Episode 234 - The Human Library Project

Episode 234 - The Human Library Project

Author: Dr. Steven Shepard February 13, 2024 Duration: 24:43
Imagine walking into the library because you’re interested in finding a book that will help you better understand a particular topic. You walk up to the circulation desk, tell the librarian what you’re interested in learning more about, and they say, “I’ve got just the book for you. Wait here.” So, the librarian walks into the back and returns with the book. Only in this library, the books—are people. Because this is the human library. You’re not going to hear from me a lot in this episode, because I want to leave the story to the people who are best equipped to tell it: the founder of the organization in Copenhagen, the manager of the New York City Human Library, and Brian Belovitch, one of their books.

Dr. Steven Shepard has spent a lifetime with his senses tuned to the environment, and The Natural Curiosity Project is the audio result of that deep attention. Each episode is built from his photographs, field recordings, and written observations, woven together into a narrative that feels less like a lecture and more like a shared exploration. You’ll hear the specific rustle of leaves in a particular forest, the call of a bird he’s been tracking for weeks, and the quiet reflections that arise from simply paying close attention. The core idea driving this podcast is a powerful one: that genuine curiosity is not just a personal trait but a transformative force. By immersing listeners in the details of the natural world-the often overlooked patterns, sounds, and stories-Shepard aims to spark that fundamental sense of wonder. He operates on the conviction that from curiosity comes discovery, and from that discovery, a more meaningful knowledge and, ultimately, a deeper understanding of our place within the world. This isn’t about grand pronouncements, but about the incremental insights gained through patient observation. Tuning into this podcast means joining a guided, sensory experience designed to reawaken your own questions about the landscape outside your window and the intricate systems that sustain it. The hope is that by the end of an episode, the world sounds a little different, looks a bit more intricate, and feels worthy of a second, more curious glance.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Natural Curiosity Project
Podcast Episodes
Episode 236 - Interview With Dudley Edmondson Nature Photographer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:00
Dudley Edmondson is a gifted nature photographer with a passion for telling nature's story through his books and images. He's also a Black Man in America, and wrestles with all that that means as someone who often feels…
Episode 235 - Dung Beetles [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 6:47
Another track that’s mostly for the kids, this one thanks to a student request about the lowly dung beetle—a much smarter little critter than we give it credit for. Enjoy!
Episode 233 - Holy Moly Roly Poly! [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:24
In response to a query from a young student, I decided to talk about roly polies. Hey, it’s Friday—celebrate with something fun!
Episode 232—The Argot Of Sailing Ships [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 12:27
I love it when I discover a language all its own—typically related to a craft, or activity. Have a listen—and learn all about the jargon of the three-masted sailing ships. After doing this research, I’m astonished at the…
Episode 231 - Of 400s And Other Names [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:27
When I was a kid I spent a lot of time in New Mexico, where my grandparents lived (Roswell, specifically). As we drove around, I became fascinated with town names--like Truth or Consequences, New Mexico. Huh? Well, I did…
Episode 230 - The SIlverBack Digest [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 11:27
The Natural Curiosity Project, hosted by Steve Shepard, and the Silverback Digest, published by Stephen Morris, have a very special relationship. If you like the Natural Curiosity Project, for example, you’ll like the Si…
Episode 229 - The Strange World Of Synchronicity [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 27:37
Have you ever had this happen: You see a book a shelf that makes you think of a friend you haven’t spoken with in a while. You smile at the memory, and as you smile, your phone rings. You look at the screen, and it’s the…
Episode 228 - Sounds Of The West With Jeff Rice [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 25:08
Want to hear the sound of the largest living organism on the planet? My guest, Seattle-based Jeff Rice, has recorded it. Sound recordist, journalist, documentarian, musician, Jeff wears many hats, and his world is beyond…
Episode 227 - The Power Of Strangers With Joe Keohane [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:56
I read a lot of books—an average of 135 per year. And yes, I remember them—most of them, anyway. And every once in a while, a book grabs ahold of my leg and won’t let go. That was the case with “The Power of Strangers: T…

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