The Awe Cast

About The Awe Cast

The Awe Cast is a candid and intimate take on climate change through the lens of awe, creativity, and culture. yarminiah.substack.com (https://yarminiah.substack.com?utm_medium=podcast)

Publisher

Yarminiah

Category

arts · education

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Jan 2023

Latest episode

11 Feb 2026

Latest episodes

10 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   11 Feb 2026

   Starting in the field, ending in the sky

   To view this newsletter in its entirety visit: https://www.theawecast.co (https://www.theawecast.co/) Follow The Awe Cast on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theawecast.co/ (https://www.instagram.com/theawecast.co/) Get full access to The Awe Cast at yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe (https://yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

2. 

   30 Dec 2024

   Invisible Support Systems

   Support systems are what keep us grounded. Here are 3 ways to rethink how you are approaching support. Read Now: Subscribe to the Awe Cast (https://www.theawcast.co/) to see the rich images described in this episode and for more insights on climate, creativity, and the power of culture .Follow Yarminiah: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarminiah/) To hear more, visit www.theawecast.co Get full access to The Awe Cast at yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe (https://yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

3. 

   19 Nov 2024

   Honoring Heritage in Climate Action

   A conversation with guest Jonathan Chan-Choong on identity and creating your own opportunities as a BIPOC creative. Plus, my upcoming masterclass on how to Build Your Climate Portfolio with Purpose (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/build-your-climate-portfolio-with-purpose-tickets-1075305741419?aff=oddtdtcreator). In this episode of The Awe Cast, host Yarminiah, a first-generation Afro-Latina creative director and photographer for climate, sits down with Jonathan Chan Choong—a purpose-driven copywriter, poet, and brand strategist whose mixed-race identity deeply informs his work in climate communications. Together, they explore the intersections of culture, creativity, and climate action. Jonathan shares powerful insights on the role of cultural preservation in addressing the climate crisis, emphasizing the importance of archiving stories and traditions to honor our roots while forging pathways for a sustainable future. The conversation dives into identity, ancestral reverence, and the challenges of building a purpose-driven creative career in the climate space. You will gain inspiration and actionable takeaways for bringing your unique cultural experiences into creative climate work and using storytelling as a tool for impact. What You’ll Learn in This Episode: How honoring ancestral stories informs climate activism. The value of cultural preservation in sustainability storytelling. Practical tips for breaking into climate-focused creative careers. Why volunteering and community engagement are critical for personal and professional growth. How embracing identity can shape authentic and impactful art. Resources & Links: Learn more about Jonathan Chan-Choong: Website (http://jayseesee.com/), Instagram (https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=http-3A__jayseesee.com&d=DwMFaQ&c=euGZstcaTDllvimEN8b7jXrwqOf-v5A_CdpgnVfiiMM&r=pDeUV6sY3kWo0ccN9GfJ6UDuq_e5TNb79-Awo4v0Bqc&m=Jqrsc61pKy7GjRTEBFQUfzDjcXqtBBTw6YUoLiQOOAa00h8wNYIxtVTtZoAeV_vq&s=_yif9uyD1oH0QnD46vqk8pdV_zKrgok9jYUb0hydejc&e=), LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/jonathan-chan-choong/) Explore Beige Babies, Jonathan’s radio project about mixed-race identity: Beige Babies (https://www.mixcloud.com/jayseesee/beige-babies-a-radio-story/?play=fb) Musician Jonathan loves: Loyle Carner (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zkmU47YTW8) Sign up for The Awe Cast newsletter for transcripts, references, and exclusive content: The Awe Cast Newsletter (http://www.theawecast.co/) Register for the free masterclass, Build Your Climate Portfolio with Purpose: register here (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/build-your-climate-portfolio-with-purpose-tickets-1075305741419?aff=oddtdtcreator). More Awe!If this conversation resonated with you, share it with a friend, coworker, or family member who might benefit from these insights. Subscribe to The Awe Cast Newsletter (http://www.theawecast.co/) for more inspiring conversations, resources, and tools for creative climate action. Get full access to The Awe Cast at yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe (https://yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

4. 

