2025 MREA Staff Picks
As 2025 comes to a close, MREA staff provide their top books, movies, podcasts, and more to consume in the new year.
December 21, 2025
Nick’s Picks
Nick Hylla
MREA Executive Director
We the People
Jill LePore (nonfiction book)
This book helped me to rethink and re-learn US history. It’s also a call to action for our times. Learn more.
The First Law Trilogy
Joe Abercrombie (fiction books)
If you like fantasy, this is a must read. It’s a bit dark, but has wonderful, flawed characters and an engaging and relevant story. There is also a second trilogy for those of you that just can’t get enough. Learn more.
Breaking Points
Krystal Ball & Saagar Enjeti (podcast)
A new episode every weekday and the way we should all consume news: Honest debates with well-informed opinions from multiple perspectives focused on news that matters. Learn more.
Kenzie’s Picks
Kenzie Luterbach
MREA Research and Grants Manager
The Serviceberry: Abundance and Reciprocity in the Natural World
Robin Wall Kimmerer (nonfiction book)
This book explores reciprocity, gratitude, community, and Indigenous ways of knowing and relating to the natural world. It’s one I always recommend because it challenges our current systems and encourages a more thoughtful, generous, and interconnected way of living that recenters our values. Learn more.
Join or Die
Pete Davis & Rebecca Davis (documentary)
This documentary is about social capital, and how strong democracies depend on connection, trust, and participation in community life. I found it incredibly inspiring and empowering because it makes the case for joining local clubs, organizations, and community efforts directly strengthens well-being, civic health, and our shared future. Learn more.
Too Good To Go
Too Good To Go (app)
This app reduces food waste by connecting people to surplus food from local restaurants, bakeries, and grocery stores at reduced prices. I enjoy the app because it works to keep perfectly good food out of landfills while also making local food more accessible and affordable. Learn more.
Anica’s Picks
Anica Graney
MREA Communications Manager
Breaking Trail
Jesse Roesler (short documentary)
This short film follows Emily Ford as she becomes the first woman and person of color to thru-hike the 1200-mile Ice Age Trail in winter. This is a heartwarming story of endurance and kindness with a beautiful backdrop of Wisconsin in the wintertime. Plus, there’s a very cute sled dog! Learn more.
Ecosia
Ecosia (search engine)
This search engine produces enough renewable energy to power all of its searches twice over, and reinvests 100% of its profits into tree-planting projects around the world. It’s an easy, everyday way to support companies that prioritize climate action and transparency. Learn more.
Kiss the Ground
Josh Tickell & Rebecca Harrell Tickell (documentary)
This documentary explores how regenerative agriculture and healthy soil can play a powerful role in addressing climate change. It offers a hopeful, solutions-focused perspective and shows that restoring the land can benefit farmers, ecosystems, and the climate at the same time. Learn more.
Celia’s Picks
Celia Sweet
MREA Engagement Director
How to Live in a Chaotic Climate
Aimee Lewis Reau, Chelsie Rivera, & LaUra Schmidt (nonfiction book)
I read a chapter from this book in a graduate course on geographical impacts on climate change; not a light topic. The reading offered perspective and provided simple insight on coping with a tumultuous environment. I immediately ordered it from a local bookstore and hold it close in times of overwhelm. Learn more.
Won’t You be my Neighbor?
Morgan Neville (documentary)
Sometimes, the most powerful way to advocate for the world you want to live in, is to be kind to your neighbor. Learn more.
The Green Neighbor Challenge
Green Neighbor Project (community program)
This community-based program helps people take practical, achievable steps toward more sustainable living. I recommend visiting the website because it makes things easy; you can look up your zip code to find actions, resources, and programs that are actually available in your area. Learn more.
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