Anthropomania Podcast

24/05/2022

Next time you take a sip of your favourite microbrew and tear off a chunk of baguette piled with cheese you might wanna toast to fungi.  Fungus really are among us. From high-priced morels to mold to the medicinal promise of magic mushrooms, fungi were here before us and they'll be here long after we're dust.   They could live without us, but could we live without them? Would we want to?  Listen to the story of a college kid who ran up against a shotgun wielding morel hunter in a forest in Northern Canada while on a quest to find the best patch of mushrooms. Find out what pricey mushroom smells like  sweat and semen, and hear a mycologist who thinks we have a lot to learn from listening to the lowly mushroom. 

18/05/2022

📣On our latest 🎧 podcast episode, (*link in bio to listen) “Resurrection: Bringing Back Extinct Animals , ‘s .church who also heads up the de-extinction project talks woolly mammoth 🦣 versus Arctic elephants 🐘 and the complexities of ancient DNA.

but we ran out of time before he could tell us about his entertaining and fascinating connections to the book and movie Jurassic Park.

🦕Watch this clip to hear George talk about what author Michael Crichton got wrong

🦖 And Now he discovered his work was part of the storyline. 🧐

Will you be watching the new Jurassic movie Jurassic World Dominion when it comes out next month? Let us know in the comments below👇🏼🦖🦕

PS Do YOU think they should bring back the woolly mammoth / Arctic Elephant?

Double tap ❤️ to like.

05/04/2022

Did you catch Anthropomania co-host and Niki Wilson on The Social last week? Check it out and leave a comment!

Podcast host Niki Wilson explores the impact of wildlife docs, Gen Z’s influence on climate change and why we should talk to our plants.WATCH MORE debates fr...

30/03/2022

🐓🐓New Episode out now. 🐓🐓The extraordinary saga of the world’s most common bird: 🐓combatant, 🐓experimental subject, 🐓entrée 🐓and pet 🐓 (not necessarily in this order).  The chicken is far more meaningful to our lives than you ever imagined. They can count, recognize faces and are capable of deception.   We trace the history of the humble chicken from its wild beginnings as the Red Jungle Fowl in Southeast Asia all the way to the broiler chicken of today, and finally to the modern backyard chicken craze.  Listen wherever you get podcasts.

28/03/2022

Have you listened to episode one of season two yet? Get caught up before tomorrow’s next episode drops. (Link in bio)

The beeb and many other traditional broadcasters like and are known for their visually stunning cinematic wildlife documentaries. But is it time to make way for micro docs?

With younger viewers and content creators spending their time on and it has us asking ourselves if longform documentaries are losing their appeal. 🤔

One Oxford researcher says short form videos like the amazing ones make are the future of documentaries. Do you agree? Do you watch documentaries?

🔖Tag your favorite and in the comments.

22/03/2022

🌊 It’s World Water Day!

In honour of the day, we compiled a list of some of our favourite nature documentaries about the ocean.

5 Best Nature Documentaries about the Ocean 🌊

1. My Octopus Teacher
2. The Blue Planet
3. Co-Extinction (coming soon!)
4. James Cameron’s Deep Sea Challenge
5. Chasing Coral

Do you have a favourite? What ocean friendly accounts should we follow? Tell us in the comments 👇🏼

🔗 Check out our link in bio to listen to the first episode of season 2 of Anthropomania to hear all about what it's like to make nature docs!

07/03/2022

Anthropomania is back for a second season starting March 15th, 2022. And we couldn't be more excited.

Hosts Jay Ingram and Niki Wilson help us unpack the sometimes complicated always fascinating connection we have with the world around us, especially when it comes it nature and wildlife.

Bursting with world class guests and storytellers, and rooted in our curiosity and love of science, you are GUARANTEED to learn something cool and be entertained.

Season Two drops *March 15th* with the A-Team (Niki and Jay) exploring the magical and sometimes controversial world of Nature Documentaries - everyone watches them but ...what's the point, seriously?

