Demand Utopia: A Solarpunk Podcast

No Borders, No Barriers

Sun, 27 Apr 2025 11:00:00 GMT

On this episode of Demand Utopia, host Justine Norton-Kertson talks about the history and purpose of borders, then does a thought experiment imagining what a solarpunk future without borders—with freedom of movement—might look like.

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SO[L.A.]RPUNK

Mon, 14 Apr 2025 14:00:23 GMT

On this episode, our host Justine Norton-Kertson imagines what Los Angeles might look in a more hopeful, solarpunk future.

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DEI, Education, and a Solarpunk Future

Mon, 24 Mar 2025 17:40:25 GMT

In this episode we examine the current attempts to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education and how DEI is at the center of those attacks. Then, we imagine what decentralizing education might look like from a solarpunk perspective instead.

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Aging with Dignity in a Solarpunk Future

Sun, 16 Mar 2025 18:31:24 GMT

In this episode we introduce our new climate news segment. Then we examine the U.S. social security system, how it's funded and distributed, as well as the current attacks and drive to privatize this century old system of public, collective care. Then we pivot and imagine what elder care and aging with dignity might look like in a more compassionate and decentralized solarpunk future.

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Resisting Dystopia is Demanding Utopia

Tue, 11 Mar 2025 15:39:22 GMT

A war on protest has been declared, with promises to expel, arrest, imprison, and deport student protesters. But resisting dictatorship and dystopia is key to building utopia. That's why on this episode, we're breaking down the current war on protest, its connection to past state crackdowns on movements, and how solarpunk offers a different vision. We also talk about various ways people can engage in resistance even if they can't or don't want to attend street protests.

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Solarpunk vs Imperialism (Pt. 2)

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 19:38:16 GMT

In part 2 of our episode on the rise of a new, more overt brand of imperialism in the U.S. under the second Trump administration, we dive into alternatives to imperialism through solarpunk values and practices.

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Solarpunk vs Imperialism (Pt. 1)

Sun, 23 Feb 2025 18:37:40 GMT

This week, in the first of a two part episode of Demand Utopia: A Solarpunk Podcast, we look at the brazen imperialist moves Trump has made so far in his first month back in the White House, and we discuss his actions within the historical context of U.S. imperialism specifically, and western imperialism in general. Next week in part 2, we'll dive into the solarpunk response to imperialism and look at real life examples of the struggle to end the empire's global exploitation.

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Moving Forward

Tue, 18 Feb 2025 17:13:05 GMT

On our first episode back after a nine month hiatus, host Justine Norton-Kertson reflects on the current political landscape, imagines a solarpunk future, and looks at some recent grassroots victories to inspire us for the struggle ahead.

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The Anatomy of Utopia

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 16:10:30 GMT

In this second episode of Solarpunk Magazine's newly relaunched podcast, Solarpunk Futures: Demand Utopia!, host Justine Norton-Kertson looks at different characteristics, ideas, and alternative systems that have been proposed as part of various utopian visions. And we'll think about how we can apply these lessons to the collective solarpunk world-building project Solarpunk Magazine is launching on May 1st. You can make sure you get notifications when we release new world-building polls and questions buy signing up for our blog or the free section of our Patreon.

Join the conversation on social media pages around the questions of community parenting and what ideas you think might best lead to more utopian societies in the future.

Instagram | Facebook | Bluesky | Twitter

The Solarpunk Futures: Demand Utopia! podcast is a production of Solarpunk Magazine and Android Press.

Produced and hosted by Justine Norton-Kertson.

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Utopian Visions Through Time

Fri, 19 Apr 2024 22:17:22 GMT

Host Justine Norton-Kertson takes us on a tour of utopian visions through time from Plato to More, and from Indigenous cultures to today's post-utopian shift.

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Solarpunk Futures: The Evolution of Solarpunk

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 19:44:56 GMT

It's been a minute since we've posted a podcast episode, but we're excited to get back at it with a regular monthly schedule. In this episode, we take a step back and look at solarpunk's origins and evolution over the years.

