New Humans for New Earth

What if the things we throw away aren’t actually done with us yet? In this episode of New Humans for New Earth, Queenie sits down with McKendree Thompson, board member of Portland’s ReClaim It, for a talk about trash, treasure, creativity, and what it means to live with a little more intention.

Together, they explore the circular economy, the surprisingly personal magic of repair and reuse, and why choosing objects with history can connect us more deeply to our homes, our communities, and one another.

This episode is an invitation to slow down, look again, and ask: Do I really need something new…or is there already possibility hiding in what I have? Reuse, it turns out, can be practical, affordable, deeply satisfying, and even an act of hope for the future.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introducing ReClaim It

05:31 The impact reuse has

11:36 We’ve gotten used to convenience, but there’s another way

15:56 The affordability of sustainability

24:19 Moving away from linear thinking

31:06 Your small actions do have an impact

34:09 A recycling resource

35:27 Breaking away from the consumer mindset

41:10 The soul and story of an object

50:06 It’s called capitalism

53:37 ReClaim It’s upcoming expansion and partner orgs

1:07:55 Closing questions

McKendree Thompson is a Portland nonprofit leader with more than 20 years of experience championing reuse, housing, civic education, and community support. A board member of ReClaim It and former Community Philanthropy Manager at Rebuilding Center, she is guided by a lifelong commitment to reuse, repurpose, and reimagine.

Learn more: Check out Reclaim It at www.reclaimitpdx.org. IG @reclaimitpdx and TikTok @reclaimit_pdx.

Dive deeper: Any time you have a recycling question or need reuse inspiration, head to www.earth911.com.

Stay connected: @newhumansfornewearth on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok & Facebook. newhumansfornewearth.com.

Intro & Outro Music: Take off (feat. Emily Dukes) (Instrumental) by Pastek.

New episodes Wednesdays!

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of New Humans for New Earth, or used by New Humans for New Earth with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of New Humans for New Earth, which may be requested by contacting [email protected].

This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.

What if the sense of loneliness and isolation so many of us feel can be attributed to our fear of trusting others?

In this solo episode, Queenie explores the growing sense of disconnection, isolation, and distrust many of us feel, and asks what it might look like to rebuild a culture rooted in kindness, community, and mutual care.

Drawing from her own healing journey and a recent trip to Spain, she shares vulnerable reflections on learning to ask for help, opening herself to connection, and experiencing unexpected generosity from strangers.

This episode is an invitation to reconsider the stories we carry about other people and to notice the small ways we can help create a warmer, more connected New Earth.

Timestamps:

00:00 Where is this disconnection coming from?

07:38 Everyday connection with other humans

13:34 My experience with people pleasing

19:33 The Spain Experiment

27:12 Fossil Fuel Free Laundry Detergent

30:46 People show up for one another

39:07 How capitalism contributes to the problem

48:32 The world is a finite system

53:46 How to look beyond the transactions

Dive deeper: Opt into fossil fuel free laundry detergent! Instructions and ingredients here https://www.instagram.com/reels/DWraqlspjpQ/.

Stay connected: @newhumansfornewearth on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok & Facebook. newhumansfornewearth.com.

Intro & Outro Music: Take off (feat. Emily Dukes) (Instrumental) by Pastek

New episodes Wednesdays!

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of New Humans for New Earth, or used by New Humans for New Earth with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of New Humans for New Earth, which may be requested by contacting [email protected]. This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.

There’s this growing divide right now between folks who think technology will save us and folks who think the answer is to return to nature. But what if the future isn’t about choosing between technology and nature, but coming to see and respect the Earth as the ultimate technology?

In this episode, Queenie and Sam Smith explore this great divide, looking at AI, permaculture, community, regenerative design, and our evolving relationship with the Earth. They ask whether this divide is really what it appears or whether there’s a more nuanced way to understand this seeming divide.

Spoiler: Sam brings the reassuring insight that the problem isn’t technology per se, but the questions and problems we apply technology to. Which in turn, is just a reflection of our consciousness and—cue sigh of relief—is subject to change, thanks to New Humans like you and me.

Timestamps:

00:00 Taking it back to the 1970’s (back-to-the-land movement)

07:04 Collective vs individual progress

10:04 Moving beyond cynicism

13:08 Allure of the commune

19:39 The divide between technology and the earth

29:39 Where does AI fit here?

38:41 Are we rejecting tech or capitalism?

