In this episode of Resilience Gone Wild, host Jessica Morgenthal explores the incredible stories of giant tortoises and their ecological significance. She discusses the unique characteristics of these ancient creatures, their conservation success stories, and the concept of living a net positive life. The episode emphasizes the interconnectedness of all living beings and encourages listeners to take practical steps towards sustainability and conservation.

Inspired by the book Net Positive by Paul Polman and Andrew Winston, this episode invites you to rethink what it means to live a truly resilient life. While the Net Positive movement was designed for bold businesses, this conversation takes it a step further—asking what it means for each of us to give more than we take, in our energy, relationships, and legacy. We connect positive psychology, personal growth, and the surprising resilience of tortoises to show how we can all live in a way that’s regenerative and purpose-filled—just like nature intended.

Additional resources:

• Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take by Paul Polman and Andrew Winston
• Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take
• https://www.amazon.com/Net-Positive-Courageous-Companies-Thrive/dp/1647821304
• Net Positive by Paul Polman: 8 Minute Summary
• Net Positive: How Courageous Companies Thrive by Giving More Than They Take - Paul Polman
• The Net Positive Manifesto
• Net Positive by Paul Polman, Andrew Winston

Jonathan the giant tortoise

• https://www.instagram.com/reel/DEXpGdQiZeq/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link
• Happy 191st (or so) birthday to the world’s oldest living land animal
• https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/oldest-tortoise-jonathan-scli-intl-scn/index.html

Mommy tortoise has first babies at 99 - oldest first time mom of species

• Philadelphia Zoo welcomes baby tortoises born to 100 year-old parents
• https://www.nbcnews.com/video/philadelphia-zoo-welcomes-baby-tortoise-born-to-100-year-old-parents-236643909528
• At 97, Endangered Tortoise Becomes Oldest First-Time Mom of Her Species With Four New Hatchlings—and Potentially More on the Way
• An Endangered Galápagos Tortoise Is a First-Time Mother at 100
• https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/czrvlk8lnymo
• 97-Year-Old Reptile Hatches 4 Babies and Becomes Oldest First-Time Mom of Her Species

Tortoise Takeaways

• Giant tortoises play a crucial role in their ecosystems.
• Conservation efforts have successfully increased tortoise populations.
• The giant tortoise serves as a model for regenerative living.
• Giant tortoises are the longest living land animals that we know of.

Resilience Takeaways

• Every action we take can have a net positive or negative impact. 
• Being net positive means actively contributing to the well-being of others and the environment.
• Small, positive actions can lead to significant ecological benefits.
• Awareness of our impact is the first step towards change. 
• You get to choose if you want to be net positive or net negative.
• Engaging with conservation can create lasting connections to nature.
• Living sustainably is essential for future generations.
• We can all contribute to a healthier planet through simple actions.

Keywords

resilience, giant tortoises, conservation, net positive, ecological impact, Aldabra Atoll, Diego, Jonathan, sustainability, nature

Helping Giant Tortoises to Thrive

Galapagos

• Giant Tortoise Restoration in the Galápagos Islands | Galápagos Conservancy
• Giant tortoise conservation - Charles Darwin Foundation
• Galapagos Tortoise Conservation in the Galapagos
• Breeding Galápagos tortoises - Part 1
• HOW Did GIANT TORTOISES Get To The GALÁPAGOS Islands!?
• March 22 - Galapagos Tortoises

Deigo

• Living Life Fully in Retirement - An Update on Diego | Galápagos Conservancy
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/galapagos-tortoise-breeding-program-ends-after-meeting-conservation-goals-180973952/
• https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/galapagos-tortoise-breeding-program-ends-after-meeting-conservation-goals-180973952/
• Diego, the 100-Year-Old Tortoise Who Fathered 900 Babies, Returns to the Wild
• Meet Diego, the amorous tortoise that saved his species from extinction!
• "Super Diego" the Galapagos Tortoise Helped Save His Species

Aldabra Tortoise

• https://www.sif.sc/ (Seychelles Islands Foundation - help save Aldabra)
• Aldabra tortoise
• Aldabra Tortoise Fact Sheet | Blog | Nature | PBS
• Madagascar: giant tortoises have returned 600 years after they were wiped out
• Surviving against the Odds: The Giant Tortoises of Aldabra Atoll

Cleveland Zoo

• Aldabra Giant Tortoise - Zoo Resource Library
• Cleveland zoo realizes after 50 years that Mary the giant tortoise is a boy

Adopt a Giant Galapagos Tortoise

• Adopt a Galapagos Giant Tortoise - Charles Darwin Foundation
• Adopt a Giant Tortoise | Symbolic Adoptions from WWF
• Adopts Archive | Galápagos Conservancy

Sound Bites

• "We are all deeply connected."
• "The goal is to be less net negative and strive for net positive"