Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Podcast releases 100th episode, reflects and offers prize for feedback

Riverkeeper's note: The following column was written by Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper John Zaktansky. 

As the world grew socially distant in early to mid-2020, I was just taking over the reins of the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Association, wondering how to make connections and spread meaningful environmental education and education when in-person events were suddenly obsolete. 

Thankfully, my previous work in journalism had included hosting a popular (at the time) regional podcast called Keeping the Beat, where we interview local musicians. Seeing such a rich network of people with a passion for the Susquehanna River -- basically an untapped pool of resources and some vital research being done within the watershed that was going unnoticed publicly, it seemed like a worthwhile opportunity to start recording interviews I was already doing for stories for our growing blog feed and produce podcast episodes.

So, when interviewing Dr. David Lieb, an aquatic biologist with the PA Fish and Boat Commission, about invasive crayfish in early August of 2020, I got permission to record and on Aug. 19 of that year, we released the first episode of what has become the Middle Susquehanna Riverkeeper Podcast.

Today, 1,744 minutes of recorded, edited and published podcasting interview time later, we celebrate Episode 100 (available below). That's more than 29 ½ hours of conversations with local scientists, policy makers, agency directors, educators, naturalists, anglers, musicians, researchers, authors, filmmakers, business owners, nonprofit leaders, concerned citizens, students and more.

Beyond our website, the podcast is mainstreamed on popular platforms such as Spotify, Amazon Music, Gaana, Audacy, Apple Podcasts where it has been downloaded thousands of times across our country and has also shown popularity internationally in places such as China, Russia, Belgium and Italy. 

More recently, Northern Tier Regional Director Emily Shosh and West Branch Director Andrew Bechdel have helped add to our podcasting library, and as we celebrate the 100th episode milestone, we aren't slowing down. There are already three more episodes in the queue for publication, including one I did a while ago with Susquehanna River Basin Commission’s Todd Eaby on how the agency handles water permitting, an episode by Andrew interviewing Jamie SanFilippo of American Fly Fishing Company and an interview by Emily with DCNR botanist Chris Firestone about wetlands and the plants that are key to these vital features. 

Beyond those, there are numerous more fueled by student and faculty research showcased by the recent Bucknell River Symposium we hope to pull together and much more worth delving into. 

Which leads to a seasonal concept I'd like to share as Riverkeeper ... heading into Thanksgiving, I'd like to point out that if nothing else, our growing panel of headshots representing our podcasts indicate something I personally am very thankful for ... such a wide variety of really talented people who are so passionate about our aquatic resources. 

Again, they're not just scientists or educators, but business owners and nonprofit leaders and musicians and filmmakers and authors and concerned citizens. Younger people and older people.  People of all walks of life, combined by one shared passion to improve and protect our waterways. 

If you have a suggestion for a future podcast conversation, I urge you to reach out and let us know. In the meantime, please check out the 100th episode below. It gives a number of glimpses into podcasts past, kind of a reflection of where we've been so far as we prepare for another milestone -- our association celebrates its 10th year in 2025.

And while we are at, we'd love your feedback ... and to have some fun with this. So, after the podcast episode, please fill in the form below it. Those that do (by 11:59 p.m. Monday, Dec. 2) will be entered into a random drawing to win one of our new tye-dyed hellbender T-shirts.