The World We Want: The NAAEE Podcast

NAAEE
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  • EDUCATION
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Imagine a world where communities thrive, curiosity sparks change, and hope fuels action. Welcome to The World We Want, the NAAEE podcast that's bringing a better future to life, one inspiring story at a time. Join us as we chat with people across continents and cultures who care about education and the environment—the trailblazers, visionary leaders, and everyday heroes making a difference.Learn more at https://naaee.org/podcast.

  1. Love as the Root of Impactful Nature-Based Education with Sean Southey

    09/16/2025

    Love as the Root of Impactful Nature-Based Education with Sean Southey

    What does it mean to fall in love with nature—and why does that love matter for the future of our planet?  In this episode of The World We Want: The NAAEE Podcast, host Gerry Ellis sits down with Sean Southey, CEO of the Canadian Wildlife Federation and longtime champion of nature-based education, to explore how love and connection form the foundation of lasting change.  Sean shares powerful stories about how nature-based education transforms not only classrooms, but also communities, shaping how we live, lead, and care for the world around us. This conversation reveals why fostering a culture of care begins with the simple act of helping people connect—and fall in love—with nature. Sean guides listeners through the stages of reflection from childhood memories of wild play to global movements like Nature for All and Outdoor Grannies, from that one teacher who planted seeds of connection with nature to the potential for a more caring and connected community spanning countries and continents. Join us as we hear from someone whose confidence in love’s ability to change the world and our relationship to it is both inspiring and activating: “When you have that continued immersive experience in nature, your learning outcomes get better. Your health outcomes get better. Your empathy, anxiety, your trauma all go down.  Nature's an incredible healer. Nature's also a teacher. It's also a classroom. It is a soother. A calmer and a stimulator.  So what I'm advocating a lot more for is to recognize that we need more nature in the classroom, and we need to put the classroom more into nature. It's a very simple but profound idea, and the best ideas are both simple and profound.” Send us your thoughts! > The World We Want: The NAAEE Podcast is an educational outreach project of the North American Association for Environmental Education. Find us on: Instagram: @thenaaee Facebook: @THENAAEE LinkedIn: @NAAEE YouTube: @thenaaee or Email us at: podcast@naaee.org Thanks for listening, and thanks for sharing The World We Want!

    47 min
  2. Through the Lens: Environmental Education Efforts from the South Side to San Antonio

    06/04/2025

    Through the Lens: Environmental Education Efforts from the South Side to San Antonio

    How can environmental education (EE) serve as a bridge in our increasingly fractured society? Filmmakers James Parker and Juliet Grable are exploring a powerful question through their upcoming documentary, In Our Nature. Drawing on their previous work documenting rural Oregon communities adapting to a changing climate, James and Juliet have discovered that assumptions about populations different from our own often dissolve when people connect over what we share: the planet. In Our Nature investigates how environmental education is one of our most effective tools for building community and finding common ground across perceived divides.  Learn more about James and Juliet's work and find the educator resources and insights that demonstrate how environmental education can create bridges and connect communities. Visit https://eepro.naaee.org/eepodcast/James-Parker-Juliet-Grable/ Send us your thoughts! > The World We Want: The NAAEE Podcast is an educational outreach project of the North American Association for Environmental Education. Find us on: Instagram: @thenaaee Facebook: @THENAAEE LinkedIn: @NAAEE YouTube: @thenaaee or Email us at: podcast@naaee.org Thanks for listening, and thanks for sharing The World We Want!

    32 min
  3. Earth Day Special Episode with NAAEE's Judy Braus

    04/22/2025

    Earth Day Special Episode with NAAEE's Judy Braus

    In this special Earth Day episode of The World We Want, host Gerry Ellis is joined by Judy Braus, Executive Director of NAAEE and longtime leader in the environmental education field, to talk about how education fuels action, connection, and a sense of possibility in the face of our biggest challenges. Access the resources, webinars, and podcasts referenced by Judy and Gerry by visiting https://eepro.naaee.org/eepodcast/Earth-Day-2025. Send us your thoughts! > The World We Want: The NAAEE Podcast is an educational outreach project of the North American Association for Environmental Education. Find us on: Instagram: @thenaaee Facebook: @THENAAEE LinkedIn: @NAAEE YouTube: @thenaaee or Email us at: podcast@naaee.org Thanks for listening, and thanks for sharing The World We Want!

    23 min
  4. Nature and Belonging: Fostering Meaningful Youth Mentorship with CJ Greco

    04/03/2025

    Nature and Belonging: Fostering Meaningful Youth Mentorship with CJ Greco

    For many teens, finding a place where they truly belong can be life-changing. CJ Greco knows this firsthand. Having grown up in zoo education programs and after a voyage of self-discovery halfway around the world, CJ has found a safe space to explore, learn, and be herself. Now, as a teen program manager at Lincoln Park Zoo, CJ is creating that same sense of place for young people stepping into the world of conservation. Teen volunteer programs aren’t just about learning science—they’re about finding a place where you can be yourself. CJ Greco shares how Lincoln Park Zoo’s Teen Program provides teens with hands-on learning experiences that deepen their connection to wildlife, conservation, and community engagement. With a literal lifetime of experience, NAAEE 30 Under 30 CJ highlights the transformative impact of mentorship in environmental education, guiding teens toward careers in science, conservation, and education. This episode explores how creating space for youth in zoo programs just like CJ’s can foster a sense of belonging, safety, and long-lasting passion for conservation.  Learn more about CJ's journey and discover tools and resources for educators by visiting https://eepro.naaee.org/eepodcast/CJ-Greco. Send us your thoughts! > The World We Want: The NAAEE Podcast is an educational outreach project of the North American Association for Environmental Education. Find us on: Instagram: @thenaaee Facebook: @THENAAEE LinkedIn: @NAAEE YouTube: @thenaaee or Email us at: podcast@naaee.org Thanks for listening, and thanks for sharing The World We Want!

