Climate Changed

In this special interim episode, guest host Jessica David sits down with Rev. Dr. Allen Ewing-Merrill, Executive Director of The BTS Center, and Debra Coyman, Chair of The BTS Center's Board of Trustees, to explore what spiritual leadership means in a climate-changed world. Together they unpack critical questions around faith, community action, and ecological responsibility.

Meet Our Guest Host:

Jessica David is a Master of Divinity candidate at Harvard Divinity School, founder of Local Return, and President & CEO of Rhode Island Community Investment Cooperative. With 20 years of experience working at the intersection of people and place, Jessica focuses on the intersection of spirituality and money, supporting community wealth-building and strategic organizational development.

Meet Our Guests:

Rev. Dr. Allen Ewing-Merrill serves as Executive Director of The BTS Center. Ordained in the United Methodist tradition, Allen previously co-pastored HopeGateWay in Portland, Maine, and founded Moral Movement Maine. He has a longstanding commitment to social justice advocacy, faith-based organizing, and progressive Christianity, with extensive experience addressing issues such as climate justice and immigrant solidarity.

Debra Coyman has served on The BTS Center Board since 2017, including roles as Treasurer and Vice Chair. With an extensive background in business strategy and human resources leadership at IDEXX Laboratories, Debra brings significant nonprofit governance experience. She actively volunteers for conservation and animal welfare organizations, serves on multiple boards, and passionately engages in outdoor recreational activities.

Join the Conversation:

What do you think is the most important contribution spiritual leaders can make in responding to climate change?

Share your reflections via email at [email protected] or leave a voicemail at 207-200-6986.

Climate Changed Podcast is a project of The BTS Center in Portland, Maine. Produced by Peterson Toscano. Visit climatechangedpodcast.org for complete show notes, transcript, and more.

In this special episode, Nicole Diroff introduces a thoughtful exchange between Rev. Dr. Andi Lloyd, an ecologist and theologian, and Rev. Andy Nagy-Benson, her pastor. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they explored deep connections between ecological science and Christian theology through heartfelt letters. These letters are now compiled in their book, Letters from the Ecotone: Ecology, Theology, and Climate Change.

Rev. Dr. Andi Lloyd and Rev. Andy Nagy-Benson engage in a thoughtful dialogue about the ecological and theological definitions of self-interest versus the common good. Key discussion points include:

Rev. Dr. Andi Lloyd is an ecologist and professor whose work bridges ecological science and Christian theology. She explores ecological interconnectedness and moral responsibility in the context of climate change.

Rev. Andy Nagy-Benson serves as a pastor deeply engaged in theological explorations of community solidarity, ethical responsibility, and ecological consciousness, reflecting thoughtfully on the intersection of personal spirituality and ecological ethics.

Next Month:

Join Jessica David, BTS Center intern and divinity school student, as she steps behind the mic for a special mini-season of Climate Changed. In this behind-the-scenes series, Jessica explores big questions about spirituality, hope, grief, and imagination—diving deep into how we navigate a complex world with curiosity and compassion.

How do we navigate the joys and challenges of parenting in a world shaped by climate change? In this episode, hosts Ben Yosua-Davis and Nicole Diroff explore this question with two thoughtful guests: Elizabeth Rush, acclaimed author of The Quickening: Creation and Community at the Ends of the Earth, and Sophia Cheng, founder of With Many Roots and a new parent herself.

Together, they share personal stories, insights, and strategies for parenting amid uncertainty, reflecting on the deep connections between care, community, and climate action.

Grounding: 

The episode opens with Sophia Cheng’s evocative poem, which emerged from her reflections on climate change and the emotional journey of becoming a parent. In it, she captures the weight of uncertainty, the depth of responsibility, and the hope that guides her path forward.

Main Conversation:

In this deeply personal and wide-ranging conversation, Elizabeth Rush and Sophia Cheng discuss how climate change shapes their perspectives as parents. They explore:

🌿 Parenting Amid Uncertainty: How do we raise children when the future is unpredictable? Sophia reflects on her journey toward embracing uncertainty. At the same time, Elizabeth shares insights from her book, The Quickening, which weaves together scientific exploration in Antarctica with her own decision to become a mother.

