Into The Planet Podcast: Recent Episodes
Jill Heinerth
JILL HEINERTH is a Canadian cave diver, underwater explorer, writer, photographer, and filmmaker. She is a veteran of over thirty years of filming, photography, and exploration on projects in submerged caves around the world. She has made TV series, consulted on movies, written several books and is a frequent corporate keynote speaker. Jill is the first Explorer in Residence for the Royal Canadian Geographical Society, recipient of Canada’s prestigious Polar Medal and the diving world’s highest honor from the Academy of Underwater Arts and Sciences, the NOGI Award. In recognition of her lifetime achievement, Jill was awarded the Sir Christopher Ondaatje Medal for Exploration. She is a Fellow of the Explorers Club and member of the inaugural class of the Women Divers Hall of Fame.
Jill Heinerth and Robert McClellan weigh in on the latest controversies about artificial intelligence. Their dangling conversation about AI continues with pro and cons discussed.
Jill Heinerth and Robert McClellan with a casual conversation about Jill's extensive career in underwater adventure films and television.
Jill and Robert share thoughts, wishes, and predictions about the scuba diving industry and pop culture for 2026.
Jill Heinerth shares her decades of experience as a dive professional, freelance filmmaker, author and public speaker. She offers advice and guidance on the path newer divers may navigate as they embark on an exciting underwater career.
Jill Heinerth and Robert McClellan share about being off grid in the Ottawa River Quebec wilderness and the conversations that sometimes go off a cliff!
Jill and Robert share their thoughts on the passing of Jane Goodall. Jill appears on the Apple TV streaming children's series "Jane" based on Dame Goodall's life work. Walking and talking along the river.
Jill Heinerth and Robert McClellan discuss the film "Nyad" and how they each relate to the characters portrayed by Annette Benning and Jody Foster. Jill will cave dive again soon! They share some insight into their relationship and how Jill's diving affects Robert's anxiety.
Join us on a nice summer walk as we discuss Jill’s return to the water - eight weeks after her thyroid cancer surgery she hopped back into her natural element at Brockville, Ontario. We also checked out a young entrepreneur festival in our town and we explore a hot topic among young people: “What do you want to do when you are an adult?”
Jill Heinerth and Robert McClellan take you along on a eclectic walk in the woods along the Ontario Mississippi River as they discuss Jill's Adventure Canada Arctic trip, Inuit Art, Print Making, and exuberant eight-year-olds running through the forest.
Jill prepares for hosting an Adventure Canada cruise to Greenland and the Arctic onboard Ocean Endeavour. And we both have some not-so-good news regarding our health.
Jill and Robert discuss wreck diving at Truk Lagoon and Robert’s death defying battle with a persistent upper respiratory infection!
Trump 2.0 starts today. Jill Heinerth and Robert McClellan share how Trump's 2nd administration may influence every day American and Canadian life. Jill and Rob don't always agree on the outcome of a MAGA presidency.
A snow day in Canada with Jill Heinerth and Robert McClellan, riffing in their pajamas about creativity, artificial intelligence, and the upcoming holidays.
On a recent walk through the woods, Jill and Robert discuss dive shows and conferences, endless airline travel, and the state of their world.
Artificial Intelligence for good. AI Maestro Jill is a voice bot that was previewed recently at the Diving Into the Darkness screenings at Sydney, Australia. Ask Jill Heinerth questions and Maestro Jill is programmed to respond in an incredibly accurate way!
Jill and Robert discuss the future of expedition travel, updates on the Diving Into the Darkness documentary film, Ottawa Riverkeeper and Loon calls!
Here’s a bonus podcast - Jill and Robert discuss Women’s Dive Day and Jill shares her insight, from proper-fitting dive gear to dive travel safety and support organizations. Here’s a link to the Youtube video Jill promised about female outdoor urination products: https://youtu.be/z3SCfSSkaiw?si=mGilHcuymaY31-FQ
Chasing The Oracle - An Audio Story of an Expedition to the Lawless Egyptian-Libyan Desert in Search of Alexander the Great
If you have been following the world news this week, you will have likely seen an article or TV news segment about the expedition from which I just returned. One week ago, my team from the Royal Canadian Geographical Society located the wreck of Sir Ernest Shackleton’s last vessel, Quest. After six years of preparation, a team of 14 plus 8 crew set off for the Labrador Sea with a very tight plan to locate the lost vessel.
