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

Joli Reynolds is a nature center manager with 20 years of experience in environmental education and interpretation. She currently serves as the director for NAI's Sunny Southeast Region. Joli's most utilized skills include leadership, strategic planning, and creating beautiful spreadsheets. Joli's philosophy on managing interpreters is to train them for challenges and trust them to succeed. She has built a phenomenal team at Quest Nature Center and she is exceedingly proud of each of her staff, their skills and their accomplishments.

Yvette Méndez, she/her, is the Manager of Public Engagement and Training at Brookfield Zoo Chicago and Director of the Zoo, Wildlife Parks, and Aquaria section. A Certified Interpretive Trainer, she develops training for staff and volunteers in interpretation best practices at Brookfield Zoo Chicago and is involved in exhibit interpretation and program planning. She is joined by NAI's Heather Manier and Song Stott.

Julia Pinnix is the Visitor Services Manager for the Nisqually National Wildlife Refuge Complex in Olympia, Washington. In this episode, Julia shares how growing up around parks helped shape her connection to the outdoors and ultimately led to a career in interpretation spanning nearly four decades. She also discusses the meaningful connections she has made with people from different backgrounds and cultures throughout her career and travels. She is joined by NAI’s Madison Hyatt and Legacy Editor Lucien Meadows.

Join Norena Shopland, author and historian specializing in the history of sexual orientation, and Steve Slack, heritage interpretation consultant and co-author of a recently published best-practice guide on LGBTQIA+ heritage interpretation. In this episode, they explore the history and practice of interpreting LGBTQIA+ heritage in the UK, sharing insights and approaches for telling these stories thoughtfully, inclusively, and authentically.

Paul Caputo is wrapping up his time as NAI’s Executive Director, and this special episode of What’s Up, Interpreters drops on his birthday! Join us as Paul looks back on his 24 years with NAI, sharing stories, memories, and reflections from his incredible journey with this organization. He is joined by Heather Manier and Song Stott.

Jamie Hubert is the Interpretive Center Manager at Weldon Spring Site Interpretive Center in St Charles, Missouri. Prior to her current role, she worked with Missouri State Parks for nearly two decades. She is serving on the committee for NAI 2027 in St. Louis and looks forward to inviting NAI members to her hometown.

Jim Covel has spent over 50 years as an interpreter, ranger, trainer and educator, in venues including parks, museums and universities. He retired after nearly 35 years as the Director of Training and Interpretation at the Monterey Bay Aquarium and continues to interpret marine life at the aquarium as a volunteer guide. Jim is a Founder, Fellow and former President of the National Association for Interpretation. Jim and his wife, Christine, appear at historic events in California as part of the Alta California Dance Company, and he serves as a director on the board of the Monterey Peninsula Regional Park District.

With nearly three decades of experience as an exhibit designer and architect, Michael Fiegenschuh, AIA, LFA, brings a unique perspective on the built environment to his role as a Principal at EDX. His deep affinity for interpretive centers, museums and parks is driven by a love of storytelling and understanding our place in the world. His skill as both a project lead and designer allows him to bring together diverse teams to make a project vision become a reality. He is a passionate advocate for sustainable, biophilic design which helps to create solutions that harmonize with their surrounding environment and deepen a visitor's connection to place. In addition to his architectural background, Michael completed the Museum Studies Certificate program at the University of Washington to further his knowledge and understanding of the museum field. He also achieved Living Future Accreditation (LFA) from the International Living Future Institute. Michael is a frequent public speaker and has presented at conferences for the Western Museums Association and the American Alliance of Museums, among others. He has served on the Board of Directors of the Western Museum Association, as well as the Environment and Climate Network of the American Alliance of Museums.

NAI Vice President for Programs Jessica Moore is the Superintendent at Sinks Canyon State Park and Interpretive Lead for Wyoming State Parks. She grew up in Michigan where she started her career as an Interpretive Ranger with the National Park Service, moved to Washington State where she spent 18 years working as an educator at a 725-acre wildlife park, and was hired on with Wyoming State Parks in the fall of 2022. Jessica has had a lifelong passion for nature and conservation and now enjoys spending time in beautiful Sinks Canyon. She joins Song Stott and Paul Caputo on this episode.

Allie Elliott is an interpreter based in Midland, Michigan who brings together her background in biology and passion for people to create meaningful connections with the natural world. She works at the Chippewa Nature Center as an Interpretive Naturalist / Assistant Camp Director, where she focuses on youth programming and hands-on experiences that inspire curiosity, stewardship, and belonging in the outdoors. With a special interest in Michigan’s wetland ecosystems, Allie strives to make science accessible, engaging, and relevant for all audiences. She is actively involved with NAI through the Young Professional Council and the Great Lakes Region, supporting connection, leadership, and growth for emerging professionals in the field. Outside of work, she enjoys exploring the outdoors with her husband, daughter, and two Bernese Mountain Dogs. Allie joins NAI's Heather Manier and Madison Hyatt on this episode.

