Send a text

In this episode of Harvesting Wisdom, we speak with Dr. Zamba — former Minister of Environment, climate envoy, and scientist — about Mongolia’s unique climate realities and the policy choices shaping its future.

Dr. Zamba reflects on Mongolia’s transition years, his diplomatic work as ambassador to Japan, and why Mongolia experiences climate impacts intensely despite contributing very little to global emissions. We explore Mongolia’s heavy dependence on coal, the promise (and barriers) of renewables, and how climate change is accelerating drought, glacier melt, and water scarcity — especially in the western regions.

He also shares three major environmental achievements from his time in government: building a stronger environmental legal framework, expanding and formalizing national parks (with a long-term goal of protecting 30% of the country), and creating science-based decision systems through environmental databases and advanced computing. The result is a powerful conversation about how nations adapt when the climate is harsh, the population is sparse, and the stakes are high.

Why Listen?

Learn why Mongolia’s climate is so extreme (deep continental, high elevation, low moisture).

Understand the tension between coal dependence and renewable potential (wind + solar).

Hear an inside view of Mongolia’s policy evolution: laws, national parks, and environmental governance.

Explore how glacier melt and water scarcity shape agriculture and livelihoods.

Get a rare look at how data, modeling, and supercomputers support climate adaptation and forecasting.

Walk away with a practical lesson: sustainability moves faster when policy is science-based and built for continuity.

00:00 – Intro to Harvesting Wisdom
01:00 – From politics to public service: Director General & reforms
03:10 – Ambassador to Japan: why Japan mattered for Mongolia
06:10 – Adding environmental priorities into Mongolia–Japan cooperation
08:20 – Mongolia’s climate: deep continental extremes & low precipitation
12:30 – Why livelihoods and the economy depend tightly on weather
14:40 – Western Mongolia: Great Lake Depression, drought, and glacier-fed water
18:10 – Mongolia’s emissions: small share globally, high per-capita pressures
20:30 – Coal dependence, subsidies, and why renewables are hard to scale
24:00 – Wind/solar potential vs. investment risk + grid economics
28:00 – Transition lessons: Russia-style shock vs. China-style gradualism
33:30 – Environmental conflicts: mining vs. protected areas & public protest
37:10 – Success story: stopping extraction to protect a major lake ecosystem
40:20 – Mongolia’s next 5 years: where policy should focus
42:30 – Achievement #1: building an environmental legal framework
45:10 – Achievement #2: expanding and formalizing national parks
49:00 – 30% protected by 2030: Mongolia’s early commitment
51:30 – Achievement #3: science-based decisions via national databases + IT
55:00 – Supercomputers, forecasting, and climate scenario planning
58:20 – Economic incentives: the “half achievement” and what’s still hard
1:01:00 – Closing reflections + future collaboration

Send a text

In this episode of Harvesting Wisdom, we journey into the vast Mongolian steppe to explore how nomadic herders are navigating climate change, economic transformation, and shifting cultural traditions.

Geographer and researcher Batbunyan Batchal of the Center for Nomadic Pastoralism Studies shares decades of insight into Mongolia’s pastoral systems — from collective farming to market economy transitions, from traditional mobility strategies to the growing challenges of desertification and overgrazing.

We explore the devastating impact of dzud — extreme winter disasters reaching -40°C — and how reduced mobility, changing livestock practices, and land tenure complexities are reshaping herders’ resilience.

This conversation reveals a powerful truth: movement is not just migration — it is strategy, stewardship, and survival.

Why Listen?

Learn how nomadic herders predict and adapt to extreme climate events.

Understand the impact of market economies on traditional land management.

Explore the link between mobility and ecological resilience.

Discover how education, community-based resource management, and traditional knowledge intersect.

Gain perspective on land commons, desertification, and global sustainability lessons.

This episode offers powerful parallels for regenerative agriculture, urban farming, and sustainable land governance worldwide.

