Overheard At National Geographic

Title: Trapped in the icy waters of the Northwest Passage Mark Sennett, a National Geographic Explorer, set out to sail through the Northwest Passage following the route of Sir John Franklin's ill-fated expedition in the 1840s. Franklin was looking for the Northwest Passage, an Arctic sea route connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. His expedition ended in disaster with the loss of two ships and 128 men. Sennett wanted to experience the same challenges as Franklin. Sailing through ice and fog was terrifying at times. Like Franklin, Sennett's boat became trapped in ice for 9 days. This gave him a small taste of what Franklin's men endured being stuck for years. After escaping the ice, Sennett searched on land for Franklin's lost tomb based on Inuit testimony of its location. He teamed up with Tom Gross, a Franklin expert who claimed to have seen a stone house from a plane that could be Franklin's grave. Despite an extensive search, they did not find the tomb. Its location remains a mystery. Sennett completed the entire Northwest Passage by boat, arriving in Nome, Alaska. This was an epic achievement mirroring Franklin's journey. Solving the Franklin mystery and finding his lost records continues to captivate people today, nearly 200 years later. Sennett added a chapter to the lore while gaining invaluable Arctic experience. The full story can be found in his upcoming book.

The episode explores how people around the world are living in caves in modern times, connecting to ancient traditions of underground dwelling. It begins with the story of early Quaker settlers in 1681 arriving in what would become Philadelphia. They lived in caves along the Delaware River before building permanent structures. The caves continued to be used as the city developed. We then hear from cave expert William Hunt about the vast unexplored underground world beneath our feet full of infrastructure, archeology, and geology that we rarely consider. Photographer Tamara Marino takes us inside modern cave communities in Utah, Australia, and Spain. In Utah, fundamentalist Mormons blast caves out of rock cliffs to live off the grid. In the Australian outback, opal miners burrow underground to escape the extreme heat in "dugouts." In Spain, Gypsies carry on centuries-old traditions of flamenco and cave dwelling. Marino reflects on how these groups connect to the ancient human draw to caves for shelter, mining, freedom, and spirituality. She and Hunt believe climate change could drive more people underground. As Marino concludes, "Living underground is an eco-friendly and optimistic solution for the environment."

The episode explores the indigenous practice of cultural burning, which involves lighting low intensity fires to clear brush and undergrowth in forests. This practice had been used for thousands of years by tribes like the Karuk, Yurok, and Hupa in Northern California to manage the land and prevent larger wildfires. However, when European settlers arrived, they suppressed cultural burning due to fear of fire and a lack of understanding of its benefits. This suppression was furthered in the early 20th century after a devastating wildfire killed dozens of firefighters, leading the newly formed U.S. Forest Service to implement a policy of fire suppression. The episode explains how the suppression of cultural burns has led to a dangerous buildup of fuels in Western forests, contributing to larger and more frequent wildfires in recent decades. It shares the perspective of members of tribes like the Karuk who are working to revive cultural burning. They explain how fire is necessary for cultural practices like acorn gathering and basket weaving. The episode also features scientists like Frank Lake who are using research to demonstrate the ecological benefits of cultural burns. It highlights efforts by tribes and organizations to reintroduce cultural burning and train a new generation of indigenous fire practitioners, despite continuing challenges like the need to get government permits. Overall, the episode makes the case that cultural burning is an effective tool for reducing wildfire risks and should be embraced, not suppressed. It argues that indigenous knowledge of fire ecology must be valued if we are to address worsening wildfires in the face of climate change.

The episode focuses on the community of Africa Town in Mobile, Alabama. Many residents there are descendants of Africans who were illegally trafficked on the slave ship Clotilda in 1859. The captives were sold in present-day Benin and forced across the Atlantic on the brutal journey. After arriving in Alabama, they were dispersed to plantations. When freed after the Civil War, they pooled money to buy land and formed their own community called Africa Town. Residents preserved their culture and built homes, a church, and a school. The episode explores how knowing this lineage gives pride and grounding. It contrasts with the host Tara Roberts' difficulty tracing her own ancestry prior to 1870. A genealogist helps uncover that her ancestor Jack was enslaved but became a landowner and civil rights activist after emancipation. The episode also covers the search for Clotilda's wreck led by the Slave Wrecks Project. In 2019, Clotilda was finally located, providing tangible evidence of the ancestors' journey. The host reflects on how uncovering these stories can teach nuance and bring healing. She ends by speaking with her young nieces about the importance of knowing one's history.

Paragraph 1: Host Brian Gutierrez speaks with various experts to learn about ancient musical instruments from around the world. He plays a recording from 1857, before Edison's phonograph, made by etching sound vibrations onto glass. This inspires Brian to find the oldest music in human history and combine instruments into one song. Paragraph 2: The first instrument is a replica of a lyre from ancient Greece that plays a personal song from 450 BCE found etched into a tombstone. Next is a set of bronze bells from 433 BCE China that were part of an ancient orchestra. In Peru, archaeologists found intact conch shell trumpets from around the same era that were played in temples to disorient people. Paragraph 3: In Tanzania, there are ancient stone "rock gongs" that produce resonant tones when struck. The oldest known instrument is a 40,000 year old vulture bone flute from a German cave. Brian digitally combines recordings of the lyre, bells, conch shells, rock gong, and bone flute into one cross-cultural song. Paragraph 4: The song incorporates polyrhythms and beating effects between conch shells. Brian hopes the song allows listeners to connect with ancient people and their shared desire to create music. The episode provides a fascinating auditory link to humanity's deep musical past.

Rodrigo Medellin is a bat researcher and National Geographic explorer who is on a mission to change people's negative perceptions of bats. He became fascinated with mammals and bats from a young age. Bats provide many benefits like eating insects, pollinating plants, and spreading seeds. However, myths portray them as spooky, blood-sucking villains. Medellin aims to highlight bats' ecological importance. For example, Mexican free-tailed bats in Mexico and the U.S. eat around 10 tons of insects per million bats per night. Without them, insect populations could destroy crops. Bats also pollinate agave plants that are used to make tequila. Medellin convinced skeptical tequila producers to let 5% of their agave plants flower naturally to support bat populations. This provides genetic diversity to help prevent disease. In 2015, lesser long-nosed bats were removed from the endangered species list, partly thanks to Medellin's efforts. However, misinformation has blamed bats for COVID-19, causing some governments to kill bats. Medellin stresses bats are not the source of the virus. He urges people to appreciate bats and support conservation efforts. Simple actions like putting up bat houses can make a difference.

Title: How Queer Identity Shapes Nat Geo Explorers Summary: This episode of the Overheard at National Geographic podcast celebrates Pride month by featuring two Nat Geo Explorers - Christine Wilkinson and Rudiger Ortiz Alvarez - who identify as LGBTQ. Christine studies large carnivores like spotted hyenas in Kenya and coyotes in California. She started the popular social media series "Queer is Natural" to showcase homosexuality and gender diversity in the animal kingdom. Her identities as a black, biracial, queer scientist inform her empathetic approach to human-wildlife interactions. Rudiger records soundscapes around the world, including a unique whistling language used to communicate across the Canary Islands. After an "aha" moment hearing the dusk chorus in a Borneo rainforest, he seeks to reconnect people with nature through sound. As a white, cis, gay man, he's working to bring more of his identity into his work and break down notions of false scientific objectivity. The two explorers offer advice to young queer folks interested in science - apply for grants and know there are communities ready to support you. They are helping increase representation in exploration and illuminate the wonder of the natural world.

Title: A Mexican Wolf Pup's Journey into the Wild Summary: The episode explores the story of how the Mexican gray wolf was brought back from the brink of extinction in the American Southwest. It starts by describing the Gila wilderness area in New Mexico, the first official wilderness protected by the U.S. government. This protection was influenced by Aldo Leopold, an early forest ranger who had a change of heart about exterminating wolves after shooting one. Leopold's efforts weren't enough to save the Mexican gray wolf, which was hunted to extinction in the region by the 1960s. In the 1970s, the Endangered Species Act allowed the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to start a captive breeding program using just seven surviving Mexican wolves. Roy McBride, a legendary wolf trapper, caught several of the original wolves used to start the breeding program. After two decades of carefully breeding the wolves in captivity, the first litters were reintroduced to the wild in 1998. Several techniques were tried, including fostering pups into wild dens to be raised by wild parents. The episode recounts the elaborate process of "camouflaging" captive-born pups with the scents of wild littermates so they can be adopted by wild mothers. While the reintroduction has had challenges, there are now around 240 Mexican wolves in the wild, bringing the species back from the brink of extinction. The episode suggests Aldo Leopold would be glad to know the wolves are making a comeback.

Playback Deep Inside the First Wilderness National Geographic photographer Katie Orlinsky joins editor Peter Gwynn and producer Brian Gutierrez in New Mexico's Gila Wilderness, the first federally protected wilderness area in the United States. Orlinsky is on assignment to photograph the rugged, remote landscape for an upcoming magazine story. The group travels deep into the wilderness on horseback, traversing forests, canyons, rivers, and mountains. Orlinsky attempts to photograph the stunning scenery while riding the horses, a challenging task. Her main camera breaks on the first day. At a cliff overlooking a valley, Orlinsky risks climbing onto a precarious ledge to get the best vantage point for a photo. Around the campfire at night, she discusses how photographing the Yukon Quest sled dog race in Canada sparked her interest in documenting the Arctic and climate change. Orlinsky also reflects on getting her start as a photographer in Mexico, gaining recognition covering protests and civil unrest as a young journalist. She credits local journalists with helping foreign reporters like herself. On the final day in the Gila Wilderness, Orlinsky is determined to capture one last special image despite dealing with broken camera equipment.

The Polynesian Voyaging Society is reviving the ancient Polynesian art of wayfinding - navigating across the ocean using only natural signs like stars, waves, and birds. Wayfinder Nainoa Thompson and others built the Hokulea, a double-hulled canoe, in the 1970s to prove that Polynesians intentionally settled the Pacific islands. In 1976, they sailed from Hawaii to Tahiti for the first time in centuries using wayfinding, sparking a cultural revival. Lahu'a Kamalu, a Native Hawaiian, grew up inspired by Hokulea. As an adult, she got involved with the Voyaging Society, eventually becoming the first woman to captain Hokulea's sister canoe Hikianalia on a voyage from Hawaii to California in harsh conditions. In 2022, she led Hokulea and Hikianalia back to Tahiti, recreating the 1976 voyage. Now Lahu'a is preparing for a 4-year circumnavigation of the Pacific to connect with island communities and discuss issues like climate change. Called Moananuiākea, the voyage launches in Alaska in 2022 and will visit ports while training 10 million new navigators - passing on wayfinding knowledge to inspire leadership in others.

Anne Frank's diary has become one of the most important books in history. She received the diary as a birthday gift when she turned 13 in 1942. At first, her entries described her celebrations and gifts. But soon she began documenting how Jews in Amsterdam were being persecuted by the Nazis. Jews were forced to wear yellow stars, banned from public places, and had curfews. Less than a month after her birthday, Anne's family went into hiding in the secret annex of her father's office building. Anne brought her diary with her. Over the next two years, she wrote about her thoughts, feelings, and the events of World War II. In August 1944, the Franks were discovered and arrested. Miep Gies, who had helped hide the family, found Anne's diary scattered on the floor. She gathered up the pages, hoping to return them to Anne after the war. Miep preserved the diary in her desk drawer. When Otto Frank returned after the war, Miep gave him Anne's diary. It was published in 1947. Though Miep and her husband Jan helped the Franks at great personal risk, they did not see themselves as heroes, only as people helping a friend in need. Their story is featured in the new Nat Geo limited series A Small Light about ordinary people who do extraordinary things.

The Dark Reality Behind India’s Festival Elephants explores the complex relationship between elephants and Indian culture. Asian elephants are revered in Hinduism and used in festivals, but they are also endangered and often mistreated. Filmmaker Sangeeta Iyer explains how elephants are captured from the wild and painfully trained to walk through crowded festivals. They are decorated but also scarred and blinded by hooks and prods. One celebrity elephant, Techukotukavuramachandran, has killed people after losing control yet still performs. Iyer bonded with an elephant named Lakshmi who swayed and bobbed her head from boredom. After Lakshmi took her handler's food, he brutally scarred her face and blinded her eye. Elephants have never been truly domesticated, only tamed, so an element of wildness remains. Jyothi Kaurat's film Elephant Country shows some caretakers treat elephants well but others unintentionally or intentionally hurt them through harsh training. India has banned capturing new elephants since 2003, so the population is declining. Current elephants are overworked as demand rises. Iyer advocates for sanctuary where elephants can roam freely. She commissioned robotic elephants to replace live animals in future ceremonies. Theology does not mandate live elephants. Though Iyer receives threats, she persists in speaking out against elephant exploitation. More humane options like robots can maintain ancient traditions without harming endangered elephants.