   1 Nov 2024

   The Time Is Now

   In this episode, Yarminiah dives into the behind the scenes of attending her first New York Climate Week, sharing her experiences at The Bloom, TFTY project launch, CultureCon festival for BIPOC creatives, and a gathering with Creatives for Climate. Each event reinforced the importance of community in climate work and the power of bringing our whole selves - including our cultural backgrounds - into these spaces. Hear how as a first-generation Afro-Latina creative leader is, she is navigating career, community, and climate. You'll leave this episode with a clear grasp of how you are not just a participant in a changing climate reality; you can lead the narrative with your diverse voice, perspective, and craft. Why You Should Tune In: 🌍 Gain insights on bridging cultural identity and climate work – Learn how I navigate integrating local community with my climate community, and the importance of balancing work with craft. 💬 Discover the power of community among climate creatives – Hear how irl events create opportunities to build authentic connections with other creatives. 🎨 Explore why diverse voices are essential in climate storytelling I discuss why it’s critical that our stories include and celebrate a range of cultural experiences, including artistic identity. 📈 Get inspired to take the leap into climate communications – Whether you’re pivoting your career or just wanting a more conscious and sustainable life, this episode offers inspiration on how to start where you are. Resources Mentioned: The Future Thanks You Project (https://www.thefuturethanksyou.com) – Learn more about this project and submit your vision for a renewable-powered future. Creatives for Climate (https://creativesforclimate.com) – A platform connecting climate-focused creatives worldwide. The Bloom (https://www.readtobloom.com/) - A welcoming social impact community. Read Now: Subscribe to the Awe Cast (https://www.theawcast.co) to see the rich images described in this episode and for more insights on climate, creativity, and the power of culture.Follow Yarminiah: LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/yarminiah/) Get full access to The Awe Cast at yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe (https://yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

5. 

   1 Sept 2024

   We need each other.

   This week’s episode is dedicated to the theme of taking time to build something great. Yarminiah walks us through her recent dive storytelling trip to Honduras where she joined DWP CARES and GIC as a diver and photographer to monitor the effects of climate change on corals in the Bay Islands. Links to visit: 🎞️ Every Dirt Road Tastes of Salt (https://a24films.com/films/all-dirt-roads) (https://a24films.com/films/all-dirt-roads)- the most poetic, slow paced films i’ve ever seen 🤿 Diving With A Purpose (https://divingwithapurpose.org/) - Diving to preserve cultural archaeology and our reefs. Donate (https://divingwithapurpose.networkforgood.com/projects/146680-end-of-year-giving) to sponsor more science-driven missions like 🦜Green Island Challenge (https://www.greenislandchallenge.com/)- Eco conservationists doing the hard work year-round. Donate (https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/GreenIslandGuanaja) to conserve Honduras’s ecosystems and expand their impact! Get full access to The Awe Cast at yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe (https://yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

6. 

