The Dirt Down Under

The Dirt Down Under

Let’s be honest, none wants to talk about the end of the world. However, with the looming issues of climate change, plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, overfishing and an endless list of planetary challenges, mass global conservation efforts are at play. But is their advocacy too much for the masses to handle? Julia Wheeler and Paul De Gelder chat with these game-changers who are striving to protect mother earth and tackle the stigma, rumours and gossip surrounding what conservation actually means, getting down to the dirt of an ever changing controversial circle from a humour driven, fact-checking, empowering and listener life- changing perspective.

Season 1

  1. PAUL DEGELDER

    EPISODE 1

    PAUL DEGELDER

    PAUL DEGELDER /  Interviewed By Julia Wheeler  'Improvise, Adapt, Overcome' - Paul Degelder Hot Topics Of The Podcast Paul never wanted to be a shark diving motivational speaker  Paul's background and the early days of bars, rap and drugs Army life Paul's rapping background - believe it or not, involved Snoop Dog! How changing perception of situations, rather than your circumstance changes your life Paul's childhood dog attack How Paul got into bomb disposal diving Paul’s shark attack where a Bull Shark took his arm and leg in Sydney Harbour Why Paul wouldn't change what happened How his shark attack was medically treated The mental healing process after losing two limbs to a Bull Shark Paul shows off his prosthetic hand Girl issues of a robot life Paul's initial pain of losing his leg How Paul got through the shark attack and moved on Amazing quote - "Never feel bad about feeling bad" How the ocean and swimming with sharks is not a trigger for Paul after the shark attack We shouldn't be afraid of sharks, they should be scared of us Paul's job with Discovery channel 3 tips for people afraid of sharks How Paul has changed his life post-attack to preserve the marine environment Paul De Gelder Paul de Gelder chased adventure wherever he could find it, from his wild ride as a hoodlum teen and his whirlwind lifestyle working to hauling his way up to the elite echelons of the Australian Defence Forces as an Army paratrooper and then a Navy bomb disposal diver. But trouble hunted him down in the form of a 9ft bull shark in February 2009 while diving for the Navy. Paul lost two limbs, and his career as a daredevil diver was flung into jeopardy. Drawing on everything his eventful life had taught him, Julia talks with Paul openly about how he left nothing to chance in his recovery and how he fought through excruciating pain, smashing challenge after challenge and becoming an advocate for the oceans and where he learnt to hand feed Bull Sharks, Hammerheads, Blue Sharks, dive with tiger sharks and even Great Whites without the protection of a cage. Paul speaks candidly and humorously about overcoming adversity, embracing change and turning fears into your greatest strengths to create an amazing life personally and professionally. He has also been a guest on every major Australian TV talk show and many in the U.S. He starred as a guest trainer on the Biggest Loser Australia and has hosted over 18 documentaries for Discovery Channel’s Shark Week with his latest alongside Robert Irwin. Megastar Will Smith Featured Paul in his Facebook series “Bucket List” as his shark diving mentor and UFC hall of famer and now WWE star Ronda Rousey was taught how to hand feed bull sharks by Paul for a Shark Week special. Paul also became part of an anti-poaching team in Africa to hunt poachers and film the amazing work done by the Rangers there for “FEARLESS”, aired on NatGeo. In the years since the shark attack, Paul’s life has changed in every aspect. Paul has travelled the world as a top motivational speaker, passionate environmentalist, adventurer and mentor to school kids. He has spoken at venues across the globe, from the United Nations in New York and the US Navy in San Diego to Military celebrations in front of thousands and keynotes for multimillion dollar corporations and charity organisations around Australia and Asia. Paul has been touted as one of the top 15 inspirational Australians and top 10 speakers and now based in Los Angeles - listen to his awe-inspiring interview with Julia Wheeler because it will open your heart and mind at how you may approach life, a little differently. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    59 min
  2. PLASTIC SHRINKS PENISES

