On this episode of Go! For Launch, wildlife presenter and author Patrick Aryee joins host Audrey Odwuor to explore how nature fuels innovation—from Velcro to bullet trains—and how science communicators can drive real-world impact. Patrick shares captivating stories from the wild, actionable advice for STEM content creators and science communicators, and how biomimicry is helping solve some of today’s most urgent challenges.
He traces his journey from studying cancer biology to working with the BBC Natural History Unit and presenting award-winning wildlife series. Along the way, he unpacks the incredible potential of biomimicry—revealing how animal adaptations have inspired technologies that improve our daily lives.From the dexterity of elephant trunks to a breathtaking encounter with a sperm whale, this episode is packed with insight and inspiration. Patrick also offers bold, practical guidance for aspiring science communicators—blending marketing psychology, storytelling frameworks, and content strategy to help science reach farther and resonate deeper.
In this episode, you’ll learn:
1. How nature’s innovations have inspired breakthrough technologies
2. Patrick’s path from molecular biology to global science storytelling
3. Why first-principles thinking can transform how we solve problems
4. The power of marketing and psychology in science communication
5. What it’s like to swim alongside a sperm whale
Timestamps:
00:01:33 – Patrick’s early spark for science: Tomorrow’s World and Star Trek
00:04:03 – Extracting DNA from an onion: the eureka moment that changed everything
00:06:54 – Choosing wildlife communication over lab work
00:10:30 – What is biomimicry and why does it matter?
00:12:01 – The story behind Velcro and how animals inspired it
00:14:02 – Patrick’s message for young readers of 30 Animals That Made Us Smarter
00:17:02 – How to start looking to nature for solutions
00:21:51 – Communicating science across divides—without shame or judgment
00:27:22 – The power of understanding audience motivation
00:30:01 – Why science communicators should study marketing
00:31:14 – Copywriting frameworks that can improve your messaging
00:33:07 – Advice for building a personal brand and online presence
00:36:03 – Helping others through digital products and STEM entrepreneurship
00:39:29 – Tools for discovering what people are already curious about
00:42:05 – Biomimicry in action: elephants, robots, and problem-solving
00:48:18 – Close encounter with a sperm whale: a profound, life-changing moment
00:54:02 – Patrick’s deep curiosity: ancient texts, words, and the nature of reality
Helpful Links:
• Patrick Aryee’s website: https://patrickaryee.com/
• 30 Animals That Made Us Smarter: https://amazon.com/Animals-That-Made-Smarter-Ingenuity/dp/1642832677
• Patrick on Instagram: https://instagram.com/patrick_aryee
• Think Media podcast: https://www.youtube.com/c/ThinkMediaPodcast
• AnswerThePublic: https://answerthepublic.com/
• AlsoAsked: https://alsoasked.com
• Ahrefs keyword tool: https://ahrefs.com
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This podcast is produced by volunteers at Accelerator Media, a nonprofit educational media organization. Our work is supported by listeners and viewers like you. If you’d like to help us ignite curiosity and inspire long-term thinking about our shared future, please consider volunteering with us or making a donation: https://acceleratormedia.org/donate/
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