Nature, Nurture & Nonsense

This week, Rutendo chats with Anna Dimitriadis, a BAFTA-nominated wildlife filmmaker and presenter whose work takes audiences deep into some of the world’s most remote environments — from beneath Antarctic icebergs to the jungles of Central Africa.Best known for her work as a cinematographer and presenter on Big Cats 24/7, Anna combines cutting-edge technology with deep field experience to capture intimate — and sometimes never-before-seen — moments in animal behaviour.In this episode, Anna opens up about exploring the outdoors as a child while imagining herself as a spy, her deep connection to the water, and how, after being told science “wasn’t her thing,” she carved her own path into wildlife filmmaking. She also shares the thrill of capturing never-before-seen footage — so intense it sets off the heart-rate monitor on her smartwatch — and why she wants to see more women behind the camera telling stories about the natural world.

On this week’s episode, I’m joined by artist Lee Putman. We go from his Sundays spent with his Nan and Grandad—reading nature books and exploring the woods behind their house—to building @factsandfineliners, where he explores the beauty and tension in our relationship with animals through his art.He shares how he navigates the contradictions in that relationship—caring deeply about animal welfare while recognising the ways we benefit from them—and why the answers aren’t always clean. Through his work and short films, he opens up those questions, inviting us to sit with the discomfort and think a little deeper about the lives we’re part of.Production & Editing by Rutendo ShackletonAudio by Izwi Wazara

On this week's episode, Rutendo is joined by international adviser, conservation expert, and accredited conflict mediator Greta Iori.Greta is working at the forefront of global conservation—tackling the illegal wildlife trade, shaping nature–climate policy, and navigating the complex realities of human–wildlife coexistence. As a founding fellow of Women for the Environment Africa and former lead on human–elephant conflict strategies with the Elephant Protection Initiative Foundation, her work spans over 25 countries and sits at the intersection of ecology, policy, and social justice.But beyond the titles, this is a conversation about rethinking conservation itself.We talk about Greta’s childhood in Ethiopia, the moment she realised veterinary medicine wasn’t her path, and how her journey led her into political ecology. We also explore why the label “conservationist” can feel limiting, and why meaningful conservation work requires embracing nuance, complexity, and our full humanity.This episode is about systems, identity, and what it really means to coexist—with each other and with the natural world.Production & Editing: Rutendo ShackletonSound: Izwirashe Wazara

In this episode, Dr Rutendo Shackleton chats with veterinarian, conservationist, presenter and author Dr Sean McCormack — founder of the Ealing Wildlife Group and ambassador for Beaver Trust. Sean shares what it was like growing up as the only nature-obsessed child out of five, the chaos and joy of his wild allotment. He also shares his journey from clinical vet work to community-led conservation, the highs and lows along the way, and how his team successfully reintroduced Eurasian Beavers to urban London after 400 years.It’s an honest, hopeful, and inspiring conversation with one of the most multi-talented people in conservation.Hosted & Produced by Rutendo ShackletonSound by Izwirashe Wazara

This week we're so excited that Rutendo is joined by natural history producer and director Faith Musembi.You know when you admire someone — you love their work and their vibe — and think, “we’d totally be friends”? That’s exactly how Faith and Rutendo met, and thankfully the feeling was mutual!Faith is a filmmaker passionate about telling stories that celebrate Africa’s natural world and her people, while exploring the complexities of sustainable conservation — you see's our kind of person?!She’s worked on incredible projects like Nat Geo & Disney+'s QUEENS, Incredible Animal Journeys, and Chasing the Rains, and is now part of the BBC NHU team behind LION for National Geographic & Disney+.We talk about her childhood in rural Kenya, her love for cats , and what it means to be the first African natural history producer — and why she’s determined not to be the last.It’s a rich, heartfelt chat — and we hope you feel as inspired listening as Rutendo did speaking to her.

This week Rutendo chats with Dr. Peter Lindsey — a fellow Zimbabwean and Director of the Lion Recovery Fund Wildlife Conservation Network.Peter’s passion for African wildlife shines through every part of his story. From his early days as a conservancy apprentice in Zimbabwe to studying at Oxford and earning his PhD at the University of Pretoria, his career has taken him across 18 African countries and over 160 protected areas. His work — spanning predators from jackals and painted dogs to lions — reflects a lifelong commitment to conservation and the people who make it possible.For Rutendo, this conversation felt like talking to a mentor — and it’s easy to see why. Peter’s insight, experience, and deep hope for Africa’s future are as inspiring as they are grounding.

Rutendo welcomes her very first guest, Alicia Hayden — an award-winning wildlife artist and creative conservationist. They talk about art, activism, and how creativity can connect people with nature, from childhood memories to favourite animated films and Alicia’s vision for inspiring conservation through art.Alicia works across multiple disciplines - film, writing and art - to tell stories about the natural world, using art as a powerful way to connect people with nature.Hosted by Rutendo ShackletonEdited by Izwirashe WazaraProduced & Edited by Rutendo Shackleton

Welcome to the very first episode of Nature, Nurture & Nonsense. Meet Dr. Rutendo Shackleton and her five siblings as they launch a podcast where family banter collides with the natural world. In this pilot episode, the Wazara Six — as they like to call themselves — introduce who they are, share what life was like under one roof, and reflect on the wild family adventures they either enjoyed or endured (depending on which sibling you ask). Expect laughter, stories, and a sprinkle of nonsense as we bring our sibling energy straight to your headphones. This is your official invite to the group chat — and trust us, it just got wilder.Hosted and produced by Rutendo ShackletonCo-hosted by Tashinga Wazara, Tadiwanashe Wazara, Ishevanesu Wazara, Izwirashe Wazara and Mbiriyashe WazaraEdited and mixed by Izwirashe Wazara