Fancy Scientist with Dr. Stephanie Manka
126 episodes - English - Latest episode: 11 days ago -Dr. Stephanie Schuttler, the Fancy Scientist, is a wildlife biologist who loves breaking stereotypes and talking about the natural world. In this podcast, she shares her knowledge of animals, experiences as a wildlife biologist, and simple lifestyle choices you can make to conserve nature. Her 17 years in wildlife biology taught her that science alone cannot save species. We need to take collective action through simple things we can do every day. This podcast is for anyone who likes animals and wants to help make the world a better place for them, and for us too. You’ll learn cool things about the animals around you from her own and other scientists’ research. She’ll also give tips for other scientists to succeed (that really ANYONE can use), strategies for effective science communication, and how she gained the confidence to become a fancy scientist. Hit subscribe and let’s change the world!
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Episodes
7 Steps to Find Your Wildlife Career Path and Become Competitive for the Job You Want
July 16, 2020 16:18 - 44 minutes - 40.6 MBThis is a bonus episode! I recorded a webinar on Monday night to talk about my new Confusion to Clarity beta group. I realized that I had a Zoom audio file too and thought it would be a good addition to the podcast because even if you don't join my group, it has valuable advice for those interested in careers in wildlife biology. When I looked for jobs after my PhD, I found out I was overqualified, yet not specialized enough for some of the jobs I wanted most. My network didn’t help. In fo...
Bats are the Best! Bat Fun with Bat Biologist Lisa Gatens
July 12, 2020 16:36 - 55 minutes - 51.2 MBEvery day in the summer summer around dusk, I would look up above and see bats flying above my yard. I love bats, but so many people don’t. But bats are SO COOL! In this episode I talk with my friend and bat biologist Lisa Gatens of the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences. She’s been studying bats for about 20 years. In this interview, she tells us some amazing bat facts as well as tips on how to live alongside and help out bats. Specifically we go over… Fun bat facts Bat moms are...
Has Poaching Decreased for Elephants?
July 05, 2020 14:25 - 37 minutes - 34.6 MBElephants are sought after for their ivory, which comes from their tusks. In most countries, it is illegal, but this has’t stopped people from killing them. Elephant poaching was at its highest ever within the past two decades. But some studies are reporting that poaching decreased. However, a new study contradicts this overall narrative; that poaching has decreased for elephants. Previous studies didn’t account for missing data and when you look at the geographic regions, it’s a lot mor...
11. 10 Best Activities to Connect to Wildlife
June 28, 2020 16:38 - 31 minutes - 29 MBOver the summer, kids go to summer camps and aspiring wildlife biologists have technician positions, internships, or volunteer opportunities. With COVID-19 causing much of the country to shut down, many outdoor programs for kids have been cancelled and young wildlife biologists are left without any summer experience. Summer is the perfect time to go outside and connect to wildlife. In episode 7 ( https://www.stephanieschuttler.com/aspiring-wildlife-biologists/ ) , I talked about how aspiring...
10 Best Activities to Connect to Wildlife
June 28, 2020 16:38 - 31 minutes - 29 MBOver the summer, kids go to summer camps and aspiring wildlife biologists have technician positions, internships, or volunteer opportunities. With COVID-19 causing much of the country to shut down, many outdoor programs for kids have been cancelled and young wildlife biologists are left without any summer experience. Summer is the perfect time to go outside and connect to wildlife. In episode 7, I talked about how aspiring wildlife biologists can spend the summer honing some skills related ...
My Big Mistake in My Wildlife Biology Career and How You Can Learn From it
June 21, 2020 20:22 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MBI have been applying for jobs in wildlife biology on and off since I graduated with my Ph.D. in 2012. While I knew jobs in academia were competitive, I didn't realize until after I finished school, how competitive careers in wildlife biology were too. My biggest mistake in my wildlife biology career has been my source of inspiration for writing my upcoming book. This week, I have been writing up a storm trying to finish my book, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to talk about wha...
10. My Big Mistake in My Wildlife Biology Career and How You Can Learn From it
June 21, 2020 20:22 - 36 minutes - 33.1 MBI have been applying for jobs in wildlife biology on and off since I graduated with my Ph.D. in 2012. While I knew jobs in academia were competitive, I didn't realize until after I finished school, how competitive careers in wildlife biology were too. My biggest mistake in my wildlife biology career has been my source of inspiration for writing my upcoming book. This week, I have been writing up a storm trying to finish my book, so I thought it was the perfect opportunity to talk about what ...
