Earth to Humans!

Hi friends,Welcome back to the Earth to Humans podcast. It's been a minute, but we're back! I'm senior producer Sarinah Simons, and today, on Earth Day, I'm here with a little season update and some reflection.Yes, we are finally back from our break. Stepping away gave us time to rest, reflect, and sort through the noise—both out in the world and in our own heads. However, none of us quite anticipated the world we would be returning to.While we typically start each season on Earth Day with a renewed sense of purpose, motivation, and curiosity, I'll be honest: this year hardly feels like a celebration.There's this weight on everything right now, right? Climate and humanitarian grief, ecosystem collapse, a hostile administration…So, truly, if you're feeling degrees of that heaviness, you're not alone. I promise, we're right there with you.I remember a time, though, when Earth Day felt a little more hopeful. At least, I remember when we were talking about projections and tipping points, and it at least felt a little farther off. A time when we were hopeful because there were good people out there working towards solutions, and while projections looked alarming, there was a sense that we could and would figure this out. But today doesn't feel like that at all to me, and maybe that's just me! But I can't help but feel in certain ways that the climate crisis is now, and we are running out of time. I could recite a laundry list of all the current emergencies we're all facing and reading about, but that often feels like preaching to an already overwhelmed and exhausted choir…so I'll spare you all the details of what's currently keeping me up at night.So, that begs the question: why are we still doing this podcast?Honestly? Because we need each other. And we need stories. Not just data. Not just dire warnings (though yes, it's important to highlight those too), but stories that remind us we're not alone. That other people care. That fighting for a livable future is still possible. Still worth it.So this season, we're doing things a little differently. Yes, we'll still have the scientists, the authors, the activists—the people doing powerful work on the frontlines of climate and conservation. But we're also bringing ourselves to the mic a little more.We want to talk more openly about what it feels like to live in this moment. Not just what we're doing, but how we're doing. The hope, the burnout, the weird little coping rituals. The late-night spirals and the tiny, absurd joys that keep us going.We're pulling the curtain back a bit. More check-ins between hosts. More behind-the-scenes messiness. Because if we've learned anything in the last few years, it's that pretending to have it all figured out is exhausting—and pretty unhelpful in my opinion.So, if you've been feeling the weight of it all…welcome. If you're still searching for ways to make a difference, or just survive the news cycle without disappearing into the void, you're in good company. And we're so glad you're here.New episodes will be dropping soon, and we've got some incredible guests lined up this season. Stay tuned. Stay weird. Stay mad. And stay connected.And hey—Happy Earth Day

Happy (almost) New Year! We wanted to take a look back on all of our favorite Earth to Humans episodes that we produced in 2024. From redefining wilderness to the deepest parts of the ocean, the stories we got to tell this year continue to inspire and motivate us, especially as we prepare to navigate a murky future filled with uncertainty and inevitable environmental hurdles. Hannah, Matt and Sarinah shares their thoughts on the episodes that make this challenging work worthwhile, and a few of them might surprise you!We know it can be hard, but its more vital than ever that we stay engaged, tuned-in and laser focused on our environmental goals into 2025. Here on the pod, we'll be with you every step of the way and we can't wait to share new stories that we'll be cooking up ahead of our return in the Spring. Cheers! Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

You know, it's amazing how despite this current age of information, we sometimes get lost in what's actually true and struggle to wade through the constant barrage of misinformation. It sometimes feels like everyone's got a theory for something, whether it's the results of the 2016 election, the source of COVID 19 or something more harmless like UFO's and the existence of the Loch Ness Monster.We see them everywhere online and, in the world, popping up in conversations with coworkers and overheard standing in line for coffee. So, it's no wonder it can sometimes be hard to untangle this complex web of facts and falsities. My guest today has wrangled conspiracy theories head on with a level head and persuasive evidence. Mick West is a science communicator, author, and one of the leading voices in debunking misinformation. As the creator of Metabunk.org and author of Escaping the Rabbit Hole, Mick has dedicated his work to exploring how conspiracy theories take root, why they resonate, and how we can counter their influence with evidence-based reasoning.From claims of secret geoengineering plots to the outright denial of climate science, conspiracy theories have a powerful ability to misinform, distract, and derail meaningful progress. In this conversation, we'll uncover the real-world impacts of these narratives on climate science, public trust, and environmental policy—and discuss what we can do to move toward a more informed future.https://www.metabunk.orghttps://www.contrailscience.comhttps://youtube.com/mickwest Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

