Climate Change and Happiness

Climate Change and Happiness

We give language to what you feel about the climate crisis—and also what you might want to feel, feelings you can grow and cultivate. This supports your resilience and your mental health and wellbeing. We invite other experts to join us in our conversations, and we hope you can join us too.

Episodes

Season 5, Episode 16: New Researcher Spotlight—Britta Eklöf on the Challenges of Activism and Staying Involved

April 10, 2026 • 31 mins
Ever wondered why some people burn out or quit activism despite caring deeply? Panu and Thomas spoke with Swedish Ph.D. researcher Britta Eklöf who explored this question. Many long-term activists face barriers like social disconnection, exhaustion, and doubts about their impact. Britta’s research shows these obstacles are interconnected, and that small changes can make a huge difference. Creating social support, clear roles, and s...
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Season 5, Episode 15: A Journey around the Planet (Without Flying) With Thor Pedersen

March 27, 2026 • 33 mins
Thor Pedersen embarked on a decade-long journey, traveling to every country without flying, redefining the limits of Earth-based travel. Join us to learn about the logistics and lessons of Thor’s global trek, revealing how resilience and cultural understanding transformed his mission into a powerful message about climate change and hope.
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Season 5, Episode 14: Art Therapy for Climate Resilience with Mor Keshet

March 13, 2026 • 34 mins
Thomas and Panu explored the intersection of art, creativity, and environmental psychology with art therapist Mor Keshet. Join us to discover practical art activities like mandalas and collage that help process climate emotions and foster identity and resilience.
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Season 5, Episode 13: Fostering “Good Mind”: Teaching for Climate Change with Maria Vamvalis

February 27, 2026 • 35 mins
Maria Vamalis designs learning environments that strengthen collective well-being that help people rediscover their capacity to act together in conditions of uncertainty, through promoting critical thinking and relationship skills. Hear her inspiring conversation with Panu & Thomas. 
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Season 5, Episode 12: Criminalizing Nature and Climate Values (and Rights to Protest)

February 17, 2026 • 34 mins

Panu and Thomas explored the increasing vilification of environmental and social protest. They reviewed research on the "repertoire of oppression” that state and corporate groups are employing such as disingenuous application of laws regarding terrorism and organized crime to non-violent, legal protest actions by the public and advocacy groups. These tactics enable mor...

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Season 5, Episode 11: Revisit Your New Year’s Resolutions from a Systems View

February 5, 2026 • 29 mins
Panu and Thomas reflected on the passage of the winter season in Northern climes, lengthening daylight and earliest signs of spring. Thomas shared ways for listeners to revisit their New Year's goals and resolutions from a systems view – not just as singular actions but as ways of creating a healthy synergy in one's life. He highlighted that small changes – forgoing unhealthy food or drink, starting a new exercise plan, or doing a ...
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Season 5, Episode 10: On “Kinship Medicine” with Dr. Wendy Johnson

January 17, 2026 • 33 mins
This was a fascinating episode! Thomas and Panu welcomed Dr. Wendy Johnson, a family and addiction medicine physician, to discuss her book "Kinship Medicine." Dr. Johnson shared her journey from political advocacy to medicine (“I went to medical school to do politics better.”) and the discussion delved into the social determinants of health, the historical roots of Western medicine, and the need for collective, relationship-based a...
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Season 5, Episode 9: Having An Attentive Heart at New Year with Stephanie Kaza

January 7, 2026 • 33 mins
Thomas and Panu reflected on the winter season and the new year with Stephanie Kaza, noted Buddhist and environmental scholar. Stephanie shared her journey from Ohio to Buffalo to Vermont to Oregon, highlighting the profound impact of natural landscapes on her psyche. The conversation stressed the significance of community, mindfulness, and seasonal rituals in connecting with nature and coping with eco-anxiety. As Stephanie noted, ...
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Season 5, Episode 8: A Manifesto for Flourishing

December 23, 2025 • 31 mins
Thomas and Panu reflected on the end of the year and the winter season. They invited listeners with some provocative questions: “What does the Earth in me need?” “How to care for your Soul in a world and systems that are soulless?”  “How to honor fatigue after a tough year?” “How to keep an open mind, an open heart, open breath, and open hands?” And the podcast’s theme question: “How to be happy, ethically, in the modern world?” Pa...
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Season 5, Episode 7: On Hiking and Zen with Brother Phap Luu

December 5, 2025 • 38 mins
Thomas and Panu had a great discussion with Brother Phap Luu, a US born Buddhist monk in the Plum Village tradition, and co-author of Hiking Zen. Topics included the dynamics of hiking meditation, the role of mindfulness and Buddhist thought in an engaged and ethical life, ways to find peace amid the furor of politics and climate threats. 
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Season 5, Episode 6: New Options for Meetings and Travel with Josh Gutwill and Sue Allen

