The Podcast Aquatic

Tennessee Aquarium
  • 5.0 (13)
  • NATURE
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

The official podcast of the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gain new insights into the animals — even the human kind — living and working in one of the world's largest freshwater-focused aquariums!

  1. Wrapping Up 2025 In A Bow(fin)

    2D AGO · BONUS

    Wrapping Up 2025 In A Bow(fin)

    As the last kitten-a-day page falls from the calendar, we're taking a moment to look back on the first full year of The Podcast Aquatic and celebrate the many high points for the show. Of all the topics we've covered this year, though, host Casey is most proud of our (admittedly fairly recent) discussion about how the Aquarium takes pains to ensure it is as accessible to as broad an audience as possible. Take a listen to this touching discussion as you toast in 2026. The show will be back up and running next week with a new episode to kick off season two! The Podcast Aquatic is made possible by support from The Tennessee Conservationist, the official magazine of Tennessee State Parks.Printed sustainably on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with UV ink, each issue is filled with fascinating stories about Tennessee’s native species, rich history, and unique culture. It’s also your guide to exploring state parks and planning your next outdoor adventure.   Become a Tennessee Conservationist and subscribe at tnconservationist.org.   Join other conservation enthusiasts and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

    52 min
  2. Yuletidal Interlude: We Are ALL Plant People

    12/17/2025 · BONUS

    Yuletidal Interlude: We Are ALL Plant People

    While we recover from our 50-episode-long first season and get ready to swim into season two in 2026, we're revisiting some of our favorite episodes since our launch back in 2024. This oldie, but certainly a goodie, focuses in on the fascinating and important work being done by our horticulture team. Episode cast Casey Phillips, senior communications specialist/hostAustin Prater, senior horticulturistJenna Paler, horticulturist II The Podcast Aquatic is made possible by support from The Tennessee Conservationist, the official magazine of Tennessee State Parks. Printed sustainably on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with UV ink, each issue is filled with fascinating stories about Tennessee’s native species, rich history, and unique culture. It’s also your guide to exploring state parks and planning your next outdoor adventure.   Become a Tennessee Conservationist and subscribe at tnconservationist.org.   Join other conservation enthusiasts and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

    55 min
  3. 50th Episode Special: A Real Table-Turner

    12/10/2025

    50th Episode Special: A Real Table-Turner

    Hard to believe we're 50 episodes deep into The Podcast Aquatic! Listen in as we celebrate this milestone by turning the tables on erstwhile host/wannabe expert Casey Phillips to put him in the hot seat for once! Episodes we mention that you should check out: Doing Science at Aquariums and Zoos: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7vbVj21Z9P0griqYMoQ05c?si=DamyzMn1QaGcNwTCNqfkAQ Everybody Loves Rays, Man: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6B4aL2FtzWZRBCxE3BX9WQ?si=nj-PyqUBSPe_CEqwZDUvbQBuilding An Aquarium For Everyone: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5gcXGoJxzrS1zC1qjHMevU?si=VOOYRxwBQOSTcKgNcGFXZwAppalachian Animal Mythbusters: https://open.spotify.com/episode/7tzrHG44hMtBkcGuWhbVTz?si=c20f84a0bd0743d3 Check out these other zoo and aquarium podcasts: Aquarium of the Podcific (Aquarium of the Pacific): https://open.spotify.com/show/3iItYuGBfh4UsDfWaBSpiC?si=7fccf8cf018f4e3eCincinnati Zoo Tales (Cincinnati Zoo): https://open.spotify.com/show/7dV5yB9Hi4mNbGxsID9MSe?si=63a7720d5d974c57Our Herd (Toledo Zoo and Aquarium): https://open.spotify.com/show/4fga076PsppB51wmjhFHhH?si=871812850f974dc8Amazing Wildlife (San Diego Zoo): https://open.spotify.com/show/43FIWGkO98EugEu5eyF0s9?si=0697387b3a4b4790 Episode Cast Casey Phillips, senior communications specialist/expert on himselfRachel Thayer, guest host/assistant curator of fishes The Podcast Aquatic is made possible by support from The Tennessee Conservationist, the official magazine of Tennessee State Parks.Printed sustainably on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with UV ink, each issue is filled with fascinating stories about Tennessee’s native species, rich history, and unique culture. It’s also your guide to exploring state parks and planning your next outdoor adventure.   Become a Tennessee Conservationist and subscribe at tnconservationist.org.   Join other conservation enthusiasts and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

    59 min
  4. Mic Droplet: Is Extinction Provable?

