Shows
Stories for ActionThe City of Whitefish; planning in the midst of class gentrification in MontanaThis is a follow-up episode to our 2024 episode on Housing in Montana. In that episode, we covered various facets of the housing crisis, to show the complexities that exist and paths of action forward. In the episode, we looked at the process that Whitefish was taking to update their growth policy, with the housing crisis and growing pains being especially heightened there, as it has fully become a resort town, pushing working class locals out.
Whitefish has been going through a thorough public input process over the past year, to inform the growth policy. Recently, a small s...2025-06-0444 minStories for ActionThe Sober Life: Recovery through community, in Montana & beyondAddiction intersects with nearly all of our lives - directly or indirectly. Whether it's alcohol, pills, or other forms of drugs, addiction not only impacts the individual, but is felt through entire communities, having an immense impact on human life, economies, medical services, and more. But current mainstream pathways for addiction recovery in the U.S. are costly and can perpetuate vicious cycles of addiction.
In this episode, we look at the topic of addiction and improved pathways to recovery, by focusing on the organization Alliance for Youth and one of their programs, The Sober Life, based...2025-03-041h 39Stories for ActionRivers, Community, & a Call for ReconnectionIn this episode, we hear about different community-guided and collaborative efforts taking place around river health (and therefore the well-being of the land and people), in the region of Missoula, Montana. You'll hear from those whose lives connect to these rivers; to inspire ways for folks to engage, but also to gain insight to all of the moving parts that contribute to a healthy community and watershed.
This episode is the recording of a panel and community discussion we hosted after a screening of the film Life in the Land: The Upper Yellowstone River in Missoula in N...2025-02-1157 minStories for ActionIn the Nation of Timor-Leste: Witnessing renewal & reconnectionIn the Summer of 2024, I was fortunate to visit the country of Timor-Leste, in Southeast Asia. This trip was through a professional exchange program hosted by The Mansfield Center and the Department of State. I worked with a local filmmaker in Timor-Leste, Salvador de Jesus, to host workshops for youth about filmmaking & elevating story for advocacy purposes.
This episode shares about this time…including perspectives shared by Timorese people and my own perspectives gained from this mere glimpse into a place…glimpses of cultural revival and cultural evolution, human/environment relationships, stories of resistance to oppression and figh...2025-01-301h 39Stories for ActionFood Security in MT: the whole system from producer to consumer accessIn Montana, 1 out of 9 people (and 1 in 6 children) are food insecure, meaning they lack access to enough food to lead a healthy life, or don’t even know where their next meal is coming from. This lack of access can be financial or physical, for those who are in rural areas far from delivery routes. We know that food is essential for life and therefore essential for our communities to thrive. So how do we improve this access…for those who are in a tight financial position, or to support our local farmers & ranchers in order to build momentum for...2024-12-291h 59Stories for ActionHousing in MontanaIn the past 5 years, Montana's average home price has gone up 71%, while the average income has only increased 25%. The lack of housing, and that which is attainable for working class residents, is creating a crisis for residents, employers, local economies, public health, community well-being...everything. In this episode, we hear from seven people all working in different areas of this topic around Montana, and we aim to provide information and perspectives that encourage us to have more nuanced and proactive outlooks and responses to this topic. We also shine a light on creative actions taking place around the state...2024-07-312h 22Stories for ActionThe Mighty Few, Part 2: Connecting Youth, Identity, Economies, & Community HealthThis is Part 2 of 2 of our episodes on the Mighty Few. We HIGHLY encourage you to first listen to Part 1, as it provides essential context. Part 2 expands on youth empowerment, connections to traditional cultures, and the approaches necessary to move this community development work forward in a good way.
