In this episode, we meet with Sanjana Sekhar - Sanjana is an author, filmmaker, and climate activist on a mission to make climate action the hottest place to be. Her work amplifies “thrutopian” stories with a lens on climate justice, radical imagination, and Adrienne Maree Brown’s “pleasure activism.” As the founder of GARMI, a climate newsletter and creative studio, she leverages systems-thinking storytelling to reclaim extractive narratives and world-build towards a healthy human future on Earth. Sanjana has been featured in Grist’s Imagine 2200 Climate Fiction Anthology, the Hollywood Climate Summit, and the Webby Honorees, and she’s worked with organizations such as the Center for Cultural Power, Visit California, and The Washington Post. She is based in LA on Tongva land.

• We learn about using powerful emotions as a catalyst for change and growth
• We learn about radical acceptance and compassion to navigate the climate crisis
• We learn how building connections and fostering a sense of community is crucial for collective action

Follow and connect with Sanjana on socials:  Instagram: s a n j a n a (@sanj___)  LinkedIn: Sanjana Sekhar | LinkedIn

Check out and sign up for GARMI:  GARMI | sensusal socioecology

Check out Sanjanas website: Sanjana Sekhar | author, filmmaker, climate storyteller

In this episode, we meet with Madeleine MacGillivray - Madeleine is a lifelong climate justice advocate and microplastics-focused science communicator. She is the Climate Communications and Policy Coordinator at Seeding Sovereignty, where she hosts the climate justice podcast Supersede. Madeleine is the founder of Superheroes Needed, a project that empowers individuals to realize our climate superpowers. She holds an MS in Sustainability Management at Columbia University’s School of Professional Studies and a BA in Environmental Policy from Barnard. Madeleine has delivered keynote talks in Sydney, led workshops at Cornell and FIT, spoken at San Francisco Earth Day, and hosted conversations for UN Fashion x Oceans. Madeleine passionately communicates complex environmental issues with creativity, compassion, and empathy.

We learn about dating horror stories We delve into the loneliness pandemic We learn about attractive qualities in the climate space

Follow and connect with Madeleine on socials: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/madeleinemacgillivray?igsh=MXFsc254eWtqb2ZveA==

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/madeleine-macgillivray-2a0533202

Check out the Supersede podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/68GNZd3goGOdRcLKfnQTuS

Check out Madeleines website for all the amazing work she does: https://www.madeleinemacgillivray.com/

In this episode, we meet with Alexa White - Alexa White's dedication to sustainable agriculture and environmental justice is clearly demonstrated through her Ph.D. candidacy in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology at the University of Michigan. Her work, grounded in agroecology and biology, critically assesses sustainable agriculture's biophysical indicators and probes the efficacy of international climate governance, particularly in light of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. Alexa's significant contributions were recognized in 2023 with the prestigious Federation of American Scientists Policy Entrepreneurship Award, an honor she shared with notable figures including Director Christopher Nolan, Senator Chuck Schumer, and Dr. Alondra Nelson. This accolade celebrated her pivotal role in establishing the AYA Research Institute, a think tank dedicated to progressive environmental justice policy. In her role as a Senior Harvard Climate Justice Design Fellow, Alexa has been instrumental in developing innovative environmental justice screening and mapping tools for governmental bodies in the Mid-Atlantic United States. Her expertise in this field also led to a collaboration with the White House Council for Environmental Quality, where she played a key role in developing the inaugural Justice40 tracker and report, further cementing her position as a leader in sustainable development and environmental justice.

Alexa's groundbreaking research in food sovereignty and justice earned her the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Conservation Leadership Award in 2020, underscoring her contributions to the field. Her active participation on the boards of the United Negro College Fund and the Edfu Foundation serves as evidence that her leadership goes beyond research.

Moreover, as a 2022 Columbia Mailman School of Public Health Agents of Change in Environmental Justice Senior Fellow, Alexa has harnessed her skills as a storyteller to eloquently share her experiences and insights, further amplifying her impact in the realms of environmental justice and sustainable agriculture.

