Conservation Careers Podcast

Hi there. Nick here from Conservation Careers, and welcome to the podcast.How can we restore biodiversity while balancing the needs of people and wildlife? And what can large carnivores teach us about coexistence and environmental harmony?Today’s guest is Jonny Hanson, environmental social scientist, conservationist, and author of Living with Lynx: Sharing Landscapes with Big Cats, Wolves, and Bears. Jonny brings a unique perspective to conservation, blending natural and social sciences, peace-building techniques, and his experiences across Western Europe and North America.In this episode, we explore the fascinating topic of large carnivore reintroductions, their ecological and symbolic impacts, and the challenges of coexistence. Jonny shares his innovative approaches to conservation, lessons from his career journey, and practical advice for aspiring conservationists.It’s a thought-provoking, multidisciplinary, and inspiring podchat.Enjoy!--Sign up here to receive Jonny's quarterly newsletter. Watch his Coexistence TEDx talk here. And pre-order his Coexistence book here.

How do you transform landscapes, restore biodiversity and reconnect people with nature - all at scale? And what does it take to build a pioneering conservation initiative from scratch? Today’s guest is Frans Schepers, co-founder and Executive Director of Rewilding Europe. Frans has dedicated over a decade to leading rewilding efforts across Europe, turning ambitious ideas into tangible results.  Under his leadership, Rewilding Europe has become a frontrunner in nature recovery, combining innovation, entrepreneurship and practical conservation to breathe life back into our landscapes. In this episode, we explore the origins of Rewilding Europe, how it works and the steps involved in rewilding a landscape. Frans also shares career advice for aspiring conservationists, discusses the future of rewilding and explains why he remains hopeful about nature’s incredible power to bounce back. It’s an inspiring, forward-thinking, and opportunity-driven podcast. Enjoy! 

How can campaigning lead to transformative leadership in conservation? And what role do cross-sector partnerships play in scaling biodiversity impact?Today’s guest is Tony Juniper, Chair of Natural England and one of the UK’s most prominent voices in nature conservation.He’s been described as ‘the most effective of Britain's eco-warriors’ and ‘one of the top ten environmental figures of the last thirty years.From his early days at Friends of the Earth to advising global leaders and now steering Natural England, Tony shares insights from a fascinating career dedicated to protecting our natural world.In this episode, we explore Tony’s journey from campaigning to governance, the critical role of partnerships in delivering conservation at scale, and what’s needed to reverse biodiversity decline in the UK. Tony also shares his perspective on skills needed in modern conservation careers and why practicality is key to making a lasting impact.It’s a thought-provoking, inspiring, and solutions-focused podcast.Enjoy!

Today’s guest is Sir William Worsley, Chair of the Forestry Commission (England). Sir William shares his rich experience in forestry management, conservation, and the evolving mission of the ForestryCommission since its founding in 1919.In our chat, we discuss the Commission's role in afforestation, timber production and wildlife conservation, and the importance of balanced woodland management. Sir William also shares his views on the economic and environmental significance of forests, practical insights for aspiring conservationists and what to expect from upcoming National Tree Week.It’s a passionate, informative, and inspiring podcast about trees, landscapes, and how each of us can play a part in conservation. Enjoy!

What does it take to lead one of the world’s largest conservation organisations through a time when 41% ofUK species are in decline?And how can today’s conservation leaders inspire millions to fight for biodiversity? Today’s guest, Beccy Speight, CEO of the RSPB, offers her insights into what it takes to manage over 1.2 million members and 200 reserves across the UK.In this episode, we discuss the RSPB’s mission, the role of effective leadership, and Beccy’s own career path from local government to conservation leadership.Beccy shares the biggest challenges she faces, her hopes for the RSPB over the next decade and what advice she’d give to anyone looking to enter the conservation sector.It’s an inspiring, insightful, and mission-driven podcast.

Have you ever wondered how your backyard or garden can help to save wildlife? Or why something as simple as leaving your leaves where they fall can make a big difference for local ecosystems? And what role does media, from television to online platforms, play in conservation efforts? Today’s guest is David Mizejewski, a naturalist, author, and television presenter with the National Wildlife Federation. David has spent years educating the public on how small, everyday actions can protect wildlife and the environment.  He’s here to talk about his exciting career and the Leave the Leaves campaign, which encourages homeowners to repurpose their fallen leaves to support biodiversity. We’ll discuss his career journey, why TV is such a powerful tool for conservation, and how you can get involved with wildlife-friendly initiatives in your own backyard. Plus, we dive into David’s experiences on popular TV shows like Conan, RuPaul’s Drag Race and Good Morning America and how he uses media to inspire people to take action. It’s an inspiring, educational, and practical podcast. Enjoy! 

