Women in Wildlife
Women in Wildlife is a platform amplifying and connecting women and non-binary persons in the wildlife industry. Join your co-hosts Eliza & Maddy, to delve into all things women, wildlife, and gender equality in STEM!
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Two Women, One Vision: Challenging Expectations in Conservation Leadership
<p>In this episode, joint CEOs of Lion Landscapes Amy Dickman and Alayne Cotterill open up about what it really takes to lead together as women in conservation. They share how Lion Landscapes was built not just on a shared passion for wildlife, but on a deliberate decision to work differently; more collaboratively, more openly, and with a leadership model that reflects their strengths. The conversation explores how that partnership came together, why shared leadership felt natural to them, and how it has allowed them to build something stronger than either could have done alone. They also speak honestly about...
Transforming Lion Conflict Into Coexistence with Amy Dickman and Alayne Cotterill
<p>Welcome back to the Women in Wildlife Podcast! In this episode, joint-CEOs Alayne and Amy share how their charity 'Lion Landscapes' came to life and why their work goes far beyond protecting lions alone. These two powerhouses of conservationists talk about building conservation models that respond to human-wildlife conflict in East Africa, and how the real starting point is understanding the needs of local communities. Rather than approaching conservation as something imposed from the outside, they explain how trust, collaboration, and patience are what make long-term coexistence possible. A major theme in the conversation is the cost of living...
How to cope with empathetic distress in the wildlife industry with Olivia Oginska
<p>This episode explores the idea of empathetic distress and why it can be so draining for people who work in caring, high-emotion roles, including those within the wildlife industry. We have emotional intelligence Olivia Oginska as our guest on this episode, who explains the difference between compassion and the kind of emotional exhaustion that comes from taking on the suffering of others, and why the term “compassion fatigue” is often misunderstood. The conversation looks at how empathy, values, and workplace pressures can combine to leave people feeling overwhelmed, especially when they care deeply but don’t feel able to change...
Community, one health, and leading the path for women wildlife vets with Dr. Sharon Mulindi
<p>In this month's episode of the WIW podcast we explore the journey of Dr. Sharon Mulindi, a dedicated wildlife veterinarian from Kenya. She shares her experiences working in remote areas, facing challenges as a woman in the field, and engaging local communities in conservation efforts. Dr. Mulindi's story highlights the importance of representation, community involvement, and a holistic One Health approach in wildlife conservation.The episode begins with Sharon's childhood inspiration from Nairobi National Park, which sparked her early interest in wildlife medicine. She discusses her journey through vet school and her specialization at Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS). Sharon...
What can wildlife evolution teach us about human cancer?
<p>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...
A vet without borders-insight into life as a sailing vet with Dr Sheddy
<p>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. </p><p>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 t...
Turning wildlife stories into conservation impact With Akanksha Sood Singh
<p>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.</p><p><br>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.</p><p>Throughout the conversation, we discuss the evolution of c...
The real impact of close contact wildlife photos on welfare and conservation with Connie Needham
<p>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...
Ethical wildlife tourism: why closeness does not equal connection with Connie Needham
<p>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...
5 things to consider before doing a PhD
<p>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.</p><p>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...
