The Seed Pod.

In Episode 43 of The Seed Pod, guest Grace Jacobs Corban and I explore the fascinating connections between space, maths, nature, and the patterns that shape our world. We discuss moon phases, Matariki, maramataka, and the value of careful observation in understanding seasonal cycles and our local environments. We also dive into NASA’s Artemis missions, the perspective astronauts gain when viewing...

In Episode 42 of The Seed Pod, guest Kai Lane and I explore what it means to learn from and care for Country through observation, story, and shared knowledge. We dive into Aboriginal perspectives on seasons, sky knowledge, and natural indicators, looking at how reading the land, water, and wildlife can guide everything from understanding animal behaviour to informing food gathering and restoration...

In Episode 41 of The Seed Pod , we’re joined by Arabella Crowley, an Australian marine biologist. We kōrero about her work studying coral reefs and butterflyfish on the Great Barrier Reef, what day-to-day fieldwork looks like beneath the surface, and how scientists communicate and take notes underwater. Arabella also shares unforgettable encounters with sea turtles and bait balls, and reflects on...

In Episode 40 of The Seed Pod, we’re joined by Andy Johnston, aka The Creature Teacher. We kōrero about science communication, giant wētā conservation, jaguar encounters in Brazil, and unpack some of the recent headlines around de-extinction.

In Episode 39 of The Seed Pod, guest Sam Ludden and I kōrero about art inspired by deep connections to tuna and awa ecosystems, mahi with iwi, mokopuna decisions, programmes that are healing intergenerational trauma through nature connection, and his adventures with whānau through syntropic food forestry and unschooling.

In Episode 38 of The Seed Pod, guest Julia Palmer and I take a deep dive into the wild and wonderful world of invertebrates. We nerd out over bug fieldwork, common misconceptions, the vital roles they play, and how species ID doesn't have to be daunting. Julia shares stories from her after-dark mountain adventures, her time exploring the Sub-Antarctic Islands, and how iNaturalist and nature clubs...

In Episode 37 of The Seed Pod, guest Vitor Velez (@theheadlessketcher) and I dive deep into his unique nature art style that blends scientific drawing and nature journaling. We discuss adventures, sources of inspiration, nature observation, fascinating facts, the finer details, colours, layers and style, and how outside of the page is one of the most important parts of any drawing. We also share i...

In Episode 36 of The Seed Pod, guest Abby Patterson and I kōrero/chat about conservation and advocacy through online science communication, her alphabet elevator pitches, wellbeing and nature connection, the overcomplication of climate action leading to disengaged citizens... and we reminisce about birthday parties as children.

In Episode 35 of The Seed Pod, guest Ryan Yohler shares stories from his studies in geology/geophysics and evolution. We discuss glaciers, slow slip events (similar energy release as earthquakes over time), mass extinction events, museums, Human evolution, and fossil discoveries. Ryan has been all over the world as part of these studies, and has met 'Lucy' and 'Ardi' our early human-like ancestors...

In Episode 34 of The Seed Pod, Julie and I kōrero about all things conservation dogs and biosecurity in Aotearoa/New Zealand, including the rigorous training and testing required to become a conservation dog, what it's like working with a dog day-to-day, the biosecurity work they have taken part in, some great success stories, and her dreams for conservation here in Aotearoa.

In Episode 33 of The Seed Pod, Benji and I have a kōrero about the earth sciences, volcanology and geology field trips, submarine volcanoes (underwater volcanology), youth engagement, developing pro-environmental behaviours, storytelling, mātauranga māori, policy development, collaboration and more!

In Episode 32 we have collected together kōrero/stories from a range of incredible people in the community who take part in sports similar to those seen in the 2024 Paris Olympics. These sports showcase a diversity of opportunities for building mind and body connection as well as connection to the environment, places, people and identity. Ngā mihi nui/Thank you very much to our contributors: - Han...

In Episode 31 of The Seed Pod, we have a kōrero with guest Anthea Ibell about her incredible scuba diving experiences including her love for sharks and her conservation work overseas with sea turtles and community education! Anthea is a sustainable business founder/owner with several businesses which tackle waste reduction and advocacy utilising plastic 'waste' to create beautiful products, and br...

