Shark Stories
Welcome to Shark Stories, the podcast that dives beneath the surface of one of the ocean’s most misunderstood creatures. Hosted by award-winning shark conservationist and filmmaker Madison Stewart, this show transforms her years of underwater exploration, frontline conservation, and encounters with both sharks and shark fishermen into captivating, eye-opening stories. Whether you're shark-obsessed or simply shark-curious, dive deep into an interview with the world's most famous shark hunter, hear from a navy diver turned cyborg after a shark attack learn about Shark attack First Aid or policy battles and conservation wins. You’ll hear firsthand what it means to coexist with predators, challenge fear with facts, and turn storytelling into action. Through raw conversations and real experiences, this podcast gives sharks a voice and gives you the tools to protect them, no matter where you live. Forget what you thought you knew about sharks. This is their story and yours.
Episodes
33 episodes
Why Do We Cull Sharks? With Kate Sheridan
In this conversation, biologist Kate Sheridan discusses her extensive experience in wildlife conservation, focusing on sharks and human-wildlife coexistence. She emphasizes the importance of ethical wildlife organizations, the psychology behind...
BLOOD IN THE WATER: Can You Swim With Sharks on Your Period?
This episode is designed to provide you with all the information on swimming with sharks on your period. If you’re a seasoned diver, a shark expert, or someone that’s never swum with sharks before, male or female, this is a great episode for yo...
BONUS EPISODE: YEAH THE BOYS – TAGGING TIGERS
Recorded on location during our 2025 shark tagging mission, I took my mic out to sea with 4 shark fishing boats on the never-ending search for answers on Indonesian tiger shark populations. Hear it from the fishermen themselves, scientist Dr Ch...
DEADLY 60 & SHARKS - The Steve Backshall Shark Story
Chatting with my childhood hero and inspiration Steve Backshall, as we explore the profound impact of wildlife documentaries, particularly 'Deadly 60' on conservation awareness. We discuss his personal experiences with sharks, the importance of...
SHARK FACTS: A Rant And Your Horror Stories Diving With Sharks
Join me & only me as I read out some of your hilarious horror stories from diving with sharks & jump into some amazing shark facts about the six gill shark species...
Are Sharks Social?
In this conversationwe interview badass jiu-jitsu blackbeltshark scientist Yannis Papastamatiou, exploring the profound influence of the film Jaws on shark science, the ground breaking research conducted at the Shark Lab, and the fascinating so...
Project Hiu
A deep dive into my work in Indonesia, Project Hiu is my mission to repropose a fleet of sharkfishing vesselsin Indonesiain tourism, saving sharks but also changing the way we look at shark fishermen. On this episode, I answer your questions ab...
Valerie Taylor - Blue Water White Death, Jaws, & Meeting Brad Pitt
One of the most influential ocean conservationists and underwater filmmakers of our time, with a career spanning more than six decades, Valerie has helped reshape theworld’s understanding of sharks and marine life. From her early days as a cham...
Bonus Episode: ALISHA - The Great White Discovery
In 2024, Project Hiu becomes entangled in a wild goose chase to track down the owners of a retrieved shark tag, only to discover it was the key to uncovering the longest recorded migration of a white shark, all the way from South Africa to I...
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Last Episode of This Season: What’s the Dumbest Thing Someone’s Ever Said to You About Sharks?
As I say goodbye for this season, I take to social media to ask for your answers to these questions and as usual, the results don’t disappoint. Follow Madison @sharkgirlmad...
Shark First Aid - For Divers
This is the second episode I have done about shark first aid, the first one acting as an extension to my surfing guide to sharks… and this one expanding on the topic to not only focus on potential attacks of surfers, but those we face in the sh...
Endangered Sharks on Etsy
A groundbreaking study titled Prevalence of Endangered Shark Trophies InAutomated Detection of Online Trade sheds light on the alarming online trade ofendangered shark species right under our noses. Tune in for an insight into how you m...
Return of the MEG
In the thrilling second instalment of our Megalodon series, PhD palaeontologist Jack Cooper returns to dive deeper into the legend and science of the Megalodon,debunking myths, exploring its extinction, and revealing what this ancient apex<...
THE SHARK FELON (A Presidential Pardon, Corruption & Why Saving Sharks Nearly Landed Me in Jail)
In today’s very special episode, I sit down with my partner, Tanner, to discuss how his attempt to save sharks and do the right thing nearly landed him in jail. We recorded this episode a week after learning that Tanner had been pardoned...
Have Shark Populations Boomed?
In this episode, we dive into the ongoing debate about whether shark populations are truly booming or if this claim is based on misconceptions. With growing concerns from fishermen, particularly in the U.S. and viral discussions on social me...
Confessions of a Shark Tracker- Richard Fitzpatrick
This episode is ideal for anyone pursuing a career in marine biology as we sit down with Richard Fitzpatrick, an Australian marine biologist, award-winning cinematographer, and shark expert. Based in Queensland, he has spent decades studying...
Did Social Media Screw Sharks?
Welcome back to Shark Stories! After a long break, join us for a good old-fashioned rant as I ask my social media following to tell me… has social media screwed our sharks? In this episode, I read your answers and give you my personal take on t...
The Meg
The one shark we all wish was still with us… well, maybe not all of u: The Megalodon. The only thing left of this revered species is its fossilized teeth, which scientists use to measure its total length… It's been the subject of horror films a...
Shark First Aid
Of the 470 shark species, only 30 species of sharks have been found to have attacked humans, and only 4 of the 30 species make up the majority of attacks. Yet with everything we know about sharks, with everything we do in their home, whether it...
Slavery At Sea
Emperors of the deep is an insightful and moving book by William Mckeever. It examines four species: Mako, Tiger, Hammerhead, and Great White, as never before. Yet it’s the section on slavery at sea that catches my attention. William goes deep ...
The Cyborg
Navy clearance diver Paul De Gelder was taking part in a standard training exercise in Sydney harbor when he was attacked by a bull shark. He now lives with one arm and one leg, recounting horrific details from his attack alongside inspiring me...
Mark The Shark
In my most controversial podcast yet, we enter a conversation with the world’s most infamous shark hunter. Listen in as he takes pride in the number of sharks he’s removed from the ocean over his lifetime, but also be prepared to hear a side of...
Surfing Guide To Sharks
A re-examination of the way we approach the shark attacks through the arming of surfers with essential shark knowledge. This podcast is a reading of the surfing guide to sharks written by myself with the help of oceanographers, scientists, surf...
When I Went Shark Fishing
The story of 19-year-old hunter Helton joining me for two weeks. No land, no people. Sleeping, eating, going to the bathroom, and living on a boat that is heading to sea to fish sharks with five Indonesian shark fishermen.No reception, n...
The Humane Society Speaks Sharks
Lawrence is in charge of all things shark-related at the humane society of Australia. With his brilliant answers and explanations, he prepares us for any argument you could imagine getting into on behalf of sharks.Imagine heading up a c...