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Using Psychology to Solve Environmental Problems, Working Directly with Communities, and Managing Conflict and Tough Conversation with Lauren Watkins

Environmental Professionals Radio (EPR)

Environmental Professionals Radio (EPR)
Using Psychology to Solve Environmental Problems, Working Directly with Communities, and Managing Conflict and Tough Conversation with Lauren Watkins
Jan 16, 2026 Episode 229
Nic Frederick and Laura Thorne

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Welcome back to Environmental Professionals Radio, Connecting the Environmental Professionals Community Through Conversation, with your hosts Laura Thorne and Nic Frederick! 

On today’s episode, we talk with Lauren Watkins, environmental psychologist, working at the intersection of people and environmental challenges about Using Psychology to Solve Environmental Problems, Working Directly with Communities, and Managing Conflict and Tough Conversation.   Read her full bio below.

Help us continue to create great content! If you’d like to sponsor a future episode hit the support podcast button or visit www.environmentalprofessionalsradio.com/sponsor-form 

Showtimes: 
1:55 - EPR is hiring!
5:15 - EPRs New Yearly Goals
9:14 - Interview with Lauren Watkins Starts
19:15 - Opportunities outside Academia
26:12 - Behavior Change Campaign

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This podcast is produced by the National Association of Environmental Professions (NAEP). Check out all the NAEP has to offer at NAEP.org.

Connect with Lauren Watkins at https://www.linkedin.com/in/laurenwatkins/

Guest Bio: 
Currently supporting organizations such as the Jane Goodall Institute, Keeping Forests, Ecochallenge.org, and the Pan African Sanctuary Alliance, Lauren Watkins brings over a decade of experience in environmental psychology and social science research to inspire sustainable behavior change. 

As Principal Owner of her consultancy, Lauren specializes in co-creating solutions alongside communities, employing empathetic research methods, and crafting tailored communication and change strategies with communities and target audiences - not simply for them. Her work emphasizes ethical and sustainable approaches to addressing environmental challenges, ensuring that initiatives resonate deeply with stakeholders. Passionate about fostering impactful change, Lauren focuses on bridging the gap between people and natural ecosystems to find solutions that match the scale of today's problems.

Music Credits

Intro: Givin Me Eyes by Grace Mesa
Outro: Never Ending Soul Groove by Mattijs Muller

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