Wild Interest

Brain Broccoli Productions
  • 4.7 (130)
  • Education for Kids
  • Updated Monthly

Can a podcast hosted by kids be truly awesome? Yes, it can! Wild Interest takes you on an amazing ride through science, fun facts, natural mysteries and more, all hosted by siblings Nichole and Evan. Perfect for your next road trip, school pickup, or anywhere you want to spark a conversation driven by curiosity. Enjoy the magic that happens when kids are inspired by other kids!You’ll love hearing Evan and Nichole interview people like NFL quarterbacks and Nobel Prize-winning scientists. Take an audio journey with them as they unravel mysteries like the origin of daylight saving time and the legend of Bigfoot. Best of all, enjoy the magic that happens when kids are inspired by other kids. The caliber of your family dinner table conversation will improve overnight. It’s wild!

  1. Aug 28

    Endless Summer: Pool Games, Skate Camp, Summer Reading

    Okay Wildlings, we'll level with you. We tried. We really tried to petition for the extension of summer vacation.  We gathered our most compelling evidence: the Feeding Ben Stuff crew got together to plumb the depths of the finest pool games in the land, Evan perfected his gnarliest kickflip at Woodward Skate Camp, and, to the delight of teachers everywhere, we had a tête-à-tête to determine the very best and brightest books in the summer reading catalog!  Alas, we are but a simple kids podcast. Perhaps the real victory was the fun with friends and family that we had along the way?  One thing's for sure: we've made this Endless Summer Episode for all of you, Wildlings, to commemorate and celebrate the frolicking freedom of the season! Not to mention some hilarious jokes and one doozy of a riddle. So grab a snack, tell a friend, stay curious and, as always: keep it WILD!!! Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Timestamps for this episode are available below. 00:00 - Episode 23 Intro 01:20 - Pool Games 09:16 - Riddle Clue 09:38 - Summer Reading 18:02 - Skate Camp 20:00 - Joke Time 20:42 - Call for Submissions 21:09 - Cryptid Corner: Blobs! 25:39 - Riddle Answer 26:01 - Preview of Episode 24 26:12 - Credits + Call for Reviews + Word of Mouth 26:43 - Bloopers Cryptid Corner includes audio from the single "The Blob", written by Burt Bacharach and Mack David, performed by The Five Blobs, and released by Columbia Records in 1958. wildinterest.com

    Endless Summer: Pool Games, Skate Camp, Summer Reading

  2. Jul 27

    We Made It All Up, Shohini Ghose, and Feeding Ben Stuff

    What do you know, Wildlings? It’s the 22nd episode of Wild Interest! Join us on our quest as we interview quantum physicist Dr. Shohini Ghose about the history of her quark-y field and her own personal journey of discovery along the path! Then, ready your blindfolds and prep your palettes – it’s time for another installment of Feeding Ben Stuff, featuring Louise! Plus, Nichole shares a special report about the 2026 World Cup and all the enchanting soccer cheers from around the globe. Finally, we pay tribute to the late, great Dr. Jeff Meldrum, renowned anthropologist, professor, and lifelong Bigfoot researcher by returning to the very first Cryptid Corner EVER!  And, we’ve got a super special new segment called “We Made It All Up!”, an improvised storytelling collaboration between three different schools from across the US! Starting the story off are 6th graders from Rocky Heights Middle School in Highlands Ranch, Colorado. They passed their part of the story to 8th graders at Rocky Heights, who then sent all their recordings to the 5th graders at St. Veronica Catholic School in Cincinnati, Ohio! Finally, our Penpal by Podcast collaborators, the 5th grade class at Crow Agency Elementary in Crow Agency, Montana, brought the whole made-up journey to an end!  Not to mention some hilarious jokes and one doozy of a riddle. So grab a snack, tell a friend, stay curious and, as always: keep it WILD!!! Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Timestamps for this episode are available below. 00:00 - Episode 22 Intro 01:27 - Dr. Shohini Ghose 11:19 - Riddle Clue 11:34 - World Cup Fever! 16:49 - Favorite Sound 18:06 - Call for Submissions! 18:34 - Feeding Ben Stuff: Louise's Turn 28:18 - Joke Time 29:10 - We Made It All Up! 32:56 - Grandparent Stories: Nichole's Grandma 44:05 - Cryptid Corner: Bigfoot with Dr. Jeff Meldrum 53:12 - Riddle Answer 53:30 - Preview of Episode 23 53:42 - Credits + Call for Reviews + Word of Mouth! 54:13 - Bloopers For more quality content from students at Rocky Heights Middle School and St. Veronica Catholic School, check out 2025 NPR Student Podcast Middle School Honorable Mentions “A Late Start Would Be Smart”, “Are You Smarter Than AI?”, “Mystery Unknown!”, and “The Flaws of School – Should Schools be Improved to Fit Students’ Needs?” wildinterest.com

