TALATERRA

Hosted by Tania Marien

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145

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Nov 2025

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About the show

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.

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60 recent

November 28, 202542 min

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. LINKSLong Way Home - Turn Trash Into SchoolsLong Way Home Sustainability Projects (https://www.lwhomegreen.org)Help School Fight Climate Change with Green Building (Global Giving) - Giving Tuesday is December 2, 2025Watch timelapse video of recent classroom construction (Fall 2025)2020 Sargent Shriver Award for Distinguished Humanitarian ServiceEcoHab.orgLong Way Home on YouTubeLong Way Home on FacebookLong Way Home on InstagramLong 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 UsTalaterra is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. Learn More© 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.

September 19, 202556 min

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 MOREAlexandra Dumitrescu on LinkedInBiggerPie (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 UsTalaterra is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. Learn More© 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.

July 3, 202539 min

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 UsTalaterra is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. Learn More© 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.

June 12, 202548 min

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 KenyaPANEL DISCUSSION:Empowering Women in Science: Bridging Gaps and Building FuturesInteresting 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 UsTalaterra is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. Learn More© 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.

May 22, 202540 min

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.auFollow 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 UsTalaterra is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. Learn More© 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.

January 30, 202549 min

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 GlueFirst Aid for FairiesInterview Database with Addendum for Environmental Educators RESOURCES MENTIONEDWhat color is your parachute? (2022)*Transitions (2019)*Brag! Toot Your Own Horn Without Blowing It*Outward Bound (Canada)Outward Bound (USA) ASSESSMENTInstitute on CharacterJackson Vocational Interest SurveyGallup 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 UsTalaterra is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. Learn More© 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.

December 12, 202441 min

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-showBook Vanessa as a Speaker: https://www.vanessathompson.comContact 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/5PLmkmxJLJQ5BJ2KgluxkuDon’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 UsTalaterra is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. Learn More© 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.

December 12, 20243 min

[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 UsTalaterra is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. Learn More© 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.

September 12, 202446 min

Kalliopi Monoyios, Visual Climate Communication

Today we get to learn from Kalliopi Monoyios, visual science communicator and lead author of "Visuals as a Catalyst for Climate Science Communication," a chapter in the book "Storytelling to Accelerate Climate Solutions" (Springer Nature, 2024).In this episode, Kalliopi and I discuss the value of visuals in climate change communication. We discuss what effective visuals look like and also talk about creating culturally relevant and sensitive information. Kalliopi shares how someone can become a visual science communicator and what a collaborative project between a visual science communicator and a client might look like. LINKSKalliopi Monoyios websiteGuild of Natural Science IllustratorsVisuals as a Catalyst for Climate Communication (Open Access)Kirsten Carlson | Fathom iT StudiosTaina Litwak Fiona Martin | Visualizing ScienceYour Inner Fish (book)Your Inner Fish (PBS video)Association of Medical Illustrators YOU MAY ALSO LIKEStorytelling and Climate Solutions - A conversation with co-editors Emily Coren and Hua (Helen) WangGretchen Halpert, Scientific Illustration Distance ProgramGary Hoyle discusses museum plant models, exhibit design, and dioramas _______________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 UsTalaterra is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. Learn More© 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.

August 2, 202458 min

Emily Coren and Helen Wang, Storytelling and Climate Solutions

A conversation with Emily Coren and Hua (Helen) Wang, editors of Storytelling to Accelerate Climate Solutions (Springer Nature, 2024). They collaborated with 44 authors to create a resource addressing many forms of climate communication.Each of the book chapters addresses a specific type of storytelling. You’ll find chapters about entertainment education, locally-driven narratives, youth engagement, Hollywood, climate fiction, music, news reporting, geospatial tools, interactive storytelling, mental health, and telling stories through food. There is also a chapter about using visuals as a catalyst for climate science communication. Storytelling to Accelerate Climate Solutions is an open-access title. You can download the entire book or individual chapters for free. LINKSStorytelling to Accelerate Climate Solutions (Download)Publications by Emily CorenContact Emily CorenHelen Wang, University of BuffaloEntertainment-Education Behind the Scenes - Case Studies for Theory and Practice (Download)Emily Coren: Science communicator, author, and affiliate in the Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University. (Read Bio)Hua Wang: Professor of Communication at the University of Buffalo, New York. Communication scientist whose specialties are health promotion, behavior change, and social justice. (Full Bio)Episode Art: Photo by Naoram Sea on Unsplash _______________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 UsTalaterra is an affiliate of Bookshop.org. Learn More© 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.