Planet Visionaries – SEASON 5

Planet Visionaries – Ep 19: Deep-ocean discovery with Sheena Talma and Katy Croff Bell

In this episode of Planet Visionaries, a landmark podcast series in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, host Alex Honnold speaks with marine biologist Sheena Talma and deep-sea explorer Katy Croff Bell, who are National Geographic Explorers and members of the Rolex and National Geographic Perpetual Planet Ocean Expeditions. Together, they reveal how only 0.001 percent of the deep ocean has been visually observed even though it constitutes two-thirds of the planet. From discovering shipwrecks on the ocean floor to mapping unexplored habitats, this episode reveals why the deep ocean may be humanity’s greatest remaining frontier. 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: Personal photographs kindly provided by Sheena Talma, Katy Croff Bell. Ocean Discovery League images courtesy of Susan Poulton. Thanks also to Oceancensus. Material from the South Africa expedition and from the deep-sea camera systems provided courtesy of the South African Institute for Aquatic Biodiversity and the South African Polar Research Infrastructure. ©NRF SAIAB and ©SAPRI To find out more about the Rolex and National Geographic Perpetual Planet Ocean Expeditions [https://newsroom.rolex.com/world-of-rolex/perpetual-planet/national-geographic/national-geographic/news-9/rolex-national-geographic-perpetual-planet-oceans-expedition] Theme and score by Kara Talve for Bleeding Fingers Music [https://bleedingfingersmusic.com/], produced by Russell Emanuel. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow @sonypodcasts [https://www.instagram.com/sonymusic/?hl=en]. Thank you to On Air Presents [https://www.onairpresents.com/]. for their creative, branding and marketing support. Planet Visionaries is a podcast in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, [https://www.rolex.org/environment/perpetual-planet] and a Sony Music Podcasts production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Planet Visionaries – Ep 18: The Hidden Ocean with Andrew Thurber and Allison Fong

In this episode of Planet Visionaries, a landmark podcast series in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, host Alex Honnold speaks with marine biologist Andrew Thurber and microbial oceanographer Allison Fong, who are National Geographic Explorers and key members of the Rolex and National Geographic Perpetual Planet Ocean Expeditions. Thurber studies how deep-sea microbes regulate carbon and methane, while Fong explores how polar microbes underpin fragile ecosystems. Together they reveal how microscopic life quietly shapes the stability of our planet. 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: Andrew Thurber, Allison Fong and Lianna Nixon Photography: www.liannanixon.com [https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=http://www.liannanixon.com/&data=05%257C02%257Cshania.manderson@sonymusic.com%257C7f4eeede3a5f4374af6508de8684039d%257Cf0aff3b791a54aaeaf71c63e1dda2049%257C0%257C0%257C639096098722719883%257CUnknown%257CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ==%257C0%257C%257C%257C&sdata=Jpm2bY8XD2NFjrTdaamUDcCCl8fyWoWzhGMprfQbG2w=&reserved=0] To find out more about Feel Think Studios [https://www.feelthinkstudio.com/about-1] and the Rolex and National Geographic Perpetual Planet Ocean Expeditions [https://newsroom.rolex.com/world-of-rolex/perpetual-planet/national-geographic/national-geographic/news-9/rolex-national-geographic-perpetual-planet-oceans-expedition] Theme and score by Kara Talve for Bleeding Fingers Music [https://bleedingfingersmusic.com/], produced by Russell Emanuel. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow @sonypodcasts [https://www.instagram.com/sonymusic/?hl=en]. Thank you to On Air Presents [https://www.onairpresents.com/]. for their creative, branding and marketing support. Planet Visionaries is a podcast in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, [https://www.rolex.org/environment/perpetual-planet] and a Sony Music Podcasts production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Planet Visionaries – Ep 17: A Life Underwater with David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes

In this episode of Planet Visionaries, a landmark podcast series in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, host Alex Honnold speaks with National Geographic photographer and Rolex Testimonee, David Doubilet, and marine biologist Jennifer Hayes about the decades they have spent capturing the wonder of the ocean. They share stories from iconic dives and reflect on the evolution of their work from pure exploration to vital conservation. This discussion dives into how powerful imagery can inspire connection, responsibility and action.  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: David Doubilet and Jennifer Hayes To find out more [https://underseaimagesinc.com/] about David and Jennifer’s work Theme and score by Kara Talve for Bleeding Fingers Music [https://bleedingfingersmusic.com/], produced by Russell Emanuel. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow @sonypodcasts [https://www.instagram.com/sonymusic/?hl=en]. Thank you to On Air Presents [https://www.onairpresents.com/] for their creative, branding and marketing support. Planet Visionaries is a podcast in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, [https://www.rolex.org/environment/perpetual-planet] and a Sony Music Podcasts production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Planet Visionaries – Ep 16: Fernando Trujillo on Protecting the Pink River Dolphins in the Amazon

In this episode of Planet Visionaries, a landmark podcast series in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, host Alex Honnold talks with Fernando Trujillo, marine biologist and 2024 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, about protecting pink river dolphins in the Amazon and Orinoco basins. Trujillo highlights the challenges and solutions of Amazon conservation, sharing insights from decades of research on how these dolphins signal river health, the threats they face and why their protection benefits both ecosystems and local communities. 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: Fernando Trujillo To find out more about Omacha Foundation [https://omacha.org/] Theme and score by Kara Talve for Bleeding Fingers Music [https://bleedingfingersmusic.com/], produced by Russell Emanuel. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow @sonypodcasts [https://www.instagram.com/sonymusic/?hl=en]. Thank you to On Air Presents [https://www.onairpresents.com/]. For their creative, branding and marketing support. Planet Visionaries is a podcast in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, [https://www.rolex.org/environment/perpetual-planet] and a Sony Music Podcasts production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]

Planet Visionaries – Ep 15: Two Generations of Ocean Explorers on Rebuilding the Sea

In this episode of Planet Visionaries, a landmark podcast series in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, host Alex Honnold explores the future of ocean conservation with legendary marine biologist and founder of Mission Blue, Dr. Sylvia Earle, and Titouan Bernicot, founder of Coral Gardeners. The two Rolex Testimonees share insights on protecting marine ecosystems by blending science, technology and local culture to empower communities, discuss reef restoration and exchange ideas on how to inspire the next generation of ocean leaders.   For nearly a century, Rolex has supported explorers, evolving from celebrating discovery to advancing planetary protection. Through its Perpetual Planet Initiative, the company supports people dedicated to securing a better future for all life on Earth.   Credits: Stills and footage courtesy: Sylvia Earle, Titouan Bernicot and Noe Langronier for Coral Gardeners To find out more about Mission Blue [https://missionblue.org/] and  Coral Gardens [https://coralgardeners.org/?srsltid=AfmBOorE8SqqdamPMoPME-Qg6RCY3zAIs0Cmk8GLKWxJXyAV3oFyFVPG] Theme and score by Kara Talve for Bleeding Fingers Music [https://bleedingfingersmusic.com/], produced by Russell Emanuel. Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow @sonypodcasts [https://www.instagram.com/sonymusic/?hl=en]. Thank you to On Air Presents [https://www.onairpresents.com/]. for their creative, branding and marketing support. Planet Visionaries is a podcast in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, [https://www.rolex.org/environment/perpetual-planet] and a Sony Music Podcasts production. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices [https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices]