PODCAST · sports
Climate Champions
by Sport Ecology Group
Climate Champions leverages the public's adoration of sport to delve into conversations about climate change, zero waste, carbon neutrality, energy conservation, climate adaptation, disaster recovery, ocean plastics, and more. The first season was an 11-episode series launched in June 2019. It's followed by a Season 2 and Season 3 dual-release in Summer 2020.
Episodes
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S4, E3: Growing Women's Sport in a Climate Crisis
Hilary Meyer, Dr. Ann Pegoraro, and Dr. Maddy Orr discuss the growth of women's sport in recent years, and come up with ideas for balancing gender parity and environmental goals. Is it possible to grow women's sport AND be 'sustainable'? Find out.
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S4, E2: FIFA2026 on Fire
Aileen McManamon, Dr. Walker Ross, Dr. Tim Walters, and Dr. Maddy Orr discuss some of the challenges facing FIFA2026: extreme heat, wildfire, and a trade war in North America. This conversation was originally recorded on April 15, 2025 as part of the Earth Month sessions.
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S4, E1: The New IOC President
What will the new IOC president do for sustainability in the Olympic Movement and beyond? In this first episode of season 4, we bring you a conversation from our Earth Month sessions in April 2025 between our host Maddy Orr, and guests Dr. Jules Boykoff and Hannah Campbell-Pegg OLY.
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Bonus episode - Dr. Tom Carter
Dr. Thomas Carter is a Reader in the School of Sport and Service Management at the University of Brighton and the Executive Director of Football for Peace. Dr. Carter is a sport anthropologist and specialist in sport migration, and joins the podcast to discuss his career, the unique opportunities...
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Bonus episode - Stephania Ergemlidze
Stephania Ergemlidze started a one-woman movement in the summer of 2020 when she took her basketball hoop to protest sites around the U.S. to facilitate positive interactions between groups. She joins the podcast to discuss her personal trajectory, the role of sports in strengthening communities...
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SSN 3, EP 16. COFFEY on using running and sport as a venue for protest
In this last 4-episode segment of The Listening Sessions, we get into the solutions. How to fix environmental and social issues in sport? The fourth answer comes from COFFEY, a NYC-based filmmaker, runner, and community organizer who uses running as his platform for protest and…
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SSN 3 - EP 15. Charles T. Brown on designing safe and inclusive public spaces for sport
In this last 4-episode segment of The Listening Sessions, we get into the solutions. How to fix environmental and social issues in sport? The third answer is brought forth by Charles T. Brown, a researcher and adjunct professor at Rutgers University, who highlights the inequities in the ways our...
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SSN 3, EP 14. The Sport Sustainability Research Collective on partnerships and collaboration
In this last 4-episode segment of The Listening Sessions, we get into the solutions. How to fix environmental and social issues in sport? The second answer comes from Aileen McManamon, Kristen Fulmer, and Monica Rowand, who together with Dr. Maddy Orr form the Sport Sustainability Research...
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SSN 3, EP 13. Dr. Ann Pegoraro and Dr. Lindsey Darvin on putting women and POC into positions of power
In this last 4-episode segment of The Listening Sessions, we get into the solutions. How to fix environmental and social issues in sport? The first answer comes from Drs. Ann Pegoraro and Lindsey Darvin, experts on gender issues in sport, who highlight the potential and benefits of putting women...
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SSN 3 - EP 12. Dr. Tricia McGuire-Adams on physical activity among Anishnaabe women
In episodes 9-12 of The Listening Sessions, Dr. Maddy Orr addresses the inequities and unique experiences of Indigenous athletes and people working in the Indigenous sport system. Dr. Tricia McGuire-Adams joins the show to talk about decolonization through sport and especially her work with...
