Easley and Olupo had to bring Ms. Myrick back because as a leader, she does not just work in environmental education, but she also is an entrepreneur that is making her own lane by leading multiple organizations. In this episode she shares her evolution throughout her career and her insight exploring a different field of … Continue reading BONUS: Pt 2 Bianca. Gearing up for success →

On this episode, Easley interviews Bennett. It’s always important to make sure that our listeners know who the engineer and editor is that keeps Heartwood moving forward. Olupo shares his background as an educator, as well as his cultural background that informs how he works in forestry and how he engages as a student in … Continue reading Meeting the Hosts. A Conversation with Bennett Olupo and Dr. Easley →

On this episode, Dr. Easley and Bennett Olupo share the stage with Professor Gonzalez as he smoothly shares his views on environmental justice and education. He brings a lens of truth, art and R&B that keeps him grounded and motivated to support his students. Gonzalez shows us how being a humble and working to be … Continue reading Navigating Conflict with Pat Gonzales-Rogers →

On this episode, Dr. Easley and Bennett Olupo speak with Professor Gerald Torres as they explore his interest in Environmental Justice as well as his career in Law. This episode is rich because they all share their understandings of the injustices communities of color face, while Prof. Torres gives wisdom and scholarship that breaks down … Continue reading Discussing the Future of Environmental Justice Dr. Gerald Torres →

On this episode, Dr. Easley interviews two scientists and leaders in the forest industry. Amazingly, they are also his classmates from Alabama A&M University. They discuss their journeys to the profession and the importance of getting an education at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.

On this episode, Dr. Easley and Bennett Olupo are joined by Thoko, Grace, and Ato. The vivacious and keen trio are pursuing their masters at Yale School of the Environment. We discuss what it is like to be from The Continent and pursue an environmentally focused education and career. The episode has a special emphasis … Continue reading Finding a place at Yale: Thokozile Changufu, Grace (Chikaodi) Dominic, Jeffrey (Ato) Blay →

On this episode, Dr. Easley and Bennett Olupo are joined by world-renowned rapper and author Khnum “Stic” Ibomu (One half of the Legendary Hip Hop Band, Dead Prez), who has developed a strong fan base thanks to wellness oriented and conscious lyrics. We discuss why the growth mentality present in fit-hop, the hip-hop subgenre he … Continue reading Finding Your Groove with stic from dead prez →

On this episode, Dr. Easley speaks with Dean Toddi Steelman of the Nicholas School of the Environment at Duke University. She shares her experience in leadership and shares how she works to support students, faculty and staff. This episode is so rich because they both used to work together, and you will enjoy listening to … Continue reading A Balancing Act: Learning to Grow with and Empower Students with Dean Toddi Steelman →

On this episode, Dr. Easley is joined by Dr. Justin Kunkle, the Assistant Director of Undergraduate Studies and Academic Advisor in the Department of Forestry at Michigan State University. We discuss how Dr. Kunkle supports students in the community beyond just giving lip service. He expounds that it is a constant learning process, but we … Continue reading Being a Conduit for Change with Dr. Justin Kunkle →

On this episode of the Heartwood Podcast, Dr. Easley is joined by Ms. Bianca Myrick. She is the founder and executive director of Pretty Purposed, non-profit organization dedicated to inspiring communities to empower young women and girls. With environmentalism underlying the conversation, the two discuss the importance of leadership and education within the Black community.

On this episode of the Heartwood Podcast, Dr. Easley and Bennett Olupo are joined by the illustrious Dr. Nyeema Harris (Associate Professor of Wildlife and Land Conservation at the Yale School of the Environment (YSE). Easley and Harris are colleagues whose careers crossed paths at NC State University. We are fortunate to discuss how Dr. … Continue reading Plugging Into the Source with Dr. Nyeema Harris →

On this episode, Dr. Easley is joined by Nadeem Demian and Thibault Vermeulen, both Masters Students at the Yale School of the Environment and Producers of the Heartwood Podcast. The three reflect on their personal trajectories, values, as well as their thoughts on this season’s episodes of the podcast

On this episode, Dr. Easley is joined by Mae Lin Plummer, Director of the IDEA Center for Public Gardens. The two discuss the importance of personal identity in shaping their environmental ethics and career paths.

On this episode, Dr. Easley is joined by Marcelo Bonta, President of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion(J.E.D.I.) consultancy Marcelo Bonta LLC; as well as David Lamfrom, Vice President of the Regional Programs at the National Parks Conservation Association. The three discuss the importance of community and emotional support in helping address DEI issues in the … Continue reading Community and Emotional Support and DEI in the Conservation Movement: A Conversation with Marcelo Bonta...

On this episode, Dr. Easley is joined by world-renowned economist Dr. Jeffrey Sachs, who is an expert on sustainable development and poverty economics. The two discuss the parallels between Diversity, Equity and Inclusion issues in the US and historical inequities on a global scale.

On the second part this conversation, Dr. Easley is joined by Liz Felker, Associate Director of the Forests Dialogue (TFD) based at the Yale School of the Environment. They discuss the importance of the TFD process and the importance of social safeguards as they relate to DEI.

On the first part this conversation, Dr. Easley is joined by Gary Dunning, Executive Director of the Forests Dialogue (TFD) based at the Yale School of the Environment. They discuss the history of TFD and the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement in the forestry sector globally.

On this episode, Dr. Easley is joined by world-renowned rapper LilB, who has developed a strong fanbase thanks to his promotion of positivity and tolerance. The two discuss how LilB’s upbringing and career has taught importance of love and compassion in his relationship with people and the environment.

On this episode, Dr. Easley is joined by Kaggie Orrick, a PhD Student at Yale as well as Lauren Sadowski, a recent master’s graduate of the school. They discuss their experience working on elephant conservation inBotswana. The episode also includes voice recordings of Dikatholo (Dix) Kedikilwe who works for Round River Conservation Studies inBotswana.

In our final episode of Season 3 of the Heartwood Podcast, Dr. Easley sits down with his colleague, and Dean of the Yale School of the Environment, Dr. Indy Burke. In this candid conversation, Indy reflects on how far the School of the Environment has come in terms of its Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion strategic … Continue reading The Dean Speaks: A Conversation with Indy Burke →

This week, we have the pleasure of welcoming on to the show Omavi Minder, more widely known as “Mavi” — the 22 year old rap artist from Charlotte, North Carolina. Mavi, a Neuroscience major at Howard University, joins Dr. Easley in a deep discussion on what growing up in the United States south as a … Continue reading An Exchange of Wisdom with Omavi Minder →

On this episode of the Heartwood Podcast, Dr. Easley sits down with Professor Mark Bradford, a fellow scholar at the Yale School of the Environment. Mark discusses how he, as a white male from Britain specializing in soil and ecosystem sciences, is able to bring issues of diversity, equity, and inclusion into the classroom. Join … Continue reading Merging the Personal with the Professional: A Conversation with Mark Bradford →