47 episodes

Love science and conservation? Want to discover new ways to protect our species? Elle Kaye chats with guests who work within the science genre, but whose job titles may need a little unpacking. Strap in for entomology, taxidermy, diaphonization, pet remains, human pathology and all those that work with specimens.

Specimens Elle Kaye

    • Science
    • 4.9 • 39 Ratings

Love science and conservation? Want to discover new ways to protect our species? Elle Kaye chats with guests who work within the science genre, but whose job titles may need a little unpacking. Strap in for entomology, taxidermy, diaphonization, pet remains, human pathology and all those that work with specimens.

    Dr. Matthew Kasson - Mycologist + Plant Pathologist

    Dr. Matthew Kasson - Mycologist + Plant Pathologist

    In episode 046 Elle chats with Dr. Matthew Kasson: Mycologist and Plant Pathologist who studies fungus biodiversity centered around tree diseases and fungus-arthropod interactions. 
    Socials:
    https://x.com/ImperfectFunGuy
    https://twitter.com/plantdisease
    Research, Sci-Comm and related press and media:
    Online media, Nightmare-fuel fungi exist in real life, Popular Science (PopSci) https://www.popsci.com/environment/zombie-fungus-real-life-diseases/. Single author piece on the real-life fungal threats we face given all the attention fungi are getting from HBO’s The Last of Us. Feb. 3, 2023.
     Online media, How to keep your jack-o’-lantern from turning into moldy, maggoty mush before Halloween, The Conversation, How to keep your jack-o'-lantern from turning into moldy, maggoty mush before Halloween (theconversation.com). Single author piece on how fungi impact our seasonal celebrations and rituals particularly around Halloween. Oct. 6, 2022. Re-published by Scientific American, Popular Science, and PBS.
     Printed and Online media, Wild mushrooms are curious organisms that require respect, The Washington Post, Wild mushrooms aren't all poisonous, but they all require caution - The Washington Post. Single author piece on how our fears of a small number of fungi shape our willingness to interact with them. August 24, 2022
     Online media, Beyond flora and fauna: Why it’s time to include fungi in global conservation goals, The Conversation, Beyond flora and fauna: Why it's time to include fungi in global conservation goals (theconversation.com). Co-authored piece with Brian Lovett (WVU PSS) and Patty Kaishian (Bard College) on how fungi are regularly excluded from talks on global conservation. May 17, 2022. Re-published in Indonesian.
     Online media, Finding mental-health clarity under pandemic pressures. Nature. Finding mental-health clarity under pandemic pressures (nature.com) Single author column on my mental health struggles in academia. Dec. 14, 2021.
     
    Research
    Podcast with Online Media, Episode 25: “Of Peeps and People…and Plant Pathology” Plantopia, https://www.plantopiapodcast.org/25.  The official podcast on The American Phytopathological Society featuring my work in forest pathology, science communication, and advocacy. July 21. 2022.
     Podcast with Online Media, Episode 4: How cicadas become flying saltshakers of death Overheard at National Geographic, Episode 4: How cicadas become flying saltshakers of death (nationalgeographic.com) May 25, 2021.
     National Radio with Online Media, Drugged Cicadas Mate Like Wild After Their Butts Fall Off, All Things Considered, National Public Radio., Drugged Cicadas Mate Like Wild After Their Butts Fall Off : NPR Coverage of Brood X and my lab’s research of cicada fungus Massospora. May 18, 2021.
     Online Media, Drugged, Castrated, Eager to Mate: the Lives of Fungi-Infected Cicadas, The New York Times, https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/28/science/cicadas-fungus-butts.html, Coverage of our Fungal Ecology paper on cicadas " Psychoactive plant- and mushroom-associated alkaloids from two behavior modifying cicada pathogens.", July 28, 2019.
     Online Media, This Parasite Drugs Its Hosts With the Psychedelic Chemical in Shrooms, The Atlantic, https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2018/07/massospora-parasite-drugs-its-hosts/566324/, Coverage of our BioRxiv pre-print "Psychoactive plant- and mushroom-associated alkaloids from two behavior modifying cicada pathogens.", July 30, 2018.
     
