"Yesterday the word was not sustainability. Yesterday the word was life. And today we have to learn how to be life." - Uncle Kimokeo
In this episode, we welcome a very special guest from Hawai‘i: Kimokeo Kapahulehua — respected kūpuna, cultural practitioner, paddler, and founder of the Kimokeo Foundation.
Uncle Kimokeo has dedicated his life to preserving and perpetuating Hawaiian culture, language, and traditions through community work, education, land stewardship, and outrigger canoeing. He also co-founded Paddle for Life, supporting cancer care through traditional voyaging.
In this inspiring conversation, Uncle Kimokeo shares ancestral wisdom on sustainability and our kuleana (responsibility) to care for the ocean, land, and one another. We explore the profound role of storytelling, spiritual connection to nature, cultural healing, and how traditional Hawaiian practices offer guidance for the challenges of today. His message is clear: to care for Mother Earth is to become good ancestors for future generations.
Key Takeaways
Sustainability is rooted in learning from and maintaining balance with nature
Ancient practices provide solutions for modern environmental challenges
Kuleana is shared responsibility and action
Language and education protect cultural heritage
Healing requires expression and continuity of traditions
Storytelling sustains indigenous knowledge
Spiritual connection to nature supports well-being
The Hawaiian moon calendar guides sustainable living
We are one family connected through the earth
Caring for Mother Earth benefits future generations
Chapters
00:00 — Returning to Ancient Wisdom
06:11 — Cultural Connection to the Ocean
09:04 — Understanding Kuleana
12:26 — Preserving Hawaiian Culture Through Education
13:52 — Healing & Reconciliation in Hawai‘i
16:37 — The Power of Indigenous Storytelling
20:50 — Spiritual Connection to Nature
22:15 — Becoming Good Ancestors
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“Yo vengo de una comunidad que hasta ahora trata de no depredar lo que tiene; entonces, cuida. Cuida la vida de las personas, pero también cuida la vida de su entorno. Para nosotros, la sostenibilidad significa justamente usar lo que tenemos alrededor de modo racional, sin depredar, sin exterminar.” - Tarcila Rivera Zea
Hoy nos acompaña Tarcila Rivera Zea, activista quechua de Ayacucho y una de las voces indígenas más reconocidas del Perú y del mundo. Desde hace más de 25 años, lidera la defensa de los derechos de los pueblos indígenas a través de CHIRAPAQ, organización que fundó y preside, así como desde diversas redes internacionales.
🎧 Destaques de la conversación
Introducción y contexto
Aborda el recorrido de Tarcila y el contexto de su trabajo. (Inicio)
Sostenibilidad y perspectivas indígenas
Explora el enfoque indígena hacia la sostenibilidad y la gestión de los recursos. (Aprox. 03:00)
Empoderamiento y preservación cultural
Se centra en el empoderamiento de las mujeres indígenas y en la importancia de preservar el patrimonio cultural. (Aprox. 09:00)
Incidencia global y desafíos
Describe la participación de Tarcila en foros internacionales y los desafíos que enfrentan las comunidades indígenas. (Aprox. 15:00)
Sabiduría intergeneracional y perspectivas futuras
Analiza la importancia de transmitir el conocimiento tradicional y de abordar los desafíos del futuro. (Aprox. 21:00)
🔗 Más información sobre el trabajo de Tarcila en chirapaq.org.pe
🎧 Dale play al episodio y no olvides seguir el podcast para no perderte las próximas conversaciones sobre sostenibilidad.
Apóyanos mostrando tu interés de las siguientes maneras:
🎧 Escucha y suscríbete al podcast We Need to Act en Spotify o Apple Podcasts.☕ Apoya a nuestro trabajo comprándonos un café. 📲 Únete a nuestra comunidad en Instagram, LinkedIn, y YouTube📬 Suscríbete a nuestro boletín informativo en nuestra página web.
"We, in terms of Indigenous people, come from a holistic society. We don't come from a dichotomous society that cuts everything out. So land, water, people, environment, and non-human kin are all intrinsically entwined because they make up what we say the balance and the peace and the harmony for good life."