00:00 – Introduction to Harvesting Wisdom & Mongolia’s vast steppe
02:15 – Growing up in rural Mongolia & academic beginnings
05:40 – Mongolia’s transition from socialism to market economy
08:10 – Participatory land mapping & community-based management
12:30 – Creating the Center for Nomadic Pastoralism Studies
16:00 – Educating herder children after school dropouts
20:15 – What is Dzud? Understanding Mongolia’s extreme winters
24:50 – Climate frequency shifts & resilience strategies
29:10 – Mobility as survival: moving 20+ times per year
34:40 – Reduced movement & overgrazing challenges
39:00 – Five livestock species & increasing labor pressures
44:15 – Collective herding systems vs. independent households
50:30 – Desertification & mixed livestock impacts
56:20 – Hybrid breeds vs. traditional adaptation
1:02:10 – Land tenure, commons, and reciprocity culture
1:07:00 – The future of Mongolian pastoralism

Send a text

In Part 2 of this two-part series, we continue our powerful conversation with Dr. Tungalag Ulambayar of the Zoological Society of Mongolia.

This episode explores how Mongolia transitioned from being a representative office of the Zoological Society of London into a fully independent national NGO — and what that means for wildlife conservation on the ground.

We dive deep into:
-Illegal wildlife trafficking across Mongolia’s borders
-Community-based conservation and rangeland management
-The threat of climate change and water scarcity in the Gobi
-Wild camel conservation and hybridization risks
-Overgrazing, livestock pressure, and economic policy impacts
-How local herders are becoming biodiversity stewards

Dr. Ulambayar shares how conservation must move beyond top-down funding models and instead empower local communities with the tools, training, and ownership needed to protect their ecosystems.

From snow leopards to wild camels, this episode reveals how fragile desert ecosystems truly are — and why global support for grassroots conservation is more urgent than ever.

Why You Should Listen
-This episode is for you if you care about:
-Wildlife conservation beyond the headlines
-Climate change impacts on fragile ecosystems
-Community-driven environmental solutions
-The complexity of desert biodiversity
-Illegal wildlife trade and global supply chains
-Real-world conservation funding challenges

You’ll walk away understanding that conservation isn’t just about protecting animals — it’s about policy, economics, culture, and collaboration.

And most importantly: local wisdom matters.

Key Time Stamps

00:00 – Introduction
Welcome back to Part 2 of our Mongolia conservation series.

00:01 – Origins of the Zoological Society of Mongolia
From the Zoological Society of London (est. 1826) to national independence after COVID restructuring.

05:21 – Illegal Wildlife Trade in Mongolia
Snow leopards, argali sheep, marmots, and falcons — trafficking routes and border pressures.

08:11 – Working with Herders
Turning hunters into stewards through education and biodiversity monitoring.

11:07 – Community-Based Conservation Model
Why local action creates faster, more lasting change than political policy alone.

13:36 – Climate vs. Human Pressures
Overgrazing, disease transfer, hybridization, and water scarcity.

16:23 – Only 700 Wild Camels Left
Genetic purity, hybrid threats, and umbrella species protection.

18:52 – Overgrazing & Economic Policy
How export bans and lack of domestic industry increase livestock pressure.

21:30 – Water Scarcity in the Gobi
Solar-powered pumps, boreholes, and wildlife adaptation strategies.

24:14 – Funding Gaps for Local NGOs
Why small conservation organizations struggle to access global funds.

28:59 – The Four Signature Focus Areas

Illegal wildlife trade

Community-based conservation

Canine enforcement programs

Local protected areas

31:11 – Does Community Rangeland Management Work?
Social success vs. ecological complexity.

32:36 – Closing Reflections

#HarvestingWisdomPodcast
#WildlifeConservation
#CommunityConservation
#Mongolia
#SnowLeopard
#WildCamel
#IllegalWildlifeTrade
#ClimateImpact
#DesertEcosystems
#Biodiversity
#SustainableRangelands
#GrassrootsConservation
#EnvironmentalLeadership
#GlobalConservation
#ProtectTheGobi

Send a text

In this powerful Youth Spotlight episode, filmmaker Jina Song joins Harvesting Wisdom to discuss her six-minute documentary Altyn-Kazyk: The Golden State — officially selected in the Youth (18 & Under) Category for the Skyfire Environmental Film Festival, happening March 27–29 in Phoenix, Arizona.