    We Made It All Up, Shohini Ghose, and Feeding Ben Stuff

  3. Jun 15

    Cataract Canyon & Penpal by Podcast

    Welcome to summer, Wildlings! Hit the waves with Nichole as she guides you through the ups and downs of her rafting adventure on the Colorado River in Cataract Canyon! Get nostalgic for the past school year as we listen back to the best moments created by our Penpal by Podcast student podcast groups all the way from Crow Agency, MT, to Brooklyn, New York! Evan elucidates the lore behind La Lechuza in Cryptid Corner - it's a real hoot! Haadiyah from South Africa interviews her grandma, Hunter from California reflects on his favorite sound, and back home on the range (in the studio), there's a funny little Animal Call to be identified! Not to mention some hilarious jokes and one doozy of a riddle. So grab a snack, tell a friend, stay curious and, as always: keep it WILD!!! Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Timestamps for this episode are available below. 00:00 - Episode 21 Intro 01:20 - Cataract Canyon 09:26 - Animal Call 10:39 - Joke Time! 11:29 - Penpal by Podcast 20:04 - Riddle Clue 20:26 - Animal Call Reprise 21:23 - Cryptid Corner: La Lechuza 24:34 - Favorite Sound 25:17 - Call for Submissions! 25:44 - Animal Call Reveal 28:00 - Grandparent Stories: Haadiyah's Grandma 33:15 - Riddle Answer 33:56 - Preview of Episode 22 34:25 - Credits + Call for Reviews + Word of Mouth! 34:56 - Bloopers Archival audio in Animal Call: Rice, Jeff. Audio file copyright 2010, the Western Soundscape Archive at the University of Utah J. Willard Marriott Library, http://westernsoundscape.org & Public Domain recordings from the National Park Service. Musical segments performed by Daca (Henry Payne Reeves) include "I'm Ridin' Old Paint" and "Old Chisholm Trail", from the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress. Archival audio in Cryptid Corner: Snippets from "El Pajaro Gigante de Robe" by Los Campeones de Raul Ruiz, published by Freddie Records, & "El Tecolotito" as performed by Ricardo Archuleta, from the American Folklife Center of the Library of Congress. Archival audio in Grandparent Stories: Snippets of “Mannenberg” by Abdullah Ibrahim, 1974. wildinterest.com

    Cataract Canyon & Penpal by Podcast

  4. Apr 9

    Red Cards & Redheads

    Hey Wildlings, lace up your cleats and let's hit the pitch, it's time for Episode 20 of Wild Interest, "Red Cards & Redheads"! Ever wonder who came up with red cards in soccer? Or why some people are redheads even though their parents aren't? Well, it's a red letter day, because we've rolled out the red carpet for our new friends, brother and sister duo Miles & Nico! They tell us all about their love for "The Beautiful Game", their favorite players EVER, and the roots of the yellow and red card penalty system in soccer. Then, they discuss their own roots as redheads and how and why the trait for red hair gets passed down through generations! We also join Wild Interest collaborator Trey Lander at Fantasy Lane Studios in Atlanta, GA, to hear all about how he's turned his love for music into a career full of inspiration! And, stay tuned for some exclusive behind-the-scenes footage of us cutting tracks in the booth! Plus, we've journeyed to the highlands of Scotland to follow one of the biggest fish tales of all time - the Loch Ness Monster! And, for Grandparent Stories, we hear from Philip in Maryland as he interviews his grandma! Not to mention some hilarious jokes, a mind-bending riddle, and a fantastic favorite sound. So grab a snack, tell a friend, stay curious and, as always, keep it WILD!!! Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Timestamps for this episode are available below. 00:00 - Episode 20 Intro 01:43 - Redcards with Miles & Nico 11:24 - Riddle Clue 11:40 - In the Studio with Trey Lander 23:38 - Favorite Sound 24:50 - Cryptid Corner: The Loch Ness Monster 31:00 - Joke Time! 31:45 - Call for Submissions 32:10 - Redheads with Miles & Nico 35:39 - Grandparent Stories: Philip's Grandma 38:13 - Riddle Answer 38:36 - Preview of Episode 21 38:47 - Credits + Call for Reviews + Word of Mouth! 39:19 - Bloopers! wildinterest.com

