Conservation Careers Podcast

How One Caribbean Biologist is Shaping the Future of Conservation From Cambridge to the Tropics.In this episode of the Conservation Careers Podcast, we speak with Dr Howard Nelson—Lecturer in Conservation Leadership at Fauna & Flora International and the University of Cambridge.Howard brings over 30 years of experience across the Caribbean and the UK, working in government, NGOs, and academia. We dive into his work teaching the next generation of conservation professionals and discuss his journey from managing jaguar habitat in Trinidad to shaping conservation policy and leadership in Cambridge.Topics covered:What is conservation leadership?Lessons from 30+ years in field ecology and policyThe science-policy interface in small island statesAdvice for career switchers and aspiring conservationistsThe importance of communication and diversity in conservation#ConservationLeadership #HowardNelson #FaunaAndFlora #ConservationCareers #WildlifeBiologist #GlobalSouthVoices #CambridgeUniversityLinkshttps://www.cl.geog.cam.ac.uk/

How Nick Bubb Combines Fundraising, Empowerment, and a Life of Adventure to Guide One of Africa's Leading Conservation Charities, Tusk.What's it like to lead one of Africa's most influential conservation charities? How do you support grassroots leaders across a continent while balancing fundraising, strategy, and your own wellbeing? And how can a mid-career pivot lead to purpose and impact in conservation?Today's guest is Nick Bubb, Chief Executive of Tusk Trust. With a background in engineering, ocean racing and finance, Nick brings a unique perspective to conservation leadership.In this episode, we explore Nick's approach to leading Tusk: supporting small, high-impact conservation projects, championing ranger welfare, and shaping a collaborative future for African wildlife protection. We also dive into his career journey, lessons from his time at Fauna & Flora International, the importance of career switchers in the sector, and how to handle the pressure of leading with purpose.It's a generous, inspiring, and mission-driven podcast.Enjoy!https://tusk.org/

How Conscious Explorer is Transforming Travel Into a Powerful Force for Conservation and Community Development, With Daniel Kaul.Can travel be more than just an escape? How can tourism actively contribute to conservation and community well-being? And what does ethical, sustainable travel truly look like?Today's guest is Daniel Kaul, founder of Conscious Explorer and Natucate, two pioneering organisations at the intersection of ecotourism and conservation. With a passion for ethical travel, Daniel has spent years designing experiences that allow travellers to explore the world while making a meaningful impact on nature and local communities.In this episode, we dive into the concept of conscious travel—how it works, what responsible tourism looks like, and the challenges and opportunities in the ecotourism sector. Daniel also shares his entrepreneurial journey, insights into building ethical travel businesses, and practical advice on how travellers can make informed choices that support conservation efforts.It's a thought-provoking, industry-changing and solutions-driven podcast.Enjoy!https://conscious-explorer.com/

Hi there. Nick here from Conservation Careers, and welcome to the podcast.What's it like to study and protect turtles in the stunning waters of Egypt's Red Sea? How can citizen scientists and local communities play a key role in marine conservation? And what are the biggest threats facing sea turtles today?Today's guest is Micol Montagna, biologist and project coordinator at TurtleWatch Egypt 2.0. Micol has dedicated her career to marine conservation, using citizen science and innovative research to monitor and protect turtles along Egypt's Red Sea coast.In this episode, we explore the vital role Egypt plays in global turtle conservation, how TurtleWatch Egypt identifies and tracks individual turtles, and the importance of community engagement in marine protection. Micol also shares her career journey, insights into working in conservation, and advice for aspiring marine biologists.It's an inspiring, hands-on, and action-focused podcast.Enjoy!---Linkshttps://turtlewatchegypt.net/

