Resilience Tracks

Naomi Sanga studied business, with no idea that climate and conservation would be in her future. When she came across the NGS/TNC Externship program, she took her chances and since then has committed to using her background in business for environmental progress. She works with kids at government schools on tree planting, encouraging kids to develop responsibility and ownership over their natural environments. She also runs clubs, teaching students GIS and storymaps. Connect with Naomi:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/n-s-42875a174/Host: Syeda Noveera Qambar Social Media: Brooke HartFollow the podcast:   / resiliencetracks  

Francesco Saretto, by day, is a PhD student studying climate risk management with a focus on coastal Bangladesh, but will the help of seed funding after the NGS/TNC externship, he created the documentary Raízes Sem Terra, focused on colonial-based land distribution inequalities in Brazil. Throughout our conversation, we discuss the process of making the film, his learnings from the Sem Terra community in Brazil, and why he is pursuing his PhD given his interest in climate justice. Connect with Francesco: Film's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/raizes_documentario/Newsletter: https://raizesdocumentario.substack.com/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/francescosaretto/Host: Stephanie FroebelEditor: Megan AliSocial Media: Brooke HartFollow the podcast: https://www.instagram.com/resiliencetracks/https://open.spotify.com/show/7DXTDQNQmvVVt1nJ49mZkk?si=1595566d48e64917

Siena Inaba is the Program Operations Specialist for National Geographic Society’s Pristine Seas, whose work ranges from outfitting a deep-sea submersible to coordinating logistics like getting boxed jellyfish anti-venom to an expedition ship. Sienna shares how early inspiration from iconic wildlife storytellers led her to conservation, how she pivoted from a pre-vet track to earth system sciences, and how graduating in 2021 during the pandemic pushed her into healthcare before she found her way back through the National Geographic–Nature Conservancy externship. She discusses her capstone on California’s oil spill response and estuary protection, the transferable soft skills and stress tolerance she gained in healthcare, and Pristine Seas’ mission to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 through science, policy, media, and education. Sienna also reflects on identity as a mixed Japanese and White American, the importance of diversity in science, critiques the term “ecosystem services,” and emphasizes that anyone can contribute to conservation.Connect with Siena: Instagram: https://www.instagram.coSiena Inaba: Shipping jellyfish antivenom to buying submersibles with Pristine Seasm/sienainaba/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sienainaba/Host: Stephanie FroebelEditor: Stephanie FroebelSocial Media: Brooke HartPhoto Credit: National Geographic Pristine Seas / Caitlin BaileyFollow the podcast: https://www.instagram.com/resiliencetracks/https://open.spotify.com/show/7DXTDQNQmvVVt1nJ49mZkk?si=1595566d48e64917

Noveera is a master’s student in environmental science in Pakistan who has worked on human-carnivore conflict, glacial modelling, geological identifications, and more. Having worked in both NGOs and governmental agencies, she shares with us the benefits and struggles of each strategy in approaching conservation in her country. We also discuss the hardships of conservation in Pakistan, such as trophy hunting and climate migration from floods. Connect with Noveera:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/noveera_qambar/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/syeda-noveera-217a75295/Host: Stephanie FroebelEditor: Stephanie FroebelSocial Media: Brooke HartFollow the podcast: https://www.instagram.com/resiliencetracks/

Giulia Hettwer is a master’s student in marine biology. In today’s episode, Giulia shares her experience with underwater field research. Along the way, she debunks the popular belief that sharks are dangerous, explaining how shark incidents happen, while also comparing the scale of shark conflicts. She explains that while sharks injure a few people every year, we humans kill thousands. Connect with Giulia:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/giulia-hettwer-b110071aa/Host: Syeda Noveera Qambar Editor: Stephanie FroebelSocial Media: Brooke HartFollow the podcast: https://www.instagram.com/resiliencetracks/https://open.spotify.com/show/7DXTDQNQmvVVt1nJ49mZkk?si=1595566d48e64917

