How We Got Here

Ep 23: Starting That Academic Job #jobseason Aug 18, 2023

After MUCH delay due to some pretty big life things (ahem, welcome to the world baby August) we are back to wrap up Season 2 with a fun lil’ chat about what life is like as an Assistant Professor. Assistant to the Professor (Michael Scott?) …I mean sometimes, tbh. Follow along as we talk about many added job functions as you go from postdoc to professor, and listen for the stress in our voices. It’s not all rosy, but we also have the freedom to record a podcast at work LOL!
Don’t forget to follow the podcast on Instagram and Twitter!

Ep 22. How Jeff Got Here Mar 12, 2023

This week on the podcast Steph and Rachel talk about how similar the events in their lives have been over the past two weeks, and catch up with a friend of the pod(cast hosts), Jeff Kerby. Jeff is an award-winning natural history photographer with a passion for science. He currently works as a postdoc in ecology and geography, which is the coolest, but we are here to talk to him about his photography life. He photographed his first feature story for National Geographic in 2017 on gelada monkeys living in the Ethiopian Highlands. And just this past month, National Geographic named one of his photos (of a monkey giving birth, see below) one of the 100 Best Photos from this Century.

You can follow Jeff on Instagram (highly recommend), Twitter, and learn more about him, his research, and his photography at jtkerby.com!

Ep 21. How Cate Got Here Feb 17, 2023

Cate isn’t big into social media BUT she’s got a Russian Blue cat named Gorby that the world needs to know about.

Check out all the good work Groundwork USA is doing here (and maybe even… I dunno… DONATE!), discover how redlining has affected your neighbor here, and get some frustration out with depave.org!

Ep 20. How Ben Got Here Dec 21, 2022

This week on How We Got Here, Steph and Rachel talk to the incomparable Ben Cosgrove. Ben is a composer-performer whose music explores themes of landscape, place, and environment. Ben has performed in every U.S. state except for Delaware (some day!), collaborated with groups ranging from rock bands to research scientists, and held residencies and fellowships with institutions including the National Park Service, the National Forest Service, and NASA. The gang talks piano lessons, flutists, and not being deterred when your college declines your proposal for an interdisciplinary major.

You can follow Ben on Instagram and Twitter.

Check out his latest solo album, “The Trouble with Wilderness,” and his latest collaboration with Max García Conover, “Vol. One.”

And if you want to catch Ben live, check out his tour dates here.

Ep 19. How Aja Got Here Dec 14, 2022

On this episode of How We Got Here, Steph and Rachel chat with THE Aja Barber—writer, stylist, consultant, activist—whose work deals with the intersection of sustainability, fashion, colonialism, the textile industry, feminism, and all the ways the not-great systems we live with affect our buying habits. WHEW! Aja tells us all about how problematic the fashion industry is, how she found herself with a job that didn’t even exist just 10 years ago, and how dads are the kings of slow fashion (but also gender norms and social pressures UGH!). Aja teaches us how everyone can practice sustainable buying practices, including those of us who are on a tight budget (thrifting, eBay, deciding if you really need a sequined sweater from ASOS that you’ll only wear once to a holiday-work thing?) or plus size (hello, @selltradeplus and Conscious Clothing!)

You can support Aja on Patreon here.

Follow her on Instagram (@ajabarber, informative and delightful) and Twitter (@AjaSaysHello, informative and spicy).

And, you can buy her (informative and fantastic) book Consumed at any of these links.

Ep 18. How Cassy Got Here Nov 23, 2022

Scientist turned policy maker… ahh, yes, we can all dream! This week we talk to the many-a-hat-wearing Dr. Cassaundra Rose, who works for the state of Maine in the Governor’s Office of Policy Innovation and… the Future. So cool. Cassy is the Senior Science Analyst and Climate Council Coordinator (CCC for those in the know), where she uses her science background to form policy and organize a huge group of volunteers.

Listen to Cassy tell us all about her early love for the ocean, including the time she touched a SHARK, her journey to the governor’s office, and her cats. We talk a lot about cats. Per usual.

You can follow Cassy on Twitter and Instagram, AND you can follow Cassy’s cats on Instagram @tavi.and.max!

