Finding Joy Outdoors with Alex Troutman
01/03/25 • 52 min
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!
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!
Previous Episode
Mapping Nature's Stories with Calvin Feagans
Dexter and Jason welcome Calvin Feagans, an environmental scientist, educator, and talented nature photographer, to the Bird Joy Podcast this week! Calvin shares how his passion for urban ecology and biodiversity drives his creative work, from the educational EnviroBytes to urban ecology report cards. He also discusses the challenges and joys of turning data into storytelling tools, mapping bird migration patterns, and reclaiming old industrial spaces for conservation efforts.
Throughout the conversation, the homies touch on themes like environmental stewardship, advocating for nature in urban spaces, and navigating the highs and lows of social media advocacy (including a few words on those inevitable trolls). They even reflect nostalgically (and humorously) on their shared love-hate relationship with R programming!
Get ready for an inspiring, educational, and joy-filled conversation that will leave you seeing urban green spaces—and the role you can play in preserving them—in a new light.
Be sure to follow our podcast on Instagram at @thebirdjoypod and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
Next Episode
Birding, Grief, and Legacy with Melissa Hafting
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!
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