What happens when an entire city runs out of water?

In this eye-opening episode, 20-year-old Mexico City native Alina Feldman shares what it’s like to live under the looming threat of “Day Zero”—the moment when the taps run dry. The crisis is so severe that desperation has led to fights and even kidnappings over water.

Alina exposes the unequal burden of the crisis and the government’s failure to act. She raises a critical question: Should the government prioritize environmental issues, or are there more immediate concerns that demand attention? She also highlights a grassroots organization, founded within Mexico City's Jewish community, that is stepping in where the government has fallen short.

Climate change isn’t a distant threat—it’s already at our doorstep. Alina’s story is a stark reminder that crisis can strike when we least expect it. As you listen, you’ll realize just how unprepared we all might be. Her story isn’t just a warning—it’s a call to action before it’s too late.

In this special episode, I trade my hosting chair for the hot seat: Rebecca Riley of the Free Minds Book Club interviews me about the Changing Planet Justice Foundation, the nonprofit I founded to empower youth to lead community-based climate action.

We kick things off with my origin story, tracing how my passion for national parks and environmental justice blossomed into a global initiative. Changing Planet Justice provides youth with opportunities to share their climate stories and gain hands-on climate leadership experience. Through live workshops, citizen science projects, interactive planning tools, and one-on-one mentorship, youth of all ages and backgrounds turn their ideas into impactful climate action projects.

I share the inspiration behind the organization, the tangible impacts it has achieved, and how I keep the mission grounded by prioritizing youth perspectives and encouraging kids to define and map their environmental priorities. We dig into how I combat climate apathy, even as politicians and fossil-fools prioritize greenbacks over green solutions—handing my generation a steaming pile of earth. I share my thoughts on the outcomes of recent COP conferences and the lingering fallout from President Trump’s decision to pull out of the Paris Climate Agreement. Finally, I explain why--despite a political climate that's as overheated as the actual climate--I’m genuinely hopeful for the planet’s future and confident in my generation’s climate resilience. 

This interview will appear in Free Minds Connect magazine, published by Free Minds, a Washington, D.C. nonprofit that uses books and writing workshops to empower incarcerated youth to rewrite their stories and become agents of change. Rebecca Riley, the Jail Book Club Coordinator, leads this conversation with her insightful and compelling questions.

An unusual episode. In this episode, we sit down with Ms. Rhoda, a retired banker, farmer, and quilter with Native American and German heritage. From her quiet farm in rural Maryland, Rhoda offers a deeply personal perspective on climate change, challenging mainstream views by framing it as part of Earth’s natural cycles and reversing poles. She explains her suspicions that the government's cloud seeding is the real culprit of extreme weather changes, critiques the Biden administration's climate spending, and calls for a return to self-sufficiency through gardening and traditional farming methods.

Rhoda’s perspective is both skeptical and grounded in her lived experience, emphasizing the wisdom of the past and practical steps individuals can take to reconnect with the environment. This conversation challenged both of us to look beyond our differences and explore where our goals overlap

Whether you agree with her views or not, this conversation pushes us to reconsider the interplay between tradition and innovation, individual responsibility, and the broader forces shaping our planet’s future.

How can we use humor to tackle one of the most serious issues of our time, without undermining its urgency? In this episode, we’re joined by Pete Dominick: renowned comedian, climate activist, and political commentator. A regular on Comedy Central's The Daily Show and The Colbert Report, and host of the acclaimed podcast Stand Up! With Pete Dominick,Pete has built a career out of making people laugh—and making them think.

“Climate comedy” may seem like an oxymoron, but Pete explains how humor can engage audiences in ways that facts and figures can’t. He unpacks how comedy can connect with everyone from climate skeptics to Earth-apathetics and shares how he strikes the delicate balance between getting people to laugh and motivating them to act. Together, we explore the boundaries of humor—how to amplify the message without trivializing the issue—and hear Pete’s take on joking about democracy and politics in these un-funny times. This episode is packed with sharp wit, thoughtful insights, and practical advice for anyone trying to engage others in the climate conversation—or just searching for a little levity in a world on fire.

