Leah Thomas: Heal Ourselves, Heal the Planet

Summary

The Nikki & Brie Show

Episode: Leah Thomas: Heal Ourselves, Heal the Planet
Release Date: February 16, 2026
Host: Brie Garcia (Nikki is traveling)
Guest: Leah Thomas (Environmental activist, author, and founder of Intersectional Environmentalist)
Platform: SiriusXM

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Episode Overview

This episode centers on the vital link between personal healing, community care, and environmental action. Brie welcomes environmentalist and author Leah Thomas for an uplifting, honest, and practical conversation about “intersectional environmentalism.” Together, they explore accessible ways to protect the planet and ourselves, discuss the stress of environmental news cycles, and offer hope for a more caring, sustainable future—grounded in kindness, inclusivity, and community.

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Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Leah’s Environmental Awakening & Philosophy

• Leah’s Start in Environmentalism

  • Leah’s early love for animals evolved during college into a passion for environmental science, stemming from both academic interest and a search for healing during difficult times.
  • “I walked into my classrooms and I was learning about traditional environmentalism of mostly men… then I realized I felt that exact same way even when I was going for a walk around my neighborhood. And just earth felt so healing to me, especially as I was to process all of the unrest that was going on in the world.” (Leah, 04:01)

• Expanding the Focus Beyond Nature

  • Leah emphasizes that environmentalism must also center on people, especially marginalized communities lacking access to clean water, air, or healthy environments.
  • “How can we talk about the carbon in the atmosphere… when people down here on Earth don’t have their basic human environmental needs met? … I didn’t want to be a part of any movement that didn’t prioritize people.” (Leah, 06:05)

2. Generational Shifts & “Climate Apathy”

• Generational Divide in Environmental Attitudes
  • Brie observes that millennials had little climate information growing up, whereas younger generations face climate anxiety and apathy.
  • Leah references a Futera study showing Gen Z/Alpha aren’t just pessimistic but apathetic—feeling an overwhelming sense of futility concerning climate change.
  • “They had to create an entirely new category on the scale… not even pessimism, it’s just climate apathy. Like they feel there’s nothing we can do.” (Leah, 09:38)

3. Accessibility, Privilege & Practical Solutions

• Both agree that not everyone can afford “green” solutions, and environmental privilege is a significant issue.
• Brie shares her own experience: “We had to spend all this money to get a filter in our house. I am very blessed I was able to afford that… How many people don’t?” (Brie, 18:02)
• Leah's book and work focus on practical, inclusive steps, reminding listeners that change starts locally: with your own home, street, or neighborhood.

4. Leah’s Book: Intersectional Environmentalist

• Motivation to Write
  • Leah wanted to write the book she wished for in school: “You can’t be an environmentalist if you do not care about people in addition to animals.” (Leah, 16:08)
  • The environmental movement is for everyone—not just “a man with a beard… summiting a mountain.” (Leah, 20:02)
  • The book emphasizes environmentalism that’s rooted in taking care of your neighbors and community—not escapist fantasies of saving distant rainforests.

5. Upcoming Book: Earth as Mother

• Leah previews her next book, Earth as Mother, which will delve into cultural and societal parallels between how we treat the Earth and how we treat women and mothers.
• “We as a society treat the earth similarly to how we treat women and mothers—in good ways and not so great ways… We expect the Earth to nurture us, but we see the Earth right now telling us that's not the case…” (Leah, 23:12)

6. Practical Sustainability & Fashion

• Fast Fashion
  • Leah encourages system-level changes alongside small, individual actions.
  • “I like to remind people it’s the systems, not the individuals… But the first step is to use what you already have, remix and repair it if you can.” (Leah, 32:15)
  • Tips include thrift shopping, clothing swaps, or, if buying new, selecting natural fibers and keeping items longer.

7. Eco-Friendly Crafts for Families

• Leah shares a favorite easy, kid-friendly craft: making sun prints with turmeric or other kitchen ingredients.
• “You can use turmeric… mix it with a little bit of alcohol… put some plants on top of it, leave it in the sun… and you get a little image. Kids love it.” (Leah, 35:49)

8. Self-Care & Managing Climate Anxiety

• Discussion on the mental toll of environmentalism and the importance of self-care.
• Leah swears by Pilates and crafts to decompress, avoiding burnout.
• Both swap tips—like mindful breathing and learning to surrender stress.

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Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Environmental Justice

  • “This planet will be okay with or without us. We are guests here, and I think we need to learn how to coexist with the planet in a way that’s deeply rooted in respect.” —Leah Thomas [07:37]

• On Why Intersectionality Matters

  • “The environment is not elsewhere in a rainforest… it’s also right here, right in front of us. Do you have enough trees in your neighborhood that provide shade for people and help clean up the pollution?” —Leah Thomas [16:37]

• On the Power of Surrender

  • “What will be, will be. Que sera, sera. And I think that allows me to surrender a lot and just understand that, you know, things are going to work out as they should and to just do the best that I can.” —Leah Thomas [38:51]

• On Earth and Mothers

  • “We expect the Earth to nurture us in return. But we see the Earth right now telling us that's not the case… there are wildfires, floods… I think with moms in society, we also need to respect them a bit more.” —Leah Thomas [23:16]

• Brie on Being a Mom & Letting Go

  • “Now when I stepped into my 40s, I actually realized like, no, I did it wrong. Being a mom’s the greatest gig you can ever get and it’s the hardest one.” —Brie [25:27]

