All Episodes

September 6, 2022 48 mins

Send us a text

Today's episode features Shannon Switzer Swanson, a National Geographic Explorer, marine social ecologist, and surfer who explores the intersection of storytelling, research, art, and science.

As part of Season III, we are revisiting some of our favorite episodes that grapple with big life themes, break down the components of change, and dive into strategies that are relevant and applicable to you today.

In this episode, Sylvia and Shannon discuss modern-day "exploration" and the role of women and the BIPOC community in redefining it. Shannon is not discouraged or dissuaded by the complexities in her conservation work. She continues to ask difficult questions such as: “Can coastal communities manage their resources in ways that both sustain prosperous livelihoods and a healthy environment.”  What is the win-win formula?

Fun fact: Shannon is the granddaughter of one of the pioneering women pilots of the mid-1900s.

Topics Include:
- Photography, storytelling, and research
- How our perception of time affects choices around sustainability
- What it means to be a modern-day explorer
- Female role models
- Extensive field research in Central Sulawesi
- Building trust and participatory research methods
- National Geographic programs and getting your start
- Maintaining relationships while traveling
- Balancing work and family life
- Advice for women adventurers
- And other topics...

Resources Mentioned:
Femininities in the Field: Tourism and Transdisciplinary Research: https://www.amazon.com/Femininities-Field-Tourism-Transdisciplinary-Research/dp/1845416503
An interactive website for folks interested in knowing where aquarium fish come from and how to keep an aquarium that doesn’t harm the world’s reefs, check it out at https://reeftoaquarium.com/

Connect with Shannon:
Instagram: @ShannonSwitzerSwanson
Twitter: @S3Oceans
Facebook: @S3Oceans
LinkedIn: @shannonswitzerswanson
Interview with Shannon

Want to connect with us? Visit us online!
Website: https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
IG: @whenwomenfly
FB: @whenwomenfly
Twitter: @whenwomenfly
Pinterest: @whenwomenfly

Stay Connected:
Signup for AIR BORN, our monthly newsletter! A letter from Sylvia will show up in your inbox, with links to her latest conversations and insights.
Email: hello@whenwomenfly.com
Website: https://www.whenwomenfly.com/
Socials: @whenwomenfly

Mark as Played

Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

Stuff You Should Know
Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Special Summer Offer: Exclusively on Apple Podcasts, try our Dateline Premium subscription completely free for one month! With Dateline Premium, you get every episode ad-free plus exclusive bonus content.

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

On Purpose with Jay Shetty

I’m Jay Shetty host of On Purpose the worlds #1 Mental Health podcast and I’m so grateful you found us. I started this podcast 5 years ago to invite you into conversations and workshops that are designed to help make you happier, healthier and more healed. I believe that when you (yes you) feel seen, heard and understood you’re able to deal with relationship struggles, work challenges and life’s ups and downs with more ease and grace. I interview experts, celebrities, thought leaders and athletes so that we can grow our mindset, build better habits and uncover a side of them we’ve never seen before. New episodes every Monday and Friday. Your support means the world to me and I don’t take it for granted — click the follow button and leave a review to help us spread the love with On Purpose. I can’t wait for you to listen to your first or 500th episode!

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.