Sir Ernest Shackleton is an icon to most explorers. His leadership during the famed Endurance Expedition stands as a timeless lesson in resilience, optimism, and the power of teamwork. As his ship was trapped and eventually crushed by Antarctic ice, Shackleton faced what seemed like insurmountable odds. Yet, his steadfast optimism and unwavering commitment to his crew turned a potential tragedy into an extraordinary tale of survival.
What is real? What is authentic? In this short audio podcast, Robert continues his one-man Boomer crusade against singers who use excessive processing and autotune on their vocal tracks. (Ugh…he sings!) Also - Jill's comments about Photoshop and AI post-processing applied to underwater photography. They share their love for authentic experiences and encourage young people to interact with their peers in real life. Jill spent the weekend with remarkable young people presenting at the Our World Underwater Scholarship Society - which gave her great hope and optimism for the future.
Jill Heinerth named honorary Ottawa Riverkeeper. She shares the important message of water literacy and how the river plays a role in the health of Canada's capitol city.
Artificial Intelligence has entered the chat. The media is full of articles about advanced AI applications and how it will soon touch every aspect of modern life. Love it or hate it - it’s going to change the way we interact with our digital devices. But fear not - AI has been embedded in everything from our smart phones to our kitchen appliances, and so far our refrigerators have not organized a robot rebellion. So far.
Jill and Robert discuss how AI has been assisting underwater explorers and what the future looks like when intelligent, robotic digital “personalities” are a common part of daily life.
As we discussed on the podcast, here’s a link to a special online preview of Diving Into The Darkness
Diving Into The Darkness, a world premiere doc film about underwater explorer Jill Heinerth, directed by Nays Baghai, wins Best Documentary Feature at the prestigious Santa Barbara International Film Festival. Jill shares her red-carpet experience and behind the scenes anecdotes of the very first screenings of this remarkable movie! www.DivingIntoTheDarkness.com
Jill shares her recent air travel experience and provides valuable tips and tricks for adventure travelers on today's airlines.
Jill spoke at the Wings WorldQuest gathering in Charleston, SC, and shared the message of women empowering other women. Whether in exploration, arts, science, or even sports, women are breaking barriers and helping the next generation of girls excel. Jill and Robert also discuss the success of the newly formed Professional Women's Hockey League and invite listeners to check out a teaser trailer of "Diving Into The Darkness" a new feature film about Jill Heinerth!
Links: https://www.wingsworldquest.org
https://divingintothedarkness.com/
https://www.intotheplanet.com/
Even when things are looking grim, Jill shares the importance of maintaining optimism throughout the expedition team. Recorded on a windy hike on the Tip to Tip trail at Burritts Rapids on the Rideau Canal, near Ottawa. Jill's Website: Into The Planet
Link to Burritts Rapids Info
JIll and Robert take listeners on a stroll along the river as they discuss their predictions for 2024. More at www.IntoThePlanet.com
Jill was recently approached by a group of bright high school students to help with a freelance project. She has some words of wisdom for others who may find themselves mentoring young people.
Jill and Robert continue their interesting conversation about the art and science of photography and image making. Underwater photography, topside, and the future of digital photography. http://www.intotheplanet.com
Jill Heinerth and Robert McClellan share stories of their decades of experience as photographers, from Robert's Combat Camera days to Jill's underwater videography. A nice overview of the present state of the art of photography. http://www.intotheplant.com
Jill Heinerth tells us about the newly explored Oliver Mowatt shipwreck in Lake Ontario and an update on her faceplant in Peru. Episode 58
Jill and Robert take you on a Canadian trail walk where there are wild apple trees, friendly dogs, and an occasional osprey overhead. Oh, and they discuss climate change, hurricane Idelia and why they don't have an e; electric car.
Jill and Robert discuss Climate Change and a recent cruise witnessing melting glaciers in Alaska. Jill calls on younger generations to action. This podcast is also on Youtube at: https://youtu.be/GLvjYev5qL0
Jill Heinerth spent a day at the Royal Canadian Geographical Society HQ celebrating Dr. Joe MacInnis with James Cameron and even a guest appearance by Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Jill is the inaugural RCGS Explorer-in-Residence.
Jill Heinerth is on the X-PRIZE team and shares her insights about the organization's work to help improve people's lives, encourage creative thinking, and save the planet. All this and Hallmark Christmas movies!!!
