That's Just Wild
Fresh Air
Welcome to That’s Just Wild. A wildly entertaining nature show filled with adventure, behind-the-scenes stories, and fascinating facts, told by the people who’ve seen it all for themselves. Every Tuesday join adventurer, explorer and broadcaster Steve Backshall, wildlife biologist Lizzie Daly, and journalist Sarah Roberts as they dive deep into the wonders of the natural world. From braving Arctic extremes to swimming with sharks, each episode begins with a bold superlative—Spiky, Freezing, Venomous—and unfolds into remarkable tales of the wild. Think: unexpected encounters, jaw-dropping science, and nature like you’ve never heard it before. Then, every Friday, it’s your turn. Our Q&A episodes tackle your most need-to-know nature questions—from how not to become bear food to how long is an elephant’s trunk? Because the world is wild, its wonders are endless—and we’re here to tell the stories that prove it.For ad-free listening and special episodes, support the podcast at thatsjustwild.com.Produced in the wild by Fresh Air. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 22, 2025 • 39min
Shapeshifters: Clown Fish, Poison Dart Frogs, and Wonderful Wunderpus
Which animal has the best disguise? 🥸Join Steve Backshall, Lizzie Daly, and Sarah Roberts as they explore the best shapeshifters in the animal kingdom. Why do clown fish change sex? Is that a jellyfish or a plastic bag? And what happens when Steve's pet chameleon makes a surprise appearance?🔔 Make sure you follow That’s Just Wild wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an answer.🚫📢 For ad-free listening and special episodes, support the podcast at thatsjustwild.com.Go to thatsjustwild.com to get ad-free listening, special deep-dive episodes and exclusive That's Just Wild goodies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 18, 2025 • 30min
Q&A: Naked Mole-Rats, Lounging Pandas, and Pickled Fruit Bats
What is the most improbable animal? Which animals have the most toxic parenting traits? And why aren't pandas ferocious like other bears? (Or are they...) Experts Steve Backshall, Lizzie Daly, and Sarah Roberts are back with another Q&A answering your weird and wonderful questions about wildlife. If you have a question you’d like our expert trio to answer, e-mail the team at 📧 questions@thatsjustwild.com or reach out on Instagram or YouTube @thatsjustwildpod.🔔 Make sure you follow That’s Just Wild wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an answer.Go to thatsjustwild.com to get ad-free listening, special deep-dive episodes and exclusive That's Just Wild goodies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 15, 2025 • 37min
Team Players: Termite Snow, Starling Skies and Flying Ant Day
How do birds know how to fly in formation? Why do flying ants all seem to appear at once? And what on earth is termite snow?! This week wildlife legends Steve Backshall, Lizzie Daly, and Sarah Roberts dig into the critters that operate as one. We meet the team players: from cicadas synchronising their song to ants that perform surgery on each other - and survive! Follow wherever you get your podcasts so that you never miss an episode - and don’t forget to listen out for our Q&A eps every Friday. If you have a question you want answering e-mail the team at questions@thatsjustwild.com.Go to thatsjustwild.com to get ad-free listening, special deep-dive episodes and exclusive That's Just Wild goodies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 11, 2025 • 23min
Q&A: Great Whites, Hammerheads and Shark Hypnosis
Can you hypnotise a shark? 🌀🦈 Join Steve Backshall, Lizzie Daly, and Sarah Roberts to find out in this week's Q&A, as the team answer your questions on everything Shark... 🤔 Why do Hammerhead Sharks look like they do?⏳ How do some sharks live so long?🇬🇧 And will we ever see Great Whites in British waters?If you have a question you’d like our expert trio to answer, e-mail the team at 📧 questions@thatsjustwild.com or reach out on Instagram or YouTube @thatsjustwildpod.🔔 Make sure you follow That’s Just Wild wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an answer.Go to thatsjustwild.com to get ad-free listening, special deep-dive episodes and exclusive That's Just Wild goodies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 8, 2025 • 44min
Sharks: Jaws, Netflix, and Misconceptions
How did Jaws change public perception of sharks? What makes something a shark? And why is Sarah travelling the world looking for them? Explorers Steve Backshall, Lizzie Daly and Sarah Roberts are talking all things sharks. Watch Sarah and "Shark Man" Dan on All The Sharks, live globally now on Netflix, check it out here. Go to thatsjustwild.com to get ad-free listening, special deep-dive episodes and exclusive That's Just Wild goodies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jul 4, 2025 • 26min
Q&A: Dolphins, Sharks, and Toxic Relationships
Explore the effectiveness of shark nets and the surprising complexities of marine life. Discover the misconceptions about dolphins and their aggressive interactions with orcas. Dive into the odd mating strategies of angler fish and the notion of toxic relationships in the animal kingdom. Hear personal reflections on transformative literature that shaped a passion for wildlife conservation. This lively discussion is packed with fascinating facts and insights into marine mammals, enhancing your curiosity about the natural world!
