EP 27: Making Post-Growth Cool (Again) with Michael Mezzatesta

EP 27: Making Post-Growth Cool (Again) with Michael Mezzatesta

What does a world outside of endless, destructive economic growth look like — and how do we get there? How do we break through the virtual monopoly that right-leaning media has on America’s eyes and ears?  In this episode, Michael Mezzatesta unpacks effective progressive storytelling tactics, post-growth economics, gives his take on tech "broligarchs,” and offers a hopeful vision for transforming our current economic paradigm. We delve into:  * How storytellers can get creative to reach the audiences that need to hear them and shift cultural narratives  * Challenging tech billionaires' detached visions of future human existence * Degrowth and post-growth as alternative economic frameworks that prioritize community and sustainability * Michael's concrete advice for listeners on finding their climate superpowers Michael Mezzatesta is an online educator using social media to spread ideas for a better future. His fast-paced, informative videos on Instagram and TikTok present sustainability through the lenses of economics and finance. By explaining the systemic nature of social problems – from climate change to inequality – and advocating for genuine solutions, Michael encourages people to imagine how the future could be better. Follow Michael! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/MICHAEL__MEZZ/ [https://www.instagram.com/planterrob/] Substack: https://substack.com/@michaelmezzatesta?utm_medium=ios [https://substack.com/@michaelmezzatesta?utm_medium=ios] Website: https://michaelmezzatesta.com/ [https://www.planterrob.com/] TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@michael_mezz  Bookshop: https://bookshop.org/lists/books-for-a-better-future Seeding Sovereignty's Socials Instagram/TikTok/Twitter/YouTube: @seedingsovereignty Website: www.seedingsovereignty.org Madeleine's Socials Instagram/TikTok: @madeleinemacgillivray Website: www.madeleinemacgillivray.com

EP 26: How to Resist & Build in this Political Moment and Beyond, with Moe Mitchell of Working Families Party

What does it mean to truly resist and build community against violent colonial powers manifesting as billionaires actively orchestrating the rise in global authoritarianism as we speak? This conversation with Maurice Mitchell dives into the dying MAGA era, the importance of building community, telling compelling stories, and taking collective action to create a more just and equitable future in the face of authoritarian and oligarchic forces. E.g.  * Unpacking what is actively going on in American and global politics as we speak * How you are a part of a bigger ‘We’ * The importance of building community, solidarity, and collective power to challenge systemic injustices * The role of year-round political engagement, organizing, and governing beyond just electoral politics * The significance of personal stories and lived experiences in shaping one's political motivations and approach * The power of creativity and storytelling in shifting the dominant narrative and inspiring action Maurice Mitchell is the National Director of the Working Families Party. Maurice is a nationally-recognized social movement strategist, a visionary leader in the Movement for Black Lives, and a community organizer for racial, social, and economic justice. Follow Maurice!  [https://www.instagram.com/mauricewfp/?hl=en] Follow Working Families Party!  [https://www.instagram.com/workingfamilies/?hl=en] Follow Seeding: Instagram/TikTok/Twitter/YouTube: @seedingsovereignty [https://www.instagram.com/seedingsovereignty/?hl=en] Website: www.seedingsovereignty.org Follow Madeleine:  Instagram/TikTok: @madeleinemacgillivray [https://www.instagram.com/madeleinemacgillivray/?hl=en]

