Welcome to The Planeteers Podcast.
The Planeteers is a new podcast spotlighting women forging fresh pathways for our planet—whether they’re restoring oceans, defending biodiversity, or sparking creative breakthroughs. Each episode features honest, relatable conversations with host Beth Bannerman, going behind the scenes of what fuels these innovators, how they stay motivated on their hardest days, and why they believe change is possible. Hear from CEOs, scientists, artists, and activists who share stories of daring ideas, unwavering passion, and hope for a healthier future. Tune in for candid insights, uplifting perspectives, and a united sense of purpose—reminding us that real impact begins when people refuse to give up on tomorrow.
Soon available on these platforms
Apple Podcasts
The Story Behind The Planeteers Podcast.
In an era shaped by intensifying environmental threats, The Planeteers Podcast offers a distinct look at the women working—often behind the scenes—to shield our planet from further harm. The show’s host, Beth Bannerman, brings a personal connection to her mission: she grew up in a modest Pennsylvania home—two parents, four children, a dog, and just one bathroom—where daily adventures in the backyard and weekly library visits sparked a curiosity that would later fuel her career.
Beth’s early life took a sobering turn when hazmat-suited crews appeared in her childhood neighborhood, cordoning off a rail yard tainted by toxic chemicals. The realization that environmental risks could remain hidden, even in familiar places, left a lasting impression. It drove her toward journalism, where she started by exposing corruption in a small town before moving on to cover real-time business news. In Texas, she led a team of reporters covering the collapse of a major energy company, an experience she says reinforced her belief in “holding truth to power.” Later, she moved to the UK where she led multi-national communications teams at one of the world’s largest banks following the financial crisis, navigating teams and customers through an era of deep uncertainty. A subsequent role leading communications and sustainability at a biotech firm brought her full circle to the environmental issues she first encountered at home.
Then in 2023, a photography trip to Africa rekindled her passion for nature and storytelling. Now, Beth has turned that passion into The Planeteers Podcast, which she hopes will spotlight the experiences and insights of women at the forefront of conservation. The episodes feature real-world solutions and courageous voices, underscoring the idea that collective action remains our best chance to preserve the planet we call home. Through this new venture, Beth is determined to remind listeners that, even in a time of great uncertainty, hope can be found in the stories we share—and the steps we take together.
Coming Soon
S1 E1: Niquole Esters
Introducing Niquole Esters—a trailblazer in environmental conservation who is reimagining our connection to nature. With a deep passion for the oceans and an unwavering commitment to equity and sustainability, Niquole works at the intersection of natural resource management, community empowerment, and economic development. Her extensive background in international relations and policy has fueled nearly two decades of transformative work across Asia Pacific, Africa, and Latin America with Conservation International.
As Director of the Coral Triangle Initiative, she led programs that united nations to protect one of the world’s richest marine biodiversity hotspots, advancing sustainable practices across coral reefs, fisheries, and food security. Transitioning into senior roles in major gifts and inclusive philanthropy, Niquole championed diversity by co-developing Afro-descendant programming and advising on equitable and inclusive strategies from executive leadership to field initiatives.
Now, as Vice President of Strategic Engagement at the E.O. Wilson Biodiversity Foundation, she expands global impact through strategic communications, partnerships, and thoughtful engagement. Off the clock, Niquole mentors and uplifts young Black, Brown, and Indigenous voices while advocating for LGBTQIA+ and marginalized communities. Educated at Washington and Lee and King’s College London, Niquole calls Oakland, California home – a hub where her vision for an inclusive, sustainable world remarkably inspires us all.
Episodes
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Greta Thunberg - Activist
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Jane Goodall - Conservationist
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Leah Thomas - Intersectional Environmentalist
What People Say
Meet Our Team
With over 25 years in communications and sustainability, my career has evolved from local news journalist to Chief Communications and Sustainability Officer to CEO. I’ve led global communications, brand strategy, media and investor relations, and sustainability, driving transformational growth that has earned recognition in Bloomberg, The New York Times, National Geographic, Fortune, and more. I’ve partnered with the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) and the American Diabetes Association, spoken at UN COP events, co-produced nature-positive science films with the BBC, and also earned a Cannes Silver Award for a corporate film. I hold a BA in Communications from Lock Haven University and have completed advanced studies at Babson, Villanova, Berkeley, UCLA, Stanford, and Harvard. Today, I advise executives on communications strategies to link story and sustainability in my role as CEO and founder of Wild Sage Enterprises and board advisor to Liminal Data Inc., which specializes in AI sustainability business intelligence. I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, where you can find me on one of the many hiking trails with my husband, Keith, with our cameras ready. In fact, all of the photos on this website were taken by Keith or by me.
Iron Butterfly Media —a proudly women-owned production company—is the engine behind The Planeteers Podcast. With an unwavering commitment to authentic original storytelling through podcasts and film, they transform vital conversations into catalysts for change. Founded in 2019, their first podcast, Iron Butterfly, has attracted a growing audience and celebrates the courageous women who serve in national intelligence. Last year, Iron Butterfly Media launched the Women in the Arena podcast, featuring a series of compelling stories of brave service women in the US military.