Explore every episode of the podcast Where The Climate Things Are

Aaron Long is a trail race director with Daybreak Racing, producing a dozen trail events a year across Oregon, Washington, and California. He grew up on the central Oregon coast, ran track and cross country, had a coaching career that took him to each corner of the country, and then moved home in 2022 to help build Daybreak alongside his brother, Jeremy. We talk about the coaching philosophy his college career taught him, what it's like to watch snowpack and fire season shift year after year from the front lines of race planning, and why he believes people are more likely to protect the wild places they've actually been.

Julie Carrick Dalton is a novelist and former organic farmer whose climate awakening began on her own land in New Hampshire, where she discovered that the local growing season had stretched by 22 days over the past century. She is the author of Waiting for the Night Song and The Last Beekeeper, and her third novel, The Forest Becomes Her, arrives this month from St. Martin's Press. In this conversation, Addie and Julie discuss Julie's path from journalist to farmer to novelist, what climate fiction can accomplish that a report cannot, and the personal grief and unexpected climate solution behind her new book.

This week, meteorologist and former TV weather anchor Keith Carson joins the Where The Climate Things Are podcast to talk about what it actually takes to communicate about climate change, which can sometimes (always?) be a tough topic! Keith spent nearly 20 years in Maine broadcasting — including three years at The Weather Channel — before making the move to Maine Conservation Voters, where he now leads communications. While his background in atmospheric science shapes how he thinks about evidence, his time in local TV shapes how he thinks about audience. The combination is pretty rare in the climate space, and it shows in the work he’s doing. Tune in for more!

Additional shownotes can be found at wtcta.substack.com

Our guest this week is Stephanie Case. Steph spent fifteen years as a UN human rights lawyer – deploying to Afghanistan, South Sudan, Gaza, and the Middle East – while training for ultras by running in circles inside armed compounds when that was the only option. Last year, after years of IVF and miscarriages, she had her daughter Pepper, won a 100K in Snowdonia while breastfeeding at a checkpoint, and signed a professional athlete contract with The North Face at age 43. Free to Run, the organization she founded over a decade ago, advances gender equity in conflict zones through outdoor running programs and currently operates in Afghanistan, Iraq, and Palestine. The model insists on outdoor, not indoor: women moving through public space is itself an argument about what women are allowed to be.

Full shownotes on Substack: wtcta.substack.com

Our guest on the Where The Climate Things Are podcast this week is Anna Gibson – you might know her from her insane trail running career or from the 2026 Winter Olympics in ski mountaineering, but you might not know that she also holds a graduate degree in environmental law. Anna grew up at the base of Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, spent her childhood in a Volkswagen camper van, and was casually writing climate fiction in just third grade. She went on to work in grassroots advocacy in Jackson, WY before launching a into a career as an elite athlete at the international level in not one but TWO sports.

Full shownotes: wtcta.substack.com

My guest today is Dani Burton, Sponsorship Manager at 11th Hour Racing – a Newport, Rhode Island-based organization working at the intersection of ocean health, behavior change, and community action through sport, storytelling, and grantmaking. The organization supports ambassador networks, funds coastal restoration grantees, and develops free tools like MarineShift360 to help the maritime industry measure and reduce its impact. This weekend, 11th Hour is sponsoring Newport Rhode Races as a live model for what genuinely sustainable event design looks like – and a demonstration that those practices can scale to any size event.Newport Rhode Races — this Saturday, April 18 in Newport, RI 11th Hour Racing Protect Our Winters

Jes Parker is the founder of Take2Trail, a used and overstocked trail running gear marketplace she built from scratch. Jes is a self-described “glitter and dirt” person: someone with genuine high standards for quality who also spent a decade rolling through obstacle courses in mud, water and fire. That combination – high-touch, deeply embedded in the trail community, and unwilling to cut corners on condition – is exactly what makes Take2Trail different from other peer-to-peer resale sites.

Full shownotes: wtcta.substack.com

This week, we head back to the WTCTA Substack. Addie reads (and comments on) her recent article "The Diary of a Weatherwoman's Daughter" on Substack. Buckle up, we're going to Maine! (and Micronesia, and New York City, and back to Maine again...)

Full article: wtcta.substack.com

Our guest this week on the Where The Climate Things Are podcast is Bart Mihailovich. Bart is the Director of Waterkeeper Membership Services at Waterkeeper Alliance – a global network of 300 waterkeeper groups protecting watersheds across 47 countries. Each chapter is autonomous, place-based, and licensed to protect a specific watershed, doing everything from water quality monitoring and litigation to habitat restoration and challenging polluters directly. Bart’s job is to hold the whole ecosystem together: connecting groups, building shared infrastructure, and making sure a waterkeeper in South Carolina and one in Senegal can learn from each other.

Full show notes available at wtcta.substack.com

A rundown of a few recent events: Big Alta heatwave, UTMB's Tenerife cancellation, the LA Marathon's 18-mile medal, and the recent Paralympic temperatures/conditions.

Check out the full roundup on substack with links: wtcta.substack.com

This week, climate scientist, polar explorer, and former international rower Susana Hancock joins Where The Climate Things Are to talk about what happens when science, sport, and global policy collide.

Susana works at the intersection of cryosphere science and international climate negotiations — studying glaciers, ice sheets, and the communities around the world that depend on them. But her work isn’t just inside research institutions or negotiation rooms. It’s also on skis, in expedition tents, and across some of the most remote ice on Earth.

This conversation explores how storytelling, science, and sport can all play a role in shaping climate action.

