In the final episode of Season One of "Second Nature: Living with Ecological Grief and Loss," host Ashlee Cunsolo reflects on the profound journey of Season One, highlighting powerful conversations with guests worldwide who have deeply influenced her understanding of ecological grief. She discusses the importance of acknowledging grief as a natural and rational response to environmental destruction and change, and stresses the value of community in processing these emotions. 

Ashlee emphasizes learning from Indigenous and wisdom traditions, facing both grief and outrage, and finding courage in vulnerability. The season finale features an inspiring dialogue with Francis Weller, exploring how making grief a companion can inspire growth and action. Ultimately, Ashlee reminds us that, while there are no final answers to ecological loss, sharing authentic responses in solidarity is a courageous path forward. This series invites us all to walk hand-in-hand with grief, transforming sorrow into love, action, and deeper connection with the world.

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/1rRJS_umPOQ 

-- Welcome to Second Nature, a podcast about living with ecological grief. In each episode, Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo takes us on a deeply personal journey about planetary loss, and what we love, what we have lost, and how we move forward. Through a series of engaging, thought-provoking, and moving conversations with incredible guests from around the world, Second Nature is an invitation to come together to share stories of loss, love, despair, and joy, as we learn how to live with – and embrace – ecological grief and mourning.

In this special episode of Second Nature, Living with Ecological Grief, host Ashlee Cunsolo talks with internationally renowned psychotherapist Francis Weller. Weller explores the importance of recognizing grief as a communal experience, especially in the face of ecological devastation. He emphasizes that deep grief should be embraced and held collectively to foster aliveness and a deeper connection to the world. 

Ashlee shares how Weller's works have personally guided her journey through ecological grief. They delve into the concept of "the third gate," the sorrow for the world's fading natural beauty, and the profound need for ritual in processing grief. Weller stresses that, while there are no answers to ecological collapse, there is a powerful response: embracing sorrow as love and care. This episode encourages listeners to participate in grief communally, transforming sorrow into a force for connection and advocacy in the face of global crises.

Francis Weller's books:

The Wild Edge of Sorrow: Rituals of Renewal and the Sacred Work of Grief - https://www.amazon.com/Wild-Edge-Sorrow-Rituals-Renewal/dp/1583949763 

The Threshold Between Loss and Revelation Paperback - https://www.amazon.com/Threshold-Between-Loss-Revelation/dp/1548743089 

In the Absence of the Ordinary: Essays in a Time of Uncertainty - https://herosjourneyfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/In-the-Absence-of-the-Ordinary-essays-.pdf 

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/5bfnmFFRr5w 

Interview recorded on: 07/08/2024 -- Welcome to Second Nature, a podcast about living with ecological grief. In each episode, Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo takes us on a deeply personal journey about planetary loss, and what we love, what we have lost, and how we move forward. Through a series of engaging, thought-provoking, and moving conversations with incredible guests from around the world, Second Nature is an invitation to come together to share stories of loss, love, despair, and joy, as we learn how to live with – and embrace – ecological grief and mourning.

Welcome to Second Nature, Living with Ecological Grief podcast. Host Ashlee Cunsolo hosts Caroline Hickman, a climate-aware psychotherapist and researcher focused on eco-anxiety, particularly in children and young people. Caroline shares how her love for the environment and her experiences as a psychotherapist led her to work on climate psychology. 

They discuss Caroline's research, including an international survey of 10,000 youth across 10 countries, revealing 75% find the future frightening amidst climate change. The study underscores the mental health toll children face due to climate anxiety. Caroline emphasizes the importance of engaging with children's concerns, stating that talking about these issues makes them feel less alone. Through emotional storytelling, she demonstrates the need to integrate love and grief in our responses to climate crises, advocating for inner activism alongside outer efforts. Caroline's work highlights the urgency of addressing the mental health impact of the ecological crisis on young people.

Visit Caroline Hickman's website - https://www.caroline-hickman.com/  

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/eciRLt8AwJc 

Interview recorded on: 06/14/2024 -- Welcome to Second Nature, a podcast about living with ecological grief. In each episode, Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo takes us on a deeply personal journey about planetary loss, and what we love, what we have lost, and how we move forward. Through a series of engaging, thought-provoking, and moving conversations with incredible guests from around the world, Second Nature is an invitation to come together to share stories of loss, love, despair, and joy, as we learn how to live with – and embrace – ecological grief and mourning.

In this episode of Second Living with Ecological Grief and Loss, host Ashlee Cunsolo welcomes Dr. Sarah Jaquette Ray, an interdisciplinary environmental humanist. Her work focuses on the intersection of social justice and climate emotions, particularly in equipping educators to support students through climate-related grief and anxiety. She discusses her new book, "The Existential Toolkit for Climate Justice: How to Teach in a Burning World", which provides tools and practices to help educators address the emotional burdens of climate change in the classroom. 

The book is a response to the overwhelming feelings of despair and apathy among students who are deeply aware of environmental crises. The two emphasize the need for transformative education that integrates both emotional resilience and practical solutions. A mindfulness advocate, Ray shares her journey in applying mindfulness to manage her own and her students' climate emotions, concluding that collective courage is essential to face the challenges of climate change.

