Ep015:

Heart of the Wild

A cheetah on a Hollywood set with Angelina Jolie. A Jack Russell with terrible timing. And a moment in a rural hospital that rerouted two lives toward a mission bigger than fame or adrenaline. In this episode, we sit down with Namibian conservationist Marlice van Vuuren—whose work with N/a’an ku sê has redefined how wildlife and local communities can thrive together. From growing up speaking the San language before English or Afrikaans to raising cheetahs and leopards from birth, Marlice shares the quiet heroics, heartbreaks, and hope that fuel her mission.

We trace the evolution of N/a’an ku sê—from makeshift medicine boxes to a free clinic serving thousands of San patients each year. Marlice speaks candidly about addiction, landlessness, and the long road of generational change, as well as the transparency and trust that turned donors into partners. Her story is a powerful reminder that purpose isn’t found in slogans but in action—built day by day in the bush, the clinic, and the communities that make conservation work.