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Timestamps of Important Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------| | Introduction & Guest Welcome | 00:35 | | Leah’s Early Environmental Passion & Education | 03:32 | | The Importance of Intersectionality in Environmentalism | 04:57 | | Generational Differences, “Climate Apathy,” and Impact on Gen Z/Alpha | 09:20 | | Leah’s Experiences as a Park Ranger | 13:58 | | Writing “Intersectional Environmentalist” and Main Message | 15:45 | | Water Quality, Pesticides, and Environmental Privilege | 18:00 | | Environmentalism as Community—featuring diverse activists & groups | 19:47 | | How World Religions Embrace Caring for the Earth | 21:12 | | Preview of Next Book “Earth as Mother” | 23:00 | | The Societal Parallels Between Care for Earth and Women | 23:16 | | Self-Care Tips: Pilates, Crafting, Mindful Movement & Breathing | 27:37 | | Sustainable Fashion: Fast Fashion Concerns & Thrift Tips | 31:41 | | Accessible Eco-Friendly Crafts for Kids (Sun Prints with Turmeric, Bundle Dyeing) | 35:42 | | Closing Thoughts, Affirmation & Leah’s Motto “Que Sera Sera” | 38:51 | | Where to Find Leah & Her Book | 40:26 |

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Resources & Social Links

• Leah Thomas:

  • Instagram: @greengirlleah
  • TikTok: @greengirlsworld
  • Book: The Intersectional Environmentalist (Available via indie bookstores)

• Nikki & Brie Show:

  • YouTube: Nikki & Brie Show
  • Instagram, Facebook, TikTok: @nikkiandbrieshow
  • Listener questions: Call 833-GARCIA2

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Tone & Vibe

The conversation is upbeat, candid, and full of humor and empathy. Brie’s casual warmth and Leah’s gentle but passionate approach make complex topics approachable and inspiring. The exchange is inviting for listeners new to environmentalism, parents juggling daily pressures, or anyone feeling climate anxiety.

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Summary Takeaways

• True environmentalism is inseparable from social justice: healing communities means healing the planet.
• Begin where you are—your household, block, or local area—and prioritize care for people as much as the planet.
• Take heart: honesty, small changes, and connection matter more than perfection.
• Surrendering to “what will be, will be” can help in a world that feels overwhelming.

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“No, we are fighting… yes, for us people, so that we could live. We just want to live in, like, a healthy environment. And I feel like people forget that message.”
—Brie, 06:45

“You cannot separate saving people from saving the planet.”
—Leah, 21:03

Transcript

[Commercial Narrator]

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[Bri]

50% off regular price for new customers. Upfront payment required. $45 for three months, $90 for six months or $180 for 12 month plan taxes and fees. Extra speeds may slow after 50 gigabytes per month when network is busy see terms. Hey, everyone. Welcome back to the Nikki and Bri Show. Nikki is off traveling the world. Oh, Nikki. But I am here and I thought, you know what, instead of doing a solo episode, I needed to bring on a special guest. And you know me, I like to find someone who's up my alley, aligns with me. This person I have been following on Instagram, she. I came across her page and I was very inspired. I loved her messaging. But the one thing that I absolutely loved about her page was when you go there, you're not only learning, but you're learning in this very soft, beautiful way. You don't feel like you're being shamed. You just are like, wow, I feel really great. She fills me with joy and a lot of information. She actually did some fun things with me on my YouTube channel. Hi, my name is Bri and now I am like, you have to come on the Nikki and Bri Show. So she is here. She's an environmentalist. She is an author, an activist, a powerful voice not only for Mother Earth, but also for her community. She believes that sustainability doesn't just start with nature, but it starts with people. And we are going to pick her brain about that on the show. So please welcome to the Nikki and Brie Show, Leah Thomas.

[Commercial Narrator]

Hello.

[Leah Thomas]

Thank you for having me.

[Bri]

Oh, my Gosh, Leah. Thank you. One I had so much fun with you filming my YouTube channel. Hi, my name is Bri. So I'm so excited now to have you. We're out of the bungalow and in the studio, but I'm happy to have you here in the studio.

[Leah Thomas]

Happy to be here. This is very cool. It's not, as, you know, earthy.

[Bri]

We don't hear birds and there's no trees. But, you know, it's pretty cozy.

[Leah Thomas]

It's blue, right? There you go.

[Bri]

We have some earth tones. We got a little sunset. So, you know, the one thing I loved is our chat that we had on. Hi, my name is Bree. You just, you come from such a soft demeanor of the way you educate and you, you just express yourself, which I really love and appreciate. I feel like in today's world, sometimes when we're given information, it comes from an angry place or it feels really intense and it almost gives you anxiety. Especially, let's be honest, when it comes to environmental issues, they're always scary issues to talk about. Cause we don't like to be faced with the facts. You know, I, I want in the beginning with you, when was it that you felt really drawn to sustainability, into all these environmental issues and wanting to bring them onto a platform?

[Leah Thomas]

I feel like, you know, I don't know if I had a moment where I was like, I love the earth. I just really loved animals. I wanted to be a veterinarian. And then my mom said I basically had to study a science major or, or I, I could just do it on my own. So I saw an environmental science program kind of trying to trick my mom into thinking maybe be a doctor someday.