46:46 Where do we as individuals fit in?

50:16 Moving away from linear systems

59:28 The Earth is a living, breathing organism

Organizations to check out Precious Plastic preciousplastic.com and Burners Without Borders burnerswithoutborders.org

Sam Smith is an open-source ecosystem developer, artist, and insurrectionary ecologist, exploring the intersection of regenerative systems design and open-source tech to design, build, and deploy small-scale, low-cost, open-source, closed-loop infrastructure that sustains itself and meet human needs using only waste biomass and sunshine for energy, just like living organisms do.

Connect with Sam on Instagram @themagictoolbus and YouTube @disruptivelyuseful. You can also find him on Patreon at Patreon.com/DisruptivelyUseful and his website https://disruptivelyuseful.github.io/.

Intro & Outro Music: Take off (feat. Emily Dukes) (Instrumental) by Pastek

Stay connected: @newhumansfornewearth on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok & Facebook. newhumansfornewearth.com.

New episodes Wednesdays!

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of New Humans for New Earth, or used by New Humans for New Earth with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of New Humans for New Earth, which may be requested by contacting [email protected].

This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.

What happens when life doesn’t look the way you thought it would?

In this episode of New Humans for New Earth, Queenie addresses the elephant in the room of this moment: unmet expectations. Likely, very few of us expected to be spending this moment of our lives confronting the attempted auth0ritarian takeover of the U.S., asking ourselves if we can trust food from the grocery store, or any of the other numerous questions we find ourselves facing right now.

Queenie explores the weight of unmet expectations and how our attachment to what life “should” look like can create frustration, resentment, and distance from the reality in front of us. From relationships and career expectations to the larger social and environmental changes happening around us, this episode is an invitation to notice where you may be resisting what is and shift from disappointment toward gratitude and possibility.

Because when we stop trying to control exactly how life unfolds, we create more space to engage with the present—and perhaps even allow the Universe to surprise and delight us.

Timestamps:

00:00 We’re Surrounded by Expectations

06:47 The Transition into New Earth is an Amplifier

13:46 Expectations are Natural

17:52 Expectations as Judgements on Reality

24:37 Surrendering to the Divine Plan

25:01 The Pitfalls of Spotify

28:16 Fighting Reality is a Losing Battle

36:03 Choosing to Let Expectations Go

41:32 Letting Go of the Old Paradigm

48:36 Entering a Heart-Centered Space

Stay connected: @newhumansfornewearth on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok & Facebook. newhumansfornewearth.com.

Intro & Outro Music: Take off (feat. Emily Dukes) (Instrumental) by Pastek

New episodes Wednesdays!

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of New Humans for New Earth, or used by New Humans for New Earth with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of New Humans for New Earth, which may be requested by contacting [email protected].

This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.

In this episode of New Humans for New Earth, Queenie sits down with Earl Meininger, one of the new owners of Portland’s iconic New Renaissance Bookshop, to talk about leadership, community, and what it means to build a different kind of future.

Together, they explore the power of physical spaces that bring people together, the importance of human connection in an increasingly digital world, and why community may be one of the most important resources we have. They also dive into the costs of endless growth, corporate culture, AI, environmental limits, and the question so many of us are asking: How much is enough?

Ultimately, this conversation is an invitation to imagine a world where heart, connection, sustainability, and community help define what success looks like.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introducing…Earl! (And the history of New Renaissance)

09:01 Leaving the corporate world

17:50 A different leadership style

22:04 The state of corporate America

27:29 The role of a metaphysical store

30:34 There’s lots of ways to awaken

33:08 The downfalls of Gmail

36:17 Taking the next step to find community

49:40 The difference between small business and corporations

1:05:17 There’s such a thing as too much growth

Connect with Earl and the New Renaissance Bookshop: After 20 years in corporate human resources, Earl Meininger made the leap into small business ownership, becoming the new owner of New Renaissance Bookshop, along with his wife. Earl brings with him a philosophy rooted in servant leadership, trust, and genuine care for people. Find the shop on Instagram @newrenbooks and www.newrenbooks.com.

Opt in: To end-to-end encrypted email with Proton Mail. Get your account for $1 for the first month or for $3 per month with an annual plan.

Intro & Outro Music: Take off (feat. Emily Dukes) (Instrumental) by Pastek

Stay connected: @newhumansfornewearth on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok & Facebook. newhumansfornewearth.com.

