Green Tea Party Radio

In this special solo episode of Green Tea Party Radio, host Katie Zakrzewski takes a reflective dive into a question many young conservatives are asking: What is mine to do? With political pushback from all sides and a growing sense of climate urgency, it can be overwhelming to figure out where to start. Katie shares practical, values-driven ways young conservatives can engage in climate action while staying true to their principles of free markets, personal responsibility, and conservation.

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Disclaimer: Green Tea Party Radio is an independent project and does not represent the views of the Diocese of Little Rock, Catholic Climate Covenant, or any of our employers.

Katie and Zach tackle the challenges of being a young conservative environmentalist in today’s political climate. With a mix of humor and hard-hitting reality, they discuss why it feels like the news cycle has become a never-ending satire skit, how young conservatives can find hope in a shifting environmental landscape, and why now is the time to push for market-driven climate solutions.

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Disclaimer: Green Tea Party Radio is an independent project and does not represent the views of the Diocese of Little Rock, Catholic Climate Covenant, or any of our employers.

Zach Torpie and Katie Zakrzewski tackle the escalating crisis of wildfires in California, shedding light on the complex interplay of climate change, politics, and community resilience.

"These are not the end times, but damn if we ain't getting close." -Zach

With humor and insight, they discuss Zach's recent basketball injury, the whirlwind of news under the Trump presidency, and the dire state of environmental conditions in California.

As wildfires rage and devastate communities, the hosts explore the systemic failures in water management and firefighting resources, revealing the challenges of battling fires in a desert landscape. They delve into the rising frequency and intensity of wildfires, backed by alarming statistics that show California's increasing vulnerability to these disasters.

Through candid conversation, Zach and Katie dissect the political narratives surrounding the wildfires, including the controversial claims regarding DEI hires and the implications of federal aid. They emphasize the need for better infrastructure, forest management, and community preparedness in the face of climate change.

Join them as they brainstorm actionable steps listeners can take to support wildfire victims and advocate for sustainable solutions. This episode is a call to action for young conservatives to engage in the climate conversation and contribute to a movement that prioritizes environmental stewardship.

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Support Us: If you enjoy our content and want to support our work, consider becoming a patron for early access to episodes and exclusive merchandise. Visit our website for more details.

Disclaimer: Green Tea Party Radio is an independent project and does not represent the views of the Diocese of Little Rock, Catholic Climate Covenant, or any of our employers.

Zach Torpie and Katie Zakrzewski dive into the whirlwind of events that have transpired since their last recording. From unexpected political upheavals worldwide to drastic weather conditions in the United States, they explore the ever-changing landscape of global and national politics. As they kick off the new year, Zach and Katie tackle the major changes in leadership and their impacts on environmental policies, focusing on case studies from Brazil and Australia. They examine the contrasting approaches of leaders like Lula da Silva and Anthony Albanese, highlighting the nuances and challenges in balancing economic growth with environmental preservation. As the U.S. transitions back to a Trump presidency, the hosts speculate on the potential shifts in environmental policy and the role of influential figures like Elon Musk. Join them for a lively discussion on the intersection of politics, environment, and the conservative movement's role in shaping the future of climate action.

Contact Information:

Email: [email protected]

Social Media: Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Support Us: If you enjoy our content and want to support our work, consider becoming a patron for early access to episodes and exclusive merchandise. Visit our website for more details.

Disclaimer: Green Tea Party Radio is an independent project and does not represent the views of the Diocese of Little Rock, Catholic Climate Covenant, or any of our employers.

In this episode of Green Tea Party Radio, host Katie Zakrzewski discusses the ongoing series "Hot Mess" in collaboration with Citizens Climate Radio. As the series continues to unravel the history of climate politics, Katie shares exciting news about the future of Green Tea Party Radio, including plans for a bigger social media presence, updated website, and new merchandise. Dive into the complex web of politics, culture, and economics that led to the shift from climate consensus to skepticism and inaction. Featuring insights from Chelsea Henderson, Director of Editorial Content at RepublicEn, and Katie herself, this episode examines the disinformation campaigns and political strategies that fueled climate denial. Discover how both Republican and Democratic parties contributed to the growing climate skepticism and explore the role of influential figures and media in shaping public perception. Join us as we navigate the tangled history of climate politics and learn how to be part of a bipartisan effort for meaningful climate action.

- The Rise of Climate Skepticism and Disinformation Campaigns

- Political Shifts and Partisan Divide in the 1990s

- Influence of Fossil Fuel Industry and Political Strategies

- The Role of Media and Influential Figures

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Support Us: If you enjoy our content and want to support our work, consider becoming a patron for early access to episodes and exclusive merchandise. Visit our website for more details.

Disclaimer: Green Tea Party Radio is an independent project and does not represent the views of the Diocese of Little Rock, Catholic Climate Covenant, or any of our employers.

In this episode, host Katie Zakrzewski introduces a special project, "Hot Mess," in collaboration with Citizens Climate Radio. This series, narrated by Peterson Toscano, explores the unraveling of climate consensus and the political chaos that followed. Delve into the history of climate change politics, meet influential figures like Marshall Saunders, and discover the innovative carbon fee and dividend solution. Featuring voices from Chelsea Henderson and others, this episode offers a unique conservative perspective on climate action. Join us as we explore how ordinary people can drive extraordinary change.

🗣️ Quotes from Marshall Saunders

"We trust that you are magnificent. It is trusting that ordinary people can get the job done."

🗣️ Quotes from Chelsea Henderson

"You have to be at the table or you're on the menu." 