[Bri]

Oh, there you go, birdie. Don't you do that.

[Leah Thomas]

And then I ended up falling in love with it. And I think I fell in love with it because I wanted my own interpretation of it. I walked into my classrooms and I was learning about traditional environmentalism of mostly men, like frolicking in a forest or discovering the great outdoors. And then I realized I felt that exact same way even when I was going for a walk around my neighborhood. And just earth felt so healing to me, especially as I was to process all of the unrest that was going on in the world. So it was so healing for me and my 19 year old brain. I thought, h, maybe if everyone had access to nature and I don't know, maybe clean air and clean water and a safe and healthy living environment, I think the world would be a much kinder place. So that's what really set me out on it. And I just tried to do my own version of environmentalism. People in my family, they don't really camp or do anything like that. So. So I've just been charting my own path.

[Bri]

I love that. And something that I find very unique with the messaging that you give is that you don't find just sustainability in nature, you also find it in people. When did you find that moment in your life when you were like, whoa, it's not just about nature. It's about community. It's about people.

[Leah Thomas]

Absolutely. I think I was, you know, I was kind of angry, like you said, to get to this place where I feel a lot more calm and all of that in my 30s, but I think I was just kind of angry. I saw so much environmental media talk about the carbon in the atmosphere. We got to get the carbon out of the atmosphere. And. Yes, but I kept thinking, okay, but a lot of people don't have access to organic produce. Or, why are there children in Flint, Michigan who are drinking lead? Or there's people in. I'm going to pronounce this wrong. I know there's a way to say Appalachia.

[Bri]

Oh, yeah.

[Leah Thomas]

Maybe that I'm.

[Bri]

I'm the wrong people to ask. Bree, English grammar is the worst.

[Leah Thomas]

I'm like, I don't know.

[Bri]

It sounded good to me.

[Leah Thomas]

Like, people in Appalachia. Sorry if I'm saying that wrong. You know, drinking fracking fluid or all those sorts of things that were happening. And I just really had a breaking point of how can we talk about the carbon in the atmosphere here when people down here on Earth don't have their basic human environmental needs met of, again, clean air, clean water, etc. So I think that's what really set me out on it. And I just didn't want to be a part of any sort of environmental movement that didn't prioritize people, especially the people who are most underrepresented in society. So whether you're in a rural community, indigenous communities, people of color, et cetera, low income, we need to make sure that those folks are okay right at the start, I think.

[Bri]

Yeah, well, and you bring up such a great point because, you know, when people are fighting for a better planet or, you know, they're wanting you to be more green, it doesn't necessarily. Like, they're fighting for the tree. Yes. But they're fighting for the tree to give you oxygen to breathe. So it's like, no, we are fighting. It's like, yes, for us people, so that we could live. We just want to live in, like, a healthy environment. And I feel like people forget that message. I think sometimes they hear like, oh, they don't want us to make money, or they don't want us. They want us to live in teepees and cook our own. You know, go hunter. Cook our own food, whatever. It's like, no, no, you have it wrong. We just want a healthy environment so we can thrive with planet and animal for a very long Time.

[Leah Thomas]

Yeah. Because this planet will be okay with or without us. We are guests here, and I think we need to learn how to coexist with the planet in a way that's deeply rooted in respect and us remembering we're not separate from nature. And I think that's what got us into this, like you said, extractive mindset of, okay, we're going to take from the earth, make money from the earth, and do it all the time. However, I mean, like, this is our home. We need to treat it like our home, and we need to nurture it, and it nurtures us. So we need to nurture it back and really remember, again, we're not separate from. From nature. So we are guests here. We need to treat it respectfully. And, yeah, it's not all about making money.

[Bri]

And, you know, what's so interesting is that we are kind of in this place where, you know, we're millennials, and. And I'm a decade older than you, and I'm like, we didn't have the social means or the. The right information given a lot of times or even on the news. It's not like, you know, we saw a lot of the environmental part. So I feel like we were poorly educated. And now, you know, I look younger generations who get to see so much information online. So we're in this kind of world where half of us, the older half, if you're not educating yourself, like self education, you have no idea what people are talking about. And it kind of. You're just, like, not sensitive to it because we never had to be like, we. You know, when I grew up, 80s, 90s, it was a different world. And so I look and I don't know what your feeling is, but when you see the younger generation, do you feel like they're here to fight for our planet? And, like, they shop, you know, differently, they care about ingredients, sustainability, you know, I feel like they consume differently.

[Leah Thomas]

They definitely do. And I think a sad part about it all is, so there's a study by an organization called Futera, and they were specifically looking at Gen Zers, and I believe Gen Alpha as well, which is so crazy that, like, Gen Alpha is getting older.

[Bri]

I mean, it's happening. Yeah. My brain can't digest that yet.

[Leah Thomas]

No. But I mean, yeah, and it's like millennials, some of us felt, you know, climate anxiety or. But we mostly felt somewhat optimistic about the planet. Right. But Gen Zers and Gen Alpha, they had to create an entirely new category on the scale in terms of how people are feeling. About the future of this planet. And there's. It's not even pessimism, it's just climate apathy. Like they feel like there's nothing we can do. And again, I'm trying to think, okay, people who were born 10 plus years after me, they grew up in a world where they saw wildfires everywhere, they saw media even mixed into the shows they're watching, and on social media about climate catastrophe, et cetera. We were able to live our lives. I don't know, it's funny, people are romanticizing the year 2016 right now. Right.

