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Would you leave your family, friends, home, and job to move over a thousand miles away to take care of a pet squirrel? Meet two people who did just that for 8 year-old Thumbelina.

Then, meet a birdkeeper at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute who was chosen by an endangered crane to be her life partner for almost 20 years.

This episode originally aired on September 13, 2024.

Listen to an updated conversation with Chris Crowe, including his experience getting his first tattoo - a giant portrait of Walnut.

Suggested episodes:
Wings, pouches, and snouts: The world of uncommon emotional support animals
Birdwatching legend Peter Kaestner's journey to 10,000 birds
Audacious kids: Stories of courage, conservation, and compassion

GUESTS: 
Christina and Michael Reyes: The human parents of Thumbelina, an eight-year-old squirrel who has more than two million followers on social media
Chris Crowe: Birdkeeper at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s campus in Front Royal, Virginia, and caretaker of Walnut, an endangered white-naped crane from 2004 until her death in January 2024

Would you leave your family, friends, home, and job to move over a thousand miles away to take care of a pet squirrel? Meet two people who did just that for 8 year-old Thumbelina.
Then, meet a birdkeeper at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute who was chosen by an endangered crane to be her life partner for almost 20 years.
This episode originally aired on September 13, 2024.
Listen to an updated conversation with Chris Crowe, including his experience getting his first tattoo - a giant portrait of Walnut.
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-05-26/wings-pouches-and-snouts-the-world-of-uncommon-emotional-support-animals">Wings, pouches, and snouts: The world of uncommon emotional support animals</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2024-08-23/birdwatching-legend-peter-kaestners-journey-to-10-000-birds">Birdwatching legend Peter Kaestner's journey to 10,000 birds</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-12-08/audacious-kids-stories-of-courage-conservation-and-compassion">Audacious kids: Stories of courage, conservation, and compassion</a></li>
</ul>
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>Christina and Michael Reyes:&nbsp;The human parents of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.tiktok.com/@little_thumbelina_girl">Thumbelina</a>, an eight-year-old squirrel who has more than two million followers on social media</li>
<li>Chris Crowe:&nbsp;Birdkeeper at the&nbsp;<a href="https://nationalzoo.si.edu/">Smithsonian&rsquo;s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute</a>&rsquo;s campus in Front Royal, Virginia, and caretaker of Walnut, an endangered white-naped crane from 2004 until her death in January 2024</li>
</ul>

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we're often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.

For more: ctpublic.org/audacious

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we're often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.
For more: <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf">ctpublic.org/audacious</a>

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood. 

Audacious with Chion Wolf

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.

Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we’re often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.

Listen at ctpublic.org/audacious

Support is provided by a generous contribution from Suzanne Hopgood, in Memory of Frank Lord.

Audacious with Chion Wolf spotlights the stories of people whose experiences, professions, or conditions defy convention or are often misunderstood.
Guided by deep curiosity and genuine compassion, the team behind Audacious creates space for the kinds of stories that rarely get told - and the kinds of questions we&rsquo;re often afraid to ask. From those speaking publicly for the very first time to voices already known around the world, every guest is met with care, and every story is honored as both deeply personal and profoundly human.
Listen at <a href="http://ctpublic.org/audacious">ctpublic.org/audacious</a>
Support is provided by a generous contribution from Suzanne Hopgood, in Memory of Frank Lord.

When wild animals become family: Thumbelina the squirrel and Walnut the crane

Some rituals are spiritual. Some are silly. Some are inherited, and some are self-made.

Casper ter Kuile, author of The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities into Soulful Practices, walks us through how we create all sorts of meaningful, grounding rituals.

And you'll hear clips from past two years of Audacious guests who have shared the rituals that matter most to them, from morning journaling and bedtime affirmations to pre-show sign-slapping.

Whether you've already got your rituals down pat, or are still developing your own special routine, this episode shows you how to honor the sacred in the everyday.

This episode originally aired on May 17, 2025.

