Chris Packham on Neurodiversity, Safe Spaces & Finding Solace in Nature

Chris Packham has always fascinated me. As a broadcaster, naturalist, and conservationist, he’s helped millions connect with wildlife and the natural world through shows like BBC’s Springwatch – but sitting down with him in his home, I realised how much of his story is about creating refuge, both at home and within himself.

In this deeply personal conversation, Chris speaks candidly about his childhood in Southampton, being diagnosed with autism in his forties, and how he has designed a home that helps him manage sensory sensitivities – ironically filled with furniture and artwork that is deliberately uncomfortable.

He reflects on solitude versus loneliness and how nature provides safety, structure and healing when the human world feels overwhelming.

It’s a conversation about finding comfort in discomfort, about refuge and resilience, and, above all, about what it means to feel at home in the world.

It’s also one of the most memorable episodes I’ve ever recorded. 

This episode was recorded in person at Chris' home in the New Forest.

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