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PODCAST · science

Living Beeing

by livingbeeing

Through an awe-inspiring audio journey, this podcast series brings to life the love of bees. It lifts the lid on a world of fascinating behaviours and wondrous endeavours. Who knew, for example, that to produce a pound of honey, a colony of honeybees must visit 2 million flowers? Or that a bumblebee with a full stomach is only ever 40 minutes away from starvation… We talk to people who are passionate about bees, from entomologists to botanists, scientists, beekeepers, honey experts, historians, artists and api-therapists. The podcast is accessible to everyone, as a non-technical, entertaining and informative adventure into a part of the insect world that has been a source of fascination and inspiration for millenia.

Publisher-supplied feed metadata · PodParley refreshed Apr 6, 2026 · Source feed

Episodes

  1. A Bee C. Back to school with Jen Moore! Bees teach us so much about the world.

    Jen first got into keeping bees more than 10 years ago and quickly realised: that real ecology is more complex than we can ever imagine, that everything fits together in remarkable and wonderful ways and that just keeping honeybees in hives is far from the answer. Now she talks to schools and…

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  2. Bees and Bears. The challenges of bee keeping and breeding in Finland.

    Back in April 2021, we spoke to Markku P, an urban beekeeper living and working with bees in Finland. After a bit of a summer break, we can now share this wonderful interview with you. Marrku is passionate about bee genetics, and a particular supporter of the black honeybee (Apis Mellifera...

  3. Mead magic. Chris is our guide on the mystical journey of this truly ancient, medicinal drink.

    Back in July 2020, in the midst of the pandemic, co-host Chris Park shared with us his huge experience in making mead. People have been dabbling with this fascinating brew for millenia. An alcoholic drink made from mixing honey and water (and sometimes herbs or fruit), it has a delicious effect…

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  4. “Honeybee’s” Journey. How bees inspired Rikk Smith to make a beautiful instrument

    The talented Rikk Smith, aka. Shining Fox, makes Native American flutes. He tells us about his recent introduction to the honeybee and how this journey inspired him to make an instrument in the creature’s honour. Rikk also treats us to a song on this beautiful instrument. Rikk learned to make…

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  5. Bee medicine. Stefan Stangaciu talks to LB about Apitherapy and its role in a new pandemic world

    A matter of weeks before the release and roll-out of the Covid-19 vaccines, we spoke to leading Apitherapist, Stefan Stangaciu about the huge progress in research relating to honeybee medicines; particularly propolis. Apitherapy is all about the health that comes from bees (Apis) and the hive....

  6. Bee Beats. Bioni Samp on his amazing music inspired by the bees.

    Get your dance shoes on! It's been very exciting for us to discover Bioni Samp. Well-known on the mainland-Europe dance club and festival circuit, the mysteriously named Bioni Samp is a fascinating blend of musician, beekeeper and environmentalist. He is passionate about bees and their vital…

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  7. Frontline Defence. James Fearnley of BeeVital explains the huge health benefits of propolis.

    Many people will never have heard of propolis - the bees’ secret weapon against infection. Honeybees collect sticky tree resin, bring it back to the hive and manipulate it into a substance that lines the nest or coats foreign bodies (even dead mice!) to block out unwanted bacteria and infection....

  8. King Solomon. Gladstone Solomon, a bee farmer on the island of Tobago, tells us about his fascinating beekeeping career.

    Gladstone manages c. 100 hives on the island of Tobago where the climate is very different with exotic foraging plants. Gladstone tells us all about the honey, the forage and the challenges for new beekeepers. We were also lucky enough to chat with Sharon, his wife; the other half of the family...

  9. The Beekeepers. Chris comes to see Patrick’s hives on James’ land. Bees living in conventional hives, russian hives, and their natural home: a log.

    It’s now 5 months since we launched our podcast. Despite lockdown and the continuing global pandemic, the bees have been as busy as ever. They are the great survivors. This year we’ve seen plentiful swarms and a good excess of honey. Patrick is keen to show Chris his hives on James’ land nearby…

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  10. Uninvited Guests 2. More from Sam Day. Some of the solutions that might slow the spread of the Asian Hornet.

    Following on from episode 10, we learn about some of the tracking methods being used in Jersey. The island already has asian hornet nests but the situation would be much worse without the intervention thus far. The mainland can learn much from Jersey about how to control this new invasive…

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  11. Uninvited Guests. Sam Day returns from Jersey where she’s been helping to track and research the Asian Hornet.

