New 12-part Greenpeace UK podcast explores life beneath the waves with BBC presenter Hannah Stitfall
What does it sound like at the bottom of the ocean? How does it feel to swim with a humpback whale and her calf? What does an octopus’ tentacle feel like when it wraps itself around you?
Wildlife filmmaker, zoologist, broadcaster and BBC presenter, Hannah Stitfall is finding out in a new podcast from independent podcasters the Crowd Network in collaboration with Greenpeace UK titled Oceans: Life Under Water.
Currently midway through its 12-episode season, Oceans: Life Under Water features stories from the Galápagos to the Antarctic, and includes guests from scientists to submarine pilots, and freedivers to explorers, all telling their stories of adventure and exploration and the animals that call the ocean home. The podcast will also be reporting from onboard a ship sailing from Panama to the Galápagos Islands, a journey that will be followed in stages over the course of 12 episodes.
Episode One features renowned British marine biologist, Dr Helen Scales, a regular contributor to DIVE magazine, discussing how she came to be an ocean expert and science communicator, why the worms that live in coral reefs are as exciting as some of their other residents, and why she’s not giving up on the future of the oceans just yet.
The episode also features an interview with freediving record holder, Daan Verhoeven, who describes what it’s like to dive into the depths on just a single breath of air.
‘The stories you’ll hear in this podcast are utterly awe-inspiring,’ said presenter, Hannah Stitfall. ‘There’s such a brilliant combination of knowledge and experience going into this project, and I couldn’t think of a better group to bring it all together. The nature-lovers of the world are going to love this, and I’m thrilled to be hosting it.’
Elena Polisano, interim head of oceans at Greenpeace UK, said: ‘Our oceans are mysterious, alien and beautiful. Without them, we wouldn’t exist, but centuries of destructive human activities like industrial fishing have pushed marine life to the edge of extinction. Alongside other governments, the UK has
committed to protecting 30 per cent of the oceans by 2030. We hope our new podcast will inspire many more people to join us in pushing the UK government so the 2030 target becomes a reality and isn’t just words on paper.’
Oceans: Life Under Water will run for 12 episodes, with a new episode every Monday available on Spotify, Apple, and Amazon
More from Hannah and the team, including behind-the-scenes footage and amazing underwater videos, can be found on Instagram, X and TikTok: @oceanspod.