Paula Kahumbu has studied elephants in Kenya for years and shared insights she has gained. Elephants have cultural knowledge that they pass down through generations about how to survive in their environment. This includes migratory pathways they have used for centuries. All three elephant species - African savannah, African forest, and Asian - are endangered due to poaching and habitat loss. A major threat is the illegal ivory trade. In the late 1980s, Kenya publicly burned its stockpile of confiscated ivory to try to reduce demand. However, poaching continues today. Elephants play an important ecological role, dispersing seeds and creating pathways through forests. Without elephants, forests would be less diverse. However, their need for habitat increasingly brings them into conflict with human settlements. New solutions are needed, potentially involving giving local communities a share or stake in ecotourism revenue so they benefit from having elephants nearby. Overall, the situation for elephants is troubling and more creative conservation approaches are urgently required for their survival. Paula Kahumbu continues to study elephants and advocate for their protection.

The Woman Who Knows What Elephants Are Saying Joyce Poole has been studying African elephants in the wild for 50 years. As one of the first researchers observing elephants in their natural habitat, she made many initial discoveries about their behavior and communication. Elephants use low-frequency rumbles to communicate over long distances. They also make trumpeting sounds for aggression, play, and other emotions. By compiling an ethogram, a dictionary of elephant calls and gestures, Poole has been able to decode their language. Poole shares how elephants express a range of emotions. She describes a female elephant's grief over her dead newborn calf, as well as another elephant's seeming gratitude when Poole helped her drink and saved her baby from hyenas. Poole discusses the debate around attributing human emotions to animals, arguing that elephants clearly experience complex feelings like love, joy, and grief. Poole pioneered techniques for observing elephants, including recording their vocalizations and movements with punch card systems. She collected urine samples to prove male elephants experience hormonal cycles called musth. Poole can identify individual elephants by the unique notches in their ears, the size and shape of their tusks, and other physical characteristics. In addition to furthering knowledge about elephants, Poole works to protect them. Due to poaching, the elephant population declined catastrophically in the late 20th century. An international ban on ivory trade was enacted in 1990. However, elephants remain endangered, and conservation requires addressing the persistent demand for ivory. As Poole says, "If we can't make space for elephants, are we gonna think about the frogs and these birds here?" Saving elephants means saving their whole ecosystem.

Title: Exploring Ramadan and Earthlike Exoplanets Astrophysicist Munaza Alam discusses her work searching for exoplanets, planets outside our solar system, using powerful telescopes like Hubble and James Webb. She analyzes data taken by the telescopes to detect exoplanets and study their atmospheres for signs of habitability. Alam also shares her experience observing the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. She describes the pre-dawn meal called Sahri and breaking the fast at sunset with dates, fried snacks called pakoras, and fruit juices. Alam discusses the spiritual dimension of fasting and contemplating one's purpose. The podcast explores the balance between Alam's scientific career and her faith. She hopes her research will further the understanding of giant exoplanets like Jupiter and smaller, more common rocky planets. Alam aims to lay the foundations for studying these new worlds that are unlike anything in our solar system.

The podcast episode "From the Frontlines to the Shorelines" features National Geographic photographer David Guttenfelder reflecting on his career covering conflict zones around the world. It begins with Guttenfelder describing his experience kayaking among the Apostle Islands in Lake Superior in 2020. He spent 3 weeks paddling and camping on the islands, braving rough waters and storms. The islands were logged heavily in the past but are now a protected wilderness area. Guttenfelder saw signs of ecological regeneration, like old growth forests reclaiming abandoned logging equipment. He also encountered ancient sea caves, eroded sandstone formations, and Ojibwe campers learning about their ancestral lands. The podcast then goes back to recount Guttenfelder's unlikely career as a conflict photographer. In the 1990s, he left his small newspaper job in Iowa to cover the Rwandan genocide. With no experience, he documented the horrific aftermath and refugee crisis. This set the tone for decades of photographing wars across Africa, then Iraq and Afghanistan. In Iraq, Guttenfelder hired a ragtag group of local photographers who went on to win a Pulitzer Prize. After years chasing news stories worldwide, the pandemic grounded Guttenfelder in 2020. He reflects that this forced time at home led him to confront issues like PTSD from his war coverage. The Apostle Islands kayaking trip became a form of therapy, reconnecting with nature and appreciating the beauty in his own backyard. Guttenfelder says wilderness can have a powerful impact on people who have experienced trauma. The trip reaffirmed his belief that small, local stories are just as important as the major headlines he usually chases.

Title: Can You Picture That This Photographer Can and Does Mark Beeson is a staff photographer for National Geographic who recently photographed Egyptian fruit bats for a story. To get a specific in-flight shot of a bat with its wings fully spread, Mark and his team created an elaborate setup with cameras, strobes, and triggers. After many tries, they got the perfect shot. Mark says as a NatGeo staff photographer, he is a "Swiss army knife" who can photograph anything the magazine needs, from portraits to still lifes. He first got interested in photographing fires as a teenager in California. He later got certified as a wildland firefighter so he could get special access to photograph wildfires up close while keeping safe. Mark has a photo studio at NatGeo headquarters where he photographs various subjects. Recently he made it rain inside the studio to photograph an explorer who studies rain reclamation. Mark also keeps beehives on the roof and extracts honey from them. He explains how the honeycomb frames are spun in a centrifuge to fling out the honey. Mark is fascinated by the way a beehive functions as a superorganism.

Title: Scenes from Nigeria's Baby Boom Nigerian photographer Yagazi Amazi was tasked by National Geographic to capture Nigeria's rapidly growing population. By 2050, Nigeria could have nearly 400 million people, making it the third most populous country. Amazi focused her photographs on sectors impacted by population growth including healthcare, education, housing, and agriculture. She photographed a midwife providing prenatal care, girls at an Islamic school, a family living in a cramped one-room apartment, and other scenes of daily life. High fertility rates around 6 children per woman, lack of access to contraception, and lack of education for girls are driving growth. Investing in young people through education and skills training is key to harnessing Nigeria's potential. But current leaders are failing to make these investments. Amazi worries about Nigeria's future with hundreds of millions more people. But she remains hopeful that with better leadership, Nigeria can become a functional country that provides for all its citizens. Her photographs reveal Nigeria's challenges but also moments of joy and pride.

Paragraph 1: Photographer Justin Jin traveled to China in 2022 to work on a story about the country's changing demographics for National Geographic. Due to COVID restrictions, getting into China was extremely difficult and expensive. Once there, Jin had to constantly change plans to avoid lockdowns and quarantines. Paragraph 2: China's population is projected to shrink dramatically in coming decades, declining by over 50% by 2050. After being the world's most populous country for decades, China will soon be surpassed by India. This massive shift is due to the legacy of the one-child policy as well as urbanization and the high cost of raising children. Paragraph 3: To illustrate this abstract trend, Jin photographed telling scenes of modern life in China. His photos show the extremely high cost of childcare, with luxury postnatal centers allowing new moms to return to work quickly. He photographed a family representing three generations affected by the one-child policy, with only one great-grandchild left. Other photos show young couples prioritizing dogs over having children as well as women hiring male escorts, reflecting changing values. Paragraph 4: Facing a declining population, China has now relaxed its one-child policy. However, government propaganda pressuring women to marry and have babies earlier has been ineffective. Many educated, urban women are choosing singlehood and careers over marriage and children. While gender equality improved under Mao, reforms since the 1970s have decreased women's status and opportunities.

The Soul of Music Meklit Hadero tells stories of migration and return This episode of the podcast series The Soul of Music features musician and National Geographic Explorer Meklit Hadero. She discusses how her experiences as an Ethiopian immigrant to the U.S. have shaped the "migration music" she makes. Hadero's mentor was Ethiopian jazz pioneer Mulatu Astatke, who pioneered a style called ethio jazz after studying in the U.S. This demonstrates how music evolves through the intersection of cultures caused by migration. Hadero co-founded the podcast Movement, which explores migration through music. She aims to reframe narratives about migration by spotlighting immigrant artists. The episode includes a clip from Movement featuring Somali rapper Freak, who was born in the UAE. Through his music, he obtained a golden visa allowing him to remain in the UAE long-term. This shows how music gave him a sense of belonging. Hadero is then joined by Kenyan musician Jahawi Bertoli. They discuss how place imprints itself on music, as well as Bertoli's use of ancient rock gongs in his music. The natural world's sounds also inspire Hadero's music. The episode explores how music intertwines with identity, place, nature, and migration. By spotlighting underrepresented immigrant artists, it provides a new perspective on global cultural exchange.

The Soul of Music is a four-part series from National Geographic's Overheard podcast exploring music, history, and adventure. In this episode, host Kyrie Douglas interviews musician Chief Zion Atunde-Ajawa, formerly known as Christian Scott, and National Geographic explorer Justin Dunavant. Chief Zion discusses his concept of "ancestral recall," describing it as a cultural epigenetics or tapping into his ancestors' experiences. He explains how in recording his album Ancestral Recall, he found himself mirroring traditional African rhythms without any formal training in them. Justin relates ancestral recall to his interest in marine archaeology and excavating remnants of the past, like sunken slave ships. The two also discuss Chief Zion's upbringing in New Orleans and early music education learning jazz standards chronologically back to the 1890s ragtime era. Chief Zion created a new brass instrument to capture the layered, ancestral voice he wanted to achieve. He plays his song "Diaspora" which weaves together musical elements from across the African diaspora. Chief Zion explains his genre "stretch music" which aims to unify across cultures through embracing all human musical expressions as valid. The episode ends with his song "Ritual Rise of Chief" which uses call-and-response between trumpet and strings to recreate the energy of multi-generational ritual.

The Soul of Music - Sampa The Great Returns to Her Roots In this episode of The Soul of Music podcast series, host Kyrie Douglas interviews musician Sampa The Great. Sampa is originally from Zambia but grew up between Zambia and Botswana. As a child, she struggled with her identity, feeling like she didn't fully belong in either place. As an artist, she also felt pressure to represent her community perfectly while living in Australia. On her latest album, Sampa returned to Zambia and was able to express her full self through the music, shedding the pressure she had felt. The album incorporates multiple African languages, allowing Sampa to reconnect with her roots. Sampa is inspired by the Zamrock genre from the 1970s which fused psychedelic rock with traditional Zambian folk music. She recently learned her uncle was part of the pioneering Zamrock band The Witch. Other inspirations include Angelique Kidjo and Paul Ngozi. Sampa emphasizes the importance of language in passing on culture and emotion. She incorporates multiple African languages in her songs as a way to reconnect with her ancestry. To recharge from the pressures of touring, Sampa spends time at her family's farm in Zambia. She finds connecting with nature and the land to be grounding.

Title: The Soul of Music - Rhiannon Giddens excavates the past Rhiannon Giddens is a Grammy-winning singer, songwriter, and banjo player. She researches the history of the banjo and how it originated from gourd instruments brought by enslaved Africans to the Americas. The banjo was considered a "black instrument" until the 1800s when white musicians like Joel Sweeney started playing it. Later, it became associated with white Appalachian music and the contribution of black musicians was erased. Rhiannon excavates forgotten history and gives voice to enslaved people by writing songs using slave narratives, advertisements, and other historical documents. Her music explores complex themes like the trauma of slavery and the erasure of black history. She collaborated with cellist Yo-Yo Ma on the song "Build a House" which tells the history of slavery in America through metaphor. It became a children's book with powerful illustrations. Rhiannon wrote the opera "Omar" about an enslaved West African scholar, imagining his inner emotional world. As an artist she finds joy and beauty despite the painful history. Her music is like cultural archaeology, piecing together fragments to reveal forgotten stories.

The Soul of Music is a new 4-part series from the Overheard at National Geographic podcast. It features conversations between musicians and National Geographic Explorers about how history and nature inspire their art. The featured artists include: - Grammy winner Rhiannon Giddens, who discusses banjo history - Rapper Sompa the Great, who jammed out in the Australian outback - Trumpeter Chief Zion Atunde Adjua, who talks about Louis Armstrong's legacy - Ethiopian jazz singer McLeet Hedero, who calls her music "migration music" The episodes will be available starting February 7 on the Overheard at National Geographic podcast. The musicians share in-depth perspectives on their creative processes and how their adventures connect them to nature and history.

Origami, the ancient art of paper folding, is being used by scientists and engineers in innovative new ways. Writer Maya Wei-Haas interviewed researchers who are creating tiny origami robots that could one day be used for medical purposes. For example, a team at MIT has developed origami bots that can fold into a pill and be swallowed. Once inside the body, they could patch wounds or remove foreign objects. Origami is ideal for these tiny robots because the folds allow movement and flexibility on a small scale where gears don't work. The art form can also be applied at any size. For example, a company called Oru Kayak makes folding kayaks using origami techniques. The kayaks pack down small for transport but unfold into full size boats. Origami has captured the interest of mathematicians as well who are working to understand the mechanics behind the folds. While origami was initially met with skepticism from the science community, it has gained more acceptance over time as researchers have discovered its broad applications. Experts believe origami innovation will continue as more origami-inspired designs make their way into real world products.

Nikole Hannah-Jones created the groundbreaking 1619 Project for the New York Times Magazine in 2019, which examined how slavery shaped American society. The project exploded into public consciousness and expanded into a book, podcast, and upcoming Hulu docuseries. Hannah-Jones was able to expand on her original essay about democracy and slavery's influence on the American Revolution in the 1619 book. The book has resonated deeply with students, introducing them to previously unknown history and scholars. The 1619 Project was released at a time when many were grappling with questions of race after the Obama and Trump presidencies. It explains connections between slavery's legacy and modern America that were previously obscured. Hannah-Jones hopes the project encourages other media to uncover buried history and tell a broader American story. She wants it to speak to the silences in traditional narratives. The project has kept growing, from the initial magazine issue to the book, podcast, and now docuseries. More people will be exposed to making connections between slavery's legacy and today's society. Hannah-Jones carries her father and uncle's stories with her. They faced stunted ambitions and health struggles as black men in America. She honors them through her work. While she doesn't see herself as a celebrity, Hannah-Jones knows her work carries meaning for the black community. She feels a responsibility not to let people down.