Home to over 16,000 people, the community of Altyn-Kazyk in Kyrgyzstan lives beside the region’s largest landfill. Many families — especially women — rely on waste sorting for survival, working in dangerous conditions surrounded by toxic smoke and pollution.

Jina shares how her background in sustainability activism in Seoul, combined with her family ties to Kyrgyzstan, inspired her to tell this story. What she discovered was not just climate injustice — but dignity, resilience, and hope.

Through powerful storytelling, her film reveals a community guided by the symbolism of the North Star — a reminder that even in the harshest conditions, light and direction remain possible.

Don’t miss this inspiring conversation and the opportunity to see her film at Skyfire in Phoenix.

Why You Should Listen
-A global youth perspective on climate justice
-Behind-the-scenes insight into a powerful six-minute documentary
-A reminder that resilience and dignity exist even in the most overlooked communities
-A conversation about sustainability, waste systems, and policy change
-An inspiring story from a student filmmaker making global impact

This episode isn’t just about environmental injustice — it’s about hope.

00:00 – Harvesting Wisdom intro
00:00:25 – Meet Jina Song
00:02:20 – What inspired the film
00:03:43 – Inside Altyn-Kazyk: Life near the landfill
00:05:47 – Filming process & production timeline
00:07:16 – Community size & impact on children
00:09:06 – Health risks & lack of government support
00:10:51 – Pollution parallels in Seoul
00:12:53 – Why this film matters
00:14:05 – The meaning of “The Golden State” & the North Star
00:17:04 – Jina’s future in sustainability & policy
00:19:06 – Skyfire Environmental Film Festival mention
00:20:29 – Closing remarks

#HarvestingWisdomPodcast
#JinaSong
#SkyfireFilmFestival
#YouthFilmmaker
#ClimateJustice
#EnvironmentalDocumentary
#Sustainability
#WasteManagement
#GlobalStories
#ClimateActivism
#StudentSelected
#EnvironmentalFilm
#Kyrgyzstan
#Seoul
#HopeAndResilience

Send a text

In this episode of Harvesting Wisdom, host Mike McMahon sits down with the founders of Adaptive Plant Health to explore what it truly takes to keep trees, landscapes, and communities thriving in the Arizona desert. With backgrounds spanning economics, finance, religion, landscaping, and plant science, the Adaptive team shares how their shared values and decades-long friendships led them to build a soil-first, science-driven approach to plant health.

The conversation dives into the real challenges facing desert landscapes—from rising temperatures and drought stress to poor soil biology and outdated landscaping practices. Together, they unpack why preventative plant care matters, how healthy soil directly impacts water use and urban heat, and why collaboration and education are essential for building sustainable, long-lasting landscapes across the Southwest.

Why Listen

Learn why soil health is the foundation of thriving trees and landscapes

Understand how preventative care saves money compared to reactive fixes

Hear how economics, ecology, and ethics intersect in sustainable land management

Discover why Arizona’s landscapes need smarter, not harsher, solutions

Gain insight into real-world applications for homeowners, HOAs, landscapers, and municipalities

If you care about sustainability, water conservation, urban heat reduction, or smarter landscaping in the desert—this episode is for you.

Important Timestamps

00:00 – 01:25 | Introduction & Adaptive Plant Health overview
01:25 – 04:07 | Founders’ backgrounds and how Adaptive was formed
04:07 – 06:21 | Why plant health matters in Phoenix’s changing climate
06:21 – 08:42 | Landscaping myths, soil neglect, and long-term value
08:42 – 10:08 | Preventative care vs. reactive landscape fixes
10:08 – 12:21 | Soil testing, diagnostics, and client education
12:21 – 14:26 | Before-and-after transformations and real results
14:26 – 15:57 | Working with landscapers, HOAs, and large properties
15:57 – 18:28 | Weed control, microbes, and minimizing environmental impact
18:28 – 20:33 | Sustainability through an economic and systems lens
20:33 – 22:45 | Native plants, disease pressure, and future challenges
22:45 – 26:03 | Aesthetic desires vs. ecological reality in desert landscapes
26:03 – 27:51 | Golf courses, urban trees, and shifting industry mindsets
27:51 – 29:39 | Scaling Adaptive’s mission across the Southwest
29:39 – 31:33 | Who Adaptive is for and how they partner with others
31:33 – 32:47 | How to contact Adaptive Plant Health & closing thoughts

