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As environmental and social challenges intensify, what actions are needed to build a sustainable future? In this episode, we explore the story of Matt Stinchcomb, who turned his early passion for ecology into impactful work that champions sustainability and community engagement. Matt is a social impact leader focused on sustainable community development and climate action. Through Partners for Climate Action, he supports local climate initiatives, sustainable growth, and community engagement.

In our conversation, Matt shares his unique journey from being a literal rockstar to eventually working in marketing, where he led Etsy in tracking and improving its social and ecological impact. We also unpack his belief that disconnection is at the root of many global challenges and why fostering a connection with our communities and the places we live is essential. 

Discover valuable insights into how natural solutions can address social and environmental challenges and why sustainable development, policy, and education are essential for creating a more just world. Tune in to learn more about Matt's inspiring journey, the amazing work of Partners for Climate Action, and the steps we can take to help shape the next economy.
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Key Points From This Episode:

• Matt’s unique journey to leading social enterprises and nonprofit entities. [0:00:56]

• The Schumacher Center for a New Economics and Hawthorne Valley Association and other exciting initiatives he’s currently leading. [0:09:04]

• Partners for Climate Action's positive ecological and social impact in Hudson Valley. [0:10:43]

• How natural solutions can improve urban neighborhoods and elevate quality of life. [0:14:14]

• Nature-based solutions and resources provided by Partners for Climate Action. [0:16:22]

• Organizations that inspire Matt, their local impact, and the vital role of volunteers. [0:21:52]

• The biggest challenges of our time, how they are connected, and the self-identity and policy shifts needed to create positive change. [0:25:38]

• Revisioning how we build and connect cities, why the source of consumables should be a vital consideration, and why adaptation and resilience are also important. [0:28:46]

• Final takeaways and how listeners can help Partners for Climate Action build the next economy. [0:28:46]

Quotes:

“The root of all of the problems we face in the world is disconnection; disconnection from ourselves, disconnection from one another, and disconnection from the earth.” — Matt Stinchcomb [0:06:27]

“There are a number of natural solutions [to social and environmental challenges]. As an organization, that is where [Partners for Climate Action] has been focusing a lot of our efforts.” — Matt Stinchcomb [0:15:21]

“[Partners for Climate Action] is very much rooted in [Hudson Valley] and is trying to understand at the creek level or the block level what's needed and figuring out ways of getting resources to people.” — Matt Stinchcomb [0:17:46]

“The good news is that there are a lot of people who are interested in native plants and creating habitat that is needed [in Hudson Valley].” — Matt Stinchcomb [0:18:42]

“[Partners for Climate Action believes] that the antidote to despair is local action.” — Matt Stinchcomb [0:24:11]

Links Mentioned in Today’s Episode:

Matt Stinchcomb on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mstinchcomb/

Partners for Climate Action: https://www.climateactionhv.org/ 

Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/

Good Work Institute: https://goodworkinstitute.org/

Place Corps: https://www.placecorps.org/

The Schumacher Center for a New Economics: https://centerforneweconomics.org/

Hawthorne Valley Association: https://hawthornevalley.org/

Bloomberg Philanthropies: https://www.bloomberg.org/

Riverkeeper: https://www.riverkeeper.org/

Catskill Mountainkeeper: https://www.catskillmountainkeeper.org/ 

1776: https://bookshop.org/p/books/1776-david-mccullough/951332

Anna Karenina: https://bookshop.org/p/books/anna-karenina-leo-tolstoy/15541209

Shawn Berry on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sdberry/

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