Here at WELC, we envision a thriving, resilient future for western U.S. lands, waters, wildlife, and communities in the face of a changing climate. The Stories of Kinship podcast shares key updates as we we work toward this vision, connecting our efforts across subject matter and state lines. Along the way, we share ideas to inspire hope + meaningful action in these chaotic times. Hosted by WELC’s Suze Wehr, each episode features expert guests in the world of environmental advocacy, from own staff attorneys to friends and partners across this field. Tune in below and subscribe at our Stories of Kinship Substack to catch the next episode!

Episode 1: Water, Climate, and Holding the Line in New Mexico (19:54)

What’s it like to advocate at the state level while trying to track and oppose the chaos we’re seeing at the federal level? What are WELC’s priorities for the 2025 New Mexico legislative session? What can people do to stay focused and fired up during this insane time? Welcome to Stories of Kinship, Episode 1: Water, Climate, and Holding the Line in New Mexico. Join WELC’s Erik Schlenker-Goodrich, Communications Director Brian Sweeney, and host Suze Wehr for a discussion on key bills to support in New Mexico right now, including the Clean Horizons Act and two pieces of legislation (now one combined bill) restoring protections for New Mexico water. The episode also highlights the intersectional coalitions building power for change through these legislative efforts, strategies for speaking up where you are right now, and more.

Episode 2: Montana Youth Make History (23:11)

In December 2024, 16 youth plaintiffs and the legal teams at WELC, Our Children’s Trust, and McGarvey Law made climate justice HISTORY! In a massive victory at the Montana Supreme Court after years of work, the court upheld a landmark decision in favor of youth climate activists. In a final 6-1 vote, the justices ruled that Montana was violating residents’ constitutional right to a clean environment. For Stories of Kinship: Episode 2, host Suze Wehr interviews WELC staff attorneys Barbara Chillcott and Melissa Hornbein for an in-depth account of the long road to victory and what it now means for climate justice in Montana (and beyond).

Episode 3: Beyond the Federal Doomscroll (36:44)

“Are you failing with the doomscrolling as much as I am?” The past two months have been a lot on every level. For those of us trying to strike the balance between informed and overwhelmed, it’s hard to know where to focus. So in this conversation, WELC’s Erik Schlenker-Goodrich guides us through impacts from recent Executive Orders, DOGE projects, and attacks on foundational environmental laws like the National Environmental Policy Act and the Endangered Species Act. We discuss what this means from a broader national perspective (spoiler alert: it’s, uh, not amazing) and how we’re preparing to tackle these issues in the months ahead. Towards the end, we’ll provide a couple of quick updates on New Mexico and Oregon legislative session efforts, so stick it out for some good news there, and thanks so much for tuning in!