State of Water State of Water

On this summer solstice 2023, we are happy to bring you a conversation with water protector, Jannan Cornstalk, founder of the Water is Life Festival. Jannan shares poignantly of her spiritual connection with the water and her hope that the Water is Life Festival can continue to be a space of connection, education, and inspiration for people of all ages to find a space of meaningful cultural exchange through music, art, conversation, and creativity.

This year’s Water is Life Festival will be on Saturday, September 2 on the Petoskey Waterfront from 12pm to sunset.

Learn more about the Water is Life Festival at https://www.waterislifefestival.org/

/// State of Water is a program of the Michigan-based non-profit organization Title Track, and is powered by the Clean Water Campaign for Michigan. The podcast is made possible through a generous contribution from the Esperance Foundation.

/// EPISODE 35

/ Jannan Cornstalk interviewed by Seth Bernard

/ Produced, edited and mixed by Dan Rickabus and Chris Good

/ Narrators - Alex Smith, Ben Darcie, Dan Rickabus, Jenny Jones, Angela Gallegos, Rachel Marco-Havens

/ Graphic by Chris Good
/ Theme Music - Mike Savina, Seth Bernard & Dan Rickabus

/ Featured Music - “Homestretch” by Ecotone and “Authors (instrumental demo)" by Dan Rickabus

Our guest for episode 34 of State of Water is botanist and musician, Susan Fawcett. Susan sat down with longtime friend and collaborator, State of Water host Seth Bernard, for a wonderful conversation fresh off of their annual ritual of creativity, collaboration, songwriting and recording that is the band, Hy-Lo. Susan and Seth dive into all sorts of topics including Susan’s unique perspective as a botanist, the desperate need for septic system regulation in Michigan, changes she’s noticed in Michigan over her lifetime, her passion for the app iNaturalist, some epic scuba diving stories, and a walk through some water-inspired songs in the 20 year Hy-Lo catalogue, some of which are shared here publicly for the first time. Enjoy!!

/// State of Water is a program of the Michigan-based non-profit organization Title Track, and is powered by the Clean Water Campaign for Michigan. The podcast is made possible through a generous contribution from the Esperance Foundation.


/// EPISODE 34


/ Susan Fawcett interviewed by Seth Bernard
/ Produced, edited and mixed by Dan Rickabus and Chris Good
/ Narrators - Alex Smith, Ben Darcie, Dan Rickabus, Jenny Jones, Angela Gallegos, Rachel Marco-Havens

/ Graphic by Chris Good
/ Theme Music - Mike Savina, Seth Bernard & Dan Rickabus
/ Featured Music by Hy-Lo:

“Catch & Release”
“Chair Lift”
“Swimming in the Autrain River”
“Zebra Mussels (Slime & Snails)”
“Arabella Waltz (The Pueblo & The Oil Men)”
“Trash Beard”

Links mentioned in episode:
https://titletrackmichigan.org/support/
https://www.michiganflora.net/
https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/09/us/inaturalist-nature-app.html
http://www.brianbuma.com/edges-of-all-life

Follow Susan at:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Susan-Fawcett
https://twitter.com/fawcett_susan
https://www.inaturalist.org/users/34079

In our final episode of 2022, we bring you a compelling conversation with Denise Keele, Executive Director of the Michigan Climate Action Network (MiCAN). Denise discusses her fascinating vocational path, her passion for music and the arts, and MiCAN’s recently re-envisioned strategic plan and mission which states: “Michigan Climate Action Network connects and amplifies individuals, communities, and organizations confronting the climate crisis in Michigan and supports them in advancing equitable climate solutions with the urgency science demands for the environment and all that live in it.”

/// State of Water is a program of the Michigan-based non-profit organization Title Track, and is powered by the Clean Water Campaign for Michigan. The podcast is made possible through a generous contribution from the Esperance Foundation.