More show notes and links at the substack post: wtcta.substack.com

This week Olympic marathon bronze medalist and ultrarunner Molly Seidel joins Where The Climate Things Are for a conversation about the environmental side of her story - one that rarely gets airtime in traditional running-focused interviews.Growing up in rural Wisconsin surrounded by land conservation work, Molly developed an early relationship with environmental stewardship long before becoming a professional athlete. In this episode, we talk about climate anxiety in the outdoor community, how travel and training shape our understanding of environmental change, and why athletes don’t need to be perfect advocates to participate in climate conversations.This discussion moves beyond performance and podiums to explore identity, place, and what it means to protect the landscapes that shape who we are.
show notes & links at: wtcta.substack.com

This week, Addie is joined by Shannon Jade - an environmental scientist, poet, and author based in Australia whose work sits at the intersection of climate science and storytelling. Shannon’s debut novel-in-verse, A Song for the Earth, follows one young woman’s journey across the planet’s biomes, weaving ecology, grief, hope, and action into poetry that feels both grounded in science and deeply human. We talk about growing up with bushfires and drought, taking the path from creative writing into environmental science and back, and why hope - not doom - is a deliberate choice when communicating climate.

You can find additional show notes under the Shannon Jade article at wtcta.substack.com

Addie talks about the major climate themes throughout the 2026 Winter Olympics, in addition to the endangerment finding reversal that arrived today. It's all connected.

Full article and links on substack: wtcta.substack.com

A climate channel posting about this? Absolutely. Because it's all connected.

CALL YOUR SENATORS: (202) 224-3121

Scripts, resources and more at the WTCTA substack: wtcta.substack.com

Climate Strides is back!

We are partnering with Running Up For Air and Patagonia on our next four events.

Our Climate Strides series returns to play a special role in supporting RUFA’s mission. By bringing participants along on our mobile panel design, we want to get people moving while giving people a taste of climate advocacy on the go, encouraging more people to sign up for the (much longer) RUFA race a few weeks later. Hopefully, we help to build community and connect folks in the local climate space as well. 

Sign up here:

Salt Lake City: https://rufaclimatestridessaltlakecity.splashthat.com/

Boulder: https://rufaclimatestridesboulder.splashthat.com/

Seattle: https://rufaclimatestridesseattle.splashthat.com/

Bellingham: https://rufaclimatestridesbellingham.splashthat.com/

A short note for the end of the year!

I did also want to offer a few resources for those who want to get involved on a few of the important causes mentioned, climate-related or not:

• Everytown for Gun Safety

• Brown U Flight Fund (getting students out of Providence quickly and safely)

• Bondi Beach GoFundMe

• I encourage you to follow reporter Cate Brown and community activist Amanda Stecco (both of whom I am lucky enough to call friends) for more on the ongoing genocide in Gaza and how you can get involved.

  Here’s a comprehensive list of ways you can get involved in aiding those affected by the floods in Washington.

  
  

  See you next year!

In this episode, Addie sits down with Bianca Clarke — parks advocate, community-builder, and Director of the 10-Minute Walk Program at Trust for Public Land — to talk about equitable access to nature, climate resilience and why neighborhood parks are critical climate infrastructure in addition to providing opportunities for local outdoor recreation. From childhood moments that sparked her environmental path to the national effort to ensure every person lives a 10-minute walk from a green space, Bianca shares what it means to design for connection, invest in community and build a future where nature is truly for everyone.

We talk about:

• How early experiences outdoors shaped Bianca’s path into conservation

• Why millions of people in the US lack access to a nearby park — and what that means

• How Trust for Public Land designs parks with communities, not for them

• Climate resilience: heat mitigation, flood protection, and “sponge parks”

• The social power of parks - belonging, safety, and everyday connection

• …and much more! 

Links

• Trust for Public Land (TPL)

• TPL’s 10-Minute Walk Program

• TPL’s ParkServe Program

• TPL’s Schoolyard Initiative

• Moore Aloha — Ama OluKai Foundation

• Going Green: A Kid’s Handbook to Saving the Planet

Keywords

parks, public lands, equitable access, climate resilience, urban heat, flood mitigation, sponge cities, green space, community design, environmental justice, nature-based solutions, neighborhood parks, social connection, mental health, outdoor equity, conservation, climate adaptation

WTCTA is a whole year old! 🎉

A huge thank you to everyone who has read, listened, subscribed, told a friend about this, come to an event, suggested a guest, BEEN a guest… you name it. The belief in this little project is palpable, and means more than you all know. We would not be here without it. 

Addie reads the latest post on the Where The Climate Things Are Substack about a recent trip to Vietnam for a wedding, and the very real climate impacts the country is facing from weeks of typhoons and flooding.

WTCTA Substack Article

In this episode, Addie sits down with Christian Vanizette - social entrepreneur, activist, and founder of Makesense and chilli, the world’s first climate activism app. From growing up surrounded by the reefs and whales of Tahiti to building global movements for systemic change, Christian’s story bridges the personal and the political - showing how a single moment of heartbreak can evolve into a lifetime of action.

We talk about:

• Early connections to nature - growing up in Tahiti and realizing even paradise isn’t safe from climate change

• From impact investing to activism - why solutions alone aren’t enough without policy change

• The power of people - using collective action to stop pipelines, protect oceans, and shift corporate behavior

• Dreaming big and starting small - lessons from Muhammad Yunus on turning ideas into impact

• Building chilli - a new platform helping climate “impact creators” mobilize communities and funding

Links & Mentions:

• chilli App

• Makesense

• Professor Muhammad Yunus

• Obama Scholars Program

• IPCC Reports

Keywords:

climate activism, social entrepreneurship, collective action, coral reefs, fossil fuels, impact investing, policy change, Obama Scholars, Muhammad Yunus, IPCC, systemic change, youth movements, ocean protection, climate storytelling, Climate Week NYC

Ryan Thrower reads Addie's guest post on the TRR substack about Guster's environmental leadership in the music industry via the nonprofit REVERB (and also talks about how good their music is).

