Tim Merriman talks story with guides and interpreters worldwide who help people in parks, zoos, museums, nature centers, science centers and tour companies learn more about unique places, people and stories around the world.
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Nov 13, 2026 · 50:28
Jon draws on a background in community development, protected area management, heritage studies, and holistic philosophy to expand what interpretation can do for society’s most…
Oct 17, 2026 · 41:03
Marta Cruz Kelly spent nearly 40 years as a steward of America's stories. A Senior Executive Service leader at the National Park Service, she held management roles in…
Sep 25, 2026 · 46:32
A native of southern California, Jeffrey grew up near the Oregon coast among the Douglas Fir trees along the banks of the Columbia River. He is a former superintendent with the…
Sep 11, 2026 · 44:23
Michael W. Twitty is and has been a guide, interpreter, culinary historian, author, and food writer who has spent his career tracing the deep connections between food, ancestry,…
Aug 16, 2026 · 37:30
Dr. Spencer R. Crew has worked in public history institutions for more than thirty years. He is currently the Clarence J. Robinson Professor of History at George Mason University…
Jul 31, 2026 · 35:39
Kimberly Kelly attended Catholic University Undergrad, and Parsons School of Design, Graduate School. She did further study at the University of North Carolina. She was awarded a…
Jul 18, 2026 · 44:23
Devon Headdress is a content creator, community health educator, and founder of BrightHawk Fitness LLC, now rebranding to Headdress Health, based in Molt, Montana. His work…
Jul 3, 2026 · 42:24
Julia Washburn is a native Washingtonian, recently retired from 35 years with America’s National Parks. Recently, Julia served as Superintendent of Rock Creek Park for six years.…
May 15, 2026 · 45:30
This week on Reflections on Interpretation, Bill Gwaltney and Tim Merriman interview a musical performer and instructor who consistently receives rave reviews. Scott brings a…
Apr 24, 2026 · 43:44
Join Tim Merriman and Bill Gwaltney as they talk story with Greg Gnesios about his diverse career in NPS, BLM and Orbridge Travel. For 27 years Greg was a ranger/naturalist with…
Mar 20, 2026 · 48:35
Alan Alex Marti is more than a safari guide, he is a cultural bridge and storyteller shaped by the landscapes and traditions of northern Tanzania. Of Maasai and Iraqwi heritage,…
Mar 6, 2026 · 49:57
With more than 32 years of experience in interpretation with the National Park Service, Susan brings a depth of wisdom shaped by service, leadership, and a passion for meaningful…
Feb 20, 2026 · 53:07
Dominic Cardea (Dom) recently retired after a 34 year National Park Service career spent turning big ideas—geology, history, culture, and community—into invitations to be…
Feb 8, 2026 · 39:26
Join us for a powerful conversation with Karen Cucurullo, a seasoned leader with nearly 35 years in the National Park Service. From Manassas to Death Valley, Karen has served in…
Jan 23, 2026 · 37:11
Heather Holm is the Chief of the Interpretation and Education Division of California State Parks and is the guest of Tim Merriman and Bill Gwaltney on Reflections on…
Dec 21, 2025 · 38:47
Tim Merriman and Bill Gwaltney talk story with Daniel Martinez on Reflections on Interpretation. For historian Daniel Martinez, history isn’t just something to study—it’s…
Dec 5, 2025 · 39:31
Gary Candelaria brings a lifetime of dedication to America’s public lands to this episode of Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters. Raised in…
Nov 21, 2025 · 45:09
Costa Dillon is a retired National Park Service ranger and park superintendent who worked in more than a dozen parks in his 35-year career including as Superintendent of Indiana…
Nov 7, 2025 · 39:12
Join Tim Merriman and Bill Gwaltney for a fascinating conversation with T. Lindsay Baker, a historian of the American West who doesn’t just write about the past, he’s lived it.…
