For our latest episode, we dig (literally) into the world of geological field tools with geologist Lauren Heerschap, CEO of Brunton - one of our sponsors. Join us as we discuss Lauren's journey from geologist to designing tools to running a company!

Lauren Heerschap (she/her) is a geologist and educator whose invention of the revolutionary Axis transit led to her to working alongside Brunton for its launch. One thing led to another and in 2021, her and her husband, David, were able to purchase Brunton, helping ensure the brand's longevity as the main US manufacturer of quality compasses used around the world by geologists, outdoor recreationists, and military professionals.

Social links:

Brunton FB - https://www.facebook.com/BruntonInternational

Brunton Insta - https://www.instagram.com/brunton_intl/

Brunton LinkedIn - Brunton International

Brunton YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@bruntoninternational

Lauren FB - https://www.facebook.com/lauren.heerschap.1

Lauren Insta - https://www.instagram.com/laurenheerschap/

Volcanic rocks can prove very versatile as building and construction materials , and in one site in south west England, a 400 million year old band of volcanic lava is being used for exactly that!

In this episode, we speak to Ben Dormer, Operations Director and prior Quarry Manager, for John Wainwright & Co., an aggregates and asphalt quarrying operation in Somerset, England. At Moons Hill Quarry, Wainwright Aggregates have been quarrying a large body of andesite for over 130 years, providing a strong and robust material for construction and aggregate asphalt across the UK.

Ever wondered what process goes into the quarrying industry? How rocks are chosen, how they are extracted, and how they become final materials for clients? We delve into this industry and the many roles needed for it to operate smoothly, with our podcast sponsor.

Find out more about Wainwright Aggregates here: https://wainwright.co.uk/

Our relationship with the natural world can be both emotional and spiritual , as well as one of just physical science. But by blending those, we can create an even deeper understanding and respect for the processes and history of our planet. Here to talk to us more about this connection, and her new book "The Whispers of Rock" is Earth Scientist, Presenter and Author, Anjana Khatwa.

Dr Anjana Khatwa (She/Her/Hers) is an award-winning earth scientist who has worked for several universities, the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site and the National Trust. Dr Khatwa has contributed to and presented TV programmes for the BBC as well as ITV. She has been given the Geographical Award for public engagement by the Royal Geographical Society, the RH Worth Award by the Geological Society of London and the Halstead Medal from the Geologists’ Association. In 2021, she received a National Diversity Award in recognition of her work to champion inclusion within earth science and natural heritage and the same year was longlisted for the 2021 Nan Shepherd Prize for nature writing. She lives with her family in Dorset in a house filled with rocks and fossils collected from all over the world. The Whispers of Rock is her first book.

Author of The Whispers of Rock: Stories from the Earth

Released 4th September 2025 (UK) and 4th November 2025 (USA)https://geoscientist.online/sections/books-and-arts/whispers-of-rock-stories-from-earth/tiktok @jurassicg1rl

instagram @anjanakhatwa

X @jurassicg1rl

Bluesky @anjanakhatwa

Youtube @dranjanakhatwa

website www.anjanakhatwa.com

Imagine going to work every day with a volcano AS your backyard... and your job? to guide people around that volcano and it's incredible environment. In this episode we're joined by Shanda Ochs, an Interpretive Park Ranger for Lassen Volcanic National Park in California, USA.

Shanda Ochs has been working as a ranger around Lassen and it's environment for over 20 years, learning about this incredible active volcanic landscape and passing that knowledge onto the many thousands who visit the National Park every single year.

There is an incredible variety of geology, volcanic landforms, hydrothermal activity, culture, history, and wildlife with the park and Shanda takes us through all of it, with some incredible insights into the daily life and her responsibilities as an Interpretive Park Ranger. We hope this episode will leave you wanting to pack your bags to go and explore Lassen one day, or to even return (I know I want to...)!

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Here's another conversation with Shanda: Learn more

Ever wondered what happens behind the doors of a natural history museum? From collections, archives, conservation to research, there is so much to learn and that we don't see as visitors. To give us some insight into this, please welcome Chiara Maria Petrone from NHM London!

Dr Chiara Maria Petrone (she/her) is head of Volcano Petrology at the Natural History Museum, in London, UK. Her research focuses on volcanoes, particularly those that are currently active. Her major research goal is to make robust estimates of the timescales of volcanic eruptions and thereby improve forecasting of future eruptions and their impact on society. She leads development in analytical techniques that push the boundaries of extracting time-related information from single minerals at the micron-scale. She uses the rocks erupted during volcanic eruptions to unravel the hidden processes inside the volcano, as a psychologist explores the human mind.

Instagram - @chiara.petrone.1

Linkedin - Chiara Maria Petrone

Webpage - NHM Mineral and Planetary Sciences

Volcanoes and earth science are a very visual field, where illustrations and sketches are critical for a targeted and simplistic understanding. In this episode we speak with scientific illustrator Annabelle Foster about the importance of accurate illustrations and schematics in Earth Science, as well as setting up her own business in this area.

Annabelle is a scientific illustrator and Earth scientist with a PhD in volcanology from Durham University, where her love for turning complex science into visual stories first began. She specialises in illustrating Earth science research, but her freelance work spans a wide range of fields, including cardiology, neuroscience, immunology, physics, and bioengineering.

Annabelle has travelled far and wide to study volcanoes up close. Her doctoral research focused on an obsidian-rich volcanic ridge in Iceland, where she investigated how obsidian can form from sintered volcanic ash, not just from rapidly cooling lava!

Based in North Yorkshire, she works with clients around the world and is dedicated to making science more accessible, visual, and inspiring. Her illustrations have appeared in academic journals, education resources, public engagement projects, and international conferences.

Website: www.annabellefoster.com

Instagram: @geology_talk

Every continent has a highest mountain, but every continent also has a highest volcano! Wouldn't it be incredible to climb all seven?! So let's speak to someone who has done it!

This episode we're joined by mountaineer, military veteran and volcanic climber, Ricardo Kaljouw, who recently completed the Seven Volcanic Summits challenge - to talk all about his experiences climbing these seven volcanoes. You won't believe how different each of these are!

Ricardo Kaljouw, born on May 22, 1986, in Vlissingen, Netherlands, is a distinguished Dutch alpinist and military veteran. He is known for his achievements in mountaineering, particularly for completing the Volcanic Seven Summits challenge. This feat, which involves climbing the highest volcanic peaks across all seven continents, was capped by his historic summit of Mount Sidley in Antarctica in February 2025, making him the first Dutchman to complete this challenging endeavor. He is also ranked as number 50 in the world to have completed the Volcanic Seven Summits.

Beyond his accomplishments in climbing, Kaljouw is a veteran of the Dutch Armed Forces, having served in multiple military missions. His experience in the military has shaped his approach to both mountaineering and life, instilling a sense of discipline, resilience, and determination that has propelled him through extreme challenges.

Kaljouw has climbed over 50 high-elevation volcanoes around the world, some of which are still active. His passion for volcanic exploration goes beyond the summits, as he actively shares his experiences through various platforms. Engaging with a community of fellow explorers, he teaches newcomers about the fascinating world of volcanoes.

Website: https://sevenvolcanicsummits.com/

Instagram: @sevenvolcanicsummits