Surviving Climate Anxiety: How to Cope, Heal, and Stay Grounded in a Changing World
Tue Feb 03 2026
How do you live well, stay engaged, and protect your mental health when the future of the planet feels so uncertain? Listen to this episode of Stories from the Field where our host Will White is joined by Dr. Thomas Doherty—psychologist, ecopsychologist, and author of Surviving Climate Anxiety—for a grounded conversation about eco-anxiety as a normal, values-driven response to climate change rather than a disorder to eliminate. Thomas reframes climate anxiety as a signal of care and connection, and introduces practical ways to regulate the nervous system, make meaning, and stay psychologically resilient without denying reality.
Designed for both individuals struggling with climate anxiety and mental health professionals who work with anxiety and grief, this episode explores how time outdoors can become genuinely healing, how to avoid becoming a "climate hostage," and how to move toward what Thomas calls ethical happiness—living with purpose, connection, and integrity in a rapidly changing world.
Links to Dr. Thomas Doherty's book, practive page and podcast below:
Surviving Climate Anxiety book: thomasdoherty.com
Climate Change and Happiness podcast: https://climatechangeandhappiness.com/
Recent Book Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4UbgoO3I3M
Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=92NarLYAAAAJ&view_op=list_works
This podcast is supported by White Mountain Adventure Institute (wmai.org), offering adventure inspired retreats for men and facilitated by Will White.
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How do you live well, stay engaged, and protect your mental health when the future of the planet feels so uncertain? Listen to this episode of Stories from the Field where our host Will White is joined by Dr. Thomas Doherty—psychologist, ecopsychologist, and author of Surviving Climate Anxiety—for a grounded conversation about eco-anxiety as a normal, values-driven response to climate change rather than a disorder to eliminate. Thomas reframes climate anxiety as a signal of care and connection, and introduces practical ways to regulate the nervous system, make meaning, and stay psychologically resilient without denying reality. Designed for both individuals struggling with climate anxiety and mental health professionals who work with anxiety and grief, this episode explores how time outdoors can become genuinely healing, how to avoid becoming a "climate hostage," and how to move toward what Thomas calls ethical happiness—living with purpose, connection, and integrity in a rapidly changing world. Links to Dr. Thomas Doherty's book, practive page and podcast below: Surviving Climate Anxiety book: thomasdoherty.com Climate Change and Happiness podcast: https://climatechangeandhappiness.com/ Recent Book Reading: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F4UbgoO3I3M Google Scholar: https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=92NarLYAAAAJ&view_op=list_works This podcast is supported by White Mountain Adventure Institute (wmai.org), offering adventure inspired retreats for men and facilitated by Will White.