EP 25: How to Stop Oil Pipelines, with Christian Vanizette of Chilli.app

What if stopping fossil fuel expansion projects and fighting for climate justice was as easy as taking a targeted digital action for a few minutes a day, and getting rewarded for it? Prepare to be fired up for this super motivating conversation.  In this episode, Madeleine sits down with Christian Vanizette, a URL/IRL anti-fossil fuel campaigner and co-founder of Chilli.app, the world’s first climate action app. Christian breaks down how effective anti-fossil fuel campaigning is not as difficult as one might think, and how we can all get involved in ways that energize us, not burn us out.  We discuss: - How to take digital and IRL climate action daily - How to find what motivates you to action  - Pranking banks and mocking dictators(!) - How to sustain action and be relentless in a way that doesn’t burn us out - How to act in global solidarity against FF expansion no matter where you are - Christian’s concrete advice for listeners on finding their climate superpowers!  Resources mentioned in this episode: - Book: Blueprint for Revolution: How to Use Rice Pudding, Lego Men, and Other Nonviolent Techniques to Galvanize Communities, Overthrow Dictators, or Simply Change the World - Carbon bombs map: www.carbonbombs.org Co-founder of Chilli, the first climate activism app, Christian Vanizette is a pioneer in leveraging technology for global impact. An Obama Scholar at Columbia University and a Forbes 30 Under 30 honoree, Christian hails from Tahiti and is the proud dad of 7-year-old Leo. Before founding Chilli, Christian co-founded the global NGO makesense.org, which runs development programs worldwide and oversees a €100 million impact fund to support social and environmental innovation. He is passionate about stopping oil and gas pipelines ✊ Follow Christian and Chilli!  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chilli.app  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/coconutsurfing Website: https://www.chilli.club Follow Seeding Sovereignty: Instagram/TikTok/Twitter/YouTube: @seedingsovereignty Website: www.seedingsovereignty.org Follow Madeleine:  Instagram/TikTok: @madeleinemacgillivray Website: www.madeleinemacgillivray.com

EP 24: On the Ground at the Citibank Summer of Heat Action in NYC

Have you ever participated in an action, march, or act of nonviolent civil disobedience? What is the role of nonviolent direct action in fighting for a just climate future?  In this episode, Madeleine brings us directly in the middle of an action in NYC targeting Citibank’s investment in fossil fuels. The action is part of the Summer of Heat campaign of sustained pressure to big banks fueling the climate crisis. This episode features frontline activists, organizers, and scientists, including:  * Christian Vanizette, founder of makesense.org [http://makesense.org] and Chilli.club [http://Chilli.club]  * Hennessy, Seeding Sovereignty’s NYC Climate Justice Organizer * Ashley Gaignard, owner of https://ruralrootslouisiana.org/ [https://ruralrootslouisiana.org/]  * Gwen Jones, founder of Climateconversationbrazoriacounty.org [http://Climateconversationbrazoriacounty.org] * Elida Castillo, Program Director of Chispa Texas https://chispatx.org/meet-the-team/ [https://chispatx.org/meet-the-team/] * Sandra Steingraber, scientist and author of Having Faith and Raising Elijah  CALL TO ACTION: GET INVOLVED BY JOINING AN ACTION OR BRINGING THIS FIGHT TO YOUR COMMUNITY! Learn more at summerofheat.org [http://summerofheat.org] and support the Gulf South folks fighting for their survival including Roishetta Ozane of The Vessel Project [https://www.vesselprojectoflouisiana.org/] -- Watch our IG Live with her here [https://www.instagram.com/reel/C95NC5IuSwn/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==]!  Seeding Sovereignty's Socials: Instagram/TikTok/Twitter/YouTube: @seedingsovereignty Website: www.seedingsovereignty.org

EP 23: Embodying Change and Building Transformative Community with Jezz Chung (Part 2)

"These times call for every single one of our contributions... there's so much beauty and wonder; it's not all despair." - One of the many pearls from Jezz in this episode! This is Part 2 of our conversation with Jezz Chung! In this episode, guest Jezz shares deep wisdom rooted in embodiment, practice, and community. Offering personal stories of how they came to find their community and calling in the world, Jezz reminds listeners that as we change ourselves, we can also change the world. This conversation draws deeply on liberatory dreams, and is a great starting point for those looking to find ways to dedicate their lives to divesting from harm and investing in care.  In this episode, we cover:  •Embodiment practices and how they can shape our lives •What it means to act in solidarity with Palestine  •Neurodivergence and how it shapes world views  •How we can filling our own cups in order to better contribute to movements •How to find collaborative interconnected communities rooted in justice  •Jezz’s new book! This Way to Change   •Turning points for society and individuals  •How to resist the urgency of ambition  •Jezz’s concrete advice for listeners on finding their superpowers!  Jezz Chung is a multidisciplinary artist and internationally-recognized thought leader based in New York City. You can find their debut book This Way to Change here.  Follow Jezz!  Instagram:https://www.instagram.com/jezzchung Website: https://www.jezzchung.com/ X: https://twitter.com/jezzchung References:  Filmmaker and Activist Tourmaline on How to Freedom Dream | Vogue  Freedom Dreams by Robin D.G. Kelley Adrienne Maree Brown Prentis Hemphill  Mariame Kaba Grace Lee Boggs, Activist And American Revolutionary, Turns 100 : Code Switch : NPR