Scientista

National security isn’t just about borders and threats—it’s about how we prepare, respond, and rebuild. CNN analyst and Harvard professor Juliette Kayyem joins Monica Medina and Dr. Sweta Chakraborty to talk about women in crisis leadership, why “less bad” is a winning strategy, and what every family should know about the “72 on you” rule for disaster preparedness. From political violence to parenting in the age of disinformation, Kayyem brings clarity—and calm—to a world that feels anything but secure.

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What do Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu, and Mary Robinson have in common? According to Jean Oelwang, the founding CEO of Virgin Unite, it’s not charisma or power—it’s humility. In this episode, Jean shares stories from decades spent alongside the world’s most influential changemakers, from helping Mandela and Graca Machel launch The Elders to working with Mary Robinson and Paul Polman on Planetary Guardians. She explains why great leaders make others shine, how to practice what she calls “urgent patience,” and what it really takes to lead with empathy in a divided world.

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Clean energy is winning on technology—but losing the story. Jigar Shah tells Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina why solar, wind, and EVs need the swagger (and budget) of a “Got Milk?” campaign. From plug-in hybrids to nuclear power, he explains how better narratives—and a billion-dollar confidence boost—can keep the transition moving forward.

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Jennifer Morris, CEO of The Nature Conservancy, joins the Scientista Podcast to share her journey from women’s development projects in Namibia to leading thousands of employees across 80 countries. She discusses how TNC is reimagining conservation through innovative finance, science, and technology—from “nature bonds” that unlock billions for biodiversity to AI tools that monitor forests and oceans in real time.

Listen in as Morris explains why people and communities are at the heart of lasting environmental solutions—and what it takes to guide the world’s largest environmental nonprofit in a time of climate crisis.

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What does it take to manage a presidential campaign? In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, we sit down with Julie Chávez Rodriguez, who served as campaign manager for Vice President Kamala Harris.

Julie takes us inside one of the most intense races in U.S. history—sharing how she prepared Harris for a defining debate stage moment, built a staff of thousands across battleground states, and navigated the unique challenges women face in leadership. She also reflects on her family legacy as the granddaughter of César Chávez, the role of Latino voters, and why organizing remains the backbone of democracy.

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You may know her as Billie Eilish’s mom, but Maggie Baird is also an activist, storyteller, and founder of Support + Feed, a nonprofit tackling hunger, equity, and climate change with plant-based meals. What began as a living room idea during COVID has grown into a movement spanning 11 cities—delivering nutritious meals to communities cut off from healthy food, hosting free farmers markets, and inspiring fans worldwide to take the Support + Feed pledge.

Maggie is also reshaping the music industry from the inside, working with Billie, Finneas, and partners like REVERB to push arenas toward plant-based menus, cut down on waste, and prove that sustainability can be the easier, better option. Her philosophy? Progress over perfection. Whether it’s one plant-based meal a day or one arena ditching single-use plastic, small shifts add up to big change.

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Lindsay Levin, Co-Founder of TED Countdown, joins Monica Medina to reflect on how the initiative has grown into a global platform reaching millions. Levin shares how TED Countdown is flipping the climate script — spotlighting solutions, building radical collaborations, and spreading hope through powerful storytelling.

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“Are we still talking about gender?” Yes—because it’s not solved. Climate leader Helen Mountford sits down with Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina to reveal how women are driving bold climate solutions around the world, why organizations perform better when women lead, and how philanthropy can unlock their potential.

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Climate shocks are coming — faster, harder, and more often. American University’s Dana R. Fisher explains why the climate movement can’t afford to ignore local organizing, and how community power can drive national change. From disruptive protests to neighborhood resilience projects, Fisher shares a data-driven, hopeful vision for turning local action into systemic climate solutions.

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In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, meteorologist and Climate Central’s VP for Engagement Bernadette Woods Placky explains why local weather forecasters may be the most trusted—and underutilized—climate communicators we have.

We talk about her path from aspiring gymnast to award-winning meteorologist, how attribution science is changing the climate conversation, and why communication is as critical as policy and technology in building climate resilience.

🎧 In this episode:

• Why weathercasters are often the only scientists people know
• How climate change is transforming everyday weather
• The rise of attribution science and real-time climate tracking
• What trust and curiosity have to do with climate action

Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista here: www.scientista.world