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. 4d ago

    Art in the Outdoors - How It's Changing a Community

    In this episode my guest and I talk about what happens when you merge art and nature in a small town. You create something really amazing, that's what. Amy Stoller Stearns is the co-founder and Executive Director of Project 412, a creative local nonprofit that's creating (for one of their projects) Ortenstone Gardens and Sculpture Park on 54 acres of land in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota. "I think that’s what this is kind of all about…how do we create a good life here in Detroit Lakes and in Minnesota and honor the earth, celebrate the land, and get more people outdoors." - Amy Stoller Stearns

    Art in the Outdoors - How It's Changing a Community

  2. Nov 3

    Factory Farms & Their Impact on Animals, Nature & Our Health

    Today we're talking about factory farms. What are they, what kind of havoc are they wreaking, and what can we do about it to help the environment, humane treatment of animals, rural communities, small-scale farmers, and our health. My guest today offers a first-hand experience living near and trying to stop factory farms, or officially called concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs). Sonja Trom Eayrs is the author of Dodge County INC. Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural America. She’s a farmer’s daughter, rural advocate, and attorney. Sonja is involved in several rural advocacy organizations, including the Socially Responsible Agriculture Project, Farm Action, Land Stewardship Project, and Dodge County Concerned Citizens. RESOURCES Order Sonja Trom Eayrs' Book- Dodge County INC. Big Ag and the Undoing of Rural AmericaSocially Responsible Agriculture ProjectFarm ActionLand Stewardship ProjectDodge County Concerned CitizensFarm Direct MinnesotaMinnesota Center for Environmental AdvocacyMinnesota Farmers UnionIzaak Walton League of AmericaIowa Environmental Council / Harkin Institute report: New Report Finds Ties Between the Most Common Cancers in Iowa and Environmental Risk Factors2023 petition to EPA regarding nitrate in Minnesota. Minnesota IWLA signed on. 42423-emergency-sdwa-petition-to-epa-with-exhibits.pdfIowa’s Rep. Austin Baeth, MD. He is also a Nitrate Watch participant and advised us on our recent briefing. Austin Baeth (@austinbaeth) • Instagram photos and videosSome thoughts on CAFOs from NRDC: CAFOs: What We Don’t Know Is Hurting UsSRAP data on Minnesota: Minnesota CAFO Database and Mapping Guide - Socially Responsible Agriculture ProjectArticle: Health disparities associated with exposure to animal feeding operations, including concentrated animal feeding operations (CAFOs), in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia, USA - PMCETHICALLY RAISED MEAT CERTIFICATIONS. Not all package labels carry legal or strict definitions. Rely on independently audited standards rather than vague terms like "natural" or "farm-raised". Some options: Animal Welfare Approved (AWA): Focuses on true pasture-based management, continuous outdoor access, and strict annual on-site audits. Certified Humane: Guarantees specific space to roam, anti-abuse handling rules, and no antibiotics or hormones (though pasture-raising isn't universally mandated for every tier). Global Animal Partnership (GAP): Uses a tiered step-rating system to grade animal comfort, environment, and welfare guidelines. American Grassfed Association (AGA): Ensures 100% grass-fed diets, open family-farm pastures, and no confinement feedlots. USDA Organic: Verifies 100% organic feed, outdoor access, and the absence of added antibiotics or synthetic hormones (though it does not strictly guarantee 100% grass diets unless specified). FOLLOW THE GLOBAL GRIT EXPERIENCE! Spotify Instagram Facebook TikTok Website Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I SO appreciate you!

    Factory Farms & Their Impact on Animals, Nature & Our Health

  3. Oct 27

    BATS!

    This episode is all about BATS and just in time for Bat Appreciation Week! My guest today, Melissa Donnelly, loves bats and has dedicated her life to understanding and protecting them. She said she has an especially soft spot for the really ugly ones. I love that. Melissa Donnelly is a Science Specialist at Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation in Austin Texas whose mission is to inspire bat conservation worldwide. Melissa provides assistance on conservation projects and research and has been lucky enough to travel to various places around the world to help participate in bat surveys and conservation. She enjoys helping people help bats and bringing attention to the many individuals and groups doing fantastic work for bat conservation worldwide. Resources Merlin Tuttle’s Bat Conservation (MTCB) Become a member https://www.merlintuttle.org/i-want-to-help/ Photo collection https://merlintuttle.smugmug.com/ Blog posts, events, and resources https://www.merlintuttle.org Enjoy and explore Resources, Videos, and find them online at Facebook and Instagram. Video by MTBC about the largest mammal migration- the straw-coloured fruit bat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dD2DwmGFko0 More videos: https://www.youtube.com/@merlintuttlesbatconservation Books by Merlin Tuttle: America’s Neighborhood Bats The Secret Lives of Bats Melissa Donnelly How Melissa got to where she is: https://www.merlintuttle.org/livin-the-dream-introducing-melissa-donnelly/ Follow The Global Grit Experience: Instagram @thegloabgritexperience Facebook @theglobalgritexperience TikTok @the.global.grit.ex Spotify https://open.spotify.com/show/1Mn5MZyZeMgdgKROVEK1b1 Website www.theglobalgritexperience.com Thanks for listening and being a part of The Global Grit Experience. I SO appreciate you!

    BATS!

