Ecosystem Member

Our guest for today's episode is Katrina Spade, the founder of Recompose, which is a human composting service based out of Seattle, Washington. Before I get into the details of our conversation, as you can imagine, our conversations centers around death. If the topic stirs up personal feelings and situations you would not rather than experience at this time, then please do not listen to this the episode. Every person has a different relationship with death and I don't want to catch anyone off-guard. If you choose to stick around, thank you for engaging this topic. It is one I've thought about a lot as you'll hear in the episode and one that our guest Katrina has obviously thought about a lot as well. And that thought is reflected in the Recompose experience.In just about a handful of years, Recompose has brought hundreds of people through the human composting process. And as you'll hear from Katrina, every aspect of the process has been designed and designed with intention. With 13 states in the United States having legalized human composting including Georgia, Washington, Delaware, California and Minnesota, it is a practice that offers - at least in my opinion - a path to transition from this mortal coil to whatever you believe is next in a way that respects and honors nature by giving something back. I see it as completing the cycle. LinksRecompose Website Recompose Instagram Katrina Spade TEDX Talk

Our guest for this episode is Auden Schendler, the author of a new book called “Terrible Beauty: Reckoning with Climate Complicity and Rediscovering our Soul”. Published by Harvard Business Review Press, it is part memoir, part reflection, and part prescription from 30 years of working in corporate sustainability. If you aren't familiar with Auden, he learned about corporate sustainability at the Rocky Mountain Institute, which was co-founded by Amory Lovins, who was named one of the world's most influential people by Time in 2009 and considered the Einstein of energy efficiency. Auden then moved on to Aspen Ski Company where he worked from 1999 to earlier this year as its Vice President and then Senior Vice President of Sustainability. He's been named a "climate innovator" by TIME magazine and a "climate saver" by the EPA.In this episode, we talk about Auden's journey from growing up in New Jersey during the environmental decay of the 1970s and spending time with extended family in North Dakota - a place where we found the natural world as a refuge - to his work in local politics in Colorado and in the ski industry. Our conversation though centers on the ideas in the book Terrible Beauty. As Auden says "climate changes threatens everything we care about" so we need to be willing to do the hard work as citizens to bring about real change. He also shares a few ideas about how corporate leaders can go beyond corporate sustainability as usual that just upholds our fossil fuel economy to get to a place where they are using the power of their brand to push for systemic change. However, the book is unlike any other sustainability book or article I've ever read. Auden makes a more joyful case about how we be engage our role as citizens to build community and ultimately drive change that allows us all to thrive - as a parent, as a corporate leader or by just contributing to the place we live.You can buy the book at audenschendler.com, and read a few endorsements from people far more noteworthy than me such as Conrad Anker, Bill McKibben and former White House National Climate Advisor Gina McCarthy.

In past episodes, we've talked with Kiran Gandhi aka Madame Gandhi about turning Antarctic glacier recordings into popular music and Arctic Ascent star Dr. Heidi Sevestre about glacier research and science communication. Today we're bringing those two areas together with environmental composer Konstantine Vlasis, who is studying the sound of glaciers in Iceland as a means to diagnosis planetary health and making music with what he records. As you'll hear in this episode, Konstantine is a super smart dude. In addition to being a Leifur Eiriksson Fellow and Fulbright-NSF Arctic Research Fellow, he is a Fulbright-National Geographic Award recipient and National Geographic Explorer. Although I am not sure how many National Geographic Explorers have ever made musical instruments out of trees. In this episode, we talk about his research and music, how he made his way from Chattanooga, Tennessee, to Iceland, and music as a medium for science communication. I've included in the show notes two videos we discuss - 2124 and A Song for Lost Trees - that are both absolute must watches. As Konstantine points out in the end of the episode, we're in a moment in time when certain political leaders are trying to sew division and actively suppress both scientific and artistic progress, particularly when it comes to climate change. Now is actually the best time to forge new alliances and blur the lines with new collaborations across art and science. Links2124 A Song for Lost Trees Konstantine Vlasis Website Konstantine Vlasis on Instagram

Hey folks, welcome to a bonus episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast. Some of you are probably aware that Ecosystem Member is actually my second podcast project. My first called You Can't Eat Money looked specifically at the relationship between humans and nature and the more-than-human world through the medium of food. Given that our food system accounts for about a third of global greenhouse gas emissions - in particular incredibly potent methane from animal agriculture - and many of us in the West eat a few meals at day, food seemed like the best place to start where individual action can actually make a huge difference. What you pick up off the grocery store shelf and what restaurants you frequent and what you order at restaurants you frequent shapes demand. If we opt for foodstuffs that are more environmentally responsible, that demand indicator can shape the purchasing and investment of large businesses. The problem is there is a lot of misinformation out there. Just a couple weeks ago, a “major” study commissioned in the UK state that beef cattle farming was “beyond net zero” meaning a reducing in beef production and consumption isn't necessary because the farm captures more carbon than it emits. The study, however, was quite small, on only three fields out of the 105 fields on farm, failing to meet the threshold for being statistically significant. (https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/may/07/cattle-sheep-farming-sustainable-food) What's probably not surprising is that the research was funded by McDonald's, which according to reporting from Bloomberg has a larger footprint of heat-trapping emissions than the entire country of Norway, the entirety of cement production in the United States, and American Airlines. It has been estimated that McDonald's sells about 2.36 billion hamburgers per year globally.Many people who have shared the McDonald's-funded research online have used the phrase “It's not the cow, it's the how,” which to put it bluntly is a ridiculous frame that insinuates that the other side is actually blaming cows for climate change. As Andy Jarvis, the Director of Future of Food at the Bezos Earth Fund, told me in a recent LinkedIn exchange, the cow that exists for animal agriculture today has been so manipulated by humans that it no longer resembles the cows that were first domesticated. So, in light of its recent James Beard Foundation award nomination, I am re-releasing the episode I recorded for You Can't Eat Money with the author of “The Blue Plate” - Mark J. Easter. I've read far too many books and white papers on this topic. Mark's research, insight and empathy makes “The Blue Plate” the only book I really recommend to people when it comes to understanding the impact on nature and the more-than-human world - and ourselves really - of our food system. So huge congrats to Mark on his nomination and I hope you enjoy this podcast as much as I did when I recorded it. Buy “The Blue Plate” by Mark J. Easter - https://bookshop.org/a/96865/9781952338205

Hey folks, welcome to the latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast. This is our first episode of a new set of recordings after a little break. I recorded a bunch of episodes at the end of 2024 to get us to March. I used that break to write a fiction book exploring a lot of themes from this podcast and I'm really proud of the result. I put my whole heart into the story so I am hoping we'll be able to get published soon. If you know a literary agent or publishing house exec, send them my way.Today's episode though, is also something I'm really proud of. I try to be really thoughtful about the people who I invite to be guests on the podcast and often times I send agents or publicists an email and I hear nothing back, so I was ecstatic what I actually heard back from the representatives of today's guest. Dave Longstreth is a songwriter, composer and band leader you probably know best from his most widely known work with the band he created - Dirty Projectors. I came across an article in The New Yorker about Dave's latest project ‘Song of the Earth' and I knew I had to have him on the podcast. As we talk about in the episode, the piece is ultimately an affirmation and optimistic, but it explores some challenging elements of our relationship with nature, including using a passage from David Wallace-Wells book ‘The Uninhabitable Earth' in a song to illuminate some shocking truth about how we treat Planet Earth.In addition to exploring the tensions and ideas in ‘Song of the Earth', we talk about one of his most well-known collaborations with the Icelandic singer Björk on the album Mount Wittenberg Orca. As Dave talks about in the episode, this music was written with the idea of the singers as a pod of whales with Björk being the mother whale. I remember hearing it when it came out in 2011, but the meaning and impact expanded in the context of the themes of the podcast when I re-listened to it to prepare for this episode. Toward the end, we also discuss the new film Dave scored called The Legend of Ochi. As of this recording it hasn't hit my local theater, but it is backed by A24, so I think we can safely assume that it is definitely worth checking out. Dave is a super smart and thoughtful dude and I hope you appreciate his openness in discussing his work and experiences as much as I did during the conversation. LinksSong of the Earth on Bandcamp Dirty Projectors on Substack Dirty Projectors Creates a Symphony for a Burning World (The New Yorker) "The Legend of Ochi" Ecosystem Member Substack

