The Spark Bird Podcast

47:09

Raising Children and Following Birds in Light of the...

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/10/02

In this episode of the Spark Bird Podcast, Kaitlyn Teer joins our hosts Janet McNally and Jenn Lodi-Smith. Kaitlyn is writer from Bellingham, Washington who has just released her debut collection of essays, Little Apocolypses. She shares stories from her familiy's exploration in nearby natural spaces and the unforseen challenges of raising childen during a climate crisis. Resources and Links from This Episode 📖Read Kaitlyn's collection of Essays, Little Apocalypses Essays on Motherhood, Climate

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43:03

A Spark Person Story with Cara Benson

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/09/14

In this episode of the Spark Bird Podcast, Cara Benson joins our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally. Cara is a writer, hiker, and climate activist. She shares the heartfelt story of her introduction into the world of birds through her late husband, John, and how writing and reflection in nature developed her relationship with loss. Resources and Links from This Episode 🌐Visit Cara's website to learn more about her and her upcoming events: Cara Benson 👥Check out Cara Benson in Conversation

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41:42

Behind the Edit with Kayla Gajewski

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/09/04

In this very special episode of the Spark Bird Podcast, the microphone turns toward the person who has spent the past two years behind the scenes: our producer and editor, Kayla Gajewski. For more than 40 episodes Kayla has listened to people share their spark birds, the moments and experiences that have changed their lives. She never expected that simply editing those stories would become her own Spark Bird story. But somewhere along the way, the podcast taught her to look up, pay attention, ask

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47:31

Becoming Emily 2.0 with Emily Nichols

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/08/21

In this episode of the Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome writer, photographer, and speaker Emily Nichols to share her story of recovery, transformation, and the birds that helped her find her way back to the world. Resources & Links from This Episode 🧠 Read Emily's article for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology about the connections between birding, the brain, and mental health: Birding Influences Brain Health and Mental Health. ✍️ Read Emily's Substack

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49:30

The Backyard Bird Chronicles with Amy Tan

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/08/07

On this weeks episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally are joined by bestselling author Amy Tan to share the connections between writing and watching birds, the importance of curiosity over expertise, and how "you only need one bird to save all the birds." Resources & Links from This Episode 📖 Learn more about Amy's illustrated book The Backyard Bird Chronicles and order a copy from her website. 🌐 Explore Amy's books, artwork, and upcoming projects on her

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44:06

Staying Curious In Nature With Nicole Jackson

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/07/24

Nicole Jackson joined our hosts, Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally, on this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast. Nicole is an environmental educator, nature enthusiast, and birder! Throughout this episode she speaks on the constant effect nature has had on her from childhood all the way up into her adult years, reflecting on experiences of exploring little escapes in her environment to find peace and open up to the world around her. She is very involved in various programs throughout the community and

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40:43

Sketching a Life in Nature with Joe Feliciano

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/07/10

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally sit down with artist, nature journaler, and conservation volunteer Joe Feliciano. Joe shares the spark bird moments that shaped his love of birds, reflects on how art and nature have become deeply connected throughout his life, and discusses how volunteering helped him find community and purpose. Links & Resources from This Episode 🎨 Follow Joe Feliciano on Instagram @thehorsepuppy to explore his joyful wildlife

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34:26

Finding Birds Through Trees with Georgia Silvera Seamans

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/06/19

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Georgia Silvera Seamans, environmental educator, founder of Local Nature Lab, and host of the Your Bird Story podcast. Georgia reflects on the many spark bird moments throughout her life, from growing up in Jamaica, surrounded by birds without realizing their significance, to reconnecting with nature through trees, urban green spaces, and birding as an adult. Links & Resources from This Episode 🌿 Follow

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40:38

Jeffrey Train and Our Tern: Building Community...

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/06/05

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Jeffrey Train, educator and co-founder of Our Tern in Hoboken, New Jersey. What began as curiosity quickly grew into a passion for birding, teaching, and community stewardship. Links & Resources from This Episode 🌿 Visit Our Tern to learn more about the community-driven effort to support nesting terns and urban ecology in Hoboken. 📸 Follow Jeffrey Train on Instagram @mrtrain_ 🐦 Follow Our Turn on Instagram

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39:16

Life Lists and Nemesis Birds with Joe Trezza

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/05/22

On this week's episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally sit down with journalist, birder, and author Joe Trezza. Joe shares the unforgettable turkey vulture spectacle that became his spark bird experience, reflects on surpassing 1,000 species on his life list, and discusses his upcoming book about the legendary world birder Peter Kaestner. Links & Resources from This Episode 📸 Follow Joe on Instagram for bird photos and updates about his upcoming book