    12/03/2025 · BONUS

    Mic Droplet: Is Extinction Provable?

    In the English language, there are few words that convey a sense of finality quite like "extinction." The notion that a species could completely disappear from the planet forever — down to literally the last individual — is incredibly sobering. But how "final" is extinction? How can scientists be sure that an animal has, in fact, completely disappeared forever? As sampling and surveying techniques improve and more and more eyes and camera lenses are trained on broader and broader swaths of the planet, supposedly extinct animals like the Coelacanth and Attenborough's Long-beaked Echidna have been rediscovered like Lazarus rising from the grave. In this quick-hit episode, we pose the question to our resident biologist of how extinction is determined, whether it's reversible and, if so, why bringing an animal back might not be a morally sound path to take. Learn more about how our intervention saved the critically endangered Laurel Dace from near-certain extinction: https://youtu.be/NPcm_d-PsXk?si=xRy63_gWZ_ktvExF Episode cast Casey Phillips, host, senior communications specialist, certifiably not extinctDr. Bernie Kuhajda, aquatic conservation biologist The Podcast Aquatic is made possible by support from The Tennessee Conservationist, the official magazine of Tennessee State Parks. Printed sustainably on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with UV ink, each issue is filled with fascinating stories about Tennessee’s native species, rich history, and unique culture. It’s also your guide to exploring state parks and planning your next outdoor adventure.   Become a Tennessee Conservationist and subscribe at tnconservationist.org.   Join other conservation enthusiasts and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

    14 min
  5. It's A Beast Feast!

    11/26/2025

    It's A Beast Feast!

    Why are lemurs such messy eaters? Why would a penguin refuse to eat a delicious capelin? If a snake hasn't eaten in three months, should I be concerned? If you think it's tough to feed your clan, consider the challenge of satiating more than 13,000 animals, all of which have different needs and preferences. On the eve of the most glutton-y holiday of all, this Thanksgiving-special episode homes in on all the delectably meaty details when it comes to nutrition here at the Tennessee Aquarium. Check out how many fish penguins can put down in a single sitting (waddling?) before undergoing their annual catastrophic molt: https://youtu.be/LFxelNv7Pwo Episode cast Casey Phillips, host, senior communications specialist, life-long eaterDr. Chris Keller, staff veterinarianThom Demas, vice president and chief husbandry & exhibits officerKevin Calhoon, curator of forests The Podcast Aquatic is made possible by support from The Tennessee Conservationist, the official magazine of Tennessee State Parks. Printed sustainably on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with UV ink, each issue is filled with fascinating stories about Tennessee’s native species, rich history, and unique culture. It’s also your guide to exploring state parks and planning your next outdoor adventure. Become a Tennessee Conservationist and subscribe at tnconservationist.org. Join other conservation enthusiasts and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

    1 hr
  6. A Classroom Designed By (And For) Teachers

    11/19/2025

    A Classroom Designed By (And For) Teachers

    When you were a student — assuming you aren't still one — did you ever imagine that your teacher lived at your school? Sometimes, educators can give so much of their time and energy (and occasionally their money) to their craft that it can certainly seem like a school is where they call home. In reality, many teachers feel hamstrung at having to adapt their methods to their classroom facilities, working around inadequacies or equipment that doesn't quite meet their own needs or those of their students. What if teachers were invited to help design those same classrooms, though? Wouldn't their input be a valuable asset in the learning process? Wouldn't it ease their frustration and make them more effective at their critically important jobs? As this episode goes live, the Tennessee Aquarium is just one day away from opening a major addition to its downtown Chattanooga campus: The S.T.R.E.A.M. Learning center, supported by UNUM. This new facility sits next door to the Ocean Journey and River Journey buildings and will act as the hub of the Aquarium's previously decentralized educational efforts. Better still, its design was directly influenced by the educators who will be using it to teach and as a resource for professional development. In this episode, we discover why we invited teachers to participate in the design process and how their input will impact the Aquarium's long-standing role as an educational resource to so many. Episode cast Casey Phillips, host, senior communications specialist and proud teacher's son/brother-in-lawNatali Rodgers, director of learning and evaluationRachel Hargis, UNUM corporate social responsibility manager The Podcast Aquatic is made possible by support from The Tennessee Conservationist, the official magazine of Tennessee State Parks.Printed sustainably on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with UV ink, each issue is filled with fascinating stories about Tennessee’s native species, rich history, and unique culture.It’s also your guide to exploring state parks and planning your next outdoor adventure.   Become a Tennessee Conservationist and subscribe at tnconservationist.org.   Join other conservation enthusiasts and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

