Good Natured

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Welcome to Good Natured, a Conservation Optimism podcast, where you can join us for uplifting chats that shine a light on conservation challenges. In each episode, we interview an inspiring conservationist. Our guests come from a variety of backgrounds – artists, scientists, business owners, and activists – and engage with conservation in a variety of ways. We talk about their challenges and successes, and their hopes for the future of nature.

Oxford University


    • Mar 10, 2022 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 26m AVG DURATION
    • 35 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Good Natured

    Rock'n'roll for wolves with Jen GaNun

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 10, 2022 37:41


    In this final episode for Season 2, Julia and Sofia talk to dancer, choreographer and singer Jen Ganun about leveraging the power of rock and roll for wolf conservation in Colorado. The transcript for this episode is available here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/GN-S02EP08_Jen-GaNun_Transcript.pdf

    Exploring the treetops with Tim Kovar

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2022 29:21


    In this episode, Julia and Sofia talk to tree climber Tim Kovar about trees, inclusivity and connecting people with nature. The transcript for this episode is available here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GN-S02EP07_Tim-Kovar.pdf

    Exploring the treetops with Tim Kovar

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 17, 2022 29:21


    In this episode, Julia and Sofia talk to tree climber Tim Kovar about trees, inclusivity and connecting people with nature. The transcript for this episode is available here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/01/GN-S02EP07_Tim-Kovar.pdf

    Culture and conservation with Miriam Supuma

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 17, 2021 27:15


    In this episode, Julia and Sofia talk to conservationist Miriam Supuma about traditional knowledge, birds of paradise and the role of cultural identity in preserving biodiversity. The full transcript for this episode can be found here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/GN_S02EP06.pdf

    Artivism and conservation with Sofiya Shukhova

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2021 29:13


    In this episode, Julia and Sofia talk to artivist Sofiya Shukhova about the complexities of the wildlife trade and finding inspiration in unexpected places. The transcript for this episode is available here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Transcript-S02EP05_Sofiya-Shukhova.pdf

    Artivism and conservation with Sofiya Shukhova

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2021 29:13


    In this episode, Julia and Sofia talk to artivist Sofiya Shukhova about the complexities of the wildlife trade and finding inspiration in unexpected places. The transcript for this episode is available here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Transcript-S02EP05_Sofiya-Shukhova.pdf

    Artivism and conservation with Sofiya Shukhova (Transcript)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2021


    In this episode, Julia and Sofia talk to artivist Sofiya Shukhova about the complexities of the wildlife trade and finding inspiration in unexpected places. The transcript for this episode is available here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/Transcript-S02EP05_Sofiya-Shukhova.pdf

    Artivism and conservation with Sofiya Shukhova

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 8, 2021 29:13


    In this episode, Julia and Sofia talk to artivist Sofiya Shukhova about the complexities of the wildlife trade and finding inspiration in unexpected places. The transcript for this episode is available here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/GN_Transcript-S02EP5_Sofiya-Shukhova.pdf

    Becoming a field conservationist with Rachel Ashegbofe Ikemeh

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2021 33:56


    In this episode, Sofia and Julia talk to conservationist Rachel Ashegbofe Ikemeh about conserving chimpanzees, the importance of mentorship, and also being a woman in the field. A content warning for this episode, please note that we are discussing sexual harassment between 18.30 and 20 minutes so you can skip that part of the episode if you don't wish to listen to that discussion. The transcript for this episode is available here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Transcript-S2-E04_Rachel-Ashegbofe-Ikemeh.pdf.

    Becoming a field conservationist with Rachel Ashegbofe Ikemeh

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 4, 2021 33:56


    In this episode, Sofia and Julia talk to conservationist Rachel Ashegbofe Ikeme about conserving chimpanzees, the importance of mentorship, and also being a woman in the field. A content warning for this episode, please note that we are discussing sexual harassment between 18.30 and 20 minutes so you can skip that part of the episode if you don't wish to listen to that discussion. The transcript for this episode is available here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/10/Transcript-S2-E04_Rachel-Ashegbofe-Ikemeh.pdf.

