Ocean Pod

In this episode of Ocean Pod, we’re diving into the fascinating world of cephalopods – the incredible group of marine animals that includes octopus, squid, nautilus and cuttlefish. Known for their remarkable intelligence, rapid colour-changing abilities, and extraordinary behaviours, cephalopods are some of the ocean’s most captivating creatures. We explore what makes them so unique, how they are...

In this episode of Ocean Pod , we take a journey to one of the most remote and extreme environments on Earth - Antarctica. We’re joined by Dr Tess Cole, who shares her firsthand experiences working in this chilly (literally) environment. From the logistics of living and working on the frozen continent to the incredible wildlife that live there, Tess gives us a glimpse into what it’s really like to...

In this episode of Ocean Pod , we are talking about oyster reefs - one of Australia’s most important, yet often overlooked, marine ecosystems. Once widespread along our coastlines, oyster reefs supported incredible biodiversity, improved water quality, and provided vital habitat for marine life. Today, however, they are largely gone. We’re joined by marine ecologist Dr Dominic McAfee from Adelaide...

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Bronwyn and Nina dive into the world of seadragons. From their intricate camouflage to their unique reproductive strategies, we explore what makes these animals so special and why they are so closely tied to the health of our coastal ecosystems. Joining us is Professor Greg Rouse, from the Scripps Institution of Oceanography. Greg shares insights from his global caree...

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Bronwyn and Nina dive into the world of whale sharks - the largest fish in the ocean. Joining us to explore the science behind whale shark behaviour and migration is Dr Ben D’Antonio, a Research Scientist at the Shark Research Foundation. Ben’s work focuses on understanding how sharks and other marine megafauna move through the ocean using cutting-edge biologging tech...

In this episode of Ocean Pod , Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders are joined by stand-up comedian and former marine biologist Forrest Shaw to explore what happens when ocean science meets humour. After spending a decade working as a marine biologist in Florida, US, Forrest swapped fieldwork for the stage - but he hasn’t left the ocean behind. Now a professional comedian, Forrest uses...

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders learn about some of the ocean’s most specialised and least understood reptiles - sea snakes. They are joined by Dr Jenna Crowe-Riddell, an evolutionary biologist at the University of Adelaide, whose research explores how sea snake brains and sensory systems have evolved for life underwater. Jenna unpacks the remarkable...

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders dive into a fun and science-backed ocean myth-busting session, unpacking some of the most common “facts” we’ve all heard growing up by the sea. Using scientific evidence and real-world examples, they separate fact from fiction and explain why these myths persist. This episode highlights how misinformation about the ocea...

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders are joined by Dr Brianna le Busque, an Environmental Psychology Scientist whose research looks into how humans perceive and interact with the ocean’s most misunderstood predators - sharks. Bri explores how human behaviour and fear shape our relationship with sharks, from how children develop curiosity or concern to how...

In this episode of Ocean Pod , Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders are joined by Jasmin Broadbridge, a PhD candidate in the Wildlife Crime Hub at the University of Adelaide, whose research focuses on the world of the live coral trade. From vibrant reef ecosystems to bustling aquarium markets, Jasmin explores how live corals are harvested and traded across Australia, uncovering the com...

In this episode of Ocean Pod , Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders are joined by Nick Freymueller, a paleoecologist and biogeographer whose research explores how species respond to a changing climate.. Nick recently completed a joint PhD between the University of Copenhagen and the University of Adelaide, using fossils and ecological modelling to understand how Arctic species like the...

In this episode of Ocean Pod , Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders are joined by Dr Sophie Russell , an ecologist from the University of Adelaide’s Future Coasts Lab. Sophie’s research explores how restoring coastal ecosystems like seagrass, mangroves, and saltmarsh can help combat climate change through blue carbon —the carbon stored in ocean and coastal habitats. She shares insights...

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders take listeners on a journey to one of the most iconic places in marine science - the Galápagos Islands. Bronwyn has just returned from a trip to the islands, scouting potential study tours alongside students and supervisors from James Cook University. She shares her experiences in the field, from the unique wildlife enc...

In this episode of Ocean Pod , Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders are joined by Professor Sean Connell, a world-leading marine ecologist from the University of Adelaide. From the resilience of kelp forests to the pressures of climate change and conservation, Sean shares insights from his groundbreaking research on temperate reef ecosystems. With reflections on long-term monitoring, s...

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders sit down with Professor Charlie Huveneers, one of Australia’s leading shark scientists, to explore the fascinating world of shark research. Charlie leads the Southern Shark Ecology Group at Flinders University and shares insights from decades of work tracking, tagging, and studying sharks—from great whites to school sha...

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders shift focus to a question they get asked all the time—how do you become a marine scientist? If you've ever wondered what marine science actually is, what kinds of jobs exist in the field, or how people get started working with the ocean, this episode is for you. Nina and Bronwyn share their own stories, from early inter...

In this episode of Ocean Pod , Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders explore the concept of Sea Country—First Nations peoples’ deep, enduring connections to ocean and coast that have guided sustainable marine management for tens of thousands of years. They’re joined by Shane Holland, a proud Kaurna and Narungga man with over 30 years’ experience in government and marine policy. Shane sh...

In this episode of Ocean Pod, Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders dive into the world of marine protected areas—parts of the ocean where human activities are carefully managed to protect marine life, habitats, and cultural values. They’re joined by Dr Shelley Paull, marine coordinator at the South Australian Department for Environment and Water (DEW), who shares her experience managin...

In this episode of Ocean Pod , Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders uncover the secrets hidden in the bones of the sea. From fish ear bones to shells and other hard structures, they explore how these natural time capsules reveal where marine animals have been, how old they are, and the stories of their lives. With insights from Bronwyn’s decades of work in the field, this episode dives...

In this episode of Ocean Pod , Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders chat with Sam Gaylard, Principal Marine Scientist at the South Australian Environment Protection Authority. Sam shares insights from his fascinating career at the EPA and breaks down the science behind one of the state's most talked-about marine events: the recent harmful algal bloom. From monitoring water quality to r...

In this episode of Ocean Pod , Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders speak with marine scientist Dr Chloe Hayes about one of the biggest challenges facing our blue planet: climate change. From warming waters and rising seas to shifting species and vanishing habitats, Chloe unpacks the science behind what’s happening in our oceans—and what it means for the future of marine life and coast...

In this episode of Ocean Pod , Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders dive into the fascinating world of the giant Australian cuttlefish. From their dazzling colour changes to their epic mass breeding event in South Australia’s Spencer Gulf, this episode explores what makes these cephalopods so unique—and why scientists and snorkellers alike are captivated by them. Follow us on Instagram...

In this debut episode of Ocean Pod , Dr Nina Wootton and Professor Bronwyn Gillanders introduce themselves and share the story behind launching the podcast. They chat about their passion for marine science, what inspired them to start Ocean Pod , and what listeners can look forward to in future episodes. Follow us on instagram @oceanpod Contact us via email: nina.wootton@adelaide.edu.au