Jared Schaller:
Welcome to Behind the Pyramids, a Moody Gardens podcast. I'm your host, Jared Schaller, and I’m very excited for today’s guest—Diane Olsen, curator of the Aquarium Pyramid. Diane, thank you so much for joining me.

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Diane Olsen:
Thanks, Jared. This is going to be fun.

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Jared Schaller:
I’m looking forward to it! I always describe Moody Gardens like a real-life Sim City—there are so many moving parts. Can you tell me more about being the curator of the Aquarium Pyramid and what that involves?

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Diane Olsen:
I’m really fortunate to work with a team of 30 incredibly talented and innovative biologists. Together, we care for the thousands of animals that live in the Aquarium. It’s been a fun journey—I’ve been here for 30 years. I actually started out as an education docent, and now I’m curating the entire aquarium. It’s been a blast.

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Jared Schaller:
That's an awesome journey—from docent to curator! Clearly, you’re great at what you do. Let’s talk more about the Aquarium Pyramid. I read online that it holds 1.5 million gallons of water—is that accurate?

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Diane Olsen:
That’s pretty close! The Aquarium focuses on four major ocean regions: the North Pacific, South Pacific, South Atlantic, and Caribbean. We showcase many types of marine life from those regions. You’ll find seals, sea lions, penguins, jellies, and thousands of fish. It’s a really unique and diverse collection of animals and ecosystems. It’s beautiful.

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Jared Schaller:
I’ve probably been in there dozens—if not hundreds—of times since I started in January, and I still notice something new every visit.

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Diane Olsen:
Same here. Every day, I see something different. I totally get it.

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Jared Schaller:
Is there any exhibit that, even after all these years, still fascinates you every time?

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Diane Olsen:
Honestly, it’s the animals themselves that keep things fascinating. Watching their behavior, I see something new every day—something surprising or unexpected. I’ve always had a soft spot for the penguins, since that’s where I started. But my favorite tank is probably the jewel tank on the North Pacific ramp. It’s full of tiny, really interesting animals that you don’t often get to see. I find it captivating.

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Jared Schaller:
That’s awesome—those smaller creatures sometimes get overlooked, but they’re just as interesting. And depending on where you stand or the time of day, the view changes completely.

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Diane Olsen:
Exactly. Even the time of day affects what you see. Some animals are more active or like to sleep at odd times.

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Jared Schaller:
You’ve been here for 30 years and seen a lot of change. What are some of your proudest accomplishments?

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Diane Olsen:
I’ve had so many unique opportunities here. I’ve flown across the country with seals and sea lions. I’ve traveled to England and Spain with penguins. I’ve been with our penguins since they arrived as eggs in 1998. One of the biggest projects was helping plan the Aquarium’s renovation in 2017—that was a huge undertaking. I’ve also been part of many AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) accreditations. Those inspections are tough, and we’ve been AZA-accredited for over 25 years, which I’m very proud of. But one of my proudest accomplishments is working to build a really strong team culture here at the Aquarium. The staff has always been great, but over the past few years, we’ve focused on becoming a truly cohesive, positive team. That’s something I’m incredibly proud of.

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Jared Schaller:
Well, I can say from experience that your team is fantastic. They’re incredibly knowledgeable and passionate about the animals, and they’re always eager to share what they know. It’s inspiring.

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Diane Olsen:
They truly are. They care for these animals like they’re family. They know every little quirk, every behavioral detail. They’re amazing, and I’m lucky to work with them.

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Jared Schaller:
I imagine they’re also really in tune with the animals—able to tell when something’s off?

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Diane Olsen:
Absolutely. Since the animals can’t tell us how they feel, observing their behavior is the key to knowing when something’s wrong. That kind of awareness makes all the difference.

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Jared Schaller:
I know realism is really important to the aquarium experience. What steps do you take to help the animals feel at home?

