Journalist · Author · Podcast host

Laura Krantz

Science, society and the things we can’t stop wondering about.

I’m the creator and host of Wild Thing, author of three Wild Thing books for young readers, and an editor and producer of narrative podcasts. Co-founder of Foxtopus Ink. Based in Denver.

Laura Krantz
  • The Atlantic
  • Vox
  • NPR
  • Los Angeles Times
  • The Verge
  • HuffPost
  • Rolling Stone
  • Scientific American
  • The Wall Street Journal
  • The Irish Times

Wild Thing

A narrative podcast about the topics people obsess over, and what science can and can’t tell us about them. 5 million downloads and a #7 spot on the Apple Podcasts charts.

Wild Thing season 1 artwork: Bigfoot footprints

Season 1 · 2018

Bigfoot

True believers, I-want-to-believers, and the distant cousin who staked his career on Sasquatch.

Listen →
Wild Thing: Space Invaders artwork

Season 2 · 2020

Space Invaders

The search for life beyond Earth, from single-celled organisms to big-brained beings.

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Wild Thing: Going Nuclear artwork

Season 3 · 2022

Going Nuclear

An Idaho reactor meltdown, our fear of the atom, and whether we’re ready for nuclear power.

Listen →

Follow on Apple Podcasts   All seasons & episodes

The Wild Thing books

Nonfiction for curious readers ages 8–12, from ABRAMS. Science, journalism and a healthy dose of wonder.

Cover of Is There Anybody Out There?

Is There Anybody Out There?

2023 · Junior Library Guild selection

Buy the book →
Cover of Do You Believe in Magic?

Do You Believe in Magic?

2024 · Junior Library Guild selection

Buy the book →

“Thoughtful… engaging… equally palatable to skeptics, true believers, and the curious.” — Booklist, on Do You Believe in Magic?

For teachers, librarians & readers

Editing & producing

A decade at NPR and KPCC, then narrative series for Wondery, The Lever, the Smithsonian and more.

More about Laura →

Heard on

Interviews, reviews and best-of lists, from public radio to Rolling Stone.

Full press list →
  • InterviewsNPR Morning Edition Weekend All Things Considered Here & Now Colorado Matters FOX31 Great Day Colorado KCRW Press Play CBC WDET Radio New Zealand Smithsonian Sidedoor MeatEater Lever Time MonsterTalk Sasquatch Chronicles
  • Best of 2018The Atlantic Vox The Verge HuffPost IndieWire Mashable Outside
  • Space Invaders 2020Rolling Stone Scientific American Wall Street Journal Esquire The Atlantic’s 50 Best of 2020
  • Going Nuclear 2022Vulture Vice Boston Globe High Country News CBC Podcast Playlist
  • EventsMountain Words Festival, Crested Butte (2023, 2025, 2026) Mixed Taste, MCA Denver (2022)

Quick answers

Who is Laura Krantz?

Laura Krantz is a Denver-based journalist, author and podcast host. She created and hosts the narrative podcast Wild Thing, has written three Wild Thing books for young readers, and spent a decade as an editor and producer at NPR and KPCC before co-founding the media company Foxtopus Ink.

What is the Wild Thing podcast?

A narrative podcast about the topics people obsess over, and what science can and can't tell us about them. Three standalone seasons so far: Bigfoot (2018), Space Invaders (2020), and Going Nuclear (2022) — 5 million downloads and a spot on The Atlantic's 50 best podcasts lists of 2018 and 2020.

What books has Laura Krantz written?

Three Wild Thing books for readers ages 8–12, published by ABRAMS: The Search for Sasquatch (2022), Is There Anybody Out There? (2023), and Do You Believe in Magic? (2024).

Is it me you’re looking for?

Email · [email protected]

Books & rights · Laura Nolan, Aevitas Creative Management · [email protected]