Bite Me: How Spiders Can Help Us to Overcome the Challenges of Our Time

ABOUT

Are you Afraid of Spiders?

Arachnophobia is one of the most common fears in the world. Spiders, those seemingly elusive and venomous creatures, have long been a source of fascination and fear throughout human history. They have often been portrayed as spooky or villainous creatures in movies, books, and Halloween decorations.

The erratic jumps and sudden movements of these eight-legged creatures, their multiple beady eyes, hairy bodies, and venomous fangs can send shivers down our spines, triggering an ancient instinct to stay alert and cautious.

The fact that some of these creatures are poisonous, a remarkable adaptation for capturing prey, has led to widespread, often exaggerated fear of spider bites, based on misinformation and misconception.

Join Us for a Bewildering Event

Join us at the Inside Out Centre for a talk that challenges and overturns some of your irrational assumptions in a humorous and profound presentation by award-winning conservationist, best-selling author, and speaker, Jonathan Leeming. Known fondly as the "creepy-crawly guy," this venomous creature expert leverages our innate fears of spiders and their noxious bites to illustrate how our broader values and beliefs, especially about the environment, can become detached from reality. In turn, this realisation helps us to think more creatively and open-mindedly about some of the challenges facing our time.

This event will take you on a remarkable journey, revealing the spider as both a marvel of nature and a subject of illusion and fantasy. This powerful analogy for the influence of unchecked fear touches the core of every individual in the audience and promises to take you down a "web of intrigue."

About Jonathan Leeming

Jonathan Leeming is a foremost authority on venomous creatures – the go-to expert in the field. In 2003, Jonathan authored "Scorpions of Southern Africa," a pivotal work that provided him the leverage and platform to become recognized and influential. Since then, he has published a collection of nine books, including titles such as "First Aid Guide To Spider Bites & Scorpion Stings," and "One World." Some of these books address envenomation, risk assessment, and antivenom management.

Renowned for his distinct style, boundless enthusiasm, and vibrant personality, Jonathan's talks consistently garner acclaim. They are often described as insightful, passionate, and profoundly inspirational. His audience extends to medical conferences, sustainability events, and leadership forums, where he has professionally spoken for over two decades across 11 different countries, captivating diverse audiences.

He serves as a trusted consultant for various organizations, including the Poison Information Helpline, Steve Biko Hospital, Swaziland Antivenom Foundation, and the South African Vaccine Producers. His contributions were recognized with pride as he received the 2020 Eco-Logic Environmental Award for his "One World" book, along with its associated presentations, workshops, activities, and free resources.