Growing Our Future

Growing Our Future

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Growing Our Future episodes

  • Ep.26: Sitting Down with Skeets

    In this Episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, Stephen sits down with Skeets, a member of the Mushroom Compadres, a group of farmers building a farm in the Algarve region of Portugal. They discuss their mentality regarding climate change, the climate and challenges of growing in Portugal, and what keeps them motivated to move forward. 

    Make sure to check out the Mushroom Compadres on YouTube and Instagram!

    25 min
  • Ep 25: Life as a Gardopia Intern with William Abbott

    In this episode Stephen sits down with William Abbott, former intern at Gardopia Gardens and a senior at Trinity University. 

    They discuss William's progression as an environmentalist, what work he did at Gardopia, and what his plans after graduation are. 

    Enjoy the episode!

    16 min
  • Ep.24: Ensuring Proper Rights for Agricultural Workers with Angeles Mendez

    In this special episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, Stephen sits down with Angeles Mendez, a 2023 Aspen Healthy Communities Fellow, and the Regional Manager for Project Protect Food Systems. 

    Stephen and Angeles discuss, being Aspen Fellows,  the current landscape for agricultural workers, and Angeles' work to improve rights for workers. 

    Enjoy the episode!

    17 min
  • Ep.23: Sports and Community with Jamar Hill

    In this special episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast, Stephen sits down with Jamar Hill, 2023 Aspen Healthy Communities Fellow, former professional MLB player, and current President of Gamers Alaska, a nonprofit organization committed to connecting youth baseball and softball players to leagues, coaching, and training resources. 

    Stephen and Jamar discuss their brief history together, how Jamar frames Gamers Alaska as more than a sports program, and the intangible benefits of sports.


    18 min
  • Ep.22:From Ukraine to San Antonio: Gardening Tips With Inna Gamez

    In this episode of Growing our Future, Stephen sits down with Inna Gamez and discusses her gardening journey and shares tips she's learned over the years.

    Inna is a social media influencer that posts regular content about her garden. She's a brand ambassador for Vego Garden Academy. Inna recounts her early gardening days in Ukraine and describes just how different farming in Ukraine is compared to sunny San Antonio. Listen in to hear more about Inna's story!

    Thanks again to Inna for joining us for this episode! Be sure to check out her Instagram: @gardens_better_with_cats ! 

    19 min
  • Ep.21: Scientific Methods to Ensure Food Security with Kris Hawkins

    In this thought-provoking episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast our host and CEO Stephen Lucke engages in a candid conversation with esteemed researcher Kristopher Hawkins, shedding light on the methodologies of animal testing and their role in ensuring safe food production.

    As the demand for food continues to grow, the need for innovative techniques to enhance food safety has become paramount. Kristopher has extensive research in this field, and shares his knowledge about methodologies and his experience working with different animals including flies, pigs, fleas, and howler monkeys. 

    Kristopher dives into his early academic career at St. Philip's college, interning at Gardopia, and receiving his bachelors of science in horticultural science at Texas A&M University. 

    Thanks again to Kristopher for joining the Growing Our Future Podcast! Be sure to check out Kristopher's work through his LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kristopher-hawkins-70836862/

    #sustainability #climateaction #podcastepisode #SanAntonio #GardopiaGardens #EcoScholars

    24 min
  • Ep.20: Restoring our Rivers: Michelle Garza and Melissa Bryant On Rebuilding our Rivers

    Our newest episode of the Growing Our Future Podcast is now live! 🎧🎙️ 

    In this episode, our CEO Stephen Lucke sits down with Michelle Garza, Planning Coordinator for San Antonio River Authority, and Melissa Bryant, Director of Technical Services, to discuss the current state of San Antonio rivers, what SARA is doing to help, and what we can do as citizens to help keep our rivers clean. 

    Michelle and Melissa discuss their recent projects, trash in the river, and reducing flooding risks from storms and climate change. 

    For more information about SARA, we recommend checking out their website at: https://www.sariverauthority.org/

    #sustainability #climateaction #podcastepisode #SanAntonio #GardopiaGardens #EcoScholars

    21 min
  • Ep.19: Sustainable San Antonio: Innovations for a Greener Future with Douglas Melnick and Julia Murphy

    Excited to announce the latest episode of our podcast is LIVE! 🎧🎙️ 

    In this episode, we have an in-depth conversation with Douglas Melnick, Chief Sustainability Officer, and Julia Murphy, Deputy Chief Sustainability Officer, from the City of San Antonio's Office of Sustainability. 💚🌱

    Learn all about the City's Climate Action and Adaptation Plan, its innovative EcoScholars Grant Program, and their efforts to create a more sustainable future for our community. 🌎🌿

    Tune in now to hear Stephen Lucke, CEO of Gardopia Gardens, as he delves into the City's sustainability initiatives and gets expert insights from these sustainability leaders. Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation! 🌍🎤 

    You can learn more about the City of San Antonio's Sustainability Efforts at
    https://www.sasustainability.com/home

    #sustainability #climateaction #podcastepisode #SanAntonio #GardopiaGardens #EcoScholars

    27 min
  • Ep.18: Engaging Holistic Health Pathways & Lifestyles with Dr. Daniel Murray

    The Growing Our Future Podcast welcomes Dr. Daniel Murray of Vanguard Chiropractic.

    Host Stephen Lucke sits down with Dr. Murray to discuss his story surrounding chiropractics, gardening, the plant-based diet, and even Earthships!

    As a former Special Education Teacher, Dr. Murray has a big heart for education and community engagement. When furthering his studies in nutrition, he was astonished by the world of chiropractics, healthy eating, positive lifestyle choices, and their overall impact on our wellness. 

    This is an episode you won't want to miss!

    You can learn more about Vanguard Chiropractic at 
    https://thechiropractor.sa.com/

    A special thank you to Appetite For Change for launching the Podcast's intro and outro song, "Grow Food"!

    23 min

About Growing Our Future

From the publisher's feed

Growing Our Future is all about growing healthy communities through garden-based learning. Hosted by Gardopia Gardens, a 501c3 education-based non-profit, guests from the educational, health, and…