How Nature Benefits Mental Health with Kintsugi
Jordan 0:00
How many of you are feeling helpless, frustrated, and so anxious about climate change? Do you think it's affecting your mental health? Well, if you think it is, you aren't alone. A research study done at the Center For Climate Change Communication in the US found that 70% of people are actually very worried about climate change, and around 51% actually feel helpless. And it makes sense why. Today, climate change is framed as the biggest threat to biodiversity, economic growth, global health, and even the human species itself. That's why it's more important than ever to talk about what we're feeling. And if studies have shown, talking about mental health helps remove the stigma around it. Did you know that globally, more than 70% of people with mental illness received no treatment and that's that goes even higher for those people in BIPOC, and marginalized communities? Fortunately, though, in recent years, there has been a surge in more climate aware resources, activists, platforms, and even therapists, focused on helping those living with negative environmental emotions to better help them understand their pain, and even transform it into something more meaningful, and tolerable. And that's exactly what we're going to do today. Talk about that connection between mental health and climate change. Specifically talking to someone who's used art as a way of combating her anxiety.
[intro music]
Jordan 1:32
Hey, this is Jordan.
Mimi 1:33
And this is Mimi.
Jordan 1:35
And welcome to the Imperfect Eco-Hero podcast.
Mimi 1:38
The series that connects community, normalizes imperfections and empowers heroes.
[end of intro music]
Jordan 1:47
Art plays an invaluable role not only for mental health, but for the climate movement as well. Art has a healing power and has been proven to help aid people with depression, anxiety, and even cancer. It also promotes resilience and a sense of community as well. Art and art-based practices are increasingly seen as a powerful way of developing meaningful connections with climate change. Art has a potential to transform society as well as its capacity to support agency and inspire feelings of hope, responsibility, and care. And what better person to explain more about this than Laura from Kintsugi. Laura's a German-based filmmaker as well as a registered dietitian, providing nutritional therapy. She started producing and editing only a couple years ago through a film project and university. Since then, she's continued creating video content and art and uses it as a way of expressing herself, as well as an outlet for her own mental health. We're chatting with her today because of her incredible new short film project called Kintsugi. About experiences of loneliness, desolation, and depression, and the possibility of achieving happiness from within, through nature.
Mimi 2:57
First of all, thank you, Laura, for being here and joining us today. I'm super excited to chat with you and to learn all about your filmmaking and —
Jordan 3:05
Kintsugi.
Mimi 3:05
—and your relationship with... Yeah, your relationship with nature. I guess...Do you want to start by describing...describing your project a little bit?
Laura 3:14
Yeah, of course. So, thank you for inviting me today. Kintsugi is a short film project, which takes you on a journey with the protagonist, Ella. She is struggling because of self-isolation and loneliness due to Covid-19 pandemic, which is why she's working from home and living, you know, in the same four walls every day. And all..and then she finds a way to, you know, to get better and to find to herself and that...in that case, she finds the way to herself through nature, and yeah, that's what Kintsugi is about.
Jordan 4:13
What does kintsugi mean, actually, before we jump into more? Just so the listeners know what it means.
Laura 4:19
Yeah. Kintsugi is the Japanese art of repairing broken pottery by mending its broken pieces with some kind of glue mixed with golden dust. And yeah, for me, it symbolizes that instead of hiding our cracks, we should celebrate it and embrace it, and with something so precious like gold.
Mimi 4:54
That's very cool. How do you think people can apply the philosophy of kintsugi to their own, like, mental health challenges, or even their understanding of, like, the climate movement?
Laura 5:06
I think it's important...important that people realize that it's okay to be broken and that instead of hiding our failures and scars we should embrace it and see the beauty within and, and also that we are not only remembered for our failures, but also for the wholesome thing. And yeah, that's what I'm trying to tell people with my story.
Jordan 5:42
Is this story inspired by, like, personal experience? Like, just curious if Ella, in your story is supposed to represent you or just to represent...just kind of anyone in that situation?
Laura 5:56
Yeah, she...she somehow represents my own feelings and thoughts. Yeah, it is totally inspired by my own story.