In this episode, we sit down with Prof. Anne Poelina, a Nyikina Warrwa woman from the Kimberley region of Western Australia — a community leader, filmmaker, and advocate for human and earth rights.
Prof. Poelina shares powerful insights into how Indigenous wisdom and modern science can come together to guide us toward a more harmonious relationship with the Earth. We explore the deep connections between culture, consciousness, and environmental stewardship, and discuss how collective action and community can shape a sustainable future.
Tune in for an inspiring conversation that will expand your perspective on what it means to care for Country — and for one another.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction and Acknowledgment of Indigenous Wisdom
02:54 The Importance of Community and Collective Care
06:04 Interconnectedness of Nature and Human Existence
08:53 Clash of Values: Indigenous vs. Western Perspectives
12:01 Unlearning Colonial Mindsets
15:01 The Role of Indigenous Knowledge in Environmental Stewardship
18:04 The Impact of Climate Change on Indigenous Lands
20:52 The Future of Development and Economic Justice
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"Behavioral psychology is key to effective sustainability programs. Understanding the psychology of people is crucial to communicate and manifest change in them."
In this episode, I’m thrilled to welcome Katie Patrick, an environmental engineer, climate action designer, and author of How to Save the World and Zerowastify. Katie brings a unique fusion of environmental science, behavioral psychology, and game design to tackle climate change, creating tools like apps and campaigns that inspire real-world action.
She’s worked with organizations like NASA JPL, Google, UNEP, and Stanford, and co-founded Energy Lollipop and Urban Canopy to reduce CO₂ emissions from the electricity grid. Through her podcast and projects like The Imagine Project,Katie champions the power of creativity, optimism, and evidence-based design in shaping a sustainable future.
Key topics
Chapters
00:00- Introduction and Katie's Background
00:03 - The Role of Play in Sustainability
00:09 - Challenges and Sacrifices in Environmental Action
00:15 - Motivating Change: Beyond Environmental Calls
00:21 - Gamification and Community Engagement
00:27 - Working with Children and Eco-Imagination
00:33 - Current Projects and Future Plans
00:39 - Final Thoughts and Call to Action
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"El derecho que tenemos todas las personas a vivir en un ambiente sano, y para poder vivir en ese ambiente sano, necesitamos —llamémoslo— un desarrollo normativo: una serie de normas y principios que configuren y materialicen esa garantía del derecho a un ambiente sano. Por eso, la relación entre el derecho humano a un ambiente sano que tenemos todas las personas, como un núcleo para una vida digna en términos ambientales, se desarrolla y se complementa con el derecho ambiental." — Mauricio Madrigal
Hoy les traigo a un invitado muy interesante para hablarnos sobre el derecho ambiental. Mauricio Madrigal es abogado ambiental en Colombia y México, especialista en derecho ambiental, magíster en derecho y doctor en derechos humanos. Además, es profesor universitario y especialista en democracia ambiental y derechos humanos en WWF Colombia.
Capítulos
🎧 Dale play al episodio y no olvides seguir el podcast para no perderte las próximas conversaciones sobre sostenibilidad.
Apóyanos mostrando tu interés de las siguientes maneras:
🎧 Escucha y suscríbete al podcast We Need to Act en Spotify o Apple Podcasts.
☕ Apoya a nuestro trabajo comprándonos un café.
📲 Únete a nuestra comunidad en Instagram, LinkedIn, y YouTube
📬 Suscríbete a nuestro boletín informativo en nuestra página web.
"When we remove freedom from people, it's a social death. We are killing them. We are killing their relatedness to the world because we are closing them off from their relations."
In today’s episode, I’m joined by a very special guest: TysonYunkaporta. He’s an Aboriginal academic, thinker, and founderof the Indigenous Knowledge Systems Lab at Deakin University in Melbourne. He is a member of the Apalech Clan from Far North Queensland, and you might know him as the author of Sand Talk, Right Story, Wrong Story, and most recently, Snake Talk. Tyson’s work centers on using Indigenous methods of inquiry to address global existential threats and develop regenerative responses to crisis.