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Solarpunk Futures: When We Hold Each Other Up

Mon, 08 May 2023 20:03:18 GMT

Justine Norton-Kertson talks with author and editor Phoebe Wagner about past work, as well as their recently published solarpunk novella, When We Hold Each Other Up (2023, Android Press)

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Solarpunk Presents Finale: Let's Talk Solstice, Solarpunks!

Mon, 19 Dec 2022 13:00:05 GMT

In the finale of Solarpunk Presents' first-ever season, Ariel and Christina sit down to chat together about the Winter Solstice - Christina brings the scientific knowledge, Ariel brings a few book recommendations, and we discuss traditions of celebrating the return of the sun (as we've experienced them in the northern hemisphere). What are your favourite solstice traditions? Do you have recommendations of good solarpunk solstice stories to cozy up with? You can tweet at us @SolarpunkP or toot at us over on Mastodon @solarpunkpresents@climatejustice.rocks and let us know.

Connect with Solarpunk Magazine at solarpunkmagazine.com and on Twitter @solarpunklitmag

Connect with Solarpunk Presents Podcast on Twitter @SolarpunkP or Mastodon @solarpunkpresents@climatejustice.rocks

Connect with Ariel at her blog, on Twitter at @arielletje, and on Mastodon @arielkroon@wandering.shop

Connect with Christina at her blog, on Twitter @xtinadlr, and on Mastodon @xtinadlr@wandering.shop

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How We Build Climate Resilience: An Interview with Dr. Lisa Dilling

Mon, 12 Dec 2022 13:00:39 GMT

As the changing climate increasingly disrupts our ways of life, we have three choices: do nothing, attempt to stop or even reverse climate change, and/or figure out how to withstand it. Option one is a terrible idea and the ship has (mostly) sailed on option two. But option three is how we learn to live—and maybe even thrive—in our changing world. Part of this is figuring out how to convey the information that climate researchers have gathered to the people—like farmers, water managers, and urban planners—who need to make decisions now—about things like what crops to plant, where to get water for everyone and how to allocate it, and where to plant trees—for both the near and slightly distant future. In this episode, we’re talking to Professor Lisa Dilling, of the University of Colorado, Boulder, about building networks of people through which information about regional climate predictions can flow to people and information about the needs, predicaments, and questions of people can flow to climate researchers.

You can follow Lisa Dilling on Twitter at @LisaD144, and the Western Water Assessment program at University of Colorado here: @WWAnews or visit their website at https://wwa.colorado.edu/

Connect with Solarpunk Magazine at solarpunkmagazine.com and on Twitter @solarpunklitmag

Connect with Solarpunk Presents Podcast on Twitter @SolarpunkP or Mastodon @solarpunkpresents@climatejustice.rocks

Connect with Ariel at her blog, on Twitter at @arielletje, and on Mastodon @arielkroon@wandering.shop

Connect with Christina at her blog, on Twitter @xtinadlr, and on Mastodon @xtinadlr@wandering.shop

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Shining bright in the heart of oil country: interview with Heather MacKenzie from Solar Alberta

Mon, 28 Nov 2022 13:00:52 GMT

In today’s episode, Ariel chats with Heather MacKenzie, Executive Director of Solar Alberta, about transitioning to renewable energy deep in the heart of oil and gas country - in a just and sustainable way. Join us to learn about the history of the Solar Alberta organization, from its grassroots beginnings in neighbourhood solar projects, to dealing with (government-funded!) trolls online, all the way up to being the leading non-profit solar organization in Alberta and providing worker upskilling in a unique market.

You can go to https://solaralberta.ca to learn more, or connect with and follow them on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and LinkedIn.

