Episodes

  • Invasive Species
    Jul 10 2026

    Sometimes bugs end up in places they don’t belong — invading ecosystems they’ve never been part of before. On this episode of Bug Note, host Daniel Potter chats with Christy Bills, NHMU's Invertebrate Collections Manager, about the impact of invasive species and the ways citizen scientists can help researchers track insect migration.


    About Bug Note

    ⁠Bug Note⁠ is a podcast from the Natural History Museum of Utah about the wiggly, wild, and weird world of bugs! In these quick-to-consume, bug-sized episodes, host ⁠Daniel Potter⁠ asks NHMU entomology experts (and other bug-loving guests) for the buzz on all things insects.


    About the Bug Note Team

    Bug Note is hosted by ⁠Daniel Potter⁠, a science writer who's also worked in the world of public radio for many years, and who loves fresh air and storytime. He's joined by Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director and trained entomologist, and Christy Bills, NHMU's Invertebrate Collections Manager, as well as other bug-loving guests. Video production by ⁠Blank Space⁠. The podcast is created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of Utah, with the expertise and support of its scientific, philanthropic, marketing, and education teams. Special thanks to NHMU friend and insect enthusiast Ted Fridirici.

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    5 mins
  • Insect Apocalypse Now
    Jul 3 2026

    The number of insects in the world is trending downward, leading some to label this the “insect apocalypse.” On this episode of Bug Note, host Daniel Potter chats with Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director and entomologist, about the data researchers are reporting — and how you can help on a local level!


    About Bug Note

    ⁠Bug Note⁠ is a podcast from the Natural History Museum of Utah about the wiggly, wild, and weird world of bugs! In these quick-to-consume, bug-sized episodes, host ⁠Daniel Potter⁠ asks NHMU entomology experts (and other bug-loving guests) for the buzz on all things insects.


    About the Bug Note Team

    Bug Note is hosted by ⁠Daniel Potter⁠, a science writer who's also worked in the world of public radio for many years, and who loves fresh air and storytime. He's joined by Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director and trained entomologist, and Christy Bills, NHMU's Invertebrate Collections Manager, as well as other bug-loving guests. Video production by ⁠Blank Space⁠. The podcast is created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of Utah, with the expertise and support of its scientific, philanthropic, marketing, and education teams. Special thanks to NHMU friend and insect enthusiast Ted Fridirici.

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    5 mins
  • Nicole Parish's Favorite Bugs (and the One That Changed Her Mind)
    Jun 26 2026

    Nicole Parish has a lot of favorite bugs, but that doesn’t mean she immediately loves every bug that crosses her path. On this episode of Bug Note, Parish joins host Daniel Potter to discuss her favorite insects, along with a few surprising facts that might just change the way you think about bugs.


    About Bug Note

    ⁠Bug Note⁠ is a podcast from the Natural History Museum of Utah about the wiggly, wild, and weird world of bugs! In these quick-to-consume, bug-sized episodes, host ⁠Daniel Potter⁠ asks NHMU entomology experts (and other bug-loving guests) for the buzz on all things insects.


    About the Bug Note Team

    Bug Note is hosted by ⁠Daniel Potter⁠, a science writer who's also worked in the world of public radio for many years, and who loves fresh air and storytime. He's joined by Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director and trained entomologist, and Christy Bills, NHMU's Invertebrate Collections Manager, as well as other bug-loving guests. Video production by ⁠Blank Space⁠. The podcast is created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of Utah, with the expertise and support of its scientific, philanthropic, marketing, and education teams. Special thanks to NHMU friend and insect enthusiast Ted Fridirici.

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    6 mins
  • A Fascination With Bugs and Bug Art, featuring Nicole Parish
    Jun 19 2026

    Spotify Description


    For many people, insects are easy to overlook — or avoid altogether. But for Nicole Parish, they are a source of wonder, creativity, and connection. On this episode of Bug Note, Parish joins host Daniel Potter to discuss her love of bugs and the creative inspiration they provide.


    About Bug Note

    ⁠Bug Note⁠ is a podcast from the Natural History Museum of Utah about the wiggly, wild, and weird world of bugs! In these quick-to-consume, bug-sized episodes, host ⁠Daniel Potter⁠ asks NHMU entomology experts (and other bug-loving guests) for the buzz on all things insects.


    About the Bug Note Team

    Bug Note is hosted by ⁠Daniel Potter⁠, a science writer who's also worked in the world of public radio for many years, and who loves fresh air and storytime. He's joined by Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director and trained entomologist, and Christy Bills, NHMU's Invertebrate Collections Manager, as well as other bug-loving guests. Video production by ⁠Blank Space⁠. The podcast is created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of Utah, with the expertise and support of its scientific, philanthropic, marketing, and education teams. Special thanks to NHMU friend and insect enthusiast Ted Fridirici.

