conversations with that quirky bird girl

In this episode, I’m getting a little more personal. I open up about some of the toughest challenges I’ve faced — and how, somehow, birds always found a way to guide me through them.

From the boldness of Blue Jays to the quiet persistence of American Robins, these birds became my teachers, my mirrors, and my reminders that growth isn’t always graceful, but it’s always worth it.

They helped me rebuild when I thought I had nothing left to give. They showed me that curiosity, joy, and even a little silliness can exist righ...

Hi there chirper or quirkster!!

In this (reluctantly: heartwarming) episode, I’m sharing how birds have been my greatest teachers, motivators, mentors, and mirrors through every major chapter of my life. From American Robins reminding me to stay curious, to Steller’s Jays showing me the power of using my voice, birds have guided me through fear, change, and EVEN the moments when I doubted my own potential (????!).

I talk about how birds helped me rebuild my confidence after moving to NYC, the ways they continue to shape my creative journey as That Quirky Bird Girl...

In this episode, I sit down with Nick Bayard, Executive Director of BirdNote, the beloved nonprofit radio program that has reached over 10 million listeners nationwide with stories that spark wonder and action for our lovely birds.

Nick shares his journey from being a peacekeeper in Paraguay to leading a non-profit that uniquely blends education, storytelling, and even humor to bring bird conservation into people’s daily lives. We reflect on how his time in the Peace Corps shaped his understanding of community, and why humor and authenticity are such powerful tools for connection (cross-linguistically, be...

After a whirlwind of travels, I’m back in New York City and diving headfirst into creating again — and what better place to start than Central Park? 🌳

In this episode, I take you on a joyful, quirky chat in the park, sharing the bird species that call it home (both native and non-native), what makes them unique, and why birdwatching in an urban environment matters more than we realize. From community bird tours to the surprising lack of female birds represented in merchandise (yes, really!), we explore how connecting with birds also connects us to each other.

Th...

In this episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, Steph (I) sit down with Christine Mott, animal law attorney, advocate, and author of Free Bird. Together, we dive into the incredible true story of Flaco the owl, whose escape from the Central Park Zoo captured hearts everywhere, and the powerful message his journey holds about resilience, freedom, and compassion.

Christine shares how her passion for storytelling and her work in animal law come together to inspire empathy, encourage young readers, and push for a kinder world for animals. This episode is part bird lore, part...

Hi chirpers and quirksters — it’s Steph, That Quirky Bird Girl! This episode is a cozy one, recorded right from my bed in my PJs, fresh off the highs of a NYC bird tour!!

I’m diving into how birds like the American Robin, Blue Jay, Osprey, and Red-tailed Hawk have each taught me to push past doubt and take brave steps forward... even when I questioned myself at every turn.

I am also so excited to share that our bird tours are expanding! We’ll be exploring the vibrant landscapes of San Francisco and Seattle...

In this high-energy, bird-filled episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, I sit down with Brandon — a long-time Angry Birds fan and creator — to dive deep into the colorful, chaotic, and community-driven world of one of the most iconic bird franchises ever.

We chat about Brandon’s journey from discovering Angry Birds back in 2011 to creating his own YouTube content in 2016, and how Rovio has kept the fandom alive by listening to fans and evolving the brand across games, movies, and TV shows.

From the unique personalities of Red and Bomb to the family dynamic that keeps...

Hi friend — I’m Steph, That Quirky Bird Girl. If you’re new here, I’m so glad you landed in my little corner of the internet. I talk birds, mental health, NYC life, travel, and navigating the world as an AuDHD (Autistic + ADHD) creator.

This episode is the most personal I’ve ever shared. For the first time, I open up about my divorce — the pain of ending a 10-year relationship, what it meant to leave, and how I chose myself by moving to New York City at the exact same time I chose to start over.

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Hi there my quirky bird people --

This is a later in the week podcast episode (thank you for the patience!!) ALL ABOUT building community...An endeavor that I have fallen completely head over heals in love with. I have spent the past 6 months honing in on my community nurturing and I finally feel ready to talk about what the journey behind the scenes has looked like AND how your can replicate it around your interests...even if they are not around birds!

I hope you enjoy this episode...

Hi my chirpsters and quirksters!!

I hope your summer is as sun shiny as you are! This episode is all about exploring birds in the great state of California -- San Francisco! Along the way we chat Common Ravens (and their tails!), Chestnut Backed Chickadees, and House Finches!