I first read Sand Talk: How Indigenous Thinking CanSave the World some time ago, and it sparked a deep curiosity about Tyson’s work and the relevance of Indigenous knowledge systems to today’s global challenges. That curiosity led to this conversation, which I’m really excited to share with you. Let’s dive in.
Key Highlights
• Our thinking should be shaped by creation, not the other way around.
• Wealth isn't inherently bad, but linking it to power can be dangerous.
• The binary of good and evil oversimplifies complex realities.
• Disconnection from nature leads to a distorted understanding of our place in the world.
• Colonialism is not a thing of the past; it continues to shape our realities.
• Indigenous knowledge systems can provide valuable insights for modern challenges.
• AI has the potential to be a relational tool, not just a utility.
• Tools should be integrated into our communities and lives as relatives.
• Storytelling is a powerful way to convey complex ideas and values.
• We must learn to think like a fox to navigate our relationships and environments.
Chapters
00:00 The Wrong Side of the Story
03:01 Wealth, Power, and Freedom
05:48 The Illusion of Separation from Nature
08:11 Complexity vs. Simplicity in Human Systems
11:11 Religion and the Human-Nature Divide
14:08 Colonialism and the Narrative of Progress
16:59 Indigenous Knowledge and Modern Challenges
22:49 Creating a Complex Ecosystem of Investments
24:13 The Importance of Dialogue in Cultures
25:28 Exploring Serpent Stories and Their Wisdom
26:52 The Ten Commandments of the Serpent Law
29:10 The Connection Between Women and Snakes
32:47 Navigating Relationships with Invasive Species
34:59 The Impact of AI on Human Intellect and Community
39:42 The Role of Tools in Community and Relationships
40:38 Storytelling as a Means to Convey Wisdom
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Can technology save us from the environmental crisis? For Megan Pillsbury—engineer, entrepreneur, and innovation leader—the answer is more complex than a simple yes. In this episode, Megan explores the role of tech in solving environmental challenges, while urging a more holistic, humble approach.
Founder and CEO of Dunya Analytics, Megan brings rich experience in tech, sustainability, and finance. After years in Silicon Valley, she now helps companies measure their environmental impact and shift toward a nature-positive economy.
Tune in for a thoughtful conversation on innovation, biodiversity, and building a more sustainable future.
Highlights from the episode:
Career Shift and Inspiration: Megan Pillsbury shares her journey from being an electrical engineer in Silicon Valley to founding a nature tech company, inspired by the book "Natural Capitalism."
Sustainability and Business: Megan emphasizes aligning social and environmental outcomes with financial goals, discussing her efforts to create sustainability roles and pursue business education.
Role of Technology: While acknowledging technology's role in environmental challenges, Megan advocates for a holistic approach that includes Indigenous knowledge and humility.
Gender and Leadership: Megan discusses the challenges and opportunities for women in tech and sustainability, highlighting the importance of diverse perspectives for equitable solutions.
Eco-Entrepreneurship: Megan describes eco-entrepreneurship as developing businesses that address environmental problems or reinventing processes to be regenerative.
Empowerment and Hope: Megan shares an inspiring message about the power of individual contributions and encourages listeners to pursue their passions and make a difference.
Ante las crisis ambientales que enfrentamos, todavía hay mucho que desconocemos sobre nuestra relación simbiótica con la naturaleza y el impacto positivo que esta puede tener en nuestras vidas. A lo largo de los siglos, nos hemos ido alejando de nuestro entorno natural, como resultado de procesos de colonización, creencias religiosas, urbanización y modelos económicos que priorizan la explotación de los recursos.
En el episodio de hoy, les invito a escuchar a Tomás Ibarra, desde Chile, profesor y experto en temas socioecológicos.
Tomás es Profesor Asociado en la Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile e Investigador Principal en el CentroInternacional Cabo de Hornos para Estudios del Cambio Global y Conservación Biocultural (CHIC). También colabora con otros centros de investigación enfocados en ecología, desarrollo local e interculturalidad. Vive en el sur de Chile, donde combina investigación, docencia y acción socioecológica. Desdehace más de 15 años lidera un trabajo transdisciplinario que integra ciencias naturales, sociales, humanidades y saberes locales para fortalecer la resiliencia de territorios complejos, especialmente en bosques, montañas y sistemas agroecológicos a pequeña escala.
