Different by Nature

Hannah Sayers

Different by Nature is a podcast that explores the interesting and unusual stories of green spaces and nature around us.

Hosted by Hannah Sayers an urban green space and community nature expert, she explores parks, nature, death, history, science, identity, belonging and the unexpected ways these spaces shape our lives.

The podcast aims to raise awareness of just how important and diverse greenspace and nature is.

Welcome to real life, outside.

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9 episodes
fortnightly
Avg 32 min
English

Episodes 9

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S1 · E9
October 26 · 39 min
The Outdoor Decay Lab | Prof Anna Williams & Carla Valentine | The Secrets of Human Decomposition
What happens to our bodies after death, and what can nature teach us about the process? In this rather unusual Halloween episode of Different by Nature, Hannah Sayers is joined by forensic anthropologist Professor Anna Williams and returning guest and special co-host Carla Valentine, author of The Language of Bones. Together, we dig into the strange and fascinating world of forensic science, exploring how the natural environment plays a crucial role in understanding death. From maggots that help solve crimes and the surprising use of pigs in forensic research to the secrets our bodies leave behind, this episode uncovers a side of nature we don't often talk about. We also hear about Anna's campaign to establish the UK's first outdoor human decomposition research facility, why this research could transform criminal investigations, and how it might help us rethink our relationship with death and the environment. Expect fascinating discoveries, a little dark humour and a few moments that might require a strong stomach! Find out more and support the campaign Learn about the Human Taphonomy Facility for the UK campaign, complete their survey or find out how to get involved: https://htf4uk.org Different by Nature explores the interesting and unusual stories hidden in the outdoor spaces around us. Content warning: This episode includes discussions of death, human remains and a brief mention of suicide, which some listeners may find distressing.
S1 · E8
October 12 · 31 min
The Nature of Music | Alice Boyd |Taking Notes from Birds, Plants & Landscapes
What if the natural world is making music we've never really heard? This week on Different by Nature, we're joined by musician, sound artist and audio producer Alice Boyd, who finds inspiration in the extraordinary sounds hiding all around us. From recording sounds beyond human hearing to turning plants into musical inspiration, Alice takes us into a world where nature has its own soundtrack. We put our listening skills to the test with a hilarious game of Guess That Sound (with some spectacularly questionable guesses!), explore how Alice transforms field recordings into music, and discover how the sounds of our landscapes are changing. We also explore why a woodland can look just as beautiful as it did 50 years ago, but sound completely different. It's an episode full of strange noises, unexpected discoveries and a reminder that sometimes we need to stop looking and start listening. 🎧 Pop your headphones on. You might never hear nature the same way again. Find Alice's music and projects: https://aliceboyd.info Follow @differentbynaturepod on Instagram, TikTok and YouTube. Different by Nature — Real life, outside.
S1 · E7
September 28 · 30 min
Where Curiosity Leads | Belonging, Untold Stories & Living London | Saira Niazi
What happens when you follow your curiosity instead of the expected path? In this episode of Different by Nature, Hannah speaks to Author of 'On Belonging - Reflections of a Renegade Guide' and Living London Founder Saira Niazi, whose love of wandering started with bunking off school to explore markets, cemeteries and random stops on the London Underground. That curiosity eventually became Living London — a project uncovering hidden places, overlooked communities and the stories that often sit just beneath the surface of the city. Saira talks about walking hundreds of miles across the World and the UK, discovering the power of being different, helping people feel that outdoor spaces belong to them, and why nature and place can connect us back to culture, memory and identity. They also explore untold histories, inclusive walking, neurodivergence, taking unconventional career paths and why sometimes the best thing you can do is simply follow your feet. Plus, Saira shares three of her favourite hidden places in London. Different by Nature — real life, outside.
S1 · E6
September 14 · 33 min
Becoming the Animal | Earthworms, Otters & the Risks We Miss | Phil Tovey
What happens when humans look at the world through non human eyes? In this episode of Different by Nature, I’m joined by Phil Tovey, whose career has taken him from the Royal Marines and DEFRA to researching new ways of understanding risk and our relationship with nature. We talk about Risks Beyond Human Eyes, an experimental project that asked people to experience their local landscape from the perspective of species including earthworms, otters, kestrels, red deer and Atlantic salmon. How do you actually “become” an earthworm? What can an otter notice about a landscape that we don’t? And could stepping into another species’ world help us spot risks — and make better decisions — before it’s too late? We also explore Phil’s military background, learning to read landscapes, the importance of play and imagination, and what happens when nature is given a voice in the way we think about risk. Support the podcast and subscribe!
S1 · E5
August 31 · 29 min
The Wildest GCSE Yet | Natural History GCSE, Young People & Learning Outside | Ruth Carter
