Welcome to episode 16 of the Nurtured by Nature podcast. Today I'm delighted to be joined in conversation by the incredible Bobby-Jo Vial. Based in Australia, Bobby-Jo is an award winning wildlife photographer and the chief Honey-Badger at Bobby-Jo Safaris. In this inspiring episode we swap stories around our shared love of Africa and Wildlife safaris. Discuss how ethical tourism and Wildlife Photography can provide hope and important support for conservation, whilst sharing some of the incredible grass roots conservation organisations that we have both had the privilege to work with first hand and see the huge contributions they are making to protecting both wildlife and wild places, including the amazing Kope Lion Project. But of course no conversation with Bobby-Jo would be complete without asking ourselves “What Would Honey Badger Do?”Learn more about Bobby-Jo and how to join her on safari.Bobby-Jo’s passion is photography. Bobby-Jo’s laid-back approach and bubbly personality see many people loving to travel with her and rebooking time and again on her next safari adventure and she has inspired many people to take an interest in wildlife and conservation. As a qualified zoo-keeper her extraordinary perception and insight into animal behaviour in the wild enables her clients to capture unique and endearing images. Bobby-Jo sees photography as a slice of your life, a drop of your time. Her hope is to freeze those moments that mean the most to her clients. Taking pictures is savouring life intensely, every hundredth of a second. Because you want to remember forever.Her images have featured in publications around the world including: The Daily Telegraph, The Guardian, The Times, The New York Post, Huffington Post, Paris Match, Hello Magazine, Sydney Morning Herald, The Age and Africa Geographic. Her opus ‘Reflections of Elephants’ was published in August 2016 coinciding with World Elephant Day. This book features many of her favourite elephant images and raises funds for the protection of some of the last Tuskers of Africa via her work as part of The Askari Project (www.theaskariproject.org). Bobby-Jo is also a team member of the Kope Lion Conservation initiative in Ngorongoro, Tanzania (www.kopelion.org)Website: http://bobbyjosafaris.com/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bobbyjosafaris/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/bobbyjosafarisOther useful links from this episode:Virunga National Park: https://virunga.org/The Thin Green Line: https://thingreenline.org.uk/Giraffe Conservation Foundation: https://giraffeconservation.org/Thank you for being a part of this journey with me, please Subscribe to make sure you don't miss our future episodes, and share with your friends to help these messages ripple out across the world. More information about the Nurtured by Nature Podcast and our host Fiona MacKay: Fiona Mackay Photography WebsiteConnect with us and join the conversation on social media:Instagram @FionaMacKayPhotographyFacebook @FionaMacKayPhotographyTwitter @FiMacKay

Welcome to episode 15 of the Nurtured by Nature podcast. Today I'm delighted to be joined in conversation by the incredible Lucy Cuzzocrea. Lucy is the the force behind Wild Roots Foraging. In this inspiring episode we discuss our need to reconnect with what Lucy fondly calls “Earth wisdom”. We explore our mutual love and respect for the weeds, our native wildflowers that are beneficial not only to our own health but the intrinsic health of our desperately struggling ecosystems. She shares her incredible 10 year journey that has seen her transform her own health through foraging and how she has gone on to find ways to share this wisdom and bring community and support into the lives of countless Wild Women and Wild Men.Learn more about Lucy and find out about joining her community: I am a forager, activist, sustainable food grower, creative, mother, and wife, living in the beautiful countryside of North East England. I was raised in Middlesbrough, one of the most socially deprived areas in the whole country, and have many experiences of how poverty and trauma can effect those who live in areas like ours. As I matured into my adult years, I started to question the systems we rely on and why food didn't simply grow everywhere, for free. I studied Graphic Design at uni and learned about capitalism, consumerism and globalisation and the huge detrimental impact it is having on both people and planet. Ever since, I have been trying to do my bit to reverse that damage and change my little area of society for the better. And this is where Wild Roots Foraging was born. I feel passionately that good quality, nutritious food, is a human right and should and can be free. So, I now make it my mission to reconnect as many people as possible with this lost knowledge, in order to empower them to take charge of their own health and sustenance, as well as the health of the planet.Wild Roots Foraging is all about helping people reconnect with the earth, their community and with themselves, through the forgotten, ancient practices of our ancestors. My goal is to reclaim what has been forgotten in the hope of helping people find the healing that is needed, for both people and planet.Website: https://wildrootsforaging.co.uk/Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wild_roots_foraging/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/wildrootsforagingFacebook Groups: Wild Roots - Wild Women (Women Only)- https://www.facebook.com/groups/732435000825751Wild Roots Gatherings (anyone) - https://www.facebook.com/groups/289107325579340Other useful links from this episode:The Association of Foragers: https://foragers-association.org/Wild Men Circles: https://wildrootsforaging.co.uk/wild-men/Thank you for being a part of this journey with me, please Subscribe to make sure you don't miss our future episodes, and share with your friends to help these messages ripple out across the world. More information about the Nurtured by Nature Podcast and our host Fiona MacKay: Fiona Mackay Photography WebsiteConnect with us and join the conversation on social media:Instagram @FionaMacKayPhotographyFacebook @FionaMacKayPhotographyTwitter @FiMacKay