Historically, and still today, the Mighty Few (a District of the Apsáalooke or Crow Nation in Southeast Montana) have proven their name through resourcefulness, determination, and strength in unity. Witness the process of this community strengthening their connection to identity, the land, and community togetherness. Through truly g...2024-05-2855 minStories for ActionThe Mighty Few: Part 1, Community Connection is the FoundationIikooshtaka’atbaatchaache, home of the Mighty Few. Historically, and still today, the Mighty Few (a District of the Apsáalooke or Crow Nation in Southeast Montana) have proven their name through resourcefulness, determination, and strength in unity. Witness the process of this community strengthening their connection to identity, the land, and community togetherness. Through truly grassroots efforts, the Mighty Few are guiding action that creates necessary healing, economic opportunities, and self-determination to thrive into the future. We hope this episode can be used to support the work featured, as well as provide insight for other communities looking to create gre...2024-05-161h 36Stories for ActionThe Upper Yellowstone River: Part 2 - Recreation and a Call for Community ReconnectionAlong this stretch of the Upper Yellowstone River in Montana, various dynamics exist. Hear from a rancher, a river restoration professional, an outdoor recreation business owner, and a Traditional Ecological Knowledge educator who are all deeply connected to this river. Whether the challenge is drought, flood, impact from river recreation, development, or otherwise, witness how approaches that are guided by local communities and by the river itself can create greater resiliency for the people and place here.
This is Part 2 of 2 of our episodes on the Upper Yellowstone River, focusing on the impact from increased river recreation...2024-03-031h 16Stories for ActionThe Upper Yellowstone River: Part 1 - The Floods & Listening to the RiverAlong this stretch of the Upper Yellowstone River in Montana, various dynamics exist. Hear from a rancher, a river restoration professional, an outdoor recreation business owner, and a Traditional Ecological Knowledge educator who are all deeply connected to this river. Whether the challenge is drought, flood, impact from river recreation, development, or otherwise, witness how approaches that are guided by local communities and by the river itself can create greater resiliency for the people and place here.
This is Part 1 of 2 of our episodes on the Upper Yellowstone River, focusing on the historic floods in 2022, the aftermath...2024-02-231h 16Stories for ActionSafe Passages for Wildlife and PeopleWildlife and humans have a need to move across the landscape. But our modern modes of travel have put those necessary pathways at odds with one another. Our highways create barriers for animals to carry out the daily movements and seasonal migrations that are necessary for their survival. For people, crossing paths with an animal on the highway is also a threat to our own safety and a cause for collisions that cost around $8 billion in damages in the U.S. every year.
The topic of wildlife-vehicle collisions lies at the literal intersection of human needs and...2024-02-022h 07Stories for ActionThe Montana Legislative Session from an Indigenous PerspectiveToday we will hear from Patrick Yawakie-Peltier, co-Founder of Red Medicine LLC, an Indigenous civic engagement service based in Montana. Patrick was present throughout Montana's legislative session this year, advocating for and against policy that will impact the state's tribal members. Patrick will share with us his personal experience in the session as an Indigenous person and community advocate, and also his calls for improved engagement and approaches in our state legislative process. Patrick shares messages intended for tribal members to gain information and entry points for advocacy, and also for non-Native folks to gain valuable insight and perspective...2023-07-191h 18Stories for ActionUplifting community & connection through story: Marissa HackettIt seems like these days, if you spend even the slightest amount of time tuned into public events and rhetoric, you become aware of growing divisions...that there is a silent, or sometimes very loud pressure to “pick a side”, narratives and messaging coming from higher levels of public messaging, social media, policymakers, to align, to pit us against them, and sometimes this narrative can grow louder than the moral compass inside our own head.
This episode with Marissa Hackett touches on a lot of things, and I hope that one of them sparks an answer for you...2023-07-051h 37Stories for ActionGenerations Indigenous Ways: Helene Gaddie (Life in the Land series)Helene Gaddie is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Generations Indigenous Ways (GIW). This community based Native nonprofit organization is dedicated to empowering American Indian youth with the knowledge of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education enhanced by Oglala Lakota values and way of life using Indigenous Sciences, operating in the Pine Ridge Reservation area. They host camps in all seasons, which consist of hands on learning that integrates traditional Lakota values and Indigenous Science with Western science, touching on everything from geology, astronomy, ecosystem health, learning modern technologies such as GIS or learning about physics through archery...2023-06-0756 minStories for ActionMessengers for Health in Crow Nation: Alma McCormick (Life in the Land series)Alma McCormick is the Executive Director of Messengers for Health, an organization which holds a mission to foster and support trusted community leaders to improve the health of Apsáalooke (Crow) men, women, and children using solutions that respect and honor Apsáalooke strengths, culture, stories, and language. Messengers for Health began with a focus in cancer prevention for women of the Crow Nation, but their work has expanded to serve Crow women, men, and children, in various aspects of health outreach.
