Women in Wildlife

What can wildlife evolution teach us about human cancer?

Eliza Stott — Tue, 28 Apr 2026 13:45:27 +1000

In this month's topic-focused episode, science communication expert and author Zoe Kean shares insights from her book "Why We Like This", delving into the fascinating parallels between wildlife health and human diseases, particularly cancer. She explores the paradoxes of evolutionary biology related to aging, sex, and cancer, and how cancer is an ancient and universal phenomenon in multicellular life. We learn about transmissible cancers in Tasmanian devils, the role of genetic diversity and evolution in cancer resistance among species like elephants, whales, and naked mole rats, and the application of ecological and evolutionary theories to cancer treatment strategies. Zoe also highlights the impact of inbreeding and genetic bottlenecks on endangered species’ health and vulnerability, and the potential for cross-disciplinary research in conservation and medicine. By understanding cancer through evolution, innovative therapies and prevention methods may emerge, offering hope for both human health and wildlife conservation. This episode was a very unique one, offering a fresh perspective on disease and conservation, highlighting the importance of cross-disciplinary thinking in tackling complex biological challenges.

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

A vet without borders-insight into life as a sailing vet with Dr Sheddy

Eliza Stott — Tue, 07 Apr 2026 11:37:14 +1000

This month's episode is adventure packed, with the very inspiring Dr Sheddy, a veterinary professional redefining conservation and animal care through innovative projects through sea and land. From working in Australia to sailing across Central America and Asia, Sheddy is making a tangible difference in animal welfare and community health.

The main topics of this episode include the transition from traditional vet roles to international wildlife work, launching and running a veterinary clinic from a sailboat, and the importance of vet wellness and burnout prevention. Dr Sheddy emphasizes community engagement and sustainable animal care, while also discussing the challenges of funding and growing a mobile veterinary practice via YouTube. She shares cross-cultural insights on pet and wildlife care and highlights the importance of building local partnerships for long-term impact. She discusses the challenges of working in rural Australia and becoming a wildlife vet, and her transition from clinical work to charity and outreach. The episode delves into the challenges and learnings from sailing and maintaining a mobile clinic, the impact of preventative care and community health outreach, and the importance of building trust in remote communities. Dr Sheddy shares strategies for growing support and community donations, collaborations with local vets, and cultural perceptions of animals across regions. She also addresses the importance of education and resource provision to promote change, and the development of vet wellness retreats to combat burnout. Looking ahead, Dr Sheddy discusses future plans for training programs, wildlife volunteering, and expanding her impact, while maintaining work-life balance and the longevity of her projects. Her final words offer advice for vets exploring new pathways.

Resources & Links:

Vet Tails Websites: vettails.com/about
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcDSkw35FYqsFgMqoZjt7zQ/about

Sheddy's instragram: https://www.instagram.com/dr.sheddy_the.sailing.vet/

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Turning wildlife stories into conservation impact With Akanksha Sood Singh

Eliza Stott — Fri, 20 Mar 2026 09:01:23 +1100

In this episode we’re delighted to be joined by Akanksha Sood Singh, a natural history filmmaker from India who has spent over 25 years telling powerful stories about lesser-known species and underrepresented voices in conservation.

We explore Akanksha’s journey into wildlife filmmaking, from her beginnings in science to building a career in natural history filmmaking. Akanksha shares the challenges of navigating a Western-dominated conservation space, and how these experiences have shaped her approach to storytelling, with a strong focus on authenticity, ethics, and amplifying local voices.

Throughout the conversation, we discuss the evolution of conservation storytelling, including the balance between visual impact and meaningful narratives, and how emerging technologies and short-form media are changing the way stories are told. Akanksha also reflects on the importance of telling stories rooted in local places, and the role that filmmakers, scientists, and communities all play in shaping more inclusive and representative narratives.

A key part of this work is her role as the founder of The Gaia People, a platform dedicated to supporting local storytellers, amplifying diverse voices, and creating more equitable opportunities within conservation and filmmaking. Through this work, she is actively challenging traditional power structures in the industry and helping to build a more inclusive and representative future for conservation storytelling.