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    5 mins
  • Fact or Fiction
    Jun 12 2026

    In a world of viral videos and unverified claims, it's sometimes hard to distinguish between fact and fiction. Do people really swallow spiders in their sleep? Can a ladybug’s spots tell you their age? On this episode of Bug Note, host Daniel Potter is joined by one of NHMU’s Youth Teaching Youth interns, Lupe Hansen, to discover the truth about some common bug claims. Join Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director and trained entomologist, for “Bug Note: Fact or Fiction,” where you can put your insect knowledge to the test.


    About Bug Note

    ⁠Bug Note⁠ is a podcast from the Natural History Museum of Utah about the wiggly, wild, and weird world of bugs! In these quick-to-consume, bug-sized episodes, host ⁠Daniel Potter⁠ asks NHMU entomology experts (and other bug-loving guests) for the buzz on all things insects.


    About the Bug Note Team

    Bug Note is hosted by ⁠Daniel Potter⁠, a science writer who's also worked in the world of public radio for many years, and who loves fresh air and storytime. He's joined by Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director and trained entomologist, and Christy Bills, NHMU's Invertebrate Collections Manager, as well as other bug-loving guests. Video production by ⁠Blank Space⁠. The podcast is created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of Utah, with the expertise and support of its scientific, philanthropic, marketing, and education teams. Special thanks to NHMU friend and insect enthusiast Ted Fridirici.

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    6 mins
  • Bugs in Mythology and Cultural Traditions
    Jun 5 2026

    Storytelling is part of human nature. We tell stories to make sense of the world, which means we often include narrative elements that reflect the animals and places around us. On this episode of Bug Note, host Daniel Potter explores the role insects play in storytelling traditions around the world. He is joined by NHMU’s Invertebrate Collections Manager, Christy Bills.


    About Bug Note

    ⁠Bug Note⁠ is a podcast from the Natural History Museum of Utah about the wiggly, wild, and weird world of bugs! In these quick-to-consume, bug-sized episodes, host ⁠Daniel Potter⁠ asks NHMU entomology experts (and other bug-loving guests) for the buzz on all things insects.


    About the Bug Note Team

    Bug Note is hosted by ⁠Daniel Potter⁠, a science writer who's also worked in the world of public radio for many years, and who loves fresh air and storytime. He's joined by Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director and trained entomologist, and Christy Bills, NHMU's Invertebrate Collections Manager, as well as other bug-loving guests. Video production by ⁠Blank Space⁠. The podcast is created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of Utah, with the expertise and support of its scientific, philanthropic, marketing, and education teams. Special thanks to NHMU friend and insect enthusiast Ted Fridirici.

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    4 mins
  • Why People and Museums Collect Bugs
    May 29 2026

    Welcome to Bug Note from the Natural History Museum of Utah. On this episode of Bug Note, host Daniel Potter talks about why people collect insects with Christy Bills, NHMU’s Invertebrate Collections Manager, and Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director, who also happens to be an entomologist.


    About Bug Note

    ⁠Bug Note⁠ is a podcast from the Natural History Museum of Utah about the wiggly, wild, and weird world of bugs! In these quick-to-consume, bug-sized episodes, host ⁠Daniel Potter⁠ asks NHMU entomology experts (and other bug-loving guests) for the buzz on all things insects.


    About the Bug Note Team

    Bug Note is hosted by ⁠Daniel Potter⁠, a science writer who's also worked in the world of public radio for many years, and who loves fresh air and storytime. He's joined by Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director and trained entomologist, and Christy Bills, NHMU's Invertebrate Collections Manager, as well as other bug-loving guests. Video production by ⁠Blank Space⁠. The podcast is created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of Utah, with the expertise and support of its scientific, philanthropic, marketing, and education teams. Special thanks to NHMU friend and insect enthusiast Ted Fridirici.

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    5 mins
  • Bugs and Citizen Science
    May 22 2026

    Welcome to Bug Note from the Natural History Museum of Utah. Science is furthered by passionate people, not just those holding university degrees. Citizen scientists play a vital role in the collection and analyzation of data throughout the world. On this episode of Bug Note, host Daniel Potter chats with Christy Bills, NHMU’s Invertebrate Collections Manager about the role that citizen scientists play in the field of entomology. Listen to the podcast here or scroll down to watch the video version.


    About Bug Note

    ⁠Bug Note⁠ is a podcast from the Natural History Museum of Utah about the wiggly, wild, and weird world of bugs! In these quick-to-consume, bug-sized episodes, host ⁠Daniel Potter⁠ asks NHMU entomology experts (and other bug-loving guests) for the buzz on all things insects.


    About the Bug Note Team

    Bug Note is hosted by ⁠Daniel Potter⁠, a science writer who's also worked in the world of public radio for many years, and who loves fresh air and storytime. He's joined by Dr. Jason Cryan, NHMU’s Sarah B. George Executive Director and trained entomologist, and Christy Bills, NHMU's Invertebrate Collections Manager, as well as other bug-loving guests. Video production by ⁠Blank Space⁠. The podcast is created in collaboration with the Natural History Museum of Utah, with the expertise and support of its scientific, philanthropic, marketing, and education teams. Special thanks to NHMU friend and insect enthusiast Ted Fridirici.

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    4 mins