    EPISODE 2

    PLASTIC SHRINKS PENISES

    What. Are you serious? It’s true; there’s actually talk of men becoming infertile by 2048 because of plastics. A must listen-to episode, we take you into the hardcore activism of Kate Nelson, AKA ‘Plastic Free Mermaid’. Truth be told, for at least half a century, scientists have been worrying about sperm.  In 2017, it got worse. Results came in after a high-impact meta-analysis reported that average sperm counts among “Western” populations have decreased by 50% since the 1970’s.  Kate Nelson has been disposable-plastic-free for over ten years now, starting her journey volunteering at the Jean Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society. Kate learnt that plastic does not biodegrade. Shocked. Horrified. Kate packed her bag and ventured out to the Great Pacific Trash Gyre collecting samples. When Kate pulled up the trawl, it was full of tiny micro plastics. It was then that Kate realised the severity and scale of this issue and immediately turned hardcore zero-plastics advocate.  Of course when infertility and plastics came across Kate’s path after continuing her studies and reading Dr. Anthony Jay’s "Estrogeneration," a book discussing a class of Estrogen mimicking chemicals, and how our daily exposures can cause weight-gains, depression, and infertility, we thought this would be the topic to cover. Read Kate’s finding here. “It was not easy. Becoming aware of the tons of plastic in my life was a massive wake up call. I was contributing to the garbage dump in the precious sea that I loved so much. It has been an organic, natural, humbling journey full of learning. The reason I have been able to sustain such a drastic shift, is because of the incredible results of eliminating plastic from my life by abstaining from things packaged in plastic”.  Kate has lobbied against governments, pitched to corporates, spoken at schools all over the world and met with any politician who would hear her and now it’s your turn to listen to the dirt on plastics and infertility.  Hot Topics With Kate Nelson  ‘HOW PLASTICS ARE MAKING US FAT, SICK AND INFERTILE’  @plasticfreemermaid • Julia is curious; plastic is so prevalent today, how is it possible to avoid it entirely? • Paul's pouch-sweater business idea • Kate tells us why you should you avoid plastic? The answers will shock you! • Kate freaks Julia and Paul out when explaining what happens when and how we ingest plastic • Phthalates and Bisphenol • Kate! Where do you get all this information on plastics?  • Plastic is effecting our genitals… and Paul’s penis size and his baby divers! • Shanna Swan - Author of ‘Count Down’ claims we are likely to be infertile by 2048 because of plastics…! • Dr. Anthony Jay wrote "Estrogeneration," a book discussing Estrogen mimicking chemicals. • We're seeing a huge angle on sustainable products like paper bags and straws, is this enough? • What is Kate’s most vivid memory of plastic's effects on the environment? • Are beach-cleans a waste of time? • Who are the multi-national plastic offenders, and how do we change the system? • How can we play our part if we can't regulate these companies? • The cost of anti-plastic life is prohibitive  • Let’s talk clothing and plastic  • Are any clothing companies taking an environmental stance? • So how do we get rid of the plastic we've created? • How do individuals move away from plastic? • Shop local - Farmers markets all the way • How are companies not being held accountable for the destruction of the environment? • Blaming the consumer and the invention of the recycle bin • Kate, what do you want to say to people still using high amounts of plastics? • If companies won't change themselves, how can we create meaningful change in the world? • Kate's new book - I Quit Plastics  • Home made products to avoid plastics • Kate's resources • Kate's eco-survey • Plastic in sanitary products - how to avoid • Why wo

    1h 3m
  3. SEASPIRACY OR CONSPIRACY?

    EPISODE 3

    SEASPIRACY OR CONSPIRACY?