How Career Coach John Tarnoff Helps Professionals Navigate Change, Find Purpose, and Build Meaningful Careers in Conservation and Beyond.What if midlife wasn't a crisis but an opportunity? How can professionals transition into conservation careers later in life? And what does it take to reinvent yourself for a career with purpose?Today's guest is John Tarnoff, career coach, author, and speaker specializing in mid-career transitions. After spending decades in Hollywood as a film executive and producer, John made a dramatic career pivot and now helps professionals navigate career change with confidence.In this episode, we explore how mid-career professionals can identify their true calling, break into new fields like conservation, and overcome challenges such as ageism and self-doubt. John shares practical strategies on networking, personal branding, and storytelling—key tools for landing opportunities in a competitive job market.It's an insightful, empowering, and practical podcast.Enjoy!--linkedin.com/in/johntarnoffjohntarnoff.com

What does it take to rewild a nation? How can restoring nature also regenerate communities and economies? And what's the future of rewilding as a career path?Today's guest is Rebecca Wrigley, Chief Executive and co-founder of Rewilding Britain. With over 23 years of experience in conservation and community development, Rebecca has led Rewilding Britain's mission to restore species-rich habitats across 30% of Britain's land and sea by 2030.In this episode, we explore the principles of rewilding, how Rewilding Britain is empowering landowners and policymakers, and the key challenges and opportunities in large and small-scale nature restoration projects. Rebecca also shares her career journey, advice for aspiring rewilders, and insights on building a movement that balances ecological restoration with economic sustainability.It's an inspiring, hopeful, and solutions-driven podcast.Enjoy!---Useful LinksRewilding Britain

Lessons From Four Decades of BirdLife International: Richard Grimmett on Conservation Success and Challenges.How does a passion for birds turn into a lifelong career in global conservation? And what can four decades of experience teach us about the evolution of biodiversity efforts?Today's guest is Richard Grimmett, Senior Conservation Adviser at BirdLife International, where he's been a driving force for over 40 years. From his early days mapping Important Bird Areas across Europe to leading conservation strategies as their Director of Conservation, Richard has played a pivotal role in shaping one of the world's leading conservation organisations.In this episode, we explore Richard's incredible journey, key moments from his career, and the lessons he's learned about managing conservation at scale. We also discuss the challenges the sector faces today, the skills needed for future conservationists, and Richard's hopes for the next generation of conservation leaders.It's a reflective, insightful, and inspiring podcast.Enjoy!

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!

Increasingly, the private sector is taking a growing interest in their impact on wildlife, and this could lead to a much-needed step change in conservation efforts. But why do companies care about nature? How can they assess and minimise their impacts? And what sort of jobs are opening up for conservationists seeking to work in this exciting area of change? Here to discuss these topics and many more is today's inspiring and thoughtful guest, Michael Burgass, Director at the consultancy Biodiversify. Biodviersify helps clients to understand and improve their relationship with nature, working at the cutting edge of bd sustainability to provide strategic support and provide meaningful outcomes for society, for business and for wildlife. In today's discussion we talk about why the private sector is increasingly aware of the need to build biodiversity into their businesses, and where this drive is coming from. We also discuss if this growth in interest in the private sector will make a significant impact on global conservation efforts, along with the skills needed to take advantage of the opportunities as they open up. Mike also shares his careers advice for people like you who might be seeking to work in the sector, along with his thoughts on what conservationists need to be better at in order to have more impact. It's a biodiversity-businessing, nature-accounting pod-chat. Enjoy.

How do you raise nearly $100,000,000 per year to protect and conserve America's 420+ National Park Sites?  Sites important for recreation, education, and the conservation of endangered landscapes, natural communities and species.  We discuss this, amongst many other things, with Lise Aangeenbrug.  Lise is the Chief Program Officer at America's National Park Foundation, the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service charged with generating the funding needed to protect the National Park Sites.  In the podcast we talk about the network of National Park Sites in the US, and how the foundation uses storytelling to raise the profile, and the funding needed, for conservation activities.  We also discuss the diversity of roles within the conservation sector, and what it means to be a Chief Program Officer.  Lise also shares her career path along with her advice for people like you who might be seeking to follow in her footsteps.  It's a   Wildlife-funding, national-park-storytelling, pod-chat.  Enjoy. 

