In the Company of Humpbacks S1:3
Whale blowing water mist from spout as an onlooker observes. Photo by Jamie Kettle.
In the third episode of In The Company of Humpbacks, Rachel Meade joins Ayana to rethink what we mean by study, communication, and the goals of biology and conservation. What might change if we were more honest about our uncertainties and willing to admit what we don’t know? Could that openness lead to stronger relationships and better science?
“The more I learn, the less I know. Sometimes learning more means accepting that we don’t really know.”
Rachel guides us into the vast, largely unseen world of whale sound, beyond what we usually define as “song,” and into forms of communication that may lie outside human understanding. How do we show respect for something that resists being fully known?
About this series: With delightful insight from Dr. Fred Sharpe, Rachel Meade, and Joseph Olson, In the Company of Humpbacks contains a wealth of knowledge and beauty. We’re so excited to bring you along with us on this magical journey through the more than human world.
Publish date: April 9, 2026
Credits
We gratefully acknowledge the contributions of our partners Five Fingers Lighthouse and Puget Sound Chapter of the American Cetacean Society. For The Wild is created by Ayana Young, Victoria Pham, Erica Ekrem, Julia Jackson, and Aurie Bittle. Sounds and images collected under NOAA/NMFS Research Permit 26663.
Biographies
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Rachel has long held a passion for marine mammal research. She has extensive hands-on experience in rehabilitation, response, and field-based research. She has worked across a range of species, including harbor and ice seals, sea otters, bottlenose dolphins, California sea lions, and humpback whales. Since joining Dr. Fred Sharpe’s research team in 2023, Rachel has developed a specific interest in cetacean bioacoustics, completing multiple remote field seasons in Southeast Alaska and presenting her work at the Society for Marine Mammalogy’s 2024 conference in Perth, Australia. Her background includes marine vessel operations, scientific diving, veterinary assistance, and acoustic and data analysis using Python, R, and Raven Pro. Rachel holds a BS in Marine and Coastal Science from Western Washington University and is seeking opportunities to continue her research and academic studies through a master’s program in marine mammal science.
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Ayana and her daughter spend their days exploring the wilderness of Coastal Alaska (US) while strategizing ways to halt large-scale industrial projects within wild salmon habitat. She is the co-founder and host of For The Wild, an independent slow media project and podcast devoted to land-based protection, co-liberation, and the tender work of remembering our place within the living world. Through over a decade of intimate dialogue with visionaries, knowledge keepers, and artists, Ayana brings forth stories that awaken reverence, ignite resistance, and dream toward a future shaped by reciprocity and collective care. Her work is rooted in devotion; to the Earth, to truth telling, and to the quiet transformation that comes from listening deeply.
Learn More
Learn more and support this work at thrums.org.
Fred and colleagues will be presenting on baleen whale aerial sounds at the AstroBioloy Science Conference in Madison, WI in May 2026.
Publication: Sharpe, Frediani et al 2025. “Humpback Whales Blow Toroidal Vortex Bubble Rings.”
Behind-the-Scenes Extras
By joining us on Patreon, you get early access to episodes, reflection prompts, a bonus episode, and behind the scenes content. Patreon membership also gives you access to our zines, archives of extended episodes, and more. Join us at patreon.com/forthewild.
SLOW MEDIA ZINE
In homage to our In the Company of Humpbacks series, this zine is an investigation into both the material realities of our oceanic world and the spiritual meanings this world conveys. Dedicated to looking closely at the water and the beings that inhabit it, Water and Whales: Listening for the Deep, speaks to our relationships with knowledge, the more-than-human, breath, thrums, and waves of all kinds.
With wisdom from our conversations with Dr. Fred Sharpe, Joseph Olson, Rachel Meade, Dr. Kate Stafford, Kurt Russo, and Veda Austin, let this zine guide you towards the water, whales, and the mysteries of our relations.
This meaning making is accompanied by writing and art from For The Wild community members, Anna Begas, Moudi Sbeity, Vaughan Williams, Kyla Sjogren, Rebecca Routman, Julia Bollinger, Kat Dimitruk, and Claire Ciccarone (Cover Art).
With 38 pages of content including prayers, episode excerpts, reflection questions, art, poetry, writing and resources to further deepen your practices, we hope you find resonance with this offering.
What you get: A 38-page digital study guide & resource zine in PDF format (7.4mb) with live url links
Once checkout is completed, you'll have 24 hours to download your PDF file before access expires.
© APRIL 2026, For The Wild
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