The podcast provides a behind-the-scenes tour of National Geographic and highlights some of the people and technology that power the organization. - Editor-in-Chief Nathan Lump traces his love of NatGeo back to childhood and discusses how NatGeo tells stories across platforms like print, digital, social media, and podcasts. - In the Exploration Technology Lab, CEO Jill Tiefenthaler and lab manager Denley Delaney showcase deep sea cameras, critter cams, and other tools used by NatGeo explorers. The lab develops technology to study wildlife and environments around the world. - Senior Graphics Editor Fernando Baptista creates intricate paper models of animals and environments that are scientifically accurate and serve as the basis for animated graphics explaining science and nature. - The podcast ends with a sound trivia game featuring audio recorded in the field by NatGeo explorers, highlighting the sights and sounds documented by NatGeo. The podcast provides an immersive behind-the-scenes look at NatGeo's people, technology, art, and sounds as the organization celebrates its 135th birthday. It showcases NatGeo's evolution as a modern multimedia brand while maintaining its core mission of science, exploration and storytelling.

Laura Cable is a Disney Imagineer who led the creative design of Disney's newest cruise ship, the Disney Wish. She started as an architect before joining Walt Disney Imagineering, where she has worked on hotels, theme parks, and now cruise ships. The scale of designing a cruise ship is enormous - the Disney Wish is nearly as long as the Eiffel Tower. The ship is built in pieces around the world, then assembled in a shipyard in Germany. Laura had to learn how to design for a ship, where you can't make changes easily like on land. There are restrictions with materials and weight distribution, but also opportunities for boundless Disney storytelling. Some highlights of the Wish's design are the three-deck high Grand Hall atrium when you first enter, and the Rapunzel stern character painting the ship's name. Laura is proud of details like references to Imagineers in the kids' area that guests may not notice. It takes passionate storytellers from many disciplines - engineers, architects, designers - to be Imagineers and turn fantasy into reality. Laura sees parallels between how National Geographic makes the real world extraordinary through its photography, and how Disney Imagineers create fantastical worlds brought to life.

How Sharks Devoured My Career Gibbs Kaguru was a pre-med student who felt uninspired by his studies. His advisor suggested he join a shark diving tour in South Africa, which changed the course of his life and career. Though initially terrified, Kaguru's first experience diving with great white sharks dispelled his notion of them being bloodthirsty. Seeing their beauty and grace, he was drawn to learn more. Kaguru spent 6 years interning and working for a shark tour company, developing skills needed to be a confident shark scientist. Though offered a chance to return to his medical studies, he couldn't imagine leaving the sharks. He combined his new passion with academic curiosity to learn as much as he could about sharks. Free diving with sharks gave Kaguru an incredible sense of awe and connection. Despite the Jaws effect giving sharks a bad reputation, Kaguru aims to share positive shark stories and change perspectives. He discusses sharks' evolutionary history, resilience, and advanced social behaviors. However, sharks now face threats from human activity like overfishing and pollution. Kaguru's research examines these impacts, like the skin disease emerging in shark populations in the Maldives. He hopes further studies of sharks' genetics and adaptations can inform conservation as well as applications like biomedicine. Kaguru is committed to being a voice for sharks and illuminating the threats they face. Though challenging at times, his shark research has given him a purposeful career and deep appreciation for these ancient ocean animals.

Karen Berry is the nurse at National Geographic whose job is to keep explorers safe and healthy while they are on assignments around the world. She tracks dozens of travelers at a time, contacting them to check on their health and prepare for any medical issues they may encounter. This preparation involves anticipating potential risks like disease outbreaks or injuries, and equipping the explorers with medical kits tailored to their destinations. One of her most frequent patients is biologist Brady Barr, known for his show Dangerous Encounters. He has sustained many injuries over the years, including broken bones, snake bites, and a python bite that required emergency care. The story behind the photo of him facing down the python that bit him is legendary at National Geographic. While in a cave filled with snakes in Indonesia, Brady was bitten on the leg by a massive python he was trying to capture. The bite left large, bloody wounds. After subduing the snake, he had to hike out of the cave in his underwear due to his shredded pants. Karen coordinated his care from afar, arranging transport and treatment once he made it out. Preparing explorers for the inherent risks of their work involves thinking through potential medical scenarios, advising them on precautions, and being reachable for emergencies. Karen's experience, care, and preparedness gives explorers like Brady Barr the confidence to take on dangerous encounters around the world.

Humans have always sought ways to extend life, as seen in the ancient Mesopotamian Epic of Gilgamesh. Today, science is unraveling the biology of aging to understand how to increase lifespan and healthspan. Aging is driven by developmental genes that evolution no longer suppresses after reproduction. Cellular changes like telomere shortening, cellular senescence, and protein misfolding are hallmarks of aging that lead to disease susceptibility. Targeting these hallmarks could expand human lifespan, but the maximum possible lifespan is unknown. Calorie restriction robustly extends lifespan in lab animals, but potential harms make human translation unclear. Most longevity claims are exaggerated, but regular exercise, healthy diet, and good sleep do impact biology of aging. Researcher Matt Kaeberlein uses dogs and worms to study aging. Dogs age faster than humans, so longitudinal studies reveal genetic and environmental influences on longevity. His WormBot automates testing of interventions on nematode worms. High throughput experiments may uncover new longevity pathways. Long-lived people highlight social connections. 107-year-old Willie Mae Avery of Washington DC emphasizes kindness and caring for others. Though we lack proven longevity elixirs, meaningful relationships may help us live longer, happier lives.

Title: Presenting ESPN's Pink Card - The podcast tells the story of Iranian women who have been banned from attending soccer games in stadiums for over 40 years. - Host Shima Olayai explores how soccer is a source of national pride and joy for Iranian women. Her own mother passed down a love of soccer after moving from Iran to America. - The episode profiles Zeinab Sahafi, a young Iranian woman who was determined to sneak into a soccer stadium to watch a game in person at age 12. This set her on a path of activism. - The history of soccer's popularity in Iran is discussed, including how the game was imported by the British. Iran almost hosted the World Cup in the 1970s. - After the 1979 Islamic Revolution, women were banned from stadiums. The episode explains the complex relationship Iran had with the West leading up to the revolution. - Over three generations, Iranian women have fought for the right to attend games. They risked their lives sneaking into stadiums and protesting the ban. - The episode is the first in a series called Pink Card about the activism of Iranian women soccer fans.

Title: The People Behind the Photography - Photographers at National Geographic often rely on local collaborators who assist with transportation, translation, research, and providing cultural context. These collaborators play a crucial behind-the-scenes role. - Collaborators have diverse skills like rigging cameras, flying planes, monitoring remote camera traps, and more. They go on adventures with photographers and sometimes form lasting bonds. - The term "fixer" is sometimes used but can obscure the wide range of expertise collaborators provide. They are partners in shaping the final story. - Local collaborators help provide nuance, prevent mistakes, and build trust with communities. Their perspective strengthens the storytelling. - Photographers and collaborators often face challenges together, from conflicts to wilderness expeditions. These experiences can create deep friendships that last for decades. - New technology allows collaborators to stay in touch across distances and time. Their relationships endure and they can pick up where they left off. - The human connections from collaborations make storytelling less transactional. Shared experiences lead to better, more empathetic journalism.

Bears wandering into human habitats are becoming more common, with sightings everywhere from school playgrounds to backyards. Encounters between humans and bears raise concerns about safety for both people and bears. National Geographic Explorer Rae Wynn Grant studies bears and human-bear interactions. She explains that bear populations have rebounded due to conservation efforts, so there are more bears leading to more encounters. Also, human development encroaches on bear habitat. People are also home more often now and observing wildlife in their neighborhoods. A “problem” bear accesses human food sources like garbage or pet food. Calling authorities about a bear sighting can prevent issues by safely removing the bear. But sometimes people report bear sightings as problems when the bear is just passing through. Indigenous peoples have coexisted with bears, seeing them as part of the natural landscape. Grant collars and tracks bears to study their movements and habitat needs to inform conservation. She also checks on mother bears and cubs in their dens to monitor population health. The cub survival rate indicates whether the ecosystem is balanced. Grant didn't grow up outdoorsy but loved nature shows as a kid. In college she learned she could be a scientist studying wildlife. She advises students to follow their passions over just school performance. There are many careers, not just scientists, that contribute to conservation.

Title: Playback - The Real-Life MacGyver in Nat Geo's Basement Tom O'Brien is National Geographic's photo engineer, working out of a basement workshop to design custom camera gear for Nat Geo photographers. His inventions have helped capture iconic images, like a remote-controlled "funky bird train" to photograph mating sage grouse. O'Brien continues a long tradition of Nat Geo photo engineers. In the 1950s, Harold Edgerton designed underwater lighting and cameras that allowed Jacques Cousteau to showcase the beauty of the ocean depths. Seeing these hidden worlds sparked public interest in ocean conservation. For a new assignment, O'Brien builds a "beaver cam" to photograph beavers under ice. The camera will hang through a hole chainsawed in a frozen pond. O'Brien waterproofs and modifies an underwater housing, welds a metal frame, and fabricates cables. The shoot is delayed, but he plans to reuse the gear for other wildlife projects and even live beaver cams. O'Brien's ingenious custom gear helps Nat Geo photographers capture images of nature in new ways. As with Cousteau's ocean photography, seeing animals up close can inspire people to care about protecting them. Even just one extraordinary published photo makes the effort of inventing new camera technology worthwhile.

The episode features Sadie Corrier, National Geographic's deputy director of photography, discussing how she and other photo editors choose the best photos to represent the year at National Geographic. She explains that out of tens of thousands of photos submitted, she looks for images that move her emotionally and reveal intimate or surprising moments. New technologies like drones provide opportunities for fresh aerial perspectives. Notable photos highlighted include: - An unexpected scene of a family pushing strollers through the snow and ice in Greenland, showing daily life in a remote Arctic community. - A rocket from a SpaceX launch streaking through a moody nighttime photo of a Florida cypress swamp, creating a serendipitous "pterodactyl" moment. - A foggy scene of a taper (pig-like animal) in Brazil, looking as if it's part of a museum diorama, making mysterious eye contact with the photographer. The photo editors aim to tell visual stories that stop viewers in their tracks. Sadie's favorite Nat Geo image is an underwater cave shot by Wes Skiles before he tragically died in a diving accident, adding poignancy. The "Pictures of the Year" collection represents the best of National Geographic photography from 2022.

Who Inspired Wakanda's Warrior Women The Dahomey Amazons, also known as the Igogi, were an elite group of female warriors who served in the Kingdom of Dahomey in modern-day Benin during the 17th-19th centuries. They inspired the fictional Dora Milaje warriors in Marvel's Black Panther. The Igogi likely emerged due to a shortage of men, as many were sold into slavery during the transatlantic slave trade. The earliest Igogi were elephant hunters known as the Gabeto. Under Queen Hangbei in the 1700s, the Igogi became militarized to protect the kingdom. The Igogi endured intense military training, learning skills like avoiding ambushes. They dressed and carried themselves like men, vowing never to have children. Europeans called them "Amazons," but modern historians prefer "warriors" or "soldiers" to describe them accurately. Over 1,200 Igogi fought in the Second Franco-Dahomean War in 1892-1894 against French colonization, suffering massive casualties. With Dahomey under French control, the Igogi's rights were restricted. The last surviving Igogi who fought in the war died in 1979. While pop culture depicts the Igogi as uncomplicated heroes, historians note their involvement in the slave trade was complex. Still, creative license in films can generate interest in Africa's rich histories, helping counter stereotypes of the continent as a homogenous place.

Title: Wayfinding Through the Human Genome Keolu Fox is an indigenous Hawaiian scientist exploring how genomic research can reveal insights into the history and accomplishments of Polynesian people. He grew up in Hawaii learning about traditional Polynesian navigation and the 1977 voyage of the Hokulea, a reconstructed voyaging canoe that sailed from Hawaii to Tahiti to prove that Polynesians purposefully settled the Pacific islands. Fox sees parallels between navigating the vast Pacific Ocean and navigating the human genome. His research examines the genomes of contemporary Polynesian communities to reconstruct their ancestral migratory pathways across the Pacific. He works closely with local communities to ensure the research is done ethically and sustainably. Fox wants to change the field of genomics to be more inclusive of indigenous perspectives. He advocates for benefit-sharing models where communities receive a percentage of revenues from commercial products derived from their genetic data. His vision is that this model will provide resources for communities to buy back ancestral lands. Fox also helped build the first independent, indigenous-run genome center on a reservation. Overall, Fox exemplifies how genomic research can be done collaboratively with indigenous communities in ways that empower them, reveal their histories, and provide resources to support their futures.