We also talk about her incredible work founding Women of the Wild, an initiative supporting underrepresented women in conservation, and the importance of creating space and opportunities for diverse voices in the field. Akanksha shares honest insights into the systemic challenges that still exist, as well as practical advice for young women wanting to pursue careers in conservation and filmmaking, particularly in marginalised regions.

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

The real impact of close contact wildlife photos on welfare and conservation with Connie Needham

Eliza Stott — Fri, 27 Feb 2026 12:24:55 +1100

Who can post, and who can't? Welcome back for part 2 of our conversation with Connie Needham, which is a topic-based episode where we delve into the profound effects of social media on wildlife welfare and conservation. While social media can be a fantastic tool for bringing awareness and support for wildlife conservation, we openly discuss how close contact photos and sensationalized content can cause serious short and long term wildlife welfare concerns, unethical wildlife tourist choices, as well as fueling illegal pet pet trade. Connie explains how these images often normalize unsafe interactions with wild animals, contributing to misconceptions about their behavior and habitat needs. The conversation highlights the growing influence of social media as a primary source of information, shaping public perceptions and expectations of wildlife. Connie explores the unintended consequences of portraying wild animals in human environments, which can fuel illegal pet trades and unethical tourism practices. Connie emphasises the importance of shifting the narrative from seeking the perfect shot to promoting respect and understanding for animals' natural behaviors and autonomy. Listeners are encouraged to reflect on their own social media practices and consider how they can contribute to a more ethical portrayal of wildlife. This episode serves as a call to action for all people- tourists and wildlife professionals alike to prioritise education and conservation in their online presence.

Connie's Instagram: connie.needham
Connie's Youtube: youtube.com/@connie.needham?si=IQilIILIqGhc6Nh3&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnNAyL33mETLXKKmD-NOSJDx2NRMkSLD9fCuChTjAm-BWbU4jJopAR2bkePPY_aem_0z6MARvM0GI-vyKicEB4xA
Project Wild: https://www.projectwild.uk/about

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Ethical wildlife tourism: why closeness does not equal connection with Connie Needham

Eliza Stott — Sun, 22 Feb 2026 15:10:34 +1100

We are so thrilled to have Connie Needham on the podcast for a two part series! Connie is a passionate wildlife storyteller shares her journey from the Scottish countryside to becoming a dedicated advocate for ethical wildlife tourism. Connie discusses her journey from studying philosophy to her work in wildlife advocacy. She emphasises the importance of recognizing red flags in wildlife tourism and the critical role local communities play in conservation efforts. Connie also explores the significance of transparency and accreditation in wildlife facilities, offering practical advice for tourists who wish to engage ethically with wildlife. Her experiences underscore the need for a shift in focus from close encounters to meaningful experiences that support conservation efforts. By sharing her insights, Connie aims to inspire listeners to make informed choices that respect the natural behaviors and habitats of wildlife. This episode highlights the importance of ethical considerations in wildlife tourism and the role of education and transparency in promoting responsible interactions with wildlife.

Resources & Links

Connie's Instagram: connie.needham
Connie's Youtube: youtube.com/@connie.needham?si=IQilIILIqGhc6Nh3&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQMMjU2MjgxMDQwNTU4AAGnNAyL33mETLXKKmD-NOSJDx2NRMkSLD9fCuChTjAm-BWbU4jJopAR2bkePPY_aem_0z6MARvM0GI-vyKicEB4xA
Project Wild: https://www.projectwild.uk/about
Global Federation of Animal Sanctuaries
Pan-African Sanctuary Alliance
European Alliance of Rescue Centres and Sanctuaries (EARAZA)

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

5 things to consider before doing a PhD

Eliza Stott — Thu, 05 Feb 2026 11:05:36 +1100

This episode dives into the realities of doing a PhD in Australia. Co-host Eliza, now in the final year of her PhD, reflects on the best and worst parts of the journey so far, while co-host Maddy opens up about her decision to walk away from her PhD in 2022, and how she feels about that choice four years later.

