In this episode, Danna Smith, Dr. Easley, and Bennett Olupo delve into the crucial role of community involvement in protecting and restoring Southern forests. Danna Smith, the founder of The Dogwood Alliance, shares her inspiring journey and the mission to ensure everyone has access to a healthy environment. Her impactful work and the culture of care and determination will leave you feeling empowered to make a positive difference in your community.

On this episode, Dr. Easley and Bennett Olupo speak with Reverend Robert Jemonde Taylor as he discusses the deep history of Environmental Justice and resilience surrounding Saint Ambrose Episcopal Church’s predominantly Black community in Raleigh, North Carolina. He also explains how he draws from a broad range of influences to steward the congregation and land to bring vitality to the community. This episode is rich with hope, history, spirituality, and scientific thought that will brighten up your day and professional practice.

Easley and Olupo had to bring Ms. Myrick back because as a leader, she does not just work in environmental education, but she also is an entrepreneur that is making her own lane by leading multiple organizations. In this episode she shares her evolution throughout her career and her insight exploring a different field of the environment.

On this episode, Easley interviews Bennett. It’s always important to make sure that our listeners know who the engineer and editor is that keeps Heartwood moving forward. Olupo shares his background as an educator, as well as his cultural background that informs how he works in forestry and how he engages as a student in the Yale School of the Environment.

On this episode, Dr. Easley and Bennett Olupo share the stage with Professor Gonzalez as he smoothly shares his views on environmental justice and education. He brings a lens of truth, art and R&B that keeps him grounded and motivated to support his students. Gonzalez shows us how being a humble and working to be a complete human makes it easy for him to connect with faculty and staff, while maintaining confidence and curiosity.

On this episode, Dr. Easley and Bennett Olupo speak with Professor Gerald Torres as they explore his interest in Environmental Justice as well as his career in Law. This episode is rich because they all share their understandings of the injustices communities of color face, while Prof. Torres gives wisdom and scholarship that breaks down diversity, justice, and inclusion in practical ways through his historic lens. Wait until you find out the commonality they share at the end.

On this episode, Dr. Easley interviews two scientists and leaders in the forest industry. Amazingly, they are also his classmates from Alabama A&M University. They discuss their journeys to the profession and the importance of getting an education at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

On this episode, Dr. Easley and Bennett Olupo are joined by Thoko, Grace, and Ato. The vivacious and keen trio are pursuing their masters at Yale School of the Environment. We discuss what it is like to be from The Continent and pursue an environmentally focused education and career. The episode has a special emphasis on forestry and urban planning.

On this episode, Dr. Easley and Bennett Olupo are joined by world-renowned rapper and author Khnum “Stic” Ibomu (One half of the Legendary Hip Hop Band, Dead Prez), who has developed a strong fan base thanks to wellness oriented and conscious lyrics. We discuss why the growth mentality present in fit-hop, the hip-hop subgenre he created, is so important in this day and age.

On this episode, Dr. Easley speaks with Dean Toddi Steelman of the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. She shares her experience in leadership and shares how she works to support students, faculty and staff. This episode is so rich because they both used to work together, and you will enjoy listening to this humble leader whose work has had a global and national impact!