On Becoming The Change
On Becoming the Change Podcast
How to be well in a climate crisis - with Emily Buchanan
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How to be well in a climate crisis - with Emily Buchanan

We explore how to navigate the emotional challenges of the climate crisis, like eco-anxiety, overwhelm, and cognitive dissonance, to build resilience, take time to rest and repair and find more joy

In this episode of On Becoming the Change, I chat with Emily Buchanan, a coach and the Programmes Director at the Climate Change Coaches. We explore what it means to be well in the face of the climate crisis and unpack the real emotional experiences many people are facing, like eco-anxiety, overwhelm and cognitive dissonance. These experiences are totally normal and valid and you are not alone if you are going through them.

Together, we discuss:

* 🌱 The true nature of feelings like overwhelm, powerlessness, and emotional exhaustion in the context of the climate crisis.

* 🧠 Understanding what's happening psychologically and physically when we experience eco-anxiety, and the impact of not processing our emotions.

* 💭 The cognitive dissonance that comes up when our actions—or those around us—don’t align with our values.

* 🌿 How to build emotional literacy and regulate our nervous system to manage difficult feelings.

* 🧘‍♀️ How to expand our window of tolerance to increase our capacity for resilience while allowing space for rest and repair.

* ✨ Everyday mindfulness practices that can help you stay present, and how to find moments of delight and joy amidst the challenges.

* 🔍 Practical steps you can take to align your actions with your values and build a sense of well-being in your daily life.

I hope this episode helps you make sense of your inner world experience as you navigate what's happening in the world, offering you some insights and ideas that may help you move to a more resourced, joyful and energised way of being.

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Emily Buchanan is a certified health coach who believes that how we nourish our bodies and minds directly impacts how we feel each day, the quality of our relationships, and how we show up in the world. She is also the Programmes Director and lead designer and facilitator of the Climate Change Coaching Mastery programme at Climate Change Coaches, a B-corporation, which is harnessing the power of coaching to support organisations and communities to take action on climate.

With a background in social justice, international development, documentary filmmaking, food writing, and nutritional health, she understands the deep connections between our food systems, well-being, and the climate crisis. Her coaching blends this holistic perspective with training in Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, trauma therapy, somatic embodiment, mindfulness, and climate change coaching. Emily helps her clients develop emotional awareness, build resilience, and find balance by tapping into the wisdom of their bodies and the natural world.

Find out more about Emily on her website - https://emily-buchanan.com/about-emily#:~:text=In%20addition%20to%20coaching%20clients,to%20take%20action%20on%20climate.

Find out more about Climate Change Coaches: https://climatechangecoaches.com/


A few updates from me:

  • Sign-ups close TODAY for our Thrive! A Group Coaching Programme for Sustainability Professionals - Nov 2024.

    • Our group coaching programme for sustainability professionals is starting on the 8th of November, for 1.5 hours every Friday lunchtime for 4 weeks, we’ll be bringing together a supportive group of sustainability professionals to collectively work through the common challenges in a sustainability role. Through coaching techniques and peer support, you’ll learn how to process your emotions, build confidence, communicate effectively, and connect with others to collectively overcome challenges. By the end, you’ll feel re-energised and better equipped to create meaningful impact in your work.

      • If you are want to join then register HERE by 9pm tonight.

Thrive!
  • 1:1 Coaching - If you are interested in exploring how coaching with me could support you in navigating the way you relate to the climate crisis to find more acceptance and energy to put towards the impact you want to have, you can book a free discovery call with me here.

  • Conscious Evolution Collage - A transformative workshop exploring new ways of thinking and being to create a sustainable and desirable future for all. I am facilitating 3 coming up - one tomorrow morning at Freskival, then an in-person one in Putney on the 29th October 6-9pm (sign up here) and an online workshop on Tuesday 26th November 6-9pm (sign up here). I would love to see you there.

  • Conscious Changemakers walk - we had a lovely, wet, joyful and mindful walk on Sunday with this lovely bunch of people. We walked around the local castle grounds, wandered round the lake, and then explored the woods in Reigate. I so appreciated all the positive energy that people bought to the walk, embracing the rain and taking the time to really notice and appreciate the nature around us and we took some time to reflect on the lessons that nature had for us. Then warmed up in a cafe with a hot drink and lots more chats.

    • I host these walks every month, they are relaxed, mindful walks for people who want to make the world a better place and want to reconnect to nature and have heart-felt discussions with like-minded people. The next walk date is on Sunday 24th November, 10am, Reigate, Surrey. You can sign up here. (this will be the last one before the New Year).

  • People, Planet, Pint East Surrey was back after a long summer break - we had a great turnout of people in the East Surrey area last night of people who care about people and the planet, lots of great conversations and connections were made - we are looking forward to the next one on the 3rd December!

The next episode of On Becoming the Change will be released next Thursday. Subscribe below to hear when it’s released.

Thank you for listening and reading. If any of what we talked about in the podcast resonated with you, I would love to hear your thoughts. Please do share it with anyone else you think might be interested.

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Discussion about this podcast

On Becoming The Change
On Becoming the Change Podcast
Are you a changemaker overwhelmed by the challenges of making a difference in today’s world? On Becoming the Change is here to support, guide and inspire people like you, who are striving to create a positive impact but are feeling tired, burnt out, or unclear how to make the most meaningful impact.
This podcast is dedicated to exploring how your personal development can lead to powerful systemic change, so you can feel empowered and inspired to have the impact you were made for.
I’m Heather Lynch, I've spent 15 years learning about and working on addressing global challenges, working in international development and sustainability. After working through a lot of my own personal blockers, eco-anxiety and disillusionment about whether I was really making an impact, I started this podcast to explore how personal growth and systemic change are deeply connected.
On this podcast, I’ll speak with people who have influenced my journey of becoming, from colleagues, coaches and course leaders. Together, we’ll dive into topics like - how to be well in the context of climate change, the power of systems and regenerative thinking, the importance of mindfulness and consciousness, and the role of self-awareness and coaching in creating a regenerative future.
Join us as we explore how personal growth and systemic transformation are deeply interconnected—and how together, we can navigate these turbulent times with greater ease, purpose, and authenticity.
As Rumi once said “Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.”