Terra Parva — The Science of Small Worlds
Explore the fascinating world of vivariums and terrariums with a focus on the Science and the Industry behind them
We are officially launching 1/15/2026
We’re looking for your help as we prepare to launch Terra Parva. Unlike many podcasts that focus only on big names in the industry, we want to hear from everyday hobbyists and builders at every stage. Whether you’re just starting out or have years of experience, your perspective matters. We invite you to submit questions to be read on the show or request to be featured as a guest. We’re especially looking to hear from: Beginner, intermediate, and advanced hobbyists; Individuals dreaming of starting their own small business (in any field); or Business owners willing to share their journey, challenges, and successes. Terra Parva is about learning together—exploring small worlds, big ideas, and the people who bring them to life.
About your Host, Chase Jennings
I am often described as a serial entrepreneur—or, more colorfully, “the most interesting man in the world.” While those labels are flattering, the truth is simpler and more grounded: I possess an enduring curiosity and a deep respect for the finite nature of time.
So you can get to know me better...
I have always felt compelled to pursue, within a single lifetime, the breadth of knowledge, experience, and contribution that might otherwise require several. Science and business are not separate worlds to me; they are complementary lenses through which I understand problems, create value, and build durable solutions. I am now ready to share that perspective—openly and honestly—in the hope that it helps others bring their own ideas to life.
My academic foundation is rooted in the natural sciences. I earned a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science with minors in Geology and Geography (2008–2012), followed by a Master’s degree in Environmental Geoscience from Texas A&M University, along with a two-year graduate certification in Geographical Information Systems (2012–2014). This training shaped how I think: analytically, spatially, and with an appreciation for systems that operate across time and scale.
In 2014, I began my professional career with Nomac Drilling as an Instrumentation Specialist, where I was among the first to support FastCap in implementing experimental electromagnetic MWD tools. Following the oilfield market crash in 2015, I pivoted back to my academic roots and worked as an environmental scientist from 2015 to 2020. During this period, I became acutely aware of the disconnect between the societal value of scientific work and how it is often compensated. Seeking both impact and sustainability, I earned my Texas Educators License and transitioned into teaching Earth and Space Science in 2020.
Parallel to this traditional career path, a quieter but persistent entrepreneurial journey was unfolding. In 2009, while still at Texas A&M, I launched my first serious venture, Microfossils Et Cetera, specializing in fossiliferous microfossil matrix sourced from notable localities. Between 2012 and 2014, I founded the first collegiate 3-gun competition team in the United States—Aggie 3-Gunners—and worked alongside a colleague building competition rifles.
In 2015, I began importing amber from Chiapas, Mexico, which eventually led to the opening and operation of our own amber mine. This venture produced numerous rare specimens, including a remarkable double-butterfly inclusion. In 2019, I sold my fossil business and founded Houston Frogs, with a deliberate focus on developing products that did not yet exist in the industry—products grounded in sound biological and ecological science.
That philosophy continued to expand. By 2021, I had established a mycological laboratory to develop fungal-based vivarium products. In 2022, I launched a 3D printing operation specializing in DLP printing, producing both highly functional vivarium components and ultra-fine miniatures—simply because the technical challenge was worth pursuing. In 2023, I added a phytological tissue culture branch focused on bryophyte cultivation.
That same year, I founded Exquisite Butterflies, an insect mounting studio dedicated to Japanese-style presentation—particularly beetles and mantids—featuring synthetic crystals, induction lighting, and gold gilding. I also became the sole U.S. distributor of Ocean Teabag, a Saitama-based Japanese company known for its animal-shaped tea bags.
In early 2024 with the diagnosis of cancer in my dog Wiley, I began cultivation and experimentation with cordyceps militaris to produce cordycepin for medicinal use. In late 2024, I entered into an agreement with FrogDaddy to sell my business, with the understanding that my products would continue to be produced under my guidance. That year also marked the launch of Japanese Charm, a venture centered on importing authentic Japanese goods, including gachapon toys, kimonos, folding fans, antiques, confections, fossils, and minerals. In 2025, I founded Moon Rabbit Blades, focusing on the importation of authentic samurai armor and arms.
Several new and ambitious projects are already in development for 2026 and beyond. At every stage, my goal remains the same: to unite scientific rigor with entrepreneurial execution, to build things that are both meaningful and enduring—and to help others do the same.
My Goal Behind Terra Parva
Terra Parva exists to close the gap between curiosity and mastery, passion and profession.
This show is built on a simple but often overlooked idea: the future of the reptile, amphibian, and vivarium world does not belong solely to established experts or polished brands—it belongs equally to the hobbyist setting up their very first enclosure today. Terra Parva brings these worlds together, uniting newcomers, lifelong enthusiasts, scientists, and business owners into one honest, intelligent conversation.
Through open dialogue, I share what I’ve learned across years of scientific training, entrepreneurship, success, and failure. For those who dream of turning passion into livelihood, this show offers something rare: practical business insight rooted in real experience, not theory or hype. My goal is to give aspiring creators and entrepreneurs a meaningful head start—by revealing not just what worked, but what didn’t.
Along the way, Terra Parva will host advanced hobbyists, industry leaders, and well-known figures—but never at the expense of the unheard. This is not a platform reserved for the already celebrated. It is designed to elevate voices, ideas, and innovations that deserve attention but rarely receive it.
The show also confronts uncomfortable truths. We will openly examine the psychological tactics used to sell inferior products, expose long-standing industry shortcomings, and challenge the stagnation that has slowed genuine innovation within the vivarium space. These conversations are not meant to tear the industry down—but to build something better in its place.
Terra Parva is about transparency, curiosity, and progress. It is where science meets craft, where business meets ethics, and where small worlds—built carefully and thoughtfully—can inspire much bigger ones.
Podcast (Coming Soon)
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The Terra Parva Show
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