Have you ever felt like you're energetically exhausted, mentally distant from your job, or less able to produce results at work? There's a chance that these symptoms could be related to burnout. According to The World Health Organization (WHO), burnout is a syndrome “…resulting from chronic workplace stress that has not been successfully managed.” As conservationists, our work is our passion, but that passion doesn't make us immune to burnout. In fact, it might even make us more susceptible. And the effects of burnout can be dire for conservationists and their work. The WHO characterises burnout by 1) feelings of energy depletion or exhaustion; 2) increased mental distance from one's job, or feelings of negativism or cynicism related to one's job; and 3) reduced professional efficacy. In this special episode we discuss burnout in conservation, and why awareness of burnout is so important for conservationists personally and professionally. 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 burnout and what contributed to them. We also share some solutions we've learnt for avoiding and managing burnout – or even transforming it into healthier ways of working. It's a very open, real and honest chat. We hope will support other conservationists – whether you're just starting your career, concerned about burnout or have experienced burnout yourself. Enjoy.

If you've spent time in the UK and visited a local nature reserve, then chances are you've been to a site managed by one of the 46 individual Wildlife Trusts that collectively represent 2,000 staff, 35,000 volunteers and nearly 1 million members.   Helping to coordinate this huge force for nature is the Royal Society of Wildlife Trusts of which today's guest is their Deputy Chief Executive.  Patience Thody left the commercial banking sector and switched her career towards wildlife conservation and the charity sector.  She's using her twenty years of HR and Operations Management experience to build, lead and motivate multi-disciplinary teams to deliver nature conservation across the UK.  In this episode, we explore the Wildlife Trust network, its conservation activities and workforce of volunteers and staff.  We also uncover what it means to be a Deputy Chief Executive, the skills Patience uses and values in her role, and what she enjoys and finds challenging in her job.  She also shares her career journey and advice for people like yourself, who might be seeking to follow in her footsteps.  It's a Wildlife-trusting, career-switching, pod-chat.  Enjoy.

How important are volunteers in conservation?  What are the different types of work you can do as a volunteer, and how can it benefit your career?  We answer these and many more questions in discussion with today's guest Rhoda Ludford.  Rhoda is the Volunteering Development Consultant with the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds - Europe's largest wildlife conservation organisation with over 2,000 staff, 10,000 volunteers and 1 million members.  Rhoda has worked for the RSPB for 22 years, mostly in volunteering development and have recently moved into species recovery where she is responsible for a project that develops and manages volunteer teams doing species recovery work across the UK.  In today's chat, she shares her experiences of working for the RSPB, her career path and also advice about how to connect with and make the most out of their volunteer opportunities.  It's a wide-ranging, volunteer-actioning, species-conserving chat.  Enjoy.  

We ran a live event in partnership with Conservation Optimism, to explore and celebrate the work of Dr Charu Mishra - the world's foremost expert on snow leopard conservation, and double Whitley Gold Award Winner. Conservation Optimism is a global community dedicated to inspiring people to make a positive difference for nature, and co-hosting the live event with me was Sofia Castelló y Tickell.  Together we spoke to Charu, who is the Executive Director of the International Snow Leopard Trust and Co-Founder of India's Nature Conservation Foundation. He's spent 25 years working to increase protection for snow leopards across all 12 of their range countries, with the vital support of local people, and has won the Whitley Gold Award in 2005 and in 2022. As a world expert on snow leopard conservation he has pioneered the community-based conservation approach to enable harmonious co-existence between people and wildlife. Sofia and I talked to Charu about his work as Executive Director of the International Snow Leopard Trust, and his approach to community-based conservation. We also explore his career path, his careers advice for aspiring conservationists, and also what keeps him optimistic about the future. Finally, we also discuss the importance of ethics in wildlife conservation and the Ethical Conservation Alliance which he launched recently at the Whitley Fund for Nature, People for Planet Summit. Towards the end of the recording, we also open up to our audience where they get the opportunity to ask their questions of Charu. It's a wide-ranging, snow-leopard-conservationing, and humbly-inspiring pod-chat. Enjoy.