We are living in a polycrisis with multiple interconnected crises converging into a complex situation that is difficult to resolve. From environmental issues to political instability, is there a way out?
Today's guest, Professor Wayne Weiser, a globally recognized pracademic, a rare combination of academic and practitioner, proposes an innovation agenda to turn our biggest global societal challenges into opportunities to thrive.
He's a fellow at the University of Cambridge and professor of practice at Católica Porto Business School. With experience working in over 80 countries with more than 250 clients, and author of 44 books, including the bestseller Thriving, Wayne combines deep academic insight with hands-on expertise. He's also a sought-after speaker, podcast host, and thought leader on systems thinking, sustainable innovation, and proposal-driven leadership, having received numerous honours, including the Global CSR Excellence and Leadership Award, the Emerald Literati Outstanding Author Contribution Award, and the Warwick MBA Outstanding Teacher Award.
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Did you know that approximately 6% of the Earth's land surface is covered by wetlands? These vital ecosystems are under threat, yet many people are unaware of what wetlands are and the benefits they provide in mitigating climate change, preserving biodiversity, and maintaining water systems.
Today, we welcome Alexander Kornelsen from Mission to Marsh, an organization doing amazing work, which is committed to ensuring that wetlands can once again provide an Earth worth living on in the future.
Alexander is the director and co-founder of Mission to Marsh. With a background in marketing and storytelling, he combines his passion for visual communication with a deep commitment to making global environmental issues tangible. Together with his partner Ann Christin, a peatland scientist, he developed the idea for a documentary road movie that uniquely blends science and emotion. His goal is not only to inform people but to inspire them to take action – for wetlands, for the climate, and for our shared future.
Learn more about Mission To Marsh - https://missiontomarsh.org/
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Vivimos graves crisis ambientales que nos colocan en situaciones extremas, como el aumento de las temperaturas y de desastres como sequías, inundaciones, terremotos o huracanes, para los cuales nuestros sistemas humanos y naturales no están preparados. Además de poder mitigar esta situación con acciones como la reducción de emisiones de gases de efecto invernadero, se vuelve cada vez más urgente iniciar procesos de adaptación que aumenten los niveles de resiliencia de las poblaciones, especialmente de aquellas más vulnerables.
Hoy tenemos como invitada a Marcia Toledo , Directora de Adaptación y Resiliencia en los High-Level Climate Champions, quien nos explicará la importancia de estos temas.
Originaria del Perú y actualmente residente en Alemania, Marcia Toledo trabaja con los Campeones de Alto Nivel para el Clima de la ONU para catalizar la acción de adaptación climática y movilizar financiamiento en colaboración con empresas, entidades financieras, organizaciones de la sociedad civil y comunidades locales.
Con más de 30 años de trayectoria impulsando acciones transformadoras hacia un mundo resiliente, positivo para la naturaleza y con emisiones netas cero, Marcia fue recientemente la arquitecta principal de la Agenda de Adaptación de Sharm el-Sheikh, donde diseñó e implementó un marco global pionero para acelerar la adaptación climática mediante una transformación sistémica.
We are all natives to some land, but Indigenous peoples have long been stewards of Nature, protecting her rights and preserving their cultural ways of living. Despite enduring horrific colonial practices, which continue to affect them, they play a crucial role in addressing modern environmental challenges. Their deep respect and connection with Mother Earth fosters a sense of oneness with nature.
In today’s episode, we are grateful to welcome Casey Camp Horinek and celebrate her life as she completes another turn around the sun. She is an Environmental Ambassador of the Ponca Nation, a Traditionalist, Wisdom Keeper, speaker, author, actor, and Drumkeeper of the Ponca PaThaTa Women’s Scalp Dance Society. Casey is also an elder of the Ponca Nation of Oklahoma and has been at the forefront of the global Indigenous Rights of Nature Movement for over a decade. She has been instrumental in drafting the International Indigenous Women’s Treaty, which protects the Rights of Mother Earth, and in the adoption of the first Rights of Nature and Rights of Rivers statutes by a Tribal Nation in Turtle Island. Casey firmly believes that Indigenous solutions are the answer to climate chaos.