[Bri]

Which is crazy to even think about, very much so.

[Leah Thomas]

But they grew up in this world where they didn't have that. They knew nothing other than a potential climate crisis, and then also that it was their responsibility to fix. So I think they're walking around with a lot of sadness, a lot of fear, and I wish they could just be children in this world that we live in, however, they are more sustainable, which I guess is a positive thing. But it's like they were scared into the sustainability. So that makes me a bit sad.

[Bri]

It makes me sad too. And you know, I have two kids, a five year old and eight year old, and I think to myself, what will life be like for them when they're my age or when I'm not on this planet anymore? And their grandparents, even if they want to have kids, you never know. Now, you know, a lot of people are like, people aren't having children. It's like, look around, it's hard, it's expensive, it's scary, and it's a beautiful thing still. Yes, there's a lot of positive things going on in our world. But, you know, I could see where their anxieties start really young because they're hit with so much information and just a lot of change. Yeah, I mean, a lot of change has gone on. There's something about a new workout set that makes you feel unstoppable. The problem? Buying new gear all the time isn't realistic. But as a Fabletics vip, it can be. When you sign up as a new VIP with Fabletics, you get 80% off everything. Fabletics pieces feel like the kind of high end activewear you'd easily pay a couple hundred dollars for. But you get the same premium fit and durability for a tiny fraction of the price. One thing I love about Fablet is they have the type of matching sets that you can work out in, but then you could throw a cute little flannel over or wrap it around your waist and Boom. You're doing errands and you look cute and fresh and very fit. Let me tell you. I love that. Fabletics already has incredible deals and we've got an exclusive offer just for our listeners. Get 80 off everything when you sign up as a VIP, just head to fabletics.com twins take a quick style quiz and be sure to select Twins when prompted to unlock your 80% off off. That's Fabletics.com twins ring in the new year with a home that reflects your style. With Wayfair, you can easily elevate your space and get back into the routine you deserve. From cozy bedding and bath basics to smart storage solutions for every room, Wayfair is your one stop shop for a total home refresh. No matter what your style is. Make weeknight dinners easier with must have kitchen essentials or upgrade your work from home setup with a new desk, office chair or bookcase designed for comfort and productivity. What room you're refreshing. Wayfair has everything you need all in one place and all for way less. One thing that I always love getting off Wayfair is storage. I am an organizer and I like to have everything put away nicely. There's my Christmas, my Halloween, my Thanksgiving, my Easter. All nicely put away. And Wayfair has that for you. Love it and it's great. Get organized, refreshed and back on track this new year. For way less head to Wayfair.com right now to shop all things home. That's W-A-Y-F-A-I-R.com Wayfair every style, every home. You know something I found out about you on the YouTube channel that I want to bring up that I loved is that you were a forest ranger.

[Leah Thomas]

Yeah, I was a park ranger or a park ranger.

[Bri]

So I. It's so funny because I tell my husband all the time and the listeners all agree with me. Brian My husband would be an incredible park forest ranger. Like I always tell them. I'm like, you should be one. How was that?

[Leah Thomas]

It was great. I mean, I was in rural Kansas at the least visited national park in the entire National Park Service system. It was called Nicodemus National Historic Site. And then I also had another really unique park experience. I worked at the White House Visitor Center.

[Bri]

Wow.

[Leah Thomas]

During the last year of Obama's presidency. So I had untraditional park experience. But it was so fun. I love like being a park ranger. I'd love to go back to doing it. It was, it was so, so incredible.

[Bri]

That's amazing. And there's Something you said on the YouTube channel. We talked about it, how you feel it's a great job for people as they retire.

[Leah Thomas]

Absolutely. Like, if you were about to retire, just do a couple years at the park service. It's really fun, especially if you're an interpretive park ranger. You just get to chat with the guests and things like that and run around in the forest.

[Bri]

See, I love that. I. I feel bad for some of the park rangers in Arizona because I would see them in the heat, like, putting together some of the hiking paths and stuff, and I'm like, oh, my gosh, 120 degrees. Doing that. I thank you all very much for that. But I. Yeah, I think I'm gonna have to do that one time. I feel like it would be really fun. Do you still stay in touch with any of the people you worked with? Not really, no.

[Leah Thomas]

So long ago when I was in college. But I really bonded again. The town I was in was less than. I think it was less than 100 people, actually. So I was in the middle of nowhere, Kansas. But they're great people. We're on Facebook. They're older. They're, like, in their 70s, so.

[Bri]

Oh, my gosh, that's adorable. Well, you are an author. You wrote a book a couple years back, well, actually a little more than a couple years, called the Intersectional Environmentalist, and I loved it. I was listening to you talk about it on your social media, and then it was fun for us to catch up earlier. But what inspired you to write this book?

[Leah Thomas]

I felt like I really wanted to write the book. I wish I had. When I was in my environmental science program, I just closed my eyes and thought, okay, I've been given this opportunity. Like I said earlier, I was 25 years old, which is, again, crazy to even think about writing a book that young. And the book that I wish I had when I started learning about environmentalism was one that made a really clear case for, you can't be an environmentalist if you do not care about people in addition to animals. Because I know you like animals.

[Bri]

Oh, I do.

[Leah Thomas]

And that seems inherent and obvious, but there are a lot of environmentalists who are, again, I want to save the tree because I just want to save a tree. And if I think about a tree, I don't have to think about everything that's going wrong in society and in humanity and all those sorts of things. So some people use environmental advocacy as almost an escapism. If they're like, oh, maybe I'm saving the whales somewhere. It's a beautiful thought, but it disconnects them from again, no, the environment is not elsewhere in a rainforest. It's not elsewhere in the middle of the ocean. It's also right here, right in front of us. And do you have enough trees in your neighborhood that provide shade for people and help clean up the pollution? Are your waterways okay? Is your water okay that you're drinking, etc. And I wanted to remind people that to be an environmentalist, you should also, you know, take care of your neighbors, take care of your community, take care of your families, and just make sure, again, everybody has access to. To their basic environmental needs. So that's why I wrote the book.

[Bri]

I love that. I feel like it's very important. This book needs to be in schools. It would have been nice to have learned about a lot of this. I mean, you know, just living in Napa Valley, a thing that we deal with in our waters is pesticides. And it's crazy because we had to spend all this money to get a filter in our house. I am very blessed I was able to afford that.

[Leah Thomas]

The reverse osmosis one.

[Bri]

Yes.

[Leah Thomas]

Oh, I've heard so much about this.

[Bri]

Yeah. Because we got our water tested. I was, you know, I could tell different signs of, like, different sickness in my house. And I'm like, okay, it's something in the water. I just knew it. And sure enough, we got it tested. And pesticides. So how to get a house like a filter in think, you know, with my kids even bath. They will take a bath, and they're drinking water. So we had to do the whole house. And I thought to myself, I'm lucky I get to do that. How many people don't? But here we put on pesticides to, I guess, make sure that animals don't eat it or there's no bacteria or whatever. The song and dances for pesticides. But yet it's making us sick in our homes, our own homes. Because it's in the water, it's killing off bees, which we need bees to pollinate. I'm like, can somebody I know I'm not Albert Einstein tell me how this makes sense? It doesn't. And I go, I know maybe I was blessed with a great brain. Maybe I should get my brain brain some credit. But, you know, right? But I'm like, this someone we. Why? And so I love that you. Your book teaches that, because a lot of times people and you probably get this a lot, they're like, what are those first steps I take to be more green, to, you know, be more Eco friendly. And it's what you say. It's in your community, it's in your house, and it's on your streets. And so I absolutely love that you did this. So you write this book, but did it. The heartbeat of the book, did it stem from any type of education that you had, or what did the heartbeat of the book come from?

[Leah Thomas]

Honestly, I felt like I had. I came into this community of very quirky and diverse environmentalists. One of those people was Patty Gonia, who is just like an outdoor drag queen, which I think is so funny.

[Bri]

Okay, I need to check this out.

[Leah Thomas]

You should be on the podcast. Or a friend of mine named Jose, and he's like, yeah, I have this organization called Latino Outdoors, and, you know, I just want to make sure that the Latino community, like, gets outdoors. And then I met someone who did an organization called Outdoor Afro, and I'm like, oh, my God, there's so many earthy people that are showing up for the planet in these different ways. And I really want to tell their stories and make sure that people understand that the environmental movement is for everyone. Yeah. Because I think sometimes if you say the term environmentalist, people think, okay, there's a man with a beard, and he's maybe summiting a mountain, and he's finding himself in nature. And I want to remind everyone that, no, we are all earthlings. I know that's getting really hippy dippy. Here are people with your similar experiences that love the planet. So I think that's what inspired the book. And I also, again, I had a lot of angst when I was younger that I don't have as much now. And I just wanted to put my heart out there and say, like, no, you cannot separate. Right. People saving people from saving the planet.

[Bri]

Yeah. And you also did a lot of studying in world religion and. And also, was it world cultures or kind of both?

[Leah Thomas]

Right? Yeah, it was comparative world religions, and that was such an incredible experience. I grew up in a Christian household, and I never really heard much about environmentalism. But the more I studied, you know, different world religions and all of them, I saw passages about caring for the Earth, and I thought that was such a beautiful thing. And I think for thousands and thousands of years, even in, you know, our cultural doctrine and religious texts, there is a call to care for the planet. And I just want to remind people of that. It's about coming home. It's not about being something different. It's just about returning to our roots and, you know, loving our mama Earth.

[Bri]

Oh, I love that.

[Commercial Narrator]

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[Bri]

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[Commercial Narrator]

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[Bri]

50% off regular price for new customers. Upfront payment required $45 for 3 months, $90 for 6 month or $180 for 12 month. Plan taxes and fees. Extra speeds may slow after 50 gigabytes per month when network is busy See terms. So any other books that you want to write?

[Leah Thomas]

Well, speaking of Mother Earth, my next book is going to be called Earth as Mother. Hopefully that's what it's going to be called. But it's all about.

[Bri]

Great name, by the way.

[Leah Thomas]

Thank you.

[Bri]

Great name.

[Leah Thomas]

I'll tell my publisher.

[Bri]

Yes, you got Breeze vote.

