This episode with guest Arielle V. King (she/they) focuses on storytelling, attention, and whose voices get heard in the climate crisis and whose do not. Arielle V. King is a strategist and The Joy Report host with training in environmental law, civil rights, and environmental justice, including research on the Flint water crisis. Ariel discusses the importance of translating complex science for everyday people, the need to center and compensate lived expertise in environmental justice, and defines environmental racism as the targeting of communities of color with polluting infrastructure. She shares examples such as Cancer Alley and the South Bronx’s “Asthma Alley,” rooted in redlining and layered policy. They connect current data center expansion to environmental injustice, emphasize radical imagination (this keeps coming up!), critique hyper-consumerism and forced tech adoption, and explore how storytelling builds empathy and supports policy change. Carly and Ariel talk about how our futures are all at stake when we don’t hear everyone’s story. Ariel shares what sustains her hope and how she unwinds through food, music, time outside, and community. Listen now as Arielle brings a dose of joy from her show to Unwind.

Check out Intersectional Environmentalist to learn more about her work and listen to the Joy Report: intersectionalenvironmentalist.com

Find zines, take classes with Carly, and more: unwindmovementmedia.com

Subscribe to Unwind and support the pod on Substack: unwindmovementmedia.substack.com

Music produced by M Baxley of Bear Witness Media

Grab your space suits; it's time to time-travel. Carly kicks off a new season of Unwind with a focus on radical imagination. In a new segment, Carly first chats with comrade Claire Howe about sustaining hope amid collective hopelessness, balancing engagement with overwhelm, and making space to dream by limiting social media. Carly then interviews Rob Hopkins, co-founder of Transition Network, which began in Totnes 20 years ago to help communities wean off fossil fuels through local food, energy, and housing projects now spanning thousands of groups in about 50 countries. Rob traces his roots to punk and permaculture, defines imagination as seeing things as if they could be otherwise, and argues the climate crisis demands bold, systemic reimagining rather than incremental fixes. Rob shares how hope grows from action, highlighting real-world examples of better futures. Rob and Carly wrap up by talking about the importance of playfulness. And of course, Carly can't help but bring up social media. Rob warns that social media erodes attention and deep understanding, and suggests practices like seeking solution stories, creating imaginative space, and learning improv. Zip zap zop for the climate?

Check out Rob's website to learn more about his work and buy his book: robhopkins.net

Subscribe to Unwind and support the pod on Substack: unwindmovementmedia.substack.com

Find zines, take classes with Carly, and more: unwindmovementmedia.com

Music produced by M Baxley of Bear Witness Media

I took a "quick" break from podcasting and ended up rebranding my whole business. Oops.

Tune in to hear how my business has shifted into its next evolution like a Pokémon and what's next for the podcast.

Check out the NEW website.

Subscribe on Substack.

Music produced by M Baxley of Bear Witness Media.

REPLAY: This episode with Calen Otto is from the vault and originally premiered on October 30, 2024.

Calen is a queer, anti-speciesist travel blogger who explores the big, wide world on a very small budget and is our most recurring guest on this podcast. Calen and I connected through the world of podcasting and became friends pretty instantly. It’s been over a year since Hurricane Helene devastated the Southeast part of the United States, so it felt like a good time to replay this important episode. In this episode, Calen helps us explore the profound impacts of Hurricane Helene on North Carolina. Calen shares their personal experiences during the hurricane and reads a poignant essay weaving themes of climate change, speciesism, and social justice. Calen shared this essay on their podcast, and I instantly knew Consciously Clueless listeners needed to hear!

Guest Bio: Calen Ann Otto is a queer, anti-speciesist travel blogger who explores the big, wide world on a very small budget. After completing a solo trip across the USA at the age of 19 with only $300 and a bike, Calen discovered that there are so many alternative ways to travel that cost less. Inspired by their love of meeting strangers and sharing their incredible stories, Calen created the Unruly Travel blog. There, they share photos, videos, articles, and podcast episodes from their unique travels in hopes of inspiring others to get out and grow. Calen has been to 5 continents, 35 states, 20 National Parks, and more than 20 countries as a vegan and is passionate about doing the least amount of harm wherever they go. They wrote and published 'The Art Of Unruly Travel On A Budget' travel guidebook to make travel more accessible to all.

