Join Azzedine Downes, CEO of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), as he shares his impactful journey in wildlife conservation. Learn how his leadership is protecting endangered species, preserving habitats, and fostering a global movement for environmental stewardship. Through compelling stories and insights, Azzedine reveals the vital connections between humans, animals, and ecosystems, and how they are essential to our planet's future. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about conservation, wildlife protection, and creating a sustainable world.

Resources Mentioned:

• The Couscous Chronicles by Azzedine Downes

• International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) - www.ifaw.org

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Today, our search lands us in conversation with Sunaura Taylor, a professor, artist, writer, and activist whose scholarship explores the entanglement of disability and ecological thought.

Her work at the intersection of disability studies, environmental justice, multi-species studies, and art practice invites us to see beyond traditional environmental narratives to appreciate the vital contributions of all forms of life, advocating for a more inclusive understanding of our planet’s health and our species' future.

Her latest book, Disabled Ecologies: Lessons from a Wounded Desert, is a powerful analysis and call to action that reveals disability as one of the defining features of environmental devastation and resistance.

Through her art and scholarship, Sunaura reveals the overlooked parallels between disabled bodies and the Earth's landscapes—both bearing marks of history and resilience.

In this time of ecological uncertainty and social change, her insights compel us to question how we perceive health, harm, and harmony in the natural world. To challenge us to think differently about ecology and disability, to embrace a broader, more inclusive vision of environmentalism, and the rights of nature, and ultimately, what it means to be human.

Today, we accept Sunaura’s invitation to experience the environment and our place within it as deeply entangled—where the conditions of Earth reflect and influence the conditions of all living beings. And to propose a solidarity that spans species and systems, leading to a deeper understanding of resilience and regeneration, and teaching us new ways to live and heal together.

About Sunaura

Sunaura Taylor is a professor, artist, and writer. She is the author of “Beasts of Burden: Animal and Disability Liberation”, which received the 2018 American Book Award, and her latest book Disabled Ecologies, Lessons from a Wounded Desert. Taylor has written for a range of popular media outlets and her artworks have been exhibited widely both nationally and internationally. She works at the intersection of disability studies, environmental justice, multi-species studies, and art practice. She is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Environmental Science, Policy, and Management at the University of California, Berkeley.

Sunaura lives in the Bay Area with her daughter Leonora, husband David, and their two cats, Rosie and Pirate. You can find out more about Sunaura and her work by visiting:

www.sunaurataylor.net

In a world obsessed with progress and growth, John Stuart Heers offers a simple yet profound insight: Perhaps the most significant transformations occur not through what we gain, but through what we give and how we choose to engage with the world around us. John’s path takes us into a conversation that challenges the essence of our relationships in communities both near and far—a conversation about what it means to cultivate genuine understanding and care.

John is a pioneer in the world of humanitarian work, cultural immersion, and ethical leadership. His life’s work examines how personal sacrifice and attentive listening can dissolve barriers between diverse cultures, fostering a world rooted in empathy and solidarity.His formative years ignited a dedication to grassroots efforts that prioritize local wisdom and long-term impact. As the founder of First Things Foundation, he has championed a model of engagement that goes beyond aid, emphasizing models of partnership and co-creation with communities across the globe. Through projects in places like Guatemala, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, and the Republic of Georgia, John and his team embody a philosophy of humble service and transformative connection. Their work illustrates the profound changes that arise when we shift from giving solutions to facilitating empowerment, from acting as saviors to becoming allies.

Today, we explore the ripples of change that emanate from a commitment to deep, reciprocal care. We imagine a world where every gesture, every act, is imbued with the intention to not only help but to understand and grow together.

About John

John Stuart Heers is the founder of the First Things Foundation, an organization dedicated to deep, immersive community work and ethical leadership, and Greenville SC Keipi Restaurant, featuring Georgian-style cuisine and the community toastmaster or Tamada of the supra fest, toasting to the good and beautiful things in life so that we may experience ourselves in relation to our community at the table of love.

John's visionary approach emphasizes the importance of local wisdom and long-term partnership in fostering sustainable and meaningful change.

Growing up with a keen awareness of global disparities, John was inspired to create a model of engagement that goes beyond traditional aid. First Things Foundation has implemented projects in diverse locations such as Guatemala, Sierra Leone, Mozambique, and the Republic of Georgia, demonstrating the power of humble service and transformative connection.

John's work challenges us to reconsider our approach to humanitarian efforts, advocating for a shift from providing solutions to facilitating empowerment and from acting as saviors to becoming allies. Through over 20,000 hours of project consultation and 30+ active projects, John and his team have illustrated the profound impact of genuine, reciprocal care.

John Heers' dedication to fostering genuine understanding and mutual support has led to significant and lasting changes in the communities the First Things Foundation serves. His work encourages us to build trust, cultivate empathy, and engage deeply with the people and cultures we aim to support.

You can learn more about John and the impactful work of the First Things Foundation, by visiting their website at:

www.first-things.org.

And be sure to make a trip to Geenville SC to experience the Georgian feast and toast to life.

You can learn more about the restaurant at:

www.keipirestaurant.org

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