Natural Wanders is a 'Plodcast' that gets you outside to connect with people and nature. In each episode, Mandi Stark is joined for a chat by a guest wanderer from the worlds of TV, film, wildlife or conservation as they take an exploratory plod around a wild place they love.
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Jack Bootle ‘I think it’s the best job in TV, truly’
52:09
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52:09In this episode of the Plodcast we go for a wander with the Head of Specialist Factual Commissioning at the BBC, Jack Bootle. In the heart of London we chat about being a TV addict, his career path to commissioning and predicting the future. Series we chat about: Big Cats 24/7 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m002262z Wild Isles https://www.bbc.co.…
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Charlie Hamilton-James ‘I want you to look at a picture that’s so disturbing that you can’t help thinking, holy s**t, that’s so beautiful.’
52:43
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52:43In the first episode of Season 4 we go for a walk in the Wiltshire countryside with wildlife filmmaker and photographer Charlie Hamilton-James. We chat about filming two of the UK’s most loved species, his emotional journey behind this camera and scrolling to indifference. Follow us on Instagram @Plodcast.com Find out more about Charlie and his End…
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Jamie McPherson ‘What I find most exciting is just different ways of telling stories’
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38:57In this final episode of season 3 we go for a West Country wander with wildlife cinematographer Jamie McPherson. We chat about starting in TV, immersive gimbal filming and seeing dinosaurs everywhere. Website https://www.jamiemcpherson.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/byjamiemcpherson/ Twitter https://twitter.com/jamiemcphers0n?lang=en TV Li…
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Lis Oakham - ‘We do need to ask less of the planet’
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43:07In this week’s episode we go for a wintery wander with award-winning wildlife filmmaker and climate activist Lis Oakham. Along the banks of the Frome we chat about her path into the industry, filming plants and people for The Green Planet and reducing our environmental impact. Twitter: @MsOakham The Green Planet: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0013cl7 L…
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Bertie Gregory: ‘I’m very lucky that I get to work with great teams’
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41:47Deer, drones & diving! Presenter, filmmaker & explorer Bertie Gregory joins us in this episode for a winter walk in Bristol. We chat about his career, from getting started in the industry to his massive series of ‘Epic Adventures’ for Disney+. TV Epic Adventures: www.disneyplus.com/en-gb/series/epic-adventures-with-bertie-gregory/4As67yVT9IiU Wild …
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Dan O'Neill: ‘I’m not afraid to be afraid’
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44:29In this episode of the Plodcast we go for a London wander with wildlife filmmaker and presenter Dan O’Neill. In the heart of the capital we chat about Dan’s eclectic passions, from saving snow leopards to exploring Guayana’s Rewa River, making music for Cate Blanchett, and being the first openly LGBTQIA+ natural history presenter to carry a show. T…
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Dr Rutendo Shackleton: ‘I like when our world and the natural world collide’
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39:06‘Love like a mustard seed!’ In this episode of Natural Wanders we go for a plod with the fantastic conservation scientist and presenter Dr Rutendo Shackleton. While battling the elements in Cheshire, we chat about the social bonds of elephants, sharing space with nature and hosting the BBC Earth podcast. BBC Earth podcast: www.bbcearth.com/podcast …
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Erland Cooper: ‘What music can do is help communicate stories’
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44:36In this week’s episode of Natural Wanders we meet with Orcadian composer and multi-instrumentalist Erland Cooper. From Stromness to the city of London, we chat about being inspired by the people and nature of his Orkney home, breaking into school and planting an album in the earth. Website: www.erlandcooper.com Spotify: spotify.com/artist/636k3cBTC…
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Dr George McGavin: 'If we have a salvation, it is in science'
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42:14Wasps, beetles, botfly and beyond! In this episode we go for a Hampshire plod with the brilliant entomologist and presenter Dr George McGavin. We chat about incredible insects, his latest book, overcoming a stammer and the wonder of science. George’s new book, All Creatures Small and Great: How Insects Make the World, is available now as an audio b…
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Tom McDonald: ‘I’ve always felt my job was to be the audience’
52:53
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52:53Series 3 has landed! In this first episode of the new series we go for a wander with National Geographic executive vice president, Tom McDonald. In the heart of London we chat about commissioning in today’s TV landscape, avid soap-watching with his family and the solace of nature. Tom McDonald on Linkedin Press: uk.linkedin.com/in/tom-mcdonald-9455…
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Tom Walker: ‘It’s something that I never want to take for granted’
38:42
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38:42In the last episode of season 2, Mandi meets wildlife cameraman Tom Walker. While wandering on the Somerset coast they chat about capturing landscapes, his journey into the industry and filming hyenas for Dynasties II. Website: www.tomwalkerphotography.co.uk Instagram: instagram.com/tomwalkercam?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Facebook: www.facebook.com/tom.wa…
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Gillian Burke: ‘A small little moment can alter someone’s course’
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49:49In a blustery Cornwall we meet biologist, writer and presenter Gillian Burke. We chat about Gillian’s career path from behind to in front of the camera, unpopular options and living like it’s 1999. The Watches: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000ww4q www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/p09y9cpy Website: www.gillianburkevoice.com Instagram: instagram.com/g…
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Jordan Young: ‘I love Scotland, I love being Scottish’
42:48
42:48
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42:48Grease is the word! In this episode I take a walk down memory lane with one of the best-known faces on Scottish Television, the actor Jordan Young. Near his Dunbartonshire home we chew the fat about school days, his roles in River City and Scot Squad and the play that started it all. Twitter: twitter.com/joskyn100 Instagram: www.instagram.com/josky…
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Kirsty Wark: ‘We are a programme where everybody’s idea is welcome’
