We Are LaCH

We Are LaCH

Three friends uncovering and challenging undercurrents in sustainability with care and solidarity. Learn more about us at linktr.ee/we_are_lach

Episodes

  1. 03/14/2025

    7: Wellbeing and Education with Julianna Gwiszcz

    Chris and Heather are joined by Julianna Gwiszcz, MSSW, PhD to explore what this moment means for professionals like her working in or across the education, climate and sustainability, global health and related fields, and why this matters. We consider the mental health and wellbeing implications of it all and ways we can better navigate these challenging times together through cultivating hope in place of fear, reclaiming our individual and collective agency, and leaning into and lifting up community however and wherever we can.  As a justice-oriented leader, educator, scholar-practivist, social worker/healer, strategist and engagement steward (among other things), Julianna has devoted 15+ years to catalyzing transformations and weaving unlikely connections across divides. She works at the intersections of higher education and experiential (lifelong) learning, international sustainable development and climate action, global health and human rights, social change and systems change, youth/leadership development, healing art, design and communications, and social impact innovation and philanthropy.---Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are those of the hosts and guest alone and should not be taken to represent any present or former institutional affiliations they may have.Wellbeing Economy Alliance Climate Mental Health Network Collective Change Lab 2023 Report on “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community” Another shorter and more digestible resource on this “epidemic of loneliness and isolation” An older but just-as-fitting-for-today article on “Finding Hope in Hard Times” The Greater Good Science Center, which has some amazing resources on the “keys to well-being” and “bridging differences” among other things The Interaction Institute for Social Change, which has (or had!) an upcoming workshop on “Moving Through Chaos and Complexity: Network Weaving for Social Healing in Times of Great Change”. ---------------- ⁠⁠⁠Find more from Lavinia, Chris, and Heather⁠⁠⁠. ⁠⁠⁠Listen to our positionality introduction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thank you to Alex and the Wonderland for the theme song: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Climb Aboard⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

  2. 12/02/2024

    5: Ecofascism -- Our Vulnerability

    Heather, Chris, and Lavinia discuss ecofascism. Where does the word come from? What does fascism mean? How are we vulnerable to fascism? The importance of an anti-oppression lens in climate activism is emphasised. Heather recounts her experiences with Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil, highlighting the structural power dynamics and the risks of associating with far-right elements. Heather explains how fear and urgency are weaponised by eco-fascists, advocating for relationship-building and systemic understanding. The conversation also touches on the systemic injustices behind climate migration and the need for grounded principles in climate responses, critiquing simplistic solutions and the potential dangers of socialist approaches. Show notes: Heather's ⁠videos on ecofascism⁠ and her own ⁠podcast episode.⁠ ⁠A Linktree from antifascists friends⁠ More articles ⁠Just Stop Ecofascism⁠ Open Letter to Just Stop Oil ⁠What is happening in Louisiana prisons⁠ article ⁠The Rise of Ecofascism⁠ book ⁠Ejeris Dixon’s podcast on fascism⁠: The Fascism Barometer ⁠Bad Faith: Briahna Joy Gray and Dr. Fadhel Kaboub on African Development⁠ Militarised Green Party in Germany: ⁠https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2024/11/18/wrdm-n18.html⁠  ⁠https://www.cjfp.org/for-germanys-green-party-the-50-year-dream-to-end-nuclear-power-ends-in-a-nightmare/⁠ ---------------- ⁠Find more from Lavinia, Chris, and Heather⁠. ⁠Listen to our positionality introduction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠. Thank you to Alex and the Wonderland for the theme song: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Climb Aboard⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Three friends uncovering and challenging undercurrents in sustainability with care and solidarity. Learn more about us at linktr.ee/we_are_lach