Seeds of Culture Change
By National Wildlife Federation
The guests and hosts of this podcast are sharing from their own personal experiences. Lived experiences are a form of truth, and many stories exist. Therefore, views expressed on this podcast are those of the hosts and guests and do not necessarily reflect those of NWF, or other organizations and affiliates.
Seeds of Culture ChangeOct 05, 2022
Bonus Segment: My Dream NWF
Staff were invited to share their responses to the question, “What does your dream NWF look like?” Their responses have been pulled together in this piece with an original music composition underneath. This segment is also included at the end of episode 10. We wanted to make the standalone piece available for listeners to more easily access it.
Composed by Luke Litwiller (Mullet)
Mixed and mastered by Stephen Angello
What's Your Dream NWF?
What better way to close out the season than to imagine together what we hope the future of the National Wildlife Federation will look like? We’re closing out the season with NWF President and CEO Collin O’Mara and a familiar voice, Chanté Coleman (Senior Vice President of Equity and Justice). We will also hear reflections from folks across the federation staff to dream up the NWF of the future together.
Thank you for joining us this season, listener. We are so grateful to have been able to share these stories with you!
Show Notes
· Contact us: seedsofculturechange@nwf.org
· Emergent Strategy by adrienne maree brown
· Full guest responses to the question “What does your Dream NWF look like?”
The Personal Journey
Our own personal equity journeys are essential in this work. This episode will feature storytelling from Lisa Moore and Zach Cockrum, folks who have spent time self reflecting on their journeys with accountability, healing, and repair.
Show Notes
- bell hooks - The Will to Change
- Shame and Accountability with Brene Brown
- Thich Nhat Hanh Podcast
- Liz Plank - For the Love of Men
- Man Enough podcast
- Mariame Kaba and Shira Hassan - Fumbling Towards Repair
- Ijeoma Oluo - Mediocre: The Dangerous Legacy of White Male America
- Colorizing Restorative Justice
- Fania E. Davis - The Little Book of Race and Restorative Justice
Equitable Storytelling
Stories are powerful. Narratives shape the world around us, which is why it is crucial that we approach storytelling equitably. In this episode, we’ll speak with Lisa Moore and Andrea Auguiste to learn about the National Wildlife Magazine’s journey as they strive to become more equitable storytellers and how that impacts philanthropic efforts.
Show Notes:
Contact us: seedsofculturechange@nwf.org
Dr. Samuel Ramsey (referenced by Lisa)
‘Re-Centering: Culture and Knowledge in Conflict Resolution Practice’
Wellness is Counter-Cultural
Prioritizing wellness is one significant way that the National Wildlife Federation has been approaching equity work. In this episode, we’ll explore the ways that NWF has been prioritizing employee wellbeing and consider the steps that still need to be taken with guests Hillary Fenrich, Tiffany Jones (Carey), and Natalie Cohen.
Show Notes:
- Contact: seedsofculturechange@nwf.org
- Correction from episode: We mention TWIC in the episode, and the company has changed its name to Forma. Learn more about Forma here.
- The Nap Ministry
- Hear more from Hillary on balance in the podcast 'Happy Side Of Neutral.'
- Set Boundaries, Find Peace (book written by Nedra Glover Tawwab)
Employee Resource Groups
The Employee Resource Group program has been an impactful addition to the structure of the National Wildlife Federation. This episode will feature reflections from a few ERG members on the ways that ERGs have impacted their NWF experiences.
Show Notes:
Contact: seedsofculturechange@nwf.org
LGBTQ+ ERG:
Indigenous People’s ERG:
- Reconsidering Thanksgiving
- Leading by Example Through Indigenous Cultures, Values, and Belief Systems
- Resources from Indigenous People's ERG
Latinx, Hispanic, and Multicultural ERG:
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- Honoring Latin American Environmental Defenders
- NWF and HECHO Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
Jewish Heritage ERG
- If you are NWF staff, visit the Equity and Justice page on Field Notes and click ‘content.’ From there, search ‘Jewish Heritage ERG’ and you will find many fantastic resources that the ERG has provided for NWF Staff.
