Project Dragonfly

at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio

5.0 (1)
LIFE SCIENCES
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Project Dragonfly is a transformative education initiative with master’s degree programs in biology, graduate courses, learning media, public exhibits, and community partnerships across the U.S. and globally. With three programs to choose from, students can tailor their learning experience to their overall goals and interests.

1D AGO

The Heat-Trapping Blanket: Why the Earth Can’t Kick Its Foot Out with Kait Birghenthal

Imagine lying in a bed with too many blankets piled on top of you. You’re sweltering, you’re uncomfortable, but unlike us on a hot summer night, the Earth can’t simply kick a foot out to cool down. This is the vivid, accessible world of Kait Birghenthal, President and Project Coordinator for NNOCCI (the National Network for Ocean and Climate Change Interpretation). Working from the front lines of The Marine Mammal Center in California, Kait is on a mission to dismantle the "spiral of silence" that keeps 75% of Americans from talking about the climate, even when they’re deeply concerned. Kait moves us away from the "doom and gloom" of traditional environmentalism—what she calls the heartbreaking "Sarah McLachlan commercial" effect—and toward a strategy of strategic framing and shared values. By connecting the survival of baby elephant seals to the way we talk over the dinner table, she proves that hope isn't just a feeling; it’s a tool for civic change. Tune in to hear: The Power of the Blanket: How a simple shift in metaphors—from "greenhouse effect" to "heat-trapping blanket"—can bridge the gap between scientific complexity and public understanding. Sentinels of the Sea: Why seals and sea lions are the "canaries in the coal mine" for our shared health, and how their survival is tied to our own communities. The "Jedi Mind Trick": Practical tips on "bridging and pivoting" to navigate difficult conversations without getting stuck in political polarization. Kait mentioned an 'On the Street' framing video when discussing climate change misconceptions, carbon dioxide, ozone layer etc: https://youtu.be/paCLWbze08c?si=TyKepNLhl4dKfjWN And, check out Kait's podcast, featuring some NNOCCI colleagues: Let's Sea: https://linktr.ee/letsseapod And, join NNOCCI! https://nnocci.org/

45 min
MAR 20

The Rhinos That Sing and the Humans Who Listen: Keeping the Five Alive with Martha Parker

Martha Parker grew up on 20 acres in rural New York, where a chance encounter with a displaced nest of baby bunnies sparked a lifelong obsession with wildlife. Today, she isn’t just saving rabbits; she is the Director of Grants & Partnership Development at the International Rhino Foundation, where she manages the complex "people work" required to save the world’s five remaining rhino species.From the "honeymoon paddocks" of Indonesia to the grasslands of India, Martha pulls back the curtain on the reality of modern conservation. It’s not all rugged jeeps and field binoculars—it’s about grant writing, human-centered design, and navigating the politics of shared spaces. Martha shares the enchanting (and loud) eating habits of the critically endangered Sumatran rhino and explains why, even in a world of habitat loss and poaching, she maintains a sense of "pragmatic hope." This episode is a masterclass in how individual passion can scale into global impact.Tune in to hear:-- The "Pizza Slice" Strategy: How semi-wild sanctuaries are saving species that are too shy to find their own mates.-- The "Singing" Rhino: A description of the unique, endearing vocalizations of the world’s smallest rhino. Hear their songs here:https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=2706939102756892-- The Resilience of the "Native Garden": How a frost in Florida serves as a powerful metaphor for the future of conservation.

39 min
MAR 6

The Snake Tattoo and the Spider in the Shower with Kathayoon Khalil

We’ve all been there: reading a headline about the few remaining rhinos or the melting ice caps and feeling a heavy, familiar sense of defeat. For decades, the "doom and gloom" approach was the primary tool in the conservation toolkit, but Dr. Kathayoon Khalil argues it might be doing more harm than good. When we lead with fear, we don't always spark action; often, we just spark a desire to look away. In this episode, Kevin Matteson sits down with Kathayoon, a conservation psychologist at the Columbus Zoo, to discuss why "saving the world" needs a rebranding centered on hope and empathy. From the power of naming a spider in your bathroom to why she wears a giant snake tattoo as a badge of honor for the misunderstood, Dr. Khalil breaks down the science of how we connect with nature. We explore the "social norm" of the zoo visit and how a simple shift in language—calling an animal "she" instead of "it"—can bridge the gap between human and specimen. Tune in to hear: -- Why "Debbie Downer" conservation messaging causes people to shut down and how to use hope as a motivator instead. -- The six best practices for building empathy, even for the "non-charismatic" creatures like snakes and wasps. -- How to handle the "science policeman" in your head when you hear someone misidentify an animal at the zoo.