Alma will speak to breaking through cultural stigmas about speaking about cancer and how important it...2023-06-0551 min
The Trail Less TraveledA Life in the Land: Community-guided & holistic approaches within Montana's landscapesLara Tomov is a filmmaker and communications consultant, who keeps her ear to the ground for messages that can improve the well-being of human communities and the ecosystems they're a part of. Her work as a cinematographer has taken her around the world with productions for Travel Channel, Discovery, and independent documentaries. After growing up in the Bitterroot Valley of Montana, then living out of state for a decade, she is happily based back home in Montana. She founded her media brand, Stories for Action, in 2020, which holds a mission to use the power of storytelling to...2023-04-1942 minStories for ActionDaniel Kemmis: The Politics of Place (Life in the Land series)Daniel Kemmis has divided his public career between democratic theory and practice. He has been an active politician, author, and thought leader on the topics of community guided governance and decision making based upon citizens’ rooted connection to place.
Kemmis grew up on a small family farm in Eastern Montana, attended Harvard University, and the University of Montana’s School of Law. Kemmis served in the Montana House of Representatives from 1974 to 1984, rising to be Speaker of the House. He went on to become the Mayor of Missoula from 1990-96. Utne Reader recognized Kemmis as one of its...2023-04-181h 12Stories for ActionCreating Community and Representation in Outdoor RecreationThis episode hears from Alex Kim, a Korean American, who in 2020 founded the social enterprise Here Montana. Here Montana works to increase representation and inclusivity for People of Color and intersecting communities in outdoor spaces and recreational activities in Montana. It also works to develop personal and professional leaders in these spaces. Here Montana operates on the values of community, education, engagement, and joy to create opportunities for connection, fun, and healing that nature can provide. This episode has messages for those seeking community, those who may need a perspective shift, and folks interested in starting up their own...2023-03-0845 min
Reframing RuralSeason 3 Bonus Episode: Stories for Action, "Strengthening Community in a Changing Montana"In this bonus episode Stories for Action podcast host Lara Tomov explores how the pressures of rapid growth and development are affecting Montanans, and how community groups like Trust Montana, Successful Gardiner and Reimagining Rural are working to maintain vibrant communities where all Montanans can thrive.2022-12-211h 30Stories for ActionReframing Rural: Sarah Vogel, the Farmer’s LawyerFor this episode of Stories for Action, we did an "episode swap" with the Reframing Rural podcast, hosted and produced by Megan Torgerson. While they graciously are airing one of Stories for Action's episodes on their feed, we are airing this first episode of Reframing Rural's third season. In it, Megan speaks with Sarah Vogel, attorney and author of "The Farmer's Lawyer: The North Dakota Nine and the Fight to Save the Family Farm." Sarah shares about her experience taking on the U.S. Government in a class action lawsuit brought forward by 240,000 farmers who were facing foreclosure in...2022-12-141h 05Stories for ActionElk and the Devil’s Kitchen Management Team (Life in the Land series)Elk are essential components to a healthy ecosystem, and food source for many. They can also create some very complex dynamics, some that can get tense. In this episode we are focusing on the intersection of ranchers and landowners, elk populations, hunters, and wildlife biologists and agencies involved in guiding management of wildlife herds. This episode is for those directly involved (ranchers, agency, hunters, wildlife enthusiasts) and beyond as there are messages that speak to anyone involved in getting folks in a room together to work out problems, or who may be jaded with our polarized society and need...2022-10-1952 minStories for ActionGravel Pits and the Public Losing Their VoiceIt could pop up in that field next to your home, or kid’s school, or elk migration corridor…and newly passed laws in Montana have made it that much easier for it to happen without input or transparency with the public. Gravel pits, or open cut mines…they may seem benign, but when you hear about how much this could effect you, your health, your well water, aquifers, the wildlife, it may make you wonder why more people aren’t talking about them. This episode will inform you about the impacts of open cut mines and inform and equip yo...2022-10-081h 37Stories for ActionOld Salt Co-Op: Strengthening community and land stewardship through food (Life in the Land series)Today we are speaking with Cole Mannix, one of the founders of Old Salt Co-op, a Montana entity with growing avenues of operations to rebuild infrastructure for Montana’s meat…but their work goes well beyond the meat itself with a mission to connect customers and producers in a shared purpose; to be stewards of the land, and to strengthen community. This conversation with Cole will touch on so many larger concepts that go well beyond meat and well beyond Montana…because what the team of ranchers, chefs, butchers, and entrepreneurs behind Old Salt are building, centers around something much d...2022-08-2559 minStories for ActionLife in the Land: MT Fish, Wildlife, & Parks’ Mike Ruggles; agency partnerships in Central MontanaMike Ruggles is the Region 5 Supervisor for Montana Fish, Wildlife, and Parks. Mike has spent much of the last 10+years in the field working with wildlife and communities connected to the Musselshell River in Central Montana. The 350 miles of the Musselshell River flows through a great deal of agricultural lands, supports migratory birds and a variety of aquatic species, and has experienced a great deal of channelization over the past 150 years due to infrastructure for highways, mining, railroad, and irrigation.
