The Power of Green Storytelling Through Podcasting
Co-written by Marsha Ord
The podcast industry is taking over across sectors of fitness, business, entertainment, education, sustainability, and so much more. The forms of storytelling you can convey through a podcast is truly something to behold - and it’s clear that this industry is not going anywhere. With a projected annual growth rate of 31%, we will see more and more podcasts breathing new life into the art of storytelling. On top of the exponential growth of the industry, approximately 50% of monthly podcast listeners are youth between the ages of 12-34. And with ECO Canada forecasting over 170,000 new environmental jobs emerging over the next few years, podcasting presents the perfect way to reach youth to educate them on the green career sector.
This passion and interest in hearing stories of the world is what drew me into working in the podcast industry. I’ll be honest - if you were to ask me when I began studying for a political science degree if I would see myself working creatively in the podcast and sustainability/social impact industries a few years later, I would have laughed at you! However, I was incredibly lucky to have networked with the founder of a podcast production company and he took a chance on me. I saw the value in this industry and the knowledge and skills I would gain along the way that would be transferable to any journey I decided to take. It even led to my introduction into the environmental sustainability field, where I stumbled upon a career opportunity at the Green Career Centre.
I was scrolling through my feed on LinkedIn one day and a post by Green Career Centre’s founder, Lauren Castelino, caught my attention. She spoke of her passion for sustainability and was offering to share all of the resources she had been researching over her academic career to help people find green jobs, wage subsidies, and other career resources. Lauren’s ability to convey her passion and dedication through storytelling was something I resonated with, and I could see myself being able to do the same!
After beginning my role as the Green Career Centre’s Youth Green Jobs Network Manager shortly after, I began thinking of the ways we can spread the word about the work we are doing and share the resources we offer. What better way to share the mission of the Green Career Centre than through one of the best forms of storytelling? Podcasting!
Through my role in the podcast industry, I was able to partner with Growth Network Podcasts to feature Green Career Centre on their flagship show, Mission Megaphone. Mission Megaphone is a podcast aiming to shine a spotlight on social causes and the leaders who are addressing them. The show’s new series, Mission Megabites, features short format 5-minute episodes introducing a single organization doing great work, expertly paired with a podcast that speaks to that topic for further learning.
Mission Megabites was the perfect opportunity to tell the story of Green Career Centre and share the valuable resources we offer, while also recommending another podcast that listeners can check out to learn more about the importance of green jobs in Canada and how youth can ‘build back better’ after the global COVID-19 pandemic. I highly recommend listening to the Mission Megabite about Green Career Centre if you’re wanting a full run-down on our organization and how you can support the work our wonderful team of youth does!
As Mission Megaphone host Lynz Floren says “When you find inspiration, make sure to pass it on.” I found inspiration in the work that Green Career Centre is doing by preparing youth, BIPOC, and newcomers for green careers, and I hope to inspire other young people in Canada that our responsibility to live and work sustainably doesn’t only have to come from an interest in STEM fields. As you’ve hopefully gathered, my journey to the green career space was less than linear. I challenge you to dig deep, identify your passions and interests, and see how you can bring that to the realm of environmental sustainability - and don’t forget to pass your inspiration along too!