The Green Mind: Recent Episodes
Leander Lacy
The Green Mind explores the intersection of social and environmental advocacy. We take a journey to uncover the actions people are taking around the world to showcase the symbiotic, yet sometimes tumultuous, relationship between people and nature. Your host, Leander Lacy, is a trained environmental social scientist and is a consultant for environmental organizations that are trying to meet both social and ecological outcomes. He has worked on projects around the world exploring the relationship between people and nature. Now he wants to bring his love for this work to you! He will interview experts that are doing work now to build and sustain this critical connection between communities and the Earth.
Leander wraps up Season 3 and talks about the future of The Green Mind Podcast. Support his journey in bringing this podcast to listeners into the future.
Episode Highlights:
1:15: Date of Season 4
1:50: Helping The Green Mind
3:20: Dr. Paul Zeitz
4:45: Utilizing Funds for The Green Mind
5:25: Other ways to help
Links:
Support: https://www.thegreenmindpodcast.com/support
Professor Leander Lacy connects with Dr. Rickey Frierson to discuss the academic institutions that are producing the future leaders in natural resources. Dr. Frierson is the Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion at Colorado State University. They discuss navigating natural resources departments and integrating DEI for faculty and staff.
Episode Highlights:
4:35 - Recruiting diverse students/talent
17:12 - When you are not the DEI expert
23:57 - Dr. Frierson’s journey into natural resources
31:12 - Leander’s journey into natural resources
36:15 - Success for DEI in academics
40:10 - Dr. Frierson’s vision
Leander connects with an old friend, Veronica Oakler, from his undergrad program in Wildlife Ecology and Conservation at the University of Florida. Go Gators! They take a journey through their careers and tackle some very difficult conversations around environmental justice.
Episode Highlights:
3:56: Wildlife Conservation and Law in Florida
7:51: Love of Florida Black Bears
18:39: Clean Water for North Carolina
21:02: Environmental Justice
34:28: Getting Policies on the Agenda
40:24: Get Involved in North Carolina
Links:
https://cwfnc.org/
www.lacyconsultingservices.com
https://wec.ifas.ufl.edu/
Leander meets up with Blake Osborn to talk about a great program happening at Colorado State University attempting to get more voices into the water conservation world. Listen in as they tackle some difficult conversations.
Episode Highlights:
3:40 - Colorado State University Water Program
11:15 - Bringing diverse perspectives into water conservation
17:41 - Diversifying your Conference Attendees
19:48 - Water Rights in Colorado
28:19 - Benefits of the program
Links Mentioned:
www.lacyconsultingservices.com
https://watercenter.colostate.edu/studentfellows/
Leander meets Grace Anderson for the first time and they unpack the conservation field and the various impacts the system has on all people. Grace is very interested in social justice, conservation principles, and healing through nature. Follow this interesting conversation as they both take a tour around the social construct we call conservation.
Episode Highlights:
3:37 - Grace’s Conservation Career
09:37 - Identity Erasure in Conservation
15:21 - The Show Pose
19:25 - Finding Peace and Solitude in Nature
25:57 - Navigating the Conservation System
Links:www.lacyconsultingservices.com
Leander talks to local Commissioners Adam (Colorado Parks and Wildlife) and Nanjappa (Colorado Oil and Gas Conservation Commission) as they explore what it means to be a commissioner and the importance of every citizen to engage in the decision being made about their natural resources. They also have deep conversations about justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion means in the world of Commissioners.
Episode Highlights:
5:05: Commissioner Gordon from Batman
14:12: Oil and Gas vs Parks and Wildlife
24:53: Women and race identity in the Commissioner role
44:27: If you could do it all over
Leander catches up with another friend from his old graduate program: Conservation Leadership Masters Program at Colorado State University. Leander finds out what Dr. Adam Calo has been doing since his graduate school days and explores the future of sustainable agriculture and land ownership globally.
Episode Highlights:
6:33: Working outside of the United States
8:42: Transition from individual to community land ownership in Scotland
18:24: Is the current agricultural system flawed?
