Discern Earth

In this episode I speak with Candice Ammori , founder and CEO of Climate Vine , a professional networking organization for climate tech professionals. Candice brings a unique perspective as an Iraqi-American from the Chaldean Catholic community who has navigated data science, international development, and now climate tech community building. We discuss: * How her upbringing in a close-knit Chalde...

In this episode I speak with Grant Mulligan , a wildlife biologist by training who has worked across conservation finance, impact investing, and environmental progress. He currently writes the newsletter Progress Accumulation and is fellow at The Roots of Progress Institute . Grant brings a unique perspective as an atheist deeply committed to environmental stewardship, drawing on Camus's absurdism...

In this episode I speak with Silas Mähner , founder of ErthTech Talent , a recruiting firm focused on placing talent in early-stage climate tech companies. He's also the co-host of the Clean Techies Podcast . Silas brings a unique perspective as a devout Catholic working in climate tech, combining his faith-driven values with entrepreneurial ambition. We discuss: * How his Catholic upbringing in r...

In this episode I speak with Max Joshua , a commercial GTM specialist focused on applying satellite imaging technologies to climate problems. After we recorded our conversation, she joined the Earth Fire Alliance She brings a unique perspective from her journey through exoplanet research to Earth observation, combining technical expertise with a commitment to community building. We discuss: How he...

In this episode I speak with Dr. Heidi Steltzer , an Earth scientist with a background in high mountain and Arctic ecology who is now pursuing theological studies. She offers a unique perspective on the intersection of scientific inquiry and spiritual experience, drawing from three decades of research in high-altitude and Arctic environments. We discuss: * How her mystical experiences in remote mo...

In this episode I speak with Will Clayton , CEO of Sky Harvest , a forest carbon project developer that incentivizes small landowners to avoid harvesting their trees for climate impact. We discuss: * How his Christian upbringing shapes his current work in environmental markets. * How growing up in North Carolina's forests through scouting and hiking fostered his deep connection to nature. * His ex...

In this episode I speak with Jason Ethier , Founding Partner of the Energy Tech Nexus . He offers a thoughtful perspective on entrepreneurship in the energy technology space, drawing on his background in engineering and his philosophical approach to business building. We discuss: * How his spiritual journey through absurdism and Buddhism shapes his view that focusing on process rather than outcome...

In this episode I speak with Sydney Rodman , founder of Green Revival . She offers a refreshing perspective on nature and climate action rooted in Orthodox Judaism, challenging the doom-focused environmental movement with a life-affirming approach to solving ecological problems. We discuss: * How her journey to Orthodox Judaism shaped her ecological worldview and approach to business. * The concep...

In this episode, I speak with my good friend, Kaleo Fernandez . He currently works as a Business Development Manager at ProService Hawai’i . We previously worked together at Renoster . We discuss: * How growing up in the Hawaiian diaspora shaped his approach to bridging indigenous wisdom with modern climate solutions. * Why the Polynesian Voyaging Society's message that "Earth is our canoe" resona...

In this episode I speak with James Fitzgerald , Research & Policy Manager at BCarbon , a carbon credit registry focused on nature-based solutions. We discuss: • How the papaw tree and other evolutionary anachronisms reveal ancient relationships between extinct megafauna and modern plants. • The evolving concept of "invasive species" in our increasingly globalized and interconnected world. • The ge...

In this episode I speak with David LaGreca , an environmental markets expert currently serving as a lead consultant at EcoEngineers , where he develops new methodologies for carbon dioxide removal projects. We discuss: • How early mountaineering experiences in Colorado shaped his environmental commitment, including years as a dirtbag mountaineer. • His 24 years of being a vegan. • His transition f...

In this episode I speak with Sam Rosolina , an environmental chemist currently serving as Vice President of Applied Innovation at Microbial Insights , a laboratory that uses microbes to clean up environmental contamination. We discuss: • How growing up in rural Northeast Tennessee shaped his love of nature. • How witnessing the devastating 2008 Kingston coal ash spill motivated his pursuit of envi...

In this episode I speak with Brandon Craft , a product manager at Orbis , a forestry software company. We discuss: • How a C.S. Lewis quote inspired his path from Christian ministry to forestry. • His connection to Georgia's coastal plain ecosystem, where prescribed fire and forest management shaped his understanding of home as an ecosystem. • How his humanities and biblical studies background pro...

In this episode I speak with Elias Ayrey , a forest carbon scientist and Chief Science Officer at Renoster , a carbon credit diligence firm. We discuss: • How growing up in suburban New Jersey with a science teacher mother shaped his connection to nature and science. • His move from ecology to forest remote sensing, and how it gives him a unique perspective on forests. • His passion for paleobotan...

In this episode I speak with Ross Kenyon , former VP of Strategy at Nori , a carbon removal marketplace that recently shut down. We discuss: • How his humanities background shaped his approach to climate work, bringing a generalist perspective focused on questioning assumptions. • His engagement with Christianity through Tolstoy's radical interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount. • Why attributin...

In this episode I speak with Roman Gonzalez , a product and design consultant through his company Rad Plant Man Consulting . We discuss: • How growing up as a curious Mexican-American in Corpus Christi shaped his intellectual path. • His spiritual evolution from Catholicism to atheism to developing a materialist ecological spirituality based on nature's intelligence. • The creation of Gardenio, hi...

In this episode I speak with Caleb Meredith , a materials scientist currently working at TerraSafe Materials , an early-stage climate startup in the sustainable packaging space. We explore his vision of energy stewardship and discuss: • His path from chemical engineering to materials science, sparked by early experiences exploring nature and fascination with micro-scale phenomena. • The key distin...

In this episode I speak with Bryan Kam , a philosopher based in London and author of the forthcoming book Neither/Nor . We explore the fundamental question of what nature is and discuss: • How ancient Greek concepts of phusis (nature) and nomos (human law) shape our understanding of the natural world. • The tension between static and dynamic views of nature, from Parmenides to Heraclitus. • Scient...

In this episode,  I describe my childhood fascination with nature, reflect on how I ended up working in nature and climate, and explain my spiritual motivations for striving to regenerate the Earth. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I introduce Discern Earth , the podcast and newsletter that seeks to understand why nature professionals do what they do. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com