Climate Shifted

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When Data Dances: Matching Scientists with Artists for Stories That Connect with Neelambaree Prasad
In this episode of Climate Shifted, host Eva Frye speaks with Neelambaree Prasad, a pharmacologist and classical Indian dancer who refused to live a "split screen life." After becoming a mother during the pandemic and witnessing how climate change was the root cause of global health crises, Neelambaree co-founded ClimArts—a nonprofit that bridges the gap between climate scientists and artists to create stories that connect with both hearts and minds. From ancient Indian temples that served as centers of learning through dance and music, to modern collaborations featuring ballet dancers personifying coral bleaching and comedians tackling air pollution, Neelambaree shows us why the future of climate communication isn't just better science or better art—it's the magic that happens when research meets emotional resonance. Discover how to match scientific expertise with artistic expression, why "bounded imagination" keeps collaborations grounded, and the practical framework any organization can use to create climate stories that actually move audiences to action. Because when we combine data with dance, facts with feelings, we create something neither science nor art could achieve alone. FULL TRANSCRIPT LIVES HERE. Key Topics Covered The Art-Science Gap in Climate Communication Why technical climate messages push audiences away instead of drawing them in How scientists and artists struggle to find meeting spaces for collaboration The challenge of maintaining scientific accuracy while creating emotional connection Moving beyond "doom and gloom" to solution-oriented storytelling Ancient Wisdom for Modern Problems How Indian temples historically served as centers of learning through art The composite nature of classical Indian dance (music, theater, poetry, storytelling) Applying traditional frameworks to contemporary climate challenges The power of personification in connecting audiences to natural systems ClimArts' Collaborative Framework Building trust between scientists and artists through common goals The concept of "bounded imagination" to maintain scientific integrity Matching art forms to specific scientific messages and audiences Managing the collaboration process from initial meeting to final product Impact and Distribution Strategies Creating docu-films for maximum reach and accessibility Measuring both quantitative metrics and qualitative transformation stories The "train the trainer" approach to amplifying impact through existing storytellers Strategies for demonstrating value to funders in the arts-science space Standout Quotes "I always had this unrest in me about why my two worlds cannot converge." "The pandemic had its root cause in climate change... And that's how ClimArts began." "Science provides data and analysis and evidence while art accesses emotions and intuition, so together they create a more complete understanding of complex problems." "It's not science alone that can do it. Not just policy that can do it, but there needs to be a cultural transformation, and that is where art comes in to change the narratives." "We personified the river through our dance to convey that it's a sentient being." "You cannot do it alone. That's the one big learning—you have to join forces... Collaboration, collaboration, collaboration is my learning." "Who is this message for? No funder will accept the answer that my audience is the general public." Featured Resources & Organizations Neelambaree's Work: ClimArts.org - Nonprofit connecting climate scientists with artists ClimArts LinkedIn and Instagram Neelambaree's LinkedIn Resilient River - Dance piece about Indian rivers and flooding (featured on ClimArts website) Key Collaborations & Partners: Inside the Greenhouse, University of Colorado Boulder - Creative climate communication initiative led by Max Boykoff Energy Change Institute at Oxford - Low carbon community transition theater project English Youth Ballet - Coral bleaching ballet collaboration Howard School of Public Health - Coral reef solutions partnership Kings College London - Geography department (floods and droughts research) School World Forum - Climate justice workshop venue Key People Referenced: Max Boykoff - Climate communications expert, author, and professor at CU Boulder; co-director of Inside the Greenhouse Kripa Iyer - Co-founder of ClimArts, economist and dancer based in London Dr. Daanish Mustafa - Kings College London geographer specializing in floods and droughts Reports & Research Referenced Climate Impact Studies: Yale CBEY Net-Zero Report - References McKinsey climate analysis; notably focuses on land-based solutions with limited ocean emphasis National Forests: Shifting Range - Forest migration patterns due to climate change Scientific American: Greenland's Ice Sheet Collapse - Latest research on accelerating ice loss Collaboration & Communication Frameworks: Probable Futures: Bounded Imagination - Framework for keeping solutions grounded in what the science tells us IDEO: Design Constraints - How limitations can enhance creative collaboration Key Themes Explored The Power of Personification Making landscapes and natural systems feel like sentient beings Drawing parallels between human experiences and environmental challenges Moving beyond the trend to avoid anthropomorphizing nature Rights of nature movements giving legal standing to ecosystems Cultural Transformation Through Art Why policy and science alone cannot drive necessary climate action How art changes narratives and cultural understanding The role of storytelling in making abstract concepts tangible and personal Creating emotional openings that make audiences want to care and act Collaborative Framework Design Building trust through shared goals and clear role definition Managing the tension between scientific accuracy and artistic expression The importance of "bounded imagination" to maintain credibility Intervening at key points to keep collaborations on track Community-Centered Impact Training existing storytellers rather than creating content for general audiences Amplifying local voices and community-led solutions Measuring transformation through both data and narrative Creating sustainable funding models for arts-science collaborations Juicy Bits: Key Takeaways for Climate Communicators Know your specific audience - "General public" isn't an acceptable target. Create detailed personas including demographics, hopes, dreams, and challenges Pick the right messenger - Ask yourself: Are you the most effective person to deliver this message? Should it be a subject matter expert or community voice instead? Craft your message strategically - Once you know your audience and messenger, include: What's the problem? Why does it need solving? What's the proposed solution? End with hope or clear call to action Embrace personification - Make natural systems feel like sentient beings to create emotional connection Collaborate, don't work alone - The most impactful climate communication requires joining forces across disciplines Use "bounded imagination" - Let artists think creatively while scientists ensure accuracy and nuance aren't lost Create video content - Essential for reaching diverse audiences, especially post-pandemic Focus on solutions - Move beyond doom and gloom to spotlight actionable pathways forward Call to Action Are you a scientist with a story burning inside, or an artist ready to ground your work in evidence? The climate crisis is too important for us to keep working in silos. Support Neelambaree's Work: Visit climarts.org to learn about collaboration opportunities Follow @climarts_ on Instagram and LinkedIn for project updates Apply to join their programs if you're an artist or expert Consider philanthropic support—sponsors' names travel with films to festivals Get Involved: Share your favorite climate storytelling or art with @climateshifted on Instagram Tell us why it moved you—we'll reshare our favorites Consider becoming a paid substack subscriber for episode insight digests, and to help this volunteer-based team with a season 2! Look for collaboration opportunities in your own community Reach out to [email protected] if you know of any grant or sponsorship opportunities that would be a good fit for us Credits Executive Producer & Host: Eva Frye Technical Producer: Mateus Salgado Audio Engineer: Gianna Scioletti Project Management: Sarah Clayton Social Media: Amanda Bauer, Ashley Chapman, Louise Lau
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The Power of Place-Based Storytelling: Imagining Climate Possibilities in Your Community with Autumn Leiker
In this episode of Climate Shifted, host Eva Frye speaks with Autumn Leiker, a designer and climate artivist based in Santa Fe, New Mexico. While many climate stories are doom-and-gloom, Autumn decided to ask their community a different question: considering the realities of the climate crisis, what world do you actually want to live in? This simple but powerful question became Into the Unknown Together, a beautiful anthology of stories, recipes, and art from the people of New Mexico. This work is powerful because when we get out of the limiting fear mindset and into creative ideation, when we imagine the world we do want, we actually start to build it. Autumn had never published a book or run a contest before—but they showed that any of us can create something meaningful in our own communities. Discover why listening matters more than telling, how stories are humanity's most powerful tool for creating change, and the practical steps any of us can take to inspire climate imagination in our own communities. Because when we tell new stories about our climate future, we imagine the pathways for living into them. FULL TRANSCRIPT HERE Key Topics Covered The Power of Place-Based, Community Storytelling Why stories are humanity's tool for creating change and new worlds How climate stories can move beyond apocalyptic doom to inspire imagination Making abstract climate issues