30. Ecology Beyond Data: Emotion, Storytelling, and Systems Change
From In Our Backyard Podcast by Jenn Galler
March 20, 2026 · 30 min · Season 8 · Episode 30
About this episode
Bill Powers discusses his book 'Ripple' and the intersection of personal stories and environmental issues.
I’m joined by Bill Powers from Living Well Collaborative with Earth Island Institute, an organization based in Bolivia. Bill is an author, ecologist, and storyteller whose work bridges the personal and the environment in a way that feels hopeful. We’re here to talk about his book Ripple: An Intimate Exchange of Urgency and Hope Between An Ecologist Dad and His Daughter . Through a series of heartfelt letters, Bill weaves together reflections on the environmental crises we face with a deeply personal dialogue about love, responsibility, and the future. In this conversation, we’ll explore the core ideas behind Ripple , from the “Story of Separation” that shapes modern life, to what it really means to reintegrate with the natural world. We'll also talk about the balance between urgency and hope and how storytelling itself can become a powerful force for change.
People in this episode
Host: Jenn Galler
Guest: Bill Powers
Topics covered
- ecology
- storytelling
- environmental crises
- hope
- personal dialogue
- systems change
Keywords
- ecologist
- storytelling
- environment
- hope
- crises
- personal dialogue
- systems change
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Living Well Collaborative, Earth Island Institute
Books & works: Ripple: An Intimate Exchange of Urgency and Hope Between An Ecologist Dad and His Daughter
Places: Bolivia
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