What’s Up, Interpreters? A Podcast from the National Association for Interpretation

Mynesha Spencer, All of Us Together

Mynesha Spencer worked in the National Park Service for 13 years and was a panelist on the "From Barriers to Bridges" keynote panel at the NAI National Conference in Little Rock, Arkansas. Mynesha is the Founder, CEO and Principal Inclusion Strategist at All of Us Together Co., a human relations firm that specializes in diversity, equity and inclusion strategies and was established to improve human relations via applied training and workshop facilitation. She joins NAI's Paul Caputo and Song Stott on this episode.

Carla Gull, Associate Faculty & Coordinator of the Master of Arts in Environmental Education

Carla Gull is the coordinator of the Master of Arts of Environmental Education program and associate professor at Merry Lea Environmental Learning Center of Goshen College in northern Indiana. Dr. Gull helps educators incorporate more nature in the everyday early childhood setting and nature preschools. During this episode, she talks about the relationship between environmental education and the field of interpretation. She also discusses how her students benefit from the NAI Conference. Dr. Gull joins NAI’s Song Stott and Paul Caputo.

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH)

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) strives to promote, research, preserve, interpret and disseminate information about Black life, history and culture to the global community. On this episode, ASALH’s Aaisha N. Haykal and Ariel Roy join NAI’s Parker McMullen Bushman and Paul Caputo to talk about the work they do and their shared experience at the ASALH conference in Jacksonville last year.

Happy New Year from NAI!

As we close out 2023, "What's Up, Interpreters?" hosts Paul, Song, and Heather recap the year, share their New Years plans, and look forward to 2024.
Also, there are NAI podcast T-shirts available on NAI's store!  

Christina Cid, Director of Strategic Projects

Christina is a longtime member of NAI"s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Committee, is an associate editor for NAI's Legacy magazine, and will serve as the guest editor for an upcoming special issue of Legacy on "Women in Interpretation."

Interpretive Planning with Halley Fehner and Scott Vierick

Join seasoned experts in interpretive planning, Halley Fehner and Scott Vierick, as they unravel the intricacies and importance of this process. Halley and Scott highlight the essence of interpretive planning, discussing its role in reevaluating program goals, themes, and future strategies, often spanning several years. They also delve into the challenges of navigating sensitive historical contexts. Tune in for this dynamic conversation hosted by Heather Manier and Song Stott.

Live from NAI 2023 in Little Rock, Arkansas!

The 2023 NAI National Conference, "Building Bridges," took place in Little Rock, Arkansas, took place last week, November 7-11. This episode features a series of visits with conference participants who share their conference experience!

Ian Beard, Education Director, Historic Arkansas Museum

Ian Beard brings history to life at the Historic Arkansas Museum, where his passion for trades like smithing, printing, cooking, and brewing merge with his skills as an interpreter. If you're heading to Little Rock, Arkansas, for the NAI National Conference this month, you can meet Ian and hear his stories in person at the opening reception—or you can head to the museum, just blocks from the conference hotel! 
He joins hosts Paul Caputo and Song Stott on the podcast this week.

Budd Wentz, World Traveler, Inventor, Interpretive Microscope Entrepreneur

Budd Wentz is a former creative consultant for the Mr. Wizard television show and a world traveler. He has degrees in mechanical engineering and law, and his childhood passion for building things led him to create the microscope company Wentzcope, a longtime NAI commercial member responsible for optical devices that have appeared in thousands of museums. He joins NAI’s Heather Manier and Paul Caputo to discuss his involvement in interpretation—and the story of Willie the cat, who has appeared in Wentzscope ads since 1988.
 
Wentzscope is online at wentzscope.com.
 
 

Interpreting Beer with Ira Bletz

It's Oktoberfest on "What's Up, Interpreters"! NAI Board Member Ira Bletz, recently retired from East Bay Regional Park District, has made a name for himself as "Beer Guy" at NAI conferences for more than a decade. His special event, which tells the story of human civilization through the context of beer, is always a hit at the annual event. Ira joins NAI's Paul Caputo and Song Stott for this episode.