Suggested episodes:
Forgiveness: How we define it and how it defines us 
Life advice, one Audacious guest at a time
Kitchen objects with a story. Listen at your own whisk
Why you so salty? The anger episode
Change Of Art: Stories About Tattoo Coverups
Awe yeah! Exploring the magic of mind-blowing moments

GUESTS: 
Casper ter Kuile: author of The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities into Soulful Practices. He holds Master's degrees in Divinity and Public Policy from Harvard University, and is a co-founder of Sacred Design Lab. He also co-hosts the podcast, Harry Potter and the Sacred Text
Audacious guests who shared their personal rituals (in order of appearance): Dean Edwards, Jessica Jin, Kristen Geez, Anna Holland, Lena Khalal Tuffaha, Chris Crowe, Bruce W Brackett, Moon Ribas, Azie Dungey, Pony Tromper, Mary Elizabeth Kelly, Paul Marcarelli, Brad White, Begoña Gómez Urzaiz, Dr. Gale Ridge, Mehdi Hasan, Stephanie Courtney, Rosanna Ramos, Sonya Horton, Greg Viloria, Ronnie “Woo Woo” Wickers, Zarna Garg, Jada Star, Luis Mojica, RoseMarie Wallace, Mindy Glickman, David Roche, Paul Gladis, and Arwen, Aidan, and Willow Gladis Perez-Sauquillo     

Some rituals are spiritual. Some are silly. Some are inherited, and some are self-made.
Casper ter Kuile, author of&nbsp;The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities into Soulful Practices, walks us through how we create all sorts of meaningful, grounding rituals.
And you'll hear clips from past two years of Audacious guests who have shared the rituals that matter most to them, from morning journaling and bedtime affirmations to pre-show sign-slapping.
Whether you've already got your rituals down pat, or are still developing your own special routine, this episode shows you how to honor the sacred in the everyday.
This episode originally aired on May 17, 2025.
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2022-03-24/forgiveness-how-we-define-it-and-how-it-defines-us">Forgiveness: How we define it and how it defines us</a>&nbsp;</li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-01-10/life-advice-one-audacious-guest-at-a-time">Life advice, one Audacious guest at a time</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2022-03-03/kitchen-objects-with-a-story-listen-at-your-own-whisk">Kitchen objects with a story. Listen at your own whisk</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2022-01-13/why-you-so-salty-the-anger-episode">Why you so salty? The anger episode</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/arts-and-culture/2020-08-28/change-of-art-stories-about-tattoo-coverups">Change Of Art: Stories About Tattoo Coverups</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-03-14/awe-yeah-exploring-the-magic-of-mind-blowing-moments">Awe yeah! Exploring the magic of mind-blowing moments</a></li>
</ul>
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.caspertk.com/">Casper ter Kuile</a>: author of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Power-Ritual-Everyday-Activities-Practices/dp/0062881825/ref=sr_1_1?crid=33STCM39FU628&amp;dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OqrX-rFuis0HocWEXy4-NnkrighaYFk5wGFDZEfKiweRIyuJGLKWaQv22Bjx8uwoAjstcibhDLIBlH3gTpqUT7VHu99txdXLtIgBF16nTK2jrt37SGnpqsTYw-m81IwPxueEuVya1Zc7Vv_-6BdGPQ.lTfGs4SnxavbD3d6wvVqmeGcLzEGhkzeTH6oFTg13_w&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;keywords=casper+ter+kuile&amp;qid=1744741426&amp;s=books&amp;sprefix=casper+ter+kuile%2Cstripbooks%2C74&amp;sr=1-1">The Power of Ritual: Turning Everyday Activities into Soulful Practices</a>.&nbsp;He holds Master's degrees in Divinity and Public Policy from Harvard University, and is a co-founder of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.sacred.design/">Sacred Design Lab</a>. He also co-hosts the podcast,&nbsp;<a href="https://www.harrypottersacredtext.com/about/our-story">Harry Potter and the Sacred Text</a></li>
<li>Audacious guests who shared their personal rituals (in order of appearance): Dean Edwards, Jessica Jin, Kristen Geez, Anna Holland, Lena Khalal Tuffaha, Chris Crowe, Bruce W Brackett, Moon Ribas, Azie Dungey, Pony Tromper, Mary Elizabeth Kelly, Paul Marcarelli, Brad White, Bego&ntilde;a G&oacute;mez Urzaiz, Dr. Gale Ridge, Mehdi Hasan, Stephanie Courtney, Rosanna Ramos, Sonya Horton, Greg Viloria, Ronnie &ldquo;Woo Woo&rdquo; Wickers, Zarna Garg, Jada Star, Luis Mojica, RoseMarie Wallace, Mindy Glickman, David Roche, Paul Gladis, and Arwen, Aidan, and Willow Gladis Perez-Sauquillo&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;</li>
</ul>

