20 episodes

Through an awe-inspiring audio journey, this podcast series brings to life the love of bees. It lifts the lid on a world of fascinating behaviours and wondrous endeavours. Who knew, for example, that to produce a pound of honey, a colony of honeybees must visit 2 million flowers? Or that a bumblebee with a full stomach is only ever 40 minutes away from starvation…

We talk to people who are passionate about bees, from entomologists to botanists, scientists, beekeepers, honey experts, historians, artists and api-therapists. The podcast is accessible to everyone, as a non-technical, entertaining and informative adventure into a part of the insect world that has been a source of fascination and inspiration for millenia.

Living Beeing livingbeeing

    • Science
    • 5.0 • 9 Ratings

Through an awe-inspiring audio journey, this podcast series brings to life the love of bees. It lifts the lid on a world of fascinating behaviours and wondrous endeavours. Who knew, for example, that to produce a pound of honey, a colony of honeybees must visit 2 million flowers? Or that a bumblebee with a full stomach is only ever 40 minutes away from starvation…

We talk to people who are passionate about bees, from entomologists to botanists, scientists, beekeepers, honey experts, historians, artists and api-therapists. The podcast is accessible to everyone, as a non-technical, entertaining and informative adventure into a part of the insect world that has been a source of fascination and inspiration for millenia.

    A Bee C. Back to school with Jen Moore! Bees teach us so much about the world.

    A Bee C. Back to school with Jen Moore! Bees teach us so much about the world.

    Jen first got into keeping bees more than 10 years ago and quickly realised: that real ecology is more complex than we can ever imagine, that everything fits together in remarkable and wonderful ways and that just keeping honeybees in hives is far from the answer.  Now she talks to schools and young learners about the other 274 species of bee, about butterflies, flies and wasps, about their relationships with plants and about how we need to protect our environment in a sensitive, meaningful way.  She aims to dispel myths and misunderstandings and to help nurture a new generation of active naturalists.  As ever, check out our website for pictures: www.livingbeeing.com

    • 51 min
    Bees and Bears. The challenges of bee keeping and breeding in Finland.

    Bees and Bears. The challenges of bee keeping and breeding in Finland.

    Back in April 2021, we spoke to Markku P, an urban beekeeper living and working with bees in Finland.  After a bit of a summer break, we can now share this wonderful interview with you.  Marrku is passionate about bee genetics, and a particular supporter of the black honeybee (Apis Mellifera Mellifera), believed to be the indigeous bee of Western / Northern Europe.  We also hear about some of the challenges posed by some of Winnie the Pooh’s cousins.  More information and pictures from Finland can be found on our website at www.livingbeeing.com

    • 44 min
    Mead magic. Chris is our guide on the mystical journey of this truly ancient, medicinal drink.

    Mead magic. Chris is our guide on the mystical journey of this truly ancient, medicinal drink.

    Back in July 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, co-host Chris Park shared with us his huge experience in making mead.  People have been dabbling with this fascinating brew for millenia.  An alcoholic drink made from mixing honey and water (and sometimes herbs or fruit), it has a delicious effect on mind and body.  In a mouth-tingling episode, we talk about mead’s rich taste, its powerful medicinal properties, the ancient traditions of making mead and the wide range of herbs that can be added to increase its flavour, opacity and health values.  Check out some great pictures and a FREE, easy mead recipe at www.livingbeeing.com.

    • 41 min
    “Honeybee’s” Journey. How bees inspired Rikk Smith to make a beautiful instrument

    “Honeybee’s” Journey. How bees inspired Rikk Smith to make a beautiful instrument

    The talented Rikk Smith, aka. Shining Fox, makes Native American flutes.  He tells us about his recent introduction to the honeybee and how this journey inspired him to make an instrument in the creature’s honour.  Rikk also treats us to a song on this beautiful instrument.  Rikk learned to make these instruments while in America and was taught the traditional methods.  For him, the whole process of making a flute is a spiritual and meditative experience.  Captivating listening.  Check out the pictures on our website: www.livingbeeing.com.  You can also find out all about Rikk and his flutes at: www.shiningfoxcreations.com.

    • 52 min
    Bee medicine. Stefan Stangaciu talks to LB about Apitherapy and its role in a new pandemic world

    Bee medicine. Stefan Stangaciu talks to LB about Apitherapy and its role in a new pandemic world

    A matter of weeks before the release and roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccines, we spoke to leading Apitherapist, Stefan Stangaciu about the huge progress in research relating to honeybee medicines; particularly propolis. Apitherapy is all about the health that comes from bees (Apis) and the hive.  Stefan has 29 years experience in this area.  Our lives have been transformed by pandemic, leading us to search urgently for new drugs, vaccines and remedies.  We look to multinationals and powerful corporates for answers; but the bee’s clever strategies for disease mitigation and control pre-date ours by millions of years.  Their ability to cope, adapt and survive is a sobering example to us as humans.  Perhaps now we can draw on their experience and benefit from their medicine; reviving what our ancestors already knew.  More information plus the Zoom recording on www.livingbeeing.com.  Stefan’s website: www.apitherapy.com.

    • 1 hr 2 min
    Bee Beats. Bioni Samp on his amazing music inspired by the bees.

    Bee Beats. Bioni Samp on his amazing music inspired by the bees.

    Get your dance shoes on!  It's been very exciting for us to discover Bioni Samp.  Well-known on the mainland-Europe dance club and festival circuit, the mysteriously named Bioni Samp is a fascinating blend of musician, beekeeper and environmentalist.  He is passionate about bees and their vital place in our natural world.  His aim is to enthuse, educate and entertain.  Bioni is involved in a number of bee-related projects and has set up a number of initiatives and creative learning spaces - most notably in Finsbury Park in London where you can visit his Bee House!  More info plus videos available on our website: www.livingbeeing.com.  Find out about Bioni's music, videos to see: https://bionisamp.wordpress.com 

    • 1 hr 6 min

Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5
9 Ratings

9 Ratings

TGB TOO ,

Heartening & Inspirational

Excellent presentation folks. I’ll be listening in future.

I could be accused of being skewed in my opinions, as I met Chris and have spent some limited time with him; and knew Nicola and then BfD. I can honestly say, both are hearteningly down to earth people, who have a staggering wealth of knowledge, not just about beekeeping.

Nicola, (and Chris) have the quiet ability to inspire. To do more for bees and the environment as a whole. I’ve volunteered in the outdoors for many years, (mainly woodlands, hedges) before meeting Nicola and later Chris. Learning of BfD and its very wide scope, to help some of the poorest around the globe; the individual & family if they have one; their wider communities; to help them out of poverty through beekeeping and its many advantages; to improve their environments, both personal and in nature. I became and continue to be inspired by Nicola in particular; and more widely by BfD; and the people I’ve met through this small charity.

Another chance to volunteer... so I naturally fell into life with BfD. I have nothing but good memories and good things to say about BfD. If you can help them, either by volunteering or transfer of skills or spreading the BfD word or donating money, please do so. You will help others and in a way, help yourself too. You may never meet the ones you help but you can transform theirs lives.

YogiLisaUK ,

Outstanding podcast

What an amazingly interesting podcast approaching bees from a different angle each time. Not a beekeeper myself but that absolutely does not matter - just incredibly interesting information & such enthusiasm from the guests on the show - really enjoying this - thank you so much for working so hard to bring all this information to listeners in such a diverse, informative & totally accessible way to anyone & everyone. Can’t wait for each new episode

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