The Thing With Feathers

Birds are a great unifier! In a world divided by all sorts of things, from partisanship to politics to popcorn flavors (white cheddar is superior, let’s just be honest), birds bring people together.

In January of 2023 Courtney Ellis, an author, Presbyterian pastor, and obsessive newbie birder started a podcast all about birds and hope, with an array of fabulous special guests. Some episodes focus on the science of birds, from migration to molting and everything in between. Other shows feature a faith angle, describing ties between birds and Christianity, Judaism, and more. Some include both, with scientists explaining the ways their science has impacted their faith. And the occasional episode goes outside the box with a fun featurette on birds in song lyrics, the comedy of bad bird photography, or tips on how to get your unwilling loved ones into birding.

No matter the episode, at The Thing With Feathers we major in hope.

Just getting started? Check out one of our most popular episodes below.

Singer-songwriter Fernando Ortega on the gentle gift of birding and how a Western Screech Owl helped him feel seen by God

Author Margaret Renkl on her new book The Comfort of Crows: a backyard year, and how nature is an invitation to deeper, holier things.

Photographer Jocelyn Anderson and the joys of taking bird photos and videos ethically and close to home (plus: Sandhill Cranes!)

Physics and astronomy professor Paul Wallace on the friendship between faith and science

The Inept Birder, Karl Mechem, on the gentle comedy of doing your best when birding and the joy of even blurry warblers

Microbiologist Janet Hill on Mary the Blue Jay and the birds of Saskatchewan

Birding Magazine’s Frank Izaguirre on what makes a good bird book and how birding helped him in his cancer recovery