    SciComm 
    Online media, These fungi demand more pumpkin in their pumpkin spice lattes. Popular Science. Some fungi are fans of pumpkin spice lattes, too | Popular Science (popsci.com). Coverage of my Sept. 9, 2022 viral tweet seeing which fungi preferred growth media with real pumpkin compared with pumpkin spice and pumpkin spice latte-substituted growth media. Sept. 15, 2022.
     National Radio with Online Media, A Disturbing Twinkie That Has, So Far, Defie

    • 41 min
    Jazmine Miles-Long - Taxidermist

    Jazmine Miles-Long - Taxidermist

    In episode 045 Elle chats with Jazmine Miles-Long; Taxidermist, Artist, Educator and Natural History Restorer based in Hastings UK.

    Jazmine calls herself an ‘ethical’ taxidermist to describe the way she produces work only using animals that have died from natural causes. Jazmine specialises in creating ethically sourced bespoke taxidermy for galleries and museums, promoting ethical practices and delivering lectures and workshops at various institutions. She aims to elevate taxidermy as a respected art form, shedding light on its scientific and cultural benefits, and also runs educational workshops focusing on ethics and the role of makers in creating a better future for the planet. Jazmine uses sustainable and stable Oddy tested and conservation grade materials to produce her work.
    Social media links
    https://www.jazminemileslong.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/jazmine_miles_long/
    https://www.facebook.com/EthicalTaxidermyLondon
    https://twitter.com/taxidermylondon
    Subscribe to Jazmine's mailing list
    https://jazminemileslong.us14.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=5041980cec6eb13ed8422bbc3&id=3d3aefd05e
    Jazmines work for sale
    https://www.jazminemileslong.com/For-Sale
    Videos
    https://www.jazminemileslong.com/Videos
    Recent Press
    https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-sussex-68129637
    https://www.brightonandhovenews.org/2024/01/26/booth-museum-to-unveil-first-new-display-in-92-years/
    https://thelatest.co.uk/brighton/2024/01/26/first-new-diorama-to-be-unveiled-in-booth-museum-of-natural-history-in-nearly-a-century/
    https://www.ryezine.com/articles/taxidermist
    https://www.elle.com/uk/life-and-culture/culture/articles/a32430/how-taxidermy-became-cool-again/
    https://www.qest.org.uk/alumni/jazmine-miles-long/
    https://www.theguardian.com/careers/2015/oct/27/taxidermist-tales-from-the-career-job-art
    DYCP Funding
    https://www.artscouncil.org.uk/dycp
    QEST scholarship
    https://www.qest.org.uk/
    ODDY testing
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oddy_test
    SPNHC: The Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections
    https://spnhc.org/meetings/
    Martha Maxwell
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martha_Maxwell
    https://www.cogreatwomen.org/project/martha-maxwell/
    https://americacomesalive.com/martha-ann-maxwell-1831-1881-naturalist-taxidermist/
    Elle Kaye socials
    www.instagram.com/ellekayetaxidermy
    www.twitter.com/ellektaxidermy
    Podcast socials
    www.instagram.com/specimenspod
    wwww.twitter.com/ellektaxidermy
    www.patreon.com/specimenspod
    www.ellekayetaxidermy.co.uk/product-page/specimenspodmerch
    Artwork ©  2021 Madison Erin Mayfield
    www.instagram.com/madisonerinmayfield
    www.twitter.com/MEMIllustration
    Music
    Giraffes - Harrison Amer via premiumbeat.com
    Researched, edited and produced by Elle Kaye
    Concept/Title ©  2020 Elle Kaye