We unpack the constant uphill learning curve of a PhD, toxic academic culture, and the wide range of skills you can gain along the way. Eliza also shares five key things to consider before starting a PhD. This episode also marks the launch of our new segments, Wildlife Wins and Field Fails, featuring listener-submitted stories and podcast-specific questions from our community. Want to be involved? You can submit a story via our website for future episodes!

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Narau's fight for Masaai women's education

Eliza Stott — Fri, 09 Jan 2026 10:17:24 +1100

In our (slightly belated) December episode, we delve into the remarkable journey of Narau Kimani Laizer, a Maasai woman from Tanzania who defied cultural expectations to pursue education and empowerment. Growing up in a community where education for girls was not prioritized, Nara bravely escaped an arranged marriage at the age of 12 to seek a different life. With the support of a compassionate teacher and a nonprofit organization, she pursued her education in wildlife conservation. Today, Nara is the co-founder of the Enduata Community Initiative Organization (ECIO), dedicated to improving the lives of women and girls in her community. Through ECIO, Nara empowers women with education and economic opportunities, challenging traditional roles and fostering a new generation of leaders. Her work extends to wildlife conservation, where she educates her community on the importance of preserving nature, demonstrating how conservation and community development can go hand in hand. Her story is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of education and conservation.

You can follow the work of ECIO here: https://ecio.or.tz/

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

WIW Pod Turns TWO!! A look back with Maddy, Eliza, and producer Taylor

Eliza Stott — Mon, 24 Nov 2025 13:08:04 +1100

For our November episode, we celebrated our two year podcast birthday! We combined this celebration and look back of two years of trailblazing guests, with our yearly wrap-up (a tad early). We finally introduced our amazing producer, Taylor, and got to hear about her extensive background in communications and incredible new job at Free The Bears. We chatted about the ways in which our guests and the conversations we have had on the podcast has changed the way we look at wildlife and conservation, and the impact we hope that it has had on our listeners. We each looked back at a message from guests that really stood out to us this year, and changes that we made in our lives/careers as a result. Finally, we each chose a women-led conservation success story from this year, from anywhere in the world, and shared how the empowerment of women has led to a successful wildlife outcome. We haven't quite wrapped up for the year though- we will be back in your ears in December!

You can follow producer Taylor at @taylor.jamii

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Sea turtle movement ecology and ecotoxicology research with Dr Liberty Boyd

Eliza Stott — Fri, 10 Oct 2025 17:44:45 +1100

For our October episode we were joined by the delightful Dr Liberty Boyd. Liberty is a marine biologist, science communicator, and educator. With a PhD in marine biology, her work bridges academic research, wildlife conservation, and storytelling to drive meaningful change for coastal ecosystems and the communities that rely on them. Dr. Boyd currently runs the social media page Libertyology — a platform dedicated to ocean advocacy, youth empowerment, and innovative marine conservation. As a current postdoctoral researcher at Florida Atlantic University Harbor Branch, she is working on a sea turtle ecotoxicology study related to loggerhead exposure to harmful algal bloom biotoxins in the Indian River Lagoon. Dr. Boyd also works closely with a non-profit organization, the National Save The Sea Turtle Foundation, as an affiliate researcher, conducting hawksbill sea turtle research in South Florida. Between research, teaching, and science communications, her efforts aim to make the marine science fields more inclusive, creative, and impactful.

In this episode we delved into all things sea turtle research- from sea turtle movement ecology to ecotoxicology. We spoke about the importance of being a responsible tourist, and some of the red flags to look out for in 'eco-tourism'. Liberty shared her passion of science communication, and the importance of scientists being able to communicate their work to the public. Liberty was such a pleasure to have on the podcast, you can continute following her work on her Instagram channel @libertyology

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

The critical importance of indigenous voices in conservation with Dr Rosa Vásquez Espinoza

Eliza Stott — Sat, 20 Sep 2025 13:00:38 +1000

For our September episode, we were beyond thrilled to have Dr. Rosa Vásquez Espinoza as our podcast guest. Rosa is a Peruvian chemical, National Geographic Explorer, and award-winning artist whose work bridges indigenous knowledge and modern science to protect the Amazon rainforest and its communities Rosa was awarded Peru’s Order of Merit (2025)—the country’s highest state recognition for environmental protection. She has also been named one of the BBC’s 100 Women (2024), received the American Chemical Society CAS Leadership Award, and was recognized as one of "50 People Changing the World" and a recipient of the “New Explorer Award” (The Explorers Club).