November 22, 2025 • 37 mins
As the end of the year and traditional holiday travel calls, many also consider the social and environmental impacts of traveling. One area where people can have control over required travel is in the structure of business and academic meetings. Thomas and Panu spoke with Josh Gutwill & Sue Allen of the Clean Conferencing Institute about new, positive trends in virtual and hybrid meetings. Many lessons have been learned since the r...
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Season 5, Episode 5: On Finding One's Voice With The CPA's Rebecca Weston

November 7, 2025 • 36 mins
Thomas and Panu engaged with Rebecca Weston, lawyer, clinician and Co-Executive Director of the Climate Psychology Alliance of North America. Rebecca shared her journey of empowerment about climate therapy, emphasizing the need for empathy and understanding of denial and fear surrounding climate change. The conversation delved into the significance of attachment and relationships in shaping our responses to environmental crises. As...
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Season 5, Episode 4: Meaning, Values, Nature, and Family

October 25, 2025 • 32 mins
Your environmental identity is a core source of strength and long-term coping with eco and climate stresses. This was the theme of this episode as Panu spoke with Thomas about Part II – Identity – of Thomas's new book Surviving Climate Anxiety. As Thomas explained, each chapter, “Meaning,” “Values,” “Nature” and “Family” highlights a core aspect of environmental identity and how it's made and maintained.  Panu and Thomas also discu...
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Season 5, Episode 3: The Pathway from Eco-Anxiety to Thriving

October 19, 2025 • 32 mins
Thomas and Panu discussed Thomas's new book, Surviving Climate Anxiety and its messages about coping with climate change by focusing on happiness and thriving. Thomas offered an inside view of the book and how it would benefit readers. He shared insights from his psychology background and emphasized the importance of understanding our emotions and identities. Pnau and Thomas also talked about using storytelling to connect with read...
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Season 5, Episode 2: Lessons From the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth with Kate Schapira

September 30, 2025 • 35 mins
From Lessons From the Climate Anxiety Counseling Booth “In 2014, when Kate Schapira first set up a Climate Anxiety Counseling booth in her hometown of Providence, Rhode Island, far fewer people were talking about climate change and its attendant anxiety, leaving those who couldn’t ignore climate change and the forces that cause it feeling frantic and alone.  Seeking a way to reach out and connect, Schapira set up a  Peanuts-style ...
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Season 5, Episode 1: Youth and Intergenerational Connections with Sarah Newman and Larissa Dooley of the Climate Mental Health Network

September 12, 2025 • 31 mins
Thomas and Panu were joined by Sarah Newman and Larissa Dooley of the Climate Mental Health Network. Sarah discussed her long-standing personal experience with eco-anxiety, and how it influenced her life choices and led her to establish the Network. Larissa, Director of Research and Programs, first learned of climate change's psychological effects during her graduate studies; the increasing frequency of wildfires in California late...
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Season 4, Episode 28: Remembering Joanna Macy

August 30, 2025 • 33 mins
Thomas and Panu reflected on the profound impact of Joanna Macy on their understanding of environmental emotions and activism. Thomas highlighted Macy's role in transforming environmental engagement from an intellectual pursuit to a visceral, emotional experience. He shared a personal story of meeting Macy and read an excerpt from his new book describing one of her workshops he attended as a graduate student. Panu reflected on his ...
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Season 4, Episode 27: On Raising Anti-Doomers with Ariella Cook-Shonkoff

August 15, 2025 • 30 mins
In this enlightening episode, Thomas and Panu sat down with Ariella Cook-Shonkoff, a licensed therapist and author of Raising Anti-Doomers: How to Bring Up Resilient Kids Through Climate Change in Tumultuous Times (2025). Ariella shared her journey from motherhood amidst California wildfires to writing a book that empowers parents to foster resilience in their children. Panu Thomas each reflected on their own parenting, and enjoyed...
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Season 4, Episode 26: Coming Back to Climate News after a Vacation

August 1, 2025 • 30 mins
Thomas advocates a news and technology break for people to enjoy their summer or holiday time; to reconnect with nature and their family; and replenish their own thoughts and dreams. But what to do when you come home? In this episode of "Climate Change and Happiness," Thomas and Panu Pihkala explore their own intricate balance between staying informed about global climate events and maintaining personal well-being. As they discuss ...
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Season 4, Episode 25: “Queer Brown Vegan” with Isaias Hernandez

July 18, 2025 • 33 mins
Thomas and Panu were joined by environmentalist Isaias Hernandez, creator of Queer Brown Vegan. Together, they explored the profound impact of identity on environmentalism, discussing how personal backgrounds, cultural heritage, and lived experiences shape one's approach to climate issues. Isaias shared his journey from growing up in Los Angeles as a first-generation immigrant to becoming a voice in the climate movement. The conver...
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