On this episode, Dr. Easley speaks with Dean Toddi Steelman of the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. She shares her experience in leadership and shares how she works to support students, faculty and staff. This episode is so rich because they both used to work together, and you will enjoy listening to this humble leader whose work has had a global and national impact!

On this episode, Dr. Easley is joined by Dr. Justin Kunkle, the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies and Academic Advisor in the Department of Forestry at Michigan State University. We discuss how Dr. Kunkle supports students in the community beyond just giving lip service. He expounds that it is a constant learning process, but we think he already has great wisdom to share.

On this episode of the Heartwood Podcast, Dr. Easley is joined by Ms. Bianca Myrick. She is the founder and executive director of Pretty Purposed, non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring communities to empower young women and girls. With environmentalism underlying the conversation, the two discuss the importance of leadership and education within the Black community.

On this episode of the Heartwood Podcast, Dr. Easley and Bennett Olupo are joined by the illustrious Dr. Nyeema Harris (Associate Professor of Wildlife and Land Conservation at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE). Easley and Harris are colleagues whose careers crossed paths at NC State University. We are fortunate to discuss how Dr. Harris became who she is and how she thrives at YSE. Furthermore, we discuss how mainstream research can be influenced by local and global perspectives.

On this episode, Dr. Easley is joined by Nadeem Demian and Thibault Vermeulen, both Masters Students at the Yale School of the Environment and Producers of the Heartwood Podcast. The three reflect on their personal trajectories, values, as well as their thoughts on this season’s episodes of the podcast

On this episode, Dr. Easley is joined by Mae Lin Plummer, Director of the IDEA Center for Public Gardens. The two discuss the importance of personal identity in shaping their environmental ethics and career paths.

On this episode, Dr. Easley is joined by Marcelo Bonta, President of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion(J.E.D.I.) consultancy Marcelo Bonta LLC; as well as David Lamfrom, Vice President of the Regional Programs at the National Parks Conservation Association. The three discuss the importance of community and emotional support in helping address DEI issues in the conservation movement.

On this episode, Dr. Easley is joined by world-renowned economist Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, who is an expert on sustainable development and poverty economics. The two discuss the parallels between Diversity, Equity and Inclusion issues in the US and historical inequities on a global scale.

On the second part this conversation, Dr. Easley is joined by Liz Felker, Associate Director of the Forests Dialogue (TFD) based at the Yale School of the Environment. They discuss the importance of the TFD process and the importance of social safeguards as they relate to DEI.

On the first part this conversation, Dr. Easley is joined by Gary Dunning, Executive Director of the Forests Dialogue (TFD) based at the Yale School of the Environment. They discuss the history of TFD and the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement in the forestry sector globally.