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Stuart James, executive director at The Ability Center of Greater Toledo is our guest for the latest installment of the Metroparks Pod. Find out everything you wanted to know about Stuart’s journey in becoming the next executive director.

Lorenzo I joined my Kim High for a quick interview about the song she wrote, Carol of the Metroparks.  Stayed tuned after the interview for the performance of Carol of the Metroparks.  Happy Holidays!

Lorenzo and guest co-host Scott Carpenter are joined by Outdoors editor of the Toledo Blade, Matt Markey.  Matt tells us about his life as a writer covering many things including high school, college and pro sports, outdoors, and the Toledo Metroparks.  He also tells us about how he got his love of the outdoors.

Lorenzo and Matt are back and they are joined by Andrew Newby and Justin Wade of HEAVY Beer Company.  They talk about the start or the business, making different beverages, IT work, their partnership with the Metroparks and so much more!

We are on a hiatus from the regular podcast but we brought you some interviews from our Carp King event held at Pearson Metropark.

This week Regional Manager, Craig Elton, drops by the podcast to tell us about growing up on a family farm, hunting and fishing, starting out at the Metroparks, moving to Oak Openings, Conservation Core, and camping!

We learned a lot about our guest, Programmer, Kendra Rison.  She joined Matt and Lorenzo and talked about where she grew up, college, fishing with her dad, Americore, outdoor skills, trail bacon, super fanny(pack), backpacking, kids programming and Juneteenth.

This week Matt and Lorenzo are joined by Director of Education and Programs, Shannon Hughes and Manager of Requested Programs, Jennifer Elsworth.  Matt quickly derails the beginning by talking about Medieval Times, but they get back on track and talk about first jobs, a pony named Pony, A HA moments, earthstars, kids, programming outreach, and Summer camps. We would love to hear from you! Reach us by email: metroparkspodcast@metroparkstoledo.com

The very best hosts in the podcast game are joined by Outdoor skills interpreter, Amanda Domalski and Sidecut Ranger, Kyle Robison.  Both of them love kayaking and love to talk about it!  Listen in as they tell Lorenzo and Matt all about kayaking with the metroparks, kayak safety, different ways to be on the water and so much more!

Amy Szabo joins the podcast to talk about all things Toledo Botanical Garden.  Listen in to here about the many gardens at TBG, how Amy got to the Metroparks, her many pets, and fantasyland!

Volunteer Coordinators, Bailey Ballmer and Hannah Calandra, join Matt and Lorenzo on the podcast this week.  April is National Volunteer Month and the four of them discuss our wonderful Metropark volunteers.  After Bailey and Hannah talk about how they got to the Metroparks, they discuss all things volunteers!  If you would like to be a volunteer click the link! Volunteer | Metroparks Toledo

Matt and Lorenzo are joined by Master Interpreter, Kim High.  Kim tells us her early days in nature, visiting all 50 states, how she got to the Metroparks, her training, activities people can do at home, her favorite things to do outside and so much more!

Birder and Naturalist, Nate Koszycki joins us on the podcast this week.  Nate explains how he got into birding, what kept him going, the birding community, favorite birds, studies at University of Toledo, and The Peregrine Cup. Get Outside Yourself | Metroparks Toledo

Lorenzo along with guest host Scott Carpenter, are joined by Lera Doneghy and Molly Luetke, two members of the Board of Park Commissioners.  Lera and Molly tell us about their lives before joining the board, how they came to be on the board, favorite places in the parks, and what they are most proud of.  We finish off with the top 3 and a question from Lorenzo's Mom.

Matt and Lorenzo are joined by two guests this week!  Patrol Supervisor, Jim Cassidy and Deputy Chief of Rangers, Brad Navarre.  Jim and Brad tell us how they worked their way through the way Metroparks, how they became Rangers, their favorite parts of the job, keeping the parks safe and so much more!   Get Outside Yourself | Metroparks Toledo

Wildlife filmmaker, Alex Goetz, joins Lorenzo and Matt this week and talk about capturing wildlife all over the world, discovering new species, John Wick, Toledo roots, and our own backyard animals.  Alex answers some top 3 questions and of course we finish off with a new top 3 and a question from Lorenzo's mom.  Get Outside Yourself | Metroparks Toledo     

Jenella Hodel joins us this week.  Jenella is the Nursery crew leader at Blue Creek.  Jenella has a interesting story on her past and how she got to the Metroparks.  She also tells us how much seed we put out, how to determine what plants to put where, who drives the combine and about the volunteers that help at the nursery.   Find out anything Metroparks at Metroparkstoledo.com

A double dose of interviews today!  First, Manager of outdoor skills, Ashley Smith tells us programs going on this winter and then Natural Resources Supervisor, tells us about his time before the Metroparks, how he got here and Howard Marsh.  We give Lorenzo's Mom the week off but we still have the Top 3!

The podcast crew is joined by Bob Heckman, Park services supervisor at Sidecut park.  They learn about Bob's travels through the Metroparks, his love for sidecut, putting on events, and so much more!  And of course the top 3 and a question from Lorenzo's Mom.

We are joined by two guests this week!  Park Services Supervisor at Toledo Botanical Garden, Steve Stockford and Chief of Operations, Joe Fausnaugh sit down and tell Matt and Lorenzo how they met, what brought them to the Metroparks and all the info about birding they could handle. If you have questions that you would like the answer to or have a Top 3 idea or just want us to know what you favorite park is reach out on all Metropark social media or send us an email at metroparkpod@gmail.com