TALATERRA

Tania Marien

Environmental interpretation happens everywhere. On this podcast, you'll hear conversations with independent professionals who facilitate connections between people and the outdoors. Our guests work in diverse fields and take their own approach to environmental awareness and education. What they share in common is their commitment to nurturing the public's relationship with the outdoors and their status as independent professionals. Who are these professionals? What do they do? How do they contribute to lifelong learning in communities? Let's find out.

  1. Matthew Paneitz, Long Way Home

    11/28/2025

    Matthew Paneitz, Long Way Home

    Today, we get to learn from Matthew Paneitz, founder and executive director of Long Way Home. This organization built Hero School, a student-built and community-built campus in San Juan Comalapa, Guatemala. Built from recycled tires and trash, the campus took 16 years to build and serves 178 students enrolled in PreK through High School. The school campus is almost complete. Matthew is also the recipient of the 2020 Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service for his work in Guatemala. This award, presented annually by the National Peace Corps Association, honors Peace Corps volunteers who continue to contribute to humanitarian causes. Long before this award and the existence of Hero School, Matthew had an idea. An idea that needed funding, direction, and partners. How did Matthew obtain funding when he started this project? How did he develop a strategy sustaining him and the school he built with the residents of Comalapa? What is the school's curriculum, and how does it change the conversation around poverty? Let's find out.   LINKS Long Way Home  - Turn Trash Into Schools Long Way Home Sustainability Projects (https://www.lwhomegreen.org) Help School Fight Climate Change with Green Building (Global Giving) - Giving Tuesday is December 2, 2025 Watch timelapse video of recent classroom construction (Fall 2025) 2020 Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian Service EcoHab.org Long Way Home on YouTube Long Way Home on Facebook Long Way Home on Instagram Long Way Home on LinkedIn _______________ CREDITS: Producer: Tania MarienMusic: So Far So Close by Jahzzar is licensed under a Attribution-ShareAlike License;SOLO ACOUSTIC GUITAR by Jason Shaw is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License.Subscribe to Transferable Solutions, a newsletter about reimagining environmental skillsContact Us© 2019 - 2026 Talaterra Inc  ABOUT: TALATERRA combines "tala" (Icelandic for "to speak" and "to talk") with "terra" (Earth)—because speaking for our planet and telling its stories is what environmental educators do. TALATERRA: to speak Earth.   * TALATERRA is an affiliate of Bookshop.org.

    43 min
  2. Alexandra Dumitrescu, What nonprofits can learn from e-commerce

    09/19/2025

    Alexandra Dumitrescu, What nonprofits can learn from e-commerce

    Today my guest is fundraiser and impact growth leader, Alexandra Dumitrescu. In this episode, we discuss nonprofit funding. Alexandra highlights the potential of technology to enhance fundraising efforts and presents ways nonprofits can diversify income streams. We discuss e-commerce models, leveraging SaaS platforms, improving donor relations, and lost funding opportunities. We also discuss initiatives Alexandra founded to help nonprofits create sustainable income and integrate social impact features in business products. How might Alexandra's ideas (or some version of them) be applied to your project, organization, or partnerships? How does this conversation reframe what you see as being possible in environmental education?   LEARN MORE Alexandra Dumitrescu on LinkedIn BiggerPie (LinkedIn) RWAYS for Nonprofits (LinkedIn) Shop for Hope (Alexandra on Substack) Fundraising Platforms Mentioned: FundraiseUpDonorBoxiRaiserDataro.io Automation Services Mentioned: ZapierZendeskAcronyms Defined: Saas - Software as a Service (cloud-based services)KPI - Key Performance IndicatorsMVP - Minimum Viable ProductCSR - Corporate Social ResponsibilityAlexandra's Recommended Resources: Daniela Papi Thornton - Reclaiming Social Entrepreneurship (TEDx)Dan Pallotta - The Way We Think About Charity is Dead Wrong (TED)Skin in the Game: Hidden Asymmetries in Daily Life (Nassim Nicholas Taleb)*Manifesto for a Moral Revolution (Jacqueline Novogratz)*Subscribe to the Transferable Solutions newsletter. _______________ CREDITS: Producer: Tania MarienMusic: So Far So Close by Jahzzar is licensed under a Attribution-ShareAlike License;SOLO ACOUSTIC GUITAR by Jason Shaw is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License.Subscribe to Transferable Solutions, a newsletter about reimagining environmental skillsContact Us© 2019 - 2026 Talaterra Inc  ABOUT: TALATERRA combines "tala" (Icelandic for "to speak" and "to talk") with "terra" (Earth)—because speaking for our planet and telling its stories is what environmental educators do. TALATERRA: to speak Earth.   * TALATERRA is an affiliate of Bookshop.org.

