Degrees Podcast Launches New Miniseries: “Connection as a Climate Solution”

"Connection as a Climate Solution " is a new miniseries from the podcast Degrees: Real talk about planet-saving careers. The Degrees podcast has been featured among Apple's Top 10 Careers podcasts, reaching listeners in more than 190 countries, and features original music from Grammy-nominated band Lake Street Dive.

Designed for anyone who wants to make a positive impact with their careers, hosts Yesh Pavlik Slenk, Senior Director of Climate Corps, and Daniel Hill, Director of Business & Innovation at Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) share how people are landing climate jobs through the power of connection and community. "Green jobs" and environmental degrees have emerged as a major growth sector over the past decade. LinkedIn finds that workers with "green skills" are in demand; job seekers with green skills or titles see a 55% higher hiring rate than the workforce overall, and 80% higher in the United States.

However, many workers often struggle to find and get these jobs because of a gap in certifications, titles or connections in the field. In response, EDF created the Degrees Podcast and co-host Daniel Hill launched the initiative #OpenDoorClimate on LinkedIn to facilitate mentorship. Since 2021 #OpenDoorClimate has enabled an estimated 50,000 conversations between job seekers and a network of volunteer mentors. Hill recently ranked on the Grist 50 list for climate action leadership.

Guests in the new "Connection as a Climate Solution" miniseries include the co-founder of Microsoft's 10,000-member sustainability group and LinkedIn's Green Economy lead, who have each turned passion into purpose through community. The new Degrees season spotlights advice, mentorship and engaging stories to provide guidance and inspiration for job seekers.

"I'm excited for this season because we all need connection right now. We want people to see themselves as vessels of hope-sharing information, celebrating each other's successes, and carrying one another through the struggles. When we invest in people, the climate movement becomes not only more effective, but also more joyful. That's why it's so important to carve out time to mentor, be mentored, and build community together," said Yesh Pavlik Slenk, Senior Director of Climate Corps.

Yesh Pavlik Slenk directs EDF's Climate Corps Fellowship program, which has recruited and trained thousands of graduate students to find environmental solutions in partnership with companies, cities, and organizations in the US, China, and India. Organizations benefit from green skills by reaching consumers demanding more sustainable products. Companies investing in climate solutions - things like greener products and energy management - were six times more likely to see revenue growth, according to a 2025 survey from PwC. "Green skills are tied to climate progress, but they are also tied to business growth," noted Pavlik Slenk.

Each week throughout the podcast season Yesh and Daniel will host open climate jobs "office hours" for job seekers on Zoom. Anyone is welcome to join to learn more about climate careers or how to "green" the job they already have each Friday through November 7, 2025.

Degrees: Real talk about planet-saving careers is presented by EDF. Emily Shaw Creates is the production company. Amy Morse is EDF's producer. The Degrees production team includes executive producer Emily Shaw, producers Anna Van Dine and Gabby Bulgarelli, technical director Jacob Winik, and mixing engineer Aja Simpson. The theme song is Shame, Shame, Shame from Yesh's favorite band, Lake Street Dive.