Ep 46: Julian Rademeyer – Killing for Profit, investigative journalism, and organized crime.

Ep 46: Julian Rademeyer – Killing for Profit, investigative journalism, and organized crime.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Julian Rademeyer. Julian is the Director for East and Southern Africa for the Global Initiative Against Transnational Organized Crime. Prior to joining the organization, he was a project leader at TRAFFIC, the international wildlife trade monitoring network. He is a former investigative journalist, and his bestselling book, Killing for Profit – Exposing the Illegal Rhino Horn Trade, was shortlisted for the Alan Paton Award. His work on illegal wildlife trade and organized crime has been featured on Al Jazeera, BBC, CNN, Sky News and in The Guardian, New York Times, Economist, National Geographic, and many more.

In this conversation, we talk about Julian’s current work for the Global Initiative. We dig into his youth and path to becoming an investigative journalist. We dive into his obsession with organized crime, and how he ended up focusing on the rhino poaching crisis. We go into his process and the journey of writing his book, and he gives an eloquent summary of his recent report, Landscape of fear: crime, corruption and murder in greater Kruger. Julian is full of stories, passion, and deeply researched information. It was an honor to spend a little time scratching the surface of his knowledge.

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Website: Landscape of fear report | Killing for Profit book | globalinitiative.net
Instagram: @julianrademeyer | @gi_toc
Facebook: @julian.rademeyer | @jgitoc
Twitter: @julianrademeyer | @GI_TOC
LinkedIn: @Julian Rademeyer

Ep 45: Tom Medema – Rally for Rangers: Empowering rangers with new motorcycles.

Ep 45: Tom Medema – Rally for Rangers: Empowering rangers with new motorcycles.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Tom Medema. Tom is the Co-Founder of Rally for Rangers, whose mission is to protect the world’s special places by empowering rangers around the world with new motorcycle equipment. Tom was born in Michigan in the United States, and developed a passion for national parks at a young age while on family vacations throughout the American west. This passion turned into a career as a park ranger spanning over 33 years.

In this conversation, we talk about how Tom found himself on his first ride through Mongolia, and the early beginnings of Rally for Rangers. We dive deep into the importance of rangers, the support they need to do their work, and passion for this calling. We go into some of the epic adventures of past rallies, how you can get involved, and talk about their new film A Rally for Rangers. Tom was full of energy and passion and his stories make you want to go on your own adventure and to support the rangers.

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Website: rallyforrangers.org
Instagram: @rallyforrangers | @tom_medema
Facebook: @rallyforrangers
Twitter: @tom_medema
LinkedIn: @Tom Medema

Ep 44: Urs Reif – European Ranger Federation and Black Forest National Park.

Ep 44: Urs Reif – European Ranger Federation and Black Forest National Park.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Urs Reif. Urs studied biology and nature conservation and is working as chief ranger for Black Forest national park in Germany. In addition Urs worked in conservancy reporting and in the federal ministry for nature conservation. As a volunteer he is seating the ranger working group for Europarc Germany and is president of the European Ranger Federation.

In this conversation, we talk about Urs’ path to becoming a ranger, the beauty of Black Forest national park, and his opinion on Black Forest cake. We dive into the importance of rangers locally and globally, the necessity and benefits of ranger associations, and the workings of the European Ranger Federation. This conversation was full of energy and confirmed, once again, my love of rangers, their stories, and the work they do.

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Website: europeanrangers.org
Instagram: @european_ranger_federation | @reif.urs
Facebook: @EuropeanRangerFederation
LinkedIn: @European Ranger Federation

Ep 43: Nick Brandt – Photography highlighting human impact on the natural world.

Ep 43: Nick Brandt – Photography highlighting human impact on the natural world.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Nick Brandt. Nick is a conservationist and photographer who uses his captivating art to champion environmental causes. Nick was born and raised in London, where he originally studied Painting and Film. He now lives in the southern Californian mountains. In 2010, Nick co-founded Big Life Foundation, a non-profit in Kenya and Tanzania that employs more than 300 local rangers protecting 1.6 million acres of the Amboseli/Kilimanjaro ecosystem. The themes in Nick’s photographic series relate to the destructive impact that humankind is having on both the natural world and now humans themselves too.

