We're ending the year with some favorite podcasts from the series.  TMCC professor Mark Maynard undertook a documentary film that took him across the state of Nevada tracing the history and stories behind the (now) official state drink, the Picon Punch. This was recorded in 2024 so a few things have changed, like the Picon's ascendance to officialdom, and the unfortunate end of "The Fe," but the story Mark tells about the history of the Picon and his journey through the production of his documentary remain fascinating.  This podcast will be broadcast on PBS Reno Thursday, December 11 at 8 p.m. and repeat on Sunday, December 14 at 6.p.m.

Wild Nevada Season 8 is about to premiere, so Producer-Host Chris Orr and Director Josh Fuss are here to prepare us for what's coming up when the series premieres December 18.  

Last year Helena Guglielmino told us she was writing a book.  Now she’s back to share the fruits of her labor - Urban Trails: Reno, a guide to 42 of the best hiking paths around the Reno area. 

Journalists like John Glionna are not common, so it’s fun to hear from such an adventurous writer who commits to finding his stories wherever they may be, across the world or in our backyard.  His latest book is Rebels & Outliers: Real Stories of the American West, and some of those stories come from right here in Nevada.  

Our old friend Sydney Martinez returns with exciting news – she has published a brand new book of her photographs and writings from all across the Silver State.  Sydney tells us the story behind the creation of this expression of her love for the wildest parts of Nevada.  

When people spend little time outdoors in nature, it can have negative effects, but Frances Munoz knows one way to get a healthy dose of the natural world: The Wilbur D. May Arboretum.  Learn about the Arboretum Society and the many opportunities available to us to surround ourselves in nature without even leaving town.  

Rafael Villanueva is the first ever CEO of Travel Nevada, a marketing veteran who loves Nevada and tells us all about the ways Nevadans can discover their state through Travel Nevada’s marketing efforts, website, and soon, Adventure Centers, opening in 2026 in Boulder City and Carson City with plans for more.

Chris DeFranco is the man behind the production of Outdoor Nevada, Vegas PBS' statewide recreation show hosted by Connor Fields.  DeFranco has a lot of compelling stories about the production and his passion is evident as he shares some of his memorable experiences.  

Rockhounding can be a lot of fun for many people, but where are the good places to hunt?  Hilary Loupee, President of the Reno Gem & Mineral Society tells us  about the Society’s field trips to great rockhounding spots and explains how the Society has an impressive array of tools to turn your discoveries into works of art. 

Julianne Mahoney is one of the two lucky winners of the Carson City to Canada Quest, which gives her the opportunity to hike from Nevada’s capitol to the U.S. – Canada border along the Pacific Crest Trail.  She stopped by to visit just before hitting the trail to begin this epic journey.  

Ranger Nick Steuer and Mike Mac Millan, General Manager, Reno Public Market.  Restoration and recovery continues after the devastating Davis Fire last September.  Ranger Nick Steuer and Mike Mac Millan of Reno Public Market talk about the benefit event UP! The Creek, coming July 19 to support the recovery effort.  

Sue Norman’s relationship with the outdoors began at age 2 and it continued through a life on the river, where she learned the resilience to eventually win World Championships in Kayaking and Whitewater Rafting. Sue settled in Lake Tahoe, where she wrote her memoir, RISK: A Life Saved By The River, which releases June 24.  

Harmony Heywood combined her love of history and good old fashioned paper maps into a YouTube channel called Map Adventures, where she teaches us everything from the dramatic and lesser-known stories of our region to how to properly read and fold a map.  

Wild Nevada has visited Walker Lake a few times over the years, and we’ve seen the water diminishing to alarming effect.  Peter Stanton leads the charge to return the water to Walker Lake.  We talk about how that is happening and what effect it will have on recreational opportunities.  

Celebrating its 50th anniversary, the NNPS educates Nevadans about the wide variety of native plants, including the beautiful wildflowers that can be found all over northern Nevada.  Emma Wynn gives us some wonderful suggestions to go out and experience a spring and summer full of brilliant color and a greater appreciation for our plant life.

Sutro Tunnel Caretaker Spencer Davidson joins Executive Director Chris Pattison to give an update on the progress of the ambitious project at Sutro, which Wild Nevada last visited in 2022.  

Have you ever wondered whether you could live off the land by foraging?  Evert Broderick knows that you probably can’t, at least not in Nevada.  Broderick has been teaching people about the medicinal and edible properties of plants for years, and he sets us straight about realistic expectations on the trail.  

Stephen Provost is a prolific writer, with more than 40 books to his name, many covering travel on Nevada’s highways, like Highway 50, The Loneliest Road, and through historic towns with stories to tell, like Goldfield.   

Mike Branch is a renowned writer, especially about the West, a subject he knows intimately after years living his own Wild Nevada life in the high desert while raising a family and chronicling that unique experience.