    Red Cards & Redheads

  5. Feb 12

    The Shortest (and Sweetest!) Month

    Ah, February! Already one month into the New Year, and we've got so much to share with you! Professional spoken word artist Jim Weiss stops by the studio to spin some yarns and talk shop with Evan. Mr. Weiss has narrated countless stories from Tall Tales to Greek Mythology, and U.S. History to Classic Fables. You've probably heard his version of The Tortoise and the Hare - it's pretty epic!!! Plus, get ready for the most dramatic reading of a cereal box...maybe ever? Speaking of drama: steel your nerves and brace your tastebuds - it's another edition of Feeding Ben Stuff! This time, it's Nichole's turn. Tune in to find out what never-before-heard-of-flavor-combination they invent this time! Then, get ready for a real cool treat!!! Introducing: SNOW ICE CREAM! That's right, we go to our test kitchen (and our backyard) to bring you a wonderful wintertime recipe that's sure to be a new favorite! We have a Grandparent story from Blake in Cary, Illinois and his Grandma, who grew up on a farm in Kansas! And, get ready for one of the original supernatural mysteries as Cryptid Corner explores the treacherous Bermuda Triangle! Plus, we share a few tricks for remembering how many days are in each month. You know, because February! Not to mention hilarious jokes, a mind-bending riddle, and a fantastic favorite sound. So grab a snack, tell a friend, stay curious and, as always, keep it WILD!!! Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Timestamps for this episode are available below. 00:00 - Episode 19 Intro 01:35 - Jim Weiss Spins His Yarns 11:58 - Animal Call! 12:22 - How Many Days in a Month? 15:02 - Riddle Clue 15:29 - Favorite Sound 16:21 - Call for Submissions! 16:48 - Feeding Ben Stuff Part III: Nichole's Turn 29:08 - Animal Call Reprise 29:57 - Grandparent Stories: Blake's Grandma 33:47 - Animal Call Reprise Part II 34:28 - Joke Time! 35:25 - Snow Ice Cream! 40:34 - Animal Call REVEAL 41:11 - Cryptid Corner: The Bermuda Triangle 46:10 - Riddle Answer 46:36 - Preview of Episode 20 46:49 - Credits + Calls for Reviews + Word of Mouth! 47:22 - Bloopers! *** To hear more of Jim Weiss's storytelling, head to: jimweiss.com & welltrainedmind.com Animal Call samples clips from the Cornell Lab of Ornithology | Macaulay Library, by Allen, Gunn, Johnson, Maia, and Patterson; and "Intergalactic" by The Beastie Boys, © Capitol Records and Beastie Boys, 1999. wildinterest.com

    The Shortest (and Sweetest!) Month

  6. Jan 8

    What is a New Year?

    Hey Wildings, welcome to the New Year! If you're wondering what all the fuss is about, you've tuned into the right frequency! We have our very own supernatural elder, none other than Bobby the Bigfoot, join us in the studio for a very extensive, expansive, and enlightening look at the tradition of marking another trip around the Sun, aka the birthday of The Year?! We talk other new beginnings, like resolutions (got any, wildings?) and what it's like to move. Evan's got a real feisty Cryptid this time - don't call it a Marmot! And, we're graced by the cosmic presence of astronomer Wendy Freedman, who chats Dark Matter, Dark Energy, the EXPANDING UNIVERSE, and, oh ya, the new project she's working on called the Giant Magellan Telescope that will be able to see the very first starlight. Yeah, we're starting the year off right, Wildings - so grab a snack, tell a friend, stay curious and, as always, keep it WILD!!! Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Timestamps for this episode are available below. 00:00 - Episode 18 Intro 01:19 - Reelin' in the (New) Years with Bobby the Bigfoot 12:42 - Favorite Sound 13:31 - Call for Submissions 13:58 - The Expanding Universe with Wendy Freedman   23:51 - Riddle Clue 24:19 - New Year's Resolutions 26:19 - Joke Time! 27:07 - Cryptid Corner: The Barbegazi 29:25 - Unpacking the Big Move 33:08 - Grandparent Stories: Naomi and Levi's Grandmother Nonna 40:07 - Riddle Answer 40:40 - Preview of Episode 19 41:32 - Credits, Call for Reviews, and Word of Mouth 42:05 - Bloopers wildinterest.com

    What is a New Year?

