The naturethrive podcast
The naturethrive podcast is here to inspire and connect you with nature, while exploring practical solutions to the environmental and planetary challenges we face.
Through engaging conversations with expert guests, we’ll delve into the issues affecting our world in a way that’s accessible and uplifting, not overwhelming. We’ll highlight real stories and experiences that bring hope and optimism, showcasing a wide range of current and future solutions—from large-scale initiatives to everyday actions—that can help ease eco-anxiety and drive positive change.
Our guests include farmers, organisations, and solution providers who are making a difference in nature restoration, sharing their journeys and the impactful work they’re doing.
Each episode will also feature three recurring questions that explore the first, best, worst, and weirdest moments in nature, giving you an authentic and personal glimpse into the experiences that shape our connection with the natural world.
Episodes
30 episodes
Episode 30: The Green Thread - Connecting the Dots Between Hard Hats and Habitats with Laurence Cummins, Sustainability Manager at Wates Group
On this episode Jonathan Withey chats with Laurence Cummins, Sustainability Manager at Wates Group, who describes his path from a biology degree and applied research role into leading the nature strand of Wates’ environmental strategy. They dis...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 30
•
42:50
Episode 29: Enabling a Regenerative Food System that Supports Nature Recovery with Joseph Gridley, CEO & Founder of the Soil Association Exchange
In this episode host Jonathan speaks with Joseph Gridley, CEO and founder of Soil Association Exchange, a for-profit arm distinct from the Soil Association charity, which helps companies and about 2,200 UK farms (around 4.5% of UK agricul...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 29
•
38:05
Episode 28: From Conservation to Restoration with Peter Dorans, Director of Business Development at Plantlife
On this episode Jonathan Withey hosts Peter Dorans, Business Development Director at the charity Plantlife. Peter shares his unconventional career path into the NGO environment sector, including roles in the civil service, New Zealand’s Ministr...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 28
•
38:00
Episode 27: How to Measurably Improve Nature and Ecosystem Services via Biodiversity Net Gain with Nick White, Principle Advisor of Net Gain at Natural England
In this episode Jonathan interviews Nick White, Principal Adviser for Net Gain at Natural England, about his career path into biodiversity work and his 14-year involvement in developing biodiversity net gain (BNG). Nick explains how Brexit crea...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 27
•
40:08
Episode 26: Beyond the Pipes - Making Space for Nature with Angus Wells, Biodiversity Manager at Anglian Water
On this episode Jonathan frames the conversation as a focus on Anglia Water’s work for nature recovery and biodiversity, while acknowledging wider water industry challenges around drinking water, sewage treatment, and infrastructure. Angus expl...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 26
•
36:15
Episode 25: Creating Places for People and Nature with Peter Rogers CBE, Co-founder of Lipton Rogers LLP
On this episode Jonathan has a conversation with Peter Rogers, co-founder of Lipton Rogers and former co-founder of Stanhope. They discuss Rogers’ long career in commercial and residential development, including insights into 22 Bishopsgate (“2...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 25
•
39:46
Episode 24: Nature Positive, What's all that About? With Edward Pollard, Founder of Positive by Nature
In this episode Jonathan dives into a captivating conversation with Edward Pollard, founder of Positive by Nature. Edward shares insights on sustainability, nature recovery, and biodiversity, drawing from his extensive experience in the field. ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 24
•
55:32
Episode 23: Allies in Making Nature Restoration Profitable for All with Connell Grogan, Co-founder of Nature Impact
In this episode host Jonathan sits down with Connell Grogan, co-founder of Nature Impact, to discuss the significance of biodiversity net gain policy, the creation of offsite habitat banks, and how an entrepreneurial spirit can drive nature rec...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 23
•
49:16
Episode 22: Making Commercial Sense of Embracing Organic and Biodynamic Principles with Nick Wenman, Owner of Albury Vineyard
In this episode host Jonathan speaks with Nick Wenman, owner of Albury Vineyard in the Surrey Hills. Nick shares his transition from the IT world to cultivating vines for certified organic wine production in the UK, while adopting biodynamic pr...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 22
•
35:02
Episode 21: The Business Case for Nature with Helen Nyul (former) Head of Biodiversity at Barrat Redrow
In this episode Jonathan has a conversation with Helen Nyul, former Head of Biodiversity at Barratt Redrow, who recently transitioned to a new role at the nature tech startup, Verna. Helen shares her career journey, the impact of nature-rich ho...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 21
•
43:44
Episode 20: Designing Nature into the Built Environment with Philippa Birch-Wood (formerly) of Chetwoods
In this episode Jonathan has a conversation with Philippa Birch-Wood, the former Executive Director for ESG at Chetwoods and now Head of Climate Action at the UK Green Building Council. They delve into the critical role of architecture in enhan...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 20
