Second Nature

Lizzie McLaughlin
  • 0.0 (0)
  • HOME & GARDEN

Celebrating the seasons with farming stories, garden tips & homegrown recipes 🚜🌱🍅 Join award-winning podcaster, Lizzie McLaughlin and her corgi Willow, for a new podcast episode every Friday 🎙️👇 Instagram: @second_natureuk Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac www.second-nature.co.uk

  1. Dorset's Big Five - Down In Dorset Episode 2

    20 HR AGO · BONUS

    Dorset's Big Five - Down In Dorset Episode 2

    Send Lizzie a message! Following the incredible response to our launch, we are back with the second episode of our Down in Dorset mini-series! This month, I’m joined once again by my guest co-host, local farmer Tim Gelfs, for a deep dive into the wild side of the county. In partnership with Nature Recovery Dorset, we are exploring the delicate balance between productive agriculture and thriving wildlife. From the "Big Five" mammals roaming our fields to the shifting tides of government farming policy, this episode gets to the heart of how Dorset is leading the way in conservation. In This Episode: The Big Five & The New Frontier of Farming We are joined by two fantastic guests who represent the two halves of the nature recovery puzzle: The Ecologist’s Lens: Ian Alexander, an ecologist with over 40 years of experience (Natural England, Dorset Wildlife Trust), shares his passion for species reintroduction—specifically his 20-year journey to bring Beavers back to our waterways.The Farmer’s Perspective: James Cousins, a fifth-generation farmer at Tarrant Rawston, manages a 2,000-acre mixed farm. James gives us a candid look at life on a working farm, from the joy of seeing Brown Hares box in the spring to the practical realities of managing deer populations.Key Discussion Points: Dorset’s "Big Five": We talk through the status of Deer, Badgers, Foxes, Beavers, and Otters. Ian explains why the Sika deer is so abundant in Purbeck and why the tiny Muntjac is the new kid on the block.The Deer Management Debate: Why is culling necessary? James explains how deer management supports his local butchery with sustainable venison, while Ian discusses the impact of overpopulation on woodland regeneration.The Post-War Legacy: A look back at how the drive for food security after WWII shaped our landscape, and why we are now shifting toward "public money for public good."Farmer Cluster Groups: James highlights the power of "cluster groups"—where local farmers collaborate on carbon capture, soil health, and bird identification to create wildlife corridors across the county.Nature Recovery Success Stories: We hear from Tom Monroe (National Landscapes) and Imogen Davenport (Dorset Wildlife Trust) on how collaboration in areas like the Isle of Purbeck is successfully reversing decades of nature decline.Down in Dorset episodes are available on the last Friday of every month.  Which of Dorset’s "Big Five" is your favourite to spot in the wild? We’d love to hear your stories! Reach out at info@second-nature.co.uk or find us on social media. This podcast mini-series has been produced with help from Nature Recovery Dorset, a Dorset Council led initiative helping communities, landowners and organisations work together to restore nature across Dorset. Any views or opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and should not be taken as representing Dorset Council. Website: www.second-nature.co.uk Email us: info@second-nature.co.uk Social media: @second_natureuk Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac

    1h 12m

  2. 7 FEB

    Seasons Change: Mind Your Head Week with the Suffolk Farming Community Group

    Send Lizzie a message! ⚠️ TRIGGER WARNING: This episode contains deeply personal discussions regarding mental health, depression, anxiety, and suicide prevention. If you are currently struggling, please consider listening with a friend or reaching out to the resources listed below. ------------------------ Welcome back to your usual episode of Second Nature! I am still pinching myself after seeing us hit #11 on the Apple Podcasts Top 200 for Home and Garden following the release of the Down in Dorset mini-series last week. Honestly, thank you so much for the support—it means the world to Tim and me. This episode is a bit of a whirlwind. I’m catching you up on my "2026 bingo card" moment, meeting Jeremy Clarkson at his new pub and my recent deep dives into agronomy and wheat nutrition. But more importantly, as we head into Mind Your Head week with Yellow Wellies, we’re opening up a conversation that is incredibly close to my heart. A Personal Reflection A year ago today, I was in a very different place. I’m sharing the story of the night I had to call a crisis line, the role my little Corgi, Willow, played in pulling me back to the present, and why I believe it is so vital that we show the "bad days" alongside the highlight reels. I hope that by sharing my own story, I can show that things do get better.  In farming, we know better than anyone that seasons change—and your headspace can, too. The Suffolk Farming Community Group This week, I’m joined by the brilliant Emily Whitmarsh and Ellis Blackmore. After losing a dear friend to suicide, they took action to ensure no one in their local agricultural community felt isolated. We chat about: - Moving beyond Young Farmers and the "loneliness" of the tractor cab. - The reality of current financial pressures and the recent inheritance tax changes. - Why "pub yields" aren't always what they seem. Their upcoming monthly meet-up on Friday February 27th at the Gardner’s Arms, Tostock. You can follow Emily and Ellis on Instagram and Facebook at Suffolk Farming Community Group. ⚠️ Important Note This episode contains honest discussions about mental health and suicide. If you are struggling, please don't suffer in silence. Help is available: Samaritans: 116 123 FCN: 03000 111 999 R.A.B.I: 0800 188 4444 DPJ Foundation (Wales): 0800 587 4262 RSABI (Scotland): 0808 1234 555 N IRELAND: 0800 138 1678 Text Support: Text HAWKSTONE to 85258 Connect with the Campaign Join the conversation next week using #MindYourHead, #Hope, and #SuicidePrevention.  Find out more over on: https://www.yellowwellies.org/mind-your-head-9-13-february-2026/ Website: www.second-nature.co.uk Email us: info@second-nature.co.uk Social media: @second_natureuk Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac

    34 min
  3. From Dorset Fields To Dorset Plates - Down In Dorset Episode 1

    30 JAN · BONUS

    From Dorset Fields To Dorset Plates - Down In Dorset Episode 1

    Send Lizzie a message! Welcome to the very first episode of Down in Dorset, a brand-new mini-series brought to you by Second Nature! I am so excited to launch this special project in partnership with Nature Recovery Dorset, as we explore the vital work being done across the county to restore our landscapes and celebrate the incredible food produced right here on our doorstep. Joining me as my guest co-host for this series is local farmer Tim Gelfs. Together, we’re heading out to meet the fantastic people doing incredible things for the local area. Make sure to mark your calendars, as new episodes of this mini-series will be available on the last Friday of every month! In This Episode:  From Dorset Fields To Dorset Plates In our series premiere, we sit down with two experts who are dedicated to the connection between healthy land and healthy people. The Heritage of Watercress: We chat with Tom Amery, CEO of The Watercress Company, based at Waddock Farm, south of Dorchester. Truly a jewel in Dorset’s crown, Tom’s business is the largest of its kind in Europe, supplying all the major UK retailers. Tom shares the fascinating history of this "super-leaf"—from its Roman roots to how his team currently produces up to 45 tonnes a week for half a million customers across the UK.Pesticide-Free Pioneering: Tom discusses the massive shift they made 25 years ago to stop using pesticides entirely, turning their spring-fed gravel beds into thriving habitats for thousands of invertebrates. It’s a brilliant example of how commercial farming can work hand-in-hand with nature recovery.Reconnecting the Next Generation: Claire King, a former headteacher and founder of the Nutrition Advisory Team (NAT), joins us to talk about the vital importance of food education. We discuss her "NutriKit" and why it is so critical for children to understand food provenance—moving beyond the supermarket shelf to the water, soil, and the people who grow our food.Building Resilient Food Systems: We dive into the complexities of modern agriculture and the importance of shortening supply chains to support both the local economy and the environment.Meet the Team: Lizzie McLaughlin: Your usual hostTim Gelfs: Guest co-host and local poultry farmer, bridging the gap between farming reality and consumer tables.Tom: A watercress champion managing a unique crop that provides nutrition to half a million customers weekly.Claire: An education specialist dedicated to teaching the nitty-gritty of health, provenance, and sustainability.This series is all about how we can help nature recover while still producing world-class food. Whether you're a Dorset local or a food lover from further afield, there is so much to learn from these incredible guests. What does "nature recovery" mean to you? Get in touch at info@second-nature.co.uk or find me on social media at @LizzieMuddyHeelsMac. This podcast mini-series has been produced with help from Nature Recovery Dorset, a Dorset Council led initiative helping communities, landowners and organisations work together to restore nature across Dorset. Any views or opinions expressed are those of the individual speakers and should not be taken as representing Dorset Council. Website: www.second-nature.co.uk Email us: info@second-nature.co.uk Social media: @second_natureuk Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac

    54 min

  4. 13/12/2025

    🎄 A Sensational Christmas Special: Turkeys, Sandwiches & Making It Big!