Jordan 6:07
Where did you...just out of curiosity, where did you learn that, like, the word kintsugi?
Laura 6:11
Yeah, I've heard about it in 2018. I had a bad break up. And I...you know, I just tried to get whole again. And then I saw a picture of...I don't know which it was...a mug or something. And it got these golden cracks. And I thought, yeah, that's...that's how I feel, like, my heart is broken, you know, and now I'm trying to repair it. And it's so much nicer to have these golden highlighted cracks instead of such...just the broken thing. Yeah. And yeah, and that was the first time I heard about it. And I thought it was really nice to transfer in everyday life.
Mimi 7:04
That's so beautiful. And I like how it, like highlights, your, like, vulnerabilities and highlights maybe your...the dark periods or the dark moments of your life, 'cause so often we try to hide those moments, right? But by like, metaphorically putting them in gold, it really, like, showcases them and says: "I'm human, this is my story".
Laura 7:24
Yeah, you know, it was pain I have felt, but I do not want to forget about it. I...I just want to remember it, but not only in a bad way. But in a way I have learned so many things from it. And yeah, I think that it's important to, then, just put the pain away and be okay.
Jordan 7:49
What I love about it is it's also like rebirth, too. ‘Cause the...the cup was you before and then you go through a breakup or you go through something that's...that's really hard and challenges you and then you kind of get put back together into something that's now even more beautiful, but in a different way. And that message is such a good one! I...I love it! It's, like, I think if we forget those hard times, or forget the times that we fail, we don't grow, and we don't...we end up just being a broken mug.
Mimi 8:21
Yeah, I think it also, like, continues the stigmatization of those moments, right? That we don't want to share them. But by sharing it, by normalizing it, I think that's really, like, shifting the narrative around those dark moments. Have you found there's been more conversations in Germany around mental health since the start of the pandemic?
Laura 8:40
I don't think so. I...no, I really don't see it. I mean, there are articles and reports about it, here and there. But mostly they just talk about healthcare systems and about industry and money and stuff. But they do not talk about mental health. And that's sad, because I don't wanna know how high suicide rates are right now. And these are numbers of things nobody's talking about. Yeah. And that's...that's really sad.
Jordan 9:23
Was it ever talked about prior to the pandemic, or has it always just not been um—
Laura 9:28
I mean...
Jordan 9:29
—chatted about?
Laura 9:30
There was a rise in it, in awareness. But yeah, in my childhood, no one really talked about mental health problems, not in family. No, no friends talked about it. And in school, we had no...no supervisors or any ways to get help. Nowadays it's been a bit better. There are digital therapy and the offers are rising and...which is great in Germany is that you can get therapy for free, free of charge.
Jordan 10:10
Oh, wow!
Laura 10:10
Because it is compensated by the health care insurance, which is paid by your employee or the state. So everyone can get therapy if they want. So you just need to talk to your doctor, and they can give you the permission to get therapy.
Jordan 10:34
If you're comfortable talking about it, I would love to know what your relationship with your own mental health has been like. And if you have accessed those resources that are offered in Germany.
Laura 10:48
I started therapy in...with the pandemic. So I started at the end of last year, and it's in...digital ways. And I think it's great because I do not need to go anywhere, I'm less anxious, I feel more comfortable because I'm at home. And of course, it's not the same than a personal face-to-face therapy session, but it's better than not going at all. And yeah, it helps me and even if it's just like...you can talk to him about everything!! And he's not judge...judgmental, and that's great. Yeah.
Jordan 11:35
I love that.
Mimi 11:36
I still find the...the narrative around, like, going to therapy for preventative measures is a lot more prioritized now, where, like, maybe five to ten years ago, it was like you went to therapy because something was wrong. But now it's just like you go to therapy, just to check in just to make sure that you know how to deal with things when they go wrong, or if they go wrong, right?
Jordan 12:00
Especially...yeah, now in the pandemic. And then also, yeah, with climate—
Mimi 12:05
Climate...
