The SustainUW Podcast

In the fourth episode of the SustainUW Podcast's new miniseries, Sustainability Conversations across the Big Ten, hosts Ren Nickel and Nate Dancer meet with Kate Nelson, John Gardner, Ahnika Seifert, Carley Rice, and Hannah Lauber, representing multiple areas of sustainability from the University of Minnesota, to discuss their zero-waste initiatives, composting, and more. SustainUW members John Ernst and Nate Dancer also sit down with Travis Blomberg, Campus Resource Coordinator at the UW-Madison Office of Sustainability, to discuss UW-Madison's journey through zero-waste initiatives and the collaborative effort it takes to implement composting on campus.

In the second episode of the SustainUW Podcast's new miniseries, Sustainability Conversations across the Big Ten, hosts John Ernst and Ren Nickel meet with Angela Oberg from the Rutgers University Office of Climate Action to discuss Rutgers' sustainability-related internships, ambassador programs, and other student involvement opportunities. The team also sits down with Tim Lindstrom, the Student Intern Program Manager at the UW–Madison Office of Sustainability to discuss UW–Madison's campus sustainability internship program.

Join Brynne, Audrey, and Clean Wisconsin Communications Director Amy Barrilleaux for a conversation about the environmental, ethical, and social considerations related to the growth of artificial intelligence and its supporting infrastructure in Wisconsin. Their discussion challenges us to think critically about AI, the ways in which has become integrated into our daily lives, and whether it's possible for this emergent and disruptive technology to mature into a just and sustainable system.

In this special episode, SustainUW and Edge Effects collaborate to discuss the history of Earth Day in the United States, bring a glimpse of Earth Fest celebrations on the University of Wisconsin–Madison campus, and underline the importance of embracing environmental protection beyond just April 22. The episode includes an interview with Jim Feldman, director of the Environmental Studies program at the University of Wisconsin–Oshkosh.This episode was created and recorded in collaboration with Edge Effects digital magazine at the UW–Madison Center for Culture, History, and Environment. Special thanks to the Edge Effects team including Managing Editor Brianna Meyer for their work in making this episode possible.

Office of Sustainability interns Aiden Culver, Audrey Davies, and Giann Abang are excited to bring you an episode in which they learn about the growing interest in agrivoltaics at UW–Madison. Aiden and Giann leave the podcast studio to visit the new solar installation site at the UW–Madison Kegonsa Research Campus. After that, Aiden and Audrey have conversations with two local experts: Will Fulwider, a UW Extension employee, and Victoria Salerno, a graduate student and Office of Sustainability employee.

Dive into conservation stewardship in Wisconsin with hosts Kylie Schedler and Rory Tevlin, as they sit down with John Sinclair, a dedicated Conservation Warden for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. In this episode, we explore the profound connection between humans and wildlife through John's experiences of protection and preservation. Tune in for an inspiring discussion that celebrates the beauty of nature and the tireless efforts of those who defend it. For more information about the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, please click here.

In the face of climate change, the future for our planet can look bleak. But Project Drawdown Executive Director Jon Foley stays hopeful by focusing on tangible, science-backed solutions that will actually work. Join hosts Britta Wellenstein and Brynne Hill as they talk to Foley about Project Drawdown, the climate solutions roadmap, and the bright future that might just be within reach. Foley visited Madison as a part of Earth Fest. You can learn more about Project Drawdown here.

Curious about what defines organic food and how it impacts our planet, nutrition, and well-being? In this episode of the SustainUW Podcast, host Rory Tevlin and her classmates, Tess Wadsworth and Maya Herzog, explore the intricacies of organic agriculture. From health benefits and access to equity and sustainability, tune in to discover compelling reasons why organic produce should grace your plate and how to get involved with organic agriculture on the UW–Madison campus! To learn more about the organizations mentioned in this episode, click the links below: SlowFood UW The People’s Farm OGRAIN

In this episode of the SustainUW Podcast, host Kylie Schedler speaks with the three winners of the second annual UW–Madison Sustainability Writing Awards: Hailey Sewell, who reflected on a memorable snowfall as a child and pondered the future of our climate; Scott Hershberger, who painted the scene of a conversation between himself, an Eastern Wood-Pewee, and a honey locust tree; and Madelyn Anderson, who celebrated the discovery of a Rusty Patched Bumble Bee hive and highlighted the importance of recognizing small wins. The ⁠UW–Madison Sustainability Writing Awards⁠ are intended to inspire conversations about how writing can bring together people with different experiences to reflect and act within the context of the global climate crisis. Thanks to the generosity of donors, the Office of Sustainability offered three scholarships in the fall of 2023 to undergraduate, graduate, and professional students who submitted essays on the topic of resolution. The topic encouraged writers to ponder the past, analyze the present, and imagine the future of our planet.

RENEW Wisconsin is a nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering a resilient, thriving Wisconsin by championing the progress of renewable energy through impactful policy and program work. In this episode of the SustainUW Podcast, hosts Rory Tevlin and Bailey Tomsich chat with RENEW Wisconsin’s Communications Manager, Alex Beld, and Emerging Technology Director, Francisco Sayu. Join them as they discuss the EPA Clean Bus Program, an exciting initiative that allows school districts in all 50 states to replace old diesel buses with new electric buses, often at no cost. From reducing emissions to cultivating cleaner and more efficient transportation, tune in to discover how RENEW is driving change and creating a more sustainable future for all Wisconsinites! To learn more about the application process of the EPA Clean Bus Program, click here.

This summer, the weather dominated: wildfires, hazardous air quality, and extreme heat affected people across the country. In this episode, we try to figure out what happened and what the wild weather means for Wisconsin. Listen in as Britta Wellenstein and Rory Tevlin speak to Tracey Holloway, an air quality researcher at UW-Madison and the Leader of the NASA Health and Air Quality Applied Sciences Team. We explore the Canadian wildfires, ozone and smoke in Madison, and steps for moving forward.

Greta Gerwig's blockbuster sensation, "Barbie," has been the talk of the town since well before its release. Having grossed over $1.3 billion as of August 2023, there is no question that audiences are enamored with the film. But "Barbie" also has its detractors, who critique its treatment of gender and its uneasy relationship with consumerism, among other things. In this episode of the SustainUW Podcast, intern Barbies Rory Tevlin, Britta Wellenstein, and Brynne Hill explore the movie in depth, from their own experiences in the theater to questions about feminism, product placement, patriarchy, and what it means to be "Kenough."