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Word on the Reef

Tanya Murphy
Great Barrier Reef
Climate Change
Coral Bleaching
Marine Conservation
Sea Turtles
Australian Marine Conservation Society
Scott Reef
Cairns
Australia
Unesco World Heritage
Australian Government
Biodiversity
Marine Biology
Citizen Science
Whale Sharks
Fossil Fuel Industry
Tourism
Community Engagement
Ningaloo Reef
Voter Responsibility

Diving into marine science adventures on the Great Barrier Reef and beyond!

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes70Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NatureScienceLife Sciences

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Artwork for Word on the Reef

Latest Episodes

Did you know that some Great Barrier Reef fish species are spending part of their life cycle in the middle of our city? That's right, marine fish species could be as close as your nearest concrete storm water drain, swimming among abandoned shopping ... more

For 65,000 years before computers, satellites, and scientific journals, Australia's first peoples were reading tides, stars, seasons, animal behaviour, currents, and ecosystems with extraordinary precision. Yet until recently, their knowledge was not... more

YouTube

In 2022, a mass stranding of more than 600 sick turtles devastated Hervey Bay in South East Queensland. As volunteers worked tirelessly to rescue them, scientists got to work on solving the puzzle: what caused this disaster?

Dr Caitlin Smith is one ... more

YouTube

Professor Kathy Townsend knew she wanted to be a marine biologist from the age of five, and completed her very first dive in a frozen Canadian lake. But it was the moment a five-metre manta ray draped its tail over her shoulder like an affectionate c... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Libby Evans-Illidge
Leader of the Indigenous Partnerships Program, Australian Institute of Marine Science
Australian Institute of Marine Science
Episode: S3 E13: The First Scientists: How Indigenous Knowledge can Help Protect our Oceans
Dr. Caitlin Smith
James Cook University Marine Ecologist, turtle researcher
James Cook University
Episode: S3 E12: Mud, Blood and Sea Turtles: Caitlin's Quest to Give Turtles a Future
Kathy Townsend
Professor of Marine Biology, University of the Sunshine Coast; lead researcher with Project Manta
University of the Sunshine Coast; Project Manta
Episode: S3 E11: Befriending Giants: The Secret Lives of Manta Rays
Helene Marsh
Dugong expert, Emeritus Professor of Environmental Science
James Cook University
Episode: S3 E10: Dugong Wars: The Fight to Save Mermaids with Professor Helene Marsh
Gary Cobb
A Nudibranchs Central champion, photographer, and author of Nudibranchs Central and nudibranch.com.au
Nudibranchs Central / Nudibranch.com.au
Episode: S3 E9: Meet Gary, the King of Nudibranchs (AKA the Ocean’s Craziest Sea Slugs)
Dr. Lissa Schindler
Marine Ecologist and Great Barrier Reef Campaign Leader
Australian Marine Conservation Society
Episode: S3 E8: UNESCO Sounds Alarm on the Great Barrier Reef + Cyclone Narelle’s Fallout
Brett Kettle
Marine ecologist and co-founder of Flying Fish Technologies
Flying Fish Technologies
Episode: S3 E7: The Aeroplane that Flies Underwater: A Game Changer for Marine Science?
Josh Riddell
Mechatronics engineer, co-developer
Flying Fish Technologies
Episode: S3 E7: The Aeroplane that Flies Underwater: A Game Changer for Marine Science?
Morgan Pratchett
Marine Conservation Ecologist
James Cook University
Episode: S3 E6: Starfish vs. The Great Barrier Reef: Can We Stop Them?

Host

Brett Goodband
Co-host, marine educator, and reef conservation advocate with a background in aquarium education and field biology.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 47 ratings
  • A reef lovers best resource

    I have loved the ocean and coral reefs since I was very young, sir David Attenborough made sure of that with the Blue Planet documentaries. I have never had the chance to see a coral reef in person unfortunately. I hope to someday. This podcast has fantastic information about one of the great wonders of the world.

