The Green Mind

Leander Lacy
  • 5.0 (9)
  • SOCIAL SCIENCES
  • UPDATED SEMIMONTHLY

The Green Mind explores the intersection of social and environmental advocacy. We take a journey to uncover the actions people are taking around the world to showcase the symbiotic, yet sometimes tumultuous, relationship between people and nature. Your host, Leander Lacy, is a trained environmental social scientist and is a consultant for environmental organizations that are trying to meet both social and ecological outcomes. He has worked on projects around the world exploring the relationship between people and nature. Now he wants to bring his love for this work to you! He will interview experts that are doing work now to build and sustain this critical connection between communities and the Earth.

  1. 02/18/2025

    Evolving Environmental Economics: A Conversation with Elizabeth Schuster

    Join Leander as he catches up with Elizabeth Schuster, discussing her journey as an environmental economist, the evolution of her consulting work, and the changing landscape of environmental economics. They explore the importance of relationship-building in conservation, the challenges of implementing equity in environmental work, and the need for sharing lessons learned in the field. Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] - Elizabeth's personal update and reflections on family changes [00:04:00] - Discussion on health reset routines and favorite meals [00:05:00] - Elizabeth's perspective on the term "consulting" and her collaborative approach [00:07:00] - Overview of Elizabeth's environmental economics consulting firm [00:09:00] - The importance of applied research in environmental work [00:11:00] - Case study: Vermont Everyone Eats program and its impact [00:14:00] - Strategies for implementing research findings and creating impact [00:17:00] - Reflection on the evolution of environmental economics [00:19:00] - Discussion on environmental economics and equity issues [00:21:00] - The importance of sharing lessons learned in conservation work [00:24:00] - Insights on handling mistakes and uncomfortable conversations [00:27:00] - The need for proactive and meaningful stakeholder engagement Links Mentioned: • Vermont Everyone Eats program: https://thecollaborative.us/everyoneeats/ • Civic Consulting Collaborative: https://civicconsultingcollaborative.com/

    41 min

  2. 02/04/2025

    Reconnecting with Nature and Community: A Conversation with Jason Swann

    Join Leander as he catches up with Jason Swann, discussing personal growth, conservation work, and the challenges facing outdoor education and recreation providers. They explore the importance of reconnecting with nature, addressing inequities in access to green spaces, and the role of advocacy in creating change. Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] - Jason's current roles and work in conservation [00:03:00] - Leander's experience at an eco dharma retreat [00:09:00] - Discussion on ancestry work and spiritual connections [00:14:00] - Jason's evolution in the conservation space [00:17:00] - Statistics on park access disparities across the US [00:22:00] - Challenges in community engagement and advocacy [00:25:00] - Introduction to Rising Routes and its mission [00:29:00] - Explanation of advocacy and its importance for nonprofits Links Mentioned: - Trust for Public Land www.tpl.org - Rising Routes www.risingroutes.org - African Ancestry (DNA testing service) www.ancestry.com

    45 min

  3. 01/21/2025

    Advancing Inclusivity in Conservation: A Conversation with Nikki Cox

    Join Leander as he catches up with Nikki Cox, discussing her evolving role in inclusivity within the U.S. Forest Service, the challenges of returning to work after time away, and the importance of creating inclusive spaces in conservation. They explore the complexities of equity in public lands management and the need for holistic approaches to community engagement. Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] - Nikki's new role as regional inclusivity social scientist [00:04:00] - Discussion on the importance of inclusivity in internal processes [00:09:00] - Challenges of creating inclusive programming in conservation [00:15:00] - The impact of cultural history on conservation efforts [00:20:00] - Examining trauma in the conservation movement [00:33:00] – Diversification of the Conservation Field [00:37:50] – Ethics on social issues and conservation Links Mentioned: • U.S. Forest Service – https://www.fs.usda.gov/ • Sierra Club – www.sierraclub.org • Nature Conservancy - www.nature.org

    46 min

  4. 01/07/2025

    Reconnecting with Roots and Nature: A Conversation with Dani Reyes-Acosta

    Join Leander as he talks with Dani Reyes-Acosta, an athlete, visual storyteller, and strategic advisor. They explore themes of ancestry, identity, and the complexities of the conservation movement, discussing how to reconnect with one's roots and address trauma in environmental spaces. Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] - Introduction to Dani Reyes-Acosta and her background [00:04:00] - Discussion on ancestral travel and reconnecting with heritage [00:09:00] - Leander shares his experience with Panamanian roots [00:15:00] - The power of connecting with ancestral lands through senses [00:20:00] - Examining trauma in the conservation movement [00:24:00] - The importance of acknowledging past traumas in conservation [00:27:00] - Personal experiences with trauma in conservation work [00:44:20] – Winter Sports and Climate Change Links Mentioned: - Trust for Public Land – www.tpl.org - Sierra Club – www.sierraclub.com - Scarpa Athlete Mentorship Initiative - https://us.scarpa.com/community/index.php/athlete- mentorship-program Outlier Film Series: https://outlierfilmseries.com/