Sunscreen and Coral Reefs and You
June 14, 2020 19:14 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBt's summertime which means lots of people are headed to the beach, which also means lots of sunscreen. But before you grab a new bottle, you might not have known that what you put on your body has been harming ocean life in a big way. Sunscreen has had such a big impact on the marine environment, that the state of Hawaii even banned a certain type of it. Some ingredients in sunscreen hav been shown to negatively affect coral reefs. In this podcast episode, I break down not only sunscreen a...
9. Sunscreen and Coral Reefs and You
June 14, 2020 19:14 - 35 minutes - 32.5 MBt's summertime which means lots of people are headed to the beach, which also means lots of sunscreen. But before you grab a new bottle, you might not have known that what you put on your body has been harming ocean life in a big way. Sunscreen has had such a big impact on the marine environment, that the state of Hawaii even banned a certain type of it. Some ingredients in sunscreen hav been shown to negatively affect coral reefs. In this podcast episode, I break down not only sunscreen and...
Bird Basics with Ornithologist Lauren Pharr
June 07, 2020 21:00 - 57 minutes - 52.3 MBBirds are one of my favorite backyard animals because they are everywhere! I invited ornithologist Lauren Pharr on the podcast to discuss bird basics. In this episode we go over: How to attract birds to your backyard including: • Songbirds • Hawks and other raptors • Owls • Hummingbirds Bird basics on food: • Is feeding okay? • What kinds of foods to give for different types of birds • Keeping feeders clean Tips for people who want to get started in birding: • Apps to use • Citi...
8. Bird Basics with Ornithologist Lauren Pharr
June 07, 2020 21:00 - 57 minutes - 52.3 MBBirds are one of my favorite backyard animals because they are everywhere! I invited ornithologist Lauren Pharr on the podcast to discuss bird basics. In this episode we go over: How to attract birds to your backyard including: • Songbirds • Hawks and other raptors • Owls • Hummingbirds Bird basics on food: • Is feeding okay? • What kinds of foods to give for different types of birds • Keeping feeders clean Tips for people who want to get started in birding: • Apps to use • Citize...
7. 3 Tips for Aspiring Wildlife Biologists Stuck at Home
June 05, 2020 21:54 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBSummer is a key time for aspiring wildlife biologists. To be successful in this career, you need experience. Most wildlife biologists conduct their field work in the summer when professors don't have to teach and students don't have to take courses. Therefore, summer is a key time to gain experience. But in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced biologists to cancel their field work and stay home. It forced museums, nonprofits, zoos, and wildlife sanctuaries to shut down, most of which are still...
3 Tips for Aspiring Wildlife Biologists Stuck at Home
June 05, 2020 21:54 - 17 minutes - 15.7 MBSummer is a key time for aspiring wildlife biologists. To be successful in this career, you need experience. Most wildlife biologists conduct their field work in the summer when professors don't have to teach and students don't have to take courses. Therefore, summer is a key time to gain experience. But in 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced biologists to cancel their field work and stay home. It forced museums, nonprofits, zoos, and wildlife sanctuaries to shut down, most of which are sti...
6. See a Snake? What to do and Resources for Identifying Snakes
May 31, 2020 23:58 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBI grew up loving snakes, but I also grew up in an area with 0 venomous snakes. Since then I've lived alongside venomous snakes in Kenya, Gabon, and now North Carolina, where I see them on a near-regular basis. But guess what? I still love them! The goal of this podcast is to hopefully get you to love them - or like them - or at least live with them. In this podcast, I go over: * My experiences being up close with copperheads and rattlesnakes * What to do when you see a snake * Who you can ...
See a Snake? What to do and Resources for Identifying Snakes
May 31, 2020 23:58 - 33 minutes - 30.9 MBI grew up loving snakes, but I also grew up in an area with 0 venomous snakes. Since then I've lived alongside venomous snakes in Kenya, Gabon, and now North Carolina, where I see them on a near-regular basis. But guess what? I still love them! The goal of this podcast is to hopefully get you to love them - or like them - or at least live with them. In this podcast, I go over: My experiences being up close with copperheads and rattlesnakes What to do when you see a snake Who you can a...
5. Wildlife Biologist Job Questions Answered!
May 26, 2020 23:48 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBI frequently get emails asking me wildlife biologist questions: what we do, how we spend our time, and how you can better prepare for a career in wildlife biology. In this special episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I agreed to answer questions from one aspiring wildlife biologist for her high school assignment. Given how much people want to know about this career, I thought it would be a great idea to answer these wildlife biologist job questions on air.