Mike will speak with us about the significance of agency positions creating relationships with folks on the...2022-07-1930 minStories for ActionLife in the Land: Rancher & Community-led Conservation; Bud and Sheila WalshWe are on the Walsh Ranch, speaking with Bud and Sheila Walsh, in Central Montana on the edge of the Fort Belknap Reservation. Many elements are dependent on the health of these grasslands; they provide key wildlife corridors, are key for regional watersheds, carbon sequestration, and the health of this region supports hardworking communities largely centered around cattle ranching. These folks take great pride in producing quality food for the world, in ways that can also steward the land.
Here in Central Montana, there are several partnerships being formed, many non-traditional, which Bud and Sheila Walsh are...2022-06-301h 03Stories for ActionLife in the Land: Blackfeet Nation, Joe and Kathy Kipp, Stewardship as a rancher and community advocacyJoe and Kathy Kipp, of The Blackfeet Nation, Amskapi Piikani, are always on the move; always busy with a variety of things, as cattle ranchers, advocates, parents, grandparents, and so much more. They live outside of Browning, Montana in the heart of Blackfeet Country, on the Blackfeet Reservation in Northwest Montana. As they are involved in so much, you will hear about a variety of topics in this episode.
Joe will speak with us about the importance of stewarding native grasslands, as a rancher and as Amskapi Piikani, his people’s connection to this land, and his ex...2022-06-091h 03Stories for ActionLife in the Land: Bill Milton (Rancher), Collaborative Work & Resiliency, Central Montana PlainsBill Milton and his wife Dana run a cattle ranch just northeast of Roundup in Central Montana. Bill and Dana have always strived to find symbiotic relationships amongst all life on the land, and this means being involved in a lot of efforts that involve collaboration between agriculture, agency, and conservation interests.
Bill will share with us about the realities of what ranchers are up against and ways he sees resiliency being built for people and place. He speaks to the value and urgency in working collaboratively, creatively, and having honest dialogue around the shared challenges and...2022-06-091h 22Stories for ActionLife in the Land: Big Hole Valley: Pedro Marques, Big Hole Watershed CommitteePedro Marques, who has an ecology and landscape-scale restoration background, is Executive Director of the Big Hole Watershed Committee (BHWC). This organization brings together a variety of stakeholders; ranchers, anglers, agencies, scientists, community leaders, and more to collectively address challenges and benefit the health of the communities and ecosystems of the Big Hole Watershed in Southwest Montana.
Pedro speaks with us about the importance of bringing varied perspectives together, and how local solutions can address relatable pressures that are being felt around the world; droughts, increased demands on waterways, sustainability of local agriculture, wildlife habitat loss, and...2022-06-0755 minStories for ActionLife in the Land: Laura Nowlin; Rancher, Winnett ACES, Musselshell Watershed CoalitionLaura Nowlin grew up on her family’s ranch in Winnett, MT, in the prairies and coulees of Central Montana. After a decade away, Laura returned home and continues her family's tradition as a cattle rancher. Her passion and heart is clearly tied to not only the land and waters here, but the community of Winnett. Laura speaks to her involvements with locally led organization Winnett ACES, whose holistic approach touches on everything from ranch viability, ecosystem health, and reviving old buildings to serve the needs of the community.
She also speaks to her work with the Mus...2022-06-031h 07Stories for ActionLife in the Land: Big Hole Valley, USFWS Partners Program, Jim MageeJim Magee is a biologist for the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service's Partners for Fish & Wildlife Program in the Big Hole Valley of Southwest Montana. The Partner Program provides free technical and financial assistance to landowners, managers, tribes, corporations, schools and nonprofits interested in improving wildlife habitat on their land.