We don't have all the answers, but the Earth needs us now more than ever before. Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

I recorded this interview with Nathaniel Stinnett, the founder of the Environmental Voter Project, in the summer of 2016. While there are lots of differences between this election cycle and that of 2016, the ideas that Nathaniel shared remain relevant and important today. The Environmental Voter Project has dramatically expanded it's capacity and scope since 2016, and now has an expansive reach, with ground operations in 19 states and more than 10 million potential voters contacted.Earth to Humans has changed a lot since 2016 as well. When we released this episode, the podcast was still called “Eyes on Conservation” and I was the sole producer, churning out episodes almost every week. When I launched the podcast back in the fall of 2014, I imagined it as an outlet to share the audio from unused interviews originally recorded for various documentary projects, but it quickly evolved into something much more than that. I feel extremely fortunate to now have the opportunity to work with an amazing team of producers that bring a far more diverse and interesting slate of stories to the show than I would be capable of producing on my own. But when prompted to dig into the archives for this week's episode, I realized that our show's humble beginning took place almost exactly 10 years ago.So cheers to ten years of podcasting at the Wild Lens Collective! I hope that you enjoy this foray into our archives as much as I did! Happy voting.-Matt Podolsky Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

I discovered Lisa while reading a book not penned by her - Phosphorescence by Julia Baird. In the book, Julia is faced with a life threatening illness, and goes on a journey to cultivate ‘inner light' which sees her, amongst many other things, meeting up with jellyfish and fluorescence expert Dr Gershwin. She tells a very brief summary of Dr Gershwin's life - her incredible accolade of identifying over 200 species of jellyfish, her experience with homelessness, and her adulthood autism diagnosis.I remember putting the book down for a moment and thinking what an incredible story Lisa seemed to have, so I looked her up online and discovered that this story was barely scratching the surface. I bought Lisa's first book, Stung, and learned so much about jellyfish and their role within their ecosystem that I discovered a newfound appreciation for them, and an understanding about why someone would dedicate so much of their career researching them. I decided to reach out to her to see if she would be a guest on Earth to Humans and, to my delight, she said yes!Cut to six month's worth of emails later - she is based in Tasmania, Australia and I am based in Scotland, which made scheduling tricky - we finally found the time to chat. I could've spoken to Lisa forever. We explored her amazing journey from high school dropout to finishing her second phd, and how receiving an aspergers diagnosis made everything suddenly make sense for her. Artwork by Jasmine HortopLisa is a truly open book, and speaking to someone who is so honest about their experiences with neurodiversity, depression and finding their ‘ert' left me feeling like the world would be a much better place if we all lived with such unapologetic authenticity. I have so much admiration for this amazing woman, I'm so excited to share this episode.Watch a snippet of the episode of ‘You Can't Ask That', featuring Lisa.In this episode, Lisa mentions the book she read that gave her insight into Aspergers and led to her getting a diagnosis. The book was by Dr Tony Attwood - check out his books here.If you're visiting Tasmania and want to book onto one of Lisa's Glow Tours, you can find out more on her website. Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Steve is bursting with enthusiasm for the Maine woods and the Appalachian Mountain Club's efforts to protect this area. He grew up right along the border of Maine's unincorporated territories, a vast stretch of uninhabited, but privately owned, forest land that covers nearly half the state. He always had a deep bond with this land, but was told while growing up that he'd have to leave if he wanted to earn a good living or follow his passion. That turned out not to be true, as an opportunity to work for the Appalachian Mountain Club arose that actually valued his preexisting connection to the region and to the area's communities.The Maine Woods Initiative is a unique and vast project. The Appalachian Mountain Club has bought over 114,000 acres of land in the region, but even though its privately owned, they are managing it based on a public land model. They've created numerous recreational opportunities, they've initiated sustainable logging operations working closely with local communities, and they've restored watersheds, re-establishing the only wild Atlantic Salmon run on the entire Eastern seaboard. It's an example of land conservation and protection that values and includes human communities - Steve is working to protect not just ecosystems, but cultural lifeways and economic viability. Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

