994: What Black Bears Can Teach Us About Fear and Respect with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant’

 Summary

In this episode, wildlife ecologist Dr. Rae Wynne Grant shares her insights on black bears, conservation, and the importance of respecting wildlife. Discover how animals like bears and cheetahs adapt and learn practical tips for coexisting safely with wild animals.

 

Show Notes

What can black bears teach us about the impact humans have on wildlife? In this episode of Sisterhood of S.W.E.A.T., Linda Mitchell talks with wildlife ecologist Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant about her research on large carnivores, her journey into science, and the importance of seeing more women represented in the field.

Dr. Rae is a co-host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild and host of Going Wild with Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. She shares what drew her to wildlife as a child, what studying bears has taught her about living alongside animals, and why local communities are essential to conservation.

They also look ahead to Season 4 of Wild Kingdom, which brings viewers stories from Alaska, Costa Rica, Australia, Puerto Rico, and other remarkable places.

In this conversation:
• How a childhood fascination became a career in wildlife ecology
• What human activity can change about black bear behavior
• The difference between fearing an animal and respecting it
• Why representation matters in science and storytelling
• Simple ways families can connect with and help protect nature

Season 4 of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild premieres October 3 on NBC’s “The More You Know” weekend programming block. Check local listings for the time. Learn more at wildkingdom.com.

key topics

• The concept of 'better' as a continuous journey rather than a destination
• The 1% principle and its application in daily life
• Reframing nerves and fear as fuel rather than obstacles
• The importance of speaking kindly to oneself and rewriting negative tapes
• Playing to win versus playing not to lose and its impact on performance
• The difference between a giving and a getting mindset in relationships and work
• Strategies for managing nerves and using them to enhance performance
• The role of joy in sustaining growth and maintaining motivation

Sound Bites

• "Speak to yourself more kindly and rewrite those tapes"
• "Play to win, not just to not lose"
• "Nerves are fuel, not a sign of failure"

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Joseph Ariel Town and his work

02:04 Why the idea of being the best is limiting

04:05 The 1% principle and daily small shifts

05:37 Playing to win versus playing not to lose

06:52 The giving versus getting mindset in relationships

07:47 Overcoming nerves and performance anxiety

09:10 Reframing nerves as fuel and staying present

10:26 Experiencing joy during the process, not just the outcome

11:18 Where to find Joseph's book and podcast

12:13 Final thoughts: growth is a direction, not a destination

Check out this episode!