Jill Heinerth and Robert McClellan discuss Diversity, Equality and Inclusion: no matter a person’s race, ethnicity, gender, sex, religion, sexuality, politics or abilities, Scuba Diving is an activity they can safely enjoy in our community.
It is time to tune up your Scuba gear and Scuba body and mind ahead of the warm season diving. Jill Heinerth shares her best advice for divers who may have been out of the water for a while. More at https://www.IntoThePlanet.com
It seems everyone has a state-of-the-art digital camera in their pocket these days and the technology allows for pro level results. Jill and Robert discuss the advances in smart phone underwater housings and a bit about Robert’s career as a Navy Photographer.
After 30-plus years as a dive professional, acclaimed underwater explorer and cave diver Jill Heinerth shares what motivates her to be as excited about her dives today as much as she was when she first set out on her unconventional career. Great insight and advice for anyone looking to find motivation in life. With Robert McClellan - Jill’s website is IntoThePlanet.com where you can check out her best-selling book and hundreds of remarkable images from deep inside our water planet.
Scuba Diving Hall of Fame member, best-selling author, and acclaimed underwater explorer Jill Heinerth shares her predictions and tips for thriving and surviving 2023 in the dive industry. With Robert McClellan - More at https://IntoThePlanet.com
Jill has just returned from the cenotes and caves of Mexico where she is the subject of a feature documentary film. Join Jill and Robert as they share Jill’s remarkable experiences being the subject of a feature film. http://www.intotheplanet.com
Acclaimed explorer and author Jill Heinerth shares tips on how to manage social media and branding for outdoor adventurers and explorers. This podcast can be viewed on Youtube at htp://www.youtube.com/jillheinerth
Jill Heinerth shares the remarkable stories of women scientists and explorers she met at the Wings World Quest conference in New York City. This is also a video podcast at Youtube.com/JillHeinerth
Jill Heinerth tells the remarkable story of African-American sailor Lanier Phillips, one of the few survivors of the World War-Two wreck of the USS Truxtun at Chambers Cover, St. Lawrence, Newfoundland. Jill dived on the wrecks of the Truxtun and USS Pollux as part of the recent Great Island Expedition. More about Jill at https://IntoThePlanet.com
Jill and Robert share experiences from the Newfoundland Great Island Expedition including the discovery by team divers of B-24 Liberator Bomber underwater at Gander Lake!
Jill Heinerth and Robert McClellan share Jill's summer of diving the Ottawa River caves assisting Canadian scientists and a preview of their next project on NewFoundland.
Join Jill Heinerth and early career ocean professional and Scuba Diver Kayla Martin as they discuss underwater photography, environmental science and basically how to save the planet.
Jillks website: Into the Planet
Kayla Martin’s website: Love of Diving
On a close-to-home adventure, Jill and Robert take you along on an early Springtime walk along the Mississippi River and Trans Canada trail in Ontario. River sounds, geese, birds, and discovering nature in your back yard.
Jill interviews her friend and colleague Dr. Richard Harris, the brave cave diver and physician who was instrumental in rescuing the young Thai soccer team trapped in a flooded cave. The new National Geographic documentary film "The Rescue" is available now on your cable TV platform. Dr. Harris' new book "Against All Odds" is available now at https://amzn.to/3t9UFek
We almost recorded this episode outside! Jill shares her film festival experience with "Playing With Sharks" about shark lady Valerie Taylor and "The Rescue" documentary with Richard "Harry" Harris. And, although well-earned, sometimes receiving awards can be kind of tricky. Episode 46.
Jill visits East Carolina University and the marine archeologists studying Blackbeard’s ship Queen Anne’s Revenge. This leads to revelations of the vessel’s previous incarnation as the slave ship Le Concorde and how some would rather skip that part of the unpleasant history. All this plus traveling with vaccine passports, banned books and Robert doesn’t even know what day it is anymore. Episode 45.
From acclaimed underwater explorer and documentary TV presenter to trans-continental cyclist and accidental chef, here are a few things you never knew about 30-year overnight sensation Jill Heinerth.
Jill shares tips from 20 years of representing brands and being an influencer in the underwater adventure world.
After giving hundreds of interviews and keynote presentations, Jill has learned a few important tips and tricks to be the best interviewee or interviewer on TV, Radio and Podcasts. A former radio host, live concert audio mixer, and journalist, Robert knows a thing or two about sounding good and getting your point across in interviews. Listen to this podcast and be a better podcaster or guest - maybe both.
