CheloniaCast

George Balazs' Dedication to Honu (Part 2)

CheloniaCast is joined by George Balazs, a global independent sea turtle scientist and former leader of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Marine Turtle Research Program, a position that he held for over 30 years. George is, and has been, a massive force for sea turtles and ocean conservation. This episode covers the conservation science, cultural significance, future outlook, global migration ecology, and personal philosophy surrounding primarily Pacific sea turtles from the perspective of a key contributor to their study and appreciation.
 
To learn more about George’s work, and about sea turtles in general, check out his website (it is a treasure trove of information): https://georgehbalazs.com/
 
If you want a short, comprehensive, list of articles about sea turtles check out: https://georgehbalazs.com/articles/16-useful-short-papers-on-the-basics-of-sea-turtle-conservation-research/
 
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/
 
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/
 
Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e / Drew Millman - @drew.millman

Turtle Hatchlings, Adaptation, and Fieldwork

CheloniaCast sits down with Dr. Fredric Janzen. Dr. Janzen is the former director of the W.K. Kellogg Biological Station and a current professor in Michigan State University's Department of Fisheries and Wildlife. Dr. Janzen uses turtles as a model system to study deeper questions in the study of life, development, and evolution. The conversation covers various aspects of Dr. Janzen’s experiences in the study of turtle life history, evolution, and adaptation. From temperature sex determination considering climate change, reproductive behaviors, differences in fecundity between species, and egg/hatching adaptations, the conversation is wide-ranging.
 
To see Dr. Janzens’s fascinating work, visit: https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=t5ftuNQAAAAJ&hl=en
 
To learn more about the Janzen Lab at Michigan State University visit: https://www.kbs.msu.edu/research/labs/janzen/
 
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/
 
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/
 
Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast
 
Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e

From the Directors: Gopher Games

On this episode of CheloniaCast we are joined by both Brent Fannin and Chase Pirtle, the producers behind the documentary Gopher Games: a short documentary focusing on the potential grim fate of the Gopher Tortoises in Florida. Chase is the Director of the 100-acre Ashton Preserve and has diverse experience in wildlife conservation and study across various states in the U.S. Brent is an award-winning documentary filmmaker, drone pilot, educator, and founder of Golden Hawk Drones. The conversation dives into the process of producing the Gopher Games film, and details some of the major takeaways for both Brent and Chase. A prominent theme of the conversation is the fact that the majority of the commissioners of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission are developers, and why this is not a fair situation for the Gopher Tortoise. The value of the Gopher Tortoise both intrinsically, and instrumentally, is discussed at length as well as the imminent threats they are facing.
 
To learn more about how you can help the Gopher Tortoise, and the entirety of Florida’s immensely biodiverse ecosystem by extension, visit the Gopher Games website here: https://gophergamesfilm.com/
 
Do you think it is not fair that the majority of the leadership of Florida’s state wildlife agency have immense incentive to develop the state further? Join 9,290 people that have signed the FWC reform petition here: https://www.change.org/p/reform-the-florida-fish-and-wildlife-conservation-commission
 
View the Gopher Games Documentary here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BURwdKwLoB8 Follow the Gopher Games social media: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gophergamesfilm
 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/gophergamesfilm
 
Spread the word about the beauty, and plight, of the Gopher Tortoise. Use your voice to make a difference.
 
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/
 
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/
 
Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast
Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e

Southwest Florida Turtles, Costa Rica, and a lot of Biology

CheloniaCast is joined by Jordan Donini, Professor of Biology at Florida Southwestern State College. Jordan is an accomplished researcher with focuses on life history, reproductive biology, spatial ecology, and seasonal movements of turtles. His work has spanned across multiple fascinating chelonian hot spots, notably Costa Rica and the Southeastern United States. The conversation ranges from Jordan’s experiences in the field as well as unique aspects of turtle ecology uncovered by Jordan’s research. Phenomena such as Gopher Tortoises being gravid in the winter, box turtles eating crabs, the cryptic nature of the Florida Mud Turtle, and a Florida Softshell Turtle with an additional cloaca are discussed.
 
For the past few years Jordan has organized Herpeton, The Florida Herpetology Conference, the premier symposium highlighting the immense amount of herpetological research and conservation in the Sunshine State. You can register and learn more about Herpeton (from October 31st-November 2nd in 2025) here: https://www.fsw.edu/herpetonconference
 
Be sure to follow along with Jordan and his students on the Southwest Florida Turtle Project Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swfl_turtle_project/?locale=id&hl=en
 
Check out Jordans fascinating publications here: https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jordan-Donini-2
 
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/
 
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/
 
Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast
 
Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e

Studying and Conserving Northeastern Turtles

CheloniaCast is joined by Michela Coury, Freshwater Turtle Biologist for the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game and all-around turtle biologist and researcher. Michela did her master’s thesis on Spotted Turtle ecology and movement and has vast field experience with various other North American turtle species. In her current position with the Massachusetts Department of Fish and Game she is tasked with protecting the state’s turtle populations through habitat management, fieldwork, data collection/analysis, and outreach. The conversation dives into Michela’s upbringing into turtles, experiences in the field and the many rewarding aspects of the world of turtle conservation. There is also much discussion about Spotted Turtle home range, the use of R in spatial analysis, and some wild fieldwork stories.
Check out the podcast that Michela co-hosts, the Field Stories Podcast, here: https://www.youtube.com/@FieldStories.podcast
Be sure to follow Michela’s Instagram to follow along with her adventures saving turtles and biodiversity: https://www.instagram.com/michiganbiologist/?hl=en
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/
Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast
Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e

