Conservation Careers Podcast

How entrepreneurs, innovation, and restoration businesses can help save coral reefs and build a new restoration economy, with our guest Sam Teicher. Coral reefs cover less than one percent of our oceans, yet they support around a quarter of all marine life and provide food, livelihoods, and coastal protection for around a billion people. Yet they're disappearing at an alarming rate. Today I'm join...

How marine scientists can combine conservation, entrepreneurship, storytelling, and tourism to create impact, with our guest Justin Blake. Justin Blake is a marine scientist, entrepreneur, and founder of RockHopper - a social enterprise that blends marine science, storytelling, tourism, and conservation to create new ways of funding and delivering impact. After spending more than 15 years studying...

How Indo Ocean Project is using science, education, and field experience to conserve Indonesia's marine ecosystems, with our guest Lauren Sparks. Indonesia sits at the heart of the Coral Triangle - one of the most biodiverse marine regions on Earth. But protecting these extraordinary ecosystems requires more than passion. It requires science, local partnerships, long-term monitoring, and people wi...

How to build a meaningful career protecting our oceans, with our guest Dr David Shiffman. What does it really take to build a career protecting our oceans? Today’s guest is Dr David Shiffman - marine conservation biologist, public science communicator, author of Why Sharks Matter , and our Marine Conservation Expert in Residence here at Conservation Careers. David has spent his career exploring th...

How professionals can use their skills, values and career choices to create measurable positive impact, with our guest Devon Fritz. Have you ever wondered how to turn your career into one of the biggest ways you can make a difference? Today’s guest is Devon Fritz , author of The High-Impact Professional’s Playbook and co-founder of the nonprofit High Impact Professionals . Devon works with profess...

How a conservation entrepreneur is tackling snakebite, restoring ecosystems, and building impact from the ground up, with our guest Dr Harry Fonseca Williams. Have you ever wondered what happens when you combine a passion for wildlife with the drive to actually make a difference? Today’s guest is Dr Harry Fonseca Williams - a toxicologist, conservationist, and founder who is working at the interse...

How conservation professionals can build strong teams, positive cultures, and deliver greater impact, with our guest Chris Lee. Today we’re exploring something that sits at the heart of every successful conservation project - but often gets far less attention than it deserves - leadership. I’m joined by Chris Lee, Executive Director at Des Moines County Conservation in Iowa, and co-host of the Par...

How SEED Madagascar is working with local communities is key to protecting wildlife and ecosystems, with our guest Dr Aubrey Alamshah. Today we’re heading to southeast Madagascar - a region of extraordinary biodiversity, but also one facing some very real and complex conservation challenges. I’m joined by Dr Aubrey Alamshah, Conservation Research Coordinator at SEED Madagascar - an organisation ta...

From cloud forests to coral reefs - how Opwall blends science, education and conservation impact with Dr Tom Martin, Head of Research at Opwall Did you know that Operation Wallacea has taken more than 50,000 students into the field over the past 30 years. But what actually happens on an expedition? How does the science work? And how can an experience like this shape an entire conservation career?...

How to build a meaningful career protecting the ocean by working with people, communities, and partners, with our guest Lissa Batey. If you’re interested in building a career in marine conservation , this episode is for you. Today’s guest is Dr Lissa Batey , a marine conservation professional whose work brings together communities, partners, and organisations to deliver meaningful change for marin...

How the Alliance for a Sustainable Amazon is combining science, education and community action to keep the forest standing, with Johana Reyes. If you’ve ever wondered what a sustainable Amazon looks like in practice – how local livelihoods, science and education can work together to protect one of the most biodiverse places on Earth – this episode is for you. Today’s guest is Johana Reyes, Foundin...

How the Wildlife Forensic Academy is training the next generation of crime scene investigators for nature, with Dr Greg Simpson. Hi, Nick here from Conservation Careers and welcome to the podcast. Today we're exploring a lesser-known but vitally important side of conservation: wildlife forensics. My guest is Dr Greg Simpson — a vet, public health specialist, conservationist, and Managing Director...

