The Seed Pod.

In Episode 42 of The Seed Pod, guest Kai Lane and I explore what it means to learn from and care for Country through observation, story, and shared knowledge. We dive into Aboriginal perspectives on seasons, sky knowledge, and natural indicators, looking at how reading the land, water, and wildlife can guide everything from understanding animal behaviour to informing food gathering and restoration work.
Kai shares powerful insights into intergenerational knowledge, including his captivating Dreamtime story about the zombie fish, and how storytelling can share ecological and social wisdom. We also talk about natural habitat additions, celebrate local landscape-scale wetland restoration, and discuss the role of games and instruments like the didgeridoo in keeping knowledge alive and accessible.
This episode weaves together culture, ecology, and connection, reminding us that nature is always communicating; we just need to know how to listen.

In Episode 41 of The Seed Pod, we’re joined by Arabella Crowley, an Australian marine biologist. We kōrero about her work studying coral reefs and butterflyfish on the Great Barrier Reef, what day-to-day fieldwork looks like beneath the surface, and how scientists communicate and take notes underwater. Arabella also shares unforgettable encounters with sea turtles and bait balls, and reflects on how she stays hopeful while witnessing mass coral bleaching events first-hand.

In Episode 40 of The Seed Pod, we’re joined by Andy Johnston, aka The Creature Teacher. We kōrero about science communication, giant wētā conservation, jaguar encounters in Brazil, and unpack some of the recent headlines around de-extinction.

In Episode 39 of The Seed Pod, guest Sam Ludden and I kōrero about art inspired by deep connections to tuna and awa ecosystems, mahi with iwi, mokopuna decisions, programmes that are healing intergenerational trauma through nature connection, and his adventures with whānau through syntropic food forestry and unschooling.

In Episode 38 of The Seed Pod, guest Julia Palmer and I take a deep dive into the wild and wonderful world of invertebrates. We nerd out over bug fieldwork, common misconceptions, the vital roles they play, and how species ID doesn't have to be daunting. Julia shares stories from her after-dark mountain adventures, her time exploring the Sub-Antarctic Islands, and how iNaturalist and nature clubs foster community and connection. We also chat about photography, fascinating species interactions, and why observing who’s hanging out with whom can reveal more than searching for the bugs sometimes... and how parasitic worms can hypnotise spiders?! You don’t want to miss this one.