#HarvestingWisdom
#SoilHealth
#PlantHealth
#UrbanForestry
#SustainableLandscaping
#DesertLiving
#WaterConservation
#ArizonaSustainability
#ClimateResilience
#HealthySoilHealthyLife

Send a text

In this episode of Harvesting Wisdom, host Mike McMahon sits down with Lauren Kuby, Arizona State Senator and longtime environmental advocate, to explore what sustainability really means beyond buzzwords.

Lauren Kuby shares her background in environmental activism, city leadership, and academia, offering insight into how sustainability connects soil health, waste reduction, equity, and community resilience. The conversation breaks down complex topics like circular economies, regenerative practices, and environmental systems into practical, real-world examples already working in communities today.

Rather than focusing on ideology, this episode centers on education, collaboration, and long-term thinking—highlighting how decisions made now shape opportunities for future generations.

Why Listen

Understand sustainability in practical, real-world terms

Learn how soil health, waste systems, and circular economies are connected

Hear firsthand insights from Lauren Kuby’s experience in city and state leadership

Discover how community-driven solutions reduce waste and create resilience

Explore how education, art, and local action help drive environmental awareness

This episode is ideal for listeners interested in sustainability, environmental education, soil health, food systems, and community-based solutions.

Important Timestamps

00:00 – Introduction to Harvesting Wisdom
Setting the stage for sustainability and lived experience

00:26 – Lauren Kuby’s background & path to leadership
From activism and academia to city council and state senate

02:24 – Defining sustainability beyond buzzwords
Efficiency, longevity, and reducing harm

03:40 – Sustainability, equity, and future generations
How today’s choices shape tomorrow’s opportunities

05:59 – Environmental protections explained
Clean air, clean water, and healthy environments

07:14 – Waste systems & circular economy basics
Why reducing and separating waste matters

09:20 – Soil health & regenerative practices
Biology, carbon storage, and resilience

12:16 – Community collaboration in action
Why grassroots partnerships matter

14:10 – Behavior change & everyday sustainability
Small habits that lead to systemic impact

17:53 – Art, storytelling & environmental awareness
How culture helps people understand sustainability

19:33 – Environmental film, civic pride & engagement
Connecting communities through shared experiences

25:35 – Closing reflections
Building sustainable systems together

Send a text

n this powerful installment of our Mongolia series, host Mike McMahon and co-host Diana Kruzman sit down with Dr. Tungalag Ulambayar (Tunga), Director of ZSL Mongolia and one of the country’s leading conservation voices.

Raised by her grandparents in the Gobi Desert, Tunga’s childhood as a herder shaped her lifelong commitment to protecting Mongolia’s fragile ecosystems. From drawing clocks in the snow while tending livestock to leading national conservation initiatives, her story bridges tradition, resilience, and modern environmental science.

The conversation explores Mongolia’s dramatic transition from socialism to a market economy, the privatization of livestock, devastating dzud climate disasters, biodiversity policy reform, and the evolving role of community-based conservation.

Tunga offers deep insight into how traditional Mongolian environmental customs—rooted in the Yasa laws of Chinggis Khan—intersect with modern global conservation frameworks.

This episode is a rare and inspiring look at how culture, climate, and policy collide on the frontlines of environmental change.

Why You Should Listen
-Learn how Mongolia transitioned from state-managed cooperatives to privatized herding — and the ecological consequences.
-Understand the devastating impact of dzud (extreme winter climate events) on herders and wildlife.
-Discover conservation efforts protecting snow leopards, wild camels, and steppe ecosystems.
-Explore how traditional Mongolian customs inform modern sustainability.
-Hear insider insights on environmental law reform and biodiversity policy gaps.
-Gain perspective on how systemic transformation happens after political and economic upheaval.

