Stories Sustain Us
Stories Sustain Us is a captivating program that delves into the inspiring stories of individuals who have dedicated themselves to making the world a better place. Hosted by Steven Schauer, each episode features conversations with guests from all walks of life who share their heartfelt tales of both hardships and triumphs on their extraordinary journeys to create a lasting positive impact on our planet.
Episodes
43 episodes
Stories Sustain Us #43 – Designing a Better World With Sustainable Cities & Community Empowerment
SummaryDr. Azza Kamal shares her journey from growing up in Cairo, Egypt, to becoming a prominent architect and urban planner. She discusses her early influences, including her education and family background, and highlights her work...
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Season 2
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Episode 43
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1:10:10
Stories Sustain Us #42 – Restoring UK’s Rainforests: Dr. Thomas Murphy on Nature, Mental Health, and Climate Solutions
SummaryOn Stories Sustain Us, Episode 42, Dr. Thomas Murphy shares his journey from a challenging childhood and academic struggles to finding purpose in environmental science and restoration. He discusses his mental health crisis, th...
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Season 2
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Episode 42
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1:23:26
Stories Sustain Us #41 – Exploring the Healing Power of Music
SummaryIn this conversation, Steven and Leïla Six explore her journey as a musician, which began through therapy and a deep connection to her emotions. Leïla discusses how her songwriting reflects her experiences and the importance o...
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Season 2
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Episode 41
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1:15:55
Stories Sustain Us #40 – The Role of Faith in Environmental Stewardship
SummaryIn this conversation, Bonnie Sorak shares her journey from growing up in Brooklyn to becoming an environmental advocate with Interfaith Partners for the Chesapeake. She discusses her early experiences with nature, her transiti...
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Season 2
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Episode 40
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1:12:07
Stories Sustain Us #39 – Transforming Lives: Empowering Women in Rural Tanzania
SummaryIn this conversation, Brenda Geofrey shares her inspiring journey from growing up in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, to becoming a leader in women's empowerment through her work with Barefoot College in Zanzibar. She discusses her ea...
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Season 2
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Episode 39
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1:01:52
Stories Sustain Us # 38 – Factory Farming: A Journey of Compassion and Change
SummaryIn this conversation, Thom Norman shares his journey from a typical upbringing in London to becoming an advocate for animal welfare through his organization, FarmKind. He discusses the pivotal moments that shaped his views on ...
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Season 2
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Episode 38
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1:05:10
Stories Sustain Us #37 – From Environmental Law to Freshwater Advocate (Part 2)
SummaryIn this conversation, Christopher Williams shares his journey from a childhood in Massachusetts and Washington State to a career in environmental law and advocacy in Washington DC. Williams reflects on his work with the Endang...
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Season 2
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Episode 37
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52:49
Stories Sustain Us #36 – From Environmental Law to Freshwater Advocate (Part 1)
SummaryIn this conversation, Christopher Williams shares his journey from a childhood in Massachusetts and Washington State to a career in environmental law and advocacy in Washington DC. Williams reflects on his work with the Endangered Sp...
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Season 2
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Episode 36
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44:18
Stories Sustain Us #35 – Clean Flexibility and the Clean Energy Transition
SummaryIn this conversation, Kostantsa Rangelova shares her journey from growing up in Sofia, Bulgaria, through her education in France, to her current role at Ember, a global think tank focused on energy and climate policy. She disc...
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Season 2
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Episode 35
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1:13:24
Stories Sustain Us #34 – Restoring the Bear River Massacre Site
SummaryIn this conversation, Brad Parry shares his personal journey growing up in northern Utah, his experiences as a Native American, and his career in environmental restoration and tribal leadership. He discusses the importance of ...
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Season 2
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Episode 34
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1:09:17
Stories Sustain Us #33 – Good Energy and the Power of Storytelling
SummaryIn this conversation, Bruno Olmedo Quiroga shares his inspiring journey from Cochabamba, Bolivia, to becoming a leader in human-centered design and responsible innovation. He discusses his adventurous upbringing, the challenge...
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Season 2
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Episode 33
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1:10:14
Stories Sustain Us #32 – The Impact of Advocacy in Childhood Mental Health
SummaryIn this episode, Michelle Harper shares her journey from her childhood in the Midwest and East Coast to her career in healthcare policy. She discusses her educational experiences, including her time at Penn State and studying ...
