**WhatsApp me a voice-note, or e-mail a message to bookofleavespodcast@gmail.com for episode 100 before April 25th!** Welcome back to Book of Leaves! I'm delighted to be coming out of a 3 month hibernation joined by Jana from Kildare Wildlife Rescue no less. As we're fully into Spring, there'll be a huge increase in wildlife calls and rescues needed, so there's no better time to learn how we can help their efforts. Visit their website for more info and don't forget to send a video of any wildlife you find to info@kwr.ie for assistance! You can follow them on Facebook, Instagram @Kildarewildli ..read more

Tom Butler, together with his wife Pam, run an organisation called Astræa, through which they inspire people to think, act, and live in harmony with the planet and each other. They grow food on a small organic farm, host classes, sell books and much more. At their root, they are two people using their time on the planet to create positive change. It was a pleasure to chat to Tom and learn of his fascinating story. My mind was whirring with inspiration through this chat, I'm sure yours will too! You can find their website here or stay up to date with them on Instagram @BreatheThinkFlow. [05:50 ..read more

Bohemian Football Club (BFC) is the first football club in the world to set up a climate action committee and they’ve been doing a stellar job of it. I interviewed two of the people on the team, Sean McCabe and Leo McConnell to get the inside scoop on how they’ve been working. You can follow them on Instagram as @bfcdublin_clico or Facebook. [05:05] Sean & Leo introduce themselves [10:10] When and why did BFC incorporate climate action [12:00] What does that climate action look like [14:15] Why BFC doesn’t focus on carbon emissions generated on match days [19:00] The impact on fans’ minds ..read more

"We are at war. The line is drawn between the people and the polluters." Naomi Ní Shíocháin is a sustainability scientist whose main area of research is the 'Planetary Polycrisis' that exist, from climate to health to war. Facing this every day in her home life as well as work life, she has built a resilience that many of us lack - and rightly so because humans are not meant to experience the current ongoing tragedies. In this chat, Naomi shares some tools that has helped her own resilience, as well as giving is an aural hug. Naomi can be followed on LinkedIn, and Instagram @naominishiochain ..read more

It was such an honour to chat to Anja Murray who many of you may know from being the presenter of Eco Eye. She also is a writer (Wild Embrace & a weekly column with the Irish Examiner), a radio show host (Naturefile with RTE Lyfric FM) on top of having worked in policy in the NGO sector for many years. You can follow her on Instagram @miseanja & X @miseanja. I hope you enjoy taking a leaf out of her book and find the wonder in nature. [02:40] Anja begins by introducing herself [04:15] What motivated Anja to get active [07:40] What working in policy & advocacy is like [14:45] Why ..read more

I've heard of skip diving and second hand shopping, but salvage yards were not something I knew even existed in Ireland until Harry got in touch about the work he does. Euro Salve has been running for 25 years, based in Kilkenny. A wonderland of treasures, high quality timber, garden furniture, you name it! Giving these items a new lease of life and diverting them from landfill is a lovely way to live more kindly on the planet. Follow Euro Salve on Instagram @kilkennyarchitecturalsalvage, TikTok @kilkennyarchsalvage, Pinterest or Facebook. [03:05] Harry introduces himself [06:45] What is a sa ..read more

Sophia McConnon is a youth activist I saw speaking at a climate conference over the summer. She was raising awareness of the detrimental effects mining has had on her community, which began with a large sinkhole that destroyed the local GAA playing field, community centre, and 3 surrounding fields. New mines are constantly being explored across the country, but Sophia and the rest of Magheracloone Against Mining are trying to keep communities and our environments safe. Support them on 'X' @MiningAgainst and Instagram @magheracloone_against_mining or Facebook. [05:25] Sophia introduces herself ..read more

If you’ve ever attended a protest for human or animal rights, chances are Laura has been in the crowd every single time. An activist since her teens, they have a wealth of experience and compassion they primarily use to drive the campaigns of NARA (National Animal Rights Association). Their most pressing campaign at the moment is the one to ban hare coursing which we cover in detail. Keep up to date with NARA on Instagram, on X and Facebook by searching @naracampaigns. [04:20] Laura’s journey into activism [08:20] The link between animal and human exploitation. [10:45] How anger can benefit ..read more

I've been wanting to cover Doughnut Economics (DE) since I heard of Kate Raworth who coined the theory. Economics is NOT my strong point, so I was delighted to meet Roisin Markham at an even in Cloughjordan Eco Village who has - almost accidentally - become one of the reps for DE in Ireland. She's also a brilliant visual artist and all around amazing, generous individual. Stay up to date with her on @creativedynamix on socials  [03:25] Interview begins [04:15] Owning ‘I’m a climate activist’ [06:55] Who inspired Róisín’s connection with the Earth [10:25] Getting in to Doughnut Economics ..read more

Darragh Wynne is a climate activist and host of the Climate Alarm Clock podcast, which you would have heard me chat about before. It’s a wonderful climate news podcast, based in Ireland and definitely worth checking out. You can find it wherever you get your podcasts, and keep up to date with them on ‘X’ @theclimatealarm or Instagram @climatealarmclock. I had a lovely time hearing Darragh’s story and talking through how we can improve climate communications. Below is a list of everything covered! [06:15] Interview begins [14:00] Tips for people who feel alone in the climate movement [18 ..read more