Planet Pulse Pacific

The Lentil Intervention

5.0 (9)
EARTH SCIENCES
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The climate and health crises are two of the most urgent issues of our time. Change must happen, and it needs to occur sooner rather than later. Join your hosts, Ben Eitelberg, Emma Strutt and Abby Patterson, for conversations about people and planet. Find more details at www.athletesfornature.org

4 DAYS AGO

Clancy Lester - Native Bee Conservation

In this episode, we’re joined by Clancy Lester (AKA Bee Man), a passionate environmental educator, documentary director, and native bee advocate, whose work is dedicated to protecting pollinators and rewilding the places we live. Specialising in native bee conservation, native plants, and science communication, Clancy combines hands-on ecological research with a gift for making complex ideas accessible and engaging. Through his social enterprise Bees and Blossoms, Clancy creates native bee habitats, delivers workshops, and champions nature-based climate solutions across urban and regional Australia. Driven by a deep commitment to restoring biodiversity, he shares practical, hopeful insights into how Australia’s native bees are faring, and what we can all do to support pollinators and wildlife, no matter where we live. In this episode, we explore: Clancy’s background, his connection to the natural world, and how his fascination with native bees beganHis experience in the Wattle Fellowship at the University of Melbourne and working with remote Aboriginal communities in north-east Arnhem LandBee Hotels 101: What they are and why they matterThe challenges pollinators face in urban environments, and how cities can better support them through habitat and native plantingClancy’s workshops, what gives him hope for the future, and how he inspires people to connect with natureHis role as Director of 7 Seasons, and key moments from making the documentary that reshaped his thinkingThe importance of genuine collaboration and two-way learning with Indigenous communitiesWhy honouring thousands of years of on-Country knowledge is essential for climate adaptationStaying connected to Country in urban environmentsUsing social media for climate advocacyA fun breakdown of Bee Movie—what it got right (and wrong) about pollinatorsTo view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

32 min
6 APR

Richard Neville - Regenerative Design Through Landscape Architecture

In this episode, we’re joined by Richard Neville, NZILA Registered Landscape Architect and Director of Neville Design Studio. Richard’s work is grounded in regenerative design and a deep respect for the relationship between people and land. Driven by a belief that landscapes can reconnect us, both with nature and with each other, Richard creates spaces that are both meaningful and enduring. An award-winning landscape architect, his work spans residential, rural, community, and commercial projects, and has been featured in several magazines, including Landscape Architecture Aotearoa. Alongside his practice, Richard is an active voice in the industry, most recently delivering the keynote at the 2025 New Zealand Gardens Trust Conference, sharing his perspective on how our cultural relationship with land and gardens is evolving. In this episode, we explore: Richard’s background and passion for natureWhat led him to landscape architectureLandscape architecture as an interconnected system of ecology, people, and placeThe evolution of the discipline: from controlling nature to embracing wildness, beauty, and ecological complexityRewilding gardens—why less paving, fewer lawns, and more plants create healthier, more resilient spacesHow small, everyday moments in nature can have a lasting impactThe ecological and human benefits of thoughtful landscape design, and how it fosters a deeper connectionRichard’s work in schools and the importance of openness, curiosity, and unstructured interaction with natureOur relationship with Papatūānuku, and why biodiversity is essential for lifeThe power of positive storytelling in reconnecting people with the environmentPractical ways to bring nature into daily life, even in small or urban spacesTo view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

28 min
1 MAR

Andre Borell - The Future of Shark Protection

In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome back Andre Borell, an impact filmmaker, investor, and co-founder and director of the Envoy Foundation. A self-described maker of good trouble (and one of our all-time favourites here at the podcast), Andre is driven by a deep love of marine life and a determination to leave the world better than he found it. He builds businesses, brands and films that challenge the status quo and create meaningful, measurable impact. After witnessing the devastating effects of shark nets in Australia, Andre turned conviction into action with his powerful documentary Envoy: Shark Cull. His work shines a spotlight on Australia’s outdated and brutal shark control methods, exposing their ecological consequences and challenging the policies that allow them to persist. In this episode, we explore: An update on Andre’s work, global adventures, and relocation to AotearoaPractical strategies to bring Australia’s shark control programs out of the dark agesInnovations in shark safety—from deterrent wetsuits to AI drone surveillance on our beachesCurrent narratives around sharks and shark bites—separating fact from fictionThe importance of shark education and understanding the conditions that increase riskAndre’s upcoming book projects, including Great White LiesThe UN’s recently adopted High Seas Treaty and what it means for marine protectionPolicy-driven change and the influence of business in accelerating reformProgress on the Nordic Whale ReserveHow to support the ongoing work of the Envoy FoundationTo view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

