Coffee & Geography

In this lively and thoughtful episode, Kit Marie is joined by Pluto Liu, a marine scientist, artist, self‑described nomad, and PhD researcher studying kelp and Antarctic ecosystems from their home in Aotearoa (colonially “New Zealand”). The conversation ranges across identity, geography, creativity, capitalism, and the slippery boundaries between disciplines.Pluto reflects on growing up in China, moving through Hong Kong and Thailand, and eventually settling in Aotearoa, describing how each place has shaped their sense of self. They speak about linguistic belonging, their deep affinity with Latin America after spending time in Chile, and how identity becomes a patchwork: “a mixture of all different places I’ve been to.”Together, Kit Marie and Pluto discuss the limitations of Western scientific labels, the unnecessary separation of arts and sciences, and the importance of Indigenous and relational understandings of nature. Pluto shares insights into Antarctic policy, the tourism debate, and the realities of capitalism’s encroachment into polar seas. There are stories too — of tattoo artistry, surfing, learning to swim, nearly falling asleep during tattoos, and getting a diving certificate before being able to swim properly!Weblinks for Listeners:🔗 Pluto's BlueSky account: https://bsky.app/profile/plutoxliu.bsky.social🔗 Trade Aid Aotearoa: https://www.tradeaid.org.nz/🔗 Antarctic Treaty Secretariat: https://www.ats.aq/🔗 Baldwin Street – Dunedin: https://www.dunedinnz.com/insiders/baldwin-street2Theme music: "Spark of Inspiration" by Silvermansound.com

In this rich and expansive conversation, Kit Marie is joined by Dr. Niiyokamigaabaw Deondre Smiles, an Ojibwe geographer based in Victoria, British Columbia. Together, they explore identity, movement, Indigenous geographies, the meaning of place, and how our relationships with land — and sky — shape who we become.Deondre shares how his Black, Swedish, and Ojibwe heritage, together with his moves across Minneapolis, Ohio, and now Canada, have influenced his sense of self. He discusses the migration history of Ojibwe peoples and explains how Western cartographic boundaries differ deeply from Indigenous understandings of territory, kinship, and relational land connections.The conversation journeys through NativeLand.ca, the role of stars and constellations in Ojibwe governance, the creation story of Turtle Island, and the responsibilities humans carry as “the least important part of the ecosystem.” Kit Marie and Deondre also bond over the cold of Minnesota versus the wet cold of Victoria, Brexit, decolonisation, nationalism, and the Prime Directive in Star Trek, and discussions about music, memories, and joy — from viola to percussion to the household’s many tarantulas. A thoughtful, gentle, humorous episode that blends Indigenous knowledge, personal geography, and cosmic belonging.Weblinks for Listeners:🔗 Dr. Deondre Smiles – personal website: https://deondresmiles.com/🔗 Native Land Digital / Native-Land.ca: https://native-land.ca/🔗 Anishinaabe Astronomy and Identity: https://ojibwe.net/anishinaabe-astronomy-and-identity/🔗 Star Stories: Ojibwe Indigenous Star Map - An Artist's Rendition: https://www.zhaawanart.com/post/star-stories-part-9-ojibwe-star-map🔗 Ojibwe People’s Dictionary: https://ojibwe.lib.umn.edu/🔗 Star Trek's "Prime Directive": https://memory-alpha.fandom.com/wiki/Prime_Directive#CoffeeGeogPod #IndigenousGeographies #Ojibwe #DecolonisingGeography #HumanGeography #PlaceIdentity #TurtleIsland #NativeLand #GeographyEducation #IndigenousKnowledges #Cosmology #StarStories #CulturalGeography #environmentaljustice Theme music: 'Sparks of Inspiration' by Silvermansound.com