Thanks for listening to another episode. Follow, review, and share to help Consciously Clueless grow!

Music by M Baxley

Helpful Links from Calen:

• Hurricane Helene Essay: wanderwoman.online/index.php/2024/…north-carolina/
• Donate to mutual aid orgs in WNC: preview.mailerlite.io/preview/757985…69466110330501
• Episode #24 on Hurricane Florence: Unrulytravel-podcast – Modern-love-story-pig-rescue-hurricane-florence-north-carolina

REPLAY: This episode is from the vault and originally premiered on July 17, 2024.

Navigating the realm of sustainability and lifestyle choices can seem overwhelming, but this conversation with Tyler Chanel brings clarity and encouragement. Together, we explore small steps to reduce plastic consumption, discuss balancing convenience with sustainability, and challenge the pressure of achieving perfect sustainability. Tune in, re-learn from Tyler's experiences, and discover the seemingly small ways you can embrace a more sustainable lifestyle today.

Guest bio: Tyler Chanel is an ethical blogger and model based in Los Angeles, California. Her blog and YouTube Channel, Thrifts & Tangles, provides educational tips to inspire others to give thrifting, sustainability, and their natural selves a chance.

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Music by M Baxley

REPLAY: This episode is from the vault and originally premiered on July 17, 2024.

Discover the transformative journey of our inspiring guest, Lauren Ornelas, who has been an unwavering advocate for veganism and social justice since childhood.

Guest Bio: Lauren Ornelas has been a deeply involved animal rights activist since 1987 and is the founder and General Programs Collective Member of Food Empowerment Project (F.E.P.), a vegan food justice nonprofit that promotes veganism, champions the rights of farm workers, highlights the lack of access to healthy foods in Black and Brown communities, and raise awareness about the worst forms of slavery, including child labor, in the chocolate industry. Watch Lauren’s TEDx talk on The Power of Our Food Choices. Learn more about F.E.P.’s work at www.foodispower.org.

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Music by M Baxley

REPLAY: This episode is from the vault and originally premiered on November 17, 2021.

Listen in as Carly and Amanda talk fast fashion, greenwashing, and how to shop sustainably in an unsustainably built world.

Amanda McCarty wanted to be an art teacher, but somehow ended up with a career in fashion that began as a seasonal part-time sales associate. She has worked in the buying and merchandising departments of some of the most iconic millennial lifestyle brands. Now she hosts two podcasts (Clotheshorse and The Department), writes epic Instagram captions, and frequently cites the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. She has been known to cry at Hello Kitty events, and she loves a good miniature museum. Her current obsessions are faux fruit, maximal design, vintage cookbooks, and workers’ rights. Connect with Amanda on her Instagram or website!

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Music by M Baxley

REPLAY: This episode is from the vault and originally premiered on April 10th, 2024.

Listen in as Brian, the insightful host of the Conscious Action Podcast, shares his transformative journey toward a more mindful existence. He gives us a glimpse into the profound shifts he's experienced, such as overcoming road rage, and discusses how he now incorporates these life lessons into his multifaceted roles as a university teacher, business owner, and wellness advocate. Brian and I exchange personal stories, illustrating how small acts of awareness can relieve physical tension and contribute to overall well-being. We also touch on the impact of sharing our personal growth journeys online, creating spaces for authenticity and demonstrating that evolution is possible. This episode delves into the complexities of motivation, from health and environment to animal welfare, and how aligning our actions with our values can foster a deeper understanding and commitment to issues like veganism and sustainability. Join us as we explore how inner healing and education can amplify our impact on the world and how balancing personal growth with the desire to enact social change is crucial to avoiding burnout and achieving a holistic vision for a better future.

Guest Bio: Brian Berneman is a beacon in the realm of conscious living, merging his foundational expertise in neuroscience with over 15 years of holistic wellness practice. Seamlessly blending ancient wisdom with modern science, Brian offers a unique perspective on well-being that resonates with audiences globally. As the co-founder of Conscious Action and You Being You, he has cemented his commitment to promoting intentional, heart-connected living. At the core of Brian's work is a passionate mission: to guide individuals on their journey to a more mindful, balanced, and purpose-driven existence. Listen to Brian's Podcast.

Thanks for listening to another episode. Follow, review, and share to help Consciously Clueless grow!

Music by M Baxley