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Diane Olsen:
We study both natural and individual behaviors of the animals. Understanding what they’d do in the wild helps us recreate those experiences in human care. We design their exhibits to be as realistic as possible, and we have a strong enrichment program to encourage natural behaviors. That kind of stimulation helps them thrive—and that’s our top priority.

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Jared Schaller:
Thinking back to when you started as a docent—was there a particular animal that sparked your passion?

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Diane Olsen:
I’ve always loved animals, for as long as I can remember. I went back to school later in life and never imagined working in a zoo. But while I was in school, I started volunteering here. One opportunity led to another—I got hired, then promoted—and things just unfolded from there.

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Jared Schaller:
How do you balance the needs of the animals with creating a great visitor experience?

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Diane Olsen:
Honestly, they go hand in hand. When animals are healthy and thriving, that creates the best experience for guests. We’ve had to make some tough decisions—like closing touch tanks when we saw negative effects on the animals—but we always put their wellbeing first. Once guests understand why, they’re very supportive.

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Jared Schaller:
I’ve definitely seen that—there’s a clear commitment to animal care here.

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Diane Olsen:
Yes, always. Our guests are important, but the animals come first. When both are doing well, everything works in harmony.

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Jared Schaller:
And our guests notice that. You can tell the animals are cared for, and the staff is always available to answer questions.

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Diane Olsen:
Absolutely. Our keepers love to talk about the animals. Stop one, and they’ll tell you everything—and then some!

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Jared Schaller:
Sometimes I have to cut them off—like, “Okay, it's been 20 minutes, time to move on!” So, what do you think is most important for people to understand about marine conservation?

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Diane Olsen:
The oceans are under constant threat—from climate change, overfishing, pollution. These issues have devastating effects. And since the oceans feed so much of the world, we need to do better. Everyone has a role to play, and small changes can make a big difference. Living on an island, we see firsthand how water impacts everything. It's a global issue, but change starts with individual action.

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Jared Schaller:
Like I said when I talked to Jennifer—one person really can make a difference.

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Diane Olsen:
Exactly. Every action has an impact. You don’t need to make massive changes—just start small. If enough people make small changes, it adds up. It's the butterfly effect. There’s a quote I love: “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. It's the only thing that ever has.”

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Jared Schaller:
Even one small act can shape the future. I love that. So here’s my final question: What advice would you give someone who wants to work in aquarium management or marine biology?

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Diane Olsen:
Be open to opportunities. My own path started with volunteering between classes. That led to a job, which led to more opportunities. I didn’t plan to work with penguins—it just happened. When we needed help with penguin quarantine in 1998, I said yes, thinking it would be temporary. I've been with them ever since. So, volunteer, apply for internships, and say yes to new experiences. Don’t focus only on the glamorous animals—dolphins and whales, for example. There are so many amazing creatures out there. You might fall in love with stick bugs or jellies. Keep your mind open—you never know what you’ll connect with.

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Jared Schaller:
All those little animals need love too!

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Diane Olsen:
Absolutely. Every creature is fascinating in its own way.

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Jared Schaller:
So that one "yes" turned into a lifelong career.

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Diane Olsen:
It sure did. I never expected it—but I’m so glad I didn’t say no.

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Jared Schaller:
Alright—last one. Give me your best pitch. Why should someone visit the Aquarium Pyramid at Moody Gardens?

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Diane Olsen:
Both the Aquarium and Rainforest Pyramids offer immersive, unique experiences. You get to be surrounded by amazing animals in beautifully designed environments. We have King penguins, a stunning jelly gallery—there’s so much to see. Take your time, ask the staff questions, and enjoy the experience. You’ll see things you won’t find anywhere else in the area. I love it here, and I think you will too.

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Jared Schaller:
That’s perfect—I’m sold. Thank you so much, Diane Olsen, curator of the Aquarium Pyramid here at Moody Gardens. I really appreciate you taking the time to speak with me.

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Diane Olsen:
Thank you for having me—it’s been a pleasure.