Skaana with Mark Leiren-Young | Oceans, Eco-Ethics & The Environment

About Skaana with Mark Leiren-Young | Oceans, Eco-Ethics & The Environment

About Skaana: Skaana - One Ocean — Ocean Life, Eco‑Ethics & the Environment — Interviews for a Changing Planet is a podcast for anyone who loves the ocean and the animals who live there. Host Mark Leiren-Young dives beneath the surface with scientists, authors, activists, and other dolphin-friendly humans for candid conversations about marine life, conservation, eco‑ethics, and the issues shaping our future. Launched in 2017 with a focus on orcas, Skaana has expanded to explore sharks, octopuses, whales, and the wider web of ocean stories—fact-based, curious, and always grounded in respect for life in the sea. Dive in and make waves with us. Substack: https://skaanapod.substack.com ( https://skaanapod.substack.com ) About Our Pod: Mark Leiren-Young (Host): Mark is an author, screenwriter, playwright, journalist, performer, and environmentalist. His book The Killer Whale Who Changed the World won the 2016 Science Writers and Communicators Award, and his comic memoir Never Shoot a Stampede Queen won the Stephen Leacock Medal for Humour. Mark also wrote and directed The Hundred-Year-Old Whale, which won the 2018 Writers Guild of Canada Award for Best Documentary. Substack: https://leirenyoung.substack.com/ (https://leirenyoung.substack.com/) Website: https://www.leiren-young.com/ (https://www.leiren-young.com/) Bug Lewis (Producer & Audio Engineer): Bug is Skaana’s producer and audio engineer, with a creative background spanning poetry, music, and acting. They were first published as a poet at fifteen (Poetry on Buses) and performed as a musician/actor with the ensemble for Desdemona Chiang’s Measure for Measure at the Seattle Shakespeare Company. Rayne Ellycrys Benu (Executive Producer): Rayne is an award-winning cinematographer and artist, and a nationally published festival and theatre photographer. Their work spans filmmaking (directing, editing, sound, video), interactive/digital storytelling, and visual art—bringing a creative, multidisciplinary lens to Skaana’s mission and production. Substack: https://ellycrys.substack.com/ (https://ellycrys.substack.com/) Skool: https://www.skool.com/reiki-online-7404 (https://www.skool.com/reiki-online-7404) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Publisher

Mark Leiren-Young

Category

science · science · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

1 May 2017

Latest episode

20 Jul 2026

Latest episodes

97 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   20 Jul 2026

   Killer Whales Invade Los Angeles... Museum

   "Why I think orcas are better than us... I've never heard of an orca war." A Canadian museum exhibit about orcas - Orca Our Shared Future - splashes down at the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County. The museum's Mammalogist, Amanda Killian, and Skaana host Mark Leiren-Young (who wrote and consulted on the exhibit for the Royal BC Museum) dive into the wild world of orcas - their lives, their language, the way they evolved and how humans in LA relate to them. They also dive into the behind-the-scenes world of museums. The exhibit is running until April 25, 2027. For more on Orcas Our Shared Future and the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County The official exhibit site (https://nhm.org/orcas-our-shared-future-exhibition) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/nhmla) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/nhmla) YouTube (https://youtu.be/--BiQFtky9A?si=tesaRBVXiORKfUIA ) To Support/follow Skaana Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter (https://substack.com/@skaanapod?utm_source=profile-page) on Substack Join and support the Pod at Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/cw/skaana) Linktree (https://linktr.ee/skaanapod) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/skaanapod/) Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/leirenyoung.bsky.social) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/skaanapod/) Skaana on iTunes… Skaana.ca (https://www.skaana.org/) & Spotify (https://www.skaana.org/polar-bear-jail-chilling-in-churchill-hanging-out-with-the-apex-predator-on-ice/.www.bit.ly/spotify-skaana) To Support/follow Mark Leiren-Young: Subscribe to Mark Leiren-Young’s newsletter (https://leirenyoung.substack.com/) on Substack Linktree (https://linktr.ee/leirenyoung) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LeirenYoung/) Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/leirenyoung.bsky.social) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/leirenyoung/) Threads (https://www.threads.net/@leirenyoung) Books and classes for sale from Team Skaana **Amazon links are affiliate links and support our podcast, thanks for clicking!** Octopus Ocean by Mark Leiren-Young (https://www.orcabook.com/Octopus-Ocean) Sharks Forever by Mark Leiren-Young (https://www.orcabook.com/Sharks-Forever) Audiobooks by Mark Leiren-Young (Killer Whale Who Changed the World, Orcas Everywhere & Never Shoot a Stampede Queen) on Audible.com (https://www.audible.ca/search?keywords=Mark+Leiren-Young&k=Mark+Leiren-Young&crid=897587d82d814e36aa4443f61ccf7480&sprefix=mark+leiren-you%2Cna-audible-ca%2C262&i=na-audible-ca&url=search-alias%3Dna-audible-ca&ref=nb_sb_noss_2) The Killer Whale Who Changed the World – print and e-book (http://amzn.to/2pRNU1q) The Killer Whale Who Changed the World on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4aG0sPzt5SrQ5l28wSzG2B?si=2bead05efb004e30) Orcas Everywhere on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2QvFvnRT0jj69saa4QuEi9?si=dd72d625ef11401d) Orcas Everywhere; Orcas of the Salish Sea & Big Whales, Small World (http://www.orcaseverywhere.com/) The Force of Doubt by Rayne Ellycrys Benu (https://books2read.com/forceofdoubt) Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: https://skaanapod.substack.com/ (https://skaanapod.substack.com/) Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skaana (https://www.patreon.com/skaana) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