Links:

REVERB

Guster Track 1 Playlist

Trail Running Radio Substack

Where The Climate Things Are Substack 

In this episode, Addie sits down with Liv Rose — freediver, ocean educator, and founder of Liv for the Sea — to talk about ocean confidence, vulnerability, and how connection beneath the surface can shape how we show up for the planet. From witnessing coral bleaching firsthand to leading small-group expeditions across the Pacific, Liv shares what it means to teach courage, build community, and fall in love with the sea.

We talk about:

• Finding identity and confidence through freediving

• Seeing coral bleaching up close — and how ecosystems can recover

• Building Liv for the Sea into a global expedition business

• Balancing tourism, culture, and conservation in remote places

• Why seaweed farming gives her hope for the future

Links & Mentions
Liv for the Sea
Liv’s Instagram
Lord Howe Island
Example of seaweed farming

Keywords: freediving, ocean confidence, marine conservation, climate storytelling, coral bleaching, adventure tourism, environmental education, resilience, seaweed farming, ocean awareness, sustainability, travel, community, curiosity, courage

In this episode, I sit down with Tim Weed — writer, teacher, and international trip leader turned novelist. Tim’s latest book, The Afterlife Project, is a cli-fi novel that travels 10,000 years into the future to wrestle with the fate of humanity, biodiversity, and our relationship to nature.

We talk about:

• Growing up between Vermont and Denver and discovering a love of winter and skiing

• How fly fishing — in various locations throughout the US, including my favorite, Kennebago Lake — became a lifelong practice

• Trip leading, group dynamics, and what time in the wilderness reveals about human connection

• Why geological time, mass extinctions, and perspective helped him write through climate anxiety

• The role of fiction in shifting climate paradigms and building new climate mythologies

Links

• Tim Weed’s Website

• The Afterlife Project

• A Field Guide to Murder and Fly Fishing

• The World Without Us – Alan Weisman

• Braiding Sweetgrass – Robin Wall Kimmerer

• Project Drawdown

Keywords: cli-fi, climate fiction, The Afterlife Project, Tim Weed, fly fishing, Vermont, Colorado, geological time, mass extinctions, stewardship, storytelling, literature, outdoor community, Protect Our Winters, climate narratives, nature, resilience

Addie talks about the recent Climate Strides events at NYC Climate Week, as well as some moments of both existential crisis and uplifting inspiration.

Substack post is here.

In this episode, Addie sits down with Matt Scott — storyteller, podcaster, and Director of Storytelling & Engagement at Project Drawdown. From imposter syndrome and courage to representation and belonging, Matt shares what it means to “pass the mic” and create climate stories that are both human and transformative.

We talk about:

• Growing up with family legacies that shaped his path
  

• The Climate Reality training that turned curiosity into commitment
  

• Passing the mic and making space for others at the table
  

• Representation, outdoor safety, and belonging
  

• Bringing storytelling into Project Drawdown and launching Drawdown’s Neighborhood
  Links

  • Matt’s LinkedIn
    

  • Matt’s Bio Page

  • Project Drawdown

  • Drawdown’s Neighborhood

  • Matt’s Podcast

  • Climate Reality Project

  • The Black Female Project

  • Mustafa Santiago Ali

  Nalleli Cobo
  

Keywords: storytelling, Project Drawdown, Drawdown’s Neighborhood, passing the mic, representation, climate justice, outdoor safety, courage, imposter syndrome, climate storytelling, environmental justice, Climate Reality Project, trail running, belonging, community, advocacy

In this episode, Addie debriefs tonight's Kilian Jornet Foundation event in Colorado Springs, as well as reads the newest substack article on the design of the environmental advocacy campaign that accompanies Kilian Jornet's States of Elevation challenge. Plus! We preview the five Climate Strides events happening in NYC at NYC Climate Week this month. Don't miss it if you'll be in town!

Links:

• Sign up for future States of Elevation events: https://nnormal.typeform.com/to/w5iiQgLB 
• Climate Strides NYC Monday - https://luma.com/bp02i5nj
• Climate Strides NYC Tuesday - https://luma.com/kqm45bet
• Climate Strides NYC Wednesday - https://luma.com/ug4uk2jr
• Climate Strides NYC Thursday - https://luma.com/pkzm255x
• Climate Strides NYC Friday - https://luma.com/k9el3yfl

Keywords: Kilian Jornet, climate, environment, event, running, trail running, Running Minds, campaign, strategy, design, restoration, resilience, reconnection, advocacy, policy, volunteers, partnerships, storytelling, community

In this episode, Addie sits down with Peyton Thomas - a biologist and competitive trail runner whose work explores the connections between aquatic ecosystems, climate change, and community. From growing up in Atlanta and confronting inequities in access to green space, to building a career that bridges research and running, Peyton shares what it means to navigate multiple identities while staying rooted in purpose.

We talk about:

• Peyton’s “aha” moment on climate: canvassing neighborhoods in Atlanta and recognizing environmental inequities.

• Running as a way to process life, find home in new landscapes, and stay connected to the natural world.

• How language learning became a bridge to community in Quebec and her work with the broader Black diaspora.

• The Anticosti Island fastpacking project: sampling rivers, studying brook trout, and blending science with outdoor adventure.