Hi there, Nick here from Conservation Careers and welcome to the podcast. If you’ve ever wondered how conservation can be truly inclusive, collaborative and community-led — this episode is for you. Today I’m joined by Helen Gibbons , an expert in community-based conservation and our current Expert in Residence at Conservation Careers. With over 25 years of experience working for leading organisati...

When was the last time a piece of art changed how you thought or felt about the natural world? Today’s guest is Rory McCann — a conservation artist and muralist who uses large-scale, community-driven art to inspire awareness, connection, and action for nature. In this conversation, Rory shares what it’s like to create wildlife-inspired murals, and how involving schools and communities in the creat...

Scotland is a land of breathtaking beauty — from its rugged coasts and misty glens to its rich biodiversity and wild spaces. But like all places we love, it needs care, commitment and community to keep it that way. In this episode, we’re joined by Barry Fisher , Chief Executive of Keep Scotland Beautiful , the environmental charity on a mission to inspire action for a clean, green, sustainable Sco...

Have you ever felt stuck, burnt out, or unsure of your next move in your career? In this episode we’re joined by Kristi Foster , Head of Programmes at Conservation Careers and an experienced careers coach. Kristi has been a guiding force for hundreds of conservationists — helping them overcome internal barriers like imposter syndrome, burnout, and decision paralysis. Together, we explore what coac...

How rewilding is helping nature and people thrive in Portugal and beyond, with Pedro Ribeiro. If you’ve ever wondered what rewilding really means – or what it takes to make it happen on the ground – this episode is for you. We’re joined by Pedro Ribeiro, our Expert in Residence here at Conservation Careers , for a practical and inspiring look at rewilding in action. Pedro shares what rewilding loo...

Dr Marisa Tellez knew from a young age that she was destined to work with the world’s apex predators—particularly crocodiles. While her peers played with dolls, she immersed herself in books, documentaries, and wildlife centres, determined to one day turn her fascination into action. In this episode, we sit down with Dr Tellez, Executive Director of the Crocodile Research Coalition , to explore he...

What happens when you stop fearing sharks — and start listening to them? In this inspiring episode, we dive into the extraordinary world of Cristina Zenato – a trailblazing shark behaviorist, cave explorer, and professional diver who has spent over three decades in the Bahamas. As Director of Training for the Underwater Explorer Society and Founder of the non-profit People of the Water , Cristina...

Dr Dave Johnston, Director of Professional Development at the Wildlife Conservation Society, shares why education is essential to conservation. In this episode, we explore how zoos and aquariums scale conservation impact, how Dave built a fulfilling career through teaching, and what effective conservation education really looks like. We explore: Why zoos and aquariums are ideal hubs for conservati...

In this episode, Dr Stephen Green joins Nick Askew to share the story behind the MSc Conservation Project Management – a skills-based master’s programme co-created by Newquay University Centre and Conservation Careers. Together, they reflect on the first year of delivery, the importance of employer-aligned training, and the transformative impact of the Conservation Careers Kickstarter course. It’s...

Today we’re joined by Sara Kenny – Communications and Marketing Manager at Biodiversify – for a rich conversation on the power of messaging, the art of communications strategy, and why brand matters in conservation. We dig into Sara’s journey from zoology and human rights into charity communications, and now, leading communications and marketing for one of the UK’s most distinctive biodiversity co...

What can three decades in one wild place teach us about conservation? In this episode, we sit down with Craig Ralston - Natural England Senior Reserve Manager at Yorkshire’s Lower Derwent Valley National Nature Reserve - to explore his remarkable 30-year journey of restoring landscapes, inspiring communities, and navigating change. Craig shares his reflections on the importance of long-term thinki...

What if we gave as much love to insects as we do elephants? In this episode, we’re joined by Dr Kate Umbers – Senior Lecturer in Zoology at Western Sydney University and Managing Director of Invertebrates Australia – for a passionate, perspective-shifting conversation about the beauty and importance of bugs. Kate shares why insects deserve a central place in conservation, the inspiring work of the...

How systemic transformation, inclusive leadership, and a vision for a nature-positive future are shaping WWF’s global conservation strategy, with our guest Daudi Sumba. What does it take to lead one of the world’s most influential conservation organisations during a time of ecological crisis and transformation? And how do you align 100+ countries, thousands of staff, and a 64-year legacy behind a...