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Season 2
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Episode 32
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1:05:20
Stories Sustain Us #31 – The Art of Storytelling in Community Building
SummaryIn this engaging conversation, Steven and Leilah Powell explore the profound impact of storytelling on community building and individual identity. They discuss the neurological aspects of narrative, the importance of belonging...
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Season 2
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Episode 31
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57:38
Stories Sustain Us #30 – Conservation and Community: The Tweed Forum’s Mission
SummaryIn this conversation, Derek Robeson, a conservation manager at the Tweed Forum, talks about his life, the River Tweed, and the environmental initiatives in the region. Derek shares his journey from childhood experiences in nat...
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Season 2
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Episode 30
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1:06:59
Stories Sustain Us #29 – Sustaining Communities with Nature-Based Solutions
SummaryIn this conversation, Melissa Bryant shares her journey from growing up on a cotton farm in Texas to becoming an environmental engineer. She discusses the influence of her family, her education in STEM, and her experiences in ...
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Season 2
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Episode 29
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1:16:26
Stories Sustain Us #28 – A Journey from Social Justice to Metal Recycling
SummaryIn this conversation, Jordan Vexler discusses her journey from an upbringing in San Antonio to becoming a leader in the family business, Monterrey Metal Recycling. She explores themes of sustainability, social justice, and com...
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Season 2
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Episode 28
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1:22:21
Stories Sustain Us #27 – Ocean Chemistry, Wave Energy, and Climate Change
SummaryIn this conversation, Dr. Burke Hales shares his journey from growing up in Washington State to becoming a prominent figure in oceanography and wave energy research at Oregon State University. He discusses his childhood experi...
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Season 2
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Episode 27
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1:19:23
Stories Sustain Us #26 – Community-driven Restoration: Tarras Valley Nature Reserve
SummaryIn this conversation, Jenny Barlow shares her journey from growing up in Sunderland, England, to her current role as the reserve manager for Tarras Valley Nature Reserve in Scotland. She discusses her early connection to natur...
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Season 2
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Episode 26
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1:10:18
Stories Sustain Us #25 – Jess Serrante and We Are the Great Turning
SummaryIn this conversation, Jess Serrante shares her journey from a supportive childhood in New Jersey to discovering her passion for environmental activism during college. She discusses her early experiences with environmental stud...
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Season 2
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Episode 25
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1:13:20
Stories Sustain Us #24 – Season 1 Hope for the Future
In this special season finale of Stories Sustain Us, host Steven Schauer revisits the insights and inspiration shared by 20 extraordinary guests throughout Season 1. By answering three questions about hope, the guests reveal the common threads ...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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1:06:26
Stories Sustain Us #23 – Encore of Episode #10, An Ecosystem Restoration Success Story: Freshwater Mussels in River Restoration
As the holiday season is upon us, I’m taking this time to revisit some of the most impactful episodes from Season 1. Today, we’re bringing back Season 1, Episode 10, featuring aquatic biologist, Shaun Donovan. In this conversation,...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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1:11:01
Stories Sustain Us #22 – Encore of Season 1, Episode #3, A Young Voice Creating a Positive Future
As the holiday season is upon us, I’m taking this time to revisit some of the most impactful episodes from Season 1. Today, we’re bringing back Season 1, Episode 3, featuring a youth activist from Great Britian, Ramandeep Nijjar. R...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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1:01:57
Encore of Stories Sustain Us #13 – The Importance of Awareness and Support for HIV/AIDS
As the holiday season is upon us, I’m taking this time to revisit some of the most impactful episodes from Season 1. Today, we’re bringing back Season 1, Episode 13, featuring my dear friend and truly inspiring guest, Roy Hudgens. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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51:02
Stories Sustain Us #20 – Grieving as a Process of Reconnection
In this conversation, Ari Simon shares their journey from New Jersey to California, detailing their early fascination with urban planning and the impact of significant life events, including the tragedy of 9/11 and the loss of friends. They dis...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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1:12:35
Stories Sustain Us #19 – The Journey of a Monarch Advocate
In this conversation, Monika Maeckle shares her journey from being a first-generation American to becoming a passionate advocate for monarch butterflies and conservation. She discusses her immigrant background, childhood experiences, and the pi...
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Season 1
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Episode 19
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1:07:48