The Coastal Call, presented by the Center for Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies at Fairfield University, brings listeners to the frontlines of impactful, institution-wide research on our changing coasts and climate. Each episode dives deep into the latest discoveries and large-scale initiatives shaping our oceans, shorelines, and communities. Through engaging discussions and expert interviews, The Coastal Call offers an opportunity to explore robust climate and coastal research.
Episodes
Jul 8, 2026
Jul 8, 2026
46 min
In this episode of The Coastal Call, Fairfield University’s Center for Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies welcomes Karen Karbiener, PhD, clinical professor at New York University and president of the Walt Whitman Initiative, for a conversation about poetry, place, and environmental awareness. Joined by Rob Nazarian, PhD, Elizabeth Petrino, PhD, and Bryan Ripley Crandall PhD, Dr. Karbiener explores how Walt Whitman’s relationship with the Long Island Sound shaped his poetry, imagination, and understanding of the natural world. The conversation connects literature, coastal environments, K-12 education, and the power of storytelling to deepen care for the places we share. Listen to learn how poetry can help us see the Sound not only as a body of water, but as a source of reflection, creativity, and connection.
Learn more about Fairfield University’s Center for Climate, Coastal, and Marine Studies.