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SSN 3 - EP 11. Dr. Janice Forsyth on sport in residential schools and Indigenous Sport systems
In episodes 9-12 of The Listening Sessions, Dr. Maddy Orr addresses the inequities and unique experiences of Indigenous athletes and people working in the Indigenous sport system. Dr. Forsyth discusses the use of sport as an assimilation tool in residential schools, the inequitable distribution…
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SSN 3 - EP 10. Kathryn Teneese on the resistance to Jumbo Glacier Resort
In episodes 9-12 of The Listening Sessions, Dr. Maddy Orr addresses the inequities and unique experiences of Indigenous athletes and people working in the Indigenous sport system. Kathryn Teneese, chairwoman of the Ktunaxa Nation Council, was a leading figure in the resistance to Jumbo Glacier...
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SSN 3 - EP 9. Dr. Natalie Welch on mascots and colonialism in college and professional sport
In episodes 9-12 of The Listening Sessions, Dr. Maddy Orr addresses the inequities and unique experiences of Indigenous athletes and people working in the Indigenous sport system. This episode, with Dr. Natalie Welch, breaks down some of the key challenges facing Indigenous athletes and discusses...
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SSN 3 - EP 8. Dr. Becky Beal on skateboarding
In episodes 5-8, Dr. Maddy Orr digs into the environmental and social issues affecting individual sports. In this episode, Dr. Becky Beal shares her research on skateboarding culture and infrastructure, and how the sport has been experienced differently depending on the neighborhood, available...
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SSN 3 - EP. 7. Henri Rivers on skiing
In episodes 5-8, Dr. Maddy Orr digs into the environmental and social issues affecting individual sports. In this episode, Henri Rivers, the President of the National Brotherhood of Skiers, addresses the lack of diversity in the ski sector and proposes solutions for bringing more Black people…
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SSN 3 - EP 6. Dr. Asherah Allen on swimming
In episodes 5-8, Dr. Maddy Orr digs into the environmental and social issues affecting individual sports. In this episode, Dr. Asherah Allen shares her personal experiences and research findings on Black swimmers' experiences, and the infrastructural and psychological barriers that prevent more...
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SSN 3 - EP 5. Rhonda Harper on surfing
In episodes 5-8, Dr. Maddy Orr digs into the environmental and social issues affecting individual sports, zeroing in on surfing in this episode with Rhonda Harper, founder of Black Girls Surf.
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SSN 3 - EP 4. Alexandra Rickham on what’s missing in the sport sustainability movement
In this episode of The Listening Sessions, Dr. Maddy Orr interviews Alexandra Rickham about what's missing in the sport sustainability movement: diverse voices, comprehensive strategy, and long-term positive thinking.
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SSN 3 - EP 3. Garry Gilliam on lack of resources and opportunity in Black communities
In this third episode of Season 3, The Listening Sessions, Dr. Maddy Orr interviews Garry Gilliam, former NFL player and CEO of The Bridge, about the challenges facing low-income Black communities and how The Bridge is holistically addressing wellbeing and fostering prosperity in these communities.
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SSN 3 - EP 2. Dr. Nick Watanabe on air quality, pollution, and sport
In this second episode of Season 3, The Listening Sessions, Dr. Maddy Orr interviews Dr. Nick Watanabe of the University of South Carolina on air quality, pollution, and the many ways sport organizations may inadvertently be contributing to these problems.
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SSN 3 - EP 1. Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali on Environmental Justice
In this first episode of Season 3, The Listening Sessions, Dr. Maddy Orr interviews Dr. Mustafa Santiago Ali on what environmental justice is, how it applies to sport, and what sport organizations should be addressing this issue.
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Ssn 2, Ep 11 - Hattie Park
In the last episode of Season 2, Hattie Park, Sustainability Manager at the All-England Lawn Tennis Club joins Maddy to discuss sustainable strategy, the importance of biodiversity and natural features to the overall experience at Wimbledon, the role of sports media in aiding sustainability…
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Ssn 2, Ep 10 - Jessica Murfree & Laura Stargel
In this second-last episode of Season 2, Maddy is joined by Jessica Murfree and Laura Stargel, two members of the 2019-2020 cohort for the Grad Student Mentorship Initiative, hosted by The Sport Ecology Group. Laura is based in Florida and is studying two master's degrees at University of South...
