Nature, Nurture & Nonsense

Rutendo Shackleton
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  • NATURE
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

Nature, Nurture & Nonsense is a conservation podcast where family stories meet wildlife science. Hosted by Zimbabwean conservationist Rutendo Shackleton and her five siblings, it mixes wild childhood memories, expert guests, and laugh-out-loud moments to explore our personal connections to nature—without needing a science degree. It’s fun, genuine, and for everyone.

Episodes

  1. 11/27/2025

    Becoming an Urban Rewilder with Dr Sean McCormack

    In this episode, Dr Rutendo Shackleton chats with veterinarian, conservationist, presenter and author Dr Sean McCormack — founder of the Ealing Wildlife Group and ambassador for Beaver Trust. Sean shares what it was like growing up as the only nature-obsessed child out of five, the chaos and joy of his wild allotment. He also shares his journey from clinical vet work to community-led conservation, the highs and lows along the way, and how his team successfully reintroduced Eurasian Beavers to urban London after 400 years.It’s an honest, hopeful, and inspiring conversation with one of the most multi-talented people in conservation. Hosted & Produced by Rutendo Shackleton Sound by Izwirashe Wazara

    1h 22m

  2. 11/13/2025

    Whose Story Is It To Tell?

    This week, Rutendo is joined by her older brother, Tashinga, and sisters, Tadiwa and Mbiri, for a deep dive into wildlife storytelling. They share who in the family is the best storyteller — which naturally leads to some sibling roasting! The four also talk about their favourite wildlife films and series, recap last week’s chat with filmmaker Faith Musembi, and explore who should be telling wildlife stories — and why that matters.

    1h 12m

  3. 11/06/2025

    Makings of a Wildlife Storyteller with Faith Musembi

    This week we're so excited that Rutendo is joined by natural history producer and director Faith Musembi. You know when you admire someone — you love their work and their vibe — and think, “we’d totally be friends”? That’s exactly how Faith and Rutendo met, and thankfully the feeling was mutual! Faith is a filmmaker passionate about telling stories that celebrate Africa’s natural world and her people, while exploring the complexities of sustainable conservation — you see's our kind of person?! She’s worked on incredible projects like Nat Geo & Disney+'s QUEENS, Incredible Animal Journeys, and Chasing the Rains, and is now part of the BBC NHU team behind LION for National Geographic & Disney+. We talk about her childhood in rural Kenya, her love for cats , and what it means to be the first African natural history producer — and why she’s determined not to be the last. It’s a rich, heartfelt chat — and we hope you feel as inspired listening as Rutendo did speaking to her.

    1h 27m

  4. 10/30/2025

    Conservation, Our Way

    This week on the pod, my sibs Tadiwa, Izwi & Mbiri join me to chat about how we can make conservation our own, whereever it is we may live or come from. We’re sharing our core safari memories from growing up in Zimbabwe — some more chaotic than you’d think — and revisiting key insights from my chat with Dr. Peter Lindsey last week's episode. We also dive into what diaspora communities can do to support conservation in their home countries, and explore what a more regional, culturally rooted approach could look like. Produced & Edited by Rutendo Shackleton Sound by Izwi Wazara Research by Maya Master

    1h 5m

  5. 10/23/2025

    Perspectives on African Conservation with Dr Peter Lindsey

    This week Rutendo chats with Dr. Peter Lindsey — a fellow Zimbabwean and Director of the Lion Recovery Fund Wildlife Conservation Network. Peter’s passion for African wildlife shines through every part of his story. From his early days as a conservancy apprentice in Zimbabwe to studying at Oxford and earning his PhD at the University of Pretoria, his career has taken him across 18 African countries and over 160 protected areas. His work — spanning predators from jackals and painted dogs to lions — reflects a lifelong commitment to conservation and the people who make it possible. For Rutendo, this conversation felt like talking to a mentor — and it’s easy to see why. Peter’s insight, experience, and deep hope for Africa’s future are as inspiring as they are grounding.