2. 

   19 Jun 2026

   BC Green Leader Emily Lowan - A New Generation of Politician

   BC Green Party leader, Emily Lowan, talks with Skaana host, Mark Leiren-Young, about fighting oligarchs, the joy of being underestimated and her journey from youth activist to one of the most successful young politicians anywhere, ever. To Support/Follow Emily Lowan & The BC Green Party Emily Lowan Instagram/ Facebook: @emilylowan Bluesky: @emilylowan.bsky.social BC GREEN PARTY Website: Bcgreens.ca (http://bcgreens.ca/) Facebook / Instagram: @greenpartybc Bluesky: @bcgreens.bsky.social To Support/follow Skaana Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter (https://substack.com/@skaanapod?utm_source=profile-page) on Substack Join and support the Pod at Patreon (https://www.patreon.com/cw/skaana) Linktree (https://linktr.ee/skaanapod) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/skaanapod/) Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/leirenyoung.bsky.social) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/skaanapod/) Skaana on iTunes… Skaana.ca (https://www.skaana.org/) & Spotify (https://www.skaana.org/polar-bear-jail-chilling-in-churchill-hanging-out-with-the-apex-predator-on-ice/.www.bit.ly/spotify-skaana) To Support/follow Mark Leiren-Young: Subscribe to Mark Leiren-Young’s newsletter (https://leirenyoung.substack.com/) on Substack Linktree (https://linktr.ee/leirenyoung) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LeirenYoung/) Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/leirenyoung.bsky.social) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/leirenyoung/) Threads (https://www.threads.net/@leirenyoung) Books and classes for sale from Team Skaana **Amazon links are affiliate links and support our podcast, thanks for clicking!** Octopus Ocean by Mark Leiren-Young (https://www.orcabook.com/Octopus-Ocean) Sharks Forever by Mark Leiren-Young (https://www.orcabook.com/Sharks-Forever) Audiobooks by Mark Leiren-Young (Killer Whale Who Changed the World, Orcas Everywhere & Never Shoot a Stampede Queen) on Audible.com (https://www.audible.ca/search?keywords=Mark+Leiren-Young&k=Mark+Leiren-Young&crid=897587d82d814e36aa4443f61ccf7480&sprefix=mark+leiren-you%2Cna-audible-ca%2C262&i=na-audible-ca&url=search-alias%3Dna-audible-ca&ref=nb_sb_noss_2) The Killer Whale Who Changed the World – print and e-book (http://amzn.to/2pRNU1q) The Killer Whale Who Changed the World on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4aG0sPzt5SrQ5l28wSzG2B?si=2bead05efb004e30) Orcas Everywhere on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2QvFvnRT0jj69saa4QuEi9?si=dd72d625ef11401d) Orcas Everywhere; Orcas of the Salish Sea & Big Whales, Small World (http://www.orcaseverywhere.com/) The Force of Doubt by Rayne Ellycrys Benu (https://books2read.com/forceofdoubt) Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: https://skaanapod.substack.com/ (https://skaanapod.substack.com/) Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skaana (https://www.patreon.com/skaana) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

3. 