    Send Lizzie a message! Welcome back! With December in full swing, I'm getting into the festive spirit the best way I know how: talking food! This week, we're diving into the history of the classic British Christmas turkey and getting advice from two incredible, successful guests. 🥪 The Social Media King: Fraser of Sensational Sandwiches I head down to London to celebrate the launch of my good friend Fraser's (Sensational Sandwiches) first-ever shop! Fraser has built a massive following (over 1 million on Instagram!) by making incredible, mouth-watering food content. He sits down with me to talk about: 🔑 The secret to making it big on social media and turning a creative passion into a real-life business.🗣️ Why saying "YES" to opportunities is the only way to succeed.🍗 Last year's unusual Christmas-time sandwich 🦃 The Turkey Expert: Kate Martin from Treeway Farm Next, I catch up with Kate Martin from Treeway Farm, first-generation farmers who supply thousands of turkeys for Christmas dinners across the UK. Kate shares the incredible, year-long process of raising these birds and the challenges the industry faces. Learn about: 🗓️ Why their Christmas prep starts all the way back in February.🍳 The best way to cook your turkey (Kate shares the ultimate secret for a juicy bird, and yes, we talk about my disastrous defrosting methods!).🦃 The 500-year history of turkey being the centerpiece of the British Christmas table.I hope you have a wonderful holiday season, wherever you are and whatever you're eating! Let me know if you'll be having turkey on your dinner this year! Website: www.second-nature.co.uk Email us: info@second-nature.co.uk Social media: @second_natureuk Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac

    48 min

  5. 01/11/2025

    Collab Launch! Lizzie Muddy Heels & Curly Wurly Creations for Yellow Wellies Charity

    Send Lizzie a message! Hello, hello! 👋 I hope you're very well! Can you believe it's already November? Where has the year gone?! Things have been busy, but I've managed to clear the decks for a very exciting announcement: I'm launching a collaboration! 🥳 I'm partnering with the incredibly talented Annie Gray of Curly Wurly Creations to launch a brand new pattern celebrating the countryside, gardening, and my life at home! We've poured months into designing a beautiful pattern featuring everything from garden tools and homegrown veggies to my very own Corgi, Willow, riding in a wheelbarrow! But the best part? We are doing this to raise money for a charity very close to our hearts: Yellow Wellies (The Farm Safety Foundation). In this episode, you'll hear from Steph Berkeley, founder of Yellow Wellies, about the incredible work they do for the physical and mental well-being of the next generation of farmers. Plus, I sit down with Annie Gray to chat about: 🐑 Her deep farming roots and why lambing is her absolute favourite (and most intense!) time of year.🎨 The inspiration behind Curly Wurly Creations, how her kids influence her designs, and the challenge of drawing different sheep breeds.💖 The story behind our collaboration, why 50% of the profits will support Yellow Wellies, and where you can find this exclusive design on everything from aprons to tea towels!I've had a difficult year with my own mental health, and I am so proud to be giving back to this amazing cause. We're doing a huge giveaway to celebrate the launch, so be sure to check my social media! Website: www.second-nature.co.uk Email us: info@second-nature.co.uk Social media: @second_natureuk Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac

    29 min

  6. 21/10/2025

    Essex's Fluffiest Guests: Highland Cows Take Over the Scotts of Southend Patch! with Chloe Lucas