Title: Akhenaten - The Egyptian Pharaoh Who Created His Own Myth The podcast episode from National Geographic Kids' Greeking Out discusses the ancient Egyptian pharaoh Akhenaten. Akhenaten radically changed Egypt's traditional polytheistic religion during his 17-year reign in the 14th century BCE. He promoted the sun god Aten as the sole deity and forced Egyptians to abandon worship of other gods like Amun. Akhenaten built new open-air temples to Aten and created a new artistic style showing him and his family with elongated features. He moved Egypt's capital to a new city called Amarna that he built in the desert. This was very difficult for the workers who suffered building it quickly. Akhenaten attacked other gods, closing their temples and removing their images. This made him very unpopular. When he died, the old gods were restored. His son Tutankhamun abandoned Amarna and returned the capital to Thebes. Later pharaohs erased Akhenaten's name. Akhenaten's mythmaking was unsuccessful. But his reign provides insight into a pharaoh trying to gain power by creating a new monotheistic religion and promoting himself and Aten. After his death, Egypt returned to its traditional polytheistic beliefs.

Paragraph 1: The episode focuses on King Tutankhamun, the famous Egyptian pharaoh, on the 100th anniversary of the discovery of his tomb. Host Amy Briggs tours the King Tut exhibit at the National Geographic Museum with archaeologist Fred Hebert. The exhibit recreates the tomb with artifacts, photos of its discovery, and recordings of ancient Egyptian spells. Paragraph 2: Briggs interviews Egyptologist Salima Ikram about Tutankhamun's life and legacy. Tutankhamun restored traditional Egyptian religion after his father Akhenaten radically changed it. After Tutankhamun's early death, he was largely forgotten until Howard Carter rediscovered his tomb in 1922. The tomb was remarkably intact, filled with thousands of artifacts. Paragraph 3: Ikram explains the mummification process, designed to preserve the body for resurrection in the afterlife. Tutankhamun's mummy was unusual, covered in a black resin and with his penis erect, possibly representing the god Osiris. His cause of death remains unknown, with theories including illness, accident, murder, or a hippo attack. Tutankhamun brought fame and tourism revenue to Egypt, making him one of the most impactful pharaohs. Paragraph 4: In the exhibit, Hebert shows Briggs highlights like Tutankhamun's burial chamber, golden artifacts, and everyday objects used to equip him for the afterlife. Intriguingly, Tutankhamun's mummy was buried without its heart, essential for judgment in the afterlife. This episode explores Tutankhamun's extraordinary life, death, and rediscovery.

Enrique Sala, a National Geographic explorer, founded the Pristine Seas project to protect the ocean's last wild places. He leads expeditions to remote areas to survey marine life. On one trip to Argentina's Isla de los Estados, Sala witnessed rockhopper penguins fleeing orcas. He later realized the predator was actually a huge male sea lion that grabbed a penguin. Seeing degraded oceans during his research motivated Sala to switch from academia to conservation. Overfishing, climate change, and pollution all threaten ocean health. But protected areas can recover spectacularly if spared from human impacts. Sala aims to safeguard 30% of the ocean in reserves by 2030. Currently less than 8% has any protection. On expeditions, Sala's team partners with local groups and charters a vessel. Their days begin early with breakfast, diving, data collection, and more diving until exhaustion. Exploring untouched regions offers surprises, like a healthy coral reef swarming with sharks. The abundance upended assumptions that fishing depletes top predators. Sala wants people to eat less meat and more plants. Livestock farming degrades land and emits greenhouse gases. A flexitarian diet would free up half of U.S. farmland for nature while providing health and environmental benefits. Individuals can make a difference through their daily choices.

In early 2022, photographer Esther Horvath joined an expedition sailing to Antarctica to search for Ernest Shackleton's ship Endurance, which sank in 1915. Esther documented life aboard the research vessel as the crew searched for Endurance using underwater drones. After over a month at sea, the search team finally located Endurance on the seafloor, nearly two miles deep and extremely well preserved by the cold Antarctic waters. Esther captured the excitement among the crew when Endurance was found. She also photographed their day-to-day activities on the ship, including a makeshift barbershop and crew members pursuing hobbies during their downtime. Esther wrote daily journal entries imagining the perspective of Shackleton witnessing the discovery of his lost ship. After finding Endurance, the crew paid tribute to Shackleton by bringing photos of the wreck to his grave on South Georgia Island. For Esther, the long expedition provided space for self-reflection and bonding among the crew in pursuit of a common goal.

Title: What You Do Counts - The podcast episode features a conversation between National Geographic writer Jordan Salama and Eyal Huayntrao, a 22-year-old climate activist from Argentina. - Eyal is a co-founder of Youth for Climate Argentina, a social and political movement fighting the climate crisis. The group helped organize Argentina's first youth-led climate strike in 2019. - Eyal also helped create a podcast called "What You Do Counts" that explains the climate crisis to young people across Latin America in bite-sized episodes. It has reached hundreds of thousands of listeners. - The episode discusses how climate change impacts different regions of Latin America uniquely. Eyal explains how it affects farming, glaciers, air quality, and more in Argentina. - They discuss the dangers faced by environmental activists in Latin America and efforts to protect them, like the Escazu Agreement. - As a NatGeo Young Explorer, Eyal received a grant to expand environmental education in Argentina using technology and youth perspectives. - They highlight other NatGeo Explorers working on environmental projects in Mexico and Chile. - The episode concludes with a discussion on coping with climate anxiety and finding hope by connecting with nature and building communities.

Title: Searching for a Butterfly in a Conflict Zone Renna Afendi grew up in Soviet Azerbaijan. Her father was a dissident scientist who studied butterflies. After his death, Renna discovered a rare butterfly had been named after him - Satyrus Afendi. This sparked her interest to find it. The butterfly inhabits a remote mountainous region along the hostile border between Armenia and Azerbaijan. Renna recalls her childhood memories of her father bringing caterpillars home and going on a miserable camping trip to hunt butterflies at age 7. She reflects on his passion for studying butterflies. After his death, 90,000 of his butterfly specimens have deteriorated, leaving only 30,000. Renna became a photographer, often capturing fleeting moments around the world. When she learned about the butterfly named after her father, she felt compelled to find it to honor his legacy. Only a handful of people have sighted it. She meets with her father's old friend and butterfly protege in Armenia to prepare for the search. This gives her a window into her father's world. The political conflict makes it challenging to reach the habitat on both sides of the border. She must take roundabout flights and drives. However, the butterfly helps her connect with people amidst the tensions. Renna reflects on the shared culture between Armenians and Azerbaijanis and the sadness of their entrenched conflict. She remains determined to find the rare butterfly in her father's footsteps, though the outcome is uncertain. It is an emotional search for family history and healing.

Title: A Man of the World - Gil Grosvenor comes from a long line of explorers and leaders at National Geographic. His great-grandfather Alexander Graham Bell was an early president of the National Geographic Society. His grandfather and father were also editors of the magazine. - Gil's grandfather Gilbert Grosvenor transformed National Geographic from a small scholarly journal into a popular magazine filled with photography and maps. - Gil's father Melville Bell Grosvenor had a talent for identifying charismatic scientists and explorers before they became famous, like Jane Goodall and Jacques Cousteau. He gave them their first major funding and coverage in the magazine. - When Gil became editor in 1970, he pushed the magazine to cover challenging topics like pollution, racism, and the Vietnam War, despite resistance from traditionalists. - Gil published a famous cover story called "Our Ecological Crisis" to set the tone about environmental issues. It included shocking photos like the polluted Cuyahoga River on fire. - A poignant conversation Gil had with Jacques Cousteau made him realize the planet was fragile and needed protection. This environmental ethos has shaped National Geographic's coverage ever since. - Though no Grosvenors lead Nat Geo today, the legacy continues as we report on threats to the planet and search for today's pioneering explorers.

The episode provides a behind-the-scenes look at National Geographic's new series Epic Adventures with Bertie Gregory. 29-year-old adventurer and filmmaker Bertie Gregory travels to remote locations around the world to capture rarely seen animal behaviors and highlight conservation efforts. In Zambia, Bertie films crowned eagles hunting bats. He first films the eagles at their nest, then travels to Kasanka National Park where millions of bats migrate each rainy season. Using drones, Bertie is able to film the eagles diving to catch bats mid-flight. He notes the importance of the surrounding forests for the bats and eagles. Bertie then heads to Antarctica in search of fin whales. After braving the dangerous Drake Passage, Bertie finds a massive feeding aggregation of fin whales, the largest ever filmed. Capturing the near-extinct whales is a powerful reminder of successful conservation efforts. Finally, in Zambia's South Luangwa National Park, Bertie documents the strategic hunting dynamics between lions and cape buffalo. After days of tracking, he films an epic standoff between a large pride of lions and a herd of buffalo defending their young. The episode highlights local conservation initiatives aimed at protecting the lion population. Throughout his adventures, Bertie not only captures spectacular wildlife footage but also conveys a message of conservation and humanity's connection to nature. His passion for protecting animals and habitats is the driving force behind these epic adventures.

The podcast episode "Playback Why War Zones Need Science Too" explores how scientists Ella Alshamahi and Sada Mire pursue archaeological research in war-torn countries. Alshamahi, a paleoanthropologist, wants to search for traces of the earliest humans leaving Africa on the Yemeni island of Socotra. Getting there is challenging since Yemen is embroiled in civil war. Alshamahi took a risky trip on a cargo ship to scout Socotra in 2018. She identified prime spots to dig for human artifacts and plans an expedition once the war ends. Mire, an archaeologist, conducts research in her native Somalia, overcoming skepticism from her university. She realized outsiders were overlooking Somali heritage preserved through generations. By supporting local scientists, Mire helped grow Somali archaeology since 2007. Researchers like Alshamahi and Mire counter the assumption that war zones are too dangerous for science. Though risks exist, focusing only on stable places creates a blind spot. The podcast argues that local scientists can uniquely uncover their countries' histories. They hope their work provides a unifying force when conflicts eventually end.

Title: The Problem With Superchickens Summary: The episode explores the concept of "superchickens" - chickens bred to be hyper-productive egg layers. Researchers bred chickens to lay the most eggs, expecting they would outperform normal chickens. But when placed together, the "superchickens" turned out to be so aggressive that they killed each other, while the normal chickens worked together and ended up producing more eggs. This phenomenon is seen throughout nature and human organizations. Individuals bred or promoted for maximum individual productivity can become so competitive that they undermine the overall group's performance. The episode explores examples like cancer cells, cutthroat students in high school Model UN competitions, and dysfunctional corporate policies at Sears department stores. The conclusion is that both competition and cooperation are crucial at different levels of organization, from cells to organisms to human societies. Pure selfishness beats altruism at an individual level, but altruistic groups outperform selfish groups. The ideal approach combines just enough competition to spur productivity, along with ample cooperation to allow teamwork, prevent destructive conflict, and achieve shared goals.

National Geographic photographer Stephen Wilkes captured the beauty of Shai Shai beach in Olympic National Park. To reach this remote beach, Wilkes hiked through rainforest and mud for hours. The Makah Nation has lived near Shai Shai for over 3,800 years and call it the "smelt place." Wilkes stood on a rock for 20 hours to photograph the sea stacks. He took 1600 photos and created a composite image showing 24 hours at Shai Shai. The Klamath River Basin was once wetlands before settlers drained it for agriculture. Tribes like the Klamath have lived sustainably for millennia but now native species are endangered. Dams prevent salmon migration and farming causes algae blooms, harming fish like the Lost River and shortnose suckers. Tribal leader Don Gentry advocates for the environment but drought has increased tensions over water rights. The tribes hope dam removal and working with farmers on solutions like wetland restoration can improve conditions. Conservation aims to have the right relationships with nature, not total separation. Keeping biodiversity preserves possibilities for the future. Extinction closes off opportunities. The competing interests make solutions complex but collaboration and justice for native peoples is key for keeping places like Shai Shai and the Klamath Basin vibrant.

The podcast episode discusses the triumph and tragedy of Indian independence in 1947. It features interviews with Latha Roy Chatterjee, who was born in colonial India, and Sparsha Huja, a young NatGeo explorer documenting partition stories. Key points: - In August 1947, after over 200 years of British rule, India won independence. However, independence was marred by the violent partition of British India into India and Pakistan. - Partition displaced 15-20 million and killed over 1 million in religious violence between Hindus and Muslims. Extremists on both sides fueled tensions. - Latha recalls an idyllic childhood in East Bengal before partition. Her family lost everything and were forced to flee to India. She was not able to return to her homeland for over 60 years due to family fears. - Sparsha is recording partition survivors' stories in an effort to reconnect them to ancestral homes using virtual reality. He hopes younger generations will learn from the mistakes of partition. - The trauma of partition still impacts relations between India and Pakistan today. But there is hope that younger generations may be able to move forward.

In 1961, astronomer Frank Drake organized a secret meeting of 10 leading scientists at the National Radio Astronomy Observatory in Green Bank, West Virginia. Their purpose was to seriously discuss the search for extraterrestrial intelligence, a topic not typically given scientific consideration at the time. Drake was driven by his childhood fascination with the possibility of alien life. As a young astronomer in the late 1950s, he pioneered the first scientific search for signals from alien civilizations. Though unsuccessful, his Project Ozma laid the groundwork for the field of SETI (Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence). At the 1961 Green Bank meeting, Drake introduced his influential Drake Equation, which broke down the question of alien civilizations into component factors like rate of star formation and percentage of planets that could support life. Though funding and technology limited SETI progress for decades, advances like the Kepler Space Telescope's discovery of thousands of exoplanets have recently reinvigorated the field. Drake inspired generations of scientists to persistently ask his big question, and they stand at the threshold of transformative SETI discoveries.