Wildlife Biologist Job Questions Answered!
May 26, 2020 23:48 - 25 minutes - 23.3 MBI frequently get emails asking me wildlife biologist questions: what we do, how we spend our time, and how you can better prepare for a career in wildlife biology. In this special episode of the Fancy Scientist podcast, I agreed to answer questions from one aspiring wildlife biologist for her high school assignment. Given how much people want to know about this career, I thought it would be a great idea to answer these wildlife biologist job questions on air.
4. Diet Changes to Help Wildlife
May 24, 2020 18:44 - 40 minutes - 37.1 MBOur diets have a gigantic impact on wildlife. In this episode, learn the biggest change that you can make to reduce deforestation and mitigate climate change. In fact, it's one of the biggest things you can do in general to reduce your carbon footprint. I give you my own tips and tricks for transitioning. For all of the resources mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes here ( https://stephanieschuttler.com/diet-changes-to-help-wildlife/ ).
Diet Changes to Help Wildlife
May 24, 2020 18:44 - 40 minutes - 37.1 MBOur diets have a gigantic impact on wildlife. In this episode, learn the biggest change that you can make to reduce deforestation and mitigate climate change. In fact, it's one of the biggest things you can do in general to reduce your carbon footprint. I give you my own tips and tricks for transitioning. For all of the resources mentioned in this episode, check out the show notes here.
Animals During Lockdown: What's Going on with Wildlife
May 17, 2020 19:35 - 36 minutes - 33.3 MBAs COVID-19 spread across the world, countries and states ordered for people to stay at home. This massive change in human behavior gave wildlife the opportunity to roam without human interruption. I summarize some of the newsworthy responses of animals during lockdown and talk about how unusual they really are (or aren't). Show notes here.
3. Animals During Lockdown: What's Going on with Wildlife
May 17, 2020 19:35 - 36 minutes - 33.3 MBAs COVID-19 spread across the world, countries and states ordered for people to stay at home. This massive change in human behavior gave wildlife the opportunity to roam without human interruption. I summarize some of the newsworthy responses of animals during lockdown and talk about how unusual they really are (or aren't). Show notes here ( https://stephanieschuttler.com/animals-during-lockdown-whats-going-on-with-wildlife/ ).
Animal Selfies: More than a Selfie
May 10, 2020 18:11 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBSocial media has made selfies an everyday occurrence. But when they involve wildlife, they can quite literally put their lives as risk. Learn about why animal selfies are more than just a selfie, and how you can take more ethical photos of wildlife that send a more powerful message. For full show notes visit: https://stephanieschuttler.com/animal-selfies-more-than-a-selfie/
2. Animal Selfies: More than a Selfie
May 10, 2020 18:11 - 32 minutes - 29.8 MBSocial media has made selfies an everyday occurrence. But when they involve wildlife, they can quite literally put their lives as risk. Learn about why animal selfies are more than just a selfie, and how you can take more ethical photos of wildlife that send a more powerful message. For full show notes visit: https://stephanieschuttler.com/animal-selfies-more-than-a-selfie/
Conversations on Animals in Captivity: Tiger King
May 10, 2020 17:58 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBIn this episode, I talk about the frustrations I had with the Netflix series Tiger King. While the show focused on big cat owners, it skirted around major issues on animals in captivity. Do zoos play a role in conservation? How? Are the facilities in the Tiger King really the same? From my 17 years in wildlife biology, I provide an expert opinion. For full show notes visit: https://stephanieschuttler.com/conversations-on-animals-in-captivity-tiger-king/
1. Conversations on Animals in Captivity: Tiger King
May 10, 2020 17:58 - 32 minutes - 29.7 MBIn this episode, I talk about the frustrations I had with the Netflix series Tiger King. While the show focused on big cat owners, it skirted around major issues on animals in captivity. Do zoos play a role in conservation? How? Are the facilities in the Tiger King really the same? From my 17 years in wildlife biology, I provide an expert opinion. For full show notes visit: https://stephanieschuttler.com/conversations-on-animals-in-captivity-tiger-king/
Welcome to the Fancy Scientist Podcast!
April 22, 2020 17:10 - 3 minutes - 3.56 MBDr. Stephanie Schuttler, the Fancy Scientist, is a wildlife biologist who loves breaking stereotypes and talking about the natural world. In this podcast, she shares her knowledge of animals, experiences as a wildlife biologist, and simple lifestyle choices you can make to conserve nature. This is a short intro episode about what the Fancy Scientist podcast is all about, who’s it for, and what you’ll get from listening.