On a Canadian blizzard snow day, Jill and Robert talk about the ducks on the river, how humans and the planet are not exactly getting along, climate change and the Three Stooges.
Tales of flying boats while filming a PBS documentary series, losing drones to trees, surrendering to -32C freezing weather and the little known geography of the "other" Mississippi River. Episode 40
Jill gives her tips for cold weather diving, including what gear to wear and how to safely use suit, glove and foot heaters. Jill and Robert explain why they create all the music for their creative projects because of tight copyright regulations. Oh, and a bit about how to set up an underwater ice hockey game!
Jill and Robert's annual predictions podcast. We discuss what we think will happen in the scuba diving and outdoor adventure industries for 2022. We also talk a bit about climate, UFOs, Art Bell and Lizard People!
Jill travels to Dartmouth, Nova Scotia, Canada for advanced commercial vessel boat training and gets in the dunk tank. Robert and Jill share a bit about their recent cave diving trip to Florida, USA. And they discuss complacency and normalization of deviance regarding Covid-19 precautions. All this, and pens in the ears on this episode!
After a long hiatus, we are travelling to dive and shoot underwater videos again! JIll shares travel tips and tricks she's learned from a long career flying around the world with lots of photo, video, and scuba diving gear.
Jill and Robert discuss cold weather scuba diving tips, and what to wear under your dry suit. Landslides and floods in Western Canada remind us that there is more to Climate Change than rising sea levels and melting glaciers. A look at the Covid passport situation.
It is official: Jill Heinerth is a legend. We share her induction to the Mississauga Legend's Row where she is in great company with fellow inductee and Rock & Roll pioneer Ronnie Hawkins and the world's greatest mayor Hazel McCallion. Robert is still failing miserably at his How to be a Canadian tests, and the U.S./Canada border is now officially open!
Jill travels for the first time in 18 months to British Columbia to present a lecture at the University of Victoria and shares her airport experiences and BC Hot Tub Boating. Robert practices speaking Canadian but still has a long way to go.
Jill's Website
Podcast Home Page
Jill Heinerth's new children's book is selected by Dolly Parton for her Imagination Library and Jill and Robert answer questions about Scuba Diving, Photography, Peeing Underwater, and even a bit of John Prine. Jill’s website: www.IntoThePlanet.com
Youtube - www.YouTube.com/JillHeinerth
Jill Facebook - facebook.com/JillHeinerth
Twitter - @JillHeinerth
Instagram - @JillHeinerth
Buy Jill’s Books:
Into The Planet - My Life as a Cave Diver
https://amzn.to/2Kgiry1
The Aquanaut (Children’s Book)
(USA) - https://amzn.to/2WDvD6m
(Canada) - https://amzn.to/3nLQ7Ws
Diving, A New Children’s Book and Surviving the Covid Lock DownJill and Robert share their lockdown survival experiences, how Jill keeps her gills wet during this covid winter, and some future diving and paddling expedition plans. Also, “The Aquanaut” - Jill’s inspirational Children’s Book is released with images by NY Times #1 Bestselling children’s illustrator Jaime Kim.
The Aquanaut (Children’s Book)
(USA) - https://amzn.to/2WDvD6m
(Canada) - https://amzn.to/3nLQ7Ws
Jill and Robert discuss the new world in which we all try to have valuable experiences and relationships against the backdrop of a global pandemic. They discuss:
Normalization of risk
Restarting society
We are all explorers
New status quo
Optimism in the face of uncertainty
Denying science
Politicizing the virus
Interconnectedness
Isolation and Exploration
Doing the next right thing
Unexpected positivity
Getting out into the natural world
Bubbles of people
Floating through world on a bike
Foraging for the apocalypse
What’s next
Rethinking the work place
Schools reopening
Reinventing how we teach kids
Reclaiming the past like it used to be
Training for 21st century jobs
The interview dudes with Jill & Ryan Reynolds
This won’t be the last time we have a pandemic
No returning to the past
Becoming Visionaries
Essential Workers
What’s really important
Optimism and Patience
Person to person support
Jill’s book "Into The Planet" in paperback
Voting by mail
Create the world you want to live in
Love one another
Ben’s Vortex Investigative Documentary Film: www.vimeo.com/ondemand/bensvortex
Jill and Robert discuss the renewed interest in the cold case of missing scuba diver Ben McDaniel. Was it an accident? A hoax? Or murder? Almost a decade after he entered Vortex Spring in Florida, there are still amateur sleuths and open source investigations looking into Ben’s disappearance on podcasts, YouTube videos and blogs.
