I Am Interchange

This is episode two, recorded at Eco Nomic Futures in San Francisco. Not a conference exactly—more a meeting point. Where conversations crossed paths around food, land, economics, and what happens when systems lose their connection to life. Tate Chamberlin is joined by Jacob Huhn and Warinkwi Flores. This episode is called BioCulture. It's about systems—the ones we live inside now, and the ones that came before them. Indigenous economies were relational, not extractive. Land, food, and water weren't commodities. They were responsibilities. Those systems didn't fail. They were interrupted. From there, the conversation moves into the present. Food as product. Life as data. Supply chains so long and familiar, they disappear. Corn becomes a way to see how meaning gets stripped as things move farther from their origins. We talk about data, the rights of nature, and economies embedded within life—not separate from it. A reminder that the future isn't something we have to invent. It's something we already know how t

Today, we're somewhere that feels both familiar and overlooked at the same time—Arbor Day Farm in Nebraska City, Nebraska. The kind of place people call flyover country, a place many don't think twice about, even as the people who live here are quietly shaping a future the rest of us will eventually feel. I'm Tate Chamberlin, talking with Jeff Yost, Chris Harris, and Huascar Medina—three voices who don't see the Heartland as an accident of birth, but a choice. A commitment. A belief that local decisions should be made… well, locally. By the people who actually walk these streets, and raise their kids here, and imagine what this place could become. Because if you really want to understand a community, you don't just start with the data. You start with the people who see it up close—teachers, shop owners, artists, local organizers—the ones who understand the rhythms of a place in a way reports never quite catch. The people who can show you what a community is actually like, not just what it looks like on paper

Turtle Island. Before there were countries—before anyone called this land the United States, or Canada, or Mexico—this was Turtle Island. A continent of nations, overlapping territories, trade routes stretching farther than modern highways, and relationships thousands of years old. Today, that history is being carried forward by contemporary Indigenous leaders at Fort Mason—San Francisco's skyline in the backdrop, summit banners hanging over a conversation that reaches far beyond the city around it. This is the First Nations Economic Compact.  You're in a conference room that usually sounds like quarterly forecasts, and suddenly Chief Redman is talking about an economic conversation older than all of that—older than the 1763 Royal Proclamation, older than colonial regulatory systems, older than the borders that now cut through nations whose trade routes once ran uninterrupted across the continent. Long before GDP, First Nations had their own economic indicators: ecological balance, kinship networks, sustainab

Every town has one. A school. A cafeteria. A lunch line. And somewhere in that line, a kid is staring down a plastic tray of food that — for millions — might be the only real meal they get that day. We don't often think of it this way, but the school meal program is the largest restaurant chain in the United States. Seven billion meals a year. Forty million kids. Bigger than Subway. Bigger than McDonald's. Which makes it the biggest opportunity we have to change how we eat, how we grow food, and how we think about nourishment. When we let the system run on the cheapest, most processed calories, the cost shows up in hospital bills, chronic illness, and communities that can't afford to be healthy. In one of the richest countries in the world, eating clean, non-toxic food has somehow become a luxury. But it shouldn't be. Healthy food should be a right. So how did we get here? How did we build a system where the things that keep us healthy are the hardest to afford, while the things that make us sick are everywhe

Once upon a time, journalism started with a letter nailed to a tree—or a door. Some declaration, some warning, some truth someone wanted heard. And people would gather in the square to listen. News wasn't just information; it was a shared experience. Then came the daily paper. Then the evening broadcast. News once a day—steady, dependable. Until it wasn't. Now it's constant. Twenty-four hours. Push notifications. Feeds that never stop refreshing. And somewhere in all that, we started to wonder—what's the difference between fact and opinion anymore? Between storytelling and spin? In this episode, Tate Chamberlin talks with "Sleevs" Emily Messner, Joey Young, and Chris Denson about the evolution of journalism—from editorial boards and ad sales to freelancers, podcasts, and algorithms. How we depict what's true, and whether journalism can still sustain itself. Because while we were putting this episode together, the press corps was literally packing up and leaving the Pentagon—a small headline that somehow says

Here’s the thing about leaving. Sometimes you plan it for years — a better job, an education, a shot at something bigger. Other times it happens overnight. Governments fall. Food disappears. You run. This episode of Dispatch from the Heartland is about human migration and displacement — one of the oldest patterns of our species. Moving for survival. Moving for hope. Moving because staying is no longer possible. It’s trauma. It’s hope. It’s a blank page. In this episode, Tate Chamberlin sits down with Zohra Zori, Lucy Petroucheva, and Angela Eifert to talk about displacement, belonging, and the slow learning curve of new cultures. We’ll look at the mistakes, the forgiveness, and the “othering” that happens when you’re new. We’ll talk about refugee camps that stretch on for years, the difference between sustainability and dependence, and the unspoken emotions you carry when you leave everything behind. This is a space for vulnerability. For beginning again. For understanding sovereignty even when choice has bee