  7. 12/04/2025

    Rollercoasters & Ziplines

    Buckle up buttercups! In this thrilling Wild Interest, we mic Evan up for the first HUGE rollercoaster ride of his life. Listen to Evan shriek as he whips around Candymonium, the tallest, fastest, and longest coaster at Hershey Park. Then listen to Nichole harangue Evan for being too short to go on a zipline by himself. (Typical big sister behavior.) Finally, hear them both shout to the treetops as they whizz along the longest zipline in Central America. Brooklyn’s PS 66 gets in the mix with a mind-bending riddle; Dean in New Paltz, NY interviews his grandma; and Gianna in New Jersey shares her favorite sound. Oh, and there’s even a Cryptid who rides rollercoasters. Leave it to Evan. Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Timestamps for this episode are available below. 00:00 - Episode 17 Intro 01:28 - Rollercoasters! 04:18 - Hershey Park 05:08 - Evan's First Big Rollercoaster Ride: Candymonium 07:27 - Riddle Clue from PS 66 in Brooklyn   07:53 - Ziplines! 11:11 - Favorite Sound 11:47 - Call for Submissions 12:14 - Cryptid Corner: Rollercoaster Ghost Riders 15:09 - Joke Time 15:53 - Grandparent Stories: Dean's Grandma 20:14 - Riddle Answer from PS 66 in Brooklyn 20:37 - Credits 20:48 - Call for Reviews & Word of Mouth 21:10 - Bloopers wildinterest.com

    Rollercoasters & Ziplines

  8. 11/05/2025

    Animal Talk: Paw Two

    People use language to express themselves, but do you ever wonder how other animals communicate with each other? If they don’t speak like us, how do they convey information? In our first Animal Talk episode we learned about the complex ways animals communicate, and how some species even have their own languages and dialects. In “Paw 2” we find out even more about the amazing world of animal talk, and about the science behind linguistic development in animals. Evan interviews Dr. Irene Pepperberg, research professor at Boston University in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences about her groundbreaking work with Alex the African Grey Parrot. Dr. Pepperberg worked with Alex for 30 years and taught him over 100 English words. Not only was Alex able to communicate with humans, he even asked what color he was when looking at himself in the mirror, becoming the first known non-human to ask a question! Nichole goes beneath the waves with Dr. Aude Pacini from the Marine Mammal Research Program at the Hawaii Institute of Marine Biology. Dr. Pacini records whale and dolphin song with sophisticated underwater microphones. She was part of an expedition where the world-class cellist Yo Yo Ma played music for whales from the deck of a famous Hawaiian canoe! Evan takes us down to North Georgia with Project Chimps, a chimpanzee sanctuary where over 90 retired lab chimps roam freely on six protected acres of forest. Our hosts are also joined by the very human creator of the Brooklyn Folk Festival, Eli Smith, who plays some banjo for us and talks about the upcoming festival this November 7-9. This episode is jam-packed, but don’t worry, we still found room for favorites like Cryptid Corner, Grandparent Stories, jokes and more. Let’s get wild! Listen now and have a whale of a time - this episode's a hoot! Parents: visit our website to help your kids contribute jokes or favorite sounds, or to send us a message. Timestamps for this episode are available below. 00:00 - Episode 16 Intro 01:36 - Dr. Irene Pepperberg & Alex, the African Grey Parrot 14:03 - Joke Time 14:57 - Cryptid Corner: The Wow! Signal 20:09 - Riddle Clue  20:31 - Deep Listening with Dr. Aude Pacini 27:48 - Favorite Sound 28:35 - Call for Submissions 29:02 - Eli Smith & the 2025 Brooklyn Folk Festival  34:44 - Going Ape at Project Chimps with Caregivers Lauren and Tawnya 44:31 - Grandparent Stories: Papa Artie 48:22 - Riddle Answer 49:00 - Preview of Episode 17 49:13 - Credits 49:45 - Bloopers The background music in our interview with Dr. Aude Pacini features audio of live performances by Hawaiian musicians Gary Haleamau and Ledward Kaapana, as retrieved from the Library of Congress. wildinterest.com

    Animal Talk: Paw Two
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Trailer

4.7
out of 5
130 Ratings

About

Can a podcast hosted by kids be truly awesome? Yes, it can! Wild Interest takes you on an amazing ride through science, fun facts, natural mysteries and more, all hosted by siblings Nichole and Evan. Perfect for your next road trip, school pickup, or anywhere you want to spark a conversation driven by curiosity. Enjoy the magic that happens when kids are inspired by other kids!You’ll love hearing Evan and Nichole interview people like NFL quarterbacks and Nobel Prize-winning scientists. Take an audio journey with them as they unravel mysteries like the origin of daylight saving time and the legend of Bigfoot. Best of all, enjoy the magic that happens when kids are inspired by other kids. The caliber of your family dinner table conversation will improve overnight. It’s wild!

Information

  • Creator
    Brain Broccoli Productions
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    24
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Wild Interest
  • Show Website
    Wild Interest

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