Why should more conservationists learn to study people?   To better understand them as individuals, communities and societies, alongside their complex behaviours and interactions.  This is what today's podcast is all about, and it's something termed social science.  Here to discuss the power of social science for conservation is today's guest Dr Rebecca Jefferson.  Rebecca runs Human Nature, a social enterprise which seeks to empower conservationists to have a more positive impact on the planet through training, collaboration and support.  We talk about why social science is important for conservationists, how it can be used to tackle wildlife declines.   We also discuss the benefits of people with different disciplines and backgrounds working in partnerships to have better outcomes in conservation projects.  Rebecca also shares her journey in setting up a business with impact at its core, along with her advice for others who might be seeking to follow in her footsteps.  It's a people-partnering, social-sciencing, conservation pod-chat.  Enjoy. 

  What can Coca-Cola teach us about how to better save wildlife, in Australia and beyond?  And why should more governments set up charitable foundations to protect their national parks and threatened wildlife?  We discuss these and many other issues with today's inspiring guest - David Goldman.  David is the Chief Marketing and Revenue Officer at the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife in Australia.  A truly innovative model, the FNPW is the Charity Partner of Australia's Government, with a mission to safeguard their wilderness and wildlife for future generations.  To date, they have grown over ½ million trees to help heal bushfire-affected areas, and also invested over $60 million to purchase land and create more national parks since 2000 … to name just a few impacts of their fundraising activities.  David is an experienced Director with a demonstrated history of working in both the corporate and not-for-profit sectors, and he's been described as having a passion for doing things differently, which we drill into in this podcast.  In this episode, David shares his career journey - from marketing for Coca-Cola and News Corp to now working for a conservation charity - and he discusses the importance of conservationists communicating better the benefits of wildlife for people.  Finally, he also shares his advice for people like you who might be seeking to follow in his footsteps, along with his thoughts on how charities could achieve greater impacts in their work.  As always, it's a wide-ranging, wildlife-conserving and career-boosting chat. Enjoy. 

Why is communications so important for conservationists? What communications skills are employers are looking for? And how can you start developing these skills, today? We answer these questions and more in this special edition of the Conservation Careers Podcast. Sir David Attenborough said that "Conservation is now a communications challenge". Awareness of this challenge is growing rapidly and it's something we keep coming back to in conversations with podcast guests and in our communities at CC. Joining me for a deep dive into the importance of communications for conservationists are two guests from Team CC. Kristi Foster is our Head of Programmes, and Lloyd Gofton is our Head of Marketing and 'Communications for Conservation Projects' Course Leader. Each of shares our background in communications and experience with communications in the conservation sector. We answer questions like: Why is communications so important for conservationists? What skills are employers looking for, that we can develop in ourselves as aspiring or professional conservationists? We also share some tips about what you can do today to develop, polish and refine some of these skills - to have more impact and to become more employable. It's a fun, honest and inspiring conversation. Enjoy!

    What role do schoolchildren play in conservation efforts?   Why target them specifically, and how do you successfully establish and grow a conservation enterprise from scratch - now empowering over 13,000 young people to help tackle climate change and wildlife conservation.  That's what today's inspiring guest - Laura Dempsey - has achieved with Volunteers for Future.  Volunteers for Future harness the power of collaboration, bringing together passionate volunteers, young people, expert conservation organisations and schools.  They deliver action-led conservation and environmental workshops to help young people feel inspired, empowered and motivated to act.  They also support conservation charities to develop and enhance their volunteer programmes - scaling their impacts to the next level.  In this episode, we discuss Volunteers for Future - what is it, how it works, where it's going, how it was formed and how you can get involved.   Laura also shares how she's taken charge of her career journey, and her advice for people like you, who might be seeking to make a similar switch in their work.   Laura also provides simply the best answer to our regular question: “What do conservation organisations need to be better in order to have more impact?”. It's well worth listening to the end to hear her simple, yet inspiring idea.  As always it's a fun, inspiring and conservation-boosting discussion. Enjoy. 