• The balance of pursuing both a science career and competitive running, and the ongoing process of defining fulfillment.

Links & Mentions

• Peyton’s Instagram

• Peyton’s Website

• Anticosti Island UNESCO nomination

• Trail Runner Mag Profile of Peyton (written by Dakota Jones)

• CU Boulder Profile

Keywords

trail running, road running, competitive running, community, Indigenous sovereignty, climate change, aquatic ecosystems, brook trout, biodiversity, environmental DNA, fish otoliths, conservation, Anticosti Island, UNESCO World Heritage, Quebec, Atlanta, Chattahoochee River, environmental justice, access to green space, PhD journey, Alaska, Yukon, Patagonia, NNormal, Western States 100, Dakota Jones, science and sport, language learning, French, resilience, climate storytelling

Climate Strides Returns to Central Park! We are excited to announce *five* Climate Strides events at NYC Climate Week. Addie talks about the upcoming events, what to expect and how to get involved. Thanks to Protect Our Winters who came on board as the presenting sponsor for these activations. Hope to see you there!

This week, I spoke with Emma Mary Murray — textile artist, place-based educator, and environmental storyteller stitching climate realities into fabric, flags, and community.

Emma joined me from Mount Desert Island, Maine, where she’s somehow managing to maintain a thriving career as an artist while teaching full-time. Her work is rooted in craft and kinship: an approach that blends personal ritual with planetary care, using slow art to tell fast-moving stories about aspects of the planet we’re losing and the one we’re still building.

In this conversation, Emma shares what it means to create climate art that isn’t just decorative but, rather, declarative. From glacier flags to embroidered landscapes to collaborative workshops, she’s turning thread into a form of truth-telling.

We talked about:

• Her formative climate “aha” moment at Chewonki’s Maine Coast Semester

• Her journey from outdoor guide and climber to embroidery artist

• Her experience as artist-in-residence with the North Cascades Glacier Climate Project and creating “impact flags” in the field

• How teaching her slow art craft is helping people reconnect with themselves and each other

• How Maine’s Island Explorer bus inspired her belief in public transit as a rural climate solution

Links

• Emma Mary Murray

• North Cascades Glacier Climate Project

• Shaped By Ice art show in Seattle

• Island Explorer

• Jill Pelto, climate artist and NCGCP art director

• No Man’s Land Film Festival

• American Alpine Club

• Maine Coast Semester at Chewonki
  

Keywords:
climate art, glacier loss, North Cascades, embroidery, storytelling, public transit, Mount Desert Island, climate education, slow craft, community art, place-based learning, youth climate action, teaching, glacial data, American Alpine Club, No Man’s Land Film Festival, climate grief, adaptation, handmade advocacy, rural climate solutions, Chewonki, activism

This week, we are joined by Emme Hayes - former fashion designer, backcountry guide, and the founder of Articles In Common, a resale marketplace reshaping outdoor culture through circularity and climate advocacy.

Emme joined me just days after we met - because sometimes you have a conversation so powerful, you need to keep it going. She brings a rare dual perspective: both insider experience from the apparel and outdoor industries, and the fierce clarity of someone who’s decided to build something better. In this conversation, Emme breaks down the systems that prop up extractive gear culture - and how she’s working to replace them with models rooted in reuse, transparency, and justice. From climbing shoes to climate anxiety, she’s asking the questions the outdoor industry doesn’t want to face.

We talked about:

• Her “no going back” moment after working in fashion and seeing the waste firsthand

• Why outdoor brands often center access, but not climate, in their advocacy

• The deeper problem behind “buy better”—and why sustainable apparel is a myth

• How Articles in Common makes secondhand gear a climate solution, not just a lifestyle

• Building Wild for Climate - a new community hub for creatives and athletes who want to speak out without brand interference

• Articles in Common
  

• The Resole Project
  

• Wild for Climate
  

• Earthjustice
  

• Center for Biological Diversity
  

• NRDC
  

• Defenders of Wildlife
  

• Stand.earth
  

• Friends of the LA River
  

• Ellen MacArthur Foundation
  

• BLM Wildlife & Wild Horse Program
  

• Solar ship

  
  

Keywords:
climate action, resale, circular economy, circularity, secondhand gear, sustainable fashion, outdoor industry, environmental storytelling, Articles In Common, PFAS, overconsumption, public lands, climate anxiety, policy advocacy, backcountry guiding, marine protection, wild horses, BLM, outdoor brands, greenwashing, outdoor community, brand sponsorship, fashion industry, gear culture, re-commerce, climate justice

This episode was recorded live at TrailCon during the panel Sustainability, Stewardship and Climate Action in Trail Running. It brought together four powerful voices from across the outdoor and climate worlds: Gerard Vila (Kilian Jornet Foundation), Rory Fuerst Jr. (Keen Footwear), Kelly Newlon (Real Athlete Diets), and Scott Jurek (ultrarunner + Protect Our Winters). From cleaning up PFAS in global supply chains to stewarding sensitive mountain ecosystems, each guest shared their personal climate “aha” moments and the stakes they see on and off the trail.

We cover:

• The fragility of the mountain ecosystems we run in
• What it means to "clean up" a supply chain
• How trail maintenance can be climate protection
• The links between air quality, wildfire smoke and running
• How to engage politically… without preaching
• Behavior change, imperfect advocacy and community-led action
  

Trail running isn’t separate from climate - it’s part of it. And this conversation offers reminders and roadmaps for how our sport, our industry, and our communities can show up.

Guest Bios

🎙 Gerard Vila is Director of the Kilian Jornet Foundation, working to preserve mountain environments through education, science, and on-the-ground stewardship.

