PODCAST · science
In Over My Head
by Michael Bartz
Michael is on a quest to get his environmental footprint as low as humanly possible, so he built his own off-grid tiny house. But he doesn’t know if all the downsizing and minimizing make a difference. He feels in over his head! It’s time to bring in the experts. Join Michael as he sits down with scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and environmental experts to figure out how to effectively reduce his footprint, while also exploring the bigger questions around sustainability and the good life.
Episodes
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A Living City: Trailer
Environment Lethbridge is working to make Lethbridge a Living City through several green infrastructure projects. They are planting drought-tolerant species in schools and parks, and assisting households to create resilient, environmentally-responsible, beautiful outdoor landscapes. Join Michael…
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A Living City Part 1: Planting a Seed
Michael sits down with Kathleen to learn how and why Environment Lethbridge's Living City projects started, and what work they are doing in the community. He also connects with Tianna from Green Communities Canada to learn about their involvement in this project. Featured in this episode…
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A Living City Part 2: Parks and Schools
Michael sits down with Charlie to learn more about Environment Lethbridge's community project sites. He also travels to Winston Churchill High School and Fleetwood Bawden Elementary School to hear from the teachers who are working to make their schools more water-wise. Featured in this episode:...
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A Living City Part 3: Waterwise 101
Michael sits down with Amber to learn all about how the Waterwise 101 workshops started and what this initiative hopes to accomplish. He also stops by Krysty's home, a westsider who is short on time but busy making her community a better place. Featured in this episode: Kathleen Sheppard -...
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A Living City Part 4: Budgets & Small Changes for Big Impact
Michael attends two Waterwise 101 sessions: Budgets and Small Changes for Big Impact. There he meets Brady, a busy PhD student who is looking to learn more about drought-tolerant plants, and Daphne, a westside homeowner and mom who is making a second attempt at water-wise landscaping. Featured in...
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A Living City Part 5: Microclimates & Maintenance
Michael tags along to two more Waterwise 101 sessions: Microclimates and Irrigation, Planning, and Preparation (Maintenance). He also meets Sheila & Owen, a westside couple looking for local knowledge on how to change their backyard space, and stops by Svenja's home, a southsider who wants to…
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A Living City Part 6: The Follow-Up
Michael follows up with Waterwise 101 participants from across the city after their landscaping projects have wrapped up. Did they finish? What challenges did they face, and how did the experience change them? Featured in this episode: Amber Murray - Urban Watershed Ambassador, Environment...
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The Living-Green Myth: A Conversation With Michael Maniates
Michael welcomes back Michael Maniates to talk about his new book, The Living-Green Myth: The Promise and Limits of Lifestyle Environmentalism, which questions the dominant narrative that individuals can make a significant environmental impact through their consumer choices and lifestyle changes....
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Returning to Myrnam
In February 2023, Michael traveled to the village of Myrnam, Alberta, to interview staff and students at New Myrnam School, learning all about the sustainability projects, including a school bus they were converting into a tiny house. He recently went back to see what they were up to now and what...
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An Indispensable Conversation About Plastic & Art
Michael chats with sculptor, performance artist, and sewist Arianna Richardson (aka The Hobbyist) who works with discarded plastic and craft materials to explore themes of consumerism, gendered labour, waste, and excess. They discuss her work, plastics' unique connection to consumerism, using art...
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A Serendipitous Conversation with a Seabird Biologist
Michael is currently off on another ocean adventure collaborating again with Memorial University. Through this project he had the opportunity to interview accomplished Seabird biologist Holly Hogan, discussing her book Message in a Bottle: Ocean Dispatches from a Seabird Biologist. This...
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The Oldman Watershed Part 1: The Basics
How is the Oldman watershed unique, why it is ecologically important, and how has our climate been changing in Alberta over the decades? In this episode, Michael explores some of the basics around the Oldman watershed, water security and climate adaptation. Featured Guests: Shannon Frank -...