    Director, Ali Tabrizi brings us one of the most environmentally hard-hitting, gut wrenching, shocking films of all time which slaps each and every one of us on the wrist - which Julia openly confronts him about during the interview. Seaspiricy, one of its top 10 most watched films on Netfilx, highlights bycatch, overfishing and the destruction of marine ecosystems. However experts and NGO’s in the film are saying that it contains misleading claims, erroneous statistics and out-of-context interviews… And there’s a lot of dirt on Ali being accused of misrepresentation by the critics which we talk out in our interview. Here’s a start; an executive with the international organisation responsible for the Dolphin Safe tuna label, Mark Palmer, has said “The film took my statement out of context to suggest that there is no oversight and we don’t know whether dolphins are being killed. That is not true.” David Phillips, director of the International Marine Mammal Project stated, “While covering critical topics, Seaspiracy unfortunately does a disservice to a number of organizations that are doing critical work to protect oceans and marine life. It’s no surprise that the New York Times panned the film for entrapping interviewees with leading questions and getting lost in a sea of murky conspiratorial thinking.” And then… Professor Christina Hicks, an environmental social scientist at Lancaster University who was interviewed for the film, tweeted: “Unnerving to discover your cameo in a film slamming an industry you love and have committed your career to.” Critics also argue one of the most shocking statistics quoted in the film is wrong. A stark prediction, from a 2006 study by Boris Worm, warning that “the ocean will be empty by 2048”. Worm, however retracted this paper two years later and teamed up with Marine Biologist and fishery scientist, Ray Hilborn, along with 19 other authors, released a new study in 2009. The irony upon the release of the 2009 paper is, Boris Worm all of a sudden claims that “the paper shows that our oceans are not a lost cause”. Ray Hilborn also stated that his research receives funding from the fisheries, ‘It is true that my research program receives funding from the fishing industry. Industry funding makes up about 22% of my total funding”. Understandably, this is one of the reasons for critics spearheading the 2006, 2048 ‘empty oceans’ prediction. However it does seem a bit odd to me that two years after Worm’s study warns of a complete collapse in the world’s seafood stocks by 2048 to then “I’m somewhat more hopeful … than what we were seeing two years ago.” and “I have actually given thought to whether I will be hosting a seafood party then,” Worm said, meaning 2048. Our main question, would scientists support the assertion that all fish stocks will be collapsed by 2048? We talk to Ali about this. Tune in. HOT TOPICS @seaspiricy Ali tells us just how tough it was to make Seaspiricy and why he decided to make one of the hardest films imaginable Despite the long length of production / hate / social setbacks, What drove Ali to continue? What was left on the cutting room floor? Death threats on location during production… Fishing companies have reacted to the film, with hindsight would Ali change anything about it? We talk the dirt on companies who feel they have been taken out of context,,, Do you want to contact these people who agree to be apart of your film and then backtrack what they say on camera? Do the negative comments on the film bother Ali - or does the good messages far outweigh them. Can sustainable fisheries actually exist? What messages was Ali hoping to get out to the world through his film? How can large fish companies continue to make the claim that they are sustainable when Ali’s film facts prove otherwise? Sustainable labels are just a marketing tool - really? Is there any hope for the future of our oceans? Ves