Welcome to episode 14 of the Nurtured by Nature podcast. Today I'm delighted to be joined in conversation by the lovely Lindsey Death. Lindsey is the owner of Dorset Forest Bathing and has a passion for making the natural world accessible and enjoyable for everyone. During this inspiring episode we dived into the the fascinating science-based practice of Forest Bathing (Shinrin Yoku), that originated in Japan, & no you don’t need a swim suit to give it a try yourself. I make no secret of my love of trees but I was fascinated to learn of the myriad of benefits to our health and wellbeing that we experience when we spend time amongst these beautiful beings. With stories of her children and her own childhood Lindsey, Importantly reminds us to approach nature with a sense of Awe and childlike wonder and enthusiasm, whilst sharing some simple forest bathing techniques for us all to try. Learn more about Lindsey and find out about joining a forest bathing session with her: Lindsey runs Dorset Forest Bathing, leading mindfulness in nature and nature connection events across Dorset and beyond. She has a background in conservation, and a passion for making the natural world accessible and enjoyable to all, teaching straightforward practical tips to takeaway and improve her clients overall wellbeing on a day to day basis. She has a particular interest in perinatal mental health, and lives in north Dorset with her partner and two young childrenWebsite: www.dorsetforestbathing.co.ukInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/dorset_forest_bathing/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/Dorset-Forest-Bathing-218245886179148Other useful links from this episode:Institute of Forest Bathing: https://tfb.institute/Nature and Therapy UK: https://natureandtherapy.co.uk/Awe Walks: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/09/30/well/move/an-awe-walk-might-do-wonders-for-your-well-being.htmlThousand Hours Outdoor Challenge: https://www.1000hoursoutside.com/Thank you for being a part of this journey with me, please Subscribe to make sure you don't miss our future episodes, and share with your friends to help these messages ripple out across the world. More information about the Nurtured by Nature Podcast and our host Fiona MacKay: Fiona Mackay Photography WebsiteConnect with us and join the conversation on social media:Instagram @FionaMacKayPhotographyFacebook @FionaMacKayPhotographyTwitter @FiMacKay

Hello everyone and welcome to Episode 13 of the Nurtured by Nature Podcast and this Monday's Mini Episode, designed to be a little snippet of connection to kickstart your week.In this weeks episode I discuss how I find hope in the amazing discoveries of species previously believed to have become extinct. Including the exciting discovery by volunteers from the Sussex Bat Group of a second Greater Mouse-Eared bat earlier this month, alongside the interesting story of the large tortoiseshell  butterfly extinct in the UK since the 1950s and in recent years having been found in both Dorset and Sussex and finally the amazing new and unknown population of critically endangered Kordofan giraffe found in Chad last year. I'm reminded of the incredible resilience of the natural world and take comfort from the fact these species have managed to hold on and with support could once again thrive. I encourage you to find what you are passionate about - whether that is wild flowers, butterflies, birds, mammals or even worms and to find local organisations and charities that you can volunteer with to support them with citizen science and research surveys. Lastly I remind everyone in the UK to set aside an hour this weekend 27th - 29th January 2023 to count the birds for the RSPBs Big Garden Bird Watch. Links to information mentioned in today's episode:RSPB Big Garden Bird Watch: 27th-29th January 2023https://www.rspb.org.uk/get-involved/activities/birdwatch/Greater Mouse-Eared bat: https://www.facebook.com/sussexbatgroup/posts/pfbid0WcCYTR83Z3unw933AmZL5EoySG5KzP76ogpH42BwN86r5fv4tbjE9k2QbX4CsdBjlLarge Tortoiseshell butterfly: https://www.countryliving.com/uk/wildlife/countryside/a35760779/large-tortoiseshell-butterfly-spotted-dorset-uk/https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2022/jul/08/officially-extinct-butterfly-large-tortoiseshell-making-a-comeback-in-ukNew Population of Critically Endangered Kordofan giraffe: https://giraffeconservation.org/2022/07/19/update-july-2022/Recommended Book: "Wilding - The return of nature to a British farm" by Isabella TreeThank you for being a part of this journey with me, please Subscribe to make sure you don't miss our future episodes, and share with your friends to help these messages ripple out across the world. More information about the Nurtured by Nature Podcast and our host Fiona MacKay: Fiona Mackay Photography WebsiteConnect with us and join the conversation on social media:Instagram @FionaMacKayPhotographyFacebook @FionaMacKayPhotographyTwitter @FiMacKay

