Discern Earth

In this episode I speak with Candice Ammori, founder and CEO of Climate Vine, a professional networking organization for climate tech professionals. Candice brings a unique perspective as an Iraqi-American from the Chaldean Catholic community who has navigated data science, international development, and now climate tech community building. We discuss:* How her upbringing in a close-knit Chaldean Catholic community of 60+ first cousins in Metro Detroit shaped her approach to building communities in climate tech.* The parallels between AI and climate change as systemic disruptions that capitalism in its current form may not survive.* Why 80% of successful community building is about filtering and selecting the right people, while only 20% is programming and events.* Her journey from studying AI ethics and biostatistics to focusing on climate after the 2018 IPCC report.* The importance of breaking down silos between technologists, activists, policy makers, and Global South perspectives in addressing climate change.* How accepting reality rather than fighting it has become central to her spiritual practice and approach to climate work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I speak with Grant Mulligan, a wildlife biologist by training who has worked across conservation finance, impact investing, and environmental progress. He currently writes the newsletter Progress Accumulation and is fellow at The Roots of Progress Institute. Grant brings a unique perspective as an atheist deeply committed to environmental stewardship, drawing on Camus's absurdism to find meaning in conservation work. We discuss:* How his atheist worldview, grounded in Camus's absurdism, shapes his joyful approach to environmental work and finding meaning through action rather than belief.* His journey from counting endangered species in the Arizona desert to working on conservation finance at The Nature Conservancy.* Why the shift from zero-sum to positive-sum thinking is essential for effective environmentalism that includes human flourishing.* How spending summers watching birds with his grandparents in Wisconsin led to discovering Aldo Leopold and a career in wildlife biology.* The critical role of economic thinking in conservation, from groundwater banking to renewable energy siting.* Why courage and incremental action, not grand ideas, are the limiting factors in environmental progress. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I speak with Silas Mähner, founder of ErthTech Talent, a recruiting firm focused on placing talent in early-stage climate tech companies. He's also the co-host of the Clean Techies Podcast. Silas brings a unique perspective as a devout Catholic working in climate tech, combining his faith-driven values with entrepreneurial ambition. We discuss:* How his Catholic upbringing in rural Wisconsin shaped his worldview and approach to work as service to others.* His journey from insurance sales to founding his own climate tech recruiting firm, driven by a search for meaningful work beyond financial success.* The challenge of being openly Catholic in a climate tech space often associated with progressive politics and secular worldviews.* Why climate tech founders often fail to learn from history, repeatedly attempting solutions that failed in Clean Tech 1.0.* How to balance human flourishing with environmental stewardship from a Catholic perspective that rejects both unchecked capitalism and anti-human degrowth ideology.* The importance of finding God in nature while avoiding making an idol of environmentalism itself. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I speak with Max Joshua, a commercial GTM specialist focused on applying satellite imaging technologies to climate problems. After we recorded our conversation, she joined the Earth Fire Alliance She brings a unique perspective from her journey through exoplanet research to Earth observation, combining technical expertise with a commitment to community building. We discuss:How her spiritual view of cosmic consciousness and interconnectedness drives her work in environmental monitoring and conservation.Her experience building commercial operations from scratch at Blue Skies Space, developing markets for exoplanet observation data among scientists and space agencies.The transition from studying distant worlds to using similar satellite technology to detect methane emissions on Earth through her work at Planet.Why being LGBTQ+ brings unique perspectives to climate work, requiring the same radical imagination needed to envision systemic change.The challenges and opportunities in commercializing satellite data for climate applications through her advisory firm, Atmos Impact.How spending time in nature and building community are essential components of a meaningful life in climate work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I speak with Dr. Heidi Steltzer, an Earth scientist with a background in high mountain and Arctic ecology who is now pursuing theological studies. She offers a unique perspective on the intersection of scientific inquiry and spiritual experience, drawing from three decades of research in high-altitude and Arctic environments. We discuss:* How her mystical experiences in remote mountain and Arctic landscapes led to a deeper understanding of Earth as a living relationship rather than an object of study.* Her spiritual journey from Lutheran upbringing through thirty years away from organized religion to returning to church and entering theology school in her late forties.* The development of her Center for Earth Theology in Colorado, designed as an immersive space for scientists, theologians, and entrepreneurs to explore the intersection of faith and environmental stewardship.* Why she believes we're experiencing a rising of human consciousness that's necessary to address global environmental crises through more than purely quantitative approaches.* How the practice of science can be a form of mystical discernment when approached with presence and openness to Earth's guidance. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I speak with Will Clayton, CEO of Sky Harvest, a forest carbon project developer that incentivizes small landowners to avoid harvesting their trees for climate impact. We discuss:* How his Christian upbringing shapes his current work in environmental markets.* How growing up in North Carolina's forests through scouting and hiking fostered his deep connection to nature.* His experience at BCG and how it shaped his approach to problem-solving in the environmental space.* Why the carbon market's failure to account for the time value of climate action represents a fundamental flaw that Sky Harvest is working to address.* The challenges of balancing ambition with what truly matters in life. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I speak with Jason Ethier, Founding Partner of the Energy Tech Nexus. He offers a thoughtful perspective on entrepreneurship in the energy technology space, drawing on his background in engineering and his philosophical approach to business building. We discuss:* How his spiritual journey through absurdism and Buddhism shapes his view that focusing on process rather than outcomes leads to greater fulfillment in entrepreneurship.* Why the Houston ecosystem offers unique advantages for energy transition startups through its combination of technical, business, and financial leadership.* How his experience founding Dynamo Micropower taught him crucial lessons about market timing and the challenges of innovating in established industries.* The evolution of startup support systems from traditional incubators to flexible community hubs like Energy Tech Nexus that adapt to founders' distributed needs.* Why creating transformational experiences for founders—helping them grow alongside their businesses—forms the core mission of his work. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I speak with Sydney Rodman, founder of Green Revival. She offers a refreshing perspective on nature and climate action rooted in Orthodox Judaism, challenging the doom-focused environmental movement with a life-affirming approach to solving ecological problems. We discuss:* How her journey to Orthodox Judaism shaped her ecological worldview and approach to business.* The concept of "sourcing" that connects her faith, scientific background, and company mission.* Why invasive species management presents both ecological challenges and economic opportunities.* How the Jewish concept of tikkun olam (repairing the world) informs environmental stewardship.* Why climate action must be centered on celebrating life rather than focusing exclusively on carbon. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode, I speak with my good friend, Kaleo Fernandez. He currently works as a Business Development Manager at ProService Hawai’i. We previously worked together at Renoster. We discuss:* How growing up in the Hawaiian diaspora shaped his approach to bridging indigenous wisdom with modern climate solutions.* Why the Polynesian Voyaging Society's message that "Earth is our canoe" resonates deeply with climate action.* How his experience working on corporate sustainability at Watershed revealed the practical challenges of implementing climate solutions.* Why measuring and pricing biodiversity presents fundamentally different challenges than carbon accounting.* The delicate balance of bringing conscious capitalism to Hawai’i while respecting historical wounds.* How his spiritual journey through Buddhism and other traditions informs his approach to environmental stewardship. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I speak with James Fitzgerald, Research & Policy Manager at BCarbon, a carbon credit registry focused on nature-based solutions. We discuss:• How the papaw tree and other evolutionary anachronisms reveal ancient relationships between extinct megafauna and modern plants.• The evolving concept of "invasive species" in our increasingly globalized and interconnected world.• The geological contrast between Long Island's climate vulnerability and New England's bedrock resilience.• The century-long transformation of New England from farmland to forest, enabling the return of native megafauna.• How Victorian "pteridomania" devastated native fern populations in Scotland and Wales, illustrating conservation challenges.• The remarkable adaptation of black bears to human-dominated landscapes in New York City's suburbs.• The complex interplay between human activity and natural systems in shaping modern ecosystems. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I speak with David LaGreca, an environmental markets expert currently serving as a lead consultant at EcoEngineers, where he develops new methodologies for carbon dioxide removal projects. We discuss:• How early mountaineering experiences in Colorado shaped his environmental commitment, including years as a dirtbag mountaineer.• His 24 years of being a vegan.• His transition from free-spirited outdoorsman to carbon market verifier.• His view of verification as an unglamorous but essential function in carbon markets.• The challenges of developing new carbon removal methodologies, particularly for novel approaches like ocean-based CDR.• His assessment that biomass-based approaches, like biochar and BECCS, are the most promising near-term CDR solutions due to scalability. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I speak with Sam Rosolina, an environmental chemist currently serving as Vice President of Applied Innovation at Microbial Insights, a laboratory that uses microbes to clean up environmental contamination. We discuss:• How growing up in rural Northeast Tennessee shaped his love of nature.• How witnessing the devastating 2008 Kingston coal ash spill motivated his pursuit of environmental chemistry research.• His path from academic heavy metal detection to leading isotope analysis at Microbial Insights, tracking microbial breakdown of contaminants.