The Rhino Man Podcast

Ep 56: Kurt Steiner - Conservation Law Enforcement and Creating the Ranger Rifle.

Our guest in this episode is Kurt Steiner. Kurt is a long-time conservation law enforcement innovator and the creator of the Ranger Rifle. Among his many roles over the years, he was the Head of Law Enforcement at African Parks Network from 2025-2017. While there he was responsible for the development and implementation of a law enforcement strategy for increasing from 600 to 1,100 counter poaching rangers, across multiple regions in 12 countries. In this conversation, we dive deep into Kurt's path into conservation law enforcement. We dig into what it means to be a ranger, aspects of ranger training, what he learned during his time in the Congo, and what rangers need to be effective and well-supported. Kurt takes us through the process of developing and testing the Ranger Rifle, and why there is such a need for this specialized firearm. Kurt is full of wisdom and great stories. His passion for rangers shines through in everything he does. I can't wait for you to jump into this conversation. - - - - - - - Subscribe, Like, and Review The Rhino Man Podcast on #YouTube, #Spotify, and #ApplePodcasts today! Listen here: https://rhinomanthemovie.org/podcast/ - - - - - - - Sponsored by Wildlife & Co. They're on a mission to protect Earth's ecosystems and wildlife. Buy amazing apparel and support conservation. Visit: https://wildlifeandco.com/ - - - - - - - CREDITS Produced by @theglobalconservationcorps Music by @simon.wilson.music Host @johnjurko - - - - - - - Thank you for listening to The Rhino Man Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode and you're excited to see the film succeed, please subscribe and review our podcast on #Spotify and #iTunes. Then follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rhinomanthemovie. More details about Rhino Man, the social impact campaign, and future screenings are at https://rhinomanthemovie.org. To learn more about the Global Conservation Corps and their work visit globalconservationcorps.org, sign up for the newsletter, and follow GCC on all of the social platforms. If you liked this podcast, make sure to subscribe to and catch up on GCC's Voices of Nature Podcast, where Bob Ludke interviews a wide range of people who have dedicated their lives to making a difference in conservation. A special thanks goes out to Simón Wilson for the music for this podcast. He is the brilliant composer for Rhino Man the movie. Learn more about his work at https://www.simonwilsonmusic.com/.

Ep 55: Nick Smith - RHINO MAN’s DP on filmmaking, photography and a life of travel.

Our guest in this episode is my friend, Nick Smith. Nick is an experienced DP and photographer based in Atlanta, Georgia. He's shot all over the world for amazing brands and nonprofits. Nick is also the Director of Photography of RHINO MAN, and he lead the project with his work for 3 years before my involvement. In this conversation, we talk about Nick's journey in the world of RHINO MAN, along with his love of photography and travel. Nick is a humble guy, and one of the most inspiring people I know. - - - - - - - - Subscribe, Like, and Review The Rhino Man Podcast on #YouTube, #Spotify, and #ApplePodcasts today! Listen here: https://rhinomanthemovie.org/podcast/ - - - - - - - - Sponsored by Wildlife & Co. They're on a mission to protect Earth's ecosystems and wildlife. Buy amazing apparel and support conservation. Visit: https://wildlifeandco.com/ - - - - - - - - CREDITS Produced by @theglobalconservationcorps Music by @simon.wilson.music Host @johnjurko - - - - - - - - Thank you for listening to The Rhino Man Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode and you're excited to see the film succeed, please subscribe and review our podcast on #Spotify and #iTunes. Then follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rhinomanthemovie. More details about Rhino Man, the social impact campaign, and future screenings are at https://rhinomanthemovie.org. To learn more about the Global Conservation Corps and their work visit globalconservationcorps.org, sign up for the newsletter, and follow GCC on all of the social platforms. If you liked this podcast, make sure to subscribe to and catch up on GCC's Voices of Nature Podcast, where Bob Ludke interviews a wide range of people who have dedicated their lives to making a difference in conservation. A special thanks goes out to Simón Wilson for the music for this podcast. He is the brilliant composer for Rhino Man the movie. Learn more about his work at https://www.simonwilsonmusic.com/.

Ep 54: Fedrick Ndlovu - Life lessons from a ranger at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve.

Our guest today is my friend, Fedrick Ndlovu. Fedrick is a long-time ranger at the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve. In this episode, we dive into Fedrick’s path into becoming a ranger, and how it almost didn’t happen because of a government mixup. We talk about his early days on the reserve facing the new threat of rhino poaching, and his rise up through the ranger ranks. We cover the effects of COVID on the team in 2020, leadership advice, what it was like working with the RHINO MAN team, and the loss of Anton Mzimba. - - - - - - - - Subscribe, Like, and Review The Rhino Man Podcast on #YouTube, #Spotify, and #ApplePodcasts today! Listen here: https://rhinomanthemovie.org/podcast/ - - - - - - - - Sponsored by Wildlife & Co. They're on a mission to protect Earth's ecosystems and wildlife. Buy amazing apparel and support conservation. Visit: https://wildlifeandco.com/ - - - - - - - - CREDITS Sponsored by @wildlifeandcompany Produced by @theglobalconservationcorps Music by @simon.wilson.music Host @johnjurko - - - - - - - - Thank you for listening to The Rhino Man Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode and you're excited to see the film succeed, please subscribe and review our podcast on #Spotify and #iTunes. Then follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rhinomanthemovie. More details about Rhino Man, the social impact campaign, and future screenings are at https://rhinomanthemovie.org. To learn more about the Global Conservation Corps and their work visit globalconservationcorps.org, sign up for the newsletter, and follow GCC on all of the social platforms. If you liked this podcast, make sure to subscribe to and catch up on GCC's Voices of Nature Podcast, where Bob Ludke interviews a wide range of people who have dedicated their lives to making a difference in conservation. A special thanks goes out to Simón Wilson for the music for this podcast. He is the brilliant composer for Rhino Man the movie. Learn more about his work at https://www.simonwilsonmusic.com/.

