Heart Of The Wild

Can a great story change the future of our planet? In this FUN, inspiring episode, we explore the extraordinary power of storytelling to reshape the way we think about wildlife, conservation, and our responsibility to protect the natural world. Joining us is Will Attenborough, founder of Green Rider, to discuss how the entertainment industry is embracing more sustainable practices and why the stories we tell on screen have the power to influence millions, inspiring action for wildlife and the planet.

Will also reflects on his own family's remarkable conservation legacy and how generations of powerful environmental storytelling has helped shape public understanding.

From behind the scenes in Hollywood to the front lines of stories that have changed the way species have evolved, this conversation is a hopeful reminder that stories don't just entertain; they can transform perspectives, spark movements, and help create a better future.

For more information on the incredible work that Will is doing with Green Rider, please visit their website at https://www.green-rider.org/ and visit them on social media @greenriderorg

What does it take to earn the trust of a wild gorilla?

Ian Redmond OBE has spent more than 50 years finding out. One of the world’s leading great ape conservationists, Ian began his career working with legendary primatologist Dian Fossey and went on to become a pioneering force in gorilla conservation and responsible wildlife tourism.

In this episode, Ian takes us deep into the world of mountain gorillas, sharing extraordinary encounters from a lifetime in the field; from working alongside Fossey and David Attenborough to guiding celebrities and rock stars through the African rainforest.

He reveals how gorilla trekking began, what it’s really like to come face-to-face with a wild silverback, and why these intensely intelligent, social animals have shaped the course of his life. We also explore our complicated cultural fascination with gorillas, including the surprising story of King Kong, and how our understanding of great apes has transformed over the past half-century.

Part adventure story, part conservation masterclass, this is a rare glimpse into the lives of gorillas from a man who has spent a lifetime getting to know, and fighting to protect, them.

Losing a beloved pet is one of life's deepest heartbreaks—but grief is also a reflection of extraordinary love. In this heartfelt episode, we're joined by renowned pet loss grief counsellor Beth Bigler, founder of Honouring Our Animals, to explore why saying goodbye to an animal companion can feel so overwhelming, and how we can move through that grief with compassion, grace, and hope. Together, we discuss the importance of honouring the unique bond we share with our animals, navigating feelings of guilt, anticipatory grief, and loss, and finding meaningful ways to keep their love woven into our lives. Whether you're grieving a recent loss, preparing for an inevitable goodbye, or supporting someone who is, this conversation offers comfort, validation, and the gentle reminder that while grief changes us, the love we share with our animals never leaves us.

You'll come away feeling seen, supported, and inspired to honour your beloved companion—not only in their memory, but in the way you continue to live, love, and heal.

For more information about Beth's work and her book, visit: https://honoringouranimals.com/about/

Some stories don't end when the credits roll—they're only just beginning. Discover how one iconic film inspired a family to turn storytelling into a lifelong mission for wildlife. From the silver screen to the front lines of conservation, this is the remarkable origin story of the Born Free Foundation. Joining us is co-founder Will Travers, whose parents' work on the groundbreaking film Born Free sparked a legacy that has shaped global wildlife conservation for decades. Alongside the Foundation's inspiring journey, Will shares remarkable, true stories of animals whose lives have been transformed through Born Free's work—powerful reminders of what's possible when compassion turns into action.

For more information about the Born Free Foundation and how you can get involved, please visit: https://www.bornfree.org.uk/

Trees are more than just part of the landscape — they’re living infrastructure, climate regulators, and biodiversity powerhouses.

In this episode, we speak with Abby Seneor, founder of vegetation intelligence platform Treelyon, and explore how new mapping technologies are transforming the way we understand trees.

By tracking their lifecycles, health, and growth patterns, we are gaining powerful insights into how trees cool our neighbourhoods, clean our air, and support wildlife.

From dense urban streets to vast forests, mapping trees tree-by-tree is revealing the critical role they play in sustaining ecosystems — and why understanding them better may be key to protecting the natural world around us.

For more on Treelyon and their important work, check out their website! https://treelyon.com/

For more about the app that identifies bird sounds, visit: https://merlin.allaboutbirds.org

In this uplifting and heartfelt episode, Dianna sits down with Beth Lee-Crowther, widely known as The Pet Psychic , whose remarkable ability to communicate with animals has captivated audiences across the UK, including on her TV shows on Channel 4 and ITV.

