Resilience Gone Wild (WinWinWin Mindset)

Up Close and Personal: Katie Patrick on Gamification, Climate Action, and Creative Learning (Episode 36)

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Summary

In this dynamic episode of Resilience Gone Wild, host Jessica Morgenthal sits down with environmental engineer, designer, and author Katie Patrick to discuss a groundbreaking approach to environmental education—one that goes beyond awareness and centers on action design. Katie shares her journey from Australia to Silicon Valley and reveals how her experiences shaped the development of tools like the Earth Doctors curriculum and the School of Climate Action Design. These programs aim to inspire sustainable behavior change through gamification, creative expression, and hands-on learning, especially for children.

The conversation emphasizes the psychological underpinnings of environmental behavior change, the importance of data-driven design, and the power of storytelling, small group collaboration, and maker spaces in creating lasting impact. Katie and Jessica explore how reframing education into action unlocks greater community engagement and builds long-term resilience. Whether you’re a parent, educator, climate communicator, or just someone looking to make a difference, this episode is packed with insights for anyone passionate about sustainability and systems-level change.

Keywords

environmental education, behavior change, sustainability, climate action, action design, Katie Patrick, Earth Doctors, gamification, children’s environmental curriculum, maker spaces, environmental psychology, environmentalism, community engagement, eco-friendly kids, social impact design, creativity and sustainability, school of climate action, pro-environmental behavior, data visualization, climate solutions

Takeaways

  • Environmental education should prioritize action design over passive learning.
  • Programs like Earth Doctors engage kids through interactive storytelling, maker-based learning, and vision-building for a greener future.
  • Creative expression—especially art and storytelling—can powerfully shape eco-conscious behaviors.
  • Behavior change is rooted in habit awareness and emotional connection, not just knowledge.
  • Small groups and community settings are more effective than mass education efforts for catalyzing change.
  • Tools like gamification and behavioral triggers can make environmental action more engaging.
  • Environmental data, when visualized and communicated effectively, empowers people to act.
  • Maker spaces give children hands-on experiences, increasing personal agency and sustainability literacy.
  • Bridging political and social divides requires listening, shared values, and patience.
  • The School of Climate Action Design offers a new model for activating local communities in climate solutions.

    • Sound Bites

    • “I focus on action design, not education.”
    • “We need to imagine positive eco futures.”
    • “Art triggers pro-environmental behavior.”
    • “If kids grow the tomato, they will eat it.”
    • “Gamification makes change fun—and sticky.”
    • “Don’t get sucked into the overwhelm. Just start.”

      • Resources:

      • Katie Patrick’s Website: https://katiepatrick.com/
      • YouTube Channel (@KatiePatrickHello):
      • https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVkJJk8SLNPIoLCd_K7ztng
      • LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-patrick/
      • Podcast – How to Save the World:
      • https://open.spotify.com/show/6QaoYkmNqLSsn89zWMw3nl?si=5b54fafac270454b

        • Connect With Us

        Listen Now: https://pod.link/J4yd77

        Share your thoughts with host Jessica Morgenthal: [email protected]

        Explore More: Visit Resilience Gone Wild for show notes, photos, and resources: https://winwinwinmindset.com/the-resilience-gone-wild-podcast/

        Produced by Balancing Life’s Issues (BLI Studios) in partnership with a WinWinWin Mindset.

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        Resilience Gone Wild (WinWinWin Mindset)By Jessica Morgenthal & Kai M Sorensen