Shows
SSDN‘s Green MindsGreen Minds Ep. 32: One Year In: Why Local Sustainability Needs Strong Networks🎙️ January Green Minds Podcast
This month’s episode of Green Minds features a conversation with Rob Phocas, SSDN’s new Executive Director.
Rob shares with host Dr. Shaleen Miller why he’s excited to be back with SSDN at a pivotal moment, what it’s been like to see the network grow into its first year as a nonprofit, and why peer networks are essential for sustainability professionals working at the local level.
We also talk about what makes a network work — what SSDN needs from participants, why showing up matters, and how shared learning...
2026-01-2214 minSSDN‘s Green MindsGreen Minds Ep. 29: Sustainability and AIAI is already transforming how we manage energy, model climate risks, and optimize city services—but it also has a growing environmental footprint. How can we use AI sustainably?
In this episode of Green Minds, host Dr. Shaleen Miller speaks with Dr. Arun Majumdar, Dean of Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and former VP of Energy at Google, about what AI means for local governments, the planet, and the future of climate work.
From vendor certifications to data transparency and digital equity, this conversation is packed with insights for cities, sustainability leaders, and anyone curious ab...
2025-09-2317 minSSDN‘s Green MindsGreen Minds Ep. 28: Explore Careers in SustainabilityIn this episode of Green Minds, Shaleen Miller dives into the realities of landing—and thriving—in sustainability jobs, especially in local government.
From breaking into the field to stepping into leadership roles like Chief Sustainability Officer, our guests Abena Ojetayo with the City of Tallahassee and Shelby Buso, formerly with the City of Atlanta and now with the City of San Diego, CA, share their personal career journeys, the skills that matter most, and the advice they wish they’d had starting out. We also get real about burnout, balance, and staying grounded over the long haul.
2025-08-1321 minSSDN‘s Green MindsGreen Minds Ep. 26: What is the benefit to joining SSDN for non-members?In this episode, Dr. Shaleen Miller with Winston Salem and I tackle what we love about SSDN member and talk with Rebecca Coplin, Beautification Project Manager for the City of High Point NC, who is considering SSDN membership. We talk about the traditional and non-traditional benefits of SSDN, gush about our relationship building and connections, talk about grant support, and more. If you are not a member of SSDN, consider listening to all the benefits and let's sing you up :). For those of us who are members or know someone who isn't sure about membership, may not have a sus...
2025-03-0938 minSSDN‘s Green MindsGreen Minds Ep. 24 Laughable Moments (In and Out of the Office)This episode is a dose of laughter straight from our members. Welcome special co-host for this episode, Dr. Shaleen Miller, and I as we talk about funny moments we've had, and invite two members to share their funniest moments. Takeaways from this episode, check what other groups have the acronym you're hoping to use before you confirm committee names, search for context clues when talking to someone you don't recognize, Always have a re-usable cup and/or bag on you just in case, and have lemons on hand if you tangle with worms.
Enjoy!
As alwa...
2024-10-0931 min
Maine Policy MattersS3E3 Winter Roads, Salt, and the Slippery SlopeToday, we will be covering a report by Jonathan Rubin, Shaleen Jain, Ali Shirazi, et al. titled, “Road Salt in Maine: An Assessment of Practices, Impacts and Safety”. In their report, they present the results from a research project by a team from the University of Maine, in cooperation with the Maine Department of Transportation that examines the use of road salt in Maine for winter travel safety. This report was published by Margaret Chase Smith Policy Center in April of 2022.
You can find the article here: https://digitalcommons.library.umaine.edu/mcspc_transport/11/
Transcript
Eric...
2023-02-1438 min
Desert Voices: Critical Thinking to Cultivate Well-Being18 - A Christmas Gift: Curious Woman by Gretta Miller (Tow'rs)A HOLIDAY GIFT! Gretta Miller joins the conversation offering the gift of her VOICE. Gretta is no stranger to desert spaces. In this episode, Gretta’s haunting melody and searing insights are a gift in our unprecedented pandemic Holiday season. Her new song “Curious Woman” has been on repeat in our homes.Listen in as Gretta shares the inspiration behind her lyrics. You might just walk away from this episode with a new favorite song, wisdom, laughter, and JOY! “Curious Woman the revolution is your joy”...This song is for ALL cur...
2020-12-1457 min