Title: Playback Amelia Earhart Part II The Lady’s Legacy Amelia Earhart was an aviation pioneer and feminist icon. In 2022, a statue of her was unveiled in the U.S. Capitol's Statuary Hall, making her one of only 11 women represented there. This episode explores Earhart's life and legacy beyond her mysterious disappearance. As a child, Earhart was adventurous and independent. She became fascinated with flying in her 20s after her first plane ride. In 1928, she became the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, albeit just as a passenger. This "sack of potatoes" flight motivated her to pilot her own transatlantic flight in 1932, making her the first woman to accomplish this solo feat. Earhart used her fame to advocate for women's equality. She lectured extensively, pushed for careers for women, and befriended Eleanor Roosevelt. She also designed her own luggage line, including a "weekender bag" representing female independence. In 1937, Earhart attempted to circumnavigate the globe but disappeared over the Pacific. While the circumstances of her death remain unknown, her pioneering spirit lives on through women like NASA engineer Diana Trujillo. Though Earhart's life was cut short, her legacy of advancing women's rights and opportunities endures.

Title: Harnessing the Power of Yellowstone's Supervolcano Summary: The Yellowstone supervolcano is one of the most powerful volcanoes on Earth, having had three massive eruptions in the past. An eruption today could have devastating global impacts, causing volcanic winter. However, the NASA report suggesting ways to tap into the volcano's geothermal energy to prevent an eruption was misconstrued. Despite myths, the volcano is not overdue to erupt soon. There are small amounts of molten magma deep below Yellowstone today. Scientists use seismic imaging to study the mostly solid but still hot magma chamber. An eruption requires sufficient molten magma and pressure buildup, which does not currently exist at Yellowstone. Geothermal energy from hot underground rock can be harnessed in many places, not just at Yellowstone. This heat can be used to generate electricity at geothermal power plants or provide heating for homes and buildings. Iceland gets nearly all its energy from renewables, including geothermal. Wider implementation of geothermal systems could reduce reliance on fossil fuels and mitigate climate change. While Yellowstone's heat could theoretically be tapped, disturbing the park could have unintended consequences. However, volcanoes also provide many benefits to society, including fertile soil, useful rocks and minerals, and microbe enzymes. Overall, Yellowstone does not pose an imminent threat, and volcanoes remain vital to life on Earth.

In June 2021, National Geographic photographer Alice Zhu visited Stonehenge in England to photograph modern day Druids honoring the summer solstice. She captured them silently gathering in the early morning darkness, dressed in long white robes and holding a ceremony amongst the stones as the sun rose. This is just one example of how the ancient monument is still used for spiritual practices today. Stonehenge is a prehistoric site in Wiltshire, England consisting of a ring of standing stones surrounded by circular earthworks. It was constructed in several phases between 3000 BC and 1600 BC and aligned with the movements of the sun. The monument has captured people's imaginations for millennia and now attracts around one million visitors per year. Some come just to see the impressive ruins while others, like Druids, come to worship at the site. However, Stonehenge's popularity has led to some modern problems. Part of the issue is its proximity to the busy A303 highway. The road passes within a few hundred yards of the stones, and tourists often slow down to gawk, creating traffic jams. The road is also a major trucking route, leading to congestion and a high accident rate. To alleviate this, the UK government proposed digging a tunnel under the monument so the road could be widened out of sight underground. But this plan is controversial. Some support it as the best solution, while others argue it could destroy buried artifacts or compromise the integrity of the World Heritage Site. Activists have camped out to protest the tunnel and the issue has gone to court. The clash between preserving an ancient sacred place and addressing modern transportation needs has made Stonehenge a complex dilemma. The monument has seen upheaval before, having been used as a military training ground in both World Wars. But with no perfect solution in sight, the future of Stonehenge remains unsettled.

Before 1916, sharks were seen as harmless creatures that posed little threat to humans. But that summer, a series of shark attacks along the New Jersey shore changed perceptions dramatically. In July 1916, a shark killed a swimmer named Charles Van Zandt in Beach Haven. Five days later, another swimmer named Charles Bruder was killed by a shark in Spring Lake. Then in early July, three more attacks occurred farther north in Matawan Creek, resulting in two more deaths. These attacks caused a shark frenzy, with the animals portrayed as ruthless killers in media reports. In response, there was a massive hunt to eradicate sharks along the Jersey shore. This marked a major shift in how sharks were perceived by the general public. Where they were once seen as harmless, they were now viewed as vicious man-eaters. The new shark folklore born from the 1916 attacks would be amplified decades later by books like Jaws and films like the 1975 blockbuster of the same name. This further cemented sharks' reputation as mindless killing machines in the public imagination. However, this perception is at odds with reality. Sharks play an important ecological role as ocean predators, and most species pose little threat to humans. The sensationalized shark stories have fueled public indifference and allowed the overfishing that now threatens many shark species. Conservationists say shark narratives need to move beyond simplistic "killer" stereotypes. A more nuanced understanding of shark behavior and ecology is needed to ensure their survival. More scientific knowledge about sharks could help change attitudes and lead to better protections.

Title: How Black Climbers Are Closing the Adventure Gap Summary: Journalist James Edward Mills traveled to Mount Everest base camp to follow an expedition called Full Circle Everest, the first all-Black team attempting to reach the summit. Though Mills did not climb, reaching base camp at 17,500 feet was still an impressive feat. Everest expeditions rely heavily on Nepali Sherpas for guidance. Mills notes the lack of representation of Black climbers who have summited Everest, estimating around 10 total compared to thousands overall. Full Circle Everest was led by climber Phil Henderson, who wanted to showcase Black representation in mountaineering and wilderness adventures. The team recruited 9 Black American members, including Dom Mullins, who discovered climbing after serving in the Iraq War. The Sherpas were also highlighted as part of the expedition. In April, the team acclimatized at base camp before their summit push on May 12. Seven members and several Sherpas successfully reached the top. Mills hopes the expedition shows that the outdoors are open to everyone, regardless of race. By showing Black role models in mountaineering, it helps close the "adventure gap" that often prevents people of color from exploring nature. The team proved there are no limits to what Black climbers can achieve.

National Geographic writer Craig Welch joins a team of scientists led by ecologist Brian Buma on an expedition to find the southernmost tree in the world on Cape Horn, the southern tip of South America. Getting to this remote location requires grueling travel by boat through treacherous seas. Once on Cape Horn, the harsh winds and terrain make hiking extremely difficult. The team sets up a camp and begins exploring the island. Archaeologist Flavia Morello searches for evidence of indigenous people and finds a campsite revealed by penguin tracks. Meanwhile, the scientists catalog the unique plant and animal life, including sideways growing trees adapted to the extreme winds. After extensive surveying, Brian locates a small gnarled tree that is confirmed to be farther south than any other tree on earth. Finding this humble tree was the culmination of Brian's quest. Although not majestic, it serves as an important ecological marker that can be monitored over time, especially as climate change affects life at the poles. The expedition provided valuable insights into this remote region and reminded Craig of the spirit of Victorian-era scientific exploration.

Title: She Shoots, She Scores: Title IX Turns 50 Summary: The podcast episode explores the impact of Title IX as it celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Title IX was passed in 1972 as part of the Education Amendments and mandated equal access to sports for women and girls in schools. The host walks through Princeton University's campus and attends a women's lacrosse game between Princeton and Maryland. She speaks with her sister and niece who both played lacrosse at Princeton decades apart, as well as their coach who has witnessed the changes brought by Title IX over 36 years. The episode provides background on Title IX and how it dramatically increased opportunities for women in sports. There are interviews with an ESPN reporter about the law's significance. The coach and players share how women's lacrosse and college athletics overall have been transformed with greater funding, resources, technology and support that were unimaginable 50 years ago. They emphasize the importance of protecting and enforcing Title IX so that women and girls can continue to benefit from sports participation, including invaluable life lessons. While progress has been made, inequities still exist and require vigilance.

Title: This Indigenous Practice Fights Fire with Fire The Yurok tribe in Northern California has been practicing cultural burning, the act of purposefully lighting low-intensity fires, for thousands of years. These controlled burns clear out underbrush and pests, allowing important plants like acorns and hazelnuts to thrive. The burns also prevent dangerous wildfires by reducing available fuel. In the early 20th century, the U.S. Forest Service suppressed all fires, damaging the ecosystem and leading to more severe wildfires. The "Smokey Bear" campaign further instilled fear of fire in the public. Recently, as climate change worsens wildfires, land agencies have begun allowing cultural burns again. Margot Robbins, a Yurok basket weaver, helped bring back this tradition by training new generations in fire lighting. Frank Lake, a Forest Service ecologist and Karuk tribe member, uses scientific data to advocate for cultural burning. Their efforts show how indigenous knowledge can combat climate change and create more fire-resilient landscapes.

National Geographic writer Nina Strolik and photographer Andrea Fratetta traveled the ancient Appian Way in Italy for a story, guided by famous walker Ricardo Carnavalini. The Appian Way was the first major Roman road, built in 312 BC to connect Rome to Brindisi on the Adriatic coast. At its peak it stretched 360 miles and helped the Roman Empire expand. Today the road is fragmented in places, with modern development built over sections. Parts are preserved as an archaeological park near Rome. Walking the road, Nina and Andrea met locals like shepherds and elderly brothers living in a farmhouse, hearing stories connected to the Appian Way. They also encountered challenges like an uncrossable river. The sights, sounds and food along the way revealed the layered history and regional diversity of Italy. For Andrea, reaching his grandfather's hometown at the end felt like a homecoming. Some Italians want to restore the road as a symbol of national identity. But its future remains uncertain - whether it can attract more walkers and pilgrims, or will be seen as blocking progress. The journey gave Andrea and Nina a unique perspective on the road's meaning.

The podcast episode discusses efforts to restore the sense of touch for amputees using experimental prosthetics. Brandon Prestwood lost his hand in an industrial accident. After trying unsuccessfully to save the hand, he decided to amputate. This led to depression and trauma over losing part of his body. His family was very supportive during his recovery. Several years later, Brandon's doctor told him about an experimental prosthetic arm being developed at Case Western Reserve University. The arm connects to nerves in the residual limb, allowing sensations to be felt in the missing hand. Brandon decided to participate in the research despite the risks. The prosthetic arm was developed by biomedical engineer Dustin Tyler. It has sensors that interface with nerves that previously controlled the missing hand. Mild electrical pulses are sent to the nerves to simulate touch and pressure sensations. Patients describe the feeling as a tingling sensation. Having a sense of touch allows amputees to have more control and perform delicate tasks. Pain sensations have not yet been tested, but could help avoid damage and make the prosthetic feel more natural. When Brandon first used the arm, it was emotional and he felt whole again. He was able to hold his wife's hand for the first time in years. The project has given Brandon a renewed sense of purpose. He hopes the research may someday help his son if he ever suffers an amputation.

Jessica Nabongo is the first black woman known to have traveled to all 195 UN-recognized nations. She completed her journey to every country in October 2019, a few months after her 35th birthday. Jessica grew up traveling between the U.S. and Uganda. Her early travels made her comfortable with different ways of life and planted the seeds for her ambitious goal to visit every country. In 2017, after traveling to 60 countries already, Jessica was inspired to complete visiting every country after learning about Cassie De Pecol, the first woman to visit all countries. Jessica wanted to be the first black woman to do it. Jessica set a deadline to finish visiting the remaining 135 countries by her 35th birthday. She shared her travels on her blog and social media. Her followers encouraged her to finish when she considered quitting. Jessica had many adventures like swimming with humpback whales in Tonga. She also had some bad experiences like being mistreated by airport security in Pakistan. But the kindness of strangers along the way stuck with her the most. In the end, Jessica made it to all 195 countries. The last one was the Seychelles, where she celebrated with 55 friends and family. Jessica learned that human connections make travel meaningful. Her book about her journeys comes out in June 2022.

Title: Bringing the Dead to Life - In 1936, two children in Sweden discovered a 700 year old bog body while harvesting peat. The police investigated and found the skeleton pinned down in the bog with wooden stakes through the body. - The body became known as the Boxton Man. He likely died violently in the 14th century based on skull fractures and a stake through his heart. - Forensic artist Oskar Nilsen specializes in recreating faces from skeletons to reveal what historical people looked like. He uses a mix of science and art. - Nilsen starts with a 3D replica of the skull, then adds details like age, sex, and ancestry. He reconstructs facial muscles and gradually a face emerges. DNA analysis provides eye, hair and skin color. - Reconstructions can challenge preconceived notions, like the dark skin of Cheddar Man, one of Britain's oldest skeletons. This surprised people who assumed early Britons had light skin. - Nilsen tries to capture the person's essence and make them seem lifelike, not just a skeleton. He focuses on the eyes to convey spirit and emotion. - Nilsen brought "human dignity" back to the famous Boxton Man by reconstructing his face. His somber portrait makes him seem like a real person, not just a victim.