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Ssn 2, Ep 9 - Dr. Walker Ross and Jamee Pelcher
Dr. Walker Ross, an assistant professor of sport management at Florida Southern College, and Jamee Pelcher, a doctoral student at University of Tennessee at Knoxville, join the podcast to share their unique stories of what inspired them to study sport ecology, and update us on their current...
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Ssn 2, Ep 8 - Joie Leigh
Joie 'Jo' Leigh was a member of the Great Britain field hockey team that won the Olympic gold medal in Rio in 2016. Following her retirement from the sport, Jo entered a career in climate consultancy. She currently serves as an Analyst for Carbon Intelligence, a London-based firm, and is a member...
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Ssn 2, Ep 7 - Introducing EcoAthletes
EcoAthletes is a new international non-profit that offers athletes the resources and coaching they need to feel confident speaking out about climate change. In this episode, Maddy is joined by EcoAthletes founder Lew Blaustein, strategic advisor Kristen Fulmer, and EcoAthletes members Alena Olsen...
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Ssn 2, Ep 6 - Adam Kreek
Adam Kreek is an Olympic Gold Medallist, best-selling author, and leadership consultant who also runs a start-up focused on making carbon offsets available to communities in British Columbia. He came on the podcast to chat about his athletic career, his successes and failures in the business…
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Ssn 2, Ep 5 - Chris Dickerson
Chris Dickerson, former MLB player and founder of Players for the Planet, joins the podcast to discuss growing up in LA, his time in the minor league when he activated his first sustainability initiative, taking public transit to games as an MLB player, and how Players for the Planet began and grew.
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Ssn 2, Ep 4 - Dr. Sheila Nguyen
Dr. Sheila Nguyen is the Executive Director of Sports Environment Alliance and joins the show to discuss her career trajectory, the work happening in Australia and New Zealand to make sport organizations more resilient in the face of climate change, and the Sport for Climate Action Framework.
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Ssn 2, Ep 3 - Katie Rood
Katie Rood, a professional footballer from New Zealand, currently in the UK playing for Lewes Ferns, joined Maddy on this episode to discuss her childhood and early exposure to sport, her experience playing in Italy, and how becoming vegan invigorated her health and propelled her into an advocacy...
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Ssn 2 Ep 2, Dr. Cyrus Wadia
Dr. Cyrus Wadia is the Head of Sustainable Product at Amazon. Previously, he worked in sustainability leadership roles at Nike and the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy. He joins the show to talk about his upbringing in Upstate NY, an early internship that spurred his interest…
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Ssn2 Ep 1 - Dr. Brian McCullough
Brian McCullough is the Co-Director of The Sport Ecology Group and an Associate Professor of Sport Management at Texas A&M University. He joins the podcast to share his story of becoming a sport ecologist and discusses his latest research on fan engagement and measuring environmental impact.
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Season 2 INTRO
It's been a year since Season 1 was released and in that time, a LOT has changed. Season 2 will be launched with episodes released weekly through the summer of 2020. At the end of Season 2, Season 3 titled the Ecojustice Listening Sessions, will be dropped all at once, just ahead of the...
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Season 1 INTRO
This 2 minute episode offers an overview of the Climate Champions Podcast.
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Ssn 1 Ep 11 - Aubrey McCormick (Retired LPGA golfer)
Aubrey McCormick, retired LPGA golfer and sustainability consultant to the golf industry, joins Maddy Orr to discuss strategies for addressing politically charged topics with hesitant audiences, sustainability on golf courses, and the impacts of climate hazards (e.g. wildfires, rising sea levels)...