How do people and nature interact? How does nature benefit people? Which interactions have the greatest impacts, and how can research into these questions help tackle some of the biggest issues facing wildlife today?  These are some of the questions which today's guest has dedicated his career to tackling.  Kevin Gaston is a Professor of Biodiversity and Conservation at the University of Exeter.  His work ranges from characterising people's personalised ecologies to identifying priority areas for nature recovery.  In this podcast, we talk about his fascinating research focus and also discuss an exciting five-year programme he's co-leading called RENEW.  This collaborative programme between the University of Exeter the National Trust and many other partners is seeking to reshape understanding and action on biodiversity renewal across scales, creating knowledge, and influencing national institutions, communities and individuals.   In this episode, we discuss his research focus, the RENEW programme, and his career journey so far. Kevin also shares his advice for aspiring conservation scientists, and also we discuss how the skills needed within the sector might be changing into the future.  It's a wide-ranging, interesting and impactful discussion.  Enjoy.

In conservation, some issues tend to get a lot of attention from the donors when other, equally important issues, can be ignored.  What do you do in this situation to raise the profile, and much-needed funding, to conserve the overlooked species, sites and ecosystems?  To discuss this and more we're speaking with Nina Seale from Synchronicity Earth.  Synchronicity Earth aims to be a different kind of conservation organisation. They are research-driven, raising and distributing donor funding to the conservation sector often towards the less-sexy areas of work.   As Communications Manager Nina's role is to tell the stories of the conservation organisations and individuals supported by Synchronicity Earth. A talented writer, we talk about her day-to-day work in Comms, along with her career path and advice for people like you who might be interested to follow in her footsteps.   We also discuss the importance of addressing the diversity deficit in conservation and the actions she's taken to found an Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Working Group at Synchronicity Earth.  The chat was recorded in front of a live audience of Conservation Careers Academy members, who got to ask their questions to Nina after the recording had finished.  If you'd like to be in the audience of our podcast recordings, along with enjoying access to the world's biggest conservation job board and a private members community of over 1,000 aspiring and professional conservationists, please check out the Conservation Careers Academy at www.conservation-careers.com/academy/  Ok, let's get into the wide-ranging and career-boosting discussion with Nina.  Enjoy.

Have you ever had a BIG idea that grabbed your attention and got you excited? And if you have, did you know how to start turning your idea into reality? Todays' guest is a career switcher doing just this.  Tara Phillips is a Ted-X speaker coach who is developing an exciting idea to start an inspiring physical space where people can learn, convene and campaign about soil and soil-related issues. Called The Soil Centre, she hopes it will lead to action being taken to conserve and regenerate the soil, which in turn, will result in wildlife and human health flourishing.  In this episode, we talk about her career to date and why she's seeking to switch careers into conservation. We also discuss how she's going about validating and refining her vision for The Soil Centre. Finally, she shares her pro tips for anyone wishing to take their presentations to the next level whilst also keeping nerves under control.  It's an inspiring, practical and wide-ranging podchat. Enjoy!

Many of us will have visited aquariums and marvelled at the marine life on display. But what role can an Aquarium have in supporting conservation efforts?  Here to discuss this and other topics is today's guest Elizabeth Stephenson.  Elizabeth is the Program Director of the New England Aquarium's Marine Conservation Action Fund - a grants programme that provides support for community-based and locally-managed marine conservation projects in low- and middle-income countries around the globe.   To date, Marine Conservation Action Fund (or MCAF as it's often termed) has supported over 200 projects in more than 60 countries across six continents.  In this episode, we talk about the work of the New England Aquarium in support of conservation efforts and also explore what the Marine Conservation Action Fund is, how it works, and how you could potentially benefit from it.  Elizabeth also shares what it's like to manage a programme such as this, along with her career journey and advice for people like you who might be interested to follow in her footsteps.  It's a marine-granting, locally-managed and community-based podcast episode.  Enjoy. 