We are back with a new episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast! Thank you for tuning in.Our guests for this episode are Heather Ackroyd and Dan Harvey, who make up the incredible artist duo Ackroyd & Harvey. I first came across their work at the Dear Earth exhibition at the Hayward Gallery in London (which also featured past guest Jenny Kendler) and as we discuss in the episode, re-engaged with their work through their Beuys' Acorns project, which just had a major planting that we talk about at the Sainsbury Centre in Norwich. If this is the first time you are hearing about Ackroyd & Harvey, they are an internationally acclaimed artist duo that create work at the intersection of art, activism, architecture, biology, ecology and history. Their work often involves natural materials such grass and light - through a process called photographic photosynthesis - or the bones of a juvenile Minke Whale. Over their multi-decade collaboration with each other, nature, activists, scientists and other artists, their work has been shown at the Tate Modern and Royal Academy in London, The Central Academy of Fine Arts in Beijing, and Ballroom Marfa in Texas among dozens of other prestigious locations. In 2019, they also co-founded Culture Declares Emergency in response to the climate and ecological emergency.The reason I titled this episode ‘Natural Collaboration' is evident in the podcast. Over the years, Ackroyd & Harvey have created their own little ecosystem that evolves over time and brings into their circle not just nature and the more-than-human world, but other artists, scientists and activists of all stripes. It is a great example of the compelling conversations that can be had when we collaborate with others, especially as we face the climate crisis.In this episode, we dig into their various collaborations and spend a lot of time on their photographic photosynthesis process, which happened almost by chance as you'll hear about in the episode. We also talk about their connection to place and the challenge of working with living materials, including the more-than-human animals and creatures that find their way to the pieces. Our conversation comes to a close around the Beuys' Acorns project, which has extended Joseph Beuys' original 7,000 Oaks project over many more decades, helping it stay a point of discussion for new generations.If you haven't subscribed to our newsletter and Substack, please visit ecosystemmember.com. On the homepage, you'll find a link to pages about all of our episodes, including this one, so you can see some of the work we discuss and find links to the rest. In addition to alerts about the latest podcast episodes, I'll occasionally send out a post profiling an artist I really enjoy or an exhibition I get the chance to attend, along with a rare opinion piece about what's going on in the worlds of art and nature. That is all at ecosystemmember.com. Without further delay, here is the latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast with the artist duo Ackroyd & Harvey. LinksGrass House by Ackroyd & Harvey Ackroyd & Harvey Website Ackroyd & Harvey Prints and Drawings for Sale "Reclaiming the Commons Through Art" from Atmos featuring Ackroyd & HarveyPhoto Credit for Podcast Cover Art: Manuel Vason

Hey folks, thanks for tuning in to the first episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast for 2025 with the incredible award-winning musician, producer and activist Madame Gandhi. Madame Gandhi is the stage name of Kiran Gandhi who uses her music and voice to support personal expression, female empowerment and most recently - nature.  She began producing music in 2015 after her story of free-bleeding while running the London Marathon went viral. Since then, she's been named a TED Fellow and to Forbes 30 Under 30 list for music and the BBC 100 Women list. And in 2023 she was awarded the Songwriter's Hall of Fame Abe Olman award for excellence in songwriting and leadership.  As we discuss in the episode, after connecting with nature more deeply during the COVID-19 lockdown when it was seen as a safe space for activity, Kiran pursued a Masters in Music, Science and Technology from Stanford. In this program, she learned how to build a hydrophone and had the opportunity to travel to Antarctica where she recorded the sound of glaciers melting that make up her song ‘In Purpose'. That song - ‘In Purpose' is unique in that it is made completely of recordings Kiran captured in nature - which is credited on the track - and is part of EarthPercent's Sounds Right initiative with a portion of streaming royalties going to conversation efforts and projects to mitigate the effects of climate change.  I think you'll be able to tell from the episode that I was pretty excited to get to chat with Kiran and as excited for you to get to listen to this conversation we recorded about a month ago. We talk about her background growing up in metropolitan cities around the world, how the pandemic shifted her relationship with nature and how she actually goes about capturing and creating music from nature sounds. She has an amazing aim to combine her already empowering lyrics with music that is 100% sourced from nature, while considering how she can be a positive addition to the soundscape. Kiran's work is a great example of how our relationship with nature can become a source of artistic and creative expression.  Links Madame Gandhi Website Madame Gandhi Instagram ‘In Purpose' on Spotify ‘In Purpose' on Apple Music EarthPercent Sounds Right

Episode Page Our guest for this episode is the filmmaker and artist, Maja K. Mikkelsen. And the occasion of our conversation is her latest film - ‘The Last Observers' - which comes out December 18 in the United States and has already been out in Europe.  It's a brilliant portrayal of a Swedish couple's 36 year commitment to record the weather, every three hours, every day for 36 years. And for you bird nerds listening, they are based in Falsterbo one of the top destinations for observing the autumn bird migration in Europe, where they initially started their life together ringing birds. And the couple - Karin and Lennart - also happen to be Maja's parents.  I really love this film because it is shows another way. The way I see Karin and Lennart is as a different sort of activist. They have a deep contentment and gratitude for what they have in a Western society where the prevailing attitude is for faster, more and better. They also show deep commitment - to each other and to the more-than-human world. Every day, every third hour for 36 years they recorded the weather. And before they took over the weather station, they worked so they could volunteer to ring birds in Falsterbo.  Yes, we need the Greta's of the world and Extinction Rebellion. But we also need people like Karin and Lennart who push against harmful cultural norms in a much more quiet fashion. Not everyone can or wants to lead a march or get arrested through civil disobedience or free solo El Capitan in Yosemite. They show through Maja's film that there is more than one way to live and have a relationship with nature and the more than human world.  We've talked to some amazing artists this year and I'm glad we are ending the year with one of the most thoughtful. Maja's film is top notch in my book and many other seem to agree as it earned Best Short Film at Mounatainfilm and Best Cinematography and Best Director at the Ulsan Ulju Mountain Film Festival in South Korea, apologies for what I am sure is not the correct pronunciation. If you go to patagonia.com/stories, you can find the film or visit majakmikkelsen.com. I'd love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to post a comment to this episode if you're watching on YouTube or Spotify.  Links Maja K Mikkelsen Website Patagonia “The Last Observers”