1hr 6min
15 FEB

Jess Lamb - Waste Minimisation As An Athlete

Jessica Lamb is the Christchurch Hub Leader for Athletes for Nature and the Sustainability Coordinator at Without Waste. Jess holds a strong connection to te taiao and is passionate about caring for both people and planet. With a background in environmental science and geography, she works to support a shift towards a circular economy and the rewilding of cities through thriving urban ngahere. A committed nature and zero-waste advocate, Jess combines big-picture thinking with practical, community-led action. Outside of her professional roles, she is a plant-powered trail runner, avid hiker, and enthusiastic ‘compost queen’, using her love of the outdoors to inspire others to reconnect with and protect the environments they move through. In this episode, we discuss: Jess’s background and what sparked her passion for nature and sustainabilityHer studies in environmental science and geographyNew Zealand’s waste problem and why it mattersJess’s journey into trail running and how it shapes her environmental advocacyHer extensive volunteering background, including Forest & Bird YouthStepping into the role of Christchurch Hub Leader for Athletes for Nature, and why she got involvedHow composting can be a practical, change-making solution at the local levelHer work as Sustainability Coordinator at Without WasteThe role of athletes as advocates for climate action and conservationJess’s goals for Athletes for Nature in 2026, including plans for the Christchurch hubHow trail runners (and outdoor athletes more broadly) can reduce their environmental footprintPersonal ambitions over the next few years—both athletic and sustainability-focusedTo view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

25 min
1 FEB

Abby Patterson - The Future of Science Communication

Abby Patterson is an aspiring climate storyteller and science communicator, and our brand-new co-host on the Planet Pulse Pacific podcast! Over the past two years, Abby has grown her Instagram platform Outdoors with Abby, where she breaks down the often tough (and sometimes overwhelming) realities of climate change and environmental science into content that’s engaging, relatable, and easy to understand. Her postgraduate research focused on how climate science and emerging innovations can be communicated in ways that not only inform people but help them feel empowered to support meaningful change. Deeply passionate about sustainability and science communication, Abby hopes to build a career at the intersection of research, storytelling, and environmental advocacy. She dreams of a future where endangered species are thriving, human impacts on ecosystems are minimised, and she’s proud to be part of the movement working towards that future. Given all that, we’re absolutely pumped to welcome Abby on board as our new co-host! In this episode, we discuss: A season 7 check-in and what’s ahead for 2026Welcoming our new podcast presenter, Abby PattersonAbby’s background and studies in environmental communicationWhy translating science for the wider community really mattersOutdoors with Abby and her work in environmental advocacy on social mediaBattling climate doom to prevent disengagementHer volunteering with Forest & Bird Youth and Athletes for NatureWhy solutions already exist—and how we often focus on the wrong thingsAbby’s personal goals as a podcast hostThe impact of positive interactions that reach the right people and spark meaningful conversationsNavigating the role of AI in communication and the power of parody when used in the right contextTo view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

31 min
03/08/2025

Amy Steel - Wildfires And Interventions on Ecosystems

Amy Steel is a climate adaptation expert and PhD candidate with Adrift Lab at Curtin University, Western Australia. With over a decade of experience advising on decarbonisation and climate resilience, Amy is now focused on a vital question: should humans intervene to help ecosystems on the verge of collapse—and if so, how, where, and when? Amy's research centres on the Yowli (otherwise known as Flesh-footed Shearwaters) breeding on islands in the Recherche Archipelago off Kepa Kurl, Esperance. These seabirds face increasing and worsening threats from lightning-ignited wildfires during their peak breeding season, impacted by climate change. Working with the Esperance Tjaltjraak Rangers, Amy is exploring how Wudjari cultural burning can protect these fragile habitats. Amy also reflects on moving from high-level strategy to hands-on fieldwork, the importance of Indigenous knowledge, and what it means to protect ecosystems in a rapidly changing climate. In this episode, we discuss: Amy’s diverse background and what led her from leadership roles in climate strategy to researchThe long-term impacts of heat stroke that ended her competitive netball career and influenced her pathJoining the Adrift Lab team and what inspired her to undertake a PhDWhy islands and seabirds like the Yowli are critical indicators of ecosystem healthThe increasing severity of wildfires and extreme weather, and their impacts on vulnerable speciesWhether seabirds and other wildlife can adapt to human-driven climate change, and if natural checks and balances are breaking downThe ethical and ecological questions around human intervention in collapsing ecosystemsWorking closely with the Esperance Tjaltjraak Rangers, and the role of Wudjari cultural burning in ecosystem resilienceThe importance of place-based policy and honouring Indigenous knowledge in climate responsesHow to communicate climate and conservation issues effectively, and create lasting change within communitiesStaying motivated in advocacy through collaboration and community actionThe role of athletes in climate conversations, and how to stay safe while being active in a changing climateWhat gives Amy hope as an environmental researcherTo view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

59 min
13/07/2025

Christelle Bakhache - Ecological Impact of Nature Recreation

Christelle Bakhache is a climber, conservationist, Lagoped ambassador, and Nature Sports Project Manager at Asters, the Conservatory of Natural Spaces in Haute-Savoie, France. With a background in environmental science and fieldwork that includes time with global organisations like WWF, Christelle brings a deep, practical understanding of conservation to her current work protecting some of France’s most fragile alpine environments. Christelle works where outdoor adventure and environmental protection meet. She focuses on making sure that people can still enjoy the mountains without causing lasting harm to the ecosystems that make these places so special. Whether it’s shaping policy, supporting grassroots projects, or helping athletes think differently about their impact, she’s passionate about finding practical ways to balance human presence in these special and unique environments. In this conversation, Christelle shares how her love for wild spaces fuels her mission, what she’s witnessing firsthand in the face of climate change, and how outdoor athletes and everyday adventurers alike can reduce their impact. She also reflects on her personal journey—blending exploration, advocacy, and a commitment to low-impact living to pursue a more sustainable future. In this episode, we discuss: Christelle’s path into conservation and her drive to protect the natural worldLife and work in Haute-Savoie, and how the region shapes her environmental outlookHer role at Asters and their mission to safeguard mountain biodiversityThe rapid and visible impacts of climate change in the European AlpsConservation wins, persistent challenges, and reasons for hopeThe hidden environmental toll of large-scale sporting eventsWhat genuinely low-impact outdoor events could look likeSustainable training and travel tips for athletes and adventurersPractical ways we can all reduce our footprint in natureThe influence of individual athletes and institutions advocating for changeChristelle’s year of travelling simply and living with intentionSteps toward becoming a more thoughtful, respectful presence in the outdoorsTo view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

1hr 2min
29/06/2025

Joseph Boctor - Micro- And Nanoplastics In Agricultural Soils

Joseph Boctor is a PhD researcher at Murdoch University’s Bioplastics Innovation Hub and a passionate advocate for sustainable environmental solutions. Originally from Egypt, Joseph’s work is driven by a personal mission to address the growing plastic pollution crisis in the Nile River and other regions where waste management and recycling systems are underdeveloped or ineffective. At the Bioplastics Innovation Hub — a collaborative initiative between Murdoch University, CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and industry partners — Joseph’s research focuses on developing innovative ways to break down plastics in environments where traditional approaches fall short. With expertise in chemical sciences and biotechnology, he’s helping pioneer next-generation strategies for plastic degradation and sustainable materials. Together with the team at the Hub, Joseph is contributing to Australia’s efforts to rethink the plastic lifecycle, to create a cleaner, more resilient future for ecosystems around the world. In this episode, we discuss: Joseph’s background and what sparked his passion for tackling plastic pollutionThe shocking scale of plastic waste in the Nile River and its broader implicationsThe two sides to the plastic problem—beginning and end of life strategiesHis lead authorship on the paper “Microplastics and nanoplastics: fate, transport, and governance from agricultural soil to food webs and humans”Why micro- and nanoplastics are so concerning, and how their size makes them nearly impossible to escapeFrom soil to salad: How micro and nanoplastics enter agricultural soils and what that could mean for our healthThe urgent need for regulation and standardised risk assessments of plastics in food websPackaging solutions that don’t leave a legacy: The groundbreaking work of the Bioplastics Innovation HubAustralia’s love affair with plastic, and the alarming statistics behind our consumptionJoseph’s lead authorship on the review “Nature’s Plastic Predators: A Comprehensive and Bibliometric Review of Plastivore Insects”The intriguing insects that can feed on plastics—and how they could revolutionise waste managementThe Hub’s Smart Sprays Project and its potential to transform the agricultural industryPractical steps we can take as consumers to reduce our plastic footprint and avoid contaminationTo view all the links to the websites and documents, visit the show notes on our website. Please support our work and enable us to deliver more content by buying us a coffee or becoming a member of Athletes for Nature. Follow us on Instagram and Facebook, subscribe to this podcast, and share this episode with your friends and family.

41 min

5

out of 5

9 Ratings

Amazing content!!

28/09/2020

ben_eitel

A must listen for anyone that cares about the planet and their own personal well-being!

The climate and health crises are two of the most urgent issues of our time. Change must happen, and it needs to occur sooner rather than later. Join your hosts, Ben Eitelberg, Emma Strutt and Abby Patterson, for conversations about people and planet. Find more details at www.athletesfornature.org

Creator

The Lentil Intervention
Years Active

2020 - 2026
Episodes

149
Rating

Clean
Copyright

© 2026 Planet Pulse Pacific
Show Website

Planet Pulse Pacific