Jill and Robert combine the Into The Planet and Real Sobriety Podcasts into one special episode discussing the COVID-19 Pandemic, quarantines, Lock Downs and what the world may look like when it is finally all clear to come back outside.
Life of an underwater explorer during COVID19. The future of the Scuba Diving industry and how the pandemic may change life as we know it. Jill’s website: www.IntoThePlanet.com
Acclaimed underwater explorer Jill Heinerth answers 10 questions from cameras and gear to the people who inspire her.
Jill Heinerth and Robert McClellan discuss Jill's experience diving in extreme Arctic conditions while documenting the effects climate change is having on the people of the high north and its wildlife.
Author, explorer and filmmaker Jill Heinerth with practical advice about writing, finding a literary agent, publishing and promoting her major market book Into the Planet, My Life as a Cave Diver.
Join Jill Heinerth and Dr. Jaqueline Windh as they have a fun conversation about ultrarunning, marathons, and adventure.
Explorer and cave diver Jill Heinerth's new book Into The Planet, My Life as a Cave Diver has just been released. In this episode we share some of the content read by Jill and an overall impression of the book and its release.
It is not every day that a diver gets to work on a project with one of their heroes. Join Jill Heinerth as she shares her experience on an expedition with world-famous explorer Robert Ballard, the person who discovered the wreck of the Titanic.
Jill Heinerth tells the story of the USS Truxtun and Pollux disasters in icy waters off Newfoundland during World War Two. Lanier Phillips, an African American man was rescued by locals from a fishing village and established a long relationship with the people who had never seen a black man before. Jill will lead a small expedition to dive the wrecks and bring back images.
Jill Heinerth with Diver Magazine editor Russell Clark talk about underwater creativity and the future of adventure outdoor media.
One of the world's top Scuba divers, Jill Heinerth, talks about the future of dive shops.
Cave Diving - The basics explained by Jill Heinerth. What does it take to become a cave diver? A brief explanation of the journey from recreational vacation scuba diver to technical cave explorer by Royal Canadian Geographic Society Explorer Jill Heinerth
Alex Trebek and Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau join Explorer-in-Residence Jill Heinerth as the RCGS opens its new headquarters in Ottawa. A first hand report.
Jill Heinerth spends weeks at a time traveling the country giving inspirational presentations to young people. In her role as Royal Canadian Geographical Society Explorer-in-Residence, Jill has been to the very edges of the planet, and she encourages young people to explore and discover their own worlds. Preparing young people to face the challenges of the real world, Jill shares her experiences on extreme expeditions, and encourages young people to overcome their fears as they make the world a better place.
Jill Heinerth takes us on a shopping trip at Mountain Equipment Co-Op offering pro tips on which expedition, outdoor adventure and camping gear she recommends. A field recording with Robert McClellan.
Jill Heinerth and Dr. Jacqueline Windh, two accomplished female explorers talk about growing up as young girls seeking adventure in the woods and rivers near suburban Toronto.
Jill and Robert share tips on how to be more environmentally conscious when traveling. From extreme expeditions to conferences and trade shows, Jill has some suggestions on how to not only talk about sustainability, but to put it into practice.
Jill shares her experience recording at a professional sound studio creating her audiobook, Into The Planet. With a director, engineer, editors and producer, (and a puppy or two) making an audiobook for Audible.com and other platforms is a team effort.
Jill Heinerth weighs in on how she handles fear while on cutting edge adventures and cave diving expeditions. If we don't embrace fear we will spend the rest of our lives running from it. From the lawless Sahara desert to the deep underworld beneath Antarctic icebergs, Jill shares how she mitigates risks and successfully navigates some of the world's most dangerous dives.
Extreme weather prepping. What to wear and how to survive on expeditions to extreme cold environments.
Aqua Hacking conference: Jill presents to and shares with the next generation of water technology pioneers.
How Ernest Shackleton's leadership and team work inspired explorer Jill Heinerth's own Ice Island Antarctic Expedition.
Things don't always go as planned with expeditionary travel, adventure and exploration. Jill Heinerth loses her dive gear on a sinking boat but manages to rescue a stranded helicopter crew in an unforgiving remote corner of Canadian wilderness.