In this chat we learnt about Rosa's journey in becoming a chemical biologist, from discovering her passion for the environment, to becoming a global advocate for our natural world. Much of Rosa's work now focuses on bridging indigenous knowledge and modern science, and we delved deeply into this topic, and were left with advice the changes that need to be made at all levels of conservation to bring indigenous people into conservation conversations and action. We also heard about Rosa's incredible research organisation "Amazon Research Internacional”, and the important work that it covers. Finally, we hear about Rosa's impressive book, "The Spirit of the Rainforest". We were only really able to scratch the surface of Rosa and her exceptional career in this episode, so I don't think this will be the last you will be seeing of her on the WIW podcast!

You can follow Rosa on instagram: @rosavespinoza

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Drivers of shark phobia and the consequences on conservation with environmental psychology scientist Dr Brianna Le Busque

Eliza Stott — Thu, 21 Aug 2025 14:25:04 +1000

For our August episode we were joined by environmental psychology scientist Dr Brianna Le Busque. Bri is the program director of environmental sciences at The University of South Australia, along with being science and technology Australia Superstar of STEM. Her research focuses on biophilia (connections to nature) and biophobia (fear/dislike of nature), especially in the marine context. Her main area of research is understanding fear of sharks- including children’s fear, the media representations of sharks and tourism experiences of sharks. Bri is also involved in work exploring health benefits of nature connection for students, whale tourism experiences, impacts of the algal bloom in South Australia. We heard all about Bri's research in biophilia/biophobia, where human's fear of sharks tend to stem from, and how this in turn affects marine conservation. We learnt about Bri's pathway into getting into environmental psychology, and heard about Bri's passion for advocating that you don't need to wear a white lab coat to work in STEM. Bri also spoke about the algal bloom crisis in her home state of South Australia, and the effects it is having on both the ocean, but also the community. Maddy and Eliza were absolutely enthralled in this chat- we hope you love it as much as we did!

You can follow Bri on instagram @drbriannalebusque_

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Lighting the path for the next generation of rangers with Louie Andersen

Eliza Stott — Sun, 27 Jul 2025 20:46:15 +1000

We were thrilled to have Ranger Louie on for our July podcast episode, in celebration of world ranger day (July 31st) and all the incredible women rangers on the front line of conservation! Louie is an absolute firecracker- currently working as a ranger in Western Australia, and bringing us on her adventures through her Youtube and Instagram channels. From starting studying paramedicine, to firefighting in her role as a ranger, we heard all about Louie's journey in getting to where she is today. We gained insight into the extremely diverse role that is being a ranger, and what a typical (well, as learn there is no such thing) day as a ranger entails. Louie talks us through what it is like being a woman in the ranger field, which is still largely dominated by men, and how she aims to bring light to this important role and inspire future Ranger Louie's through her Youtube channel.

You can find Louie on Instagram @ranger_louie and on Youtube https://www.youtube.com/@ranger_louie

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Pivoting and perseverance with wildlife guide Unathi Makwange

Eliza Stott — Sat, 28 Jun 2025 20:08:23 +1000

We were fortunate enough to have Unathi Makwange join us for our June episode! Unathi is a wildlife projects coordinator in training from Pretoria, South Africa, with a deep-rooted passion for nature, storytelling, and making a difference in the conservation space. We learn all about Unathi's journey in getting to this role at the age of 20 years old, including rejection, pivoting, and ultimately finding her calling in the South African bush. In this chat Unathi was wise beyond her years, and provides listeners with insights into life as a young woman in wildlife in South Africa, along with offering some very important pieces of advice for those wanting to pursue a similar path.

You can find Unathi on instagram at @shivagonewild

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Zookeeping, wildlife rescue, and endometriosis with Ellesha Veness

Eliza Stott — Fri, 30 May 2025 20:36:58 +1000

Welcome back with the WIW podcast listeners!

