

WHAT IF WE GET IT RIGHT?
Ayana Elizabeth Johnson
A show about climate solutions, about what we need to do to address the climate crisis, and how to make those things happen — from changing laws, to electrifying buildings, to improving fashion and media. Each week an expert guest joins host Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson to break it down, delightfully, and help us all envision what getting right on climate looks like, so we can reel that vision into reality. ayanaelizabeth.substack.com
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 23, 2025 • 35min
Winning the narrative battle 🎥, with dream hampton
In this engaging discussion, award-winning filmmaker dream hampton explores the vital role of storytelling in reshaping public perceptions of climate solutions. Drawing from her influential career, she emphasizes the need for climate experts in writers' rooms to create relatable narratives. She critiques the simplistic messaging from the right, contrasts it with progressive complexities, and highlights the power of humor and artistic approaches in climate communication. Also, dream shares insights from her poetic film Freshwater, connecting personal memory to larger environmental issues.

23 snips
Dec 12, 2025 • 1h 3min
Earth is our only shareholder 🌏, with Patagonia CEO Ryan Gellert
Ryan Gellert, CEO of Patagonia and environmental advocate, shares insights on the future of corporate responsibility. He discusses how companies can prioritize long-term environmental goals over short-term profit. Ryan highlights Patagonia's commitment to protecting public lands and its innovative mission shift that positions Earth as a shareholder. He explains the unique ownership structure and how profits are reinvested for sustainability. The conversation emphasizes the need for courage in leadership and calls for individuals to leverage their influence for environmental action.

Nov 21, 2025 • 45min
The Current Politics of Food and Farming 👨🌾 with Dave Herring
Dave Herring, the Executive Director of Wolfe’s Neck Center for Agriculture and the Environment, shares insights on the urgent need for regenerative agriculture. He discusses how it improves soil health and supports ecosystems while addressing climate change. Herring emphasizes the economic pressures farmers face and the importance of making food systems resilient. He also highlights the significance of educating children about food production through farm camps, and urges listeners to support local food initiatives and be mindful of their consumption choices.

Nov 14, 2025 • 1h 3min
How to deal with the heat 🌎🥵 with Jainey Bavishi and Jeff Goodell
Jeff Goodell, a veteran climate journalist and author, teams up with Jainey Bavishi, a key player in climate resilience, to tackle the urgent topic of heat. They discuss the widening gap of heat inequality, where neighborhoods face vastly different conditions. Jainey shares innovative strategies from NYC, like reflective roofs and urban greenery, to combat rising temperatures. They advocate for recognizing heat as a serious disaster, stressing the need for community cohesion and federal support to tackle this escalating challenge.

Nov 7, 2025 • 10min
How do you convince a room full of influential people to care about climate change… in 6 minutes? 🎤
An acceptance speech for the TIME Earth Award highlights the urgency of climate action. The speaker urges a focus on strategic solutions rather than misplaced hope, naming fossil fuels as the main culprit behind the crisis. They spotlight existing remedies like clean energy and sustainable food, while emphasizing the power of cultural change in shaping policy. Encouraging everyone to voice their concerns, the speech connects climate to health and personal interests. A rallying cry for collective engagement wraps up this passionate appeal for immediate action.

12 snips
Nov 2, 2025 • 47min
Climate hushing, fart jokes, and love. 😝 John Marshall on how to market climate action.
Join John Marshall, a marketing expert and founding director of Potential Energy, as he sheds light on the art of climate communication. He challenges the complexities of current messaging, advocating for clearer, more personal narratives that motivate action. John emphasizes the power of love in climate engagement and the need for humor to break through climate hushing. He highlights the importance of sharing relatable stories and invites listeners to rally friends for impactful conversations on climate solutions.

Oct 24, 2025 • 38min
Presenting — Sabotage: The Splat 🥫🖼️
Explore the audacious tomato soup stunt that targeted Van Gogh's 'Sunflowers' and the climate activism group Just Stop Oil. Delve into the public outrage, media coverage, and legal aftermath of this high-profile protest. Discover why activists choose art as a platform and how disruptive tactics aim to grab attention. Hear insights from museum staff and the motivations of the protesters, revealing the emotional underpinnings of their actions. The episode challenges perceptions of radicalism in climate activism and invites listeners to consider the effectiveness of such protests.

Oct 17, 2025 • 50min
What now for climate law? ⚖️ Abigail Dillen has answers.
Abigail Dillen, president of Earthjustice and a seasoned environmental lawyer, discusses the urgent state of climate law. She highlights the threats posed by current legal erosions and emphasizes the role of the courts in defending environmental justice. Abigail urges listeners to tackle the dangerous trends of deregulation and advocates for a new legal framework through Project Phoenix. With a focus on collaborative litigation and community support, she inspires action to rethink and strengthen environmental laws for a sustainable future.

32 snips
Oct 10, 2025 • 44min
Climate Change vs. Coffee, Wine, and Chocolate ☕️🍷🍫 with Sam Kass
In this lively discussion, Sam Kass, former White House chef and nutrition advisor, reveals the growing climate threats to our favorite foods like coffee, wine, and chocolate. He highlights the disproportionate burden on smallholder farmers and the need for greater awareness of agriculture's environmental impact. Kass shares insights from his recent book, emphasizing culture's role in food systems and the urgency for practical solutions. He touches on the historic White House garden and concludes with a hopeful vision of diverse, plant-forward diets as climate solutions.

17 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 35min
My conversation with Jane Goodall 🐒🌿🕊️, on hope, courage, and action.
Renowned primatologist Jane Goodall shares her life-long love for nature and the impact of environmental degradation. She emphasizes the importance of interconnectedness between humans and nature while addressing the emotional toll of witnessing ecosystem decline. Goodall celebrates youth activism, praising their clarity and urgency in environmental issues. With a focus on hope, she believes in the transformative power of stories and local action to inspire real change, leaving listeners motivated to make a difference in the world.


