What happens when you put climate and justice leaders in a room with their greatest mentor? Deep, inspiring conversations on what mentorship means, on the power of relationships, and on what it takes to sustain a passion for changing the world. For the second season of Fix’s Temperature Check podcast, we asked six climate leaders to tell us their greatest mentors — the people whose influence and guidance have impacted what they do and why they do it. Then we invited the pairs to come together and discuss their relationship — to the work and to each other. (Learn more.)
This audio story is part of Fix’s Mentorship Issue exploring the unique ways climate leaders found their calling, and how new approaches to mentorship are upending old power structures. Check out the full issue here.
The collaborators
Activist and hip hop artist Xiuhtezcatl and Josué Rivas, a photographer and visual storyteller
Xiuhtezcatl was an aspiring hip hop artist when he met Josué, a photographer. The two have collaborated ever since, documenting the stories of Indigenous communities through powerful lyrics and images. Read the transcript.
The intersectionalists
Leah Thomas, founder of Intersectional Environmentalist, and Teresa Baker, founder of the African American National Park Event
“When you don’t consider the nuances [among groups of people], it can be really harmful,” says Leah, who founded Intersectional Environmentalist to do exactly that. She speaks with her friend and mentor Teresa, who serves on IE’s council. Read the transcript.
The joy-givers
Environmental influencer and drag queen Pattie Gonia and Spencer R. Scott, a science writer and the owner of a queer-run agricultural community space
Bringing as many people as possible into the environmental movement is the goal for both Pattie and Spencer. And the best, most inclusive way to do that? “Collaboration, community, and joy.” Read the transcript.
The scientists
Herpetologist and science communicator Earyn McGee and Tien Nguyen, a science journalist
Earyn and Tien bonded over their experiences as women of color in STEM and finding their paths from academia to media. Says Tien, “This industry needs our stories.” Read the transcript.
The connectors
NDN Collective’s Jade Begay and Eriel Tchekwie Deranger of Indigenous Climate Action
For these Indigenous women, mentorship is “less about teaching skills and more about welcoming in.” Here, they talk about the consequences of holding in trauma, and the relief that comes from sharing it with their communities. Read the transcript.
The power brokers
Valencia Gunder of the Red Black and Green New Deal, and Tamara Toles O’Laughlin, CEO of Environmental Grantmakers Association
Valencia and Tamara are dedicated to improving the lives of those facing unjust conditions in frontline communities. They discuss how to build coalitions and work the levers of policy to combat environmental racism. Read the transcript.
More from Fix’s Mentorship Issue
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![Older person teaching children about meaning of 7 petals in Maskoke language]()
For Indigenous communities, protecting traditional knowledge means reimagining how it is preserved
From digital libraries to fully immersive schools, Indigenous leaders are reclaiming and spreading cultural knowledge to ensure it doesn’t get lost.
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![A gif showing element symbols from Avatar on a TV screen]()
How ‘Avatar: The Last Airbender’ created a generation of climate activists
Sixteen years after its debut, Nickelodeon’s animated series continues drawing parallels to the real world and showing that anyone can make a difference.
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![Mentor and mentee looking out at mountain landscape]()
The best thing my mentor ever taught me
Nine changemakers in the climate space share one lesson from a mentor that has guided their path.
About the Grist 50
Many of the guests on Season Two of Temperature Check are Grist 50 “Fixers.” The annual Grist 50 list recognizes emerging leaders in climate, sustainability, and justice. See the most recent list to discover more Fixers.
Credits
Temperature Check is a podcast from Fix, produced in association with Reasonable Volume.
Producer Audrey Ngo
Associate producer Dominique French
Podcast editors Elise Hu, Rachel Swaby
Sound engineer Mark Bush
Editor for creative storytelling Jess Stahl
Managing editor Jaime Buerger
Associate editor Claire Elise Thompson
Project coordinator Josh Kimelman
Fix intern Camille Williams
Designer Mia Torres
Illustrator Jesse Zhang