For our May episode we were joined by Ellesha Veness, who is an experienced zookeeper and professional wildlife rescuer. Ellesha shared her career journey with us from breaking into the industry, to working as a zookeeper in some of Australia's most iconic zoos; The Australian Reptile Park and Australia Zoo, to her role as a wildlife rescuer at the Australia Zoo Wildlife Hospital. In the latter role, Ellesha undertook some seriously unique and exciting wildlife rescues of our native animals, and we were lucky enough to gain insight into a few of these rescues. Ellesha was also generous enough to talk us through her long battle with endometriosis. We heard about the hurdles she has been faced with dealing with menstrual health within the wildlife industry, as well as what changes she would like to see to better accommodate other women working in the industry. This episode is not only for women dealing with menstrual health issues, but anyone dealing with chronic health problems, and further to all people in the workplace (particularly leaders) who can help support the large percentage of women who are battling these often invisible diseases. Our listeners were left with some fantastic advice from Ellesha- we cannot wait for you all to hear!

You can follow Ellesha on instagram at @elleshaveness, and access her blog post about endometriosis here:
https://lifeofellesha.wordpress.com/2025/03/09/another-endometriosis-story/?fbclid=IwY2xjawKmWDJleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBicmlkETFySVYzSzJqMHVEaXhvbFVrAR56ib0ouE3_327ICU-kZ6HeRRIkvsvwqV8VkvNpfiRStwZKfSr3XGU97fF8QQ_aem_HmAA1vK5GkYtw-A2ETzYbg

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Exploring the world of technology in conservation with Dr Debbie Saunders

Eliza Stott — Thu, 24 Apr 2025 15:49:33 +1000

April's episode of the WIW podcast is with Dr Debbie Saunders, who is the Founder, CEO & Chief Remote Pilot, as well as the resident Conservation Ecologist at Wildlife Drones. We chatted through Debbie's journey, including founding Wildlife Drones (building radio-telemetry sensors for use on drones), which was inspired after work she did in her early career with the migratory bird 'Swift Parrot', which extended into her PhD. She found a lack of technology in the area of tracking these smaller, migratory species, which implored her to look further into technology development, which is where Wildlife Drones was born.

Debbie has also founded the organisation 'NatureHelm' (a biodiversity data platform for corporations and their supply chains) which has been an evolution of her work in wildlife conservation. We delved into the barriers that Debbie has faced being in the male-dominated technology space, as being a boss and founder of two successful organisations. Debbie was so open in sharing her wide-ranging experiences, we hope you enjoy this episode!

You can learn more about Wildlife Drones here: https://wildlifedrones.net/

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Empowering women in the environmental sector in Africa with Dr Dami Pikuda

Eliza Stott — Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:03:20 +1100

For March's podcast episode, we were privileged enough to chat to Dr Dami Pikuda, a seasoned researcher and program evaluator with extensive experience in designing, executing, and managing environment-related projects and programs. Dami fuses qualitative and quantitative work to propel meaningful action. Fittingly, Dami is part of the delivery team at Women for the Environment (WE) Africa; an organisation that sparks a movement of women leaders in Africa and beyond, who are role modelling a more effective way to do conservation. WE Africa puts women at the heart of transforming Africa’s environmental movement, and are an integral part of transforming women's experiences within the industry. We learnt about all the amazing work that WE Africa does, and Dami outlines the changes that she would like to see for women working within the space. We are currently running a fundraiser for WE Africa- you will hear all about the incredible work that they do, and would love for you to consider donating: https://www.gofundme.com/manage/iwgs-day-fundraiser-for-we-africa.

You can learn more about WE Africa here: https://womenforenvironment.org/

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Throwing us back to move us forward; Paleontology conservation with Astrid O'Connor

Eliza Stott — Fri, 07 Feb 2025 09:15:25 +1100

Welcome back to the WIW podcast! We couldn’t be more excited to talk to Astrid O’Connor for our February episode. Astrid is a paleobiologist, science communicator, and second year PhD student. We learnt all about Astrid’s PhD, and how she fused her two passions in paleontology and zoology to answer modern conservation problems. Astrid is a huge advocate for accessibility in science, and uses her strong communication skills to convey science in different and palatable ways. Astrid also generously shared her experiences in some big personal changes in recent years, and we discuss further the changes that she would like to see in academia to make it a more inclusive space for all genders. Thank you Astrid!

