Listening to the Living World: Ami Vitale, Yann Martel, Carl Safina, David George Haskell & Others on Climate Change & The Rights of Nature

Listening to the Living World: Ami Vitale, Yann Martel, Carl Safina, David George Haskell & Others on Climate Change & The Rights of Nature

Author: Mia Funk April 1, 2026 Duration: 19:59

Today, we hear from writers Yann Martel, Carl Safina and David George Haskell on the practice of listening to the living world. Tom Chi discusses the dangerous volatility of a one-degree shift. Clayton Aldern explores how climate change alters brain health and behavior, while Ami Vitale,Osprey Orielle Lake and Martín Von Hildebrand remind us of the kinship we share with nature. Fred Pearce discusses 40 years as a journalist reporting on climate from around the world, while Richard Black of the environmental think tank Ember and Paula Pinho, European Commission’s Chief Spokesperson, talk about policy, hope and the radical empathy required to protect the planet for future generations.

(0:00) Clayton Page Aldern – Finding awe and beauty in the world

(0:40) David George Haskell – On consequences of humans tuning out the sounds of the living world

(2:11) Yann Martel – How animals ask us to step out of our humanity

(3:12) Carl Safina – The interior lives of non-human animals

(5:08) Ami Vitale – Environmental collapse and human conflict

(6:37) Martín von Hildebrand – Indigenous views of nature

(8:00) Richard Black – Transition to clean energy vs. massive fossil fuel subsidies

(10:01) Tom Chi – Climate destabilization

(11:07) Paula Pinho – Europe’s vision for energy independence

(14:04) Osprey Orielle Lake – Māori concept of "I am the river and the river is me”

(16:08) Bill Hare – On limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees

(17:19) Fred Pearce – Finding hope in nature’s resilience

To hear more from each guest, listen to their full interviews.

Episode Website

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Hosted by Mia Funk, The Creative Process delves into the inner workings of the artistic mind. This podcast is built on intimate conversations with a remarkable range of voices-from authors and filmmakers to dancers, scientists, and activists. Each episode moves beyond the finished product to explore the life, discipline, and unique practice that shape a creator's work. You'll hear from recipients of the world's highest honors, including Oscars, Emmys, and Pulitzer Prizes, as they share unfiltered experiences and hard-won wisdom. The discussions naturally span a wide spectrum of human expression and concern, touching on books, film, theatre, and music, while also engaging with critical themes like social justice, climate change, and technology. What unites these conversations is a deep curiosity about how creativity functions not just in the studio, but as a force in culture and society. Listening feels like being a fly on the wall for a thoughtful, meandering talk where the focus is always on the person behind the craft. It’s a chance to understand how diverse thinkers navigate challenges, find inspiration, and contribute to the broader dialogue through their art and advocacy. This isn't about quick tips or superficial interviews; it's a sustained look at the motivations and methods that drive meaningful creative work across disciplines.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 50

The Creative Process · Arts, Culture & Society: Books, Film, Music, TV, Art, Writing, Creativity, Education, Environment, Theatre, Dance, LGBTQ, Climate Change, Social Justice, Spirituality, Feminism, Tech, Sustainability
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