Have you ever felt like an outsider or imposter in your career? Or wondered where (or even if) you can fit and belong?We're biologically hard-wired for connection, and research shows that it's vital to our physical and mental wellbeing.But when it comes to our careers, we often think we need to go it alone.In this special episode, we discuss the importance of community in our careers as conservationists, and how it's often key to our happiness, impact and wellbeing.Joining our host Dr Nick Askew is Dr Fernando (Nando) Mateos-González of Bioblogía and Kristi Foster, Head of Programmes at Conservation Careers.We talk about our own personal experiences with community and how community has shaped our careers.We also share some of the many benefits of community - from finding professional opportunities to having a sense of motivation, belonging and meaning.Lastly, we talk about our warm, friendly online community within the Conservation Careers Academy, where you can enjoy access to jobs, training and community support.It's an open, honest and lighthearted chat as the three of us reconnect and enjoy some community time together.We hope it will encourage other conservationists to enjoy more benefits from community.If you're looking for your tribe, this episode is for you.Enjoy!

Today’s guest is Romulus Whitaker, a renowned herpetologist and conservationist often referred to as the"Snake Man of India."Romulus shares his lifelong passion for snakes, conservation and the incredible biodiversity of India's rainforests.In this episode, we discuss what drew Romulus to snakes, especially the King Cobra, his experiences in the rainforest and the significance of water and forest conservation.We also delve into how Romulus started several conservation projects, including the Agumbe Rainforest Research Station, and the importance of inspiring future generations.Finally, we also discuss his new book, Snakes, Drugs and Rock 'n' Roll, which tells the story of a boy who would become one of the greatest conservationists of his generation.It’s a fascinating, insightful and inspiring podchat.Enjoy.

Today’s guest is Becky Park, the Programme Manager for the Osprey Leadership Foundation.They work to inspire young people about the natural world and to help them to develop into conservation leaders who can make a real difference, at both a grassroots and international level.We discuss the foundation's origins, its mission in conservation and leadership training, and how it connects the UK with countries along the Osprey migratory flyway, such as The Gambia.Becky shares a fascinating story about community, leadership, and the passion that drives impactful conservation work.We also delve into Becky's career, her role, and the challenges she faces, including the balance of remote work and family life.It’s an inspiring, informative, and insightful podcast.Enjoy.

Why do so many people get into conservation because of a love of animals, only to discover that it’s all about people?And why if you’re interested in working as a social scientist particularly, should you focus on improving on your softer skills, especially if you want to get ahead in your career?We discuss these questions and many more with today’s guest Dr Laura Thomas-Walters.Laura is the Deputy Director of Experimental Research for the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. She describes herself as an environmental social scientist with a focus on behaviour change who works closely with governments and NGOs to enact change through research.In this episode, we delve deep into the fascinating world of conservation science and climate change communication.Laura shares her journey into conservation, driven by a passion for big, cuddly animals, and how it evolved into a focus on behaviour change and climate activism.We explore the multifaceted nature of Laura's research, from demand reduction in the wildlife trade to linking extreme weather events with climate change.We also discuss the importance of cultural awareness, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the challenges of transitioning between academia and government work.Finally, Laura also provides valuable insights into the soft skills needed for conservation social science and offers advice for aspiring conservationists on how to navigate the complexities of this field.It’s a social-scienceing, climate-communicating, behaviour-changing podchat. Enjoy.

Today we explore the world of conservation and diversity with digital storyteller Taurean Meacham. Working for the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Taurean is the Program Coordinator for the Diversity Joint Venture for Careers in Conservation.In this episode we delve into Taurean's work to improve diversity, equity, inclusion and justice in conservation and beyond.We'll hear about how he survived a workplace mass shooting and subsequently retired from the United States Navy to become a stay-at-home dad and full-time college student.We also discuss how his military background is helping him provide a unique perspective on fostering diverse and inclusive communities within conservation.Finally, we explore Taurean's work in conservation and environmental stewardship, his efforts in social justice and the valuable insights he offers for aspiring conservationists, perhaps like you.It's a story of resilience, of dedication and of the power of diversity in conservation. Enjoy.