In this special conversation we're celebrating the 100th episode of the Conservation Careers Podcast! The CC Podcast was launched on 21st June 2018, and over the past five years we've talked to so many different people within the conservation sector, played with the format and enjoyed the ride.  We're proud to say that we've had 152,136 unique podcast downloads and a typical episode gets 1,500 to 2,000 listeners. We also have a 5-star rating on Apple Podcasts and we're the top conservation podcast on Spotify! For our 100th episode, we reflect on the podcast journey so far and share some of the lessons learnt. We also take a look behind the scenes of the podcast - at how we pull it together and edit it - and share hints and tips we've picked up along the way. If you're interested in doing your own podcast, you might be able to take something away and start one for yourself (it's super easy!) Joining me for this episode is my 'partner in crime', Kristi Foster, Head of Engagement at CC. Most importantly thank YOU for being here and supporting the Conservation Careers Podcast - we hope you've enjoyed the journey too!

Our guest in this episode is a good friend and someone I've wanted to get on the show since day one.   Described as the real-life Indiana Jones, Niall McCann is a TV Presenter, Explorer, and Biologist.  Niall has travelled the planet on biological expeditions in some of the most remote parts of the globe, and joins the show today to discuss his role as Director of Conservation for National Park Rescue.  National Park Rescue is a direct-action conservation organisation that focuses on preventing the slaughter of elephants, rhinos and lions in sub-Saharan Africa. They rescue dying national parks to protect nature, alleviate poverty and tackle poaching.   In this engaging and wide-ranging discussion, recorded in front of a live audience, we discuss his work to establish National Park Rescue from the ground up. How do you identify failing national parks and approach them to help? How do you fund such work into the future, and what difference is their innovative approach making?  Niall also shares his career journey and advice for people like to you follow.  It's a must-listen episode.  Enjoy. 

In this very special episode of the podcast, we take you behind the scenes of our NEW Conservation Pathway Programme. The Conservation Pathway Programme is designed to help career switchers like you discover how to confidently switch your career to conservation with expert guidance and support. In this episode I'm joined by Starlight Mundy, Business Growth Strategist and Community Accelerator, who's working with us to take our community programmes to the next level. I'm also joined by Kristi Foster, Head of Engagement at Conservation Careers, who mapped the Key Conservation Roles and helped create the step-by-step process to becoming a conservationist. Together we talk about how we brought the Conservation Pathway Programme to life... from the initial vision, to the strategy, to why it's a total game-changer for career switchers and the conservation sector. Enjoy!

How do you switch careers from something entirely unrelated to wildlife and start to carve out a role for yourself in the conservation sector? How do you find your purpose, network effectively, get training support and secure high-quality experiences which can transform your work? In this episode, guest Edward Sanders discusses how he overcame these challenges and more. Ed has worked in the UK, Far East, Southern Africa, Middle East and Australasia in properly development and management for over 20 years. He spent a magical two years in Botswana in his early career, and has since held a passion to return to Africa and dedicate himself to wildlife conservation efforts. We've been supporting Ed on his career journey over the last six months, and he's stood out as a really engaged, dynamic and driven career switcher who's going places. I wanted to share his career journey and advice with you. During our chat we talk about his career background in property and real estate and also the practical steps he's taken to start transferring his skills into the conservation sector. From self reflection and Ikigai, to career planning, coaching and networking, Ed shares his honest experience, along with his practical tips for anyone to learn from. It's an inspiring, exciting and really useful podcast for anyone seeking to switch into or secure a career in conservation. Enjoy.  