   1 Jul 2024

   Two visions unite in South Africa

   Weaving in and out of driving lanes, whizzing past stray cows, and trucks full of barrels, Noel checks his driver’s mirror and switches to the left, passing a car that’s driving obnoxiously slow. It’s eleven in the morning, and he is driving us to Durban’s airport. As the co-founder and executive director of NEWF (Nature, Environment, and Wildlife Filmmakers), his time could be well spent doing anything but driving us four hours to the airport, yet he insists there is nothing more valuable than time spent in fellowship and connection. These long drives to and from eKhaya (https://www.newf.co.za/the-newf-plug/2023/11/30/ekhaya-we-are-home), NEWF’s storytelling and diving facility in South Africa’s Sodwana Bay, to the nearest airport is the perfect setting for honest conversation and ideas to flow. I am part of a group of five representatives from Diving With A Purpose (DWP) who have just spent the week at eKhaya (https://www.newf.co.za/the-newf-plug/2023/11/30/ekhaya-we-are-home). We are midway through our drive back to Durban and DWP Dive Instructor Anumi Sassaroli is interviewing Noel for DWP’s blog. The van is packed with DWP and NEWF fellows, but it’s quiet. Some are in deep thought reflecting on one of the most memorable weeks of our lives. Some are nodding in and out of sleep, tired from last night’s farewell celebrations. Others are asleep, bellies full from Dumi’s delicious prawn and fish stew. We are all delirious with gratitude having experienced the power of Africa Refocused (https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/our-programs/africa-refocused/), an initiative in collaboration between NEWF and National Geographic. Anumi is all ears, leaning forward with one arm propped up on her knee, steadily aiming her iPhone’s microphone towards Noel’s voice (https://divingwithapurpose.org/an-interview-with-noel-kok/). She is asking him about how he and his wife Pragna came to be the co-founders of NEWF (https://www.newf.co.za/). In the interview Noel explains: “The world utilizes so much of Africa’s nature and wildlife, yet there was no platform in Africa for conservationists, scientists, filmmakers, storytellers, and broadcasters to come together and discuss solutions. We (Noel and his wife and co-founder Pragna) decided we couldn’t just walk away defeated (after they went bankrupt from producing their own African wildlife TV show ‘Code Green’); we needed to address this issue. By January of 2017, we conceived the idea of hosting a film festival. However, we questioned which films to showcase. Thus, we decided to create a congress where people could gather to discuss and find ways to overcome the challenges we faced in producing our first TV series. In March, we pitched this idea to the head of parks and recreation in Durban, who loved it and offered us ZAR 500,000. Though we never received the funds, his belief in our idea was crucial and motivated us to move forward. And so, the annual NEWF (https://www.newf.co.za/) Congress began in 2017.” -To read the full interview, click here (https://divingwithapurpose.org/an-interview-with-noel-kok/). How did they keep going even after the money promised to them for the congress never came through? In retrospect, I believe it boils down to the strength of their partnership. So much of the process of being a visionary lies in the ability to keep your faith up when the dream seems impossible. Having a partner that is with you in the work makes all the difference in getting through the rough patches. Noel is the kind of man whose laugh fills a room and whose larger-than-life dreams precede him. As a master storyteller, his stories will have you hanging on to his every word, always singing high praises of the people he admires. By his side is Pragna, a warm eyed woman with an infectious smile. She is the small but mighty anchor that grounds NEWF’s vision with strategy. At any moment you can find her editing, texting collaborators, booking and rebooking flights, putting out fires, passing out french fries, and saving lives.Together, Noel the dreamer, and Pragna the dream maker have made NEWF’s vision a reality. After bankruptcy and what could have been the end of their journey, they dared to look beyond beyond their own limitations to build the opportunities and access they wish they had when they began telling wildlife stories. Seeing their commitment up close has shown me how important it is to build an expansive vision that extends far beyond you, one that makes room for others to dream and reach new levels of success. Theirs is a true story of build it and they will come. They maintained the integrity of their vision even when others could not see it. In the interview Noel explains how eKhaya (https://www.newf.co.za/the-newf-plug/2023/11/30/ekhaya-we-are-home) came to be: “By 2020, some of our community members became NatGeo explorers and spoke at their summit. In 2021, I spoke at their virtual storyteller summit. National Geographic then asked us how we would scale our work, which led to the creation of the ‘Africa Refocused (https://www.nationalgeographic.org/society/our-programs/africa-refocused/)’ program. We envisioned scaling up our