Planet Visionaries – SEASON 5

A podcast in partnership with The Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative
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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
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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
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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.
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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

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