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51:57

Bird and Moon with Rosemary Mosco

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/05/08

On this week's episode of The Spark Bird Podcast our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome celebrated cartoonist, author, and naturalist Rosemary Mosco. Rosemary shares her lifelong connection to birds, from childhood backyard discoveries to building a career that blends science communication, humor and art. Links & Resources from This Episode 🐦 Sign up for Rosemary's "Fight Club" newsletter to follow her work: Fight Club newsletter 📚 Learn more about Rosemary's books, comics, and

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43:29

Tom Ryan's Journey Into Ornithology

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/04/24

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally are joined by Tom Ryan, an ornithologist and former student of Janet's at Canisius High School. Tom shares his journey from a childhood love of ducks to a defining spark bird moment with a chestnut-sided warbler. He shares how birding has become a way to capture memories and moments in his life.

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36:35

Being Feather Friendly with Paul Groleau

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/04/10

On this week's episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, we welcome Paul Groleau, President of Feather Friendly Technologies Inc., a company dedicated to reducing bird-window collisions around the world. Paul shares his spark bird story of an unforgettable childhood moment when an owl flew directly toward him while cross-country skiing in Ontario. This episode is a reminder that small actions, especially during migration seasons, can have a major impact in protecting the birds we love. Links & Resources

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35:08

Beading Birdsong: Art and Activism with Nina Hale

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/03/27

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Nina Hale, a Minneapolis-based artist and activist who transforms birdsong into hand-beaded bracelets. Nina shares her art and passion for birding, as well as her experience living in Minneapolis during the recent federal immigration surge, which has brought thousands of ICE agents into the city. As communities mobilized in response, Nina became actively involved by joining neighborhood patrols, supporting

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36:05

Sharing the Shore with Mel Julien

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/03/13

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally talk with Mel Julien, the Community Engagement Director for the NYC Plover Project. Mel shares how the Piping Plover became her spark bird after rediscovering the beach near her childhood home during the pandemic. What began as a curiosity about shorebird nesting signs soon led her to volunteer with the NYC Plover Project and eventually join the team working to protect these endangered birds on New York City's

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38:30

Angela Schumpert on Backyard Birds and Building The...

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/02/27

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Angela Schumpert, also known as The Berd Nird! What began as casual backyard birding turned into a moment that sent her reaching for her first field guide. Drawing on her background in the Air Force and law enforcement investigation, Angela shares how attention to detail, patience and observation naturally translate from her career into the art and joy of building The Flock. Links & Resources from This

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40:58

Jamie Cunningham and The Biggest Week in American...

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/02/16

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Jamie Cunningham, Education Director at Black Swamp Bird Observatory and birding and photography guide with Saberwing Nature Tours. Jamie shares how an unexpected Eastern Bluebird at a backyard nest box, followed by a life-changing visit to Magee Marsh during spring migration, sparked a deeper fascination with birds that shaped both her personal and professional life. Links & Resources from This Episode

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38:53

Birds on the Niagara: Corina Newsome on Urban...

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/02/13

In this second special Birds on the Niagara International Birding Festival feature, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally welcome Corina Newsome, a conservation scientist at the National Wildlife Federation and the festival's keynote speaker. Corina's work is rooted in advancing urban biodiversity conservation with environmental justice. She challenges the idea that conservation only happens in remote places, reminding us that cities are unique landscapes full of wildlife and wonder waiting to

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35:25

Birds on the Niagara: Marcus Rosten on Sky Dances and...

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/01/30

In this special Birds on the Niagara International Birding Festival feature, The Spark Bird Podcast welcomes Marcus Rosten, a birder and conservationist whose journey into birding began with one unforgettable encounter. This episode celebrates birds as a gateway to conservation, community, and understanding our place within a larger global ecosystem. Highlighting why events like the Birds on the Niagara International Birding Festival matter now more than ever. In this photo, Marcus is holding the

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43:23

Inked Warblers and Belonging with Eva Matthews Lark

The Spark Bird Podcast ·

2026/01/16

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally sit down with environmental educator Eva Matthews Lark to talk about how winter warblers became her spark birds during a difficult period in her life. Now memorialized in her bird-inspired tattoo, those birds helped her find comfort and a deeper connection to birding. Eva also discusses their work in environmental education, the importance of meeting people where they are through technology, and how inclusive,

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