Ep 17. How Hannah Got Here Nov 02, 2022

How ‘bout them apples! This week, we sit down with farmHER (yes, so sorry) Hannah Blackmer of Field Stone Farm in lovely Vermont. We talk about favorite vegetables, favorite flowers, oh, and how Hannah became a climate-friendly farmer who utilizes regenerative, no-till practices to generate healthy soil. Her journey involves driving all over the country interviewing people doing sustainable things. She maybe chatted with a cult leader. Maybe.

In other important news, loving visitors brought Rachel all the comforts that she’s been missing in Denmark (no, not socialized medicine, she’s got that there): candy corn, melatonin, and huge quantities of salsa. Also, um, does anyone have climate-centric baby name suggestions for Steph? Mk thanks.

You can follow Hannah on Instagram here.

And if you live in or are driving through central Vermont, support Field Stone Farm!

Ep 16. How Sarah Got Here Oct 14, 2022

On this episode of How We Got Here, Steph and Rachel catch each other up on their respective new lives that feel like vacations, but aren’t, so that’s a whole thing.

Then, they talk to Sarah Jaquette Ray, professor of environmental studies at Humboldt State University, on her journey into the environmental humanities, and her book, “A Field Guide to Climate Anxiety: How to Keep Cool on a Warming Planet.” Sarah is an expert on climate anxiety, which is really just the exact kind of person we need to talk to in these trying times!!!

You can find amazing resources from Sarah on her website here.

And, buy her book here or at your local bookstore!

Ep 15. How Hila Got Here Sep 21, 2022

Hoo boy what a treat! This week we talk with Hila Perry - a.k.a. Hila the Killa, eco-rapper extraordinaire. Oh, you didn’t know that was a viable profession? Well now ya do! Hila Perry is a rapper, comedian, educator, producer, and… an avid and skilled jungle gymmer! She does it all. Find this #climateclown running around New York City dressed as Earth spreading climate change and sustainability awareness, all the while making her community a better place to live.

You may know her from songs like Wet Ass Planet, TOMATO, or Mycelium, OR you may know her from a viral video where she IS swinging from a rope, dressed as Earth, falls off the stage, and then flawlessly gets back up and keeps rapping. Join us on this journey as we chat college majors, composting, and what it was like to live a plastic-free life. And stay tuned for her next big adventure - the Earth Show!

You can find Hila on all the socials!

TikTok

Instagram

Youtube

Twitter

Also, the people of Puerto Rico and other nearby islands are currently suffering from the effects of Hurricane Fiona. If you want to / can help, you can find a list of vetted community-based organizations and non-profits here.

Ep 14. How Risalat Got Here Sep 07, 2022

Welcome to Season 2 of the climate change careers podcast, How We Got Here! We are so pleased to kick it off with the incredible Risalat Khan, who—get this—is a campaigner. No, he doesn’t work on political campaigns, but on campaigns to convince the world that we can and should live in a more just environment. And YES he does get paid!!!

Join us as we take a winding path (how did we get here, am I right?) through Risalat’s journey from being named Bangladesh’s top teen event-planner-extraordinaire, to striking up an email convo with his future employer, to leaning into his Myers-Briggs identity. And boy do we talk Myers-Briggs. #StephIsSuchAnINTJ

You can follow Risalat on Twitter here.

To help with climate-change-induced flood-relief efforts in Southeast Asia, please consider donating to:

BRAC: A Bangladesh-based global nonprofit

Women Democratic Front: A Pakistani feminist network working on flood relief efforts

Season 2 Teaser Jul 29, 2022

Steph and Rachel have been busy this summer. But not too busy to start recording new episodes.

Hear them check in, catch up, and look forward to the new podcast season.

Outro: Wet Ass Planet - Hila the Killa

Ep 12. The Academic Job Search: #jobseason Apr 18, 2022

Hear ye, hear ye! We know everything about the academic job search!

Psych. On this episode of How We Got Here, we talk about the perils, pitfalls, page-length-of-cover letters, and all of the mysterious wonders that comprise the job search for a professorship. Rachel talks about her failures and successes in the most recent #jobseason, while Steph provides crucial insight from the point of view of a search committee member. Application materials, first and second round interviewing, negotiations… Denmark does everything better (?!)… we cover it all!

