WNYC Studios Presents Season Three of “Terrestrials”
Hosted by Radiolab’s Lulu Miller
This season, RADIOLAB’s family-friendly nature podcast explores the “monsters around us,” including rats, coyotes, coquis and …. farts
Debuts Thursday, April 17
After-School Launch Party on Wednesday, April 23 at 4:30pm
The Old Stone House in Park Slope, Brooklyn
Listen to the audio trailer here
(New York NY – April 14, 2025) – On Thursday, April 17, Radiolab from WNYC Studios will premiere the third season of “Terrestrials,” a family-friendly podcast series that explores why the natural world is stranger than we think.
This new batch of episodes invites kids and families to dive deep into the stories of “the monsters among us,” bringing listeners “face-to-snout” with beasts such as frogs, coyotes, rats, camels and even flatulence, exploring what happens when we rethink the things we usually revile. From a dive underground to see how rats navigate New York City’s subway tunnel system to a look at the way coyotes strike up unexpected friendships with other species (from badgers and ravens to domesticated dogs), this season brings us into these creatures’ natural habitat to help us understand their strange ways. To guide us on these journeys, “Terrestrials” host and creator Lulu Miller is joined by a broad range of special guests, including NYC “Rat Czar” Kathleen Corradi, carnivore ecologist Christine Wilkinson, and her Radiolab co-host, Latif Nasser, among others.
“Terrestrials” tells stories about life on Earth through a blend of original music, humor, science, and imagination. The show introduces listeners to experts of all kinds – from ecologists, paleobiologists, microbiologists and gastroenterologists to unexpected voices such as exterminators, gravediggers, photographers, and orchestra musicians – to forge a deeper understanding of the natural world. With original songs by beloved “Songbud” Alan Goffinski, immersive sound design, and engaging storytelling, “Terrestrials” turns the planet into a place of mystery and awe.
“This season, we dove into the creatures that scare us to see what, if anything, we could learn from that process,” said host and creator Lulu Miller. “What we found was a menagerie of beasts hiding secrets with medical, scientific, and even existential ramifications. What emerged was humor, surprise, and hope. We’re really excited to share these with the world.”
Episode descriptions are as follows:
April 17: The Shadow Creature: Rats Who Save Human Lives
We’re coming face to furry face with a critter many would rather NOT get close to at all…. Rats. Songbud Alan hosts this episode that takes us all the way to Tanzania to meet a very special rat named Magawa who has saved hundreds of human lives. Yes, truly! These “hero-rats” are trained to sniff out landmines and even detect tuberculosis. We also take a secret elevator down to 20 stories below New York City to learn about their super powers up close.
April 24: The Windbreaker: Why Farts Make the World Go Round
Passing gas, tooting, farting, whatever you want to call it, farts are GROSS. But farts are an essential part of how the human and animal world functions. Host Lulu Miller did NOT want to do this episode, but the “Terrestrials” team drags her on a musical journey to understand just how important flatulence is on our planet, for creatures and even for art. Scored by special guests, the Brown University Orchestra.
May 1: The Snow Monster: A Mystery Beast with Latif Nasser
In this episode, Radiolab co-host Latif Nasser joins the “Terrestrials” crew to share the surprising story of the camel’s origins — in North America! We hear from paleobiologist Natalia Rybczynski about her discovery of a giant Arctic camel near the North Pole and learn how its desert superpowers were likely developed in the snow. Finally, Lulu heads out to Wisconsin to ride a real snow camel and learn why camels are animals of the future.
May 8: The Invaders: Coquis Frogs Just Won’t Die
The coquí frog is a tiny, beloved frog on the island of Puerto Rico, where it is a symbol of home and identity for Puerto Ricans all over the world, and its call is heard as a lullaby. But on the other side of the world, its call is heard completely differently, and coquís are seen as enemies. Producer Ana González takes us on a journey of love vs hate, coquí vs human, and past vs future as she attempts to understand why her favorite frog is being hunted in Hawaii. Along the way she understands the complicated power of the coquí and the ways in which scientists and citizens are fighting to both eradicate and protect this Caribbean amphibian.
May 15: The Howler: The Dog Who Joined a Coyote Pack
AHOOOOO! Coyotes are known as tricksters. Devils of the desert. Pet eaters. But they have the ability to make the most unlikely friendships in the wild that allow them to survive. This episode tells the true story of a dog who lived with coyotes for nearly a year. Lulu speaks with carnivore ecologist Christine Wilkinson to understand how their cross-species friendships are an example of a broader flexibility that has allowed coyotes to outlast other apex predators in the wild. Finally, Lulu travels to an urban cemetery in Chicago where she encounters not one, but three wild coyotes.
“Terrestrials” is available for streaming at “Radiolab for Kids” or wherever you get your podcasts.
AFTER-SCHOOL LAUNCH EVENT – Wednesday, April 23 at the Old Stone House, 4:30pm
“Terrestrials” will celebrate the launch of its third season with a free, outdoor family-friendly event at the Old Stone House and Washington Park in Park Slope, Brooklyn. From 4:30-6pm, families are invited to join Lulu Miller, Alan Goffinski and the “Terrestrials” team for a concert featuring the podcast’s original songs in collaboration with Rolie Polie Guacamole, live storytelling, nature-inspired activities in the park and snacks. The event is recommended for ages 3 and up.
PARTNERSHIP WITH ATLAS OBSCURA PODCAST
From April 28-May 2, the “Terrestrials” team will join the Atlas Obscura podcast for Bad Rap Week, a weeklong collaboration spotlighting people, places, and animals with bad reputations – from NYC’s underground rat scene to an infamously boring Toronto mall – and reveal the surprising truths behind them.
EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
“Terrestrials” was produced in consultation with an advisory committee of educators, authors, and scientists. “Terrestrials” is pleased to offer educators free teaching materials that align with national standards for grades K-8, developed with PBS Learning Media. Resources for kids, families and educators, including links to teaching materials at PBS Learning Media, are available here.
Support for “Terrestrials” is provided by the Simons Foundation, the Arthur Vining Davis Foundations, and the John Templeton Foundation.
ABOUT RADIOLAB
Radiolab is on a curiosity bender. We ask deep questions and use investigative journalism to get the answers. A given episode might whirl you through science, legal history, and into the home of someone halfway across the world. The show is known for innovative sound design, smashing information into music. It is hosted by Lulu Miller and Latif Nasser. Founded in 2002, Radiolab has been named one of “10 non-fiction podcasts that changed everything,” “revolutionary” and a pioneer in narrative sound design (Vulture) and has received two Peabody Awards. Radiolab was ranked among the top 50 U.S. podcasts by Edison Research in 2024.
ABOUT WNYC
With an urban vibrancy and a global perspective, WNYC is New York’s public radio station, broadcasting and streaming award-winning journalism, groundbreaking audio programming and essential talk radio to the city and beyond. WNYC offers its listeners a unique range of local, national, and international programming, including programming from NPR, American Public Media, and the BBC World Service, along with a roster of WNYC-produced local programs that champion the stories and spirit of New York City and the surrounding region, including The Brian Lehrer Show and All of It. From its state-of-the-art studios, WNYC is reshaping audio for a new generation of listeners, producing some of the most beloved nationally-syndicated public radio programs including Radiolab,On the Media, The New Yorker Radio Hour. NYC broadcasts on 93.9 FM and AM 820 to listeners in New York and the tri-state area, and is available to audiences everywhere at WNYC.org, the WNYC app and through major digital radio services, all made possible through the generous support of our members, donors and sponsors.