Jordan 12:06
—change. Yeah, I was gonna say, climate change is another big one that, like you said, for a lot of people, they're either dealing with it right now, or are not currently dealing with it, but that impending doom also exacerbates a lot of what we're currently feeling. And so...
Mimi 12:25
Yeah, I'm curious to know, have you had many conversations either in like your own group of friends or your immediate circle, or even, like, in Germany about the relationship between mental health and climate change?
Laura 12:37
I...to be honest, I did not really had talks about the effects of climate change to mental health. And...but...after you...you said that, I started thinking about it. And you're right, because...I don't know, for example, when I see...people are throwing their garbage out into nature, I'm so angry and sad at the same time, which, of course, affects me mentally and emotionally. And here in Germany, so many people are like, climate change does not exist. And the weather is changing since years, and it's totally normal. But, for example, we haven't had snow in years. I mean, bigs or heavy snow falls. And this year, we had a heavy stor...snowfall, and we had a change of 30 degrees Celsius in...within six days. So one day—
Mimi 14:03
Wow...holy crap!
Laura 14:04
—it was -13° Celsius, and six days later, it was +13° Celsius. And this is crazy. And then people are like, "it was snowing, everything's fine, I don't know what you're talking about". But for me, it was really scary that, one day I had, I don't know, big clothes on and it was snowing, and the next day I went outside with just a hoodie and yeah, this is scary.
Jordan 14:38
Oh, I totally agree. The climate change apathy, or even the people that do deny it, terrify me because it's like you have proof, like, there is proof and you're still denying it. And I think that goes hand-in-hand even with the pandemic. I don't know about Germany, but here in Canada, a lot of people, even when the pandemic was hitting hard in every other country and in Canada, people are like, "Oh, it's not a big deal. Like we don't even need to wear masks". They are people who still think we don't need to wear masks, even though we've had thousands of deaths. And I'm like, if people can't even believe we're in a pandemic, how are these people going to believe we're in a...in like a climate crisis? Like, it's...it's one of those things where, like you said, yeah, I feel so sad and scared, but also so angry and frustrated. And it's...yeah, it's totally impacted my mental health even more now than ever, ‘cause I'm witnessing firsthand that people don't, like, there are a huge amount of people that don't care. And yeah...
Laura 15:36
Yeah, I think some people might just realize it when it hits their home. So you know, if somebody they love are affected by, I don't know, COVID, or the climate change. And that's sad, because...that's…
Jordan 15:58
It's too late at that rate.
Laura 15:59
Yeah, yeah...
Mimi 16:01
I'm curious to know more about, like, your relationship with nature, and like, how you understand, like, as a human, what your place is, within...within the natural world.
Laura 16:11
For me, it's like entering a different world. So, in nature, I can calm down, and I can slow down. I can leave social media behind with, you know, people faking their so perfect lives. And I think it's really important to realize that nature's wisdom, we are alive. I mean, as human beings, we are part of nature. But I think some people are more like "we are this and nature's this, and we do not need each other". But that's...that's wrong. And I think if everyone would go more outside and would enjoy that time in nature, I think there would be more action in changing their behavior to stop climate change or to prevent the damages.
Jordan 17:22
Well, that...that's actually really interesting. I do think nature also has that effect on people. And I think that's actually really been limited with the pandemic, too. But I think my question to you is, also, you're saying that, like, people need to get outside more to really appreciate nature. Do you find now in the pandemic...Like, have you had limited access to nature and has that also made you feel less connected with nature, during the pandemic?
Laura 17:54
I have limited access, because right now I'm living in a big city, so it takes me a bus ride, or a car ride to get outside, and not just seeing big houses and stuff. But I think if you're living in a small village, that's the only thing you can do right now to go outside. And I think right now, people are more appreciating it. But I don't really know if they won't forget about it after the pandemic is over, and everyone is, you know, flying to Dubai five times a year and stuff. This is sad, because I think we are really privileged to be able to put our feet in clean ocean water or to feel grass between our fingers. And that's, I think most people do not appreciate. For them, it's just grass and ocean water and that's it. For most people, it's too hard to leave their comfort zone and to change their lifestyle or behavior. Because they, I don't know, they are not connected to nature.
