The SustainUW Podcast

UW-Madison Office of Sustainability
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The SustainUW Podcast is created and hosted by student interns from the UW-Madison Office of Sustainability. Each episode explores a different question related to sustainability as it impacts the UW-Madison campus and the broader community. Guests include professors, student activists, campus staff, and other experts who help hosts uncover the complicated story of sustainability. This podcast examines common narratives of environmentalism and questions the status quo, seeking to understand what’s up with sustainability and where we should go from here.

  1. Sustainability Conversations across the Big Ten: Rutgers University

    11/14/2025

    Sustainability Conversations across the Big Ten: Rutgers University

    In the second episode of the SustainUW Podcast's new miniseries, Sustainability Conversations across the Big Ten, hosts John Ernst and Ren Nickel meet with Angela Oberg from the Rutgers University Office of Climate Action to discuss Rutgers' sustainability-related internships, ambassador programs, and other student involvement opportunities. The team also sits down with Tim Lindstrom, the Student Intern Program Manager at the UW–Madison Office of Sustainability to discuss UW–Madison's campus sustainability internship program.

    53 min
  2. Sustainability Conversations across the Big Ten: University of Nebraska—Lincoln

    10/03/2025

    Sustainability Conversations across the Big Ten: University of Nebraska—Lincoln

    In the first episode of the SustainUW Podcast's new miniseries, Sustainability Conversations across the Big Ten, the team meets with Morgan Hartman and Madeline Yeatts from the University of Nebraska—Lincoln Office of Sustainability to discuss Carnegie's Elective Classification for Sustainability that UNL is currently piloting. They also sit down with Alex Frank and Kyle Schmitz from the UW—Madison Office of Sustainability to understand UW—Madison's approach to ESG reporting.

    34 min

  3. 09/17/2025

    The (Hidden) Impacts of AI with Clean Wisconsin's Amy Barrilleaux

    Join Brynne, Audrey, and Clean Wisconsin Communications Director Amy Barrilleaux for a conversation about the environmental, ethical, and social considerations related to the growth of artificial intelligence and its supporting infrastructure in Wisconsin. Their discussion challenges us to think critically about AI, the ways in which has become integrated into our daily lives, and whether it's possible for this emergent and disruptive technology to mature into a just and sustainable system.

    45 min

  4. 07/24/2025

    A Conversation with John Francis a.k.a. "Planetwalker"

    Enjoy an inspiring, illuminating, and at times emotional conversation with legendary activist and UW—Madison alumnus Dr. John Francis. SustainUW hosts Audrey, Brynne, and Jordyn sat down with Dr. Francis during his visit to Madison for Earth Fest to discuss his life, legacy, and his recent critically-acclaimed eponymous documentary entitled Planetwalker.

    38 min

  5. 06/19/2025

    Earth Fest Recap: What Comes After Earth Day?

    In this special episode, SustainUW and Edge Effects collaborate to discuss the history of Earth Day in the United States, bring a glimpse of Earth Fest celebrations on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus, and underline the importance of embracing environmental protection beyond just April 22. The episode includes an interview with Jim Feldman, director of the Environmental Studies program at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh. This episode was created and recorded in collaboration with Edge Effects digital magazine at the UW–Madison Center for Culture, History, and Environment. Special thanks to the Edge Effects team including Managing Editor Brianna Meyer for their work in making this episode possible.

    55 min

  6. 06/10/2025

    Lake Mendota on Ice: Perspectives on a Shifting Climate

    What does climate change look like in Madison, and how do the impacts alter our shared experience of this place we call home? Perhaps the best venue to answer this question is on the (less frequently these days) frozen shores of Lake Mendota, which by some metrics is the most researched lake on the planet. Join Office of Sustainability interns Giann Abang, Aiden Culver, and Jordyn Czyzewski as they interview Professor Emeritus and renowned limnologist John J. Magnuson about ice records on Lake Mendota. Later, Giann and Jordyn join fellow interns Audrey Davies and Kate Scroggins to venture out onto the ice and speak with winter recreation enthusiasts attending the annual Winter Carnival in Madison. Related resources: John J. Magnuson profile -- UW—Madison Center for Limnology Lake Mendota ice records -- Wisconsin State Climatology Office Winter Carnival -- Wisconsin Union

    39 min

  7. 05/16/2025

    Student Perspectives on Current Events and the Implications for Sustainability in the U.S.

    A lot has been happening to sustainability initiatives in the U.S. these past few months, and you probably have plenty of questions, concerns, and ideas. Join Office of Sustainability interns Aiden, Audrey, Brynne, and Giann as they parse through some of the current events happening in sustainability at the national level and provide a student's perspective. References discussed and related resources: Trump rescinded a half-century of environmental rules. Here’s what that could mean. -- Vox Trump’s Return Gives China a Second Chance at Climate Leadership -- Bloomberg Big Oil in no rush to 'drill baby drill' this year despite Trump agenda -- Reuters Trump’s "Drill, Baby, Drill" Pledge Will Not Save Oil -- Forbes 2.2 billion gallons of water flowed out of California reservoirs because of Trump’s order to open dams -- CNN Trump targets Alaska’s oil and other resources as environmentalists gear up for a fight -- AP 5 surprising facts about renewable energy growth in Texas -- Environment Texas Climate Stories From The Times: 13 Must-Reads -- New York Times Trump’s First Two Weeks Have Thrown U.S. Climate Spending Into Chaos -- New York Times E.P.A. Tells More Than 1,000 They Could Be Fired ‘Immediately’ -- New York Times Trump’s Halt on Climate Spending Freezes Jobs and Stalls Projects -- New York Times

    18 min

  8. 05/05/2025

    Exploring Agrivoltaics at UW–Madison

    Office of Sustainability interns Aiden Culver, Audrey Davies, and Giann Abang are excited to bring you an episode in which they learn about the growing interest in agrivoltaics at UW–Madison. Aiden and Giann leave the podcast studio to visit the new solar installation site at the UW–Madison Kegonsa Research Campus. After that, Aiden and Audrey have conversations with two local experts: Will Fulwider, a UW Extension employee, and Victoria Salerno, a graduate student and Office of Sustainability employee.

    52 min
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About

The SustainUW Podcast is created and hosted by student interns from the UW-Madison Office of Sustainability. Each episode explores a different question related to sustainability as it impacts the UW-Madison campus and the broader community. Guests include professors, student activists, campus staff, and other experts who help hosts uncover the complicated story of sustainability. This podcast examines common narratives of environmentalism and questions the status quo, seeking to understand what’s up with sustainability and where we should go from here.

Information

  • Creator
    UW-Madison Office of Sustainability
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    57
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © UW-Madison Office of Sustainability
  • Show Website
    The SustainUW Podcast

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