What’s Up, Interpreters? A Podcast from the National Association for Interpretation

The Honorable Robert G. Stanton received NAI’s 2025 President’s Award. As the fifteenth Director of the National Park Service, and its first African American leader, Mr. Stanton’s more than 40-year career has advanced interpretation, resource stewardship, and equitable public engagement nationwide. Beginning as a seasonal ranger at Grand Teton National Park in 1962, he rose through the ranks to lead the agency with vision, courage, and integrity. His lifelong advocacy for inclusion and representation has profoundly shaped how the stories of America’s parks are told, broadening who sees themselves reflected in the nation’s natural and cultural heritage.  He joins NAI's Song Stott and Paul Caputo.

Monique Thompson is the founder of Raindrop Naturalist, through which she trains guides and educators across parks, museums, and cultural sites to move beyond information delivery and into meaningful dialogue. Monique, a prolific NAI trainer, is passionate about mentoring new interpreters, advancing interpretive training worldwide, and helping organizations evolve with empathy and creativity in a changing world. Monique joins Song Stott and Paul Caputo to discuss interpretation and to reminisce about camels in Morocco.

Von Harden is the president and founder of the International Association of Tour Directors and Guides (IATDG), as well as the vice president of college access programs with CE Tours. Von has been working in the student travel industry for more than a quarter century. Von focuses on connecting students from underserved communities with tourism opportunities.  Von joins NAI's Heather Manier and Paul Caputo to discuss the intersection of tourism and interpretation, and where opportunities for individuals from both professions may lie.

André Copeland, Interpretive Programs Manager at Brookfield Zoo Chicago and an NAI Lead Trainer, has been an active NAI member since 2004. He will be a keynote speaker at NAI 2025 in Virginia Beach, addressing perspective and perception in interpretation. André has more than 30 years’ experience working in the zoological field which includes animal care, program development and management, frontline interpretation, interpretive training, interpretive planning, and community outreach programming. His passion is creating a bridge for people to connect with nature and André continues to amass experience in communication to improve that ability.

Longtime NAI member Michael Kirschman, director of Virginia Beach Parks and Recreation, joins to discuss Mount Trashmore and other jewels of the city's park system. Virginia Beach Parks and Rec manages more than 290 parks, 7,000 acres, seven large recreation centers, 185 playgrounds, 200 athletic fields, 14 boat launches, a marina, and the Princess Anne Athletic Complex, and it's Virginia Beach's largest childcare provider through its Before and After School program at 56 elementary schools. It also provides maintenance for 512 city buildings, all 91 public schools and athletic fields, and 340 miles of roadway median, all while providing interpretive experiences for visitors.