• We learn about food sovereignty and the right to have control over your food
• We learn about agricultural and food policy
• We learn about how representation and leadership of people of color in environmental justice work is crucial

Follow and connect with Alexa on socials:

Instagram: @alexabwhite LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alexa-white-a1214987/

Check out Alexa’s website: alexawhite.co

Check out an opinion piece Alexa wrote: https://www.ehn.org/supporting-small-scale-farmers-2664302999.html

In this episode, we meet with Matt Scott - the director of storytelling and engagement at the global nonprofit climate solutions resource Project Drawdown. Matt is also the founding director of the Drawdown Stories program where he helps everyday people find their role in climate solutions. Matt is the host of the climate solutions short documentary series Drawdown's Neighborhood, featured on the Weather Channel's Pattrn streaming network. Prior to his work at Project Drawdown, Matt was the global community lead and storyteller of the NASA International Space Apps Challenge, the world's largest global problem-solving hackathon.

• We learn about how storytelling is a powerful tool to shift the narrative around climate change and inspire action
• We learn about how hearing diverse voices in environmental storytelling is essential
• We learn about how stories can have an impact to influence policy, regulation, and funding

Follow and connect with Matt on socials: Instagram: @mattscottgw LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-scott-6ba55a28/

Checkout Project Drawdown: drawdown.org

Email Matt: [email protected] Find Matt’s work: drawdown.org/stories Check out the docu-series: drawdown.org/neighborhood Submit your own story: drawdown.org/diary

In this episode, we meet with Kiana Michaan. Kiana is a renewable energy professional, clean energy advocate, and climate justice organizer. Kiana previously worked at Sologistics where she provided permitting, utility interconnection, and project management for hundreds of solar projects across New York City. She worked with Black Girl Environmentalist on community building and with Our Climate Voices on climate justice storytelling. Kiana has worked with WE ACT for Environmental Justice on equitable solar development. She was a 2022 fellow with the Clean Energy Leadership Institute. Kiana served as a member of the advisory panel for the non-profit Diversity in Sustainability and currently serves as a board member at Eco.Logic, a non-profit dedicated to environmental education and community building. She is currently producing and hosting a climate & energy justice focused podcast, called Climate with Kiana.

-We learn about the historical inequities in energy access

-We explore the need for financing structures in clean energy

-We learn about ethical concerns of mining for minerals used for renewable energy

Follow and connect with Kiana: Instagram: @kikisgroove LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiana-michaan

Check out Kiana’s Podcast - Climate with Kiana - https://open.spotify.com/show/2q5A05T45dz4vctflPrR6X?si=lYDpnpoyTlWRYxc2x9y0xw

Check out YPE - Young Professionals in Energy and their mentorship program: https://ypenergy.org/new-york-city/

Check out CELI - Clean Energy Leadership Institute: https://www.cleanenergyleaders.org/

Kiana’s book recommendations:

The Grid: The Fraying Wires Between Americans and Our Energy Future by Gretchen Bakke

Revolutionary Power: An Activist's Guide to the Energy Transition by Shalanda Baker

In this episode, we meet with Jeremy Raguain. Jeremy is a Seychellois conservationist who holds a Bachelor of Social Science in International Relations and Environmental Geographical Sciences and Bachelor of Social Science in International Relations (Honors) from the University of Cape Town, a Diploma in Environmental Management from the Technical University of Dresden. He is currently pursuing a Master of Public Administration in Environmental Science and Policy at Columbia University. Jeremy is also an alumnus of the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) Fellowship and simultaneously served as the Seychelles Permanent Mission to the United Nations Climate Change and Ocean Advisor throughout 2022 participating in climate change and high seas negotiations. Before negotiating international environmental law on behalf of Seychelles, small island developing and African states, Jeremy worked with the Seychelles Islands Foundation for over five years coordinating the foundation’s projects - such as the Aldabra Clean-Up Project - and communications while contributing to national policy focused on climate change, biodiversity and ocean conservation, as well as environmental impact assessment. Jeremy is also a youth activist volunteering his time to the representation of young people - especially those from islands, Africa and Global South - in environmental and sustainability issues.