In this on‑location special, Kit Marie travels to the east coast of England to spend a spring morning at East Norfolk Sixth Form College, speaking with Principal Dr Catherine Richards about the intersection of community, place‑identity, and sustainability.The conversation blends human geography with practical leadership: the real challenges of Great Yarmouth, the spirit of its people, the region’s shift towards renewable offshore wind, and the ways education can anchor a community in hope rather than decline.Catherine shares how ENSF has become a model for college‑level sustainability — from solar‑panel investment and curriculum change, to innovative food‑chain choices, water‑awareness projects, student‑driven ideas, reprographics reform, composting strategies, and the upcoming near‑net‑zero new building.But the heart of the episode lies in community pride. In the belief that young people in coastal towns deserve world‑class futures. And in the idea that climate education is not separate from subject teaching — it’s woven into each discipline’s responsibility to the future.This episode is a love‑letter to Great Yarmouth, a celebration of local leadership, and a blueprint for what educational institutions can be.Interesting links:🔗 East Norfolk Sixth Form College: To explore EN’s programmes, ethos, and sustainability work. https://www.eastnorfolk.ac.uk🔗 Virtual Campus Tour: https://www.eastnorfolk.ac.uk/Applicants-Students-Parents/Virtual-Campus-Tour🔗 Water Resources East (WRE): Referenced in Catherine’s discussion of water security and the region’s future challenges. https://wre.org.uk🔗 Peel Ports – Port of East Anglia (Great Yarmouth): Relevant to Catherine’s comments about port redevelopment and regional economic strategy. https://www.peelports.com/marine/our-ports/port-of-east-anglia/🔗 Scroby Sands offshore wind farm https://uk.rwe.com/locations/scroby-sands-offshore-wind-farm/🔗 Norfolk FWAG (Farming & Wildlife Advisory Group): Referenced regarding sustainable food choices, deer management, and local ecology. https://www.norfolkfwag.co.uk#CoffeeGeogPod #Sustainability #EducationLeadership #FurtherEducation#ClimateEducation #GreatYarmouth #RenewableEnergy #OffshoreWind#CommunityEmpowerment #PlaceBasedGeography #NetZeroColleges #ukcoast Theme music: "Spark of Inspiration" by Shane Ivers (silvermansound.com)

In this uplifting and heartfelt episode, Kit is joined by Marvee Sambajon, a documentary producer and marine science communicator from the Philippines. What follows is a warm, generous conversation about place, respect, culture, creativity, and the small moments that reveal who we are.Marvee reflects on growing up across several Philippine provinces, moving between communities as a “blank slate” ready to listen. She shares the profound experience of being welcomed by Ifugao Indigenous peoples in the famed rice terraces — a moment of deep humility and gratitude that still resonates years later.The episode travels through her remarkable years documenting marine scientific expeditions: three summers at sea aboard military ships, navigating storms, isolation, hunger, exhaustion — and even the occasional shark. These raw, vivid stories show the human side of science: the patience, courage, improvisation and humour that research crews rarely talk about.Marvee also explains why marine science communication is crucial in an archipelagic nation. From algal blooms to plastic pollution, she highlights the gap between public perception and ecological reality — and why awareness, respect and context‑specific solutions matter.Finally, she shares the comfort she finds in crochet: the counting, the repetition, the making and remaking of garments as both creative outlet and sustainable practice.Connect with Marvee over on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/marveeambi.bsky.socialLinks to explore further:🔗 Ifugao Rice Terraces (UNESCO World Heritage Site): https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/722/🔗 Philippine Marine Science Institute (UP MSI): https://msi.upd.edu.ph/🔗 Philippine Rise (Benham Rise) Expedition: https://ph.oceana.org/expeditions/benham-expedition/🔗 Plastic Pollution in Philippine Coastal Waters: https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1251582