Hello everyone and welcome to Episode 12, this week's Nurtured by Nature Monday Mini Episode, designed to be a little snippet of connection to kickstart your week.To celebrate the first month of our journey together with the Nurtured by Nature Podcast, I thought it was an appropriate time to properly introduce myself to you all. In this week's episode I invite you to join me as I answer the question I tend to kick off all my guest episodes with "What is your nature story? How has your relationship with nature influenced your life and how has this evolved over time?" Having explored how nature has nurtured me in part one released last week in episode 10, in this second part of a two part answer I share more on how I feel we have a responsibility to nurture nature. I delve into how my love of nature led me to South Africa and gave me the opportunity to live and work in the African wilderness, where I encountered Elephants for the first time and literally found myself living my childhood dream in a challenging environment but enmeshed in nature in a way I had never previously experienced.  I talk about my love of photography and how I use that to platform to raise awareness and financial donations to support charities actively involved in working in the regions and with the species I have grown to know and love. Explore  Links to organisations and ideas discussed in this episode: Endangered Wildlife Trust - Wild Dog Expansion Project:https://ewt.org.za/Giraffe Conservation Foundation - Dr Julian and Stephanie Fennessyhttps://giraffeconservation.org/Aviva Rahmani, Art Activist - Trigger Point Theoryhttps://www.avivarahmani.com/blog/in-a-forest-what-does-a-tree-own-on-teaching-trigger-point-theoryThank you for being a part of this journey with me, please Subscribe to make sure you don't miss our future episodes, and share with your friends to help these messages ripple out across the world. More information about the Nurtured by Nature Podcast and our host Fiona MacKay: Fiona Mackay Photography WebsiteConnect with us and join the conversation on social media:Instagram @FionaMacKayPhotographyFacebook @FionaMacKayPhotographyTwitter @FiMacKay

Welcome to episode 11 of the Nurtured by Nature podcast. Today I'm delighted to be joined in conversation by the  incredible Kerrie Searle. Kerrie is an Animal Communicator and Flower Essence Practitioner based in Australia. During this inspiring episode we dive into the concept of telepathic communication, a skill inherent in all of us, that we are sadly taught to doubt and ultimately ignore. We discuss the desperate need for more balance in the world and our lives of both logic and intuition and also the masculine and feminine. Whilst marvelling at the extraordinary untapped wisdom and knowledge that could be available to us, if we can set aside the many hierarchies prevalent in society, whether that relates to different species or even between our many cultures and religions.  Learn more about Kerrie: "After experiencing enormous trauma throughout my life, both personally and professionally (having been a police detective for 17 years), I was mentally, physically and emotionally broken when I retired from the police force. Heavily medicated and in and out of hospital for years, my life was on a constant downward spiral.I realised the medical model I was using wasn’t helping me to get better and it was at this point that I chose a more holistic approach to my healing journey and also discovered the extraordinary healing power of flower essences.As I journeyed from a place of deep suppression to reconnecting with the disconnected. parts of myself, I also reconnected with my ability to communicate with animals (& other beings/energies) at a very deep level.I now make my own flower essences from the indigenous plants/trees where I live and I use different combinations of flower essences to make a number of blends that I use to heal and support my journey through life. These blends are also used for my animal and human clients.I bring my life experiences and learnings to my consults and workshops and now assist other humans to reconnect to the disconnected parts of themselves so that they too can communicate with their animals more deeply. I receive feelings, words, pictures, smells and tastes from animals which allow me to communicate at a very deep level and become a voice for the animals, conveying what they need heard to their humans."Website: www.animal-communicator.com.auFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/talkstoanimalsThank you for being a part of this journey with me, please Subscribe to make sure you don't miss our future episodes, and share with your friends to help these messages ripple out across the world. More information about the Nurtured by Nature Podcast and our host Fiona MacKay: Fiona Mackay Photography WebsiteConnect with us and join the conversation on social media:Instagram @FionaMacKayPhotographyFacebook @FionaMacKayPhotographyTwitter @FiMacKay