🎙 Rory First Jr. leads R&D and innovation at Keen and has spent decades inside global footwear supply chains.

🎙 Kelly Newlon is a chef, athlete agent, and founder of RAD Boulder (Real Athlete Diets), with extensive experience supporting climate expeditions around the world.

🎙 Scott Jurek is an ultrarunning legend and member of Protect Our Winters’ Athlete Alliance, bringing his decades of environmental advocacy to the trails and the policy table.

Keywords:
trail running, climate action, outdoor community, sustainability, athlete activism, clean air, clean water, wildfire smoke, trail maintenance, ecosystem protection, PFAS, behavior change, endurance sports, climate storytelling, environmental policy, glacier melt, fresh water, supply chain, imperfect advocacy, mountain ecosystems

For this episode, I sat down in person at TrailCon with Kristina Randrup—an ultrarunner, wildlife ecologist, and PhD student at the University of Washington studying blue whale populations. Kristina joined me just after winning the 18K at Broken Arrow Skyrace to talk about her lifelong relationship with ecology, her early start in ultrarunning, and what it means to split your life between rigorous academic research and long days in the mountains.

We discussed growing up on the East Bay trails, the future of large cetaceans and what it means to defend public lands not just as a user, but as a scientist. Kristina is the kind of guest who’s equally comfortable talking about Bayesian modeling as she is about the finish-line chaos of major ultra races. Whether she’s running 100K races or analyzing blue whale stock assessments, she brings a level of curiosity and humility that feels especially rare - and especially needed - in both science and sport.

We talk about:

• What it’s like to grow up running ultras - and having her mom sign her up for her first 50K

• Why she almost didn't get into her PhD program—and how she ended up studying blue whales (and why it’s important to study them!)

• Why data modeling is powerful, but not everything—and how Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) is finally being taken seriously

• The case for embracing multiple ways of being outdoors, without hierarchy or gatekeeping

• The connection between running, science and place

Links

• Natural Climate Solutions – The Nature Conservancy

• Kristina’s paper about natural climate solutions for Washington

• Dr. Trevor Branch – UW School of Aquatic and Fishery Sciences

• The Boldt decision

• More about the Boldt decision

• IWC large cetaceans population estimates

• International Whaling Commission

• North Atlantic Right Whales

• New paper on baleen whales and climate change

• Bayesian modeling

• Camas!

• More Camas

• Dr. Lydia Jennings – Soil Scientist & Advocate

• Run to Be Visible – Patagonia film feat. Lydia Jennings

• Polar bears and traditional ecological knowledge

Can you tell I interviewed a PhD researcher? Links galore! :)

Keywords: climate science, marine mammals, trail running, ultrarunning, blue whales, public lands, outdoor equity, environmental science, PhD student, GIS, Bayesian modeling, natural climate solutions, whale conservation, University of Washington, outdoor community, Indigenous knowledge, traditional ecological knowledge, land sovereignty, recreation access, seal overpopulation, Broken Arrow, Brooks Trail Team, science communication

For this episode, I spoke with Fabrice Perrin, the Director of Sports, Community and Sustainability at UTMB, the world’s largest trail running event series. We sat down in Olympic Valley the day before the start of Western States (which he was preparing to run) to talk about the new sustainability policies UTMB is implementing across its Mont Blanc races, what it means for athletes and organizers, and some of the tougher questions on why the race series formulated these new measures the way they did. 

We talk about:

• The newly announced pillars around sustainability for the race - commit, measure, reduce, offset

• Why travel makes up over 85% of UTMB’s footprint—and how the race is trying to change that

• How the race is trying to promoting behavior change, and the mechanics of the lottery weighting clause 

• What it means to offset emissions responsibly, and why UTMB didn’t make that cost optional (or cover it for runners themselves) 

• The tension between climate action and access: who gets to race, and what does it cost?
  

UTMB approached me about having this conversation, and I was glad to have the opportunity to dig in. I called upon a few friends who are members of the PTRA to gather more questions than the ones my research prompted - a special shout-out to Dakota Jones for helping me thoroughly prepare for this conversation. 

Links:

• UTMB's Sustainability Commitment 

• UTMB’s Social Media Announcement 

• Pro Trail Runners Association (PTRA’s) response

• Protect Our Winters (POW) France

• UTMB Go – Carbon Footprint Planning Tool

• Renewable Energy Credits 101

• EcoAct (current offset partner)

• Paris Agreement summary (UNFCCC)
  

Keywords:

trail running, climate action, sustainable events, UTMB, ultra running, carbon offsets, weighted lottery, environmental policy, outdoor industry, equity, endurance sports, clean transportation, public transit, sustainable racing, offsetting ethics, global warming, glacier melt, climate storytelling, climate, sport, emissions reduction

For this episode, Addie sat down with Maddie Hart - a trail and ultra runner, environmental consultant, and the founder of Hart Athletic Co., a new sustainability consulting initiative for endurance events. Maddie is based in the Bay Area (shoutout to the Pacifica trails and the iconic Taco Bell Cantina) and joined me to talk about her path from skiing and horse riding to 100-mile ultras, the state of renewable energy, and how she’s helping races cut waste, emissions, and greenwashing.

We talk about:

• Why we need to move away from climate perfectionism and toward meaningful, measurable change

• What it’s like to go from burnout in the clean energy sector to launching her own consulting business

• Her approach to certification, tailored to the realities of each event and community

• What it means to show up with skin in the game—as a runner, racer, and trail user

• The carbon footprint of finish-line beer (yes, it’s a thing) and what races can do about it

This episode is for anyone who’s curious about building something from scratch, shaping the future of trail events, or turning frustration into action.

