Natural Wanders - The Plodcast.
Episodes
Ellie Williams '‘Sounds really connect us to a place and make us feel a certain way.’
28 Jun 2025
Contributed by Lukas
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, pus...
Jack Bootle ‘I think it’s the best job in TV, truly’
13 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 Londo...
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.’
13 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
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 cha...
Jamie McPherson ‘What I find most exciting is just different ways of telling stories’
03 Mar 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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, immersi...
Lis Oakham - ‘We do need to ask less of the planet’
17 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 Fr...
Bertie Gregory: ‘I’m very lucky that I get to work with great teams’
03 Feb 2023
Contributed by Lukas
Deer, drones & diving! Presenter, filmmaker & explorer Bertie Gregory joins us in this episode for a winter walk in Bristol. We chat about hi...
Dan O'Neill: ‘I’m not afraid to be afraid’
20 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
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 abo...
Dr Rutendo Shackleton: ‘I like when our world and the natural world collide’
06 Jan 2023
Contributed by Lukas
‘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...
Erland Cooper: ‘What music can do is help communicate stories’
09 Dec 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this week’s episode of Natural Wanders we meet with Orcadian composer and multi-instrumentalist Erland Cooper. From Stromness to the city of Lond...
Dr George McGavin: 'If we have a salvation, it is in science'
25 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Tom McDonald: ‘I’ve always felt my job was to be the audience’
11 Nov 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 th...
Tom Walker: ‘It’s something that I never want to take for granted’
04 May 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the last episode of season 2, Mandi meets wildlife cameraman Tom Walker. While wandering on the Somerset coast they chat about capturing landscape...
Gillian Burke: ‘A small little moment can alter someone’s course’
27 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 cam...
Jordan Young: ‘I love Scotland, I love being Scottish’
19 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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. N...
Kirsty Wark: ‘We are a programme where everybody’s idea is welcome’
13 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In the grounds of Pollok House, Mandi searches for signs of spring with one of Britain’s most experienced television journalists, Kirsty Wark. They...
Gavin Thurston: ‘There’s still lots of wild places’
06 Apr 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode we meet with multi-award-winning wildlife cinematographer Gavin Thurston. On his allotment, we chat about storytelling in natural his...
Max Cooper: ‘I’m drawn to complexity’
30 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
James Reed: ‘Suddenly I had a job in telly’
23 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
In this episode of Natural Wanders, we meet with director and producer, James Reed. From studying zoology to winning an academy award, we discuss Jame...
Lucy Cooke: 'Variety is the grit that drives evolution forward’
16 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 disc...
Jeremy Wade: "Everybody is fascinated by predators”
09 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
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 pligh...
Lizzie Daly: ‘You totally have a place in the conversation’
02 Mar 2022
Contributed by Lukas
Natural Wanders returns! In this episode of the Plodcast we meet with scientist, presenter, and adventurer Lizzie Daly. Before taking a wintery dip, w...
Professor Ben Garrod: 'There's still so much that we can do'
08 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
In this second episode of season 2 we go fossil hunting with evolutionary biologist and conservationist, Professor Ben Garrod. While combing the shore...
Gordon Buchanan: ‘What gives me hope’
01 Nov 2021
Contributed by Lukas
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 pre...
Giles Clark: 'We have the knowledge'
26 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 i...
Jason Singh: 'You can't put nature in a box and contain it'
13 Dec 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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.
John Aitchison: 'I wish we could do more'
16 Nov 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 ...
Briony Williams: "It's not just a cake"
17 Oct 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 a...
Sophie Darlington: 'I think we have an emotional connection to beauty'
12 Sep 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Marvin Rees: 'Once you're there, you can change things'
25 Jul 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 childho...
Aldo Kane: 'Everything just went click into place'
14 Jun 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 he...
Steven Price: ‘That, to me, is a sound’
19 Apr 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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...
Joe Sims: 'Life's Short; Act Accordingly'
30 Mar 2020
Contributed by Lukas
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 b...