The Global Grit Experience

Erika talks with Dr. Mark Seeley about climate change happening in our own backyard and what we can do about it. Is there hope? Mark says yes. But, we each need to participate. Dr. Mark Seeley retired in February of 2018 after nearly 40 years in his role as Extension Climatologist and Meteorologist at the University of Minnesota. Since then he’s continued to provide presentations to communities th...

What is sustainable tourism and how can we be better travelers? And, equally important, how can we protect our own natural, cultural and historical places where we live from overtourism? It's a balance but more and more destinations are making it happen. That's good news. Jonathan B. Tourtellot, a National Geographic Explorer, is a journalist, editor, speaker, and consultant specializing in the in...

Erika talks with guest, Bridget Guiza from the White Earth Tribal and Community College. She is part of the White Earth Reservation and the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. Bridget talks about the challenges of our time being at the nexus of food, water, and energy sovereignty and being allies with Indigenous and rural communities. Bridget is the Customized Education Coordinator at the White Earth Tribal...

In this episode, Dr. Joel Powell shares his perspective on expanding acceptance of people as an absolute necessity to the preservation of the environment. And, that political organization and cooperation is the ticket out of the mess we're in. Dr. Joel Powell whose been a professor of Sociology and Criminal Justice at Minnesota State University Moorhead for almost forty years. Resources Book by Do...

In this episode, Dr. Judi Roux shares about the environmental impacts of fast fashion and clothing waste and how she's embraced creative upcycling to make a difference. Judi Roux, Ed. D has been an educator for over 30 years. As the founder of tROUXly treasures, she's combining her experience and enthusiasm for environmental sustainability with her passion for yarn crafting. She does this by repur...

Guest Cedar Walters talks about the harms of plastics in our bodies and the environment in this episode and shares tactics to reduce plastic use. Cedar Walters is Senior Director of Community Programs at West Central Initiative (WCI), where she leads community initiatives and connects people and communities with resources that support sustainability and resilience. In 2025 and 2026 she organized a...

What does voting for the environment mean? How can we find our way through political hype? How do we listen to candidates more critically? My guest today is Dave Homans. Dave is a retired physician who serves as Citizen Climate Lobby’s Co-Coordinator for the state of Minnesota. He is active in lobbying our elected representatives to promote policies that will mitigate climate warming. Resources Op...

In this episode I give a little background of how I got into video, capturing stories around the world, and eventually, here, as a podcaster and host of The Global Grit Experience. Examples of videos mentioned in the podcast Volkswagen ID.4 Road Trip - What Fuels You- Ep.1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJ85tn5HDJ0 Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV - Soul Pursuits Ep.1 - https://youtu.be/mlRZ-lckRWs?si=_...

How do we as humans balance our self-interest drive with environmental sustainability. There’s no easy answer but it’s definitely worth pondering, talking about, and hopefully acting on for the future of our natural world (and us). My guest today is Dr. Dennis Jacobs, retired physics professor, pilot, aeronautical engineer, sustainability educator, and author of multiple books. Subscribe and Follo...

How do you make stuff happen - like saving a beautiful area from development and creating instead an amazing nature-based park that the locals, wildlife, and tourists love? Let’s find out in this episode with guest, Polly Andersen. Polly’s love of nature led her to champion the Wannigan Regional Park in her hometown of Frazee, MN. Resources https://wanniganpark.com/ Follow The Global Grit Experien...

Honey bees! In this episode I chat with Sawyer Gilsdorf, professional beekeeper with Björn’s Colorado Honey in Boulder, Colorado (and my awesome nephew) to learn what’s involved with beekeeping year round in colder winter climates. And, of course, learn some amazing honey bee fun facts and their intricate matriarchal society. Resources: Björns Colorado Honey Follow The Global Grit Experience: Inst...

Emilia Skogen fell in love with birds at a young age and has been working with them ever since. In today's episode, I talk with her about why she's specifically working with three bird species in Minnesota and what conservation for them looks like through forestry management. Emilia is a Minnesota Public Lands Conservation Forester with the American Bird Conservancy. RESOURCES https://abcbirds.org...

