One of the reasons I enjoy being a podcast guest is that it is mainly in the act of human conversation that I allow the most authentic version of me to emerge. I realize this is not only a challenge for me.
As a podcast guest, I can’t edit. Neither can I get away with simply spouting bullet points or getting AI writing help. But, because there is no re-do, the real me relaxes into it. And, the me or you who most relaxes into a podcast conversation, is the one we’d all like to hear from in audio and video interviews.
With that in mind, this great New Ways podcast interview I did with host Russell Baker is an example. We get into a lot of my work history and climate influence take, but we do that in the exact way I’d talk about it if I were having coffee with you in the halls of a big conference.
Note: it was recorded earlier in 2025, so some things have since changed. As those of us in the podcast space know all too well, it takes a *lot of work* and so a lot of life may happen between recording and posting. In this case, Russell Baker and I discussed the development of my new podcast, which, at the time was named Climate Influence - and the plan was to launch in late September.
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And - as those of you following me know, the podcast I’ve been recording and editing these past few months is now called Name And Fame, and… has not yet launched. The plan is now for late January 2026.
Anyway…we had a really fun talk and covered a lot of good topics that give context for all I do.
First and foremost, our conversation included a deep dive on my theory and practice of “producing” climate influence, and why I aim to build a leadership bench of more of you who are recognizing and developing your own.
Some key quotes / points therein:
“What I see is a lot of influence that could be had, a lever that could be pulled, that we are not pulling as leaders.”
I’m hoping to see more leaders who are willing to step out and intentionally influence their peers.
This includes shout outs to climate scientist and communicator extraordinaire, Katharine Hayhoe, for being a shining example of authentic voice on social media, and to Paris Mayor Anne Hidalgo (and her communications team) for understanding how to message her climate values —— and for truly pedaling the “bikes for urban transportation” talk.
As well, there is a shout out to the NYC Department of Food Policy for turning plant-based leadership climate values into policy for school food service and their corporate-facing Plant Powered Carbon Challenge initiative.
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My hope is that listening to this New Ways episode will give more of YOU the idea of becoming a go-to authentic storytelling podcast guest in your sectors (and beyond). I see so much power in the podcasting space, broadly, for the sustainability and climate leadership that still doesn’t get its due. To be clear, I’m not suggesting that we need more climate podcasts (but I’d love to see it), but I think the bigger and most immediate climate influencing opportunity lies in the idea of more of you guesting on a RANGE of podcasts and REPRESENTING your climate values within any professional topic.
So, perhaps my discussion with Russell will nudge listeners to think about how building any degree of B2B or P2P influence, even if that means you influence just ten key people, DOES matter, a lot? This would make me so happy!
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We need to re-define influence and we need to re-define who has it. I’m also perfectly happy if you want to label it differently. As long as we are upping our collective impact via our own authentic narratives.
We are neglecting too much climate action potential, otherwise.
Thanks so much to Russell Baker for inviting me to talk about joy and the topics where I see so much opportunity. May our conversation resonate with YOU. Please message or comment here about which points stood out or may have nudged you a bit.