The Global Grit Experience

Erika Gilsdorf
  • 5.0 (1)
  • Nature

The Global Grit Experience is about caring for nature, wildlife and each other by sharing stories of people making a difference in small and big ways. Real people, doing the work, who we can learn from, find some inspiration, and gather our grit to step up for the protection of our natural world. Erika Gilsdorf is an international, award-winning video producer and uses this podcast to be able to dive a bit deeper into a variety of environmental topics that are relevant, authentic and inspiring in today's challenging times. It's a podcast built on stories of hope, connection and action.

  1. 3d ago

    Saying No to Plastics - Why & How

    Guest Cedar Walters talks about the harms of plastics in our bodies and the environment in this episode and shares tactics to reduce plastic use. Cedar Walters is Senior Director of Community Programs at West Central Initiative (WCI), where she leads community initiatives and connects people and communities with resources that support sustainability and resilience. In 2025 and 2026 she organized and supported eight community screenings of the Plastic People documentary, which led to the formation of a Beyond Plastics local chapter in west central Minnesota. Prior to joining WCI, Cedar worked at a county recycling facility for six years and became obsessed with waste reduction – specifically for plastics and food waste. Cedar holds an MS in Biology and Environmental Education from North Dakota State University and has experience in distributed solar development, composting and recycling program development, sustainable food systems, and native prairie restoration projects. In her free time she can be found in her pollinator garden, spending time with family, reading, camping, knitting, and organizing for more inclusive and equitable communities. RESOURCES Beyond Plastics: trainings, resources, studies, fact sheets, map of local groups, speaker bureau, and more! https://www.beyondplastics.org/ Reasons to Say No to Plastics: https://files.captivate.fm/library/d7963bca-c38f-4d72-ae91-8cdf07543597/Reasons-to-Say-No-to-Plastics-Beyond-Plastics.pdf Sustainable Closet Basics: https://files.captivate.fm/library/c83f24bf-6b68-4ec2-8d0a-0f95f0cd47fc/Sustainable-Closet-Basics.pdf Thrift Tips and Gifts: https://files.captivate.fm/library/891f05db-1ed3-4c39-91e4-8e59fa005d3a/Thrift-Tips-and-Gifts.pdf Compostable Products Purchasing Guid: https://files.captivate.fm/library/c0e48e78-f7dc-4692-aecc-8dacec5406d6/Compostable-Products-Purchasing-Guide.pdf Reducing health impacts from plastics - Blog: https://www.beyondplastics.org/ask-a-scientist/avoid-plastic-toxic-chemicals For West Central MN Specifically: Quarterly Advocacy Trainings coming up in November – free on Zoom, pick a date that works for you: Saturday, 11/7 at 1:00 PM ET USTuesday, 11/10 at 7:00 PM ET US Thursday, 11/12 at 7:00 PM ET US Screening of Plastic People -coming up on September 26th at 6:30 pm at the Becker Co Museum in Detroit Lakes, MN https://www.facebook.com/share/1LUpEdwQFH/ FOLLOW the GLOBAL GRIT EXPERIENCE Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1Mn5MZyZeMgdgKROVEK1b1 Instagram @thegloabgritexperience Facebook @theglobalgritexperience TikTok @the.global.grit.ex Website www.theglobalgritexperience.com Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I SO appreciate you! Erika

    Saying No to Plastics - Why & How

  2. Sep 8

    Tactics to be an Effective Voter for the Environment

    What does voting for the environment mean? How can we find our way through political hype? How do we listen to candidates more critically? My guest today is Dave Homans. Dave is a retired physician who serves as Citizen Climate Lobby’s Co-Coordinator for the state of Minnesota. He is active in lobbying our elected representatives to promote policies that will mitigate climate warming. Resources Open Secrets https://www.opensecrets.org/donor-lookup/results?name=elizabeth+manson&order=desc&sort=DGovtrack.com https://www.govtrack.us/Billtrack50 https://www.billtrack50.com/info/The Cook Political Report https://www.cookpolitical.com/League of Women voters https://www.lwvmn.org/2026-candidate-forumsEnvironmental Voter Project https://www.environmentalvoter.org/ Citizens Climate Lobby https://citizensclimatelobby.org/ Follow The Global Grit Experience: Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1Mn5MZyZeMgdgKROVEK1b1 Instagram @thegloabgritexperience Facebook @theglobalgritexperience TikTok @the.global.grit.ex Website www.theglobalgritexperience.com Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I SO appreciate you!

    Tactics to be an Effective Voter for the Environment

  3. Sep 1

    Meet Erika - Host of The Global Grit Experience Podcast

    In this episode I give a little background of how I got into video, capturing stories around the world, and eventually, here, as a podcaster and host of The Global Grit Experience. Examples of videos mentioned in the podcast Volkswagen ID.4 Road Trip - What Fuels You- Ep.1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ85tn5HDJ0 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV - Soul Pursuits Ep.1 - https://youtu.be/mlRZ-lckRWs?si=_CAeZTq5fLGZhxHd Soul of of the Western Balkans: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahpRDIo87n0&list=PLbXm1PcDvCSe_PjQUF6v1F51amDjI4cq7&index=24&t=2s Woodland League - Ireland: https://youtu.be/MUT6miz2Kys

    Meet Erika - Host of The Global Grit Experience Podcast

  4. Aug 25

    Self-Interest vs Environmental Sustainability. Can we Find the Balance?