In this enlightening conversation, Casey Camp-Horinek discusses her lifelong commitment to Indigenous rights and environmental justice, reflecting on the changes and continuities since the 1970s. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing Nature as a source of life rather than a mere resource, critiques the impact of colonialism, and advocates for a return to Indigenous wisdom in addressing modern environmental challenges. Casey calls for collective action and responsibility to create a sustainable future for generations to come.
“We have to honor the natural laws. We have to realize that we are not protecting nature. We ARE Nature Protecting itself” - Casey Camp-Horinek.
Follow Casey on Social Media:
Instagram: @caseycamphorinek
Facebook: Casey Camp-Horinek
How critical is it to recognise the interconnectedness of climate change and biodiversity loss? How does our economic system struggle to identify the true value of nature? And how can we shift the narrative to improve messaging around conservation, normalizing climate conversations, and harnessing the power of social contagion to drive collective action? These questions and more are explored in today's episode with Charlie Gardner, conservation scientist, writer, and activist from the UK.
He spent a decade in Madagascar and completed a PhD on management of the country's protected areas, and has since shifted his career to refocus more on climate change. He researches the implications of climate change for conservation approaches and is a member of the scientists for Extinction Rebellion.
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Resumen
En este episodio, Sara Rego conversa sobre los desafíos urgentes del cambio climático con Ignacio Chanzá Bango, quien destaca la importancia de la innovación, la colaboración entre los sectores público y privado, y el papel de la inteligencia artificial para abordar los riesgos climáticos.
Exploran cómo el cambio sistémico es necesario para un futuro sostenible, subrayando la necesidad de involucrar a la comunidad y desarrollar estrategias a largo plazo para adaptarse a los impactos climáticos.
Conclusiones
La colaboración entre los sectores público y privado es esencial para lograr un cambio sistémico.
La innovación no debe ser solo tecnológica, sino también sistémica y cultural.
La inteligencia artificial puede mejorar la evaluación y gestión de riesgos climáticos.
El compromiso comunitario es crucial para una acción climática eficaz.
La sostenibilidad requiere un compromiso a largo plazo y pensamiento estratégico.
La adaptación al cambio climático es una necesidad urgente.
Invertir en medidas preventivas puede mitigar los riesgos climáticos.
Se necesita un enfoque audaz para acelerar la acción climática.
La educación y la concienciación son clave para fomentar prácticas sostenibles.
El futuro de nuestro planeta depende de la acción colectiva y una visión compartida.
Capítulos
00:00 – Introducción a los Desafíos Climáticos
01:54 – Colaboración entre Sectores Público y Privado
06:13 – El Papel de la Innovación en la Acción Climática
12:27 – Inteligencia Artificial y Soluciones Climáticas
19:24 – Preparación ante los Riesgos Climáticos
25:30 – La Importancia de la Colaboración
36:14 – Visión para un Futuro Sostenible
We have transformed our cities into vast concrete jungles,designing nature literally out of our lives. How can architecture and urban design bring us back into harmony with the natural world?
Today, we are going to discuss how biophilic design can be used as a tool to incorporate elements of nature into the built environment to enhance well-being and promote a sense ofconnection with Dr. Fiona Gray, a leading expert in the subject.
She is a registered Australian architect and Principal of Bioliving by Design, a consultancy focused on biophilic and healthy building design. Fiona serves on advisory panels for the Living Future Institute of Australia and the Australian Institute of Architects. Her career spans roles such as City Design Lead,Adjunct Associate Professor at Deakin University, and CEO of Renew, a non-profit advancing climate-resilient homes. Widely published and award-winning, Fiona is dedicated to creating sustainable, healthy, and equitable built environments.
Learn more at https://www.biolivingbydesign.com.au/
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Are Sustainable Development Goals achievable and why arewe failing to reach them? How can we regenerate our world and what will be next on the sustainability agenda from 2030 to 2050?
From the collapse of ancient hierarchical civilization modelsto symbiosis as the way forward, in today’s episode, we explore future possibilities with Marc Buckley, a leading regenerative development expert focused on combating climate change and shaping sustainable futures.
