
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
52 episodes
Stories Sustain Us #52 – Designing Abundance: Rebuilding Our Oceans with AI, Economics, and 3D Printing
SummaryEpisode 52 of Stories Sustain Us is a visionary follow-up conversation where host Steven Schauer welcomes back Fritz Neumeyer for part three of a deep-dive into the bold and brilliant blueprint behind Oceans 2050’s goal of res...
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Season 2
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Episode 52
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1:35:51

Stories Sustain Us #51 – Turning Tiny Sh*ts Into Big Impact: Meet Climate Karen
SummaryIn Episode 51 of Stories Sustain Us, host Steven Schauer sits down with Aaron White, the co-founder of Climate Karen—a bold new brand using humor and a dose of irreverence to re-engage people in the climate fight. From a small...
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Season 2
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Episode 51
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1:10:12

Stories Sustain Us #50 - Connecting the Head, Heart, and Hands: Climate Solutions with Dr. Katharine Hayhoe
SummaryOn episode 50 of Stories Sustain Us, which celebrates the show’s one-year anniversary, host Steven Schauer is joined by the brilliant and inspiring Dr. Katharine Hayhoe—climate scientist, author, and Chief Scientist for The Na...
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Season 2
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Episode 50
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59:27

Stories Sustain Us #49 - One Year of Stories Sustain Us: Healing, Hope, and Rebellion
SummaryStories Sustain Us episode 49 is a special one-year anniversary episode where host Steven Schauer reflects on the powerful themes that emerged across the first 48 episodes. Through selected clips from past guests, Steven weave...
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Season 2
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Episode 49
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55:28

Stories Sustain Us #48 – The National Park Classroom: Why Learning Outdoors Matters
SummaryIn episode 48 of Stories Sustain Us, James Fester shares how his early love for the outdoors and a deep respect for education shaped his journey as a teacher, author, and advocate for experiential learning. From leading middle...
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Season 2
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Episode 48
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1:23:26

Stories Sustain Us #47 – Healing Rivers: How Small Dam Removals Are Restoring Nature
SummaryIn Stories Sustain Us E47, Jeremy Dietrich shares his journey from a childhood spent exploring nature to becoming an aquatic ecologist. He discusses his education, early career experiences, and the importance of fieldwork in u...
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Season 2
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Episode 47
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1:28:43

Stories Sustain Us #46 – Water is Life: Wetland Wins and the Power of Local Action
SummaryIn E46 of Stories Sustain Us, Steven Fry shares his journey from a small town in Indiana to becoming an advocate for water conservation with Amigos Bravos in New Mexico. The conversation touches on the importance of green infr...
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Season 2
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Episode 46
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1:10:41

Stories Sustain Us #45 – From Scarcity to Abundance: Restore Our Oceans (Part 2)
SummaryStories Sustain Us E45 is part 2 of a compelling conversation with Fritz Neumeyer, Co-Founder and CEO of Oceans 2050, an organization aimed at restoring ocean abundance. The discussion highlights the shift from despair about o...
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Season 2
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Episode 45
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1:11:19

Stories Sustain Us #44 – Restoring Our Oceans to Abundance (Part 1)
SummaryOn Stories Sustain Us E44, Fritz Neumeyer shares his unique journey from Berlin to California and eventually to France, exploring the cultural influences that shaped his identity. He reflects on his upbringing in a divided Ber...
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Season 2
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Episode 44
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49:03

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