Hello everyone and welcome to this week's Nurtured by Nature Monday Mini Episode, designed to be a little snippet of connection to kickstart your week.To celebrate the first month of our journey together with the Nurtured by Nature Podcast, I thought it was an appropriate time to properly introduce myself to you all. In this week's episode I invite you to join me as I answer the question I tend to kick off all my guest episodes with "What is your nature story? How has your relationship with nature influenced your life and how has this evolved over time?" In this first part of a two part answer (part two will be released next week in episode 12) I share how nature has been an intrinsic part of my life for as long as I can remember, from my early childhood watching nature documentaries narrated by David Attenborough, to learning to observe, appreciate and enjoy the wildlife, birds and plants that surrounded us at home and on our family holidays in West Wales. My love of nature deepened as I discovered photography and has evolved alongside my passion for horses. When two of my horses suffered serious illnesses, and one almost died, I began to further explore the incredible world of complimentary and alternative medicine, searching for ways to support them when conventional medicine had no answers. My horses have been both my inspiration and greatest teachers as I have delved into learning about herbs, essential oils, flower essences, homeopathy, nutrition, reiki and many other modalities. I am always amazed by how much there is to learn and humbled by how little we know, but left excited by the new developments and understanding that is being gained on a regular basis. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me, please Subscribe to make sure you don't miss our future episodes, and share with your friends to help these messages ripple out across the world. More information about the Nurtured by Nature Podcast and our host Fiona MacKay: Fiona Mackay Photography WebsiteConnect with us and join the conversation on social media:Instagram @FionaMacKayPhotographyFacebook @FionaMacKayPhotographyTwitter @FiMacKay

Welcome to episode 9 of the Nurtured by Nature podcast. Today I'm delighted to be joined in conversation by the fabulous Wendy Sweet. Wendy lives in the hills of County Mayo in Ireland. Alongside her husband Steve, they have created an oasis for nature and started their business Woo in the Willows. During this inspiring episode we explored how a closer look at the ingredients list on the back of a skin cream, led Wendy to question what she was putting on her skin and ultimately the creation of their beautiful range of natural botanical skin creams and products. Wendy openly shares both her passion and depth of knowledge about the healing properties of plants and herbs, from the diverse range of lavenders to the powerhouse that comes in the form of the humble little daisy. I learn how, inspired by Mary Reynolds’ We Are The Ark in just a short time they have helped nature begin to reclaim their patch and how everyday we have the opportunity to learn and be amazed by the world around us and that by simply quietly taking our own journey we can unexpectedly inspire others, which can lead to changes we couldn’t have planned.  Learn more about Wendy:  Wendy (Woo) Sweet is a Horticulturist, Garden Designer, Creator and Company Director of Woo in the Willows. In 2015 Wendy and her husband Steve, came across the 2-acre plot, Steve was totally bewildered by Wendy’s insistence that the almost derelict house and ravaged patch of land could become their dream home. They have planted trees and wildflowers, encouraging wildlife and pollinators. Then set about producing as much of their own organic herbs and vegetables as they could. In 2020,  the concept of ‘Woo in the Willows’ was born. Wendy was using commercial moisturisers when it dawned on them both that some of the ingredients were potentially harmful, particularly to a cancer survivor like Wendy. Over the lockdown days and nights, they researched organic, vegan body products and formulated the recipes that have become the basis for their body products, which they are proud to have passed their safety certification. They made the hard decision to temporarily give over the majority of their existing vegetable garden to make space for the wonderful varieties of lavenders until new beds could be established. These along with organic herbs and flowers are used widely in their beautiful body products and more recently in culinary oils, vinegars and salts. With sustainability in mind their aim is to use as many of their home-grown botanicals and herbs for all their ‘Woo in the Willows’ products as is possible.Website: https://woointhewillows.comInstagram - https://www.instagram.com/woointhewillowsFacebook - https://www.facebook.com/woointhewillowsOther useful links from this episode:Find out more about the We Are The Ark Movement: https://wearetheark.org/ We Are The Ark Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/80496844986Thank you for being a part of this journey with me, please Subscribe to make sure you don't miss our future episodes, and share with your friends to help these messages ripple out across the world. More information about the Nurtured by Nature Podcast and our host Fiona MacKay: Fiona Mackay Photography WebsiteConnect with us and join the conversation on social media:Instagram @FionaMacKayPhotographyFacebook @FionaMacKayPhotographyTwitter @FiMacKay

