If you're here and you're like "ehhhhh, maybe I'll skip this one," don't! It's seriously so good even if bugs aren't usually your thing. Ralph Washington Jr. is not only a bug genius with a Master's in Entomology from UC Davis and more accolades than you can shake a stick at, but he's also insightful, passionate, and easy to listen to. You'll learn so much from him and may even walk away with new perspective on more than insects.  What do we talk about in the episode? Here's an incomplete list: cultivating curiosity, an insect that can see above and below the surface of the water at the same time, the limitations of the scientific method, a fire-detecting California native beetle, how racial justice and insects are related, mosquitoes' role in ecosystems, the very unfair bad wrap urban insects get, bug myths, a very self-compassionate approach to overcoming a fear of insects, how to help native bees, and how caring about things that are so very different us helps cultivate empathy.  Here are some links mentioned in the episode:  Smithsonian Video on Arthropods History of Oak Park "Climate Justice Can't Happen without Racial Justice" TED Talk   California Pitcher Plant (looks like a cobra!)  Ground Sloths My Instagram is @goldenstatenaturalist My website is www.goldenstatenaturalist.com You can support me on Patreon and get lots of extras at www.patreon.com/michellefullner  The theme song is called "I dunno" by grapes, and you can find the song and Creative Commons license here.   --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app