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/EsqqLy72cyA 

Interview recorded on: 06/12/2024 -- Welcome to Second Nature, a podcast about living with ecological grief. In each episode, Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo takes us on a deeply personal journey about planetary loss, and what we love, what we have lost, and how we move forward. Through a series of engaging, thought-provoking, and moving conversations with incredible guests from around the world, Second Nature is an invitation to come together to share stories of loss, love, despair, and joy, as we learn how to live with – and embrace – ecological grief and mourning.

Welcome back to Second Nature, Living with Ecological Grief. Today, host Ashlee Cunsolo talks with Dr. Renée Lertzman, a leader in the field of ecological psychology. Rennee's work bridges psychology and environmental science, focusing on organizational strategies for climate change action by integrating behavioral and social sciences. Rennee shares her journey from her early exposure to psychotherapy and nature immersion, leading her to an interdisciplinary career that challenges siloed educational systems. She highlights the necessity of integrating emotional support in environmental education, promoting small group work to process eco-anxiety and grief. 

Her approach advocates for change management within organizations by fostering resilience and holistic practices among leaders and teams. Rennee's commitment to helping people face ecological loss is intertwined with the concept of "Tikkun Olam" or repairing the world. The episode underscores the importance of embracing existential challenges with courage, offering a blueprint for transformative action and community engagement amidst environmental crises.

Environmental Melancholia by Renée Lertzman - https://www.amazon.com/Environmental-Melancholia-Psychoanalytic-dimensions-Explorations/dp/0415727995 

Learn more about Renée at her website - https://reneelertzman.com/ 

Renée's TED Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f52LJJFBCLc   

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/wmTOJ4L0i-A 

Interview recorded on: 06/06/2024 -- Welcome to Second Nature, a podcast about living with ecological grief. In each episode, Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo takes us on a deeply personal journey about planetary loss, and what we love, what we have lost, and how we move forward. Through a series of engaging, thought-provoking, and moving conversations with incredible guests from around the world, Second Nature is an invitation to come together to share stories of loss, love, despair, and joy, as we learn how to live with – and embrace – ecological grief and mourning.

In this episode of Second Nature, Living with Ecological Grief, host Ashlee Cunsolo welcomes Britt Wray, an acclaimed author and researcher at Stanford, focusing on climate change's impact on mental health. Britt discusses her pivotal moment of climate awareness when contemplating motherhood, sparking her shift from science communication to exploring ecological grief. Her book, "Generation Dread," delves into climate anxiety, especially among youth, and highlights the importance of vulnerability in storytelling. 

She emphasizes her shift from silent personal distress to amplifying global youth voices facing climate-related futurelessness. Through projects like Climate Conversations, she fosters intergenerational solidarity and innovative community responses. Her initiative, Unthinkable, aims to provide resources to confront climate anxiety effectively. The episode underscores the necessity of internal resilience through mindfulness and actionable external motivation, resonating a powerful call to action against environmental distress with a balanced and compassionate approach.

Generation Dread by Britt Wray - https://www.amazon.com/Generation-Dread-Finding-Purpose-Climate/dp/073528072X  

Rise of the Necrofauna: The Science, Ethics, and Risks of De-Extinction by Britt Wray - https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Necrofauna-Science-Ethics-Extinction/dp/1771644729  

Unthinkabile (GenDread) - https://www.brittwray.com/gen-dread  

The climate baby dilemma -  https://gem.cbc.ca/the-climate-baby-dilemma/s01 

Britt's Ted Talk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-IlDkCEvsYw  

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/4fOUQfHM_P4 

Interview recorded on: 03/09/2024 -- Welcome to Second Nature, a podcast about living with ecological grief. In each episode, Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo takes us on a deeply personal journey about planetary loss, and what we love, what we have lost, and how we move forward. Through a series of engaging, thought-provoking, and moving conversations with incredible guests from around the world, Second Nature is an invitation to come together to share stories of loss, love, despair, and joy, as we learn how to live with – and embrace – ecological grief and mourning.

In this episode of Second Nature, Living with Ecological Grief, host Ashlee Cunsolo speaks with Jennifer Abbott, an award-winning film director renowned for her work on social justice and environmentalism. The conversation delves into ecological grief, a theme central to Abbott's film "The Magnitude of All Things," which explores the profound emotional and psychological impacts of the climate crisis on both personal and planetary levels. 

Abbott shares her journey of discovery around ecological grief, sparked by personal loss and environmental changes, and how this realization led her to create films that bridge the experience of personal and ecological sorrow. The discussion highlights Abbott's global travels, uncovering stories of resilience and joy among those deeply affected by climate change. Cunsolo and Abbott also explore coping mechanisms, emphasizing connection with the more-than-human world and the importance of hope as action. Ultimately, Abbott's work invites viewers to embrace ecological grief as a path to deeper connection and understanding of our interconnectedness with the Earth.

