
Dr. Martin Nweeia and the Real Unicorn of the Sea
From Life’s Tough, Explorers Are TOUGHER! by Richard Wiese
March 11, 2026 · 35 min
About this episode
Dr. Martin Nweeia discusses his research on the narwhal and his unique career path.
In this episode of Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher, host Richard Wiese speaks with Dr. Martin Nweeia, a dental surgeon, Arctic marine mammal scientist, dental anthropologist, educator, and leading researcher of the narwhal — the Arctic whale often called the “real-life unicorn.” Nweeia also shares his unconventional path from childhood dreams of music and heart surgery to a career that blends dentistry, anthropology, and Arctic exploration. His work with Inuit hunters in the Canadian Arct...
People in this episode
Host: Richard Wiese
Guest: Dr. Martin Nweeia
Topics covered
- narwhal
- Arctic exploration
- dentistry
- anthropology
- marine biology
- Inuit culture
Keywords
- narwhal
- unicorn of the sea
- Arctic marine mammals
- dentistry
- anthropology
- Inuit hunters
- exploration
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Inuit
Books & works: Life’s Tough, Explorers are Tougher
Places: Canadian Arctic
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