The Lodge Cast

*Final episode alert*! And it's a corker. We finally pin down the wonderful Nina Constable for an honest, open and (at times emotional!) chat about all things motherhood, moviemaking and courageous conservation storytelling.  Nina is an award winning self-shooting director/filmmaker based in Cornwall, UK. Her films have screened in festivals globally and her work has featured in many national broa...

Have you ever wondered what time spent in a thriving beaver wetland might do for your mental health? It turns out that this is a hugely overlooked area of science, and Sophie and Eva turn to Sam Gandy for answers. Sam is an ecologist and researcher with Imperial College London, who has been working with Dr Ros Watts , Clinical Psychologist on a groundbreaking new piece of research demonstrating th...

In the age of dual climate and biodiversity crises, endless jargon and deafening online 'noise', is science communication more important than ever to get right? You are in for a treat this week, as Sophie and Eva get down to business with 'Radio Lady-O' herself, Emily Knight . She is responsible for incredible BBC ear food like NatureBang , Extinction Tapes for Radio 4 and the BBC Earth Podcast ....

Were you ever aware of the long lost story of The Great British Wetland? Introducing your storyteller: Arlin Rickard OBE.  Founder of the West Country Rivers Trust and later The Rivers Trust organisation, now their Chief Policy Advisor - Arlin is a leader of freshwater in his own league - leading the movement for over 25 years.  A key contributor in Beaver Trust's upcoming documentary about river...

Not many people have the guts to leave farming and pioneer a newer, wilder, potentially riskier approach to land management. But then farmer and conservationist, Charlie Burrell and his wife,  Isabella Tree are not many people. Talking to Sophie and Eva from one of the most talked-about estates in the UK, and no doubt in a room not too far from nesting stalks, author and landowner Isabella Tree sh...

To kick off a brand new series, Team Lodge Cast at Beaver Trust couldn't think of a more apt person to help with this than Ben Goldfarb .  Award-winning environment writer, and author of the book, Eager; the secret life of beavers and why they matter - Ben is in a league of his own when it comes to helping us understand beavers and our surprisingly entwined history with them in the USA and UK. Ben...

Well ahoy there listeners! The Lodge Cast is back with a beaver bang for a shiny SERIES THREE of brain prodding chats with you all!  Given the um, state of things, this series focusses on the theme of HOPE - be it hope for nature, the climate, or personally. From BBC broadcasters to award-winning authors and rewilding pioneers, we couldn't be more excited with the range of incredible guests we hav...

Join Eva and Sophie for a final time (honestly) for 2021 in a jolly round up of the year, and one last chat with an amazing guest! Together we'll reminisce the best bits of Season 2 with our amazing guests including Dr Amir Khan and Gillian Burke.  And we also have a wonderful, happy time with the inimitable Iolo Williams, Welsh naturalist and broadcaster. Tune in for an honest, inspiring chat abo...

Hello Lodgecasters!  Tis the season to be jolly, and we have the perfect way for your to channel your ever-growing love and interest for beavers.  Beaver Trust have joined the  The Big Give Christmas Challenge! It means any donations made to Beaver Trust until midday on Tuesday 7th December (ie. tomorrow!) will be *DOUBLED*! We’ve been working hard bringing beavers back to Britain, helping communi...

OK listeners - we have a confession. We're coming to the end of Season 2 of The Lodge Cast and we're only just talking about the elephant (or fish?) in the room: do beavers help or hinder fish? However, it's never too late. And good timing too, as a fascinating new piece of research has recently been published by scientist, Rob Needham , as part of his PhD with the University of Southampton. As we...

Leading up to the UN's 26th Climate Summit in Glasgow ( COP26 ), Sophie and guest co-presenter Emma Brisdion (the producer is multi-skilled!) look up - and delve into the astonishing world of trees.  To help them on their quest to find out just why we need trees and woodland, and how they're under threat, they chat to actor, fellow podcaster , environmentalist and total tree nerd, David Oakes . Fr...

Against the backdrop of blazing landscapes and record-breaking global heatwaves in 2021, Sophie and Eva want answers. This month, they chat to ecohydrologist, assistant professor and science communicator, Dr Emily Fairfax from California - who is leading groundbreaking research into how beaver wetlands can act as natural firebreaks.  Also coming up: Sophie surprises in the #FactOff and Eva devises...

75% of the UK is set aside for agriculture - and yet we continue to overlook its role in offering effective and positive solutions to environmental degradation and climate change.  So how can conservationists best support farmers through the demands of farming the land in the next decade? How can collaboration improve ecosystem and community resilience to climate change?  This episode, we speak to...

'Green' and 'blue' prescriptions are increasingly spoken about - but what do they actually mean? And what actually happens in our bodies when we spend time in nature?  This episode, we speak to the amazing and hilarious Dr Amir Khan, NHS Doctor, bestselling author , and TV GP on Lorraine and Good Morning Britain. As well as being a medical professional, Amir is a hardcore nature lover, spreading d...

Welcome back lovely listeners! We are so thrilled to launch SEASON 2 of The Lodge Cast. Eva and Sophie bring you six shiny new episodes and fabulous guests, with topics ranging from nature prescriptions, beavers and plants, beavers and river health, environmental policy and so much more!  To kick us off, we have the fantastic Gillian Burke talking to us about diversity in conservation, and the imp...

Why is the youth voice so important in the fight against climate change? And did Greta Thunberg have any idea of the #ClimateStrike movement she would inspire around the world?  Season 1 rounds off with a truly inspirational chat with Harvey and Tom, two teens from Lancashire who are making waves across the captive breeding, rewilding and conservation sector. Celtic Reptile and Amphibian aims to r...

What's the science behind beaver translocation? And why should it form part of an positive management strategy? As part of our content to celebrate British Science Week and International Women's Day, we talk to top beaver ecologist Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer. With an impressive career and background in animal management and welfare, field operations and beaver/human conflict management, Roisin impa...

We hear a lot about 'eco anxiety' - but what does it mean?  Our health is intrinsically linked to the health of the planet. But how do we manage those feelings when it all gets a bit overwhelming? Sophie and Eva chat to Dr Catriona Mellor, a Child and Adolescent psychiatrist, who specialises in understanding how the climate and ecological crisis can affect our mental health at any age. Dr Mellor s...

So what does 'climate change' really mean? And what can we do about it?  Sophie and Eva chat to acclaimed author, TV presenter and journalist Simon Reeve, using his unique experience of the planet and expeditions to far-flung corners of the world, to share thoughts on the climate crisis and explore where beavers fit into a solution-based approach.  Also coming up: the Fact-Off returns and Sophie p...

What does 'access to nature' really mean? And why is it so important to get right? Sophie and Eva chat to author, activist and illustrator Nick Hayes, delving into this vital issue and exploring Nick's  fascinating adventures through the fields and waterways of Britain, to discover just how easy it is for us to get into the wilder places. Also coming up: the Fact-Off returns and Eva puts Sophie's...

A brand new podcast brought to you by Beaver Trust as we start to welcome beavers back to our rivers and explore the state of nature in the UK. Have you lost your beaver-ginity yet? Get ready to plunge straight into the beaver pool. Sophie and Eva battle it out to win the 'Fact-Off', explore why beavers have had such great PR this summer, before a heart-to-heart with naturalist and BBC Springwatch...

A brand new podcast brought to you by Beaver Trust as we start to welcome beavers back to our rivers and explore the state of nature in the UK. Hosted by Sophie Pavelle and Eva Bishop. Produced and edited by Emma Brisdion . Find out more about Beaver Trust .