Connect with Solarpunk Magazine at solarpunkmagazine.com and on Twitter @solarpunklitmag

Connect with Solarpunk Presents Podcast on Twitter @SolarpunkP or Mastodon @solarpunkpresents@climatejustice.rocks

Connect with Ariel at her blog, on Twitter at @arielletje, and on Mastodon @arielkroon@wandering.shop

Connect with Christina at her blog, on Twitter @xtinadlr, and on Mastodon @xtinadlr@wandering.shop

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The Soft Glow of the Deep Sea: Talking Bioluminescence with Dr. Steve Haddock

Mon, 14 Nov 2022 13:00:51 GMT

You don't have to be a solarpunk—or a lunarpunk—to dream of bioluminescence, from twinkling phytoplankton to glowing lamps, phosphorescent fungi, and jellyfish lit up like space ships. To honor those dreams, we talked to Dr. Steve Haddock, Senior Scientist at the Monterey Bay Aquarium Research Institute (MBARI) and leading expert on the things that glow, flash, and train headlights through the dark waters of the deep sea. Join us for this conversation about how bioluminescence works, what critters are capable of it and what they use it for, and whether or not our visions of bioluminescent street lamps stand a chance of coming true.

You can also follow Steve Haddock on Twitter @beroe and learn more about bioluminescence at https://biolum.eemb.ucsb.edu/.

Connect with Solarpunk Magazine at solarpunkmagazine.com and on Twitter @solarpunklitmag

Connect with Solarpunk Presents Podcast on Twitter @SolarpunkP or Mastodon @solarpunkpresents@climatejustice.rocks

Connect with Ariel at her blog, on Twitter at @arielletje, and on Mastodon @arielkroon@wandering.shop

Connect with Christina at her blog, on Twitter @xtinadlr, and on Mastodon @xtinadlr@wandering.shop

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Interview with Justine Norton-Kertson about BIOLUMINESCENT: A LUNARPUNK ANTHOLOGY

Mon, 31 Oct 2022 12:00:47 GMT

On this episode, Ariel sits down with Justine Norton-Kertson, editor of the forthcoming BIOLUMINESCENT: A LUNARPUNK ANTHOLOGY. They discuss what lunarpunk is in contrast to solarpunk, what inspired Justine to put together an anthology of lunarpunk fiction, and a sneak peek at some of the participating authors and the content that fans can expect to encounter!

Connect with Solarpunk Magazine at solarpunkmagazine.com and on Twitter @solarpunklitmag

Connect with Solarpunk Presents Podcast on Twitter @SolarpunkP or Mastodon @solarpunkpresents@climatejustice.rocks

Connect with Ariel at her blog, on Twitter at @arielletje, and on Mastodon @arielkroon@wandering.shop

Connect with Christina at her blog, on Twitter @xtinadlr, and on Mastodon @xtinadlr@wandering.shop

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Interview with Dr Jayde Lin Roberts about saving democracy through urban planning

Mon, 24 Oct 2022 12:00:48 GMT

Solarpunk is all about vibrant, beautiful, livable cities filled with plants, public transportation, and solar panels—in other words, nothing like the congested, polluted, inhospitable messes we live in today. How do we start making the great transformation? Simply by starting. Join us for a conversation with Dr Jayde Lin Roberts about having a voice in the development (or redevelopment) of your neighborhood or city.

Connect with Solarpunk Magazine at solarpunkmagazine.com and on Twitter @solarpunklitmag

Connect with Solarpunk Presents Podcast on Twitter @SolarpunkP or Mastodon @solarpunkpresents@climatejustice.rocks

Connect with Ariel at her blog, on Twitter at @arielletje, and on Mastodon @arielkroon@wandering.shop

Connect with Christina at her blog, on Twitter @xtinadlr, and on Mastodon @xtinadlr@wandering.shop

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Interview with Gabrielle Gelderman about Climate Grief Chaplaincy

Mon, 10 Oct 2022 14:25:25 GMT

In this episode of Solarpunk Presents, nonfiction co-editor Ariel Kroon sits down for a virtual chat with Gabrielle Gelderman, an Edmonton, Alberta-based climate grief chaplain and climate justice organizer. They talk about what climate grief chaplaincy even is, the necessity of holding communal safe spaces for grieving especially for organizers, the necessity of feeling grief in order to feel more positive emotions, and climate despair as a corollary of solarpunk hope.