We're talking with Emmy and BAFTA winning filmmakers from the BBC Natural History Unit, PBS & CBC. We talk to the rule-makers, to a TikTok influencer about the future of the Nature Docs. And so much more! You don't want to miss it.

Do you who made the very first nature documentary? Or that Disney is responsible for one the most enduring myths about animal behaviour that you probably think is true? Or what it's like to be on set with Sir David Attenborough? We got you.

If you love the planet, you'll love Anthropomania.
Hit the like button if you're excited for our first episode

03/03/2022

Happy World Wildlife Day! And get ready for Season Two of Anthropomania!!

We are all about and putting our relationship we have with it under the proverbial microscope. Whether it's dissecting the art and science of or stretching our ideas about sentience or asking if nature are really all that good for the wildlife they focus their lenses on - we are (ahem) wild about wildlife.

Click our link in bio to spend World Wildlife Day listening to some great podcast episodes.

We are heavy into production for Season Two of the Anthropomania podcast and excited to bring you more amazing episodes starting March 15th!

08/02/2022

Would you eat an octopus?

Last December 2021 a statement from the UK Animal Welfare recognized lobsters, octopus, and crabs as ‘sentient’ beings.

In an article by the Australian Broadcasting Commission on its website at abc.net.au, they wrote that “a sentient being is capable of experiencing a range of feelings or emotions, from negative ones like pain and suffering to positive ones like pleasure, excitement and joy.”

In the same article, it states that “researchers found there was "very strong evidence" for sentience among octopuses in particular.

This report is just the latest of many to show the complex behaviors of octopuses. For example, a 2018 study found that if octopuses were given the party drug ecstasy, they were increasingly sociable with one another.”

Here’s some crazy facts about octopuses as per , written by Megan Gannon:
🐙 They eat their arms when bored.
🐙They pack poison.
🐙They use tools.
🐙They can open childproof pill bottles.
🐙They're masters of camouflage.
🐙They live fast and die young.
🐙Their suckers are the strong but sensitive type.
🐙They're playful.

Read the whole article here: https://www.livescience.com/41924-smart-octopus-facts.html

Octopuses also had their moment in the Academy Awards stage when My Octopus Teacher , a Netflix documentary by Craig Foster , was awarded as the Best Documentary Feature in the 2021 Oscars

Do you have any interesting trivia about octopuses? Share them in the comments!

07/02/2022

Have you heard of fishing spiders, Dolomedes tenebrosus?

If you’ve listened to the very first episode of Season 1, .ingram.315 , , and together with Herzog and Gosling talked about animal personalities. As the trio discussed anthropomorphism, behavior, and personality, Jay asserted that “this idea of calling any differences in behavior among individuals in a group personality seems to me it means that just about any living thing can have a personality, even insects, like ants that explore have a different personality than ants that stay at home. And I think that's a really different notion of personality than most of us have.”

To which Erika responded with a great story about female fishing spiders and sexual cannibalism.

Listen to Erika’s story in this clip about fishing spiders and personality as soon as Jay mentioned insects. Check out the full episode by heading over to the link in bio.

As a brief background about fishing spiders, according to PennState Extension (extension.psu.edu) fishing spiders are:

🕷 Similar to the larger wolf spiders in size, shape, and coloration.

🕷 Species in the genus Dolomedes are called fishing spiders because most live near water and have been reported to catch small fish and aquatic insects from the water as they walk on the surface.

🕷 The species Dolomedes tenebrosus is more frequently associated with wooded areas (it would be more accurately classified as a tree-dwelling spider) and is a common household invader in these locations. It occurs from New England and Canada south to Florida and Texas.

Don’t forget to subscribe to Anthropomania Podcast on your favorite podcast player to get updated with the latest episodes.

Now that you’ve heard about fishing spiders killing their mates, how would you describe their personality? Drop your answers in the comments and tag a friend who loves/hates spiders!

02/02/2022

Will
Wiarton Willie see its shadow and we’ll have six more weeks of winter or are we going to experience an early spring?

Today, we’ll know the answer.

