Green Team Academy

"Personal action is a great place to start, but a terrible place to stop." - Annie Leonard Ladder of Engagement: Personal level - individual choices Community level - team efforts Policy level - school board, city, state Every year when you plan out your strategy, make sure you consider how to operate at or at least partner with others who are operating at every level of the engagement ladder. Yes...

​I have a really great great-niece. Tune in today to listen to my interview with Elena Magnie. Elena is 8 years old and lives on the island of St. John in the Virgin Islands. In today's episode, hear about how she did the research to produce a video on plastic pollution. Listen in as Elena and I brainstorm ideas for how she could start a Green Team with her friends. I contacted Elena after watchin...

There are seemingly endless demands on a parent's time. But like everyone, parents have 168 hours per week. How do we choose to spend those hours and why? ​And can we dedicate 1.2% of our life to the environment as part of our overall goal to help ​the younger generations thrive? Save your spot in the upcoming live webinar at www. GreenTeamAcademy.com

Recently, I've been waking up to participate in a daily phone call for a 12-step program related to personal finance and debting.  I'm ​finding that many of the lessons I'm learning apply directly to recovery and spirituality of Green Teams. Tune in to find out how! ​p.s. While you're here, grab your​ spot on the upcoming live webinars ​! ​

Have you wondered if your faith community could start a Green Team? Tune in to hear from Mary Ellen Buning and Barbara Fahmey ​of the Care for Our Common Home team of St. Ignatius Loyola Catholic ​Parish in Denver, Colorado. ​Resources: Overview of the Laudato Si (Jesuit Post) ​ Learn about Laudato Si (Global Catholic Climate Movement) Interfaith Power & Light Envirohub More resources at www. Gree...

​If you start by telling someone a solution, you're going to get nowhere. Instead, start with an "Epiphany Bridge Story". This is a concept developed by Russell Brunson, as a way to connect with your audience rather than repel them. Visit www. GreenTeamAcademy.com to register for my live webinars on Thursdays during January 2019.

Recently, my mild-mannered teacher friend went on a major rant about "red plastic cups." Listen in to find out why.  ​If you are that kind of person that sees opportunities for improvements, you might feel like the "green sheep" in the family. ​You are going to be frustrated because you don't fit in. What I want to tell you is... Don't fit in! The world needs people like you that point out those t...

Join us for a look at the Green New Deal and what you can do to make it happen, in today's episode with an interview with Marie Venner. When newly-elected Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez joined a group of young protesters who showed up in Nancy Pelosi's office, many heard for the first time about a Green New Deal. The idea has been around for awhile, but it is gaining steam largely in part due to those y...

This holiday, and every holiday season from now on, think about what could be more holy, more sacred than life itself. Put Mother Nature on your gift list. Start planning now for your Earth Day Celebration. Listen in for a quick update on the 2019 Green Team Accelerator Lab . Love to hear your thoughts and plans for Earth Day over in the Podcast Discussion Group in the Green Team Cafe. Get access...

I'm bustling about getting ready for the 2018 Sustainable Denver Summit where Green Team Academy is an exhibitor. Today's episode is about an exciting new program that we're offering in Denver, called the 2019 Denver Green Team Accelerator Lab. To find out more or to apply before the December 14, 2018 deadline, visit GreenTeamAcademy.com Let's chat about stuff over in the Green Team Cafe! Get acce...

Not all Americans celebrate Thanksgiving. Many Native Americans mark the fourth Thursday of November as a National Day of Mourning. It’s not easy, but it’s possible to hold the day as both a day of gratitude and as a remembrance of the genocide, and loss of native wisdom in our culture and especially in our leadership. Detailed show notes Quotes from Chief Seattle, Chief Red Cloud, Chief Oren Lyon...

Have you ever watched people repeatedly do something that you deem to be perfectly crazy, but it's just what everyone does? What if you could switch "normal" and "crazy"? This is the root of solving our environmental challenges. Tune in to find out more about how we can use "norm engineering" to get quicker results. We’d love to hear your thoughts on this over in the Podcast Discussion Group. Get...