In this conversation, we talk about Nick’s confrontation with elephant poaching in East Africa, and how that sparked his journey from photographer to conservationist, leading to the creation of Big Life Foundation. We dive deep into his art series from the East African Trilogy to Inherit the Dust and This Empty World to The Day May Break. We go into his process and the logistics for these massive artistic undertakings. And we spend time digging into the environmental issues that currently plague our planet, along with stories of some of the resilient humans in his photographs.

LEARN MORE
Website: nickbrandt.com | biglife.org
Instagram: @nickbrandtphotography | @biglifeafrica
Facebook: @biglifefoundation
Twitter: @biglifeafrica
LinkedIn: @Big Life Foundation

Ep 42: Theresa Sowry – SAWC and educating the next generation of conservationists.

Ep 42: Theresa Sowry – SAWC and educating the next generation of conservationists.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Theresa Sowry. Theresa is the CEO of the Southern African Wildlife College, which equips people with the necessary knowledge and applied skills to conserve and protect Africa’s natural resources and biodiversity in viable, inclusive and economically successful ways. Theresa holds a Master of Science Degree in Botany from the University of the Witswatersrand, South Africa. She gained conservation experience while employed by South African National Parks working on their rare antelope programme in the Kruger National Park. And she is a pilot, flying a Savannah S, Light Sport Aircraft.

In this conversation, we talk about Theresa’s family visits to Kruger National Park in her youth, and how those fostered her love of nature. We talk about her path to working at the Wildlife College, the beauty of the location and people, and the many programmes offered: from field ranger training, the K9 unit, and aerial support to community and youth development, and responsible Resource Management. We talk about the changes that took place because of the rhino poaching crisis, the complexities and nuances of conservation, and Theresa’s love of flying. Such a wonderful, wide-ranging conversation.

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Instagram: @wildlifecollege
Facebook: @theresa.sowry | @southernafricanwildlifecollege
LinkedIn: @Theresa Sowry | @Southern African Wildlife College

Ep 41: Axel Tarifa – Rehabilitating orphaned rhinos and becoming a wildlife vet.

Ep 41: Axel Tarifa – Rehabilitating orphaned rhinos and becoming a wildlife vet.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Axel Tarifa. Axel is featured in our coming film Rhino Man. He grew up in the Southeast of France and always knew he wanted to work with animals. He took a gap year in university, which lead to a long stint as a volunteer at the Fundimvelo Thula Thula Rhino Orphanage in South Africa. He is now deep into his studies at the Warsaw University of Life Sciences in the process of becoming a wildlife veterinarian.

In this conversation, we talk about Axels path that took him to South Africa and the amazing experiences he had volunteering at the rhino orphanage. We go deep into what it’s like to rehabilitate baby rhinos, the effects of trauma on rhinos and wildlife species, and the unique personalities of each animal. Axel also takes us through the traumatic attack by poachers on the rhino orphanage, the lessons he learned, and how part of his healing journey was deciding to become a wildlife vet. Axel is graciously vulnerable, and full of deep incites into the world of rhino emotions and behaviors.

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Instagram: @axeltarifa | @rhinorphan
Facebook: @rhino.orphan
Twitter: @axeltarifa
LinkedIn: @Axel Tarifa

Ep 40: Reginah Smith – North West Parks Board, and female leadership in the ranger corps.

Ep 40: Reginah Smith – North West Parks Board, and female leadership in the ranger corps.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Reginah Smith. Reggie is a ranger corporal in Pilanesberg National Park in North West Province, South Africa. She’s an adjutant of the Pilanesberg Rhino Protection Unit, she’s a participating member of the Game Rangers Association of Africa, and she is studying law to become an advocate for rangers in the legal system.

In this conversation, we talk about Reggie’s unexpected path into becoming a ranger. We talk about her training at the Southern African Wildlife college by Ruben de Kock and Martin Mthembu, and the confidence and leadership skills they instilled in her. We go into the beauty of Pilanesberg National Park, the height of the rhino poaching crisis, the formation of the Rhino Protection Unit, and how she’s overcome the challenges of leading a ranger unit as a woman. She remembers Anton Mzimba, and we discuss the lessons loss. Reggie has a deep love for family, inspiring the youth, and advocating for her rangers.

LEARN MORE
Website: northwestparks.org.za/
Instagram: @pilanesberg_national_park
Facebook: @visitnwparks | @PilanesbergNationalPark
Twitter: @NWP_HOME | @PilanesbergNP

Ep 39: Sharon Haussmann – GKEPF and protecting wildlife in the Greater Kruger Area.