It was 2019 when I first began working on The Invisible Mammal with director Kristin Tieche. The past five years have been a whirlwind journey, but now we get to bring this story to life for the first time. The editing process on a documentary like The Invisible Mammal, which was shot over five years in a vérité style, is truly special. For the first time we get to see which story ideas work and which ones don't. We establish a pacing and a tone for our film, and work hard to bring out the nuances of our character's personalities. In today's bonus episode of Earth to Humans, Kristin and I discuss what it's like to be at this stage of the filmmaking process, share updates on some upcoming events featuring sneak peak screenings of selected work-in-progress scenes, and discuss our plans for the future.Learn more about The Invisible Mammal here: https://www.theinvisiblemammal.com/Learn more and register for our October 1st screening event in central CA: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/bat-movie-benefit-at-the-lark-theater-registration-998015740947?aff=oddtdtcreator -Matt Podolsky Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

In this episode of The Earth to Humans Podcast, the Pod gets POLITICAL. Specifically, the politics and dangers of Project 2025 and the looming chaos of another Trump administration.We delve into the far-reaching impacts of another potential Trump presidency on the environment here in the U.S. and how shifting U.S. policies might influence countries around the world, with special insight on the United Kingdom.The conversation extends to environmental and social justice policies, where we discuss the implications of diverging climate goals and the long term effects on already fractured international environmental collaborations. Fractures that could ripple across the globe for years to come.We're here to unpack it all. Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

After reading the synopsis for the film Kelp! I headed straight to their website - it featured so many things I'm passionate about that I had to watch it immediately! I hit the play button, sat back and enjoyed half an hour of pure hope and joy - something it can sometimes be a bit tricky to find within the environmental space. I was aware of seaweed farming being a big deal in South East Asia, as I have seen vast coastal areas that are home to this form of agriculture, but I was surprised to learn that it was very much booming in the UK. The film goes into great detail about how amazing kelp is - it's a habitat for numerous marine species, its potential to sequester carbon is unbelievable, it is a highly nutritious superfood, and it can be used as an alternative to plastic which is completely safe for humans and the planet.Artwork by Jasmine HortopNot only was I in awe of kelp itself, but also the team who made this film. I've heard of the great lengths production teams have gone to to ensure their films do not create more environmental problems that they're attempting to solve, but the extreme efforts of the Kelp! team became as much of an integral part of the story as the kelp itself. I'm not going to ruin the film by going into too much detail, but it's definitely the only production I've ever been aware of being filmed entirely on a sailboat! We somehow came up with the phrase ‘hungry for joy' throughout the interview, and it's something I regularly experience, with the greatest of appetites. If you're looking for a big dose of hope and inspiration, I'd certainly recommend heading straight to the Kelp! website and getting exactly what you need! Scroll down to find the trailer, and a here's a (free) link to the full film. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did!By Hannah Mulvany Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Anthony Cohen is a historian, author and expert on the Underground Railroad who has taken a truly unique approach towards researching and teaching history. His career was launched in 1996 when he traveled 1,200 miles by foot, boat and rail to retrace one of the routes of the Underground Railroad.Since completing this remarkable journey, Anthony has developed his expertise in experiential history, establishing a living history center that teaches people about slavery and life on an 1850s plantation. His work has been featured in a number of documentaries, most recently the series, “Rooted Wisdom”, about nature's role in the Underground Railroad. Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Welcome to part 2 of our series on HPAI aka highly pathogenic avian influenza.Today we continue our deep dive into the fascinating yet unsettling world of avian influenza. In part 1, we explored how these viruses leap from birds to marine mammals, unraveling their ecological and health implications. This time, we shift our focus from New England to Argentina.Joining us is Dr. Agustina Rimondi, a scientist known for her work on the molecular epidemiology of avian influenza. Dr. Rimondi's research delves deep into the science of how these viruses evolve and spread, providing critical insights into our ongoing understanding of what these viruses are and how they might impact us.In this episode, we'll get into the weeds of the science behind avian influenza. Dr. Rimondi will share her experiences and findings from the field, shedding light on the intricate mechanisms of virus transmission and adaptation. We'll also discuss the broader implications of her work on other species, including us stubborn humans. Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Today we embark on the first of a two-part deep dive into a topic that's as fascinating as it is unsettling: avian influenza.Joining us is Dr. Wendy Puryear, a leading virologist who's pioneering work on the H5N1 strain of avian influenza has revealed some startling truths about how this virus spreads and the profound impacts it has on wildlife, particularly marine mammals.In this episode, we'll explore the intricate dance of viruses as they leap from birds to mammals, mammals to mammals, and maybe even mammals to birds, uncovering the ecological and health implications of these cross-species transmissions. We'll hear from Dr. Puryear about the challenges and triumphs of tracking these invisible threats and the collaborative efforts needed to combat them.This is part one of our exploration into avian influenza. Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