  4. Oct 20

    Prioritizing Climate Action Where We Live

    Erika talks with Dr. Mark Seeley about climate change happening in our own backyard and what we can do about it. Is there hope? Mark says yes. But, we each need to participate. Dr. Mark Seeley retired in February of 2018 after nearly 40 years in his role as Extension Climatologist and Meteorologist at the University of Minnesota. Since then he’s continued to provide presentations to communities throughout Minnesota and beyond on climate change and its effects on our natural resources and societal infrastructure. He’s the author of Minnesota Weather Almanac and has done a weekly commentary on Minnesota Public Radio since 1992. Upcoming Presentation: For those living in MN, Dr. Mark Seeley will be speaking on Wednesday, Oct 21 at M State- Fergus Falls Legacy Hall at 7:00 pm on the state of our state- the impacts of climate change in MN and what we can do about it. Resources: The Climate Action Handbook by Dr. Heidi A. Roop: https://www.heidiroop.com/climate-action-handbook.html Minnesota Weather Almanac by Dr. Mark Seeley Minnesota Climate Adaptation Partnership program MCAP: https://climate.umn.edu/ Project DrawDown: https://drawdown.org/ Citizen’s 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!

    Prioritizing Climate Action Where We Live

  5. Oct 13

    Sustainable Travel - If the Local People Hate Tourism, There's Something Wrong

    What is sustainable tourism and how can we be better travelers? And, equally important, how can we protect our own natural, cultural and historical places where we live from overtourism? It's a balance but more and more destinations are making it happen. That's good news. Jonathan B. Tourtellot, a National Geographic Explorer, is a journalist, editor, speaker, and consultant specializing in the intersection between tourism and care for places. While at National Geographic, he introduced the concept of destination stewardship and launched the “Places Rated” surveys reported annually as National Geographic Traveler cover stories. He now runs the nonprofit Destination Stewardship Center (DSC), including an online e-magazine, the Destination Stewardship Report. He was a contributing author in the book Overtourism: Lessons for a Better Future (Island Press, 2021) and is featured prominently in the just-published book Destination Stewardship by Tonya Fitzpatrick (KoganPage, 2026). In his new Substack, The Fragile Map, he reveals how the taxes travelers pay for lodging can promote overtourism. Look for his story entitled “The Mystery Tax.” Resources: www.DestinationCenter.org Destination Stewardship Report The Fragile Map 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!

    Sustainable Travel - If the Local People Hate Tourism, There's Something Wrong

  6. Oct 6

    Tribal Energy Sovereignty & Being Allies with Indigenous and Rural Communities

    Erika talks with guest, Bridget Guiza from the White Earth Tribal and Community College. Bridget talks about the challenges of our time being at the nexus of food, water, and energy sovereignty and being allies with Indigenous and rural communities. Bridget is the Customized Education Coordinator at the White Earth Tribal and Community College. She has a background in Environmental Systems and Planning and has experience in philanthropy, environmental justice, energy development, food sovereignty, and workforce development. Her current work focuses on building career pathways with and for the people of White Earth and adjacent communities. CLARIFICATION in EPISODE: MTERA stands for the Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association. Resources White Earth Tribal and Community College https://www.wetcc.edu/ Midwest Tribal Energy Resources Association - Empowering tribes to manage tribal energy resources through collective action. https://www.mtera.org/ https://www.mtera.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!

    Tribal Energy Sovereignty & Being Allies with Indigenous and Rural Communities

  7. Sep 29

    Social Inclusion - The Ticket Out of This Environmental Mess

    In this episode, Dr. Joel Powell shares his perspective on expanding acceptance of people as an absolute necessity to the preservation of the environment. And, that political organization and cooperation is the ticket out of the mess we're in. Dr. Joel Powell whose been a professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Minnesota State University Moorhead for almost forty years. Resources Book by Douglas Rushkoff about consulting tech billionaires on surviving the apocalypse. https://rushkoff.com/books/survival-of-the-richest.html 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!

    Social Inclusion - The Ticket Out of This Environmental Mess

  8. Sep 22

    Upcycling Fast Fashion

    In this episode, Dr. Judi Roux shares about the environmental impacts of fast fashion and clothing waste and how she's embraced creative upcycling to make a difference. Judi Roux, Ed.D has been an educator for over 30 years. As the founder of tROUXly treasures, she's combining her experience and enthusiasm for environmental sustainability with her passion for yarn crafting. She does this by repurposing clothing memories and sharing those skills with other crafters. She teaches t-shirt yarn cutting and crocheting classes at various educational venues around Duluth and the north shore of Lake Superior. RESOURCES Swagcycle: https://www.swagcycle.net/thinking-about-the-life-of-a-t-shirt/ Clothing Mountain Visible from Space: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/rest-of-world/the-clothing-mountain-visible-from-space-how-60000-tonnes-of-discarded-clothes-ended-up-in-chiles-atacama-desert/articleshow/132689467.cms Impacts from Modern Purchases https://northshorejournal.co/editorial/impacts-of-modern-purchases/ Life Cycle of a T-Shirt The life cycle of a t-shirt - Angel Chang Statistics About Fast Fashion Waste https://earth.org/statistics-about-fast-fashion-waste/ 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!

    Upcycling Fast Fashion
See All (48)

Ratings & Reviews

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
    48
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Erika Gilsdorf
  • Show Website
    The Global Grit Experience