The surprising ways we ritual

What happens when a mother can’t raise her children? Not out of neglect, but because systems, partners, and survival leave her no real choice?

This episode challenges the assumptions we place on “non-custodial mothers.” Rebekah Spicuglia explains how immigration rules, economic pressure, and unequal power led to her relinquishing custody of her son, Oscar, and how she channels her grief after his murder into research on gun violence and family separation.

And from Cameroon, Marie Abanga shares why escaping abuse meant leaving her three young sons behind.

For a full transcript of this episode, click here.

Suggested episodes:
Life after Parkland: A victim's dad turns to art and activism
The weight of family secrets: Finding freedom in the truth
The reality of 'Forever Parenting' when your child needs lifetime care

GUESTS: 
Rebekah Spicuglia: bereaved mother, writer, advocate, and PhD student in Health Policy & Management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She focuses on gun violence and family separation, drawing on her own lived experience to inform her work
Marie Abanga: Cameroonian author and mental health advocate whose 2011 decision to give up custody of her children guides her mission to support others facing loss, stigma, and recovery

What happens when a mother can&rsquo;t raise her children? Not out of neglect, but because systems, partners, and survival leave her no real choice?
This episode challenges the assumptions we place on &ldquo;non-custodial mothers.&rdquo; Rebekah Spicuglia explains how immigration rules, economic pressure, and unequal power led to her relinquishing custody of her son, Oscar, and how she channels her grief after his murder into research on gun violence and family separation.
And from Cameroon, Marie Abanga shares why escaping abuse meant leaving her three young sons behind.
For a full transcript of this episode, <a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/audacious-with-chion-wolf-transcript-for-what-two-mothers-who-relinquished-custody-want-you-to-understand" data-cms-id="0000019b-3770-d9af-a7bb-ff77ab870000" data-cms-href="https://www.ctpublic.org/audacious-with-chion-wolf-transcript-for-what-two-mothers-who-relinquished-custody-want-you-to-understand">click here.</a>
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2022-10-20/life-after-parkland-a-victims-dad-turns-to-art-and-activism">Life after Parkland: A victim's dad turns to art and activism</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2024-12-20/the-weight-of-family-secrets-finding-freedom-in-the-truth">The weight of family secrets: Finding freedom in the truth</a></li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-05-12/the-reality-of-forever-parenting-when-your-child-needs-lifetime-care">The reality of 'Forever Parenting' when your child needs lifetime care</a></li>
</ul>
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li aria-level="1">Rebekah Spicuglia: bereaved mother, writer, advocate, and PhD student in Health Policy &amp; Management at Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She focuses on gun violence and family separation, drawing on her own lived experience to inform her work</li>
<li aria-level="1"><a href="https://www.marieabanga.com/">Marie Abanga</a>: Cameroonian author and mental health advocate whose 2011 decision to give up custody of her children guides her mission to support others facing loss, stigma, and recovery</li>
</ul>

What two mothers who relinquished custody want you to understand 

Step into the technicolor world of PEZ!

We tour the Connecticut factory where more than 12 million tiny candies are pressed each day, guided by archivist Shawn Peterson, whose personal collection helped shape the Visitor Center.

Meet Brian Trauman, the Guinness World Record holder whose thousands of dispensers trace a lifetime of joyful obsession.

