The Seed Pod.

In Episode 45 of The Seed Pod, guest Tobia Dale and I kōrero about all things native frogs here in Aotearoa. We dispel some common misconceptions about frogs, explore their fascinating life cycles, share some incredible illustrated resources, and highlight some conservation stories; from 'pickling pepekatua', to radio telemetry in the field. Tobia also celebrates her experiences overseas, working with poison dart frogs and the Panamanian golden toad, which is now extinct in the wild, fascinating herpetology conferences, and adventures searching for glass frogs in the wild. We explore the wonder of getting to know these often-overlooked animals, the importance of understanding their lives, and what we can learn from the work being done to protect them. This episode is a celebration of frogs, the people working to understand them, and the sense of wonder that comes from discovering just how much there is to learn about the natural world. Ngā mihi nui to NZ Frogs for supporting the production of this episode, and a three-part movement exploration reel series brought to life by Molly Lorraine O’Hagan, Elizabeth Werner and Ameka Weston.

In Episode 44 of The Seed Pod, guest Imogen (Mo) McRae and I kōrero about lost skills and traditional crafts, with a particular focus on tanning and brikkevev (card weaving). We explore the wonder of foraging, how careful observation becomes part of everyday life through bike touring, and why sharing knowledge matters when it comes to preventing the loss of skills and resources. We also talk about developing a deeper appreciation for animals and the resources they provide beyond meat, including the huge amounts of time, care and gratitude involved in turning those resources into useful products that can outlast synthetic alternatives. Mo shares her perspectives on the challenges within the leather industry, dealing with hate online, and the idea of moving from cradle-to-grave products towards more circular, cradle-to-cradle approaches to design. And, of course, we get into the slightly unexpected world of roadkill roadtrips?!

In Episode 43 of The Seed Pod, guest Grace Jacobs Corban and I explore the fascinating connections between space, maths, nature, and the patterns that shape our world. We discuss moon phases, Matariki, maramataka, and the value of careful observation in understanding seasonal cycles and our local environments. We also dive into NASA’s Artemis missions, the perspective astronauts gain when viewing Earth from space, and how space exploration can inspire a deeper appreciation for our planet. Along the way, Grace shares hidden maths in nature, from honeycomb and snowflakes to Saturn’s giant hexagon, and reflects on how curiosity, pattern-seeking, and interdisciplinary thinking help us make sense of the world around us. This episode is a celebration of wonder, observation, and the connections between Earth, space, and ourselves.

In Episode 42 of The Seed Pod, guest Kai Lane and I explore what it means to learn from and care for Country through observation, story, and shared knowledge. We dive into Aboriginal perspectives on seasons, sky knowledge, and natural indicators, looking at how reading the land, water, and wildlife can guide everything from understanding animal behaviour to informing food gathering and restoration work. Kai shares powerful insights into intergenerational knowledge, including his captivating Dreamtime story about the zombie fish, and how storytelling can share ecological and social wisdom. We also talk about natural habitat additions, celebrate local landscape-scale wetland restoration, and discuss the role of games and instruments like the didgeridoo in keeping knowledge alive and accessible. This episode weaves together culture, ecology, and connection, reminding us that nature is always communicating; we just need to know how to listen.

In Episode 41 of The Seed Pod , we’re joined by Arabella Crowley, an Australian marine biologist. We kōrero about her work studying coral reefs and butterflyfish on the Great Barrier Reef, what day-to-day fieldwork looks like beneath the surface, and how scientists communicate and take notes underwater. Arabella also shares unforgettable encounters with sea turtles and bait balls, and reflects on how she stays hopeful while witnessing mass coral bleaching events first-hand.

In Episode 40 of The Seed Pod, we’re joined by Andy Johnston, aka The Creature Teacher. We kōrero about science communication, giant wētā conservation, jaguar encounters in Brazil, and unpack some of the recent headlines around de-extinction.

In Episode 39 of The Seed Pod, guest Sam Ludden and I kōrero about art inspired by deep connections to tuna and awa ecosystems, mahi with iwi, mokopuna decisions, programmes that are healing intergenerational trauma through nature connection, and his adventures with whānau through syntropic food forestry and unschooling.

