Episode 8

full
Published on:

23rd Mar 2026

What's Populism, It's Current Rise, and Why Critical Thinking is....Well... Critical

This was kind of a deep dive that I absolutely loved. I learned so much from Dennis in this episode. Dennis Jacobs is a retired physics professor, pilot, and aeronautical engineer. He’s the author of multiple books including The Search for Science and From McEnergy to EcoEnergy, America’s Transition to Sustainable Energy, cowritten with Sociology Professor and wife, Dr. Karen Branden (also a prior podcast guest). He and Karen built and live in an environmentally friendly house in Northern Minnesota.

I could talk with Dennis about a kazillion awesome topics but I asked him what he’s most passionate about sharing and sees as a major concern when it comes to the environment. His answer….the rise of populism.

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About the Podcast

The Global Grit Experience
Stories of inspiring people with grit protecting nature, wildlife and the outdoor places we love.
NATURE deserves our GRIT - Courage, curiosity, gratitude, hope and UNWAVERING determination to PROTECT it.
This is Series One: For the Love of Nature - Minnesota.

About your host

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Erika Gilsdorf

Hi! Thanks for being here! I’m Erika, the Global Grit Experience podcast creator and host. Though the podcast format is fairly new to me, I’ve been sharing stories close to 20 years in Minnesota, the U.S. and around the world. Some of those I’ve worked with include The Minnesota Land Trust, The Nature Conservancy, General Mills, United Airlines, and National Geographic. I’m an outdoor enthusiast, adventurer, and climate and nature activist. I chose ‘grit’ because everything worth pursuing takes grit - passion, perseverance, courage, curiosity, hope and an unwavering determination to protect. Nature deserves a bit of our grit. Thanks for giving some of your grit for the love of nature.