'That’s Isla': 10-year-old Nova Scotian girl starts podcast out of passion
A 10-year-old girl from Nova Scotia has started a project which follows a topic which she holds close to her heart.
Ten-year-old Isla Tompkins from Bedford has started “What If We…,” a podcast that follows her love for animals in hopes to highlight how important conservation efforts are for nature.
“I kind of just wanted to bring awareness to animals, and so I was just trying to find a way that was easy and in my house so I could just do it,” said Tompkins in a recent interview with CTV News.
Being an avid podcast listener herself, she eventually got the idea to start one of her own.
“I was just like, ‘Why don’t I start a podcast?’ and it’s really fun,” she said.
In “What If We…,” Tompkins follows a range of topics related to animal conservation, as well as solutions that listeners at home can do themselves.
The front page and bio of 10-year-old Isla Tompkins' podcast named "What If We..." (CTV/Mike Lamb)
“If they [animals] are endangered I tell people why they are endangered,” said Tompkins. “And then I add in ways that maybe you could help, like cleaning up your local beaches or something.”
“It’s kind of for kids, but anyone can listen to it,” said Tompkins
Tompkins's mom, Mal Ryan, says that the love for animals was something that Tompkins has always been passionate about.
“That’s Isla, what you see in the podcast, what you hear, her love of animals, and research, and how we can help, that’s been her since she could talk,” said Ryan.
As for the podcast, it’s mostly self-produced by Tompkins.
“She really takes it and does a job that’s incredible, and she does all the work herself, I help her a little bit on the tech part but it’s really wonderful to see her take something that she’s passionate about and put it into the world,” Ryan added.
Tompkins hopes the podcast will motivate viewers to take steps toward conserving nature.
For the latest Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Serial sexual offender linked to unsolved 1970s homicides of four Calgary girls, women
An investigation into unsolved historical homicides from the 1970s has linked the deaths of two girls and two young women in and around Calgary to a now-deceased serial offender.
Woman with liver failure rejected for a transplant after medical review highlights alcohol use
For nearly three months, Amanda Huska has been in an Ontario hospital, part of it on life support, because of severe liver failure. Her history of alcohol use is getting in the way of her only potential treatment: a liver transplant.
$500K-worth of elvers seized at Toronto airport
Fishery and border service officers seized more than 100 kilograms of unauthorized elvers at the Toronto Pearson International Airport on Wednesday.
Toronto eliminated from PWHL playoffs
Toronto has been eliminated from the PWHL playoffs.
Information commissioner faces $700K funding shortfall, says system is 'overwhelmed'
Canada's information commissioner says her office is facing a $700,000 funding shortfall that could impact its ability to investigate complaints about government transparency and accountability.
B.C. man 'attacked suddenly' by adult grizzly near Alberta boundary: RCMP
A B.C. man is recovering from multiple injuries after he was "attacked suddenly" by an adult grizzly bear near Elkford Thursday afternoon.
Backlash over NFL player Harrison Butker's commencement speech has reached a new level
The NFL is distancing itself from controversial comments by Kansas City Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker during a recent commencement address.
Dabney Coleman, actor who specialized in curmudgeons, dies at 92
Dabney Coleman, the mustachioed character actor who specialized in smarmy villains like the chauvinist boss in '9 to 5' and the nasty TV director in 'Tootsie,' has died. He was 92.
Craig Berube named as next head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have named Craig Berube as their new head coach.