In this episode, Dr. Renée Lertzman brings a rare blend of wisdom, depth, and grounded practicality to the conversation about climate change and human behavior. A pioneer in the psychology of climate emotions, she helps us move beyond overwhelm and polarization toward curiosity, compassion, and meaningful engagement. What I so appreciate in her work is the way she names what’s often unspoken—our defenses, ambivalence, and fears—without judgment, and then offers pathways forward that feel both humane and doable. In this conversation, Renée reminds us that responding to the climate crisis isn’t just about information or solutions; it’s about relationship, leadership, and learning how to stay present with what’s hard while still acting with care and courage.

Dr. Renée Lertzman is a pioneer, who for 30 years has been bridging psychology with climate change, sustainability and existential threats. An academic-turned practitioner, she designs frameworks and methods that guide people to take action and create impact on climate and sustainability issues. Over the past two decades, Renée has worked with global leaders, startups, governments, and mission-driven companies—including Google, IKEA, the California Academy of Sciences —helping them navigate the emotional complexities of climate engagement. She is developing a new academy that equips changemakers with psychologically grounded resources for collective transformation. She is also working on a forthcoming book to be published by Viking in 2027.

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Podcast, Accidental Gods