    I will say there are days I need to take time away from environmental news, this podcast included. I sometimes don’t have the heart to listen to the bad news. I don’t think the bad ... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    MavJL
    Canada2 months ago
  • So good!!

    This really good! I love learning about coral reefs!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Plants vs zombieshhnjju
    Canada10 months ago
  • Favourite pod!

    Such a fantastic and educational show promoting important ecological values and breaking down the science, impacts and actions we can all take in a really accessible way. Favourite pod!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Alyssa Nuttall
    Australiaa year ago
  • Excellent listen

    Loving listening to this podcast. Giving a voice to the reef and the people who love it

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rasfarm
    Australia2 years ago
  • Very informative

    Thoroughly enjoyed listening and learning about our Great Barrier Reef, I am looking forward to the next episode. Thank you Tania for your flight over the reef and the knowledge you have shared, you are very easy to listen to.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Amber Toby
    Australia2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show balances scientific depth with real-world storytelling and impact.
Audience finds actionable takeaways and practical insights for conservation and policy.
Guests and host chemistry come across as credible and passionate about reef conservation.
Listeners praise accessible, engaging delivery that makes complex reef science understandable.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#163
United Kingdom/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#26
Australia/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#226
Australia/Science
Apple Podcasts
#29
India/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#125
Taiwan/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#148
Belgium/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

S3 E12: Mud, Blood and Sea Turtles: Caitlin's Quest to Give Turtles a Future
Q: What makes sea turtles important to the ecosystem?
They act as environmental proxies for reef health and serve as charismatic icons that help raise public awareness and engagement in marine conservation.
S3 E11: Befriending Giants: The Secret Lives of Manta Rays
Q: What role does climate change play in manta conservation?
Climate change affects plankton distribution and ocean currents, which in turn disrupts feeding patterns, migration routes, and reproductive timing, making manta populations indicators of broader ocean health.
S3 E11: Befriending Giants: The Secret Lives of Manta Rays
Q: What have you learned about manta reproduction and life history?
Mantas have live births approximately every two years, with long gestation and a very short delivery window; young are left to fend for themselves, and there is ongoing research into nursery sites and juvenile movement patterns.
S3 E11: Befriending Giants: The Secret Lives of Manta Rays
Q: How do you identify individual mantas and track their movements over time?
They use photo-identification based on unique dot and spot patterns on the belly, supplemented by satellite and acoustic tagging to map movements across coastal regions and understand population connectivity.
S3 E11: Befriending Giants: The Secret Lives of Manta Rays
Q: What initially drew you to manta rays and this field of study?
Townsend explains that her early experiences diving and exploring new underwater ecosystems, especially in Australia, sparked a lifelong fascination with mantas and their complex behaviors, leading to long-term work documenting populations and their interactions with the environment.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Word on the Reef

What is Word on the Reef about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series centers on marine science and reef conservation with a practical bent toward real-world impact. Across episodes, listeners are treated to in-depth discussions on reef health, climate-driven stressors, and restoration efforts, often framed through field reporting, live site storytelling, and demonstrations of new monitoring technologies. Noteworthy is the blend of rigorous science from researchers with on-the-ground perspectives from conservation groups and industry partners, plus a clear emphasis on actionable takeaways for individuals and communities alike. The show's appeal lies in its accessible explanations of complex topics, its focus on the Great Barrier Reef, and its willingness to tackle both policy dynamics and innovati... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Word on the Reef?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Word on the Reef:

1. Global News Podcast
2. The Ancients

How many episodes of Word on the Reef are there?

Word on the Reef launched 2 years ago and published 70 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Word on the Reef?

Recent guests on Word on the Reef include:

1. Libby Evans-Illidge
2. Dr. Caitlin Smith
3. Kathy Townsend
4. Helene Marsh
5. Gary Cobb
6. Dr. Lissa Schindler
7. Brett Kettle
8. Josh Riddell

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