Natural Wanders - The Plodcast.: Recent Episodes
Mandi Stark
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.
Wasps, 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 book.
The Hidden World: How Insects Sustain Life on Earth and Will Shape Our Lives Tomorrow will be published in hardback on 2nd February 2023.
Website: georgemcgavin.com/
Oxford Museum of Natural History: oumnh.ox.ac.uk/people/george-mcgavin
Twitter: @georgemcgavin
Management: jowandermanagement.com/clients/georgemcgavin.php
For more information about Natural Wanders, go to: www.thebiglight.com/naturalwanders
Series 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-94551159
Press: variety.com/2022/tv/global/national-geographic-tom-mcdonald-bbc-1235207928/
realscreen.com/2022/03/17/nat-geo-brings-on-bbcs-tom-mcdonald-as-evp-global-factualunscripted/
www.televisual.com/news/wildscreen-festival-tom-mcdonald-reveals-nat-geo-wishlist/
For more information about Natural Wanders, go to: www.thebiglight.com/naturalwanders
In 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.walkerphotography.1
Dynasties II Hyena: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0016ckz
For more information about Natural Wanders, go to: www.thebiglight.com/naturalwanders
In 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/gillians_voice?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
For more information about Natural Wanders, go to: www.thebiglight.com/naturalwanders
Grease 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/joskyn/
Scot Squad: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b06kw5fq/scot-squad
River City: www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m0016njm/river-city-18042022
Agent: theartistspartnership.co.uk/artist/jordan-young/
For more information about Natural Wanders, go to: www.thebiglight.com/naturalwanders
In 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 Newsnight: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006mk25
Womanhood – BBC iPlayer: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0011xgn
Website (with book links): www.blackpeppermedia.com/
For more information about Natural Wanders, go to: thebiglight.com/naturalwanders
In 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.waterstones.com/book/journeys-in-the-wild/gavin-thurston/sir-david-attenborough/9781841883113
TedX talk: m.youtube.com/watch?v=Bq0NzqLmLvA
2021 Emmy win: emmys.com/video/2021-cae/cinematography-nonfiction
For more information about Natural Wanders, go to: www.thebiglight.com/naturalwanders
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 as an inspiration, driving technology forward and the power of music.
Website: maxcooper.net
Spotify: open.spotify.com › artistMax Cooper | Spotify
Max’s YouTube channel: m.youtube.com/channel/UCuisDAMnvHMYuLFRedMgmVw
‘Live at the Acropolis’s’ trailer: Max Cooper - Live at the Acropolis trailer6.1K views4 months ago
m.youtube.com/watch?v=GvwayRd9gbw
Facebook: facebook.com/maxcoopermax
Instagram: instagram.com/maxcoopermax?utm_medium=copy_link
Music credit and with thanks to: meshmeshmesh.net
For more information about Natural Wanders, go to: thebiglight.com/naturalwanders
In 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/name/nm1624755/
My Octopus Teacher Trailer: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=3s0LTDhqe5A
2021 Academy Awards win: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=2T9f3RKLU5w
For more information about Natural Wanders, go to: www.thebiglight.com/naturalwanders
Watch 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/book/bitch/lucy-cooke/9780857524133
Jo Sarsby: www.josarsby.com/lucy-cooke
TED Talk: www.ted.com/speakers/lucy_cooke
Radio 4 Woman's Hour: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0014wt2
Political Animals: www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m0014gt9
For more information about Natural Wanders, go to: thebiglight.com/naturalwanders
In 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/JeremyWadeOfficial
facebook.com/RiverMonsters
River Monsters YouTube: m.youtube.com/channel/UComwL29zYKujb1JhkB0EcGA
Book - ‘How to Think Like a Fish': jeremywade.co.uk/books
For more information about Natural Wanders, go to: www.thebiglight.com/naturalwanders
Natural 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.com/lizzie-daly
Instagram: https://instagram.com/lizziedalywild?utm_medium=copy_link
YouTube: https://m.youtube.com/c/LizzieDalyWildlifeTV
Billon Pound Fish doc: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=xNypmawFLdI
For more information about Natural Wanders, go to: www.thebiglight.com/naturalwanders
In 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_garrod
Aust Cliffs: https://ukfossils.co.uk/2010/03/04/aust-cliff/
Secret Life of Bones
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b03vrtkp
Baby Chimp Rescue
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/m000d8x8/baby-chimp-rescue-series-1-1-miracles-can-happen
For more information about Natural Wanders, go to: www.thebiglight.com/naturalwanders
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 for the future of our planet.
Animals With Cameras 2
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000zqvw
Cheetah Family & Me
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000r03y
Trees for Life
https://treesforlife.org.uk
Loch Lomond
https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/plan-your-visit/
West Highland Way
https://www.westhighlandway.org
https://www.josarsby.com/gordon-buchanan
Insta
https://www.instagram.com/gordonbuchanan_wildlife/
https://www.facebook.com/gordonjbuchanan
For more information about the podcast, go to: www.thebiglight.com/naturalwanders
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.
Artist 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.
In 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.
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.
Wildlife 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.
In 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.
In 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.
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
In 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.