SSDN‘s Green Minds

Green Minds Ep. 33: Turning Glass into Sand

🎙️ 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

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

🎙️ 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

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

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

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

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.

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?

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! 

Green Minds Ep. 25: Communicating Technical Information

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

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

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!