Today we’d like to introduce you to Steve Windels.
Hi Steve, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
I was a wildlife biologist with the U.S. National Park Service for nearly 25 years, stationed at Voyageurs National Park in northern Minnesota. I loved my job most of the time but I always felt like there were certain talents that I wasn’t capitalizing on. Things I was leaving on the table.
I’ve always been a funny person. I was born into a large family and being funny was always one way to stand out. I’d written and published humorous essays over the years, sent out funny Christmas letters, that sort of thing. Over time, my humor increasingly crept into my scientific presentations, to the point people would tell me “that was hilarious” or “yours was my favorite presentation”.
So, at the tender age of 50, I decided to try my hand at stand-up comedy…and quickly realized I was good at this. My knack for making my friends laugh translated to making audiences laugh. I felt renewed! And the skills that I was learning as a stand-up comedian were now informing my other professional and creative outlets, particularly public speaking where I combine humor and science to simultaneously educate and entertain audiences.
2025 proved to be a watershed year in many ways. I left my job with the National Park Service. I got married. And then I moved to Hamburg, Germany where I now split my time with Minnesota.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I’d most of my adult life pursing my passion in wildlife conservation. I got a MS and PhD in the field, pushed myself to take every opportunity to grow and learn, and then landed a fantastic job with the NPS. I thought of myself as a wildlife biologist first and foremost.
But when my energy and passion for started to wain around the Year 2020, I started asking the question: “Well, if I’m not a wildlife biologist, then what am I?” This question has turned out to be much harder to answer than I thought.
I was a well-respected person in my field, with a global network of colleagues and collaborators. Starting over in stand-up comedy and public speaking was humbling; no one knew me and I knew no one. And the whole time, the nagging feeling of “who am i?” kept poking me in the ribs.
I’m now 3 years into this next adventure, with the new wrinkle that I’m starting over yet again with the move to Germany. But everyday is the opportunity to learn something new and stretch myself in ways I didn’t think I could move.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Before stepping onto the comedy stage, I built a career as a wildlife biologist and conservation scientist. It turns out that when you spend enough time working with animals and government agencies, you accumulate stories that audiences can hardly believe are true.
Today, I blend science, storytelling, and stand-up comedy to create shows that are funny, smart, and a little unexpected. My material draws from real-life experiences in wildlife biology, conservation, travel, and the often-comical ways humans interact with nature. I’ve found that audiences love getting a backstage pass into a world they rarely see—whether it’s dealing with an aggressive goose, performing an animal autopsy, or navigating the bureaucracy that somehow makes the wildlife seem normal by comparison.
In addition to performing stand-up, I’m a public speaker who specializes in making complex topics entertaining and accessible. I’ve spoken to everyone from scientists and conservation professionals to community groups and general audiences. My goal is never to lecture people—it’s to make them laugh while sneaking a little knowledge into the conversation. People may come for the comedy, but they leave having learned something they didn’t know before.
I’m also proud to be part of Doctors of Comedy, a group of scientists, physicians, and other professionals who prove that expertise and humor can share the same stage. The show brings together accomplished professionals with great stories and sharp comedy, creating a unique experience that audiences won’t find anywhere else.
What sets me apart is simple: there aren’t many comedians who can tell a joke about wildlife management, environmental science, and human behavior—and then back it up with decades of real-world experience. My comedy is built on authentic stories, unusual adventures, and the belief that the world is a lot funnier than most people realize. Whether I’m performing in a comedy club, speaking at a conference, or appearing at a special event, my goal is to leave audiences laughing, learning, and looking at the world a little differently.
Contact Info:
- Website: thebeaverdoctor.com and doctorsofcomedy.com
- Instagram: @thebeaverdoctor
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/steve-k-windels-692195210/
- Youtube: @thebeaverdoctor