personally relevant through place-based narratives The role of artists and storytellers as "new world midwives" Building Climate Imagination Moving from "what we don't want" to "what we do want" in climate futures Why utopian thinking isn't the goal—complex, realistic visions are Balancing grief and joy in climate work Processing the full spectrum of climate emotions through creative expression Community-Centered Approach How Autumn approached their project as an anthropologist and listener The importance of amplifying local voices rather than imposing outside ideas Creating space for diverse perspectives and first-time contributors Building projects that reflect the actual ecology and culture of a place Practical Project Building How to start a community storytelling project from scratch Navigating grants, outreach, and building without institutional backing The power of commissioning alongside open submissions Making projects accessible and beautiful to draw people in Standout Quotes "We are the storytelling animal... Everything is a story that someone has imagined, so the world that we're living in today and all the systems that we are living in, for better or worse, they are all something that someone imagined at some point." "When writers create new stories, they open up pathways that we can also live into... it is how we can create new worlds." "If we don't try to start imagining what we do want and then how to get there, then it's never going to happen." "Being on the right side of history doesn't necessarily mean we're going to make it... but I want to be on the right side of things, and I want to help others engage with that as well." "I so want more people to do this. Please take the idea, do whatever you want with it, change it, do it in your communities." Featured Resources Autumn's Project: Into the Unknown Together - Climate anthology for and by the people of New Mexico Autumn's Portfolio - Design and climate storytelling work Influences & Inspiration: Adrienne Maree Brown - Visionary fiction author and activist who inspired the project Jamie Figueroa's "Prophecies of Possibility" for Emergence Magazine Anonymous Was A Woman Environmental Art Grant - Funded the project Essential Reading Mentioned: Ursula K. Le Guin - Science fiction author who explored creating new worlds and systems Robin Wall Kimmerer - Blends science with indigenous wisdom (highly recommended in audiobook) David Abrams - "The Spell of the Sensuous" on animism and written language Norma Wong - Activist and community organizer Organizations & Collaborators Mentioned Emergence Magazine - Featured Jamie Figueroa's essay referenced in the book Zoe Young - Writer and collaborator who keeps Autumn going in this work Local New Mexico libraries - Recipients of free book copies Community contributors - Over 100 submissions from local residents Key Themes Explored Grief and Joy as Climate Tools How our capacity for joy maps directly to our ability to feel grief Processing climate emotions without getting stuck in fear or bypassing to optimism Creating space for the full spectrum of human experience in climate work Place-Based Climate Action Why local, ecological storytelling resonates more than abstract global messaging Understanding your community before trying to create change The importance of being "people of our ecologies" in climate adaptation Creative Climate Communication Listen before creating anything, and amplify local voices Use beauty and curiosity to draw people into difficult conversations Create accessible entry points through diverse formats (stories, recipes, art, poetry) Juicy Bits: Key Takeaways for Climate Communicators Listen first, create second - Spend time understanding your community before launching any project You don't need permission - Autumn had no experience but started anyway and created something beautiful Embrace emotional complexity - Hold space for grief, hope, anger, and joy simultaneously Make it local and personal - Place-based storytelling works because it speaks to people's actual lives Stories create pathways - When we imagine better futures, we make them more possible Focus on what you want - Move from fighting against to building toward Process matters as much as output - How you treat contributors becomes part of world-building Call to Action Which story or voice does your community need to hear? What world are you helping them imagine? Support Autumn's Work: Purchase "Into the Unknown Together" at intotheunknowntogether.com Request a free copy for your community organization Adapt their model for your own place-based storytelling project Connect with Climate Shifted: Subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts Follow @climateshifted on all social media platforms Share this episode with anyone interested in creative climate communication Consider supporting our volunteer team through Substack for Episode Insight Digests Credits Executive Producer & Host: Eva Frye Technical Producer: Mateus Salgado Audio Engineer: Gianna Scioletti Project Management: Sarah Clayton Advisers: Ryan Shuken, Ashley Chapman, Chris Clark
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From Anxiety to Action: How to Use Behavior Change Models in Climate with Melinda Briana Epler
In this episode of Climate Shifted, host Eva Frye speaks with Melinda Briana Epler, a TED Speaker and behavior change strategist who has worked on national programs with organizations like the American Hospital Association. Melinda is currently authoring a whitepaper on climate communication best practices called Our Moment is Now, out soon. Discover why fear-based climate messaging burns people out, how to move audiences up Maslow's hierarchy of needs to create lasting change, and why listening might be the most powerful tool in a climate communicator's toolkit. Learn practical frameworks for designing user journeys that meet people where they are and guide them toward sustained climate action over time. Full Transcript Found Here Key Topics Covered The Psychology of Climate Motivation Why fear and guilt are unsustainable motivators for climate action How to use Maslow's hierarchy of needs in climate communications The importance of moving from fear-based messaging to love and joy Building identity-based climate action for lasting change Behavior Change Strategy The "trim tab" approach: finding small actions that create big impact Stages of change model: from unconcerned to maintaining action Meeting people where they are vs. where you want them to be Designing user journeys for long-term engagement Communication Tactics That Work The power of listening before speaking Why storytelling beats abstract messaging Building trust through community ambassadors Moving from individual awareness to policy change Bridging Political Divides Whether to engage dismissive audiences or focus on the converted Finding common ground across political differences Learning from bipartisan policy successes The role of trusted messengers in polarized times Standout Quotes "Often people want to just go right to the solution and jump into building awareness... But I would say you need to take a step back to really understand the problem that you're trying to solve." "Fear is a common emotion that can be evoked by climate communications... And it's not a sustainable emotion. That's why climate anxiety is on the rise." "If somebody identifies as somebody that takes climate action, they're much more open to taking other climate actions." "The number one role in communications I would say is listening. First really understanding where people are coming from." Featured Research & Resources Melinda's Climate Communication Research: Our Moment is Now: Best Practices in Climate Communication - Executive summary available now, full research paper coming soon Featured Interview: Nisha Anand on Bipartisan Climate Policy - CEO of Dream.org discusses building bridges across political divides Key Frameworks Mentioned: Stages of Change Model for behavior design Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs for motivation Yale's Six Americas climate audience segmentation Community-based social marketing approaches Organizations & People Mentioned Dream.org - Nisha Anand's organization focused on bipartisan policy change American Hospital Association - Partner on national energy efficiency program Nature Conservancy - Example of nonpartisan environmental approach Greenpeace - Contrasted as confrontational vs. collaborative approach Dr. Katherine Hayhoe - Climate scientist and communication expert Dr. Renee Lertzman - Environmental psychologist George Marshall - Author of "Don't Even Think About It" Brené Brown - Researcher on shame and vulnerability Juicy Bits: Key Takeaways for Climate Communicators Start with systems thinking - Find the "trim tab" - the smallest action that creates the biggest impact Listen first, speak second - Understanding where people are now is more important than where you want them to be Move beyond fear - Use fear only as an initial trigger, then transition to hope, love, and identity-based motivation Design for the long term - Create user journeys that move people through stages of change over time Find trusted messengers - Work with community ambassadors when your audience doesn't trust you directly Seek common ground - Even dismissive audiences can be engaged when you find shared values Measure what matters - Track behavior change, not just awareness metrics Sustain yourself - Connect with what brings you joy to avoid burnout in this challenging work Connect with Melinda Website: melindabrianaepler.com LinkedIn: Melinda Briana Epler Instagram: @melindabrianaepler Call to Action Climate communication doesn't have to rely on fear and guilt. Download Melinda's executive summary on climate communication best practices and start designing behavior change campaigns that meet people where they are and guide them toward lasting action. Subscribe to Climate Shifted wherever you listen to podcasts and follow @climateshifted on social media for more expert insights on what actually works to shift hearts and minds on climate.
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Art That Sculpts Communities: Xavier Cortada's Climate Social Practice
In this episode of Climate Shifted, host Eva Frye speaks with Xavier Cortada, a socially engaged environmental artist and Florida Artist Hall of Fame member. He creates participatory art projects transforming how communities understand and respond to the climate crisis. Xavier shares how his "Underwater Homeowners Association" project used lawn signs showing home elevation levels to make sea level rise personally relevant to inland residents, how he strategically uses art to invite curiosity rather than confrontation, and how he builds coalitions with local institutions to create lasting policy change. Learn how his approach to "social practice art" sculpts people instead of clay, makes topics personal to bypass political polarization, and discover how anyone can get started doing projects like this in your own communities. Transcript available here Key Topics Using "social practice art" to create community climate engagement Making abstract climate threats personally relevant through art Designing art experiences that invite curiosity rather than confrontation Building strategic partnerships with municipalities, schools, and nonprofits Creating platforms for civic engagement beyond awareness Moving from individual action to policy change Balancing different communication approaches for different audiences Starting with personal passion rather than waiting for permission Finding sustainable motivation through love rather than fear Quotes "Art allows you to see things differently, but it also allows you to behave differently. And you then model to those who aren't part of the process, how they too can do the same thing." - Xavier Cortada "My way in was the yard sign. What's this weird number doing in my neighbor's front yard? And then that curiosity allows you to understand that you have a vulnerability, that it's not someone else's problem, it's your problem." - Xavier Cortada "What I try to do is journey into this land called hope, and art gets us there." - Xavier Cortada "At the end of the day I'm not trying to change human behavior. I'm trying to change the policies that allow corporate interests to exploit people and to extract from our environment." - Xavier Cortada People & Organizations Mentioned Xavier Cortada - Socially engaged environmental artist and Florida Artist Hall of Fame member Underwater Homeowners Association - Community organization created through Cortada's art project Cortada Foundation - Organization founded to scale Cortada's climate art approach Natural Resources Defense Council - Environmental organization that partnered with Cortada on the Blake Plateau project Joseph Beuys - Pioneering social practice artist mentioned as an influence Notable Art Installations Discussed Underwater Homeowners Association: A participatory art project where residents displayed signs showing their home's elevation above sea level, transforming abstract sea level rise data into personal concerns about property values and flood insurance. Elevation Markers: Street paintings showing elevation levels at intersections throughout Miami, demonstrating how even areas miles inland were vulnerable to sea level rise. Park Elevation Sculptures: Vague concrete sculptures with QR codes in parks that, when scanned, revealed the park's elevation and sea level rise projections. Reclamation Project: An installation where mangrove seedlings were displayed in water-filled cups on retail storefronts throughout Miami Beach, revealing the area's history as a mangrove forest before development. JUICY BITS: Takeaways for Climate Communicators Believe in yourself: Understand that you have a voice and role in delivering the future you want. Combat imposter syndrome - if you doubt yourself, you've already lost. Believe in others: Recognize you can't create change alone. Value the unique perspectives and skills others bring and believe they too have a seat at the table. Don't give up: Persist even through difficult challenges. Continue pushing forward when questioning if the work is worth it, especially when trying to change entrenched systems. Make climate personal: Transform abstract global issues into immediate local concerns that connect to what people already value (like property values or flood insurance). Invite curiosity over confrontation: Create experiences that spark questions rather than forcing information, allowing people to discover climate issues through their own inquiry. Build platforms for agency: Move beyond awareness to give people tools and spaces for collective action, connecting concerned citizens with relevant experts and policymakers. Call to Action Subscribe to Climate Shifted wherever you listen to podcasts Follow @climateshifted on all social media platforms Share this episode with friends interested in climate communication Check out Xavier Cortada's work at cortadafoundation.org Consider how you might make climate issues visible and personal in your own community Credits Executive Producer & Host - Eva Frye Technical Producers - Mateus Salgado Audio engineer - Gianna Scioletti Project management - Sarah Clayton Advisers - Ryan Shuken, Ashley Chapman, Chris Clark Nature sounds from bbc.co.uk – © copyright 2025 BBC
