Episodes

  • Ep.39 Tuna/Eels and Syntropic Food Forests - Sam Ludden
    Oct 24 2025

    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.

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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Ep.38 Invertebrates & Remote Nature - Julia Palmer
    Jul 2 2025

    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.

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    53 mins
  • Ep.37 Nature Journaling/Scientific Drawing - Vitor Velez
    Apr 7 2025

    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.

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    1 hr and 8 mins
  • Ep.36 Science Communication - Abby Patterson
    Mar 5 2025

    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.


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    40 mins
  • Ep.35 Geology, Geography & Evolution - Ryan Yohler
    Dec 15 2024
    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!
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    48 mins
  • Ep.34 Conservation Dogs & Biosecurity - Julie Hill
    Oct 25 2024

    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.

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    31 mins
  • Ep.33 Youth Engagement & Earth Science - Benji Moorhouse
    Sep 24 2024

    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!

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    53 mins
  • Ep.32 Sport and Nature Connection - Our Community
    Jul 26 2024

    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)

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    1 hr and 5 mins