On this episode, we're re-airing an episode we really think you will love. Today, Sarinah tackles female solo hiking from the perspectives of 5 women as she tries to make sense of managing both the physical and mental fears of hiking alone, but also the beauty of mentorship and prioritizing joy in the outdoors. The women in this panel range from environmental scientists to travel bloggers, teachers to mothers, but all with individual expertise and an accomplished list of hikes that should intimidate the hell out of you. Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Hannah is joined by Dr Aura Goldman - a psychotherapist who, amongst other accolades, specialises in eco-anxiety and the plethora of other climate and environmental emotions. They explore different case studies of environmentalists who are experiencing various environmental emotions, and Dr Goldman gives some fantastic tips on how to cope. Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

I first came across the work of Laura Waterman while conducting research on the origins of the Appalachian Trail. As many of our listeners are surely aware by now, I completed a thru-hike of the Appalachian Trail in 2022, and am currently working on a 10-episode documentary radio series about the AT's history and cultural influence in partnership with New Hampshire Public Radio. I was seeking information about the history of trail building in the Northeastern US, where the first modern long distance hiking trails were born, and I found everything that I was looking for in “Forest and Crag” by Laura and Guy Waterman.“Forest and Crag” is a comprehensive history of Mountain climbing in the Northeast - it is dense with information, but with a writing style that is accessible and compelling. Despite being first published over 35 years ago, it remains the best resource on this topic by a long shot. I was looking for someone to interview for my podcast series, so I also conducted research on the authors of this book - Laura and Guy Waterman. What I found was a story even more fascinating than the history of trail building laid out in “Forest and Crag”.I began reading Laura Waterman's first memoir, “Losing the Garden”, and the story of Laura and Guy's truly unique life together began to unfold in front of me. While the two of them were writing “Forest and Crag”, they were living in a rural Vermont homestead in a cabin they built themselves with no electricity or plumbing. They lived like they were in the 19th century for almost 30 years, until Guy's depression intensified, and he decided to take his own life in the year 2000.But this wasn't a typical suicide. Guy drew Laura into the planning of this effort to take his own life, and Laura, seeing no other option, went along with Guy's plan. Guy ultimately chose to die by exposing himself to the elements on a winter hike of the Franconia Ridge - the site of the iconic New Hampshire ridge-line trail that Laura and Guy had maintained for almost 20 years.Laura published her first memoir “Losing the Garden” in 2005, but felt that she had left unanswered questions about her decision to go along with her husband's plan to commit suicide. Her second memoir, published just a few months ago, “Calling Wild Places Home”, seeks to answer these questions, adding depth to the story of Laura's truly unique life. Now 84 years old, Laura shares her reflections on the past, on aging, and the evolution of her writing style. It was truly and honor for me to have the opportunity to speak with Laura Waterman, and I hope that you enjoy the conversation as much as I did!-Matt Podolsky Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

Imagine descending into the abyss, leaving behind the sunlit waters and plunging into the dark, mysterious depths of the ocean. Here, sunlight fades away, and the pressure increases with every meter. This is the realm of the deep sea, an environment so extreme and alien that it's often compared to outer space.Under the weight of that much water and so far from the surface, you might envision the truest definition of darkness. But what if I told you there was an abundance of light just at the edge of darkness. Light that we are just beginning to understand.Dr. Edith Widder has dedicated her career to exploring these under-explored depths. She was one of the first scientists to capture the mesmerizing phenomenon of bioluminescence in its natural habitat. Bioluminescence is the emission of light by living organisms, a survival mechanism in the pitch-black ocean depths. It creates an otherworldly spectacle where creatures use light to communicate, hunt, and evade predators.From the hypnotic glow of jellyfish to the pulsing firework displays of deep-sea fish, bioluminescence transforms the dark ocean into a place of living light. Dr. Widder's groundbreaking work not only showcases the beauty of these glowing organisms but also helps us understand the vital ecological roles they play.Join us as we journey with Dr. Edith Widder to uncover the secrets of the deep sea. Discover how these extraordinary light displays serve as both a beacon and a camouflage in the vast, dark expanse of the ocean. She shares her incredible experiences and insights into one of the most captivating phenomena of the natural world.Dr. WidderORCA Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