Oct 24, 2025 · 12:57
For more than fifty years, I’ve been asking one question: What is the purpose of heritage interpretation? Early in my career, a few key experiences set me on a path of…
Oct 10, 2025 · 48:42
Dr. Robert Powell’s research at Clemson University focuses on informal STEM education, interpretation, protected area management, and sustainable tourism. He has led multiple…
Sep 26, 2025 · 34:48
Join us for an inspiring conversation with Celeste Bernardo, who devoted 35 years to the National Park Service (NPS), building bridges between people, places, and heritage. With…
Sep 12, 2025 · 39:30
Toby Merriman, MFA, works each day as Assistant Director of Center for Virtual Expression at Southern Illinois University in assisting faculty in understanding how AI, VR and…
Sep 1, 2025 · 37:51
Today on Reflections I am talking story with my podcast co-host, Bill Gwaltney, who recently returned from a trip to western Europe to visit friends from his long career with…
Jul 26, 2025 · 42:58
Michael Stuckey had a career of many decades with National Park Service working in both natural and cultural history parks in a variety of roles, but especially in…
Jul 16, 2025 · 38:11
Monique Thompson, CIT, is a Restorative Justice practitioner, nature enthusiast, and expert in interpretive education. Her programs inspire community connection and inclusivity,…
Jun 28, 2025 · 45:47
Matt Villamaino, Bill Gwaltney, Toby Merriman, and Tim Merriman gather on Zoom to explore the role of Artificial Intelligence in heritage interpretation—with a focus on…
Jun 14, 2025 · 33:27
Born and raised in California, Marc Blackburn’s love of history led him to the Pacific Northwest, where he earned a B.A. in history from the University of Puget Sound in Tacoma,…
May 30, 2025 · 49:44
Matt Villamaino has worked in the interpretive field for over 15 years, not counting the dinosaur museum he and a friend started in his basement at age 8. He currently works for…
May 15, 2025 · 1:10:02
David Larsen (1960-2011) was a National Park Service Interpretive Ranger who became the Manager of Interpretive Training with National Park Service (NPS) at The Mather Employee…
May 2, 2025 · 22:43
Today Tim Merriman is interviewed by Bill Gwaltney about the HEART Train the Trainers Program. This innovative new training program for the fundamentals of the interpretive…
Apr 18, 2025 · 1:09:08
Toby Merriman is the Acting Director of Center for Virtual Expression at Southern Illinois University (SIU). He and his staff assist faculty at SIU in the uses of Artificial…
Apr 7, 2025 · 1:15:22
Interpretive Trainers are our guests this week on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters. Karin Hostetter, Robert Smith, Jamie Hubert, Clark…
Mar 21, 2025 · 50:06
With nearly four decades of experience with the National Park Service (NPS), Robert G. Stanton has an unmatched depth of experience about the Agency from top to bottom. Born in…
Mar 7, 2025 · 40:45
Born during a snowstorm in Ft. Riley, Kansas, Connie's adventurous spirit was kindled from the start. This early connection to winter led to a passion for sled dog racing with…
Feb 21, 2025 · 45:38
John Steinle, originally from Hamilton, Ohio, earned his Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Dayton. After several years as a commercial artist, he switched careers to…
Feb 7, 2025 · 42:52
Michael Watson began his career as a High School Intern at a Minute Man Missile Plant, a Mister Softee Ice Cream Truck Driver, 4-H Camp Naturalist, and Naturalist at Burr Oak…
Jan 24, 2025 · 43:20
Rob Pacheco's journey began in California, where he spent his formative years assisting a local beekeeper and fostering a deep curiosity for the nature around him. At the…
Jan 10, 2025 · 43:59
Join Tim Merriman and Bill Gwaltney on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story for an engaging conversation with author, photographer, mule packer, storyteller, and cowboy…
Dec 27, 2024 · 52:27
