In this episode of Hot Mess: How Climate Consensus Turned Into Political Chaos, Peterson Toscano introduces us to Marshall Saunders, a man whose unexpected journey from a Texas businessman to a climate advocate sparked a powerful movement. Saunders, the founder of Citizens Climate Lobby, channeled his skills and personal growth into creating a grassroots organization that has inspired climate action across the political spectrum.
Hot Mess is a six-part series hosted by Peterson Toscano that uncovers the untold stories behind the rise and fall of bipartisan efforts to address climate change in the United States.
For complete show notes and a full transcript of this episode, visit www.cclusa.org/radio
Key Themes
The personal transformation of Marshall Saunders.
The founding of Citizens Climate Lobby (CCL).
Citizen-driven advocacy and bipartisan climate solutions.
Using market-based approaches to address climate change.
Listen Now!
Featured Guests
Marshall Saunders
Marshall was born in Waco, Texas, and was the founder of Citizens’ Climate Lobby. He began his business career and became active in the microfinancing movement. His personal story of transformation from a businessman to his focus on climate solutions has inspired hundreds of thousands of CCL volunteers. 
Chelsea Henderson
Chelsea, host of RepublicEn’s Eco Right Speaks podcast, returns to provide context on the importance of conservative involvement in climate action. She shares what she sees Conservatives bring to the table regarding climate change solutions. Chelsea wrote the book, Glacial: he Untold Story of Climate Politics. 
Standout Quotes
“Yes, he literally paved paradise and put in a parking lot. He was that guy.” – Peterson Toscano

“We trust that ordinary people can get the job done… It’s a trusting in ordinary people, not people who are powerful, but ordinary people.” – Marshall Saunders
Episode Highlights
00:03:45 – Marshall Saunders' early life as a businessman, paving parking lots and living a life of separateness.
00:10:15 – A transformative personal growth workshop that led Saunders to care deeply about the world around him.
00:18:30 – Founding Citizens Climate Lobby and the innovative, citizen-driven advocacy model Saunders championed.
00:24:50 – The “carbon fee and dividend” plan: a market-based approach to climate action with bipartisan appeal.
00:30:40 – The growth of CCL and its influence on climate policy, thanks to thousands of dedicated volunteers.
Call to Action
Want to learn how you can get involved in bipartisan climate solutions? Visit cclusa.org/action. If you enjoyed this episode, please share it with friends or on social media. Every share helps inspire more people to take meaningful action on climate change.
Join the Conversation
Engage with other listeners and share your thoughts on our social media channels. Follow and connect with us on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and TikTok.
Tune in next month for more inspiring stories, expert insights, and actionable climate solutions. Together, we can make a difference, one story at a time.
We Want to Hear from You
Email: radio @ citizensclimate.org
Text/Voicemail: 619-512-9646 (+1 if calling from outside the USA.)
Credits
Research: Horace Mo Mo, Lily Rushen, Peterson Toscano
Editorial Assistance: Flannery Winchester, Elise Silvestri, Brett Cease
Production: Peterson Toscano, Elise Silvestri
Music: Our theme music is Chasing Stories by Elise Silvestri—other music by Epidemic Sound.

Hot Mess Two: Strange But True: Marshall Saunders, From Paving Parking Lots to Climate Advocacy

In a world increasingly affected by climate change and environmental disasters, the need for innovative and sustainable solutions has never been more urgent. In this episode, we welcome back John Allen, co-founder of the Birdhouse [https://atthebirdhouse.org/], a community garden and regenerative community organization located just below the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles. 


Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url 


We discuss the pressing need for regenerative development in every aspect of our collaboration with nature and community in this massive city and beyond, especially in the wake of recent climate disasters in Los Angeles. Jonny shares his journey from filmmaking to community engagement and the importance of building connections with the land and each other. Discover how local actions can lead to global change, and explore innovative ideas for rebuilding communities in a more sustainable and harmonious way.

Resources:
Jonny Allen Manifesto: Holistic Rebuilding Post-Fire in LA | Shared Grok Conversation [https://grok.com/share/bGVnYWN5_1beecb1c-764c-445e-98e2-8934351965cc]


The BirdHouse on EcoJustice Radio in 2020: https://wilderutopia.com/sustainability/the-birdhouse-reconnecting-people-place-through-arts-ecology/ 


Replant the Forest Festival: https://soundcloud.com/socal350/replant-the-forest-festival-merging-art-music-restoration 



John Allen, with his wife Bella LeNestour Co-Founded the BirdHouse, a community generating organization [https://atthebirdhouse.org/]. He has a 10 year history of community building, educational programs, and ecosystem restoration. They are the first urban Ecosystem Restoration Community (ERC) [https://www.ecosystemrestorationcommunities.org/], a global network, and have incubated projects such as the Hollywood Orchard [https://www.hollywoodorchard.org/], the Soil Sponge Collective [https://www.soilspongecollective.org/], the Band of Singers, Water Stories [https://www.waterstories.com/] and Replant the Forest Festival. They have nurtured relationships with Tongva-Gabrielino providing cultural bridges and learning opportunities. They’ve hosted the LA Permaculture Academy and offer hands-on opportunities on the ‘mosaic’ of parcels they’ve stewarded throughout various communities. Their latest project is a planned regenerative farm and intentional community along the Santa Clara River north of Los Angeles.




Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate organizer, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes a column on PBS SoCal called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs.




Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ 
Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ 
Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio
PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url  


Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt
Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats
Episode 261
Photo credit: Bella Le Nestour



Fire, Soil, and Community: Rethinking Our Relationship with Nature

EcoJustice Radio presents environmental and climate stories from a social justice frame, featuring voices not necessarily heard on mainstream media.

Our purpose is to amplify community voices, broaden the reach of grassroots-based movements, and inspire action. We investigate solutions for social, environmental, and climate issues with an eye to advance human health, steward wild landscapes, and solve the climate crisis across the USA and the world.

Featured weekly on KPFK Los Angeles and KPFT Houston, and found on all major podcast apps. We are nationally syndicated through the Pacifica Network and PRX and heard on public radio stations across the US and downloaded in over 25 countries.

Co-hosts Jack Eidt, Carry Kim, and Jessica Aldridge present a broad range of perspectives: land defenders and water protectors; Indigenous leaders, front/fenceline community spokespeople; youth organizers; ecosystem and land stewards; regenerative farmers and permaculture specialists; spiritual and faith leaders; environmental health advocates and practitioners; documentary filmmakers; climate scientists; and political decision makers.

EcoJustice Radio [http://EcoJusticeRadio.org] is produced by SoCal350.org since 2017. 

Tune in live to KPFK Radio Thursdays from 4 to 5 PM (PT) at 90.7 FM Los Angeles, 98.7 FM Santa Barbara, 93.7 FM North San Diego, 99.5 FM Ridgecrest-China Lake, or KPFK.org. 

We also are featured on KPFT Houston from 4 to 5 PM (CT) at 90.1 FM or KPFT.org and other public radio stations on the Pacifica Network.

A monthly podcast for climate advocates hosted by Peterson Toscano & the CCR Team, high school and college-aged climate change action figures. We help you talk about global warming: its causes & impacts.

New tracks tagged #climate change solutions