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The Oldman Watershed Part 2: Riparian Areas & Lakes
What is a riparian area and what role does it play in climate adaptation? How are lakes impacted by climate change? In this episode, Michael explores why riparian areas and lakes are important to the Oldman watershed. Featured Guests: Norine Ambrose - Executive Director: Cows & Fish Bradley Peter…
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The Oldman Watershed Part 3: Land Management & Fish
What role does land management play in maintaining a healthy watershed? How are fish species affected by a changing climate and our various land uses? In this episode, Michael has some conversations about conservation in the Oldman watershed. Featured Guests: Philip Meintzer & Devon Earl -...
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The Oldman Watershed Part 4: Business Owners
How are businesses affected by concerns around water security in the Oldman Watershed? In this episode, Michael talks with three business owners who rely on water for their livelihood. He explores why water matters to them and how they plan to adapt to a changing climate. Featured Guests: Jim...
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The Oldman Watershed Part 5: Looking Back
How has the Oldman watershed been developed over the centuries and were there any struggles along the way? In this episode, Michael explores the history of development in the Oldman watershed, including its significance to the Blackfoot people and its importance to settler communities. He also...
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The Oldman Watershed Part 6: Looking Forward
How is the City of Lethbridge planning to adapt to water security concerns in our changing climate and what can you do to have an impact? In this episode, Michael explores the future of water and climate adaptation in Lethbridge. He gets a tour of the water treatment plant, learns about the…
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The Oldman Watershed Trailer
Michael learns all about the Oldman watershed, exploring how communities in Southern Alberta are impacted by concerns around water security related to climate change, and how they might adapt.
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Remembering Alberta Parks: Establishing the Parks
What was the motivation behind establishing Alberta Parks? Why is researching the history of provincial parks challenging, and should we include ordinary people in park history? Michael explores these questions with environmental historian Jessica DeWitt. She explains the unique reasons for...
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Remembering Alberta Parks: Ice Age Geology
What was prehistoric life like in Alberta 2.6 million years ago? What is the geologic significance of the provincial parks, and how can geology help us deepen our connection to the parks? Michael explores these questions with history and earth science educator, and author Cory Gross. They cover…
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Remembering Alberta Parks: An Archaeological Adventure in Glenbow Ranch
What unique history is buried under Glenbow Ranch Provincial Park? What is it like leading your first archaeological dig? What makes Glenbow Ranch ecologically significant and why does it need to be protected? Michael explores these questions with archaeologist, historian, and author Shari…
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Remembering Alberta Parks: Miquelon & Park Interpretation
What makes Miquelon Lake Provincial Park historically unique? What benefits do visitors get from their time at a provincial park? What is the history of park interpretation programs and why are they important today? Michael explores these questions with the University of Alberta's Glen…
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Remembering Alberta Parks: Conservation in Kananaskis
Historically, what is the ecological significance of Kananaskis? What development concerns have arisen in the past, and what can people do to ensure this space is managed appropriately? Michael explores these questions with Executive Director of CPAWS Southern Alberta Katie Morrison. They cover…
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Remembering Alberta Parks: Indigenous Heritage at Áísínai’pi
What is the significance of Áísínai'pi (Writing-on-Stone Provincial Park) to the Niitsítapi people? What is the role of policy in indigenous groups maintaining their spiritual connection to Áísínai'pi? How is the indigenous cultural understanding of heritage unique? Michael explores these…
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Remembering Alberta Parks: An Uplifting Conversation in the Crowsnest Pass (bonus)
In this bonus episode, Michael chats with small business owner Heather Davis about Uplift Adventures, a Crowsnest Pass-based outdoor tourism company. Heather explains how Uplift Adventures got its start, the realities of running a small business in the parks, and the historical significance of…
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Remembering Alberta Parks Trailer
Michael explores the unique and sometimes surprising history of Alberta Parks. He learns about Aspen Beach, Miquelon, Glenbow Ranch, Fish Creek, Castle Wildland, Aisinai’pi and more. You'll be inspired to protect our parks for the future by discovering their past.