🧡 The Role of Love and Community: Elizabeth and Sophia discuss the profound realization that we must learn to love more fiercely and build stronger connections in a world facing climate challenges.

📚 Imagining a Different Future: Sophia describes the practice of future dreaming — an exercise in envisioning the world we want to create. She explains how this practice helped her reconcile her environmental concerns with the decision to start a family.

🌊 Lessons from Antarctica: Elizabeth shares how studying glaciers influenced her understanding of time, resilience, and change, drawing powerful parallels between environmental and personal transformation.

🌎 The Power of Storytelling: Both guests emphasize how storytelling helps make climate issues more relatable — whether through literature, parenting, or engaging in difficult but necessary conversations about our shared future.

Meet Our Guests: 

Elizabeth Rush is the author of The Quickening: Creation and Community at the Ends of the Earth and Rising: Dispatches from the New American Shore, a Pulitzer Prize finalist. She teaches creative nonfiction at Brown University and writes about climate change, sea level rise, and the environment. Learn more about Elizabeth Rush.

Sophia Cheng founded With Many Roots, an organization that delivers creative and interactive education on climate issues. She helps people envision and work toward a sustainable future through storytelling, workshops, and collaborative projects. Explore Sophia’s work.

Next Steps: 

Looking for ways to bring these insights into your own life? Try one of these next steps:

📖 Practice Future Dreaming: Spend time imagining a future where climate action has succeeded. What does it look like? How can you contribute to making it real?

👶 Join a Climate Parenting Group: Seek out a climate café for parents or start your own discussion group to process emotions and strategize for action.

🛠️ Create an Emergency Kit with Your Child: Build a 72-hour emergency kit together to prepare for extreme weather events. Visit RedCross.org for tips.

🌍 Explore Climate Education Resources: Visit ClimateKids.org for engaging activities to help children understand climate change.

📝 Share Your Reflections: Have a conversation with someone who is considering parenthood. Post your insights on social media to inspire others.

Other Resources

Additional Resources

Continue the Conversation

💬 What are your thoughts on parenting in a climate-changed world?

📩 Subscribe to The BTS Center’s Newsletter for more discussions, resources, and upcoming events.

🎙️ Stay Tuned for Season 4! If you have guest suggestions or topics you’d like us to explore, email us at [email protected].

In this episode, Ben Yosua-Davis speaks with Jose Aguto, a passionate advocate for climate action deeply rooted in his Catholic faith. Together, they explore the intersection of moral responsibility, theology, and the Catholic Church’s response to the climate crisis.

Grounding: 

This episode begins with a reading from Laudato Si: On Care for Our Common Home, written by Pope Francis, emphasizing the moral imperative to address climate change. The reading, shared by Peterson Toscano and Madeline Bugeau-Heartt, highlights humanity’s collective responsibility to care for creation and the interconnectedness of social, economic, and environmental issues.

Main Conversation:

Jose Aguto discusses his transition from secular policy work to faith-based advocacy for climate action, reflecting on how his Catholic faith provides moral grounding for addressing the climate crisis. He examines the significant influence of Pope Francis’ encyclicals, Laudato Si and Laudate Deum, and their call for ecological conversion and systemic change.

Key themes include:

Next Steps: 

Additional Resources:

Jose Aguto is a seasoned advocate for climate action with over two decades of experience in legal and policy positions. Formerly the Associate Director of the Catholic Climate Covenant, he has worked to promote ecological conversion within the Catholic Church. His career includes roles at the Friends Committee on National Legislation and the National Congress of American Indians. Jose’s work emphasizes the integration of faith, social justice, and environmental stewardship.

Connect with the Catholic Climate Covenant

In this episode, hosts Ben Yosua-Davis and Nicole Diroff examine the evolving role of chaplains in a climate-changed world. They are joined by author, chaplain, and grief circle facilitator Terry LePage, as well as Rev. Alison Cornish, coordinator of The BTS Center's Climate Conscious Chaplaincy Initiative. Together, they explore how chaplains offer spiritual and emotional support amidst environmental crises, foster resilience, and address ecological grief.

