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A Climate Change with Matt Matern is a weekly environmental podcast featuring influential guests from government, business, activism, academia, and culture. The show serves to inform its audience about environmental issues, while inspiring listeners to take action and create a coalition to save the planet.
Matt Matern speaks with Steve P. Wilburn, CEO of Verde Watts, on Unite and Heal America. Steve discusses founding Verde Watts, focusing on efficient micro grids and renewable energy. He highlights the role of batteries and advocates for incentives over regulations to promote energy efficiency.
Matt Matern chats with Marc Carrell, CEO of Breathe SoCal, about LA’s air quality issues. They discuss efforts to reduce diesel truck pollution, wildfire smoke preparedness, and promoting hydrogen and electric vehicles.
Matt speaks with Nick Lapis from Californians Against Waste. CAW, founded in 1977, initially focused on bottle deposits, now tackles plastic pollution and electronic waste. Nick discusses legislation to reduce plastics and emphasizes composting organic waste, shifting responsibility to producers.
Matt speaks with Shelley Luce and Talia Walsh from Heal The Bay about waterway protection, wastewater recycling, and plastic waste reduction. They highlight the Beach and River Report Cards, Coastal Cleanup Day, and the reopening of Heal The Bay’s Santa Monica Pier Aquarium.
Matt speaks with Mayor Rex Parris of Lancaster. Mayor Rex discusses a voting rights case, his environmental advocacy, and Lancaster’s solar and hydrogen projects. He emphasizes climate action urgency and community involvement in municipal politics. Lancaster thrives under his leadership.
Matt Matern talks with Bryn Lindblad from Climate Resolve about local climate action in LA. They discuss cool pavement, tree planting, and community-focused solutions. Bryn highlights bipartisan policy work and legislative efforts to tackle urban heat islands, emphasizing community involvement and funding.
Matt Matern talks with Scott Culbertson and Neysa Frechette, from Friends of Ballona Wetlands, about state and importance of wetlands.
Matt speaks with Cindy Montañez, CEO of TreePeople. Cindy discusses her journey, Tree People’s impact on tree planting, environmental education, and the importance of urban water runoff management. She urges community involvement in sustainable practices.
Terry Tamminen, former Cal EPA Secretary, shares his journey from Milwaukee to California’s environmental leadership on Unite and Heal America. He discusses key policies like the Hydrogen Highway and sustainable investing.
Matt Matern speaks with Bill Magavern from the Coalition for Clean Air about their 50-year fight for clean air in California. He supports zero-emission goals, emphasizes hydrogen and electric vehicles, and advocates for better public transit and stronger environmental policies.
Helen Avery of the Green Finance Institute discusses mobilizing capital for a zero-carbon economy, highlighting the need for private finance, catalytic capital, and nature-related financial disclosures. She encourages considering the environmental impact of investments.
Matt Matern and Karly Matthews, ACC Communications Director, talk about the environment and the American Conservation Coalition.
Matt speaks with John Marshall, founder of Potential Energy Coalition. Inspired by his child, Marshall uses marketing to communicate climate issues non-politically. His campaign “Science Moms” involves relatable messaging and highlights job creation in green infrastructure.
Matt and Bob Deans from the NRDC discuss bipartisan environmental protection. Praises Matt Matern’s community work, critiques Trump’s rollbacks, and welcomes Biden’s climate policies. Highlights hydrogen vehicles, local government roles, and the upcoming Glasgow summit.
Matt Matern speaks with Senator Ben Allen about California’s environmental bills on single-use plastics, recyclable labeling, and microfiber filtration. They address homelessness, proposing stipends for homeowners housing homeless individuals. Matt also chats with Dr. Sweta Chakraborty on climate change policy.
Rick Gates discusses Biden’s presidency, election integrity, the Capitol riot, and Trump’s GOP influence. He calls for bipartisan reforms, criticizes the January 6 events, and urges unity. Gates also covers U.S. foreign policy, his work with Manafort, the Trump Inaugural Committee’s finances, and global threats.
Matt Matern speaks with Dan Schnur, a political expert, discussing the recall of Governor Newsom, the rise of independent voters, and Trump’s waning influence. They debate the $1.9T COVID relief package and a voting rights bill. Matt’s proposal for a homeless stipend is praised by
Matt speaks with Blake Newhem, who shares his journey from ghostwriter to fiction author after a brain tumor diagnosis. Blake discusses his books and the therapeutic nature of writing. He advises writers to keep writing and highlights his ghostwriting experiences for conservative politicians.
Assemblymember Ash Kalra discusses housing solutions, clean energy, and criminal justice reform with Matt Matern. Kalra supports phased homelessness solutions, clean energy incentives, and rethinking public safety.
Matt Matern speaks with Assemblymember David Chiu about homelessness, affordable housing, clean energy, and the EDD crisis. Chiu highlights the need for comprehensive support and proposes using savings from prison closures to aid formerly incarcerated individuals.
Matt speaks with Michael Barrett, a former Marine now leading VetNet at Working Wardrobes. Michael shares his military background, recovery from an IED explosion, and current work helping veterans with job readiness and overcoming barriers like unemployment.
Dr. Mark Goulston shares his journey from depression to psychiatry, emphasizing “surgical empathy” and the HADA method to manage emotions. Inspired by a homeless encounter, he supports disadvantaged youth. His book offers trauma healing techniques.
Senator Bob Wieckowski discusses environmental policies, homelessness solutions, and arbitration clauses. He emphasizes renewable energy, ADUs for affordable housing, and simplifying COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
Matt Matern speaks with Alison Hurst from Safe Place for Youth, which aids homeless youth in LA. S.P.Y. provides basic needs, case management, and housing. Alison emphasizes community involvement and addressing systemic issues. The goal is to create spaces where youth feel seen and loved.