In this special interim episode, guest host Jessica David sits down with Rev. Dr. Allen Ewing-Merrill, Executive Director of The BTS Center, and Debra Coyman, Chair of The BTS Center's Board of Trustees, to explore what spiritual leadership means in a climate-changed world. Together they unpack critical questions around faith, community action, and ecological responsibility.

Meet Our Guest Host:

Jessica David is a Master of Divinity candidate at Harvard Divinity School, founder of Local Return, and President & CEO of Rhode Island Community Investment Cooperative. With 20 years of experience working at the intersection of people and place, Jessica focuses on the intersection of spirituality and money, supporting community wealth-building and strategic organizational development.

Meet Our Guests:

Rev. Dr. Allen Ewing-Merrill serves as Executive Director of The BTS Center. Ordained in the United Methodist tradition, Allen previously co-pastored HopeGateWay in Portland, Maine, and founded Moral Movement Maine. He has a longstanding commitment to social justice advocacy, faith-based organizing, and progressive Christianity, with extensive experience addressing issues such as climate justice and immigrant solidarity.

Debra Coyman has served on The BTS Center Board since 2017, including roles as Treasurer and Vice Chair. With an extensive background in business strategy and human resources leadership at IDEXX Laboratories, Debra brings significant nonprofit governance experience. She actively volunteers for conservation and animal welfare organizations, serves on multiple boards, and passionately engages in outdoor recreational activities.

Join the Conversation:

What do you think is the most important contribution spiritual leaders can make in responding to climate change?

Share your reflections via email at podcast@thebtscenter.org or leave a voicemail at 207-200-6986.

Climate Changed Podcast is a project of The BTS Center in Portland, Maine. Produced by Peterson Toscano. Visit climatechangedpodcast.org for complete show notes, transcript, and more.

In this special episode, Nicole Diroff introduces a thoughtful exchange between Rev. Dr. Andi Lloyd, an ecologist and theologian, and Rev. Andy Nagy-Benson, her pastor. During the COVID-19 pandemic, they explored deep connections between ecological science and Christian theology through heartfelt letters. These letters are now compiled in their book, Letters from the Ecotone: Ecology, Theology, and Climate Change.

Rev. Dr. Andi Lloyd and Rev. Andy Nagy-Benson engage in a thoughtful dialogue about the ecological and theological definitions of self-interest versus the common good. Key discussion points include:

• Ecological interconnectedness and the relational essence of all life.
• Complexities of defining "the common good" in environmental and theological contexts.
• Reflections on human behavior, ethical reasoning, and moral responsibilities in environmental conservation.
• Insights from theologians and ecologists on self-interest, self-love, and community solidarity.
• Personal stories illustrating the tension between self-centered actions and caring for the common good.

• Participate in the Listener Survey: Share your feedback about the podcast and suggest future topics. Take the survey here.
• Engage with Reflection Questions: Consider your understanding of self-interest and the common good. Leave a voicemail or text your reflections to +1 207-200-6986.
• Explore The BTS Center's Resources: Visit thebtscenter.org to learn more about spiritual leadership and ecological stewardship programs.

• Book: Letters from the Ecotone: Ecology, Theology, and Climate Change by Rev. Dr. Andi Lloyd and Rev. Andy Nagy Benson
• Book: Journey to the Common Good by Walter Brueggemann
• Westminster Catechism: Reflection on purpose and interconnectedness

Rev. Dr. Andi Lloyd is an ecologist and professor whose work bridges ecological science and Christian theology. She explores ecological interconnectedness and moral responsibility in the context of climate change.

Rev. Andy Nagy-Benson serves as a pastor deeply engaged in theological explorations of community solidarity, ethical responsibility, and ecological consciousness, reflecting thoughtfully on the intersection of personal spirituality and ecological ethics.

Next Month:

Join Jessica David, BTS Center intern and divinity school student, as she steps behind the mic for a special mini-season of Climate Changed. In this behind-the-scenes series, Jessica explores big questions about spirituality, hope, grief, and imagination—diving deep into how we navigate a complex world with curiosity and compassion.