Grounding: 

Rev. Alison Cornish begins with a grounding reflection centered on a personal story about a tree near her home that was cut down. Alison explains how this ritual of acknowledgment and grief mirrors chaplaincy practices of care, presence, and connection to the more-than-human world.

Main Conversation:

Ben and Nicole engage Terry LePage and Alison Cornish in a conversation about chaplaincy in a climate-changed world.

Terry LePage:

Terry shares insights from her book Eye of the Storm: Facing Climate and Social Chaos with Calm and Courage. She introduces concepts such as the "Collapse-Aware" framework and "Islands of Compassion," which she attributes to Margaret Wheatley's "Islands of Sanity." Terry also highlights her work with the Deep Adaptation Forum, which fosters spaces for resilience and grief processing in the face of climate uncertainty.

Alison Cornish:

Alison outlines key skills chaplains bring to a climate-conscious world, including trauma-informed care, meaning-making, and support for communities navigating ecological grief and displacement. She underscores the importance of chaplains as spiritual guides during times of environmental upheaval.

Next Steps: 

Here are some ways listeners can engage further:

Additional Resources:

Meet Guest(s): 

Guest bio with social media links + headshot

Terry LePage

Rev. Alison Cornish

In this episode of Climate Changed, host Ben Yosua-Davis is joined by guest host Derrick Weston to explore how the Bible can inform climate action. Featuring conversations with Rev. Kyle Meyaard-Schaap and Peterson Toscano, they discuss how scripture and faith-based teachings can guide Christians toward a hopeful and proactive response to the climate crisis.

See full show notes, transcript, and more by visiting www.climatechangedpodcast.org

Grounding: 

The episode opens with a grounding exercise led by Beverly Ward, Field Secretary for Earthcare for Southeastern Yearly Meeting. Beverly invites listeners to recall their earliest, most joyful memories in nature, emphasizing how these experiences can inspire a deep commitment to environmental stewardship and care for creation.

Main Conversation:

Host Ben Yosua-Davis and guest host Derrick Weston listen to Rev. Kyle Meyaard-Schaap and Peterson Toscano engage in a thoughtful discussion on how the Bible and Christian faith can be foundational to climate action. Rev. Meyaard-Schaap, Executive Director of the Association for a More Just Society–US, shares insights from his recent book, Following Jesus in a Warming World, which explores how climate advocacy expresses Christian discipleship. Peterson Toscano, is a Bible scholar and in addition to producing the Climate Changed podcast, he works on other podcasts including Citizens Climate Radio, Quakers Today, and Bubble and Squeak.  A climate-focused performance artist, in this episode he shares his personal “climate life verse” and reflects on how Biblical teachings have shaped his environmental work. Together, they explore the role of scripture in guiding and inspiring practical steps toward environmental responsibility and justice.

Next Steps: 

• Reflect on a Climate Life Verse: Identify a Bible verse or story that grounds you in creation care, and share it with a friend or on social media.

Additional Resources:

• Creation Care: A Biblical Theology of the Natural World — explore how scripture calls us to care for creation.

Meet Guest(s): 

• Rev. Kyle Meyaard-Schaap: Rev. Kyle Meyaard-Schaap is the Executive Director of the Association for a More Just Society–US. An ordained minister in the Christian Reformed Church in North America, Kyle holds a B.A. in religious studies from Calvin University and an M.Div. from Western Theological Seminary. For over a decade, he has mobilized Christians worldwide to engage with climate action as an act of discipleship. His recent book, Following Jesus in a Warming World, has garnered national and international attention, with features in PBS, NPR, CNN, and The New York Times. Kyle lives with his wife and two sons in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

• Peterson Toscano: Peterson Toscano is a performance artist and activist known for his creative approaches to climate advocacy. As a podcast host of Citizens Climate Radio, Quakers Today, and Bubble and Squeak, Peterson uses storytelling to inspire action on climate change, social justice, and LGBTQ+ issues. His work encourages listeners to view climate change as an invitation to imagine and build a more hopeful, just world.