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Ssn 1 Ep 10 - Linda Gancitano (How Low Can You Go Challenge)
Linda Gancitano, member of the original USWNT for soccer and Founder of the How Low Can You Go Challenge, joins Maddy Orr to discuss energy use reductions, galvanizing the energy of youth,
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Ssn 1 Ep 09 - Dee Caffari (6x Circumnavigator)
Dee Caffari, 6x Circumnavigator and Chair of the World Sailing Trust, joins Maddy Orr to discuss the role of sport participants and athletes as influencers, ocean plastics in the most remote parts of the world, and how small changes can have big impact.
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Ssn 1 Ep 08 - Joey McColm (NASCAR Driver)
Joey McColm, Professional NASCAR driver and ambassador for Earth Day Canada, joins Maddy Orr to chat about sustainability in the automotive industry, his experiences with advocacy, and future innovations.
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Ssn 1 Ep 07 - Ovie Mughelli (Former NFL Fullback)
Ovie Mughelli, former NFL Fullback and Founder of the Ovie Mughelli Foundation, joins Maddy Orr to discuss the importance of including marginalized communities in sustainability conversations, the potential for comic books and edutainment to connect with kids, and how poor air quality has…
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Ssn 1 Ep 06 - Caroline Gleich (Pro Skier & Mountaineer)
Caroline Gleich, professional skier and mountaineer and Founder of the Big Mountain Dreams Foundation, joins Maddy Orr to discuss her experiences with climate advocacy in schools and in Washington, the importance of spending time outside, and role models in the sustainability space.
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Ssn 1 Ep 05 - Monica Rowand (UL - Lafayette)
Monica Rowand, Sustainability Manager at University of Louisiana at Lafayette, joins Maddy Orr to discuss zero waste, green transportation, and the importance of aligning values to get people on board with sustainability.
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Ssn 1 Ep 04 - Dave Newport (CU Boulder)
Dave Newport, Director of the Environmental Centre at CU Boulder and Chief Sustainability Officer at Phase 3 Sport, joins Maddy Orr to discuss sustainability in college sport, the challenge of monetizing sustainability initiatives, and the potential for Gen Z to make a big impact.
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Ssn 1 Ep 03 - Lew Blaustein (GreenSportsBlog.com)
Lew Blaustein, Founder and Chief Blogger at the Green Sports Blog, joins Maddy Orr to discuss jobs in the green sport movement, the historical significance of climate change action, and strategies for getting people to pay attention.
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Ssn 1 Ep 02 - Dr. Daniel Scott (UWaterloo)
Dr. Daniel Scott, Executive Director of the Interdisciplinary Centre on Climate Change at the University of Waterloo, joins Maddy Orr to discuss the difference between weather and climate, how climate change is affecting seasonal sport and tourism, and the future of the Olympic Games.
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Ssn 1 Ep 01 - The Green Sports Alliance
Erik Distler and Garrett Wong of the Green Sports Alliance join Maddy Orr to discuss the first ten years of the GSA, the awesome initiatives of their member organizations, and ways for fans to get involved in the sport sustainability movement.
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Climate Champions leverages the public's adoration of sport to delve into conversations about climate change, zero waste, carbon neutrality, energy conservation, climate adaptation, disaster recovery, ocean plastics, and more. The first season was an 11-episode series launched in June 2019. It's followed by a Season 2 and Season 3 dual-release in Summer 2020.
HOSTED BY
Sport Ecology Group
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Climate Champions have?
Climate Champions currently has 45 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Climate Champions about?
Climate Champions leverages the public's adoration of sport to delve into conversations about climate change, zero waste, carbon neutrality, energy conservation, climate adaptation, disaster recovery, ocean plastics, and more. The first season was an 11-episode series launched in June 2019. It's...
How often does Climate Champions release new episodes?
Climate Champions has 45 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Climate Champions?
You can listen to Climate Champions on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Climate Champions?
Climate Champions is created and hosted by Sport Ecology Group.
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