Branch Out

From the 'great pacific garbage patch' to 'wet wipe island' - pollution is out of control. But in 2021, Gary Moran went viral for not needing to put out his red council bin for 3 years and 4 months. Discover his simple hacks to reduce your household waste as we feature an episode from the Plants Grow Here podcast by Daniel Fuller.

Microscopic hairs of a leaf clinging to a murder suspect's jacket is all a forensic botanist needs to crack the case. Discover how two high-profile kidnapping-murder cases in America and Australia were solved using forensic botany and how the field has continued to evolve. You'll also learn the truth behind why the world's most famous fictional detective, Sherlock Holmes, knows so much about poisonous plants.

#WitchTok videos are clocking up billions of views. Discover why witchcraft is on the rise and the important role plants and nature have to play in its resurgence amongst young people in this magical episode featuring Christina Oakley-Harrington - a modern witch and founder of Treadwells, a famous London bookstore dedicated to the occult.

Learn how photosynthesis was uncovered by scientists, how this amazing set of biochemical reactions might help find aliens, and meet a cunning species of bacteria that's evolved with stolen photosynthesizing technology.

Imagine trying to put together a puzzle with over 900 million pieces without the picture on the box... That's how PhD candidate Stephanie Chen describes her world-first research assembling the complete genome of the iconic waratah species.

From M. Night Shyamalan to the Bible - this debut episode of our Fast Flora Facts edition of Branch Out covers all sorts of amazing bite-sized facts, stories and research about the biggest group in the plant kingdom - trees.

We're back and shaking things up this year so you can discover the surprising world of plants with WEEKLY episodes. Hit subscribe to get the first 'fast flora facts' episode on June 3 and join the new Branch Out community on reddit (r/branchoutpodcast) to share your feedback and connect with other listeners.

Science communication is a lot like story telling. Hear from Laura Skates, Renee Cawthorne and Dr Karl about the importance of talking on behalf of plants.

Extreme plants call for extreme botany. Explore the dangerous world of cliff faces, low rainfall and challenging temperatures.

We know a lot of our listeners, like us, are stuck in lockdown - so we've got a special delivery for you! A bonus episode of Branch Out to celebrate National Tree Day. Tune in to hear a casual chat with Andy Leigh, Associate Professor at the University of Technology Sydney who is studying the effects of climate change on trees and the ecosystems they exist in.

The theme for NAIDOC week this year is Heal Country. But what does it mean?

Hear from students, recent graduates and trainees who are just starting out in their careers as plant scientists. A big thank you to everyone who participated in this episode; Adam Pigott, Piret May, Ryan P. O'Donnell, Ruby E. Stevens, Melanie O'Donovan, Philippa Alvarez, Yasmin Assar, Justin Collette and Lyndle Hardstaff.

Find out what photosynthesis has to do with economics.

You are invited to join us for the global launch of the Australian Institute of Botanical Science.

Prepare to blush as we explore the unusual, ingenious and sometimes even deceptive ways plants are gettin' it on for the survival of their species.