What does it mean to nurture and guide kids through the challenges of a changing climate? In this episode of the Pre-Zero Sports Talk Podcast, host Sid Bensalah speaks with Bridget Shirvell, award-winning journalist and author of Parenting in a Climate Crisis. Drawing on her reporting, conversations with climate scientists, educators, and psychologists, as well as her own experiences as a parent, Bridget shares how families can move beyond fear and foster resilience, curiosity, and hope in the next generation.
Together, they explore the everyday challenges parents face, from children’s curiosity about electric cars to balancing sustainability choices without falling into perfectionism. Bridget highlights why small actions matter, how nature builds emotional strength, and the role of schools, sports, and community in preparing climate-aware citizens. She also opens up about her writing process and how she transformed years of research and personal experiences into a practical guide for parents.
If you’re a parent, coach, or community leader looking for real stories, actionable advice, and encouragement to raise climate-strong kids, this conversation is for you.
00:00 Parenting in a Climate Crisis: How to Nurture Resilient Kids
00:06 Discussing Children's Curiosity
01:27 Introducing the Guest: Bridget
02:06 Inspiration Behind the Book
02:37 Parenting and Climate Crisis
05:46 Addressing Climate Fears
08:54 Mental Shifts for Parents
13:17 Engaging with Children on Climate
19:41 Supporting Systems: Schools and Community
21:44 Student-Led Sustainability Initiatives
24:15 Rebranding Sustainability
24:51 COP Conferences and Climate Action
28:28 Electric Vehicles and Sustainability
30:00 The Writing Process
40:48 Climate Preparedness for 2030
42:06 Hope for the Next Generation
43:12 Lightning Round Q&A
47:52 Final Thoughts and Farewell
To learn more about Bridget Shirvell and her work, visit: https://breeshirvell.com
☞ Stay Connected with Pre-Zero Sports Talk!
Join host Sid Bensalah and the Pre-Zero Sports Talk community for real conversations at the intersection of sports, leadership, faith, community, and clean progress. Follow, watch, and share your voice—because it matters.
📲 Follow & Engage
🔹 Spotify (Video) → Watch Full Episodes
🔹 YouTube → Subscribe & Join the Conversation
🔹 Twitter/X → @PreZeroST
🔹 Instagram → @PreZeroSportsTalk
🔹 LinkedIn → Connect with the Community
🔹 TikTok → @PreZeroSportsTalk
🔹 Substack → Get Exclusive Updates
Your Voice Matters!
🎤 Got feedback or a topic idea?
We’d love to hear from you → Send your thoughts here
💡 Support the Podcast
Fuel our mission of honest storytelling and real impact. ...
Popular Podcasts
Las Culturistas with Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang
Ding dong! Join your culture consultants, Matt Rogers and Bowen Yang, on an unforgettable journey into the beating heart of CULTURE. Alongside sizzling special guests, they GET INTO the hottest pop-culture moments of the day and the formative cultural experiences that turned them into Culturistas. Produced by the Big Money Players Network and iHeartRadio.
Crime Junkie
Does hearing about a true crime case always leave you scouring the internet for the truth behind the story? Dive into your next mystery with Crime Junkie. Every Monday, join your host Ashley Flowers as she unravels all the details of infamous and underreported true crime cases with her best friend Brit Prawat. From cold cases to missing persons and heroes in our community who seek justice, Crime Junkie is your destination for theories and stories you won’t hear anywhere else. Whether you're a seasoned true crime enthusiast or new to the genre, you'll find yourself on the edge of your seat awaiting a new episode every Monday. If you can never get enough true crime... Congratulations, you’ve found your people. Follow to join a community of Crime Junkies! Crime Junkie is presented by audiochuck Media Company.
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.