In this episode of Writer’s Voice, we explore the intersections of personal and ecological narratives through two powerful interviews. Francesca speaks with writer and musician Eiren Caffall about her memoir, The Mourner’s Bestiary, and naturalist Betsy McCully, author of At the Glacier’s Edge: A Natural History of Long Island from the Narrows to Montauk Point. These conversations explore the interconnectedness of environmental degradation and restoration, personal story, and the history of place. Topics Covered: * Environmental Parallels: How personal narratives of illness can reflect larger environmental crises. * Climate Change and Coastal Resilience: Insights into Long Island’s history of glaciation and ongoing environmental restoration efforts. * Ecological Restoration and Community: The importance of grassroots efforts in restoring and protecting local ecosystems. * The Human Connection to Nature: How loss, grief, and recovery in our own lives can mirror those within the environment. Writers Voice— in depth conversation with writers of all genres, on the air since 2004. Connect with Us: Follow us on social media to stay up-to-date on the latest episodes and news. Find us on Facebook at Writers Voice with Francesca Rheannon, on Instagram @WritersVoicePodcast or find us on X/Twitter@WritersVoice. Key words: marine ecology, Long Island Sound, Gulf of Maine, Eiren Caffall, Betsy McCully, global warming, climate change, PKD, Writer’s Voice, environmental memoir Eiren Caffall: A Personal and Ecological Grief Caffall’s The Mourner’s Bestiary intertwines her experience of living with polycystic kidney disease (PKD) with her deep concern for environmental issues, particularly the degradation of aquatic ecosystems. Caffall describes how witnessing environmental collapse, such as the mass die-off in Long Island Sound in 1987, paralleled her family’s history with PKD. She uses this backdrop to reflect on the broader implications of how humans and the environment experience collapse and healing. As Caffall states, her work seeks to “ground our understanding of what’s happening to the planet in something as physical as our own disease progress.” Key Quote: “I was born in a flooding body, on a flooding planet, in a flooding family.” — Eiren Caffall Betsy McCully: Long Island’s Fragile Ecosystem In At the Glacier’s Edge, McCully examines the natural history of Long Island and how human intervention has reshaped this delicate landscape. From coastal erosion to the loss of barrier islands, McCully explores how unchecked development threatens not only human settlements but also diverse habitats. She stresses the urgent need for sustainable practices to preserve Long Island’s unique natural history. As McCully explains, “Barrier islands were never meant to be built on… as the sea level rises, we are essentially erasing these natural systems.” Key Quote: “We are ourselves as a human species, in a way, being on an edge… a metaphor for how precarious our position ha...