Paragraph 1: Pittsburgh is working to transition from its industrial past to become a greener, more sustainable city. The city is already experiencing climate change effects like harsher winters and hotter summers. Organizations like Tree Pittsburgh are focused on climate solutions like planting trees, which restore soil, sequester carbon, and purify air. The city aims to increase tree coverage from 40% to 60% by 2030. Paragraph 2: Activists like Clara Katongo are connecting climate solutions to social justice issues. As a performing artist and program manager at Tree Pittsburgh, Clara stresses the importance of climate action for future generations. She also highlights the need for representation of marginalized groups in sustainability fields. Paragraph 3: Architects like Erika Cochran-Hamin are making Pittsburgh's buildings more sustainable through retrofits. This improves energy efficiency, comfort, and indoor air quality. Erika puts equity first in her work, researching how built environments affect factors like health and academic performance. She aims to end energy poverty and ensure quality housing and education. Paragraph 4: Though Pittsburgh has an industrial legacy tied to emissions-intensive steel and coal, the city now leads in climate solutions. Lifelong Pittsburgh residents like Sarah Lexack are catalyzing this shift. Sarah helps electrify transportation at Duquesne Light Company, reducing the largest source of US emissions. She's driven by a moral obligation to protect the environment.

Title: Going Undercover to Save Manta Rays National Geographic explorer Malaika Vaz loves manta rays and is shocked to discover they are being illegally hunted and traded in her home country of India. She teams up with filmmaker Nitya Sood to investigate the manta ray trade. They find dead manta rays at fish markets across India and learn the animals are being transported to the Myanmar border. Soldiers confiscate a large shipment of manta rays, likely being smuggled to fund insurgent activities. To uncover more, Malaika goes undercover as a seafood trader. In Hong Kong and China, she finds a large demand for manta rays, used as traditional medicine despite no history of medicinal use. Prices rise as manta rays become more endangered. Through an invoice, Malaika traces the trade back to a kingpin in India. She meets him but her cover is nearly blown. Malaika realizes traders profit off endangerment and governments must collaborate to stop the global wildlife trade. Spreading awareness helps - an army confiscation was possible because someone recognized manta rays from a documentary. Malaika continues pushing for manta ray protection in India, hopeful that steady effort can make an impact.

Title: Farming for the Planet Summary: - Molly and John Chester decided to leave their city life in Los Angeles to start an organic farm called Apricot Lane Farms. Their goal was to regenerate the land and farm within a biologically diverse ecosystem. - They purchased an old lemon orchard and aimed to grow hundreds of plant varieties while working with nature. This was a new challenge for them as inexperienced former city dwellers. - They focused first on rebuilding the soil through composting and other methods before planting crops. Healthy soil with microorganisms is crucial for regenerating life. - The farm now grows cows, pigs, chickens, fruits, vegetables, nuts and more. The diversity provides an immune system to naturally balance the ecosystem. - They have faced challenges including birds, snails, coyotes, drought and fires. But the solutions have come from the biodiversity they created on the farm. - Key lessons learned are to start where there is already healthy ecology and expand from there, and to be curious rather than reactive in facing challenges.

The episode explores the hidden world of plant life through the art of National Geographic explorer Narupa Rao. Growing up in India, Narupa was inspired by her family's botanical legacy, including her great uncle Cecil Zaldana, an influential botanist. As an artist, Narupa aims to reveal the ingenuity and diversity of plant adaptations, especially in India's biodiverse Western Ghats region. She teamed up with her cousin Siddharth, a botanist, to document the rainforest's complex ecosystems. Narupa's detailed botanical illustrations capture views impossible with photography, like an aerial perspective of a 140-foot tree. Her paintings also highlight amazing plant abilities, like carnivorous sundews trapping insects and parasitic ghost orchids stealing nutrients from other plants. She depicted the ruthless strangler fig overtaking its host tree in a dramatic struggle for survival. Narupa's meticulous process involves collecting field sketches, photographic references, and mixing custom watercolors. She hopes to combat "plant blindness" by making people appreciate the creativity of plant life around them. Her art continues the legacy of 17th century Mughal painter Mansur and helps share her family's generations-long fascination with botany.

Title: Solving the Mystery of the Boiling River Paragraph 1: Andres Russo's grandfather told him the legend of Paititi, a lost Incan city of gold hidden in the Amazon. The legend included mentions of a mysterious boiling river, which many explorers claimed to see but no one could prove existed. Andres became obsessed with finding this boiling river after his aunt claimed she had visited it. Paragraph 2: Andres searched for years for evidence of the boiling river in scientific literature but found nothing. He finally decided to venture into the Peruvian Amazon with his aunt to locate the river. After a long trek, they arrived at a valley with a large steaming river too hot to touch. Andres took temperature measurements showing the water was 187 degrees Fahrenheit - hot enough to boil. Paragraph 3: Andres worked to convince the local shaman, Maestro Juan Flores, to allow him to study the river scientifically. The shaman initially distrusted Andres but eventually sensed his good intentions and gave permission. Andres returned many times to research the dangerous boiling river, nearly losing team members to the scalding waters. He solved the mystery that oil companies had covered up the river's existence in the 1920s. The river was naturally heated by geothermal energy from cracks in the earth's crust. Paragraph 4: Over more than a decade, Andres developed a spiritual appreciation for the boiling river as a sacred place connecting heaven and earth. He believes science should be more accessible, personal and open to other ways of thinking. His experiences show that legends can reveal truths and scientists have much to learn by listening to indigenous peoples.

Title: Turning Old Cell Phones into Forest Guardians Summary: National Geographic explorer Topher White designed a device called the Guardian that uses old cell phones to listen to sounds in the forest and detect illegal logging activity. The devices are solar-powered and send audio clips to the cloud, where chainsaw sounds can be identified. White first tested the devices in Indonesia in 2013, and they successfully detected loggers on their first day. Since then, Rainforest Connection, White's startup, has expanded the project to other countries like Cameroon and Brazil. They have partnered with indigenous groups like the Tembe in Brazil to help patrol their land. The Guardians act as a deterrent and alert system rather than a means to make arrests directly. They have also proven useful for recording biodiversity, identifying over 600 species so far. As climate change threatens these ecosystems, the audio recordings may be our only chance to preserve the sounds of endangered environments. Overall, the Guardians demonstrate an innovative way technology can support conservation efforts and empower local communities. The project faces ongoing challenges adapting to each new environment but shows promise in the fight against deforestation.

Paragraph 1: The podcast begins by discussing how the video game Sid Meier's Pirates transported the host to the Caribbean during the 1500s-1600s to live the life of a pirate. This leads into a discussion of female pirates, like Ching Shih, who led one of the most successful pirate fleets in history with around 70,000 pirates. Paragraph 2: The episode provides background on Ching Shih, who was born in southern China in the late 1700s and worked in a floating brothel before marrying the leader of the pirate confederation, Zhang Yi. After Zhang Yi's death, Ching Shih took over leadership of the massive pirate fleet through strategic marriages and alliances. Paragraph 3: Ching Shih implemented organization and discipline to maintain control of the unruly pirates. She established strict rules and codes of conduct, like beheading for disobedience, but also incentives like a fair system for dividing plunder. Her fleet grew as fishermen joined. The pirates used ruthless tactics, like torturing and killing Chinese Navy sailors. Paragraph 4: The Chinese government tried to shut down the pirates by offering retirement deals. Ching Shih and her husband eventually surrendered, but negotiated to keep their ships and money. Ching Shih died at age 69 after living as a businesswoman. Though not as famous in the West as male pirates, in Southern China legends of her pirate fleet live on. The episode concludes that telling stories of female pirates like Ching Shih helps fill gaps in what history has taught about piracy being a male domain.

Title: First Ascent of a Sky Island Transcript Summary: The episode follows biologist Bruce Means and climber Mark Sennett on an expedition to climb Wai'asipu, an unexplored tepui or "sky island" in the Guyana Highlands of South America. Tepuis are flat-topped mountains with sheer cliffs, surrounded by waterfalls. Their isolation has led to unique wildlife, like frogs found nowhere else. In 2012, Bruce and Mark visited Wai'asipu by helicopter but were unable to capture a rare frog species Bruce spotted. In 2021, at age 79, Bruce aimed to return overland through the jungle and climb Wai'asipu to find the frog. The 10-day jungle trek was grueling, through nonstop rain and mud. Bruce struggled through exhaustion. After scouting ahead, the team decided the climb was too dangerous for Bruce. Climbers Alex Honnold, Federico Pisani, and Mark continued to the top to search for the frog. The demanding multi-day climb up the uncharted overhanging walls was treacherous. On top, the bizarre landscape was shrouded in fog. Despite nearly hypothermic conditions, they searched unsuccessfully for the frog. Returning empty-handed, the climbers found Bruce had discovered a new, related frog species in the jungle below. Though they didn't find the target species, the expedition was deemed a success, with several new species identified that may reveal more about the evolution of these isolated ecosystems.

The ancient Persian holiday of Nowruz marks the vernal equinox and the beginning of spring. It is celebrated by 300 million people globally. Nowruz has astronomical origins, as ancient Persian astronomers would track the positions of the constellations Taurus and Leo to predict the equinox. The bas-reliefs at the ancient site of Persepolis depict Taurus and Leo, representing the change of seasons. Photographer Bobak Tafreshi became fascinated with astronomy and archaeology as a teenager in Iran. He was inspired by poets like Omar Khayyam who connected astronomy to Persian culture. Bobak's photography project "The World at Night" captures landmarks and ruins beneath starry skies, illustrating the connection between earth and the cosmos. Nowruz represents rebirth and renewal. Bobak's photographs reconnect us to the ancient origins of Nowruz through depicting ancient sites like Persepolis under the same night sky the ancient astronomers saw. Nowruz and appreciating the night sky remind us of our shared humanity and place in the universe. We can all go outside and look up at the same stars our ancestors did thousands of years ago.

The episode explores Amelia Earhart's legacy as a pioneer for women's equality and independence. It discusses how Earhart rejected traditional gender roles and actively campaigned for women's rights. As a young girl, Earhart was inspired by the myth of the warrior woman Atalanta. She decided early on to never marry, wanting to have a life and purpose of her own. Though she eventually married, Earhart made it clear her freedom came first. Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic in 1932. Her celebrity gave her a platform to advocate for women's rights and careers. She lobbied presidents, befriended Eleanor Roosevelt, and lectured widely. At Purdue University, Earhart advised female students to pursue careers over motherhood. She saw her position at Purdue as a chance to retire from aviation and focus on empowering women. Earhart's disappearance cut short her plans. But her spirit lives on through the millions of women she inspired to be strong, independent, and challenge conventions. Though the mystery remains, Earhart's true legacy is clear.

The podcast episode explores the mysterious disappearance of famous aviator Amelia Earhart during her attempt at a round-the-world flight in 1937. Earhart was a pioneer for women in aviation and a beloved public figure. She completed many record-setting flights in her career, including being the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean. In 1937, Earhart attempted to circumnavigate the globe in her plane along with navigator Fred Noonan. On July 2nd, after completing the longest and most difficult leg of the journey from New Guinea to Howland Island in the Pacific, her plane vanished. Despite launching the largest search effort up to that time, no trace of Earhart or her plane was ever found. Earhart's disappearance has become an enduring mystery and fascination for generations. Many theories have emerged over the decades about what happened to her, including that she crashed and sank near Howland Island, landed and survived as a castaway on a remote island, or was captured by the Japanese. No conclusive evidence has ever been found to support any one theory. The episode explores how Earhart's story continues to captivate many explorers, historians and theorists who search for evidence to finally solve the mystery. Her disappearance remains one of the great unsolved mysteries of the 20th century.

The podcast explores issues of bias in facial recognition technology and how it can lead to false arrests, particularly for people of color. It focuses on the story of Robert Williams, a Black man in Detroit who was falsely arrested due to an incorrect facial recognition match by police. The episode examines why these algorithms can be biased, often due to lack of diversity in the training data sets and among the programmers creating the technology. For example, some systems are more accurate at identifying lighter skin and male faces. It highlights work by people like Joy Buolamwini, who founded the Algorithmic Justice League to fight bias in AI, and Patrick Grother at the National Institute of Standards and Technology, who has studied racial bias in facial recognition systems. Their research found major accuracy disparities, with systems misidentifying African Americans and Asians at much higher rates than Caucasians. The episode explores potential solutions, like better training data, more diversity among AI developers, and regulation of the technology. Some cities have banned use of facial recognition by police. But the technology remains largely unregulated even as it expands to more government agencies and companies. The podcast argues humans need to remain involved in oversight.

Mingma Gyalje Sherpa, known as Mingma Ji, leads a team of Nepali climbers attempting to summit K2, the world's second highest and most dangerous mountain, in winter. This has never been done before. They struggle through harsh winds and have to turn back from a dangerous crevasse. K2's steepness, cold, and wind make it incredibly treacherous to climb, even in summer. Climbing it in winter is considered impossible and suicidal. But Mingma Ji is determined to make history for Nepal. He assembles a team willing to take the risk, promising their families he will care for them if they die. At base camp, Mingma Ji meets Nirmal Purja, known as Nims, who is leading another Nepali team with the same goal. They agree to work together and support each other's teams. After being stuck at base camp for two weeks due to winds, they climb together, taking turns breaking trail. As they near the summit, Mingma Ji's oxygen equipment fails, and he gets dangerously cold. He decides to turn back to avoid losing his fingers or feet. But he can't reach his team by radio, so he is forced to keep climbing. The sun rising saves him from frostbite. At the summit, Nims and Mingma Ji decide all 10 climbers will step onto the summit together, with no one claiming to be first, to share the glory for Nepal. They summit singing the Nepali national anthem, making history.