Episode Page The latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast is with the amazing interdisciplinary artist and environmental activist, Jenny Kendler. Many of you listening are probably familiar with Kendler's work thanks to her most recent solo project on Governors Island being reviewed and featured on the front page of The New York Times. The exhibition included nine sculptures that used materials from the ocean itself to raise awareness about endangered marine ecosystems. In the episode we talk about the piece “Other of Pearl”, which is made up of 12 oyster half shells where the oyster shell was grown around a bio-based figures of Greek and Roman antiquities. The exhibition is a perfect example of Kendler's work, which aims decenter the human to make space for the full biodiversity of Earth. Some of the other pieces we discuss include 'Birds Watching', which inverts the gaze of birdwatching using the eyes of endangered and/or threatened birds due to climate change, and 'Music for Elephants', which uses a player piano with ivory keys playing music created from data on elephant poaching that is driven by the ivory trade. As a podcast that aims to examine the relationship humans have with nature and the more-than-human world, her work is an incredible example of how art can ask big questions about that relationship. While the conversation focuses on her artistic work - which has been shown around the world at London's Hayward Gallery, Storm King Art Center, the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History, the MCA Chicago and public locations as diverse as urban riverwalks, remote deserts and tropical forests - we also talk about her own relationship with nature and the more-than-human world. The topic being particularly relevant as she was just named an Artistic Fellow for the Center for Humans and Nature after spending 10 years as the artist-in-residence with the environmental non-profit NRDC, the Natural Resources Defense Council. She also sits on boards for 350.org and artist residency ACRE, and is a co-founder of Artists Commit, an artist-led effort to raise climate-consciousness in the art world. We talk a lot about specific pieces in this episode, so make sure to visit the podcast episode page at ecosystemmember.com/podcast, or watch the episode on Spotify or YouTube to see the work we're discussing. Thanks to Jenny for taking time to chat openly about her work and background, and thanks to you for listening. If you enjoy this episode, please make sure to subscribe on your preferred podcast platform and if you are so inclined leave us a five star review. These are signals to the platform that the podcast has value and increases its visibility to potential listeners. Links Jenny Kendler's Website Jenny Kendler's Instagram Jenny Kendler in The New York Times Thomas Nagel / What is it like to be a bat? Billion Oyster Project Dr Ayana Elizabeth Johnson's Climate Action Venn

Hey folks, welcome to the latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast. We've got a really great episode for you today with musician, writer and nature campaigner, Sam Lee. If you aren't familiar with Sam, he is a Mercury Prize-nominated folk musician who has broken through to the mainstream. His latest album ‘songdreaming' earned a five-star review from The Guardian and was named Mojo's Album of the Month. When I set out to explore the relationships humans have with nature and the more-than-human world, I wasn't sure what I'd find. Many of these relationships are based on taking resources or inspiration from nature, but Sam's relationship with the nightingale is one of collaboration - across several mediums. In addition to collaborating with the nightingale on songs like ‘Bushes & Briars & Birds', which is part of the EarthPercent and Sounds Right initiative to credit and financially recognize through royalties the more-than-human world as a musical contributor, Sam runs immersive events every spring called ‘Singing With Nightingales', where seekers can join Sam and a guest musician to delve into the forest at night and sing with the nightingales. It sounds like a truly magical experience that we discuss in more depth in the podcast. Sam also wrote the book ‘The Nightingale: Notes on a Songbird' that was called the nature book of the year when it was released in 2021 and has collaborated with organizations like Emergence Magazine, Huck and On the Edge to create films around his connection with the nightingale. What's worrying is that the UK is on track to lose the nightingale entirely within the next 40 years. Future generations may not even have the chance to connect and collaborate with the nightingale, making it all the more important that we connect people with it now so we can understand what we might be losing. Make sure to visit Sam's website at samleesong.co.uk and follow him on Instagram at samleesong. He's got some amazing events coming up. Tickets are on sale today - November 27 - at for Signing with the Nightingales 2025, and he'll be performing in the coming months at venues including Edinburgh Castle and Royal Albert Hall. Huge thanks to Sam for taking time to chat. I got a bit rambly in my questions as I am a big fan of Sam's music and was just a little nervous to say the least, but I really hope you enjoy the outcome. And if you are intrigued by the idea of Earthpercent and Sounds Right, make sure to stay tuned as we'll have more artists on who have participated in this effort. You can find about more about EarthPercent at earthpercent.org and on Instagram at @earthpercent. It is really the music industry's climate foundation was was founded by the legendary musician and creative catalyst Brian Eno. And what's really cool is that anyone in music - not just the musician, so think promoters and venue artists - can work with EarthPercent to include Earth as a stakeholder in their activities. All of the money raised is distributed to fund climate solutions by an Expert Advisory panel of leading climate scientists, researchers and advisors. Links Sam Lee Website Signing with Nightingales Website Sam Lee on Instagram Sam Lee on Spotify Sam Lee X On the Edge X Huck Sam Lee X Emergence Magazine

Hey folks, welcome to the latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast. We're now into our second episode of season two exploring our relationship with nature and the more-than-human world through the medium of the arts. Our guests for this episode is the Norweigan-Finnish duo behind the project ‘Eyes as Big as Plates'. If you haven't seen their work before, Karoline and Riitta collaborate with a person - they started out focusing on elders but now engage people who have something to say about the climate crisis or are engaged in it in some way - and really a place to create an image. The human is fitted with a wearable sculpture featuring organic materials such as sticks or shells or fungi that match the setting so that the composition integrates the person into a place they have a connection to. They've created more than 150 of these images - and released two books of the images - since the project started in 2011. In the episode, we talk about how the project was initially influenced by Nordic folklore, working with serendipity as a project manager, how the word ‘nature' in and of itself can create artificial separations and a new school program the duo is working on with students in Eastern Finland to create their own Eyes as Big as Plates-style images and display them alongside the duo's work. I am a really big fan of Karoline and Riitta's work and their curiosity about people and the more-than-human world really radiates in our conversation. They consider the project an Adventure Club now combining landscape work, sculpture, photography, storytelling and anthropology as well. It was a real treat to get to chat with them and I hope you enjoy the episode. On the Eyes as Big as Plates website you can see more of their work and - most importantly - buy your own copy of their book ‘Eyes as Big as Plates 2', with the proceeds going to create book number three, which will feature works created with mycologists, biologists, soil scientists and operate singers. As you'll hear in the episode, seeing the final images is great, but getting to read the story along with each piece adds new layers and depth to the image. Links Eyes as Big as Plates Website Buy Book 2 from EyesAsBigAsPlates.com Behind the Scenes of Eyes as Big as Plates Details for Work Shown:Eyes as Big as Plates # Giuliana (Colorado 2024) Giuliana is the founder of the Fungi Foundation (Chile), a Harvard University associate, National Geographic Explorer, Dame of the Order of the Star of Italy, deputy chair of the IUCN Fungal Conservation Committee and an essayist for upcoming Eyes as Big as Plates exhibitions and book. Giuliana's portrait is part of a new commission for the ‘Anthropogenic Soils' project with University of Oslo, created during the Telluride Mushroom Festival Festival, with support from the Finnish Cultural Foundation artist grant as well as the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York. 120 x 100 cm, digital C-type.