In my echo chamber, gender, race, nationality, and gender are intersections that are spoken about and how they relate to environmentalism (still nowhere near frequently enough), yet one that was completely absent until recently was disability. I only truly became aware of this when I saw an article pop up featuring my guest on next week's episode, who had gone to COP26 to ensure the voices of those living with disabilities were involved in climate discussions. Umesh Balal Magar is a young Nepalese disability and climate campaigner who, when he's not working on improving climate related-water issues in Nepal, is fighting for more inclusive and equitable climate discussions and legislation.Artwork by Jasmine HortopHis story is so powerful and I wanted to use this platform to share it, to do something to amplify Umesh's important messages and calls to action, as well as those of others working within this space.When I started researching this topic, I instantly became aware of a word that I hadn't encountered before - eco-ableism. This is described by Friends of the Earth Scotland as, ‘‘a failure by non-disabled environmental activists to recognize that many of the climate actions they're promoting make life difficult for disabled people'. They also listed examples, such as:- banning plastic straws without accepting that some disabled people need them to drink safely and conveniently- removing disabled parking bays to make way for cycle lanes- promoting active travel without realising that some disabled people cannot walk, wheel or cycle.These are very much local examples of eco-ableism within the UK and most probably many other countries too, but the reality is that it is very much a global issue.Something that Umesh raised during our episode, which horrified me, was that disabled people are currently completely left out of plans for disaster response, such as during evacuations. Umesh and his community are fighting for legislative change that will ensure that this does not continue, but progress is frustratingly slow and time is not on humanity's side when it comes to climate change.Here's a few resources that go into more detail about eco-ableism, as well as a written interview with Umesh.Friends of the Earth Scotland - Eco Ableism and the Climate MovementDisability Rights UK - Climate changeCurious Earth - What is Eco-ableism and how can we counter it?British Council - Discussing inclusive climate action with Umesh Balal Magar Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

I first came across Erin's work at Terra Incognita Media a few years ago when I was doing research on National Parks and the influence of John Muir. I was on a learning journey that would lead me to a series of revelations about the history of environmentalism and the generational harm caused by John Muir and his ideas.I had recently interviewed Mark David Spence, the author of “Dispossessing the Wilderness”, for an episode of Earth to Humans. Spence's book exposes the deeply racist origins of the National Park system, as well as the role played by John Muir in advocating for the forced removal of indigenous people from what would become Yosemite National Park. After speaking with Mark and reading his book, my perspective on National Parks, and protected landscapes in general, made a dramatic shift. I was beginning to understand that these treasured “wilderness” landscapes were a fabrication of white supremacy. The land that makes up these protected parks was inhabited by Indigenous people, as it had been for thousands of years previous, and the establishment of National Parks provided the US government with a convenient excuse to forcibly remove these people from their homelands. These new National Parks were specifically designed, developed and established for wealthy, white visitors.During the lead up to Yosemite receiving “protected” park status, there was a vigorous debate within the budding conservation community in California over whether the Indigenous community that called the Yosemite Valley home should be allowed to stay. John Muir was quite vocal in his opposition to allowing these Indigenous people to remain in the newly created park. He used his skill as a writer to bring others over to his side, and his success set a precedent for land protection that is maintained to this day. Indigenous people all around the globe have been, and continue to be, forcibly removed from their homelands in the name of conservation and land protection, as documented by journalist Mark Dowie in his book, “Conservation Refugees” (check out our interview with Mark Dowie here)Erin's article about John Muir referred to him as, “a toxic masculine, egocentric, eco-jock” and encouraged her readers to share posts tagged #FuckYouJohnMuir. I was eager for this message, and began to dig back through many of Erin's previous posts on Terra Incognita's website. What I found was an open dialogue about Erin's path towards becoming a advocate for an anti-racist, anti-capitalist brand of environmentalism. Her willingness to talk about the missteps and mistakes that she made along the way made her perspective all the more appealing to me. I was on a similar learning journey, making my own embarrassing mistakes, and the insight provided by Erin's writing was extremely helpful to me.I hope that you gain the same level of insight and inspiration from Erin's work as I have! I'm incredibly excited to share this interview with all of you!-Matt Podolsky Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

I'm super excited to bring you this bonus episode of the podcast! We're still a few months away from launching our new season of Earth to Humans - that will happen in April for Earth Week - but I wanted to feature this conservation with the director of our latest Wild Lens Collective co-production, Children of the Wolves. Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe

As 2023 comes to a close, our Earth to Humans team took a look back at some of the episodes that were the most meaningful to us. We closed out our end-of-the-year roundtable conversation with a discussion about COP28. All of us agreed that just about everything that we've been hearing coming out of the COP thus far has been deeply disheartening - we struggled to find any kind of positive message. This is the balancing act that we play here on Earth to Humans on a regular basis - we yearn to tell hopeful stories, but refuse to peddle false hope. The situations surrounding COP28 and our continued struggle to make progress on climate is the reality that we live in, and we'll continue to seek out stories that highlight this struggle.This is the final episode of this season of Earth to Humans. We'll be back with new episodes in mid April of 2024 - just in time for Earth Day. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com

As of September 10, 2023, there have been 9,614 civilian deaths reported in Ukraine since Russia's latest invasion began on February 24, 2022. And in Gaza, the latest numbers of civilian casualties in just over a month are estimated to be over 13,000. These scenes of unfathomable death and destruction have displaced millions, breaking apart families and disjointing entire communities; ripples that will have lasting effects for years to come.But there is also a quieter victim of these wars. The land, the water, the plants, animals and fungi that call those places home. I have been thinking a lot about how these conflicts are impacting the ecosystems within them and I wanted to talk to somebody about it.And that's how I found Oleksiy.   As a Ukrainian scientist, Oleksiy knows better than most, how these wars shape and change not only people, but amphibians, insects and birds. I asked Oleksiy about his life and work before the war, the idyllic lands he once explored, and also life after, the bombing, the militarization of the world around him and an ongoing race to save invaluable data sets before they're lost forever. He's smart, he's candid, and he has a lot to say.Ukrainian Nature Conservation Group This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com

There are lots of amazing stories about the early days of the Appalachian Trail, but none match the story of Grandma Gatewood. In 1955, Gatewood set out to hike the entire Appalachian Trail. She was 67 years old at the time. She began her hike in secret - she didn't want her children to know what she was doing because she knew they'd try to stop her. But news of her trek traveled fast, and by the time she was a few months into her hike, she had become a national celebrity. When she finished her hike she appeared on the Tonight Show and had stories featured about her in magazines and newspapers across the country.For many Americans at the time, hearing news stories about Grandma Gatewood was their first exposure to the Appalachian Trail. The trail had been completed in the 1930s, but had been in left unmaintained during World War II, and by the 1950s it was in danger of being lost to obscurity. Gatewood awakened the public consciousness to this unique footpath, ensuring that it would receive the recognition and protection that it deserved.Gatewood hiked the entire Appalachian Trail not just once, but three times. She became a fixture of the long distance hiking community in the 1950s and 60s, and has long been considered a legend of the Appalachian Trail. But until Ben Montgomery's book was published, very little was known about her life before her Appalachian Trail thru-hike. Her motivation to hike the trail was largely a mystery.Montgomery's research and conversations with family members revealed that Gatewood's husband was an long-time abuser. Her ambition to hike over 2,000 miles along the Appalachian Trail was in part a reaction to decades of physical abuse and suffering. This added a layer to Gatewood's story that hadn't yet been told, and it brought her motivation into clearer focus. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com

Having moved to Scotland very recently, I've been really keen to get started on telling some stories from this amazing country. As some of you who are keen listeners to the podcast will already know, I love a good bit of folklore, especially when it relates to landscapes and relationships with nature. So, it's only natural that my first episode from here was with Folklore Scotland. It also just so happened to fall on Halloween and, seeing as the origins of the holiday are very much engrained in Gaelic and Celtic history, it seemed like a perfect opportunity to talk about all the sinister creatures that contribute to some of the absolute best folk stories that Scotland has to offer. Think vampires, water monsters, witches, evil fairies…these stories have it all. So if you wanted some spooky stories this Halloween, you've come to the right place.Artwork by Jasmine HortopDuring the episode, we discuss Beira, Queen of winter and creator of Scotland's hills and mountains in great detail - you can find out more about her and the other characters we discuss on the Folklore Scotland website. We also discuss the fearsome baobhan sith, who I made a special request for this week's artwork to be centred on. Baobhan sith are said to be extremely attractive women who hate all creatures apart from deer, therefore they hate deer hunters the most. As the story goes, they'll enchant deer hunters with their beauty before…I'm not going to ruin the episode for you so you'll have to listen and find out!We mention a Robert Burns classic poem which is all about witches, and is also very much a lesson in not catcalling! I'd never heard it before and as soon as I'd finished the episode I went to read it, and instantly wanted to share it as part of the show notes. It's incredibly long, so if you want the full version you can check it out here, but here's a wee excerpt as a taster…Ah, Tam! ah, Tam! thou'll get thy fairin! In hell they'll roast thee like a herrin! In vain thy Kate awaits thy comin! Kate soon will be a woefu' woman! Now, do thy speedy utmost, Meg, And win the key-stane of the brig: There at them thou thy tail may toss, A running stream they dare na cross. But ere the key-stane she could make, The fient a tail she had to shake! For Nannie far before the rest, Hard upon noble Maggie prest, And flew at Tam wi' furious ettle; But little wist she Maggie's mettle— Ae spring brought aff her master hale But left behind her ain grey tail: The carlin claught her by the rump, And left poor Maggie scarce a stump.          Now, wha this tale o' truth shall read, Ilk man and mother's son, take heed, Whene'er to drink you are inclin'd, Or cutty-sarks run in your mind, Think, ye may buy the joys o'er dear, Remember Tam o' Shanter's mear.If you love this episode as much as me and want MORE Scottish folktales, check out Folklore Scotland's podcasts and website. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com

