Reflections on Interpretation: Talking Story with Guides and Interpreters

Dr. Ted Cable, author of 15 books, talks story with Tim Merriman

Dr. Ted Cable is Professor Emeritus at Kansas State University after a 34 year career as a Professor. Also he has been author or co-author of 15 books on interpretation, conservation and birding. He has traveled more than 50 countries teaching and training and in retirement he continues to write interpretive resources and lead birding tours to international destinations. Join Ted and Tim Merriman and learn more about his interesting journey in this profession. 
Next Friday, June 30, Tim will be talking story with Bill Gwaltney, who will share stories from his long career with National Park Service and other interesting projects and positions. 

Gabby Plumasseau Talks Story with Tim Merriman about I-PAL.and more!

Gabby Plumasseau shares her interesting journey in heritage interpretation with Tim Merriman. She grew up in Merida, Mexico, now lives in Paris, France, and trains Certified Interpretive Guides in Europe and in varied venues in Central and South America, working in Spanish, French and English. In recent years she has been an active organizer with the I-PAL Network - Heritage Interpretation: Latin America and the Caribbean. She updates us while visiting her original home area in Mexico to train Certified Interpretive Guides. 
Coming up on June 23, Tim talks story with Dr. Ted Cable. 

Justin Legge of Benbow Inn Talks Story with Tim Merriman

Justin Legge is Manager at Benbow KOA and Tour Director at Benbow Historic Inn near Arcata, California. He recently took the Certified Interpretive Guide course with us and plans to become a trainer. He uses interpretive approaches to engage visitors to the tall trees (redwoods) of northern California. 

Jim Covel Talking Story with Tim Merriman

Jim Covel recently retired as Director of Training and Interpretation from Monterey Bay Aquarium. He was President of Western Interpreters Association when Tim Merriman was President of Association of Interpretive Naturalists in the 1980s. They worked together to consolidate the two groups in 1988 to create National Association for Interpretation. He shares his personal journey in the profession and they discuss their many experiences and opportunities to collaborate in improving the interpretive profession.

Valya Stergioti Talks Story about Interpret Europe

Valya Stergioti is Training Coordinator for Interpret Europe and an independent interpretive planner, writer and trainer. She shares with us her professional journey from her home in Volos, Greece. 

Shelton Johnson Talks Story about Buffalo Soldiers and More.

Shelton Johnson is well known as the National Park Service Interpreter who portrays Buffalo Soldiers and shares their amazing story in the creation of the park service. He shares more here about how he got involved in the Ken Burns documentaries about NPS and a visit by Oprah Winfrey and Gayle King. 

Lisa Brochu Talking Story about NAI Early Days

Lisa Brochu and Tim Merriman played key roles in the consolidation of the Association of Interpretive Naturalists and Western Interpreters Association to create National Association for Interpretation in 1988. They reminisce about their 50 years involvement with these professional associations.

Dr. Chris Mayer Talking Story

Chris Mayer is a Professor of Ecotourism and Interpretation at Ferrum College in Virginia. He has an interesting professional journey from interpreter to teacher, having spent many years in Latin America in the Peace Corps and later as a consultant and trainer. 

Stephanie and Ashley Talk Story about Recycling and Solid Waste

Stephanie Watson and Ashley Wyland use an interpretive approach to communication with children and community members in Pinellas County Florida (Saint Petersburg area) to explain how the county protects natural resources through careful recycling and solid waste management. Each member of the staff earned the Certified Interpretive Guide certificate with National Association for Interpretation.

Valeria Biasi of Verona Tours Talking Story

Tim Merriman talks story with Valeria Biasi, a tour company owner/partner and very experienced guide in Verona, Italy. She recently delved deep into interpretation by earning the Certified Interpretive Guide certificate in a virtual course with Tim and also by taking an Interpretive Planning course with Lisa Brochu. She shares her perspectives on taking an interpretive approach to guiding in her unique business setting in northern Italy.