Washington, D.C. isn’t just a backdrop of monuments and marble. It’s a living, breathing city—home to more than 700,000 people who work, who raise kids, who build their lives here. Known for decades as Chocolate City, D.C. carries a proud history of Black culture and resilience. And yet, unlike every other city in the United States, its residents watch democracy without fully taking part in it. They pay billions in federal taxes. They serve in the military. And still, they live under taxation without representation—the very injustice that fueled the Boston Tea Party and launched the American Revolution. More than two centuries later, the capital of the United States remains the only city where that founding demand is still denied. And here’s the twist—this federal district is saturated with law enforcement. Dozens of agencies with arresting authority overlap in the same small space: the Metropolitan Police, Capitol Police, DEA, FBI, Secret Service, Park Police, Transit Police. And more recently, the National

A vacant lot, once overlooked and forgotten amid the rush of urban life, now pulses with vibrant life—flowers bloom where concrete once stood, vegetables sprout in neglected corners, and hope takes root in every crack. Yet, even these transformed spaces remain fragile—vulnerable to neglect, gentrification, or future development that could erase their resurgence. Similarly, rural farmland faces its own challenges—fragile soils, unpredictable weather, and the razor-thin margins that make farming a constant gamble. While innovative crops like perennial wheat show promise for creating more resilient and sustainable agriculture—reducing the need for replanting and conserving water—convincing farmers to take risks with such unproven techniques remains a significant hurdle. It’s a story of resilience—rooted in the earth and driven by community spirit—connecting urban renewal with rural perseverance in the shared pursuit of food security and sustainability. Today, we’re sharing stories of communities confronting clim

Beneath the surface of our planet’s icy crown lie stories of ancient times, fragile ecosystems, and communities woven into the glaciers’ icy embrace. These frozen giants—part of the cryosphere, the world’s vast frozen regions—are more than just stunning landscapes; they are vital sentinels of our climate’s health and the future of life on Earth. Yet, they are melting away before our eyes, especially the tropical glaciers that are vanishing faster than anyone expected.   Today, Tate Chamberlin explores this icy world with Marcela Fernandez. We’ll uncover why glaciers and the cryosphere matter beyond their breathtaking beauty—why they are essential to life, culture, and the stability of our climate. And most importantly, what we can do—together—to ensure these vital ecosystems don’t disappear forever.   It’s a story that doesn’t roar, but whispers—calling us to listen, to act. We’re at the World Oceans Summit in Nice, France. Join us, won’t you?

Imagine a city alive with stories—every corner whispering tales of dreams, struggles, and aspirations. It’s a place where communities don’t just live, but co-create their surroundings, weaving narratives into the very fabric of their environment. This is the essence of World Building—where storytelling becomes a force for transformation, turning visions into tangible realities. Today, we step into that world. Host, Tate Chamberlin, is joined by an incredible lineup of guests: visionary designer and storyteller Alex McDowell, urban innovator Meegan Elliot, systems thinker Mark Beam, artist and storyteller Ash Eliza Smith, and community builder Jenn Stein. Together, we’ll explore how world-building shapes not only our imagination but also the spaces we inhabit—and how, through collaboration and imagination, we can craft a future worth imagining. It’s Dispatch from the Heartland. Join us, won’t you?

In this podcast, host Tate Chamberlin is joined by internationally acclaimed musician Teneia Sanders and Rabbi Joshua Lesser in discussion about queer community, pride, and the perspective necessary to walk, hand in hand, through an increasingly hostile political landscape with tenacity and grace. Join us, in full color.

In this episode, Tate Chamberlin hosts Charli Cooksey, Founder and CEO of WEPOWER. For Charli, her calling to uplift marginalized communities and reshape policy often faces systemic barriers. When passion alone isn’t enough, how do we keep moving forward amid oppressive forces? Charli stands at a crossroads, balancing the need for rest with her commitment to activism. This journey is transformative yet painful, reminding us that our dreams, even if deferred, hold power. Charli’s story is still unfolding—rich with potential and heartache—showing us we can create, shape our world, and keep dreaming.

In this episode, host Tate Chamberlin delves into the profound silence surrounding hope and the role of youth in activism. Joined by next-generation leaders Royce Mann, Andini Makosinski, and Addie Strom, they confront the challenges facing a generation navigating institutional constraints, environmental distress, and corporate influence.   As they share their perspectives, we uncover the resilience and creativity that define today’s youth. Together, they redefine the "American Dream" and highlight the power of community and connection. Join us for an inspiring conversation that reveals how even in uncertainty, hope can ignite the spark of change.