Lucia Pietroiusti is the Head of Ecologies at the Serpentine in London and the first guest of Season Two of the Ecosystem Member podcast. If you aren't familiar with the Serpentine, it is a contemporary art gallery in Kensington Gardens. And better yet, admission to the galleries is free for all visitors making it incredibly accessible. Lucia is one of the driving forces behind the Serpentine's work as a curator, programmer and organizational strategist. As the Head of Ecologies, she works at the intersection of art, ecology and systems. Her role is to embed environmental responsibility throughout the Serpentine's infrastructure, operations, networks and programming. She also happened to create this role out of the General Ecology project we discuss in the episode that she started in 2018. However, her influence stretches beyond the bounds of Kensington Gardens. She was the curator for the Golden Lion-winning opera performance ‘Sun & Sea' at the Lithuanian Pavilion at the 58th Venice Biennale and the ‘Songs for the Changing Seasons' exhibition at Vienna's first Climate Biennale earlier this year. After you listen to the episode, make sure to check out her website that is linked in the show notes because this is just the tip of the iceberg of her work. If you aren't subscribed to our Substack, you can also visit ecosystemmember.com to check out a post with photos and videos of many of the projects we talk about in the episode. We're going to try to do a bit more with the Substack this Season to help you learn more about our guests and amazing art around the world, so make sure to subscribe. Huge thanks for everyone who is tuning in and if you enjoy this episode, please make sure to leave us a five-star review of Spotify, Apple Podcasts or give this episode a thumbs up on YouTube. Those a key signals to the platforms that this content is interesting and valuable and helps it become more discoverable to other potential listeners. And it helps us keep attracting great guests like Lucia. Links Lucia Pietroiusti Website Lucia Pietroiusti on Instagram ‘Sun & Sea' ‘Songs for the Changing Seasons' Infinite Ecologies Marathon at Serpentine General Ecology at Serpentine

Asking Big Questions About Our Relationship with Nature through Art Just like in nature, everything has a season. We're getting ready for Season Two of Ecosystem Member and we're hoping to figure out how to tell a better story as we explore the relationship between humans and the more than human world through the lens of artistic work.

This is our last episode of season one and I don't think we could end on a better episode. Our guest is Jeff Perry, founder of ⁠Angel City Lumber⁠, a really unique place-based lumberyard in Los Angeles that sources only from fallen trees, trees removed in construction and trees removed due to things like disease in Los Angeles County. And the thoughtfulness in Jeff's approach to lumber is only part of Jeff's thoughtfulness as a person. In this episode, we discuss what it means to not think about our role as humans as stewards or saviors but just one of the gang. We also talk about how industrialized lumber has created separation between us and the trees that for so many of us are fixtures in our lives. And in this way, Angel City Lumber's approach is helping maintain those connections using technology like QR codes to reconnect a piece of flooring or a board with the tree it came from, and where that tree itself is from. But this conversation stretches far beyond lumber. Jeff shares his perspective about how - as one of the gang - we need to do more listening and less pontificating, adjusting for our human impulse to fix. His connection with trees goes deeper than lumber, taking time to listen and connect with trees often. This one is a little bit longer but well worth your time. Angel City Lumber - https://www.angelcitylumber.com Would Works - https://www.wouldworks.com

Our guest for this episode is glaciologist Dr. Heïdi Sevestre. You might recognize that name if you tuned in to the National Geographic series 'Arctic Ascent' featuring climber Alex Honnold. Heïdi was the scientist on that expedition and worked with the team to conduct 18 difference experiments, many of which were featured in the show. And that appearance is key part of her approach to science. In addition to being fellow of The Explorers Club and worked at AMAP, the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme, Heidi is a passionate science communicator. In addition to appearing on podcasts like this one, she has featured in documentaries for the BBC, CBC, ITV, France 2 and several other platforms. In this episode, we talk about what a glaciologist actually does other that expeditions with world-famous climbers, we explore the connection between melting glaciers and ice sheets and climate change and sea level rise and her Climate Sentinels project, which was an all-female, carbon neutral expedition to Svalbard to conduct crucial research. 2025 is the International Year for Glacier Preservation and I think you'll walk away from this episode with a better understanding of the importance of glaciers and ice in our ecosystems around the globe. Huge thanks to Heidi for joining us and make sure to check out the links in the show notes to follow her latest expeditions and communication efforts. Links Dr. Heïdi Sevestre Website Dr. Heïdi Sevestre Instagram Dr. Heïdi Sevestre YouTube Arctic Ascent on Disney+ Climate Sentinels

"Leopold's land ethic is not a fact but a task." - Wallace Stegner, "Living On Our Principal", Wilderness/Spring 1985 I'm not a gambling man, but I'd be willing to place a pretty large bet that the overlap in the Venn diagram of Ecosystem Member listeners and Aldo Leopold readers is sizable. However, Meta is still insisting on making AI chatbots of modern celebrities instead of legends of environmental philosophy, so I am still unable to have Aldo himself as a guest on the podcast.  So, I got the next best thing.  Our guest for this episode of the podcast is Buddy Huffaker, executive director of the Aldo Leopold Foundation. Using Aldo's writing and specifically his idea of a land ethic, the Foundation helps promote responsible land stewardship and make sure that Leopold's work is still as relevant today as when ‘A Sand County Almanac' was published 75 years ago.  In this episode, we start at the foundations with Buddy. We talk about what the land ethic is and why it is still so relevant today, Aldo's journey to the stories in ‘A Sand County Almanac' and the transformational moment in one of Aldo's other seminal essays ‘Thinking Like a Mountain'. We also talk about how the Foundation partners with people like Robin Wall Kimmerer to extend the conversation beyond just Aldo's ideas to share a larger land ethic story in the context of today's world.  Make sure to visit the Foundation's website at aldoleopold.org and follow its social media accounts. Many of the events the Foundation holds are streamed online, so even if you can't make it to The Shack in Wisconsin, you can gather with others all over the world to examine Aldo's ideas.  Buy 'A Sand County Almanac' on the Ecosystem Member shop at Bookshop.org.

This week's guest is Jose Gonzalez, who is the founder of Latino Outdoors, co-founder of The Outdoorist Oath and the inaugural Equity Officer for the East Bay Regional Park District in California.  Jose is an accomplished professional educator focused on Equity and Inclusion whose work brings together frameworks and practices in the environmental, outdoor and conservation fields. He uses a range of sources and mediums including illustration and memes to share his ideas and the science with others.  If there is one theme for this episode, it's about how we can challenge our existing mental models to rethink our relationship with nature.  For some of us that might mean exploring other cultural worldviews where nature might exist as a familial relationship, rather than one of just resource and recreation.  For others it might be simply considering the privilege of access and participation in spaces where our cultural makeup is the dominant one.  And for all of us, it is a chance to embrace the example of biodiversity in nature and the more-than-human world as an example of the diversity in the outdoor community we want to create.  Thanks so much to Jose for taking time to chat. His wisdom and humor is really appreciated in what can often be a tough and thorny subject area. Make sure to follow Jose on Instagram - link in our show notes - to get all of your new favorite nature-inspired puns and memes. Be on the look out for mentions of thriving meadows and a Thursday favorite - Olmos Friday.  Links Jose Gonzalez on Instagram Jose Gonzalez Website Latino Outdoors The Outdoorist Oath 'Healing Severed Connections' by Jose on Medium 'Decolonize, Ecologize, Indigenize, Joyify' by Jose on Medium

Hey folks, we are back with another new episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast. Our guest for this episode has a new book coming out October 22 published by Patagonia titled “Into the Thaw: Witnessing Wonder Amid the Arctic Climate Crisis.” The author is Jon Waterman, who in 1983 started working as a ranger in the Arctic and visited the region dozens of times over a 39 year period. After a 2021 trip with his son that Waterman wrote about for The New York Times, he decided to take a final extended 500 mile expedition by foot and packraft to the region to document the environmental and cultural changes of the climate crisis. In addition to his latest book, Waterman has written several books and for publications such as Outside and Men's Journaland has received frequent grants from National Geographic. His writing has earned him several awards including a Literary Fellowship from the National Endowment of the Arts, three Best Adventure Book nods from the Banff Book Festival, a National Park Services Special Achievement Award and the Sigurd Olson Nature Writing Award. This episode focuses in on ‘Into the Thaw' and what Jon witnessed over the course of his nearly four decades worth of travel in the Arctic. We talk about how he came to be interested in the Arctic, the changes he saw in the Arctic due to climate change from his first trip in 1983 to his final trip in 2022, and his relationship with the Inupiat people. There aren't too many writers and adventurers out there like Jon these days, so it was a real treat to get to speak with him about ‘Into the Thaw'. Make sure to grab your copy on October 22 or you can pre-order it through the link in our show notes, which leads to a little virtual bookshop we set up of some of our favorite reads on Bookshop.org. If you prefer to go straight there, the URL is bookshop.org/shop/ecosystemmember. Without further delay, here is the latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast with Jon Waterman, author of the new book “Into the Thaw: Witnessing Wonder Amid the Arctic Climate Crisis.” Links Preorder “Into the Thaw”  Jon Waterman's Website Jon Waterman's Instagram Jon Waterman's piece in The New York Times from his 2021 Arctic Trip with His Son