For the past 28 years, Jim has been an active part of the Big Hole Watershed Committee, which brings together a variety of voices from the Valley to lead programs and provide resources to benefit the land and communities of the Big Hole Watershed.
Jim s...2022-06-0331 minStories for ActionLife in the Land: Big Hole Valley, Range Rider Chet RobertsonChet Robertson is a Range Rider in the Big Hole Valley on behalf of the Big Hole Watershed Committee. A Range Rider typically rides amongst the cattle, to keep an eye on the livestock, watch for medical issues, monitor when they need to move to new ground to prevent overgrazing, and to prevent conflict with predators. Whereas most Range Riders ride the cattle, Chet is unique in that he rides the predators, primarily wolves. As a tracker, he keeps a close connection with the area packs, to predict their movements, and to discourage their presence around grazing areas. Chet...2022-06-0332 minStories for ActionLife in the Land: Big Hole Valley; Eric Thorson (fly fishing guide), Liz Jones (rancher)The communities of the Big Hole Valley depend on the economies of ranching and fly fishing. In this episode, we hear from two members of the Big Hole Watershed Committee from each of those industries.
Eric Thorson owns Sunrise Fly Shop in Melrose, MT and speaks to the significance of fly fishing in the Big Hole as an economic driver and a catalyst for conservation. He also speaks to the impacts on the fishery from a changing climate.
Liz Jones is a rancher in Wise River, MT and was a founding member of the Watershed...2022-06-0338 minStories for ActionLife in the Land: Blackfeet Nation: Piikani Lodge Health Institute; Kim PaulPiikani Lodge Health Institute (PLHI) is a community-driven organization that integrates traditional lifeways to create resiliency for the people and biosystems of the Blackfeet Nation, in Northwest Montana. They use holistic approaches and the guidance of traditional lifeways to meet community led and community focused needs. They lead programs on the ground and conduct research, integrating both Western and Indigenous Research Methodologies. Their work encompasses climate adaptation, job and career creation, opioid misuse prevention, regenerative grazing, and youth outdoor programs, recognizing the interconnectedness of community well-being with the health of the ecosystem they are a part of, and connecting...2022-05-201h 11Stories for ActionLife in the Land: Blackfeet Nation: Kristen Kipp; Rancher, Mother, and Griz Advisory CouncilKristen Kipp is a member of the Blackfeet Nation, Amskapi Piikani. Kristen is a cattle rancher, a mother, a hunter, an advocate, and so much more. She runs her own cattle operation within her family’s ranch outside of Browning, MT in the heart of Blackfeet Country in Northwest Montana. She works in Producer Outreach for the Piikani Lodge Health Institute and the Blackfeet Nation Stockgrowers Association. Kristen shares about her own connection to the land and role in stewarding it, as Amskapi Piikani, and as a rancher. She also speaks to her experience living in grizzly bear country, th...2022-05-2053 minStories for ActionLife in the Land: Blackfeet Nation: Jesse DesRosier; Blackfeet LanguageJesse DesRosier, Amskapi Piikani, Blackfeet Tribal Member, is a teacher of the Blackfeet Language. He teaches at The Piegan Institute's Cuts Wood School and Blackfeet Community College in Browning, Montana. Jesse is also an artist, a community and cultural advocate, a Veteran, a husband, and father. Jesse shares with us about the intricate connection of the Blackfeet Language to the land and how Blackfeet ways of life are directly embodied in the language. Following two centuries of forceful assimilation policies, the existence of the Blackfeet Language was threatened as of 20 years ago, as there were no young speakers remaining...2022-05-2029 minStories for ActionLife in the Land: Seeley Swan, Caryn Miske, Clearwater Resource CouncilIn this episode we are in the community of Seeley Lake, in Western Montana. We hear from Caryn Miske, the Executive Director of the Clearwater Resource Council, a locally-led entity that works to engage the community and facilitate efforts that enhance, conserve, and sustain the natural resources and rural lifestyle of the Clearwater Watershed for present and future generations. Caryn shares with us about what holistic, community-led work around climate, equity, and environmental quality can look like, the realistic challenges to starting and sustaining a local nonprofit, and as pressures on small towns and wild places increase, why the...2022-05-2033 minStories for ActionLife in the Land: Seeley Swan, Pyramid Mountain LumberWe are in Seeley Lake, a community in the Clearwater Watershed, and an hour north of Missoula, hearing from Gordy Sanders (Resource Manager) and Wendy Dalrymple (Controller) of Pyramid Mountain Lumber. Pyramid is is the largest employer in Seeley Lake, and the oldest surviving family owned lumber mill in Montana.
