Breaking Barriers with Laughter with Ethan Brown of The Sweaty Penguin

Humor makes us human, it simplifies complex ideas and makes just about anything relatable.  That is why I’m delighted to host scientist and comedian, a man after Jon Oliver’s own heart, Ethan Brown of the Climate Change Podcast The Sweaty Penguin.  We are talking about some of the deep ironies of the eco fashion world, and getting into Biden’s congressional win for Climate Policy. Ethan Brown is a recent graduate of Boston University, where he studied Environmental Analysis & Policy and Film & Television. Ethan was never outdoorsy growing up, but after studying climate change, he felt compelled to use his years of comedy writing experience as Editor-in-Chief of his high school and college satire publications—The Gorilla and The Bunion—to communicate environmental issues in an entertaining way. With some free time during early quarantine, Ethan launched The Sweaty Penguin Podcast. Since then, the podcast has released over 100 episodes, amassed over 19,000 downloads, showcased the work of professors from eleven countries, won six grants, became a PBS partner, and was honored at the 2022 Webby Awards. Through The Sweaty Penguin, Ethan aims to make climate change less overwhelming, less politicized, and more fun. Ethan has also served as Managing Editor of BU’s student-run earth & environment magazine The Emerald Review and currently serves as a Production Assistant for PBS/WNET’s climate initiative Peril and Promise. His favorite TV show is “The Good Place,” and he is passionately opposed to pineapple on Pizza. Get full access to ReFashion Workshop at courtneybarriger.substack.com/subscribe