24:18: Racism and reparations in the agricultural system
34:14: The power of land ownership
37:49: Evolution of Dr. Adam Calo’s conservation journey
Links Mentioned:
Master of Conservation Leadership: https://warnercnr.colostate.edu/hdnr/conservation-leadership/
Lacy Consulting Services: www.lacyconsultingservices.com
Join Leander as he discusses the pathway to conservation with a Black conservationist named Diquan. Leander and Diquan share stories about navigating a conservation career and engaging with their own communities about the topic of conservation.
Episode Highlights:
3:33 - Finding your love for nature
9:43 - Introducing your family to Yellowstone
16:43 - Leander’s switch into conservation
23:34 - Working at The Triangle Land Conservancy
28:17 - Working with diverse communities
Links Mentioned:https://www.triangleland.org/
www.lacyconsultingservices.com
Join Leander as he discusses the North Carolina State University’s contribution to raising the next generation of conservationists through this conversation with Dean Myron Floyd of the College of Natural Resources. They discuss Dean Floyd’s background, state of research at his university today, and the future of conservation.
Episode Highlights:
9:31 - Being one of few in undergrad
15:39 - Transition to the Conservation Field
20:08 - Being the Dean of the College of Natural Resources
23:49 - Research at North Carolina State University
35:39 - Future Conservationists
Links Mentioned:
https://cnr.ncsu.edu/
Join Leander as he talks with his employees about the future of conservation’s organizational culture. Leander is creating the future of conservation and he invites you to the healing space that is possible in conservation.
Episode Highlights:
2:30 - Introducing Staff
20:14 - Discussing Mental Health
39:12 - Discussing Social Justice at Work
40:39 - Transparency in Salary
53:16 - Strength-Based Culture
Links Mentioned:
www.lacyconsultingservices.com
www.kiteanddartgroup.com
Leander meets the amazing storyteller Regina Lopez Whiteskunk from the mountain Ute tribe. They talk about the rollercoaster of identity empowerment and how being Ute plays a strong role in Regina's current life working with a conservancy land trust. Regina played a role in the governmental designation of Bears Ears and we discuss the rollercoaster of fighting for what you believe in.
Episode Highlights:
6:00 - Bears Ears Intertribal Coalition
12:45 - Asking for grace
17:25 - Taking back power
21:54 - Deb Holland
30:50 - Why the past matters now
36:35 - Preparing the next generation
Leander Lacy catches up with his old colleague and friend Cristina Lasch to talk about the powerful Conservation Coaches Network. They discuss the history of the network and the powerful benefit it has to conservation groups around the world. They also discuss how an infusion of JEDI principles would create a global impact for communities where conservation groups work.
Episode Highlights:
2:30 - What is CCNET?
9:33 - Why engage with the CCNET listserv?
12:39 - Evolution of the Conservation Coaches Network
18:29 - Incorporating JEDI into the Conservation Standards
29:00 - Future of CCNET
Links Mentioned:
https://conservationstandards.org/about/
https://www.ccnetglobal.com/
https://www.conservationtraining.org/
Leander meets for the first time the amazing Estephanie. A wonderful recommendation from Crystal Egli. Listen in on this budding friendship as they tackle the intersection of environmental and social justice. Estephanie is a powerful communicator and has a way of helping to connection your mind, heart, and soul to the work we are doing in the environmental space. You may want to be in a meditative state when you listen to this podcast. Enjoy!
Episode Highlights:
12:55: True Systems Change Conservation
20:18: Distribution of Power in Conservation
25:12: People of Color Hunting
31:00: State of Maine
Links Mentioned:
www.mycorrising.com
Leander catches up with Vance Russell to discuss environmental social science, working in the environmental field, engaging in multiple types of projects.
Episode Highlights:
6:50 - How do you end up in Environmental Social Science?
24:20 - What type of work will get Vance excited?
29:02 - How did Vance end up in the UK?
32:36 - How to create relationship goals in conservation?
37:10 - What are the next steps for Vance and his consulting?
Links Mentioned:
https://www.vrconservationcollective.com/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/vance-russell-ab596810/
Leander catches up with Inclusivity Social Scientist, Nikki Cox, to discuss the importance of recognizing privilege on a path to a more inclusive conservation movement. Nikki currently works for the U.S. Forest Service and has dedicated her career towards the betterment and empowerment of ALL people. Nikki is a shining example of a person doing their best to recognize privilege, elevate social science, and support others in viewing the possibilities of building collaborations with new and innovative allies. This podcast should motivate you to step up your game!