• Beverly Ward: Beverly Ward serves as Field Secretary for Earthcare at Southeastern Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends and co-clerk of Quaker Earthcare Witness. Beverly assists local meetings with environmental stewardship projects and connects them to broader Quaker initiatives. She collaborates with the Quaker United Nations Office, represents the Florida Council of Churches, and teaches anthropology at the University of South Florida.

• Derrick Weston: Derrick Weston is a writer, filmmaker, podcaster, and educator who focuses on the intersection of food, faith, and social justice. He co-hosts the Food and Faith podcast and created the film series A Wilderness Like Eden, which highlights food justice work within church communities. Derrick holds degrees in film studies and divinity and a health ministry certification. His recent book, The Just Kitchen, encourages sustainable and connected approaches to cooking and community. Derrick lives near Baltimore, Maryland, with his wife and four children.

In this episode, Nicole Diroff and guest co-host Dr. Keisha McKenzie discuss Jewish perspectives on climate change with Joelle Novey, director of Interfaith Power & Light (DC, MD, and Northern VA), and poet Jessica Jacobs. Joelle shares insights into how her Jewish faith informs her climate work and reads from her latest poetry collection, Unalone.

For full show notes, including links and transcript, visit www.climatechangedpodcast.org

The episode begins with a grounding moment from Jessica Jacobs, who reads her poem “Collective Nouns” from her poetry collection Unalone. The poem proposes an alternative view of Noah and the Ark story. Jessica’s evocative language offers a moment of reflection as listeners prepare to engage with the conversation.

Joelle Novey shares how her Jewish faith guides her commitment to climate action, drawing from centuries of Jewish wisdom on justice and community. She highlights the importance of religious values in confronting the climate crisis, such as the Jewish principle of "pikuach nefesh" (saving a life), and how it drives her work. Joelle also discusses practical climate solutions through grassroots organizing, offering inspiring stories about her work with faith communities and environmental advocacy.

Dr. Keisha McKenzie and Nicole reflect on the stories of Noah’s Ark, addressing "small boat theology" and how climate action should include everyone, not just a select few. Together, they challenge listeners to consider how they can contribute to building a future of solidarity and collective action in response to climate change.

• Join a Movement: Joelle encourages listeners to join or create a movement within their community that promotes systemic climate action. To connect with others, check out Interfaith Power & Light’s national network.

• (Add BTS Center resources and other resources)

Dr. Keisha E. McKenzie, our guest co-host,  s a strategist and thought leader who blends communication, religion, spirituality, and politics as tools for social change. With over sixteen years of experience in nonprofit and educational leadership across the US, Keisha’s work spans leadership facilitation, faith organizing, and development strategy. She holds a PhD in technical communication and rhetoric from Texas Tech University, where her research focused on British governmental communication about weapons of mass destruction. Dr. McKenzie is a co-host of the PRX podcast Moral Repair: A Black Exploration of Tech and is deeply committed to advancing faith-rooted justice and human dignity.

• Keisha’s website

Joelle Novey is the director of Interfaith Power & Light (DC, MD, and Northern VA), where she mobilizes faith communities to engage in climate action. Joelle has a background in social studies and religion from Harvard and previously worked at Green America. Her work focuses on empowering religious communities to act on their moral obligation to protect the planet.

• Interfaith Power & Light

Jessica Jacobs is an award-winning poet and author of Unalone, a collection of poems that engage deeply with the Hebrew Bible. Her work reflects on themes of climate change, spirituality, and justice, using poetic language to draw connections between ancient stories and contemporary crises.

• Jessica’s Website

In the Season Three premiere of the Climate Changed Podcast, hosts Ben Yosua-Davis and Nicole Diroff engage in a powerful conversation with Brian McLaren, an influential author, activist, and public theologian. They explore the vital role faith communities can play in addressing climate change, drawing on insights from McLaren’s latest book, Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart. The discussion focuses on navigating and redefining hope, resilience, and meaningful action in the face of our current environmental crises.