• The compelling parallels between microbial and human communities, particularly in their reliance on specialization and mutual support.• His perspective on the balance between voluntary and compliance-driven environmental action, noting regulation's historic role in driving improvements.• How finding stability in place and career has enabled broader thinking about research while maintaining deep regional connections. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I speak with Brandon Craft, a product manager at Orbis, a forestry software company. We discuss:• How a C.S. Lewis quote inspired his path from Christian ministry to forestry.• His connection to Georgia's coastal plain ecosystem, where prescribed fire and forest management shaped his understanding of home as an ecosystem.• How his humanities and biblical studies background provided crucial skills that enhanced his forestry career.• The challenge of balancing legacy systems with new technology in forestry, requiring empathy to drive adoption in a conservative field.• His exploration of the philosophical sublime through prescribed fire and harsh landscapes, finding both fear and beauty in nature's power.• The value of developing vocabulary to help people connect with ecosystems rather than seeing them as empty spaces. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I speak with Elias Ayrey, a forest carbon scientist and Chief Science Officer at Renoster, a carbon credit diligence firm. We discuss:• How growing up in suburban New Jersey with a science teacher mother shaped his connection to nature and science.• His move from ecology to forest remote sensing, and how it gives him a unique perspective on forests.• His passion for paleobotany and early plant evolution.• His realization that carbon market challenges stem primarily from human factors rather than technical limitations.• How direct observation of carbon market projects revealed both transformative community benefits and serious human rights violations.• His pragmatic view of carbon markets as a flawed but necessary climate solution given human nature. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I speak with Ross Kenyon, former VP of Strategy at Nori, a carbon removal marketplace that recently shut down. We discuss:• How his humanities background shaped his approach to climate work, bringing a generalist perspective focused on questioning assumptions.• His engagement with Christianity through Tolstoy's radical interpretation of the Sermon on the Mount.• Why attributing ecological degradation to Christianity's concept of "dominion" oversimplifies both religious teaching and historical causation.• The complex tension between altruistic and profit motives in scaling climate solutions.• His view that climate change will likely increase global conflict and migration rather than cooperation.• The importance of acknowledging human imperfection in climate work, advocating for pragmatic engagement with high-emitting industries. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I speak with Roman Gonzalez, a product and design consultant through his company Rad Plant Man Consulting. We discuss:• How growing up as a curious Mexican-American in Corpus Christi shaped his intellectual path.• His spiritual evolution from Catholicism to atheism to developing a materialist ecological spirituality based on nature's intelligence.• The creation of Gardenio, his startup focused on accessible home gardening, and how plant cultivation deepened his ecological awareness.• His commitment to supporting underrepresented founders in tech entrepreneurship.• His work at Literati connecting children with transformative books.• His exploration of UFO phenomena as a window into human metaphysics and our relationship with the unknown. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I speak with Caleb Meredith, a materials scientist currently working at TerraSafe Materials, an early-stage climate startup in the sustainable packaging space. We explore his vision of energy stewardship and discuss:• His path from chemical engineering to materials science, sparked by early experiences exploring nature and fascination with micro-scale phenomena.• The key distinctions between chemical engineering's industrial process focus versus materials science's structural relationships.• How biological complexity initially drove him toward simpler physics before drawing him back to bio-derived materials.• Why the "natural versus synthetic" materials divide misses the point in sustainable solutions.• His vision of energy stewardship as the foundation for a circular materials economy.• How studying materials at microscopic scales revealed increasing complexity, reshaping his view of human knowledge. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I speak with Bryan Kam, a philosopher based in London and author of the forthcoming book Neither/Nor. We explore the fundamental question of what nature is and discuss:• How ancient Greek concepts of phusis (nature) and nomos (human law) shape our understanding of the natural world.• The tension between static and dynamic views of nature, from Parmenides to Heraclitus.• Scientific materialism's struggle to establish nature's inherent value without religious frameworks.• The Industrial Revolution's transformation of our relationship with nature.• The challenge of preserving "wilderness" in a human-shaped environment.• How urbanization may create an imaginary, disconnected view of nature.• The philosophical tensions revealed in defining what counts as "natural" versus "artificial". This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode, I describe my childhood fascination with nature, reflect on how I ended up working in nature and climate, and explain my spiritual motivations for striving to regenerate the Earth. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com

In this episode I introduce Discern Earth, the podcast and newsletter that seeks to understand why nature professionals do what they do. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit discernearth.substack.com