New episodes Wednesdays!

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of New Humans for New Earth, or used by New Humans for New Earth with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of New Humans for New Earth, which may be requested by contacting [email protected].

This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.

Our consumer choices are about more than price, convenience, and whether a product meets our needs. In this episode of New Humans for New Earth, Queenie explores the energetic dimension of our consumer choices and what it means to bring the energy of companies, products, and services into our homes and lives.

From energy transfer and energetic hygiene to toxic workplaces, corporate values, and the companies we choose to support, this episode invites us to look beyond branding and marketing and pay attention to what our intuition and bodies tell us. Queenie explores how our dollars can reinforce systems of extraction or support businesses that prioritize people, the planet, and collective well-being.

Before you buy, do a vibe check. What energy are you saying yes to? This episode will help you find out.

Timestamps:

01:42 Humanity’s Growing Awareness

04:53 What The Energy Around You is Saying

12:41 All About Energy Transfer

31:34 How Energy Transfer Impacts Business

38:49 Some Information About Amazon

46:32 How Objects Carry Energy

50:35 The Marie Kondo Method

51:52 What We Surround Ourselves With Matters

Stay connected: @newhumansfornewearth on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok & Facebook. newhumansfornewearth.com.

Intro & Outro Music: Take off (feat. Emily Dukes) (Instrumental) by Pastek

New episodes Wednesdays!

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of New Humans for New Earth, or used by New Humans for New Earth with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or

editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of New Humans for New Earth, which may be requested by contacting [email protected].

This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.

What if rest is more than sleep or taking a break from productivity? What if true rest is being able to take off the armor and simply be yourself?

In this episode of New Humans for New Earth, Queenie and Gabe Torres explore what it means to truly honor yourself. They talk about recognizing when you’ve reached your capacity, setting boundaries, letting go of past versions of yourself, and creating space for solitude, nature, play, and presence.

Together, they explore the relationship between rest and safety…and how learning to show up unarmored can create a softer, safer world for everyone around us.

What happens when we stop trying to perform, protect, and manage everything, and instead give ourselves permission to just be?

Book an appointment with Gabriel Torres or simply check out some great art at @shamanicinkpdx on Instagram or visit Shamanicink.com

Timestamps:

5:04 Are we really in touch with rest?

9:21 You need to make time for yourself before you make time for others

17:46 We’re living through an accelerated evolutionary phase

22:15 Finding our boundaries

31:34 Rest means taking of all our armor

36:00 AI Data centers

40:37 What taking off our armor looks like

49:29 The universe reflects what you need to see at any given moment

Stay connected: @newhumansfornewearth on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok & Facebook. newhumansfornewearth.com.

Turn off AI Overview results on your iPhone

• Open Firefox and click on the three dots in the bottom right corner
• Select “Settings” and then “Search
• Tap “Add Search Engine”
• In the “Title” field enter “No AI Google.”
• In the URL field enter “https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=%s&udm=14 ”
• Tap “Save” and set “No AI Google” as your default browser
• If you use a browser other than Firefox or use an Android, search the name of your preferred browser, the words “add custom search engine,” and your device name and follow the instructions with the information above.

Intro & Outro Music: Take off (feat. Emily Dukes) (Instrumental) by Pastek

New episodes Wednesdays!

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of New Humans for New Earth, or used by New Humans for New Earth with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of New Humans for New Earth, which may be requested by contacting [email protected].

This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.

What if the biggest obstacle between us and the more loving, more aligned future we long for isn't the circumstances facing us...but the beliefs we hold about what’s possible?

In this episode ofNew Humans for New Earth, Queenie explores how our beliefs shape the reality we experience and why changing our internal programming is one of the most powerful acts of personal and collective transformation.

Learn how intentionally choosing beliefs that serve you can shift your perspective, your actions, and the future you're helping create. Queenie looks at everything from confirmation bias and cultural conditioning to hope, possibility, and conscious choice. She also examines how fear and hopelessness keep us supporting systems that no longer serve people or the planet, and offers practical ways to begin reclaiming your agency.

If you're ready to move from despair to possibility, this episode is your invitation to begin.

Timestamps:

00:00 How our beliefs shape New Earth

5:18 The universe is a mirror

9:13 The trap of confirmation bias

11:49 There is nothing necessary about the reality you’re seeing

17:56 Humans are programmed, which means we can be unprogrammed.

26:45 Be careful where you bank!