Ep 39: Sharon Haussmann – GKEPF and protecting wildlife in the Greater Kruger Area.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Sharon Haussmann. Sharon is the CEO of the Greater Kruger Environmental Protection Foundation or GKEPF, which was established to assist with protecting wildlife and combatting environmental crime across the region. Over the last four-plus years, Sharon has held multiple Chairperson positions at Balule Nature Reserve. She has strong roots in farming in the Lowveld, and has academic qualifications in engineering and conflict management.

In this conversation, we talk about Sharon’s early upbringing and her path into conservation. We dig into the history of the formation of Balule Nature Reserve. We go into her experience of the early days of the rhino poaching crisis and how it has evolved over time. We dive into the formation of GKEPF and the wide ranging work they are doing to coordinate partners and programs in an effort to protect wildlife. And we even spend time talking about the importance of rangers and our dear friend and fallen ranger, Anton Mzimba. She had some beautiful words to say about his life and memorial service. Throughout this episode, Sharon exudes passion, dedication, and love for the people and the work of conservation.

LEARN MORE
Website: gkepf.org
Instagram: @sharonhaussmann01 | @thegkepf
Facebook: @GKEPFoundation
Twitter: @gkepf
LinkedIn: @Sharon Haussmann | @GKEPF

Ep 38: Sophie Green – Photorealistic wildlife art, conservation, and creativity.

Ep 38: Sophie Green – Photorealistic wildlife art, conservation, and creativity.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Sophie Green. Sophie is an award-winning conservation & wildlife artist from the UK, who specializes in capturing photorealistic details. Sophie has dedicated her time and artistic work to raising funds and awareness for issues surrounding animal welfare and the environment, and has worked closely with foundations such as the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation and Explorers Against Extinction. Sophie was awarded the ‘medal of excellence’ by the Artists for Conservation foundation in 2021, was the winner of the Leisure Painter People’s Choice Award in 2020 and 2021, was runner-up in the BBC Wildlife Magazine People’s Choice, and was selected to be one of 20 Artists to exhibit at COP26 in the Blue zone.

In this conversation, we talk about Sophie’s winding journey into a career of painting and supporting conservation efforts. We dive into her challenges with selective mutism in her youth, and how she worked through her anxiety. We talk about her development as an artist, how she came back to art after a hiatus, and her leap from teacher to professional artist. We discuss Sophie’s recent Impermanence collection, her artistic style, her love of travel, and the impact she strives to have with her work. It was a wonderful wide-ranging conversation.

LEARN MORE
Website: sophiegreenfineart.com
Instagram: @sophiegreenfineart
Facebook: @sophiegreenfineart
Twitter: @sophiegreenart
LinkedIn: @Sophie Green Fine Art

Ep 37: David Fein – United for Wildlife, working to end IWT, and The Earthshot Prize.

Ep 37: David Fein – United for Wildlife, working to end IWT, and The Earthshot Prize.

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In this episode, I’m talking with David Fein. David is currently the Chair of the United for Wildlife Financial Taskforce, and the Vice Chair of The Earthshot Prize, the most prestigious global environment prize in history. He is also Special Counsel at the law firm Paul Weiss, and a Board Trustee of both The American Friends of The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, and Guiding Eyes for the Blind. David has served as Associate White House Counsel under President Clinton; was an Assistant US Attorney for the Southern District of New York; and was US Attorney for the District of Connecticut under President Obama.

In this conversation, we talk about David’s path from prosecuting federal cases to his current role in conservation. We dive deep into the work of United for Wildlife, the importance of fostering public-private partnerships, the urgent optimism inspired by The Earthshot Prize, and the launch of Project Anton. We go into David’s philosophies around work-life balance, finding purpose in your work or side-projects, and why you should try out the board game, Wingspan. David exudes joy and passion for his work, and inspires a vision for a purpose driven life.

LEARN MORE
Website: unitedforwildlife.org | earthshotprize.org
Instagram: @unitedforwildlife | @earthshotprize
Facebook: @UnitedForWildlife | @earthshotprize
Twitter: @united4wildlife | @earthshotprize
LinkedIn: @The Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales | @The Earthshot Prize | @David Fein