In 2021, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the famed annual celebration went virtual and a pre-recorded video was posted online. This year in its 66th year, amidst reports that the albino Wiarton Willie was dead, it is up to his big brown understudy to predict the fate of our seasons.

And while we’re at it, it is also wise to brush up on the history of Groundhog Day. According to visitwiarton.ca: “It all started back in 1957, when a jovial local by the name of Mac McKenzie decided that his little town of Wiarton could use some 'livening up' in the bleak months of winter. He sent out invitations to all of his city friends, welcoming them to a Groundhog Day celebration in his hometown.

Most knew Mac for what he was, a long time joker, and ignored the invite - and the long trek north. However, the invitation caught the attention of one reporter and photographer from the Toronto Daily Star, Frank Teskey.

When Frank Teskey, the reporter dispatched by the Toronto Daily Star, first arrived in Wiarton, he asked for directions to the Groundhog celebration. Local residents were confused, what celebration? It didn't take them long to figure out what was up when the reporter mentioned the name 'Mac McKenzie'.

The reporter was directed to, at that time, the Arlington Hotel where, sure enough, Mac was sharing a few drinks with a dozen or so friends. When Teskey asked 'What's the deal?', Mac said 'This is it!'.

Teskey joined the party, but the next day he knew he couldn't go back to Toronto without a story for the paper.

The group went outside to the snow a dug a little hole. They looked around for something that looked like a groundhog, then grabbed a white fur hat off of a lady and threw it into the hole - and snapped a photo. A story was born!”

16/09/2021

I kit you not it’s national fox day 🦊. Have you seen any of these gorgeous animals this year?

10/06/2021

Question: How do you survive the Concrete Jungle if you're a little critter used living in the wild? (Asking for a four legged friend). Eating garbage helps. (looking at you, trash panda).

Wellll, there are a few other things that can make you king of the concrete jungle. Check out Jay's video, including a surprise connection to our very first episode.

Episode 106 , and the entire season one, is Available to binge on your favourite podcast app. Link in bio to listen.

07/06/2021

Don’t you love this otter? 🦦💚

Throughout Indigenous History Month we will be highlighting indigenous Artists, activists, designers, etc Whose work features wildlife in some form. Whether it’s painting, sculpture, fashion, crafts, architecture, photography… we’re here for it.

When it comes to learning about how wildlife and nature are impacted both positively and negatively by humans we have so much to learn from indigenous perspectives from around the world and especially in our backyard.

The artists we will feature - including this gorgeous piece- are incredibly talented and hail from various parts of the country. If you are able please support them By purchasing their art as well as amplifying their work. And please tag other artists in the comments or DM us with your suggestions.

Who is your favorite indigenous artist? Tag in comments 🏷

29/05/2021

“Oh, hello, crow.” ⁣
⁣
Have you been noticing all the wildlife outside your door since listening to 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐭𝐞 𝐉𝐮𝐧𝐠𝐥𝐞 (Ep 106)? ⁣
⁣
Niki gave us a magical tour of an imaginary city with the MANY 🐧🐜🦇 MANY 🦝🐇🐀🐿 animals that live alongside us everyday…largely unseen by you and I. ⁣
⁣
In this latest edition of Host Highlights she shares her favorite part of the episode. ⁣
⁣
What was yours? ⁣
⁣
Leave an emoji comment with one animal you’ve seen on the last week. ⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣
⁣ # raccoon
⁣

25/05/2021

Have you ever encountered a raccoon? Who blinked first? Oh the city raccoon. The cute little trash panda has been thriving in cities thanks in no small part to the plentiful garbage cans on every street. BUT, are they as smart as - or smarter than their country raccoon cousins? Listen to our latest episode Concrete Jungle to find the answer.

22/05/2021

A coyote walks into a Quiznos ...

