

Planet Visionaries – SEASON 5
A podcast in partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative
For generations, Rolex has supported pioneers who push the boundaries of human endeavour. Today, that legacy continues with a commitment to a new kind of exploration: safeguarding our planet’s future.
In partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, Planet Visionaries is the landmark series hosted by world-renowned climber and founder of the Honnold Foundation, Alex Honnold. This isn’t a podcast about problems; it’s a podcast about solutions.
From rewilding entire landscapes to turning the tide on ocean pollution, we highlight the work of those who are reshaping what’s possible. Featuring intimate conversations with world-renowned figures like Cristina Mittermeier, Mark Ruffalo, Sylvia Earle, and Kris Tompkins, Planet Visionaries is an inspiring testament to human ingenuity in the face of immense challenges.
Join us to hear how a new generation of visionaries is building a healthier, more sustainable world for us all.
Planet Visionaries is a podcast in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, and a Sony Music Podcasts production.
In partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, Planet Visionaries is the landmark series hosted by world-renowned climber and founder of the Honnold Foundation, Alex Honnold. This isn’t a podcast about problems; it’s a podcast about solutions.
From rewilding entire landscapes to turning the tide on ocean pollution, we highlight the work of those who are reshaping what’s possible. Featuring intimate conversations with world-renowned figures like Cristina Mittermeier, Mark Ruffalo, Sylvia Earle, and Kris Tompkins, Planet Visionaries is an inspiring testament to human ingenuity in the face of immense challenges.
Join us to hear how a new generation of visionaries is building a healthier, more sustainable world for us all.
Planet Visionaries is a podcast in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, and a Sony Music Podcasts production.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Feb 3, 2026 • 26min
Planet Visionaries – Ep 10: Update on ending 'Hidden Hunger' with Felix Brooks-church
In this episode of Planet Visionaries, a landmark podcast series in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, host Alex Honnold revisits his conversation with Felix Brooks-church, co-founder of Sanku, a non-profit organization tackling ‘hidden hunger’ at scale by fortifying staple foods. At the end of this episode, Brooks-church, a Rolex Awards Laureate, provides an update on his progress towards his ambitious goal of improving the nutrition of 100 million people.
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.
Stills and footage courtesy: Sanku
Theme and score by Kara Talve for Bleeding Fingers Music, produced by Russell Emanuel.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment a 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

Jan 27, 2026 • 29min
Planet Visionaries – Ep 9: How solar transport is helping to save the Amazon with Oliver Utne
In this episode of Planet Visionaries, a landmark podcast series in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, host Alex Honnold sits down with Oliver Utne, founder of Kara Solar, an Indigenous-led project building solar-powered riverboats and charging stations in the Amazon. With the support of the Honnold Foundation, Kara Solar gives communities clean, reliable transport that reduces dependence on fossil fuels, strengthens ties between villages and provides an alternative to road building and deforestation.
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.
Stills and footage courtesy: KaraSolar
The New York Times article on Kara Solar.
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

Jan 20, 2026 • 39min
Planet Visionaries – Ep 8: The Ocean has a voice with Cristina Mittermeier
Cristina Mittermeier, a conservation photographer and co-founder of SeaLegacy, passionately advocates for ocean protection through storytelling. She shares her insights from the World Economic Forum, discusses her latest book 'Hope', and highlights how action drives conservation success. Mittermeier explains the High Seas Treaty’s significance and the rapid recovery observed in marine protected areas. Delving into the science of whale communication, she emphasizes the ocean's crucial role in our ecosystem, aiming to rekindle awe and inspire global action.

Jan 13, 2026 • 26min
Planet Visionaries – Ep 7: Speaking Whale - with Dr. David Gruber
In this episode of Planet Visionaries, a landmark podcast series in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, host Alex Honnold meets marine biologist, explorer and Project CETI founder David Gruber - a scientist pushing the boundaries of how humans understand the natural world. From discovering the first biofluorescent sea turtle to pioneering soft robotics that allow us to study ocean life without harm, Gruber has dedicated his career to trying to see Earth through the eyes of other species. Now, with Project CETI, he and a team of interdisciplinary researchers are attempting something once thought impossible: translating the
communication of sperm whales.
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 along.
Credits:
For more on Project CETI: https://www.projectceti.org/
Dr. David Gruber shared how his work intersects with ethics and law
through collaborations with César Rodríguez-Garavito at NYU School of Law and
The More Than Human Life Project MOTH
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

Dec 2, 2025 • 35min
Planet Visionaries – Ep 6: The Solutions Project with Mark Ruffalo and Gloria Walton
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.

Nov 25, 2025 • 31min
Planet Visionaries – Ep 5: Through the lens of ice with Paul Nicklen
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

15 snips
Nov 18, 2025 • 32min
Planet Visionaries – Ep 4: Storytelling for change with Malaika Vaz and Alice Aedy
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.

Nov 11, 2025 • 33min
Planet Visionaries – Ep 3: Recycling the Unrecyclable - with Miranda Wang and Shay Sethi
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

Nov 4, 2025 • 35min
Planet Visionaries – Ep 2: The Power of the Wild with Kris Tompkins
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.

Oct 28, 2025 • 35min
Planet Visionaries – Ep 1: What does it take to be Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year?
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