Hear Emily Tracy’s tender, funny, heartbreaking story about the PEZ tattoo she got to honor her mother.

And the hosts of PEZamania, the world’s largest PEZ convention, talk about how nostalgia and candy become community.

 

Suggested episodes:


Discovering delight - and despair - in dumpster diving


We have to talk about cuddle parties


Take a tour of the John Zaffis Museum of the Paranormal


Pawn queens: Tales and treasures from women pawn shop owners


Audacious at sea: Wisdom from strangers on a cruise ship

 

GUESTS: 


Shawn Peterson: Company archivist and historian at PEZ Candy, Inc. in Orange, CT. He manages the PEZ Visitor Center, where much of the collection on display comes from his own personal archive. He is also the author of PEZ: From Austrian Invention to American Icon and Collector’s Guide to PEZ: Identification and Price Guide


Brian Trauman: Owns the world's largest Pez collection and holds the Guinness World Record for “largest candy dispenser collection.” He has been collecting since 1999 and owns more than 6,400 dispensers 


Morgan Rhinehart and Landon Proctor: hosts of PEZamania in Ohio – the longest running collector convention in the world, established in 1991


Emily Tracy: Manchester resident who memorialized her PEZ-collecting mom with a tattoo of her head on top of a PEZ dispenser

Step into the technicolor world of PEZ!
We tour the Connecticut factory where more than 12 million tiny candies are pressed each day, guided by archivist Shawn Peterson, whose personal collection helped shape the Visitor Center.
Meet Brian Trauman, the Guinness World Record holder whose thousands of dispensers trace a lifetime of joyful obsession.
Hear Emily Tracy&rsquo;s tender, funny, heartbreaking story about the PEZ tattoo she got to honor her mother.
And the hosts of PEZamania, the world&rsquo;s largest PEZ convention, talk about how nostalgia and candy become community.
&nbsp;
Suggested episodes:
<ul>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2022-09-09/discovering-delight-and-despair-in-dumpster-diving">Discovering delight - and despair - in dumpster diving</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-02-10/we-have-to-talk-about-cuddle-parties">We have to talk about cuddle parties</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2023-10-27/haunted-artifacts-serial-killer-art-when-one-persons-treasure-is-another-ones-nightmare">Take a tour of the John Zaffis Museum of the Paranormal</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2024-05-09/pawn-queens-tales-and-treasures-from-women-pawn-shop-owners">Pawn queens: Tales and treasures from women pawn shop owners</a>
</li>
<li>
<a href="https://www.ctpublic.org/show/audacious-with-chion-wolf/2025-12-05/audacious-at-sea-wisdom-from-strangers-on-a-cruise-ship">Audacious at sea: Wisdom from strangers on a cruise ship</a>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
GUESTS:&nbsp;
<ul>
<li>
Shawn Peterson: Company archivist and historian at PEZ Candy, Inc. in Orange, CT. He manages the <a href="https://us.pez.com/pages/hours-and-location">PEZ Visitor Center</a>, where much of the collection on display comes from his own personal archive. He is also the author of PEZ: From Austrian Invention to American Icon and Collector&rsquo;s Guide to PEZ: Identification and Price Guide
</li>
<li>
Brian Trauman: Owns the world's largest Pez collection and holds the Guinness World Record for &ldquo;<a href="https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/news/2023/8/this-man-owns-the-largest-pez-dispenser-collection-in-the-world-756767">largest candy dispenser collection</a>.&rdquo; He has been collecting since 1999 and owns more than 6,400 dispensers&nbsp;
</li>
<li>
Morgan Rhinehart and Landon Proctor: hosts of <a href="https://www.pezamania.com/">PEZamania</a> in Ohio &ndash; the longest running collector convention in the world, established in 1991
</li>
<li>
Emily Tracy: Manchester resident who memorialized her PEZ-collecting mom with a tattoo of her head on top of a PEZ dispenser
</li>
</ul>

When wild animals become family: Thumbelina the squirrel and Walnut the crane

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