    57 min
  3. Rob Law, The Creek Kids

    07/03/2025

    Rob Law, The Creek Kids

    Rob Law  is a musician and composer with decades of experience in the music industry. He has composed music for films and advertising campaigns. Rob is also a podcaster, a storyteller, and an advocate for outdoor learning. In this episode, Rob and I talk about The Creek Kids, his podcast for children inspired by the radio plays from the Golden Age of Radio. The Creek Kids on PodbeanRob Law (website)  AUDIO SAMPLES (in order of appearance): Lux. “Lux Radio Theater - Single Episodes : Old Time Radio Researchers Group : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive.” Internet Archive, 2025. https://archive.org/details/OTRR_Lux_Radio_Theater_Singles. Sample is from "Our Vines Have Tender Grapes.' https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/The Mystery of the Flood: The Creek Kids. Produced by Rob Law. Used with permission.Campbells Creek Soundtrail. Produced by Rob Law. Used with permission.  _______________ CREDITS: Producer: Tania MarienMusic: So Far So Close by Jahzzar is licensed under a Attribution-ShareAlike License;SOLO ACOUSTIC GUITAR by Jason Shaw is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License.Subscribe to Transferable Solutions, a newsletter about reimagining environmental skillsContact Us© 2019 - 2026 Talaterra Inc  ABOUT: TALATERRA combines "tala" (Icelandic for "to speak" and "to talk") with "terra" (Earth)—because speaking for our planet and telling its stories is what environmental educators do. TALATERRA: to speak Earth.   * TALATERRA is an affiliate of Bookshop.org.

    39 min
  4. Dinah Awino Kawino, Pendo Mazingira

    06/12/2025

    Dinah Awino Kawino, Pendo Mazingira

    Dinah Awino Kawino is the founder and director of Akadi Eco and Mentorship Ventures. Akadi Eco is a consulting firm based in Kenya. It focuses on bringing environmental mentorship and sustainability solutions to educational and community spaces. This year, Akadi Eco is leading an initiative called  Pendo Mazingira. Pendo Mazingira is Swahili for "Love Environment." Awino describes this program as “an eco-sensitivity mentorship program designed to cultivate a sense of environmental belonging through nature-based sensory experiences.” Pendo Mazingira serves both youth and adults. How is the program working? Let’s find out.   SUBSTACK:  Pendo Mazingira Substack - AkadiEco and Mentorship Ventures Kenya PANEL DISCUSSION: Empowering Women in Science: Bridging Gaps and Building Futures Interesting and honest conversation about being a woman in science. Awino's presentation begins at timestamp 57:22. Her presentation is titled, Empowering Women and Girls: Disrupting Fear-based Silence for Thriving Sustainability Science. This is a presentation by LIAISE. BOOK: Weaving a Green Future: Opportunities and Barriers in Textile Manufacturing in Kenya (Eliva Press, 2025) ARTICLES: Closing the Loop: A framework for tackling single-use plastic waste in the food and beverage industry through circular economy - a review (Journal of Environmental Management) Challenges and Opportunities for Green Transitions Adoption in Kenya's Textile Manufacturing Industry  (Frontiers in Sustainability) Assessment of Green Growth Practices in the Textile Industry: A Study of Thika Cloth Mill and Rivatex in Kenya  (East African Journal of Environment and Natural Resources) LEADERSHIP: The Green Embassy Kenya _______________ CREDITS: Producer: Tania MarienMusic: So Far So Close by Jahzzar is licensed under a Attribution-ShareAlike License;SOLO ACOUSTIC GUITAR by Jason Shaw is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License.Subscribe to Transferable Solutions, a newsletter about reimagining environmental skillsContact Us© 2019 - 2026 Talaterra Inc  ABOUT: TALATERRA combines "tala" (Icelandic for "to speak" and "to talk") with "terra" (Earth)—because speaking for our planet and telling its stories is what environmental educators do. TALATERRA: to speak Earth.   * TALATERRA is an affiliate of Bookshop.org.

