SSDN‘s Green Minds

Check out our new Green Minds Podcast episode with co-host Diego J. Cancel who works for the City of Coral Gables as the Sustainability and Resiliency Supervisor, interviewing Kevin Lindley the Solid Waste and Sustainability Director for Chatham County, North Carolina as they explore electric vehicle charging stations, from locations to cost, and much more.

In a city as historic as Charleston, balancing preservation with modern sustainability can be a challenge. In this episode of Green Minds, host Mika Gadsden (Director of Sustainability for the City of Charleston) sits down with April Magill, Principal Architect of Root Down Designs, to discuss how we can build healthier, more resilient homes without losing the character of our city.

April is a true pioneer in the advancement of Healthy Buildings. As an architect, small business owner, Executive Director, and Adjunct Professor, she brings a wealth of knowledge on how to navigate the intersection of design, policy, and public health. Together, Mika and April dive into the nitty-gritty of engaging local government, the challenges of retrofitting historic structures, and the urgent need for sustainable building practices in the Lowcountry.

Climate change is often described as a generational issue, but is age really what shapes how people think about climate action? The reality is more nuanced, especially in a time of deep polarization. On this episode, leading climate scientist and climate communications expert Dr. Katharine Hayhoe join podcast host and Senior Sustainability Strategist for the City of Raleigh, N.C., Jessica Reid, to discuss how we can connect climate change to people's values and help them take action.

The conversation also examines a challenge that is especially relevant across the American South: how climate discussions intersect with rapid growth, community identity, and differing visions for the future.

Whether you work in local government or are interested in the future of your community, this episode offers practical insights for fostering productive conversations across generations and finding common ground in a changing world.

Dr. Shaleen Miller talks with Cameron Gonzalez, Grounds Maintenance Supervisor, and Kimberly Conley, Sustainability Coordinator, with the Town of Morrisville, NC, about the real-world transition to electric vegetation management equipment.

Hear what they have learned about costs, battery life, charging, crew performance, staff buy-in, and quieter day-to-day operations.

#sustainability #SSDN #SoutheastUS

Join host Diego J. Cancel from Coral Gables, Florida, as he interviews several of our SSDN members and leadership at the 2026 Annual Meeting. Interviewees share the important things they learned and what they are taking home with them.

Celebrate Mobility Month this May as host Mika Gadsden, Director of Sustainability for Charleston, South Carolina, interviews Executive Director Katie Zimmerman and Director of Programming Savannah Brennan with Charleston Moves about local mobility efforts. #biking #charlestonmoves

This Earth Month, we explore the connection between sustainability work and mental health. Host Jessica Reid is joined by two guests bringing complementary perspectives. Ashley Stokes, who currently works for the Seminole Tribe of Florida and is the creator of the documentary Good Natured, discusses the role of storytelling in helping people process climate emotions and move toward action. Sarah Sterzing of Keep Norfolk Beautiful shares how her background in social work informs a trauma-informed approach to sustainability.

Together, this conversation offers practical insights and reflections for those working in climate and sustainability, especially those navigating the emotional weight of the work.

Watch Good Natured

Check out this article that some of our SSDN members enjoyed, inspiring this episode.

🎙️ March Green Minds Podcast

Coral Gables Sustainability Supervisor Diego J. Cancel and SSDN member sits down with Pulitzer Prize winning environmental journalist Mark Schleifstein to discuss climate and resilience to major storm events.

#GreenMindsPodcast #SSDN #Louisiana #resilience

🎙️ February Green Minds Podcast

Got glass? Get sand.

Osceola County, Florida, is doing something unique with their recycling program. They are turning their glass into sand.

Explore the topic with Dr. Shaleen Miller in our latest Green Minds podcast edition, featuring Paul Conover, Sustainability Project Manager and Nicole Enverga, Sustainability Program Specialist.

#GreenMindsPodcast #LocalSustainability #GlassRecycling #SSDN

🎙️ January Green Minds Podcast

This month’s episode of Green Minds features a conversation with Rob Phocas, SSDN’s new Executive Director.

Rob shares with host Dr. Shaleen Miller why he’s excited to be back with SSDN at a pivotal moment, what it’s been like to see the network grow into its first year as a nonprofit, and why peer networks are essential for sustainability professionals working at the local level.

We also talk about what makes a network work — what SSDN needs from participants, why showing up matters, and how shared learning and collaboration help move projects forward faster and with greater impact.

If you work in or alongside local government and are looking for connection, practical support, and a community that understands the realities of this work, this episode is for you.

#GreenMindsPodcast #LocalSustainability #ClimateLeadership #PeerLearning #SSDN

How do local governments talk about resilience and recovery after hurricanes and tropical storms? In this episode, Jessica Reid from the City of Raleigh, North Carolina, talks with local government leaders from across the Southeast about how they communicate through crisis, connect with residents, and frame climate challenges in ways that build trust and understanding.

Guests include Leslie Gahagan, the Sustainability and Natural Resources Director for the City of Foley, Alabama; Matt Efird, Assistant Town Manager and Community Services Director for the Town of Hillsborough, North Carolina; and Ashlee Painter, Chief Resilience Officer for the City of Sanibel, Florida.

