The Wake and Wander Podcast

The American West is drying out, and ski resorts are struggling with increasingly unpredictable snowfall. Randy Seidl, CEO of Rain Enhancement Technologies, joins Will to discuss his company's new approach to cloud seeding, which aims to increase rain and snowfall without introducing chemicals into the atmosphere. Communities across the West, including Moab and Steamboat, are already working with the company to explore and implement the technology, raising questions that extend far beyond the ski slopes. Could it help alleviate drought and secure water supplies? What are the potential risks and downstream impacts of manipulating the weather? Who decides where the precipitation falls, and who is responsible if something goes wrong? And how much does the public know about the technology being deployed in their communities? As weather modification moves from experimentation toward real-world implementation, it's a development worth understanding — and watching closely.'Whole Wide World' soundtrack by Boy Pierce Music (@boypiercemusic)

Michael Taylor is the Sr. Managing Director of Travel, Hospitality, Retail, and Customer Service at JD Power & Associates. He joins Will to discuss his recent study that polled travelers about the top qualities of an airport that lead to traveler satisfaction. You can read the entire study below. 2026 North America Airport Satisfaction Study - JD Power'Whole Wide World' Soundtrack by Boy Pierce Music (@boypiercemusic)

Zanny Merullo is a Colorado-based freelance travel essayist, food and beverage writer, and SEO content creator. She joins Will on the pod to discuss her recent trip to Pakistan as well as her time living in Cambodia. You can see more of her work at zannymerullo.com or follow her @zannymerullo'Whole Wide World' Soundtrack by Boy Pierce Music (@boypiercemusic)

Neal Ewen is a wine professional in Palisade, Colorado. He joins Will to discuss his recent Alaskan cruise as well as a variety of travel and outdoor topics. You can follow him on social media @ewen_89.'Whole Wide World' soundtrack by Boy Pierce (@boypiercemusic)

Will discusses a variety of travel news, including United's new "Twilight Bag Drop" program and how travelers in Europe receive hundreds of dollars in cash compensation for delayed flights while American travelers get $12 meal vouchers."Whole Wide World" soundtrack by Boy Pierce Music (@boypiercemusic)

Kevin McDonald and Allie Jacobs are American ex-pats who recently moved to Costa Rica. They join Will to talk about their new life living above Lake Arenal as well as the inspiration and logistics behind the move."Whole Wide World" Soundtrack by Boy Pierce Music (@boypiercemusic)

Jessie Krebs is a survival expert, outdoor educator, and former SERE instructor. She is best known for her appearances on Alone (Season 9) and National Geographic's Mygrations. She is the founder of O.W.L.S. Skills, an outdoor education program offering survival courses and retreats for women. You can follow her on Instagram @owls.skills'Whole Wide World' soundtrack by Boy Pierce Music (@boypiercemusic)

Will discusses his recent article on Forbes entitled, For Better Or Worse: Five Ways AI Is Transforming The Airline Industry.'Whole Wide World' soundtrack by Boy Pierce Music (@boypiercemusic)

Hampton Sides is a bestselling author and historian whose narrative nonfiction books explore adventure, exploration, conflict, and the complicated figures who shaped history. From Captain James Cook’s voyages across the Pacific to Kit Carson’s brutal campaign against the Navajo, Hampton’s work blends deep reporting with cinematic storytelling. His latest book, The Wide Wide Sea, tells the story of Cook’s final voyage and the collision of cultures in Hawaii that ultimately led to one of history’s most famous and violent encounters. It was named one of the New York Times’ best books of 2024. 'Whole Wide World' Soundtrack by Boy Pierce (@boypiercemusic)

Dr. Megan Seitz is the Paleo Collections and Lab Manager at the Dinosaur Journey Museum in Fruita, Colorado. She joins Will to discuss her active dig in Western Colorado, the ins and outs of modern paleontology, how the study of dinosaurs is carried out, what we know about dinosaurs, how dinosaurs behaved, dinosaurs in pop culture, common misconceptions, where to experience dinosaurs in natural areas and museums across the country, and more!'Whole Wide Word' soundtrack by Boy Pierce Music (@boypiercemusic)