In this episode of the Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally are joined by Mike Sacopulos, an attorney and publisher of Bird Watcher's Digest (BWD) Magazine. Mike shares how birding brought him comfort during a challenging period of his childhood, carrying him through big life transitions and eventually leading him to BWD. They also discuss the magazine’s global artwork, the letters that remind Mike of its lasting impact, and how birding with BWD creates connections across generations of readers and birders alike.

Resources & Links from This Episode

🌿 Learn more about Bird Watcher’s Digest and subscribe at the BWD website.

📘 Connect with the BWD birding community on the BWD Facebook page.

🎁 Give the gift of birding! Surprise someone with a BWD subscription here.

🦆 Explore conservation efforts with Ducks Unlimited.

ℹ️ Read more about their mission on the Ducks Unlimited About page.

Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

On this week’s episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally meet with celebrated naturalist and author Kenn Kaufman, whose fascination with birds began in early childhood and never faded. Inspired by richly illustrated wildlife books, Kenn developed a passion for the natural world that took him hitchhiking across North America as a teenager. He shares stories from the road, his work writing and illustrating about nature, and why community is such a vital part of birding.

Resources & Links from This Episode

🌎 Check out the Kaufman Field Guides website for more resources and inspiration to fuel your next outdoor adventure.

📖 Get to know Kenn Kaufman and the journey that’s made him one of the most beloved voices in the birding world.

🚗 Take a ride through Kenn’s teenage adventures in his memoir Kingbird Highway, a must-read for any nature enthusiast.

📚 Explore the Kaufman Field Guides series to sharpen your skills and see the world through fresh eyes.

🎨 Follow Kenn on Instagram for stunning art and a closer look at his creative process.

Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski

In this episode of The Spark Bird Podcast, our hosts Jenn Lodi-Smith and Janet McNally talk with Laura Marris, Visiting Assistant Professor in the English department at the University at Buffalo. Laura shares how birding with her dad as a child shaped the way she sees the world. And we discuss her book The Age of Loneliness, reflecting on the decline in bird abundance, the role of community science, and what it means to truly notice the living world around us. This conversation is about more than birdwatching; it’s about presence, memory, and the quiet ways nature holds us through change.

*During the episode, Jenn mentioned a word she couldn’t recall at the time, it’s the Romanian word “dor,” which captures a deep sense of longing or missing something you love.*

Resources & Links from This Episode

📖 Learn more about Laura’s upcoming book The Age of Loneliness from Graywolf Press.

📚 Order your copy on Bookshop or listen to the audiobook on Libro.fm.

🌐 Visit lauramarris.com or follow @lauramarris for more of Laura’s work.

🦉 Watch Norman Smith’s The Snowy Owls of Logan Airport.

🌱 Learn about the Silo City remediation project.

🕊️ Get involved with Cornell Lab’s Community Science projects.

🌳 Explore the work of the WNY Land Conservancy

🔬 Read the Science article on the loss of bird abundance.

📖 Check out the children’s classic Owl Moon by Jane Yolen.

Show Notes by Kayla Gajewski