Ocean Poddy

SOS Galapagos! Right now, (August 2020), a 260 strong fleet of Chinese fishing vessels is sat at the border of the Galapagos Marine Reserve - a biodiversity paradise and shark hotspot - apparently hoovering up anything that happens to swim by. Following the story of Hope the whale shark, at first Mads thinks she’s exploring a shark conservation issue, but as she digs deeper, uncovers the truth about a much darker, more ominous reality. Tune in to the first episode of SharkPoddy as Mads gets curious about shark-finning, fish-laundering and what happens when ships “go dark”.

Podcast guests: Max Bello, Mission Blue // Daniela Alarcon, Galapagos Science Centre // Fernando Ruben Montalvo Salas & Greg Aranea Olvera, SOS Galapagos

Could you give up fish to help the ocean? So you’ve heard of Plastic-Free July, Movember and of course, dry Jan (Mads’ least favourite month of the year) – but have you heard of Fish-Free February? In this Ocean Poddy ep, Mads chat to the founder of the Fish-Free February initiative, marine biologist and photographer, Simon Hilbourne and ocean policy expert, Max Bello, from Mission Blue, to discuss the how’s and the why’s of overfishing, funding the fishing industry and importance of making informed choices as a consumer when it comes to putting seafood on your plate.

In the final Ocean Poddy episode of a wild 2020, Mads catches up with British adventure and wildlife photographer, Steve Woods. From how the pandemic has shaped the way we connect with each other to the controversies of being a “perfect environmentalist”, tune in to this lighthearted poddy ep for endless laughs - and even more endless shark chat.

Are you wild about the UK’s ocean? Well, Mads wasn’t until a summer of staycations in the UK made her realise how truly epic British wildlife can be. In today’s poddy ep, Mads is joined by Welsh biologist, wildlife presenter and filmmaker Lizzie Daly, to chat about the wild waters of the UK and the challenges its marine life currently faces. From shooting seals and salmon farming to empowering women in science and filmmaking, tune in to this insightful episode to hear why it’s not all doom and gloom for the ocean.

What happens when you put a Pisces and a Cancer infront of a podcast mic? Well, prepare to get DEEP because on today’s episode of OceanPoddy, host Mads is joined by ocean artist, photographer and explorer, Francesca Page, for OceanPoddy’s FIRST ever in-person podcast session. From navigating burnout in lockdown to their 7 hour roadtrip together, tune in to this insightful episode to hear why it’s not all doom and gloom for the ocean.

It might look like trash to you, but to Ocean Mimic, it looks like treasure! On today’s episode, Mads catches up with Ocean Mimic co-founder, Emma Sparrow, to talk Bali, hideous plastic pollution and ingenious creative solutions. Tune into the 8th episode of OceanPoddy to listen to Emma Sparrow’s journey to create gorgeous rash guards, inspired by creatures of the sea, from ocean litter.

Happy #PlasticFreeJuly! This month, OceanPoddy becomes PlasticsPoddy host Mads chats with some of the badass women working to tackles the plastics issue. On today’s ep, Mads catches up with microplastic scientist and NatGeo Explorer, Dr Imogen Napper (@imogennapper) to discuss plastic pollution, her PhD and taking action. From anyalsing samples from Mt. Everest to racking up 200 hours of washing machine action in the lab, keep listening to find out how Imogen is racing to tackle the plastics issue.

It’s no secret that the scuba industry has been historically been dominated by a white-male demographic - but in the last few years, today’s poddy guest has been seeking to change this. On this episode, Mads chats with Sarah Richard, founder of the world’s largest online diving community Girls That Scuba, on getting locked-down in Jordan, increasing accessibility and diversity within the scuba and how the dive industry has changed for female divers since founding GTS.