    • 45 min
    Dr. Samuel Mitchell - Volcanologist + Marine Geologist

    Dr. Samuel Mitchell - Volcanologist + Marine Geologist

    In episode 044 Elle chats with Dr. Samuel Mitchell, volcanologist, marine geologist and earth and ocean science communicator based at the University of Bristol, UK. His main research focuses on volcanic eruptions in our oceans, which has taken him across the world conducting field research on volcanoes on land and on the seafloor using oceanographic research vessels. Beyond academic interests, Samuel is an active science communicator across various social media platforms, podcast host, and chair of an international commission on submarine volcanism.
    Social media links
    https://www.smitchellscience.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/smitchell_science
    https://www.tiktok.com/@sams_volcano_stories
    https://linktr.ee/smitchell_science
    https://twitter.com/smitchell_sci
    Samuel's podcast and socials
    https://www.volcaknowledge.com/
    https://www.instagram.com/volcaknowledge/
    School of Sciences at Bristol
    https://www.bristol.ac.uk/earthsciences/
    Natural events mentioned by Samuel
    Sumatra–Andaman earthquake - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2004_Indian_Ocean_earthquake_and_tsunami
    Mount Pinatubo - https://pubs.usgs.gov/fs/1997/fs113-97/
    Hula
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hula
    Dante's Peak
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dante%27s_Peak
    Watch via Amazon Prime TV, Apple TV or YouTube
    Further reading
    https://www.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/the-surprising-history-of-hawaiis-hula-tradition
    Geological Society
    US - https://www.geosociety.org/
    UK - https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/
    Dr. Samuel's work
    https://www.smitchellscience.com/fieldwork
    Outreach
    https://www.smitchellscience.com/outreach
    Submersible Alvin and Research Vessel Atlantis
    https://www2.whoi.edu/site/seafloortospacestation/submersible-alvin-and-research-vessel-atlantis/
    Elle Kaye socials
    www.instagram.com/ellekayetaxidermy
    www.twitter.com/ellektaxidermy
    Podcast socials
    www.instagram.com/specimenspod
    wwww.twitter.com/ellektaxidermy
    www.patreon.com/specimenspod
    www.ellekayetaxidermy.co.uk/product-page/specimenspodmerch
    Artwork ©  2021 Madison Erin Mayfield
    www.instagram.com/madisonerinmayfield
    www.twitter.com/MEMIllustration
    Music
    Giraffes - Harrison Amer via premiumbeat.com
    Researched, edited and produced by Elle Kaye
    Concept/Title ©  2020 Elle Kaye

    • 43 min
    Leif Bersweden - Botanist, Author + Nature Communicator

    Leif Bersweden - Botanist, Author + Nature Communicator

    In episode 043 Elle chats with Leif Bersweden, botanist, author and nature  communicator. Leif Bersweden is a writer and botanist with a lifelong interest in nature, focusing on wild plants from the age of seven. He grew up in rural Wiltshire where he taught himself how to identify the local flora, eventually becoming a botanical tutor for The Species Recovery Trust. In 2016, Leif graduated from Oxford University with a degree in Biology and has completed a PhD at Kew Gardens. In a world where an interest in botany is becoming increasingly rare, he wants to help put plants back on the map and is endeavouring to do this through his teaching, research and publications. Leif’s first book, The Orchid Hunter was published in 2017 and his second, Where the Wildflowers Grow in 2022.
    Social media links
    Twitter: www.twitter.com/LeifBersweden
    TikTok: @leifbersweden
    Instagram: www.instagram.com/leifbersweden
    Website: www.leifbersweden.com
     
    Purchase Where the Wildflowers Grow
    https://www.wherethewildflowersgrow.co.uk/
    Independent sellers:
    https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/where-the-wildflowers-grow-my-botanical-journey-through-britain-and-ireland-leif-bersweden/6751767?ean=9781529349535
    https://www.waterstones.com/book/where-the-wildflowers-grow/leif-bersweden/9781529349573
    https://www.hodder.co.uk/titles/leif-bersweden/where-the-wildflowers-grow/9781529349535/
     
    Audible Version
    https://www.amazon.co.uk/Where-Wildflowers-Grow-Botanical-Journey/dp/B09TQ4LS27/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=
     
    Elle Kaye socials
    www.instagram.com/ellekayetaxidermy
    www.twitter.com/ellektaxidermy
     
