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Writer’s Voice: compelling conversations with authors who challenge, inspire, and inform.
Episode Summary
This episode of Writer’s Voice explores two inspiring approaches to building a more just and compassionate world. It’s part of September’s WV programming in honor of Climate Week. Two nationwide mobilizations are happening for Climate Week: Make Billionaires Pay and Sun Day.
First, environmental activist Catherine Coleman Flowers tells us about her new memoir Holy Ground: On Activism, Environmental Justice, And Finding Hope. She shares her journey from Lowndes County, Alabama to the national stage, her deep roots in faith and family, and her fight for sanitation justice, climate action, and dignity for all.
“In the darkest of times, hope is still possible. Indeed, it is essential.” — Catherine Coleman Flowers
Then, vegan advocate Colleen Patrick-Goudreau joins us to talk about her book A Year of Compassion: 52 Weeks of Living Zero-Waste, Plant-Based, and Cruelty-Free. She offers practical steps to live with compassion for animals, people, and the planet—showing that small changes add up to big impacts.
“We don’t get to choose whether we can make a difference or not. We get to choose only if the difference we make is negative or positive.” — Colleen Patrick Goudreau
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Key Words: Catherine Coleman Flowers Holy Ground, environmental justice, sanitation justice, climate change activism, Colleen Patrick-Goudreau A Year of Compassion, plant-based living, vegan lifestyle tips, zero waste, plastic reduction, food waste composting,
You might also like: Naomi Klein: Climate Changes Everything, Melanie Joy, WHY WE LOVE DOGS, EAT PIGS, AND WEAR COWS
Segment 1: Catherine Coleman Flowers
Catherine Coleman Flowers reflects on her memoir and life’s work at the intersection of civil rights, environmental justice, and faith. She recalls her genealogical ties to the historic Battle of Holy Ground, her fight to expose sanitation crises in poor communities, and her surprising collaborations across political divides. With a message rooted in both realism and hope, Flowers calls for respect for Mother Earth, bridging divides, and holding on to faith.
Key Topics
- The meaning of “Holy Ground” — ancestral, spiritual, and planetary
- Sanitation injustice in Lowndes County and beyond
- Faith as the foundation of activism
- Building bridges across divides, even with unlikely allies
- Climate justice and the urgency of systemic change
- The role of hope and gratitude in sustaining activism
Segment 2: Colleen Patrick-Goudreau
Colleen Patrick-Goudreau reframes sustainability and veganism through the lens of compassion and interconnectedness. She explains why compassion is action-oriented, how to reduce plastic and food waste without being overwhelmed, and why imperfect but widespread plant-based choices matter more than individual perfection. She also offers practical tips on composting, rescuing animals, and “plantifying” meals.
Key Topics
- Compassion as the foundation for sustainable and plant-based living
- Disconnectedness vs compassion in modern culture
- Zero-waste living: audits, reusables, small but impactful steps
- Food waste and composting strategies
- Rescue preparedness: helping animals in distress
- “Plantify” meals: flexible, accessible ways to eat plant-based
- Advocacy beyond personal lifestyle: the importance of voting and civic action
Next Week on Writer’s Voice
In keeping with the build-up to Climate Week, we talk with Andrew FIshman about HOW TO SAVE THE AMAZON, the posthumous book written by Dom Phillips, who was murdered along with Bruno Pereira by a gang of environmental criminals in the Brazilian Amazon. Fishman and others completed the book after Phillips’ death. Don’t miss it!