Our thoughts and hearts are with all the communities that continue to experience impacts from climate-related disasters. Check out the episode to hear some great insights about how communities can respond to and prepare for these impacts.

In this episode, interview host Dr. Robyn Byers of Charlotte, NC, interviews John Richardson and Brennan Bouma (Chapel Hill, NC) and Jackie LeBouitz (Sarasota County, FL Extension Agent) about Leave the Leaves. Many of our member communities have already started their own Leave the Leaves campaigns, where residents are encouraged to not rake their leaves during fall. Leaf cover offers many benefits including a warm place for smaller animals to live during the colder months and by keeping soil mulched and moist. We hope you enjoy this episode of Green Minds.

Chapel Hill Leave the Leaves https://www.townofchapelhill.org/government/departments-services/public-works/streets-and-construction/leaves/leave-your-leaves

FL Extension Office Leave the Leaves

https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/sarasotaco/2025/03/19/support-your-local-bugs-leave-the-leaves-get-a-free-bumper-sticker/

AI is already transforming how we manage energy, model climate risks, and optimize city services—but it also has a growing environmental footprint. How can we use AI sustainably?

In this episode of Green Minds, host Dr. Shaleen Miller speaks with Dr. Arun Majumdar, Dean of Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability and former VP of Energy at Google, about what AI means for local governments, the planet, and the future of climate work.

From vendor certifications to data transparency and digital equity, this conversation is packed with insights for cities, sustainability leaders, and anyone curious about the climate-AI connection.

#GreenMindsPodcast #GreenMinds #Sustainability #Resilience #AI

In this episode of Green Minds, Shaleen Miller dives into the realities of landing—and thriving—in sustainability jobs, especially in local government.

From breaking into the field to stepping into leadership roles like Chief Sustainability Officer, our guests Abena Ojetayo with the City of Tallahassee and Shelby Buso, formerly with the City of Atlanta and now with the City of San Diego, CA, share their personal career journeys, the skills that matter most, and the advice they wish they’d had starting out. We also get real about burnout, balance, and staying grounded over the long haul.

Tune in to hear practical tips, candid stories, and inspiration for building a purposeful career in sustainability.

In this episode, we are joined by Michelle Midanier (Atlanta, Georgia) and Leif Olson (Fayetteville, Arkansas) to talk climate action planning. The conversation built from where were we in the late 2010's to now, what has been added, how to integrate climate action plans with other strategic plans, and how about funding? These great guests cover that and more in this episode of GreenMinds. Enjoy!

Fayetteville, Arkansas Sustainability

Atlanta's Mayor's Office of Sustainability and Resilience

In this episode, Dr. Shaleen Miller with Winston Salem and I tackle what we love about SSDN member and talk with Rebecca Coplin, Beautification Project Manager for the City of High Point NC, who is considering SSDN membership. We talk about the traditional and non-traditional benefits of SSDN, gush about our relationship building and connections, talk about grant support, and more. If you are not a member of SSDN, consider listening to all the benefits and let's sing you up :). For those of us who are members or know someone who isn't sure about membership, may not have a sustainability position, etc., please share this one wide as we celebrate this great organization.

As always, please send topic ideas to robyn.byers@charlottenc.gov. Have a great one!

This episode is a longer one - I just couldn't cut it down any more than just shy of an hour. Settle in and get ready for a packed episode where co-host Jessica Reid (Sustainability Analyst, City of Raleigh, NC and author of Planet Now) and I chat with Anthony Flaccavento (Rural Urban Bridge Initiative - RUBI) on how we can better communicate about sustainability. Enjoy this candid episode full of tips!

As always, please send topic ideas to robyn.byers@charlottenc.gov. Have a great one!

Rural Urban Bridge Initiative

This episode is a dose of laughter straight from our members. Welcome special co-host for this episode, Dr. Shaleen Miller, and I as we talk about funny moments we've had, and invite two members to share their funniest moments. Takeaways from this episode, check what other groups have the acronym you're hoping to use before you confirm committee names, search for context clues when talking to someone you don't recognize, Always have a re-usable cup and/or bag on you just in case, and have lemons on hand if you tangle with worms.

Enjoy!

As always, please send topic ideas to robyn.byers@charlottenc.gov. Have a great one!

This episode is a short primer for the fall season of the SSDN Green Minds podcast. We start with host Robyn Byers sharing a quick recap from the SSDN Annual Conference, held in Charlotte last May. We even reveal who was "A Spy" for the Charlotte trivia game ;). There's a short review of what's coming up for the fall episodes and we close out with quotes from you, our network, captured from the conference of your favorite bits.

Enjoy jumping back in this fall and we can't wait to continue sharing.

Email any topic ideas to robyn.byers@charlottenc.gov.

Thank you!

Related Links:

Innovation Barn: https://www.envisioncharlotte.com/innovation-barn/

Join us for this half hour dedicated to trees and urban heat in an urban setting. We are joined by Dr. Vivek Shandas with Portland State University, Victoria Aguilar - Asst. City Arborist for the City of Charlotte, and Erin Oliverio - Division Manager with the City of Charlotte's Landscape Management team.

Thank you!

Related Links:

Charlotte's Renew Brew

Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie: The Danger of a Single Story