Episode Highlights:
5:45 - What is an Inclusivity Social Scientist?
11:08 - Why would a white person focus on JEDI in conservation?
19:00 - How do you get your voice heard?
28:55 - What is the future of public lands?
36:01 - Finding representation
Links Mentioned:
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/long-story-but/id1504725503
Leander interviews another podcaster Sapna. Sapna is the host of the Breaking Green Ceilings podcast. They discuss experiences of being BIPOC podcasters with a focus on environmental and social challenges and the importance of providing a platform for unheard voices. Leander wants to forgive his audience for making the statement "falling on deaf ears". He actively, daily works to eliminate unnecessary vocabulary that isn't accurate and utilizes a group of people to describe something which further stigmatizes and highlights societal ignorance.
Episode Highlights:
4:20 - Starting a new podcast
9:55 - Conservation as a segregated movement
16:00 - Learnings from guests
20:24 - Experiences of "people of difference" in conservation
26:17 - Immigrant experience and conservation
32:28 - Getting BIPOC people into conservation
Links Mentioned:
Breaking Green Ceilings: https://breakinggreenceilings.com/
Lacy Consulting Services: https://www.lacyconsultingservices.com/
It is our season finale and Leander is talking directly to you. He discusses projects he is working on around the world and hopes to get you excited about the world of combining social and environmental justice. Get out in nature, relax, and listen.
Episode Highlights:
2:50 - Intersection of urban poverty and environmental action
8:50 - Incorporating JEDI into the Conservation Standards
13:35 - Projects at Lacy Consulting Services
22:40 - Research on the social science of trust
31:00 - Transforming the conservation field
Links Mentioned:
JEDI in Conservation Standards
Video of JEDI in Conservation Standards
Bat Conservation International
NA Agriculture and The Nature Conservancy
Next 100 Coalition
The Nature Conservancy - The Bahamas
Protect our Winters
Summary:
Leander catches up with his friend Juan Perez. They talk about what it means to be Panamanian, how young Juan got into conservation, the impacts of U.S. politics, and how to exemplify sustainable conservation. Juan shares personal stories to help expand the link between people and nature. Enjoy!
Episode Highlights:
6:52 - Getting youth into conservation
14:50 - Juan's journey to sustainable conservation
20:29 - Dominant culture on the global stage
27:10 - Impacts of U.S. politics to individuals outside the U.S.
31:00 - Explaining conservation to family members
Links Mentioned:
www.wilderness.org
www.peoplesland.org
Summary: Leander meets up with a new friend, Jim Cummings. They discuss how faith, youth, and conservation all intersect. Listen as these two share personal and powerful stories that provide context for how conservation impact is occurring in one of the most impoverished and high-crime cities in the United States. And how this model is being adopted around the world.
Episode Highlights:
3:00 - Nature in Camden, New Jersey
9:50 - Jim's story
11:35 - Urban Promise around the world
21:00 - Faith-based Organization
24:30 - White, straight, male working with Black and Latino Youth
Links Mentioned:
http://urbanpromiseusa.org/
http://www.urbantrekkers.org/
https://urbanpromiseinternational.org/
Leander invites a fantastic entrepreneur, David Dabah, that has been with Leander since he started Lacy Consulting Services. David and Leander spend hours collaborating and trying to elevate each other. In this podcast, we talk star power and talent as David describes what it is like to work with talents such as Eve, Nick Jonas, Chainsmokers, and Lewis Hamilton.
Episode Highlights:
3:00 - Working with talent
10:20 - How to not be starstruck
14:18 - Leveraging talent to improve conservation outcomes
22:40 - Lived experience versus perceived experience in nature
30:20 - Why bring celebrities to conservation
Links Mentioned:
https://dstudiomedia.com/services
https://www.ifaw.org/au
https://eco-age.com/agency/events/green-carpet-fashion-awards/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/daviddabah/
Leander catches up with his graduate school friend Britt Basel and discusses Britt's work elevating human and ecological wellbeing around the world. Britt is a videographer, water specialist, conservationist, world traveler, and amazing human being. You won't want to miss this one.