initiatives—more dive labs, cinematography labs, and regional growth—anchored in a center that provided a safe space for storytellers, scientists, and conservationists. This community-focused approach ensured dignity and safety while fostering collaboration and skill development. Thus, the idea and dream of eKhaya (https://news.nationalgeographic.org/new-dive-center-opens-for-african-storytellers-scientists-and-conservationists-with-support-from-africa-refocused/) emerged as a facility supporting our vision for Africa Refocused.” The story of how this collaboration with National Geographic came to be is nothing short of amazing. And seeing the vision materialized is such an honor. eKhaya: “Home” eKhaya, is a compound of sorts made up of several rooms, a scuba diving training pool, a kitchen and communal area. This is where DWP spent our time in South Africa diving, communing, learning and exchanging with NEWF fellows. After spending a week at eKhaya and witnessing how NEWF’s dive operations and workshops function, it’s clear that the story of NEWF begins with Pragna and Noel, but continues with their team, fellows and community - the true engine behind this movement. The purpose of our trip was to set the foundation for what a partnership with DWP (Diving With a Purpose) and NEWF could look like. DWP’s dedication to ocean-centric conservation and cultural preservation is a perfect match for NEWF’s mission of removing the barriers to entry and building capacity to enable access, support inclusion, expand local audiences and foster a culture of equity for African nature, environment and wildlife visual storytellers. We shared presentations on how to survey slave ship wrecks, how coral restoration is developing in Zanzibar, and learned about how storytelling is integral to the environmental and cultural conservation work each organization is engaged in. A generative space As soon as we arrived at eKhaya, I noticed a thick plume of smoke rising from it’s backyard. The aroma of burnt wood filled the open air, an unmistakeable scent that immediately comforted me. It was my first time on the grounds, and though I was thousands of miles away from home, this smell brought me right back to the familiar aroma’s of Honduras and Puerto Rico. There is always something brewing at eKhaya, be it fish grilling, meat stewing, or inspiration percolating in conversation, there is a palpable passion that resides here, a quiet buzz of productivity and communion that warms the place. eKhaya is uplifted by a constellation of hands committed to training the next generation of Black African conservation storytellers. From the accountant, to cleaning staff, cooks, fellows, friends, and grounds keepers, it’s all hands on deck. The dining area is the heart of eKhaya in design and function, it is a generative space that transforms everyone who walks through it doors. It is where we ate and where we were fed professionally and creatively. From presentations to meals served, there was always room for every one at each table. In an era of disconnection, having a central hub like eKhaya is a rarity. Look around and you will see people working, conversing, huddled over a computer, experimenting, exchanging ideas, reviewing their film and photographic work, sharing it, speaking through it, “ooing” and “ahhing” at the beauty of footage they’d captured that day. I hadn’t experienced a generative work space like this since college, and it helped me realize how integral creating and growing alongside peers is when engaged in pioneering work. I love the intentionality of naming their fellowships “labs”, this is exactly the right word for the development that goes on here. Laboratory: : a place equipped for experimental study in a science or for testing and analysisa research laboratory broadly : a place providing opportunity for experimentation, observation, or practice in a field of study At the heart of eKhaya’s kitchen is Dumi, the chef behind our most memorable meals. I was an immediate fan of her huge smile and shy laugh. By day four, our DWP crew was greeting Dumi with hugs and profusely thanking her for feeding us so well. This is kind of connection is the essence of eKhaya, the foundation that makes the work sustainable is found in the small details, the care and intentionality put into relationships. I am so grateful I had the opportunity to contribute to start of the partnership between DWP and NEWF, two incredible organizations with conservation and community at their center. More life-changing exchange to come. 3 Awe ‘Tings a short list of awe-inspiring content to get you through the week. 🎧 God Is My Creative Director (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ARqnh6PSqE&list=PLemNrk6MqRaut7pu6utVmwuiDfLI_sVeP) - excellent pod about sustaining creativity via faith 📹 Jeremy Snell (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YVcNl7Av2LM&t=15s) - this conservation story and the quality of his photography is 💯📖 The Preserve Journal (https://www.thepreservejournal.com/) - gorgeous printed mag about sustainability and slow living Get full access to The Awe Cast at yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe (https://yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

