Welcome to The Backyard Naturalists, your go-to podcast for anything and everything connected with nature! Broadcasting across 115 countries, all 50 states, and throughout the Carolinas, our award-winning show, honored by the readers of the Matthews-Mint Hill Weekly, delights and educates 64,000 regular listeners every week. Join Laurie, Debbie, and Chris every Saturday morning at 6:00 a.m. EDT as they dive into the wonders of the natural world, often recording from vibrant outdoor locations like local farmers markets.   In this week's episode, Laurie and Debbie reminisce about the early days of the podcast, initially hesitant but soon thrilled by its unexpected popularity. Tune in to hear engaging conversations with expert guests like J. Bell, a reptile specialist, and botanist Lisa Tompkins, who share invaluable insights on topics ranging from snake care to gardening tips. Discover how the podcast's unique approach and the dedicated listener community have created a global family, inspired by nature and driven by curiosity.   Don't miss the heartwarming stories of listeners whose lives have been touched by the show, and get excited for future plans including potential meetup events to bring our community even closer. Whether you're a seasoned naturalist or just beginning your journey, The Backyard Naturalists promises to educate, entertain, and connect you with the natural world in new and exciting ways.   If you have ideas for topics that you'd like us to pursue, send us a message either on our Facebook page or our website. We would really like to hear from you.   Connect with the Backyard Naturalists on the Web, Facebook and Instagram. Please visit and support our presenting sponsor, Backyard Birds at http://www.thebirdfoodstore.com/. A mecca for bird lovers and bird watchers, Backyard Birds is an independent family-owned business located in Matthews, NC (next to Dairy Queen), just southeast of Charlotte.   Thanks for listening to The Backyard Naturalists.  We hope you have a day filled with the wonders of nature. Get outside and take a walk on the wild side! Please don’t forget to leave a 5-star review for The Backyard Naturalists podcast.   Production services for The Backyard Naturalists podcast are provided by Downtown Podcasting. To start a conversation on how you can have a podcast, simply send an email to [email protected].   While recording the Backyard Naturalists podcast, Debbie and Laurie enjoy coffee provided by the Good Cup Coffee Company  in Matthews, North Carolina. Follow Good Cup Coffee on Instagram and look for them at the Matthews Community Farmer’s Market  this Saturday morning.