Different by Nature

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.

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 strengthDifferent by Nature — real life, outside.Subscribe for more unexpected stories about nature, people and the outdoor spaces around us.

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.

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.

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 noticeFollow Different by Nature for more surprising stories about parks, nature, identity, science, history, belonging and the outside world.Instagram: @differentbynaturepodTikTok: @differentbynaturepodYouTube: @differentbynaturepod