7. 

   1 May 2024

   Every fruit was once a flower.

   As a kid, I adored Harriet The Spy’s curiosity and wanted to be her friend so badly. Because of her I kept a top secret journal and sleuthed for clues between the nooks of our house and the curbs and sidewalks of our small neighborhood. I was desperate for adventure, eager to believe there were incredible mysteries at my fingertips that needed to be unearthed by me. And so, like most of us, a good part of my childhood was spent learning the art of observation and imagination. Some call it play or make believe, but I like to think of it as bearing witness. To be creative is to commit to seeing the possibility of new worlds.We dreamers are insistent on cultivating new visions, no matter the glaringly bleak reality of our surroundings. I’m still very much that little girl searching for signs of the bigger story around me. Admittedly, growing up has challenged the level of childhood wonder I had back in my Harriet The Spy days, but there are still many awe-filled moments I’ve experienced lately that I want to celebrate. And today I’d like to share one of the most childlike moments of my adulthood with you: the day I realized how fruit is birthed. Wonder, Part 1: Awareness In my freshman year of arts high school, a guest illustrator was invited to visit our drawing class to share how he built his career. He made a living creating color pencil drawings of fruit and flowers for packaged goods. Before then, I’d rarely noticed the lyrical drawings on body wash bottles, yogurt cups, or fruit juice cartons. But when he showed us his rendition of a cluster of bright oranges on a vine of orange blossoms, my heart leapt. The Florida girl in me immediately recognized the drawing from Florida’s Natural Orange juice carton. I was fan-girling hard, I’d seen his work in my fridge growing up! It occurs to me now that that this man was probably the first person to show me a fruit and its blossom at once. I didn’t live live near a garden or farm as a kid, so I didn’t know where my fruit came from, or how it became, well … fruit. Wonder, Part 2 : Realizing A couple of summers ago, I was picking Acerola cherries from my dad’s backyard and after a few moments of picking, I began slowly noticing the different stages of growth the fruit goes through. Each flower petal evolved into a green, pink, then eventually red cherry. And it seemed the flower itself became the fruit, but this couldn’t be possible- could it? Excited and in disbelief (did they teach us this in middle school?), I googled it and learned that yes, every flower has an ovary and that ovary eventually becomes fruit 🤯 Every blueberry (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpHXa66fc9E), watermelon (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KNoPwKT8rVQ), mango, cherry, passion fruit, avocado we’ve ever eaten was once a flower. The petals fall away and the stamen evolves into seed and flesh. We’re eating ovaries, y’all. Orange blossoms, zucchini flowers, almond flowers, cotton flowers, mango flowers - all ovaries (https://www.youtube.com/watch?embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencealert.com%2F&source_ve_path=MzY4NDIsMjg2NjQsMTY0NTAz&feature=emb_share&v=LybfPwCzs3g)! Wonder, Part 3 : The Process The process of a flower becoming fruit is a treat to see. It requires presence and time. First, there’s the awe-filled evolution of a fruit. But then there’s the sobering reality of pruning and waiting for the fruit to ripen followed by the labor of picking the fruit and tending to its survival. This for me is the perfect analogy for creativity, and frankly life. Life is generative. And yet, most of us don’t feel we have much time to appreciate it. We ration our time between screens, meetings, appointments, family, relationships and work, but we don’t dedicate much attention to how life is evolving in and around us. We’re busy pruning, and tending to the labor, but where’s the fruit? Tomorrow marks the beginning of a new month, smack dab in the middle of a work week. Wherever life finds you this month, I hope you’ll join me in taking time asses all we've chosen, witnessed, survived, and become so far this year. You deserve to spaciousness to observe and appreciate all the ways your life is evolving and bearing fruit. 🌸 The Awe Cast is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. 3 Awe ‘Tings a short list of awe-inspiring content to get you through the week. 📖 The Awe of God (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63059298-the-awe-of-god)an eye opening book on the biblical approach to awe 🎧 David Larbi (https://youtube.com/shorts/Ck6kUUHgsV0?feature=shared) - his podcast (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindful-moments-with-david-larbi/id1694174623) (https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mindful-moments-with-david-larbi/id1694174623)and poetic reels (https://www.instagram.com/davidlarbi/) will bring a smile to your face📸 Yasmeen’s photography (https://www.instagram.com/simsim.jpeg/) showing Jerusalem pre-war Get full access to The Awe Cast at yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe (https://yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

8. 

   1 Oct 2023

   The photograph I'll show my children

   I’m headed to Honduras next week with Youth Diving With A Purpose CARES (YDWPCARES) as their photographer and storyteller. We’ll be diving for ocean conservation and I’ll be photograph youth from the USA and from Honduras taking the steps fight coral reef degradation. This is a special trip as I’ll be returning to my mother and grandmother’s homeland to visually research the connection between our cultural history and our future as a coastal peoples. Listen to this episode to hear why this matters. Consider becoming a paid subscriber to support my research and to be the first to receive access to the limited postcard run I’ll be releasing soon. Get full access to The Awe Cast at yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe (https://yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

9. 

   1 Sept 2023

   Cerulean Blues

   HOMEWARD BOUND: pt.1 of earning my diving certification to quench my saudade Get full access to The Awe Cast at yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe (https://yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

10. 

    11 Jan 2023

    A New Beginning

    Slowing down to savor the now is a must because now will never happen again. Welcome to the first episode of The Awe Cast, a newsletter and podcast that centers creativity, culture and awe in the midst of our climate crisis, not as a form of denial, but as acceptance of what is and what can be. Get full access to The Awe Cast at yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe (https://yarminiah.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_4)

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