Breen Murphy, President of Carbon Collective Investing, storyteller, ocean lover, and lifelong learner, shares what it means to create a meaningful life by contributing authentically to a better world. From the deeply personal experience of speaking at his grandmother’s memorial — and realizing the impact one person can make — to leading a groundbreaking investment firm reimagining what it means to be a fiduciary in the climate era, Breen shares his winding path, lessons learned, and the mindset shifts that have guided him along the way. We unpack why failure can be a teacher, how patience and persistence can coexist, and how shedding rigid identities opens us up to greater impact.

Writing coach and ghostwriter MJ Halberstadt joins Ania to explore how queerness, creativity, and climate intersect. From their origins as a queer theater kid to writing plays about Antarctica and ghostwriting books on transformational leadership, MJ shares how they’ve navigated imposter syndrome, burnout, and the pressure to “have it all figured out.” Together, they explore how comparison can paralyze us, why the perfect can be the enemy of the good, and how bringing our authentic selves — flaws and all — is exactly what this work needs.

Meet Umair Surani, a bridge-builder, systems thinker, and Senior Account Executive at McKinstry, whose path into the climate world began in the most unexpected way—through a job he almost didn’t take. With a background in aerospace engineering and a childhood in Pakistan, Umair brings a uniquely global and interdisciplinary lens to decarbonizing buildings.

We explore why HVAC contractors may be the most powerful (and overlooked) agents of change in the clean energy transition, what prevents more homeowners from installing heat pumps, and how decision-making around climate technologies often comes down to risk, timing, and trust.

Alex Siminoff, a passionate climate communicator and plant-based advocate, shares how small, intentional choices can ripple into meaningful change. Alex describes how personal values, cultural roots, and climate action intersect. This isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being intentional. Tune in for an honest, funny, and practical conversation about food, identity, and taking action.

Meet Chris Allieri, the founder of the NYC Plover Project. This citizen led effort is all about protecting the Piping Plover, a tiny endangered bird that nests on New York city's beaches. What started as Chris's personal mission has grown into a movement, inspiring hundreds of volunteers and creating real change for both wildlife and communities. Chris's story shows us that you don't need a perfect plan or a formal background to make a difference by stepping up and taking action. 

Meet Daniel Hill — you may know him as the guy who started the Open Door Climate Movement! We discuss fear as a motivator for action, redefining networking as an introvert and balancing optimism with systemic realities. 

Daniel's journey shows that making a difference often means creating spaces for genuine human connection.

Meet Andy Nelson, who has spent years navigating the complexities of career transitions, personal identity, and meaningful work. From a corporate career that spanned fintech and management consulting to years of van travel across continents, he shares how he found clarity in the most unexpected places—Siberian trains, surfboards, and conversations over tea. Now a career coach helping others align their passions with their contributions, he offers practical insights and empowering advice for anyone contemplating a big leap or a small step toward a life that feels true. Let’s dive in!

Allen Cowgill shares his story of witnessing the impacts of climate change in Colorado and his determination to create a safer, more sustainable future. Starting with small changes at home, Allen’s journey led him to electrify his house, and ultimately advocate for community bike safety. His story reminds us of the powerful ripple effect our individual efforts can have on society.

Meet Alex Gamboa Grand, founder of Way of Being, a local plastic-free, low waste, sustainable, locally sourced home & beauty products store in Portland, OR! We explored her journey as an entrepreneur, some of her favorite items that are easy to swap out for more sustainable alternatives, and why the using your buying power as a consumer is an important part of the transition to a more sustainable lifestyle for everyone - without guilt, without unrealistic standards, and without sacrificing comfort, style, convenience or happiness. 

We sit down with Spencer Meeks, founder of Apex Presentations, to chat about his journey from engineer to climate communications expert. Spencer shares how he uses his unique skill set to start his own business helping climate and cleantech pros break down complicated ideas and make their messaging stick. We dive into his deep connection to nature, how his upbringing inspired his passion for sustainability, and the challenge of finding purpose-driven work in the climate space. We discuss how good communication can amplify climate solutions and drive position impact and legacy. 

Dustin Cote shares his year-long journey of getting solar panels installed on his home in Raleigh, North Carolina. What started as a straightforward project quickly became a lesson in navigating HOA rules, getting neighbors on board, and finding creative solutions to unexpected roadblocks. We dive into the challenges he faced, his what he’s learned, some ideas on how the process could be improved and the opportunities that exist for making solar installations easier for everyone.

Meet Ting Waymouth, a passionate community organizer for climate action. Ting shares how her upbringing laid the foundation for her commitment to sustainable habits and how motherhood provided a deeper opportunity to embrace practices like using reusable cloth diapers, fully electrifying her home, and seeking out ways to inspire others in her community. This was a fun and inspiring story of how to find ways, both big and small, to exercise our power and create the future we ACTUALLY want to live in.