Episodes

  • Every bite is a story

    Every bite is a story
    Jul 18 2024

    You might not think much about the sticky bottle of vanilla sitting in the back of your pantry. But that flavor – one of the most common in the world – has a fascinating history, involving a fickle orchid and a 12-year-old enslaved boy who made the discovery of a lifetime.

    That’s the sort of tale that attracts poet Aimee Nezhukumatathil. From peacock feathers to the sounds of garden insects, her work is known for magnifying the wonders of the natural world. Her latest book of essays, “Bite by Bite: Nourishments and Jamborees,” explores the unexpected connections between food, memory, and community.

    So take a seat and pour yourself an aperitif, as Aimee Nezhukumatathil shares a few of these miniature morsels with Outside/In host Nate Hegyi: a three-course meal of grape jelly, sweet nostalgia, and just a hint of vanilla bean.

    Featuring Aimee Nezhukumatathil

    SUPPORT

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    CREDITS

    Host: Nate Hegyi

    Reported, produced, and mixed by Nate Hegyi

    Editing by Taylor Quimby

    Our staff includes Justine Paradis, Marina Henke, Felix Poon and Catherine Hurley

    Executive producer: Taylor Quimby

    Rebecca Lavoie is NHPR’s Director of On-Demand Audio

    Music by Blue Dot Sessions

    Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

    Outside/In is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio

    Submit a question to the “Outside/Inbox.” We answer queries about the natural world, climate change, sustainability, and human evolution. You can send a voice memo to outsidein@nhpr.org or leave a message on our hotline, 1-844-GO-OTTER (844-466-8837).
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    26 mins
  • Introducing “The Youth Development Center”

    Introducing “The Youth Development Center”
    Jul 11 2024

    Introducing the newest series from NHPR’s award-winning Document team: “The Youth Development Center.” New Hampshire has sent its most troubled kids to the same juvenile detention center for more than a century. It's a place that was supposed to nurture them, that instead hurt them – in some of the worst ways imaginable. It's now at the center of one of the biggest youth detention scandals in American history. How did this happen – and how did it finally come to light?

    The rest of the series is available now: listen on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Play, iHeart Radio, or wherever you get your podcasts.

    This episode includes content that may not be suitable for young listeners. If you have suffered abuse and need someone to talk to, you can call the National Sexual Assault Hotline at 1-800-656-4673. If you’re in a mental health crisis, call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 9-8-8.

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    32 mins
  • The new space race

    The new space race
    Jul 4 2024
    Maybe you’ve looked at the sky on a clear night and spotted the International Space Station, a tiny white dot gliding through the stars. Maybe it felt special, a rare glimpse of a human-made satellite in space. But what if you were to look up at the sky and see more visible satellites than stars? What if the Big Dipper and Orion were drowned out by a satellite traffic jam, criss-crossing through space? A growing number of astronomers are sounding the alarm about such a possibility, even within the next decade. A new space race is already well underway. Commercial satellite traffic in low Earth orbit has skyrocketed in recent years, with more satellites launched into space than ever before. The majority of these satellites are owned and operated by a single company: Starlink. Featuring Samantha Lawler, Jonathan McDowell, Aaron Boley, and Roohi Dalal, with thanks to Edward Oughton. SUPPORTOutside/In is made possible with listener support. Click here to become a sustaining member. Subscribe to our newsletter to get occasional emails about new show swag, call-outs for listener submissions, and other announcements.Follow Outside/In on Instagram or Twitter, or join our private discussion group on Facebook. LINKSHere’s a link to the most popular proceedings in the FCC docket, and a step-by-step guide for submitting your own comments (this guide was compiled for a previous filing by an advocacy group which includes Samantha Lawler).COMPASSE, or the Committee for the Protection of Astronomy and the Space Environment, also stays up-to-date on FCC procedures.In this episode, Nate and Justine looked at this 3D rendering of satellite constellations around the globe, including GPS and Starlink. Space Data Navigator has nice visualizations of the number of launches, satellites, and debris over time, which relies in part on Jonathan McDowell’s data. Aaron Boley’s article in Nature, “Satellite mega-constellations create risks in Low Earth Orbit, the atmosphere and on Earth.”A talk by Samantha Lawler about Kuiper belt objects and the challenges to astronomy posed by sharp increase in satellites. An open-access paper which found that internet from satellite mega-constellations could be up to 12-14 times more emission-intensive than terrestrial broadband.For more from Outside/In on the “earth-space environmental system,” check out our episode on property rights in airspace and space-space, this one on the element of aluminum, and an oldie-but-a-goodie on geoengineering.A piece on the cutting room floor: the risk that you’ll get hit by satellite debris falling back to Earth is quite low… but the risk that someone will get hit is rising. Here’s a global map of light pollution, and a tool to find dark sky sites near you.On the issue of orbital crowding, there have been a couple notable traffic jams in space. Last month, a decommissioned Russian satellite disintegrated in low Earth orbit, posing potential risks to astronauts on board the ISS. In 2019, an important weather-monitoring satellite had to dodge a Starlink satellite, a fuel-expensive maneuver. In 2021, Starlink and OneWeb debated what really happened when their satellites passed within 190 feet of each other in orbit. A note on space regulationOur episode did not cover all the groups regulating space. At a global level, this includes the UN’s International Telecommunication Union and the UN Office of Outer Space Affairs. Within the United States, the Office of Space Commerce also plays a role, in addition to the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Communications Commission CREDITSOutside/In host: Nate HegyiReported, produced, and mixed by Justine Paradis Edited by Taylor QuimbyOur team also includes Felix Poon. NHPR’s Director of Podcasts is Rebecca LavoieMusic in this episode came from Victor Lundberg, Lofive, Harbours & Oceans, Spiegelstadt, Curved Mirror, Silver Maple, Wave Saver, Cobby Costa, and From Now On.The blue whale calls were recorded by NOAA’s Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory.Outside/In is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio.
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    35 mins
  • The Potato Show