    51 min
  7. A Dream Fur-filled feat. Wild Kingdom's Dr. Rae

    11/12/2025

    A Dream Fur-filled feat. Wild Kingdom's Dr. Rae

    All her life, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant was focused on one career ambition: to host a nature series like those that had so stoked her passion for animals early in life. Decades later, Dr. Rae was an author and host to a hit podcast with a long list of academic achievements to her name. She was content and had come to terms with the thought that she might not be destined to grace the silver screen. And then NBC came calling with an offer to co-helm one of the most well-respected, storied nature series to lead the revival of a legendary series: Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom. Alongside co-host Peter Gros, she has visited wild faces and spaces across the world for Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild, which recently began airing its third season in October. In this episode, Dr. Rae chats about growing up apart from nature but no less entranced by it and her hopes and ambitions as an inspiration to new generations of animal lovers. Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild airs Saturday mornings on NBC's "The More You Know" programming block. Check local airtimes and other ways to watch at mutualofomaha.com/wild-kingdom/article/how-to-watch-mutual-of-omahas-wild-kingdom-protecting-the-wild Learn more about Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant's many projects via her website, raewynngrant.com/ Episode cast Casey Phillips, host and senior communications specialistDr. Rae Wynn-Grant, author, wildlife ecologist, podcast host and co-host of Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild The Podcast Aquatic is made possible by support from The Tennessee Conservationist, the official magazine of Tennessee State Parks. Printed sustainably on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with UV ink, each issue is filled with fascinating stories about Tennessee’s native species, rich history, and unique culture. It’s also your guide to exploring state parks and planning your next outdoor adventure. Become a Tennessee Conservationist and subscribe at tnconservationist.org. Join other conservation enthusiasts and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

    55 min
  8. Gabbin' About Gar feat. Dr. Solomon David

    11/05/2025

    Gabbin' About Gar feat. Dr. Solomon David

    There are some animals that don’t deal well with change. Or rather, they seem to somehow avoid being touched by the passage of time like they’re role playing as Peter Pan or Dorian Gray. These lurkers on the edges of the evolutionary flow are what scientists have catchingly termed “living fossils.” One of the most well-known examples of being adverse-to-change are the lepisosteiformes, the taxonomic order of fishes more commonly known as “gars.” These toothy-snooted, predominantly freshwater predators have a fearsome appearance but have come to be much beloved. This episode arrives concurrent with the annual celebration known as “Gar Week.” This weeklong social media event is the brainchild of the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation and offers an opportunity for the citizens of Earth to pay homage to these evolutionarily stubborn fishes. This episode features special guest Dr. Solomon David, a well-known, socially media savvy gar expert, researcher and aquatic ecology professor from the University of Minnesota. Learn more about him at solomondavid.net/ [Check out Dr. David’s gar-geous photos and videos via his Instagram (instagram.com/solomon.r.david/) and TikTok (tiktok.com/@solomonrdavid).] Episode cast Casey Phillips, host/senior communications specialist/podcast GARgoyleDr. Solomon David, assistant professor, aquatic ecologist and principal investigator at GarLab (University of Minnesota)Dr. Bernie Kuhajda, aquatic conservation biologist (Tennessee Aquarium) The Podcast Aquatic is made possible by support from The Tennessee Conservationist, the official magazine of Tennessee State Parks. Printed sustainably on 100% post-consumer recycled paper with UV ink, each issue is filled with fascinating stories about Tennessee’s native species, rich history, and unique culture. It’s also your guide to exploring state parks and planning your next outdoor adventure. Become a Tennessee Conservationist and subscribe at tnconservationist.org. Join other conservation enthusiasts and follow us on Facebook and Instagram.

    1h 4m
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About

The official podcast of the Tennessee Aquarium in Chattanooga, Tennessee. Gain new insights into the animals — even the human kind — living and working in one of the world's largest freshwater-focused aquariums!

Information

  • Creator
    Tennessee Aquarium
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    56
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Tennessee Aquarium
  • Show Website
    The Podcast Aquatic

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