    How do we as humans balance our self-interest drive with environmental sustainability. There’s no easy answer but it’s definitely worth pondering, talking about, and hopefully acting on for the future of our natural world (and us). My guest today is Dr. Dennis Jacobs, retired physics professor, pilot, aeronautical engineer, sustainability educator, and author of multiple books. Subscribe and Follow The Global Grit Experience: Spotify Instagram Facebook Website Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I SO appreciate you!

    Self-Interest vs Environmental Sustainability. Can we Find the Balance?

  5. Aug 18

    How a Small Group of Locals Created a Huge Nature-Based Park in their Hometown

    How do you make stuff happen - like saving a beautiful area from development and creating instead an amazing nature-based park that the locals, wildlife, and tourists love? Let’s find out in this episode with guest, Polly Andersen. Polly’s love of nature led her to champion the Wannigan Regional Park in her hometown of Frazee, MN. Resources https://wanniganpark.com/ Follow The Global Grit Experience: Instagram: @thegloabgritexperience Facebook: @theglobalgritexperience Visit: www.theglobalgritexperience.com Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I SO appreciate you!

    How a Small Group of Locals Created a Huge Nature-Based Park in their Hometown

  6. Aug 11

    The Amazing Honey Bee Matriarchal Society and a Year in Beekeeping with Sawyer Gilsdorf

    Honey bees! In this episode I chat with Sawyer Gilsdorf, professional beekeeper with Björn’s Colorado Honey in Boulder, Colorado (and my awesome nephew) to learn what’s involved with beekeeping year round in colder winter climates. And, of course, learn some amazing honey bee fun facts and their intricate matriarchal society. Resources: Björns Colorado Honey Follow The Global Grit Experience: Instagram: @thegloabgritexperience Facebook: @theglobalgritexperience Visit: www.theglobalgritexperience.com Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I appreciate you!

    The Amazing Honey Bee Matriarchal Society and a Year in Beekeeping with Sawyer Gilsdorf

  7. Aug 4

    Why are Three Specific Bird Species the Focus of Conservation in Minnesota?

    Emilia Skogen fell in love with birds at a young age and has been working with them ever since. In today's episode, I talk with her about why she's specifically working with three bird species in Minnesota and what conservation for them looks like through forestry management. Emilia is a Minnesota Public Lands Conservation Forester with the American Bird Conservancy. RESOURCES https://abcbirds.org/ https://abcbirds.org/ways-to-give/ https://abcbirds.org/get-involved/ Outdoor Heritage Fund work - Details about the three bird species Emilia works with, where the American Bird Conservancy (ABC) works, and how many acres of habitat ABC has worked with partner agencies to manage for birds so far. https://abcbirds.org/where-we-work/north-america/great-lakes-ohf-grants/ FREE FORESTRY FOR MINNESOTA BIRDS GUIDE https://www.birds.cornell.edu/landtrust/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/ForestryForMNBirdsGuidebook.pdf EMILIA SKOGEN CONTACT INFORMATION Fee free to email or call Emilia if they'd like more information on any topics, or want to connect with ABC's private lands foresters on managing their land for birds and other wildlife: eskogen@abcbirds.org / (612) 439-2011 Contact Emilia for any information about ball cactus. VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES WI DNR MOSS (managed old-growth silvicultural study) https://dnr.wisconsin.gov/topic/WildlifeHabitat/research/moss Audubon MN secretive marsh bird surveys https://www.audubon.org/umr/projects/monitoring-secretive-marsh-birds-minnesota Follow The Global Grit Experience: Instagram: @thegloabgritexperience Facebook: @theglobalgritexperience Visit: www.theglobalgritexperience.com Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I appreciate you!

    Why are Three Specific Bird Species the Focus of Conservation in Minnesota?

  8. Jul 28

    Why Protecting Public Lands Matters - And How We Can Help

    In this episode I hit the North Country Trail with Matt Davis, the Regional Trail Coordinator for MN, ND and WI for the nonprofit, North Country Trail Association. We talk about this beautiful 5,000 mile trail, why public lands are important (in SO many ways), how they’re being taken away, sold, and at risk, and what we can do to stop this attack. Matt also shares a few summer tips to keep us safe and comfy hiking. Resources North Country Trail Association: northcountrytrail.org Sierra Club: https://www.sierraclub.org/issues/environment/public-lands Trust for Public Land: https://www.tpl.org League of Conservation Voters: https://www.lcv.org 5 Calls - An easy place to call your legislators to protect public lands: https://5calls.org/ Follow The Global Grit Experience: Instagram: @thegloabgritexperience Facebook: @theglobalgritexperience Visit: www.theglobalgritexperience.com Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I appreciate you!

    Why Protecting Public Lands Matters - And How We Can Help
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About

The Global Grit Experience is about caring for nature, wildlife and each other by sharing stories of people making a difference in small and big ways. Real people, doing the work, who we can learn from, find some inspiration, and gather our grit to step up for the protection of our natural world. Erika Gilsdorf is an international, award-winning video producer and uses this podcast to be able to dive a bit deeper into a variety of environmental topics that are relevant, authentic and inspiring in today's challenging times. It's a podcast built on stories of hope, connection and action.

Information

  • Creator
    Erika Gilsdorf
  • Years Active
    2026
  • Episodes
    40
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Erika Gilsdorf
  • Show Website
    The Global Grit Experience