Episode 4.12: Hope as Practice

In this episode, host Peter Andrée and guests Leah Penniman and Jan Hania explore how inner spiritual work and personal transformation are inextricably linked to the outer work of social and environmental change. At a time when reactionary, right-wing parties or coalitions are in power in both their countries, they discuss the value of moving beyond anger toward non-violent resistance based in compassion. Building Episode 4.8 themes (“Mindful Approaches to Ecopolitics”), they also explore the importance of "hope as a practice," and how grounding oneself in awe of the earth can support the long-game work of environmental activism in the Anthropocene. 

In this episode, host Peter Andrée revisits the roots of The Ecopolitics Podcast by examining the dynamics of Canadian environmental politics in the mid-2020s. Joined by Dr. Rosalind Warner (Okanagan College), Dr. Will Greaves (University of Victoria), and Dr. Peter Stoett (Ontario Tech University), the conversation explores themes from their new co-authored book, Canadian Ecopolitics (University of Toronto Press, 2025). Together, they unpack how the politics of resource extraction, federalism, and settler colonialism continue to shape Canada’s environmental landscape. They also reflect on sources of hope, including the rise of civil society movements, Indigenous environmental leadership, and the growing recognition of the rights of nature. The guests offer candid insights on bridging activism and policymaking, listening across divides, and inspiring new generations to think long-term about sustainability in an era of planetary limits.

In this episode, Peter Andrée and guest host Tehya Quachegan (Lakehead University) introduce listeners to the Living Relations Project, a collaboration between Indigenous and settler partners in Aotearoa New Zealand and Canada. The project brings together researchers, community activists, and Indigenous leaders to strengthen food sovereignty, address colonial legacies, and build resilience in the face of climate change and biodiversity loss.  Through stories and reflections from members of its Indigenous Advisory Circle and Research Circle, the episode delves into relationship-based research, intergenerational knowledge sharing, and the exchange of solutions across two similar yet distinct settler-colonial contexts.

In this powerful and personal episode, host Peter Andrée is joined by Dr. Jeff Ganohalidoh Corntassel (University of Victoria, Cherokee Nation) and Dr. James Rowe (University of Victoria, author of Radical Mindfulness) to explore how mindfulness, ceremony, and heart-centred practices offer resources for witnessing and metabolizing the emotional grief associated with environmental and social injustice. Together, they discuss how inner awareness, land-based ritual, and work with psychedelic medicine can support healing and resilience in the face of climate anxiety, ecological grief, and systemic injustice. Drawing on Indigenous teachings, contemplative practice, and personal experience, this episode invites listeners to reflect on what it means to walk with feeling in ecopolitical spaces—and how relational and embodied approaches can help us build a more grounded, compassionate politics in the Anthropocene.

 In this second half of our two-part series on The Growth-Environment Debate, Ryan and Peter explore two of the more provocative discourses in the debate over sustainability and economic growth. What if growth is the problem? And what if it's already too late? First, they examine the “Overthrow Growth” discourse through the work of Indigenous activist and economist Winona LaDuke, the principles of degrowth, and the rise of eco-Marxist critiques of capitalism. Then, they delve into a final, sobering discourse: “The Damage of Growth is Done,” featuring voices like Jem Bendell, who argues that societal collapse is already underway, and that the focus should now be on adaptation and resilience. This episode continues to unpack the diverse, and at times conflicting, visions for ecological sustainability and economic futures in the Anthropocene. If you haven’t listened to Part 1, we recommend starting there.

In this episode, host Peter Andrée sits down with two doctoral students and a postdoc on the path to becoming ecopolitical researchers: Devon Cantwell-Chavez, Kaleigh McIntosh, and Obed Asamoah. They talk about their unique projects, how they came to pursue this work, and unexpected lessons learned in graduate school. This episode explores the importance of relationships, humility, and a commitment to social and environmental justice for anyone seeking to become an ecopolitical researcher.

In the first of a two-part series, co-hosts Ryan Katz-Rosene and Peter Andrée dive deep into the complex and often controversial relationship between economic growth and environmental sustainability - the subject of Ryan’s recently published book! Kicking off with the story of Dennis and Dana Meadows and their landmark 1972 report, The Limits to Growth, the episode sets the stage for the "Growth-Environmental Debate" by exploring three major discourses: Growth is Green, Growth Can Be Green, and Growth Misses the Point. Through compelling storytelling and archival audio clips, Ryan shares with us the histories and intellectual trajectories of key figures such as Julian Simon, Mostafa Tolba, and Kate Raworth. From debates over population and scarcity to global environmental diplomacy and reimagining economics through the lens of doughnuts, this episode challenges listeners to reconsider how growth is understood, valued, and contested in environmental politics.

Join Dr. Peter Andrée as he explores the critical role of philanthropic organizations in advancing sustainability with two leading experts: Beth Hunter, Director at FoodBridge, and Lorne Johnson, Vice President at the IVEY Foundation. In this insightful conversation, Beth and Lorne share their expertise and experience, offering valuable insights for students, researchers, and anyone interested in the intersection of philanthropy and environmental responsibility. Discover how successful philanthropic efforts can be aligned with ecological goals, such as promoting sustainable agriculture in Canada. Learn about the unique challenges and opportunities facing philanthropic organizations as they strive to create a more sustainable future for all.

In this episode of the Ecopolitics Podcast, our host, Dr. Ryan Katz-Rosene, is joined by Dr. Kathryn Harrison and Dr. Andrew Leach to delve into the intricacies of the federal carbon tax in Canada. We explore the mechanics of the carbon tax—how it sets a price on emissions and the variations in its application across provinces, and how the tax impacts consumers and add the context by examining the current political climate surrounding the carbon tax and its role in the larger debates on environmental policy in Canada. Listening to this episode will help us unpack the complexities of this politically contentious policy tool and its implications for Canadian politics and climate change initiatives.

We’re back and excited to share where the Ecopolitics Podcast is going with Season 4. Hosts Peter Andree and Ryan Katz-Rosene reflect on where we’ve gone over the last three seasons. Together, they explore how many of the themes and topics of the podcast remain relevant and continuously changing, from the Carbon Tax and Sustainable Food Systems to Indigenous Environmental Politics. Tune in to hear Ryan and Peter introduce Season 4: Politics of the Anthropocene! We are excited to share a series of episodes that put today’s politics into the longer-term context of how our societies engage with the more-than-human world with expert insights, thought-provoking discussions, and practical solutions.