This episode blends lived experience, climate science, policy, and cultural wisdom into one deeply human story.

Send a text

In this episode of Harvesting Wisdom, host Mike McMahon sits down with Brenna Follett, Director of Professional Development at the Arizona Science Center, inside their iconic giant-screen theater to explore how science education, sustainability, and storytelling come together.

Brenna shares her journey from classroom teaching to leading professional learning initiatives that support educators across Arizona. Together, they discuss how the Arizona Science Center transforms complex scientific concepts into hands-on, engaging experiences for students, teachers, and the broader community.

The conversation also highlights the Science Center’s partnership with the Skyfire Environmental Film Festival, the importance of sustainability education in the Sonoran Desert, and how youth-driven STEM innovation is shaping real-world environmental solutions. This episode emphasizes curiosity, accessibility, and community-powered learning as key drivers of long-term impact.

Why Listen
-Hear from Brenna Follett, Director of Professional Development at the Arizona Science Center
-Learn how teachers earn professional development hours through science-based sustainability programs
-Discover how environmental storytelling enhances science communication
-Explore how youth innovation and STEM education drive real solutions
-Get an inside look at how science centers partner with community initiatives like Skyfire

Highlight Timestamps
00:00 – 01:20 | Welcome + recording at Arizona Science Center’s giant screen theater
01:20 – 02:40 | Brenna Follett’s background in education and professional development
02:40 – 04:40 | Arizona Science Center history and community impact
04:40 – 06:30 | Partnering with Skyfire Environmental Film Festival
06:30 – 08:45 | Environmental storytelling and hands-on science communication
08:45 – 10:30 | How the Science Center defines sustainability
10:30 – 12:20 | Field trips, Science on Wheels, and statewide outreach
12:20 – 13:40 | Sustainability Festival, composting, recycling & green initiatives
13:40 – 15:15 | Addressing misconceptions about sustainability
15:15 – 18:00 | Living and innovating sustainably in the Sonoran Desert
18:00 – 21:00 | Youth leadership, STEM growth, and innovation in Arizona
21:00 – 24:45 | Student science fairs and solution-based research
24:45 – 27:10 | Why youth engagement gives hope for the future
27:10 – 30:00 | Community pride, global perspectives & closing thoughts

Send a text

In this episode of Harvesting Wisdom, host Mike McMahon sits down with Jessica Mefford-Miller, Chief Executive Officer of Valley Metro, to talk about sustainable transportation, regional growth, and how public transit supports community connection in the Phoenix metro area.

Jessica shares her background in transportation and geography—and how her work has always lived at the intersection of people, culture, and the natural environment. Together, they discuss the Valley’s rapid growth, why density and intentional city planning matter in a desert region, and how transit helps create more sustainable, walkable communities.

The conversation also highlights how visitors can easily navigate the Skyfire Environmental Film Festival without renting a car—using the Valley Metro app to plan routes, purchase multi-day passes, and ride light rail, buses, and the Tempe streetcar. If you’re coming to Skyfire from out of town (or you live here and haven’t tried the system yet), this episode is a practical guide to exploring Phoenix, Tempe, and Mesa with a smaller footprint—while tapping into local culture along the rail line.

Why Listen
-Hear directly from Valley Metro CEO Jessica Mefford-Miller on where transit is headed in the Valley
-Learn how public transit supports sustainability, density, and community in a fast-growing desert region
-Get an easy “how-to” for visitors: Sky Harbor → light rail → festival venues
-Find out what you need to ride (spoiler: your phone + the Valley Metro app)
-Discover how to explore food, arts, and neighborhoods along the rail without driving

