How It Looks From Here

Full Ecology, LLC
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The truth is, life looks different to you than it does to me. The way race and gender, education and work, and everyday circumstances come together in any person...well, it’s different. Hosted by Mary Clare, How It Looks From Here brings you diverse perspectives through engaging interviews. It's easy to think that everyone is feeling the same way you are - but they’re not. For every person, how it looks from where they are matters. And, with every interview, we’re enriched. It's helping.

  1. Jul 31

    #69 Maria Egan

    For August, we had the great opportunity to spend some time with Maria Egan, a senior financial adviser in Boston. Maria speaks to life in the time of climate change from the perspective of a professional well-versed in economics and finance, and entirely committed to the wellbeing of the natural world alongside social justice - especially as it shows up in fairness to workers in corporate settings. Maria was raised in Maine. Her father is Greek and immigrated to this country from Egypt. Together with her mother, this pair raised their children with powerful and enduring respect for what we in Full Ecology refer to as "being right-sized" - living in full and right-relation with the wellbeing of all being. Maria brings this sensibility to her work. In this episode, you'll here how her ongoing devotion is reflected in ways investment and finance can support the sustainability of our environment and communities. A mother of three girls, Maria most enjoys the aspects of her work that involve mentoring colleagues and continually enhancing client experience. She occassionally guest lectures on environmental, socia and governance (ESG/impact) investing at Boston-area universities and has supported the Social Innovation Forum, an organization that connects nonprofits with funders. She's also held volunteer leadership roles at the Transformative Culture Project which helps youth and aduly artists create social and economic power through their art. You can learn more about Maria by reading the interview at https://reyndersmcveigh.com/team/egan-maria, and by following search strands describing other aspects of her work. And, as she reminds her girls, all of us can benefit from the wisdom of “cheering for our team, but not against the others.” I know I learned things in our conversation that loosened up some of my assumptions about the effects of investment. MUSIC Jazz Song. Music by Mircea https://street.go.ro from Pixabay The Happy Sax. Music by Mircea https://street.go.ro from Pixabay Latin Jazz Acoustic. Music by Alex Morgan from Pixabay Original theme music composed and performed by Gary Ferguson. ---- HILFH is an educational project of Full Ecology. Check us out and let us hear from you.

  2. Jun 29

    #68 Lori & Rob Byron, MDs

    This month our guests are Rob and Lori Byron, two MDs devoted to health as its affected by changes in our climate and air quality. Lori is a career Pediatrician and Rob, An Internist. Through much of their work life they've worked to draw the attention of healthcare professionals to the immediate implications of climate change and air polution. Together they launched a nonprofit, Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate - now going by the name, Montana Health and Climate. Over the past 7 years their reach has rapidly expanded to serve Montanans across the state who are healthcare professionals with programming extending into schools, communities, neighborhoods and families. Their goal is to raise awareness and enter full collaboration on solutions. Most visionary of their collaborators have been the Native American Tribes. Lori and Rob describe these communities as well ahead in articulating and actualizing priorities for climate health. For Tribes, the health of the land is the health of the people. Enjoy listening in on this conversation. You're sure to leave with new ideas and perspectives. You can learn more about Lori & Rob by spending time on their website: Montana Health and Climate. Find stories of programs that are building enthusiasm for climate repair in schools, neighborhoods, and health care centers. Like the Byron's say, "This is the world's greatest group participation project." We can do this!!!! MUSIC Americana Instrumental 07. Music by Alana Jordan from Pixabay Americana Instrumental 01. Music by Alana Jordan from Pixabay Acoustic Ballad, Optimistic Scape. Music by Dvir Silverstone from Pixabay Original theme music composed and performed by Gary Ferguson. ---- HILFH is an educational project of Full Ecology. Check us out and let us hear from you.

  3. May 31

    #67 Beronda Montgomery, PhD

    This month, Mary met up with Dr. Beronda Montgomery, a plant biologist, writer, researcher and scholar. Dr. Montgomery works to understand how individuals perceive, respond to, and are affected by the environments in which they live. By investigating the response of photosynthetic organisms (i.e., plants and cyanobacteria) to external light cues, she is able to identify related roles for innovative leaders in human settings. After over 18 years at Michigan State University as a Foundation Professor in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, Beronda served as Vice President for Academic Affairs, Dean, and Professor of Biology at Grinnell College. In that time, she co-founded the annual Black Botanists Week. Then, since 2025, she's been the Sally Starling Seaver Fellow in Biological Sceinces with Radcliffe Harvard Institute. In this episode, Mary and Beronda speak of her most recent book, When Trees Testify. As Beronda writes, "Plants don't just passively provide. They also take action. They are masters of adaptation. They 'know' what and who they are, and they use this knowledge to make a way in the world. Plants are even capable of transformative behaviors that allow them to maximize their chances of survival in dynamic and sometimes unfriendly environments." Quite consistent with the rich spirit of her words here, this HILFH conversation was rich and enlivening. You can learn more about Beronda Montgomery by checking out her books, When Trees Testify and Lessons from Plants. Also spend some time with her website and the additional writings there. Let yourself be informed and inspired by Dr. Montgomery and the love of plants. MUSIC Rolled Ankles. Music by Nicholas Panek from Pixabay Moonlight on Your Hands. Music by Mircea Iancu from Pixabay Evening Strings. Music by DPStudioMusic from Pixabay Original theme music composed and performed by Gary Ferguson. ---- HILFH is an educational project of Full Ecology. Check us out and let us hear from you.

  4. Apr 28

    #66 Steve Held

    Known by many as "the most at-large Montanan," Steve Held is a rancher, a civic leader and dedicated advocate for the environment – not to mention a former Hollywood star. This month, he took time out to speak with Mary about how the world looks to him. Steve's ranch covers 7000 acres at the southeastern edge of the state. It’s a sprawling, magnificent landscape, one that’s been shaping him since he was just a boy. Steve lives a deeply connected life – both to his hometown of 450 people, as well as to rural lands and communities across the state. He spent 25 years in Hollywood as an actor, but always knew one day he'd return to his homeland. His children were raised on the land. One of them, Rikki Held, joined 15 other Montana youth to become the lead plaintiff in Held v. Montana, a landmark 2023 lawsuit in which they successfully argued all the way to the Montana Supreme Court that the state had violated their constitutional right to a clean and healthful environment. Steve whole-heartedly supported Rikki and her peers in their legal case. He then built on their energy, brilliance and focus to encourage citizens around the state to learn and join in the climate advocacy movement. Steve sees himself as an energized Elder, devoting himself to organizing for social and environmental justice. His focus is clear and steadfast, advocating for fair treatment of the land and its people, animals and waterways. You can learn more about Steve by reading his substack - Last Best Voice - and by doing the old fashioned thing of checking him out on Google. And here's a link for learning more about Rikki Held and her fifteen associates in Held v. Montana. https://www.ourchildrenstrust.org/montana Check it out. There’s lots to learn. But the most important thing we can all take away is Steve’s request that we, each and all, do everything we can to become good ancestors. Certainly worth some serious consideration and action. MUSIC Inspiring Folk Acoustic Guitar. Music by Music_for_Creators from Pixabay The River Knows My Name. Music by Diana DiDI from Pixabay Acoustic Guitar, Primavera. Music by Sound Music from Pixabay Original theme music composed and performed by Gary Ferguson.

  5. Mar 27

    #65 Marilyn Deutsch

    This month, Mary got to talk with Marilyn Deutsch, a beloved Portland journalist who spent over three decades as a producer at KPTV/FOX 12. Marilyn is known for her dedicated storytelling and recognized by colleagues as a talented, long-standing voice in Oregon media. An award-winning news professional, Marilyn has been recognized for being highly adept at presenting complex topics clearly. She's a skilled listener and polished public speaker. These days, Marilyn consults with the Oregon Historical Society on their oral history initiatives. She conducts in-depth in-person interviews with leaders in Oregon politics, business, law and related fields. These oral histories become part of the OHS permanent collection for future research purposes and the historical record. Across the past three years, Marilyn has also served as the Oral History Director and Strategist for Clackamas County Historical Society with an eye toward the people and ecosystems of the Willamette River Valley. Through it all, Marilyn has loved the natural world and paid attention to the shifts in sentiment among the public with whom she's interacted. You can learn more about Marilyn on LinkedIn and in the articles and posts. Fond Farewell to Marilyn Deutsch - FOX 12 Oregon https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1893542457662361 On Marilyn’s Facebook Page And here. As Marilyn suggests, Keep paying attention - as if you were going to be asked to report on what’s really happening. Marilyn knows, as you do, that with focus and dedication, we can indeed repair our climate. MUSIC Under the Olive Tree. Music by Silviu on the street from Pixabay Flamenco Song. Music by Silviu on the street from Pixabay Free Soul Guitar and Flute. Music by Kalpesh Ajugia from Pixabay Original theme music composed and performed by Gary Ferguson.

