We Are LaCH

7: Wellbeing and Education with Julianna Gwiszcz

Chris and Heather are joined by Julianna Gwiszcz, MSSW, PhD to explore what this moment means for professionals like her working in or across the education, climate and sustainability, global health and related fields, and why this matters. We consider the mental health and wellbeing implications of it all and ways we can better navigate these challenging times together through cultivating hope in place of fear, reclaiming our individual and collective agency, and leaning into and lifting up community however and wherever we can.   As a justice-oriented leader, educator, scholar-practivist, social worker/healer, strategist and engagement steward (among other things), Julianna has devoted 15+ years to catalyzing transformations and weaving unlikely connections across divides. She works at the intersections of higher education and experiential (lifelong) learning, international sustainable development and climate action, global health and human rights, social change and systems change, youth/leadership development, healing art, design and communications, and social impact innovation and philanthropy. --- Disclaimer: The views expressed in this episode are those of the hosts and guest alone and should not be taken to represent any present or former institutional affiliations they may have. Wellbeing Economy Alliance [https://weall.org/⁠] Climate Mental Health Network [https://www.climatementalhealth.net/resources⁠] https://www.climatementalhealth.net/resources⁠Collective Change Lab [https://www.collectivechangelab.org/⁠] https://www.collectivechangelab.org/⁠2023 Report on “Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community” [https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf⁠] Another shorter and more digestible resource on this “epidemic of loneliness and isolation [⁠https://www.brownhealth.org/be-well/epidemic-loneliness-and-isolation⁠]” An older but just-as-fitting-for-today article on “Finding Hope in Hard Times [https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/worry-wise/202207/finding-hope-in-hard-times⁠]” The Greater Good Science Center [⁠https://greatergood.berkeley.edu/topic/bridging_differences⁠], which has some amazing resources on the “keys to well-being” and “bridging differences” among other things The Interaction Institute for Social Change, which has (or had!) an upcoming workshop on “Moving Through Chaos and Complexity: Network Weaving for Social Healing in Times of Great Change [https://www.tickettailor.com/events/interactioninstituteforsocialchange/1569988⁠]”. ---------------- ⁠⁠⁠Find more from Lavinia, Chris, and Heather⁠⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/we_are_lach]. ⁠⁠⁠Listen to our positionality introduction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wearelach/episodes/Intro-to-We-Are-LaCH-e2op8gp]. Thank you to Alex and the Wonderland for the theme song: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Climb Aboard⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://soundcloud.com/alexandthewonderland/climb-aboard-demo-2016].

NEW PODCAST: Morning Tinto

As promised, Chris and Heather are back with a (maybe weekly) podcast, drinking in the news. Here is the first episode of Morning Tinto [https://open.spotify.com/show/07uu8SEWo7iZkQA5Cw4h2t]. Please subscribe wherever you get your podcasts as we won't keep sharing it to this feed. In this episode, we discuss the banning of DEI/EDI in the US. And can you guess who Heather's poem is about?? Show notes: Executive Order [https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/01/ending-radical-and-wasteful-government-dei-programs-and-preferencing/] and news article from today [https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cgj288ywj23o]

6: The Biodiversity COP with María Lucía Luna Borda

Lavinia, Chris, and Heather speak with María Lucía Luna Borda (yes, relation) about the recent Biodiversity COP held in Cali, Colombia. We talk about biodiversity, the concept of “peace with nature”, community knowledge, nature as a victim of armed conflict, and the need for healing and justice. María Lucía is a sociologist and researcher specializing in the impacts of armed conflict and socio-environmental issues on Nature and Territory. María Lucía has worked extensively on territorial dispossession, community resistance, and resilience, including her contributions to the Commission for the Clarification of the Truth and her current role at the National Center for Historical Memory in Colombia. ---------------- ⁠⁠Find more from Lavinia, Chris, and Heather⁠⁠ [https://linktr.ee/we_are_lach]. ⁠⁠Listen to our positionality introduction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wearelach/episodes/Intro-to-We-Are-LaCH-e2op8gp]. Thank you to Alex and the Wonderland for the theme song: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Climb Aboard⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://soundcloud.com/alexandthewonderland/climb-aboard-demo-2016].