Making Turtle Science Accessible

CheloniaCast is joined by Devin Welch, herpetologist, conservationist, educator and content creator. Devin makes very unique short form content on social media. With vast field experience from Hellbenders to Alligator Snapping Turtles, Devin has seen a wide variety of North American herpetological diversity. The conversation covers much of Devin’s experiences in the field, including discovering a new Frosted Flatwoods Salamander population. There is discussion on really interesting field techniques Devin implements like snorkeling, diving, hiking, and trapping. The utility of social media to platform science and its importance is discussed as well.
Be sure to check out Devin’s social media accounts at:
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCExeC-VzXjM0na8WE-YvTsw
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/d_outback_/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/devin.welch.739/reels/
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/
Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast
Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e

Turtle Physiology, Population Biology, and Research

CheloniaCast is joined by Dr. Paul Stone, Professor in the Department of Biology at the University of Central Oklahoma. Dr. Stone has extensive experience in the study of turtles. His studies address many phenomena in turtles, notably comparative analysis of aquatic respiration amongst various freshwater chelonians and long-term population monitoring. The conversation dives into Dr. Stone's many experiences in the field as well as his insights into different areas of turtle ecology and research.
 
To learn more about Dr. Stone and his work visit: https://www3.uco.edu/centraldirectory/profiles/2240
 
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/
 
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/
 
Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast
 
Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e

Turtle Sex Determination, Ecology, and Genomics

CheloniaCast is joined by Dr. Nicole Valenzuela, Professor in the Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Organismal Biology at Iowa State University and principal investigator in the Laboratory of Evolutionary and Ecological Genomics at Iowa State University. Dr. Valenzuela is an elected Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and researches a variety of areas of evolutionary ecology and biology, using turtles as model systems primarily. She has published over 100 peer reviewed papers and co-edited the book “Temperature Dependent Sex Determination in Vertebrates.” The conversation dives deeper into her experiences both in the field and lab pertaining to her study of sex determination of turtles, turtle genomics, and evolutionary ecology. There is also valuable discussion on the challenges turtles can pose in developmental studies due to their slow growth and natural history. 
 
To learn more about Iowa State University’s Laboratory of Evolutionary and Ecological Genomics visit: https://faculty.sites.iastate.edu/nvalenzu/
 
To view “Temperature Dependent Sex Determination in Vertebrates” visit: https://smithsonian.figshare.com/articles/book/Temperature-Dependent_Sex_Determination_in_Vertebrates/9761783
 
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/
 
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/
 
Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast
 
Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e

Turtles, Philosophy, and Time

CheloniaCast is joined by both Sy Montgomery and Matt Patterson. Sy, a naturalist and writer, has authored 38 books to date. Sy has been on the New York Times Bestseller list five times and has recieved numerous other awards and distinctions for her work including the 2024 Cook Prize. Sy utilizes narrative on animals to convey various messages surrounding issues of human nature, compassion, and philosophy. Matt is a turtle fanatic, artist, and explorer. His primary focus is on turtles and his award-winning illustrations have been featured in fine art galleries, museums, and numerous publications. The conversation centers around Sy and Matt’s collaboration in the creation of “Of Time and Turtles” as well as diving into both of their unique upbringings into the world of turtles and wildlife. There is discussion on the value of the philosophy turtles emulate as well as further detail on the creative journeys of both respected artists, be it the writing or art process.
 
Purchase “Of Time and Turtles: Mending the World, Shell by Shattered Shell” here: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/of-time-and-turtles-sy-montgomery?variant=41323553062946
 
Purchase "The Book of Turtles" here: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/the-book-of-turtles-sy-montgomery?variant=40695888609314
 
Learn more about Sy Montgomery's work here: https://symontgomery.com/
 
Check out Matt Patterson’s page here: https://www.mpattersonart.com/
 
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/
 
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/
 
Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast
 
Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e

Adventures, Tortoises, and a Series of Leaking Boats

CheloniaCast is joined by Dr. Fred Caporaso, Professor of Food Science at Chapman University, and turtle man extraordinaire. Fred has decades of experience working with turtles, both in the field and in captivity. He has traveled the globe in pursuit of turtles, and spent many hours with Dr. Peter Pritchard in the Galapagos and elsewhere. Join us for this fun discussion focused on Fred’s trips in pursuit of turtles, and what he has learned along the way.
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast here: https://theturtleroom.org/cheloniacast/
Learn more about the CheloniaCast Podcast Fund here: https://theturtleroom.org/project/cheloniacast-podcast/
Follow the CheloniaCast Podcast on Instagram/Facebook/Twitter @cheloniacast
Host and production crew social media - Jason Wills - @chelonian.carter / Michael Skibsted - @michael.skibstedd / Jack Thompson - @jack_reptile_naturalist_302 / Ken Wang - @americanmamushi / Wyatt Keil - @wyatts_wildlife_photography / Paul Cuneo - @paul_turtle_conservation42 / Alex Mione - @alex.mione / Ethan Hancock - @ethankinosternonlover / Torsten Watkins - @t_0_.e