About Marc Buckley: he has over 30 years of experience and has contributed to high-level international initiatives,including the UN-SDG Manifesto and the UNFCCC, attending every COP since COP1. As a member of the EU ESG Taxonomy PSF Commission, Marc influences global environmental policies and advocates for regenerative agriculture and sustainable built environments.
He is a Global Food Reformist, working to transform theagriculture and food industries, and hosts the Inside Ideas podcast, discussing sustainability and innovation. Marc is a board member of the Dubai Future Foundation and chair of the UNFCCC Innovation Hub, with a vision to empower humanity through ecological and regenerative principles.
Find out more about Marc Buckley:
Org URL: https://www.alohas.bio/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/buckleymarc/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marcearth/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@marcearth
Podcast: https://www.insideideas.org/
¿Cómo afecta nuestra dieta al cambio climático? ¿Cuál es elimpacto del consumo de carne en las emisiones globales y por qué es tan difícil el cambio? ¿Qué acciones más conscientes podemos tomar como individuos y consumidores? Estos y otros temas en el episodio de hoy.
Nico es hijo de un ganadero argentino y ha ha estadorealizando campañas y comunicando sobre cuestiones climáticas durante alrededor de 20 años. Antes de fundar Madre Brava, dirigió la destacada campaña europeasobre carne para Mighty Earth. Antes de eso, fue Director Senior de Comunicaciones y Campañas de Transport & Environment, la principal ONG de Europa para el transporte limpio.
Nico codirigió el documental galardonado FronteraInvisible, sobre comunidades indígenas y campesinas en Colombia que se organizan para proteger su tierra y a su gente de las peligrosas políticas de biocombustibles.
How is our relationship with Earth? Are we honoring thegifts we've received and taking responsibility to reciprocate? Currently, we exist in a hierarchical relationship with Nature, and we find ourselves in a transitional phase. How can we acknowledge that our humanity derives from more than just human beings? From indigenous knowledge to restoring relationships and the role of technology, I invite you to explore this topic in the latest episode of the We Need to Act podcast.
In today’s episode, I am excited to welcome Ryan James, alsoknown as Ra. He is a trailblazer in regenerative systems change, working to shift business worldviews and mindsets to embody the transformative changes our future requires. He transcends conventional business practices and integrates various disciplines, including linguistics, animism and kinship, ecological economics, neuroscience, evolutionary biology, and traditional Indigenous knowledge systems. Together, we will explore post-anthropocentric approaches tosystems change.
If you want to learn more about Ryan's work, you can visit:
https://rajames.co/
https://www.rebiz.io/
Become a member of our community and support our work: https://www.patreon.com/c/WeNeedtoAct
Cada vez más personas se ven afectadas por la ecoansiedad,pero ¿qué significa esto? ¿Cómo podemos entender estas emociones? ¿Y qué se puede hacer para reducir este tipo de ansiedad?
Hoy tenemos como invitado a Francisco Cáceres, unpsicólogoclínico y filósofo chileno con experiencia en salud mental, justicia social e innovación educativa.
Su trabajo desafía lo establecido, integrando pensamiento crítico y acción para transformar realidades. Ve la crisis climática y la salud mental como urgencias ineludibles y las aborda con una perspectiva ética, colaborativa e innovadora. Convencido de que el bienestar no es un privilegio sino un derecho, impulsa soluciones que fortalecen comunidades y abren camino hacia un futuro más justo y consciente.
Sigue su trabajo en Instagram @ansiedadclimatica.
The concept of regeneration is gaining momentum nowadays in various fields, but have you ever thought about a regenerative career? How does it connect to sustainability?What impact does it have in people’s lives on the search for a meaningful purpose?
On today’s episode, we have Alisa Murphy. She is a regenerative career coach, helping purpose-driven professionals break free from the corporate grind to build meaningful careers rooted in nature, climate, and community. After fulfilling a childhood dream by training as an actor at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, she shifted her career to the start-up world with great success. But despite theachievements, she felt a pull toward something deeper—a desire to live and work in closer harmony with nature and community, which led her to walk this path.
Become a member of our community and support our work: https://www.patreon.com/c/WeNeedtoAct