Why Frogs May Hold the Key to Saving Our Ecosystems

In today’s conversation, I sat down with Dr. Melissa Youngquist, a field biologist from the Shedd Aquarium who’s been knee-deep in wetlands (literally) for years, studying frogs, invasive species, and climate resilience.

This isn’t just about frogs, it’s about everything being connected: ecosystems, people, policy, and the choices we make every day. From how amphibians are adapting to climate chaos to how buckthorn is silently choking our wetlands, this episode is full of unexpected insight and hope.

We talk about:

● Wetland destruction and the laws that ignore them
● How frogs might be more resilient than we thought
● The surprising impact of invasive plants on entire ecosystems
● And why hope still matters in conservation

If you’ve ever cared about the environment, even a little, watch this. You’ll leave thinking differently about the land beneath your feet, the water around you, and the species fighting to survive in it.

Watch the full episode here.