Be sure to follow and subscribe (on YouTube!) -- I'm heading to Australia before the end of the year and will be documenting every moment of it. See ya there!

Order your limited edition That Quirky Bird Girl pin...

Hi Chirpsters — it’s your girl, Steph!

In this episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, we’re back with Season 3, Episode 2 and this one is all about community. I’m diving into how birds have helped me build real-life friendships, deepen connections, and find people who get it, people who get me.

We talk about how showing up in bird spaces (awkwardly or not!!!) has helped me grow my network in a way that doesn’t feel scary or transactional — it feels real, grounded, and joyful.

If you’ve ever wondered what it looks like to...

Hi chirpsters -- it's your girl, Steph! In this episode of that quirky bird girl, we launch into the THIRD SEASON with a few anecdotes about birds that have quite literally made all of the difference for me.

I chat about the American robins that taught me to stim, Blue jays that released me from obsession with Cinderella's love story, and the curiosity of a Gray Catbird.

As an auDHDer, the odds have often felt stacked against me -- but this is my breaking free! Birds helped me and continue to help me.

...

Hi everyone!!! It's your favorite bird creator and chirper, Steph! This week, I am joined by the lovely Monica who is the Founder of the Urban Bird Collective. UBC is an organization that is dedicated to centering bipoc and queer folks in their birding experiences and outings.

This Pride month, centering voices -- particularly of color -- has been a primary goal of mine and I am so grateful to Monica for sharing with us just how UBC has turned this mission into life. We chat spark birds, queer joy, importance of celebration, and lessons learned along...

Welcome to the very first episode of something a little different. In this pilot adventure of Chirpchasing Banter with Steph — yes, you heard that right (!!!!)— I take this podcast out of the studio and into the field, literally, for a walk through nature with author, birder, and all-around brilliant human, Steve Burrows.

Steve and I go chirpchasing together — not just spotting birds, but slowing down, noticing the little things, and letting the natural world guide our conversation. We talk about birds, yes, but also about the why behind birds the joy in moving slowly, and how birds have i...

In this special start-of-the-month episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, I’m embracing all of me — my queerness, my autism, and my deep love for birds — and kicking off a month of celebration, softness, and honesty.

This one’s personal. I talk about what it’s taken to get here — to feel safe enough to say out loud that I’m queer, that I’m autistic, and that I deserve to feel whole without tucking parts of myself away. Birds, as always, are my companions on this journey, and in this episode I highlight some of the most brilliantly...

In this globe-hopping episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, I’m back with one of my favorite returning guests — the incredible Steve Burrows! 🐦✈️ Steve is the author of the Birder Murder Mystery series and a passionate traveler whose chirpchasing adventures have taken him far beyond the pages of his novels.

This time, we’re talking all about the birds of Colombia, India, and Canada — three wildly different but equally magical places for wildlife. Steve shares some of his favorite bird encounters, the importance of preserving biodiversity, and how exploring nature through a global lens deepens our understanding of the world an...

In this laugh-filled episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, I take a stroll through the iconic Ramble in Central Park with my friend and NYC comedian Steve Cohen. 🎤🐦 We chat about the birds we see (and wish we’d seen), the thrill of exploring New York’s green heart, and Steve’s impressive knowledge of both the park and the punchline.

Steve shares updates on his latest creative projects, including his new TikTok show, and brings the kind of humor that makes chirpchasing even more joyful (yes, even when the birds are playing hard to get). We talk curiosi...

In this very special follow-up episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, I’m joined once again by the brilliant and ever-curious Steve Burrows who is an award-winning author of the Birder Murder Mystery series. This time we dive deep into something that left me wide-eyed: his wild, wonder-filled birding adventures through South America and all the way to Antarctica.

We talk about the thrill of seeing species in their natural habitats, the challenges (and beauty) of traveling to remote places. From the lush Amazon canopy to icy penguin-packed shores, this episode is a passport to inspiration.

...

In this cozy and curious conversation, I sit down with Jamey Stegmaier, co-founder of Stonemaier Games and author of The Crowdfunder's Strategy Guide, to chat about something that means a lot to both of us: community. Jamie shares how his love for creating games is deeply rooted in connection, collaboration, and curiosity.

We dive into his journey and the beauty of bringing people together. And yes, we talk all things Wingspan, Wormspan, and the upcoming Finspan (hello, sea creature lovers!).

Jamey isn’t just part of the team behind one of the most beloved bird-themed ga...