    The Potato Show
    Jun 27 2024

    Consider the potato.

    The typical potato is not all that pretty. They can be beige and lumpy, dusty and speckled, and on top of that, they even sprout alien-like tentacles. Further, no one really knows what to make of the potato. Is it a vegetable, or so starchy that we should really consider it a grain?

    It’s time for answers. The Outside/In team ventures into the potato patch and presents three stories on this “fifth most important crop worldwide.”

    Part 1: An artist vaults the humble potato to luxury status.

    Part 2: A deliberation on the potato’s true place in the food pyramid – or, that is, on “MyPlate.”

    Part 3: When his mom was diagnosed with cancer, producer Felix Poon’s dad found a way to help her: fresh-squeezed potato juice.

    Featuring Laila Gohar, Kristina Peterson, and Paul Poon.

    SUPPORT

    Outside/In is made possible with listener support. Click here to become a sustaining member of Outside/In.

    Follow Outside/In on Instagram or join our private discussion group on Facebook.

    Subscribe to our newsletter for occasional updates and special announcements.

    LINKS

    Laila Gohar wrote about her potato party, and the Marie-Antoinette-era rebrand of the potato, in her column for the Financial Times.

    For more details on the French pharmacist who transformed the potato’s image, check out this Atlas Obscura piece.

    For a vinegary and vegetable-forward potato salad, Justine recommends this recipe from the great Deb Perelman.

    Taylor recommends these vegan Bombay potatoes and peas (this is the closest recipe he could find online to the book recipe he uses at home).

    Felix recommends trying Sichuan stir-fried potatoes from an authentic Sichuan Chinese restaurant if you haven’t had it before, and then give this Woks of Life recipe a try.

    If you find yourself near the U.S.-Mexico border, Nate recommends you try some carne asada fries. Here’s a good recipe if you want to try them at home.

    CREDITS

    Host: Nate Hegyi

    Reported and produced by Nate Hegyi, Justine Paradis, and Felix Poon

    Mixed by Nate Hegyi, Justine Paradis, and Felix Poon.

    Editing by Executive Producer Taylor Quimby

    Rebecca Lavoie is NHPR’s Director of On-Demand Audio

    Our intern is Catherine Hurley.

    Music by Blue Dot Sessions and Patrick Patrikios.

    Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

    Outside/In is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio
    Submit a question to the “Outside/Inbox.” We answer queries about the natural world, climate change, sustainability, and human evolution. You can send a voice memo to outsidein@nhpr.org or leave a message on our hotline, 1-844-GO-OTTER (844-466-8837).

    Episode art courtesy of Laila Gohar.
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    35 mins
  • Ed Yong and The Spoonbill Club

    Ed Yong and The Spoonbill Club
    Jun 20 2024

    Ed Yong’s writing about the pandemic in Atlantic Magazine was read by millions of Americans. He won a Pulitzer Prize in 2021 for his coverage.

    But behind the scenes, he was struggling with burnout, anxiety and depression.

    Host Nate Hegyi sits down with Ed for a conversation about how he decided to step back from pandemic reporting, the benefits (and possible drawbacks) of birdwatching for mental health, and the unexpected club that’s bringing two halves of his life together.

    Featuring Ed Yong.

    SUPPORT

    Outside/In is made possible with listener support. Click here to become a sustaining member of Outside/In.

    Follow Outside/In on Instagram or join our private discussion group on Facebook.

    LINKS

    Ed wrote an eerily predictive story about how America was not prepared for a pandemic in 2018.

    You can find a link to all of Ed’s reporting for Atlantic Magazine here.

    A description of “spoon theory” in Psychology Today.

    For more information about the Spoonbill Club, check out Ed’s newsletter.

    CREDITS

    Host: Nate Hegyi

    Reported and produced by Nate Hegyi

    Mixed by Taylor Quimby, with help from our intern, Catherine Hurley

    Editing by Taylor Quimby

    Our staff includes Justine Paradise and Felix Poon

    Executive producer: Taylor Quimby

    Rebecca Lavoie is NHPR’s Director of On-Demand Audio

    Music by Blue Dot Sessions

    Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

    Outside/In is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio

    Submit a question to the “Outside/Inbox.” We answer queries about the natural world, climate change, sustainability, and human evolution. You can send a voice memo to outsidein@nhpr.org or leave a message on our hotline, 1-844-GO-OTTER (844-466-8837).
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    22 mins
  • The Winter Rangers

    The Winter Rangers
    Jun 13 2024

    During their twelve seasons as winter rangers in Yosemite National Park, Rob and Laura Pilewski have learned a thing or two about what it means to love a place – and a person.

