
ENCORE: Taylor Brorby and Suzie Hicks Tell The Stories We Don’t Always Hear
From Climate One by Climate One from The Commonwealth Club
April 24, 2026 · 57 min
About this episode
Taylor Brorby and Suzie Hicks share their unique journeys in climate action and storytelling.
Finding one's voice in climate action can come in many forms. Author and activist Taylor Brorby grew up in Center, North Dakota as a fourth-generation member of a fossil-fuel family. He struggled to find his place as a young gay kid who loved art, music, nature and poetry. Over time, he turned that tension into writing that challenges the fossil fuel industry, makes space for others stuck in a broken system, and inspires a more just future. Suzie Hicks felt the weight of climate concerns but after college, didn’t know what to do with those feelings. After doing an internship at the New England Aquarium, they realized they could merge their love of performing with a career focused on climate. With the help of a sunflower puppet named Sprout, Suzie created a children’s show that teaches kids about climate change through a frame of possibility and hope, not doom and gloom. Guests Taylor Brorby, Activist, Author, “Boys and Oil: Growing Up Gay in a Fractured Land” Suzie Hicks, Climate Media Maker and Educator For show notes, transcript, and related links, visit ClimateOne.org/podcasts. 00:00 – Intro 02:20 – Taylor Brorby describes the N.D. town where he grew up 05:00 – What he learned…
People in this episode
Guests: Taylor Brorby, Suzie Hicks
Topics covered
- climate action
- personal stories
- environmental writing
- queer identity
- children's education
- activism
Keywords
- climate change
- activism
- storytelling
- environmental education
- queer writers
- fossil fuels
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: New England Aquarium
Books & works: Boys and Oil: Growing Up Gay in a Fractured Land
Places: North Dakota
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