Links to discussion guide and transcript

Grounding: 

The episode begins with a grounding exercise led by artist and activist Favianna Rodriguez, who reads from her essay “Harnessing Cultural Power” from the anthology All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis. Rodriguez emphasizes the transformative power of stories in shaping culture and driving social change, particularly in the climate movement. Her words set the stage for the episode’s exploration of how narratives and rituals can inspire collective action.

Listen to Favianna read the entire essay. 

Main Conversation:

Brian McLaren joins the podcast to discuss his new book, Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart. The conversation touches on the profound sense of "doom" many feel in the face of climate change and how this emotion can be harnessed to foster courage and hope. McLaren explains that his book is not about predicting the end of the world but rather about navigating the complex emotions and challenges of our time. He discusses the importance of confronting our fears and how faith leaders can help guide communities through these uncertain times. The episode also delves into how religious texts, like the Bible, can be reinterpreted as ecological literature offering wisdom for today’s climate crisis.

You are invited to Life After Doom: An Evening with Brian McLaren https://thebtscenter.org/life-after-doom-a-book-study/Wednesday, October 30 • 7.00 - 8.30pm (Eastern) • Online

And Special Book Study

Life After Doom: A Book Study https://thebtscenter.org/life-after-doom-a-book-study/

Tuesdays 4:00pm - 5:15pm (Eastern) • Online

Next Steps: 

• Start a Climate Journal: Reflect on your feelings about living in a climate-changed world. Personalize a journal and set aside 20–30 minutes each week to write, draw, or press leaves. Begin by noting your takeaways from this episode.

Additional Resources:

Brian McLaren’s Website

All We Can Save Project

Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart

Life After Doom Playlist

Meet Guest: 

Guest bio with social media links + headshot

Brian McLaren is an author, activist, and public theologian known for his pioneering work in progressive Christianity. His latest book, Life After Doom: Wisdom and Courage for a World Falling Apart, provides a roadmap for facing the future with honesty, hope, and courage. McLaren is a core faculty member and the Dean of Faculty at the Center for Action and Contemplation, co-hosts the podcast Learning How to See, and is an Auburn Senior Fellow.

• Twitter

Favianna Rodriguez is an artist, activist, and cultural organizer based in Oakland, California. She is renowned for her vibrant artwork and advocacy, which focus on social justice issues such as immigration, racial justice, gender equity, and climate change. Rodriguez is the co-founder of The Center for Cultural Power, where she empowers artists to create work that fosters social change. Her essay, Harnessing Cultural Power, featured in the anthology All We Can Save, highlights the importance of storytelling in the climate movement and was a focal point in this episode’s grounding exercise.

• Instagram

THANK YOUS

We want to extend our deepest gratitude to everyone who made this episode possible:

• Brian McLaren and Favianna Rodriguez, for sharing their insights and wisdom with us.

The BTS Center thanks you for your ongoing support and for providing the resources and platform that make this podcast possible.

For discussion guide, transcripts, and more visit www.climatechangedpodcast.org

🎉 Join Us for the Climate Changed Season Three Launch Party! 🎉

We're kicking off the new season of Climate Changed with a special online party, and YOU'RE invited!

🗓 When: Monday, September 16th, 7:30–8:30 PM (Eastern) 📍 Where: Online (free event!)

Be the first to listen to the brand new season as we debut our Season Three opener, featuring an interview with the amazing Brian McLaren. Meet your hosts, Ben Yosua-Davis, Nicole Diroff, and producer Peterson Toscano, and take part in an exclusive behind-the-scenes Q&A. You’ll also get the chance to win books by some of this season's featured guests, and who knows—you might even catch a special appearance from them during the event! 👀📚

Don't miss out on the chance to connect with fellow listeners and celebrate the launch of our most exciting season yet.

👉 Register now to get your access link: https://thebtscenter.org/climate-changed-season-three-launch-party/

We can't wait to celebrate with you! 🎧🌍

#ClimateChanged #PodcastLaunch #SeasonThree #BrianMcLaren #TheBTSCenter #ClimateAction #BehindTheScenes #PodcastParty #FreeEvent #JoinUs