Building a Sustainable Future Together
We’re excited to share an episode of Behind the Village, a podcast featuring Sarah Patterson, President of Common Earth. In this thoughtful and inspiring conversation, Sarah reflects on her journey as she leads the organization while building a community-driven lifestyle in Orillia, Canada.
Sarah highlights how climate action at the local level—through collaboration, systems thinking, and inclusive community initiatives—can have ripple effects far beyond one’s town or region.
In this rich conversation, the hosts of Behind the Village Podcast and Sarah explore themes such as:
- Community and Climate Change
- The Concept of community in Modern Society
- Support networks
- Systems Thinking
- Our connection to (and role in) nature
- Our emotional response to what is happening around us
- Identifying the main causes behind social and environmental issues
- Choosing a new story and challenging societal norms
- Nurturing a post-carbon, caring society.
The episode offers a look into the work Common Earth is doing to deepen climate education, foster resilience, empower individuals to take action where they are, and build strong communities of care. Sarah, who also leads Sustainable Orillia, shares how the organization is engaging residents through events, local conservation projects, and accessible climate solutions that meet people where they’re at.
Whether you want to explore a unique perspective on climate change, or you are passionate about environmental justice, supporting local businesses, or growing strong communities in the face of climate change, this episode is rich with insight and practical inspiration.
Podcast originally posted here on July 16th, 2025
You can listen to the interview below, or on Spotify, Apple Podcast, iHeartRadio and Amazon Music