    48 min
  5. Christina Carter, Gumnut Trails

    05/22/2025

    Christina Carter, Gumnut Trails

    Christina Carter is the author, illustrator, and founder of Gumnut Trails—a unique collection of Outdoor Adventure Guides that help families rediscover the joy of exploring nature together. In this episode, we dive into how Christina’s own nature-rich childhood inspired her to create the “Lonely Planet of childhood adventures”—starting with four beautifully illustrated Guides across Melbourne. Each Adventure Guide transforms an ‘ordinary’ walk into an immersive experience using storytelling, creative missions, and joyful illustrations. Designed to be interactive, screen-free, and deeply local, Gumnut Trails helps families connect with the natural spaces around them in fun, meaningful ways. Every guide is built around the history, features, and hidden stories of each location. Months of on-the-ground exploring, researching, writing, and illustrating go into each one—making them more than just ready-made adventures, but true works of art. What began as one parent’s mission to capture the magic of a childhood spent outdoors is now a growing movement. So how did it all come together—and what’s next for Gumnut Trails? Let’s find out. Website: www.gumnuttrails.com.au Follow along on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gumnut_trails/ _______________ CREDITS: Producer: Tania MarienMusic: So Far So Close by Jahzzar is licensed under a Attribution-ShareAlike License;SOLO ACOUSTIC GUITAR by Jason Shaw is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License.Subscribe to Transferable Solutions, a newsletter about reimagining environmental skillsContact Us© 2019 - 2026 Talaterra Inc  ABOUT: TALATERRA combines "tala" (Icelandic for "to speak" and "to talk") with "terra" (Earth)—because speaking for our planet and telling its stories is what environmental educators do. TALATERRA: to speak Earth.   * TALATERRA is an affiliate of Bookshop.org.

    41 min
  6. Louise Karch, Interview Database for Environmental Educators

    01/30/2025

    Louise Karch, Interview Database for Environmental Educators

    We are all in the attention economy. Louise Karch (pronounced CARSH) makes sure good people like us break out not blend in. Louise is delighted to speak us. She has a special fondness for environmental educators having been an Outward Bound Instructor. For over a decade, she also was a career management professional, She was honoured to study with and support Richard Bolles, the author of the bestselling career/life planning in history, What Color Is Your Parachute. It was Richard Bolles who inspired Louise to write guidebooks. Louise is the award-winning author of Word Glue, and head cheerleader and one of the co-authors of the global mega-hit The Carbon Almanac, It’s Not Too Late (Penguin Random House), Louise’s most recent book, First Aid for Fairies: From Rain to Rainbows, is an uplifting steampunk-inspired guide that helps teens shift from stress to strength It’s been nominated for the American Library Association’s MIchael Princz award. Louise has mentored leaders in 71 countries and edu-tained audiences from Australia to the Arctic. She prefers being warm. You can find Louise at… Word Glue First Aid for Fairies Interview Database with Addendum for Environmental Educators   RESOURCES MENTIONED What color is your parachute? (2022)* Transitions (2019)* Brag! Toot Your Own Horn Without Blowing It* Outward Bound (Canada) Outward Bound (USA)   ASSESSMENT Institute on Character Jackson Vocational Interest Survey Gallup CliftonStrengths Finder _______________ CREDITS: Producer: Tania MarienMusic: So Far So Close by Jahzzar is licensed under a Attribution-ShareAlike License;SOLO ACOUSTIC GUITAR by Jason Shaw is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License.Subscribe to Transferable Solutions, a newsletter about reimagining environmental skillsContact Us© 2019 - 2026 Talaterra Inc  ABOUT: TALATERRA combines "tala" (Icelandic for "to speak" and "to talk") with "terra" (Earth)—because speaking for our planet and telling its stories is what environmental educators do. TALATERRA: to speak Earth.   * TALATERRA is an affiliate of Bookshop.org.

