Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.

In this episode, Donna talks with Joe Meisel, biologist, conservationist, and educator. He is the author of two books about the wonders of the natural world: The Marlin’s Fiery Eye and Other Tales from the Extraordinary World of Marine Fishes (Cornell Press, 2025) and Orchids of Tropical America: An Introduction and Guide (Cornell Press, 2014). He is a co-founder of the Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation and has led research, education, and habitat protection programs for nearly thirty years. In Ecuador, he and foundation staff established two extensive tropical forest reserves in collaboration with local rural families, the first through South America’s first conservation easement.

Mentioned in the show:

• Ceiba Foundation for Tropical Conservation - a U.S. 501(c)(3) non-profit organization founded in 1997 on a mission to connect tropical nature and sustainable livelihoods through habitat conservation and environmental education

• The Marlin's Fiery Eye and Other Tales from the Extraordinary World of Marine Fishes - Joe’s book dives into the mystery and wonder of the daily lives of saltwater fishes. Joe E. Meisel introduces readers to the fascinating behaviors, remarkable adaptations, and complex life histories of the many species that call the oceans home.

• Joe E. Meisel

Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.

For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.

In this episode, Donna is joined by Raye Dowdy, a life coach in Jackson and gem of a human! Donna and Raye discuss Raye's journey and her newest venture - Redemption Road - and the impact that nature has had on her personal and spiritual development.

Mentioned in this episode:

Connect and follow Redemption Road on social media.

• Facebook
• Instagram
• TikTok

Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.

For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.

In this episode, Nicci, Donna, and Chris chat about the amazing Spring Equinox Retreat that took place at CloverPenny Farm on March 22, 2025. What a wonderful day of connecting, community, love, and support! If you didn't make it, check out this episode to see what you missed. Mark your calendar for June 21, 2025, when we will be hosting the Summer Retreat!

Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.

For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.

The Plant Shop - Plant Sale

219 North Parkway Ste 6 Jackson TN 38305

March 13-15, 2024 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Spring Equinox Nature Retreat

CloverPenny Farm

Saturday, March 22, 2025 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM

Community Seed Swap

The Ledge - 3581 Highway 70 E, Spring Creek TN 38305

March 27, 2025 12:00 PM - 4:00 PM

Spring Tree Identification Hike

Pinson Mounds

March 28, 2025 1:00 PM - 2:00 PM

RetreatAble: A wheelchair accessible nature retreat

Camp Wawbeek 1450 State Highway 13 Wisconsin Dells, WI, 53965

April 25, 2025 5:00 PM Sunday, April 27, 202512:00 PM

Spring Plant Sale

West Tennessee AgResearch and Education Center

May 2 and 3, 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM

Birds of Middle Fork Bottoms State Park

Middle Fork Bottoms State Park

May 24, 2025 8:00 AM - 11:00 AM

The Homestead Festival

4765 Hardison Mill Rd Columbia, Tennessee 38401

June 6-7, 2025

Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.

We took a little sabbatical due to illness, weather issues, and a particularly devastating loss at the farm. Our beloved Walter, our gender-fluid turkey and mascot of the Wild Voices Podcast, was taken by a predator. This episode is perfectly timed, as we speak with Lauren Oftedahl about using nature to navigate grief. Lauren is a published author, graphic designer, and an all-around gem of a human being.

Mentioned in the show:

• 
  
• RetreatAble: A wheelchair-accessible nature retreat
• Spring Equinox Nature Retreat

Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.

For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.

“Plants and animals don’t fight the winter; they don’t pretend it’s not happening and attempt to carry on living the same lives that they lived in the summer. They prepare. They adapt. They perform extraordinary acts of metamorphosis to get them through. Winter is a time of withdrawing from the world, maximizing scant resources, carrying out acts of brutal efficiency, and vanishing from sight, but that’s where the transformation occurs. Winter is not the death of the life cycle, but its crucible.”

― Katherine May, Wintering: The Power of Rest and Retreat in Difficult Times

Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.

For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.

In this episode, we chat with Diana Cotten, a local businesswoman, nature lover, and country-life extraordinaire! Diana shares with us the details about her latest venture - a plant shop coming to the West Tennessee area! This hilarious episode covers everything from the plant shop to bean dust and an extensive conversation about snakes.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.

For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com

Welcome to the Wild Voices podcast, hosted by Donna Thomas and Nicci Gano, where nature speaks and stories come alive.

The snow settled in, and we did too! Snuggle up and enjoy this episode where Nicci and I talk about all the great events and happenings in the coming months!

Upcoming Events:

Wild Voices Spring Retreat - March 22, 2025 at CloverPenny Farms. More details to come!

RetreatAble: A wheelchair-accessible nature retreat - April 25-27, 2025 at Camp Wawbeek - Easter Seals Wisconsin Camps 1450 State Hwy 13, Wisconsin Dells, WI 53965

Women's Virtual Winter Poetry Circle 2025 - The group will meet each Thursday from January 23rd to March 20th (Skipping February 13th) from 7-8 PM Central Time.

Thank you for being part of this journey with us! Your support means the world. Please subscribe so you don't miss future episodes, leave a review & share with friends to help us connect with nature lovers across the Earth.

For more information about the podcast or to be a guest on our show, email wildvoicespodcast@gmail.com