You can follow Astrid on Instagram: @paleoastrid. We have also posted the artwork mentioned in the episode on our social media post for this episode!

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Breaking down the mental health crisis in the veterinary industry with the NOMV executive director Gigi Tsontos

Eliza Stott — Thu, 30 Jan 2025 18:41:17 +1100

Happy New Year to our wonderful Women in Wildlife Community! We are kicking off the podcast in 2025 covering an extremely important topic- mental health in the wildlife industry. Who better to delve into this topic with than the executive director of "Not One More Vet", which is an important not-for-profit organisation focusing on tackling suicide and mental health in the veterinary profession. Outside of her role at NOMV, Gigi is a therapist, leadership coach, and consultant. Gigi talked us through the crisis that veterinary professionals are facing, and the multitude of factors that contribute to it. Gigi shares some strategies on how to cope with the pressures that all animal workers face, including but not exclusive to; compassion fatigue, eco-anxiety, and imposter syndrome. We also hear all about the incredible resources that NOMV provide, which you can learn about through their website: https://nomv.org/.

*Disclaimer*: We do cover sensitive topics in this episode, which includes the mention of suicide. If you or someone you know is experiencing suicidal thoughts or a crisis, please reach out immediately to the suicide prevention hotline in your country: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_suicide_crisis_lines

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Year in review on the WIW podcast

Eliza Stott — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 18:50:14 +1100

Our final episode of the year is a yearly wrap up and our major highlights of the podcast in 2024. Co-hosts Maddy and Eliza talk through some of our largest take-home messages from our guests this year, who were very generous in sharing their wealth of knowledge and insights with us.

Thank you to all our listeners for your support his year. We cannot wait to bring you more in 2025! Hope everyone has a safe and happy New Years.

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Implementing a holistic approach to conservation education with Kirsty Costa

Eliza Stott — Wed, 30 Oct 2024 10:28:09 +1100

For October's episode, we were joined by conservation educator and popular podcast host, Kirsty Costa! Kirsty is currently the senior manager of conservation impact at Zoos Victoria, where she combines her love for both education and conservation. Kirsty is also the host of the popular podcast "Weekend Birder", a birding podcast for people of all levels and interests (not to mention it is also the no.1 nature podcast on Apple Podcasts). Kirsty chatted us through her journey in discovering her love for nature, conservation, education, and science communication, and how she has utilised the transferable skills that she has developed along the way to curate a successful career combining many of her passions. We delve into how Kirsty would like to see educators approach conservation in a more holistic way, and the importance of using an inclusive approach when it comes to conservation science communication. Finally, Kirsty very generously opened up about her struggles with early menopause, and the impact that has had on her career and personal life. Kirsty was a breath of fresh air and an absolute delight to chat to, we hope you enjoy this episode as much as we did!

Tune into the intro to hear about our upcoming WIW trips in 2025, and updates on our new merchandise.

You can find Kirsty on instagram at @kirsty_costa, and Weekend Birder at @weekend.birder

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

How to break into the conservation industry and overcome imposter syndrome

Eliza Stott — Tue, 10 Sep 2024 18:45:37 +1000

For our September episode, we were joined by conservation biologist Kate Sheridan! Kate is originally from the UK, however, her work as taken her to all corners of the globe. She initially moved to South Africa to complete her Masters, which looked at recreationist perceptions of lethal and non-lethal management of sharks, and has recently left her job as a marine biologist in the Maldives. Kate has a large social media presence, and like she is with her own audience, she was very open with us on the struggles that she has faced with breaking into the industry, as well as imposter syndrome. Since leaving her in the Maldives, we hear all about her recent trip to South Africa and the de-horning conservation work that she was involved with, as well as some insight into her next moves. This is a long one- we could have kept chatting for hours!

