Season 2 of the Bird Joy Podcast was an unforgettable journey! This season, we celebrated diverse voices and explored themes like birding, mentorship, science communication, healing, community, and breaking barriers in STEAM fields. From pioneers like Emmy-award winner and best-selling author Christian Cooper to next-generation leaders like Isaiah Scott, our guests inspired us with their passion and wisdom.

Dexter reflects on the personal growth and healing sparked by powerful conversations with guests like Tammah Watts and Melissa Hafting. At the same time, Jason hilariously compares a male Northern Cardinal to Adele (yes, that happened!).

As we gear up for Season 3, we invite YOU, our listeners, to join the show by sharing your Bird Joy stories. Plus, get a sneak peek at exciting future guests and how we’re working to grow the podcast, reach more people, and fairly compensate our amazing guests.

Follow us on Instagram @thebirdjoypod and check out our incredible Season 2 guests:

• Christian Cooper – @christiancooperbirder
• Isaiah Scott – @ikesbirdinghikes
• Jordan Rowley – @brighteyedbirding
• Mariah Hryniewich – @mariaheve13
• Luis Eduardo Gles – @phonescoper
• Amar Ayyash
• Lauren Pharr – @ldpharr
• Dr. Murry Burges – @murryloub
• Field Inclusive – @fieldinclusive
• Indigo Goodson-Fields – @indigoindaflow
• Tammah Watts – @tammahwatts
• Calvin Feagans – @biotainframe
• Alex Troutman – @n8ture_al
• Melissa Hafting – @bcbirdergirl

• Audience Involvement: We want to hear from you! Record a short voice memo sharing your favorite birding moments, reflections on the podcast, or what Bird Joy means to you. Please email us at birdjoypodcast@gmail.com

Shoutouts:

• A big shoutout to Field Inclusive (it’s Field Inclusive Week!)
• Jasmine Banks of Operation Fresh Start, Christopher Kilgour of Color in the Outdoors, Outdoor Auntie.
• Support the Podcast: Help us grow by subscribing, sharing, and leaving a review. Interested in partnering with us? Reach out to support or sponsor the podcast and help us scale while fairly compensating our guests.

We’re so proud to showcase the diversity and beauty of the birding community. To all our Bird Nerd homies, thank you for making Season 2 unforgettable. We’ll see you in Season 3—we outside all 2025!

In the final guest appearance of Season 2, Dexter and Jason sit down with British Columbia's own Melissa Hafting to explore how birding can provide profound healing and hope. Melissa reflects on her experiences as a Black woman birding in British Columbia and discusses her remarkable new book, Dare to Bird: Exploring the Joy and Healing Power of Birds. She shares how her parents nurtured her love for birds early on and how that foundational support motivates her to mentor the next generation of birders in her community and beyond through the BC Young Birders Program she founded in 2014.

Melissa is a trailblazer in the birding community, breaking barriers, championing diversity, and leading with grace and determination.

The conversation also touches on Melissa's favorite birding spots in BC, including the Reifel Migratory Bird Sanctuary and Boundary Bay. She talks about her role as an eBird reviewer and showcases her breathtaking bird photography.

Melissa Hafting is a shining example of how Black women significantly contribute to birding and beyond.

Connect with Melissa:

📸 Follow Melissa: @bcbirdergirl

🌐 Visit her website: Dare to Bird

We also want to thank the Special Bird Service, another Canadian organization dedicated to making nature more accessible. Through birding, they aim to remove barriers and challenge stereotypes about the outdoors.

Connect with Us:

🐦 Dexter: @WiscoBirder

🐦 Jason: @TheBirdingBeardsman

🌐 More episodes & resources: Bird Joy Podcast

🎙️ Are you ready for some Bird Joy? Let's Go!

In this uplifting episode, Dexter and Jason are joined by Alex Troutman, known as the “Best Smile in Birding,” to explore the many ways to find joy in the great outdoors. Whether it’s birding, fishing, hunting, or camping, Alex inspires us to live life with a wildlife mirror, reflecting the beauty of the natural world.

Alex shares his incredible research journey highlights, including studying Karner Blue Butterflies in Wisconsin, sea turtles in Texas, and bats in Malaysia.

The conversation includes Bird Joy Podcast shoutouts to Hunters of Color, Black Duck Revival, and the homie Mahdi Woodard, the Atlanta Birdman.

Don’t miss Alex’s thoughts on his upcoming merch and the hosts’ shared dream of birding in South America to spot the iconic Harpy Eagle. Want to help them get there? Holler at your bird-loving crew!

Connect with Us:

Follow Alex Troutman: @N8ture_Al

Dexter: @WiscoBirder

Jason: @TheBirdingBeardsman

🌐 More episodes & resources: Bird Joy Podcast

🎙️ Are you ready for some Bird Joy? Let’s Go!