The Magnitude of All Things - https://www.nfb.ca/film/magnitude-of-all-things/  

The New Corporation: The Unfortunately Necessary Sequel - https://thenewcorporation.movie/  

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/PfKVvXrEDnk 

Interview recorded on: 05/06/2024 -- Welcome to Second Nature, a podcast about living with ecological grief. In each episode, Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo takes us on a deeply personal journey about planetary loss, and what we love, what we have lost, and how we move forward. Through a series of engaging, thought-provoking, and moving conversations with incredible guests from around the world, Second Nature is an invitation to come together to share stories of loss, love, despair, and joy, as we learn how to live with – and embrace – ecological grief and mourning.

Welcome back to another episode of the Second Nature, Living with Ecological Grief podcast! In this episode, host Ashlee Cunsolo welcomes Dr. Charles Ogunbode as they discuss the resistance to linking climate change with racism and historical inequalities, noting skepticism from African audiences. Many feel this linkage could dilute anti-racist efforts. Ashlee shares insights from Indigenous elders in Labrador, equating climate change to colonialism. Dr. Ogunbode highlights research showing broad global acknowledgment of colonialism's link to climate change, which could advance climate justice discussions. 

He shares personal experiences shaping his climate change perspective and explores the complexity of connecting local experiences to global narratives. Both speakers stress the balance between personal agency in local efforts and understanding broader systemic influences. The episode calls for genuine collaborations to avoid instrumentalizing marginalized communities and emphasizes the need for inclusivity in climate conversations. Ending with the poignant reminder of continuous ecological grief, the episode serves as a critical reflection on the intersection of climate change, social justice, and mental health.

Susan Clayton & Gene Myers book "Conservation Psychology: Understanding and Promoting Human Care for Nature" - https://www.amazon.com/Conservation-Psychology-Understanding-Promoting-Nature/dp/1405176784 

Watch on Youtube: 

Interview recorded on: 05/03/2024 -- Welcome to Second Nature, a podcast about living with ecological grief. In each episode, Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo takes us on a deeply personal journey about planetary loss, and what we love, what we have lost, and how we move forward. Through a series of engaging, thought-provoking, and moving conversations with incredible guests from around the world, Second Nature is an invitation to come together to share stories of loss, love, despair, and joy, as we learn how to live with – and embrace – ecological grief and mourning.

In this episode of Second Nature, Living with Ecological Grief, host Ashlee Cunsolo and guest Derrick Pottle discuss the profound impacts of climate change on Labrador's Inuit communities. Derrick shares feelings of confinement due to severe weather conditions and limited mobility, affecting traditional activities like seal hunting. He addresses the strong support networks that help maintain mental health but criticizes government inaction and inadequate infrastructure. 

Rapid environmental changes, such as temperature increases and altered ice conditions, threaten the Inuit way of life and well-being. The episode emphasizes the need for adaptive strategies, greater Inuit involvement in decision-making, and advocacy for improved infrastructure and access to traditional lands. Derrick also highlights dramatic climate shifts across Northern Canada and their significant social, economic, and cultural repercussions. The discussion concludes with a call for courage and collective efforts to address and adapt to these losses, urging a more proactive approach to climate action.

Watch on Youtube: 

Interview recorded on: 03/04/2024 -- Welcome to Second Nature, a podcast about living with ecological grief. In each episode, Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo takes us on a deeply personal journey about planetary loss, and what we love, what we have lost, and how we move forward. Through a series of engaging, thought-provoking, and moving conversations with incredible guests from around the world, Second Nature is an invitation to come together to share stories of loss, love, despair, and joy, as we learn how to live with – and embrace – ecological grief and mourning.

Welcome back to Second Nature, Living with Ecological Grief. Host Ashlee Cunsolo and guest Dr. Deborah McGregor critique the technocratic focus in climate research, highlighting the underrepresentation of women, Indigenous, Black, and global South communities. They stress the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge and holistic approaches over simplistic, technocratic solutions. Dr. McGregor introduces the Anishinaabe concept of living the "good life," emphasizing reciprocal relationships and well-being for humans and the environment, contrasting with current Western priorities that often ignore deeper issues like oppression and injustice. 

The discussion urges the recognition of diverse perspectives and the inclusion of emotional and narrative experiences of Indigenous people to address climate crises effectively. Dr. McGregor's insights promote a transformative ethics focusing on mutual respect with nature, stressing that true solutions lie in developing deeper, reciprocal relationships with the Earth rather than external technological fixes.

Watch on Youtube: https://youtu.be/ey1-pLAlbvs 

Interview recorded on: 03/01/2024 -- Welcome to Second Nature, a podcast about living with ecological grief. In each episode, Dr. Ashlee Cunsolo takes us on a deeply personal journey about planetary loss, and what we love, what we have lost, and how we move forward. Through a series of engaging, thought-provoking, and moving conversations with incredible guests from around the world, Second Nature is an invitation to come together to share stories of loss, love, despair, and joy, as we learn how to live with – and embrace – ecological grief and mourning.