In this heartfelt episode, I’m joined by the amazing Cat Fribley—bird lover, survivor, and Executive Director of Birdability. Together, we dive into Cat’s journey of healing, her guiding principles, and the core values that show up in everything she does—from chirpchasing to building inclusive communities.

Cat shares her story with such openness, kindness, and grace that it's impossible not to leave this conversation feeling inspired. We explore how birds can support healing, how accessibility can transform lives, and why connection (to ourselves, to nature, and to each other) matters so deeply.

Cat is t...

In this episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, I sit down with the one and only brilliant and inspirational Steve Burrows, author of the acclaimed Birder Murder Mystery series, to delve into his journey from environmental journalism to crafting compelling bird-themed mysteries to traveling the world to see some of the most beautiful birds that you could imagine. We discuss what drew him to the avian world, his writing process, and the inspiration behind his beloved series featuring DCI Domenic Jejeune. From the first novel, A Siege of Bitterns, to the upcoming A Deceit of Lapwings (As a Lapwing...

In this special episode, I’m joined by the incredibly multi-talented Romaine—a filmmaker, director, editor, writer, and actor—for my very first live bird tour episode! We take a walk through Central Park (yes, there were birds!) and talk about creativity, passion, and the birds that connect our worlds—both here in New York City and in his home country of France.

Romaine shares his story as a creative force, how his journey has evolved through video games and film, and how he’s constantly challenging the world around him with his art. We also get into some...

A neurodivergent love story

Some people have defining moments in life that come full circle. For me? It’s always been birds and language. Every major shift, every heartbreak, every season of growth—birds have been there. And so has my love for words, specifically Spanish and Italian.

In this episode, I get vulnerable about how birds shaped my relationship with language, how they helped me process emotions before I even had the words, and why my neurodivergent brain just clicks with both birds and linguistics. I share how every chapter of my life seems to l...

In this here episodio (spanish added, because this guest speaks AND teaches Spanish), I’m joined by birder, author, and educator Heather Wolf for a conversation that honestly just feels like two bird gals geeking out—hard. We dive into the wonderful beauty and chaos of urban bird loving right here in Brooklyn, NYC, because yes, birds are literally everywhere if you’re paying attention (and boy, oh boy, are we!!). Heather shares what drew her into the world of birds (spoiler: birds are an amazing lifestyle!!), how she tackles tricky birds like sparrows and gulls with glee, and why mo...

Welcome back to another episode of Bird Banter—and oh, this one’s for my drama queens and forest baddies. Today we’re talking all about the Blue Jay—nature’s loudest, pettiest, and most persistent bird.

In this episode, I’m diving into Blue Jay lore:

What if I told you that birds didn’t just change the way I see the world—they changed the way I speak? That their colors, movements, and presence helped me understand emotions, translate feelings into words, and even learn new languages?

In this episode, I take you deeper into my journey of experiencing the world through bird colors—this time, through the lens of language. I’ll share how birds became my bridge to understanding emotions in English, how their colors shaped the way I process feelings, and how that connection led me to learning Spanish and Ital...

Have you ever felt a color? Seen an emotion through the wings of a bird? In this episode, I’m inviting you into my world—into the way I experience birds, colors, and emotions.

Through a guided exercise, we’ll close our eyes together as I walk you through the colors and birds that represent different emotions in my mind. I’ll share how birds helped me express emotions and take action. This episode is deeply personal—an exploration of the way my mind works and how birds have shaped the way I understand and communicate with the world...

What if I told you that birds changed my life? That my time with them helped me face my fears, step into new spaces, and redefine what I believed I was capable of?

In this episode, I share my deeply personal journey of how birds became more than just something I watched—they became my guides. They helped me navigate uncertainty, heal from adversity, accept my neurodiversity, and ultimately find the confidence to explore and expand my world.

If you’ve ever struggled with fear of the unknown, feeling out of place, or wondering how to t...

From childhood fascination to full-fledged bird nerd, my journey with birds has been deeply intertwined with my neurodivergence. In this episode, I dive into how birds have shaped my understanding of the world, offering both structure and spontaneity in ways that resonate with my mind. I explore the key moments that sparked my love for birds, the unique ways neurodivergent folks connect with nature, and how leaning into chirpchasing has helped me embrace who I am.

This episode is about celebrating the joy, curiosity, and deep personal connection that birds bring into our lives.

Share...