-We learn about the unique identity and cultural heritage of SIDS

-We explore the vulnerabilities faced by SIDS

-We learn about SIDS treaties and initiatives

Follow and connect with Jeremy: Instagram: @turtlecommuter

Check out AOSIS and their opportunities: https://www.aosis.org/

An important UN article to check out about SIDS: https://www.un.org/ohrlls/content/about-small-island-developing-states

Check out this document connecting climate change and SIDS: https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/publications/cc_sids.pdf

A podcast episode to check out: Small Islands, Big Picture: Why do small islands matter? https://open.spotify.com/episode/361tFdYc0qSQNYWeMNb1Rl?si=gASp_fguT4aexD6B0z_cqA

In this episode, we meet with Daphany Rose Sanchez. Daphany is an experienced community organizer and an expert in climate and housing. Born and raised in New York City public housing, Daphany witnessed and lived through the intersections of housing discrimination, climate divestment, and economic injustice. Her experience moved Daphany to fight for climate resiliency in the communities she grew up in, organizing neighborhoods across every borough in the city while working alongside renewable energy companies to provide people with the tools they need to reduce their energy bills and keep their homes protected from natural disasters. She graduated from NYU Tandon School of Engineering and holds a Master of Science in Environmental Policy and Sustainability Management from the New School.

-We learn about Daphany’s story in public housing

-We learn about addressing energy justice in energy insecure communities

-We learn about the policy and organizing to achieve energy justice

Follow and connect with Daphany on socials: Instagram: @daph_nyc_ X: @Daph_NYC_ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/daphanysanchez/

Check out KC3 and what they do: https://kc3.nyc/what-we-do

An important article to check out: https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/news/survey-reveals-extent-energy-insecurity-new-york-city#:~:text=More%20than%20one%20in%20four,in%20debt%20for%20energy%20costs.

Learn about how eligible households can receive energy services: https://www.nyc.gov/site/hra/help/energy-assistance.page

A podcast episode to check out: Just Energy: Energy poverty and energy insecurity with Destenie Nock https://open.spotify.com/episode/7Jpo6qwYZwUtrHgYr6DGmZ?si=WooP0oYXRj-ZPDXscih2wg

In this episode, we meet Bodhi Patil. Bodhi Patil is a UN-recognized, award-winning GenZ ocean-climate “Solutionist” dedicated to improving the interconnectedness between ocean health and human health. He is the Founder & CEO of Inner Light, empowering a generation to build resilience from the inside out for people and planetary wellbeing. He is co-creator/cofounder of Ocean Uprise and SeaDragon Studios and advises several love-based climate organizations on a mission to protect our blue planet. He has been featured by the United Nations, Forbes, Economist Impact, Wildlife Conservation Society, Oceanic Global, and has presented to world leaders at over 10 global climate conferences. Connect with him and learn more about his mission here.

• We learn about the Tom’s of Maine Incubator Program and how to apply!
• We learn about Bodhi's love and passion for the ocean
• We learn about why the ocean is so important for life in all forms

Follow and connect with Bodhi on socials: Instagram: @bodhi_patil Twitter: @bodhi_patil LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/bodhipatil/

Apply to the Tom's of Maine Incubator Program! https://www.tomsofmaine.com/incubator

Check out Bodhi's amazing website: https://www.innerlight.tv/

Organizations Bodhi mentioned to check out:

Ocean Uprise https://oceanuprise.com/ Sustainable Ocean Alliance https://www.soalliance.org/ Earth Echo https://www.earthecho.org/

Bodhi’s book recommendation:

Blue Mind - Dr. Wallace J. Nichols

In this episode we meet with Jaegi Lissade. Jaegi is the Partnership Coordinator of Reclypt. Jaegi is passionate about circular fashion and reducing fashion waste. She first began attending Recylpt events during Climate Week in 2022 and over the past year has evolved from participant to ambassador to now being a member of the Reclypt team! She is currently a student at Queens College studying Economics and Environmental Studies with plans to work in sustainable finance. Bearing this in mind she was wary of developing her sustainability experience in the financial sector and instead has entrenched herself in community based initiatives to develop a strong foundation of intersectional environmental justice.