Links:

Gabrielle's Instagram: @theclimatechaplain

Gabrielle’s LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/gabthechaplain

Climate Justice Edmonton (CA)

Faith Matters Network (US)

Sunrise Youth Organization (US)

*Note: During the interview, Ariel mentions episode 4.30 of Secret Feminist Agenda; the name of the theorist she cites is Eugenia Zuroski.

Connect with Solarpunk Magazine at solarpunkmagazine.com and on Twitter @solarpunklitmag

Connect with Solarpunk Presents Podcast on Twitter @SolarpunkP or Mastodon @solarpunkpresents@climatejustice.rocks

Connect with Ariel at her blog, on Twitter at @arielletje, and on Mastodon @arielkroon@wandering.shop

Connect with Christina at her blog, on Twitter @xtinadlr, and on Mastodon @xtinadlr@wandering.shop

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Interview with Dr Hélène Jacot Des Combes on Climate Change and the Marshall Islands

Mon, 19 Sep 2022 13:00:57 GMT

In this episode, Christina De La Rocha talks to Dr Hélène Jacot Des Combes, Disaster Risk Management and Climate Change Adaptation Advisor to the National Disaster Management Office of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. They discuss sea level rise, infrastructure that can adapt to climate change, and land reclamation and protection. Dr Des Combes speaks passionately about reparations (for decades of colonialism, the US’s testing of atomic weapons on the atolls of the Marshall Islands, forced relocation of the Marshallese people, climate injustice, and much more) and advocates for the Marshallese peoples’ right to their own lands.

You can read more about the Marshall Islands' unique position at the forefront of sea level rise at PacificaRisa.org. For further reading, check out the Republic of the Marshall Islands' Climate Change website here, you can read up on the Government of the Marshall Islands' Adaptation Communication (Dec 2020) here, and the World Bank's page on the Marshall Islands has some informative visuals.

Connect with Solarpunk Magazine at solarpunkmagazine.com and on Twitter @solarpunklitmag

Connect with Solarpunk Presents Podcast on Twitter @SolarpunkP or Mastodon @solarpunkpresents@climatejustice.rocks

Connect with Ariel at her blog, on Twitter at @arielletje, and on Mastodon @arielkroon@wandering.shop

Connect with Christina at her blog, on Twitter @xtinadlr, and on Mastodon @xtinadlr@wandering.shop

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Interview with John Okhiulu from the Decolonizing Wealth Project

Mon, 05 Sep 2022 12:00:46 GMT

In this episode of Solarpunk Presents, Ariel sits down with John Okhiulu from the Decolonizing Wealth Project to talk about the role of philanthropy in addressing racial capitalism and reparations, and how the DWP is working to change the narrative around charitable giving and wealth-transfer. Also, John tells us about how he personally found himself in the world of philanthropy, as well as his vision of a solarpunk future.

To learn more, visit decolonizingwealth.com, read about its founder Edgar Villanueva on his site, or follow the organization for updates on their Twitter @decolonizwealth.

Connect with Solarpunk Magazine at solarpunkmagazine.com and on Twitter @solarpunklitmag

Connect with Solarpunk Presents Podcast on Twitter @SolarpunkP or Mastodon @solarpunkpresents@climatejustice.rocks

Connect with Ariel at her blog, on Twitter at @arielletje, and on Mastodon @arielkroon@wandering.shop

Connect with Christina at her blog, on Twitter @xtinadlr, and on Mastodon @xtinadlr@wandering.shop

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"Must Solarpunk Should?" - Our Nonfiction Editors Discuss