In Episode 38 of The Seed Pod, guest Julia Palmer and I take a deep dive into the wild and wonderful world of invertebrates. We nerd out over bug fieldwork, common misconceptions, the vital roles they play, and how species ID doesn't have to be daunting. Julia shares stories from her after-dark mountain adventures, her time exploring the Sub-Antarctic Islands, and how iNaturalist and nature clubs foster community and connection. We also chat about photography, fascinating species interactions, and why observing who’s hanging out with whom can reveal more than searching for the bugs sometimes... and how parasitic worms can hypnotise spiders?! You don’t want to miss this one.

In Episode 37 of The Seed Pod, guest Vitor Velez (@theheadlessketcher) and I dive deep into his unique nature art style that blends scientific drawing and nature journaling. We discuss adventures, sources of inspiration, nature observation, fascinating facts, the finer details, colours, layers and style, and how outside of the page is one of the most important parts of any drawing. We also share in our love for native birds of Aotearoa and the unique ecological context present.

In Episode 36 of The Seed Pod, guest Abby Patterson and I kōrero/chat about conservation and advocacy through online science communication, her alphabet elevator pitches, wellbeing and nature connection, the overcomplication of climate action leading to disengaged citizens... and we reminisce about birthday parties as children.

In Episode 35 of The Seed Pod, guest Ryan Yohler shares stories from his studies in geology/geophysics and evolution. We discuss glaciers, slow slip events (similar energy release as earthquakes over time), mass extinction events, museums, Human evolution, and fossil discoveries. Ryan has been all over the world as part of these studies, and has met 'Lucy' and 'Ardi' our early human-like ancestors found in Africa. We talk about tracing history from apes to humans through bones, and the impacts of transitioning from climbing to being bipedal. As a passion project on the side, Ryan and his friends have studied the fossil record to investigate what our future records could look like... and let's just say future paleontologists may be a bit stumped!

In Episode 34 of The Seed Pod, Julie and I kōrero about all things conservation dogs and biosecurity in Aotearoa/New Zealand, including the rigorous training and testing required to become a conservation dog, what it's like working with a dog day-to-day, the biosecurity work they have taken part in, some great success stories, and her dreams for conservation here in Aotearoa.

In Episode 33 of The Seed Pod, Benji and I have a kōrero about the earth sciences, volcanology and geology field trips, submarine volcanoes (underwater volcanology), youth engagement, developing pro-environmental behaviours, storytelling, mātauranga māori, policy development, collaboration and more!

In Episode 32 we have collected together kōrero/stories from a range of incredible people in the community who take part in sports similar to those seen in the 2024 Paris Olympics. These sports showcase a diversity of opportunities for building mind and body connection as well as connection to the environment, places, people and identity. Ngā mihi nui/Thank you very much to our contributors: - Hana Tapiata (Amora ofa'ai/Tahitian Rock Lifting) - Jaeda Ala’alatoa-Dale (Archery) - Jess Lamb (Trail Ultramarathon Running) - Hannah Thomas (Canoe Slalom) - Ella Walmsley (Mountain Biking) - Lisa Chahine (Equestrian) - Brenda Lawson (Rowing) - Jono Kidson (Sailing) - Angus & Sian Crowley (Sport Climbing) - Sian Crowley (Target Shooting) - Alice McCullough (Surfing)

In Episode 31 of The Seed Pod, we have a kōrero with guest Anthea Ibell about her incredible scuba diving experiences including her love for sharks and her conservation work overseas with sea turtles and community education! Anthea is a sustainable business founder/owner with several businesses which tackle waste reduction and advocacy utilising plastic 'waste' to create beautiful products, and breaking into the toy industry! She talks about her experiences in business, and some of the challenges, as well as her parenting experiences through nature connection.

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 27 of The Seed Pod. guest Holly Turner talks all things birds of prey! She has been lucky enough to work with a variety of incredible birds both overseas (including vultures, eagles, owls, hawks, and more) and right here in Aotearoa/NZ with the kārearea/NZ Falcon. We discuss how unique our falcons are here, release programmes, human-wildlife conflict, bird training, zookeeping, community projects, education, and adventures with Griffin (@ gooodboygriffin ) her beautiful Golden Retriever!

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!