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30:55In the grounds of Pollok House, Mandi searches for signs of spring with one of Britain’s most experienced television journalists, Kirsty Wark. They chat about the history of Pollok, working on Newsnight and raising awareness of issues affecting women of all ages. Twitter: twitter.com/kirstywark?lang=en Instagram: instagram.com/kirsty_wark_/ BBC New…
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Gavin Thurston: ‘There’s still lots of wild places’
50:39
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50:39In this episode we meet with multi-award-winning wildlife cinematographer Gavin Thurston. On his allotment, we chat about storytelling in natural history, filming the deep ocean from a submersible and finding the joy in nature close to home. Instagram: instagram.com/thegavinthurston?utm_medium=copy_link Twitter: twitter.com/GavinThurston Book: www.…
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In this episode we go for a walk in the Kent countryside and a wander into the brilliant mind of Max Cooper. Drawing on his fascination with science and nature, Max is a genuinely unique artist whose live performances combine electronic music and audio-visuals to create a deeply immersive experience. While plodding in the forest we discuss nature a…
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James Reed: ‘Suddenly I had a job in telly’
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49:33
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49:33In this episode of Natural Wanders, we meet with director and producer, James Reed. From studying zoology to winning an academy award, we discuss James’ career path and three of his standout films to date; ‘Jago: A life underwater’, ‘Rise of the Warrior Apes and ‘My Octopus Teacher’. Website: https://www.underdog-films.com/ IMDb: https://m.imdb.com…
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Lucy Cooke: 'Variety is the grit that drives evolution forward’
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50:12Watch out Mr Darwin! In this episode of Natural Wanders we meet with author, presenter and zoologist Lucy Cooke. While plodding in Pett Level, we discuss the influences on Lucy’s career from Darwin to Dawkins and how her new book is redefining evolution and the female animal. Website: www.lucycooke.tv/about/ New Book – Bitch: www.waterstones.com/bo…
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Jeremy Wade: "Everybody is fascinated by predators”
47:24
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47:24In this episode of Natural Wanders we meet iconic angler and presenter Jeremy Wade. While walking the banks of his local river we chat about the plight of freshwater, catching River Monsters and how to think like a fish. Website: jeremywade.co.uk Instagram: instagram.com/thisisjeremywade?utm_medium=copy_link Facebook: facebook.com/JeremyWadeOfficia…
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Lizzie Daly: ‘You totally have a place in the conversation’
51:48
51:48
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51:48Natural Wanders returns! In this episode of the Plodcast we meet with scientist, presenter, and adventurer Lizzie Daly. Before taking a wintery dip, we chat about her route into broadcasting, her passion for British wildlife and how everyone can be involved in the fight for climate action. Website: https://www.lizziedaly.com/ https://www.josarsby.c…
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Professor Ben Garrod: 'There's still so much that we can do'
50:43
50:43
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50:43In this second episode of season 2 we go fossil hunting with evolutionary biologist and conservationist, Professor Ben Garrod. While combing the shores of the Severn we chat about being a geek, serving soup to Jane Goodall and what a 1.5 degree rise really means for the planet. https://www.bengarrod.co.uk/about Twitter: @Ben_garrod Instagram: ben_g…
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The Plodcast is back! In the first episode of season 2 we go for a wander in one of Scotland’s most iconic locations with wildlife cameraman and presenter Gordon Buchanan. On the bonny banks, just a stone’s throw from his home in Glasgow, we chat about land use and rewilding, Gordon’s 30-year career behind and in front of the camera and his hopes f…
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Lions and tigers and bears, oh my! In our last episode of the season, conservationist Giles Clark takes us for a Plod around the Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent as we chat about big cats in captivity, being hands-on and protecting species in the wild.By Mandi Stark
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Jason Singh: 'You can't put nature in a box and contain it'
48:49
48:49
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48:49Artist Jason Singh takes us for a plod up north, as we chat about the sounds of nature, the power of music and finding his voice.By Mandi Stark
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John Aitchison: 'I wish we could do more'
48:39
48:39
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48:39In our first Plod on Scottish soil, wildlife cameraman John Aitchison takes us for a wander on the west coast as we chat about belonging, a big bunch of geese and the power of nature.By Mandi Stark
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On your marks, get set, plod! Bake Off's Briony Williams joins us for this episode of the Plodcast as we chat about cakes, disability, mental health and acceptance.By Mandi Stark
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Sophie Darlington: 'I think we have an emotional connection to beauty'
44:36
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44:36Wildlife camerawoman Sophie Darlington joins us for a wander in the rain in our latest Plodcast, as we chat about diversity, how we portray nature and the tree that started it all.By Mandi Stark
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Marvin Rees: 'Once you're there, you can change things'
48:33
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48:33In this episode of the Plodcast, Mayor of Bristol Marvin Rees takes us for a wander round his old stomping ground in Eastville Park as we talk childhood adventures, life in politics and being a voice for the voiceless.By Mandi Stark
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Aldo Kane: 'Everything just went click into place'
44:21
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44:21In this episode of the Plodcast, adventurer Aldo Kane takes us for a wander round the Avon Gorge as we chat about life beyond the Commandos, mental health and breaking into TV.By Mandi Stark
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In our second Plodcast, composer Steven Price takes us for a wander in Surrey as we chat about his early fascination with music, writing for Sir David Attenborough and his Oscars acceptance speech. To listen to Steven's Natural Wanders playlist click here
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Joe Sims: 'Life's Short; Act Accordingly'
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41:40In our first ever Plodcast, Bristolian actor Joe Sims takes us for a wander around one of his favourite wild spaces as we chat about life, political broadcasts and almost appearing on The Really Wild Show.By Joe Sims
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