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Connecting to the Ocean Part 1: Conversation & Conservation
Why do we need to have conversations and new narratives about small-scale fisheries, how we govern the ocean, and progress in marine conservation efforts? In this episode, Michael speaks with: Ratana Chuenpagdee, Memorial University, Canada Evan Andrews, Memorial University, Canada Jack Daly,...
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Connecting to the Ocean Part 2: Health & Wealth
Can coastal and ocean development happen without affecting the health of the ocean and marine ecosystems, and the economic viability and wellbeing of coastal communities? In this episode, Michael speaks with: Rob Stephenson, Fisheries and Oceans & University of New Brunswick, Canada Gerald Singh,...
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Connecting to the Ocean Part 3: Equity & Justice
Equity and justice are fundamental principles, but do they exist in small-scale fisheries, especially related to access to resources, management and regulations, and from the historical perspective? In this episode, Michael speaks with: Paul Foley, Memorial University, Canada Edith Samson, Sir...
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Connecting to the Ocean Part 4: Saftey & Order
Fishing, fish processing and maritime work are risky occupations. What needs to be done to provide better protection, and enhance occupational health and safety for those involved? In this episode, Michael speaks with: Barb Neis, Memorial University, Canada Joel Finnis, Memorial University…
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Connecting to the Ocean Part 5: Future & Vision
What is the future of small-scale fisheries, in Newfoundland and Labrador? Who’s going to fish? What will make people stay in the fisheries? What’s the vision of the communities for their own future? In this episode, Michael speaks with: María Andrée López Gómez, Memorial University, Canada /...
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Connecting to the Ocean Part 6: Connection & Transformation
Ocean and coastal connections start at home, with youth, and in communities. In a time of big change – climate, demography, policy, what kind of transformation is needed? What’s the starting point? In this episode, Michael speaks with: Jan Negrijn, Coastal Connections, Canada Kimberly Orren,...
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Connecting to the Ocean Trailer
Michael is off to St. John's Newfoundland to connect with the ocean and learn about why small-scale fisheries and governance matter to conservation and sustainability.
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Be Right Back...
In Over My Head will take a short break until November to allow time to work on a big upcoming season. Listen to Michael’s message for a sneak peek of what’s coming.
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Rethinking Growth Part 6: The Good Life
Michael chats with the University of Geneva’s Marlyne Sahakian about rethinking growth and the good life. They focus the conversation around the book Consumption Corridors: Living a Good Life within Sustainable Limits and discuss why setting upper and lower consumption limits is so important....
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Rethinking Growth Part 5: Becoming Human
Michael chats with the University of Florida's Susan Paulson about the human side of rethinking growth. They discuss the problem of exploitation and inequality and how to make our system more equitable. Susan touches on the benefit of the commons including worker-run cooperatives and time-banks....
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Rethinking Growth Part 4: Higher Education
Michael chats with Yale-NUS College’s Michael Maniates about the role of higher education in rethinking growth. They talk about the connection between economic growth and post-secondary, and what a genuinely sustainable campus should prioritize. Professor Maniates highlights the importance of a...
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Rethinking Growth Part 3: Debt
Michael chats with Erasmus University Rotterdam's Julien-Francois Gerber about how debt impacts our ability to rethink growth. They discuss the relationship between credit and growth, and how debt affects the environment and us as people. Julien gives us a history lesson on why we traditionally...
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Rethinking Growth Part 2: Work
Michael chats with Concordia University’s Bengi Akbulut about the future of work in a world rethinking growth. They start by discussing Bengi’s Turkish heritage and critics of economic growth in the context of Turkey. Bengi talks about feminist engagement with degrowth including unpaid care…
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Rethinking Growth Part 1: Innovation
Michael chats with the University of Vigo’s Mario Pansera about innovation's role in rethinking growth. They discuss his Post-Growth Innovation Lab's work, including their Prospera project. Mario talks about the myth of neutral technology and our social organization around technology. He also...
