Come listen!
On Earthworks, I share the stories of musicians, game designers, painters, writers, and others who are using their creative skills to make their world - and therefore our collective world - better. Every other week, we talk about their process, their challenges, how they got the resources they needed, and their vision for what comes next.
Whether you're a creative type already engaged with nature and climate or just wondering how you could, Earthworks offers inspiration and insight for your own work.
Listen on
Bird Bingo, Intense Creatives, and Leadership in the Environmental Movement with Brigid McCormack
The environmental movement has more tools than ever, and also more exhausted people than ever. Brigid McCormack lives on both sides of this story. In this episode, the former executive director of Audubon California and current California Environmental Voters board member answers questions from listeners about what’s happening right now in climate and conservation organizations, why they need more "intense creatives" who don't fit in cubicles, and how to build the kind of resilience that lasts longer than a news cycle. We also talk about passing the baton, bird bingo, and a Zen master's advice on environmental burnout. Plus I nerd out on bird aerodynamics.
Dungeons, Dragons, and Dreaming Climate Futures with Lil Milagro Henriquez
What if the answer to climate anxiety isn't more data, but more play? Lil Milagro Henriquez is the founder and executive director of Mycelium Youth Network, where she's helping young people build climate resilience through radical imagination, games, and storytelling.
Good Storytelling, Accidental Farming, and Loving What’s Left with Julie Carrick Dalton
Join us for a funny, fascinating reminder that the most powerful environmental stories focus on characters and plot, not lectures. Today's guest is award-winning novelist, former beekeeper, and accidental farmer Julie Carrick Dalton.
Painting Nature’s Invisible Worlds with Sarah Kraning
Come explore a world of music, art, and environmental hope with Sarah Kraning. Sarah is a painter with synesthesia whose work bridges contemporary art and music cultures. In her ongoing project with global wildlife nonprofit Re:wild, she's fusing the colors, rhythms, and movements of nature with the emotional palette of popular music.
Secrets, Lies, Nature and NYC with Christa Avampato
Christa Avampato shares how she created Secrets and Lies, a storytelling game show that brings secret New York City history to life. After surviving cancer and COVID shutdowns, Christa relaunched her show at Climate Week NYC this year with a focus on nature in the city.
Trailer
Telling secrets and lies about nature in New York City. Painting soundscapes of rare Australian birds. Designing video games for climate resilience in Brazil. I’ve been talking to the people who are doing these things!
Earlier this year, I was trying to decide what my next creative project would be (another book or game? An augmented reality app that shows you the full supply chain of an item you’re about to buy? So many options! So little time!). For some guidance and inspiration, I started talking to people who do things that I admire, and after a while I thought that other people might find these conversations helpful too.
So I started recording, and this podcast series is the result.