Highlight Timestamps

00:00 – 00:46 | Intro + meet Jessica Mefford-Miller, CEO of Valley Metro
00:46 – 02:59 | Her background: transportation, geography, and systems thinking
02:59 – 04:44 | Phoenix growth over decades and why transit matters more now
04:44 – 06:15 | Why Jessica came to Phoenix + regional transportation investment
06:15 – 08:36 | Growth challenges in a desert: land, water, density, community design
08:36 – 09:55 | Skyfire scale + why transit is key for a citywide festival
09:55 – 10:43 | Visitor guide: Sky Harbor → Skytrain → 44th St station → light rail
10:43 – 13:18 | What Valley Metro includes: rail, streetcar, buses, paratransit, vanpool
13:18 – 14:54 | Transportation innovation + reducing reliance on personal cars
14:54 – 15:53 | How to ride: Valley Metro app, passes, tap-to-pay, same fare system
15:53 – 21:14 | Exploring the Valley without a car: restaurants, arts, neighborhoods along rail
21:14 – 22:50 | Bigger regional vision + sustainability and connectivity
22:50 – 24:28 | Youth, storytelling, and building the next chapter for Arizona
24:28 – End | Closing + Skyfire dates and call to action

Send a text

In this engaging episode of Harvesting Wisdom, Dr. Roselle, Chief Operating Officer of Urban Farming Education, steps in for host Mike McMahon to welcome a remarkable leader—Mayor Corey Woods of Tempe, Arizona. Together, they dive into the dynamic intersection of sustainability, public transportation, affordable housing, and community engagement.

Mayor Woods shares his journey from aspiring educator to public servant, highlighting pivotal moments in his political career, including his groundbreaking election as Tempe’s first African American city council member and later mayor. He discusses transformative initiatives such as the expansion of light rail and modern streetcar systems, innovative affordable housing projects, and Tempe's bold Climate Action Plan 2.0.

Through meaningful dialogue, they underscore the importance of sustainability as a multifaceted strategy—connecting transportation, housing, and resource stewardship. This episode provides a visionary look at how intentional policy and inclusive community planning can reshape urban landscapes and build resilient, future-ready cities.

Why Listen?
At Harvesting Wisdom, we believe “We’ve all taken a bite out of the apple.” This episode is an inspiring example of how leadership, collaboration, and practical vision can bridge the gap between information and action. Learn how Tempe is setting a new standard for climate-smart cities and how YOU can be part of shaping sustainable communities that leave a lasting social footprint.

Timestamps & Key Moments:

00:00 – Welcome from Dr. Roselle & podcast mission

00:53 – Meet Mayor Corey Woods of Tempe

01:48 – From education to politics: Corey’s journey to leadership

03:34 – Breaking barriers: Elected as Tempe’s first African American council member

04:05 – Policy focus: Affordable housing and community development

06:07 – Affordable housing as a sustainability initiative

07:08 – The transformative impact of Tempe's light rail system

10:13 – Streetcar expansion plans and regional cooperation

13:18 – Boosting local business through transportation investment

16:03 – Light rail’s influence on tourism and economic development

18:16 – Creating shade and livability through tree planting

20:04 – Redefining affordable housing through utility and energy costs

21:04 – ASU partnerships & educational collaboration

23:39 – Tempe’s Climate Action Plan 2.0: Changing hearts and minds

25:34 – Green building codes and voluntary adoption by developers

26:55 – Unified city council voice accelerates change

28:05 – Cost savings through sustainable design

30:16 – Educating for change: Helping the public embrace sustainability

31:39 – Local spotlight: Red Velvet Bakery & community connection

33:57 – Final reflections & Mayor Woods' inspiring impact

Call to Action:
-Inspired by this episode? Help close the gap between information and action.
-Get involved with Urban Farming Education and support initiatives that empower sustainable cities and communities.
-Donate to leave a lasting social footprint: www.weareufe.org
-Subscribe to Harvesting Wisdom and share this episode to amplify change!
-Explore our curriculum and bring climate-smart education to your school or community.

#HarvestingWisdom #SustainableCities #UrbanFarmingEducation #TempeAZ #AffordableHousing #ClimateAction #GreenBuilding #MayorCoreyWoods #PublicTransportation #LightRail #ClimateSmart #ASUPartnerships #SustainabilityLeadership #LeaveASocialFootprint