Hello everyone and welcome to this Nurtured by Nature Monday Mini Episode, designed to be a little snippet of connection to kickstart your week.In this week's unintentionally honest, raw, emotional, and slightly delayed episode I share from my heart how I have struggled with depression and PTSD throughout my life and how some recent challenges have led me to struggle as I come into a New Year with carrying a huge amount of uncertainty in my life. I share how nurturing my own relationship with the natural world  has provided me a sanctuary, where I find support and comfort, when life feels overwhelming and unmanageable. How walking and bringing awareness to the sensation of the weather on my skin helps bring me into the present moment and how the trees offer a sense of stability and a constant when the storm of life breaks around me and that sharing my challenges with the birds and the flowers offers a sense of companionship that is ultimately both comfortable and safe when you feel messy and slightly broken, but aren't in need of being "fixed" because actually it's ok to sometimes just simply not be ok. If you're struggling with hard times, I hope that my words bring you an awareness that you aren't alone and I invite you to find comfort in the judgement free realms of nature and also to reach out to me or others to find support. Thank you for being a part of this journey with me, please Subscribe to make sure you don't miss our future episodes, and share with your friends to help these messages ripple out across the world. More information about the Nurtured by Nature Podcast and our host Fiona MacKay: Fiona Mackay Photography WebsiteConnect with us and join the conversation on social media:Instagram @FionaMacKayPhotographyFacebook @FionaMacKayPhotographyTwitter @FiMacKay

Welcome to Episode 7 of the Nurtured by Nature podcast. Today I'm delighted to be joined in conversation by the lovely Helen Peterson. Helen is the owner of Happy Seal Yoga, based on the beautiful North Yorkshire coast. During this inspiring episode we explored how Helen’s journey to improve her surfing, lead her to yoga, and rippled out to create a community that now works together to care for and enjoy the beautiful North Yorkshire coastline she calls home.  We discussed how yoga can provide both a physical and perhaps more importantly mentally supportive route to recovery after serious injury and that even if you can’t touch your toes, you shouldn’t be put off trying yoga. Lastly we pondered how our own perspectives in life can lead to us becoming blinkered and taking for granted the beauty that’s just around the corner on our own doorsteps. Learn more about Helen:Based on the beautiful North Yorkshire coast, Helen founded Happy Seal Yoga in 2019 and specialises in outdoor yoga by the sea classes for all abilities. Classes take place in Sandsend, Whitby, Scarborough, Cayton Bay & Filey. Connecting with nature and absorbing the sounds of the sea as you flow gives that all important quiet time that is often hard to find in busy day to day life. Helen loves the outdoors and is particularly fond of the sea. A firm believer in the proven positive mental health benefits of activity in, on and near the ocean, when she’s not teaching yoga you’ll usually find her in, on or very close to the sea!Website: www.happysealyoga.comInstagram -@happysealyoga  https://www.instagram.com/HappySealYoga/Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/HappySealYogaOther useful links from this episode:Find out about Planet Patrol through their website. Join a litter pick or set up your own on the events page, nothing is booked in yet for summer 2023 but when it is it’ll be at this link: https://planetpatrol.co/clean-ups/Wave Project: Helen volunteers as a surf mentor for: https://www.waveproject.co.ukEkotex Yoga: beautiful, ethical and durable yoga mats and props designed to support yogis as much as supporting the planet:https://ekotexyoga.co.ukThank you for being a part of this journey with me, please Subscribe to make sure you don't miss our future episodes, and share with your friends to help these messages ripple out across the world. More information about the Nurtured by Nature Podcast and our host Fiona MacKay: Fiona Mackay Photography WebsiteConnect with us and join the conversation on social media:Instagram @FionaMacKayPhotographyFacebook @FionaMacKayPhotographyTwitter @FiMacKay