Discern Earth

In this episode I speak with David LaGreca, an environmental markets expert currently serving as a lead consultant at EcoEngineers, where he develops new methodologies for carbon dioxide removal projects. We discuss:• How early mountaineering experiences in Colorado shaped his environmental commitment, including years as a dirtbag mountaineer.• His 24 years of being a vegan.• His transition from free-spirited outdoorsman to carbon market verifier.• His view of verification as an unglamorous but essential function in carbon markets.• The challenges of developing new carbon removal methodologies, particularly for novel approaches like ocean-based CDR.• His assessment that biomass-based approaches, like biochar and BECCS, are the most promising near-term CDR solutions due to scalability. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.discern.earth

Sam Rosolina, Vice President of Applied Innovation at Microbial Insights, dives into the significance of environmental stewardship rooted in his Southern Appalachian upbringing. He shares how the catastrophic Kingston coal ash spill ignited his passion for environmental chemistry. The conversation explores the role of isotopes in tracking microbial remediation of hazardous waste and reflects on the deep connections between nature, faith, and social justice in his community. Sam also discusses the challenges of academic pursuits and balancing stability in a dynamic field.

In this episode I speak with Brandon Craft, a product manager at Orbis, a forestry software company. We discuss:• How a C.S. Lewis quote inspired his path from Christian ministry to forestry.• His connection to Georgia's coastal plain ecosystem, where prescribed fire and forest management shaped his understanding of home as an ecosystem.• How his humanities and biblical studies background provided crucial skills that enhanced his forestry career.• The challenge of balancing legacy systems with new technology in forestry, requiring empathy to drive adoption in a conservative field.• His exploration of the philosophical sublime through prescribed fire and harsh landscapes, finding both fear and beauty in nature's power.• The value of developing vocabulary to help people connect with ecosystems rather than seeing them as empty spaces. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.discern.earth

In this episode I speak with Elias Ayrey, a forest carbon scientist and Chief Science Officer at Renoster, a carbon credit diligence firm. We discuss:• How growing up in suburban New Jersey with a science teacher mother shaped his connection to nature and science.• His move from ecology to forest remote sensing, and how it gives him a unique perspective on forests.• His passion for paleobotany and early plant evolution.• His realization that carbon market challenges stem primarily from human factors rather than technical limitations.• How direct observation of carbon market projects revealed both transformative community benefits and serious human rights violations.• His pragmatic view of carbon markets as a flawed but necessary climate solution given human nature. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.discern.earth

In this episode I speak with Ross Kenyon, former VP of Strategy at Nori, a carbon removal marketplace that recently shut down. We discuss:• How his humanities background shaped his approach to climate work, bringing a generalist perspective focused on questioning assumptions.• His engagement with Christianity through Tolstoy's radical interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount.• Why attributing ecological degradation to Christianity's concept of "dominion" oversimplifies both religious teaching and historical causation.• The complex tension between altruistic and profit motives in scaling climate solutions.• His view that climate change will likely increase global conflict and migration rather than cooperation.• The importance of acknowledging human imperfection in climate work, advocating for pragmatic engagement with high-emitting industries. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.discern.earth

In this episode I speak with Roman Gonzalez, a product and design consultant through his company Rad Plant Man Consulting. We discuss:• How growing up as a curious Mexican-American in Corpus Christi shaped his intellectual path.• His spiritual evolution from Catholicism to atheism to developing a materialist ecological spirituality based on nature's intelligence.• The creation of Gardenio, his startup focused on accessible home gardening, and how plant cultivation deepened his ecological awareness.• His commitment to supporting underrepresented founders in tech entrepreneurship.• His work at Literati connecting children with transformative books.• His exploration of UFO phenomena as a window into human metaphysics and our relationship with the unknown. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.discern.earth

In this episode I speak with Caleb Meredith, a materials scientist currently working at TerraSafe Materials, an early-stage climate startup in the sustainable packaging space. We explore his vision of energy stewardship and discuss:• His path from chemical engineering to materials science, sparked by early experiences exploring nature and fascination with micro-scale phenomena.• The key distinctions between chemical engineering's industrial process focus versus materials science's structural relationships.• How biological complexity initially drove him toward simpler physics before drawing him back to bio-derived materials.• Why the "natural versus synthetic" materials divide misses the point in sustainable solutions.• His vision of energy stewardship as the foundation for a circular materials economy.• How studying materials at microscopic scales revealed increasing complexity, reshaping his view of human knowledge. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.discern.earth

Bryan Kam, a philosopher specializing in the concept of nature, dives deep into its philosophical implications. He unpacks the etymology of nature and discusses the blurred lines between man and nature. The conversation explores hypostasization and its ties to early Christian thought, providing insights into how our perceptions shape reality. They also examine humanity's evolving relationship with nature post-19th century, contrasting romantic ideals with contemporary environmental challenges. It's a thought-provoking journey into what nature really means.

The podcast discusses the speaker's childhood fascination with nature, their journey into working with nature and climate, and their spiritual motivations for regenerating the Earth. It also explores the impact of faith on environmental stewardship and how personal beliefs drive actions in the realm of nature and climate.

Exploring the motivations of nature and climate professionals, the 'Discern Earth' podcast delves into the deep philosophical and spiritual drivers behind environmental work, emphasizing the significance of aligning personal motivations with actions in nature and climate issues.