Links Mentioned:
https://ecothropic.com/
Melissa Krug is a linguistic anthropologists with a focus on people, food systems, organizational culture, and nature. Dr. Krug is the owner and founder of Forest and Trees Research Consulting. She is curious about social systems, communication, and the ways in which messages impact organizational structures.
Visit http://www.thegreenmindpodcast.com for the full transcript.
Episode Highlights:
6:20: Melissa explains what an athropologist does
12:00: Indigenous work and Fair Trade
18:13: Forest and Trees Research Consulting
22:00: Comedy skit on The Office
25:40: Conservation and JEDI discourse
Links Mentioned:
www.forestandtreesresearcher.com
www.lacyconsultingservices.com
Becky Migas talks about how to be more environmentally conscious when hosting a variety of events and also the role women and allies play in sustainability. We talk about the process of behavior change and policy creation in an effort to improve sustainability everywhere.
Visit http://www.thegreenmindpodcast.com for the full transcript.
Episode Highlights:
2:55 - Impact of events on the environment
13:00 - Beginning of Women in Sustainability
18:14 - Benefits of getting women and allies together
24:15 - Diversity of women
28:22 - Leander's trip to Seattle
Links Mentioned:
Instragram: https://www.instagram.com/bgreenco/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/thebgreenco
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/B.GreenCo
Kite and Dart Group: http://kiteanddartgroup.com/
Lacy Consulting Services: https://www.lacyconsultingservices.com/
Crystal Egli and Parker McMullen-Bushman are the co-founders of Inclusive Journeys. Their organization is helping marginalized communities find their voice and space in nature through a variety of projects such as The Digital Green Book. The Digital Green Book provides a platform for individuals to rate their experiences with businesses and public spaces to help others in their community plan out their next safe and fun experience. We talk about creating safe spaces, triggering moments of 2020, friendships, and how you can play a part in supporting their amazing work.
Visit http://www.thegreenmindpodcast.com for the full transcript.
Episode Highlights:
7:28 - The need for The Digital Green Book
12:37 - The Digital Green Book and the outdoors
17:00 - Perpetuation of unsafe spaces and systemic racism
28:40 - Triggering the host on summer of 2020
34:00 - Life for Parker and Crystal if Inclusive Journeys existed before
Links Mentioned:
http://www.inclusivejourneys.com/;
https://www.facebook.com/InclusiveJourneys;
Instagram:
@inclusiveguides
@crystalegli
@kweenwerk;
www.lacyconsultingservices.com
Co-Founder Jason Swann speaks to us about Rising Routes. Born out of a traumatic experience, Rising Routes seeks to heal individuals and bridge the social divide in the country by providing outdoor experiences that address mental health and systems of oppression that hold the United States back from reaching its full potential. We start the first 12 minutes of our session, as we do in real life, with a model of sharing called Mind, Heart, and Body.
Visit http://www.thegreenmindpodcast.com for the full transcript.
Episode Highlights:
12:10 – Begin talking about Rising Routes
13:36 - Traumatic experience that led to Rising Routes
17:39 – Using the outdoors to build community
20:00 – White-led conservation groups not addressing social wellbeing and mental health
23:00 – Addressing discrimination, social injustice, climate change through the outdoors
Links Mentioned:
https://www.facebook.com/risingroutes/https://www.outdoorjournaltour.com/about-us
https://cpw.state.co.us/aboutus/Pages/CommissionMembers.aspx
http://www.carinhuebner.com
Elizabeth Schuster is the founder and CEO of Sustainable Economies Consulting and good friend of podcast host Leander Lacy. Elizabeth is a credible and nationally-known environmental economists. We talk about the difference between environmental economics and social science, projects we have worked on together, and current projects that Elizabeth is taking on to transform her local county. We also discuss the importance of building trust and relationships with communities and the people that we engage. In order to truly understand your stakeholders, hiring an economist or social scientist will give you the data you need to have clarity in your approach to educate and gain buy-in.Visit http://www.thegreenmindpodcast.com for the full transcript.
Episode Highlights:
2:30 - Environmental Social Scientist vs. Environmental Economist
8:55 - Outcomes from gathering people together for a conference
14:50 - Social science and social skills
19:27 - Working local projects vs regional projects
28:30 - Staying motivated as an Environmental Economist
Links Mentioned:
www.lacyconsultingservices.com
https://sustainableeconomiesconsulting.com/