Fancy Scientist with Dr. Stephanie Manka
Dr. Stephanie Schuttler, the Fancy Scientist, is a wildlife biologist who loves breaking stereotypes and talking about the natural world. In this podcast, she shares her knowledge of animals, experiences as a wildlife biologist, and simple lifestyle choices you can make to conserve nature. Her 17 years in wildlife biology taught her that science alone cannot save species. We need to take collective action through simple things we can do every day. This podcast is for anyone who likes animals and wants to help make the world a better place for them, and for us too. You’ll learn cool things about the animals around you from her own and other scientists’ research. She’ll also give tips for other scientists to succeed (that really ANYONE can use), strategies for effective science communication, and how she gained the confidence to become a fancy scientist. Hit subscribe and let’s change the world!
- Update frequency
- every 10 days
- Average duration
- 39 minutes
- Episodes
- 139
- Years Active
- 2020 - 2025
Focus on What’s Important By Saying No
Hi guys. I am back. Yes. It's been a minute. If you are a regular listener to this podcast, you will remember. At the end of September, I said I was taking a break originally. I had planned to just t…
The Best is Yet to Come: Thoughts on Getting Older and Life Changes
Is age really just a number?
But not me! Instead I developed a mindset to appreciate my age and be grateful for every day I have here.
In this podcast, I talk about some major life changes for me – tu…
Is Work-Life Balance in Science Possible?
This is a science podcast, so why am I talking about work-life balance? Because so many scientists are bad at it!
I can’t even tell you how many scientists brag about working 60 or even 80 hours a wee…
What Makes a Good Mentor?
Everyone should have a mentor when trying to achieve something difficult in life. In science, mentors are unavoidable.
They play an essential role. You need research experience to become a scientist,…
4 Tips for a Successful Academic Year in Graduate School
Last week on the Fancy Scientist podcast, I went over what graduate school was like and what it’s all about. This week, I talk about how you can have a successful year.
Graduate school is not like un…
Training to Be a Scientist: Graduate School
It’s the beginning of the school year so I thought it would be the perfect time to talk about where aspiring scientists go to train to be scientists: graduate school.
Whether you are getting your Mas…
Elephant Tourism: What’s Best for Elephants
The inspiration for all of my writing and videos stems from animals. So often people want to become a wildlife biologist because they want to help animals. They envision themselves conducting importa…
Working in Education with Erin Apple
The inspiration for all of my writing and videos stems from animals. So often people want to become a wildlife biologist because they want to help animals. They envision themselves conducting importa…
Your Biggest Struggle in Wildlife Careers: Part 3
This week’s podcast episode covers the second most popular answer to the question, “What is the problem you are struggling with most in regard to this career?”
And the truth is all animals will be aff…
Your Biggest Struggle in Wildlife Careers Part 2
This week’s podcast episode covers the second most popular answer to the question, “What is the problem you are struggling with most in regard to this career?”
To recap, a couple of months ago, I put …
Your Biggest Struggle in Wildlife Careers
A couple of months ago, I put this post on social media asking for people in wildlife biology, ecology, or zoology careers to help me out with some research:
and I was shocked by the response! I got s…
Sustainable Beach Vacation Tips
It’s summer time here in the US, which means lots of people head to the beach for vacation. With parties, holidays, and leisure happening at the beach, it can be easy to forget – or some people may n…
Sea Turtles and Straws with Christine Figgener
Several years ago, I went on a trip to Hilton head, South Carolina, and I woke up in the morning really early and went to the beach. This is something I always do when I am by the ocean, because you …
Financial Realities of Wildlife Careers with Emily Roberts
You get a degree and then a job, right? That’s how it is supposed to work. But in wildlife biology, ecology, and conservation careers, it’s not so straightforward.
In the wildlife science realm, you n…
Going Zero Waste with Alexa Smith
When I scroll through my Pinterest home feed, zero waste is a common word that comes up among eco-friendly bloggers. I always wanted to try it, but producing no waste seemed so hard! I was really int…
Corporations and Climate Change with Lavaniya Das
Through my 17 years in research, one of the biggest lessons I learned is that science alone cannot solve the biodiversity crisis. We need people to care and to change their behaviors.
People tend to …
Getting a Job in Science Communication
When I was in graduate school, everyone was talking about how if you didn’t want to go into research, you could get a job in science communication – like it was something you could just easily do.
But…
Handling the Haters in Science Communication
I was recently featured on an Instagram live hosted by @shine.science and I was asked the question, “How do you handle negative comments on social media?” I had such a long answer that I thought it w…
Sustainable Seafood with Jackie Marks
What you eat has a huge impact on wildlife and that’s true for the ocean too. Commercial fishing can have large-scale negative impacts on dolphins, turtles, and whole ecosystems. Overfishing can enda…
Garden for Wildlife with David Mizejewski
Do you have a backyard? Front yard? Balcony? Access to a rooftop? Then you can help wildlife!
I invited naturalist David Mizejewski on the podcast to talk about how you can make your yard, balcony, or…