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

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

Twice a month, the National Association for Interpretation (NAI) brings you conversations with innovators, leaders, movers, and shakers in the field of heritage interpretation.

Episodes

October 23, 2025 26 mins

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, in...

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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 ...

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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.

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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 Katri...

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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.

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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 li...

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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), ...

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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 ...

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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.

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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.

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June 5, 2025 53 mins

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.

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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 thei...

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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, wa...

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April 25, 2025 24 mins

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.

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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.

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March 27, 2025 23 mins

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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 Coord...

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