Climify

In this final episode of season five, Eric Benson talks with sociologist and American University Professor Dr. Dana Fisher for a frank conversation about the current state of climate action and our political and social futures. Dr. Fisher introduces her compelling idea of “apocalyptic optimism” and explains why grassroots activism, community resilience, and embracing your anger are key to driving real change, as it’s a “perfectly wonderful time to be shrill.” From pandemic revelations to personal awakenings, Dr. Fisher shares stories and strategies that will inspire both seasoned climate advocates and curious newcomers. Tune in to learn how you can channel urgency into action, find common ground with your neighbors, and learn why now is the time to do both. If you want to buy Dana’s new book, use the code CUP20 for 20% off of Saving Ourselves: From Climate Shocks to Climate Action

Join host Eric Benson for an inspiring and emotional conversation with climate leader Cynthia Leung as she shares her journey from being moved by An Inconvenient Truth to making real change in the energy industry. This episode is packed with powerful insights on how to align your passion with your career, overcome challenges like impostor syndrome, and take meaningful action in the face of climate despair.Discover how concepts like "radical acceptance," social and emotional currency, and the "states of tragic" can empower you to stay hopeful and effective. Learn practical tips on mentorship, community building, and the small steps that add up to a big impact. If you’ve ever wondered how to stay optimistic while fighting for the planet, this episode is for you.

Can small steps lead to big climate wins? In this episode, host Eric Benson chats with Cate Mingoya-LaFortune, author of Climate Action for Busy People, about how everyday choices can drive meaningful change. They explore why thinking local matters, how communities spark climate momentum, and how understanding the systems behind climate policy can empower even the busiest among us. With practical tips and real-world examples this conversation is a down-to-earth guide to making climate action part of your daily routine—no cape required.

In a captivating discussion, Kate O'Neill, a tech humanist and CEO of KO Insights, shares her expertise on the intersection of AI and climate action. She emphasizes the need for ethical AI deployment to tackle climate challenges, advocating for 'strategic optimism' in project management. Kate highlights the power of casual conversations at conferences to inspire ideas and solutions. She also addresses the emotional aspects of climate grief and the proactive role individuals can play, especially the youth, in driving impactful change.

Join host Eric Benson for a powerful conversation with author Jenny Morgan, whose new book Cancel Culture and Climate takes a bold look at the fractures within the climate movement. Jenny shares her personal journey—facing binary thinking, cancel culture, and the urgent need for a new kind of empathetic dialogue. Together, Eric and Jenny explore how kindness, curiosity, and honest conversation can bridge divides and spark real climate solutions. Tune in for an inspiring discussion about healing divisions and moving the climate movement forward with courage and connection.

Host Eric welcomes Anne Therese Gennari — TEDx speaker, educator, author, and self-proclaimed climate optimist. Together, they explore Anne's inspiring journey toward embracing and promoting climate optimism.From the importance of inner growth and spiritual transformation to taking practical, grounded action, Anne shares how we can shift our mindset in the face of climate challenges. They explore how slowing down, avoiding the trap of toxic positivity, and tapping into imagination and regeneration can fuel real change.If you’ve ever wondered how to stay hopeful and motivated in the climate movement, this episode is for you. Tune in for an uplifting and thought-provoking start to Season 5!

In this season, we explore the duality of climate action by addressing our collective hope for a sustainable future while acknowledging the skepticism, grief, and challenges that come with it. Join our six amazing guests as we discuss meaningful ways to maintain hope and also hold space for grief in our fight against climate change.

In this special episode of Climify, host Eric Benson chats with C’pher Gresham, co-founder of the very first DC Climate Week. They dive into how the event got started, what kind of speakers and activities you can expect — from garden tours to job fairs — and the lessons C’pher learned along the way. They also talk about why community involvement and working across political lines are so important for real climate action. Tune in for a behind-the-scenes look at DC Climate Week and pick up some tips on how you can bring a Climate Week to your own community!

Welcome to another fantastic crossover episode! This time we have the amazing podcast “Made for us” hosted by Tosin Sulaiman.Made For Us is an award-winning podcast for anyone who’s curious about how to design for inclusivity. Join us each week for conversations with founders, designers, product inclusion leaders and other creative minds who are challening the status quo of how everyday products are designed. Each episode will bring you insights from people who've spent years thinking, perhaps even obsessing, about how to develop products or build companies that are inclusive from the start. In 2024, they were a Bronze winner for “Most Inspirational Podcast” and a 2024 International Women's Podcast Award winner.This episode is called “Why isn’t all design inclusive?”Over the past few months, guests on this podcast have shared some great examples of inclusive design and innovation, but these kinds of products aren’t the norm (yet).   Joining me to explore some of the reasons why is Scott Berkun, author of How Design Makes the World, a book that aims to demystify design for everyone. We discuss why it’s so hard to design well and what organisations can do to accelerate good ideas. Enjoying the show? Subscribe to the free Made For Us newsletter for exclusive content. If you haven’t yet left a 5-star rating or review, this would be the perfect time to do so (it will help others discover this podcast while Season 2 is in the works). In today’s episode, Scott and I discuss:- Business and cultural reasons behind design choices- Key questions to ask early on in the design process- Why we should think twice before using words like ‘intuitive’ and ‘user-friendly’- The ROI of inclusivity

This episode is our special holiday gift to you! Happy holidays! In fact, it’s all about you. Shi, an energy economist (and an avid Climify fan) was selected amongst many listeners like you to be featured on our program to talk all things Climify and, of course, climate action.Joining Shi and Eric are awesome members of the Climify team (Bhavna and Jacqui) to discuss Shi’s climate work and solarpunk dreams. Throughout this forty minute conversation, Shi reflects on her journey from studying oil and gas markets to promoting sustainable living, solar for all, and the role of individual actions in driving systemic change.We hope you all realize how important you are to the success of the show (and the climate movement) and hope to speak with you again in the new year! Happy 2025! Let’s keep fighting for climate!