Free Daily Podcast Summary
Snake Talk: Daily Summaries Delivered
by Dr. Chris Jenkins
Faced with a world that instinctually persecutes snakes, Dr. Jenkins talks with the foremost experts on snake biology and conservation. The discussions range widely including topics such as snake ecology, snakebites, and captive breeding. All of the conversations have the same goal, to help the listener increase their knowledge and leave behind any irrational fears of snakes.
Latest Episodes
The most recent episodes — sign up to get AI-powered summaries of each one.
- 1 weeks ago1h 0m
157 | Snake Tattoo Artist
In this episode of the Snake Talk Podcast, discover what happens when a lifelong love of art collides with a fascination for snakes. Dr. Chris Jenkins sits down with Samantha Mancino, a tattoo artist who has built an international reputation for her stunning snake-inspired work. Sam shares stories from her unconventional journey into tattooing, from growing up immersed in art to road-tripping across the country while learning the craft along the way. She also reflects on how encountering her first wild rattlesnake left a lasting impression that continues to shape her art today. Connect with Sam at Kingsnake Tattoo. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.Shop Snake Talk merch.If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.
- 3 weeks ago57 min
156 | From Rattlesnakes to Terrapins
In this episode Dr. Jenkins sits down with Dr. Sarah Baker, who is an Assistant Professor of Biological Science at McNeese State University. They discuss her time studying Massasauga Rattlesnakes specifically their metabolic rate and various aspects of their reproductive biology. They then talk about her transition to working with turtles and the population ecology work her lab is engaged in with Diamondback Terrapins and Box Turtles. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.Shop Snake Talk merch.If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.
- May 1, 20261h 0m
155 | Student Perspectives: Amphiumas and Sirens
What draws a researcher to the murky, hidden world of amphibians? In this episode of the Snake Talk Podcast, Dr. Chris Jenkins sits down with Maddie Zickgraf, a Master’s student at the University of Alabama and The Jones Center at Ichauway, to explore the winding path that led her into the world of amphibian ecology and the strange, secretive species that now define her work. Maddie’s passion for herps was sparked by childhood days exploring creeks in Pennsylvania. That curiosity grew into a focused academic pursuit, taking her across the country and into a range of field experiences from studying Pacific Giant Salamanders to Chiricahua Leopard Frogs. These experiences ultimately led her to a technician position at the Herpetology Lab at The Jones Center at Ichauway, where she worked with Gopher Tortoises and deepened her connection to southeastern ecosystems. It was during her time at Ichauway that Maddie became fascinated by the movement ecology of sirens and amphiumas, two large, cryptic amphibians that often coexist in ephemeral wetlands. While researching and trapping these elusive species, she began asking new questions about how they move through and persist in these dynamic environments, a curiosity that now shapes her Master’s research. Connect with Maddie at The Jones Center at Ichauway. . Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.Shop Snake Talk merch.If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.
- Apr 17, 20261h 8m
154 | Student Perspectives: Cape Cobra Ecology
In this episode, Dr. Chris Jenkins sits down with Dr. Thilo Beck, a recent graduate of the University of the Witwatersrand. Originally from Germany, Thilo moved to South Africa in pursuit of greater snake diversity, and found himself studying one of the continent’s most fascinating species, the Cape Cobra. Thilo dives into his research on the thermal ecology of Cape Cobras, exploring how these snakes interact with their environment and regulate their body temperature. He also unpacks what his findings reveal about the future—how shifting climates could influence behavior, distribution, and survival for snakes in a rapidly changing world. Connect with Thilo at the Tswalu Foundation. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.Shop Snake Talk merch.If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.
- Apr 3, 20261h 1m
153 | Student Perspectives: Tropical Ecology
Dr. Jenkins sits down with Sam Schenker from North Carolina. Sam is a high school student who has already done an incredible amount of work to advance her career as a herpetologist. Multiple herp focused ecotourism trips led to interests in research and photography. Sam started by taking a Master Herpetologist class and then began working with a conservation organization in Ecuador. She also works with former Snake Talk guest, Dr. Reynolds, at University of North Carolina Asheville. They discuss Sam’s journey and where she hopes the future will take her. Connect with Sam at the Khamai Foundation, or on her website, Scale Snaps. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.Shop Snake Talk merch.If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.
