You’re Gonna Die Out There

Patreon Bonus Episode: A VR Headset or Some Kind of Simulator Machine

Get ready to learn about Nanga Parbat and the ill fated journey of two world class climbers up the Mummery Spine.
More info on ways to help the Sherpa Communities: https://www.nationalgeographic.com/science/article/140424-sherpas-avalanche-help-donations

A Crew of Women with a Small Contingency of Shield Maidens

We want to say how thankful we are for all of you! Happy Super Belated Thanksgiving, Nature Nerds!
It's finally here! This week Jen gives us some fun facts about pig orgasms and other weird animal facts. Then Megan tells the intertwining story of the Powhatan people, Jamestown colonists, cannibalism, and Pocahontas. It's a cornucopia of information! 
TW for stories of sexual assault.
Organization to Support: 
https://indiancountrytoday.com/
Indian Country Today is a daily digital news platform that covers the Indigenous world, including American Indians and Alaska Natives. Indian Country Today is the largest news site that covers tribes and Native people throughout the Americas.

Portable Inflatable Grubs (PIG) (TM)

This week Megan takes us on an emotional journey with some Science News shared by Jen's mom, Julie, about the rare white Giraffes in Kenya. Then Jen goes full Science Teacher with a lesson about all kinds of Pigs followed by some gruesome, tragic stories- be warned! 
Organization to Support: Conservation International at https://www.conservation.org/
To prevent irreversible harm to Earth’s life-support systems, humanity must emit less climate-warming greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide, while also removing excess carbon from the atmosphere. This will require an urgent and large-scale transition to clean and renewable sources of energy. But even if the world stopped using fossil fuels completely, we would fail to avert a worst-case scenario if we did not also reverse the destruction of ecosystems such as forests that absorb and store carbon.
In other words: No matter what, if we don’t protect and restore nature, we will fail to prevent catastrophic climate breakdown.

Hippo Scented Silly String (TM)

Hey Nature Nerds! This week, Jen shares a special cause that is near and dear to her heart and then some great science news about Brazilian fishing Jaguars. Then Megan tells us all about Pablo Escobar's famous Hippos! 
Organization to support: African Wildlife Foundation 
https://www.awf.org/ 
We’re working to ensure wildlife and wild lands thrive in modern Africa. Our multi-faceted approach ensures conservation strategies work for wildlife and people.

A Low Hum Lullaby and the Largest Neck Pillow

This week, Megan shares some good news for the future of gecko tails. Then Jen tells some stories of when the gentle giants, Giraffes, aren't so gentle anymore. 
Organization to support: Giraffe Conservation Foundation
giraffeconservation.org
GCF is dedicated to a sustainable future for all giraffe populations in the wild.

A Couple of Barrels of House Red and Some Goat Cheese

Jen shares about tusk-less African Elephant selection caused by over hunting. Megan then does a top ten largest Crocodiles before telling the tall tale of Gustave, the man-eating Nile Crocodile. 
Organization to support: http://www.iucncsg.org/
The IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group (CSG) is a worldwide network of biologists, wildlife managers, government officials, independent researchers, non-government (NGO) representatives, farmers, traders, tanners, fashion leaders, and private companies actively involved in the conservation of the world's 23 living species of alligators, crocodiles, caimans and gharial in the wild.

A Map and a Suburban Dad

It's our last Halloween episode for the year! This week Megan shares about cultural differences in death and dying. Jen continues that theme and takes us through the Donner Party tragedy.
Organization to Support: Sierra Forest Legacy founded in 1996
https://www.sierraforestlegacy.org
Sierra Forest Legacy’s mission is to engage land managers, scientists, and stakeholders in the management of Sierra Nevada ecosystems to protect and restore the unparalleled beauty and natural values of the region. We apply the best practices of science, advocacy and grassroots engagement through coalition building to safeguard forest lands throughout the Sierra Nevada.

A Pouch of Ferrets a la The Beastmaster

Jen updates us on the current list of newly extinct species. After that downer, Megan takes us on a strange journey through a smattering of information on Familiars in Witchcraft with the help of a book written by the White Witch of LA, Maja D'Aoust.
Organization to Support:
https://www.blackcatholisticrescue.org/
Saving black cats & kittens from high kill shelters and the streets of Los Angeles and surrounding areas
http://blackcatrescue.com/
A No Kill cat rescue organization in Boston, MA.

21 Volumes of Time Life Enchanted World

Welcome to week two of our Halloween Celebratory Series- Megan talks Dragonflies which are not very scary, but Jen takes it to another level with Japanese Ghosts and Hauntings to ensure no one sleeps this week!
Organization to Support: https://www.directrelief.org/
Direct Relief is a humanitarian aid organization, active in all 50 states and more than 80 countries, with a mission to improve the health and lives of people affected by poverty or emergencies – without regard to politics, religion, or ability to pay.

Some Protective Flare for Your Suspenders

Happy Beginning of Halloween, Nature Nerds!
This week, we have a special Limerick by listener Bob Potts to share! Jen does a downer science news and Megan attempts to bring it back up with campfire stories and social science research from Polly Wiessner about the Ju/'hoansi people of the Dobe Region.
Organization to support: https://campfire.org/
Started as Camp Fire Girls in 1910,and founded by Dr. Luther Halsey Gulick and his wife, Charlotte Vetter Gulick. They believed girls deserved the outdoor learning experiences that boys had and wanted to help “guide young people on their journey to self-discovery.”