177. Teaching Children a Love for the Earth with Janna Hockenjos, CEO of Earth Friends

Janna Hockenjos is a long-time listener of the podcast who was so inspired by what The Good Dirt stands for that she created Earth Friends Everywhere, an early education curriculum designed to enrich children’s connection and awareness of nature. Janna has been passionate about the environment every since she was a child, yet her career has taken her in many directions. She has a Masters Degree in Journalism from NYU, is a two-time published author, has owned a yoga studio, and is currently a freelance book editor. Now, as the mother of two children, she has circled back to her fervent passion for the planet and people with Earth Friends. In this conversation, Janna walks us through the conception of her nonprofit, what it’s been like to educate children, and why it is so important to have someone fall in love with the planet early on in life. Janna also shares how she has been impacted by The Good Dirt podcast, and highlights some of her favorite episodes.

Topics Discussed

· 4 Years of the Podcast

· Early Childhood Education

· Where We Live & How We Live

· Changing Careers

· Traumatic Brain Injuries & Yoga

· Foreign Language Study

· Labeling Environmental Education

· Going Back to Basics

· The Language of Environmental Activism

· Compost, Recycling, Landfill, Reuse

· Self-Agency in Kids

· Origin Story of Earth Friends

· Raising Kids in a Sustainable Lifestyle

· Accessibility of Programs to All Kids

· Teaching How Special the Earth Is

· Yamas and Niyamas

· Human Impact

· Falling in Love with the Planet

· Finding Each Child’s Passion in Nature

· Going from Convenience to Connection

· Accessibility

· Fast Fashion

· How The Good Dirt Has Had An Impact

· The Equity Factor

Episode Resources:

· Join Us in The ALMANAC

· Read All We Can Save: Truth, Courage, and Solutions for the Climate Crisis by Katharine K. Wilkinson and Ayana Elizabeth Johnson

· Read Mirrors in the Earth: Reflections on Self-Healing from the Living World by Asia Suler

· Read Miseducation: How Climate Change Is Taught in America by Katie Worth

· For Days Take Back Bag

· Listen to The Good Dirt “138. The Urgent Need for Restorative Gardening with Mary Reynolds”

· Listen to The Good Dirt “151. "Lawns into Meadows" with Author Owen Wormser on Regenerative Agriculture”

Connect with Janna Hockenjos:

· Website: https://www.jannahockenjos.com/

· Books: https://www.jannahockenjos.com/books

· Instagram @jannacabana: https://www.instagram.com/jannacabana/

· Earth Friends Everywhere Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earthfriendseverywhere/

· Earth Friends Everywhere Website: https://www.earthfriends.us/

· The Imperfect Green Guide Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theimperfectgreenguide/?hl=en

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