In Episode 30 of The Seed Pod, we feature our second guest host - Taylor Davies-Colley, and hear from guest Samuel Purdie. Taylor and Sam kōrero/chat about Aotearoa's incredibly diverse reptiles and the threats they face, adventures up in the mountains, the way that Sam has been able to capture the essence of wildlife and wild spaces through photography, science communication as an author, ways th...

In Episode 29 of The Seed Pod, we feature our first guest host - Ella Walmsley, and hear from guest Wednesday Davis. Wednesday and Ella kōrero/chat about the moana/marine environment, research, utilising artificial intelligence, and technology in species identification, experiential education opportunities, nature tattoos, and so much more!

In Episode 28 of The Seed Pod. we kōrero/chat with guest Maya Templer about all things illustration, and animation! Maya shares about her deep love for gardening, and how nature has inspired her creative process. We share exciting news about our new science communication comics, talk working with clients, film festivals, education through play, hiking, Australian nature... and Bluey (the TV show).

In Episode 27 of The Seed Pod. guest Holly Turner talks all things birds of prey! She has been lucky enough to work with a variety of incredible birds both overseas (including vultures, eagles, owls, hawks, and more) and right here in Aotearoa/NZ with the kārearea/NZ Falcon. We discuss how unique our falcons are here, release programmes, human-wildlife conflict, bird training, zookeeping, communit...

In Episode 26 of The Seed Pod. guest Ruud Kleinpaste a.k.a. The Bug Man takes us on a journey of connection through the fascinating would of bugs. We kōrero about his life purpose of building our network of nature-literate teachers and students, some notable bug experiences that both he and those he teaches have had, as well as the incredible things that come out at night! We talk deep connection...

In Episode 25 of The Seed Pod. guest Charlie Thomas returns to tell us all about their recent expedition to South Georgia Island, Antarctica! We kōrero/chat about wild, remote places, the incredible young expedition crew, the powerful landscapes, and the abundance of animals that Charlie is capturing through their art and written word, officially getting to name a leopard seal, their incredible na...

In Episode 24 of The Seed Pod guest Lisa Chahine shares stories of jellyfish migration in Lebanon, the difficulties of trying to mimic beauty through art, natural cycles in nature, insect sampling and bush bashing in West Coast forests which she compares to Jurassic park, and animals behaving in unexpected ways. In this episode we also discuss the pet/wildlife trade, poaching and animal testing in...

In Episode 23 of The Seed Pod. guest Rose Todd and I kōrero/chat about bringing nature inside through indoor plants, the art and practice of caring for houseplants, the power of plant propagation, landscape architectures' role in urban development, climate resilient landscapes and gorilla planting, as well as the downfalls of the plant industry.

In Episode 22 of The Seed Pod. guest Sam Gibson and I kōrero/chat about living as part of nature, and being inherently connected to the whenua/land. We discuss the deep knowledge that 'bush people' including hunters, fishers and foragers have. Sam talks about the importance of mahinga kai/food gathering sites for identity, connection and culture and how he and a group of hunting friends started th...

In Episode 21 of The Seed Pod. guest Oscar Thomas and I kōrero about some of the unique manu/birds found here in Aotearoa/NZ. Oscar shares captivating tales of his encounters with rare bird species, including the majestic Tokoraki/King penguin, and his thrilling adventures with Kōkako, Kākāpō, and seabirds. He also offers insights into his journey as an author, with his latest work, "A Naturalist'...

In Episode 20 of The Seed Pod. guest Amber Sisaričh and I share in the fascinating world of fungi, the symbiotic mycorrhizal networks underneath our feet that form the 'wood-wide web', treating bush walks as "fungi treasure hunts", science communication through illustrations and murals, the Kiwi Conservation Club magazine, life on Rakiura/Stewart Island, working with kiwi and tuatara and the oppor...

In Episode 19 of The Seed Pod. guest Noah Fenwick and I nerd-out about invertebrates, in particular the largest and the smallest of Aotearoa's moth species. We talk invertebrate surveys, light-trapping, photography, host-plant dependence, mimicry, an expedition to the Sub-Antarctic Islands, beautiful rare manu/flying creatures, and why we need our wonderful repo/wetlands!