Wildlife biologist and conservationist Morad Tahbaz joins host Richard Wiese to share his harrowing story of being wrongfully imprisoned in Iran. Accused of espionage while on a conservation mission, Morad endured solitary confinement, torture, and psychological warfare for nearly six years. He reflects on the brutal conditions he survived, the coping mechanisms he developed through art and creativity, and how he kept hope alive.

Now back home, Morad is using his experience to advocate for hostage deterrence policies, reconnect with conservation efforts, and inspire others facing their own struggles. His story is a powerful reminder that even amid unimaginable darkness, the human spirit can prevail.

This is Life's Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, with your host, Richard Weiss. Scratch the surface of an explorer and you'll find an adventure and a great story. This show is about their tales.

This podcast is a proud supporter of the Explorers Club and the EC50 Initiative. 50 people changing the world that the world needs to know about. For more information, go to explorers.org.

In this enlightening episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with Christian Rutz, an animal-tracking pioneer who has spent decades studying the tool-using behavior of birds—especially the brilliant New Caledonian crow. Rutz shares how these birds craft tools from twigs and leaves, challenging long-held beliefs about human cognitive uniqueness.

Through riveting stories from fieldwork, Rutz explains how these birds innovate, problem-solve, and pass down knowledge—a sign of culture, not just instinct. The discussion moves from evolutionary biology to conservation, shedding light on how animal intelligence is deeply embedded in their ecosystems. From miniature bird-worn cameras to crow-crafted hooks, Rutz reveals how science is catching up to the remarkable complexity of non-human minds.

Listeners are left with a powerful message: animal intelligence is more diverse and widespread than we thought, and we’re racing against time to study and protect it.

Explore the minds behind the feathers—before they vanish.

This is Life's Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, with your host, Richard Weiss. Scratch the surface of an explorer and you'll find an adventure and a great story. This show is about their tales.

This podcast is a proud supporter of the Explorers Club and the EC50 Initiative. 50 people changing the world that the world needs to know about. For more information, go to explorers.org.

Entomologist and UCL professor Dr. Seirian Sumner joins host Richard Wiese to challenge everything you think you know about wasps. While most people see them as pests, Seirian makes the compelling case that wasps are unsung heroes of our ecosystems—natural pest controllers, accidental pollinators, and potential allies in sustainable agriculture. She shares humorous and insightful stories from her career, from dressing in wasp-themed costumes to giving “wasp evangelism” talks, while also reflecting on gender, mentorship, and inclusion in the scientific community. Plus, she offers practical tips on how to coexist peacefully with wasps at picnics and explores her dream of using wasps as natural tools in developing-world agriculture.

A surprising and enlightening episode that will make you think twice before swatting that next yellowjacket.

This is Life's Tough, Explorers Are Tougher, with your host, Richard Weiss. Scratch the surface of an explorer and you'll find an adventure and a great story. This show is about their tales.

This podcast is a proud supporter of the Explorers Club and the EC50 Initiative. 50 people changing the world that the world needs to know about. For more information, go to explorers.org.