all highlighting her journey of discovery and advocacy. This is a conversation packed with insight, ingenuity, and a fresh way of seeing the world.

In this inspiring episode of Robin’s Nest, Dr. Robin Ganzert sits down with one of the world’s most influential wildlife scientists: Dr. Yadvendradev Jhala. For more than 30 years, Dr. Jhala has been at the forefront of India’s most significant conservation achievements, from leading the country’s historic tiger recovery to reintroducing cheetahs after 70 years of extinction. He shares the science, strategy and passion behind protecting endangered species, illustrating how data-driven conservation and global cooperation can restore entire ecosystems. Listeners will hear firsthand stories from the field, lessons from the world’s largest wildlife survey and his powerful vision for safeguarding the planet’s most vulnerable animals. It’s a masterclass in hope, leadership and what’s possible when passion combines with science.

In this special episode of Robin’s Nest, we’re joined by Dr. George Church, a world-renowned geneticist and one of the leading minds behind the Human Genome Project, for a conversation about the amazing ways science is helping us understand, protect and even restore life on Earth.

Dr. Church takes us inside the frontier of synthetic biology, from the origins of CRISPR and gene editing to the bold promise of de-extinction, conservation technology and genetic equity. The discussion spans his groundbreaking work with Colossal Biosciences, where efforts to revive the woolly mammoth and other lost species aim to restore ecosystems and rethink what “saving nature” means in the 21st century.

Listeners will hear Dr. Church reflect on the ethics and responsibilities of rewriting life’s code, the potential for genetic engineering to combat biodiversity loss, and why he believes “extinction doesn’t have to be forever.” This episode explores how technology and conservation can work hand-in-hand to heal the planet.

A fascinating journey into the science shaping our shared future, and a reminder that innovation, guided by compassion and curiosity, may yet help us write a better story for life on Earth.

In this inspiring episode of Robin’s Nest, Dr. Robin Ganzert sits down with Hilde Vanleeuwe, Ph.D., a fearless conservation biologist whose 30-year career has been devoted to protecting Africa’s iconic wildlife, particularly elephants. From rescuing birds in her childhood home in Belgium to leading groundbreaking conservation programs across Africa, Hilde shares her journey of perseverance, passion, and purpose.

Listeners will hear about her extraordinary fieldwork, from walking over 500 km of elephant transects on Mt. Kenya to transforming elephant protection in the Congo, and her innovative efforts with Wilder Things, a conservation initiative focused on connecting habitats through riparian wildlife corridors. Hilde also reflects on the significance of being a finalist for the Kiessling Prize and shares her vision for scaling ecological connectivity to help species adapt to climate change. This episode is a heartfelt exploration of the impact one dedicated individual can have on the future of wildlife and wild places.

In this episode of Robin’s Nest, Dr. Robin Ganzert sits down with Peter Chadwick, CEO of the Conservation Landscape Institute, to discuss the launch of the Brad and Alice Andrews Preserve and the expansion of South Africa’s Bushman’s River Biodiversity Corridor, a milestone for the Global Humane Conservation Fund of Africa.

With nearly 40 years of experience across 25 African countries, Peter shares how modern conservation is driven by community engagement, cutting-edge technology, and ecosystem restoration. Together, he and Robin explore how rewilding efforts are creating safe passage for endangered species like black rhinos and elephants, while empowering local communities through sustainable development and ecotourism.

A celebrated conservation photojournalist, Peter also highlights how powerful storytelling can inspire global action and policy change.

Tune in to learn how one preserve is helping to reconnect Africa’s wild landscapes, protecting biodiversity and building a future where people and wildlife thrive together.

In this inspiring episode of Robin’s Nest, Dr. Robin Ganzert sits down with Prof. Jonah Henri Ratsimbazafy, a world-renowned primatologist, conservation leader and lifelong champion for Madagascar’s extraordinary wildlife.

As President of the Madagascar Primate Research Group (GERP) and the first African President of the International Primatological Society, Prof. Ratsimbazafy has spent more than 30 years leading groundbreaking efforts to protect endangered lemurs and safeguard biodiversity through science, education and community empowerment.

From discovering new lemur species to mentoring the next generation of Malagasy conservationists, his work blends cultural pride, environmental stewardship and global collaboration. Together, Dr. Ganzert and Prof. Ratsimbazafy explore the urgent threats facing Madagascar’s wildlife, the power of community-driven conservation and the hope that drives his mission to protect one of the most unique ecosystems on Earth.

If you care about the future of animals and our planet, this conversation will leave you inspired — and ready to take action.

This week, we welcome Dr. Kathleen Dudzinski, the 2025 recipient of the Wolfgang Kiessling International Prize for Species Conservation.

With over 30 years of research on dolphin communication and social behavior — and valuable work with killer whales — Dr. Dudzinski has pioneered methods that deepen our understanding of marine mammals in both wild and managed care. As Founder of the Dolphin Communication Project and Managing Editor of Aquatic Mammals journal, she connects science, conservation, and education worldwide.

In this episode, she shares:

• Breakthroughs in dolphin and killer whale communication research
• How comparative studies across species inform conservation
• The role of education, ecotourism, and outreach in protecting marine life
• What it means to be honored with the Kiessling Prize

An inspiring conversation for anyone passionate about dolphins, killer whales, and the future of marine conservation.