The Meaning of Trees Podcast

Bianca Thomas is a climbing arborist whose sole purpose in life has become to learn and gather wisdom from trees, following an ayahuasca induced epiphany that she’s never looked back from. In this end of season special with a final twist, Bianca tells Tom why trees have become her most trusted of guides since leaving behind a career in molecular biology, how her newfound partners are connecting her to an ever-expanding network of other tree inspired people and why the margins of convers...

Sarah Dodd is CEO and founder of the UK’s first and only law firm specialising solely in tree-specific legal and protection issues. With the dust still settling after the Sycamore Gap trial, Tom gets Sarah’s expert opinion on exactly where this world famous case now leaves us, what might have motivated those who felled the iconic tree that night and how likely a similar event might be tomorrow. Learn more about Sarah’s firm, Tree Law, here: https://www.treelaw.co.uk/ Check out the...

Nobody knows Epping Forest quite like Andy Froud, a man who has spent the past quarter century looking after its 55,000 veteran trees and getting up close and personal with the super-rare wildlife that lives in and alongside them. Tom and Andy chat about his early years spent in West Ham Park, the challenges of managing a vast ancient forest just 15 miles from Big Ben and how to correctly identify a daddy long legs. Learn more about Epping Forest here: https://www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/things-t...

Julian Hight is a heritage trees author and storyteller who has travelled the globe in search of nature’s oldest veterans and the timeless tales we attach to them. He chats with Tom about his many tree-inspired adventures, the rich historical and sacred significance of trees he’s encountered and why Windsor’s age-defying ancients continue to leave him awestruck. Check out Julian’s brilliant range of books here: https://worldtreestory.my-free.website/ Book on to one of Julian’s upcoming tree t...

Alejandra Hart is a writer and Woodland Trust Communications Officer whose heartfelt stories inspire people to care more deeply about temperate rainforest restoration in the UK. Tom and co-host, Arifah Sheikh, learn about the unique meeting of minds that Alejandra took part in at Buckland Wood on Dartmoor, discuss why pausing to listen is so essential when we're setting out to build meaningful connections and discover how ocean and forest habitats are more intricately linked than we've ever i...

Bonsai connoisseur, Amelia Williams, has been studying and working with trees of all sizes for more than 20 years, most recently as Director of UK tree consultancy firm - the Arb Company. Tom and Amelia zoom in on the miniature world of tiny tree craft and discuss what bonsai can teach us about better looking after bigger trees, as well as ourselves. Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast Check out Amelia’s Arb Comp...

Kate Colenbrander is a Canadian filmmaker, photographer, writer and UCL Anthropology graduate who brings hidden stories to light from beneath the surface of mainstream conversation. Tom and Kate discuss her provocative new film - In Arboretum - which poses important questions about the lack of protection our oldest trees face versus development, what the modern human / tree relationship looks like today and what trees might say if they were able to talk. Watch Kate's film - IN ARBORETUM here:...

Fred Breglia is Director of the Landis Arboretum in Upstate New York and a huge advocate for the protection of old growth forests and champion trees, connecting more than 1.5 million tree enthusiasts from around the world through his much loved Instagram and Facebook accounts. Tom and Fred talk about his very first encounter with a giant tree, the power of sharing images and why there's no time like today to appreciate the last remaining trees of great age. Find links to all The Meaning...

Luke Adam Hawker is a tree-inspired artist, a devoted father, a Sunday Times best selling author and a Woodland Trust ambassador. After a short walk in the Surrey Hills, Tom and Luke sit down to discuss the timeless powers of trees in storytelling, the way his son Harry has irreversibly shaped his life for the better and how trees can offer faith in tougher times. Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast Check out Luk...

Meli Tanuku Nakauvadra is a Counselling and Education student at Fiji's National University and a strong advocate for mental health awareness in indigenous iTaukei culture. Tom and Meli talk about why trees and natural spaces matter so much in a developing country with a rich indigenous heritage to protect and discuss the concept of 'dominion' in traditional Christian teaching. Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast channels and content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftreespodcast...

Sanjana Lal is Fiji’s national Conservator of Forests and heads up the Fijian Government’s Ministry of Forestry department, advocating for sustainable forest stewardship in a country with 61% tree cover where 80% of the land is owned and inhabited by indigenous communities. Tom and Sanjana explore her thoughts and philosophies on protecting pristine rainforest and discuss why a community-centred approach remains vital to a future-proof mindset. Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast c...

Season 2 kicks off with guest host Arifah interviewing Tom on his return from Fiji alongside talented Videographer and Woah Studios Director, Pita Yee. We learn about the making of their new documentary - 'Sentinels: Protecting Fiji's Heritage Trees' - and Pita shares some amusing insights into his life and art form. Watch our documentary - 'Sentinels - Protecting Fiji's Heritage Trees' - here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ts_btxFI_7g&t=1500s Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Pod...

Reg Harris is an arborist and veteran tree consultant that works on highly prestigious trees like the famous Major Oak at Sherwood Forest. Tom and Reg chat about the lifelong impressions a chance meeting with an indigenous North American man made upon him as a child, what it is about ancient trees that makes him so passionate about his work and how he ended up running the London Marathon bare foot. Find links to all The Meaning of Trees Podcast content here: https://linktr.ee/themeaningoftree...