The Risk of Hope - On Art, Climate Psychology, and the Courage to Feel

What happens when the emotional weight of the climate crisis feels too heavy to carry? In this deeply personal conversation Kate Adams, a performance maker, lecturer, and co-chair of the Climate Psychology Alliance takes us inside the unseen world of eco-emotions and artistic resilience. The episode explores the systemic importance of vulnerability, the tension between grief and hope, and the quiet work of creating spaces where people can confront the emotional toll of the climate crisis without judgment.Kate, shares the raw realities of her journey. From her work on Water is Attracted to Water to her research on eco-emotions, Kate reveals the emotional weight of engaging with the climate crisis: the physical toll of unprocessed emotions, the shame and guilt that can paralyze action, and the spaces she creates for people to feel without fear. Stories like her experience of grief manifesting behind her shoulder blade illustrate the human cost of a system that often resists emotional honesty. Yet, amid the challenges, Kate also shares moments of connection and hope, such as the potential of art to foster resilience and community in the face of uncertainty.Why listen?Hear the realities of using art and psychology to navigate the emotional weight of the climate crisis, from personal vulnerability to collective action.Explore the systemic barriers of shame and guilt that prevent engagement with climate issues and the questions we’re not asking about emotional resilience.Understand the emotional toll of working in a field where urgency clashes with the need for introspection and care.Discover moments of innovation and hope, like the role of art in creating non-judgmental spaces for connection and healing.Gain insights into how to support emotional engagement with the climate crisis in a world that often resists feeling.This episode is a must-listen for artists, activists, psychologists, or anyone who cares about the intersection of emotion, creativity, and the future of our planet. Whether you’re working in climate advocacy, interested in the psychology of environmental action, or simply want to understand the human side of systemic challenges, Kate’s story will leave you with new perspectives and a deeper appreciation for the courage to feel.Keywords: Climate psychology, eco-emotions, art and climate crisis, emotional resilience, vulnerability and shame, Kate Adams, Climate Psychology Alliance, University of Salford, Water is Attracted to Water, grief and hope, emotional toll of climate work, art as coping, non-judgmental spaces, systemic challenges in climate action, emotional engagement, climate advocacy, human side of climate crisis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.