Listener questions guide this episode but NO. We CANNOT answer the question: What am I doing with my life?! Sorry. We don’t know either.

Resources:

The negotiating page from the Professor is In

An updated blog post on negotiating during covid times

Chronicle of Higher Education Salary Data

Environmental Jobs Salary Transparency Database

Ep 11. How Catherine Got Here Mar 28, 2022

ALERT! YOU DO NOT NEED TO BE A POLICY MAJOR TO END UP IN POLICY. WE REPEAT. SCIENTISTS CAN PIVOT TO POLICY WORK.

Dr. Catherine Pomposi is a trained climate scientist with a passion for engaging in public policy and program management. Catherine has extensive experience working on climate policy development, climate risk management, adaptation, and improving resiliency...and drinking Dunkin’ Donuts’ iced coffees during a Nor’easter. Although Catherine is currently a Climate Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor with USAID's Bureau for Resilience and Food Security, Steph and Rachel chat with her mostly about her experience as a AAAS fellow on then-Senator Kamala Harris’ energy and environmental policy team. Following her own career transition from academia to policy, she has been inspired to work with students through various mentorship programs to help demystify the process—a goal after our own hearts!

She joins us in her personal capacity. All views and opinions expressed are her own and not necessarily those of her current or previous employers.

You can follow Catherine on twitter here and just KNOW that there was a very cute dog present for our recording.

Also, Steph and Rachel acknowledge that their podcast intro is long this week, but it was necessary that they talk all things Price is Right.

Ep 10. How Vijay Got Here Mar 02, 2022

Dr. Vijay Limaye is a climate and health scientist at the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC, nbd). Vijay, who has a joint PhD in Environment & Resources AND Epidemiology, talks to Rachel and Steph about how the climate crisis (or should we be calling it the climate problem?!) IS actually a public health crisis. He chats about everything from his first job bagging groceries to his love of languages to the importance of science communication. Vijay also talks about his his journey in deciding to get a PhD while also knowing the end-game wasn’t academia, and why you should maybe check-out your college career fair. Two words: free pizza.

You can follow his very informative and entertaining twitter feed here!

Episode Notes

“Climate change” in Hindi: जलवायु परिवर्तन (jalavaayu parivartan) and Spanish: cambio climático.

Ep 9. How Jordan Got Here Feb 08, 2022

Jordan Rowell doesn’t have a business card, but he does have a delightful LinkedIn bio: Student of Life & University of Vermont | Builder of Trails & Community | Producer of Place-based Media & Belly Laughs. This episode, Steph and Rachel talk to Jordan about his latest foray into “place-based media," a documentary, “No Other Lake," following his journey paddling the entirety of Lake Champlain. Along the way, he talks to all sorts of people about the lake’s ecological significance, the environmental challenges facing the basin, and how to protect it for future generations. Jordan also talks about his winding pre-college path that includes working at McDonalds, dressing up at a ski lodge as a mouse (?!) to entertain children, and leading middle-aged men through ropes courses: all experiences that led to his appreciation of outdoor recreation, community building, and conservation.

You stay updated on “No Other Lake” by following their Instagram and checking out their website.

Ep 8. How Mary-Carson Got Here Jan 25, 2022

Mary-Carson Stiff is the Director of Policy at Wetlands Watch, an environmental nonprofit working on issues like sea-level rise, wetlands preservation, and floodplain management. And she has a really cool (vertical) business card.

On the podcast this week, Mary-Carson tells Rachel and Steph all about the importance of wetlands and the things she’s doing as policy director to help them out. Read: they need a lot of help. Think of the critters! We chat about the importance of high school science teachers (shout out Dr. Peter), listening to people who tell you to not go to law school, and, of course, Taylor Swift.

You can follow all the good work Wetlands Watch is up to on Twitter.

Episode Notes

Full disclosure, we edited out where Steph and Rachel insisted to Mary-Carson that she was from Delaware, while Mary-Carson continued to insist she knew where she was from, and it was not, in fact, Delaware. But, if you want a delightful sketch about the Mid-Atlantic accent, see Elizabeth Banks on 30 Rock. Also, Julianne Moore’s Boston accent throughout that season is INSANE.