Gordy and Wendy speak with us about what it can look like when a natural resource industry approaches its work through a stewardship lens; not only going above its expected duties as a lumber mill to be involved in work that benefits the greater ecosystem, but also...2022-05-2040 minStories for ActionLife in the Land: CSKT Forestry Division (Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes)In this episode, we are on the Flathead Reservation in Western Montana, speaking with Tony Incashola, Jr., Director of the Tribal Forestry Department for the Confederated Salish & Kootenai Tribes (CSKT), and Ron Swaney and Darrell Clairmont of CSKT’s Division of Fire. These interviews are featured in the Life in the Land film on the Seeley-Swan, as that region was not only significant for the Kalispell, Salish, and Kootenai Tribes for thousands of years, but today, the jurisdiction line between Tribal management and U.S. Forest Service follows the ridgeline of the Mission Mountains.
For over a ce...2022-05-2037 minStories for ActionLife in the Land: Timothy Ryan, Cultural Educator Mission Mountain Youth Crew, Salish Kootenai CollegeIn this episode we are speaking with Timothy Ryan, Salish tribal member, cultural educator, and Department Head for the Salish Kootenai College’s Culture and Language Studies Department. We are on the banks of the Flathead River, on the ancestral homelands of the Salish, Kootenai, and Kalispell Peoples in what is now known as Western Montana. Tim speaks about connections to this land, here, in the Seeley-Swan, and well beyond in the ancestral homelands of the tribes. He speaks to the sense of place, which all of humanity can learn from, Indigenous worldviews, and the ways he sees his co...2022-05-2050 minStories for ActionLife in the Land: Seeley Swan, Rebecca Ramsey, Swan Valley ConnectionsWe are in the Swan Valley of Northwest Montana, hearing from Rebecca Ramsey, Executive Director of Swan Valley Connections. SVC is a locally-led organization with a mission to inspire conservation and expand stewardship in the Swan Valley. SVC really dials into the holistic values of stewardship; of connecting people to their environment, in ways that directly benefit the health of the local communities. In this conversation, Rebecca shares with us about the critical nature of listening to folks on the ground within rural communities and successes and challenges of working with varied interests, which creates insight for those thinking...2022-05-1954 minStories for ActionLife in the Land: Blackfeet Nation, Lauren Monroe Jr., BF Tribal Business CouncilIn today’s episode, we hear from Lauren Monroe Jr., Amskapi Piikani, of the Blackfeet Nation. Lauren serves as Vice Chairman of the Blackfeet Tribal Business Council. He is also an artist, a film director, and worked for Blackfeet Nation Fish and Wildlife Department.
Lauren speaks with us about his own connection to the land, the critical nature of having Blackfeet leadership in regional land management, including the stewardship of the Badger-Two Medicine. Lauren also shares the hope he holds for his community, seeing them move forward in ways that carry on traditional connections and life ways, for...2022-03-3142 minStories for ActionLife in the Land: Big Hole Valley, Rancher Jim HagenbarthJim Hagenbarth is a cattle rancher near Glen, Montana, in the Big Hole Valley. Jim tells us what he wants the public to know about a rancher's role as a steward of the land, the success and challenges of collaborative work, and the impacts of droughts, not only to ranchers, but on the sustainability of open space and connected ecosystems.
The Life in the Land project is a series of films and podcasts that share the success of collaborative, locally-led work on the land, as well as share the nuance in how to hold healthy relationships with...2022-02-2138 min
Locals Share Green ActionLara Tomov, Director/Founder of “Stories for Action”, a Media Hub for Positive Change Lara Tomov has always been drawn to sharing experiences with others to connect people and place. She has worked in the film and television world for over a decade, primarily as a cinematographer. This work has taken her around the world, from peaks to ocean depths, for documentaries and television networks such as Discovery and Travel Channel. She has also worked with organizations such as The Nature Conservancy and Environment America. Last year she started up her own media brand, “Stories for Action”, with a mission to use visual and audio storytelling to create connections for healthy environments and comm...2022-01-0447 minStories for ActionIndigenous self-determination through political advocacy & food sovereignty: Patrick YawakiePatrick Yawakie is on a path to address as many angles that move forward Indigenous self-determination and empowerment as possible.
