99: Marcel Rochon Interview: How Birding Helped a Brain Injury Survivor Find Peace & Recovery 🐦

This week on Birds of a Feather Talk Together, we’re joined by Marcel, a listener whose heartfelt letter deeply moved all of us—and whose story shows just how powerful a connection to nature and birds can be.After going from being a world-class athlete to navigating the challenges of a severe brain injury, Marcel found healing, peace, and meaning through birding and spending time in nature. In this emotional and inspiring conversation, we discuss how birdwatching helped support his mental health and recovery, and why birds can have such a profound impact on people during difficult moments in life.Along the way, we also dive into some fascinating bird topics, including Belted Kingfishers, Cedar Waxwings getting “drunk” on fermented berries, bird behavior, and the joy of paying attention to the wildlife around us every day.Field Museum ornithologists and curators of birds John Bates and Shannon Hackett join RJ and Amanda Pole for one of the most personal and meaningful conversations we’ve had on the show—blending bird science, storytelling, mental health, wildlife, and human connection.If you love birding, birdwatching, nature stories, mental health conversations, bird behavior, wildlife science, ornithology, and inspiring stories about healing through nature, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.Here are links to our social and YouTube pages, give us a follow:YouTube InstagramTikTokBlueSky