What’s Up, Interpreters? A Podcast from the National Association for Interpretation

Kendra Raines is a nationally syndicated radio personality and award-winning voice actor with more than two decades of experience. Kendra recently earned her Certificate of Interpretive Guiding and applies interpretive principles to her work in radio and content creation. On this episode, she joins NAI's Madison Hyatt and Paul Caputo.

James "Jay" Gardner Harrison III is a descendant of two American Presidents, William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison, as well as English colonists Harmon Harrison and his cousin John Rolfe, who arrived at Jamestown, Virginia, in the early 1600s. He works as a Community Programs Assistant with the Museum Learning & Programs department of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington, D.C. Additionally, Jay has regularly portrayed James Monroe in first person since 1987, in over 300 living history programs mainly for the James Monroe Museum in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Jay joins NAI's Song Stott and Pa...

Chris Davis, Safety and Training Director at Pink Adventure Tours, brings a wealth of experience from the adventure tourism world. He joins NAI's Heather Manier and Paul Caputo to discuss using interpretation to create safe, meaningful, and memorable experiences for visitors and for the interpreters who lead them.

The Honorable Robert G. Stanton received NAI’s 2025 President’s Award. As the fifteenth Director of the National Park Service, and its first African American leader, Mr. Stanton’s more than 40-year career has advanced interpretation, resource stewardship, and equitable public engagement nationwide. Beginning as a seasonal ranger at Grand Teton National Park in 1962, he rose through the ranks to lead the agency with vision, courage, and integrity.

His lifelong advocacy for inclusion and representation has profoundly shaped how the stories of America’s parks are told, broadening who sees themselves reflected in the nation’s natural and cultur...

Monique Thompson is the founder of Raindrop Naturalist, through which she trains guides and educators across parks, museums, and cultural sites to move beyond information delivery and into meaningful dialogue. Monique, a prolific NAI trainer, is passionate about mentoring new interpreters, advancing interpretive training worldwide, and helping organizations evolve with empathy and creativity in a changing world.

Monique joins Song Stott and Paul Caputo to discuss interpretation and to reminisce about camels in Morocco.

Von Harden is the president and founder of the International Association of Tour Directors and Guides (IATDG), as well as the vice president of college access programs with CE Tours. Von has been working in the student travel industry for more than a quarter century. Von focuses on connecting students from underserved communities with tourism opportunities. 

Von joins NAI's Heather Manier and Paul Caputo to discuss the intersection of tourism and interpretation, and where opportunities for individuals from both professions may lie.

André Copeland, Interpretive Programs Manager at Brookfield Zoo Chicago and an NAI Lead Trainer, has been an active NAI member since 2004. He will be a keynote speaker at NAI 2025 in Virginia Beach, addressing perspective and perception in interpretation. André has more than 30 years’ experience working in the zoological field which includes animal care, program development and management, frontline interpretation, interpretive training, interpretive planning, and community outreach programming. His passion is creating a bridge for people to connect with nature and André continues to amass experience in communication to improve that ability.

Longtime NAI member Michael Kirschman, director of Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation, joins to discuss Mount Trashmore and other jewels of the city's park system. Virginia Beach Parks and Rec manages more than 290 parks, 7,000 acres, seven large recreation centers, 185 playgrounds, 200 athletic fields, 14 boat launches, a marina, and the Princess Anne Athletic Complex, and it's Virginia Beach's largest childcare provider through its Before and After School program at 56 elementary schools. It also provides maintenance for 512 city buildings, all 91 public schools and athletic fields, and 340 miles of roadway median, all while providing interpretive experiences for visitors.

Sebastian Frankenberger, president of the World Federation of Tour Guide Associations (WFTGA), joins to talk about the role of interpretation in tourism around the world, and how interpretation organizations and tourism organizations might partner in the future. NAI's Song Stott and Paul Caputo host.

Gaynell Brady, CIG, is the Owner/Educator at Our Mammy’s. In her role, she develops and implements programs that teach participants about Louisiana African American genealogy and history, using her own family tree. Gaynell holds a Bachelor of Arts in History and a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from Southern University at New Orleans. She joins NAI's Song Stott and Paul Caputo to discuss her personal connection to Hurricane Katrina.

Representatives from Interpretation Australia—President Sophie Daniels, Vice President Scott Killeen, and John Pastorelli—join to discuss global trends in interpretation, interpretation in Australia, and what's new with Interpretation Australia.