In this episode I hit the North Country Trail with Matt Davis, the Regional Trail Coordinator for MN, ND and WI for the nonprofit, North Country Trail Association. We talk about this beautiful 5,000 mile trail, why public lands are important (in SO many ways), how they’re being taken away, sold, and at risk, and what we can do to stop this attack. Matt also shares a few summer tips to keep us safe...

Minnesota's AQI hit record highs recently during the wildfires making it feel apocalyptic with smoky, brown skies, evacuated homes, and air quality that made it dangerous and painful to breathe. Erika sits down in the midst of it with guest Julia Frost Nerbonne, Executive Director of Minnesota Interfaith Power & Light to talk about what it was like experiencing climate chaos firsthand and what...

Erika sits down and talks with farmer Cody Kurowski at his Sower’s Harvest Farm in Fergus Falls, MN to find out what got him into farming, why he’s going the chemical-free route, and how you farm year-round in a frigid winter state like Minnesota. Resources: Sower’s Harvest Farm https://www.sowersharvestfarm.com/ https://www.facebook.com/sowersharvestfarm/ https://www.instagram.com/sowersharvestfa...

What's different with a food co-op and can we really trust the organic food label? Erika talks with farmer and Manna Food Co-op General Manager, Ryan Pesch. Ryan started Lida Farm near Pelican Rapids, MN in 2004 and brings unique perspectives as a farmer, business person, and healthy foods advocate that is relevant wherever you live. Ryan refers to it as the good food movement in today's episode....

Love frogs? Toads? Kelly sure does and shares with us why. In today’s episode, Erika talks with Interpretive Park Ranger of 30 years, Kelly Blackledge to learn some fun facts about frogs, their sounds, how they survive in winter, and how they're doing out there. Resources: Frog & Toad Opera https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/reptiles_amphibians/frogs_toads/opera.html Record your sightings on HerpMapp...

It's crazy how many toxic and hazardous 'cleaning' supplies we use in our homes. There's a better way. In today’s episode, Erika sits down with former Household Hazardous Waste Coordinator, Sandy Gunderson to talk about alternative cleaning supplies that are easy to make, better for us and the environment, and will save us lots of money. Cha-Ching! DIY Ways-TO-Clean-Green Resources: https://greena...

For this episode, I’ve invited Dr. Karen Branden back on the show to talk about a topic that’s been bugging me. Why do we as humans often not speak up and challenge things that we know, at least deep down, are wrong? It’s frustrating as hell why so many people in power are doing this, but how can we, our little spread out, but collective selves around the planet do things differently to make a dif...

Jim Goodman, the owner of Bob’s Cabins in Two Harbors, MN has done what I think is very unusual in today’s world. He’s not bulldozing down a quaint getaway but instead restoring it AND building in energy efficiency and renewable energy to make it more affordable for guests to have extended stays. Having worked for most of his life in the energy field, Jim says its about ethics to pursue renewable...

I've been hearing people saying lately how much they hate bugs or are scared of certain bugs and I’m like, I gotta do an episode on bugs…because we need bugs and they’re really so intricate and amazing. And, because I think it would be fun to learn a little bit more about them. My guest today is Jessica Wyn Miller. She’s an environmental entomologist and insect advocate. She’s the owner of Dragons...

Today we’re talking about planting for pollinators! A few years ago I received a Lawns to Legumes pollinator habitat grant through a MN statewide education program called Blue Thumb which is part of the nonprofit, Metro Blooms based in Minneapolis. Metro Blooms partners with communities and folks to create outdoor spaces that’s good for the water and land like installing rain gardens that filter a...

Sawyer Gilsdorf learned a few lessons on his snowy New Year's Day hike in the Colorado Rockies.

With declining natural shorelines from development, loon numbers have been hurting. People like my guest Mark Backes on Big Fish Lake in Minnesota are building loon nests to help them out. Hear what goes into making a loon nest, the success they're having, and some fun loon facts along the way. The loon calls you'll hear are recorded on Gull Lake from a friend of mine and Minnesota's 'Loon Lady',...

We are at a critical time when many of our public and sacred lands across the U.S. are being threatened. Political decisions, like the recent, totally disgusting vote passed to undo protections that block copper mining in the Boundary Water’s watershed, are at risk of setting precedents for other wilderness areas, like Utah's Grand Staircase- Escalante National Monument. We need to stand together,...