Links

• Hart Athletic Co.

• CleanPowerSF (Community Choice Aggregator)

• TerraCycle – Zero Waste Boxes

• EPA Guide to Renewable Energy Credits (RECs)

• High Lonesome 100

• Javelina Jundred

• Western Colorado University – Environment & Sustainability Program

• Runners for Public Lands

Let me know what stood out to you - especially if you're a race director, athlete, or organizer thinking about how to make your event more sustainable. Or if you just want to talk trail snacks and carbon sinks.

Keywords:
climate action, sustainable racing, trail running, ultra running, Hart Athletic Co., endurance events, renewable energy, race sustainability, green sports, eco-friendly races, electrification, clean energy transition, waste reduction, carbon offsetting, zero waste, environmental consultant, outdoor industry, TerraCycle, RECs, climate communication, trail race emissions, climate and sport, public lands advocacy, inclusive outdoor community, sustainable event certification

For this episode, I spoke with Jordan Wright, a strategic communicator, creative campaigner, and storytelling force behind POW Europe (Protect Our Winters). Jordan is based in West Wales - yes, the land of rocky coastlines, cold surf, and long, rainy winters - and she joined me to talk about the path from brand designer to climate campaigner, what it's like to organize across 10+ European teams, and how storytelling can move people to action.

We talk about:

• The aha moment that moved her from graphic design into the climate space

• The unique structure of POW Europe and why localized campaigns matter

• Why climate storytelling needs to balance urgency with hope—and fear with action

• Messaging strategies that cut through the noise (hint: “you should do this” doesn’t land)

• Her take on circular design as a favorite climate solution, with a shoutout to UK brand Finisterre

Plus: how growing up surfing in Wales, volunteering with Surfers Against Sewage, and witnessing climate impacts firsthand in British Columbia all shaped the work she’s doing today.

This one’s full of insight for anyone trying to communicate climate clearly, organize across borders, or just figure out how to plug in with imperfection and purpose.

Links:

• Jordan’s Linkedin

• Protect Our Winters Europe

• International Year of Glacier Preservation

• POW x Icebreaker’s “Downstream” film on glacier retreat

• POW Austria’s Glacier Funeral

• Sesame Street Water Conservation Cartoon PSA

• Surfers Against Sewage

• The DO Lectures

• Finisterre’s circular wetsuit program

Keywords
climate change, environmental storytelling, outdoor recreation, nature connection, strategic communications, POW Europe, climate advocacy, surfing, circular design, imperfect advocacy, climate campaigns, athlete activism, glacier preservation, low-carbon travel, climate messaging, European climate movement, sustainability, community engagement, climate resilience, environmental activism, storytelling strategies, climate policy, brand strategy, creative campaigning

This week we welcome Isaias Hernandez, aka Queer Brown Vegan, to the podcast. Our conversation explores Isaias's journey into environmentalism, their childhood experiences, and the importance of climate literacy. Isaias shares their 'aha' moment regarding climate change, the struggles with representation in the environmental space, and the founding of their media platform.

We talk about:

• Queer ecology and queer environmentalism

• Depictions of outdoor recreation and the privileges of that space

• Relationship to the natural world as a basis for a career in climate education

• The Queer Brown Vegan series “Teaching Climate Together”

• Foraging!

Links:

Queer Brown Vegan Instagram

Queer Brown Vegan Website

Queer Ecology

Petromasculinity

Teaching Climate Together

More on fungi tech (this one focuses on leather but a google search brings up much more)

Keywords

climate change, environmental education, queer ecology, climate literacy, Queer Brown Vegan, outdoor recreation, environmentalism, climate communication, intersectionality, representation, foraging, climate education, community building, environmental justice, heteronormativity, climate solutions, inclusivity

Addie is joined this week by Maggie Lemere, a documentary filmmaker and storyteller, as she shares her journey into the world of climate awareness and environmental storytelling. She discusses her background in human rights and how it intersects with environmental issues, her experiences growing up surrounded by nature, and the importance of storytelling in connecting people to climate issues. 

We talk about: 

• Redefining environmental activism and the need for diverse representation in climate narratives

• The transformative power of outdoor experiences 

• The intersection of human rights and the environment 

• Her work with National Geographic and her current film projects 

• Paddling the Potomac and walking across the Serengheti (casual) 

Links

Maggie’s Website

Maggie Instagram 

Ashoka

Maggie’s Book Nowhere To Be Home 

Doc Society 

Nat Geo Explorers

Maggie’s Explorer Page

Boundary Waters 

Nat Geo’s Great Migration Trip

NOLS

Vs. Goliath 

Cancer Alley

Pacific Climate Warriors 

Matagi Mālohi

Not Too Late Book

Keywords

climate change, environmental storytelling, documentary filmmaking, human rights, outdoor recreation, nature connection, Indigenous communities, climate awareness, storytelling strategies, National Geographic, filmmaking, climate crisis, environmental activism, storytelling, Palestinian culture, documentary, regenerative agriculture, community impact, oral history

This week we welcome Zoe Young to the Where The Climate Things Are podcast! In this episode, we explore the intersection of climate change, storytelling, and community action. Zoe shares her journey as a climate writer and her experiences with The Nature Conservancy, emphasizing the importance of nature-based solutions and the power of storytelling in communicating climate issues.