The podcast episode follows National Geographic explorer Danielle Lee as she explores urban wildlife in her neighborhood in North St. Louis County. She takes the host on a walk through Wilderness Park, a dense overgrown area near suburban neighborhoods. Lee explains that she is fascinated by these urban green spaces that allow wildlife like field mice to thrive unnoticed by humans. Lee has studied rodents for over 20 years, including prairie voles in the rural Midwest. She faced challenges as a black female scientist, with white rural community members frequently calling the police on her fieldwork. Lee realized she needed "caring protocols" to do fieldwork safely as a black scientist. The episode connects Lee to Charles Henry Turner, an early 20th century black zoologist who did groundbreaking insect research in St. Louis parks but went unrecognized due to racism in academia. Lee feels she is following in his footsteps doing urban ecology in St. Louis. She wants to investigate if historic segregation affects how mice populations thrive in white versus black neighborhoods. Lee also discusses taking her students into nature and relating scientific concepts to hip hop lyrics. She aims to empower them as young people of color to see themselves as scientists with knowledge, not as "empty vessels." Overall, the episode depicts Lee's efforts to make science more inclusive, ethical, and connected to local communities.

The podcast episode "The Price of Adventure" tells the story of Max Lowe, the son of famous mountaineer Alex Lowe. When Max was young, he went on an expedition to climb Denali with his father's climbing partners John Krakauer, Jeremy Jones, and Conrad Anker. During the climb, they got caught in a dangerous thunderstorm that put their lives at risk. This experience made Max realize the dangers of mountaineering and turned him off from pursuing it as a career like his father. Alex Lowe was considered one of the greatest mountaineers of his generation. He made first ascents all over the world and pushed the sport to new extremes. His close friend and climbing partner was Conrad Anker. In the 1990s, Alex and Conrad were at the top of the sport and making a living as professional climbers through sponsorships and film deals. This allowed Alex to focus on climbing full-time and attempt increasingly audacious climbs. In October 1999, Alex, Conrad, and cameraman David Bridges were in Tibet to climb Shishapangma and ski down it, which had never been done before. After setting up a base camp, the three decided to take a short hike to scout the route. Tragically, they were caught in an avalanche which killed Alex and David. The loss was devastating to Alex's family, especially his wife Jennifer and their three young sons. Conrad was wracked with guilt for surviving the avalanche that killed his partners. He grew close to Alex's family, eventually marrying his widow Jennifer. In 2016, Alex and David's bodies emerged from the Shishapangma snow after being lost for 16 years. The family traveled to Tibet to finally put Alex to rest and gain closure. Despite the inherent dangers, Conrad continues to climb, feeling it is his purpose in life. Alex's oldest son Max went on to become a filmmaker. His documentary "Torn" tells his family's story and examines the passions that drive people to take risks climbing mountains. Max explores the exhilaration but also costs of pursuing adventure. The film provides a balanced perspective on the sport his father devoted his life to.

Title: The Arctic Story Hunter Summary: National Geographic explorer and photographer Evgenia Arbogaeva grew up in the Russian Arctic town of Tixi. After moving away, she returned 19 years later to photograph the town through the eyes of a local girl named Tanya. Tanya's childhood perspective showed Evgenia the town wasn't as sad and abandoned as it first appeared. Evgenia also photographed lonely weather station operators like Slava, who found meaning in the harsh landscape. She lived with nomadic reindeer herders, migrating across the tundra with their herds. The Arctic is rapidly changing due to climate change. Ancient mammoth tusks emerging from melting permafrost have sparked a "tusk rush" as ivory for carvers. Evgenia worries about disappearing Arctic islands and wants to convey the beauty of the fragile tundra ecosystem. She continues photographing the Arctic and its people, seeing both awe and fear in the changing landscape.

Episode Title: Resurrecting Notre-Dame de Paris Summary: - In April 2019, a devastating fire severely damaged the iconic Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. Since then, a massive restoration effort has been underway to rebuild and restore the 850-year-old cathedral. - Photographer Tomas Van Houtreiff has been documenting the restoration for National Geographic. He describes gaining rare access to the cathedral, including climbing up the towers and flying a drone inside to photograph the damage. - The restoration process is like an archaeological dig, uncovering centuries of history. Stone carver's marks from the Middle Ages have been uncovered, showing the work of individual masons. - Rope access technicians are helping with the restoration work, climbing and rappelling from ropes to reach difficult areas. Tomas bonded with the climbers over their shared love of heights. - The cathedral has inspired many artists over the centuries, including Victor Hugo's novel The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Tomas feels inspired yet daunted trying to capture Notre Dame's layers of history in his photographs. - Tomas hopes his photos can convey the significance of Notre Dame and the collective human achievement it represents. He is proud to play a small part in the cathedral's ongoing evolution and restoration.

National Geographic photographer Lindsay Adario was on assignment in Northern California in August 2021, documenting the devastating Caldor wildfires near Lake Tahoe. As the fires raged, she recorded audio of the intense flames approaching and the tense atmosphere as people realized they couldn't control the blaze. Adario and others had to evacuate a ski lodge before it was engulfed, and she lamented missing the opportunity to photograph the lodge burning down. Adario's photos were part of National Geographic's special "Year in Pictures" issue, which collected images from their photographers around the world over the past year. Editors Whitney Johnson and Sadie Corrier sifted through nearly 2 million photos to select the most powerful and poignant ones for the issue. The images covered major 2021 news events like COVID-19, climate disasters, and political conflicts. One standout photo showed a tiny firefighter amid raging flames, conveying the futility of battling the out-of-control wildfires. New photographer Mohammed Fadli contributed moving photos from Indonesia showing the scale of COVID's impact, from mass burials to crowded vaccine centers. Still photos can capture defining moments and sear them into memory in a way other media can't. While augmented reality and audio recordings complement still images, photos will endure as milestones marking events in time. The "Year in Pictures" issue encapsulates 2021 through stirring photos and the stories behind them.

The episode explores the ancient city of Cahokia, which was built by the ancestors of the Osage Nation in what is now southwest Illinois. At its peak around 1100-1200 AD, Cahokia had around 20,000 residents, making it the largest city north of Mexico at the time. The city was known for its large earthen mounds, the largest of which is Monks Mound. Cahokia rose quickly thanks to its ideal location near the meeting of the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers, the discovery of corn agriculture in the region, and a temporary warming of the climate. The city spread Mississippian culture up and down the Mississippi River valley. However, Cahokia was abandoned just a few hundred years later, likely due to climate change causing droughts. The Osage Nation considers Cahokia and related sites sacred. However, many mounds in the St. Louis area were destroyed by development in the 1800s-1900s. The Osage recently bought Sugarloaf Mound in St. Louis to preserve it. They tried unsuccessfully to buy Picture Cave, which has ancient paintings and is considered the most sacred Osage site. The Osage aim to buy back more ancestral lands and build an educational center at Sugarloaf Mound. Their goal is to preserve the legacy of Cahokia and share the history of their ancestors who built it.

Title: Kenya's Wildlife Warriors Summary: The podcast episode follows Kenyan conservationist Paula Kahumbu as she works to inspire a new generation of wildlife protectors in Kenya. Kahumbu hosts a popular TV show called Wildlife Warriors that showcases Kenya's incredible wildlife and the scientists working to study and conserve them. She is determined to change the perception that wildlife is only for tourists, not for Kenyans themselves. Kahumbu believes the future of conservation lies with ordinary Africans standing up to defend their natural heritage. The episode explores the diverse ecosystems of the Serengeti in Kenya and Tanzania, under threat from poaching, habitat loss, and other human activities. It highlights the need for grassroots action to preserve critical corridors and landscapes so iconic species like elephants, lions, and giraffes can continue thriving. By bringing conservation into people's living rooms through her TV show, Kahumbu aims to create mass awareness and mobilize wildlife warriors across Kenya to say "it's not okay" to lose these treasures. The fate of Africa's wild places and animals ultimately depends on the people who call it home.

The Gateway to Secret Underwater Worlds This episode explores how humans have learned to explore the remote underwater world. It focuses on the inventions and expeditions of Jacques Cousteau, who pioneered scuba diving equipment and underwater photography. His films revealed the beauty of the underwater world and inspired future generations of divers like Laurent Ballesta. As a young man, Laurent was the first to photograph a rare fish called the Andromeda goby in the Mediterranean. This discovery gave him confidence to lead an expedition to find the coelacanth, an ancient fish thought to be extinct. After diving deep off the coast of South Africa, Laurent became one of the few people to see this living fossil and take its photograph. The episode emphasizes how the underwater world, full of undiscovered places and creatures, is a parallel world hidden just out of reach. Innovations like scuba make more of the oceans accessible to humans. But as Laurent learned, wonders await even closer than we realize if we just go deep enough. There are still gateways to amazing secret worlds in our own oceans.

Title: Ancient Orchestra The episode explores ancient musical instruments from around the world and across time. It begins by playing a recording from 1857, the earliest known recorded sound. The host speaks with a researcher about the Stone of Seikilos, an ancient Greek tombstone containing the oldest complete piece of music with lyrics. She plays it on a replica lyre. The song's lyrics translate to "shine while you live, as life is short." Next, the host discusses the tomb of the Marquis I of Zang in Bronze Age China. It contained a full orchestra of instruments including 65 bronze bells. Archaeologists have played them to study the sounds. In Peru, conch shell trumpets were found in the Chavin temples. Their sound was enhanced by the temple's architecture. In Tanzania, a massive rock gong produces an incredible resonant tone when struck. Rock gongs may be tens of thousands of years old. Finally, a 40,000 year old vulture bone flute found in Germany is played. It is the oldest known man-made instrument. The host combines recordings of the instruments into a composite piece of music. The episode reflects on how music connects us to humanity across vast spans of time.

Diana Markosyan discusses her childhood in Moscow during the collapse of the Soviet Union and her family's abrupt midnight move to Armenia when she was 7 years old. Her mother had married an American man she met through classified ads, and they moved to Santa Barbara, California. As an adult, Diana learned her mother's marriage was a means to leave Russia. Feeling lost, Diana turned to photography in graduate school as a way to find herself. She moved back to Moscow and started photographing stories, including the family of a terrorist bomber. Her photo became Picture of the Year for Reuters. Seeking more answers about her past, Diana went to Armenia to find her estranged biological father. Their emotional reunion helped fill in missing pieces. For a project on the Armenian genocide, Diana photographed and interviewed survivors. To give them closure, she traveled to their ancestral villages in Turkey, photographed the landscapes, and printed large-scale prints for the survivors to see their homelands again. The project connected Diana to her Armenian roots. Photography has given Diana “a second chance to really understand my place in the world.” She uses it to better understand herself and those she photographs.

The podcast explores how some modern communities around the world have chosen to live in caves, connecting them to ancient human history with caves. It begins with the story of early American settlers living in caves along the Delaware River in 1681 before building the city of Philadelphia. Caves provided temporary shelter but were later abandoned as the city grew. The host discusses our fascination with exploring caves, an unseen "lost continent" right beneath us, with cave expert William Hunt. He explains there are unexplored cave systems worldwide that we have barely begun to understand. Photographer Tamara Marino captured images of modern cave dwellers, like a community at Hatch Rock in Utah. They dynamited caves in the rock to create off-grid homes, motivated by their fundamentalist Mormon beliefs. In Australia, the town of Coober Pedy has "dugouts" instead of houses to escape extreme heat. Residents burrowed underground to live alongside valuable opal mines. The Sacromonte caves in Spain house flamenco dancers and marginalized groups seeking freedom. Tamara photographed their vibrant culture. Cave living could provide refuge from climate change in the future. The communities documented show sustainable, low-impact ways of life adapted to the underground. Our relationship with caves spans human history, from temporary shelter to spiritual sites to future habitat.

The podcast episode follows Rodrigo Medellin, a bat researcher known as the Batman of Mexico. Medellin became fascinated with mammals and wildlife as a young child. His appearance on a TV game show as an 11-year-old mammal expert led to an invitation from Mexico's top mammal researcher to see real mammals in the field. Medellin soon became enamored with bats and made it his life's work to change public perception about them. For hundreds of years, bats have been seen negatively as blood-sucking villains, partly due to myths linking them to vampires. But bats play vital ecological roles, like eating insects that threaten crops and pollinating plants. Medellin aims to highlight bats' importance and reverse the damage done by myths. One way Medellin improved bats' image was by partnering with Mexico's tequila industry. He convinced producers to let more agave plants flower naturally, which provides food for endangered lesser long-nosed bats. This pollination also increases agave genetic diversity, protecting tequila from crop blights. A mutually beneficial bat-friendly tequila certification program was created. However, the COVID-19 pandemic renewed unfounded accusations against bats as a possible source. This misinformation has led to bats being killed worldwide. Medellin has worked tirelessly to spread facts, clarify that bats don't directly transmit COVID-19, and stop the violence against them. Medellin finds renewal in the tranquility of bat caves and wants to bring people into the world of bats. We can help bats by learning about them, putting up bat houses, and sharing facts to become bat defenders. Medellin aims to transform bats' image from villains into heroes we need.