    53 min
  5. Global Voices: Lessons from Young African Leaders on Climate and Sustainability with Harrison Ashangwa and Richard Tusabe

    03/13/2025

    Global Voices: Lessons from Young African Leaders on Climate and Sustainability with Harrison Ashangwa and Richard Tusabe

    Turning universal challenges into local solutions through environmental education, two young African leaders, Harrison Ashangwa and Ritchie Tusabe, are keeping EE relevant and thriving through youth-led initiatives. Harrison and Ritchie both grew up in African countries where environmental education is part of daily life—as knowledge passed down from elders and incorporated into everyday care for their land and communities. So what inspired these two young men along their paths to become educators and organizational leaders for thousands of youth and adults across the continent? Join The World We Want: The NAAEE Podcast Episode 9 to find out! Send us your thoughts! > The World We Want: The NAAEE Podcast is an educational outreach project of the North American Association for Environmental Education. Find us on: Instagram: @thenaaee Facebook: @THENAAEE LinkedIn: @NAAEE YouTube: @thenaaee or Email us at: podcast@naaee.org Thanks for listening, and thanks for sharing The World We Want!

    53 min
  6. Outdoor Classrooms and Digital Tools: Reimagining Education for Today’s Students with Stefan Moss

    02/20/2025

    Outdoor Classrooms and Digital Tools: Reimagining Education for Today’s Students with Stefan Moss

    How can a student’s future be impacted when a scientist passionate about education steps into the classroom? Stefan Moss, an environmental scientist and educator, joins host Gerry Ellis to discuss how he transforms complex science principles into engaging, hands-on learning experiences, fostering both hope and awe in young learners. From his early days growing up in the Bahamas to working with middle schoolers in Georgia, Stefan shares how curiosity and representation can change the way young people see themselves—and their future careers in science. Visit https://eepro.naaee.org/eepodcast/Stefan-Moss to learn more about Stefan and The World We Want.  Send us your thoughts! > The World We Want: The NAAEE Podcast is an educational outreach project of the North American Association for Environmental Education. Find us on: Instagram: @thenaaee Facebook: @THENAAEE LinkedIn: @NAAEE YouTube: @thenaaee or Email us at: podcast@naaee.org Thanks for listening, and thanks for sharing The World We Want!

    44 min
  7. Transforming Environmental Education from Knowledge to Action with Kathy McGlauflin and Gus Medina

    01/28/2025

    Transforming Environmental Education from Knowledge to Action with Kathy McGlauflin and Gus Medina

    Delve into how environmental education programs have evolved from lessons of awareness to calls to action.  Join host Gerry Ellis in this thought-provoking conversation with Kathy McGlauflin and Gus Medina, examining how these shifts, along with the changes in methods and technology, have shaped the field and what it means for connecting people to nature in a modern world.  Find resources and teaching materials that address these very concepts by visiting https://eepro.naaee.org/eepodcast/Gus-Medina-Kathy-McGlauflin. Send us your thoughts! > The World We Want: The NAAEE Podcast is an educational outreach project of the North American Association for Environmental Education. Find us on: Instagram: @thenaaee Facebook: @THENAAEE LinkedIn: @NAAEE YouTube: @thenaaee or Email us at: podcast@naaee.org Thanks for listening, and thanks for sharing The World We Want!

    45 min
  8. Teaching Through Laughter: A New Bridge to Climate Conversations with Esteban Gast

    01/08/2025

    Teaching Through Laughter: A New Bridge to Climate Conversations with Esteban Gast

    How can humor break down barriers and ignite hope in the face of climate change? Join comedian and climate educator Esteban Gast as he reveals how comedy can inspire climate awareness and action. From navigating diverse audiences to building bridges through laughter and shared experiences, Esteban and his cohort of comedians bring fresh perspectives on hope and creativity in times of real challenge. In this episode of The World We Want, Esteban takes us on a journey of blending comedy and education to address climate change. Learn how his innovative approach helps foster understanding and inspire action in unexpected and meaningful ways. Visit https://eepro.naaee.org/eepodcast/Esteban-Gast to learn more about Esteban's work and explore resources on creative thinking and climate communication for educators. Send us your thoughts! > The World We Want: The NAAEE Podcast is an educational outreach project of the North American Association for Environmental Education. Find us on: Instagram: @thenaaee Facebook: @THENAAEE LinkedIn: @NAAEE YouTube: @thenaaee or Email us at: podcast@naaee.org Thanks for listening, and thanks for sharing The World We Want!

    49 min
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5
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About

Imagine a world where communities thrive, curiosity sparks change, and hope fuels action. Welcome to The World We Want, the NAAEE podcast that's bringing a better future to life, one inspiring story at a time. Join us as we chat with people across continents and cultures who care about education and the environment—the trailblazers, visionary leaders, and everyday heroes making a difference.Learn more at https://naaee.org/podcast.

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