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

Spirit Tawfiq, Creative Antiracism Educator and Director, Roots of the Spirit

Spirit Tawfiq is the closing keynote speaker at NAI 2023 in Little Rock. Spirit has an interpretive background and uses her skillset in now hosting anti-racism workshops in k-12 classrooms, colleges and organizations who are invested in learning, unlearning, and enacting antiracism policies and practices within their respective communities. She joins hosts Song Stott and Paul Caputo to discuss her work on this episode.

Cris White, Eclipse Coordinator, Earth to Sky

There will be two solar eclipses visible from the contiguous United States and beyond in the next few years. Cris White’s job is to help interpreters prepare to interpret these unique astonomical events. She joins NAI’s Heather Manier and Amanda Berlinski to discuss her work.

Sam H. Ham, Professor Emeritus of Communication Psychology & Conservation Social Sciences

Sam H. Ham is a professor emeritus of communication psychology and conservation social sciences at the University of Idaho. He became a household name for interpreters with his book Environmental Interpretation: A Practical Guide for People with Big Ideas and Small Budgets, which was published in four languages, and more recently, Interpretation: Making a Difference on Purpose. Sam talks with Paul Caputo and Song Stott about the science of communication, his TORE model, and a little bit of baseball.

Ronny Alexander Muñoz Blanco, Certified Tour Guide and Travel Director

Ronny Alexander Muñoz Blanco is a professional tour guide in Costa Rica, and served in that role for one particularly daunting audience: NAI's recent International Un-Conference. Ronny joins NAI's Paul Caputo and Song Stott to discuss that event, the challenges of interpreting in multiple settings for international visitors, and the Pura Vida lifestyle.

Ahmad Toure, Chief of Interpretation at Virgin Islands National Park

Ahmad Toure has worked for the National Park Service for more than a decade, striving to share important, and most importantly complete stories. On this episode, he discusses that work and his Tilden Award-nominated project with hosts Paul Caputo and Song Stott.

Larry Beck, Noted Author and Interpretation Luminary

Larry Beck's scholarship has had an immense effect on the field of interpretation. He is the author or co-author of such notable titles as Interpretation of Cultural and Natural Resources, Interpretive Perspectives, and Gifts of Interpretation: Fifteen Guiding Principles for Interpreting Nature and Culture, as well as a now 26-part series in Legacy magazine, called "Justice for All." Recently retired after a 43-year career as a professor at San Diego State University, Larry joins hosts Paul Caputo and Song Stott to talk about the past, present, and future of interpretation.

Katie Hemann and Grace Teofilo, NAI Young Professionals Council

NAI's Young Professionals Council (YPC) was established to help represent the perspective of new interpreters. Katie Hemann and Grace Teofilo talk about the challenges and opportunities facing interpreters just getting started. This episode is hosted by NAI’s Heather Manier and Emily McCowan.

Lucien Meadows, Legacy Magazine Editor

Longtime NAI member, former NAI Conference Chair, and new editor of Legacy Magazine joins hosts Paul Caputo and Song Stott to discuss the future of NAI's premier periodical. 

Parker McMullen Bushman, NAI President

The debut episode of NAI's podcast welcomes association president Parker McMullen Bushman, who joins hosts Song Stott and Paul Caputo during NAI's International Un-Conference in Costa Rica. Parker shares her story, her perspective on interpretation, and her vision for her tenure as NAI President.

What’s Up, Interpreters? A Trailer

Big things are afoot at NAI, and we're bringing you this podcast to chat about them! We'll talk with movers and shakers and innovators and leaders in the field of interpretation and we'll ask them all, "What's Up, Interpreters?!"