SDG Talks Kevin Sofen & James Armour

How does art effectively raise awareness about environmental issues?

Thanks for joining us for another episode of highlighting change makers and their inspirational work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In this episode:


How Jillian uses art to highlight the negative impacts of road salt on lakes at Wisconsin Water Week
How Wisconsin Water Week offers an opportunity to appreciate artwork that highlights water-related issues
The importance of cautious road salt use to protect our lakes and rivers

Hear from Jillian Patterson - a student at the University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point.

Jillian talks about her artwork at the Wisconsin Water Week exhibit, focusing on the negative impacts of road salt on lakes. Her crocheted piece depicts a semi-truck with salt buttons creeping onto an expanding ice sheet, symbolizing the effects of road salt on nearby lakes.

She also illustrates the increasing tide levels, decreased clarity, lower lake temperatures, declining purity of drinking water, and increased algae on plant life caused by road salt. Jillian hopes her artwork raises awareness and encourages cautious use of road salt.

Click play now to soak up what she has to share!

To learn more and get involved with ongoing efforts in Wisconsin, visit the partner websites:


Wisconsin Water Week
Wisconsin Lakes
Wisconsin DNR
Extension Lakes | UWSP

Let’s get SDG Talking!!

Do you have a good story or want to collaborate? Send us an email at sdgtalkspodcast@gmail.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

And don’t forget to check out our Virtual Roundtables on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Why attend Wisconsin Water Week?

Thanks for joining us for another episode of highlighting change makers and their inspirational work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In this episode:


How does Wisconsin Water Week provide an opportunity for collaboration, learning, and networking?


What workshops and hands-on opportunities help attendees learn about various topics related to water management?
Why is it important to take a holistic approach and share best practices to address climate change and invasive species?

Click play now to soak up what Grace Hasse, Ally Spang, and Kirsten James have to share about Wisconsin Water Week!

Let’s get SDG Talking!!

Do you have a good story or want to collaborate? Send us an email at sdgtalkspodcast@gmail.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

And don’t forget to check out our Virtual Roundtables on our ⁠⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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The innovative strategies behind Wisconsin Water Week:

Thanks for joining us for another episode of highlighting change makers and their inspirational work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In this episode:


How can communities balance self-interest with collective environmental responsibility to effectively manage natural resources like lakes and rivers?
In what ways can personal experiences and stories, like those shared at Wisconsin Water Week, influence and enhance our approach to environmental conservation and mental health?
What role can and should farmer-led initiatives play in watershed management, and how can different stakeholders collaborate to address challenges like nonpoint source pollution?

Dive in with Eric Olson - the Director and Lakes Specialist at Extinction Lakes at the University of Wisconsin's College of Natural Resources.

Eric assists communities and non-governmental organizations in their natural resource stewardship efforts by developing leadership and community capacity to address challenges and problems related to sustainable natural resource use. Interpreting research related to ecological and community resiliency and conveying significant results to relevant publics.

He delves into the history and significance of Wisconsin Water Week, emphasizing the state's unique approach to lake management and conservation through community involvement and local governance, and much more...

So hit play now to hear what he has to share!

Let’s get SDG Talking!!

Do you have a good story or want to collaborate? Send us an email at sdgtalkspodcast@gmail.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

And don’t forget to check out our Virtual Roundtables on our ⁠⁠⁠website⁠⁠⁠.

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Pale is healthy and tan does not always equal beautiful!

Thanks for joining us for another episode of highlighting change makers and their inspirational work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

In this episode:


The dangers from overexposure to Ultraviolet (UV) rays from the sun and tanning beds
How to have a healthy relationship with the sun
Sun safety tips and habits including protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen

We are joined by Laura Sofen who shares her melanoma diagnosis story and emphasizes the importance of sun safety.

She highlights her journey from melanoma diagnosis to becoming an advocate for skin health. Laura, alongside her sister Rebecca, created an Instagram page @sun_safety_sisters to share sun safety tips, UPF clothing recommendations, and more.

Follow along with them on Instagram and help them throw shade at skin cancer!

Let’s get SDG Talking!!

Do you have a good story or want to collaborate? Send us an email at sdgtalkspodcast@gmail.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can.

And don’t forget to check out our Virtual Roundtables on our ⁠⁠website⁠⁠.

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A sneak peek of the Wisconsin Lakes & Rivers Convention – a cornerstone of Water Week:

Welcome back SDG Talkers!! Thanks for joining us for another episode of highlighting change makers and their inspirational work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)!

In this episode:


The history & evolution of Wisconsin Water Week
Why you should participate in the Wisconsin Water Week experience
A chance to explore the biggest threats & opportunities around Wisconsin’s waterways

Hear from Wisconsin Water Week speakers Sara Windjue & Amy Kowalski.

Sara is a Leadership & Capacity Development Specialist while Amy is a Communications Specialist, Extension Lakes in the College of Natural Resources at University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point.

Both of their careers have been dedicated to environmental education and sustainability, and both are passionate about bringing attention to encouraging others to preserve the legacy of Wisconsin's lakes.

So hit play now to get the inside scoop!

Episode Resources:


Wisconsin Water Week Lake & Rivers Convention

Let’s get SDG Talking!!

Got a good story or want to collaborate? Send us an email at sdgtalkspodcast@gmail.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can!

And don’t forget to check out our Virtual Roundtables on our ⁠website⁠!

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Help Kevin reach his fundraising goal before the Chicago Marathon on 10/8/23! (link below:)

Welcome back SDG Talkers!! Thanks for joining us for another episode of highlighting change makers and their inspirational work towards the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)!

In this episode:


Where do your donations to Kevin's Chicago Marathon fundraiser go?
What makes Shirley Ryan AbilityLab the top rehab hospital in the world?
Examples of using technology to support & empower each patient throughout the road to recovery

Find out from Dr. Allen Heinemann - the Director of the AbilityLab's Center for Rehabilitation Outcomes Research (CROR)

Dr. Heinemann conducts health services research with a focus on developing and applying outcome measures in rehabilitation care. His team developed the Rehabilitation Measures Database to help clinicians and scientists select instruments for patient care and research applications.

Hit play now to discover a broader perspective on what it means to empower people in need!

And don't forget to DONATE TO THE SHIRLEY RYAN ABILITYLAB by visiting this link!

Let’s get SDG Talking!!

Got a good story or want to collaborate? Send us an email at sdgtalkspodcast@gmail.com and we will get back to you as soon as we can!

And don’t forget to check out our Virtual Roundtables on our website!

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