Constant Wonder

Before 1966, if you needed transport to the hospital, authorities might send a police car, or even a hearse. That year, Pittsburgh's non-profit Freedom House set out to change that for the city's predominately Black Hill District. Staffed by trained Black men, their ambulance service served as a model for newly emerging paramedic services around the country. Guests: Kevin Hazzard, author of "American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America's First Paramedics" John Moon, paramedic at Freedom House and former Assistant Chief, City of Pittsburgh EMS Photo Credit: Heinz History Center Originally aired on September 21, 2022.

The Earth's crust reveals a dynamic, lively epic unfolding. If it may, at first, seem strange to "turn to stone" for wisdom, Marcia Bjornerud will convince you that dramatic changes in the Earth's geology offer enlightenment for its human residents. Guest: Marcia Bjornerud, author of "Turning to Stone: Discovering the Subtle Wisdom of Rocks" and Professor of Geosciences and Environmental Studies, Lawrence University

After cancer takes his brother's life, Dacher Keltner repeatedly experiences awe in ways that expand the boundaries of what, even for him, is real. Guest: Dacher Keltner, founding director, Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley; author, "Awe: The New Science of Everyday Wonder and How It Can Transform Your Life"

Jarod Anderson found unique purpose in the woods of his childhood during a life-threatening battle with depression. As the host of the popular podcast "The Cryptonaturalist," he shares real love for nature with thousands through whimsical, magical, and outright outrageous stories.

What can animals written off as "mindless" or "scary" teach us about developing compassion for the natural world and for other people? Guest: Sy Montgomery, author of "What the Chicken Knows: A New Appreciation of the World's Most Familiar Bird"

Darkness makes even the most familiar places unfamiliar. But Leigh Ann Henion finds this exciting, not scary—night reveals a magical, wondrous world. Guest: Leigh Ann Henion, author of "Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark"

A new season of fresh content is on its way! In the meantime, nature writer Gayle Boss takes a minute to enumerate the many joys that Constant Wonder brings her as a listener. Find out why an "abandon to wonder" can make all of us feel more alive!

Marcus shares an original Christmas message.

When an ermine kills her beloved chicken one Christmas morning, Sy Montgomery learns a lesson in forgiveness that reaches far beyond the hen house. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guest: Sy Montgomery, author of "What the Chicken Knows" and "How to Be a Good Creature"

The ties that bind us—family or community—may sometimes feel restrictive, but they actually hold us safe and keep us calm, like swaddling bands, according to Hannah Anderson. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guest: Hannah Anderson, author of "Heaven and Nature Sing: 25 Advent Reflections to Bring Joy to the World"

Joseph was put in a bind when Mary conceived. We can learn from the angelic visitations he received—and from his responses. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guest: Lynne Hilton Wilson, co-host at Scripture Central "When Joseph Went to Bethlehem" © Intellectual Reserve, Inc.

The human need for light and warmth are miraculously met by our planet and solar system. Ben Abbott compares these earthly systems to Christ's divine mission. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guest: Ben Abbott, professor of Plant and Wildlife Sciences at BYU

A manger in a snowy forest is a reminder that at His birth, Christ was surrounded by animals and the people who cared for them. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guest: Gayle Boss, author of "All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of New Beginnings"

Originating in Mexico over 400 years ago, Las Posadas is now an Advent tradition through much of Latin America. Neighborhood bands of "pilgrims" representing Joseph and Mary knock on doors looking for shelter, face rejection, and then ultimately are taken in by generous hosts. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guests: Fernanda Romero, of El Salvador, former President of the Newman Club for Catholic Students at BYU (current Vice-President); Bryan Barba Salazar, of Nicaragua, BYU student and associate producer of Constant Wonder

When Mary and Joseph present the infant Jesus at the temple, they are honoring the human bodies of both mother and child. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guest: Hannah Anderson, author of "Heaven and Nature Sing: 25 Advent Reflections to Bring Joy to the World"

She may have started life as a "nowhere person in a nowhere place," but Mary's devotion has inspired generations. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guest: Gaye Strathearn, professor of Ancient Scripture and Ancient Near East Studies at Brigham Young University Excerpts from “My Soul Doth Magnify the Lord” from The Redeemer by Robert Cundick performed by the BYU Singers. Used by permission from the Heritage Series on Tantara Records and the estate of Robert Cundick. © 1996 Tantara Records. All Rights Reserved.

Astronomers and historians have long debated whether the Star of Bethlehem was really a star at all. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guest: Deb Haarsma, astrophysicist and President of BioLogos

With grace, the hilarious Kevin Kling has overcome trauma and learned to live with disability. You may recognize your own spiritual journey in his humorous "Three Phases of Prayer" story. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guest: Kevin Kling, author, playwright, and storyteller

When Gayle Boss stumbled on a passel of river otters on her 66th birthday, she learned from them that you're never too old to be playful. She agrees with Job that it's important "to ask the animals" for insight. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guest: Gayle Boss, author of "All Creation Waits: The Advent Mystery of ?New Beginnings"

Even when Francis Collins wasn't a believer, music moved his soul. Part of a Constant Wonder series marking the Christian Advent with daily vignettes that distill the spirit of the season, in keeping with our mission of exploring wonder and awe in all nature, human or wild, vast or small: encounters that move us beyond words. Guest: Francis Collins, former director of both the NIH and the Human Genome Project