Ocean Books can do more than entertain—they can inspire action, hope, and a fresh perspective on climate change. In this episode, Todd Medema introduces his new novel, How to Surf a Hurricane, a solarpunk heist that imagines a near-future world adapting to climate change. Todd and Andrew Lewin explore how fiction can shift the narrative from doom to determination, showing how communities can come together to protect nature and build a better future.

Solarpunk climate fiction takes center stage in the second half of the conversation. Todd shares his journey from clean energy and political advocacy to storytelling, describing the writing process, the publishing hurdles, and how his background shaped the world he built. This episode is for anyone who wants to view climate action through a more creative and hopeful lens.

Website: https://howtosurfahurricane.com/

Chapters:

00:00 – Welcome Todd Medema to the podcast
01:30 – From red-state roots to clean energy innovation
04:00 – How video games led Todd into clean energy software
06:30 – Why every skill set matters in the climate movement
09:00 – Storytelling and the emotional side of climate communication
11:00 – Introducing the solarpunk genre
13:30 – Hope vs fear: why solarpunk matters now
16:00 – Crafting a climate heist story that still feels real
18:30 – The world of How to Surf a Hurricane
21:00 – Science, realism, and building a believable future
23:00 – Todd’s 15-minute writing habit and creative discipline
26:00 – The long road to publishing and dealing with rejection
29:00 – Receiving tough editorial feedback and adapting creatively
32:00 – Traditional publishing vs self-publishing
35:00 – Using storytelling to spark real-world ocean action
37:00 – Special listener resource at howtosurfahurricane.com/protect
39:00 – Final message: spend time in nature, find your community
42:00 – What’s next: Todd hints at a sequel

#oceanconservarion #MarineBiology #SaveOurOceans #ProtectTheOcean #OceanAwareness #BluePlanet #ConservationMatters #ScienceForChange #SustainableOceans
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