Rabita Rahman is an environmental science student from Bangladesh working with mangroves to combat encroaching salinity and typhoons in the South Coast region of Bangladesh. Working across multiple environmental organizations, Rabita wants to bring more attention to climate mitigation plans rather than adaptation reactions. While quieter, mitigation plans are necessary to prevent environmental problems before they arise. The conversation covers the diverse ecosystem of the Sundarbans, the challenges faced by local communities due to rising salinity, the impact of climate change, and the importance of education and community initiatives for effective environmental conservation. Connect with Rabita:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rabita-rahman111/Host: Innocent Graph PhiriEditor: Stephanie FroebelSocial Media: Brooke Hart

Trinity Wildenstein grew up on Utila island, scuba and freediving amongst the corals.Like many islands, water is an inseparable part of Utila’s identity, but Trinity was surprised to find that the island actually had a huge freshwater issue. The island’s aquifer storage is not enough, leaving people to wait for washing dishes or cleaning clothes. After receiving seed funding following her NGS+TNC Externship, she sought to improve freshwater access, starting with installing rain catchment systems on the nearby school. Outside of this project, Trinity studies business in Madrid, exploring how to combine personal values, financial, and professional goals. Currently she is working on a children’s book teaching children about coral degradation and restoration. Connect with Trinity:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/trinity-wildenstein-shigetomi/Host: Stephanie FroebelEditor: Stephanie FroebelSocial Media: Brooke HartFollow the podcast: https://www.instagram.com/resiliencetracks/

Nardi de la Torre Proaño is a biologist from Ecuador with a focus on coastal ecosystems and conservation. Nadi discusses her work with the Smithsonian Tropical Research Institute and Darwin 200, emphasizing the importance of community involvement in conservation efforts. She shares her experiences studying coral resilience to climate change, educating people on frog conservation, and how she holds on to hope amidst our climate crisis. Nadi’s insights into balancing research with urgent conservation needs offer a unique perspective on protecting our planet’s biodiversity, human and more-than-human. 

Viktor is a PhD student researching AI applications in ecology, environmental monitoring, and nature conservation. His work has ranged from AI-based analysis of coral reef structures, facial analysis of seals, and reducing the biases in camera trap sorting. In this episode, we talk about how AI can and can't support conservation efforts, acknowledging the ethical concerns of the technology, and how we can work to mitigate this. Connect with Viktor:Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/viktor-domazetoski/Host: Stephanie FroebelEditor: Megan FosterSocial Media: Brooke HartFollow the podcast: https://www.instagram.com/resiliencetracks/

Ona Santisteban Uribarri is an EU Young Ocean Advocate and Ocean Protection Ambassador. After completing the NGS+TNC Externship, Ona has been busy fighting for youth representation in marine policy and protection plans. In today's episode, Ona shares her journey from the externship to international conferences, and the challenges advocating for youth in political spaces. Connect with OnaLinkedin: Ona Santisteban UribarriInstagram: @onasanuriHost: Graff Innocent PhiriEditor: Stephanie FroebelSocial Media: Brooke Hart

In this episode, acclaimed documentary photographer Pubarun Basu, Sony Youth Photographer of the Year and Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia honoree, joins us to explore the ethics of photojournalism and street photography. We discuss how the power dynamics of framing and publishing images , how photographers can document vulnerable communities responsibly, and what he’s learned from capturing life along the river Ganga. Connect with Pubarun Basu on instagram @pubarun.basu or his website: https://www.pubarunbasu.com/Host: Stephanie FroebelEditor: Stephanie FroebelSocial Media: Brooke Hart

For the official launch of Resilience Tracks, host Innocent Graph Phiri sits down with wildlife documentarian and podcast creator, Stephanie Froebel, to trace the roots of this new conservation-focused series. Stephanie shares the spark that inspired Resilience Tracks, and takes listeners into the Bolivian Amazon for a behind-the-scenes look at filming spider monkeys in her feature-length documentary Arrested Autonomy. From the challenges of documenting rescued primates to the personal moments that shaped her storytelling, this episode invites listeners into empathy-driven conservation. Connect with Stephanie on instagram (@stephfroebel) or her website www.stephaniefroebel.comHost: Innocent Graph PhiriEditor: Megan FosterSocial Media: Brooke Hart