   15 May 2026

   Camille Labchuk on Animal Rights and Wrongs

   Sometimes animals who hang out with humans need a vet. Sometimes they need a lawyer. The belugas at Marineland in Niagara Falls need both. Whales around the world need sanctuary. And sharks everywhere were saved by a Canadian law. Camille Labchuk, executive director of Animal Justice, returns to Skaana to talk with host Mark Leiren-Young about fighting for animals who live in the water and on the land. "Some things did change and they're going in the right direction." Made in Canada, eh 🍁 To Support Camille Labchuk & Animal Justice Animal Justice (https://animaljustice.ca/) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/animaljustice_/) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/animaljusticecanada) YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/user/animaljusticecanada) Tik Tok (https://www.tiktok.com/@animaljusticeofficial) Her first Skaana interview (https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/animal-rights-lawyer-camille-labchuk-on-canadas-laws/id1232220512?i=1000482228583) - talking about shark-finning and more in 2019 To Support/follow Skaana: Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter (https://substack.com/@skaanapod?utm_source=profile-page) on Substack Join and support the Pod at Patreon (https://www.skaana.org/polar-bear-jail-chilling-in-churchill-hanging-out-with-the-apex-predator-on-ice/.https://www.patreon.com/mobydoll) Linktree (https://linktr.ee/skaanapod) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/skaanapod/) Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/leirenyoung.bsky.social) Instagram (https://www.skaana.org/polar-bear-jail-chilling-in-churchill-hanging-out-with-the-apex-predator-on-ice/.https://www.instagram.com/skaanapod/) Skaana on iTunes… Skaana.ca (http://skaana.ca/) & Spotify (https://www.skaana.org/polar-bear-jail-chilling-in-churchill-hanging-out-with-the-apex-predator-on-ice/.www.bit.ly/spotify-skaana) To Support/follow Mark: Subscribe to Mark Leiren-Young’s newsletter (https://leirenyoung.substack.com/) on Substack Linktree (https://linktr.ee/leirenyoung) Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/LeirenYoung/) Bluesky (https://bsky.app/profile/leirenyoung.bsky.social) Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/leirenyoung/) Threads (https://www.threads.net/@leirenyoung) Books and classes for sale from Team Skaana **Amazon links are affiliate links and support our podcast, thanks for clicking!** Octopus Ocean by Mark Leiren-Young (https://www.orcabook.com/Octopus-Ocean) Sharks Forever by Mark Leiren-Young (https://www.orcabook.com/Sharks-Forever) Audiobooks by Mark Leiren-Young (Killer Whale Who Changed the World, Orcas Everywhere & Never Shoot a Stampede Queen) on Audible.com (https://www.audible.com/search?searchNarrator=Mark+Leiren-Young) The Killer Whale Who Changed the World – print and e-book (http://amzn.to/2pRNU1q) The Killer Whale Who Changed the World on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/4aG0sPzt5SrQ5l28wSzG2B?si=2bead05efb004e30) Orcas Everywhere on Spotify (https://open.spotify.com/show/2QvFvnRT0jj69saa4QuEi9?si=dd72d625ef11401d) Orcas Everywhere; Orcas of the Salish Sea & Big Whales, Small World (http://www.orcaseverywhere.com/) Paint the Ocean You Wish to See with Rayne Ellycrys Benu (about:blank) The Force of Doubt by Rayne Ellycrys Benu (https://books2read.com/forceofdoubt) Subscribe to the Skaana newsletter at Substack: https://skaanapod.substack.com/ (https://skaanapod.substack.com/) Support us on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/skaana (https://www.patreon.com/skaana) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.

Who has been a guest on Skaana with Mark Leiren-Young | Oceans, Eco-Ethics & The Environment

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• David Shiffman
• Shane Gero
• Beatrice Frank

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

81,909

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.6 / 5

16 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

6 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 54 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

57

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

51