Episode 14: Mixed Media Artist Kirk Rankin

Mixed media artist Kirk Rankin, known to family and friends as K5, talks with Lauren about using his art to foster justice work, how creative expression has helped keep him happy during the pandemic, and how he juxtaposes life between Washington, DC and New England. Lauren lived next door K5 when she was in college, and he was 4, and this episode is the first time they’ve spoke as adults. Kirk/K5 lives in Burlington, Vermont. You can see his work on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/klirb/

Episode 13: Climate Scientist Jane Zelikova

Dr. Jane Zelikova is a climate change scientist working at the intersection of science and policy. She talks with Lauren about her contribution to the new book, All We Can Save, co-founding the organization and social movement 500 Women Scientists, and the important work of making science open, inclusive, and accessible. Jane lives in Boulder, Colorado. http://www.janezelikova.com/

Episode 12: Start-up Founder + Visionary Kwasi Asare

Kwasi Asare, Co-Founder of the start up Esaiyo, and founder of Feedia, talks with Lauren about pivotal life moments that inspired him to follow an unconventional path connecting art, media, technology and politics, including his time working with Diddy and Bad Boy Entertainment and his experience as a NYC investment banker during 9/11. https://twitter.com/Yearofkwasi

Episode 11: Painter Kathi Smith

Painter Kathi Smith talks with Lauren about small (really small!) island life, incorporating memory, history and place into her paintings, and life as a full time artist. Kathi is Assistant Professor in Studio Arts and Art Appreciation at Husson University, and her work is shown at Greenhut Galleries. She lives in Ellsworth and on Great Cranberry Island, Maine. http://www.kathijsmith.com/

Episode 10: Environmental Policy Expert Michael Dorsey

Dr. Michael Dorsey— renewable energy investor, public intellectual, and diplomatic disruptor— speaks with Lauren about the environmental implications of the 2020 presidential election, climate justice, and his hope that the Biden administration prioritizes clean energy development. Learn more about Dr. Dorsey here: https://linktr.ee/DrDorsey

Episode 9: Comedian Gregg Gethard & Sociologist Tariem Burroughs

Comedian Gregg Gethard and sociologist Tariem Burroughs talk with Lauren about the mood in Philadelphia leading up to, and after, the 2020 presidential election. They discuss Philadelphia’s ethos, the Flyers mascot Gritty, and Guliani’s press conference at Four Season Total Landscaping. They also get serious on how they feel as adoptive parents with mixed race families whose government is often pushing against, not for them. You can learn more about (Financial Guru) Gregg Gethard here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OGLRtmXlsBw, and Tariem Burroughs here: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tariem-burroughs-05938128/.

Episode 8: Ross Kenyon of Nori

Ross Kenyon, communications lead for Nori carbon removal marketplace, talks with Lauren about producing and hosting the podcasts Reversing Climate Change and Carbon Removal Newsroom, communicating complex ideas in accessible ways, and-- best of all-- his interest in urban bee keeping. https://nori.com/

Episode 7: Culinary Nutritionist Christa González

Los Angeles-based Culinary Nutritionist Christa Demment González talks with Lauren about food justice, making fresh produce accessible through simple recipes, and pivoting during Covid to produce cooking videos in English and Spanish. You can find Christa’s recipe for caramel popcorn on her blog: https://christagonzalez.com/ and you can learn how to make chocolate covered strawberries, en español, aquí.

Episode 6: Youth Climate Activists Ayano Ishimura and Matilda Allen

Maine youth climate activists Ayano Ishimura and Matilda Allen spoke with Lauren about helping their island community act on climate change, successfully lobbying their town council to declare a climate emergency, and curating a show of climate-related art. As interns with A Climate to Thrive, they are working toward local energy independence and a climate resilient island. They live on Mount Desert Island and Great Cranberry Island, Maine. www.aclimatetothrive.org/

Episode 5: Author Jamie Fountaine

Author Jaime Fountaine talks to Lauren about the weirdness of the suburbs, growing up working class and translating that into her writing, and the ickiness of self-branding. Jaime is the author of the novella ‘Manhunt.” She lives in Philadelphia. http://jaimefountaine.com/

Episode 4: Chinese medicine doctor, yogi & Tibetan translator Word Smith

Dr. Word Smith, aka Ed Campbell, Doctor of Chinese medicine, yogi, and Tibetan translator talks with Lauren about his experiences and thoughts on racism in America, the role of generational trauma, and how 90s hip hop influences who he is today. Word grew up in Philadelphia and now lives and travels around the world. https://www.instagram.com/dr.wordsmithwisdom/

Episode 3: Architect + Geographer Siddharth Menon

Architect and urban geographer Siddharth Menon talks with Lauren about the political economy of concrete, colonialism in architecture, and archiving traditional and indigenous building practices. Originally from Mumbai, Siddharth is a PhD candidate at University of Wisconsin, Madison. https://sidmenonarchitect.wordpress.com/

Episode 2: Jeweler Stacy Hopkins

Biologist-turned-jeweler Stacy Hopkins talks to Lauren about metalwork, art inspired by the rawness of nature, collaborating with natural history museums, and manifesting the life you want. Stacy lives and works in the Upper Valley of Vermont. https://stacy-hopkins-design.com/