5: Ecofascism -- Our Vulnerability

Heather, Chris, and Lavinia discuss ecofascism. Where does the word come from? What does fascism mean? How are we vulnerable to fascism? The importance of an anti-oppression lens in climate activism is emphasised. Heather recounts her experiences with Extinction Rebellion and Just Stop Oil, highlighting the structural power dynamics and the risks of associating with far-right elements. Heather explains how fear and urgency are weaponised by eco-fascists, advocating for relationship-building and systemic understanding. The conversation also touches on the systemic injustices behind climate migration and the need for grounded principles in climate responses, critiquing simplistic solutions and the potential dangers of socialist approaches. Show notes: Heather's ⁠videos on ecofascism⁠ [https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhORTdKQVLKBfRp6zsRKEEQ3Wo-06jNml] and her own ⁠podcast episode.⁠ [https://youtu.be/csKKznGUs6I] ⁠A Linktree from antifascists friends⁠ [https://linktr.ee/globalecologicaljustice] More articles ⁠Just Stop Ecofascism⁠ [https://cryptpad.fr/pad/#/2/pad/view/IcJ5TnmybsyLgP-xMQhAqHIfvMIa2xk0DLGG6IUHxog/embed/] Open Letter to Just Stop Oil ⁠What is happening in Louisiana prisons⁠ [https://capitalbnews.org/angola-prison-rodeo-contradictions/] article ⁠The Rise of Ecofascism⁠ [https://www.politybooks.com/bookdetail?book_slug=the-rise-of-ecofascism-climate-change-and-the-far-right--9781509545377] book ⁠Ejeris Dixon’s podcast on fascism⁠ [https://fascism-barometer.squarespace.com/]: The Fascism Barometer ⁠Bad Faith: Briahna Joy Gray and Dr. Fadhel Kaboub on African Development⁠ [https://youtu.be/b5ox918vk7c?si=7sfq3UYHu7yjIocp] Militarised Green Party in Germany: ⁠https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2024/11/18/wrdm-n18.html⁠ [https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2024/11/18/wrdm-n18.html]  ⁠https://www.cjfp.org/for-germanys-green-party-the-50-year-dream-to-end-nuclear-power-ends-in-a-nightmare/⁠ [https://www.cjfp.org/for-germanys-green-party-the-50-year-dream-to-end-nuclear-power-ends-in-a-nightmare/] ---------------- ⁠Find more from Lavinia, Chris, and Heather⁠ [https://linktr.ee/we_are_lach]. ⁠Listen to our positionality introduction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wearelach/episodes/Intro-to-We-Are-LaCH-e2op8gp]. Thank you to Alex and the Wonderland for the theme song: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Climb Aboard⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://soundcloud.com/alexandthewonderland/climb-aboard-demo-2016].

4: Visioning for Sustainability

Chris, Heather, and Lavinia discuss the place of vision when it comes to sustainability. What are some steps we can take from here to there? Heather argues that the election results reflect basic needs not being met rather than differing visions. Chris emphasises the need to envision positive futures beyond mere resistance. Lavinia highlights the role of hope and the importance of diverse, local visions. They explore the concept of visioning, the role of principles, and the challenges of achieving collective vision. The conversation touches on the need for safe spaces, the complexities of leftist movements, and the importance of community and solidarity in envisioning and working towards a better world. Show notes: * “Recording on Friday” mentioned by Chris: Why The Democrats Failed, How Trump Won, What Is To Be Done? [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vQQOJjj5O9c] * Accessing a Radical Vision [https://open.substack.com/pub/keduzi/p/accessing-a-radical-vision?r=e0ljh&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=true] Vidhya Shanker [https://linktr.ee/dr.vidhyashankerphd] https://nglcommunity.org/ Nonviolent Global Liberation [https://nglcommunity.org/] White Supremacy Culture Patterns [https://www.whitesupremacyculture.info/] Vison Mobilisation [https://visionmobilisation.org/] ------  ⁠Find more from Lavinia, Chris, and Heather⁠ [https://linktr.ee/we_are_lach]. ⁠Listen to our positionality introduction⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wearelach/episodes/Intro-to-We-Are-LaCH-e2op8gp]. Thank you to Alex and the Wonderland for the theme song: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Climb Aboard⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ [https://soundcloud.com/alexandthewonderland/climb-aboard-demo-2016].