S2E24: How Climate Change Impacts Mental Health in Africa & Beyond w/ Svetlana Onye
Release Date: 11/10/2024
S2E24: How Climate Change Impacts Mental Health in Africa & Beyond w/ Svetlana Onye
Brian J Matos
Brian speaks with Svetlana Chigozie Onye, a climate justice advocate, writer, journalist, and researcher. In this conversation, Svetlana and Brian discuss the critical intersection of mental health and climate change, particularly in the context of African nations. She highlights the unique challenges faced by African countries, including the disproportionate impact of climate change despite low emissions, the role of transnational companies in resource extraction, and the need for better media coverage of these issues. Svetlana emphasizes the importance of integrating mental health into...
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S2E23: Pathways to an Environmentally Sustainable Future w/ Demitri Fierro
Brian J Matos
Brian is joined by Demitri Fierro, a writer and a Sustainability and Stakeholder Strategist. He has published more than 100 articles to date on , where he is an avid contributor on subjects like electric vehicle adoption, wildlife conservation and climate tech. Demitri recently earned an MBA in Sustainable Solutions from Presidio Graduate School in San Francisco. For the last two years, he has served as Program Manager for the Consultancy Shadowing Program, as well as sustainability consultant for a variety of clients. Determined to apply his background to bring sustainable solutions to...
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S2E22: A Conversation About Unaccompanied Migrant Children w/ Stephanie L. Canizales, PhD
Brian J Matos
Brian interviews Stephanie L. Canizales, PhD, a researcher, author, and professor in the Department of Sociology at the University of California, Berkeley, where she is Faculty Director of the . She earned her PhD in Sociology from the University of Southern California (2018). Stephanie specializes in the study of international migration and immigrant integration, with particular interest in the experiences of Latin American-origin immigrants and their descendants in the United States. Over the last decade, Stephanie has focused her work on the migration and coming-of-age of unaccompanied...
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S2E21: The Existential Threat of Advanced AI w/ Prof. Demetrius Floudas
Brian J Matos
Brian is joined by Professor Demetrius Floudas for a conversation on the risks and potential dangers of advanced artificial intelligence if not thoughtfully regulated. Demetrius A. Floudas is a transnational lawyer, a legal adviser specializing in tech and an AI regulatory & policy theorist. With extensive experience, he has counseled governments, corporations, and start-ups on regulatory aspects of policy and technology. He serves as an Adjunct Professor at the Law Faculty of , where he lectures on Artificial Intelligence Regulation. Additionally, he is a Fellow of the Hellenic...
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S2E20: Israel, Palestine, the Arab World and the Prospects for a Two-State Solution as of late 2024
Brian J Matos
Brian interviews Hussein Ibish, senior resident scholar at the . He is also a weekly columnist for (UAE) and , and a monthly contributing writer for The . Ibish is also a regular contributor to many other American and Middle Eastern publications. In this episode, we explore the history of the Isreali-Palestinian conflict, the barriers to a two-state solution, the roles of major state and non-state actors in the region and discuss the most likely scenarios for this conflict in the coming months and years. This conversation is meant to help the audience...
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S2E19: The State of Religion in the United States and the Future of Faith with Jake Meador
Brian J Matos
Brian interviews Jake Meador, editor-in-chief of and author of two books, I and . Jake also serves as a contributing editor with and as a board member with the . The conversation explores the topic of church attendance as a proxy for religious activity in the United States. Jake discusses the "de-churching" movement, which refers to the significant decline in church attendance rates over the past 25 years. The conversation delves into the impact of de-churching on society, the reasons behind it, and the potential for a resurgence in church attendance. The conversation...
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S2E18: Exploring Declining Fertility Rates w/ Demographer, Lyman Stone
Brian J Matos
Brian interviews Lyman Stone, a demographer who discusses the global decline in fertility rates and the relationship between fertility and religion. Lyman explains that religious people tend to have more children and provide more support to other parents in their community. However, he also notes that fertility rates are declining among both religious and secular people. Stone emphasizes the importance of community and social support in influencing fertility decisions. He suggests that religious institutions can play a role in supporting higher fertility rates by encouraging and assisting...
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S2E17: Brazilian Foreign Policy Perspectives with Gustavo Ribeiro (Part 2)
Brian J Matos
Brian is joined by Gustavo Ribeiro, award-winning journalist and Founder/Editor-in-Chief of , an independent, English language news website covering Brazilian politics, economics and social issues. This episode features part 2 of the conversation where Gustavo discusses Brazil's foreign policy and its unique position as the largest country in Latin America. Brian and Gustavo explore the Brazilian government's and society's perspective on regional and international issues, including Venezuela, Latin American integration, Brazil-US relations, the BRICS alliance, national security, and...
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S2E16: A Conversation on Brazilian Politics, Society, and Economics with Gustavo Ribeiro (Part 1)
Brian J Matos
Brian is joined by Gustavo Ribeiro, award-winning journalist and Founder/Editor-in-Chief of , an independent, English language news website covering Brazilian politics, economics and social issues. This episode features part 1 of the conversation where Gustavo explains the current political landscape in Brazil, including the major players and the current government under President Luis Inácio Lula da Silva. Ribeiro highlights the polarization in Brazilian society and the impact of politics on personal relationships. He also discusses the economic challenges faced by middle-income and...
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S2E15: Latin American Foreign Policy: U.S.A., E.U., China, Russia, Israel & more
Brian J Matos
Part 2 of Brian's conversation with Fulton Armstrong explores the global geopolitical perspective of Latin American nations. Fulton discusses the impact of Chinese influence in the region and the perception that the United States has stepped back from regional leadership. The conversation also touches on the internal political situation in Venezuela and the role of neighboring countries in finding a long-term solution. The discussion includes a segment on how Latin American nations think about the concept of "The Global South" and the changing dynamics in the global political, security,...
info_outlineBrian speaks with Svetlana Chigozie Onye, a climate justice advocate, writer, journalist, and researcher.
In this conversation, Svetlana and Brian discuss the critical intersection of mental health and climate change, particularly in the context of African nations. She highlights the unique challenges faced by African countries, including the disproportionate impact of climate change despite low emissions, the role of transnational companies in resource extraction, and the need for better media coverage of these issues. Svetlana emphasizes the importance of integrating mental health into climate policies and the necessity for climate finance to address healthcare and infrastructure. She also shares inspiring stories of community-based initiatives and the power of storytelling in raising awareness and fostering change.
Svetlana is the Project Lead for the Eco-Anxiety Africa Project, which investigates the mental health impact of climate change across Africa and the necessary responses and adaptations communities need.
Her journalistic work focuses on the impact of natural resource extraction in communities in the "global south". Her published work concerning climate justice, social justice, and culture can be found in publications such as Shado Mag, SCREENSHOT, (Re)imagining Peace + Justice, Atwood Magazine, The Eco-Anxiety Africa Project, and Race Equality Matters.
Her literary work earned her selection into the Writers on the Rise Program, created by the Black British Book Festival and Pan MacMillan. She is also part of the UK Youth Climate Coalition, a TuWezeshe Young Women’s Leadership Fellow, and the founder of Not Actually Radical, an online educational platform that seeks to use accessible education as a tool of liberation across the diaspora.
To learn more about Svetlana:
- Website: https://sustyvibes.org/
- LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/svetlana-chigozie-onye-sanya-785463157
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/storyofsvetlana/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/svetlana.onye.7/?locale=en_GB
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