Unfolding Maps

• #38: The Dream of Human Flight – Base Jumping & Wingsuit Flying with Christina Clusiau, Shaul Schwarz, Amber Forte & Espen Fadnes

  Imagine standing on a mountain, right at the edge of a cliff. Below you, the ground drops steeply. Then you take a step forward— and let yourself fall. You spread your arms and – after a few seconds – begin to fly. This feeling of flight is what many base jumpers and wingsuit flyers yearn for. They risk their lives for these moments of complete freedom, as base jumping and wingsuit flying are among the most dangerous sports in the world. What drives athletes to voluntarily plunge into the depths under such life-threatening conditions? Is it a reckless, selfish pursuit of adrenaline, or a profound desire to feel alive? What fascinates them about this sport? And how do couples cope with the fear for each other’s lives? These questions are explored in the new National Geographic documentary "FLY"—and in this episode of Unfolding Maps. We talk with the Emmy-award-winning directors Shaul Schwarz and Christina Clusiau, who spent seven years documenting three couples immersed in the world of base jumping and wingsuit flying. We also speak with wingsuit athletes Amber Forte and Espen Fadnes. Amber Forte is currently the No. 1 female wingsuit flyer in the world and holds the world record for the fastest woman in a wingsuit. Espen Fadnes is a pioneer in wingsuit base jumping and has won numerous competitions. If you're interested in watching the documentary after this episode and live in the USA, you can find it on Disney+ and Hulu.Production: Miriam Menz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• #37: The Power of Conservation Photography – with Cristina Mittermeier

  A giant whale shark gracefully swims beneath a fishing boat, its massive form capable of capsizing the small vessel with a single movement. This captivating moment was captured by the renowned Mexican environmental photographer and marine biologist Cristina Mittermeier. Whether it's majestic whales, gigantic icebergs, or indigenous people – Cristina has traveled the world for decades to capture the beauty and fragility of Earth's biodiversity and the wisdom of those who honor and respect nature. Her photography serves as a compelling call to action, illustrating the transformative power of photography in raising awareness and inspiring change. Her work has established her as one of the most influential conservation photographers of our time. Together with her husband Paul Nicklen, she co-founded the non-profit organization "SeaLegacy," dedicated to promoting climate action and sustainable solutions by supporting scientific endeavors and conservation strategies. Cristina's photographs have been featured in numerous prestigious publications, including National Geographic Magazine, McLean’s, and TIME. With her new book "Hope", she aims to convey hope, which she herself finds in the deep connection between humanity and nature. Support Cristina’s project „Hope“: https://crowdfunding.hemeria.com/fr/project/hope-cristina-mittermeier/Support Sealegacy: https://www.sealegacy.orgCristina’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitty/?hl=de Production: Miriam Menz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• #36: Arctic Ascent – with Dr. Heïdi Sevestre and Alex Honnold

  Steep rock faces, surrounded by vast glaciers and massive icebergs floating far below on the ocean - Greenland's nature is truly unique. Not only in terms of the landscape but also because Greenland’s glaciers and ice caps play a crucial role in climate change. However, exploring their condition can be extremely difficult as they are almost inaccessible due to their remote location. Our two guests in this episode faced this challenge. French glaciologist Dr. Heïdi Sevestre researched the effects of climate change in remote regions of Greenland, supported by a team of scientists and three of the world's best climbers. One of these climbers is Alex Honnold. He gained worldwide fame through the Oscar-winning documentary "Free Solo," which is about his free solo climb of El Capitan in California's Yosemite National Park. His goal in Greenland was to make the first ascent of one of the highest unclimbed rock walls of the world while also contributing to science. Thus, he embarked on a memorable expedition with Heïdi and a team of climbers and local experts. The expedition was documented in the three-part series "Arctic Ascent with Alex Honnold" by National Geographic. In this episode, Alex and Heïdi give us insights into the challenges of a first ascent in Greenland’s rugged nature, the on-site research work, and the impact of climate change on a wilderness which is crucial for the future of the planet.Heïdi's website: https://www.heidisevestre.comAlex's website: http://www.alexhonnold.comThe Three-Part Series premiered on National Geographic and is available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+.Production: Miriam Menz Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• #35: The Secrets of the Elephants – with Dr. Paula Kahumbu

  Powerful, loving, and wise – elephants hold a great fascination for people worldwide. And yet they are threatened with extinction. Due to ivory trade and loss of habitat through humans, populations have been decreasing drastically in recent centuries. Kenyan conservationist Dr. Paula Kahumbu has made it her life’s work to prevent this. She is CEO of the organization WildlifeDirect and won numerous awards for her work to protect endangered species in Africa. She has received international recognition for her efforts to stop the illegal trade in ivory and for her campaigns to protect Africa’s natural heritage. Kahumbu is National Geographic Explorer of the Year, winner of the Whitley Gold Award in recognition of her outstanding contribution to conservation, and was named as one of the 25 Most Influential Women of 2022 by the Financial Times. She has appeared in many documentaries on wildlife and the environment and has produced her own television series “Wildlife Warriors”. Currently, she is a part of the new documentary series “The Secrets of the Elephants” (National Geographic WILD) produced by Academy Award® winner James Cameron, which shows the life and behavior of elephants and what far-reaching consequences their extinction would have – not only on humanity, but also on the ecosystem. You can watch the series on Disney+. In this episode, Paula Kahumbu gives us insights into her work with elephants, her successful fight against poaching and the ivory trade, and shows us how we can protect elephants. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• #34: Dr. Jane Goodall – Thoughts on a good life and a healthy planet

  What does real success really mean? How can we effectively fight against climate change and for nature? And what to make of the protests of the "last generation"? Jane Goodall, Ph.D., DBE talks about all this and more in this episode of Unfolding Maps. She also reflects on her earliest animal-related childhood memories, explains what growing up during World War II taught her for life, and explains some of the biggest challenges we humans face right now – and where possible solutions lie. So: a wide-ranging conversation with one of the world's foremost behavioral scientists and environmental activists – and a continuation of her first appearance on Unfolding Maps in episode 24, in which she talked about her research in Tanzania and the beginnings of her involvement as an activist. She explained why she is not afraid to work with even perceived opponents, and revealed why she has never lost hope despite the many crises we face around the world. Jane Goodall, Ph.D., DBE is the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, an internationally recognized animal and conservation organization. She is also a United Nations Messenger of Peace and an honorary member of the World Future Council. In 1991, she founded the non-governmental organization Roots & Shoots to bring together youth from preschool to college age to address environmental, conservation and humanitarian issues. Time Magazine named her one of the 100 most influential people in the world. Learn more about Dr. Jane Goodall and the work of the Jane Goodall Institute:● www.janegoodall.global● www.instagram.com/janegoodallinst/● www.facebook.com/janegoodallinst Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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