John Odling-Smee, Emeritus Research Fellow at Oxford and author of 'Niche Construction', dives into how life shapes its own evolution. He discusses the pivotal role of niche construction in ecology, highlighting how organisms like birds and their behaviors mold their environments. The conversation challenges traditional evolutionary views, incorporating concepts like adaptive know-how and even cultural evolution's impact on genetics. From thermodynamics to ecosystem dynamics, Odling-Smee offers a fresh perspective on the interconnectedness of life and its surroundings.