Episode 106 is around the corner-
Any ideas what this episode is on?
Drop your guesses below ⬇️

20/05/2021

ANTHROPOMANIA’S ULTIMATE SUMMER SURVIVAL KIT CONTEST
☀️
This giveaway basket includes:

1.A Google Nest Mini (2nd generation) - to listen to the latest Anthropomania episode
•
2.One year subscription to Canadian Geographic - for your summer hammock reads
•
3.Arc’teryx Mantis 26 Backpack- for your hikes, day trips, or weekend getaways.
•
4.Stasher Storage Bag - the eco way to store your hiking snacks
•
5.A W&P Porter Utensil Set - to keep your picnics plastic-free
•
6.Wild Prairie Charcoal Rosa Soap - for your lake dip rinse-offs
•
7.Felted animal magnets - your own “taxidermy” for the cottage opening weekend, give that fridge a make over.

HOW TO ENTER ( please note this contest is run through our Instagram channel) :

1.Follow us on social media
2.Like this post
3.Tag a friend (Enter as many times as you’d like- 1 tag= 1 entry)
4.Comment below which episode is your favourite so far and why.
5.Share this to your stories.

Contest ends Monday, May 24th at 11:59 PST. Winner announced Tuesday, May 25th, 2021.
*Open to Canadian residents only*.🇨🇦

18/05/2021

Erika and her new friend round out episode 5’s Host Highlights with her takeaway.

Tell us- did this episode make an impact on your mindset on taxidermy?

Comment below. ⬇️

16/05/2021

Our fifth episode succeeded in changing opinions on taxidermy; it’s not just that 🦌head mounted in a grand dining room.

Listen to Jay talk more about breaking the taxidermy stereotype.

We’d love to know if it also changed your opinion - comment below ⬇️

14/05/2021

Niki wrote the cover story for the latest Canadian Geographic!

Well done Niki Wilson! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

12/05/2021

✨This week on the blog ✨ Niki Wilson writes a touching, coming-of-age story about her first encounter with a dead wolf at a friends birthday in the early “80s. I assume she was likely wearing huge shoulder pads and big bangs too.

Read it! And then we want to know your first encounter with a dead animal! Was it cool? Or scary? Or totally normal nbd vibes? Mine was probably a tiny mouse or mole proudly presented at my feet by my cat.

Keys To The Freezer
In the early 1980s a young Niki Wilson came face to face with a dead wolf at her best friends birthday party. It was an indelible moment that stoked her love of wildlife.

In the early 1980s a young Niki Wilson came face to face with a dead wolf at her best friends birthday party. It was an indelible moment that stoked her love of wildlife. The wolf’s hair pushed up …

10/05/2021

it’s Monday! and you know what that means- it’s episode drop day! 🙌🏻

Episode 105 out now! 🎙Listen on your podcast platform to this fascinating look into the world of taxidermy. 🪶

08/05/2021

Starting your Saturday off with a clip from the upcoming episode “Dead To Me”, diving into the world of taxidermy.

Listen Monday 🎧

06/05/2021

Mother’s Day is around the corner ↪️
Still looking for the perfect gift for the outdoor-loving mom?

We’ve got you covered!
Here’s a sneak peek at what we’ve put together for you.

Full guide on the website ! Check it out.

Happy Shopping! 🛍

04/05/2021

Niki wraps up this episode’s Host Highlights from a place where one of the species discussed has actually been seen. 🐖 🔍

03/05/2021

Erika kicks off your Monday morning with her Host Highlight from ‘Aliens Among Us’. 🦛

We’d love to know if her pick also resonated with you?
Tell us! ⬇️

02/05/2021

Missed last week's newsletter? Sign up now to get our Mother's Day Gift Guide, as well as an exclusive peek at our exciting next episode, Dead To Me (!). All in your mailbox for free tomorrow morning.

http://eepurl.com/hnWOhH

Anthropomania Email Forms

30/04/2021

We’re back with another series of Host Highlights!
Jay starts us off from a land from long ago. 🦖🦕

27/04/2021

Our latest episode talks about invasive species, and while not all of us are among wild boars or co***ne hippos there are many other ‘aliens’ we can relate to.
🌾🪲🪱🐸

Co-host Niki breaks down the basics of what makes a species ‘alien’ or ‘invasive’ and shares 5 of the most common ones on the blog.

https://anthropomania.com/2021/04/26/are-there-aliens-in-your-back-yard/