Green Champions

Danna Lotz - Second Graders, Cereal Boxes, and Landfill Tours

Danna Lotz, a lifelong educator with 18 years of experience, is now the School Programs Administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). Her story is a powerful example of how a passion for teaching and a commitment to resourcefulness can lead to a career in sustainability, making a lasting impact on students and communities.Danna shares her journey from a small-town upbringing, where collecting bottles and cans with her dad sparked an early interest in recycling, to her 18-year career as an elementary school teacher. She recounts how the practical needs of the classroom led her to embrace upcycling and waste reduction long before it was a formal part of her job description. From turning cereal boxes into book holders to salvaging markers, Danna's classroom was a hub of creative reuse.Her path took a pivotal turn when she discovered SWACO's free landfill tour program. Initially hesitant, she was captivated by the eye-opening experience and the powerful questions it sparked in her students. This annual field trip became a catalyst for countless student-led projects, transforming her classroom into a space for environmental action and problem-solving. Danna discusses her transition from teacher to her current role at SWACO, a move that felt like a "full circle moment," allowing her to leverage her deep understanding of the education system to support schools across the region.Episode in a glance- From Tutoring to Teaching- An Early Spark for Recycling- A Teacher's Path to SWACO- What a Landfill Tour is Like- Bringing a Teacher's Perspective to SWACO- How School Green Teams Get StartedAbout Danna LotzDanna Lotz is the School Programs Administrator at the Solid Waste Authority of Central Ohio (SWACO). With 18 years of experience as an elementary school teacher, she brings a deep understanding of the education system and a passion for empowering students to her role. Danna is dedicated to creating engaging and impactful programs that inspire the next generation of environmental stewards.Connect with Danna Lotz and her workWebsite → https://www.swaco.org/201/SchoolsEmail → schools@swaco.orgLinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/in/danna-lotz-09aa99327/GreenPrint → https://www.swaco.org/502/Greenprint-For-a-Sustainable-FutureSend us a message!

Adam & Dominique - Happy Holidays from your Hosts

Grab a warm drink and settle in for our special 2025 holiday wrap-up! After releasing an episode every single Tuesday and growing to over 90 episodes, we're taking a moment to celebrate the incredible people and inspiring stories that made this year so memorable.This year took us on an incredible journey, from the mountains of Italy for the NanoValbruna conference to the heart of the Midwest for the Midwest Regional Sustainability Summit. We revisit the power of international storytelling with guests like Francesca Cercelletta, who taught us how to make impactful films with just a phone, and Duccio Travaglini, who showed us how to turn "cold data" into "cool data."We also reflect on the amazing collaborations we saw closer to home, from our live panel on waste diversion to the inspiring work of innovators like Shailah Maynard at Sew Valley and Zack Burns, who's sustainably feeding giraffes at the Cincinnati Zoo. Through it all, the beating heart of this season has been community. We discuss how champions like Jamie Richards have created change from within corporations and how the infectious energy of Emily Rials and Susan Swinford from Columbus Food Rescue inspired Adam to become a food rescue volunteer himself.It's a celebration of the people who give us hope and a reminder that we all have a role to play. Thank you for being part of our community this year.Episode in a glance- A Year in Review 90+ Episodes and Counting- Favorite Moments from Italy (NanoValbruna)- Highlights from the Midwest Summit (MRSS)- The Beating Heart of 2025 Community in Action- Adam Gets Inspired to Rescue Food- Looking Ahead to 2026About Dominique Hadad & Adam Morris:Dominique Hadad and Adam Morris are the co-hosts of the Green Champions podcast. Dominique brings her expertise in sustainability, while Adam adds his passion for social impact and entrepreneurship. Together, they explore the diverse ways individuals and organizations are creating a greener future.Episodes we Discussed:Duccio Travaglini - Breaking Climate News With Cool DataFrancesca Cercelletta - Using iPhone Storytelling to Frame the ChangeShailah Maynard - Sew Much More Than FashionJessica Glorius-Dangelo - Sustainable Architecture Begins at the Drafting TableZack Burns - How Hydroponics Feeds Giraffes and Cuts Emissions at the ZooKristan Uhlenbrock – Creating a New Institute at the Denver Museum of Nature & ScienceEmily & Susan – How They Rescued One Million Pounds of FoodJamie Richards - Inside Bansk Beauty’s Regenerative Shea Project in UgandaConnect with Green Champions:Website → https://www.thegreenchampions.com/Instagram → Send us a message!