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Beyond Yell, Tell, Sell: Dr. Renee Lertzman on the Psychology of Climate Communication
In this episode of Climate Shifted, host Eva Frye speaks with Dr. Renee Lertzman, a pioneer in climate psychology who is transforming how we communicate about our planet's future. While most climate messaging bombards us with facts or terrifies us with doomsday scenarios, Renee's approach taps into something deeper: our human need to feel heard before we can change. Her groundbreaking work with Project Inside Out reveals why traditional "yelling, telling and selling" tactics fail so spectacularly with climate issues—they actually trigger defensiveness. Instead, Renee offers frameworks that help us become guides who create genuine dialogue rather than delivering monologues. Her approach is built on the same psychological techniques that help people overcome addiction—some of the most difficult behavior change imaginable. Whether you're an activist looking for new tools, a communicator hitting walls, or simply someone who cares and wants to share effectively, this conversation provides practical frameworks to transform how you engage with people about the climate crisis. Transcript available here Key Topics Moving beyond "yell, tell, sell" approaches to climate communication Using motivational interviewing techniques to create dialogue instead of defensiveness The importance of acknowledging anxiety, ambivalence, and aspiration Becoming a "guide" rather than an educator or cheerleader Addressing polarization through empathetic listening Creating sustainable activism campaigns that don't traumatize people Using attunement and relational approaches even for urgent campaigns Quotes "Your job is to draw out from others what their concerns are, values, volition for change, and it's actually massively more impactful and effective than what I call yell, tell, and sell." - Renee Lertzman "How to become a climate communication “guide”? The first step is to become very self-aware and with a lot of compassion, to go through a bit of an internal reflection on how am I showing up?" - Renee Lertzman "It was crystal clear that we needed to be bridging these worlds of psychological insight with, what does it mean to actually come to terms with climate issues as well as how did we get here?" - Renee Lertzman "It's very hard to do this work effectively unless you have a pretty high level of self-awareness." - Renee Lertzman "A really good guide also is tuned in to how people are doing. And so, it's always a matter of balancing the 'take action now' with, 'I get it. Maybe this is upsetting to you, but we need to take action anyway.'" - Renee Lertzman People & Organizations Mentioned Dr. Renee Lertzman - Climate psychologist and strategic advisor Project Inside Out - Resource platform for climate communication Alliance for Climate Education - Organization that worked with Renee on a video about how to talk about climate change Victor Frankl - Psychologist whose work Renee references Dan Siegel - Neuropsychologist mentioned for "name it to tame it" concept Barbara Ehrenreich - Author of "Nickel and Dimed" Van Jones - Activist mentioned for his ability to bridge divides Amy Edmondson - Harvard professor and expert on leadership development JUICY BITS: Takeaways for Climate Communicators Shift from educator to guide: Learn to create invitations for dialogue rather than lectures that trigger defensiveness. Practice the three A's: Acknowledge anxiety, ambivalence, and aspiration in your audience to create deeper connection. Use "Ask, Offer, Ask" (AOA): Start by asking about experience, offer information with permission, then ask for reflection. Create reflective pauses: Help people find the space between stimulus and response where change can happen. Practice "name it to tame it": Naming feelings reduces their charge and makes them more manageable. Call to Action Subscribe to Climate Shifted wherever you listen to podcasts Follow @climateshifted on all social media platforms Share this episode with friends interested in climate communication Visit projectinsideout.net for resources on effective climate engagement Follow Renee's work at reneelertzman.com and subscribe to her Substack "Becoming Guides" Credits Executive Producer & Host - Eva Frye Technical Producer - Mateus Salgado Adviser - Ryan Shuken Audio engineer - Gianna Scioletti Project management - Sarah Clayton
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