    It’s Asian Hornet Week and Sam Day is back from a busy visit to Jersey. The island is already experiencing the spread of this insect from the French mainland. Able to hibernate in imported plants and foods and with a potentially voracious appetite for bees and other insects, it has the potential…

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  12. Gentle Giants. Living Beeing talks to Nikki Gammans of the Bumblebee Conservation Trust about her work protecting bumblebees.

    We talk to Nikki Gammans, “Project Manager of the Short-Haired Bumblebee Project” for the Bumblebee Conservation Trust (BCT) during Bees' Needs Week in July. Nikki developed a passion for insects from a young age. She now helps to protect the humble bumblebee species which are under continued...

  13. The Drone Whisperer. Stephen Fleming guides us up the zig-zag path to find where the boy honeybees hang out.

    We follow in the footsteps of the renowned Gilbert White - naturalist, ecologist and ornithologist - on our first location recording in Gilbert’s hometown of Selborne, almost exactly 300 years after his birth. On a glorious summer’s day in July, our guide, Stephen Fleming (AKA. Drone Whisperer…

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  14. Confessions of a beekeeper. David Charles on a lifetime of keeping bees.

    David Charles has been keeping bees since 1962. Before bee suits David and his fellow beekeepers tended to their bees armed only with some net curtains and a pair of bicycle clips. And what characters there were in those days! What are the best plants for bees? Did beekeepers really use sulphur…

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  15. A sting in the tale. Dr Gerry Brierley tells Chris and Patrick about her long-term enthusiasm for Apitherapy

    Apitherapy is a practice that uses the healing powers of honeybees. Gerry first came across it by accident when she became very ill with Lyme disease - a debilitating condition caused by tick bites. Treatment for this disease, in Gerry’s case, involved a lengthy course of bee stings! Her ongoing...

  16. Buzz world. Living Beeing talks to Nicola Bradbear from Bees for Development.

    Nicola tells us about her passion for bees and Bees for Development which helps people in extreme poverty to build a livelihood from beekeeping; bringing health to communities and helping to support biodiversity. A low cost activity, it also allows people time to support families and continue...

  17. Man and bee. A heartfelt chat with bee scientist Norman Carreck about the wonderful resilience of bees - and other stories

    Chris and Patrick talk to Norman Carreck - a well-known bee scientist - about his love and passion for bees; both as a beekeeper and a scientist. Sensitive to the needs of bees, Norman gives us his opinion on a whole raft of topics: what constitutes indigenous or alien species, the wonderful...

  18. Soap box. Dr Sara Robb talks to us about cosmetic science, potions made from bee products and mystical recipes.

    Sara grew up in Iowa and lost her home in a tornado - but that’s another story! Sara teaches and exhibits at the National Honey Show every year - well worth a visit. A fascinating exploration of the health benefits of wax, honey and propolis; soaps and serates and a magical journey back in time…

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  19. Good vibrations. Martin Bencsik is discovering more about how bees on the comb communicate.

    We talk to Dr Martin Bencsik about the wonder of bees, their sensitivities to vibration and communication through sound. Martin’s father kept bees but the young Martin disliked beekeeping and remembers his fear of being stung! Ironically, today much of Martin’s research work as a scientist…

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  20. Nectarholics. How to identify plants that will do well for bees.. Verity talks to Brigit Strawbridge.

    Brigit Strawbridge talks to Verity on her allotment.. A fascinating insight into the diverse foraging habits of many different species of bee and how the gardener might plant to support bees and attract them to the garden Her delightful enthusiasm for bees is infectious. A must-listen for any…

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

Through an awe-inspiring audio journey, this podcast series brings to life the love of bees. It lifts the lid on a world of fascinating behaviours and wondrous endeavours. Who knew, for example, that to produce a pound of honey, a colony of honeybees must visit 2 million flowers? Or that a bumblebee with a full stomach is only ever 40 minutes away from starvation… We talk to people who are passionate about bees, from entomologists to botanists, scientists, beekeepers, honey experts, historians, artists and api-therapists. The podcast is accessible to everyone, as a non-technical, entertaining and informative adventure into a part of the insect world that has been a source of fascination and inspiration for millenia.

HOSTED BY

livingbeeing

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Living Beeing have?

Living Beeing currently has 20 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Living Beeing about?

Through an awe-inspiring audio journey, this podcast series brings to life the love of bees. It lifts the lid on a world of fascinating behaviours and wondrous endeavours. Who knew, for example, that to produce a pound of honey, a colony of honeybees must visit 2 million flowers? Or that a...

How often does Living Beeing release new episodes?

Living Beeing has 20 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Living Beeing?

You can listen to Living Beeing on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Living Beeing?

Living Beeing is created and hosted by livingbeeing.
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