    1h 6m

  6. 10/16/2025

    Art, Nature & Creative Conservation

    This week, it’s a sisters-only chat! Rutendo is joined by her sisters Tadiwa, Ishe, and Mbiri to talk all about art and nature — not just how nature inspires creativity, but how creativity can become a form of advocacy for the natural world. From painting and music to dance and filmmaking, the sisters explore how art helps us connect with, express, and protect what we love about the planet. They also reflect on last week’s inspiring conversation with Alicia Hayden, and how artists like her use their work to raise awareness about biodiversity — from our own back gardens to wild places across the world. Hosted & Produced by Rutendo ShackletonAudio Editing by Izwirashe WazaraResearch by Maya MasterIG/TikTok: @naturenurtureandnonsense

    58 min

  7. 10/09/2025

    Nature Artivism with Alicia Hayden

    Rutendo welcomes her very first guest, Alicia Hayden — an award-winning wildlife artist and creative conservationist. They talk about art, activism, and how creativity can connect people with nature, from childhood memories to favourite animated films and Alicia’s vision for inspiring conservation through art. Alicia works across multiple disciplines - film, writing and art - to tell stories about the natural world, using art as a powerful way to connect people with nature. Hosted by Rutendo Shackleton Edited by Izwirashe Wazara Produced & Edited by Rutendo Shackleton

    57 min

  8. 10/03/2025

    Dog Parents

    In this week’s episode, Rutendo and the siblings are talking all about pets! For many of us, our first relationship with nature begins with the animals we share our homes with. For our family, that’s meant many pets over the years—past and present. We chat about the difference between being a dog “parent” vs. a dog “owner,” the ups and downs of life with pets, and the lessons they’ve taught us. From memorable (and chaotic!) pet moments to the origin story of Chances the cat, we’ve got plenty of stories to share. We also dive into the ancient relationship between humans and dogs—and why it still matters today. But most importantly, we get to just gush about our pets, and honestly, what’s better than that?!

    1h 6m

  9. 09/24/2025

    The Group Chat Just Got Wilder!

    Welcome to the very first episode of Nature, Nurture & Nonsense. Meet Dr. Rutendo Shackleton and her five siblings as they launch a podcast where family banter collides with the natural world. In this pilot episode, the Wazara Six — as they like to call themselves — introduce who they are, share what life was like under one roof, and reflect on the wild family adventures they either enjoyed or endured (depending on which sibling you ask). Expect laughter, stories, and a sprinkle of nonsense as we bring our sibling energy straight to your headphones. This is your official invite to the group chat — and trust us, it just got wilder. Hosted and produced by Rutendo Shackleton Co-hosted by Tashinga Wazara, Tadiwanashe Wazara, Ishevanesu Wazara, Izwirashe Wazara and Mbiriyashe Wazara Edited and mixed by Izwirashe Wazara

    1h 5m

  10. 09/22/2025

    Introducing "Nature, Nurture & Nonsense"

    Nature, Nurture & Nonsense is a conservation podcast where family stories meet wildlife science. Hosted by Zimbabwean conservationist, Dr Rutendo Shackleton and her five siblings, it mixes wild childhood memories, expert guests, and laugh-out-loud moments to explore our personal connections to nature—without needing a science degree. It’s fun, genuine, and for everyone.

    1 min

Trailer

About

Nature, Nurture & Nonsense is a conservation podcast where family stories meet wildlife science. Hosted by Zimbabwean conservationist Rutendo Shackleton and her five siblings, it mixes wild childhood memories, expert guests, and laugh-out-loud moments to explore our personal connections to nature—without needing a science degree. It’s fun, genuine, and for everyone.

Information

  • Creator
    Rutendo Shackleton
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    10
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Rutendo Shackleton
  • Show Website
    Nature, Nurture & Nonsense