We talk about: 

• Art as climate activism

• Climate fiction and storytelling futures 

• Helping spur action and behavior change 

• Nature as the ultimate climate solution 

• Zoe’s band, the Furious Tits, and their climate songwriting

Links

Zoe’s Website

Zoe’s Instagram

Two Futures Installation

Two Futures Designer’s Website 

Grist piece - The Last Almond

Grist.org 

Groundwater recharge 

WTCTA Substack Climate Strides recap 

30 x 30 Framework

P22 (Mountain Lion) 

The Water Knife book

Desperate Pleasures song 

Keywords

climate change, climate writing, storytelling, nature-based solutions, community, climate activism, emotional journey, climate fiction, environmental science, hope

This week, Addie is joined by the team behind Better Trail - Jenny Abegg and Katie Oram. They discuss the founding and mission of Better Trail, a platform dedicated to promoting sustainability in outdoor gear. They share personal experiences that shaped their views on climate change, the importance of transparency in brand practices, and the need for educated consumers in the outdoor recreation space.

We talk about: 

• The merging of gear reviews with sustainability metrics 

• The intersection of outdoor gear and public lands

• The challenges and triumphs of building a company from scratch

• Both Jenny and Katie’s entry points into the sustainability conversation 

• What its like to be a gear tester (hint: it’s not all fun and games!) 

Links

Better Trail

Katie IG

Jenny IG 

Lander Climate Action Network 

BlueSign

Outdoor Industry Association

Science-Based Targets initiative 

Higg Index 

Terry Tempest Williams

PFAS

WTCTA Patreon 

Keywords

Better Trail, sustainability, climate change, outdoor gear, environmental education, transparency, consumer journey, brand engagement, climate action, outdoor recreation, environmental awareness, outdoor gear, public lands, sustainability, climate solutions, gear testing, community engagement, advocacy, education

This week, Addie shares the substack post "An Urgent Call To Action" on WTCTA's Substack and discusses how we can all get involved in raising our voices together.

Important links!

• POW's Campaign Link to take action
• POW's social post
• Original WTCTA substack post

Keywords

climate advocacy, public lands, clean energy, outdoor community, political engagement, Protect Our Winners, climate action, environmental conservation, community mobilization, grassroots activism

Paddy O’Leary on the pod! We discuss the recent Climate Strides event in San Francisco, reflecting on the importance of community engagement and interactive storytelling in climate advocacy. We also explore Paddy's background, his journey from Ireland to becoming a professional trail runner and community organizer, and the significance of connecting people through shared experiences and discussions about climate change.

We talk about:

• Climate Strides SF! And SF Climate Week

• Paddy’s upbringing and early connections to nature

• Being a science communicator and how that relates to climate

• His foray into filmmaking and upcoming projects

• His “ahh” and “aha!” moments on climate 

Links

Paddy’s Instagram  

Paddy as a POW Athlete Alliance Member 

Climate Strides SF

November Project 

Urban Oasis

How to Recall 

Iroquois Lacrosse

Luke Wicker’s Run

Ricky Gates / Transamericana

Ricky Gates / Every Single Street

Dooster

Dipsea Race

Dipsea Generations Teaser

Sutro Stewards

Keywords

climate change, community engagement, storytelling, climate advocacy, San Francisco, event organization, Climate Strides, lacrosse, cancer biology, November Project, running community, youth participation, trail running, climate activism, Dipsea Race, rewilding, community engagement, environmental awareness, youth participation, science communication, outdoor spaces, conservation

We are joined this week by Kelly Newlon of RAD Boulder (Real Athlete Diets), a professional chef and athlete manager with a commitment to sustainability and environmental advocacy. She discusses her early influences, her culinary background, and the pivotal moments that led her to focus on feeding endurance athletes around the world. Kelly also highlights the importance of working with purpose-driven athletes who advocate for meaningful causes, illustrating how her work supports their missions and contributes to a larger environmental impact.

We talk about: 

• The origin story of RAD

• How environmentalism feeds into every part of the work she does 

• Building trust with athletes and brands 

• Sourcing and using local ingredients for meals, and the impacts of climate on local producers globally

• The Do Epic Shit movement she has created in the trail community and beyond :) (IYKYK, and if you don’t, listen in!) 

Links

RAD Boulder on instagram

RAD Boulder website 

Culinary Institute of America

Mina Guli WTCTA podcast episode

Clare Gallagher Trail Ahead podcast episode 

Adam Merry Trail Ahead podcast episode  

UNEP swim activation

TrailCon

WTCTA Patreon

Keywords

Real Athlete Diets, sports nutrition, environmental advocacy, athlete management, sustainability, culinary arts, regenerative agriculture, Boulder, endurance athletes, environmental advocacy, athletes, sustainable food sourcing, global organizations, community recognition, climate solutions, purpose-driven work, outdoor community, water crisis, positive storytelling

Join me for a short solo episode (!!) that's one part level-setting, one part future-visioning and one part me laughing at my typos on Substack. Enjoy!

This week, Timothy Lock joins the podcast to share his journey growing up on the coast of Maine, falling in love with the outdoors and eventually becoming an architect focused on ecological design. He discusses his deep connection to nature, shaped by his experiences in Acadia National Park, and how these moments influenced his commitment to climate action.