What if one of your GCSEs meant actually going outside? In this back-to-school episode of Different by Nature, I’m joined by Ruth Carter from Cambridge OCR to talk about the proposed Natural History GCSE — and why it could change the way young people learn about the world around them. We talk about why nature often seems to disappear from education once children reach secondary school, whether young people are really as disconnected from nature as we think, and why learning about wildlife doesn’t need to mean travelling to the countryside. The proposed GCSE includes at least 20 hours of fieldwork, with students encouraged to investigate the nature on their own doorstep — whether that’s trees, moths, bats, lichen on a wall or wildlife living in the middle of a city. Ruth also shares the story behind the GCSE, the importance of young people having a voice in shaping it, and why the subject is already inspiring some people to consider going into — or even returning to — teaching. We also ask a bigger question: if the next generation is going to care for the natural world, shouldn’t understanding it be part of their education? The Natural History GCSE public consultation is currently open and closes on 4 September 2026. https://consult.education.gov.uk/gcse-and-a-level-policy-team/gcse-natural-history-proposed-subject-content/consultation/subpage.2024-02-29.8700504549/ Different by Nature — uncovering the interesting and unusual stories hidden in the outdoor spaces around us. Real Life, Outside.
S1 · E4
August 17 · 35 min
Nature’s New Voices | Bugs, Urban Wildlife & Finding Your Place in Nature | Johnathon Miller McCall
Meet Jonathan Miller McCall — educator, presenter, content creator and proud nature nerd. Jonathan’s fascination with wildlife started with bugs as a child, but finding his place in the natural world — and discovering that it could actually become a career — wasn’t always straightforward. In this episode of Different by Nature, we talk about growing up feeling different, finding your people, representation in the environmental sector and why nature needs new voices. Along the way, we get into the wildlife hiding in plain sight: tiny owls in London parks, misunderstood parakeets, the surprisingly complicated lives of pigeons, spiders, bugs and why we tend to care more about the species we consider “cute.” Jonathan also shares why he wants to get more people curious about the natural world — particularly those who may never have thought nature was for them. - Finding your place in nature - Bugs and overlooked wildlife - The truth about London’s parakeets - Why pigeons deserve better PR - Standing up for misunderstood species - Representation and diversity in the environmental sector - Why being different can be a strength Different by Nature — real life, outside. Subscribe for more unexpected stories about nature, people and the outdoor spaces around us.
S1 · E3
August 3 · 25 min
Heritage that Heals | Stuart McLeod, Run Zen & National Lottery Heritage Fund | Different by Nature
When you hear the word Heritage, you might think of castles, stately homes or museums. But what if heritage is much closer to home? In this episode of Different by Nature, Hannah sits down with Stuart McLeod, Director of England, London & South at the National Lottery Heritage Fund, to explore a different way of seeing the world around us. From the hidden stories of our local parks to the folklore of ancient trees, Stuart explains why nature is one of our greatest shared heritage assets and why it has the power to improve our health, wellbeing and sense of belonging. Together they discuss: - Why parks may be our most democratic public spaces. - The forgotten magic and mythology of nature. - How mindfulness can help us reconnect with the outdoors. - Why local green spaces deserve to be valued as heritage. - How the National Lottery Heritage Fund is helping communities rediscover the nature on their doorstep. This is a conversation about slowing down, looking closer, and discovering that the places we pass every day may hold far more meaning than we realise. Because sometimes, the most powerful heritage isn't hidden behind museum doors it's growing just outside.
S1 · E2
July 28 · 34 min
Raising the Next Generation of Beekeepers | Debbie and Mrs Burney's Bee Club | Different by Nature
In this episode, Hannah is joined by Debbie from Mrs Burney's Bee Club, who is introducing young people to the fascinating world of beekeeping and helping to raise the next generation of beekeepers. Together, they explore: Why pollinators are so important to our ecosystems and food supply. How making beekeeping more accessible can inspire more people to connect with nature. Why teaching children about bees could shape the future of conservation. The incredible process of how a queen bee is created. The surprising battles inside a hive, including why queen bees may fight to the death. The hidden complexity of bee societies and what we can learn from them. Whether you're fascinated by wildlife, curious about bees, or simply want to see nature in a completely different way, this episode is packed with stories that might change how you look at the next bee you see.
S1 · E1
July 6 · 34 min
Can Nature Be a Killer and a Saviour? | Carla Valentine | Different by Nature
Can nature be both the killer and the saviour? In the first episode of Different by Nature, Hannah Sayers is joined by Carla Valentine, author, mortician and forensic educator, to explore the darker, stranger and more surprising side of the natural world. From poisonous plants and crime scenes to forensic clues hidden outdoors, this episode looks at what nature can reveal when we stop seeing it as simply “good” or “bad”. Carla brings her unique perspective on death, evidence and the natural world, helping us ask whether nature can harm us, heal us and tell our stories all at once. Different by Nature is a podcast about the real-life stories hiding in the outdoor spaces we walk through every day. In this episode: • Nature as killer, witness and healer • Poisonous plants and hidden dangers • Crime scenes and forensic clues outdoors • How looking differently changes what we notice Follow Different by Nature for more surprising stories about parks, nature, identity, science, history, belonging and the outside world. Instagram: @differentbynaturepod TikTok: @differentbynaturepod YouTube: @differentbynaturepod

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