Context:

John Mooallem's newly published book of essays is the main topic of the podcast interview. The book contains several essays about human relationships with nature and animals, including pieces about monk seals and the mystery monkey of Tampa Bay.

Context:

Referenced during a discussion about how people process information. The speaker mentions Didion's observation from this book about there being so much information that people become thirsty for something simple to understand.

Context:

Mentioned in the context of the Mystery Monkey of Tampa Bay story. John Mooallem describes reading Planet of the Apes while staying at a La Quinta hotel in Ocala, and the captured monkey was later named Cornelius after a character from the book.

Context:

One of John Mooallem's previous books, mentioned at the end of the interview. The book focuses on a radio reporter named Genie Chance during the 1964 Good Friday earthquake in Alaska, who provided information during the catastrophe.

Context:

Another of John Mooallem's previous books mentioned at the end of the interview, described as being about animals and people going wacky about animals.