Constant Wonder

BYUradio

Stay in tune with our phenomenal world. Join us for explorations of science, art, history, and more. We're on a quest to find awe and wonder in all nature—human or wild, vast or small. Encounters that move us beyond words. Hosted by Marcus Smith, Constant Wonder is a production of BYUradio.

  • 52 minutes 50 seconds
    How Adoptee Found Birth Family Thanks to Mysterious Tattoo
    When Korean adoptee Sara Jones went looking for her birth family, she wondered if a strange tattoo given to her in childhood could unlock any secrets. Adopted into an American family at age three, Jones found much success here in America, becoming an attorney and CEO. It wasn't until her own kids started asking questions that she decided to search for her birth family. And she started her search with that mysterious tattoo. Guest: Sara Jones, CEO of InclusionPro, Board Member of The (Utah) State Workforce Development Board, Board of Trustees for Intermountain Salt Lake Valley Hospitals, Co-Founder of Women Tech Council. Originally aired on October 26, 2022
    19 February 2025, 7:00 am
  • 39 minutes 36 seconds
    Pittsburgh's Revolutionary Black Paramedics Made a Breakthrough in Medicine, Part II
    A norm-shattering young White female doctor joins Black paramedics in 1970s Pittsburgh. And, meet the graceful but determined Black paramedic who provided unheralded leadership in spite of racism from patients and superiors. Guests: Kevin Hazzard, author of "American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America's First Paramedics" John Moon, former paramedic at Freedom House and former Assistant Chief, City of Pittsburgh EMS Photo Credit: Harvard University, Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America Originally aired on September 28, 2022.
    14 February 2025, 7:00 am
  • 43 minutes 41 seconds
    Pittsburgh's Revolutionary Black Paramedics Made a Breakthrough in Medicine, Part I
    Before 1966, if you needed transport to the hospital, authorities might send a police car, or even a hearse. That year, Pittsburgh's non-profit Freedom House set out to change that for the city's predominately Black Hill District. Staffed by trained Black men, their ambulance service served as a model for newly emerging paramedic services around the country. Guests: Kevin Hazzard, author of "American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America's First Paramedics" John Moon, paramedic at Freedom House and former Assistant Chief, City of Pittsburgh EMS Photo Credit: Heinz History Center Originally aired on September 21, 2022.
    12 February 2025, 7:00 am
  • 50 minutes 4 seconds
    Unlock Unexpected Wisdom from a Dynamic Planet
    The Earth's crust reveals a dynamic, lively epic unfolding. Dramatic changes in the Earth's geology offer inspiration for its human residents. Guest: Marcia Bjornerud, author of "Turning to Stone: Discovering the Subtle Wisdom of Rocks" and Professor of Geosciences and Environmental Studies, Lawrence University
    5 February 2025, 7:00 am
  • 47 minutes 51 seconds
    Discovering Extraordinary Awe in Tragedy
    After cancer takes his brother's life, Dacher Keltner repeatedly experiences awe in ways that expand the boundaries of what, even for him, is real. Guest: Dacher Keltner, founding director, Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley; author, "Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life" Originally aired 2/15/23
    29 January 2025, 7:00 am
  • 55 minutes 51 seconds
    Finding a New Life in the Woods
    Jarod Anderson found unique purpose in the woods of his childhood during a life-threatening battle with depression. As the host of the popular podcast "The Cryptonaturalist," he shares real love for nature with thousands through whimsical, magical, and outright outrageous stories.
    22 January 2025, 7:00 am
  • 46 minutes 34 seconds
    Learning Ultimate Empathy . . . from Chickens
    What can animals written off as "mindless" or "scary" teach us about developing compassion for the natural world and for other people? Guest: Sy Montgomery, author of "What the Chicken Knows: A New Appreciation of the World's Most Familiar Bird"
    15 January 2025, 7:00 am
  • 46 minutes 59 seconds
    Not So Scary: The Dazzling Secrets of the Dark
    Darkness makes even the most familiar places unfamiliar. But Leigh Ann Henion finds this exciting, not scary—night reveals a magical, wondrous world. Guest: Leigh Ann Henion, author of "Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark"
    8 January 2025, 7:00 am
  • 6 minutes 3 seconds
    So Much to Love About Constant Wonder!
    A new season of fresh content is on its way! In the meantime, nature writer Gayle Boss takes a minute to enumerate the many joys that Constant Wonder brings her as a listener. Find out why an "abandon to wonder" can make all of us feel more alive!
    1 January 2025, 7:00 am
  • 54 minutes 19 seconds
    The Awe-Inspiring Magic Hidden in Everyday Delights
    Poet and essayist Ross Gay talks about finding moments of wonder in everyday life. Wandering, finger painting, laundromats, bike riding, gardening, listening to beautiful music, recognizing the care that is offered to us. In this episode of Constant Wonder, we discover Ross Gay's philosophy of delight. Originally aired October 25, 2023 Guest: Ross Gay, author of "The Book of Delights," "Inciting Joy," and "The Book of (More) Delights"
    27 November 2024, 7:00 am
  • 54 minutes 53 seconds
    Getting Giddy in the Quiet World of Plants
    Get to know BBC personality and naturalist Mike Dilger, from his passion for birds and wildlife, to his adventures in the cloud forests of Ecuador. In this podcast episode, we explore Mike's early experiences with birdwatching, his quest to find 1,000 different plant species in a single year, and his heartwarming proposal story, involving a ladder, a ring, and some chickens. Mike Dilger celebrates the natural world with contagious enthusiasm. Guest: Mike Dilger, BBC presenter and author of "One Thousand Shades of Green" Episode originally aired April 19, 2023
    20 November 2024, 7:00 am
  • More Episodes? Get the App