Natalie Teboul, MFA, MSEd, is a "teacherpreneur" in San Diego, and the inventor of Traveling Miss T.’s Math Maps©. She tutors all grade levels and subjects, and is passionate about creating engaging curriculum, implementing best education practices, and most importantly, shaping tomorrow's thinkers and leaders. When she’s not traveling the world by Coordinate Plane, or tutoring, Natalie loves to tap dance, hike, and cook...while listening to Taylor Swift! Natalie joins Heather Manier and Song Stott.

As the Outdoor Programs Leader for Naventure in Florida, Corian Yandel is responsible for overseeing all outdoor recreation activities to ensure that the 350,000 annual visitors who recreate at 11 locations in the Ocala National Forest, have a fun, knowledgeable, and safe time recreating responsibly. Corian has a background in fitness and nutrition (she founded Peak Performance Fitness Facility in Wisconsin in 2015), as well as adventure tourism.

CJ Greco (they/she) is a nonbinary transwoman, activist, and naturalist from Chicago, Illinois, who is the guest editor of the current issue of NAI's Legacy magazine, "Interpreting Beyond the Binary." They have been working in informal conservation education for most of their life, starting as a youth volunteer 18 years ago. CJ currently works as the Teen Programs Manager at Lincoln Park Zoo. In 2024, CJ was announced as a part of the North American Association of Environmental Education's Environmental Educators 30 Under 30 Class of 2024.

Storytelling, recordings, and live musical performances provide historical context and universal themes of resistance, struggle, creative self-expression, and freedom with the New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park. Rangers Karen Armagost and Jade Perdue share the story with NAI's Song Stott and Paul Caputo.

Emily Agricola Holtrop of the Cincinnati Art Museum discusses the role of interpretation interpreting art. This episode delves into managing a team of more than 60 volunteers and navigating a turbulent climate, among much else. Emily joins NAI's Heather Manier and Madison Hyatt.

Ride along with interpreters who participated in NAI's international un-conference in Morocco, from the streets of Marrakech to the High Atlas Mountains to the Sahara Desert! NAI's Paul Caputo checks in with participants over the course of six days from NAI's first event on the African continent.

In this episode, we speak with Charlotte Giraudo, Interpretation Program Manager at the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC). As the steward of 57 overseas commemorative cemeteries and memorials, ABMC honors the service, achievements, and sacrifice of U.S. armed forces. Charlotte shares the profound responsibility of interpreting these global sites, how ABMC utilizes NAI’s professional development programs to strengthen their interpretive work, and the significance of honoring the fallen through meaningful storytelling. She is joined by NAI's Paul Caputo and Song Stott.

Jim Buchholz, director of the Schmeeckle Reserve at the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point, joins to discuss interpretive planning, exhibit design, and his popular recurring NAI Conference session, the Wayside Olympics. He is the co-author of several publications, most notably Signs, Trails, And Wayside Exhibits: Connecting People And Places, part of the Interpreter's Handbook Series. Jim has served as a volunteer naturalist, was an outdoor educator at the Outdoor Skills and Education Center, developed the Interpretive Technology Lab at the Schmeeckle Reserve, and teaches environmental interpretation courses at Wisconsin Stevens Point. He joins NAI's Song Stott and Paul Caputo on...

ZooTampa applies behavioral research to develop interpretive programs co-led by Guest Engagement Guides and Animal Care Staff. Shelly Drummond and Kerry Gray discuss with Song Stott and Paul Caputo how the process improves guest experiences.

Howard Aprill has had a storied career as a park naturalist with Wehr Nature Center in Milwaukee. He shares insights gleaned from nearly 30 years in the field, not to mention a lifetime in a family of interpretation royalty, with Heather Manier and Paul Caputo.

Griffin Bray, Extension Educator at the University of Minnesota Extension, is a member of NAI's Young Professionals Council who employs dialogic interpretation in nature guiding. He joins to discuss with NAI's Heather Manier and Paul Caputo.

Dan Jenkins is just two years into his career with Cleveland Metroparks, but he's making his mark with an ambitious webcam program, presenting a session at his first NAI Conference, and winning NAI's annual 5K fun run. Dan joins NAI's Paul Caputo and Song Stott.

Join Paul and Song with guest Jennifer Chapman, Education Manager with Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment, as she discusses front-line interpreter daily warm-up exercises and general interpretation within Epcot Animal Experiences at Walt Disney World Resort.

Newly elected NAI Board member Nathan Taxel, Interpretive Programs Curator with OC Parks, discusses the role interpretation plays in building community at the NAI regional level, in the profession as a whole, and in our larger communities. Nathan joins NAI's Heather Manier and Paul Caputo to chat about his goals for his first term on the NAI Board.