    50 min
  7. Vanessa Thompson, Career Opportunities in Sustainability for Environmental Educators

    12/12/2024

    Vanessa Thompson, Career Opportunities in Sustainability for Environmental Educators

    Episode description: Join us as we dive into the world of innovation with Vanessa Thompson, Managing Director of The Sustainability Experts. Vanessa shares bold strategies for sparking disruptive ideas, seizing new opportunities, and leveraging cutting-edge technologies to transform businesses and careers. A renowned keynote speaker and consultant, Vanessa partners with startups, VCs, and global corporations to deliver powerful solutions that merge innovation with sustainability for lasting impact. Listen to Vanessa’s Podcast: https://www.the-sustainability-experts.com/the-show Book Vanessa as a Speaker: https://www.vanessathompson.com Contact Us: - LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-sustainability-experts/?viewAsMember=true - Email: info@the-sustainability-experts.com - Website: The Sustainability Experts - Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/5PLmkmxJLJQ5BJ2Kgluxku Don’t miss this insightful episode packed with actionable ideas to drive innovation and sustainable success! _______________ CREDITS: Producer: Tania MarienMusic: So Far So Close by Jahzzar is licensed under a Attribution-ShareAlike License;SOLO ACOUSTIC GUITAR by Jason Shaw is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License.Subscribe to Transferable Solutions, a newsletter about reimagining environmental skillsContact Us© 2019 - 2026 Talaterra Inc  ABOUT: TALATERRA combines "tala" (Icelandic for "to speak" and "to talk") with "terra" (Earth)—because speaking for our planet and telling its stories is what environmental educators do. TALATERRA: to speak Earth.   * TALATERRA is an affiliate of Bookshop.org.

    42 min
  8. [INSIGHT] Announcing Transferable Solutions

    12/12/2024 · BONUS

    [INSIGHT] Announcing Transferable Solutions

    Last week I launched the new newsletter. It’s called Transferable Solutions and the theme of the newsletter is “Environmental Skills, Reimagined.” When I started The Freelance Project, I wanted to explore what freelancing looked like in environmental education. The people we've had the opportunity to meet through the podcast have shown us there are dozens of ways to approach working as an environmental education professional.  With this deeper understanding established, it is time to add the next layer to my project. Subscribe to the newsletter at https://talaterra.com.   _______________ CREDITS: Producer: Tania MarienMusic: So Far So Close by Jahzzar is licensed under a Attribution-ShareAlike License;SOLO ACOUSTIC GUITAR by Jason Shaw is licensed under a Attribution 3.0 United States License.Subscribe to Transferable Solutions, a newsletter about reimagining environmental skillsContact Us© 2019 - 2026 Talaterra Inc  ABOUT: TALATERRA combines "tala" (Icelandic for "to speak" and "to talk") with "terra" (Earth)—because speaking for our planet and telling its stories is what environmental educators do. TALATERRA: to speak Earth.   * TALATERRA is an affiliate of Bookshop.org.

    3 min
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About

Environmental interpretation happens everywhere. On this podcast, you'll hear conversations with independent professionals who facilitate connections between people and the outdoors. Our guests work in diverse fields and take their own approach to environmental awareness and education. What they share in common is their commitment to nurturing the public's relationship with the outdoors and their status as independent professionals. Who are these professionals? What do they do? How do they contribute to lifelong learning in communities? Let's find out.

Information

  • Creator
    Tania Marien
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2025
  • Episodes
    145
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2019 - 2025 TALATERRA Inc.
  • Show Website
    TALATERRA