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”Green Minds” is a collaboration between members of the Southeast Sustainability Directors Network and guests who have experience, knowledge, passionate and dedication to sustainability. About SSDN: The Southeastern U.S. is no different than the rest of the world when it comes to dealing with the problems associated with climate change. Extreme heat, rising seas, strengthening storms, flooding, drought, and crop loss are just some of the challenges we face. The Southeast Sustainability Directors Network (SSDN) addresses these problems through sustainability efforts — work that creates a healthy, clean, and more stable environment for current and future generations. We connect local government sustainability professionals throughout the region to accelerate, scale, and implement sustainable best practices so that communities are equipped to adapt to and mitigate climate change. Learn more about SSDN at www.southeastsdn.org

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Check latest episodes from SSDN‘s Green Minds podcast

Green Minds Ep. 32: One Year In: Why Local Sustainability Needs Strong Networks

2026/01/22

🎙️ 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

Green Minds Ep. 31: Weathering the Storm: Climate Resilience + Recovery

2025/12/16

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.

Green Minds Ep. 30: Leave the Leaves Campaigns

2025/11/25

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/

Green Minds Ep. 29: Sustainability and AI

2025/09/23

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

Green Minds Ep. 28: Explore Careers in Sustainability

2025/08/13

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.

Green Minds Ep. 27: Climate Action Planning - planning, iterations, collaboration, and funding.

2025/08/13

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

Green Minds Ep. 26: What is the benefit to joining SSDN for non-members?

2025/03/08

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 [email protected]. Have a great one!

Green Minds Ep. 25: Communicating Technical Information

2025/01/01

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 [email protected]. Have a great one! Rural Urban Bridge Initiative

Green Minds Ep. 24 Laughable Moments (In and Out of the Office)

2024/10/09

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 [email protected]. Have a great one!

Green Minds Ep. 23: A Spy Revealed + What's Coming Up

2024/08/28

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 [email protected]. Thank you! Related Links: Innovation Barn: https://www.envisioncharlotte.com/innovation-barn/

Green Minds Ep 22: Cities, Trees, and Urban Heat - Oh My!

2024/05/17

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

Green Minds Ep. 21: What Gives You Hope?

2024/02/05

In this short episode, we share the responses we received from SSDN members on what gives them hope to continue working in sustainability. Through our philosophical musings, we come to suggest a "word of the year" for 2024.

Green Minds Ep. 20: SSDN’s IRA Assistance Programs

2023/11/14

Is your organization struggling to access federal funding? Michael Dexter and Nick Deffley with the Southeast Sustainability Directors Network present the Inflation Reduction Act and the assistance services provided by the Local Infrastructure Hub. Links mentioned in this episode SSDN's Grant Opportunity Database: https://www.southeastsdn.org/programs/ssdns-federal-programs/southeast-sustainable-recovery-center-ssrc/ SSDN's Local Infrastructure Hub: https://www.southeastsdn.org/programs/ssdns-federal-programs/local-infrastructure-hub-cohorts/ LIH Factsheet: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Wqpwul1xK-7Uo9LI1KYQbCdiRR-wY9H-/view?usp=sharing

Green Minds Ep. 19: Richmond’s Climate Equity Action Plan

2023/09/05

SSDN's Green Minds rebooted! We welcome a new co-host, Dr. Robyn Byers (Sustainability and Resilience Manager, Charlotte, NC), and we are slightly changing the format of the podcast to be more engaging. In this conversation, we speak with Laura Thomas, Director of the Office of Sustainability for Richmond, VA, about the recently adopted Climate Equity Action Plan 2030. Also mentioned in this episode: Charlotte's Strategic Energy Action Plan

Green Minds Ep. 18: Kendeda Fund Part 3 of 3 on Regenerative Design

2023/05/12

The third and last episode of this special series on regenerative design includes three interviews featuring The Sustainability Institute (Charleston, SC), Green Spaces (Chattanooga, TN), and our very own Southeast Sustainability Directors Network. These organizations are supported by the Kendeda Fund, an Atlanta-based foundation that invests in transformative leadership and ideas, and creating a more just and equitable world. Learn more about their work at kendedafund.org.

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4 reviews

★★★★★

JRS-3 2022/04/13

Fantastic, Scalable content for what good we can do in our own Communities

I love the Green Minds podcast, which features sustainability leaders in local government across the southeast. These stories and interviews give me s...

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