    Polar pursuits with Tom Hart

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2021 32:32


    In this episode, Sofia and Julia talk to penguinologist Tom Hart about the dynamics of polar ecosystems and creating a sense of home in remote places. The transcript for this episode is available here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Good-Natured_S02EP03_Tom-Hart.pdf.

    Shifting perspectives with Sara Lil Middleton

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 10, 2021 31:34


    In this episode, Julia and Sofia talk to plant ecologist Sara Lil Middleton about seeing beyond the “green carpet” to understand grasses and climate change and her work to promote equality and diversity in the biological sciences. The transcript for this episode is available here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Good-Natured_S02E02_Sara-Lil-Middleton.pdf

    Inspiring love for insects with Dino Martins

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 16, 2021 34:19


    In this episode, Sofia and Julia talk to Kenyan entomologist Dino Martins about his passion for insects, the importance of art, and his work engaging farmers in conservation. The transcript for this episode is available here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Good-Natured_S02E01_Dino-Martins.pdf

    Nature Notes: Spotting tree kangaroos with Danny Nane

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2021 5:31


    In this week's Nature Note, Danny shares his childhood experience with endangered Matschie's tree kangaroos in Papua New Guinea's first protected area. The transcript for this episode can be found here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/08/Good-Natured_Danny-Nane.pdf

    Nature Notes: Smelling sage with Mike Clark

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 30, 2021 5:44


    In this week's Nature Note, Mike transports us to a sagebrush prairie in Montana and reconciles big spaces with small details. The transcript for this episode can be found here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Good-Natured_Mike-Clark.pdf

    Nature Notes: Monitoring Scottish wildcats with Lara Semple

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 22, 2021 5:50


    In this week's Nature Notes mini-episode, we hear from Lara Semple about how monitoring Scottish wildcats led to the most exciting text she ever received. The transcript for this episode is available here (https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/07/Good-Natured_Lara-Semple.pdf)

    Nature Notes: Searching for Red Squirrels in Tresco with Joe Woodman

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2021 6:05


    Join us for our very first Nature Notes mini-episode to hear from DPhil student Joe Woodman. You'll get to hear all about his experience searching for red squirrels on the British island of Tresco.

    Marine conservation with Angelique Songco

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2020 33:02


    Sofia and Julia talk to Filipina marine conservationist and diver, Angelique Songco! They end season 1 by discussing the evolution of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, the importance of working with different stakeholders to achieve conservation success. And the awe that being in the ocean can bring. Full transcript available here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Good-Natured_Episode-11_Angelique-Songco.pdf

    Marine conservation with Angelique Songco (Transcript)

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2020


    Sofia and Julia talk to Filipina marine conservationist and diver, Angelique Songco! They end season 1 by discussing the evolution of Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park, the importance of working with different stakeholders to achieve conservation success. And the awe that being in the ocean can bring. Full transcript available here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Good-Natured_Episode-11_Angelique-Songco.pdf

    Activism and Ecopoetry with Homero Aridjis

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 3, 2020 29:17


    On this episode, Sofia and Julia talk to Mexican ecopoet, activist, and ex-diplomat, Homero Aridjis! They discuss the symbolism of nature, the importance of working with artists, and how a bright butterfly from Homero's childhood inspired him to act for nature. Full transcript available here: https://conservationoptimism.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Good-Natured_Episode-10_Homero-Aridjis_Transcript.pdf.

    Rescuing rare plants with Carlos Magdalena

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2020 31:41


    On this episode, Sofia and Julia talk to horticulturist Carlos Magdalena, also known as the Plant Messiah. We talk about the importance of plants in our day to day life, ways to make people care about them more and his conservation work at Kew Gardens.

    Rescuing rare plants with Carlos Magdalena (Transcript)

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 24, 2020


    On this episode, Sofia and Julia talk to horticulturist Carlos Magdalena, also known as the Plant Messiah. We talk about the importance of plants in our day to day life, ways to make people care about them more and his conservation work at Kew Gardens.

