#4 Dr. Jane Goodall: A short conversation with a living legend (What we can learn from nature, incredible stories from her life, and a message of hope)

Jane Goodall (0:01)

I always loved the chief of a tribe in Latin America who said, Jane, we see our tribe is like an eagle. One wing is male, the other is female, and only when the wings are equal, can our tribe fly high.

Tommy Roch (0:17)

Hello, and welcome to The Tommy Love Show. That was Dr. Jane Goodall. She told me I could call her Jane, so that's what I will do. Last year, I had the extraordinary privilege to meet with Jane in Belgium. She was here for a conference, and her team gave me 20 minutes of her precious time. I used those minutes wisely, starting the interview by making chimpanzee sounds with her. Then, we turned back to English, and I asked her how children and adults can feel more connected with each other, with animals, and with our shared home. I was curious to hear about concrete solutions from her, why she still does what she does at the young age of 88, as well as how she fuels her passion and hope for the future of our planet. I was very impressed by Jane. She inspired me tremendously, and I still feel her loving energy months after meeting her. Being in her presence is a gift.

For the few that do not know who Jane Goodall is, here are a few words about this inspiring lady. First, Dr. Jane Goodall is a living legend. I saw young girls cry when they saw her. Everyone wants to take a picture with Jane, and everything she says is either funny, inspiring, or both at the same time. Her life and work have inspired millions around the world to pursue their dreams and make a positive impact in our world.

Dr. Goodall is a world-renowned ethologist and activist, inspiring greater understanding and action on behalf of the natural world. In 1960, Jane was 26 years old when she started her research in the Gombe National Park in Tanzania. She was a trailblazer pursuing a career in a field that was very male-dominated at the time. This is wild. Imagine this. She's a woman in the 1960s pursuing a scientific career in Africa, living among chimpanzees. And her groundbreaking research on chimpanzees challenged the scientific community's understanding of animal intelligence and behavior and inspired a new era of wildlife conservation. Jane has dedicated her life to the study and protection of chimpanzees and other great apes. 60 years of studying the social and family interactions between them. Dr. Goodall is also the founder of the Jane Goodall Institute, which works to protect chimpanzees and their habitat. She also founded Roots & Shoots, which she will mention a couple of times in the podcast. This is a youth-led program that empowers young people to make positive changes in their communities and for the environment. In April 2002, Dr. Goodall was named a UN Messenger of Peace.

Her documentary, called Jane, illustrates beautifully her early exploration of Tanzania and her relationship with chimpanzees.

Okay, now that you all know who Jane is, we can get started. I kick off the interview by giving her a stuffed monkey, a guibon to be precise. I knew she loved these, a testament to her playful personality.

Now, please enjoy Dr. Jane Goodall.

So I start with a gift, right? This is for you. I know you have many already.

Jane Goodall (3:47)

It's beautiful.

Tommy Roch (3:49)

Yes.

I don't know. He doesn't have a name yet. I have one as well.

Jane Goodall (3:52)

Oh, you do.

Tommy Roch (3:57)

What did I want to start with? Yesterday, you introduced us with the way chimpanzees say how to do each other.

Can you teach me a few words?

Jane Goodall (4:09)

Well, they're not really words. They're sounds, you know, but the pantoot, the reason it's called a pantoot is because it's all in one breath. So you know how a dog goes, so it's all in one.

No, that's right. That's right. That's right.

Tommy Roch (4:36)

Wow.

Jane Goodall (4:37)

So I don't need to make the sound, but see it's all one breath.

Tommy Roch (4:46)

So it's a push of the breath and then you. Yeah.

Jane Goodall (5:03)

Different, that's a gibbon. And then chimps laugh.

That's Chimp laughing. And the babies cry when they, mother won't let them suckle. That's a baby chimpanzee. Mother won't let it suckle.

Tommy Roch (5:46)

What's that?

Jane Goodall (5:47)

That's a good way.

Tommy Roch (5:51)

Okay, Jane, I've known all the things you've done, and I've watched your documentaries, read your books, listened to your podcasts, but I was very moved to, I'm very moved to meet you, because what I think is extraordinary in you, on top of all the fantastic things you've done, is really who you are and who you represent.