In this episode ofThat Quirky Bird Girl, we’re diving intoThe Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman and exploring how birds can inspire our own adaptability, intelligence, and resilience. From the clever problem-solving of Caribbean Grackles to the unwavering determination of Western Ospreys, we’ll break down how these birds can teach us to trust ourselves, take chances, and embrace flexible thinking.

But that’s not all! I’m also taking you along on my chirpchasing adventures in London! Featuring a surprise run-in with an Eurasian Jay that had me literally sprinting across Richmond Park, this trip was full...

Check out my Patreon linked here and join the AMAZING chirpchasing community -- I can't wait to see you there!!

If you're interested in supporting my journey, support my GoFundMe to improve my equipment for podcasting AND posting!! Your support means the world - and thank you so much for helping me make my dreams come true!

In this episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, we kick off our journey into The Genius of Birds by Jennifer Ackerman—but with a twist. As we explore how birds challenge our understanding of their brains and what they're capable of, I couldn’t help but ask… are we underestimating ourselves too?

I dive into the key themes from the introduction, reflecting on how birds have shaped my perspective, supported my self-growth, and even mirrored my own neurodivergent journey. This episode is part science, part self-discovery, and a whole lot of bird love.

And this is jus...

In this magical outdoor episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, we’re birding in the heart of one of the most iconic cities in the world—Central Park, NYC! Amid the hustle and bustle of the city that never sleeps, we uncover a vibrant world of birds, from Dark-Eyed Juncos to American Robins, and even Blue Jays showing off their mimicry of Red-Tailed Hawks.

This episode is about more than just spotting birds; it’s about finding our place in nature, sharing our “why” for loving and protecting our feathered friends, and letting go of the fear of what ot...

In this close-to-my-heart episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, I share the my emotional story of how birds have been my greatest healers, guiding me through self-discovery and joy. Together, we’ll explore how to categorize different birds to inspire and grow our own happiness, making life just a bit more colorful alongside birds like Blue Jays and Western Ospreys.

I also have an exciting announcement about the launch of our book club (hint: it’s for all my Chirpers who love our bird friends and personal growth)! Join me as we celebrate healing, growing, birds, and beco...

Chirp, Chirpers! Ever wonder why American Robins are the ultimate worm detectives of the bird world? In this episode of Bird Banter, we’re wiggling our way into their quirky foraging antics, breaking down their signature silly hop (it’s a vibe, trust me), their international cousins, mirror fighting, and the ultimate showdown of male vs. female pizazzzzz. Expect some science, silliness, and plenty of feathery drama to keep you chirping away!

AND ON THAT NOTE... Are you chirping for more feathery fun? Join my Patreon for exclusive behind-the-scenes content, bonus episodes, and deep dives you won’t find...

Full episode drops this Tuesday, and trust me—you don’t want to miss it!

Looking for more chirp-tastic content? Join my Patreon for the full scoop, exclusive behind-the-scenes pee(p)s, and all the quirky bird vibes you could ever need!

On this week's episode, I am helping you prepare for your next avian adventure! Pack your pen and paper because we are getting into the NITTY GRITTY world of travel birding! I will share a few of my birding experiences across Europe and South America, filled with many-a-feathered friend and breathtaking views.

I'll be delivering some birdy tips on how to effectively plan your own trips to see the birds. You'll find valuable advice on finding prime birding spots, useful gear, questions to ask locals, and how to set expectations along the way.

PLUS, exciting...

In this episode of That Quirky Bird Girl, we dive into the small yet impactful ways we can empower the bird lover within ourselves and support our chunky bird friends. I’ll chat tips to enhance your birding adventures to exciting legislative changes being championed by politicians and activists, this episode is for new and experienced birders alike. We also discuss the Merlin app, a game-changing tool for bird enthusiasts, and spotlight our ‘Chirper of the Week,’ Joe, for his amazing contributions to our community!

Don’t forget to join me live at 9 p.m. EST on Wednesda...

In this episode, we’re diving into the many lessons birds teach us about embracing who we are—quirks, strengths, and all! From the bold strut of a Eurasian Oystercatcher to the unshakable resilience of a Blue Jay (even in the face of a Red Tailed Hawk!), we’ll explore how our feathered friends inspire us to rise above the chaos of daily life and reconnect with what truly matters. Stick around for some fun and practical tips on birdwatching your way—because there’s no right way to love birds! Let’s laugh, learn, and grow together as we figure ou...