    Crowdsourcing conservation with Meredith Palmer

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2020 24:58


    On this episode, Sofia and Julia talk to ecologist Meredith Palmer about the power of citizen science, the importance of inclusivity and some of the surprising discoveries her research has uncovered in the Serengeti.

    Combatting loneliness with Jessie Panazzolo

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2020 29:10


    Combatting loneliness with Jessie Panazzolo On this episode, Sofia and Julia talk to Jessie Panazzolo the founder of Lonely Conservationists, an online platform which supports conservationists. We discuss the importance to save those who are saving the world, the feeling of impostor syndrome and the liberation that comes with being able to share stories of difficulty and failure.

    Theatre & Conservation with Tom Bailey

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2020 33:01


    This week Sofia and Julia talk to British theatre maker and director Tom Bailey about the ways he integrates conservation topics in his pieces, the inspiration behind his work and the importance of creativity to reach different audiences.

    Theatre & Conservation with Tom Bailey (Transcript)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2020


    This week Sofia and Julia talk to British theatre maker and director Tom Bailey about the ways he integrates conservation topics in his pieces, the inspiration behind his work and the importance of creativity to reach different audiences.

    Sparking change with Purnima Devi Barman

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2020 26:11


    This week Sofia and Julia talk to Indian conservationist Purnima Devi Barman about her fight to protect the greater adjutant stork, the importance of involving women in conservation and the power of creating new traditions.

    Sparking change with Purnima Devi Barman (Transcript)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2020


    This week Sofia and Julia talk to Indian conservationist Purnima Devi Barman about her fight to protect the greater adjutant stork, the importance of involving women in conservation and the power of creating new traditions.

    Saving species with Carl Jones

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2020 33:39


    On this episode, Sofia and Julia talk with Carl Jones, a Welsh biologist renowned for saving multiple bird species in Mauritius. We discover that saving a species is not that straightforward as Carl discusses the challenges he faced along the way and we get a glimpse of his vision for the future of nature.

    Empowering conservation with Megan Cromp

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020 24:59


    In this episode, Sofia and Julia talk with the founder and CEO of Key Conservation, Megan Cromp. Key is a transformational new app that aims to help empower conservationists around the world.

    Empowering conservation with Megan Cromp (Transcript)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 16, 2020


    In this episode, Sofia and Julia talk with the founder and CEO of Key Conservation, Megan Cromp. Key is a transformational new app that aims to help empower conservationists around the world.

    Eco-anxiety with Caroline Hickman

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2020 32:03


    This week Sofia and Julia talk to climate psychologist Caroline Hickman about eco-anxiety, climate grief and the power of young climate activists.

    Eco-anxiety with Caroline Hickman (Transcript)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 2, 2020


    This week Sofia and Julia talk to climate psychologist Caroline Hickman about eco-anxiety, climate grief and the power of young climate activists.

    Community conservation with Caleb Ofori-Boateng

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2020 24:22


    Welcome to Good Natured, a Conservation Optimism podcast, where you can join us for uplifting chats that shine a light on conservation challenges. In each episode, we interview an inspiring conservationist. Our guests come from a variety of backgrounds – artists, scientists, business owners, and activists – and engage with conservation in a variety of ways. We talk about their challenges and successes, and their hopes for the future of nature. This week Sofia and Julia talk to Caleb Ofori-Boateng about his inspiring work conserving amphibians in Ghana and learn about the concept of conservation evangelism.

    Community conservation with Caleb Ofori-Boateng (Transcript)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 20, 2020


    Welcome to Good Natured, a Conservation Optimism podcast, where you can join us for uplifting chats that shine a light on conservation challenges. In each episode, we interview an inspiring conservationist. Our guests come from a variety of backgrounds – artists, scientists, business owners, and activists – and engage with conservation in a variety of ways. We talk about their challenges and successes, and their hopes for the future of nature. This week Sofia and Julia talk to Caleb Ofori-Boateng about his inspiring work conserving amphibians in Ghana and learn about the concept of conservation evangelism.

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