“Patient Zero”, Taylor Quimby's podcast series about Lyme disease, takes a deep dive into the complexity surrounding this disease. He explores the origin of Lyme, and how some of the earliest Lyme patients took matters into their own hands, becoming citizen scientists and advocates for the health of their community. He also explores the controversy in the medical community surrounding Lyme's long-term symptoms, and how bad actors are taking advantage of patients that have lost hope.Central to this story, however, is how human behavior has facilitated the spread of Lyme disease. Climate change has increased the range of the ticks that carry the disease, and increased development has created new habitat for mice, another vector for Lyme.There is hope on the horizon however - we discussed with Taylor some of the similarities between COVID and Lyme disease, and how the lessons that we've learned from COVID could lead to new breakthroughs in our fight against Lyme. Of course, no scientific breakthrough will change the most basic preventative measure that one can take to prevent a Lyme infection - wearing your socks over your pants!-Matt Podolsky This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com

Today I want to welcome you to a truly special episode of Earth to Humans. My guest today has journeyed across continents, climates and cultures to unravel some of the most complex intricacies of our natural world. David Quammen joins us today, a renowned science writer who's works offer us a lens to view and better understand the depths and mysteries of our ecosystems. The breadth of his work is unparalleled and his writing is both fascinating and terrifying, funny and exhilarating, scientific and empathetic. I'm in a bookclub of all lady biologist and we have read a number of his books together including The Song of the Dodo, Monster of God about man-eating predators, and his latest book The Heartbeat of the Wild. But my favorite book of his (so far anyway) is probably his 2012 book Spillover, about zoonotic infections and the next human pandemic. From the far reaches of rainforests to the urban heartlands, David's explorations beautifully bridge hard science with compelling storytelling and leave you more in awe of the world we inhabit. And I feel a little bit smarter after every book.   David's Website This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com

Hey guys, Sarinah here - if you're anything like us and have been feeling the crippling weight of the current state of our planet on your shoulders, YOU ARE NOT ALONE.Everywhere you look there seems to be a new environmental disaster. Flooding in Libya, deadly wildfires in Canada and Maui – the list just never seems to end. And this relentless drumbeat of environmental crises can feel so overwhelming. It's not just the headlines; it's the images of polar bears stranded on melting ice, the choked skies of megacities, and once-lush rainforests reduced to stumps and ash.These emotions can be incredibly isolating, leaving us feeling like nothing is ever going to change or get better, making us just want to throw our hands in the air and give up. However, it's important to remember that these feelings are shared by countless others who, like us, are deeply concerned about our planet's future.As people who care about the environment, it's nearly impossible to tune out and look away, but today we wanted to talk about what that is actually doing to our mental health, and how we can better cope with our current climate reality.In this episode we share personal anecdotes of how it affects us, find solace in shared experiences and together seek ways to better cope and make a positive impact amidst the chaos. Link to work by Bernie Krause This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com

