I drive a lot for work but love being out in the natural world. So listening to podcasts full of hope, inspiration and education about plants, animals and the people helping preserve them is an enjoyable way to bridge the gap. I use Podbean as my podcast provider and highly recommend the following podcasts:   

The Wilder Podcast by Chloe and Tom 

In 2023, Chloe and Tom bought an 80-acre farm in Monmouthshire and set up The Grange Project which aims to restore nature, produce food, contribute to the local economy and connect people to wilder nature. Chloe is a clinical psychologist and Tom is ex- military. The podcast demonstrates they have the right skills for their mission as they are eloquent, hard-working and honest. They speak to experts on subjects such as regenerative farming, economy, conservation, community building and psychology. One of their episodes featured Tir Natur - Wales’ largest rewilding project, of which I was unaware, and this led me to their website tirnatur.cymru which fills one with hope for nature and Welsh culture so check it out. 

The Wild Episode by Brian Ruckley 

I thought I had a good knowledge of the world’s fauna until I listened to this podcast. The sheer scale of the diversity, breadth of adaptation and resilience of the world’s virtually unknown creatures is amazing. This well researched podcast is presented in a mature fashion and leaves you aghast and humbled. 

Sean’s Wild Life by Sean McCormack 

This podcast covers an impressive range of subjects, and I always learn something new, be it about farming, veterinary work, oceans or reptiles to name but a few subjects. Sean is a vet and conservationist and meets the people beavering away in the background to save habitats. He doesn’t shy away from controversial topics and covers them in a balanced way. 

Cumbria Wildlife Trust’s Podcast 

As all Wildlife Trusts have the same ultimate goal, I am not afraid of saying that this is a wonderful podcast covering what is being done, or can be found, on their reserves as well as broader issues. For example, how to help young people enter a career in conservation, the practicalities of restoring peatland, or protecting coastal birds. This podcast led me to discover their recent purchase of Skiddaw Forest and its ongoing transformation into a haven for wildlife. 

Rewilding the World by Ben Goldsmith 

This podcast shows the scale of what can be achieved around the globe, when there is the will to do so. It fires the imagination as to how things could be and shows how nature’s decline can still be turned around. Hearing about projects in Portugal, the Carpathian Mountains, Saudi Arabia and Argentina to name but a few, really gives hope that these trailblazers can literally save the world.  

Knepp Wildland by Isabella Tree 

Having visited the Knepp estate in Sussex and read the book, “Wilding” by Isabella Tree, I enjoy this podcast as a way of learning more about the animals thriving there, and about the project itself. I particularly enjoyed the episode on slowworms, having never seen one, and learned about their life cycle. The sound of turtle doves at the start of the podcast transports me mentally from behind the wheel back to the calmness that nature gives me. 

The Plodcast 

This podcast by BBC Countryfile Magazine hosts fascinating guests and comes from locations throughout the UK, covering topics as diverse as urban wildlife, rescued hens and the countryside that inspired John Constable. The “Sound Escapes” on a Friday provide the feeling of being outdoors even when stuck in a traffic jam.