Immerse yourself in an enlightening conversation with Walt Dabney, a distinguished former National Park Service Superintendent, NPS Chief Ranger, and ex-Director of Texas State…
Dec 13, 2024 · 46:48
This week on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters our guest is Susan Marie Frontczak. Storysmith® Susan Marie Frontczak's deeply researched…
Nov 28, 2024 · 57:19
Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Interpreters and Guides was honored to recently interview Dr. Lonnie G. Bunch III, the 14th Secretary of the Smithsonian…
Nov 15, 2024 · 42:38
Juan Castaing, a Chilean Interpretive Guide and Trainer, specializes in heritage interpretation, media and hospitality services. He has been combining ecotourism and…
Nov 1, 2024 · 52:46
Kathe Hambrick is Executive Director of the Amistad Research Center in Louisiana. In this role, Hambrick sees an opportunity to mentor and shape a new generation of curators,…
Oct 18, 2024 · 51:48
While teaching as a Geography Professor at University of Puerto Rico for twenty-two years, Eliezer Nieves-Rodriguez has trained Certified Interpretive Guides, served as an…
Oct 4, 2024 · 1:01:29
Tom Medema, the Associate Director of Interpretation, Education, and Volunteers for the National Park Service (NPS), has had an inspiring career journey that began in Muskegon,…
Sep 27, 2024 · 1:22:32
Today is a special edition of Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters podcast featuring more than one hour of conversation among five very…
Sep 20, 2024 · 43:16
Today Bill Gwaltney and Tim Merriman talk story with Omar Eaton-Martinez, who began his career as a teacher in eastern cities and later worked with the National Park Service on…
Sep 6, 2024 · 55:08
Edward W. Gantt, a retired Navy Captain with a unique background, talks story with Tim Merriman and Bill Gwaltney for "Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides…
Aug 23, 2024 · 56:28
A Native of Eatonville, Florida, Christy Coleman grew up in the shadow of African American anthropologist and writer Zora Neale Hurston. As a teenager in 1982, wanting to become…
Aug 8, 2024 · 49:55
A Co-Founder of “The Camp Moreno Project” along with her late Husband, Roberto Moreno and former National Park Ranger Bill Gwaltney, Louise Moreno has been a long-term activist…
Aug 2, 2024 · 46:14
Lorraine Johnson Coleman was born in the deep south, but also has roots in urban New York City. The proud daughter of a WWII African American U.S. Marine, she appreciates both…
Jul 26, 2024 · 44:13
Lorraine Johnson Coleman was born in the deep south, but also has roots in urban New York City. The proud daughter of a WWII African American U.S. Marine, she appreciates both…
Jul 12, 2024 · 1:02:32
Ten years into his 24-year US Army career, First Sergeant Lee N. Coffee Jr. assumed a carefully researched living history interpretive role as a 9th Cavalry Buffalo Soldier, Sgt.…
Jun 28, 2024 · 48:45
John Miller had a long career as manager and interpreter at a fish hatchery in Branson, Missouri, a very popular tourism destination. He has also served in a variety of…
Jun 14, 2024 · 43:58
Dr. Rex Ellis created the engaging African-American living history interpretive program at Colonial Williamsburg and went on to become the Associate Director of Curatorial…
May 31, 2024 · 40:56
Kim Sikoryak has had a three decade career working for National Park Service as a Ranger, Planner and Trainer. Today on Reflections on Interpretation:Talking Story with Guides…
May 24, 2024 · 1:13:34
The Certified Interpretive Guide and Host Courses are no longer certifications through National Association for Interpretation and NAI Certified Trainers have some opinions about…
May 17, 2024 · 1:08:48
Tim Merriman has had a 50 plus year career in the interpretive profession including Executive Director of National Association for Interpretation for 17 years. He has been a…
May 3, 2024 · 58:40
Mark Jordahl, CIG, joins Tim Merriman on Reflections on Interpretation after several decades as an adventure guide, tourism entrepreneur and guest communications specialist with…
