A brief of what you'll hear by tuning into our conversation on the climate issues we're facing and helping us find, share and gain knowledge.

Green Rapids - Teaser

Hello! Welcome to the first episode of Green Rapids. In this episode, you'll meet your hosts and get an overview of what this podcast will be about. Episodes will be released biweekly on Wednesdays. Thanks for tuning in!

Episode 1: Introduction

Starting the conversation about what climate change is, what has sparked the changes we're seeing in the environment today and what we can do to combat those changes with our daily decisions.

Climate Change 101 - part 1

Part two of our conversation about what climate change is, what has sparked the changes we're seeing in the environment today and what we can do to combat those changes with our daily decisions.

Climate Change 101- part 2

Our first interview! A conversation with our colleague Sergio Cira-Reyes from the Urban Core Collective of Grand Rapids. We're talking energy justice, how it effects us here and Michigan and who it impacts the most.

Save Your Energy with Sergio Cira-Reyes

A deeper dive into what climate justice means and who faces the largest impacts of those changes. Highlighting commonly used terms and issues upon us as a city and a country as a whole.

Climate Justice 101

We talk with Regional Coordinators  Abigail Barker Wesley Watson from the Michigan League of Conservation Voters. They give us a dive into the world of PFAS/PFOS and what it looks like to have the environment were "swimming in".

Don't Swim Here - What is PFAS/PFOS with Abigail Barker & Wesley Watson

Nancy and Erica discuss some of their favorite ways to send some love letters to Mother Earth. Highlighting solutions from experts, and grassroots environmentalists. A reminder that we can build onto our actions to make a larger impact every day.

It's the Little Things - Sustainability & Solutions

A conversation with local organizer Janet Zahn, Co-chair with the Grand Rapids Climate Coalition, one of the largest climate based organizations in West Michigan. We learn a brief history of how they were formed and some of the important work they are doing to create effective changes in our environment.

Getting a Degree from GRCC

Nancy and Erica talk about the importance of our National Parks and preserved land in the United States while also touching on the history of how we acquired the land we cherish today. A way to acknowledge and become more aware of the path we took to get where we are today and how to pave a more sustainable path for our future for everyone.

National "Perks"

Let's get real about Women -  a conversation about the social, cultural and behavioral climate we live in and how women are not only impacted but also leading the causes to change our environments for the better. Climate Baddies do it best.

That's What She Said - Women in Climate

Nancy and Erica talk about shopping culture, consumerism and where it all stems from. Giving a history on how we got buried in our "stuff" and how we might be able to dig our way out and into a more simple, greener lifestyle.

Killing the Shopping Game

Nancy and Erica get to know Ned Andre and C4 a little better, diving deeper into the sea of the climate issue, here in Grand Rapids and across the world.  Along the way we explore how building community can aid in climate change solutions.

Beyond The "C"4 - with Ned Andre

Nancy and Erica swim through the "body" of the water conversation with Carlos Calderon from the West Michigan Environmental Action Council. He dives deep into the water cycle, how we impact it now and what we can do to reverse some of the more harmful impacts on our city.

Soak it All In - with Carlos Calderon

Wende Randall of Kent County Essential Needs Task Force bares the essentials about the behind scenes of organizing in Grand Rapids. She helps us understand the systems backing the systems we use to service the community and how we can utilize them to create a better mold for our future foundation.

Baring the Essentials with Wende Randall

Have you noticed that most of Michigan is bound by an energy monopoly? Join us on this blast to the past to understand how we got here; and how we can look to our history to create a world that runs on cleaner, community-owned power!

Past, Power, Present

Nancy and Erica take a ride down the Green Rapids and reflect on the "climate" of the summer. As the seasons change, we continue to fight for the shifts happening in our environment, with hibernation in mind. Sit back and chill with us this week!

Chillin in the Rapids

Nancy and Erica give their take on what it means to feel safe as a pedestrian but also a vital piece of society, as we all are. From walking to biking, busses and trains, getting around your city should not have to mean sitting in traffic. Remember, you are not sitting in traffic, you ARE the traffic! Together let's highlight pedestrian safety this month!

You Are the Traffic

Nancy and Erica rap up their first season with a conversation about the environmental impacts the US Department of Defense is responsible for. They take a deeper look into where emissions come from and why war leaves more than an emotional or traumatic stain on communities all across the world. The fight for a cleaner more just world cannot end while their wars fuel destruction of our planet.

Their War, Our Fight!

Nancy and Erica are back!! Join our conversation - covering highlights from szn 1, what we've been working on while gone and exciting things to come! 

Get ready for even MORE interviews, canid moments and lots of laughs. We hope you enjoy szn 2 with Green Rapids! So happy to be back :)

Back in Green

Nancy and Erica break down the very first Earth Day, how it began and how we can continue to bring that same energy into our day to day lives. Learn about some of our favorite local and sustainable stops in Grand Rapids to bring in National "Mom and Pop" (local) Business Day - March 29th. Shop local, shop green!

Greening the Rapids - Earth Month in GR

Erica shares her insight on the current status of Enbridge's Line 5. If you’re not sure what Line 5 is, you came to the right place! Nancy and Erica chat about the history of Line 5 and talk about the pros and cons of it. Let’s just say theres more than just water under the Mackinac Bridge.

More than Water Under the Bridge

Nancy and Erica talk junk this episode - specifically around junk emails and how our reliance on the "cloud" is impacting our environment. Plug into our episode about unplugging & unsubscribing to clean up the mess our junk actually makes

Head in the Cloud

Nancy and Erica get into the weeds of Community Development in Detroit with Marco Allegretti from Joy Southfield CDC. He digs deep into his experience with AmeriCorps, biking us through his journey across the US; working in rural and urban areas facing the worst of climate and economic impacts we see today. Plant yourself somewhere comfortable to sow some knowledge and grow with us!

Growing with Joy - with Marco Allegretti

You CAN sip with us! Nancy and Erica dish about climate cafés and it's piping hot! They spill details on how they're foamed and the history behind spices to gather when life gets tough. You may even learn about a climate café near you 👀 Sit back with a warm (or iced) cup of your favorite drink and join the conversation!

The Tea on Climate Cafés

Float along the Green Rapids stream with us! Nancy and Erica are catching waves along the LGROW flow with Robert Cloy. We learn more about the GRANDest River in Michigan, urban water spaces and how you can tap into becoming an advocate!

The LGROW Flow - with Robert Cloy

Nancy and Erica invite you to power up! We're talking about the Michigan Public Service Commission, who they are and why some may blow a fuse after leaving a meeting with them. They may hold the seat but collectively, the people hold the power!

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