Beth shares how she first discovered her gift at a young age, recalling the moment she realised her connection with animals went far beyond the ordinary. With warmth and humour, she opens up about some of her most fascinating and unexpected animal communication experiences—revealing just how intuitive, perceptive, and emotionally aware our pets truly are.

The episode takes a personal turn when Beth gives Dianna a live reading with her dog Eloise, uncovering touching insights, surprising secrets, and deeply affirming truths about the bond we share with our animals. It’s a joyful, eye-opening conversation that celebrates connection, trust, and the quiet ways our pets reach us every day—whether we realise it or not.

Expect to laugh, feel inspired, and maybe even look at your own pet a little differently by the end. 🐾

For more information about Beth and her best-selling book, please visit: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Everything-Need-Know-Become-Psychic/dp/1801290776

What does it take to save lives in the middle of a war zone?

In this moving episode, we explore the reality of rescuing and caring for dogs living amongst the devastation of war in Ukraine. Nikki Tibbles, the visionary founder of the Wild at Heart Foundation helping the world's stray dogs, shares her firsthand experiences on the ground, the unforgettable stories that have stayed with her, and the extraordinary resilience of both the animals and the people fighting to save them.

This is a conversation about hope in the darkest of places, the power of compassion, and why every act of kindness matters. Whether you're an animal lover or simply looking for a story that restores your faith in humanity, sit down and have a cuppa with us as this episode is one you won't forget.

For more information about the Wild at Heart Foundation and Nikki's mission to Ukraine, visit https://wildatheartfoundation.org/

Have you ever stood in the pet food aisle, overwhelmed by choice and information? With so many opinions about kibble, raw, fresh, grain-free, and homemade diets, how do you know what’s actually best for your dog?

In this episode, we sit down with a pet nutritionist Anna Webb to decode the chaos around dog diets. We explore why feeding advice feels so overwhelming, the biggest mistake well-intentioned dog owners make, and the essential nutrients every dog needs to thrive—no matter the diet.

We also tackle common questions: Do dogs really need variety? How should you evaluate commercial dog foods? And when it comes to grain-free, raw, fresh, or homemade diets—what’s helpful and what’s just hype?

Tune in for practical insights to help you feel more confident about what goes in your dog’s bowl and how nutrition supports a long, healthy life for your four-legged family member.

Modern zoos look very different from the menageries many people imagine. In this episode, we explore how zoos have evolved into centres of conservation, animal welfare, and behavioural science.

We’re joined by Jim Mackie, animal training and behavioural officer at London Zoo and Whipsnade Zoos, to unpack some of the biggest concerns animal lovers have about zoos today. From behavioural enrichment and positive training to ethical care and stress reduction, Jim explains the science and daily work that goes into improving the lives of animals in modern zoos.

We also look at the conservation role zoos play beyond their gates, highlighting real examples from Jim’s work with African wild dogs, elephants, lemurs and even salamanders; species that have benefited from breeding programmes, behavioural research, and conservation partnerships.

For anyone who has ever been skeptical about animals living in zoos, this episode offers an inside look at how zoos fit into the wider conservation landscape—and why their role may be more important than many people realise.

For more information on the work that Jim is doing, please visit:

https://www.zsl.org/

https://biaza.org.uk/

He's back! Renowned wildlife photographer Chad Cocking returns to the podcast after his fantastic first appearance on Heart of the Wild — and this time, we’re going even deeper into the stories behind the lens.

In this episode, Chad shares more of his all-time favourite wildlife encounters, from heart-pounding close calls to awe-inspiring moments.

Has he ever truly felt in danger out there? (Spoiler: the wild doesn’t always play nice.) Chad reveals how he reads animal behaviour, anticipates movement, and captures those once-in-a-lifetime shots that leave us speechless.

He also takes us behind the scenes of some of the most captivating images from his latest book, Contrasts, transporting us back to the exact moments those breathtaking photographs were captured.

If you loved his first episode, buckle up — this is the next chapter of adventure you won’t want to miss.