We talk about:

• His career in low-emissions architecture and design

• Connection to outdoor experiences and how they influence his work

• A passion for mountaineering and climbing that has shifted towards ultrarunning

• Changing our habits to use less in our lives

• Maine, obviously

Links

Tim’s Instagram

Opal Website

Opal Instagram

Presidential Traverse

Presi Traverse FKT

Pemi Loop

Passive House

Tim’s Article in AIA Philadelphia Context Magazine

More on Tim’s White House Policy Office work

WTCTA Patreon

Keywords

climate action, architecture, outdoor recreation, ultra running, Maine, Acadia National Park, ecological design, personal growth, nature connection, outdoor experiences, environmental connection, sustainability, passive house, advocacy, built environment, energy efficiency, community impact, certifications, climate solutions, demand mitigation, environmental design, ecological benefits, bipartisan messaging, consumption, sustainability, architecture, trail running, New England, vertical kilometers, environmental advocacy, endurance sports, outdoor challenges, running community, technical trails

This week, Jon Jon Moore Palacios joins the podcast to discuss his journey as a writer and communicator in the climate space, sharing insights on his academic experiences, the importance of honesty in environmental discourse and the need for proactive engagement in climate action. Our conversation emphasized the intersection of personal identity and environmental issues, highlighting the stakes involved in addressing climate change.

We talk about:

• His background in Black studies and how to uplift those thinking Blackly about climate and climate justice

• His career journey and his work at Rewiring America as well as his new initiative, Black in Climate

• “Meeting people where they are” and what that needs to be instead 

• His serendipitous discovery of Footprints Running which has led to a leadership role in the organization 

• Recently running a marathon after not identifying as “runner” per se

Links

Jon Jon’s Instagram

Jon Jon’s LinkedIn

Jon Jon’s GoFundMe Fundraiser for Visualizing Palestine

Visualizing Palestine

Rewiring America

Black in Climate 

Footprints 

Footprints Instagram 

Blackness and the Pitfalls of Anthropocene Ethics by Axelle Karera

Climatebase

Climate Vine

RA’s Home site 

Quilt 

SF Climate Week  

WTCTA Patreon

Keywords

climate change, environmental justice, Black in Climate, electrification, graduate school, climate awareness, home renovation, honesty in discourse, meeting people where they are, climate action, decolonial, heat pump, electrification, communication, advocacy, Rewiring America, speechwriting, community engagement, user journeys, nonprofit challenges, outdoor spaces, personal growth, running, transformative experiences, climate justice, safe spaces

This week we welcome Mina Guli to the pod. Mina shares her unique journey from a background in law and finance to becoming a water advocate and ultra runner. She discusses her pivotal moments of realization regarding the global water crisis and how she uses her running as a tool for advocacy. 

We talk about:

• the importance of storytelling in raising awareness and driving change

• her personal evolution as a runner and advocate. 

• The Thirst Foundation, her global nonprotif for water advocacy and action

• the necessity of community, vulnerability, and resilience in tackling the water crisis

• Not necessarily enjoying running all the time (but doing it anyways for an environmental cause)

Links

Mina’s instagram

Mina’s website

World Economic Forum

7 Deserts Run

Marathon des Sables

Thirst Foundation

100 Marathons project

Run Blue 200 Marathons

World Water Relay

Fog Harvesting

WTCTA Patreon

Keywords

water crisis, climate change, advocacy, running, environmental awareness, global water shortage, storytelling, community engagement, corporate responsibility, sustainable practices, water crisis, Thirst Foundation, community resilience, climate solutions, global advocacy, running for water, personal commitment, environmental activism, grassroots movements, hope and resilience

Climate Strides co-facilitator Brittany Blitzer joins the podcast to reflect on the recent event focused on climate action, discussing her personal experiences with climate change, the innovative design of the event, and the importance of movement in fostering meaningful conversations. We explore how to create inclusive spaces for dialogue and the potential for future collaborations in the outdoor recreation and climate action spaces. We also intersperse some recorded audio from the day. 

We talk about: 

• Her own aha moment on climate!

• The origination of the event idea

• How it went, and what we want to do next! 

Keywords

climate action, event design, facilitation, outdoor recreation, community engagement, innovative approaches, movement, networking, personal stories, collaboration

In this episode of the Where The Climate Things Are podcast, Jr Rodriguez shares his journey as a mestizo filmmaker and adventure photographer, discussing his background, his awakening to climate issues, and his passion for outdoor recreation. 

We talk about:

• Growing up in Houston and witnessing environmental inequity firsthand

• Working in adaptation and resilience efforts

• The role of people-centric storytelling in environmentalism 

• The intersection of cultural heritage, climate change and outdoor access 

• Coffee! 

Links

Jr’s instagram 

Māori intro 

Protect Our Winters 

Last Descents piece

Houston Parks Bayou Map

Greens Bayou

Halls Bayou

Glacier Book 

Colo Coffee

Patagonia coffee/mountain bike film

Barnacle Food hotsauce

WTCTA Patreon

keywords

climate change, environmental justice, outdoor recreation, storytelling, community engagement, filmmaking, Houston, personal journey, climate awareness, nature connection, flood mitigation, environmental work, storytelling, cultural heritage, innovative solutions, community impact, filmmaking, environmentalism, economic incentives 

RT on the pod! Join us for a bonus episode recounting a recent trip to New Zealand. 

We talk about:

• Ryan’s coverage of and takeaways from the Tarawera race

• The country’s general approach to conservation and outdoor access

• A double bonus topic: exploring Middle Earth 

Links

Ryan’s Instagram 

Tarawera race

Freetrail race coverage

Redwoods in NZ

River, mountain, forest personhood in NZ 

Māori ceremony, the haka

Māori greeting, the hongi

Tiaki Promise

Running Styles of New York | Tallest Man On Earth

Hawaii water psa

The NZ trip in 60 seconds

Want to support WTCTA? Check out the Patreon

Keywords 

Tarawera race, New Zealand, Māori culture, environmental conservation, trail running, ultrarunning, accessibility, nature partnership, outdoor experiences