There’s a version of the story we’ve been told about climate: that it’s too late, that people don’t care, that politics will never catch up. But there’s another version. One where the real problem isn’t apathy—it’s activation.
In this episode, I talk with Nathaniel Stinnett, the founder of the Environmental Voter Project—a behavioral science powerhouse that’s quietly turning millions of non-voting environmentalists into one of the most potent political forces in the country. No persuasion. No messaging wars. Just identity, data, and one simple truth: people act when they believe their role matters.
We talk about:
✅ The wild behavioral science strategy behind EVP's big results
✅ Why most climate messaging backfires—and what actually works
✅ The overlooked power of inevitability and identity to drive action
✅ How EVP’s behavioral science playbook flips identity and FOMO into action
✅ The hidden emotional barrier stopping most social engagement
✅ How campaigns fail by chasing conversion instead of belief
✅ What it means to change a system without waiting for permission
And in the How-To segment, I break down:
→ Why “inevitability” can be more powerful than persuasion—and how to use it
→ How to use identity-based framing to spark action (in yourself and others)
→ The overlooked tactic that could change your team, org, or movement
If you’ve ever felt like the story is already written—this is your reminder it’s not. We are still shaping it. And the tools we need? They’re already here. The question is: how do we use them to keep going.
With quiet hope,
Molly
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🗳 Learn more or get involved with the Environmental Voter Project:
environmentalvoter.org
Connect with Nathaniel and EVP:
Get Involved | LinkedIn | Instagram | X | Bluesky | Donate
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🧠 Get the takeaways straight to your inbox. My newsletter What I Wish I Knew shares all the research + tools I use in my own life. Sign up at mollykawahata.com/join
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🔗 View the full show notes at mollykawahata.com/podcast
🎥 Video episodes available on YouTube
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🔗 Follow for more:
YouTube | Instagram | TikTok | LinkedIn
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🕒 Timestamps
00:00 Introduction to Full Spectrum and Climate Action
03:11 The Role of Emotions in Climate Activism
06:01 The Environmental Voter Project: A New Approach
08:55 Understanding Voter Turnout and Climate Priorities
12:14 The Importance of Systemic Change
15:10 Behavioral Science and Voting Behavior
18:01 Identifying Environmental Voters
21:06 The Predictive Modeling Process
23:51 Challenging Stereotypes in Environmentalism
27:08 The Psychology of Voting and Social Norms
29:55 Conclusion and Call to Action
38:44 The Power of Social Identity in Voting
45:51 Behavioral Science and Voting Behavior
52:01 Impact of Local Elections on Climate Policy
58:24 Re
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