Ep 52: Timothy Santel – Focused Conservation and Criminal Investigations with the USFWS.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Timothy Santel. Tim is currently the Senior Advisor on International Wildlife Trafficking programs for Focused Conservation, which is a nonprofit changing the game in the battle against wildlife crime through investigations, government support, and information sharing. Tim spent over 33 years working for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and retired as a Special Agent in Charge of their Special Investigations Unit. Tim developed and oversaw a team of elite covert federal agents tasked with investigating transnational criminal organizations that were illegally trafficking wildlife. In recognition of his efforts, Tim received numerous awards throughout his career including the prestigious Guy Bradley Award, Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medal, and North American Wildlife Officer of the Year.

In this conversation, we go deep into the work being done at Focused Conservation, why what they are doing is important to the cause, and how you can support. We dive into Tim’s progression from growing up in a rural Midwestern town in the US, to becoming a law enforcement agent with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. We go into many of his experiences on the job and investigations including Operation Crash, which resulted in nearly 50 prosecutions globally for trafficking in rhino horns and elephant ivory. Tim is generous with his stories and his wisdom.

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Instagram: @focused.conservation
Facebook: @FocusedConservation
Twitter: @FocusedConserve
LinkedIn: @Timothy Santel | @Focused Conservation

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 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.

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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

Ep 32: Dr. Timothy Wittig –  Intelligence, terrorist finance, and ending illegal wildlife trade.

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In this episode, I’m talking with Dr. Timothy Wittig. Tim is a conservationist, professor, and former defense intelligence analyst. He is a research fellow at Oxford University (Oxford Martin School), an associate fellow at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) in London, and Head of Intelligence for both the Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife Taskforces and the wildlife investigations charity Focused Conservation.

In this conversation, we dive into Tim’s early days growing up around nature in the outskirts of DC, his work that helped redefined the way agencies look at terrorist financing, and how his analysis during his time in Africa lead him into conservation. We talk about the first US National Strategy on Wildlife Trafficking, the early days of the United for Wildlife Taskforces, and the work happening at Focused Conservation to bring wildlife traffickers to justice. So please, enjoy this wide-ranging, in-depth conversation with Tim.

LEARN MORE
Website: timothywittig.co
Instagram: @unitedforwildlife
Facebook: @FocusedConservation
Twitter: @focusedconserve
LinkedIn: @Timothy Wittig