Conservationists return with a message of hope

In this episode of Planet Visionaries, a landmark podcast series in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, host Alex Honnold is joined by wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory and penguin researcher Pablo García Borboroglu. The 2025 Rolex National Geographic Explorers of the Year, who collaborated on the docuseries “Secrets of Penguins”, explain why protecting these remarkable birds means protecting the oceans.   For nearly a century, Rolex has supported pioneering explorers. Over time, the company has moved from championing exploration for the sake of discovery to protecting the planet. Through the Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex stands alongside the inspiring people who are dedicated to building a better future for all life on Earth. Secrets of the Penguins is now streaming on Disney+. Stills and footage courtesy: National Geographic. Theme and score by Kara Talve for Bleeding Fingers Music, produced by Russell Emanuel. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow @sonypodcasts. Thank you to On Air Presents for their creative, branding and marketing support. Planet Visionaries is a podcast in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, and a Sony Music Podcasts production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Alex Honnold introduces a new season of Planet Visionaries, the podcast exploring bold ideas and big solutions in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. This season spotlights innovators who aren’t just imagining a better future but actively creating it. Guests include actor and climate champion Mark Ruffalo, celebrated photographer and biologist Cristina Mittermeier, and pioneering conservationist Kris Tompkins. New Episodes Drop Every Tuesday. Follow now and be part of the movement to reimagine our planet’s future. Planet Visionaries is a podcast in partnership with the⁠ Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative⁠, and a Sony Music Podcasts production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Everest to Annapurna, Ed Viesturs has summited the world’s highest mountains without supplemental oxygen. Now he joins Alex Honnold for a conversation about the meaning of climbing in the face of climate change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Great Spine of Africa expeditions are an unprecedented survey of Africa’s rivers. Biologist Steve Boyes and his team are paddling 40,000 kilometers in dugout canoes to gather groundbreaking data on some of the world’s least-explored waterways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first woman to solo ski across Antarctica, Felicity Aston knows better than anyone how to survive on the ice. Now she tells Alex Honnold how her latest expedition unlocked new truths about climate change in the Arctic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Amazon is the world’s strongest barrier against climate change — and few of its creatures are more important than the beautiful pink river dolphin. 2024 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year Fernando Trujillo joins Alex Honnold to discuss a lifetime protecting this vital mammal. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Marine biologist Ben Fitzpatrick has spent decades protecting the coastlines and coral reefs of Western Australia. Today he joins Alex Honnold to talk about his ongoing work to conserve one of the ocean’s most precious habitats. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Wildlife photographers Cristina Mittermeier and Paul Nicklen tell Alex Honnold how they’re using storytelling to inspire a new generation of conservationists. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

When her country was stricken by drought, Kenyan entrepreneur Beth Koigi developed a machine that uses condensation to produce water. She tells Alex Honnold how this technology can reduce water scarcity around the globe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Since she last spoke to Alex Honnold in 2021, legendary explorer Sylvia Earle has made great progress in her efforts to protect 30% of the world’s oceans by 2030. Now she’s back to explain how Mission Blue’s Hope Spots provide safe haven for sea creatures worldwide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices