In this episode of Walk With Me, Stephanie sits down with David Auger—environmental engineer, author, husband, father, and deep thinker—to explore sustainability as more than a scientific metric. David invites us to consider sustainability as a normative, values-based question: What do we want to hold onto, protect, and pass forward? David shares his personal journey growing up in Denver, attending West Point, serving in the military, and transitioning into a long career in environmental engineering focused on water, air quality, wildlife habitat, and industrial responsibility. Alongside his professional experience, David opens up about one of the most defining chapters of his life—walking with his family through his young son's four-year battle with childhood leukemia, an experience that reshaped his understanding of resilience, family, and purpose. The conversation weaves together science, philosophy, history, and deeply human stories. David discusses the ideas behind his book Man's Search for Sustainability, inspired by Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning, and shares unexpected lessons from nature—comparing honeybees and desert locusts to illustrate how stress, community, and adaptation shape survival. He also reflects on Colorado mining towns, baseball as a form of community resilience, and why sustainability is never a fixed destination, but an evolving journey shaped by expectations and participation. This episode is an invitation to pause and ask a powerful question: Why do we want to sustain anything at all? Topics Covered Sustainability as a values-based, human question Growing up in Denver and family legacy Military service and a career in environmental engineering Water, air quality, and wildlife habitat stewardship Parenting through childhood leukemia and family resilience Lessons from honeybees and desert locusts Viktor Frankl, meaning, and the power of "why" Community, culture, and sustainability through history About the Guest David Auger is an environmental engineer with decades of experience in water and air modeling, industrial compliance, and wildlife habitat management. He is the author of Man's Search for Sustainability, a philosophical exploration of sustainability inspired by Viktor Frankl's work on meaning, and is currently working on a second book rooted in Colorado history, community, and resilience. 📘 Book: Man's Search for Sustainability If this conversation resonated with you, explore more episodes, stories, and reflections at 👉 https://WalkWithMeConversations.com You'll find past conversations, resources, and ways to continue walking alongside meaningful stories of healing, resilience, and purpose. If you enjoyed this episode, please subscribe, rate, and share—it helps these conversations reach the people who need them most.