Why do so many people get into conservation because of a love for animals, only to discover that it's all about people?  And why, if you’re interested in making an impact in conservation, should you focus on improving your communication skills to advance your career? We explore these questions with today’s guest, Jon Monsoon. Jon brings over 20 years of experience in wildlife conservation, public relations and communications management.  He has worked across corporate, government, private, public, and NGO sectors as a journalist, media strategist, magazine editor and digital content creator.  Jon is also a qualified nature conservationist with a passion for cetacean conservation, human-wildlife conflict mitigation and wildlife veterinary science.  He’s a truly fascinating character and an active member of our CC Pro community. In this episode, we delve into Jon’s motivations for pursuing a career in conservation, exploring his journey and the importance of communication skills in this field.  Jon also shares his insights on effective messaging, the challenges he has faced, the lessons he has learned, and offers career advice for aspiring conservationists. It's a wildlife-conserving, message-communicating, career-advising podchat. Enjoy. 

How Passionate Individuals Can Transform Their Careers and Save Wildlife, With Our Guest Greg Cummings.How can someone transition from being a bartender in London to leading an organisation helping to protect Gorillas - one of the most charismatic species on the planet? And how can they raise millions of dollars in the process - meeting influential people like Bill Gates and Leonardo DiCaprio along the way. That’s what today’s guest Greg Cummings has achieved in his career, along with so much more. Greg is Former Executive Director of the Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund and author of new book Gorilla Tactics. During our chat he shares his fascinating experiences as a “wildlife Robin Hood” - raising money from the rich and famous and redistributing it to endangered gorillas and their habitats. This thirty-year worldwide journey moves from boardrooms in Manhattan and London to mountain treks in Rwanda and Congo. We start by discussing the importance of Gorillas, his personal experiences with them and their conservation threats.  We also chat about the successes in increasing mountain Gorilla populations and downgrading their endangered status. Greg also shares challenges faced during career - such as managing burnout - along with practical advice for how to raise funds for conservation efforts and the importance of working in partnership with local communities.  Finally, we end with a message of hope and optimism for the future of conservation despite the challenges it faces. It’s a Gorilla-conserving, DiCaprio-fundraising, podchat. Enjoy.

How do you switch careers from working in IT and Quality Management for 20 years to making a real impact in conservation? That’s exactly what today’s guest - Clare Roberts - has achieved in the past few years, and she’s here today to share her story. We start by exploring her pre-conservation career in the corporate world of IT consultancy, where she used her free time to volunteer at home and abroad. We then discuss what triggered her decision to change her career focus to sustainability and conservation. Clare is very much a case study of how to go about switching careers. She outlines how she did some deep self-reflection to identify what’s important to her and her transferable skills, before engaging in her chosen area through webinars, trainings and networking.  Today she’s thriving in her career working as a Project Manager at EMEC Ecology, an innovative profit-generating consultancy which is part of a Wildlife Trusts charity. Clare shares what it’s like to do her job and lots of practical advice for people like you who might be interested in following in her footsteps. It’s a career-switching, impact-creating, project-managing podchat. Enjoy! 

How corporate professionals can contribute to conservation efforts, with our guest Raoul Bollen.How can corporate professionals contribute to conservation efforts? What skills can they bring from the boardrooms of the private sector to help wildlife charities specifically to develop and grow? These are some of the topics we discuss with today’s guest Raoul Bollen. Raoul has been on a career journey from the corporate sector, from leading Shell's HR in 10 countries in the Middle East and Kazakhstan to becoming a Business Advisor for a charity close to our hearts - Elephants for Africa. Together we discuss his career exploration and how our Conservation Career Kick-starter helped him to gain clarity on how to move towards his passion for wildlife quickly.  Raoul unfolds the challenges, opportunities, and reflections on making meaningful contributions beyond the corporate world, and how others can follow a similar path to merge their professional skills with personal passions. It’s a passion-aligning, skills-deploying podcast. Enjoy.