    This episode comes to us from the wonderful folks at The Dirtbag Diaries, another podcast that features stories about conservation, epic adventures, and more.

    Featuring Rob and Laura Pilewski

    SUPPORT

    Outside/In is made possible with listener support. Click here to become a sustaining member of Outside/In.

    Follow Outside/In on Instagram or join our private discussion group on Facebook.

    CREDITS

    Host of The Dirtbag Diaries: Fitz Cahall

    This episode was reported, produced and edited by Lauren DeLaunay Miller

    Mixing by Evan Phillips

    The Dirtbag Diaries Executive Producer: Becca Cahall

    Music from Jacob Bain & Nis Kotto, Brian Bombadil, Joya, Roma 49, Garland, and Brendan O’Connell

    Outside/In Host: Nate Hegyi

    Executive producer: Taylor Quimby

    Rebecca Lavoie is NHPR’s Director of On-Demand Audio

    Our staff includes Justine Paradis, and Felix Poon. Catherine Hurley is our intern.

    Outside/In is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio

    Submit a question to the “Outside/Inbox.” We answer queries about the natural world, climate change, sustainability, and human evolution. You can send a voice memo to outsidein@nhpr.org or leave a message on our hotline, 1-844-GO-OTTER (844-466-8837).
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    36 mins
  • Wolves, water, and global weirding

    Wolves, water, and global weirding
    Jun 6 2024

    What do wolves, waste-water treatment plants, and the Gulf Stream have in common? This episode, that’s what! It’s that wonderful time when we comb through all your wonderful questions and call up some scientists to help us answer them. Some of the more unlikely things that get brought up include dinosaur pee, abandoned shopping carts, and wolves preying on cheese curds.

    Here’s what’s on the docket:

    • Why is dog saliva slimier than human saliva?
    • Why do wolves get relocated in the middle of winter?
    • What if the Gulf Stream “shut down?”
    • How do wastewater treatment plants work?

    Featuring Eric Odell, Alice Ren, and Sri Vedachalam.

    SUPPORT

    Outside/In is made possible with listener support. Click here to become a sustaining member of Outside/In.

    Follow Outside/In on Instagram or join our private discussion group on Facebook.

    CREDITS

    Host: Nate Hegyi

    Reported, produced, and mixed by Taylor Quimby, Justine Paradis, and Felix Poon

    Editing by Taylor Quimby.

    Executive producer: Taylor Quimby

    Rebecca Lavoie is NHPR’s Director of On-Demand Audio

    Music by Blue Dot Sessions, Baegul, Hatamitsunami, and King Sis.

    Our theme music is by Breakmaster Cylinder.

    Outside/In is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio

    Submit a question to the “Outside/Inbox.” We answer queries about the natural world, climate change, sustainability, and human evolution. You can send a voice memo to outsidein@nhpr.org or leave a message on our hotline, 1-844-GO-OTTER (844-466-8837).
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    22 mins
  • Dead bird rabbit hole

    Dead bird rabbit hole
    May 30 2024

    Every December, during the Christmas Bird Count, tens of thousands of volunteers look to the skies for an international census of wild birds.

    But during migration season, a much smaller squad of New York City volunteers take on a more sobering experience: counting dead birds that have collided with glass buildings and fallen back to Earth.

    In this episode, we find out what kind of people volunteer for this grisly job, visit the New York City rehab center that takes in injured pigeons, and find out how to stop glass from killing an estimated one billion birds nationwide every year.

    Featuring Melissa Breyer, Linda LaBella, Gitanjali Bhattacharjee, Katherine Chen, and Tristan Higginbotham

    SUPPORT

    Outside/In is made possible with listener support. Click here to become a sustaining member of Outside/In.

    Subscribe to our newsletter (it’s free!).

    Follow Outside/In on Instagram or join our private discussion group on Facebook.

    LINKS

    Want to see the migration forecast? Check out Birdcast.

    Want to be a citizen scientist and report dead birds? Check out dBird.

    Want to see volunteer Melissa Breyer’s photos of dead birds? Check out Sad Birding.

    More about Project Safe Flight.

    CREDITS

    Host: Nate Hegyi

    Reported, produced, and mixed by Taylor Quimby

    Editing by Rebecca Lavoie and Nate Hegyi.

    Our staff includes Justine Paradis and Felix Poon

    Executive producer: Taylor Quimby

    Rebecca Lavoie is NHPR’s Director of On-Demand Audio

    Music by Blue Dot Sessions.

    Outside/In is a production of New Hampshire Public Radio

    Submit a question to the “Outside/Inbox.” We answer queries about the natural world, climate change, sustainability, and human evolution. You can send a voice memo to outsidein@nhpr.org or leave a message on our hotline, 1-844-GO-OTTER (844-466-8837).
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    31 mins