Mon, 29 Aug 2022 17:02:22 GMT

In this soft-launch of Solarpunk Presents, the companion podcast to Solarpunk Futures, hosts and Solarpunk Magazine nonfiction editors Ariel Kroon and Christina De La Rocha tackle the question of “Must Solarpunk Should”? This is a dilemma that unconsciously or consciously comes through in a lot of the nonfiction submissions that we receive in our slush pile, and we have Thoughts about it. So many thoughts! Possibly controversial one! But one of the best things about solarpunk is the space that it gives us to explore and think through new paradigms, new systems thinking, new ideas – some of which maybe we don’t necessarily love, but that are part of our world regardless of whether we like it or not. We’re learning and growing with every new day as solarpunks - come join us!

PS: The audio is a bit bumpy in parts; please excuse the technical hiccups. We’re still learning!

Connect with Solarpunk Magazine at solarpunkmagazine.com and on Twitter @solarpunklitmag

Connect with Solarpunk Presents Podcast on Twitter @SolarpunkP or Mastodon @solarpunkpresents@climatejustice.rocks

Connect with Ariel at her blog, on Twitter at @arielletje, and on Mastodon @arielkroon@wandering.shop

Connect with Christina at her blog, on Twitter @xtinadlr, and on Mastodon @xtinadlr@wandering.shop

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Solar Futures: an Interview with ASU's Joey Eschrich & Clark Miller

Sun, 12 Dec 2021 18:01:06 GMT

On episode 7 we talk with Joey Eschrich and Clark Miller from Arizona State University about solar power, the solarpunk anthologies they've been publishing with ASU, the need for more human representation in solarpunk art, and more.

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Interview with Nina Munteanu

Mon, 22 Nov 2021 19:32:42 GMT

In this episode, we talk with Canadian sci-fi and climate fiction author, Nina Munteanu, about water and her recent books, blurring the lines between fiction and non-fiction, and the idea of an author's responsibility to their community of readers.

Click Here to check out A Diary in the Age of Water, Water Is... The Meaning of Water..., as well as Nina's other works.

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Shine Anthology: Interview with Jetse de Vries

Mon, 08 Nov 2021 18:41:03 GMT

On our fifth episode, co-host Brianna Castagnozzi talks with Jetse de Vries about his 2010 Shine Anthology, a collection of optimistic science fiction stories that is a progenitor of the solarpunk genre. They also talk about Jetse's more recent work.

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Art, Carbon Capture, and Restoring Native Forests

Tue, 26 Oct 2021 00:17:21 GMT

On this episode, we talk with Yishan Wong. Yishan is the founder and CEO of Terraformation, and former CEO of Reddit about the solarpunk art contest he is hosting that has almost $20,000 in cash prizes. We also talk the native reforest restoration work he's doing with Terraformation to help solve the climate crisis.

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Interview with Sarena Ulibarri + Reading "Caught Root"

Mon, 11 Oct 2021 15:58:29 GMT

In Episode 3 we talk with Sarena Ulibarri, head of World Weaver Press and editor of three solarpunk anthologies including Glass & Gardens: Solarpunk Summers, Glass & Gardens: Solarpunk Winters, and Multispecies Cities: Solarpunk Urban Futures. We also hear a reading of a solarpunk story called "Caught Root," written by Julia K. Patt, and read by our co-host, Brianna Castagnozzi.

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Countdown to Blast Off

Mon, 27 Sep 2021 13:16:12 GMT

On our second episode, we talk more about Solarpunk Magazine and our goals for the next few months. We also read and discuss a work of solarpunk flash faction called, "A Distant Honk" written by Holly Schofield.

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Amazofuturism and Solarpunk

Sun, 12 Sep 2021 20:57:53 GMT

In our first episode, we talk with Brazilian lawyer and author Yasmin Moita, who has a short story titled, "Taming the Sea and the Wind," in the forthcoming anthology, Amazofuturo. We read from and talk about Yasmin's story as well, what amazofuturism is, and it's relationship and similarities to solarpunk.

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