    57 min
  4. HALFCUT

    EPISODE 4

    HALFCUT

    Wearing a half-cut, strange and unique beard is the norm for James Stanton-Cooke; or Jimmy HalfCut because our mighty conservation comrade wants you to know that half of the world’s rainforests have been cut down! And the oldest rainforest in the world is taking a hacking - that being the Daintree Rainforest in far North Queensland where the world listed UNESCO world heritage site is fighting a battle of it’s own. Plots of land are being sold off, trees the size of the Statue of Liberty are being cut down and the endangered and prehistoric Cassowary is being run down by local traffic - and you have the power to help. A personal favourite spot of Julia and Paul’s, this hilarious and straight up episode takes you for a stroll back in time and into the lungs of our planet where Paul and Julia come up with a larger than life and probbaly never going to happen campaign to save the Rainforest. HalfCut Org is a text deductible Australian organisation who aim to protect crucial forests for habitat for threatened and endangered species, protect Traditional Owners land titles, start mass tree planting projects and ultimately be part of the solution to the growing climate emergency, ensuring a safe future for all species on Earth.HalfCut is a peer to peer, social and environmental movement that engages all people to raise funds for forest regeneration and conversation. They create visual disruption by wearing a Halfcut look to start conversations about actively saving the Daintree Rainforest. Listen to our podcast and Jimmy’s story and be inspired to shave, cut, braid or colour. Go Halfcut on the World HalfCut day August 31st 2021 for as long or as short as you want, for the week or even the whole month. It's up to you. The money you raise will help protect the oldest rainforest in the world. Expanding Daintree National Park.You'll be helping buy four critical lots in the Daintree Rainforest. Every $2.50 you raise saves 1m2 of the Daintree!   THE DIRT @halfcutorg - Half of the worlds rainforests are gone and so be it, so is Jimmy’s beard but lets talk the origin of how this even happened to the forests and his face! - Jimmy has a few secrets and tricks in the Daintree, with spiders in particular… - The Daintree is full of an abundance of life… and very interesting bugs… - Jimmy's love for the mighty Cassowary - our Australian dinosaur - The dirt on why the Daintree rainforest desperately needs our focus and our hearts and how Jimmy raised over $372,000.00 and protected 149,099m2 of the Daintree Rainforest in 2020 - People live in the Daintree rainforest?! - How, for some mental reason, the Daintree Rainforest is open to farming and agriculture (we are talking about a UNESCO world heritage site that co-exists with the Great Barrier Reef) - Halfcut Organisations’ ultimate goal - The incredible impacts that the trees of the Daintree have on the environment and what they are worth to the survival of this ecosystem? - The dirt on deforestation and its effect on drought and climate - How Halfcut Org are buying back the land in the Daintree and returning it to its rightful traditional owners… - If not the mainstream media, where can people turn to for accurate information? - How much time do we have left until climate change really gets us? - Who are the corporate individuals who can help support movements like yours Jimmy? AKA ‘ethical corporates’ - Tell us about your favourite lot of land in the Daintree and why is it so special? - Who’s responsibility is the protection of these rainforests? - Celebrity ambassadors of HalfCut - Corporations we can support who are doing things the environmentally friendly way! - Go to HalfCut and find out how you can go half cut or donate! - HalfCut Instagram See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 9m
  5. FREEDIVING WITH GREAT WHITE SHARK

    EPISODE 5

    FREEDIVING WITH GREAT WHITE SHARK

    LIVING FOR A CAUSE - OCEAN RAMSEY A true force of nature and living for a cause, meet a dear friend of Julia Wheeler and Paul De Gelder; marine conservationist, scientist, entrepreneur, Freediver, marine encounter expert, nonprofit founder, speaker, safety officer and global voice for sharks, Ocean Ramsey. Our incredible guest on this week’s episode of The Dirt Down Under is one of the only humans in the world who has freedived with the largest Great White Shark ever seen in history - challenging the negative stigma around shark behaviour and widely recognised for her commitment to the protection of our oceans and marine life working as a passionate shark conservation advocate. The Dirt @oceanramsey How did you find yourself freediving with the 3 largest Great White Sharks ever recoded in history and not get eaten!? Ocean, paint us a picture of how this situation unfolded! We didn’t even realise that Great Whites hang out in Hawaii! How can you surrounded yourself with apex predators on one breath, in the middle of the ocean and not completely freak out? Why swimming with older sharks is safer  What conservation message do you find comes out of the experiences you offer with sharks? Ocean teaches us how sharks are the doctors of the ocean The dirt on the bad publicity of sharks Shark protection bill in Hawaii (passed) Ocean talks the dirt on receiving international backlash from the media about touching sharks and tells us how she really feels! How using photography and film as a way of communicating global conversation on conservation Ocean shares her freediving experience with Grandma Great White Ocean blocked a Great White Shark from approaching swimmers… Ocean teaches us - we are not the natural prey of sharks Advice for people unfamiliar with sharks on what to do if they encounter one Why does ocean think Paul was attacked by a shark and lost two limbs? Envoy - Shark Cull - the movie The dirt on archaic shark nets; Australia has been involved in the longest marine cull in history with a method that has been proven as ineffective in court Do the sharks you spend a lot of time with recognise Ocean? Ocean tells us how it feels to see the damage we're causing to this species Anyone can go to Hawaii and swim with One Ocean Diving Julia and Ocean’s documentary filming experience together in South Africa looking for Great White Sharks What are the advantages of freediving with sharks vs scuba diving? See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 2m
  6. PEP-11

    EPISODE 6

    PEP-11

    Maybe you don’t live in Australia or care about the politics of the oil and gas industry although considering we burnt down an area the size of Syria during those treacherous black summers, are the second hottest continent on earth and emitted a near 550 million tonnes of greenhouse gasses in 2019, I’d hope to have your attention now. We aren’t here to fill your ears with political jargon, but we are here to tell you that your beautiful Sydney coastline is about to become an oil rig epicentre if the current PEP-11 goes ahead (petroleum exploration permit - 11) and we’re here to tell you that the impacts are going to be felt Australia-wide. Obviously, the big picture is gas and oil are fossil fuels which fuel further climate change.  I’ve heard gas is a dirty fossil fuel which causes 84 times more climate damage than carbon dioxide and 2/3 of our gas is exported and in 2019 Australia was the largest exporter of gas in the world. But Australia doesn’t want to stop drilling and exporting and in turn, heating up our planet. The Amazon is now releasing more carbon than it was absorbing and the upper ridges of the Daintree Rainforest in far North Queensland are now fire-prone!? You might not be familiar with the California coast line so I’ll paint you a little picture; oil rigs, everywhere. And what’s worse is when you emerge from the water and have to scrape the oil off your wetsuits. Do you really want that to become a possibility here in Australia? We’ve brought the most politically incorrect man to our frontline to share the tale; he’s former world surf league commentator, owner of World Surf Magazine and led the successful, coastal-saving campaign against oil giant, Equinor from oil drilling in the Great Australian Bight. His name is Sean Doherty and he’s a dead-set living Legend. Sean talks the dirt of the oil and gas industry. It’s entertaining and terrifying. PEP-11 stands for Petroleum Exploration Permit 11. It is a permit to drill for oil and gas in a four and a half thousand square kilometers offshore zone between Manly and Newcastle. In some parts, PEP - 11 comes within 6 kilometers of the shoreline. Minister Keith Pitt, the Federal Resources Minister, is the person responsible for either allowing the permit to expire, or to approve the extension of PEP -11. It's a big decision and we can't let him make it without first hearing what we collectively have to say! The Dirt @seano888 Why Australia’s most politically incorrect social media influencer doesn't like Australia's Environmental minister… every Australian should hear this. Did you know about PEP-11? And how the 4500km between Sydney and Newcastle is about turn into oil rig town… You know, that whale highway of ours? Seismic testing? What. Talking the dirt on the damage by ocean sonic blasting If you’re an Aussie, you should really listen / watch this episode and hear why you should care about this massive bump in the environmental road - Gas is important to the Aussie economy. What would the economic impact of these wells be? Sean and Paul talk the dirt on how Oil companies are dodging tax rules out any potential economical benefits and reveal the truth to Julia! What kind of energy Australia is investing in currently… Paul asks the question; Is there a war on renewable energy in Australia? The dirt on Australian government and corruption and the environmental impacts of non-renewable energy How do you speak up if you’re Australians or anyone who wants to change this! Movements to fight PEP-11 - get involved What will happen to Australia if nothing changes? (Hmmm, remember those black summer bush fires where Australia burnt the equivalent land size of Syria) If this is science, Sean, how does it keep being disputed? Sean, is Australia culturally ready for renewable energy? Bombshell. Renewable energy is the cheapest energy on the market so it’s a bit weird that the Austra

