What does it mean to create art about a crisis that feels too vast to fix? And how do we find the courage to feel, really feel, the weight of it all?
In the season 3 premiere of Matters of Consequence, host Michael Hanf speaks with Kate Adams, a performance maker, lecturer at the University of Salford, and co-chair of the Climate Psychology Alliance. Kate’s work, from her performance project Water is Attracted to Water to her research on eco-emotions, explores how art and psychology can help us navigate the emotional toll of the climate crisis.
In this conversation, Kate shares how vulnerability, creativity, and community can transform grief, anxiety, and even hope into tools for connection and action. She reveals how shame and guilt often paralyze climate engagement and why her work focuses on creating non-judgmental spaces where people can confront these emotions without fear. From the physical manifestation of emotions in her body to the risk of hope itself, Kate’s journey is a testament to the power of facing uncertainty with courage and creativity.
This episode is for anyone who has ever felt overwhelmed by the state of the world and wondered how to channel those emotions into meaning. Whether you’re an artist, activist, or simply someone grappling with the emotional weight of the climate crisis, Kate’s insights offer a raw, human-centered perspective on how to keep showing up, even when the path forward isn’t clear.
Key Themes:
✔ Climate psychology and the emotional cost of environmental crises
✔ Art as a tool for coping with grief, anxiety, and hope
✔ Vulnerability and shame as barriers to action
✔ Community and connection in the face of collapse
✔ The risk of hope, navigating uncertainty without denial
Listen now to the first episode of Matters of Consequence Season 3 and join the conversation about how we cope, create, and connect in a world in flux.
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