July 2026
When environmental challenges feel overwhelming, how do we keep moving forward?
In this episode of The World We Want, host Gerry Ellis speaks with conservation communicator and Forces for Nature podcast host Crystal DiMiceli about hope, storytelling, and why meaningful environmental action often begins with small, local steps that inspire lasting change.
Drawing on experiences from work in Panama and Colombia and years of interviewing conservationists, educators, and community leaders, Crystal reflects on how positive storytelling can help people move beyond feeling overwhelmed and begin making meaningful change in their own communities.
Crystal also shares the personal journey that led her into conservation, the unexpected moment she realized she truly belonged in the environmental community, and why she believes every individual has the capacity to become a force for nature.
This episode addresses:
- Why hope grows from taking action
- The role of storytelling in environmental education
- Helping young people feel empowered rather than overwhelmed
- Finding local ways to make a difference
- Building stronger connections to nature
- The importance of becoming a bridge across different perspectives
At its heart, this conversation explores a simple but powerful idea: Hope isn't something we wait for. It's something we build together.
Resources for Educators
Climate Fresk
Forces for Nature Instagram
Listen to the Forces for Nature Podcast on Apple or Spotify
"Podcasts That Engage and Educate: Advice from Three Conservation Pros" (eeWEBINAR)
"Raising Anti-Doomers" (Natural Start Alliance Webinar)
"When Values Collide: Deliberating Environmental Issues with Youth and Adults" (eeWEBINAR)
About the Guest Speaker: Crystal DiMiceli
Crystal DiMiceli is an environmental podcast producer, host, and educator whose aim is to help answer people’s question, “But what can I really do to help the environment?” Through her show Forces for Nature and collaborations with mission-driven organizations—such as for The Healthy Seas Podcast—she creates thoughtful, solutions-oriented conversations that make conservation and sustainability feel accessible, relevant, and human. Forces for Nature even won Best Science Podcast through the Women in Podcasting Awards and is often featured in best-of lists. She also uses educational programming, like the globally renowned Climate Fresk, to empower audiences to move beyond overwhelm towards understanding and take realistic steps toward a healthier planet.
Transcript coming soon
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About The World We Want: The NAAEE Podcast
Imagine a world where communities thrive, curiosity sparks change, and hope fuels action. Welcome to The World We Want, the NAAEE podcast that's bringing a better future to life, one inspiring story at a time. Join us as we chat with people across continents and cultures who care about education and the environment—the trailblazers, visionary leaders, and everyday heroes making a difference. Season two of The World We Want: The NAAEE Podcast is produced by NAAEE, in partnership with GLOBIO, and funded by ee360+.
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