What Does It Take to Capture the Raw Essence of the World's First Wilderness?

Nature · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Photographer Katie Orlinsky traded the concrete canyons of New York City for the rugged Gila Wilderness. In a conversation with host Peter Gwin, she reveals how her diverse background—from covering labor rights in rural Mexico to enduring grueling Alaskan dogsled races—shapes her unique approach to visual storytelling.

The Gila Wilderness, the world's first designated wilderness area, serves as the backdrop for a candid exploration of what it means to document the natural world. Katie Orlinsky, whose career has spanned everything from the high-stakes intensity of the 1,000-mile Yukon Quest sled dog race to the complexities of workers' rights in Mexico, discusses the evolution of her craft. Her journey from an urban upbringing to the remote corners of the globe highlights the adaptability required to capture authentic human and environmental narratives.

The podcast Overheard at National Geographic, hosted by Peter Gwin and Amy Briggs, acts as a portal into these experiences. Gwin, an editor at large who joined the magazine in 2003, brings a wealth of experience from reporting on diverse subjects ranging from pirates in the Malacca Straits to tyrannosaurs in the Junggar Basin. His co-host, Amy Briggs, the executive editor of National Geographic History, complements this with her background in archaeology and historical research, including her work on Jurassic sea monsters.

These conversations offer more than just travelogues; they provide insight into the mechanics of exploration and the dedication required to tell stories that matter. Whether tracking snow leopards in the Himalaya, searching for ancient microbial life on Mars, or uncovering the truth behind Amazon warriors, the contributors to the podcast emphasize the importance of getting close to the edge of what is possible. By sharing these behind-the-scenes accounts, the program invites listeners to engage with the curious, delightful, and often challenging realities of our vast, complex world.

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