Hey folks, I am excited to share the latest episode of Ecosystem Member podcast.  I am sure some of you have been listening since episode one with the legendary Patagonia director of philosophy Vincent Stanley. This week's guest is an equally epic member of the Patagonia ecosystem - Beth Thoren, director of environmental action for EMEA.  Beth has a track record of epic environmental roles, including as the chairperson of Sea Ranger Service - a social enterprise that trains unemployed youth to patrol marine protected areas and conduct research - the Deputy Chief Executive of ClientEarth, which uses the power of the law to protect life on Earth, and as Director of Fundraising and Communications at a non-profit near to my hear - the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds.  I was really excited to get this opportunity to chat with Beth about her unique role inside the business, especially since Yvon Chouinard - Patagonia's founder - declared two years ago now that ‘Earth is now our only shareholder.' Practically that means that 100% of Patagonia's profits go to nature, but what does that mean inside the business, especially in the realm of environmental action and activism?  I know I say in the intro that each new episode is my favorite and I don't think that's a total lie. I really do appreciate the time of each and every guest and most importantly I think I learn something from each and every guest. I hope you do to.  Here is the latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast with Beth Thoren, Director of Environmental Action at Patagonia.  Links Patagonia's 'Blue Heart' Documentary Fortune: "Don't believe the podium talk at Davos–but capitalism is really starting to change" by Beth Thoren Patagonia's 'Vjosa Forever' Film Business Green: 'How Patagonia helped save Europe's last wild river - and navigated a path for others to follow'

Hello folks, welcome to the latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast, which might also be my new favorite episode.  Our guest is Obi Kaufmann, a writer, a poet, an artist, a backpacker, ecological philosopher and student of all things California ecology. Many of you listening are probably familiar with Obi through his incredible Field Atlas series of California, combining his beautiful watercolors of the more than human world of California alongside equally beautiful data-driven words. In addition to the Field Atlases, Obi has written two thinner works - The State of Water and the newly released The State of Fire, which you should definitely check out if you haven't yet.  In this conversation we explore what is natural and what is nature, the influence of E.O. Wilson's book ‘Consilience' on Obi's work in bridging different disciplines and of course, his Field Atlas series and new book The State of Fire.  Many guests I've had on are guests that I have learned something from and I want to share that with you the listener. And we learn a lot from Obi in this episode for sure. What I think is unique about this episode and selfishly why I asked Obi to be a guest is that we explored new ground, in the moment.  My take away from that exploration is a new understanding of how we think about nature. We've discussed before how we are as much a part of nature as white crowned sparrows and Point Reyes National Seashore. However, we still often get hung up on identities like environmentalist and we misuse words like preservation and conservation because we still haven't fully adopted this idea that we are nature. We donate and volunteer to protect these beautiful places and beautiful species for us, but when we truly bring on board an idea of conservation that includes us rather than being for us, we can shift our orientation because as Obi puts it - there is no daylight between the health of your ecosystem and your own health. It's not just physical or aesthetic, it is spiritual, it is mental. And I think once we figure this out, we can truly inhabit our membership in the ecosystems.  Links Check Out Obi's Website Follow Obi on Instagram Buy 'The State of Fire' Buy 'The State of Water' Buy 'The California Field Atlas' Buy 'The Forests of California' Buy 'The Deserts of California' Buy 'The Coasts of California'

The latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast is marine scientist turned environmental artist Ethan Estess. I am sure many of you have seen Ethan's art before at the Outerknown store in Marin, at the U.S. Open of Surfing, the Instagram of musician Jack Johnson or maybe it was the Getty Museum in Los Angeles. Wherever you saw it, I am sure it stuck with you. Ethan uses reclaimed materials like fishing nets and golf balls collected from coastal areas to make amazing art with a meaningful story to tell. His often immersive installations and super clean wave-inspired wall pieces are created to tell a story, in addition to beeing aesthetically pleasing. In this episode, we talk about the responsibility Ethan feels being part of planet Earth and how art can be a disarming element to an often tense conversation. As is clear in the episode, Ethan is a really genuine dude who loves our oceans and wants to share that love with the world. I think you'll really enjoy our chat. A little bit of a bummer is that this episode - despite its epicness - is audio only. I actually recorded it before our previous video episode with Bodhi Patil and I made some mistakes in the setup to get optimal video, but we should be back with another full video episode shortly. Links Ethan's Website Ethan's Instagram Ethan and his piece ‘Fore the Waves' on CNBC Ethan chatting with Fellow Surfer and Scientist Cliff Kapono To check out more Ecosystem Member podcast episodes or our newsletter, please visit ecosystemmember.com. And if you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a five star review of your favorite podcast platform, it really helps boost the visibility of our podcast.

After an international move, the Ecosystem Member podcast is back and I am stoked to bring you a better than ever version. For as many episodes as possible from now on, we're going to bring you both an audio and video version of the podcast. And the podcast is now coming to you via Substack, where I'll also be writing the occasional newsletter. So make sure to not only subscribe via your favorite podcast platform, but email as well at ecosystemember.com or through the Substack app. Our guest for our inaugural video episode is ocean climate solutionist, Bodhi Patil. The vast majority of you probably already know who Bodhi is, but for those of you who don't, Bodhi is a a UN-recognized and award-winning Gen Z ocean climate solutionist dedicated to enhancing the interconnection between Ocean Health and Human Health, which makes him a perfect guest for Ecosystem Member, where we explore the relationship between humans and nature or the more-than-human world. Bodhi works to increase ocean justice, policy, investment, and action with a global community of young ocean leaders as part of Ocean Uprise, which he founded. This work has earned him an audience with global leaders as a speaker at more than a dozen conferences. His ocean advocacy and consulting work has also helped to shape global marine policy, influence large planet-positive investment portfolios, and educate millions to protect the environment.In this episode, we cover a lot of amazing work Bodhi has done around ocean justice, combating climate anxiety and as he says, making money moves for the ocean. It was a total privilege to have Bodhi on the podcast and we thank him for his time. Make sure to look him up and follow him across social media, we have URLs for all of his profiles below.LinksBodhi Patil on Instagram Bodhi Patil on LinkedIn Bodhi Patil on YouTubeBodhi Patil's Website Bodhi Patil TEDx TalkOcean Uprise on Instagram This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.ecosystemmember.com

