Along The Same Lines

EP11: Going Off Script

In this episode, Ania sits down with MJ Halberstadt—a ghostwriter and writing coach—whose unconventional journey weaves together theater, climate, and storytelling. From high school musicals on Long Island to a regenerative agriculture startup, MJ’s story illuminates how nonlinear paths can lead to profound purpose.
Together, they unpack the nuance of finding one’s place in climate work without fitting into expert molds, the emotional realities of burnout, and how embracing specificity, creativity, and personal narrative opens new doors for impact. Whether you’re a founder, a dreamer, or someone redefining your path, this episode reminds us: you don’t need to be everything to contribute something meaningful.
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
🌱 Why a “vague passion” for climate is still powerful—and valid
🎭 How MJ’s arts background shaped their approach to writing and advocacy
🧠 The link between burnout, transformation, and creative contribution
✨ The importance of storytelling and specificity in climate communication
🌈 A powerful call to queer listeners: your way of being is a roadmap for reimagining the future
Support the Podcast:
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing Along the Same Lines on your favorite podcast app. It helps more people find the show and supports the storytelling work we’re doing here.
Want to share your own story? Visit alongthesamelines.com and fill out a short form—we’d love to hear from you.
 
Music in this episode is by Broke for Free, available via the Free Music Archive.

EP10: Houston, we have a heat pump

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 may be the most powerful (and overlooked) agents of change in the clean energy transition, what prevents more homeowners from installing heat pumps, and how decision-making around climate technologies often comes down to risk, timing, and trust.
 
What You’ll Learn in This Episode:
Why HVAC contractors have more influence over climate adoption than most people realize
How Umair's identity as a "bridge node" shapes his work and relationships
What a heat pump actually is, and why it matters
Why policy and incentive programs often fail to engage the people who need them most
How cultural background and generational empathy can be secret weapons for change
What happened when Umair tried (and failed) to install a heat pump in a new home build
Resources Mentioned:
McKinstry – Umair's employer, helping decarbonize buildings across sectors
AHR Expo – The largest HVAC industry conference
Climate Vine – Climate professional community where Umair and Ania met
 
Note: 
In the podcast, Umair mentions that vehicles have heat pumps - for context this was about EVs, since we are both EV owners and was not meant to imply that traditional gas powered cars also have heat pumps.
This was recorded on Nov 5, 2024 so some information mentioned may be outdated by release date.
Support the Podcast:
If you enjoyed this episode, please consider subscribing, rating, and reviewing Along the Same Lines on your favorite podcast platform. It helps us reach more listeners and continue spotlighting real stories of change.
Want to share your story? Visit alongthesamelines.com and fill out a short form—we’d love to hear from you.
 
Music Credit:
Music in this episode is by Broke for Free, available via the Free Music Archive.
 
Final Thought:
“Sometimes climate change starts at the kitchen table—with a contractor, a question, and the willingness to try something different.”

EP09: Alex & the Beans Talk

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 unpacks what it means to live by example without pushing others away, and why your dollar is a vote for the world you want to see.
This isn’t about being perfect—it’s about being intentional. Tune in for an honest, funny, and practical conversation about food, identity, and taking action.
 
🎙️Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and expect a new episode to drop every other week from now on.
👉 Want to support the show? We now have a PATREON! For as little as $5 a month, as a patron of the show, you can get special perks and allow us to keep telling stories, sharing inspiration and good vibes with the world 🥰  Visit www.patreon.com/c/alongthesamelinespodcast
👉Want your story told? Visit our website www.alongthesamelines.com and fill out the guest form, or share it with a friend who has a story to tell! 
 
Music by Broke for Free, “Sidewalk Chalk” and “F*ck it'“

EP08: Plovers in the Big City

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 to make a difference by stepping up and taking action. 
He's proven that anyone can start something meaningful and it all began with one small bird. 
 
🎙️Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and expect a new episode to drop every other week from now on. 👉 Want to support the show? We now have a PATREON! For as little as $5 a month, as a patron of the show, you can get special perks and allow us to keep telling stories, sharing inspiration and good vibes with the world 🥰  Visit www.patreon.com/c/alongthesamelinespodcast
👉Want your story told? Visit our website www.alongthesamelines.com and fill out the guest form, or share it with a friend who has a story to tell! 
 
Music by Broke for Free, “Sidewalk Chalk” and “F*ck it'“

EP07: The Key is an Open Door

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, as a patron of the show, you can get special perks and allow us to keep telling stories, sharing inspiration and good vibes with the world 🥰  Visit www.patreon.com/c/alongthesamelinespodcast
👉Want your story told? Visit our website www.alongthesamelines.com and fill out the guest form, or share it with a friend who has a story to tell! 
 
Music by Broke for Free, “Sidewalk Chalk” and “F*ck it'“

EP06: Beyond The Ladder

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 passions with their contributions, he offers practical insights and empowering advice for anyone contemplating a big leap or a small step toward a life that feels true. Let’s dive in!
 
Note: We had some issues with the audio in this episode, and we did our best to make it as high quality as possible. 
 
🎙️Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and expect a new episode to drop every other week from now on. 👉 Want to support the show? We now have a PATREON! For as little as $5 a month, as a patron of the show, you can get special perks and allow us to keep telling stories, sharing inspiration and good vibes with the world 🥰  Visit www.patreon.com/c/alongthesamelinespodcast
👉Want your story told? Visit our website www.alongthesamelines.com and fill out the guest form, or share it with a friend who has a story to tell! 
 
Music by Broke for Free, “Sidewalk Chalk” and “F*ck it'“

EP05: Bike to the Future

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. 
 
🎙️Listen, rate, subscribe, follow wherever you get your podcasts, and expect a new episode to drop every other week from now on.
👉 Want to support the show? We now have a PATREON! For as little as $5 a month, as a patron of the show, you can get special perks and allow us to keep telling stories, sharing inspiration and good vibes with the world. www.patreon.com/c/alongthesamelinespodcast 
👉Want your story told? Visit our website and fill out the guest form, or share it with a friend who has a story to tell! alongthesamelines.com
 
Music by Broke for Free, from the Free Music Archive.

EP04: Ways of Buying

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 lifestyle for everyone - without guilt, without unrealistic standards, and without sacrificing comfort, style, convenience or happiness. 🎙️Listen wherever you get your podcasts, and expect a new episode to drop every other week from now on. 👉 Want to support the show? We now have a PATREON! For as little as $5 a month, as a patron of the show, you can get special perks and allow us to keep telling stories, sharing inspiration and good vibes with the world 🥰  Visit www.patreon.com/c/alongthesamelinespodcast
👉Want your story told? Visit our website www.alongthesamelines.com and fill out the guest form, or share it with a friend who has a story to tell! 
 
Music by Broke for Free, “Sidewalk Chalk” and “F*ck it'“

EP03: Perfect Pitch

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 the challenge of finding purpose-driven work in the climate space. We discuss how good communication can amplify climate solutions and drive positive impact and legacy worth leaving behind.
 
To share your story, visit alongthesamelines.com
 
Music by Broke for Free, from the Free Music Archive.

EP02: Sunblocked by the HOA

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 process could be improved and the opportunities that exist for making solar installations easier for everyone.
 
To share your story, visit alongthesamelines.com
Music by Broke for Free, from the Free Music Archive.