As mentioned in the episode, here is the link to her published research from her masters:
https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0308597X2100244X?via%3Dihub

You can keep up with her adventures on instagram @conservation_kate

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Big cat welfare research and the importance of science communication with Janice Vaz

Eliza Stott — Sun, 01 Sep 2024 11:51:13 +1000

In August's episode we were fortunate enough to chat to wildlife biologist Janice Vaz! Janice shares with us her groundbreaking research in big cat animal welfare, as well the hardships & hurdles that she had to navigate through her PhD, particularly with moving to a new country during COVID-19. We hear all about the differences she has noticed in research between her home country in India, compared to Australia where she completed her PhD. Janice has done a significant amount of work in the science communication spaces, through her not-for-profit organisation "Project Monkey", as well as her fantastic artwork (which we have shared on our social media pages). Janice was an absolute pleasure to have on the podcast, and was very open and vulnerable with us about the challenges that she has faced in her career so far- we hope that you get as much out of this chat as we did! You can connect with Janice through her Instagram @janice_vaz_

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Forming a successful zoo & conservation career with Amy Robbins

Eliza Stott — Thu, 25 Jul 2024 20:50:09 +1000

We are back after a short winter break! Who better to kick things back off with, than the very inspiring Amy Robbins. Amy is the currently the Deputy Curator of Mammals at Auckland Zoo, as well as the founder of the Sumatran Ranger Project. Amy shares her extensive journey in the zoo industry, particularly with orangutans and carnivores. She delves into the changes that she would like to see within the zoo industry, as well as what she believes the roles that zoos have in wildlife conservation. We learn all about the incredible work that Amy does with the Sumatran Ranger Project in mitigating human-wildlife conflict in North Sumatra, as well as her experiences as an eco-adventure guide. Amy was so generous in sharing advice from her very successful career with our listeners- so tune in!

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Wildlife trafficking & rehabilitation with Kuwait's first female veterinarian Tamara Qabazard

Eliza Stott — Thu, 30 May 2024 21:10:51 +1000

In May's episode we were fortunate enough to chat with Tamara Qabazard, who is a very experienced wildlife veterinarian. Tamara was the first female veterinarian to graduate in Kuwait, and shared some incredible stories on her involvement in the wildlife trafficking space, along with wildlife rehabilitation. Tamara is an inspiring ambassador for up and coming wildlife conservationists, and shared some of her pieces of advice to other women in the industry. She captivated us with her perspectives and the breadth of her work, we highly recommend tuning in to finding out more about her!

Follow Tamara's work on instagram: @qabazard
Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841

Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Deep dive with your co-hosts Eliza & Maddy

Eliza Stott — Mon, 22 Apr 2024 20:27:59 +1000

April's episode of the WIW podcast was a bit different- co-hosts Maddy & Eliza were in the hot seat! We thought that we would take this opportunity to delve deeper into some topics that come up for us regularly within this industry, including imposter syndrome, job rejections, and experiences in trying to figure out which pathway to go down within this diverse industry. We chatted about our journeys in getting to our current roles, and shared our biggest learnings along the way. This one is a long one- strap yourself in!

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841

Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Navigating a career in wildlife ecology with Kat Best

Eliza Stott — Wed, 13 Mar 2024 17:54:59 +1100

For our March episode we were able to hear from Kat Best, who is a wildlife ecologist in Australia. Kat has had some incredible experiences working remotely around Australia with a variety of conservation organisations. Kat chatted about the challenges getting your foot in the door of ecology, and the changes that she would like to see in the industry to make it an accessible and inclusive space for all. We also spoke about stakeholder engagement, and particularly the changes that Kat would like to see in how scientists collaborate with first nations people within the ecology space. Kat gave some amazing advice to our listeners on how to pursue a similar career path.