/// EPISODE 33



/ Denise Keele interviewed by Seth Bernard


/ Produced, edited and mixed by Dan Rickabus and Chris Good


/ Narrators - Alex Smith, Ben Darcie, Dan Rickabus, Jenny Jones, Angela Gallegos, Rachel Marco-Havens


/ Graphic by Will Thomas


/ Theme Music - Mike Savina, Seth Bernard & Dan Rickabus


/ Featured Music - “Homestretch” by Ecotone and “Authors (instrumental demo)" by Dan Rickabus

Learn more and get involved with the Michigan Climate Action Network: https://www.miclimateaction.org/

In Episode 32 of State of Water, we’re thrilled to bring you an inspiring conversation with Annalise Povolo, Director of Administration and Programs for the Lake Leelanau Lake Association (LLLA). Annalise is an aquatic ecologist who grew up in the area deeply connected to the same Lake Leelanau waters that she now cares for and works to protect. After spending some time away from Michigan with studies and adventures, she chose to return to this area bringing with her a tremendous toolbox of skills and perspectives. In her work with the LLLA, she not only does the scientific work at hand such as managing and preventing invasive species but also the human-centric work of educating, advocating, and motivating citizens to do what they can to care for and protect the waters even in the midst of challenges that may at times feel daunting.

/// State of Water is a program of the Michigan-based non-profit organization Title Track, and is powered by the Clean Water Campaign for Michigan. The podcast is made possible through a generous contribution from the Esperance Foundation.


/// EPISODE 32



/ Annalise Povolo interviewed by Seth Bernard


/ Produced, edited and mixed by Dan Rickabus and Chris Good


/ Narrators - Alex Smith, Ben Darcie, Dan Rickabus, Jenny Jones, Angela Gallegos, Rachel Marco-Havens


/ Graphic by Will Thomas


/ Theme Music - Mike Savina, Seth Bernard & Dan Rickabus


/ Featured Music - “Homestretch” by Ecotone and “Authors (instrumental demo)" by Dan Rickabus

To report an invasive species to the state of MI visit: https://www.michigan.gov/invasives/id-report

Learn more about the Lake Leelanau Lake Association: https://lakeleelanau.org/

Earlier this year, State of Water host, Seth Bernard, visited the Kingsley Farmer’s Market during their Water Week festivities. Seth led a workshop, performed a concert, and talked with some vendors and market goers about their personal relationships with water. Featured in this episode of State of Water are conversations with JC Bailey, Co-owner of Bailey’s Farms; Allison Cooley-Brakeman, Seth’s 9th grade science teacher; and Dan Hawkins, Village Manager for Kingsley, MI.

It was a windy day at the farmer’s market, so please excuse a bit of wind and market background noise, but we hope you enjoy these small-town reflections on water - reflections of gratitude, of connection, and of the importance to protect our waters for future generations.

/// State of Water is a program of the Michigan-based non-profit organization Title Track, and is powered by the Clean Water Campaign for Michigan. The podcast is made possible through a generous contribution from the Esperance Foundation.


/// EPISODE 31



/ JC Bailey, Allison Cooley-Brakeman, and Dan Hawkins interviewed by Seth Bernard


/ Produced, edited and mixed by Dan Rickabus and Chris Good


/ Narrators - Alex Smith, Ben Darcie, Dan Rickabus, Jenny Jones, Angela Gallegos, Rachel Marco-Havens

/ Graphic by Will Thomas


/ Theme Music - Mike Savina, Seth Bernard & Dan Rickabus


/ Featured Music - “Harbinger” by Ecotone and “Authors (instrumental demo)" by Dan Rickabus

Episode 30 of State of Water features a power-packed conversation with Carl Lindquist, founder and Executive Director of the Superior Watershed Partnership (SWP). Carl was the sole employee when the Great Lakes non-profit formed in 1999. Working together with a creative board they have been able to grow the organization to 18 full-time staff and over 30 seasonal employees in their Great Lakes Climate Corps (GLCC).

Tune in to hear how SWP is truly a 100% local, Upper Peninsula organization that nurtures a variety of innovative collaborations while implementing on-the-ground efforts that embrace climate resiliency as a key component to protecting our waters. The organization focuses on a wide range of community-based projects that provide documented, measurable results that benefit UP communities, enhance the UP environment and help protect the three Great Lakes that virtually surround the UP (Superior, Michigan and Huron).

/// State of Water is a program of the Michigan-based non-profit organization Title Track, and is powered by the Clean Water Campaign for Michigan. The podcast is made possible through a generous contribution from the Esperance Foundation.

/// EPISODE 30
/ Carl Lindquist interviewed by Seth Bernard


/ Produced, edited and mixed by Dan Rickabus and Chris Good

/ Narrators - Alex Smith, Ben Darcie, Dan Rickabus, Jenny Jones, Angela Gallegos, Rachel Marco-Havens


/ Graphic by Will Thomas


/ Theme Music - Mike Savina, Seth Bernard & Dan Rickabus


/ Featured Music - “Harbinger” by Ecotone and “Authors (instrumental demo)" by Dan Rickabus