    40 min
  7. ROYAL FAMILY Vs TIGER SHARKS

    EPISODE 7

    ROYAL FAMILY Vs TIGER SHARKS

    Matt Porteous is not only the private Royal family photographer for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, he has turned his sights to the horizon by creating a beautiful ocean based platform called Ocean Culture Life to connect people from all around the globe through storytelling. Named by Harpers Bazaar as Wedding Photographer of the year, Matt is drawn to stories, and he excels in telling them. Driven by a desire to document experiences from the intimate to the adventurous, Matt is alive to the emotion hidden in each moment and possesses a unique ability to capture it. With an ever-growing passion and care for the water and our world, Matt is committed to bringing light to stories with a ‘why’, a purpose that goes beyond the individual. His continuing success is evident in the transformational energy and quiet honesty of his photos. Alas, Ocean Culture Life Storytellers not only inspire through their captivating imagery, but also have the ability to highlight the crucial work Ocean Guardians are doing around the world; surfacing their stories and inspiring individuals, corporations, or even governments to support their efforts. OCL’s storytellers are united by a love of the water and an instinctive ability to capture emotion and change through the lens. Across the world, Matt connect these talented creators with our Ocean Guardians, so that they can tell their stories in captivating photography and film. Through the fog of media that bombards us every day, these stories of progress, of incremental improvement and endeavour in the face of persistent and unrelenting pushback, are the ones that stay with us. In a matter of months, community projects, scientific research and conservation efforts across the world were soon brought to life by OCL’s storytellers, creating compelling content which catalysed positive change. Now OCL has grown beyond its island shores. Working with world-leading experts and creators, they hosted their first World Ocean’s Day this year, launched a new partnership with Oceanographic Magazine, and their influence continues to spread still further across the clear horizons that join ocean communities. In Hawaii, Matt stumbled upon the very tip of a worldwide community quietly devoted to protecting our oceans. In the three years since, OCL has uncovered inspiring stories, innovative ideas and pioneering science where so many would not think to look. But today, while we keep searching for stories below the surface, the ocean continues to suffer in silence. THE EPISODE DIRT @mattporteous @oceanculturelife From the private Royal Family photographer to Ocean conservation? How did Matt Porteous become a conservationist? Paul paints a vague and interesting picture of how he thinks Matt met Prince William and they immediately bond for life (again, hilarious) What is Matt’s earliest memory of ocean photography in England? (Hilarious) Matt goes into detail about how he uses his platform to give a voice to the ocean What's the fundamental purpose of what Matt does? Be anyone - you don’t need to be someone to pick up a camera and document the things that you are passionate about - Matt Draper story about leaving the coal industry to conservation See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    51 min
  8. JULIA WHEELER UNCOVERED

    EPISODE 8

    JULIA WHEELER UNCOVERED

    Co-host of The Dirty Down Under, Julia Wheeler joins Paul De Gelder for a candid interview into the life of this highly wild and adventurous, driven and inspiring human being. Openly admitting to loving “the wild places”, Australian-based investigative-journalist and Documentary film maker, explorer and World Champion Freediver, Julia Wheeler, is at her happiest when she’s either 50 metres below the sea’s surface exploring shipwrecks and interacting with ocean giants or on the frontline of endangered species conservation, exposing the stories of real life heroes who are fighting to protect the planet and ecosystems. “If you really want to tell a story about someone, you have to be willing to put aside your fears and step into their shoes on an intimate level.You must be open to embracing and experiencing everything in front of you. You may not agree with all peoples views but always want to understand them.” Julia has visited Africa many times where her passions for the natural world flourished. Almost ready to hit your screens, for the last 7 years, Julia completed a four-part wildlife / exploration documentary series, which follows her into the compelling lives of the humans who work behind the scenes of endangered species conservation to protect, rehabilitate and defend global wildlife. Julia explains how the series explores the ecosystems who's wildlife depend on it for survival and shows the severe impact of climate change, poverty and animal exploitation but all the while wanting to maintain an uplifting and positive outlook for anyone who watches.. Julia's passion and devotion for protecting the world's wild places is evident as she was recently asked to appear in Virgin Unite's 30x30 campaign, narrated by Richard Branson and Sir David Attenborough to raise awareness around the plight of the oceans and more recently featured in Australia's top selling conservation and sustainability magazine, Peppermint Mag.   Hot Topics: - What are you Julia? - Where did Julia come from? - What drives Julia? - Background on how Julia's wildlife series came to flourish - Dangerous times on the African continent - Julia tells the story of being charged by a 250kg male lion, on foot! - Julia dives into the world of Freediving See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 1m
  9. PIRATES OF THE BAHAMAS

