Valerie Taylor: Sixty Years with Sharks

Do you have a memory about the movie JAWS? Australian icon Valerie Taylor was commissioned by Steven Spielberg, along with her partner Ron Taylor, to shoot the live action scenes for his unforgettable classic -- a film that ultimately drummed up irrational fears about sharks. Valerie spent much of the rest of her career trying to dispel those myths. Valerie's life’s work has become the basis for much of what we know about sharks today. She is best known for featuring on the cover of National Geographic Magazine being bitten by a blue shark, and for her work in establishing marine protected areas. Her  life is chronicled in the new documentary "Playing with Sharks," which traces Valerie's career trajectory from champion spearfisher to passionate shark protector. Here, she talks us through a few of the many adventures in her long and very adventurous watery life, and what it has meant to document the Anthropocene. .....Listen with Lauren L. Hill & Dave RastovichSound Engineer & Music By: Shannon Sol Carroll Additional music: ‘Evergreen’ by Band of Frequencies:  Men of Wood & Foam album  www.bandoffreqs.bandcamp.comJoin the conversation: @Waterpeoplepodcast Waterpeoplepodcast.comPhoto Credit: Ron & Valerie TaylorSend us Fan Mail...Co-Hosts + Production: Lauren L. Hill & Dave RastovichSound + Video Engineer: Ben J Alexander Theme song: Shannon Sol Carroll Additional music by Kai Mcgilvray   + Ben J Alexander Closing track: 'Sunseekers' by AndysixstringJoin the conversation: @Waterpeoplepodcast ...Thanks to our generous sponsors this season:Patagonia Australia: in business to save our home planetNgalung Kalla Eco Retreat: surf adventure paradise The Sunglass Fix: give your favourite sunglasses new lifeSodii: hydration for salty humans...Subscribe to our newsletter for BTS stories from making the podcast, and the books, films and music we’re currently into. Written by us + free to read.