[Leah Thomas]

But it's all about. You know, I started thinking about why do we call the Earth Mother Earth? Beyond the obvious of it kind of being like our mama. And again, I went through this journey of folklore and traditions and I thought it was so interesting that across cultures and geographic boundaries, people all over the world were like, yeah, the earth's her mom, which is so cool. But, you know, the not so great part of that is that I think we as a society treat the earth similarly to how we treat women and mothers in good ways and not so great ways. You know, when it comes to the Earth, we think, okay, well, I can just take and take and take and not necessarily give anything back to it. And we expect the Earth to nurture us in return. But we see the earth right now telling us that's not the case. There are wildfires, there are floods, there's all of these things, et cetera. And I think with moms in society, we also need to respect them a bit more. There's so much emotional labor that mothers give and it's not valued in the way that I think it should be. So I'm going to be talking all about that and unpacking how we can treat both the Earth and mothers and women a bit better.

[Bri]

Wow, that's really great. Really, really, like, incredible. I love that. And I will be the first person to pre order that book. And, you know, hey, I'm a. And I know what it's like when you get mad. And I will say, mother Earth seems mad.

[Leah Thomas]

Yeah.

[Bri]

You know, I can turn into a tornado or a hurricane pretty quick, and no one will expect it. But you push my buttons. Bird and bud now. But, you know, I love that because, you know, Mother Earth, it's a beautiful thing how she's nurtured us so much. And, you know, like mothers, when you take and take and take, a tired mother will tell you, like, it is exhausting when someone takes and takes and you get nothing back. And, you know, I think it's become, like, a funny meme to people. Like, they'll even. I remember when Saturday Night Live did this skit, and it was like a Christmas skit. And the mom made Christmas so special, right? And got everyone all the gifts. And then they were, like, gonna give. She thought, like, they were, like, going over the top, like, you're gonna give her a gift. But then it was for the dog, like, the kids and the dad. And then I think they finally ended up, like, they got her a ro. That's like the. Let's not put thought into anything. And for all of you listeners who got your wife a robe, that's the. I didn't really think and got my wife a robe or mom, but it was so funny. But we all laugh at it. But I kind of remember, and this was a while back when I saw it skit, I was like, well, shit, it's kind of how it goes. It's like, no, like, we laugh at it and, you know, all the things, but, like, there's a little bit of an issue there. And I do feel bad for women nowadays because you have to wear a lot of hats to feel like you get that, like, metal. Like, you know, someone asks you what you do, you feel like you have to give them a list. You have to give them your resume. When simply, it's okay to just be like, I'm a mom. And I'm gonna be like, yeah, and you have the hardest job in the world. Cause I know what that's like. And so it's taken me. It took me in my 30s to actually understand that, because I always wanted to be that woman that was well decorated, hustled hard, and, you know, never wanted to take a day off because I felt like, is my time. Let's do it. And now when I stepped into my 40s, I actually realized like, no, I did it wrong. It's like, you know, one, being a mom's the greatest gig you can ever get and it's the hardest one. And just being that, you know, people who give up their careers to just be moms, I hats off to them. And then I was like, bree, you don't have to wear all the hats. It's actually nice just to wear the couple hats. And so I'm excited for your book and has it been fun to do the research on it?

[Leah Thomas]

It's been fun. It's been a little stressful, but if anything I'm like, oh my God, women are so badass. Like, I mean, just incredible, right? Yeah, it's made me very Woo.

[Bri]

I bet, I bet. Oh, it's gonna be such a fun book. So, you know, we talk about how, you know, in today's world now sometimes it can feel a little angry and a little chaotic. What do you do to decompress when it just feels overwhelming?

[Leah Thomas]

I am still trying to learn. I try to craft, I try to move my body. I definitely am a Pilates princess a little bit.

[Bri]

I love Pilates.

[Leah Thomas]

I love Pilates. And I, I might go on like the slightest little rant, but I had a friend of mine that told me that, you know, when we're working out, our bodies can't distinguish between like if we're being attacked in the wilderness by an animal or something like that because it's still triggering that fight or flight response. Totally. And I feel Pilates and like looking at these women in their 70s and 80s that are so strong and they're not, I mean, obviously they're still working really hard, but just the micro movements and the fluidity of it all, it just felt really aspirational. And I don't want working out to feel like punishment. I want it to feel really fulfilling. But again, people get whatever you need.

[Bri]

Out of a workout.

[Leah Thomas]

People need that. I do that Pilates.

[Bri]

Pilates is amazing. And I'll say this, my trainer, cuz I got into back into lifting and how I was doing it, he's like, you're triggering your nervous system. He's like, we need to do this style breathing. And ever since he taught me how to breathe properly with lifting. Yeah, it's one I can lift heavier. And I can tell my nervous system understands I'm lifting it. I'm not in that fight or flight mode. So I never knew that until him that your body can be triggered in workouts by that. So it's crazy. And that's when. And I know everyone will tell you, like, breathing techniques is so important. Sometimes I know it's good for me, and I just can get bored doing it. But I'm like, I want to be better because I'm one of those people. Someone. I remember this doctor. I'm like, getting checked out. And he's like, have you breathed in the last two minutes? I'm like, I don't know. He's like, you hold your breath a lot.

[Leah Thomas]

Oh, my God.

[Bri]

Yeah. I have to remind myself, I swear, to breathe. I'm like, okay. But I'm one of those. But I. When I really have done all the breathing techniques, I feel like I'm. I more clear. I don't crave. Like, I don't want to snack. Like, there's just so many great things to breathing, but I found that out with workout. So I love that you said that, because I just learned that. And you know what else I learned is I don't use my shoulders properly. Oh, yeah. Well, that's. He literally. I went to this physical therapist because I'm like, why do my shoulders kind of always hurt? Like, it just felt weird. He goes, you use your traps and your pec muscles so much for things. And he goes, you. You get so intense. He's like, just ease and do it. And he's like, use the shoulder muscles. And I'm like, I don't use my shoulders. He's like, no, I'm watching you. I. I'm like, really? So I now have to be mindful to my shoulders and. But I am a sloucher. So I. You know all the things I tell.

[Leah Thomas]

You what.

[Bri]

You won't believe everything I just saw. I went to Disneyland first. I went to Mickey Mouse Clubhouse live. And I danced with Goofy at night. I saw this parade. Everything was glowing. Sorcerer Mickey was there. And Lightning McQueen. Oh, and guess what? Bluey and Bingo are coming for real life. Make memories that last a lifetime during the 70th celebration from Paint the Night Parade, returning January 30th to World of Color Happiness. And with Bluey and Bingo coming soon, happiness is everywhere at the Disneyland Resort.

[Commercial Narrator]

The 2026 Chevy Equinox is more than an SUV. It's your Sunday tailgate.

[Leah Thomas]

Tailgate.

[Commercial Narrator]

And your parking lot, snack bar, your lucky jersey, your chairs, and your big cooler fit perfectly in your even bigger cargo space. And when it's go time, your 11.3-inch diagonal touchscreen's got the playbook, the playlist, and the tech to stay a step ahead. It's More than an suv. It's your Equinox Chevrolet. Together, let's drive.

[Bri]

So you know, before I let you get going, I have a couple more questions. When it comes to fashion, we're, you know, because I saw your post on the athletic wear made of plastic. When it comes to fashion, I feel like it's so hard in today's world because we get stuck in this thing fast fashion, which a lot of us know is bad. But people have this fight. It's cheap, inaccessible and when you look at the Amazons and all the different things, how can you help direct people and to be mindful when it comes to fashion but not breaking the bank.

[Leah Thomas]

Yeah, I would say I like to remind people it's the systems, not the individuals. Like if Amazon wanted to make better clothes, they could if you know, so it's like we need to. Right?

[Bri]

Oh I know.

[Leah Thomas]

Demand accountability in terms of. And they'll shift. Like if people are not even just calling them out in particular but these kind of fast fashion brands, like even H and M, they have a sustainability collection and people might say oh it's greenwashing, but no, it's also consumer demand. So I think we need to remember that we are a lot more powerful than we think we are. And I'm never going to shame people like some sustainability folks out there because not everybody can afford like a $200 organic T shirt. And I don't want people to think that they need to do that. The first step is to, I mean I love thrift shopping but even thrift stores now, people go in there, take the stuff and sell it online. So it can be really difficult. But I would say first, use what you already have, remix it and repair it if you can. If you can sew and all those sorts of things and get creative or flor dye. Second, go to the thrift store if you can. Third, trade stuff with your friends, go to clothing swaps, organize your own clothing swap, etc. Fourth, if you are going to buy new, try to hold on to it as long as you possibly can. And you can do that if you do have better materials. Right. So when I go to the thrift store I usually look for natural materials like cotton. I'm okay with wool but some people don't like wool. Cotton, wool, hem, limp, different things like that, different linens, etc because they're more breathable.

[Bri]

Yeah, that's great. I mean like I love secondhand shopping. Some of my favorite, like even this, the second hand. But you know, I wish, I just wish the fashion industry, the Higher ups, the corporations would help out more.

[Leah Thomas]

They should.

[Bri]

They see the damage it's doing.

[Leah Thomas]

Yeah.

[Bri]

And they just keep pumping more and more out. And it was, you know, it's never been this bad. Like, even when I was young, we never feened for new clothes all the time. It wasn't a thing. It was like, at least in my house, it was like you got a couple outfits for school starting, like, yay. And then if you asked for it for Christmas and your birthday. Yeah, but it wasn't like you just. And nobody cared. Like, literally nobody cared. My friends and I didn't care. I didn't care. When I saw other people, like, being no one, it's just. It's become such a trend. It kills me.

[Leah Thomas]

It's really sad.

[Bri]

Yeah, I know. So we gotta, you know, what if 2016 is coming back, we gotta have some other, like, present things, be a trend, you know? So for busy moms, because we get a lot of moms who listen to the podcast. What would you say? So let's, you know, moms, we love crafting and we, you know, we're constantly thinking of different things to do with our kids. How? Because I used to love crafting, but then I'll met. I walked into Michael's and it terrified me. And I'm like, no, this is. I can't be in here. So I. Yes, Pinterest is like my best friend. And I started to get ideas off Pinterest, but on our YouTube channel, I did something really fun.

[Leah Thomas]

Floral.

[Bri]

No, bundled dine with you. But for moms. What? How can you help them take those first steps and, you know, getting ideas and inspiration when it comes to crafting with their kids being more eco friendly.

[Leah Thomas]

Honestly, I know you already said Pinterest, but that's where I get a lot of my ideas.

[Bri]

Is that where you too? Okay. I live on Pinterest.

[Leah Thomas]

I love Pinterest. And there's so many things. Like you can use turmeric, which a lot of people already have at home, and you can like make. Oh, my God. Prints with the sweet. Wait, what do you do with turmeric? Yeah, so I basically just mix it with a little bit of alcohol. I put it on some watercolor paper, I put some plants on top of it, leave it in the sun, and then you take those plants off and you get a little image. Kids love it. It's so sweet.

