Natural Wanders - The Plodcast

Erin Ranney 'I just completely fell in love with cameras'

In this episode we go for a Bristol wander with camerawoman Erin Ranney.  We chat about growing up in bear country, her route into natural history filmmaking and separati

Ellie Williams '‘Sounds really connect us to a place and make us feel a certain way.’

In this episode we go for a dawn chorus wander with sound recordist Ellie Williams. In a forest near Bristol, we chat about capturing soundscapes, pushing boundaries and

Jack Bootle ‘I think it’s the best job in TV, truly’

In this episode of the Plodcast we go for a wander with the Head of Specialist Factual Commissioning at the BBC, Jack Bootle.  In the heart of London we chat about being

Charlie Hamilton-James ‘I want you to look at a picture that’s so disturbing that you can’t help thinking, holy s**t, that’s so beautiful.’

In the first episode of Season 4 we go for a walk in the Wiltshire countryside with wildlife filmmaker and photographer Charlie Hamilton-James. We chat about filming two

Jamie McPherson ‘What I find most exciting is just different ways of telling stories’

In this final episode of season 3 we go for a West Country wander with wildlife cinematographer Jamie McPherson. We chat about starting in TV, immersive gimbal filming an

Lis Oakham - ‘We do need to ask less of the planet’

In this week’s episode we go for a wintery wander with award-winning wildlife filmmaker and climate activist Lis Oakham.  Along the banks of the Frome we chat about her p

Bertie Gregory: ‘I’m very lucky that I get to work with great teams’

Deer, drones & diving! Presenter, filmmaker & explorer Bertie Gregory joins us in this episode for a winter walk in Bristol. We chat about his career, from getting starte

Dan O'Neill: ‘I’m not afraid to be afraid’

In this episode of the Plodcast we go for a London wander with wildlife filmmaker and presenter Dan O’Neill. In the heart of the capital we chat about Dan’s eclectic pass

Dr Rutendo Shackleton: ‘I like when our world and the natural world collide’

‘Love like a mustard seed!’ In this episode of Natural Wanders we go for a plod with the fantastic conservation scientist and presenter Dr Rutendo Shackleton. While battl

Erland Cooper: ‘What music can do is help communicate stories’

In this week’s episode of Natural Wanders we meet with Orcadian composer and multi-instrumentalist Erland Cooper. From Stromness to the city of London, we chat about bein

Dr George McGavin: 'If we have a salvation, it is in science'

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 in

Tom McDonald: ‘I’ve always felt my job was to be the audience’

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

Tom Walker: ‘It’s something that I never want to take for granted’

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 t

Gillian Burke: ‘A small little moment can alter someone’s course’

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

Jordan Young: ‘I love Scotland, I love being Scottish’

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 Dunbartonshir

Kirsty Wark: ‘We are a programme where everybody’s idea is welcome’

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

Gavin Thurston: ‘There’s still lots of wild places’

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 dee

Max Cooper: ‘I’m drawn to complexity’

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

James Reed: ‘Suddenly I had a job in telly’

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 t

Lucy Cooke: 'Variety is the grit that drives evolution forward’

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 o