Grace Teofilo Hilker, CIG, is a Volunteer Manager in St. Louis, Missouri. She has her MA in American Studies from St. Louis University and holds a BA in History and Political Science with certificates in Gender & Women’s Studies and Leadership from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. She loves hiking, traveling, cooking, playing music, and doing all of the above (not at the same time) with her family. She joins NAI's Heather Manier and Emily McCowan to talk about her article in the May/June 2026 issue of Legacy Magazine, which details her prior experience in food service and how that led her to a career in interpretation.

Brandi Stewart is a Space Science Outreach Coordinator for the Earth to Sky Interagency Partnership. Brandi grew up near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and moved out west to complete an M. Ed. in environmental education and non-profit leadership through the North Cascades Institute's residency program. Brandi brings a background in place-based engagement, training development, and program management, primarily through their work with the National Park Service. Prior to joining the Earth to Sky team in November 2024, Brandi worked for the National Park Service for almost 14 years, as an educator and interpreter at parks such as Mount Rainier, Devils Postpile, Death Valley, and Grand Canyon. Brandi discusses the recent Artemis II mission and interpretation of outer space with Heather Manier and Paul Caputo

Jedda Foreman, Associate Director at the Lawrence Hall of Science, oversees a group focused on learning design and educational research and how insights from those efforts get translated into tools, services, products, and professional learning that build capacity for the STEM education field. In this role, Jedda works face-to-face with educators, school and county superintendents, executive directors, teachers, principals, communities of practice, and researchers and evaluators, across a variety of learning contexts. Her focus is on designing systems that center high-quality, equitable, inclusive, and culturally relevant STEM learning experiences. She holds a B.A. from Carleton College, M.B.A. from California College of the Arts, and Graduate Certificate in Field Science and Place-Based Education from Teton Science Schools. Jedda joins Song Stott and Paul Caputo on this episode.

Richard Muñoz is the Coordinator of California Fish & Wildlife's "Fishing in the City" program and the Community Engagement Specialist for the department's North Central Region. Additionally, he received NAI's 2024 Meritorious Service Award, he is the chair of the 2026 NAI Conference in Oakland, and he represents NAI's Justice, Equity, Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Section in planning the Interpreting Environmental Justice Conference. He joins Song Stott and Paul Caputo to discuss his work on this episode.

Dave Gustafson has served with the City of Boulder’s Open Space and Mountain Parks for 23 years as a law enforcement ranger, search-and-rescue professional, wildland firefighter, and interpreter. He teaches defensive tactics for the Boulder Police Department and teaches the National Association for Interpretation’s CIG course. Before joining Boulder, Dave worked for the National Park Service for nearly seven years. He joins NAI's Paul Caputo and Song Stott on this episode.

Rhana Paris is a retired naturalist, non-formal educator and longtime member of NAI. She loves to talk about natural environments and the critters they support as well as solutions to challenging environmental problems. Rhana is known for goofy songs, storytelling, and stargazing programs. Time is now spent hiking, kayaking, crafting and traveling. She joins NAI's Song Stott and Paul Caputo.

Kendra Raines is a nationally syndicated radio personality and award-winning voice actor with more than two decades of experience. Kendra recently earned her Certificate of Interpretive Guiding and applies interpretive principles to her work in radio and content creation. On this episode, she joins NAI's Madison Hyatt and Paul Caputo.

James "Jay" Gardner Harrison III is a descendant of two American Presidents, William Henry Harrison and Benjamin Harrison, as well as English colonists Harmon Harrison and his cousin John Rolfe, who arrived at Jamestown, Virginia, in the early 1600s. He works as a Community Programs Assistant with the Museum Learning & Programs department of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington, D.C. Additionally, Jay has regularly portrayed James Monroe in first person since 1987, in over 300 living history programs mainly for the James Monroe Museum in Fredericksburg, Virginia. Jay joins NAI's Song Stott and Paul Caputo.

Chris Davis, Safety and Training Director at Pink Adventure Tours, brings a wealth of experience from the adventure tourism world. He joins NAI's Heather Manier and Paul Caputo to discuss using interpretation to create safe, meaningful, and memorable experiences for visitors and for the interpreters who lead them.

The Honorable Robert G. Stanton received NAI’s 2025 President’s Award. As the fifteenth Director of the National Park Service, and its first African American leader, Mr. Stanton’s more than 40-year career has advanced interpretation, resource stewardship, and equitable public engagement nationwide. Beginning as a seasonal ranger at Grand Teton National Park in 1962, he rose through the ranks to lead the agency with vision, courage, and integrity. His lifelong advocacy for inclusion and representation has profoundly shaped how the stories of America’s parks are told, broadening who sees themselves reflected in the nation’s natural and cultural heritage. He joins NAI's Song Stott and Paul Caputo.