He lives on the Flathead Reservation in Western Montana. Originally from Minnesota, Patrick is of Zuni-Pueblo, Turtle Mountain Anishinabe, Fort Peck Assiniboine Sioux, and White Bear Nakoda Cree descent.
Patrick and his wife, Regina MadPlume founded the People’s Food Sovereignty Program, a Native led, grassroots organization that promotes food sovereignty and self-determination for the tribal members living on the Flathead Reservation. Along with Alissa Snow, he co-founded Red Medicine LLC, which provides professional civic engagement res...2021-12-0849 minStories for ActionStrengthening Community in a Changing MontanaToday’s episode looks at changes and pressures being felt in Montana communities, and the importance of community involvement in navigating how this change can occur in a sustainable way. Changes are nothing new for Montana communities, but as you listen to residents from around the state, they know that the changes currently taking place, are a bit more ramped up than before. Trends of folks with higher, out-of-state incomes, moving into Montana have been on the rise for decades, but with the pandemic, these trends are amplified. As housing prices skyrocket, working class local residents are unable to af...2021-10-241h 27Stories for ActionA Just Transition for Black Mesa: Nicole HorseherderIn the 1960’s, Peabody Energy began operating coal mines, and then later coal power generating stations on both the Navajo and Hopi Reservation land. While the coal operations generated jobs and tax revenue for the Navajo and Hopi people, the environmental impact has been astounding.
In this episode we speak with Nicole Horseherder, a Diné woman who lives on the Black Mesa Plateau in Navajo Nation. She is the Executive Director of the group Tó Nizhóní Ání, a Diné term translating to “Sacred Water Speaks". For the past twenty years, the group has served as the eyes, e...2021-07-0554 minStories for ActionA Journey in Organizing for Environmental Justice: Tianna ArredondoTianna Arredondo has been active in organizing for environmental justice since they were a child. Their organizing has ranged from the local community level to international, with groups such as Power Shift Network and SustainUS, where Tianna was a delegate for the UN Climate Negotiations in 2018. Tianna is currently a National Organizer for Environmental Justice at 350, an organization dedicated to advancing a clean energy future for all. Tianna’s role entails supporting local climate advocacy leaders around the country while helping to create a BIPOC led climate justice narrative in these spaces.
Tianna shares their story with us...2021-06-2135 minStories for ActionCrop Swap LA: Transforming lawns into sources of food and empowermentJamiah Hargins is the founder of Crop Swap LA, a social enterprise that will convert lawns and unused spaces into hubs of nutrient-rich food for Los Angeles communities that are the most affected by nutritional food discrimination. What started as a method of connecting neighborhood gardeners to share their extra produce, has grown into a full venture that includes Jamiah and his team literally planting the seeds for community connections and healthy food. Jamiah speaks with us about this work, the challenges and pay-offs of starting up a social enterprise, food justice, and the power of nutritious food to...2021-04-1132 minStories for ActionPublic Health and Climate Change"Every action that we take to decrease emissions and decrease air pollution is going to improve human health...There will be roughly 1.4 million lives saved over improved air quality over the next 20 years. This also results in about $700 billion per year to the US from improved health, which is dramatically more than the cost of implementing the changes necessary to mitigate and prepare for climate change."
In this episode, we speak with Dr.'s Robert and Lori Byron, founders of Montana Health Professionals for a Healthy Climate, about the dramatic health impacts of climate change, the sometimes...2021-03-0930 minStories for ActionA Just Transition: Calls to action from coal communitiesWe are hearing about a "just transition" a lot lately, though calls for it have been coming for decades. As the world is inevitably shifting away from fossil fuels to a more sustainable energy source, a just transition calls to make sure this shift is done as fair, or just, as possible, keeping in mind the impacts and benefits to people.
There are many layers of impact we must look at within this topic, and stories to hear from, but today’s episode will look at what a just transition means for American communities that have be...2021-03-091h 13Stories for ActionRising Up for Environmental Justice in LouisianaSt. James Parish, an area an hour west of New Orleans, was once a landscape of wetlands, fertile soil, and healthy waterways. In the early 80’s, an influx of industrial plants moved in. This area, which now contains 150 industrial plants in an 85 mile stretch, is now termed “Cancer Alley”, or “Death Alley” by residents as the known health effects extend well beyond cancers, putting this area at the front lines of environmental racism.