In this episode, Brian Newhouse, Director of Transportation at the Potomac School, delves into the school’s journey toward more sustainable transportation. From transitioning the fleet from diesel to propane-powered buses, we explore whether propane is truly a better alternative—or simply the lesser of two evils.

Brian offers a candid look at the environmental and maintenance benefits of propane, while also addressing the practical challenges of moving toward electric buses, including charging infrastructure, costs, and power grid demands. 

The conversation also examines how these sustainability efforts are received within the community, reflecting on the polarized attitudes toward environmental change. We also discuss how Potomac is working to make clean and sustainable transportation accessible to all students, ensuring that the school’s environmental initiatives are equitable and inclusive.

With a unique background in public transit, hydrogen fuel cell research, and even whitewater rafting, Brian offers a fascinating perspective on balancing environmental goals with real-world constraints.

Tune in for a thought-provoking discussion on clean transportation, the complexities of sustainability, and the importance of collective action in tackling climate challenges.

In this episode, we sit down with 17-year-old Isa Alvidrez, a tenacious climate activist dedicated to advancing sustainability in her conservative Alabama hometown. Despite a lack of support—and often outright opposition—from her community and school administration, Isa continues her efforts, undeterred. She shares what it's like to be a climate activist surrounded by skeptics, and reflects on the irony of her town's deep appreciation for nature but distrust of climate science. She also opens up about her unique strategy for engaging climate deniers and the meaningful changes she’s already implemented in her community.

Isa’s story captures the grit and determination of young advocates everywhere fighting for change in the face of resistance—especially when that resistance comes from a school administration that prioritizes new football fields over recycling bins.

In this episode, we're joined by composer and activist Michael Levy, to explore the intersection of music, art, and climate action. Michael discusses the inspiration behind his latest album focused on the climate crisis, and how he translates complex environmental issues into emotionally charged music. We dive into his songwriting process and how he balances the weight of environmental issues with his creative flow.

Michael also shares stories from his involvement in movements like Transition Town, Extinction Rebellion, and his role in the resistance against the Line 3 pipeline, reflecting on how these experiences have shaped his music and activism. We also explore the challenges of staying resilient in the face of burnout, and the role music plays in sustaining his long-term advocacy. Join us for an in-depth conversation about how music can drive action and provide hope in the fight for a sustainable future.

Opening/closing music: Blockadia by Michael Levy

Check out Mr. Levy's other music here: Michael Levy Band

In this episode of Changing Planet Justice, we sit down with Dr. Libby Jewett, a trailblazing marine scientist and the founder of NOAA’s Ocean Acidification Program. Dr. Jewett shares her journey from a background in public policy to becoming a leading figure in marine science, where she has spent over a decade addressing the impacts of climate change on our oceans. We explore her groundbreaking work on ocean acidification, the challenges of balancing scientific research with policy-making, and her current focus on offshore wind energy and marine carbon dioxide removal. Tune in to hear how Dr. Jewett is pushing the boundaries of innovation to protect our planet’s vital marine ecosystems.

Portrait by Danielle Pease Photography

In this episode, we sit down with Sharon Dorsey, a conservation biologist and activist, to explore her journey as an environmentalist. Sharon shares her experiences as a Black woman navigating a predominantly white, male-dominated field, and discusses the importance of diversity and representation in conservation. We also delve into her groundbreaking research on the endangered piping plover, her advocacy for community engagement through climate storytelling and citizen science, and her vision for making outdoor education accessible to all. Join us for an engaging conversation about breaking barriers and catalyzing positive change on this changing planet.

Sharon's website: https://sites.google.com/view/sharondorsey?usp=sharing

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sharinnature/?hl=en

Photo credit: Sharon Dorsey

Solastalgia: a form of emotional or existential distress caused by environmental change.

The rate of mental health issues in young people is rising with the sea levels. Though we've known for years that social media has drastic impacts on the mental health of young people, the research on climate-related mental health issues is comparatively scarce. Only recently have scientists created terms like "climate-anxiety," "eco-grief," and "solastalgia" to describe the anguish our generation feels as we bear the burden of the climate crisis. Is there an antidote to the psychological consequences of climate change? Listen in to my hopeful and insightful conversation with Mr. Paul Kirk, an educator, environmentalist, and outdoorsman, to find out. 

Photo credit: Paul Kirk