- Mar 20, 20261h 12m
152 | Student Perspectives: Rare Amphibians
Dr. Jenkins sits down with Jade Samples and Eva Kerr, recent graduate students from the University of Georgia (UGA) who both study rare amphibians that breed in isolated wetlands. During their time at UGA, Jade and Eva collaborated on statewide surveys to better understand where these elusive species occur and what environmental factors shape their distribution. Jade shares insights from her work on Striped Newt reintroductions, exploring the factors that influence whether restored populations succeed. Eva dives into her research on Gopher Frogs, examining gene flow in different landscapes and describing the ecological model she developed to simulate how disturbance can influence their populations and long-term persistence. Connect with Jade and Eva at Dr. Maerz’s Herpetology Laboratory at UGA. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.Shop Snake Talk merch.If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.
- Mar 6, 202651 min
151 | Student Perspectives: Antivenom
In this episode, Dr. Jenkins sits down with Cameron Ketchum and Ariana Coles, undergraduate researchers at the University of Northern Colorado, to discuss their undergraduate research on snake venom. The conversation focuses on efforts to characterize rattlesnake venom across the Americas and how this work can help make antivenom more efficient. Connect with Cameron and Ariana at the University of Northern Colorado. Looking to learn more about venom? Check out Snake Talk 117 | Snake Venom with Dr. Stephen Mackessy. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.Shop Snake Talk merch.If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.
- Feb 20, 202651 min
150 | Student Perspectives: Snake Fungal Disease and Indigo Snakes
How do weather, habitat, and season influence a snake’s ability to fight disease?In this episode, Chris Jenkins sits down with Catherine Hanks, a graduate student in ecology at the University of Georgia, to talk about her path into graduate school, from studying tropical ecology in Costa Rica to finding the right lab as an undergraduate. They also dive into her thesis research on the immune capacity of Eastern Indigo Snakes and what it may reveal about how these iconic snakes respond to Snake Fungal Disease in the wild. Connect with Chris on Facebook, Instagram or at The Orianne Society.Shop Snake Talk merch.If you like what you’ve been hearing on this podcast, consider supporting The Orianne Society today.
About Snake Talk
Faced with a world that instinctually persecutes snakes, Dr. Jenkins talks with the foremost experts on snake biology and conservation. The discussions range widely including topics such as snake ecology, snakebites, and captive breeding. All of the conversations have the same goal, to help the listener increase their knowledge and leave behind any irrational fears of snakes.
Customized Recaps
AI-powered recaps with compact key takeaways, quotes, and insights.
Straight to Your Inbox
Get key takeaways from Snake Talk in a 5-minute read.
Save Hours Every Week
Stay current on your favorite podcasts without falling behind.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Podzilla's Snake Talk daily summary?
It's a free AI-powered email that summarizes new episodes of Snake Talk as soon as they're published. You get the key takeaways, notable quotes, and links & mentions — all in a quick read.
How does the Snake Talk podcast summary work?
When a new episode drops, our AI transcribes and analyzes it, then generates a personalized summary tailored to your interests and profession. It's delivered to your inbox every morning.
Is this an official Snake Talk product?
No. Podzilla is an independent service that summarizes publicly available podcast content. We're not affiliated with or endorsed by Dr. Chris Jenkins.
Can I get summaries of other podcasts too?
Absolutely! The free plan covers up to 3 podcasts. Upgrade to Pro for 15, or Premium for 50. Browse our full catalog at /podcasts.
How often does Snake Talk release new episodes?
Snake Talk publishes biweekly. Our AI generates a summary within hours of each new episode.
What topics does Snake Talk cover?
Snake Talk covers topics including Science, Sports, Nature, Wilderness, Natural Sciences. Our AI identifies the specific themes in each episode and highlights what matters most to you.
Start getting Snake Talk summaries tomorrow morning.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.
Free forever for up to 3 podcasts. No credit card required.