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841

Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Finding your pathway in the wildlife industry with wildlife vet nurse and conservationist Tahnee Barnes

Eliza Stott — Wed, 07 Feb 2024 12:59:12 +1100

February's episode features the incredible Tahnee Barnes, who is a wildlife veterinary nurse, conservationist, and founder of End Extinction International. Tahnee talks us through her journey navigating her way to landing her dream job at 35 years old, and some of the lessons she's learnt along the way. Tahnee shares her experience with imposter syndrome, and provides our listeners with some invaluable advice in tackling this challenging voice in our heads. Finally, Tahnee expands on her role as founder of End Extinction International, and about EEI's future goals. Tahnee is a bright light and a wealth of knowledge! You can find Tahnee on instagram at @tahneevictoria and @endextinctionintl

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841

Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Wildlife film production, presenting, and founding a business in the wildlife industry with Roxy Rogan

Eliza Stott — Thu, 04 Jan 2024 20:20:14 +1100

Happy New Year to our listeners! We kicked off the first episode of 2024 with Roxy Rogan. Roxy is a conservationist and award winning wildlife filmmaker, and has recently started her new role as a producer at Australian Geographic, after closing down her business "Wild Education". We were able to chat about her unique journey in getting to this dream position, and learnt more about her two films; Keepers of the Forest (Sumatra) and Person of the Forest (Borneo). We delved into the lessons she's learnt along the way, choosing to leave university to start her business at 19 years old, and her difficult decisions in stepping away from this role. We covered topics such as burn out, adjusting between self-employment and full time employment, and Roxy was generous enough to share lots of advice to listeners wanting to pursue a similar career path. You can follow Roxy's journey @roxyrogann!

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841

Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

The value of multi-sectoral and transdisciplinary collaboration in solving conservation issues with Dr Prishani Vengetas

Eliza Stott — Mon, 18 Dec 2023 15:45:31 +1100

In our final episode of the year, we were lucky to chat to Dr Prishani, who is a Conservation Vet at WWF-International. Prish shares her journey getting to where she is today, delves into how she believes that collaboration is an invaluable tool in solving conservation problems. Prish has some insightful advice for listeners, and talks us through her transition from clinical work focusing on individual animals, to solving veterinary conservation issues on large scale population levels. Tune in to find out more, and check out @doctor.prish to continue following Prish's work.

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841

Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Episode 3: Mental health in the wildlife industry and knowing when to take a break, with marine biologist Olly Pitt

Eliza Stott — Sat, 11 Nov 2023 09:18:35 +1100

Olly Pitt is a marine biologist that has spent the past 9 years working at the Australian Seabird and Turtle Rescue (NSW), with the last 6 years holding the position of the general manager. In this episode we were able to delve deep into the toll that working in the wildlife industry has on our mental health. Olly runs us through her decision in taking a step back from the industry, as well as her future plans for her fresh start. She also provides us with advice with networking, as well as advice for managers in mitigating gender issues within the workplace. You can follow Olly's work @biologist_ollypitt.

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841

Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Episode 2: Utilising science in the illegal wildlife trade, reproductive marine biology, and how to succeed in wildlife conservation with Dr Phoebe Meagher

Eliza Stott — Wed, 18 Oct 2023 17:25:42 +1100

We were lucky enough to have the incredibly experienced and insightful Dr Phoebe Meagher on for our second episode. Phoebe is a Wildlife Conservation Officer at Taronga Conservation Society Australia, and manages the conservation recovery for Australian aquatic species including Platypus and Marine Turtles. She has a PhD in Marine Biology specialising in reproductive biology of rays, but also has a special interest in combating illegal wildlife trade and promoting women in science and science communication.

In this episode we delved deep into Phoebe’s extensive experience in wildlife conservation. Phoebe ran us through all the curve balls she had to navigate while doing her PhD (including a ship exploding in Antarctica), her incredible work in the illegal wildlife trade industry using trace elements to determine whether an animal is wild vs captive born (including arrests by the Federal Government), her time spent tracking Pangolins, juggling family with a field work and SO much more!

We covered a LOT in this episode and were completely blown away by Phoebe’s experiences and the advice she had for our listeners.

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Website: https://women-in-wildlife.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841

Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX

Episode 1: Threatened species ecology, koala spatial dynamics, and what it takes to be a woman in the wildlife industry with Dr Kita Ashman

Eliza Stott & Maddy Staff — Wed, 27 Sep 2023 10:58:14 +1000

Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com

Links to our resources:

Music by Thomas Hagen from SLAUX