Jacquie Gilson (she/her) has been involved in the interpretation profession for over 45 years as an interpreter, manager, and researcher. She has worked for municipal, provincial, national, and not-for-profit park and heritage organizations. In 2015, she completed her Doctor of Social Sciences degree after studying inspiration in interpretation for her dissertation. In 2020, Jacquie retired after 8 years as the Interpretation Coordinator for Parks Canada in Lake Louise, Banff National Park.

Jacquie joins Song Stott and Paul Caputo to discuss the role of artificial intelligence in interpretation.

What role does interpretation play in helping state parks achieve their goals and serve visitors? Emily Jacobs of Washington State Parks and Rob Barrett of Tennessee State Parks join NAI's Song Stott and Paul Caputo to discuss.

NAI staff members Madison Hyatt, Song Stott, Heather Manier, and Paul Caputo recap 2024 and look forward to what's to come in 2025.

The sold-out NAI 2024 conference brought interpreters from around the world to St. Augustine, Florida. NAI's Heather Manier and Emily McCowan spoke with participants and exhibitors during the event.

It's Thanksgiving Day and we're thankful that Margo Carlock was the executive director for NAI from 2013 to 2020. Margo returns to chat about interpretation, retired life, and her dog Lucky with NAI's Song Stott and Paul Caputo.

Jim Peters and his son John have been involved in the industry of interpretive graphics since before there were computers to help them complete projects as far away as Saudi Arabia. They join NAI's Heather Manier and Paul Caputo to talk about their decades of work with their companies Interpretive Graphics and Envirosigns, and how the field has changed (or not) in all those years.

Kathryn Leann Harris is the Founder & CEO of Interpreting Sports, LLC, which aims to re-center the international sports conversation around empathy, balanced humanity, and authentic connection. Kathryn Leann joins NAI's Heather Manier and Paul Caputo.

Volunteers play a critical role at interpretive sites, but until now, NAI has never had a community dedicated to enhancing the skills and experience of interpretive volunteers. On this episode, NAI's Heather Manier and Song Stott chat with Shawna Skinner and Shaunna Costicov-McCombe, the director and deputy director of NAI's brand-new Volunteer Section.

Cyark uses 3D modeling to provide access to heritage sites around the world, creating virtual experiences for web and mobile as well as immersive experiences for a variety of virtual reality platforms. Cyark Chairman John Ristevski and Vice President of Programs and Development Elizabeth Lee join to discuss the work they do with NAI's Heather Manier and Paul Caputo.

Cyark is an NAI commercial member and the platinum sponsor for the 2024 NAI National Conference.

Masa Shintani is a pioneer in the field of community-based ecotourism field. He established “NGO ECOLOGIC” with the mission “to protect the natural environment, regional cultures, and dignity of the local community through community-based ecotourism and interpretation.” He has supported CBET development activities in 18 countries around the world.
Masa is joined live from his ecotour site near Mt. Fuji in Japan by NAI Executive Director Paul Caputo.    

Jessica Doleh and Lauren Hennessey, members of the leadership team for NAI's Young Professionals Section, share insights into this new community and its significance as a resource for young professionals. They discuss the unique challenges young professionals face and the exciting future plans for the section. NAI's Emily McCowan and Madison Hyatt join them in the conversation.

This week, we are excited to welcome Theodore 'Ted' Johnson, the Community Engagement Specialist at Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve and Fort Caroline National Memorial. Ted shares insights into the challenges of interpreting a site rich in both history and nature, highlighting the diverse voices that contribute their stories and the crucial role of community support. Joining him in this conversation are NAI's Paul Caputo and Song Stott.

This week's podcast features Toby Bloom, the National Program Manager for Travel, Tourism, and Interpretation at the USDA Forest Service. Toby shares her journey into this role, the significance of interpretation within a federal agency, and her collaborative efforts with international sites. NAI’s Paul Caputo and Song Stott join the conversation.

Katie Shea, Member of the Citizen Potawatomi Nation & NAI Board, is steadfast in her commitment to educating about the cultural and political sovereignty of Indigenous peoples. Katie’s passion for elevating voices through connection and community quickly revealed to her that promoting cultural understanding can be impactful through the art of interpretation. She joins NAI's Heather Manier and Emily McCowan.

Registration is open for the NAI Conference, December 3–6, St. Augustine, Florida! Join the NAI Conference Committee for this preview of NAI 2024.

Learn more at nai-us.org/NAIConference