In this joyful, wide‑ranging conversation, forest ecologist and science communicator Dr Robin Hayward joins Kit Marie for a celebration of trees, identity, science, and storytelling.Robin shares how growing up on Dartmoor shaped their love of horizons, how Malaysian rainforests revealed the long‑term impact of selective logging, and why hugging trees is both a scientific method and a source of soul‑level joy.Other themes include:• Measuring rainforests, from canopy lizards to multi‑decade seedling studies• How restoration succeeds (or doesn’t) across generations• Whether tropical or boreal forests should be prioritised — a playful debate• Star Trek, Thunderbirds, and the magic of weaving sci‑fi into teaching• The social camouflage queer scientists navigate in fieldwork• Creative science communication: live shows, art, code, and cake• Building inclusive fieldwork environments and resources for LGBTQ+ geographersFind Robin everywhere online as @canopyrobin, including Bluesky, Instagram, Threads, Mastodon and LinkedIn.🔗 Dr Robin's website: https://canopyrobin.com/🔗 Inclusive Fieldwork at University of Leeds: https://inclusivefieldwork.leeds.ac.uk🔗 ESC (Ecological Site Classification) for UK Tree Suitability GIS tool: http://www.forestdss.org.uk/geoforestdss/🔗 SAFE Project, Malaysia: https://atlas.smartforests.net/en/logbooks/safe-project/🔗 The International Society of Nonbinary Scientists: https://atlas.smartforests.net/en/logbooks/safe-project/

In this rich and eye‑opening conversation, Mexican paleobiologist Omar Regalado Fernández joins Kit Marie to explore how paleontology has been shaped by colonial legacies — and how the field can move toward justice.Omar shares how growing up in the Cuautitlán-Pachuca Valley (with its unexpected Cornish connections!), studying in London, and now working in Germany have shaped his identity as a global citizen. They discuss the difference between paleontology and paleobiology, the mythologised history of the Bone Wars, and how scientific institutions often retell “great man” narratives that hide violence and exclude other ways of knowing.The episode also explores:• Why renaming species (like poinsettia) is more than cosmetic• Why Western science treats Indigenous knowledge as “folklore”• How colonialism functions like an “eldritch horror”• The shift toward qualitative and community‑rooted science• Routes into paleontology for neurodivergent young people• Museums, citizen science, and making science accessibleConnect with Omar via Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/mathchaos.bsky.social and LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/omar-rafael-regalado-fernandez/Links for further exploration:🔗 Natural History Museum (UK) – Citizen Science Projects: https://www.nhm.ac.uk/take-part/citizen-science.html🔗 Senckenberg Natural History Museum (Frankfurt): https://museumfrankfurt.senckenberg.de/en/🔗 The Bone Wars: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bone_Wars🔗 Our past creates our present: a brief overview of racism and colonialism in Western paleontology: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/paleobiology/article/our-past-creates-our-present-a-brief-overview-of-racism-and-colonialism-in-western-paleontology/79248D87425C01E9D388DA2EFED92866🔗 Poinsettia/Cuetlaxōchitl: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poinsettia🔗 UNAM – National Autonomous University of Mexico: https://www.unam.mx🔗 500 Queer Scientists: https://500queerscientists.com/#CoffeeGeogPod #Paleobiology #DecolonisingScience #STEM #ColonialHistory #Taxonomy #IndigenousKnowledge #CitizenScience #GeographyPodcast #Mexico #Germany #UKScience #GlobalIdentity

Season 6 opens with a rich, engaging conversation with environmental researcher and EDIA advocate Gadfly Stratton, joining Kit Marie from Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.Gadfly explores how their work on aquatic invasive species intersects with equity, diversity, inclusion and accessibility, showing why inclusive science produces better research, better engagement, and stronger community outcomes. They explain how invasive species management relies on trust, representation, and public participation — and why the Great Lakes are a fascinating case study in ecology, policy, and human behaviour.The conversation also dives into:🌎 Place identity (Toronto, Halifax, Northern Ontario)🌊 Sea lamprey, goldfish invasions, and citizen science♿ Why accessibility must be part of EDI🧠 Science denialism & the dangers of exclusion🐶 Boots & Muffin 🎮 1200+ hours of Warhammer 40K Rogue Trader✨ And the joy of learning from different lived experiencesFind Gadfly at inclusivescience.ca and on Bluesky at https://bsky.app/profile/inclusivescience.caLinks for further exploration:🔗 Great Lakes Fishery Commission – Sea Lamprey Control: https://www.glfc.org🔗 USGS Non‑Native Aquatic Species (NAS) Database: https://nas.er.usgs.gov🔗 Environment & Climate Change Canada – Aquatic Invasive Species: https://www.dfo-mpo.gc.ca/species-especes/ais-eae/index-eng.html🔗 Inclusive Science (Gadfly’s website): https://inclusivescience.ca🔗 Warhammer 40,000 Rogue Trader: https://roguetrader.owlcat.games