When you hear about strategic planning and developing an annual plan, you probably groan thinking of onerous corporate or government systems. Instead, how about recognizing that nature uses an elegant annual plan to get things done every year.   Time-stamped notes: [1:00] Starting a Green Team can feel overwhelming. [1:30] Have you ever thought about what Mother Nature’s “to do” list is? [2:10] Ho...

You've probably heard the Margaret Mead quote a million times. It's the one that starts, "Never doubt...". The fact that we often don't comprehend or believe this shows the level of brainwashing that's taken place. In this teeny, tiny podcast, her quote is the message for the day.   Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed it's the only thing th...

It’s easy to feel cynical about voting in general, let alone the effort to figure out what candidates or ballot initiatives to support. But if this is our number one way to make a difference, then shouldn’t we talk about it more? How do you decide who to vote for and do you talk about it? That’s the focus of today’s episode. And we’re going to start it off by taking a cue from pop star Taylor Swif...

The best thing about organizing a team in your community is that you can have one-to-one conversations. In today’s episode we learn about the Belonging Revolution in Longmont, Colorado. In an interview with Dan Benavidez, we hear how he and Director of Public Safety, Mike Butler, are building community by walking neighborhoods with the simple message: You belong.   Dan Benavidez is a long time Lon...

If you’re feeling exhausted by making millions of decisions about shopping and recycling, then this episode will give you hope! In this episode, let’s discuss the video The Story of Change and the key to societal transformation.   I'm a big fan of the free videos created by Annie Leonard and the nonprofit that grew out of her 2007 viral video, The Story of Stuff . If you want a short video to cove...

In honor of World Mental Health Day on October 10, let’s explore how we can bolster our mental health. Each of us is at risk for the debilitating impacts of mental health struggles. In this episode, discover Joan’s top five mental health tools and how her mental health needs have shifted after the death of her mom and sister.   As I was out in my car, I heard bits and pieces of an interview on Col...

Find out how two teachers started an Eco-Club at St. Mary Redcliffe and Temple School in Redcliffe, Bristol, England. In less than two years, their initiative changed from starting an eco-club to building an eco-community. Their projects include litter patrol, plastic recycling, school gardening, hosting a green event for other schools, and more. Tune in to this inspiring story of regular people b...

If the U.S. voting population was represented by 10 people. In 2016, 3 voted for Trump. 3 voted for Hillary. And 4 didn’t vote. So, the nonvoters won. They chose “I don’t care”. If you do care, and especially if you care about the environment and you’re willing to work for change, let’s talk about voting. And specifically, how we can help get out the vote for the November 6 election. Discover six...

Climate change is arguably the biggest global health threat of the 21st century. So, why aren’t we taking steps to change our behavior? The Australian Psychological Society (APS) has tackled this head on with their Climate Change Empowerment Handbook. The handbook covers the known cognitive biases we need to overcome, and eight strategies that can help people more effectively engage with the chall...

Walking in a Climate March is both exhilarating and anxiety-producing. It's awesome to see that so many people care, but it can leave you with the big question of... what's next? Listen in to today's podcast with Julia Williams, Volunteer Coordinator for 350 Colorado. Find out about the Colorado Climate, Jobs and Justice Summit. This is one of 200 events happening around the world as part of Rise...

The ecological challenges ahead of us are of epic proportions. We can learn a lot by studying successful revolutions that have come before us. In this episode, you’ll hear 10 lessons for Eco-Leaders from the struggle to overcome apartheid in South Africa, as told in the movie Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. [1:00] Our education systems don’t teach us about representation or revolution. [1:15] Histo...

As a newbie podcaster, I'm learning a ton. Thanks for your patience as I figure it out! The big thing I've learned is that it takes a lot more time than I expected. I'm taking some time off and then will re-launch weekly episodes beginning Wednesday September 5, 2018. I want to make sure I have ample time to be working on courses and mentoring for those who want to go deeper. Look for courses open...

It’s easy to complain about how the world is. How often do we take the time to declare the world we want and commit to helping create it. “The World We Want Is” is a global movement centered on interactive public art. You can use a paper version of this exercise to help your community brainstorm the future they want. [1:00] How do you get people to dream big? [1:30] In my neighborhood, I came acro...