  6. Feb 28

    #64 Heather Bentz

    This month, Mary got to spend time with Heather Bentz, a nationally rejowned artist and all around cool person. Heather was raised by artists, and by the natural world she adventured into throughout her childhood. She holds a BFA in Printmaking from Pennsylvania State University, and an MFA in Painting from Montana State University. Following her rapt attention to play and adventure in nature as a child, Heather whimsically engages with a variety of materials in her art practice of collage, drawing and painting. In her career, she also supported the education of artists even as she continued creating. She served as Assistant Dean of the college of Arts and Architecture at Montana State University, and later as Assistant Dean of the College of Visual and Performing Arts at the University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth. These days, her pieces hold found and recycled materials and often reference the plants around her and those she observed as a child. As Heather puts it, "My art is a physical record of how I process the world around me, organizing and layering its frenetic bits to create surfaces that have history and hold the energy that went into their making. The imagery is reminiscent of something familiar. They're places in which I like to let my mind play and poke around." Enjoy listening to this episode of HILFH, when Heather and Mary poke around to learn more about how nature and humans dance with each other to create art. You can learn more about Heather Bintz by visiting her website. You can also follow her on Instagram @heather_bentz where she posts her bobcat sightings and shares her art. Heather’s art is also featured in two current shows in Tucson, AZ - Small Works at the Untitled Gallery and Beneath the Surface, showing at Steinfeld Warehouse. She has standing exhibitions at ten Space Gallery in Denver and at the Art3 Gallery in Manchester, NH - both of these galleries serving to represent her work. In our conversation, Heather mentioned the artist, Clyde Aspevig - a creator worth checking out. And now, as you move into your next days and weeks, take Heather's advice to do what you can to support climate repair - and make sure to pay renewed (and renewing) attention to the light. MUSIC Piano Background Music. Music by Dmitrii Kolesnikov from Pixabay Background Piano. Music by Nikita Kondrashev from Pixabay Relaxing Piano Ambient. Music by Mircea Iancu from Pixabay Original theme music composed and performed by Gary Ferguson.

  7. Jan 31

    #63 Mark Spragg

    Our February podcast features a conversation between Mary and author Mark Spragg. She describes the time as a unique pleasure. Mark is a man of the land - a deservedly celebrated author of Where Rivers Change Direction, and the novels The Fruit of Stone, An Unfinished Life, and Bonefire. All four were top-ten Book Sense selections, and his work has also been translated into eleven languages. An Unfinished Life also became a critically acclaimed movie, starring Robert Redford, Morgan Freeman and Jennifer Lopez. From birth, Mark's life has unfolded iin and near rural Wyoming. He lived his younger years with his family on the Crossed Sabers Ranch, a rustic dude ranch eight miles east of Yellowstone National Park. He graduated from the University of Wyoming Laramie in 1974 with a major in English, then proceeded to work on an oil rig, shod horses, and led pack trips to support his writing. In 1999 he published a memoir - Where Rivers Change Direction - about his unusual childhood - one with no TV or radio but surrounded instead by vast expanses of rugged outdoor beauty. You can learn more about Mark Spragg at his website markspragg.com. And for truly fine reads, check out his books. Mark is a superb storyteller. He is a master in the craft of writing - fully devoted to serving the exquisite interplay of language and wild nature, the human and the more than human, as they unfold into being. MUSIC Raindrops. Music by Sound Music from Pixabay Inspiring Folk Acoustic Guitar. Music by Music_for_Creators from Pixabay Inside You. Music by Vitaliy Levkin from Pixabay Original theme music, composed and performed by Gary Ferguson.

  8. 2025-12-31

    #62 Alex Adams, MD, PhD

    This month, Mary had the opportuinity to spend time with Dr Alexandra Adams. Alex is Director of the Center for American Indian and Rural Health Excellence (CAIRHE), an NIH-funded center focusing on building research partnerships with rural and Native communities and mentoring junior investigators. Her research focus is community-based and participatory. She works in close partnership with Native American communities to understand and solve health challenges using both scientific rigor and crucial community knowledge. Alex has focused her career on the promotion of family and community wellness and healing trauma through community building. Addressing the effects of climate surprises on health has been central to her work. She also uses storytelling, filmmaking, and other strategies to engage communities and support health. In their conversation, Alex and Mary explored her experience at the interface of Western medicine and rural, American Indian and other indigenous communities. Alex described ways for building healing relationships of trust and sharing - acknowledging the deep wisdom of local communities and of ancestral indigenous knowledge. What Alex describes is medicine at its most responsive. Fully honoring the fact that the health of the land is the health of the people and drawing across the arts to practice what is perhaps the greatest of all healing arts, listening. You can learn more about Dr. Alexandra Adams by visiting her personal website and substack, Longing for Belonging. and her substack. Also check the website for the Center for American Indian and Rural Health Excellence (CAIRHE) where you can learn more about Alex’s initiatives with that organization. And here's the link to the Turtle Island Tales website and videos Alex described. Through all of her creative endeavors, Alex lives fully in her relatedness with all beings. This is good medical practice, it’s good art, and it’s solidly consistent with climate repair. Let’s all join her. MUSIC Mystical Flute Music. Music by morel dua from Pixabay Tabla Flute 102. Music by Johnson Cherian from Pixabay Acoustic Guitar and Flute Fairytale. Music by Denis Pavlov from Pixabay Original theme music, composed and performed by Gary Ferguson.

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About

The truth is, life looks different to you than it does to me. The way race and gender, education and work, and everyday circumstances come together in any person...well, it’s different. Hosted by Mary Clare, How It Looks From Here brings you diverse perspectives through engaging interviews. It's easy to think that everyone is feeling the same way you are - but they’re not. For every person, how it looks from where they are matters. And, with every interview, we’re enriched. It's helping.

Information

  • Creator
    Full Ecology, LLC
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    69
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Full Ecology, LLC
  • Show Website
    How It Looks From Here