    Send Lizzie a message! Hey everyone, Lizzie here! 👋 It feels great to be back with a new episode, and this one is a special spooky-season celebration! I headed to Essex to catch up with my brilliant friend, the finalist for this year's British Farming Awards, Chloe from @chloe_at_the_farm! Chloe is a former city girl (just like me!) who found her passion for farming and Highland cows during the pandemic. We meet her incredibly gentle, fluffy fold—including Murphy, Dally, and Beatrix—who are currently on a very special Halloween residency! We're at Scotts of Southend Garden Centre's massive pumpkin patch, where Chloe's Highlands are stealing the show! I talk to Chloe about: 🐂 Her incredible journey from being a nurse to becoming a smallholder and farm worker of the year finalist.🧠 How working with livestock has been vital for her mental health and helping her recover from burnout.🌱 Her mission to bridge the gap between urban life and farming to help people understand where their food comes from.I also catch up with Alice from Scotts of Southend to hear the inside scoop on how they built one of the UK's biggest and best pumpkin patches, including the logistics of growing 21,000 pumpkins, the challenges of putting a price tag on a farm experience, and how the Highland cow collaboration came to be. It's a fantastic, fun chat with cows, pumpkins, and a lot of heart! A Huge Well Done! P.S. I just want to shout out a massive congratulations again to Chloe! Neither of us won our British Farming Award categories, but being finalists in Farm Worker of the Year and Content Creator of the Year is a huge achievement we are both incredibly proud of! Well done, Chloe! Website: www.second-nature.co.uk Email us: info@second-nature.co.uk Social media: @second_natureuk Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac

    28 min

  7. 27/09/2025

    BBC CountryFile Stars: Matt Baker, John Craven & Anita Rani on Unexpected Filming Moments

    Send Lizzie a message! If you enjoyed the Gardener's World episode, welcome back! If you're new, thank you for joining me for a very special look behind the scenes of one of the UK's most beloved shows. I was thrilled to return to the beautiful Kew Gardens for the In Conversation Live with BBC CountryFile event! I managed to sit down with the incredible team of Matt Baker, John Craven, and Anita Rani for a group chat where we discussed the show's massive shift to prime time, the power of connecting urban and rural audiences, and why CountryFile has become such a cross-generational program. Join me as I connect with these TV legends and hear how their work truly inspires people to get outside. It’s a joy to be part of the "convert" club, moving from town to country, and I know you'll love this inspiring chat! Don't forget to listen to the sister episode of In Conversation with BBC Gardeners' World!  Website: www.second-nature.co.uk Email us: info@second-nature.co.uk Social media: @second_natureuk Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac

    17 min

  8. 13/09/2025

    What to Do in Your Garden This Autumn? Tips from Adam Frost, Frances Tophill & Nicki Chapman

    Send Lizzie a message! Hey everyone, it’s Lizzie! This week on Second Nature, I’m bringing you something really special. I recently got to visit the incredible Kew Gardens for the In Conversation with BBC Gardeners' World event!  I felt completely immersed in the greenery of Kew Gardens, and what a fantastic setting for an intimate chat with some of the best minds in gardening. I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with three of my favourite BBC Gardeners' World presenters: Frances Tophill, Adam Frost, and Nicki Chapman! It genuinely felt like catching up with old friends, and we covered everything from their own projects to some of their best gardening advice. In this episode, you’ll hear us chat about: Frances Tophill's new book, A Wildflower Year, and her fantastic advice on how to start gardening on a budget, no matter how small your space.Adam Frost's top tips for planning your garden this autumn and how getting outdoors has positively affected his own wellbeing.Nicki Chapman's perspective on how to design a garden that’s your own personal sanctuary.So grab a brew and get ready to hear some fantastic tips and behind-the-scenes stories! Get in touch! I’d love to hear your thoughts on this episode. You can always get in touch with me on social media at @LizzieMuddyHeelsMac or by emailing info@second-nature.co.uk. Don't forget to listen to the sister episode of In Conversation with BBC Countryfile!  Website: www.second-nature.co.uk Email us: info@second-nature.co.uk Social media: @second_natureuk Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac

    26 min
See All (22)

Trailer

About

Celebrating the seasons with farming stories, garden tips & homegrown recipes 🚜🌱🍅 Join award-winning podcaster, Lizzie McLaughlin and her corgi Willow, for a new podcast episode every Friday 🎙️👇 Instagram: @second_natureuk Host: @lizziemuddyheelsmac www.second-nature.co.uk

Information

  • Creator
    Lizzie McLaughlin
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    22
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Second Nature
  • Show Website
    Second Nature

You Might Also Like