Ep 53: Don Scott - Tanda Tula: Education, ownership, and hyper-local safari industry supply chains.

Our guest in this episode is Don Scott. Don along with his wife, Nina, are owners and operators of Tanda Tula, a beautiful Safari Camp in the heart of the Timbavati Private Nature Reserve in South Africa. In this conversation, we dive into Don's early career in aerospace engineering, and how he and Nina found their way into conservation. We talk about the risks and challenges of owning and operating a business in the bush. We go into the positive impact they seek to have through education and literacy efforts, creating pathways for growth and ownership within their company, and developing the local wildlife economy to grow and connect with more locally owned businesses in the Kruger area. We also talk about the importance of rangers, and what you should look for in the companies and lodges you're supporting when you're traveling to wildlife areas. Don was thoughtful, passionate, and generous with his time. I can't wait for you to dive into this conversation. - - - - - - - - Subscribe, Like, and Review The Rhino Man Podcast on #YouTube, #Spotify, and #ApplePodcasts today! Listen here: https://rhinomanthemovie.org/podcast/ - - - - - - - - Sponsored by Wildlife & Co. They're on a mission to protect Earth's ecosystems and wildlife. Buy amazing apparel and support conservation. Visit: https://wildlifeandco.com/ - - - - - - - - CREDITS Sponsored by @wildlifeandcompany Produced by @theglobalconservationcorps Music by @simon.wilson.music Host @johnjurko - - - - - - - - Thank you for listening to The Rhino Man Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode and you're excited to see the film succeed, please subscribe and review our podcast on #Spotify and #iTunes. Then follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rhinomanthemovie. More details about Rhino Man, the social impact campaign, and future screenings are at https://rhinomanthemovie.org. To learn more about the Global Conservation Corps and their work visit globalconservationcorps.org, sign up for the newsletter, and follow GCC on all of the social platforms. If you liked this podcast, make sure to subscribe to and catch up on GCC's Voices of Nature Podcast, where Bob Ludke interviews a wide range of people who have dedicated their lives to making a difference in conservation. A special thanks goes out to Simón Wilson for the music for this podcast. He is the brilliant composer for Rhino Man the movie. Learn more about his work at https://www.simonwilsonmusic.com/.

Ep 52: Timothy Santel - Focused Conservation and Criminal Investigations with the USFWS.

In this episode, I'm talking with Timothy Santel. Tim is currently the Senior Advisor on International Wildlife Trafficking programs for Focused Conservation, which is a nonprofit changing the game in the battle against wildlife crime through investigations, government support, and information sharing. Tim spent over 33 years working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and retired as a Special Agent in Charge of their Special Investigations Unit. Tim developed and oversaw a team of elite covert federal agents tasked with investigating transnational criminal organizations that were illegally trafficking wildlife. In recognition of his efforts, Tim received numerous awards throughout his career including the prestigious Guy Bradley Award, Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal, and North American Wildlife Officer of the Year. In this conversation, we go deep into the work being done at Focused Conservation, why what they are doing is important to the cause, and how you can support. We dive into Tim's progression from growing up in a rural Midwestern town in the US, to becoming a law enforcement agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We go into many of his experiences on the job and investigations including Operation Crash, which resulted in nearly 50 prosecutions globally for trafficking in rhino horns and elephant ivory. Tim is generous with his stories and his wisdom. Subscribe, Like, and Review The Rhino Man Podcast on #Spotify, #SoundCloud, and #Amazon today! Listen here: https://rhinomanthemovie.org/podcast/ - - - - - - - - CREDITS Produced by @theglobalconservationcorps Music by @simon.wilson.music Edited by @karaborej Host @johnjurko Thank you for listening to The Rhino Man Podcast. If you enjoyed this episode and you're excited to see the film succeed, please subscribe and review our podcast on #Spotify and #iTunes. Then follow us on Instagram and Facebook @rhinomanthemovie. More details about Rhino Man, the social impact campaign, and future screenings are at https://rhinomanthemovie.org. To learn more about the Global Conservation Corps and their work visit globalconservationcorps.org, sign up for the newsletter, and follow GCC on all of the social platforms. If you liked this podcast, make sure to subscribe to and catch up on GCC's Voices of Nature Podcast, where Bob Ludke interviews a wide range of people who have dedicated their lives to making a difference in conservation. A special thanks goes out to Simón Wilson for the music for this podcast. He is the brilliant composer for Rhino Man the movie. Learn more about his work at https://www.simonwilsonmusic.com/.