Apr 19, 2024 · 59:38
James Mazigo is a very experience safari guide working more than two decades in Tanzania, Rwanda and Kenya, now guides with Regal African Safaris, our guide company of choice in…
Apr 5, 2024 · 52:02
Tom Cowper of Snohomish County in Washington state is Timʻs guest today on Reflections on Interpretation. Heʻs been a park ranger, off-road vehicle coordinator, nature center…
Mar 22, 2024 · 53:58
Michael Kirschman, City of Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation Director is talking story with Tim Merriman today on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and…
Mar 8, 2024 · 55:01
Tim Merriman will talk story with Ilan Shamir, interpretive entrepreneur who created Your True Nature and an amazing series of interpretive products sold all over the US in…
Feb 23, 2024 · 51:42
Tim Merriman talks story with Dr. Robert “Bob” Hinkle, retired Chief of Outdoor Education with Cleveland Metroparks. Bob reflects on his early career as a professor of wildlife…
Feb 9, 2024 · 59:17
Tim Merriman talks story today on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters with Bradley Block, former Chief of Interpretation at Custer State…
Jan 26, 2024 · 48:34
Tim Merriman talks story with Jay Miller, CIT, CIP, who worked 37 years with Arkansas State Parks, most of those years as Chief of Interpretation. Retired from the parks, he…
Jan 12, 2024 · 53:19
Karin Hostetter, CIT, has had a long career working with zoos and museums as an interpretive trainer, writer and planner with her business, Interpret This. She also serves as a…
Dec 29, 2023 · 1:00:52
Pete Devine, Certified Interpretive Guide, naturalist, and graduate of Colorado College has had a long career with Yosemite Institute and the Yosemite Conservancy in California.…
Dec 15, 2023 · 32:17
Helena Vicic serves as Managing Director with Interpret Europe, a professional association for more than 900 interpretive professionals in 57 countries, that mainly serves…
Dec 1, 2023 · 57:07
Ryan Finchum talks story with Tim Merriman this week on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters. Ryan is Director of the Center for Protected…
Nov 17, 2023 · 44:30
Kara Garilao is an interpretive guide, planner and trainer, who lives and works in the Philippines, talking story with Tim Merriman on Reflections on Interpretation: Talking…
Nov 10, 2023 · 59:25
Artificial Intelligence and Generative AI are tools that guides and interpreters might reasonably use to improve their tours and talks. Tim Merriman talks story with Tobias…
Nov 3, 2023 · 1:00:34
Dr. Lucy Long, author of Culinary Tourism, is a folklorist, fiddler, ethnomusicologist and interpreter of food and culture. She and Tim Merriman talk story about food tourism and…
Oct 27, 2023 · 45:08
Tim Merriman talks story on Reflections on Interpretation with Masa Shintani, a Japanese trainer and planner who has worked in 18 countries in Asia and Africa, helping…
Oct 20, 2023 · 44:18
Maria Elena Muriel, CIT, is a very talented interpretive guide, trainer and planner who has worked throughout Mexico and Latin America, carrying the banner of interpretation to…
Oct 13, 2023 · 43:24
Colby Brokvist, adventure guide, photographer, author of The Professional Guideʻs Handbook and Board Chair of the Polar Tourism Guides Association talks story with Tim Merriman…
Oct 6, 2023 · 46:25
Jennifer Waithman, CIT, is an interpretive trainer and specialist in Queensland Australia, but originally from the United States, talking story with Tim Merriman. She shares her…
Sep 29, 2023 · 59:20
Claire Savage works through her Savagely Creative business as an interpretive planner and destination marketer. Rusty Creighton, her spouse, is a talented tourism guide working…
Sep 22, 2023 · 48:51
Maricar Donato speaks seven languages and guides in five in Washington, D.C. and the Eastern Triangle as part of her Washing Tours and Events business. She and Tim Merriman Talk…
