Along The Same Lines

Ania sits down with Umair Surani, a bridge-builder, systems thinker, and Senior Account Executive at McKinstry, whose path into the climate world began in the most unexpected way—through a job he almost didn’t take. With a background in aerospace engineering and a childhood in Pakistan, Umair brings a uniquely global and interdisciplinary lens to decarbonizing buildings.

We explore why HVAC contractors m...

In this episode of Along the Same Lines, I sit down with Alex, a passionate climate communicator and plant-based advocate, to explore how small, intentional choices can ripple into meaningful change. Alex shares how personal values, cultural roots, and climate action intersect.

We talk about protein myths, the psychology of meat substitutes, and why being “perfect” isn’t the goal—progress is. With a mix of humor and honesty, Alex u...

Our guest today is Chris, the founder of the NYC Plover Project. This citizen led effort is all about protecting the Piping Plover, a tiny endangered bird that nests on New York city's beaches. What started as Chris's personal mission has grown into a movement, inspiring hundreds of volunteers and creating real change for both wildlife and communities. Chris's story shows us that you don't need a perfect plan or a formal background...

The guest in this episode is Daniel Hill - you may know him as the guy who started the Open Door Climate Movement! We discuss fear as a motivator for action, redefining networking as an introvert and balancing optimism with systemic realities. 

Daniel's journey shows that making a difference often means creating spaces for genuine human connection. 

👉 Want to support the show? We now have a PATREON! For as little as $5 a month, ...

In this episode, we meet Andy, who has spent years navigating the complexities of career transitions, personal identity, and meaningful work. From a corporate career that spanned fintech and management consulting to years of van travel across continents, he shares how he found clarity in the most unexpected places—Siberian trains, surfboards, and conversations over tea. Now a career coach helping others align their pa...

In today’s episode, we’re joined by Allen, who shares his story of witnessing the impacts of climate change in Colorado and his determination to create a safer, more sustainable future. Starting with small changes at home, Allen’s journey led him to electrify his house, and ultimately advocate for community bike safety. His story reminds us of the powerful ripple effect our individual efforts can have on society. 

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In this episode, we meet amazing Alex Gamboa Grand, founder of Way of Being, a local plastic-free, low waste, sustainable, locally sourced home & beauty products store in Portland, OR! We explored her journey as an entrepreneur, some of her favorite items that are easy to swap out for more sustainable alternatives, and why the using your buying power as a consumer is an important part of the transition to a more sustainable...

In this episode, we sit down with amazing human Spencer Meeks to chat about his journey from engineer to climate communications expert. Spencer shares how he uses his unique skill set to start his own business helping climate and cleantech professional break down complicated ideas and make their messaging stick. We dive into his deep connection to nature, how his upbringing inspired his passion for sustainability, and...

In this episode, we’re talking with a brave human named Dustin Cote about his year-long journey of getting solar panels installed on his home in Raleigh, North Carolina. What started as a straightforward project quickly became a lesson in navigating HOA rules, getting neighbors on board, and finding creative solutions to unexpected roadblocks.

We dive into the challenges he faced, his what he’s learned, some ideas on how the proces...

In this episode, we delve into the world of sustainability through the inspiring journey of Ting Waymouth, a passionate community organizer for climate action. Ting shares how her upbringing laid the foundation for her commitment to sustainable habits and how motherhood provided a deeper opportunity to embrace practices like using reusable cloth diapers, fully electrifying her home, and seeking out ways to inspire others in her com...