Can you picture yourself rescuing, rehabilitating or even releasing individuals from a Critically Endangered species in the wild? Or translocating wolves from Canada to be released in Yellowstone National Park in the US? Those are just two examples of the work of Dr. Malcolm McAdie, a Canadian wildlife veterinarian who's worked with species such as wolves, snakes, Bald Eagle and Critically Endangered Vancouver Island Marmots. As a wildlife vet, Malcolm works with the Marmot Recovery Foundation, overseeing all the captive breeding and Marmot care, and rescuing and releasing Marmots. He also provides specialized care to all the animals at the North Island Wildlife Recovery Association, among many other exciting projects. In this episode, Malcolm shares his career journey, the highlights of being a wildlife vet, and the importance of sharing conservation success stories. He also explains some of the keys to his own career success - including being flexible and available, and making connections that led to work.

What role do zoos play in conservation, why is diversity important and how can you get upskilled to have more impact?  We discuss these topics in front of an audience from within our CC Pro community on today's podcast with Dr Helen Gath from the Durrell Conservation Academy.  Helen is a conservation ecologist passionate about enthusing others to protect the natural world. She holds a PhD on the Mauritius Echo parakeet and in her role as Conservation Training Officer enjoys collaborating with world-leading conservation practitioners to facilitate and deliver a wide range of training for aspiring and professional conservationists.  She shares what it's like to do her work day-today and also her career path; including some struggles along the way.  It's a wide-ranging, fun and inspiring chat where we also had a great chat with the audience after the recording ended.   As always, enjoy. 

Stella Diamant is a passionate conservation biologist who founded the Madagascar Whale Shark Project, introduced a code of conduct for whale shark tourism, initiated an environmental education programme for Malagasy youth, and has identified almost 500 individual Whale Sharks.   She's now working in collaboration with other NGOs and has helped ensure the code of conduct is being added to Malagasy law, and will soon be compulsory for all operators across Madagascar interacting with marine megafauna.   An old friend of CC, Stella talks candidly about her insights from her experience founding and running the NGO single-handedly. She talks passionately about why Whale Sharks matter and what she's doing to help conserve them. We also discuss her careers advice for budding marine conservationists.   This is also a new format of the podcast, where we invited our community members into the recording as an audience and invited them to ask questions of Stella once the mics were turned off.  If you'd like to be in the audience of our podcast recordings, please join the CC Academy and come along.   Righty, let's hand over Stella and get this show on the road… 

In this episode we're speaking with Lucy Standing, who's the Co-Founder of Brave Starts which offers career change and start-up business programmes to help people over 50 lead more purposeful lives.  Lucy talks openly about the challenges mature people face in their careers and within the workplace.  We discuss why age is being ignored in discussions about diversity and inclusion, and what can be done about it.  We cover a lot of really fascinating ground in this podchat, from her views of career advice to reforms needed in recruitment, to practical steps and advice for people seeking to switch gears in their careers when 50+ years old.  It's a really wide-ranging, engaging and value packed discussion.  Enjoy. 

Today we're speaking with ocean writer and PR freelancer Melissa Hobson.  Mel is passionate about communicating how we can all make a difference for the marine environment, our planet and people's lives.  She's a certified scuba diver and has worked in PR for over a decade – at first outside of conservation and then more recently turning her considerable talents towards helping wildlife to flourish.  During our chat we talk about her work in PR and writing and she shares tips on how to be a freelancer in conservation, win clients and craft messages that work.  We also discuss her squiggly career to date, and how we switched into wildlife conservation.  Finally Mel shares her advice for people who might be wishing to work in conservation too.  It's a wide-ranging, engaging and fun discussion.   Enjoy. 

  Today we're speaking with Valérie D'Hoedt Meyer, who is the Director of the IUCN Academy.  Launched in September 2021, the IUCN Academy seeks to harness expertise from within the International Union for Conservation of Nature network to provide training for those seeking to make a meaningful contribution to the dynamic world of conservation.   The IUCN is a membership Union uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations, and in the podcast we discuss what exactly it is and how it works.   We then talk about the IUCN Academy, before Valerie shares her career journey as a switcher – moving from law to education and finally into conservation.   She shares her careers advice for switchers, and also explains the IUCN recruitment process from an insider's perspective.   It's an interesting discussion about the role of education in conservation, and also the importance of resilience when switching careers.  Enjoy.