More About

Learning and understanding:  BIG CAT CONVERSATIONS has no agenda or viewpoint. It is a podcast to hear from people who have encountered a big cat. The only agenda of sorts is trying to learn about the big cats present in Britain from people’s own experiences.

Episodes every two weeks:  BIG CAT CONVERSATIONS is produced on a fortnightly basis. Each new episode is available on a Sunday.  The length of each episode varies and is indicated on the player. All past episodes are available to play.

Word of the week:  Within each episode Rick briefly introduces a word or term which relates to the subject, to add to discussion. Sometimes one of the guests has their own take on the selected word. Watch out for words and terms like… scat, crepuscular, pard, feral, naturalise, obligate carnivore, the recorder effect, and confirmation bias…

Out and about:  BIG CAT CONVERSATIONS is mostly produced by visiting and interviewing people and by hearing from them over the phone. Sometimes the episodes will be produced on location, meeting witnesses in their locality, or interviewing people at the information stand at rural shows and similar events.

Podcast pub evenings: From 2020 BIG CAT CONVERSATIONS is recording certain episodes in pubs. We will announce particular pubs which have agreed to host a podcast episode and then invite people to come along to talk about their big cat experience in that area. 

Hearing from people directly:  There is often much to consider when listening to the detailed account of someone’s big cat experience. The conviction and the emotion is usually very evident. These testimonies will always be at the heart of BIG CAT CONVERSATIONS.

Confidentiality of witnesses:  Some people prefer withholding their full name and keeping the location of their big cat encounter vague. Please appreciate that there can be sound reasons for doing this.

Checking for evidence:  As well as direct reports from a witness, the podcasts sometimes take a look at the possible signs of the cats which people find. Being objective in this detective work is important, which often means ruling things out, or being unsure. Hearing about these finds, such as carcasses of possible prey, and scat or droppings, and why they might indicate a cat’s presence is all part of the process and hopefully adds some intrigue.  

Rick Minter:  The podcast host Rick Minter used to work for a government agency concerned with managing the countryside. He worked alongside community groups, farmers, foresters, scientists and other specialists. During this time he had a chance encounter with a big cat. Now, many years later he has met over a thousand  witnesses and he networks with many people who have experience in this subject. He writes about Britain’s big cats and gives talks and briefings on the topic.  

Get in touch:  Please feel free to email Rick on any aspect of the podcast…  rick@bigcatconversations.com