RE-RELEASE: Duccio Travaglini - Breaking Climate News With Cool Data

Duccio Travaglini, Co-founder of Greencome Media, shares his innovative approach to environmental communication and his mission to transform how we discuss climate change. Rather than contributing to climate anxiety through catastrophic messaging, Duccio and his team focus on solution-oriented storytelling that mobilizes people to action. He discusses the importance of finding relatable stories of "normal people" making change and combining these narratives with data in engaging ways - what he calls turning "cold data into cool data."As a moderator at NanoValbruna, Duccio led discussions about regeneration versus sustainability, emphasizing how regeneration takes environmental action to the next level by focusing on community-centered economic systems. He shares insights about measuring success through quality engagement rather than quantity, and emphasizes that sustainability is a journey of continuous learning rather than a demand for perfection.About the Mini SeriesThis is our mini series about NanoValbruna. We are highlighting an international forum that brings scientists, entrepreneurs, professors, professionals, journalists, science communicators, and especially young people to the heart of the Julian Alps to talk about innovation, environment, and regeneration. Enjoy conversations with climate changemakers in Valbruna, Italy.Episode at a glance -The Evolution of Environmental Communication  -Regeneration vs. Sustainability: Moving Beyond Impact Reduction  -Storytelling Strategies: Combining Human Stories with Data  -Quality Over Quantity in Environmental Media  -The Journey Approach to SustainabilityAbout Duccio TravagliniDuccio Travaglini is the Co-founder of Greencome Media, an Italian media platform focused on environmental and climate topics. Currently studying Environmental Economics and Politics, Duccio is pioneering a new approach to climate communication that emphasizes solutions and positive action while maintaining factual accuracy.Connect with Duccio Travaglini and his workInstagram → https://www.instagram.com/greencome_itaTiktok → https://www.tiktok.com/@greencome_itaLinkedIN → https://www.linkedin.com/company/greencome1Newsletter → https://greencome.substack.com/Green Tonic Podcast → https://open.spotify.com/show/7dgeH02vAlJyz3M6UR34Xq?si=887794e218404d75Send us a message!

Kristan Uhlenbrock - Creating a New Institute at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science

Kristan Uhlenbrock, a scientist, writer, and communicator, leads the Institute for Science and Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, where she is dedicated to weaving thoughtful science into public conversations and decision-making. Kristan shares the origin story of the Institute for Science and Policy, a unique organization born from a desire to address the growing politicization of science and create a space for nonpartisan, evidence-based dialogue. She describes the institute’s mission to make better decisions as a society by integrating science and evidence into public discourse. Kristan recounts the institute's early days, from its conceptualization in 2018 to navigating the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, which ultimately broadened their focus to include public health.She discusses the institute's work in climate change, energy, natural resources, and public health, emphasizing the importance of partnerships and collaboration in tackling these complex, intersectional issues. Kristan details the institute's convening model, which brings together diverse stakeholders to find common ground and develop actionable solutions. She also introduces the new Colorado Science and Technology Policy Fellowship Program, a landmark initiative that will place scientists in the state legislature to provide technical expertise and support evidence-based policymaking. She also discusses her podcast, "Laws of Notion," explaining how it uses the power of storytelling to explore complex societal issues, from the energy transition in coal communities to the water crisis in the West.Episode in a glance- The Origin Story of the Institute- Bridging the Gap Between Science and Decision-Making- The Institute's Focus Areas- Convenings and Collaborative Problem-Solving- The Colorado Science and Technology Policy Fellowship Program- The Power of Storytelling and the "Laws of Notion" PodcastAbout Kristan UhlenbrockKristan Uhlenbrock is a scientist, writer, and communicator who leads the Institute for Science and Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. With a background in marine science and a passion for bridging the gap between science and society, she is dedicated to fostering thoughtful public conversations and evidence-based decision-making. Kristan is also the host of the "Laws of Notion" podcast, where she explores how we can rethink our ideas to create a more sustainable and equitable future.Connect with Kristan Uhlenbrock and her work:Laws of Notion Podcast → https://lawsofnotion.org/Institute for Science and Policy → http://institute.dmns.org/LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kuhlenbrock/Send us a message!

Kristan Uhlenbrock - Leading With Science in a Polarized World

Kristan Uhlenbrock, who leads the Institute for Science and Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science, is a scientist, writer, and communicator dedicated to bridging the gap between science, policy, and community. Her journey from a free-roaming kid in rural Indiana to a leading voice in public discourse on climate change is a testament to the power of curiosity, connection, and embracing the messiness of it all.Kristan shares her origin story, recounting how a childhood spent exploring the creeks and forests of southeast Indiana nurtured a deep love for nature. She describes her unexpected path into science, from being a "pre-med kid" to discovering her passion for chemistry and marine science, a journey that took her from the heartland to the coasts of Florida. Kristan explains how her academic pursuits evolved from pure research to a fascination with the social and political dimensions of environmental issues, leading her to write op-eds, engage with local leaders, and eventually find her way to the world of science policy in Washington D.C.She offers valuable insights on how to find your voice and engage in public discourse, emphasizing the importance of approaching conversations with humility, curiosity, and a genuine desire to understand different perspectives. Kristan discusses the "messiness" of both science and people, advocating for an embrace of uncertainty and a willingness to learn from failure. She shares her philosophy that being kind to yourself is the first step toward creating positive change in the world.Episode in a glance- A Childhood Rooted in Nature- The Winding Path from Pre-Med to Marine Science- Finding a Voice in Science and Policy- How to Engage with Leaders and Find Your Voice- Embracing the "Messiness" of Science and People- Advice for a Younger Self Be KindAbout Kristan UhlenbrockKristan Uhlenbrock is a scientist, writer, and communicator who leads the Institute for Science and Policy at the Denver Museum of Nature & Science. With a background in marine science and a passion for bridging the gap between science and society, she is dedicated to fostering thoughtful public conversations and evidence-based decision-making. Kristan is also the host of the "Laws of Notion" podcast, where she explores how we can rethink our ideas to create a more sustainable and equitable future.Connect with Kristan Uhlenbrock and her workLaws of Notion Podcast → https://lawsofnotion.org/Institute for Science and Policy → http://institute.dmns.org/LinkedIn → https://www.linkedin.com/in/kuhlenbrock/Send us a message!