Sharon Lavigne is a retired school teacher from St. James Parish, who is now leading a fight for the lives of her community. She founded...2021-01-2725 minStories for ActionA Sea of Solutions: Bren Smith of GreenWaveWhat if there was something that could feed humans, provide good paying jobs, benefit the health of the oceans, mitigate climate change, feed livestock, fertilize soil, restore food sovereignty for coastal Indigenous communities, and create a biodegradable plastic? Enter: Seaweed.
Bren Smith is a commercial fisherman turned ocean farmer. As a driver of this modern method of regenerative ocean farming, Bren has been named one of Rolling Stone magazine’s “25 People Shaping the Future” and featured in TIME magazine’s “Best Inventions of 2017”. Bren founded the organization GreenWave, which works with fishermen and coastal communities to enter the world of...2020-12-1435 minStories for ActionUplifting Stories of Climate Injustice: Maia WiklerMaia Wikler is an anthropologist, climate justice organizer, and writer whose work has appeared in Teen Vogue and VICE. Maia is a true positive change maker; using her skills of writing, film, and community organizing to advocate for those on the frontlines of climate change. A great deal of her work focuses on uplifting youth leadership, Indigenous communities, and human rights. She was a youth delegate at the UN Climate Talks in 2017 as a member of the organization SustainUS.
Maia is currently a PhD candidate in Political Ecology at the University of Victoria. She is directing a...2020-11-1843 minStories for ActionGrowing Climate Solutions: What It Means for FarmersBetween effects of climate change, costs of inputs and production, and market hits, it is difficult for farmers to make gains outside of government subsidies. But what if farmers could help to mitigate climate change, increase the resiliency of the land, and put money in their pockets while doing so?
In June 2020, a climate related bill was proposed...with strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate. The Growing Climate Solutions Act would create a USDA program to encourage farmers, ranchers, and foresters to become an active part of the carbon market. It would encourage practices...2020-10-2527 minStories for ActionBob Quinn: How organic farming benefits farmers, public health, and the planetBob Quinn is an organic regenerative farmer from Big Sandy, Montana. He speaks with us about why our current industrial agricultural model is not working & the benefits of returning to a nature based method of farming; for creating profits for farmers, strengthening rural communities, offering a key to climate change, & preventing chronic diseases in our population. This conversation is for farmers who need the entry points to transition to organic, and for all of you who enjoy EATING FOOD! Our food and how it is grown affects everything about our body and environment. This conversation gives a little "behind...2020-10-1148 minStories for ActionCreative Impact: Asher Jay, National Geographic ExplorerAsher Jay an international adventurer and National Geographic Explorer whose compelling paintings, installations, ad campaigns, and films all have a single purpose: to incite global action on behalf of wildlife conservation. Asher speaks with us about the importance of storytelling in conservation, working with local communities, and how action forward can only come about if we have inclusive conversations.
“It’s an interesting time to be alive because there are so many perspectives depending on where you are in that storyline. As conservationists, if we approach it solely from the perspective of ‘this needs to be kept alive...2020-10-0128 minStories for ActionIndigenous Food Sovereignty & the Power of Native Plants: Rose Bear Don't WalkRose Bear Don't Walk is an ethnobotanist and a member of the Bitterroot Salish and Apsaalooke Tribes in Montana. Rose was awarded a "Fellowship for the Future" by 500 Women Scientists, for her program "Recovering Our Roots", which bridges science and traditional plant knowledge as a means for food sovereignty, improved nutrition, and cultural connection for the Salish Community. Rose speaks with us about this work and how we can all reconnect with and find new ways to value the land in order to thrive for generations. Rose holds a BA in political science from Yale University and a MS...2020-09-2022 minStories for ActionSmokejumping, the power of food, & moms' important role in climate action: Jessie ThomasAs wildfires were burning across the western US, we spoke with Jessie Thomas about her experience fighting wildfires as a smokejumper and her business Sustainable Wellness, which promotes lifestyles and nutrition for human and environmental sustainability. She also spoke about the need for new voices in leadership and mothers' critical role in climate action.
More on Jessie Thomas:
IG: @SustainableWellness
www.sustainablewellness.net
#firefighter #wildfires #climate #climateaction #momscleanairforce #moms #sustainability #health #food
2020-09-0939 min