•
37:01
.jpeg)
Episode 19: How the Built Environment is Driving Nature Markets in the UK, with Simon Kennedy of Wates Wildscape
In this episode Jonathan engages in an insightful conversation with Simon Kennedy, Associate Director of Wates Wild Scape. They discuss the formation and mission of Wates Wild Scape by the Wates Group, an over-a-century-old construc...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 19
•
37:21
Episode 18: Marrying the Heart with the Head and Hands to Enable Positive Change, with Louisa Harris
In this episode Jonathan talks to Louisa Harris, founder of Curiously Liminal and a coach for change-makers in sustainability. Louisa shares her unique career journey in sustainability, from her beginnings influenced by climate activism to her ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 18
•
47:18
Episode 17: Rewilding, what's it all about? with Alister Scott of the Global Rewilding Alliance
In this episode, Jonathan sits down with Alister, the executive director of the Global Rewilding Alliance, to explore his path to leadership in the rewilding movement. Alister shares his background, from growing up in rural Ireland to his long ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 17
•
49:47
Episode 16: Connecting with Nature through our Gardens with George Hillier
In this episode we delve into the fascinating world of gardens and tree plantations with George Hillier, Chair of the Hillier Garden Centres Group. This episode highlights the history of Hillier Garden Centres, founded in 1864, and their innova...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 16
•
48:09
naturethrive podcast episode 15 - The Allerton Project Head of Sustainable Farming Joe Stanley
This episode is a conversation with Joe Stanley, a prominent figure in the UK agricultural community. Joe shares insights from his experience as a farmer and influencer in the agricultural space. We discuss the significant challenges faced by f...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 15
•
42:13
naturethrive podcast episode 14 - Bellway Homes Group Head of Biodiversity Neil Beamsley
This episode discuss the evolving role of biodiversity in the UK housing sector. This insightful episode explores the impact of policy changes, such as biodiversity net gain (BNG), on the UK's largest housebuilder, Bellway Homes. Neil shares hi...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 14
•
37:31
naturethrive podcast episode 13 - Planet Mark CEO Steve Malkin
This episode welcomes Steve Malkin, founder and CEO of Planet Mark, a leading sustainability and net-zero certification company. Having spent six years with Planet Mark, Jonathan brings an insider's perspective on their mission to help o...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 13
•
34:57
naturethrive podcast episode 12 - Strata Homes Planning Director Claire Linley and Sustainability Manager Elsie Hargate
This episode discusses biodiversity net gain (BNG) with Claire Linley, Planning Director, and Elsie Hargate, Sustainability Manager at Strata Homes, a leading UK housebuilder. They explore Strata's commitment to sustainability, evidenced by the...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 12
•
41:50
naturethrive podcast episode 11 - Bemari Founder Marina Bradford
This episode of the naturethrive Podcast we dive into the evolving landscape of sustainability and nature reporting with our insightful guest, Marina Bradford. Founder of the consultancy Bemari, Marina brings a wealth of experience in helping o...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 11
•
51:59
naturethrive podcast episode 10 - CEO of BNGx Andrew Hicks
This episode features Andrew, CEO of BNGX, explaining how their digital platform simplifies Biodiversity Net Gain (BNG) for developers and landowners. Discover how BNG policy aims to reverse nature decline and how BNGX streamlines the process o...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 10
•
33:43
naturethrive podcast episode 9 - HiveTracks Head of Growth - Benjamin Tomkins
This episode of the naturethrive Podcast features a fascinating conversation with Benjamin Tompkins from Hive Tracks, a nature tech company revolutionising biodiversity data collection. They delve into the meaning of "ground truth" data and how...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 9
•
35:36
naturethrive podcast episode 8 - CEO of Native Rob Cobbold
Native partners with indigenous guardians to protect the planet, offering individuals and companies the opportunity to protect or restore nature one "native square" (three meters squared) at a time. They provide a map to visualize protected squ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 8
•
31:15
naturethrive podcast episode 7 - Wrangcombe Farm Land Manager Nigel Riddle
In this episode with speak to Nigel Riddle of Wrangcombe Farm in Somerset.The conversation delves into the diverse habitats at Wrangcombe Farm, which includes open heathland (a SSSI site), improved open grassland, steep-sided wood...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 7
•
28:00
.jpeg)
naturethrive podcast episode 6 - head of natural capital at Knepp Estate Molly Biddell
In this episode we speak to Molly Biddell of Knepp Estate in Sussex.Molly discusses Knepp's journey from a struggling conventional farm to a thriving nature restoration site, driven by the principles of rewilding and the introduct...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 6
•
31:32