Without the Amazon, the world as we know it ends. With no hyperbole, it is the churning epicenter of weather systems worldwide. It creates rain. It regulates temperature and humidity. It stores carbon dioxide. It regulates trade winds from the Atlantic Ocean and all the moisture they move. It releases around 20 billion tons of water into the atmosphere every single day. It supports ecosystems not found anywhere else on the planet. And we know next to nothing about most of what lives there. The XPRIZE Rainforest competition’s 2024 winner, Team Limelight, aims to change that, to show all of us that the planet’s greatest buried treasure is worth fighting for. And that the time to fight is now. In this second installment of a two-part special Rio G20 series, host Tate Chamberlin interviews Team Limelight Rainforest’s Dr. Thomas Walla, Professor of Biology at Colorado Mesa University, and Outreach Robotics Cofounder Guillaume Charon, two among the many creative minds intent on tackling the world’s most pressing co

Each year at the G20 Summit, the “Group of 20” heads of state and international governments meet to address issues impacting global economies, politics, and environmental health. This year’s Summit in Rio de Janeiro hosted the XPRIZE Rainforest award ceremony, the culmination of a five-year competition that fueled teams helmed by the best and brightest minds from diverse backgrounds to innovate solutions to imminent concerns endangering the future of rainforest ecosystems and, by extension, the health of the very planet. Tune in to hear XPRIZE Executive Vice President of Biodiversity & Conservation Peter Houlihan describe the advances inspired by the competition, and the profound hope he’s found exploring the planet’s deepest hearts of darkness.

How does ecological data analysis inform financial policies that challenge the status quo to achieve United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, thereby addressing the climate crisis and saving the world as we know it? It’s a mix of positioning, ingenuity, investment, and good old-fashioned act-now-and-think-later responsiveness. Simple. For a more detailed accounting, check out the latest episode of the I Am Interchange podcast: Vibrant Data. In this episode, Tate Chamberlin is joined by esteemed ecologist and data analyst Eric Berlow, venture capitalist and 2050 founder Marie Ekeland, and We Are Human managing partner and Katapult Ocean partner and chair Sindre Østgård. Together, they discuss the critical role of data analysis, fiscal policy, and entrepreneurial innovation in shaping the global response to the climate crisis. As deadlines for achieving these vital goals loom large and remain largely unmet, how do we bridge the gap in both knowledge and action to save a planet on the brink?

Wealthy nations, which have profited from exploitation and extraction, face a crucial moment to confront their histories. This recognition is vital for real change and challenges our assumptions about environment, race, religion, and wealth. We must also consider the ethical implications of pressuring poorer nations, which have contributed the least to environmental issues, to transition to sustainability. Is it unjust to impose such burdens without adequate support, risking further inequality? A just transition from extractive practices to an inclusive ethos requires embracing responsibility for past actions and paving the way forward. In this episode, Tate Chamberlin explores the nature of justice in the face of change with esteemed guests Ignacio Packer, executive director of Caux Initiatives of Change, Douglas Drummond, CEO of Weaving Waters Collective, and Boise State University president, Marlene Tromp. When all around is evolving, how does equitable accountability define a just path forward?

It’s not hard to be inspired by Candice Mama, even her voice burbles forth with the twinkling lyricism of joy. And that joy, that effervescence of self, has been hard won in a story capable of breaking even the soundest of hearts: the violent loss of her father at the hands of “the most evil man in the world.” If she can find a way to engage the world with hope — to literally walk herself out of consuming depression to forgive the man that murdered her father and champion his release from prisons both outward and in — then what, really, are the barriers for so many of us that cling to resentment, anger, and pasts that simply don’t serve? What are the real barriers to reconciliation?

As we approach 2026, marking the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States, we find ourselves at a critical inflection point for democracy. The promise of equity demands that every policy and investment provide significant, sustained support to those most in need. This support must act as a bridge to creating an equitable economy, fostering an inclusive and compassionate society, and strengthening an accountable democracy. In this pivotal moment, we must ensure that our collective efforts address systemic inequalities, amplify marginalized voices, and create pathways for all individuals to thrive. Only by prioritizing these goals can we fulfill the foundational ideals of our nation and build a more just and resilient future. To that end, we are in need of a revolution of the soul. In this podcast, Tate Chamberlin hosts distinguished author and Duke University history and public policy professor Nancy MacLean, PolicyLink president and CEO Michael McAfee, and RepresentUs co-founder and CEO Josh Lyn

We often find ourselves looking to leaders and governments to direct solutions for our increasingly complex problems, but what better place to look than at a problem’s source. As Mexico City struggles under the yoke of a burgeoning population and ever-dwindling resources, particularly water, it may find itself at the forefront of innovation, of those sorts of grassroots efforts that eventually dictate structural change. In this case, residents of the city have long utilized creative strategies for water harvest, capture, reuse, and urban gardening, thereby reducing their reliance on government and supply chains. These everyday people simply looked at a problem and solved it, to the best of their ability, with what they had. They made resources last. And, in so doing, they fed into their own autonomy. They became proactivists in their lives, livelihoods, and the future of their beloved city.  In this podcast, Tate Chamberlin hosts Enrique Lomnitz, and Gabriela Vargas Romero as they reflect on the city’s resili