Jordan 19:29
They don't see nature's value.
Mimi 19:30
Yeah.
Jordan 19:31
And it's hard...it's a hard one to teach people to value nature because I find the people in my life that do value it, it was very much a learned...through growing up like I...I found it very difficult to teach my grandma, for example, the value of nature when that wasn't something that she grew up...knowing.
Mimi 19:50
Yeah, that wasn't her intrinsic learning or understanding of nature, right?
Jordan 19:55
Mm hmm. That you're saying that there are people who only are now appreciating nature in the pandemic because I think...I think I've seen that a lot here in Canada too is camping has been, like, crazy. Like, it was fully booked the moment it opened because everyone...that was our only option was to go appreciate nature and I do think it actually did reinvigorate people's care for the planet but I wonder if it was just that they were happy to escape into it, not necessarily...
Mimi 20:26
I wonder if they're just, like, using nature you know?
Jordan 20:28
Using it yeah like...
Mimi 20:29
Like, it's just kind of like a way to....yeah escapism exactly what you're saying Jordan for the time being, until they can go back to their like, "normal life" whatever that may look like.
Jordan 20:40
Well yeah 'cause like you said, nature...nature is...is healing and for a lot of people it is great for their mental...mental health, like I definitely love to escape into nature to feel better about my mental health. And I was curious, yeah, if that's kind of where your film is going and why you thought of finding that connection between mental health and nature is for you that like...like you said, you felt the most grounded in nature and you kind of really want to showcase that nature is not just this thing that exists, that we have access to use. Like, there's so many other benefits to nature and keeping it healthy and, like, treating it well.
Laura 21:23
Because if we do not appreciate it, it someday might just be wiped out. And we won't have the opportunity to go outside and just be in there. And yeah...
Mimi 21:40
I'm curious to know what influenced your...the way you understand nature because we're kind of talking about how a lot of people...they understand it a bit differently, so I was like, is it something in your childhood? Or did you actively learn how to, like, mend your relationship with nature?
Laura 21:58
Yeah, when I was a child I was always outside. I mean, it was a different time there were no computer and stuff...and not in the way it is today. And yeah, we were building tree houses and stuff, and it was just great because, I don't know, it just feel...you have so many emotions, so many sounds and feelings and...and you can feel nature by, I don't know, it sounds...it might sound strange, but just touching a tree and stuff, and...That's something I always learned to...to not throw trash in a tree and to not, I don't know, cut a tree and stuff like this. And that's something my parents gave to me. And I don't know if parents nowadays do these things, but I see a rise in it. I see friends who are parents, and they are starting to grow little plants with their childs, and trees and they are gardening together. And that's great because I think that's a start to, you know, not just play video games and stuff, but to actually be in nature and to do something that it can grow.
Jordan 23:41
I love that, like, teaching kids the value of when you do treat something well and you take care of it, like, you water a plant or you feed a plant, that it...it does...it leads somewhere. Like, by treating plants well, they'll grow and they'll...they'll be prosperous. Like there's, like, a full cycle. I love that. I would definitely teach my kids the same...—
Laura 24:01
Yeah.
Jordan 24:02
—...the same...same things. Did you ever grow a plant when you were a kid?
Laura 24:06
I do not remember. But nowadays, I've got some plants and they all got names. And...
Jordan 24:14
Ow!
Laura 24:15
I believe if I touch their tiny...oh what is it called? The...
Mimi 24:21
Leaves?
Jordan 24:22
Leaves?
Laura 24:22
Yes, leaves! [laughs] They will grow better. I have a connection to my plants.
Mimi 24:30
No, it...it really demonstrates, like, a respect towards your plants.
Jordan 24:33
There is actually research that shows that talking to your plants actually do help them grow more. Specifically talking nicely to your plants or...or playing soft classical music. It's not that they necessarily understand the meanings of the words or like what's actually happening, but they react more to the vibrations and volume of those sounds. Like, there's been specific research that tested this out, that showed that any low levels of vibration between 115 to 250 hertz is actually ideal and improves the communication and photosynthesis within plants and improves their overall growth and even ability to fight infection.