    EPISODE 9

    PIRATES OF THE BAHAMAS

    Sharks play a critical role in the delicate balance of ocean ecosystems. Yet despite their importance, shark populations are being decimated globally. The rapid decline in populations teamed with the man-eating monster stereotypes sharks have garnered over the years, have left sharks fighting for their survival. Through years of passion, Jillian and Duncan have spent their lives dedicated to spreading awareness about why we need to save our sharks and in turn, our oceans. Julia ventured to work with Jillian in 2020 to create a short film, Shark Attack which focuses on the positive impact that the Bahamas took in 2012, making their 200 mile economic zone a shark sanctuary. Paul has worked with Duncan over the years and share the stories of shark encounters and all things passion for ocean.  In the background, Jillian founded Sharks 4 Kids. The goal of Sharks4Kids is to create a new generation of shark advocates through access to a dynamic range of educational materials. Curriculum, games and activities will allow teachers to integrate shark education into their science programs on an introductory, intermediate or advanced level. Students can access games, activities and info sheets to satisfy their own curiosity about sharks. Photos and videos from scientists and conservationists bring an exciting element into the classroom and show students the beauty of the ocean. Our team brings together scientists, educators, conservationists and professional videographers to create a unique opportunity for the next generation to learn why sharks need kids and kids need sharks.    THE EPISODE DIRT @sharkeducation @biminisharkgirl @underwatercameraman - How did Jill and Duncan find each other? I mean… underwater? - Jillian and Duncan's baby shark has swam with sharks already! - You would never guess how many species of sharks are in the Bahamas or why… - Why did these guys dedicate their lives to working with sharks? - What is your daily routine and how long has this dream life unfolded? - Paul tells the most vile spew story from one of his dive trips to Bimini - Jill tells us why sharks are so important to the marine ecosystem - We talk the dirt on why the Bahamas made their 200 mile economic zone a shark sanctuary - the reason Julia made her Shark Attack film there in 2020 with Jill - The protection of sharks has seriously boosted the Bahama's tourism… - Mine and Paul's experiences with Jill and Duncan in the Bahamas - The role sharks play in the global marine ecosystem - - We talk the dirt on shark’s greatest threats and how this can be prevented - Are systems in place to change these threats? - Um! Why don't all countries make their economic zone shark sanctuaries?! - Conservation success stories need to provide a solid alternative for what they want to stop - there’s large factors at play here. - Favourite shark and biggest discovery in their work - Why people should give a shit about sharks! - Jill’s incredible organisation 'Sharks for Kids' - Fun facts about sharks (one shark even has a bellybutton) - Biggest threats for sharks -Does shark meat contain high amounts of mercury? Oh yeah. And it’s on your supermarket shelf. - Why would we want to consume shark meat? - Our close calls with sharks - Statistics on shark deaths - Final thoughts - the power of kids - Julia loves a good aquarium - but there’s push back here… - Find Jill and Duncan here: Shark Education See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    56 min
  10. DIET TRUTHS WITH SIMON HILL

