Planet Hope

Bertie Gregory has spent much of his life bringing people closer to the natural world. From a childhood passion for photographing animals to filming some of the planet’s most extraordinary creatures, he has built a career telling stories from nature’s frontline. In this special episode, recorded to mark World Environment Day, the BAFTA and Emmy-winning filmmaker joins Tom Whipple to talk about his life behind the camera and what it has taught him about our changing planet – and why the stories we tell about it matter more than ever.

Planet Hope is brought to you in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

Guest: Bertie Gregory, Wildlife filmmaker, 2025 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year and Rolex Testimonee
Host: Tom Whipple, science writer and special correspondent, The Times
Producer: Ethan Sills
Executive producer: Priyanka Deladia
Sound designer: David Crackles

This podcast is advertiser funded.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andreia Pawel is co-founder of the Orange River-Karoo Conservation Area, one of the world’s most ambitious rewilding projects. Spanning more than a million hectares in Namibia, and with the support of the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, it aims to restore lost ecosystems, reintroduce species and work with local Nama communities to build a new model for conservation. She tells Adam Vaughan how, with bold ambitions, we can breathe new life into the natural world.

Planet Hope is brought to you in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

Guest: Andreia Pawel, Conservationist and co-founder of Orange River-Karoo Conservation Area.
Host: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times
Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia
Sound Designer: David Crackles

This podcast is advertiser funded.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Explorer and Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative partner Steve Boyes has spent decades navigating Africa’s wild rivers. He tells Adam Vaughan how illness and resilience has reshaped his outlook and why protecting rivers, landscapes and communities has become his life’s mission.

Planet Hope is brought to you in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

Guest: Steve Boyes, Conservationist and National Geographic Explorer
Host: Adam Vaughan, Environment Editor, The Times
Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia
Sound Designer: David Crackles

This podcast is advertiser funded.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In Lausanne, Switzerland, neuroscientist and Rolex Awards Laureate Grégoire Courtine and neurosurgeon Jocelyne Bloch have pioneered a “digital bridge” that translates brain signals into spinal stimulation, giving people with paralysis new ways to regain movement. They tell Tom Whipple about the science behind the technology, the patients leading the way and their hopes for the future of movement recovery after paralysis.

Planet Hope is brought to you in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

Guest:
Grégoire Courtine, Neuroscientist and co-founder of NeuroRestore.
Jocelyne Bloch, Neurosurgeon and co-founder of NeuroRestore.
Suzanne Edwards, Patient at NeuroRestore.
Host: Tom Whipple, Science Writer, The Times.
Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia
Sound Designer: David Crackles

This podcast is advertiser funded.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Over a billion people live with preventable vision loss. Eye surgeon and Rolex Awards Laureate Andrew Bastawrous has created a smartphone app that is transforming eyecare, facilitating sight restoration for millions and changing lives. He tells Tom Whipple, how glasses – a 700-year-old invention – have transformed his own life, and why he’s determined no one should lose their sight for lack of access.

Planet Hope is brought to you in paid partnership with Rolex and its Perpetual Planet Initiative.

Guest: Andrew Bastawrous, eye surgeon and founder of Peek Vision
Host: Tom Whipple, science writer, The Times
Series Producer: Priyanka Deladia
Sound Designer: David Crackles

This podcast is advertiser funded.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.