32:04 Take control of your own programming

40:31 It’s fun to shape your own reality

44:18 An exercise you can do this week

Dive Deeper: Check out The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz.

Stay connected: @newhumansfornewearth on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok & Facebook. newhumansfornewearth.com.

Intro & Outro Music: Take off (feat. Emily Dukes) (Instrumental) by Pastek

New episodes Wednesdays!

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of New Humans for New Earth, or used by New Humans for New Earth with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of New Humans for New Earth, which may be requested by contacting [email protected].

This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.

In this episode of New Humans for New Earth, Queenie sits down with Portland's beloved Trash Witch, Nicky Eddy, to explore how small acts of environmental stewardship can create meaningful change. From collecting recycling at community bike rides to transforming discarded materials into art, Nicky shares how picking up litter became both a personal calling and a joyful practice.

Together, they discuss our culture's relationship with waste, the surprising value hidden in everyday "trash," and why making sustainability fun may be one of the most powerful ways to inspire action. This conversation is a hopeful reminder that while the world's environmental challenges are immense, every recycled can, every piece of litter removed, and every conscious choice matters.

If you've ever wondered whether one person can make a difference, this episode offers an encouraging answer: yes, and it starts with the next small action.

Timestamps:

00:00 – Meet Portland's Beloved Trash Witch

03:59 – Bringing Recycling to Pedalpalooza

07:12 – Why Aluminum Cans Matter So Much

10:56 – The Story Behind Becoming the Trash Witch

21:04 – Why People Litter (And How to Fix It)

26:40 – We Already Have Enough—So What's the Problem?

28:14 – Where Does Your Recycling Actually Go?

30:53 – How Trash Witch Began (And What It's Taught Nicky)

37:19 – Creative Ways to Reuse Everyday Waste

40:29 – The Future of Recycling and a Circular Economy

Dive Deeper: Watch Anthropocene: The Human Epoch and Waste Land: An Art Collaboration in the World’s Largest Garbage Dump on Kanopy.

Connect with Nicky on Instagram @TrashWitchPDX or https://buymeacoffee.com/trashwitchpdx

Stay connected: @newhumansfornewearth on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok & Facebook. newhumansfornewearth.com.

Intro & Outro Music: Take off (feat. Emily Dukes) (Instrumental) by Pastek

New episodes Wednesdays!

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of New Humans for New Earth, or used by New Humans for New Earth with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of New Humans for New Earth, which may be requested by contacting [email protected].

This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.

It's easy to look at the state of the world and wonder if anything we do really matters. (Don’t worry, it does!)

In this solo episode of New Humans for New Earth, Queenie shares why hopelessness is a natural response to the moment we're living through, and how we can move through it instead of getting stuck in it. She explores the power of feeling our emotions, reclaiming our agency, deepening our relationship with the Earth, and taking small, values-aligned actions that contribute to a better future. If you've been feeling discouraged or overwhelmed, this episode is a reminder that hope isn't something we find: it's something we practice together.

Timestamps:

00:00 We need to stop feeling hopeless

04:54 Breathing exercise

06:34 Connecting with our feelings

11:09 It’s exhausting to hold onto anger

16:07 It may feel like it, but you’re not alone

19:27 Do things that feel good and feed into the shift

25:01 Banks do more harm than you might realize

29:49 Cultivating our relationship with the planet

39:02 We all have a role to play in New Earth

50:12 How to avoid the feelings of hopelessness

Dive Deeper: Check out The Impersonal Life by Joseph Brenner.

Stay connected: @newhumansfornewearth on YouTube, Instagram, TikTok & Facebook. newhumansfornewearth.com.

Intro & Outro Music: Take off (feat. Emily Dukes) (Instrumental) by Pastek

New episodes Wednesdays!

By accessing this Podcast, I acknowledge that the entire contents are the property of New Humans for New Earth, or used by New Humans for New Earth with permission, and are protected under U.S. and international copyright and trademark laws. Except as otherwise provided herein, users of this Podcast may save and use information contained in the Podcast only for personal or other non-commercial, educational purposes. No other use, including, without limitation, reproduction, retransmission or editing, of this Podcast may be made without the prior written permission of New Humans for New Earth, which may be requested by contacting [email protected].

This podcast is for educational purposes only. The host claims no responsibility to any person or entity for any liability, loss, or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly as a result of the use, application, or interpretation of the information presented herein.