Women in Wildlife is a platform amplifying and connecting women and non-binary persons in the wildlife industry. Join your co-hosts Eliza & Maddy, to delve into all things women, wildlife, and gender equality in STEM!
Motherhood & Writing a New Chapter in Wildlife with Tina Strachan
For September’s Women in Wildlife podcast episode, we are joined by wildlife professional, mother and published author Tina Strachan to talk about building a career in wildlife, navigating motherhood, and finding unexpected opportunities along the way.
With more than 20 years in the wildlife industry, Tina shares how becoming a mother changed the shape of her career without bringing it to a stop. From stepping away from fieldwork during a high-risk pregnancy and studying vet nursing during maternity leave, to returning to wildlife work while navigating childcare and family life, Tina speaks openly about the realities and mental load of balancing motherhood with a career in conservation.
We also explore how motherhood became part of another unexpected chapter in Tina’s career: becoming a published author. After returning to her childhood love of writing following the birth of her second child, Tina entered a writing competition that ultimately connected her with HarperCollins. Drawing on her years working in zoos and conservation, she went on to create The Wilder Zoo, a three-book children’s series that brings wildlife and conservation into the lives of young readers.
Along the way, we hear about Tina’s winding career through zoos, wildlife research, breeding and release programs, and koala conservation. Tina reflects on persistence, support networks, changing priorities and why having children doesn’t have to mean giving up a career in wildlife.
Check out Tina's website here: https://www.tinastrachan.com (https://www.tinastrachan.com/) or purchase her books here https://harpercollins.com.au/search?q=wilder+zoo
Any questions or queries contact contact@womeninwildlife.com.au
Links to our resources:
Website: https://www.womeninwildlife.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife
14 Aug 2026
Two Women, One Vision: Challenging Expectations in Conservation Leadership
In this episode, joint CEOs of Lion Landscapes Amy Dickman and Alayne Cotterill open up about what it really takes to lead together as women in conservation. They share how Lion Landscapes was built not just on a shared passion for wildlife, but on a deliberate decision to work differently; more collaboratively, more openly, and with a leadership model that reflects their strengths. The conversation explores how that partnership came together, why shared leadership felt natural to them, and how it has allowed them to build something stronger than either could have done alone. They also speak honestly about the pressures women face in conservation leadership, including the expectation to be excellent at everything at once. From pregnancy and motherhood to fieldwork and international careers, Amy and Alayne reflect on the real compromises and support systems that have shaped their paths. What stands out most is their belief that leadership doesn’t have to look a certain way to be effective- and that women bringing vulnerability, honesty, and collaboration into leadership can be a real strength. For women navigating wildlife careers, their message is clear: you do not have to do it all alone, and you do not have to do it all at once.
If you're inspired by their work, consider supporting Lion Landscapes or sharing their approach to community-led conservation: https://www.lionlandscapes.org/
Any questions or queries contact contact@womeninwildlife.com.au
Links to our resources:
Website: https://www.womeninwildlife.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife
19 Jul 2026
Transforming Lion Conflict Into Coexistence with Amy Dickman and Alayne Cotterill
Welcome back to the Women in Wildlife Podcast! In this episode, joint-CEOs Alayne and Amy share how their charity 'Lion Landscapes' came to life and why their work goes far beyond protecting lions alone. These two powerhouses of conservationists talk about building conservation models that respond to human-wildlife conflict in East Africa, and how the real starting point is understanding the needs of local communities. Rather than approaching conservation as something imposed from the outside, they explain how trust, collaboration, and patience are what make long-term coexistence possible. A major theme in the conversation is the cost of living with wildlife and how Lion Landscapes works to change that balance so communities can see real benefit from conservation. Across the episode, what stands out most is their belief that conservation works best when people are put at the center of it. If you're inspired by their work, consider supporting Lion Landscapes or sharing their approach to community-led conservation: https://www.lionlandscapes.org/
There is a part 2 episode with Alayne and Amy which focuses on their experiences as joint-CEOs in the wildlife sector, so stay tuned for that!
Any questions or queries contact womeninwildlife@outlook.com
Links to our resources:
Website: https://www.womeninwildlife.com.au/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/women.in.wildlife/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100077369770841
Linked in: https://www.linkedin.com/company/womeninwildlife
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
4.9 / 5
22 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 55 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
59
Social presence
97
YouTube
0
Engagement
77
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