Contact Information:

Support Us: If you enjoy our content and want to support our work, consider becoming a patron for early access to episodes and exclusive merchandise. Visit our website for more details.

Disclaimer: Green Tea Party Radio is an independent project and does not represent the views of the Diocese of Little Rock, Catholic Climate Covenant, or any of our employers.

Hot Mess: How Climate Consensus Turned Into Political Chaos is an eight-part series hosted by Peterson Toscano that uncovers the untold stories behind the rise and fall of bipartisan efforts to address climate change in the United States.

In this first episode, Peterson Toscano takes listeners back to a time when political cooperation on climate issues was possible. The episode explores the beginnings of climate politics in the 1960s, including early warnings about carbon emissions and surprising cross-party collaborations that are difficult to imagine today.

• The origins of climate politics in the 1960s.

Chelsea Henderson

“We must prevent the overheating of our planet, and that will take decisive action from everyone.” – Audio clip from Margaret Thatcher.

“Nancy Pelosi and Newt Gingrich sitting on the same couch, talking about the climate, alongside Al Sharpton and Pat Robertson—truly, a coalition that seems unimaginable today.” – Peterson Toscano.

• 00:05:15 – Lyndon B. Johnson's 1965 climate briefing: The earliest official recognition of climate threats.

Resources Mentioned:

• RepublicEN https://republicen.org/

Contact Information:

• Email: [email protected]

Support Us: If you enjoy our content and want to support our work, consider becoming a patron for early access to episodes and exclusive merchandise. Visit our website for more details.

Disclaimer: Green Tea Party Radio is an independent project and does not represent the views of the Diocese of Little Rock, Catholic Climate Covenant, or any of our employers.

In this episode of Green Tea Party Radio, host Katie Zakrzewski discusses the intensification of hurricanes in the face of climate change and how conservative approaches can offer innovative, market-driven solutions. Katie explores the impact of two recent hurricanes, Helene and Milton, on coastal communities and advocates for practical, resilient infrastructure to combat future natural disasters. As always, she emphasizes the importance of balancing environmental stewardship with conservative values, including economic growth and private-sector innovation. Katie also provides actionable steps for listeners to get involved in their local communities.

Key Takeaways:

1. Hurricane Intensification & Climate Change: Rising global temperatures contribute to stronger, more frequent hurricanes, with hotter oceans fueling storm intensification.

Quotable Moments:

• "Conservatives need to step up and acknowledge that climate change is a pro-life issue."

Resources & Links:

• National Weather Service Storm Spotter Program

"If you're not a pro-life Catholic, I might argue that you're not Catholic at all."

Description:

Throughout the episode, Katie emphasizes the importance of faithful stewardship, drawing inspiration from scripture and Church teachings.

Katie Zakrzewski emphasizes a strong commitment to the pro-life stance, which she views as central to her identity as a Catholic. For her, being pro-life primarily means opposing abortion and protecting the unborn, and she suggests that this is a defining belief for Catholics. However, she also acknowledges Pope Francis's call for a broader, more holistic pro-life perspective, which includes caring for vulnerable populations like children affected by hunger and war. Katie critiques conservatives who focus solely on abortion while neglecting other life issues, such as health care, and believes that true pro-life values should encompass a wider range of concerns beyond just anti-abortion advocacy.

Overall, her beliefs reflect a mix of traditional Catholic pro-life views with an openness to the expanded definition of "pro-life" as promoted by Pope Francis, which calls for care for all forms of life and social justice.

Key Takeaways:

1. Conservative Values & Environmentalism: How environmental care aligns with the Christian responsibility to be stewards of creation.

Laudato Si’ is Pope Francis’s encyclical that calls for global action to combat environmental degradation and climate change, emphasizing the moral responsibility to care for our common home.

Link to Laudato Si’: https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html 

Quotable Moments:

• "We are called to care for the earth, not just because it's good for us, but because it's God's creation."

Contact Information:

• Email: [email protected]

Support Us: If you enjoy our content and want to support our work, consider becoming a patron for early access to episodes and exclusive merchandise. Visit our website for more details.

Disclaimer: Green Tea Party Radio is an independent project and does not represent the views of the Diocese of Little Rock, Catholic Climate Covenant, or any of our employers.

In this special episode, Zach and Katie welcome longtime friend and podcasting expert Peterson Toscano, producer of Citizens Climate Radio. Peterson discusses his latest project, Hot Mess: How Climate Consensus Turned Into Political Chaos, a limited series exploring the roots of the climate crisis through the lens of true crime. Peterson dives into the complexities of how bipartisanship around climate change unraveled, sharing insights from history, politics, and personal experiences. Through Hot Mess, he aims to highlight the causes of the chaos and why a bipartisan solution is more vital than ever.

Key Quotes:

• “What if we looked at climate change through the lens of a true crime podcast?” — Peterson Toscano on the inspiration behind Hot Mess.

Key Topics:

• The Story of Hot Mess: Peterson explains how Hot Mess breaks down the transition from bipartisan climate consensus to the divided political chaos we see today.

Why Hot Mess Is Unique:

Action Steps:

• Tune in to Hot Mess: How Climate Consensus Turned Into Political Chaos, launching October 2024, on the Citizens Climate Radio feed.

Resources Mentioned:

• RepublicEN https://republicen.org/

Contact Information:

• Email: [email protected]

Support Us: If you enjoy our content and want to support our work, consider becoming a patron for early access to episodes and exclusive merchandise. Visit our website for more details.

Disclaimer: Green Tea Party Radio is an independent project and does not represent the views of the Diocese of Little Rock, Catholic Climate Covenant, or any of our employers.