Mimi 25:16
Yeah, it connects you to the plant, right?
Laura 25:19
Yeah, it's...it's not like just seeing it as a thing as a...item, but more like a living thing.
Jordan 25:28
Yeah, like even giving plants, like, their own...their own name, it kind of reminds me of what we talked about in the second episode from the indigenous scientists Professor Robin Wall Kimmerer, who, you know, said that restoring our understanding of climate change in nature is through you know, the grammar of animacy. The idea that, like, nature is more than a resource it's actually kin. It's almost like a relative. And that idea's super rooted in indigenous language and philosophy where nature, like natural beings aren't regarded as an IT, but as a kin. And that's how we almost have to treat them. Like, like we're equal, if not...more than us.
Mimi 26:09
I would love to learn more about how...how your understanding with your relationship with nature has impacted or influenced your filmmaking in your project.
Laura 26:18
The thing is, because I related to my own story, and nature makes me feel so much better. And that is why I thought, okay, Ella needs to find her way to feel better and to reconnect...reconnect with herself. And in this case, she does it with reconnecting to nature, it might be something different for somebody else, it could be also art, or music and stuff. But for me, like I said, it's entering a different world and with...without all this digital stuff, and television, and society telling you that I don't know, you need to be married, and have kids, and stuff. You...you just can be yourself. And no one is talking about all these things. Yeah, and I love to go outside and be alone.
Jordan 27:26
But funnily enough, I find I actually...while I love being alone in nature, I don't feel alone in nature, if that makes sense? Yeah?
Laura 27:32
Yeah, I can't really describe why it is...like this. But it's...the same, I feel the same. When I'm in nature alone, I do not feel alone. But when I'm in my room alone, I...yeah....feel lonely.
Mimi 27:50
How do you understand the concept of loneliness?
Laura 27:53
The thing is, most people, I think, do not understand is that there are many facets and shapes of loneliness that you can be surrounded by so many people every day, you can have family and friends and still feel lonely.
Mimi 28:09
Yeah, I was just...it's so interesting to...to hear you almost, like, reflect the way I feel about nature and how I don't feel alone in nature. Or I don't feel lonely in nature when I'm alone. But there are moments when I'm not in nature, that I'm surrounded by so many people that I do feel quite lonely.
Laura 28:27
Yeah. Hum. Yeah. For me, loneliness is a result of not being understood. And it's...it's affected by social media, and friends, and family, and society. Because you always get told how to be, and how not to be, and there are so many things I cannot relate to. And not only because I do not want to, but because I'm not able to, because of the way I am just...am. Yeah? And that...that's, that's the reason I sometimes feel lonely.
Jordan 29:12
And I don't know about you, but I found...I find that, especially now too, with this rise of the climate movement, is that I also kind of feel alone in it...living in...at least in a big city like you, a lot of my coworkers don't really...and honestly don't care about the planet. It's just not their top priority. And so, I've also felt alone in caring about nature more, like I feel, like, the odd one out, if that makes sense, from the people that I'm around...to which also influences my...my m...my mental health like you said, it's like that kind of anger when you see people littering or you see people not wearing a mask. It's like, how do I feel so alone and caring about the collective?
Laura 29:58
Yeah that's...that's how I feel...that’s...with so many things, I feel like I'm the only one thinking in this kind of way. And yeah, which increases my loneliness within seconds.
Jordan 30:14
Do you find that that's why you've chosen to...I guess tackle this problem with art? Like, I found that to be really interesting is that you chose to, kind of, find that connection through film, because a lot of people talk about it through the science, like, mental health and nature. But I've loved the fact that you've taken, like, a different component. And I'm, like, really curious why you chose film, in particular, to showcase this connection. But also, I guess, for yourself too, if film has also helped, like art has helped with your own mental health?