Hey folks, thanks for tuning in to the latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast. I've been really fortunate to have a lot of amazing conversations over these initial 16 episodes, episode 17 might be my new favorite.  Ersin Han Ersin is an artist and co-creative director of the art collective Marshmallow Laser Feast.  I first came across the collective's work through Caroline Till of FranklinTill when we were on a panel on about the intersection of creativity and nature in 2020. Since then, I've experienced their work firsthand at multiple exhibits in London.  In this conversation, we talk about Ersin's desire move from having just a relationship with the more than human world, to having a friendship and how trees can be a portal that connects us to a more ecological understanding of the world. We also discuss how technology like virtual reality and augmented reality can help us extend our empathy and embody a non-human experience. If you are in the UK, make sure to check out Marshmallow Laser Feast's new exhibit in Manchester opening in July called Sweet Dreams that explores our place in the food chain as humans. I've included a link to more information about this in the show notes, as well as links to many of the artworks Ersin mentions in the episode.  Lastly, we're taking a short break in recording new episodes. So make sure to follow us on Substack and YouTube, where we'll be sharing some new stuff in the interim. You can find links to both of those, as well as our Instagram account at our website - ecosystemmember.com. Links 'Sweet Dreams' - https://marshmallowlaserfeast.com/project/sweet-dreams/ 'In the Eyes of the Animal' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJMA0Nj_zsA 'We Live in an Ocean of Air' - https://vimeo.com/332218848 'Evolver' - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UWS4PXbKEOY Breathing with the Forest - https://vimeo.com/912279953 https://marshmallowlaserfeast.com/ https://ecosystemmember.com

We're back with a new episode with a really fascinating guest - Professor Marc Berman, who runs the Environmental Neuroscience Lab at the University of Chicago, which studies how the physical environment affects the brain and behavior.  You've probably heard Marc's name before as he has been one of the go-to experts over the last few years when it comes to understanding how time in nature can improve our cognitive capabilities. This was an interesting chat as Marc came to nature through education, through research with Dr. Steve Kaplan, who specialized in environmental psychology, while he was a student at the University of Michigan.  In the episode, we talk about some of the psychological and cognitive benefits of interacting with nature, the difference between voluntary and involuntary attention, the type of natural experiences that are beneficial (spoiler - they can be as simple as your local park) and how some of these benefits can be derived by simply looking at pictures of nature.   We also talk about an amazing app that Marc has been working on. If you are a software developer or in the tech world, make sure to listen to the end.  Links Dr. Marc Berman in The Guardian - https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2023/nov/27/the-nature-cure-how-time-outdoors-transforms-our-memory-imagination-and-logic Dr. Marc Berman on CNBC - https://www.cnbc.com/2023/01/13/nature-activities-for-20-minutes-a-day-can-boost-mood-and-productivity.html Dr. Marc Berman in APA - https://www.apa.org/monitor/2020/04/nurtured-nature

Today's guest is a special one. For Earth Day, we couldn't think of a better guest than Hila the Earth, an eco-rapper who embodies Mother Earth when she performs. On this episode, we talk about why she dons Mother Earth for performances, her transition from Hila the Killa to Hila the Earth, the process of creating one of her songs, and creating a new vision for how we support community and care for each other. One of the reoccurring themes in the episode is collaboration. From Hila's dream to collaborate with Robin Wall Kimmerer to writing songs with scientists, Hila the Earth is an amazing example of how unique collaborations can bring mainstream attention to often complex issues facing the future of humans and the living beings we share Planet Earth with. Make sure to check out Hila on Instagram and follow her on your favorite music streaming platform. Finally, I want to give a shout out to the Patagonia Action Works platform. It is a platform created by Patagonia with Catchafire to help skilled people like you connect with environmental non-profits that could use your skills. So if you're a designer, a lawyer, an accountant, a business strategist, a copywriter - literally almost any skill that you apply in your day job, you can use it to help a non-profit doing amazing work. I've completed more than 15 projects over the past few years and they are as rewarding for me as I hope they are for the non-profit. So if you do one thing in recognition with Earth Day, visit the Action Works website and search for a project using your skills. In honor of Hila and my own appreciation of Robin Wall Kimmerer, I'll share this quote from ‘Braiding Sweetgrass' before we get to the episode: “We can starve together or feast together. All flourishing is mutual.” Links Hila the Earth on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hilatheearth/ Hila the Earth on Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/artist/77NNum4ZBx4kmUF9eanJpS Hila the Earth on Apple Podcasts - https://music.apple.com/gb/artist/hila-the-earth/1682028368 Patagonia Action Works - https://www.patagonia.com/actionworks/home/choose-location/

Today's guest is David Stover, the co-founder of a company called Bureo that I've been tracking for quite a while now. I first came across Bureo through Patagonia, which was an early backer and customer for its products. Now Bureo has brand partners across the apparel and outdoor space from YETI and REI to Rivian and Outerknown. And if you've listened to our episode with Outerknown co-founder John Moore, Outerknown goes the extra mile to partner with only responsible suppliers. As you'll hear David explain, Bureo is tackling the problem of discarded fishing nets in our oceans by working with local communities and governments to set up collection points and create end of life solutions to turn those discarded fishing nets into a recycled material suitable for everything from hat brims and skateboards to gear like rain jackets and Patagonia's iconic Baggies shorts. We start at the start, hearing about how David connected with the ocean as a child on Block Island and how maintaining that connection with the ocean helps him think clearly and operate efficiently as an entrepreneur. Despite some scary stats about the levels of virgin plastic production, I think you'll come away hopeful that there are people and companies taking steps to challenge some of the biggest problems our world is facing today. Links Bureo website - https://bureo.co/ Bureo on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/bureo/ Bureo film from Patagonia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4LHMZmtpZdg

Our guest for this episode is Anthony Owosekun, founder of EMPOCA, the only organization in Europe that connects Black kids and teens with nature.  On the episode we talk about how Anthony's experience in the Boy Scouts in Northern Germany influenced his connection with nature and drove him to start EMPOCA, how creating safe spaces to help children connect with nature can help cultivate key life skills like self-reliance, confidence and leadership qualities, and how forming that positive connection with nature can help ensure that they'll want to act to protect it into the future.  The work EMPOCA is doing is really important to make sure outdoor spaces feel welcoming for everyone. As we discussed with Keme Nzerem, co-founder of Opening Up the Outdoors, a few episodes ago this isn't about exclusion, it's about making sure all people feel safe in outdoor spaces, especially those people who have historically felt unwelcome.  Huge thanks to Anthony for engaging in such an open and honest conversation. Especially since he was generous enough to conduct the interview in English rather than his native tongue, German, of which I haven't not studied since I graduated from high school far too many years ago. We did experience a few small audio issues, so please bear with us as this conversation is an important one and EMPOCA is an organization worthy of your support. Make sure to visit their website at empoca.org and yes there is a version in English for those of you like me who are not as skilled as our multi-lingual friends.  Links EMPOCA Website - https://www.empoca.org/  EMPOCA on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/e_m_p_o_c_a/

Our guest is Mikkel-Lau Mikkelsen, head of the foraging program at MAD, a non-profit founded by Chef Rene Redzepi of Restaurant Noma to inspire and empower the global hospitality industry to create sustainable change and transform food systems for the future. Foraging is something I am super interested in, but have always been a little hesitant to engage in directly. This conversation answered all of my concerns. In the episode, Mikkel-Lau outlines his background growing up in Copenhagen and finding a connection with nature through more of a kitchen out approach. We discuss how our industrialized food system creates what he calls interfaces that keep us separate from our food, and that foraging can enable a direct connection that can influence how we think about the food we consume, wherever it comes from. We also talk about the method of foraging and the app that MAD developed that combines both the deep knowledge of some of the best foragers in Denmark with some of the best chefs in Copenhagen to give you a one stop shop for getting started on your foraging journey. Huge, huge thanks to Mikkel-Lau for taking time to chat. I think his work and the work of MAD more generally is incredibly important and I am glad he was able to take some time away to share his connection with nature through foraging with us. Make sure to check out the links below for where to download the app, follow Mikel-Lau and his foraging activities on social media and also where to subscribe to MAD's epic email newsletter. Links VILD MAD - https://vildmad.dk/dk VILD MAD App - https://apps.apple.com/dk/app/vild-mad/id1230602644?l=da VILD MAD on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/vildmaddk/ MAD Newsletter - https://madfeed.co/ Rene Redzepi on the Launch of VILD MAD - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s1xTPi8KA9A

This episode takes us to the Cornish coast, hence the change of intro sounds for this episode and the inclusion of some wails from a hungry grey seal pup. Grey seals are globally rare and the UK is lucky to have a third of the global population. They are particularly near and dear to my heart after I did a project with the fantastic Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust a few years ago and our efforts got some great public support from a Cornwall-based brand called Finisterre. Make sure to check out the organization through the link in our show notes. Our human guest for this episode is the great Hugo Tagholm. Hugo is a massively influential voice and leader in ocean activism in the UK and was my way in to understanding the issues facing the oceans and waterways of my new home in England after moving here a few years ago. He led Surfers Against Sewage into becoming a full fledged charity and one of the most respected and trusted voices when it comes to water issues in the UK. After an incredible run at SAS, Hugo became the Executive Director for the UK at Oceana. In this episode, we talk about the ocean as a great leveler, working with nature rather than against it, how we can spur a just transition to transform our economy and culture for a more environmentally friendly future, and even a little bit of what Hugo talked about with His Majesty the King, King Charles, when he was the Prince of Wales and became a patron of Surfers Against Sewage. At the time of this recording, the King's cancer diagnosis was not known and so myself and I am sure Hugo wish him a full and lasting recovery. King Charles has been and continues to be a powerful voice in the UK and globally on environmental issues. Many thanks to Hugo for taking time to chat. Make sure to check out the links for a link to Oceana's latest campaign video in support of banning bottom trawling in our Marine Protected Areas. Links Hugo Tagholm on LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/hugo-tagholm-2a544235/ Hugo Tagholm on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/hugotagholm/ Oceana UK Bottom Trawling Campaign Video - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7166784418081140736/ Oceana UK Website - https://uk.oceana.org/ Finisterre article on the Grey Seals and Cornwall Seal Group Research Trust - https://finisterre.com/blogs/broadcast/cornwall-seal-group-research-trust Thanks to 'schaarsen' for the Grey Seal pup audio. https://freesound.org/people/schaarsen/sounds/662556/

Today's guest is Renee Patrick, a thru hiker, long distance trail consultant, and an environmentalist. Renee is awesome for two specific reasons. One, she's hiked some incredible long distance treks including the Triple Crown in the US, that's the Appalachian Trail, Pacific Crest Trail, and the Continental Divide Trail. And two, she actually designs trails. Yes, Renee designs trails and how people experience them. I am sure many of you are sort of like me and just assume trails appear as people walk repeatedly along the same path, and then some very nice folks come along and help maintain them and somebody maps them. Or maybe at the very least you just didn't really know exactly how your favorite trails got there, but Renee is one of those people who actually helps bring them to life in an intentional way. Make sure to check out the episode and then check out Renee on Instagram @wearehikertrash (https://www.instagram.com/wearehikertrash/) to follow her amazing adventures and to see her latest projects. She also hosts a forum called Intentional Hiking (https://www.intentionalhiking.com/) that we talk about in the episode that is well worth your time to check out. As a reminder, if you like this or any of our Ecosystem Member episodes, please share them. As you've probably noticed, we don't have ads on the podcast and this project is entirely self funded so by sharing this episode, you effectively become the advertising that we don't really have the budget for. It is really, really appreciated. And I get a smile every single time I see someone share an episode. Links Renee on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wearehikertrash/ Intentional Hiking https://www.intentionalhiking.com/ Ecosystem Member on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/ecosystemmember iNaturalist https://www.inaturalist.org/

This episode's guest is the incredible Keme Nzerem, a journalist, presenter and all around awesome guy here in the UK who I came across when he emceed a Patagonia Oceans event in 2023. His energy is infectious and his wisdom plentiful, so I was really excited when he agreed to record an episode. Not only is Keme an award-winning journalist, he also is the co-founder of a really important organization called Opening up the Outdoors, which is a not-for-profit initiative that focuses on the continued inclusion, education, and enjoyment of outdoor spaces by people of the global majority. In this episode, we talk about Keme's work as a journalist, with Opening Up the Outdoors and as a father helping instill a positive relationship with the outdoors and nature in his children. We also find out that Keme actually learned to ski in South East London, and for those listeners who like me have lived in South East London, you might be scratching your head as to what stop on the tubes the slopes are, so make sure to keep listening for the full story. As a reminder, if this episode connects with you, please share it. And if you're really enjoying the podcast, please leave us a rating or review on your favorite podcast platform. This helps people find the show, and it helps me great the most interesting guests possible by boosting the credibility of the show. On to the latest episode of the ecosystem member podcast with Keme Nzerem. Follow Ecosystem Member on Instagram - @ecosystem member Keep up with Keme's adventures on Instagram - @nzerem Check out Opening Up the Outdoors at https://openinguptheoutdoors.com Audio Credits White Crown Sparrow (Creative Commons 0) - Zott820 on Freesound.org Merced River in Yosemite Valley (Creative Commons 0) - cbmontes on Freesound.org Great Horned Owl (Creative Commons 0) - Sclolex on Freesound.org

Hello folks, thanks for tuning in to the latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast. You may have noticed that the run time is a little longer than normal, and that's because I simply couldn't cut a minute of the amazing chat with today's guest, Melanie Challenger. I found Melanie through her book "How to Be Animal" and then read her other incredible book, "On Extinction". In addition to being an amazing writer, Melanie edited a new book called "Animal Dignity", and is the Vice President of the RSPCA, UK. Links Melanie Challenger - https://www.melaniechallenger.com 'How to Be Animal' - https://bookshop.org/a/96865/9780143134350 'On Extinction' - https://bookshop.org/a/96865/9781640094635 'Animal Dignity' - https://bookshop.org/a/96865/9781350331679 Melanie on The Ezra Klein Show - https://youtu.be/M3Wxyec3FjY?si=bkRIfc8ravPk54g_

Today on the Ecosystem Member podcast, we have Guy Singh Watson, the founder of Riverford Organic Farmers. For our non-UK listeners who maybe haven't heard of Guy, he's a bit of a business and farming legend in the UK. After growing up on his family's dairy farm and then becoming a management consultant, Guy returned to the farm and created Riverford Organic Farmers, which in two stages, he actually completely sold to employees - probably for less than he could have gotten from outside buyers - so the company could stay true to its values. I've been a subscriber to Riverford's veg boxes since I got to England a few years ago. Riverford is in no way paying for or sponsoring this episode, Guy just created a company with full respect for nature and I really admire his leadership on key issues related to healthy food production for people and planet. Links Riverford Organic Farmers - https://www.riverford.co.uk The Guardian on Guy's Sale of Riverford - https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/may/19/veg-box-riverford-staff-owned-founder-sells-stake-guy-singh-watson Guy on Industrial Agriculture - https://youtu.be/96_CyHSNLXo?si=C5Z4b1WSJWUhHfmA

Our guest for this episode is Majell Backhausen, an Australian ultra runner and all around super interesting human. As you'll hear in the episode, I came across Majell through Patagonia's four part film series of his run across the proposed Great Forest National Park outside of Melbourne, Australia. That nearly 300 kilometer run took just under 50 hours to complete and was the story that helped illuminate the many reasons - from protecting endangered animals to securing a critical water supply for Melbourne - that it is important to protect this ecosystem. In the episode we talk about that run as well as running generally as a means to experience the world, the importance of bringing everyone together on our nature journey and how our lives can disconnect us from life. In addition to his Great Forest run, Majell has an envy inducing list of running adventures on his website alongside links to films he has been in and were made of his experiences. Make to follow him on Instagram at the handle @majellb. We've also thrown some links directly to his films in the show notes. Many thanks to Majell who joined us before taking off on another adventure to Nepal. Links Majell on Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/majellb/ Majell's Website - http://majellbackhausen.weebly.com Majell in Patagonia's ' End to End' Film Series - https://youtu.be/4mhOsOGWs6g?si=QTLM33y5G5r26uXM

I came across this episode's guest through her inclusion in the Grist 50 list of 50 climate leaders driving fresh solutions to our planet's biggest problems for 2023. Lylianna Allala is the first ever Climate Justice Director for the City of Seattle, Washington's Office of Sustainability and Environment. As you'll hear, her role is varied but founded on engaging a wide variety of communities including fellow policy makers around the world on issues of environmental and climate justice. Prior to this role, Lylianna worked for Washington congresswoman Pramila Jayapal leading on climate and environmental policy and outreach, and worked directly in ecology on projects including restoring the West Duwamish Greenbelt, Seattle's largest contiguous forest. Lylianna's diverse experience led to what I think is a really interesting conversation about her role for the City of Seattle, how her relationship with nature guides and informs her work in community engagement, and how slowing down might be the key to effectively fighting the climate crisis. There are a handful of recommended resources at the end of the episode that are linked in the show notes. I also included a link to a podcast project Lylianna helped lead that examined the question - What would it look like, within the next 50 years, for Seattle to become a place where both trees and humans grow old? It is a fascinating listen and hope you check it out after this episode. Links adrienne maree brown's "Emergent Strategy" - https://adriennemareebrown.net/book/emergent-strategy/ Dr. Robert Bullard - https://drrobertbullard.com Ross Gay - https://www.rossgay.net Growing Old podcast - https://growingoldproject.com

Our guest this week blew me away. I've talked with a lot of interesting folks who are doing amazing work on this podcast and my other podcast - You Can't Eat Money - but I don't think I've had someone on who is as thoughtful and genuine as our guest for this episode. John Moore, is the creative director and co-founder of environmentally responsible clothing brand Outerknown. If you haven't heard of John, you have probably heard of his co-founder Kelly Slater, widely considered to be the greatest surfer of all time. A decade or so ago - as John recounts in this episode - Kelly asked the earliest members of the Outerknown team if they had really thought about their clothes and where they come from. Despite many doubters - including one very high profile fashion industry executive - about the relevance of sustainability in clothing, Outerknown has been built on it since day one. As you'll find out in this episode, John is the perfect person to bring this to life. With 30 years of experience in the apparel industry - including being one of GQ's menswear designers of the year in 2014 - as well as other creative projects, John was open-minded and connected enough to the natural world to unlearn some of the fashion industry's worst tendencies. And a lot of that inspiration - as you'll hear - comes from his time growing up in the valleys of Southern California and spending time in the surf lineup near his home in Venice Beach. If you listen to this podcast and care about wild spaces and the natural world, you probably know about the worst of the fashion industry. If you want to get the dirty details, I highly recommend checking out 'Unraveled' by Maxine Bedat. But I only tell you that so you can understand just how important and impressive the work Outerknown is doing to track its entire supply chain and drive responsible innovation for people and planet as John puts it. Huge thanks to John for taking time to chat and really sharing his deep relationship with nature and how that informs his work at Outerknown. I hope you enjoy this episode. And if you do, please leave us a positive rating on your favorite podcast platform and share the episode with anyone you know who might be keen to have a more considered closet. Links John Moore and Kelly Slater Chat Sustainability - https://youtu.be/N8MCNfYOiZY?si=j0ZIk5z5d15suvU7 Outerknown Econyl Factory Visit - https://youtu.be/Xsxn8tQAonk?si=xVoRxV5eosTJk_aU Outerknown Website - https://www.outerknown.com 'Unraveled' by Maxine Bedat - https://bookshop.org/a/96865/9780593085974

The latest episode of the podcast is with a guest who inspired the core idea for the podcast. Dr. Easkey Britton is an Irish scientist, surfer and writer who specializes in blue health and our relationship with water. She is the author of two amazing books - Saltwater in the Blood and Ebb & Flow, the latter of which was my introduction to Easkey and her work, and how I got to meet Easkey earlier this year at an event at the Finisterre - an amazing water-centric brand if you aren't familiar with it - store in London. In addition to her research on the connection between oceans and human health, Easkey is the co-founder of the Wavemaker Collective, a social impact leadership retreat and has worked on several projects to support women in surfing. And her big wave surfing exploits have been featured in many films including Waveriders. In the episode we focus on our relationship with water. From how the oceans leave a fingerprint on us to kinesthetic empathy and how we can shift from an egocentric point of view to an ecocentric one. We end with a couple of practices to help you create or deepen your relationship with water. Many thanks to Easkey for taking time to chat. She's a true hero of mine and if you haven't heard of her work before I am sure you'll leave this episode feeling the same way. Make sure to pick up a copy of Easkey's book Ebb & Flow, we've got a link to it in the book recommendations at ecosystemmember.com. Links Saltwater in the Blood - https://bookshop.org/a/96865/9781786785558 Ebb & Flow - https://bookshop.org/a/96865/9781786786463 Easkey's website - https://easkeybritton.com Easkey's Instagram - https://instagram.com/easkeysurf?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

Our guest on the latest episode of the Ecosystem Member podcast is Eva Karlsson, CEO of Houdini. If you aren't familiar with Houdini, it is a Swedish sportswear company that is one of the most forward thinking and environmentally responsible companies on the planet. And a lot of that is down to Eva's progressive leadership. In this episode we talk about Eva's connection to nature, how Scandinavian culture influences Houdini, and the design principles it uses to build its products. We also talk about how Houdini is focused on creating a relational, rather than transactional, business with its customers. Huge thanks to Eva for being on the podcast and make sure to check out the company's latest initiative, Houdini Circle. Links Houdini - https://houdinisportswear.com/en-eu Houdini Circle - https://houdinisportswear.com/en-eu/journal/houdini-circle-rent-reuse-repair-buy-try-or-subscribe Eva's panel from Climate Week - https://youtu.be/c_5kNXWyYMA?si=LkD_RXFNigV7i3iC Robert Strand's "Sustainable Vikings" course - https://www.coursera.org/learn/sustainability-csr-scandinavia

Vincent Stanley is the Director of Philosophy at Patagonia having worked there since the very start of the company, holding various roles in sales and marketing, and over the last decade, operating as the Director of Philosophy. He's informally known as the chief storyteller of the iconic company. The occasion for our conversation is the publication of Vincent's latest book with Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard, "The Future of the Responsible Company", which is a must read. We start out discussing Vincent's connection with nature and then dig a bit deeper on some of the key topics in the book like the importance of community and having a sense of place, how we can connect industry leaders with nature, and changing the pace and language of business. Massive thanks to Stephanie and Gin from Vincent's team and Patagonia for making this happen. And to Vincent for not just taking the time to chat but being an incredible leader and example for the business world. Order 'The Future of the Responsible Company' - https://bookshop.org/a/96865/9781952338113 Patagonia's Chairman on Why Milton Friedman's Shareholder Focus is Wrong - https://www.thefreelibrary.com/Patagonia+Chairman+Explains+His+Company%27s+View+of+Capitalism%3A...-a0756931850 Aldo Leopold's Land Ethic - https://www.aldoleopold.org/about/the-land-ethic/ Follow Ecosystem Member on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/ecosystemmember/

A little bit about what to expect on the Ecosystem Member podcast. To get inspired check out our curated book selection on our Bookshop.org page at https://bookshop.org/shop/ecosystemmember