    58 min

  5. 12/24/2024

    Transformative Change and Global Solutions: A Conversation with Dr. Paul Zeitz

    Join Leander as he talks with Dr. Paul Zeitz, a physician, epidemiologist, and author, about his journey from medical professional to global advocate. They explore the interconnectedness of human wellbeing and environmental outcomes, discussing Paul's work on global health crises, climate change, and sustainable development goals. Episode Highlights: [00:01:00] - Introduction to Dr. Paul Zeitz and his background [00:02:00] - Paul's memory of experiencing nature with his family in Zambia [00:05:00] - Discussion on Paul's journey from physician to global advocate [00:08:00] - Exploration of the AIDS crisis and its social determinants [00:10:00] - Paul's transition to working on climate emergency issues [00:12:00] - The concept of SIPO (Self-Imposed Persistent Optimism) [00:20:00] - Paul's books: "Waging Justice" and "Waging Optimism" [00:25:00] - The importance of servant leadership in addressing global issues [00:38:50] – The Brave Movement – Fighting sexual violence through healing Links Mentioned: - Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) - https://sdgs.un.org/goals - Waging Justice (Paul's memoir): https://www.amazon.com/Waging-Justice-Doctors-Journey- Speak/dp/1982205423 - Waging Optimism (Paul's upcoming book): https://drpaulzeitz.org/waging-optimism/

    43 min

  6. 12/10/2024

    Building Community and Fostering Inclusivity: A Conversation with Parker McMullen-Bushman

    Join Leander as he reconnects with Parker McMullen-Bushman, discussing the challenges of managing a multi-generational household, the importance of community building in social justice work, and the ongoing efforts to create more inclusive spaces in conservation and outdoor recreation. Episode Highlights: [00:02:00] - Parker discusses the challenges of managing a nine-person household [00:04:00] - Conversation about ADHD and its impact on daily tasks [00:09:00] - Parker introduces herself and her various roles in inclusivity and conservation [00:12:00] - Discussion on the importance of intersectionality in identity and work [00:14:00] - Reflection on the backlash against diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts [00:20:00] - Examining trauma in the conservation movement [00:25:00] - The role of young generations in pushing for social change [00:27:00] - The impact of social media and constant news consumption on mental health Links Mentioned: - Eco-inclusive Strategies: https://www.ecoinclusive.org/about.html - Bat Conservation International: https://www.batcon.org/ - Protect Our Winters: https://protectourwinters.org/ - Summit for Action: https://www.summitforaction.org/

    38 min

  7. 12/10/2024

    Reflecting on Season 4 and the State of Conservation

    Join Leander as he introduces Season 4 of The Green Mind Podcast, reflecting on the past two years, the current state of conservation, and the themes that emerged during this season's interviews. He discusses the importance of addressing trauma, healing, and the need for systemic change in the environmental field. Episode Highlights: [00:02:56] - Introduction to Season 4 and Leander's background [00:01:24] - Leander's commitment to uplift communities and make conservation more equitable [00:02:35] - Discussion on the evergreen nature of equity issues in conservation [00:03:26] - Reflection on trauma as a recurring theme in the season's episodes [00:04:50] - Addressing the reality of conservation work versus idealized perceptions [00:06:07] - The connection between societal issues and environmental problems [00:08:50] - Call to action for healing and taking responsibility in conservation [00:11:06] - The importance of reconnecting with natural roots and indigenous knowledge [00:13:24] - Reflection on the current state of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion work [00:15:17] - The need for healing both people and the planet Links Mentioned: - Lacy Consulting Services – www.lacyconsultingservices.com Email: leander@lacyconsultingservices.com

    17 min

  8. 06/14/2022

    Final Episode

    Leander wraps up Season 3 and talks about the future of The Green Mind Podcast. Support his journey in bringing this podcast to listeners into the future.  Episode Highlights:  1:15: Date of Season 4 1:50: Helping The Green Mind 3:20: Dr. Paul Zeitz 4:45: Utilizing Funds for The Green Mind 5:25: Other ways to help Links:  Support: https://www.thegreenmindpodcast.com/support

    7 min
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5
out of 5
9 Ratings

About

The Green Mind explores the intersection of social and environmental advocacy. We take a journey to uncover the actions people are taking around the world to showcase the symbiotic, yet sometimes tumultuous, relationship between people and nature. Your host, Leander Lacy, is a trained environmental social scientist and is a consultant for environmental organizations that are trying to meet both social and ecological outcomes. He has worked on projects around the world exploring the relationship between people and nature. Now he wants to bring his love for this work to you! He will interview experts that are doing work now to build and sustain this critical connection between communities and the Earth.

Information

  • Creator
    Leander Lacy
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    33
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2025 The Green Mind
  • Show Website
    The Green Mind