The Yellowwood Youth Podcast
Yellowwood Youth interviews the leaders of environmental organizations around the state of Indiana -and the country- to highlight ways to get involved and make a difference. It can be found on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Anchor, and many other streaming platforms. Take a listen through Spotify by clicking the button below, or scroll the the bottom of this page to listen in this window.

Podcast by Episode
#1: Native & Invasive Plants: MC-IRIS & SICIM
![]() SICIM Logo |
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![]() Mary Welz, SICIM |
![]() MCIRIS Logo |
![]() Ellen Jacquart, MCIRIS.jpeg |
In Episode #1 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks talks with Ellen Jacquart and Mary Welz about their work for MC-IRIS and SICIM, organizations that focus on Native and Invasive plants and their impacts on the environment. Listen in to find out about these two organizations or learn something new about what's in your backyard.
Resources Discussed in Episode:
![]() West Lafayette Climate StrikePhoto Credits: Nikos Frazier, Journal & Courtier |
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![]() Annabel Prokopy WCLStrikePhoto Credits: Nikos Frazier, Journal & Courtier |
![]() Ethan Bledsoe WCLStrikePhoto Credits: Nikos Frazier, Journal & Courtier |
![]() Anna Pinto WCLStrikePhoto Credits: Nikos Frazier, Journal & Courtier |
In Episode #2 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks talks with three leading members of the West Lafayette Climate Strike, a youth led initiative in West Lafayette, Indiana. They discuss their events, their goals, and the impacts they have had on their community. Listen to learn tips from those who have started their own strike and gain some inspiration to start your own!
Resources Related to Episode:
![]() Y.E.S at their Climate Resolution Presentation |
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![]() Maddie Clemmer |
![]() Jerrett Alexander |
In Episode #5 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks has a conversation with Maddie Clemmer and Jarrett Alexander, leaders of Y.E.S., the Youth For Environmental Sustainability, about how they started the organization. They discuss the ups and downs of passing a citywide climate resolution and their efforts to bring a similar project to the county level. Listen in for some advice on youth participation in local government, tips on what goes into a climate resolution, and information on how you can join Y.E.S.!
Resources Discussed in Episode:
#6 & #7: Debbie Raphael - SF Dept. of Environment
![]() sfdeptenvironment |
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![]() debbie raphael |
In Episodes #6 & #7 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks talks with Debbie Raphael, the Director of the Department of the Environment for San Francisco. She shares her insight on youth involvement in politics, how her path brought her to her position, and explains a concept you may not have heard of called ikigai. Listen in for an incredible conversation from a woman whose work is known as a prototype for environmental policy around the country.
Resources Discussed in Episode:
![]() Herbicide Free Campus Logo |
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![]() Aliza Mchugh, Director of Partnerships & Campus CoachPhoto Credits: From organization website |
![]() Herbicide Free at WorkPhoto Creds: Independent Science News |
In Episode #3 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks talks with Aliza Mchugh, a campus coach for Herbicide Free Campus, a Youth-led nation-wide movement to eradicate herbicide use on college, and now high school, campuses. They discuss the start of the campaign, the social + racial justice aspects of their work, and how students can bring Herbicide Free to their campus! Listen in and sign up to start a campaign at your school.
Resources Discussed in Episode:
![]() Friends of the Earth Logo |
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![]() Chloe Waterman |
In Episode #4 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks talks with Chloe Waterman, a program manager for Friends of the Earths Climate-Friendly Food Purchasing Program. She shares what experiences impacted her as she grew up, gives advice to students on how to take action in their cafeterias, and provides a slew of resources for youth to access. Listen in to get some ideas for initiatives, or even a job opportunity.
Resources Discussed in Episode:
![]() TUGI |
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![]() MeganChen |
![]() zofisanders |
In Episode #8 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks talks with Megan Chen, the Founder and Executive Director of The Urban Garden Initiative, and Zofi Sanders, the Associate Director of Partnerships. They share a long list of ways to get involved with TUGI and lessons they’ve learned from working for the organization. Listen in to get ideas for initiatives, inspiration from youth activists, and service hour opportunities.
Resources Discussed in Episode:
![]() IU Integrated Program in the Environment |
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![]() Teresa Dunn |
In Episode #9 & #10 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks chats with Teresa Dunn, who, at the time of the interview, was the associate director for the Integrated Program in the Environment (IPE) at Indiana University. She discusses resources the IPE offers and how the degrees at Indiana University work for students interested in applying at IU. Listen in and you may just decide IU is the place for you.
Resources Discussed in Episode:
![]() Collins Living Learning Center |
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In Episode #11 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks interviews five students who live on the same floor of the Indiana University dorms. All five students completed a Q-Project as a part of being in the Collins Living Learning Center. This episode is Josie's Q-Project! Listen in to ear about five different projects you could try out to promote sustainable living!
Resources Discussed in Episode:
![]() SNGW Protest |
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![]() SNGW President Sidd Das |
![]() Sophie Hall |
![]() Cooper Sykes |
In Episodes #12 of the Yellowwood Youth Podcast, founder Josie Sparks interviewed Siddharth Das, Cooper Sykes, and Sophie Hall, who are all members and leadership of the Indiana University organization Students for a New Green World, known as SNGW. Listen in to get some of your questions answered on what their organization is all about and how to get involved!.
Resources Discussed in Episode:
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STARS: The Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System
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Case Summary: Duke Energy Agrees to $3 Million Cleanup for Coal Ash Release in the Dan River
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Duke Energy Reaches $1.1B Deal to Resolve North Carolina Coal Ash Cost Issues
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Watchdog Coalition To Hold Duke Energy Accountable for Environmental and Economic Injustice
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