We learn about circular fashion and why it’s so important We learn about the harm of microtrends and fast fashion We learn about the power of community learning and workshops

Follow and connect with Jaegi on socials: Instagram: @thisisjaegi LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jaegilissade/

Follow Reclypt on Instagram and check out their website: @reclypt https://www.reclypt.com

An informative article about the fashion industry to check out: https://www.nrdc.org/stories/new-york-exposing-fashion-industry-what-it-climate-nightmare

Remake is a global advocacy organization fighting for fair pay and climate justice in the clothing industry. Check them out: https://remake.world/

Check out the Fashion Act and their fight against the harmful sides of the fashion industry: https://www.thefashionact.org/

In this episode, we meet with Angely - a climate and environmental journalist from NYC. Her work is featured in national and city publications including The New York Times, The Nation, Rolling Stone, Vogue, The Guardian, and more. She focuses on primarily environmental science, environmental justice, social media, and culture. Her fact-checking work is featured in various publications like The Nation, Rest of World, Mother Jones, and Gimlet among others.

• We learn about the power of social media and fact checking
• We learn about the challenges of the journalism industry 
• We learn about how you shouldn’t let your job define you

Follow and connect with Angely on socials: Instagram: @angely_mercado Twitter: @angelymercado LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/angelymercado/

Check out Angely’s posts on Gizmodo:  https://gizmodo.com/author/angelymercado

Check out Angely’s profile on Muck Rack: https://muckrack.com/angely-mercado

Check out a very important recent article written by Angely: https://gizmodo.com/hurricane-idalia-makes-landfall-in-florida-lost-power-1850786952

Check out some of the best environmental journalism stories of 2022: https://unearthed.greenpeace.org/2022/12/23/best-environmental-journalism-2022/

In this episode, we meet with Chris Desai - a world renown entrepreneur and philanthropist from humble beginnings who has made considerable contributions to the benefit and protection of this planet with the organic luxury fashion brand Vayyu, the registered charity The Vayyu Foundation and its two global projects. In this podcast episode we are focusing on UOCEAN 2050, which is a pioneering, practical, and non-profit charitable initiative of The Vayyu Foundation based in the United Kingdom with a global reach. Their primary mission is to combat river and ocean plastics and restore marine ecosystems working with minority and stigmatized communities.

• We learn about Chris’s love and passion for the ocean
• We learn about realizing the effects of fast fashion on the planet 
• We learn about entrepreneurship to change the fashion industry and the birth of successful companies 

Follow and connect with Chris and his companies on socials: Instagram: @uoceanproject @vayyu Twitter: @uoceanproject  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chrisdesai/?originalSubdomain=uk

Check out the UOcean page, and see if there are places near you where you can volunteer!  https://uocean.org/volunteer

Here is a great article to check out with small ways to help our oceans: https://oceanservice.noaa.gov/ocean/help-our-ocean.html

Another great resource to work on cutting back on the plastics you use: https://www.montereybayaquarium.org/act-for-the-ocean/plastic-pollution/what-you-can-do#:~:text=Cut%20back%20on%20single%2Duse%20plastic&text=Over%20time%2C%20these%20simple%20swaps,single%2Duse%20plastic%20sandwich%20bags. Here are additional organizations and charities to check out! https://www.americanoceans.org/blog/best-ocean-clean-up-charities/

Here’s another podcast episode to check out:

How To Protect The Ocean: Speak Up For Blue:  https://open.spotify.com/show/3mE8fDuPv6OiTZ64EfIob9