By Paul Salfen, Christine Thompson for AMFM Magazine
Dallas, TX – Amid the buzz of EarthX 2026, AMFM Magazine sat down with acclaimed actress and longtime environmental advocate Mariel Hemingway for a heartfelt conversation about her deep connection to the Earth, mental well-being, and the power of slowing down in a fast-paced world.
EarthX, the international nonprofit dedicated to educating and inspiring global action toward a sustainable future, brought together brilliant minds from diverse perspectives at its annual conference in Dallas. Hemingway, who has championed environmental causes for decades, found the gathering both overwhelming and beautiful.
“It is wonderful when you get around a community that really sees the Earth in the same kind of way from different perspectives,” she shared. “But still, the love of the Earth is just kind of overwhelming and very, very beautiful… It should be like the Earth is literally our mother. It doesn’t matter what political side you come from.”
Hemingway’s affinity for the natural world traces back to her upbringing in Sun Valley, Idaho, in the 1970s. Growing up in a “funky little western town” near beautiful lakes and ski resorts, she spent her childhood outdoors—camping, fishing with her conservationist father, and finding solace in nature amid family challenges, including addictions and chaos at home.
“Outside and being in nature was sort of like, okay, I feel at peace here,” she recalled.
Her passion for environmentalism aligns seamlessly with her public journey. The daughter of Jack Hemingway and granddaughter of literary icon Ernest Hemingway, Mariel began acting at 14, earning a Golden Globe nomination for her debut in Lipstick (1976) alongside her sister Margaux. She received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her role as Tracy in Woody Allen’s Manhattan (1979). Leading roles in Personal Best (1982) and Star 80 (1983) followed, along with a Golden Globe-nominated turn in the TV series Civil Wars. In recent years, she has shifted focus toward mental health advocacy, notably contributing to the documentary Running from Crazy, which explores her family’s struggles with mental illness.
At EarthX, Hemingway highlighted inspiring connections, including a conversation with Hayden Begley (daughter of environmentalist Ed Begley Jr.), whom she described as “stunning and incredibly smart,” and presenting an Earth Ambassador award to Ed Begley Jr. himself.
“He’s such a great voice for environmentalism in a way that is so real and grounded because he actually lives it,” she said. “When you understand the science behind being an environmentalist, then you have compassion and love for the Earth in a way that is almost spiritual.”
Grounding, Presence, and Mental Health
Hemingway’s message extends beyond traditional environmentalism into holistic well-being. As an ambassador for the book “The Mother Earth Effect,” which supports something called “earthing,” she passionately advocates for grounding—simply walking barefoot to reduce inflammation in the body and brain.
“It gets rid of inflammation… and neural inflammation and inflammation in the body is the cause of most disease,” she explained. “And so if you can get rid of, you can at least eliminate part of that… It didn’t cost you anything. You got sunshine. You got vitamin D… and it lifted your mood.”
She encourages simple, often-forgotten practices: drinking water from glass, mindful breathing, limiting screen time, and starting the day with presence.
“Take care of yourself… slow your life down, become more present. Think about your thoughts first thing in the morning,” she advised. “We are nature. Our connection to the Earth is our connection to ourselves.”
This philosophy informs her current work empowering women (and applicable to all) through programs like Tea Circle (weekly Thursday discussions), the three-hour Race to Remember journey, and the eight-week Return of the Queen course. These offerings help participants reconnect with their authentic selves beyond societal roles.
“There is a version of ourselves that is totally without problems… But we have believed for so long [what]society tells us,” she noted, emphasizing that childhood survival adaptations often overshadow our true, peaceful nature.
Hail Mary Moments and What’s Next
When asked about a pivotal “Hail Mary” moment, Hemingway pointed to her decision at 16, after filming Manhattan, to move to New York and pursue acting full-time without finishing high school.
“That was the decision that kind of shifted my life into this place where I was always on a different adventure,” she said. Another? Meeting her husband of 17 years: “I just realized I’d met my best friend… I keep waking up going, ‘Gosh, I like you even more today.’”
Looking ahead, Hemingway plans more acting, including an independent Western film this fall, and writing a book on her women’s journey. She continues advocating for mental health, presence, and our innate bond with the planet.
In a world dominated by screens and disconnection, Hemingway’s EarthX reflections serve as a timely reminder: the path to sustainability—and personal peace—often begins with something as simple as taking off your shoes and feeling the Earth beneath your feet.
Interview conducted by Paul Salfen for AMFM Magazine at EarthX 2026 in Dallas, Texas.