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In Over My Head: Rethinking Growth Trailer
Growth - especially the green kind - is always good, right? But to actually solve the climate crisis perhaps we need to rethink our reverence for the gospel of growth. Starting Friday, May 5, over six weeks Michael explores degrowth and post-growth with experts from around the world. What do our...
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The Little Things: Kitchenware
In this new segment, Michael explores the little everyday choices we make to lower our environmental impact. He talks to the University of Michigan's Shelie Miller about reusable kitchenware including straws, cutlery, coffee cups and sandwich bags to see if they're always more environmentally...
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Planet-saving Superstar: New Myrnam School
In this special edition of Planet-saving superstar, Michael takes a road trip to New Myrnam School east of Edmonton Alberta to see the sustainable building projects they have been working on over the last 6 years. From solar-powered golf carts to an off-grid Tiny House bus conversion, New Myrnam...
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Catching Up Over Coffee with Kathleen Sheppard
Michael briefly sat down with Kathleen Sheppard from Environment Lethbridge to reminisce about the inaugural episode, and chat about what Environment Lethbridge is up to now. Kathleen also offers advice on how to start talking about climate change with friends or family. In Over My Head Website...
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Changing Minds Part 6: Misinformation & Mistrust
Michael speaks with the University of Oxford’s Sacha Altay all about misinformation and mistrust. Sacha covers why miscommunication happens, the challenge of conveying scientific information, and the importance of trust. He touches on the role of media, the challenge of changing our own opinions,...
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Changing Minds Part 5: Getting Emotional
Michael speaks with the University of Groningen’s Linda Steg all about emotions. They discuss the connection between emotion and pro-environmental behaviour. She covers the role of identity and groups in predicting emotional reactions. Linda highlights how our biases factor in, and the influence…
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Changing Minds Part 4: Slaying our Dragons
Michael speaks with the University of Victoria’s Robert Gifford to discuss the Dragons of Inaction. Robert explains what these psychological dragons are and how his work started. They make their way through the lair, exploring the seven genera of dragons including limited cognition, social...
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Changing Minds Part 3: Mental Health
Michael speaks with the College of Wooster’s Susan Clayton all about our mental health and climate change. They discuss climate anxiety, including who is most affected, its connection to inaction, and the role of media. Susan touches on climate change denial and the importance of identity and...
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Changing Minds Part 2: Culture Shift
Michael speaks with Chris Bryant all about changing the culture when it comes to cultured meat. Chris covers what cultured meat is, and how people feel about it. They discuss the social barriers to accepting meat alternatives. Chris breaks down the psychological barriers as well, examining the...
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Changing Minds Part 1: Climate Comedy
Michael talks with the University of Colorado Boulder’s Beth Osnes about how comedy motivates climate action. Beth describes her art and gets into the history of comedy in theatre through the ages. She takes us to her climate communication class, sharing her students' experiences doing stand-up…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Michael is on a quest to get his environmental footprint as low as humanly possible, so he built his own off-grid tiny house. But he doesn’t know if all the downsizing and minimizing make a difference. He feels in over his head! It’s time to bring in the experts. Join Michael as he sits down with scientists, policymakers, industry leaders, and environmental experts to figure out how to effectively reduce his footprint, while also exploring the bigger questions around sustainability and the good life.
HOSTED BY
Michael Bartz
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does In Over My Head have?
In Over My Head currently has 99 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is In Over My Head about?
Michael is on a quest to get his environmental footprint as low as humanly possible, so he built his own off-grid tiny house. But he doesn’t know if all the downsizing and minimizing make a difference. He feels in over his head! It’s time to bring in the experts. Join Michael as he sits down with...
How often does In Over My Head release new episodes?
In Over My Head has 99 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to In Over My Head?
You can listen to In Over My Head 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 In Over My Head?
In Over My Head is created and hosted by Michael Bartz.
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