Sep 15, 2023 · 1:00:27
Michael Glen began working in tourism information in Scotland the U.K. more than five decades ago. As Wordsmith, he has been a writing and planning consultant with more than 500…
Sep 8, 2023 · 44:12
Christian Gernez, CIG, and CEO of Isthmian Adventures joins Tim Merriman to talk about the natural and cultural beauty and diversity of Panama. Christian manages his company with…
Sep 1, 2023 · 54:43
Sharon Hosko retired in 2018 after a 31-year career with Cleveland Metroparks as a Naturalist and Nature Center Manager. She shares her perspectives on the importance of the…
Aug 25, 2023 · 51:37
Jean Marie Twambaze grew up near Volcanoes National Park in northern Rwanda, home of the Mountain Gorillas. As a young boy he dreamed of being a park ranger or tourism guide and…
Aug 18, 2023 · 1:05:23
Susan Strauss has a long and very successful career as a storyteller and author who also understands interpretive approaches. Susan's book, The Passionate Fact: Storytelling in…
Aug 11, 2023 · 51:38
Kristin K. Robinson is an interpretive planner, consultant and trainer with her own business, the Naked Stage. She has a long history with interpretation and tourism management…
Aug 4, 2023 · 56:29
Dr. Larry Beck, Professor Emeritus at San Diego State University, co-author with Dr. Ted Cable of The Gifts of Interpretation and author/co-author of other important books in the…
Jul 28, 2023 · 39:58
Lisa Brochu spent more than three decades doing interpretive planning for both private and public organizations. In this conversation she shares with Tim Merriman what led to…
Jul 21, 2023 · 1:03:49
Clark Hancock studied to work in the technical side of theater at Tulane University and he did that for several years. When he found a role at Austin Nature Center as a…
Jul 14, 2023 · 1:00:10
Wren Smith is the Interpretive Programs Manager at Bernheim Arboretum and Research Forest in Kentucky. She is a Certified Interpretive Trainer with National Association for…
Jul 7, 2023 · 56:36
Bill and I continue talking story about his late career transition to serve as Chief of Interpretation of American Battle Monuments Commission in Paris, France. They manage 26…
Jun 30, 2023 · 1:07:02
Today I am Talking Story with Bill Gwaltney, an old friend of 42 years, and a gentleman with an amazing career with National Park Service as a living history interpreter at…
Jun 23, 2023 · 1:04:01
Dr. Ted Cable is Professor Emeritus at Kansas State University after a 34 year career as a Professor. Also he has been author or co-author of 15 books on interpretation,…
Jun 16, 2023 · 56:14
Gabby Plumasseau shares her interesting journey in heritage interpretation with Tim Merriman. She grew up in Merida, Mexico, now lives in Paris, France, and trains Certified…
Jun 9, 2023 · 39:01
Justin Legge is Manager at Benbow KOA and Tour Director at Benbow Historic Inn near Arcata, California. He recently took the Certified Interpretive Guide course with us and plans…
Jun 2, 2023 · 58:42
Jim Covel recently retired as Director of Training and Interpretation from Monterey Bay Aquarium. He was President of Western Interpreters Association when Tim Merriman was…
May 26, 2023 · 58:06
Valya Stergioti is Training Coordinator for Interpret Europe and an independent interpretive planner, writer and trainer. She shares with us her professional journey from her…
May 19, 2023 · 54:18
Shelton Johnson is well known as the National Park Service Interpreter who portrays Buffalo Soldiers and shares their amazing story in the creation of the park service. He shares…
May 12, 2023 · 47:59
Lisa Brochu and Tim Merriman played key roles in the consolidation of the Association of Interpretive Naturalists and Western Interpreters Association to create National…
May 5, 2023 · 1:01:52
Chris Mayer is a Professor of Ecotourism and Interpretation at Ferrum College in Virginia. He has an interesting professional journey from interpreter to teacher, having spent…
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