15 Podcasts That Deal With Climate Anxiety
I don’t know about everyone else, but I have gotten hooked on podcasts over the past couple of years. They are an unbelievably convenient way to absorb information, and I listen to them while I’m driving to work, going for a walk, or doing chores.
I have been feeling extremely burnt out this past month, and a large part of it was due to this extreme climate anxiety I was feeling. It is hard to put so much passion and energy into the climate movement, and to feel like the work you are doing isn’t even making a difference. However, I knew that I was just letting myself get overwhelmed and quickly turned to podcasts to give myself the pep talk I knew I needed. All of these podcasts really helped me to take a step back, allow myself to breathe, and come back to my projects refreshed.
If you are feeling overwhelmed dealing with climate anxiety, try to set aside some time during the week to absorb the information and tools shared in the podcasts below. I guarantee you will be able to add at least one new coping skill to your activism journey!
Want to add this podcast playlist to your listening que? Here is the link to Cut the Crap’s Spotify!
How to turn climate anxiety into action (with Luisa Neubauer) by How to Be a Better Human
In this short and motivating podcast episode, leader of the “Fridays For Future” school strike movement, Luisa Neubauer, discusses unique ways for individuals to make systematic change. I really enjoy the way that Luisa reframes the climate movement in a way that enables us to keep the “bigger picture” in mind when taking action on an individual level.
Listen to the podcast here!
Climate Anxiety Is Real. Here’s How To Address It by NPR Life Kit
This podcast equips you with tools to manage and be resilient in the face of climate-change and the emotions that come with it. This 17-minute podcast with eco-therapist Phoenix Smith is full of some great tips. It is so exciting to see eco-therapists becoming available to provide support to those of us feeling burnt-out and overwhelmed.
Listen to the podcast here!
We Have the Solutions Now by Degrees
If you are curious about President Biden’s ambitious climate plans for 2035, this podcast does a great job of explaining the policy and impacts that this will have on our future. It is a huge win for activist groups, and the people affected most by climate change already. Podcasts like these give me the most hope because it helps me to see a clear vision of what the future actually can look like when people take action and encourage change!
Listen to the podcast here!
Eco-anxiety with Dr. Lise Van Susteren (Climate Physical Alliance) by Sustainability Defined
Learn what eco-anxiety is and what you can do with it with Dr. Lise Van Susteren, a licensed psychiatrist and leader in the field of eco-anxiety. It is so important for my own mental health to have a toolbox of resources to help cope with this anxiety that can become really overwhelming at moments. That is why I appreciate professionals sharing this insight with the world!
Listen to the podcast here!
Catastrophe or Transformation by Climate Psychology Alliance
This is an entire podcast series that examines all of the different emotional responses many people are having to the climate crisis around the world. Every episode is focused on healing and hope, which is so important for our mental health as activists if we do not want to get burnt out.
Listen to the podcast here!
Mothers of Invention
This podcast has an amazing feminist lens that really gets me inspired and feeling all of the girl power! The episodes are hosted by a group of amazing women with a very diverse background that brings in some interesting perspectives and discussion points.
Listen to the podcast here!
A Sustainable Mind
This podcast was created as part of a master thesis project, and stemmed from Marjorie seeing a huge lack of representation from people of color in her field. It is so important for there to be representation not only for other activists, but for the communities who are disproportionately affected by climate change.
Listen to the podcast here!
A Matter of Degrees
I love how they summarize their podcast, “This show is for the climate curious people who know climate change is a problem, but are trying to figure out how to tackle it”. I feel like so many of us really fit into this category, and need that little nudge to take the first step into large-scale activism (even on an individual level)!
Listen to the podcast here!
Outrage and Optimism by Christiana Figueres
This podcast series features leaders in activism, and climate solutions that have already been developed and proven to be effective! They have series that cover a wide variety of topics, so you are guaranteed to find at least one episode of interest to you.
Listen to the podcast here!
Heaps Better by Greenpeace
This Australian podcast is a really fun podcast for all ages to not only learn tools for dealing with climate anxiety, but also to get some environmental education. Greenpeace is an amazing environmental non-profit to support, and I am so grateful that they put together this podcast!
Listen to the podcast here!
Trying to Talk to Family about Climate Change? by How to Save a Planet
I feel like this is a topic that brings a lot of people anxiety, especially when you are surrounded by family and friends who do not have the same climate conscious perspective as you. Due to the overwhelming nature of the climate crisis, it can definitely be a conversation stopper depending on how you go about it. This podcast has some great tools and ideas to help you start including some of your passion and values into conversations with your loved ones.
Listen to the podcast here!
On Climate Crisis with Mary Annaïse Heglar by As She Rises
This podcast explores how the climate movement can look if we change how we think about it. The perspectives brought forward in this episode really encompasses how a lot of younger generations feel, and how they can respond. Mary Annaïse Heglar is such an inspiring activist and writer, so this podcast is definitely worth the listen.
Listen to the podcast here!
How to Turn Worry Into Compassionate Action by Eco Chic
Learn frameworks and methods that can help empower you while taking action in the climate movement. So many of these podcasts really dive deep into the discussion of changing the structure of the climate movement and how individuals exist within it. I think it is exciting to see new ideas and change on the horizon.
Listen to the podcast here!
We Have the Solutions to Go Green by Orsted
Orsted envisions a world that runs completely on renewable energy, which is possible even with technology we have today! This is an interesting episode featuring a panel of speakers who are already putting amazing climate solutions into action today.
Listen to the podcast here!
Turn the Tide on Climate Anxiety by Sustainable(ish)
I love this podcast episode, and Turn the Tide’s mission of promoting sustainable actions that are good for the environment and our mental health. Dealing with climate anxiety can be overwhelming, but this husband and wife duo have created a really helpful path for activists to take when it comes to their mental health.
Listen to the podcast here!
What podcasts are you listening to currently? Do you have any coping skills for climate anxiety that you would like to share? Please leave your thoughts in the comment section below to keep this resource growing!
