Planet Visionaries – Ep 1: What does it take to be Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year?
In this episode of Planet Visionaries, a landmark podcast series in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, host Alex Honnold is joined by wildlife filmmaker Bertie Gregory and penguin researcher Pablo García Borboroglu. The 2025 Rolex National Geographic Explorers of the Year, who collaborated on the docuseries “Secrets of Penguins”, explain why protecting these remarkable birds means protecting the oceans.
For nearly a century, Rolex has supported pioneering explorers. Over time, the company has moved from championing exploration for the sake of discovery to protecting the planet. Through the Perpetual Planet Initiative, Rolex stands alongside the inspiring people who are dedicated to building a better future for all life on
Earth.
Secrets of the Penguins is now streaming on Disney+.
Stills and footage courtesy: National Geographic.
Theme and score by Kara Talve for Bleeding Fingers Music, produced by Russell Emanuel.
Find more great podcasts from Sony Music Entertainment at sonymusic.com/podcasts and follow @sonypodcasts.
Thank you to On Air Presents for their creative, branding and marketing support.
Planet Visionaries is a podcast in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, and a Sony Music Podcasts production.
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Planet Visionaries – New Season Coming
Host Alex Honnold introduces a new season of Planet Visionaries, the podcast exploring bold ideas and big solutions in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative.
This season spotlights innovators who aren’t just imagining a better future but actively creating it. Guests include actor and climate champion Mark Ruffalo, celebrated photographer and biologist Cristina Mittermeier, and pioneering conservationist Kris Tompkins.
New Episodes Drop Every Tuesday.
Follow now and be part of the movement to reimagine our planet’s future.
Planet Visionaries is a podcast in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, and a Sony Music Podcasts production.
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The climber who conquered the world’s toughest peaks — without extra oxygen
From Everest to Annapurna, Ed Viesturs has summited the world’s highest mountains without supplemental oxygen. Now he joins Alex Honnold for a conversation about the meaning of climbing in the face of climate change.
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Steve Boyes returns to tell how he’s finding hope on the rivers of Africa
The Great Spine of Africa expeditions are an unprecedented survey of Africa’s rivers. Biologist Steve Boyes and his team are paddling 40,000 kilometers in dugout canoes to gather groundbreaking data on some of the world’s least-explored waterways.
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What one explorer has learned in a lifetime on the poles
The first woman to solo ski across Antarctica, Felicity Aston knows better than anyone how to survive on the ice. Now she tells Alex Honnold how her latest expedition unlocked new truths about climate change in the Arctic.
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For generations, Rolex has supported pioneers who push the boundaries of human endeavour. Today, that legacy continues with a commitment to a new kind of exploration: safeguarding our planet’s future.
In partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, Planet Visionaries is the landmark series hosted by world-renowned climber and founder of the Honnold Foundation, Alex Honnold. This isn’t a podcast about problems; it’s a podcast about solutions.
From rewilding entire landscapes to turning the tide on ocean pollution, we highlight the work of those who are reshaping what’s possible. Featuring intimate conversations with world-renowned figures like Cristina Mittermeier, Mark Ruffalo, Sylvia Earle, and Kris Tompkins, Planet Visionaries is an inspiring testament to human ingenuity in the face of immense challenges.
Join us to hear how a new generation of visionaries is building a healthier, more sustainable world for us all.
Planet Visionaries is a podcast in partnership with the Rolex Perpetual Planet Initiative, and a Sony Music Podcasts production.
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