Laura 30:47
I think people are right, when they are saying, “turn your pain into art”. And, you know, audiovisual themes can create a space where you can make the audience and yourself enter a different world. And if you do it in the right way, you can let them feel anything. And that's what, for me, makes a film such a good thing to express things. And it can also make people feel less alone if they are able to relate to it. And yeah, since...since I have started creating the story of Kintsugi, I think about it all day. And at that time, I do not think about anything sad and it also gives me the freedom to put my thoughts and hard feelings into editing. Because for me, it's so much easier to tell my story through a film than to actually talk about it, so...And I think it's more relatable for...for people, just like music, or paintings.
Mimi 32:07
Yeah, there's like that...that emotional aspect like it, it draws you in emotionally, right, and you can like, connect with it on a deeper level than you could with, like, facts or stats.
Laura 32:17
Yeah, and you can communicate with people all around the world without speaking the same language. And I think that's such a great thing. Because even if there are spoken words, you have the scenes, you have music, and that's all the things you can work with to create emotion.
Jordan 32:40
Like you're doing with what you want to do with this film, too, is that you are going to also reach a pretty big audience, as well...and hopefully change their emotional connection to and I was curious if that's kind of what your goal is, with the film, is to have that effect on people?
Laura 33:00
Yeah, I totally want people to relate to it and to feel less alone and to...it would be great if they would choose their way in reconnecting to nature to... yeah, achieve happiness from within that would be...
Mimi 33:26
I love that.
Laura 33:27
...a great thing.
Mimi 33:27
I think that...I think the work that you're doing is so important. And so needed.
Jordan 33:27
And I think it's definitely not talked about—
Mimi 33:33
Yeah.
Jordan 33:34
—a lot too...that connection with...with...with nature, like on two sides, like not only do you need it, but it needs us as well.
Mimi 33:41
Yeah, yeah. And also the link between mental health and nature. I, like, I've seen it, kind of what Jordan was saying, in reports and in stats and in books, but I haven't seen it too much through art. And I think, yeah, what you're doing Laura is just absolutely wonderful. So thank you for your...for your work and your talent.
Jordan 34:01
Yeah, even the short trailer I saw, I showed my whole family and they loved it. And I get that it was a short...like, it was short, but they were, like, I relate to this. Also the cinematog...cinematography was beautiful, but the message to, like, you really just don't see that talked about, especially now in the pandemic, in...in art. Like, you know, like, again, like you said, with Kintsugi, most people when they show art show the beautiful side of art. But what I love about your film is you're showing those cracks, but not those cracks in...in the sense that they're making you lesser than, but actually those cracks and...are making you into the better person that you're, you're trying to be. And actually this is 100% what Mimi was talking about on the first...the whole first episode is...everything starts with our relationship with nature. And—
Mimi 34:52
Yeah.
Jordan 34:53
—it kind of ties in very nicely on that idea that, not only do we need to repair our relationship with nature but also repair a relationship with ourselves, and that's kind of where I think a lot of people need to work on, before they can then work on actively doing something to help.
Mimi 35:11
Yeah. Start inwards, start with the emotional and then...yeah.
Jordan 35:15
Use that towards actually making positive change.
Mimi 35:18
Yeah and I think your work, Laura, is, like, a catalyst to help people with...with that repairing and with that, like, seeking inward with ourselves, with others, and with nature, yeah.
Jordan 35:30
I was just...I was curious if you're excited by it too, like, excited to launch the...your film and everything.
Laura 35:37
Yeah, I'm so excited but I'm also so scared. It was so hard for me to upload the teaser because...makes me feel vulnerable and...yeah, it's tough to...to...even if it's through a film, it's hard to tell your story and to tell people that there are times in your life where you're not okay. And also there might be people who dislike what I'm doing and what I'm saying and...yeah. That's what scares me the most, what people are thinking about me and about my art and yeah.
Mimi 36:23
Yeah, yeah, and again going back to this idea of, like, normalizing those imperfections and normalizing those vulnerable moments, right? I think that's so important. Yeah, but yeah, if there's anything else you wanted to talk about...