    Podcast socials
    www.instagram.com/specimenspod
    www.twitter.com/ellektaxidermy
    www.patreon.com/specimenspod
    www.ellekayetaxidermy.co.uk/product-page/specimenspodmerch
     
    Artwork © 2021 Madison Erin Mayfield
    www.instagram.com/madisonerinmayfield
    https://twitter.com/MEMIllustration
     
    Music
    Giraffes - Harrison Amer via premiumbeat.com
    Researched, edited and produced by Elle Kaye
    Concept/Title © 2020 Elle Kaye
     

    • 45 min
    Sophie Pavelle - Science Communicator + Author

    Sophie Pavelle - Science Communicator + Author

    In episode 042 Elle chats with Sophie Pavelle,  science communicator and author. Sophie finds creative routes to storytelling, putting a contemporary twist on the natural history genre across wide audiences through her compelling science communication and candid approach.
    Sophie currently works as Communications Coordinator for Beaver Trust and presented their award-winning documentary Beavers Without Borders. She is also an Ambassador for The Wildlife Trusts, and sits on the RSPB England Advisory Committee. Sophie co-hosts The LodgeCast for Beaver Trust, and has narrated several independent natural history documentaries, as well as narrating her own audiobook for Bloomsbury. She also narrates the long-read articles for the Geographical podcast. Sophie has been a keynote speaker for festivals and conferences, including Kendal Mountain Festival, The Southwest Outdoor Festival, Top of the Gorge Festival, the Festival of Nature, the University of Exeter, University of Bristol and UWE.
    Her research into science communication via social media (2020) is peer reviewed, and published in academic journal Frontiers. Her data and related seminars have been presented at institutions including the University of Washington (USA), Brown University (USA) and UWE.
    Sophie’s writing has appeared in New Scientist, The i Newspaper, National Geographic Traveller, The Guardian, The Metro, BBC Wildlife, BBC Countryfile, Coast and The Scotsman.  
    She has featured as an expert panelist and contributor on programmes for BBC Radio 4 and BBC Radio 5 Live, as well as on Channel 4 News, BBC Points West, BBC Spotlight and ITV Westcountry.
     
    Sophie’s social links
    Website: https://www.sophiepavelle.com/ 
    Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sophiepavs/
    Twitter: https://twitter.com/sophiepavs
    YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q4Mmjm22GiY
     
    Sophie Pavelle is the author of Forget Me Not: Finding the forgotten species of climate-change Britain, published in paperback by Bloomsbury on 22nd June.
    Pre-Order Paperback Forget Me Not!
    https://linktr.ee/forgetmenotbook
    Audible Version
    https://www.audible.co.uk/pd/Forget-Me-Not-Audiobook/B0B2F62Q2G
     
    Guardian review/Book of the Day: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2022/jun/24/forget-me-not-sophie-pavelle-review-britain-undersung-species-hares-salmon-climate-crisis
    Caught by the River review: https://www.caughtbytheriver.net/2022/06/sophie-pavelle-forget-me-not-review/ 
    Geographical review: https://geographical.co.uk/book-reviews/forget-me-not-by-sophie-pavelle 
    Podcast interviews: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5t2oWcDdlQj7QiEqucvHnG?si=a5e516a555c14eb2 
    https://open.spotify.com/episode/1Nxw2WIjuxQev5CaHI5dZG?si=524aadc483d0477c
     
    Elle Kaye socials
    www.instagram.com/ellekayetaxidermy
    www.twitter.com/ellektaxidermy
     
    Podcast socials
    www.instagram.com/specimenspod
    www.twitter.com/ellektaxidermy
    www.patreon.com/specimenspod
    www.ellekayetaxidermy.co.uk/product-page/specimenspodmerch
     
    Artwork © 2021 Madison Erin Mayfield
    www.instagram.com/madisonerinmayfield
    https://twitter.com/MEMIllustration
     
    Music
    Giraffes - Harrison Amer via premiumbeat.com
    Researched, edited and produced by Elle Kaye
    Concept/Title © 2020 Elle Kaye
     

