What’s Up, Interpreters? A Podcast from the National Association for Interpretation

The "Interpreting Environmental Justice" online conference is back for a second year! This episode of "What's Up Interpreters?" features leaders from the two NAI sections that are putting on this event: Caroline Lochner of the NAI Sustainability Section and Richard Munoz of the NAI Justice, Equity, Diversity, Accessibility, and Inclusion Section. Caroline and Richard join Heather Manier and Paul Caputo to discuss the critical issues of interpreting environmental justice!

James is a Conservation Interpreter at the Dallas Zoo and a Senior Guest Experience Associate at the Children's Aquarium Dallas. He has been working as an interpreter for over 7 years, yet his connection with interpretation extends far beyond that, spurred by his deep appreciation for communication and human bonds. His travels commenced in late 2020, leading him to delve into diverse cultures across the globe, ranging from residing in the heart of the Amazon in Ecuador to exploring ancient archaeological marvels throughout the Americas. His current aim is clear: to inspire hope and fortitude in every individual he encounters. He joins NAI's Heather Manier and Emily McCowan this week.

Heather Pressman and Danielle Schulz discuss their book Art of Access with NAI's Paul Caputo and Heather Manier this week. Heather Pressman has worked in museum education, development, and communications. She is a founding member of the organizing committee for the Art of Access Alliance in Denver, a consortium working to make Denver’s arts and cultural attractions accessible to all. Danielle Schulz is the senior manager of lifelong learning and accessibility at the Denver Art Museum, where she works with community members to promote inclusive practices that ensure visitors of all ages and abilities can enjoy and be inspired by their interaction with art.

This week on the podcast, we're celebrating baseball season! Guest Jef Lambdin created the mascot Wool E. Bull for the iconic minor league baseball team the Durham Bulls, made famous in the movie Bull Durham. On this episode, Jef joins hosts Song Stott and Paul Caputo to discuss the challenges and opportunities he faced communicating with audiences at scales small and large—something every interpreter can relate to—from within the mascot costume.

Lawana Holland-Moore is the Director of Fellowships and Interpretive Strategies at the African American Cultural Heritage Action Fund, National Trust for Historic Preservation. In this week's episode, she discusses the importance of the sites AACHF funds, big or small, and how they preserve stories throughout history. She is joined by NAI's Heather Manier and Song Stott.

Liz Moore is the founder of Planning School, which provides education and training in contemporary strategic planning and change leadership, including courses designed for interpretive programs. She joins NAI's Paul Caputo and Song Stott on this episode.

Mynesha Spencer worked in the National Park Service for 13 years and was a panelist on the "From Barriers to Bridges" keynote panel at the NAI National Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mynesha is the Founder, CEO and Principal Inclusion Strategist at All of Us Together Co., a human relations firm that specializes in diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and was established to improve human relations via applied training and workshop facilitation. She joins NAI's Paul Caputo and Song Stott on this episode.

Carla Gull is the coordinator of the Master of Arts of Environmental Education program and associate professor at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College in northern Indiana. Dr. Gull helps educators incorporate more nature in the everyday early childhood setting and nature preschools. During this episode, she talks about the relationship between environmental education and the field of interpretation. She also discusses how her students benefit from the NAI Conference. Dr. Gull joins NAI’s Song Stott and Paul Caputo.

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) strives to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community. On this episode, ASALH’s Aaisha N. Haykal and Ariel Roy join NAI’s Parker McMullen Bushman and Paul Caputo to talk about the work they do and their shared experience at the ASALH conference in Jacksonville last year.

As we close out 2023, "What's Up, Interpreters?" hosts Paul, Song, and Heather recap the year, share their New Years plans, and look forward to 2024. Also, there are NAI podcast T-shirts available on NAI's store!

Christina is a longtime member of NAI"s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, is an associate editor for NAI's Legacy magazine, and will serve as the guest editor for an upcoming special issue of Legacy on "Women in Interpretation."

Join seasoned experts in interpretive planning, Halley Fehner and Scott Vierick, as they unravel the intricacies and importance of this process. Halley and Scott highlight the essence of interpretive planning, discussing its role in reevaluating program goals, themes, and future strategies, often spanning several years. They also delve into the challenges of navigating sensitive historical contexts. Tune in for this dynamic conversation hosted by Heather Manier and Song Stott.

The 2023 NAI National Conference, "Building Bridges," took place in Little Rock, Arkansas, took place last week, November 7-11. This episode features a series of visits with conference participants who share their conference experience!

Ian Beard brings history to life at the Historic Arkansas Museum, where his passion for trades like smithing, printing, cooking, and brewing merge with his skills as an interpreter. If you're heading to Little Rock, Arkansas, for the NAI National Conference this month, you can meet Ian and hear his stories in person at the opening reception—or you can head to the museum, just blocks from the conference hotel! He joins hosts Paul Caputo and Song Stott on the podcast this week.

Budd Wentz is a former creative consultant for the Mr. Wizard television show and a world traveler. He has degrees in mechanical engineering and law, and his childhood passion for building things led him to create the microscope company Wentzcope, a longtime NAI commercial member responsible for optical devices that have appeared in thousands of museums. He joins NAI’s Heather Manier and Paul Caputo to discuss his involvement in interpretation—and the story of Willie the cat, who has appeared in Wentzscope ads since 1988. Wentzscope is online at wentzscope.com.

It's Oktoberfest on "What's Up, Interpreters"! NAI Board Member Ira Bletz, recently retired from East Bay Regional Park District, has made a name for himself as "Beer Guy" at NAI conferences for more than a decade. His special event, which tells the story of human civilization through the context of beer, is always a hit at the annual event. Ira joins NAI's Paul Caputo and Song Stott for this episode.

Spirit Tawfiq is the closing keynote speaker at NAI 2023 in Little Rock. Spirit has an interpretive background and uses her skillset in now hosting anti-racism workshops in k-12 classrooms, colleges and organizations who are invested in learning, unlearning, and enacting antiracism policies and practices within their respective communities. She joins hosts Song Stott and Paul Caputo to discuss her work on this episode.

There will be two solar eclipses visible from the contiguous United States and beyond in the next few years. Cris White’s job is to help interpreters prepare to interpret these unique astonomical events. She joins NAI’s Heather Manier and Amanda Berlinski to discuss her work.

Sam H. Ham is a professor emeritus of communication psychology and conservation social sciences at the University of Idaho. He became a household name for interpreters with his book Environmental Interpretation: A Practical Guide for People with Big Ideas and Small Budgets, which was published in four languages, and more recently, Interpretation: Making a Difference on Purpose. Sam talks with Paul Caputo and Song Stott about the science of communication, his TORE model, and a little bit of baseball.

Ronny Alexander Muñoz Blanco is a professional tour guide in Costa Rica, and served in that role for one particularly daunting audience: NAI's recent International Un-Conference. Ronny joins NAI's Paul Caputo and Song Stott to discuss that event, the challenges of interpreting in multiple settings for international visitors, and the Pura Vida lifestyle.