How The Nature Conservancy (TNC) in Africa use partnerships, science, and sustainable finance to tackle the biodiversity crisis, with our guest Ademola Ajagbe.Today we’re speaking with an old friend and colleague Ademola Ajagbe, the Regional Managing Director atThe Nature Conservancy (TNC) for Africa.Ademola discusses the urgent challenges of climate change and biodiversity loss, emphasizing the need for scalable solutions and partnership-based approaches for meaningful impact.He shares TNC's mission, its’ conservation model, and strategies for using partnership, science, and sustainable finance to tackle the biodiversity crisis.We also discuss TNC's work in Africa, highlighting specific conservation efforts in the Congo Basin and innovative projects like the Nairobi Water Fund.Ademola then recounts his journey from a childhood fascinated by nature to his career in conservation - offering insights into effective leadership, the importance of partnership, and the transformational power of local capacity building in conservation efforts.Finally, Ademola provides career advice for those aspiring to work in conservation, underscoring the importance of passion, impact, people skills, and resilience in the face of challenges.It’s a wide-ranging, impactful and Africa-focussed podchat.Enjoy.

Meetings are a core part of our working lives, and yet studies have found that 50% of time spent in meetings is often wasted.When viewed as a whole that's often billions, if not trillions, of dollars wasted annually, which could be put to much better use.But why do we spend so much of our precious lives clogged up in a confetti of mediocre meetings?!With calendars full back-to-back often borne as a badge of importance, rather than being seen as a problem to tackle.Here to talk about meetings and their untapped potential for productivity and transformation is today's guest, Dr Carrie Goucher.Carrie is founder of Fewer, Faster, Bolder, an organisation which believes that meetings are a huge, wide space for improvement, and understands that they matter so much, because people spend so much time in them.In today's inspiring chat, we discuss the problems with meeting culture at the moment, and how we got to where we are.We also discuss what incredible meetings can look like, and how to create ones for yourself. Including practical steps on how to invite people, how to start a meeting, and how to capture what's discussed, agreed and parked up.As a successful entrepreneur herself, Carrie also kindly shares her advice for budding ecopreneurs: people with a passion and an idea that could deliver profit and purpose in the world.It's a meeting-transforming and impact-creating podchat. Enjoy.

Have you considered going back to university and doing a Master's Degree in order to become more employable within the sector?   Perhaps you’ve looked at many programmes and wondered if they are tooling you up with the right skills employers value.   In today’s podcast, we’re speaking with Dr Stephen Green who’s the course leader for an exciting new Master's programme, designed and delivered in partnership with Conservation Careers, to train you in the core skills used by professionals day-to-day.   We discuss who the new MSc Conservation Project Management at Newquay University Center is for. We also chat about the emphasis on core conservation skills - such as project management, communications and fundraising - and finally explore the programme's flexibility; allowing students to pursue various conservation paths and receive career development support.  Stephen then discusses his career journey with us, explaining what it’s like to be a lecturer in zoology and course leader within a University, and how he got there.  Finally he shares his career advice for people like you who might be seeking to follow in his footsteps.   It’s a Master’s musing, snake studying and employment enhancing podchat.   Enjoy.  

In this episode we’re speaking with the Deputy Global Conservation Director at WWF International, Cristianne Close.  Cris describes herself as ‘passionate about creating positive change in the world, especially aiming to make the impossible, possible’.  In this episode, we discuss how she gave up a fast-paced corporate career to follow her purpose and work in conservation.   Now, as a senior staff member at WWF, Cris explains how her business acumen is helping her tackle one of the most insurmountable problems facing humankind - namely, reversing the loss of nature.  During the conversation, we discuss her work at WWF and her career switch into the sector.   We also talk about the skills increasingly valued within conservation, and Cris shares her top careers advice for aspiring conservationists seeking to follow in her footsteps.  Finally, we discuss Earth Hour; a worldwide movement organized by WWF annually to encourage individuals, communities, and businesses to give an hour for Earth. Scheduled for Saturday, March 23rd at 8:30 pm your local time, we discuss how you can get involved.  It’s a wide-ranging, inspiring and Earth Hour connecting podchat.  Enjoy. 

Have you ever felt like escaping the rat race and travelling the world? Seeking impact, adventure and new experiences? Perhaps volunteering for nature conservation organisations, and setting yourself for a career change or education when you return? But with the world as your playground … where do you start? How do you plan such a trip to ensure your time and money are well spent? Today we’re speaking with Julia Rogers founder of EnRoute Consulting. As a professional gap year counsellor - a new job title to me - Julia prides herself in understanding the complicated process of planning a meaningful experience whilst travelling. During this episode, we discuss the value a gap year or career break can bring to people in their work, education and lives. We talk about the different types of experiences people can discover, and how to plan for a successful trip. Finally, we also chat about how a Gap Year Counsellor can help if you need support. It’s a globe-trotting, experience-seeking, life-changing episode. Enjoy!