Do you need some Zen? I need a bit of that or something, just to get my head right. So we spoke with LaUra Schmidt, one-half of the dynamic duo of climate psychology along with her Good Grief Network co-founder and wife Aimee Lewis Reau, who wrote How to Live in a Chaotic Climate that was published a little over a year ago. And blimey we need more of their coping strategies than we ever thought we would when the book first came out.
Outro Track
We get into climate grief, trauma, and resilience with Schmidt. We argue the challenges of individual versus collective climate action, the science and spiritual dimensions of environmental advocacy, and the importance of community in building resilience.
Schmidt shares insights from her experiences growing up in rural Michigan, studying Buddhism, biology, and environmental science, and her efforts to help people cope with the emotional toll of climate change through the Good Grief Network's 10-step program.
They also touch on the significance of finding meaning, joy, and humor amidst the chaos, while preparing for an uncertain future.
02:12 Conversation with Laura Schmidt
04:53 Laura's Background and Motivations
16:09 The Good Grief Network
24:56 The Long Dark: Seeds of Creativity
25:37 Ancient Wisdom and Cultural Narratives
29:29 Stories of Resilience and Human Agency
31:05 The Role of Community in Modern Times
38:13 Upcoming Events and Final Thoughts
Good Grief - the Movie
And if you’re looking for more of LaUra’s approach to staying sane and productive in a chaotic world, you can look forward to their film, with digital screenings coming up. Here’s the trailer:
Sign up for one of their digital screenings on May 30 or June 1.
Check Their Seminar
sign up: https://bit.ly/43XGOui
All the Outros
Get the Books
We’ve partnered with bookshop.org to bring you some of the books by authors we’ve had on the show, including How to Live in a Chaotic Climate. Buy their books, if you’re in the UK support local booksellers, and help to keep us on the air.
See you soon.
Share this post