Launching the ELB Podcast

by Meredith Meeker

​The Emerging Leaders for Biodiversity Podcast invites you to cozy up with your favourite beverage and sit down to chat with some of the biggest names in the environmental sector.  It is backstage access into some of the most competitive and well-known organizations in the game.  Basically, it is an opportunity that most people don’t get. The whole purpose of this podcast is to help emerging leaders find their path and make a difference. Listening to different perspectives from within the environmental field can only make us stronger as practitioners.
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When this whole adventure started, I certainly didn’t know much about how to host a podcast, but the guests have made it easy. Every time I sit down to record an episode with someone, I genuinely can’t wait to hear their answers and learn more about field I have dedicated my life to.  Right now my favourite question is about their favourite “Neature” moment (because nature is so neat). Most of the stories are local and it’s a great reminder that even though we might not be able to travel far and wide right now, there is so much to enjoy right in our backyards.  

In addition to great career advice, we have already touched on some really important themes, including what does meaningful reconciliation in our field look like, how can we make the space more welcoming and inclusive, and how can we prevent emotional burnout that sometimes comes along with the field. These are all important topics that we will continue to dive into in future episodes and seasons.

Season 1, Episode 7 featured a conversation with Dr. Nusha Keyghobadi, Associate Professor at Western University (pictured, right).

You can listen to the ELB podcast on our website, or on your favourite podcast platforms, including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Pocket Cast, Overcast, Castro, and Castbox.

Not a lot of good has come from the pandemic, but it did allow me to reach out to more people since a lot of us are working from home and have the technology to support a podcast interview.  What technology do you need to be a guest on the ELB podcast, you might ask? All you need is a laptop and headphones, preferably with a mic. Email us if you think you would be a great ELB podcast guest!

The podcast was definitely out of my comfort zone, but I think 2020 has forced people to shake things up and deviate from our usual routines. I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to host and help create this podcast. I feel like I have learned a lot from the process but even more from the guests. We are only half way in, but I would say the biggest take-away I’ve had from this podcast so far was actually from my first guest Jessica Steiner, from Wildlife Preservation Canada. We talked about the importance on focusing on working on your own piece of the conservation/environmental puzzle, and if each of us can do that and to the best we can on our own piece, we actually allow others to focus on theirs. We will all complete and reach our goals faster and happier.

We would love to hear from our members. Are you loving the podcast? Is there someone you would like to see on the podcast? Are we answering your top burning questions? Let us know in the comments below, or email us at el4biodiversity@gmail.com

About the Author

Meredith is passionate about everything nature. She has worked hard to build a career that combines her love for the environment and the need to build strong development practices to ensure a sustainable future. She has been working in the public and private sector for the last 4 years as a wildlife ecologist, specializing in Terrestrial Species at Risk. She is also the Events Lead on the ELB Board of Directors.

When she's not working, you can find her out birding or hiking in one of the many beautiful parks Ontario has to offer.