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Season 2 Episode 1: Wild New World with Dan Flores

1/26/2026

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​Welcome to season 2!  We are finally back in action, and no better way to kick it off then with an incredible interview with author Dan Flores. In this episode, I speak to Dan about his most recent book 'Wild New World: The Epic Story of Animals and People in America'. The conversation covers the sweeping, emotional narratives within the book that highlight the historical interactions between humans and animals in North America. Dan discusses his inspiration, the challenges of condensing 65 million years of history into a readable narrative, and how living in natural settings influences his writing. We touch upon significant topics like extinction events, the evolution of American wildlife, and the role of literature in shaping our understanding of nature. The episode also delves into Flores' perspective on conservation efforts, the cultural impact of recognizing human roles in extinction, and an intriguing discussion about the revival of ancient species through genetic engineering.


Summary

00:00 Introduction to 'Wild New World'
02:31 Author's Background and Writing Environment
06:21 Inception and Scope of the Book
11:13 Challenges in Writing 'Wild New World'
17:01 The Epic Timeline of North American Wildlife
24:42 Human Presence and Extinctions in North America
34:52 Reflecting on Changing Attitudes Towards Extinction
35:13 The Myth of a Perfect World
37:59 Confronting Extinction: The Great Auk
39:00 Human Impact on Global Extinctions
40:42 America's Unique Wilderness and Conservation Efforts
41:52 The Role of Science in Conservation
44:17 The Endangered Species Act and Political Unity
45:32 Nature as Common Ground in a Divided World
48:11 The Fascination with Extinct Animals
49:17 The Science of De-Extinction
54:46 Influential Books on Nature and Conservation
01:00:34 Personal Stories and Future Projects
01:04:01 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

Full Transcript Here

Books Mentioned

Also See 
  • More books by Dan Flores
  • Colossal Biosciences (Company Website)
  • American West (podcast)
  • Book Science Book Shop
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