It's All Connected
Affiliates, Programs, Partners, oh my! This episode will dig into some of the structures of NWF, namely affiliates and HECHO (Hispanics Enjoying Camping, Hunting, and the Outdoors). Join guests Juliet Slutzker and Camilla Simon as we explore how these different parts of NWF are approaching equity and justice and learn how it’s all connected.
Show Notes:
2015 Conservation Congress “We Believe” statement
11 Examples to Build Back Better
About NWF's Regional Centers and Affiliates
Note: Nicole would like to amend her answer to Kaila's question about what she'd spend money on if she had unlimited money, because the initial answer felt a little too practical and not as creative as it could have been! After some more thinking, she decided she'd like to fill her home with lots of original artwork and fun plants.
Catalysts of Change
What really pushed us to finally take equity and justice seriously at the National Wildlife Federation? Hear from two people, Chanté Coleman and Les Welsh, who dedicated time and energy to this work in its earlier stages, along with their reflections on where things are now.
Show Notes:
Contact us: seedsofculturechange@nwf.org
My Grandmother’s Hands by Resmaa Menakem (This has been an incredibly valuable book with lots of embodied practices for Nicole’s journey - especially when read/processed with her “white supremacy culture battle buddies.”)
Then and Now: From Founding to Present
Our journey continues by zooming in on the National Wildlife Federation. We’re looking at the founding of NWF, and considering what elements of the founding culture remain present today. Join guests Anita Singh and Anna Brunner for this conversation.
Show Notes:
Contact us: seedsofculturechange@nwf.org
"Guardian of the Wild: The Story of the National Wildlife Federation 1936 – 1986” by Thomas B. Allen
“The stories behind the organizations [sic] of the National Wildlife Federation and its early struggles for survival.” by Carl Shoemaker
“Eight Bright Ideas That Have Powered NWF Through Six Decades.” by Lewis A. Thomas
“Focusing Private-Sector Action on Public Hazards.” by John A. Klacsmann
“Major Problems in American Environmental History: Documents and Essays” edited by Carolyn Merchant
“The Rise of the American Conservation Movement: Power, Privilege, and Environmental Protection” by Dorceta Taylor
Click here for more transcripts and more information about this podcast.
The Movement We Come From
It’s our first interview of the season! To settle us into the context of the National Wildlife Federation, we must understand the broader movement. In this episode, we chat with Rebeca Villegas (Sr. Manager, Environmental Justice) and Nizhooni St Paul (Hurd) (Coordinator Tribal Program Partner) about the complex history of the conservation movement with particular attention to the “who.”
Show Notes
Contact: seedsofculturechange@nwf.org
BREAK MY SOUL by Beyoncé
'Rise of the American Conservation Movement' by Dorceta E. Taylor
NWF pieces on the importance of returning buffalo to Tribal lands
- 'Native American Heritage Month: Celebrating Tribal Victories in Conservation' by Garrit Voggesser
- 'Restoring Bison to Tribal Lands'
- 'Stories Intertwined: How Bison Create a Network of Healing' by Jason Baldes
- 'Coming Full Circle' by Robert McDonald
'Environmentalism’s Racist History' by Jedediah Purdy (article)
About the Doctrine of Discovery
Dismantling the Doctrine of Discovery
Click here for additional information about this podcast and transcripts for each episode.
Get to know your hosts!
Meet your co-hosts, Kaila Drayton and Nicole Litwiller, and get the lay of the land for this season of Seeds of Culture Change!
Show Notes:
Contact: seedsofculturechange@nwf.org
About NWF and Equity and Justice
NWF Community Conversation Agreements
Understanding Intersectionality Video
Click here for additional information about this podcast and transcripts for each episode.
Trailer
Introducing Seeds of Culture Change! Listen to this trailer to learn what we will be diving into throughout this season.