Jul 1, 2025 • 35min
Punks: Honey Badgers, Bearded Vultures, and Mohawked Turtles
Who are the punks of the animal kingdom? Why do honey badgers scare lions? Why are Cassowary birds so badass?Wildlife legends Steve Backshall, Lizzie Daly and Sarah Roberts bring serious attitude to this episode of That's Just Wild.This week we meet the rebels, including: devil fire fish (taking over the Caribbean), turtles with Mohawks (that can breathe from their bum), and headbutting tenrecs (note, NOT a hedgehog) ...And that time Steve Backshall had a ponytail.Watch Lizzie's documentary VULTURE: The Story of the Bearded Vulture.Follow wherever you get your podcasts so that you never miss an episode - and don’t forget to listen out for our Q&A eps every Friday. If you have a question you want answering e-mail the team at questions@thatsjustwild.com.Go to thatsjustwild.com to get ad-free listening, special deep-dive episodes and exclusive That's Just Wild goodies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 29, 2025 • 35min
LIVE: Osprey, Sharks, and the Loch Ness Monster
Can sharks smell period blood? Is wildlife conservation effective? What happened to the Loch Ness Monster?Steve Backshall, Lizzie Daly and Sarah Roberts are LIVE from Cheltenham Science Festival... With some familiar voices (Robin Ince and Dallas Campbell) AND an actual audience!Plus: The worst creatures to work with (don't have nightmares), frogs with extra limbs (save the amphibians) and what's lurking in the deep sea (lots and lots of mysteries).Go to thatsjustwild.com to get ad-free listening, special deep-dive episodes and exclusive That's Just Wild goodies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 27, 2025 • 20min
Q&A: Hippos, Bees, and Underrated Rats
Did you know hippos and whales share a common ancestor?Steve Backshall, Lizzie Daly, and Sarah Roberts take on your questions:Why do rats get a bad rep (meet the real Pinky and the Brain)? Do animals learn from each other (don't eat cane toads)? Are there any animals that could outsmart humans (it's all about that hivemind)?If you have a question you’d like our expert trio to answer, e-mail the team at questions@thatsjustwild.com or reach out on Instagram or YouTube @thatsjustwildpod.Make sure you follow That’s Just Wild wherever you get your podcasts so you never miss an answer. For ad-free listening and special episodes, support the podcast at thatsjustwild.com.Go to thatsjustwild.com to get ad-free listening, special deep-dive episodes and exclusive That's Just Wild goodies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Jun 24, 2025 • 35min
Slimy: Hagfish, Banana Slugs, and Vampire Squids from Hell
Vampire squids create shimmering decoys, scientists defrost a 45,000 year old worm, and banana slug mucus can numb toothache.Steve Backshall, Lizzie Daly and Sarah Roberts slide into this week's slippery episode and cover everything from whale anal syrup (be careful what you google!), exploding ants (that smell like curry) and the secret to your latest moisturiser (snail to the face, anyone?)Follow wherever you get your podcasts so that you never miss an episode - and don’t forget to listen out for our Q&A eps every Friday. If you have a question you want answering e-mail the team at questions@thatsjustwild.com. For ad-free listening and special episodes, support the podcast at thatsjustwild.com.Go to thatsjustwild.com to get ad-free listening, special deep-dive episodes and exclusive That's Just Wild goodies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
