Planet Visionaries – SEASON 5

In this engaging talk, Mark Ruffalo, the acclaimed actor and environmental advocate, sits down with Gloria Walton, President of The Solutions Project, to discuss shifting power to frontline communities for a sustainable future. They reveal the critical role of grassroots organizations in driving renewable energy initiatives from South-Central LA to Baltimore. Mark shares his journey from anti-fracking activism to leading storytelling as a tool for policy change, while Gloria emphasizes trust-based philanthropy and self-determination in fighting climate challenges.

In this episode of Planet Visionaries, a landmark podcast series in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, host Alex Honnold meets with world-renowned wildlife photographer Paul Nicklen. He shares how his deep reverence for the natural world has evolved into a mission of global advocacy for conservation through his visually stunning work. For nearly a century, Rolex has supported pioneering explorers. Over time, the company has moved from championing exploration for the sake of discovery to supporting initiatives to protect the planet. Through the Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex stands alongside the inspiring people who are dedicated to building a better future for all life on Earth. Credits:  Stills and footage courtesy: Paul Nicklen, Cristina Mittermeier, SeaLegacy  Theme and score by Kara Talve for Bleeding Fingers Music, produced by Russell Emanuel.  Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts  and follow @sonypodcasts.  Thank you to On Air Presents. for their creative, branding and marketing support.   Planet Visionaries is a podcast in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, and a Sony Music Podcasts production.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Alice Aedy and Malaika Vaz, both National Geographic Explorers and filmmakers, dive into the powerful intersection of storytelling, climate, and social justice. They explore how human stories can drive conservation efforts and discuss their journeys in founding Earthrise Studio and Untamed Planet. The duo emphasizes engaging diverse audiences through optimistic narratives, balancing urgency with hope. They share insights on avoiding alarmism in storytelling while achieving impactful change through documentaries, urging aspiring storytellers to focus on building relationships and strategic impact.

In this episode of Planet Visionaries, a landmark podcast series in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, host Alex Honnold meets two of the brightest innovators redefining how to recycle the unrecyclable: Miranda Wang, co-founder and CEO of Novoloop, and Shay Sethi, co-founder and CEO of Ambercycle.  Both co-founded their companies at age 19 and have found innovative ways to transform previously unrecyclable  into high-value materials. For nearly a century, Rolex has supported pioneering explorers. Over time, the company has moved from championing exploration for the sake of discovery to protecting the planet. Through the Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex stands alongside the inspiring people who are dedicated to building a better future for all life on Earth.   Credits: Stills and footage courtesy: AmberCycle and Novoloop Theme and score by Kara Talve for Bleeding Fingers Music, produced by Russell Emanuel. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow @sonypodcasts. Thank you to On Air Presents for their creative, branding and marketing support. Planet Visionaries is a podcast in partnership with the ⁠Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative,⁠ and a Sony Music Podcasts production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Kris Tompkins, former CEO of Patagonia and co-founder of Tompkins Conservation, is a trailblazing conservationist who has protected 15 million acres across Chile and Argentina. She shares her journey from business leader to land protector, revealing the challenges she faced in gaining public support for her conservation efforts. Kris discusses the importance of rewilding species like jaguars and the ambitious plans to connect habitats across continents. She inspires listeners to take action for conservation, emphasizing that even small efforts can lead to significant change.

In this episode of Planet Visionaries, a landmark podcast series in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, host Alex Honnold is joined by wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory and penguin researcher Pablo García Borboroglu. The 2025 Rolex National Geographic Explorers of the Year, who collaborated on the docuseries “Secrets of Penguins”, explain why protecting these remarkable birds means protecting the oceans.   For nearly a century, Rolex has supported pioneering explorers. Over time, the company has moved from championing exploration for the sake of discovery to protecting the planet. Through the Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex stands alongside the inspiring people who are dedicated to building a better future for all life on Earth. Secrets of the Penguins is now streaming on Disney+. Stills and footage courtesy: National Geographic. Theme and score by Kara Talve for Bleeding Fingers Music, produced by Russell Emanuel. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow @sonypodcasts. Thank you to On Air Presents for their creative, branding and marketing support. Planet Visionaries is a podcast in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, and a Sony Music Podcasts production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Host Alex Honnold introduces a new season of Planet Visionaries, the podcast exploring bold ideas and big solutions in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative. This season spotlights innovators who aren’t just imagining a better future but actively creating it. Guests include actor and climate champion Mark Ruffalo, celebrated photographer and biologist Cristina Mittermeier, and pioneering conservationist Kris Tompkins. New Episodes Drop Every Tuesday. Follow now and be part of the movement to reimagine our planet’s future. Planet Visionaries is a podcast in partnership with the⁠ Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative⁠, and a Sony Music Podcasts production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

From Everest to Annapurna, Ed Viesturs has summited the world’s highest mountains without supplemental oxygen. Now he joins Alex Honnold for a conversation about the meaning of climbing in the face of climate change. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Great Spine of Africa expeditions are an unprecedented survey of Africa’s rivers. Biologist Steve Boyes and his team are paddling 40,000 kilometers in dugout canoes to gather groundbreaking data on some of the world’s least-explored waterways. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The first woman to solo ski across Antarctica, Felicity Aston knows better than anyone how to survive on the ice. Now she tells Alex Honnold how her latest expedition unlocked new truths about climate change in the Arctic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices