So many of the people who impact our lives undertake their work in relative obscurity. Hosted by Shefali Mehta of Open Rivers, this interview podcast sits down with experts in science, technology, agriculture, climate change and education to learn about their expertise, their rationale for undertaking this work, the personal story that propels them forward and how they provide clarity on our path to do better.
Building off a 3-episode series in Season 1, LaKisha Odom returns to Open Rivers Navigator to discuss diversity in science and agriculture. She explains how she sets boundaries, navigates the discomfort and how she finds joy in times of radical transformation.
John Reich shares how resilience is formed and built, the power of science as a tool for social change and how diverse perspectives guide us to better solutions on this episode of Open Rivers Navigator.
Joining us from a New England farm, Dorn Cox shares his vision for the future of agriculture and why open source data is the key to drive change. An expert in building connections, facilitating collaboration and sharing expertise, Dorn discusses how data not only supports farmers, but builds a system that supports us all.
Kellee James shares her journey from the early days of the carbon markets to the importance of data for effective agricultural markets. Combining economics, agriculture and a climate focus, we explore the power of data to improve how we feed ourselves. Highlighting the joys and challenges of startups, Kellee discusses how her passions fuel her objective to build a better world.
How can data, equity, technology and sustainability intersect? Rikin Gandhi explains how data drives real-world changes, how women hold the power to move the needle on agricultural data and how a “cold call email” started his journey into the world of agricultural data and technology.
Dr. Ankita Raturi shares her journey from coding and computer science to agricultural engineering. She explores what the role of technology can and should be in the field, the importance of finding balance and how she navigates the many demands of life as “an octopus on roller skates”.
With over 40 years of experience as a public school educator, Barbara Gomez shares lessons learned for supporting students, creating a culture of acceptance of all genders and identities, and how librarians work to overcome the digital divide. Read more about Barbara: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator-2/barbara
From economics to public health, Dr. Eva Lassemo shares how it is all connected. From rural Norway to Minnesota, she shares her journey through epidemiology, embracing new cultures and how her research supports both mental and physical health. Read more about Eva: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator-2/eva
Dr. Dom Olinares recaps his journey from the Philippines to analytical chemistry, his path to resilience, and why LGBTQIA+ acceptance and inclusion supports better science. Dom shares his experience working on COVID-19 research and the opportunities for open information sharing to facilitate scientific progress. Read more about Dom: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator-2/dom
Aria McLauchlan shares the intersection of advertising and marketing with sustainability, the importance of connecting with nature however we can and how soil health is the unsung hero in the fight against climate change. Read more about Aria: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator-2/aria
Meredith Ellis joins from her 3,000 acre Texas ranch to share her journey to sustainability ranching, developing a deep love for the land and why women make better ranchers. She breaks down the importance of finding balance on the ranch and why the business model works. Read more about Meredith: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator-2/meredith
What is climate strategy? What does sustainable business look like, and why do businesses approach sustainability the same way? Charlotte Bande explains the difference between sustainability strategy and business strategy, how she handles the emotional stress of climate change, and the power in doing simple things. Read more about Charlotte: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator-2/charlotte
Howard Vincent discusses the North American model of hunting, why sustainable hunting makes sense and the key role of policy in conservation. Howard also explains the importance of collaboration, mentorship and how he forms real connections. Read more about Howard: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator-2/howard
In the final episode of the series with Dr. LaKisha Odom, she dives into the harm of microaggressions and the impacts of institutional racism on everyday life. This episode re-caps the “why” for this series and serves to remind our audience that while you are not alone in these feelings of inadequacy, you are not inadequate. Read more about LaKisha: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator/lakisha
In the second episode of this three-part series, Dr. LaKisha Odom shares her personal experiences of being too much yet still not enough. She also discusses the consequences of gaslighting, the transformative side of discomfort and the ways you can take action in your own life. Read more about LaKisha: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator/lakisha
While it is understood climate change is damaging, the associated trauma and emotional stress are often overlooked. Laureline shares why she understands issues on a more emotional level, why relying on feelings is not always a weakness, and the power in realizing she knows nothing. Read more about Laureline: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator/laureline
From teacher, to psychologist, to photographer...Mamen didn't follow a linear path. Mamen discusses why she never felt lost, how she ended up spending 11 years in University and her perceptions of the white savior complex. See more of Mamen's work at: www.saura.com or view her travel diary: https://www.instagram.com/mamen_saura/. Read more about Mamen: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator/mamen-saura
In the first episode of this three-part series focused on diversity and barriers in agriculture, Dr. LaKisha Odom discusses how she developed a passion for agriculture, how she holds multiple realities and her experience in the white world of agriculture. Read more about LaKisha: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator/lakisha
From growing up in a greenhouse to teaching high school science, Christina discusses how people connect with nature and the beauty and power in being small. Learn more about Christina's pollinator gardens at: https://www.facebook.com/RebelGardeners/ and read more about Christina: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator/christina
Margaret discusses her journey from oil rigs to non-profits, learning the right skills for the job, what change really looks like and the behind-the-scenes work in conservation. Read about Margaret's upcoming book: https://islandpress.org/books/strategic-corporate-conservation-planning and read more about Margaret: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator/margaret
How does one become an ice scientist? What do they actually do? Chris explains his time with the National Ice Center and what it's like to view the world from the north and south poles. Learn more about the National Ice Center: https://www.natice.noaa.gov/ and read more about Chris: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator/chris
Dr. Ali Joglekar opens up about how the people around her influenced her path to economics, how small decisions can have big impacts, the importance of diversity for innovation and how STEM skills apply to her whole life. Read more about Ali: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator/ali
Dr. Raffaella Commitante shares her journey to evolutionary anthropology, her passion for orangutans, the intersection of colonialism and environmentalism, and why compassion matters. Read more about Raffaella: https://www.open-rivers.com/open-rivers-navigator/raffaela
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
