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 that we can work together to protect Aotearoa's critters, and so much more!
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 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 nature, critter intelligence, youth empowerment, myths about bugs, and so much more!
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 nature tattoo collection, and so much more!
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 Liberia and the deep underlying systemic issues that drive these markets.
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 the Eastern Whio Link Project to protect crucial habitat and mahinga kai areas. We talk conservation tools, the catastrophic impacts of wild cats and dogs, raising kids in the bush, and mokopuna decision making - decisions with future generations in mind.
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's Guide to the Birds of New Zealand 2nd edition," now available. Oscar takes us on a virtual tour of some incredible wildlife hotspots... and he unveils his bird of choice for the Bird of the Century competition!
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 opportunities which have opened doors for her career in conservation.
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!
In Episode 18 of The Seed Pod. guest George Hobson and I kōrero/chat about the role law and policy can have in environmental protection, as well as the systems change needed to ensure laws/policies are improved from what we currently have. We discuss the disappointment we have felt in the inadequate policy brought forward by all parties leading up to this year's general election, a 10-step plan for progress in climate change reduction, adaptation and mitigation, as well as the role of sanctuaries and zoos in nature connection, conservation and advocacy.
In Episode 17 of The Seed Pod. guest Charlie Thomas and I talk about conservation in very remote locations; including Kure Atoll, processing the grief of natural selection as well as conservation work through art communication, the impact of rubbish on the moana/sea, burnout and imperfect environmentalism, an upcoming expedition to South Georgia in Antarctica, Sooty Terns, Albatross, and finding the owner of a stolen umbilical cord?!
In Episode 16 of The Seed Pod. guest Connor Wallace and I talk about making a difference through setting up successful restoration projects, biodiversity monitoring, extreme weeding, working with native bats and kākāriki (parakeets), youth leadership and wellbeing, fossil hunting, computer science, storytelling for funding projects, and the impact and dedication of community volunteers.
In Episode 15 of The Seed Pod. guest Courtney Davies and I kōrero about showing and judging animals- in particular her beautiful cows, sustainable agriculture, discovering new bacteriophages and the impacts they can have on human health and conservation, youth leadership and development, overseas nature connection... and a cute surgeon fish?!
In Episode 14 of The Seed Pod. guest Kaitlyn Lamb and I discuss the impact community gardens can have on food security and social connection. We hear about two of her passion projects- Ikigai Urban Farm and Kai Compost, and learn about biodynamic composting and why we should all LOVE worms! Kai Compost on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kaicompost
In Episode 13 of The Seed Pod. guest Nate Wilbourne and I discuss the use of social media as an advocacy tool, the importance of opening doors for passionate young people to connect with nature, lead and volunteer, and the challenges he has faced as a young leader. We talk bird banding, climate strikes, and the impact of planting his first tree back in primary school!
In Episode 12 of The Seed Pod. guest Dr. Jenny Allen and I nerd out about marine megafauna discussing humpback whale song complexities, learning and animal behaviour, life as a scientist in Antarctica, some cool Antarctic research projects which include diving (wow), oceanography and penguin diet sampling, wildlife interactions, and the most unexpected experience she has had out in the field. This is one not to be missed!
In Episode 11 of The Seed Pod. guest Carrie Duggan and I discuss the role nature plays in her creative process as a photographer specialising in capturing love. We hear about her journey to discovering a passion for photography as an adult after studying psychology, art therapy and eco-therapy, and how she has been able to help people through creativity. We talk elopement, her passion for the mountains, and how she discovered a love for the ocean at 21yrs old.
In Episode 10 of The Seed Pod. I am joined by my wonderful parents - Gail and David Moffitt. David tells us his stories from growing up on an orchard, learning how to grow kai/food on a large-scale, and our camping trips through various cyclones and storms. Gail talks about her time on Tiritiri Matangi Island before it became predator free and the transformation she has watched happen over the last 10yrs, she also speaks to the incredible benefits of Bush School experiences as a primary school teacher. We share stories from some of the wonderful adventure sports we like to take part in such as geocaching, archery, hunting and smallbore rifle-shooting, and discuss the beginnings of my nature connection journey, learning how that passion was fostered through experience, questioning, photography and holidays.