    EPISODE 10

    DIET TRUTHS WITH SIMON HILL

    Simon Hill is a Physiotherapist, author, host of world famous, ‘Plant Proof’ Podcast and nutritionist for Chris Hemmseworths’ CENTR fitness app who is passionate about making nutritional information simple and accessible so that people can make informed decisions about the food they feed themselves and their family.In 2008, Simon completed a Bachelor of Physiotherapy and immediately began working as a Sports Physiotherapist in Melbourne both at a leading private practice and with professional AFL & VFL footballers.Over the years, however, Simon became increasingly curious about the role nutrition played in nourishing the body and preventing disease. By using his research skills developed during his honors degree, Simon dove deep into the available literature on nutrition & disease and soon became fascinated by the vast evidence out there that proved that simple lifestyle changes could help people prevent and sometimes even reverse many of the leading chronic diseases that plague the western world today.Concerned with the fact that this information was not reaching people but was instead getting lost amidst the myriad of marketing ploys pushed by industries who were more interested in profits than the health and general well-being of the public, Simon shifted gears in his career undertaking a Plant-Based Nutrition Certificate and a post-graduate degree in Nutrition.During this time, he set up plantproof.com and began hosting world-renowned doctors and public figures, such as Neurologist's Dean & Ayesha Sherzai, MD, Dr Will Bulsiewicz, MD, Dr David Katz, MD, Environmental Researcher Nicholas Carter, Climate Scientist Dr Jonathon Foley and Ultra-Athlete Rich Roll on the Plant Proof podcast. The Dirt @plantt_proof Why are so many people confused when it comes to dieting? We invented diets; but why Simon? What are the peak scientific guidelines when it comes to dieting? Oh but - not all science is equal! What from these peak medical guidelines can we believe? Simon, what motivated you to become a nutritionist and get dirty on food? Simon shares a compelling story of the moment that changed his life and prompted him to take this journey towards revealing the lifestyle factors that can save your life… Do you know that we share health traits with our pets!? Talking the dirt on ultra-processed foods Where does someone begin when looking to transition to a plant-based diet? Meat itself has a lot of nutrients, can these be found elsewhere in a plant based diet? Does 'moderation' with foods really mean anything? Simon talks the dirt on diet and it's relationship with the wider planet Confirmation bias about meat, and lack of peer-reviewed articles supporting it Simon talks the dirt on the carnivore diet and eliminative diets Lots of dietary support is anecdotal! Social stigma of dieting - especially veganism - this is dirty! How changing diet takes time - and food as an addiction Dieting labels revisited! Simon says it's okay to eat oyster and mussels on a plant-based diet! But why! Let's talk about the reason why people don’t become vegan Is veganism growing in australia? Myth busters!! Tofu can give you man boobs… or? Is tofu is a fito-estrogen? Does diary and estrogen cause cancer? Is the social status of veganism a real thing? The dirt on the fundamental problem with the Aussie food market… Simon’s book - The Proof Is In The Plants Simon's message to all listeners Find Simon See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 10m
  11. WORLDS DEEPEST FREEDIVER

    EPISODE 11

    WORLDS DEEPEST FREEDIVER

    He is the 20 x world record holder, he is the reason we question humanities abilities and he holds his breath for eight and a half minutes. He is the Freediving World Champion, he is Alexey Molchanov and you should listen to this episode.  THE DIRT @alexeymolchanov Alexey’s breathing abilities - 8.5 minute breath hold, yes. ‘The Machine’ What Alexey and Julia’s outlook is about pool freediving vs depth Alexi's freediving journey - where did this ‘Machine’ come from and how he broke a record at age 17 during his first freediving competition Mammalian - what? Alexey and Julia talk about our set of evolutionary adaptations which allow us to stay underwater for extended periods of time; diving reflex Paul is baffled by the bodily triggers in Freediving that make us pee - honestly though, he can’t let it go. Alexy's diving origins continued… Alexey shares some of his shark diving and conservation stories on one breath Paul continues to be baffled… You won’t believe it but you have to hear it; the dirt on how Alexey can dive down to 130m and hold his breath for 8.5 minutes Alexey and Julia run through how a freediving competition works and the mind games and mental competition that takes play behind the scenes… Alexey, how do you hold your breath the way you do? I mean, come on. The dirt on the stigma behind freediving and safety Getting in depth with Alexey and Julia about the dangers of freediving as a sport Paul lost a friend to a shallow water blackout - what are shallow water blackouts How many world records does Alexey have - you won’t believe it. Japanese women can hold their breath while diving for peals… Alexey’s mental dive preparation and what he’s not thinking about 130m below Ice tails - Alexey tells all about his 80m free dive under the ice Alexye’s next ‘big thing’ How Julia approaches freediving Alexey's freediving community ‘Freediving is not about fighting the urgre to breathe, it's about relaxation’ The importance of a good freedive instructor Alexy's mum's influence on the freediving sport Alexy's freediving school Find Alexey See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    59 min
5
out of 5
22 Ratings

About

Let’s be honest, none wants to talk about the end of the world. However, with the looming issues of climate change, plastic pollution, biodiversity loss, overfishing and an endless list of planetary challenges, mass global conservation efforts are at play. But is their advocacy too much for the masses to handle? Julia Wheeler and Paul De Gelder chat with these game-changers who are striving to protect mother earth and tackle the stigma, rumours and gossip surrounding what conservation actually means, getting down to the dirt of an ever changing controversial circle from a humour driven, fact-checking, empowering and listener life- changing perspective.

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