    • 39 min
    Celina Chien - Intersectional Environmentalist + Visual Storyteller

    Celina Chien - Intersectional Environmentalist + Visual Storyteller

    In episode 041 Elle chats with Celina Chien, intersectional environmentalist and storyteller. She combines her work as an ecologist, photojournalist and artist to harness empathy for change and to advocate for biodversity. Celina contextualises her work within the climate and biodiversity crises, whilst also discussing enviornmental and social issues.
    As a photographer, Celina’s documentary work has focused on exploring the nuances of environmental topics from palm oil expansion to the zoo debate to the wildlife trade. She also releases her work as fine art pieces, most recently after a successful exhibition in October 2022 in support of leopard conservation with Dolce&Gabbana. This work strives to forge links between the fashion, artistic and conservation worlds with more collaborative releases to follow. In 2021, Celina placed in the prestigious 57th Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition as a highly commended finalist in the photojournalism category. She sits on the judging panel of the same competition hosted by the Natural History Museum of London in 2023. 
    Celina is a TEDx speaker and serves on the board and council of numerous international NGOs such as Panthera, Rewriting Extinction, Reserva Youth Land Trust, Girls Who Click and more. In 2021, Celina was a highly commended finalist in the prestigious Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition and currently sits on its 2023 judging panel. She has a BSc in Biological Sciences and MRes in Tropical Forest Ecology from Imperial College London.
    Celina's social links
     
    Website: celinachien.com
    Instagram: @celinaxchien
    Twitter: @celinaxchien
     
    Panthera Exhibition + Press for 'Leopard Honouring the Muse': A Celina Chien X Dolce&Gabbana Photographic Exhibition
    https://panthera.org/leopard-honouring-muse
    https://celinachien.sumupstore.com/product/honouring-the-muse-a-visual-companion
     
    Reserva: The Youth Land Trust
    https://reservaylt.org/
     
    Girls who Click
    https://girlswhoclick.org/
     
    Outside reading + watching on Celina:
    'In Conservation with...' https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDIx65y0bVc
    Wildlife Photographer of the Year - https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/wildlife-photographer-of-the-year-nature-through-a-different-lens.html
    TEDx Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FRFP5SuaOB0
    Women of STEM Interview - https://women-of-stem.medium.com/provoking-conservation-action-with-photography-celina-chien-19a02bd8d1bf
    Article in Wild Lens Magazine - https://www.thewildlensmagazine.com/past-issues
     
    Elle Kaye socials
    www.instagram.com/ellekayetaxidermy
    www.twitter.com/ellektaxidermy
     
    Podcast socials
    www.instagram.com/specimenspod
    www.twitter.com/ellektaxidermy
    www.patreon.com/specimenspod
    www.ellekayetaxidermy.co.uk/product-page/specimenspodmerch
     
    Artwork © 2021 Madison Erin Mayfield
    www.instagram.com/madisonerinmayfield
    https://twitter.com/MEMIllustration
     
    Music
    Giraffes - Harrison Amer via premiumbeat.com
    Researched, edited and produced by Elle Kaye
    Concept/Title © 2020 Elle Kaye
     

    • 41 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
39 Ratings

39 Ratings

GlezRae ,

My New Fav Podcast!

I’m a new listener but every episode has been absolutely awesome. Elle’s interview style is engaging, informative, and cuts through fluffy surface chatter to get to the heart of interesting topics. I love the rapid fire questions that help me get to know the experts. The vibes are fantastic, keep recording!!

Alicia.G ,

Great podcast!

Elle does such an amazing job with her guests and content curation. As a bonafide museum geek and taxidermist who has worked in the natural history field for 27 years, I can’t get enough. Every episode is delightful, captivating, and informative. Specimens peels back the curtain to peek behind the scenes where the all of the science magic happens, a rare treat!

Acherontisuchus ,

Such a good show!

Elle assembles a wonderful lineup of guests across the many fields of natural history. Some traditional voices and some less so, but all with fascinating perspectives. 10/10, would recommend!

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