Join Kit Marie at the Denver Complex in the East Anglian Fens—one of the UK’s largest tidal and fluvial management systems, second only to the Thames Barrier yet hidden in plain sight. In this special field episode, Environment Agency experts Louise Wilson (Strategy Advisor, Fens 2100+) and Amy Shaw (Fens Flood Risk Manager & Fens 2100+ Programme Director), alongside Katie Teesdale-Ward (Stakeholder Engagement Manager for Future Fens: Integrated Adaptation, based at Anglian Water), reveal how this 24/7 operational marvel sustains an area of almost half a million hectares; protects infrastructure, people, property and agriculture to the tune of £58bn; and redirects water almost 100 miles into south Essex, against gravity’s pull.We explore:🔗 Why this 400-year-old plus engineered landscape is a national lifeline, guarding against sea-level rise and water shortages while feeding the UK.⛈️ The "perfect storm" of climate threats: By 2040, a 2°C temperature rise could trigger compounding floods, droughts, and ecological collapse.🤝 How the Fens 2100+ partnership pioneers adaptation—balancing farming, biodiversity, and community resilience.🎓Why educators of all sorts, not just Geographers, must spotlight this hidden hero: "Without Denver, Cambridge would be underwater."Featured Links:- Climate Ambassadors (https://climateambassadors.org.uk)- Fens 2100+ Programme (https://engageenvironmentagency.uk.engagementhq.com/fens2100)- Denver Complex Visualised Video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vk1Kir8rJqw)- Fens Climate Risk Assessment - Tyndall Centre (https://tyndall.ac.uk/reports/the-uk-fens-climate-change-risk-assessment-big-challenges-and-strategic-solutions/)- The Ely-Ouse-Essex Water Transfer Scheme (https://greatbradley.weebly.com/water-transfer-scheme.html)Connect with Louise, Amy & Katie via their linked in profiles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/louise-wilson-7889a472/https://www.linkedin.com/in/amy-shaw-64036734/https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-teesdale-ward-4b76929/#FloodResilience #WaterSecurity #ClimateAdaptation #Fens2100 #EastAnglia #GeographyTeacher #EnvironmentalEngineering #UKInfrastructure #ClimateAction #Podcast #Fens #DenverSluice #ClimateAmbassadors### About Coffee & GeographyThe aim of ‘Coffee & Geography’ is to get to know, explore and celebrate the diverse & intersectional range of people and their love for the world. If you're interested in being a guest or want to find out more, then visit https://geogramblings.com/coffee-geography-podcast. There you will also find an interactive map to explore the locations of guests and the brews that they drink!Music: 'Spark of Inspiration' by Shane Ivers (www.silvermansound.com/)### How you can support the podcast and continue the conversation- Follow us on Bluesky at bsky.app/profile/geogramblings.com and the hashtag #CoffeeGeogPod- Post a listener question for guests using #GeogQOverABrew- Rate, review (ratethispodcast.com/coffeegeogpod) and subscribe to the podcast via your preferred platform.- Support Geogramblings education efforts by donating at ko-fi.com/kitrackley- Switch your energy provider to Octopus Energy via this link: https://share.octopus.energy/reed-foal-15. Any referral rewards will go towards Geogramblings education efforts.