The podcast discusses the insights gained from studying ancient graffiti in the ruins of Pompeii. Graffiti was originally an Italian term referring to scratched inscriptions found in Roman ruins. The graffiti in Pompeii provides a unique window into the lives of everyday people like women, slaves, and visitors. The graffiti includes things like prayers, literature quotes, grocery lists, gladiator stats, and even reviews of local businesses. Rebecca Benefiel, a scholar who studies the graffiti, explains how the eruption of Mt. Vesuvius in 79 AD perfectly preserved Pompeii under ash and pumice. This allowed the city's plaster walls covered in graffiti to remain intact when excavations began in the 1800s. She and her students work to document the graffiti before exposure to the elements causes the plaster to crumble. Some newly discovered graffiti provides evidence that Vesuvius may have erupted later in 79 AD than long thought. A charcoal inscription dated October 17 without a year indicates the eruption was likely in autumn rather than August. This fits with archaeological evidence like the types of produce harvested and the clothing worn by victims. While not definitive proof, it adds an intriguing piece to the puzzle of understanding exactly what happened in Pompeii.

Paragraph 1: The Frozen Zoo at the San Diego Zoo contains frozen cell samples from over 10,000 animals, including many endangered species. It was started in the 1970s by Dr. Kurt Benirschke, who wanted to see if assisted reproduction technologies being developed for humans could help save endangered animals. The cells are preserved at -196°C in liquid nitrogen tanks, stopping all life processes until the vials are thawed. Paragraph 2: The frozen samples contain valuable DNA that could help rescue species from extinction. Techniques like cloning and stem cells may allow scientists to use the DNA to produce embryos or gametes and create offspring. This has already been done with mice. For northern white rhinos, only cells remain after the death of the last male, Sudan, in 2018. Researchers hope to use frozen cell samples to prevent the species' extinction. Paragraph 3: While new technologies create possibilities, experts urge caution about technological optimism. The environments that led to extinction still need to be addressed. Returning captive-bred animals to the wild can be very difficult. And extinct species may lack the behaviors and gut bacteria needed to survive. The Frozen Zoo provides hope but cannot replace habitat conservation efforts. Paragraph 4: The Frozen Zoo also helps living endangered species by providing an infusion of genetic diversity, similar to how Texas panthers were used to rescue the Florida population. So it serves as an insurance policy and additional tool for traditional conservation approaches. Though unproven, it expands our options at a critical time when so many species face extinction.

The Guerrilla Cyclists of Mexico City Jorge Cáñez is a cycling activist in Mexico City who patrols the streets in a costume to help pedestrians and promote cycling. He goes by the name "Pertonito" (Little Pedestrian) and wears a mask and cape to take a stand against dangerous driving and lack of pedestrian infrastructure. He helps people cross streets, paints bike lanes, and marks potholes to make the streets safer. Though his mother worries, Cáñez feels empowered with a secret identity to fight for pedestrian rights. Mexico City has few bike lanes and dangerous, congested streets. Activist Arely Carrillo became an advocate for cycling after seeing her sister suffer asthma attacks from pollution. She has tried various tactics over 20 years to promote biking, including a nude bike ride painted as a famous statue. Carrillo eventually married a man she met on a bike forum. The couple worked to pressure politicians for more bike infrastructure. In 2011, they took matters into their own hands and painted a bike lane outside government offices. The Netherlands and other countries have undergone cycling transformations. As auto fatalities spiked in the 1970s, activists demanded safer streets. Tom Grode Freuij and others painted bike lanes themselves overnight. Though briefly arrested, they drew attention and the city installed the lanes. Thanks to continued activism, Dutch cities now have extensive bike infrastructure and far fewer traffic deaths. Experts believe similar bike revolutions can happen anywhere. US cities are expanding networks of bike lanes, greenways and public transit. While progress takes time, cities like Seville, Spain quickly installed many miles of bike lanes. With vision and public pressure, experts believe North America too can transform into bike-friendly cities.

Photographer Hannah Reyes Morales grew up in Manila, Philippines and was curious about the world beyond her home. As a teenager, she was inspired by photographer Annie Griffiths' book A Camera, Two Kids, and a Camel, which showed a woman photojournalist's behind-the-scenes life on assignment. Morales started working as a news photographer in Manila, learning to work quickly to capture images. She later moved to Cambodia, where she connected with a broader international photography community. In Cambodia, Morales documented forced marriages under the Khmer Rouge and the rare couples who fell in love despite the trauma. She tried to balance portraying the sweetness of the couples now while not forgetting the atrocities they endured. Back in the Philippines, Morales covered President Duterte's violent war on drugs campaign. She noticed that amidst the crime scenes, life went on - people comforted babies, did karaoke, celebrated birthdays. Her work explores how people create safe spaces and find refuge in turmoil. Morales says her own childhood trauma informs her interest in how people care for each other. She aims to learn from her subjects' grace and resilience. Morales feels connected to stories about how women provide support structures when formal ones are lacking. She is driven by curiosity about humanity and a desire to process her experiences by learning from others.

National Geographic photographer Joel Sartore has spent 15 years photographing every animal species living in captivity for his Photo Ark project. When the COVID-19 pandemic halted his travels in 2020, he shifted to photographing insects in his backyard and surroundings. Though often overlooked, insects are vital to ecosystems and humanity. Over 80 years, half of all species may go extinct. Sartore wants to draw attention to small, threatened species to inspire conservation. He photographs animals against black and white backgrounds at zoos and sanctuaries, revealing their personalities. During the pandemic, Sartore photographed about 1,000 wild insects across 6 states, including a rare moth species. His insect portraits resemble early 20th century backyard bug photos by National Geographic explorers David and Marion Fairchild. Their book, The Book of Monsters, used homemade equipment to capture insects up close. Sartore hopes close-up photos will help people appreciate and conserve overlooked species. There's still time to protect habitats and change behaviors to save nature and ourselves.

National Geographic sent a team to Afghanistan to report on life there before the Taliban regained control. The country had experienced 20 years of war and efforts to build a Western-style democracy after the US ousted the Taliban in 2001. But now the Taliban are back in charge after the Afghan president fled the country. The episode explores the divide between urban and rural Afghans, and between older generations who lived under Taliban rule and younger ones who came of age after 9/11. In cities like Kabul and Kandahar, young people frequented cafes, universities, and libraries, enjoying small freedoms. Women like Nilofar Ayubi ran businesses and didn't have to wear burkas. The Afghanistan National Institute of Music allowed girls like Sombo to study instruments that were once banned. In contrast, life remained extremely harsh in rural areas barely touched by foreign aid. Mud huts lacked electricity or running water. Teenage boys saw no future, expecting to die fighting for the Taliban or government. Corruption funneled aid money to elites like Mahmoud Karzai who built luxury compounds. When the Taliban entered Kabul, residents like photographer Qiana Hayeri fled in panic. After calling the capital home for six years, she doesn't know if she can ever return. The episode explores how quickly progress and freedoms were lost when the Taliban regained total control only two decades after being driven out.

NASA scientist Adriana Ocampo was inspired as a child in Argentina to study the stars and space. Her curiosity led her to discover the Chicxulub crater in Mexico, providing evidence that an asteroid impact caused the extinction of the dinosaurs. Now, Ocampo is the program executive for NASA's Lucy mission, which will visit the Trojan asteroids near Jupiter. These asteroids may provide clues about how the solar system formed. The Lucy spacecraft is named after the famous early human fossil discovery in Africa. Just as that fossil revolutionized our understanding of human origins, the mission aims to transform our knowledge of the solar system's evolution. Lucy will fly by seven different Trojan asteroids, more than any previous mission. Studying asteroids and other small bodies helps explain how elements like water and organic compounds arrived on Earth. Their composition provides hints about where they formed in the solar system. OSIRIS-REx recently collected a sample from the asteroid Bennu that will help unravel these mysteries when it returns in 2023. While asteroid impacts are a threat, missions like Lucy and OSIRIS-REx will advance our capabilities for future asteroid detection and deflection. After Lucy launches in 2021, it will take several years to reach its targets. But it could provide the first close-up glimpse of these primitive leftovers from the birth of the planets.

National Geographic reporter Rachel Bail attended the trial of notorious cheetah smuggler Abdi Haiwan in Somaliland. Ten cheetah cubs were presented as evidence, rescued from the home of Haiwan's accomplice. Haiwan claimed he didn't recognize the cubs. Cheetahs are endangered, with only about 7,000 left globally. Somaliland is a hub for the illegal cheetah trade due to its proximity to the Middle East, where wealthy buyers want cheetahs as exotic pets. Social media drives the trade. Droughts have made it harder for Somaliland's pastoralists to maintain herds. When a cheetah kills their livestock, they may try to sell the cubs to recoup losses. Many don't know it's illegal. Education efforts aim to change attitudes. Minister Shukri has made stopping the cheetah trade a priority. Her office partners with conservation groups on outreach. Haiwan was found guilty and given the longest sentence ever for an environmental crime in Somaliland. Though he's appealing, cheetah smuggling has dropped since his arrest. More work remains to end the trade.

The Aztec From Empire to AI This episode explores the legacy of the Aztec civilization in Mexico. It begins by describing a traditional ceremony still practiced in rural Mexican villages, where descendants of the Aztec speak Nahuatl and perform rituals dating back centuries. The Aztec built an empire in central Mexico beginning in the 14th century, with their capital at Tenochtitlan, now Mexico City. In 1519, Hernán Cortés led an expedition from Spain to conquer Mexico. After allying with rival indigenous groups, Cortés and his forces defeated the Aztec in 1521. This devastated the population through disease, enslavement, and poor conditions. Remarkably, some Aztec codices survived the Spanish destruction, providing records of their culture. These documents are still referenced today by indigenous communities. Many Nahuatl speakers persist in rural areas, continuing traditions. Anthropologist Jim Taggart lived among Nahua villages for decades, gathering oral histories that link mythological tales to contemporary concerns. Computer scientist Rafael Perez y Perez created an AI system called Mexica that generates short stories using Aztec names and places. He hopes intermixing narratives could build understanding between cultures. The episode concludes that stories give insight into different worldviews, which is relevant today with immigration from Central America.

On a hot summer day in Los Angeles, Eileen Garcia of the nonprofit Tree People drives around watering young trees that were recently planted in the city. Trees provide shade and cooling, but low-income neighborhoods like Huntington Park have historically had very little tree coverage compared to wealthier areas. Research shows that formerly redlined neighborhoods impacted by racist housing policies often lack trees and are hotter. Urban areas tend to be hotter than rural areas due to heat-trapping pavement and buildings. Trees cool cities by providing shade and by releasing moisture into the air. But planting trees requires funding and buy-in from residents. The lack of trees in some neighborhoods stems from redlining policies in the 1930s, when the federal government graded neighborhoods. Areas with more people of color received lower grades, leading to disinvestment. The legacy of redlining is still visible in many cities today. Formerly redlined areas tend to have higher temperatures and fewer trees. To address inequities, cities like Los Angeles have set goals to increase canopy cover in underserved neighborhoods. But funding and responsibility for planting still falls heavily on nonprofits and residents. The solutions require acknowledging past injustices, building community relationships, and finding ways to equitably expand the urban forest.

Title: Dive Deeper Season 7 of Overheard National Geographic explores stories about the planet, galaxy, and its inhabitants. The new season of the Overheard podcast dives into diverse topics like mapping the earth, cheetah smugglers, ancient lullabies, and more. Hosts Peter Gwynn and Amy Briggs interview explorers, journalists, and experts who share their curiosity and adventures. Upcoming season 7 episodes feature a mix of history, science, nature, and culture. Guests describe their experiences with whale sharks, ancient smuggling routes, and joining the war industry out of necessity. Overheard continues National Geographic's tradition of satisfying endless curiosity about the world. Season 7 premieres August 3rd.

In the early 1960s, NASA was focused on sending the first man into space as part of the space race with the Soviet Union. They decided astronauts needed to be military test pilots, which automatically excluded women from the astronaut program. Dr. William Lovelace decided to privately test female pilots to show they were just as capable as men for space travel. He put 19 women through extensive medical and psychological exams. Thirteen passed, showing results equal or better than the men. Lovelace then planned to have the women train on fighter jets in Pensacola to further prove their abilities. However, NASA found out about the testing and shut down the program, refusing to support it. A couple of the women lobbied politicians in Washington D.C. to try to get NASA to change its mind, including meeting with Vice President Johnson, but they were unsuccessful. During Congressional hearings on the issue, astronaut John Glenn testified that women did not belong in space. More damaging was Jackie Cochran, a famous aviator who funded the testing, arguing against the program and the women pilots. As a result, Congress sided with NASA and the program ended. Shortly after, the Soviets sent the first woman, Valentina Tereshkova, into space in 1963. It took until 1983 before an American woman, Sally Ride, went to space as a mission specialist. A decade later, Eileen Collins became the first female pilot and commander of a space shuttle. Though slow, progress was made thanks to the persistence and testing of the Mercury 13 women pilots in the early 1960s who tried to break NASA's glass ceiling.