47 min
FEB 20

Designing a Neurodiverse Ecosystem with Grayson Ponti

By the time he was an adult, he had visited 150 different zoos and aquariums. He wasn’t a rugged outdoorsy kid camping in the woods; he was a child fascinated by the glass walls that allowed him to see into other worlds. For Grayson Ponti, nature wasn’t just a place to visit—it was a puzzle to understand, both biologically and socially.Today, Grayson is using that lifelong passion to challenge how conservation organizations welcome the public. As the founder of ZANE (Zoos and Aquariums for a Neurodiverse Ecosystem), he argues that true inclusivity goes beyond putting a "sensory friendly" sticker on the door. He joins Kevin to discuss how his background in English—not biology—helped him build a movement that celebrates neurodivergent strengths in the workplace and the wild.Tune in to hear:-- Why the "Golden Rule" is actually a bad framework for inclusivity.-- The concept of "Safe but Uncomfortable" and why it matters in field work.-- Why we should stop saying "Human-Wildlife Conflict" and start saying "Interaction."https://www.zanezoo.org/

37 min
FEB 9

The Dungeon Master of Biology: Rolling for Science with Michael Haughwout

To Michael Haughwout, field science isn't just research—it's "real-life Dungeons & Dragons." Whether he is swimming with whale sharks in Baja or tracking diamondback terrapins in New Jersey, he approaches science with the spirit of an adventurer.A 2023 Global Field Program graduate, Michael is the first in his family to earn a Master’s degree. He brings that same sense of possibility to his AP Environmental Science classroom, where 20-sided dice are standard equipment and "I wonder..." is the most important phrase in the syllabus.In this episode, we discuss how to maintain passion as an educator even when the hard days come. Michael shares why he ditched traditional rubrics to help students find pride in their work, how he uses AI to support neurodivergent learners, and why he treats the pine barrens of NJ like the landscape of Legend of Zelda.Tune in to hear:- Why he brings D20 dice into the biology lab.- The science of the "baseball catcher stance" (and other student-led inquiries).- How to turn a lack of funding into innovation (building hovercrafts!).- Stories behind the elaborate tattoos mapping his travels from Namibia to the Galápagos.

49 min
JAN 23

From the Bronx to Mongolia: Urban Ecology & The Power of Conservation Education with Dave Johnston

Imagine standing in chest-deep water, pulling a seine net full of marine life, while the traffic of the Brooklyn-Queens Expressway roars just behind you. For Dave Johnston, nature isn't something you have to leave the city to find. As the Director of Professional Development for the Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) at the Bronx Zoo, Dave is rewriting the narrative on where conservation happens. Whether he is leading students through the gritty, biodiversity-rich wetlands of Jamaica Bay in New York City or driving across the vast Mongolian steppe with no GPS, Dave’s focus remains the same: people. In this episode, we explore why "social science" is the missing link in saving species and why an educator might be the most powerful conservationist in the room. Tune in to hear: The Urban Lab: Why New York City is actually a "city of islands" and a biodiversity hotspot. The Multiplier Effect: The math behind why Dave prioritizes training teachers over teaching children directly. Nomadic Hospitality: The cultural beauty of rolling up to a Mongolian ger (yurt) unannounced and being welcomed inside.

48 min
JAN 9

The Soul of a Place and the Triadic Framework with Jill Korach

Sitting in a cubicle at a high-tech semiconductor firm in Silicon Valley, Jill Korach realized something terrifying: there were 17,000 jobs at her company, and she didn't want a single one of them. That realization launched a global journey—from the strict discipline of Army ROTC to riding horses across the Mongolian steppes. Today, Dr. Jill Korach is a cornerstone of Project Dragonfly, where she uses her unique blend of logistics and empathy to lead Earth Expeditions. In this conversation, Jill dismantles the idea that a leader must be the expert in the room. Instead, she argues for the power of "shared vulnerability"—whether that’s struggling to meditate in a Thai hut or holding hands with a student who is terrified to swim. We also dive into her research on the "Triadic Framework," a new way to look at conservation that goes beyond biology to include our spiritual and emotional connections to the land. Tune in to hear: Why her training in Army ROTC was the perfect preparation for conservation leadership. How to balance "birthing a villager" (having a baby) while completing a PhD and traveling the world. The "Triadic Framework": Why saving a species requires understanding the deities and communities around it.

53 min
12/19/2025

Conservation Perspectives and Leadership with Molly Maloy

Molly Maloy is the Graduate and Adult Programs Manager at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance. She has overseen the AIP since it began at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance in 2012. Molly has worked at Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance for 20 years in the fields of Conservation Education and Community Engagement. She also works with the Field Conservation department on Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance’s Botswana program and AZA’s African Vulture SAFE program. Molly recently was invited to be a member of the IUCN Vulture Specialist Group to assist in global conservation efforts for vultures. She has a great affinity for Africa and has lived in Zambia and worked with communities impacted by tourism and human wildlife conflict. Her favorite part of being a part of the AIP is being able to help adults harness their passion and help them create a path for conservation action.

43 min

Project Dragonfly is a transformative education initiative with master’s degree programs in biology, graduate courses, learning media, public exhibits, and community partnerships across the U.S. and globally. With three programs to choose from, students can tailor their learning experience to their overall goals and interests.

Creator

at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio
Years Active

2K
Episodes

24
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© at Miami University in Oxford, Ohio
Show Website

Project Dragonfly