[Bri]

And that's so easy.

[Leah Thomas]

So easy.

[Bri]

And let's be honest, we have turmeric sitting in our spice racks, barely used. Okay. I didn't even think of that.

[Leah Thomas]

Right. You can do it with spinach and cherries as well. So there's so many little earthy crafts that you can do.

[Bri]

Oh, my God, I love that. And you guys. So you need to go see her on. Hi, my name is Bree. Because we did this.

[Leah Thomas]

It's called bundle dyeing.

[Bri]

Bundle Dyeing. See, I call it floral tie dyeing because that's when I. When I saw it, that's when what I, like, looked at. But Bundle Dyeing. So we have these dry flowers and what did you do to the bandana beforehand?

[Leah Thomas]

I mordanted it, but you don't have to do that. It's basically treating it so it will receive color better, but just get, like, 100% cotton or natural fiber.

[Bri]

Yeah. And so we put. You gotta do your design. And then we. Well, we damped it. Then we put the dry flowers all over, rolled it up, made a little cinnamon bun. Look at me remembering. And then we steamed it, and then we had the cutest bandanas. I mean, and kids will freak. Like, I cannot wait for Birdie to do that. Like, my daughter's gonna freak out over that. So that really makes me excited. Well, Leah, I have to say, I'm so happy you came on the podcast. And I appreciate people like you who really go out of their way to help educate people and in such a kind way. Like, everyone, you need to go to her Instagram. You will fall in love with her, but you also will be educated, but in a very sweet way. You're not gonna go and get anxiety and, you know, lose sleep, but you give great tips, and the way you live your life, it's such a beautiful example. And I'm so excited for your new book to come out when that does, because I feel like you have a lot of wisdom, especially at 31 years old. I mean, the fact that you wrote a book at 24. Impressive. I was wrestling the world and having fun in bars. And the fact that you wrote a book at 25, incredible. And I can't wait to see what you do in your 30s. So keep that up, because, you know, your ripple effect is truly creating waves. And so. And that's why you're here at the Nikki and Bree Show. So I love it.

[Leah Thomas]

I just want to say that you are. I have had so much fun learning how much you care about the planet, and you truly are an Earth warrior.

[Bri]

Thank you.

[Leah Thomas]

And I hope you let everybody know and. Yeah, I'm just so impressed with you.

[Bri]

Well, thank you. That means a lot. You have no idea. Well, we always love to leave our listeners with little inspiration, affirmation. Is there a quote or a motto you live by?

[Leah Thomas]

I would say my quote slash motto that I live by is just, you know, what will be, will be, que sera, sera. And I think that allows me to surrender a lot and just understand that, you know, things are going to work out as they should and to just do the best that I can. So I know that isn't super environmentally, but that's environmentally. I guess I just made up that word, but that keeps me grounded.

[Bri]

But I will say this, that is very needed. And I think in a kind of a world, we all try to be perfect and we try to do it all. What will be, will be. I mean, it's actually why you probably are so grounded is because you do surrender and let go. And I had to learn to surrender a lot with my life coach. Coach took many, many years. And so. But surrendering is actually probably the strongest thing you can do. Some people might consider it weak, but it's not. It's the strongest thing you can do is surrender. And I love that. And, you know, I surrendered. I never had ego, but I had to surrender to what people, like, thought about me because I cared and I always wanted to be impressive and work hard and all this. I surrendered to so many things like that, that, that it gave me freedom. So it's very freeing when you surrender. So I love that. And what will be will be. Yes, 100%. Well, Leah, thank you so much for coming on the show. You can find her at. Well, actually, will you give all your social platforms and everything to everyone and where they can get your book, too?

[Leah Thomas]

Yeah. So you can find me at greengirl, Leah, on Instagram, greengirlsworld on TikTok, and then you can find my book, the Intersectional Environmentalist. Support your local indie bookstore. Order from them.

[Bri]

Oh, I love that. Yes. And you can also see videos of today's episode on the Nikki and Brie Show YouTube page. We're also on a lot of different social platforms as well. Instagram, Facebook, TikTok. Yeah, you name it, we're on it. So catch us at the Nikki and Bree show and you'll see videos of today. And also you can hear this show on Sirius XM Stars 109. And you can call us at 8:33 Garcia 2. If you have questions for Leah, I will relay them to her. So call her hotline. If there's anything you want to ask her, please do and I will let her know. Well, Leah, thank you so much for coming and keep fighting the good fight.

[Leah Thomas]

Thanks.

[Bri]

Make memories that last a lifetime during the 70th celebration. From Paint the Night parade returning January 30th to World of Color Happiness. And with Bluey and Bingo coming soon, happiness is everywhere at the Disneyland Resort. Visit Disneyland.com for details.

[Commercial Narrator]

The 2026 Chevy Equinox is more than an SUV. It's your Sunday tailgate and your parking lot, snack bar, your lucky jersey, your chairs and your big cooler fit perfectly in your even bigger cargo space. And when it's go time, your 11.3-inch diagonal touchscreen's got the Playboy book, the playlist, and the tech to stay a step ahead. It's more than an suv. It's your Equinox Chevrolet. Together, let's drive.