Ep 7. How Marysa Got Here Jan 17, 2022

This week on How We Got Here we talk to Dr. Marysa Laguë who is… wait for it… a James S. McDonnell Foundation Postdoctoral Fellow in Dynamic and Multi-scale Systems (WHEW!) at the University of Saskatchewan in Canmore, Alberta, Canada. Say that once. Just once. It’s a lot and it’s IMPRESSIVE.

Marysa expertly explains what climate models are to those of us podcast hosts who should really know what climate models are. What is q-u-e-u-e anyway? She also regales Steph and Rachel of stories about her first job as an educator at an 1890’s Victorian heritage town, which takes place, for the record, pre-hoop skirt, pre-bustle, and feather in cap optional.

You can follow Marysa on Twitter and Instagram for pics of her cats Alistair and Tufa.

The Hot Club - Steph’s favorite bar, ever? (Not a paid ad, but we WILL accept sponsorships.)

Ep 6. How Sarah Got Here Dec 23, 2021

After taking a wonderful and necessary little holiday break in podcast editing, Rachel and Steph are back at it again! In this episode, they talk to Sarah Vogelsong, the environment and energy reporter for the Virginia Mercury.

Sarah shares with Rachel and Steph about her path into journalism, her beat (and what a beat is…), imposter syndrome, mentorship, and what it’s like to freelance. And, she gives Steph and Rachel hope that people DO really want to be informed about all things climate change. Steph also forces everyone to talk about astrology, even though they don’t want to, because she herself is a Capricorn. #iykyk

Episode Notes

You can follow Sarah on Twitter and follow Roman and Gav and his pal Dylan on Instagram.

Also, if you are like Steph and had no idea who the badass, female journalist Ida Tarbell was, you can read all about her here.

Ep 5. How Craig Got Here Dec 06, 2021

Rachel and Steph are still beyond humbled that Craig Santos Perez, who has won an American Book Award, agreed to be on their podcast. They chat with Craig, an indigenous CHamoru, about moving from his home island of Guam to California as a teenager, quitting his first job at Little Caesars, landing a teaching job, and using writing to address and cope with climate change and climate anxiety.

Rachel has the audacity to give him a writing tip; Craig teaches Steph how to improve her discussion-leading skills; and Rachel challenges Steph to a poetry-writing contest… to be judged… by an American Book Award Winner… which definitely doesn’t stress them out… at all.

Ep 4. How Doug Got Here Nov 22, 2021

Bitcoin might have a carbon footprint comparable to New Zealand, but can we do anything about it? And what even is a bitcoin, or a blockchain? Steph and Rachel force their very patient podcast guest, Doug Miller, to slowly and repeatedly explain all things cryptocurrency. Why? Because he is helping to spearhead the Crytpo Climate Accord to #MakeCryptoGreen. On this episode of the podcast, Doug talks about everything from his internship at a green architecture firm to his interest in behavioral science to his work at EnergyWeb trying to efficiently transition the electrical grid to all clean energy.

Ep 3. How Angie Got Here Nov 16, 2021

On this episode of the podcast, we talk to Dr. Angelica Patterson, a.k.a., “The Shotgun Scientist.” Angie is the Master Science Educator at Black Rock Forest where she develops educational programming and leads excursions into the forest. She talks about her wild journey through college, internships, snack bars, fieldwork, academia, and more. Listen to her shed wisdom like an oak tree sheds acorns (if ya know, ya know).

Ep 2. How Martín Got Here Nov 08, 2021

In this episode with our very first guest, we talk to Martín Witchger of the Sierra Club who works as a digital organizer and activist. He mobilizes communities to advance climate justice priorities. Every day, Martín uses his passion for helping others, which was instilled in him as a Martínager (see what Rachel did there), in combination with the writing skills that he gained while working at various nonprofits and advocacy organizations.

Ep 1. How Steph and Rachel Got Here Oct 29, 2021

Welcome to How We Got Here - the podcast that talks to people who have figured out how to use their talents to combat climate change, in the hopes that their journeys might inspire your own.

In this first episode, co-hosts Steph and Rachel talk first jobs, accidentally learning about the earth, graduate school prom, and how Steph is actually using this podcast as a vehicle for getting out of academia.

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