Good Things from Lemonada

How California Is Proving Climate Solutions Are Possible

Climate solutions aren’t out of reach. They’re already here, and California is leading the way. In 2025, the state hit a historic milestone: for more than 200 days, its grid hit 100 percent clean energy, often for hours at a time, making it the largest economy in the world to reach this goal. In this episode, host Gloria Riviera speaks with Mary Creasman, CEO of California Environmental Voters, about the state’s race toward total clean energy by 2045, what this transformation means for tackling wildfires, flooding and droughts, and how we can all push politics toward climate solutions that work. This episode was made in partnership with California Environmental Voters. To learn more about their work, visit envirovoters.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bright Spots: How Incarcerated Organizers Are Leading Policy Change

What if the people best suited to transform the justice system are the ones who know what it's like to live inside of it? In prisons across the country, incarcerated organizers have long fought for policy change, but they’ve rarely had the resources to communicate with the outside world and stay up-to-date on current events. In this episode, host Maya Rupert speaks with James King, Director of Programs at the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights, about how the organization is changing that through their Inside/Outside Policy Fellowship. Now in its fifth year, the program pairs incarcerated Inside Fellows with formerly incarcerated Outside Fellows to lead system reform together. In working to shape campaigns like the California Racial Justice Act, and ensuring that incarcerated fellows are fairly compensated for their work, Fellows are transforming both the system and their own lives. This episode is created in partnership with Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Learn more about the Ella Baker Center for Human Rights at ellabakercenter.org.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bright Spots: Eliminating Fines and Fees for Kids in the Justice System

Across the country, kids in the juvenile justice system face a hidden burden: fines and fees that can follow them well into adulthood, affecting their credit, education, and ability to get a job. In this episode, host Maya Rupert speaks with Cameron D. Clark, Co-Coordinator of Debt Free Justice, about their work to eliminate fines and fees placed on youth and their families. In partnership with local communities, Debt Free Justice works to transform the system in states like Hawaii, where youth organizers are advocating for Native Hawaiian accountability practices instead of financial punishment. Through it all, Debt Free Justice is showing us what's possible when we replace punitive fines and fees with real opportunities for growth and accountability. This episode is created in partnership with Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Learn more about Debt Free Justice at debtfreejustice.orgSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bright Spots: The Power of Coaching Teachers

Great teaching changes lives, but even the best teachers need support. In this episode, we highlight a bright spot in New York City Public Schools where students achieved remarkable gains in reading proficiency. To uncover what led to these results, host Gloria Riviera speaks with Teaching Lab CEO Sarah Johnson and explores how investing in teachers can transform classrooms, boost student learning, and create a ripple effect of success. You’ll also hear from a New York City teacher and his teaching coach about what coaching looks like in practice – and the tangible impact it has in the classroom. This episode is created in partnership with Charles and Lynn Schusterman Family Philanthropies. Learn more about Teaching Lab at teachinglab.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Taking Action on Wildfires in Hawaii

In 2023, multiple wildfires broke out in Hawaii, devastating the island of Maui. The town of Lahaina was destroyed, with more than 2000 buildings burned, and over a hundred deaths. The wildfires shocked the country, but there were people on the ground in Hawaii who had been raising the alarm for years. Elizabeth Pickett, the Co-Director of the Hawaii Wildfire Management Organization, joins us to discuss her efforts to raise awareness about the growing wildfire vulnerabilities in Hawaii over the last two decades. Now she’s helping the state lead the charge in wildfire prevention, making sure its communities continue to stand strong. This episode is presented by America Wins With Water. From the pipes, plants, and pools to the streams, lakes, and rivers that connect our 50 states, protecting and investing in water is all about protecting and investing in America. Learn more at americawinswithwater.org. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.