Jordan 36:35
Yeah, there's a message, like, you also want to say as your final like, this is what I...you want people to really take away from this episode and your film, like, if you want a message, if you want to just tell people "Hey do more!". Like, you can even say it in German too. If you've got some like phrase that you want to go for, say it.
Laura 36:55
I would like to try it in German. Yeah, afterwards I would try it in English, but just for the record, I would say...
Mimi 37:05
Go for it!
Jordan 37:06
Go for it! If you got one last message to send to these listeners. What do you want to tell them?
Laura 37:11
Also ich denke es ist total wichtig, dass man einfach das was man empfindet auch nach außen transportieren kann und dass man sich nicht von gesellschaftlichen Klischees beirren lässt, sondern dass man einfach das macht woran man Spaß hat - und das unabhängig von Geschlecht, vom Alter, vom sozialen Status. Sondern, wenn du Bock hast Filme zu machen, oder Musik dann machs! Und geh damit nach draußen und wenn es nur zehn Leute hören. Dann ist unter den zehn Leuten vielleicht eine Person mit...der du damit so viel bei der verändern kannst und dann hast du eigentlich schon das erreicht, was du mit Kunst erreichen solltest. Yeah. That's uh...[laugh]
Jordan 38:01
Loved it. I don't know. I don't know what...what you just said. But it sounded very powerful.
Mimi 38:05
It sounded poetic.
Jordan 38:06
What would...What did you say? Out of curiosity, like in a nutshell?
Laura 38:10
I just tried to motivate people to do art in any kind of way, if they want to, and they...that they should be brave to rele...release it. Even if just 10 people are watching their film, or seeing their music video. Maybe between these 10 people, there's one who is...who can relate and who can learn from it, and then you...you, if you reached one...and even if it's just one.
Jordan 38:54
And it starts like an effect, like a domino effect. You inspire one person, and then that one person inspires another one person, and that's kind of how you make change. Was there anyone that inspired you? Like 'cause a lot of what...why we're focusing so much on stories is that a lot of times people got inspired by someone else. And then your story is going to inspire someone else. But I'm curious if there was anyone in particular that inspired you.
Laura 39:21
Um, I'm inspired by Linkin Park, especially Chester Bennington, who tragically died in 2017. And there was a campaign his friends and family started, which says Make Chester Proud and it is about awareness to mental health problems through art and any other kind of way, which is possible. And, yeah, he and his music inspired me with everything I've done in this kind of way, even if it's not for music, what I'm doing—
Jordan 40:09
That’s awesome
Laura 40:09
— it's such a great band.
Mimi 40:11
Yeah, thank you so..I’m like...I feel like so...my energy is so good right now and—
Jordan 40:17
A 100%!
Mimi 40:17
—that’s all because of you Laura, so thank you!
Jordan 40:19
Yeah, no! I...honestly, I totally echo what Mimi is saying.
Laura 40:22
Thank...thank you both! I appreciate it so much to be able to talk about my work and, yeah, maybe we…we can make a positive change with…with that.
[soft music]
Jordan 40:38
If you have any ideas for positive change, I highly recommend checking out Start the Wave! Start the Wave is a non-profit organisation focused on building an inclusive online community that empowers individuals to find a unique path to create positive change. They do that by funding action, amplifying change and encouraging growth. At Start the Wave, they believe in a global movement based on love and kindness that focuses on funding positive solutions to our world’s problems. If you have any ideas or any grassroots projects that needs support or funding, head on over to startthewave.org or check them out on Instagram at @start_the_wave. It’s actually how we met Laura, we were a part of their first funding round and they're just about to open up their second funding round. And just remember if climate change is affecting your mental health, you’re not alone and you should definitely seek out resources to help you through it.
[outro]
Mimi 41:34
Thanks for listening to this episode of Imperfect Eco-Hero. Stay connected with us through our instagram @Imperfect_ecohero or email us at imperfectecohero@gmail.com. If you want to learn more about our podcast or see resources related to this episode, visit our website imperfectecohero.com.