So by now I'm sure many of you have seen videos of the muck, sludge and mire that befell this years Burning Man Festival which takes place every year in the middle of the black rock desert. From its humble beginnings in the late 1980s attracting about 300 people, Burning Man has exploded into a global event that just seems to keep growing and growing.This year, in about 24 hours, the area experienced about 2-3 months worth of rainfall, resulting in a shelter-in-place order, the closure of the festival's entrances and exits and stranding about 70,000 people in the clay-like mud of the Playa (aka the sunken dry lake bed where the festival takes place). When the weather began to clear, so too did its attendees, creating a seemingly never-ending exodus of muddy cars, trucks, vans, RVs and everything in between. I've never been to Burning Man myself but even before seeing the aftermath of this year's rainy mess, data released over the years about its ever-growing carbon footprint has turned me off from it completely. In just one week of its ephemeral existence, Burning Man produces over 100,000 tons of carbon dioxide with 90% of that coming from attendees traveling to and from the festival.The festival's principles of radical self reliance and leave no trace seem to be at war with each other in the face of our new climate reality. How do you stop a culture of disposability and encouraging folks to carry in what they can carry out, while also encouraging them to prepare extensively in order to survive the increasingly inhospitable conditions on the Playa?The amount of trash and belongings left behind this year compared to other years though, was shocking. Because so many bikes, vehicles and belongings got stuck in the wet, muddy clay from the rain and flooding, and with most of its attendees long gone by now, organizers are now faced with the daunting task of cleaning up. My friend Deonne John, who is a member of the Reno-Sparks Indian Colony and who's husband Matt John, is a member of the Pyramid Lake Paiute Tribe, reservations that lie just south of the festival site, spoke to me to discuss her feelings about Burning Man, its both negative and positive impacts on her community and other environmental issues facing sacred land in that area like the Thatcher Pass Lithium Mine Project. At the end of this years festival, many acts of altruism, sharing of resources and shelter for those attendees struggling in the heavy rains were reported. Perhaps the thing that kinda killed everyone's vibe, brought everyone a little closer to those OG Burner principles. It's also worth pointing out that climate activists delayed entry to the festival by blocking the two-lane road with a trailer, demanding Burning Man “Ban private jets, single-use plastics, unnecessary propane burning, and unlimited generator use per capita at the nine day event in Black Rock City, Nevada.” Law enforcement eventually broke up the protest, and the steady stream of burners were able to make it inside the makeshift city.But however you see Burning Man, good or bad, it only comes around once a year for a week. But something like the proposed Thacker Pass Lithium Mine, remains a looming threat that will change that area of land and its water forever.Protect Thacker PassDefend the Sacred! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com

When I first met today's guest I was a fresh-faced Conservation Biology undergraduate student with hopes and dreams of doing my bit to save the planet. Britta Jaschinski seemed like some kind of rock star to me. She spoke of going undercover at wildlife markets with cameras stashed in her handbag, using her photography to break apart wildlife crime rings and had strong morals she obviously lived by. I wanted to be just like her!Artwork by Jasmine HortopCRIMEI got the chance to spend more time working with Britta and her amazing photography after the charity I was working for at the time gave her a grant to cover a story on wildlife confiscation areas at airports, which was later entitled ‘CRIME'. The photographs she produced were genuinely spellbinding - artistic and powerful. I'd never seen anything like them before and I've been following her career since. I attended a talk at a photography festival where she made pretty much every single person in the room cry - her presence and storytelling abilities really are second to none.Update from me:Having been away from home for the past 8 months, I'm now back in the extremely rainy UK for the foreseeable future. It's really strange seeing all of the ecosystems and species I've been campaigning for from afar after a long time as they seem like quasi celebrities that I've only ever seen in photographs, which is a very strange feeling. For our listeners who aren't in the UK and don't follow the news, it was uncovered over the past couple of years that we don't have any rivers that are currently in ‘good' condition which, as a keen wild swimmer, is incredibly troubling. The fact that water companies are pumping sewage into our freshwater ecosystems, agricultural chemicals are leaching in with every spray and even more after rainfall, and, of course, soil erosion and a bunch of other horrible stuff too, has caused our rivers to become an environmental catastrophe. Adding to that, our government has just decided to reopen licensing for new oil and gas exploration in the North Sea, essentially sh***ing all over its climate ‘promises'. Suffice it to say, I'm not happy. Neither is anyone in my community which, actually, is filling me with the (non-fossil) fuel I need to feel like I might be able to contribute my voice and energy towards the kind of collective power that actually gets stuff done. It's amazing what having a community of like-minded, pro-active environmentalists can do for you when you're in moments of despair. There's a lot of really bad things going on, but humanity can definitely replenish as well as diminish your hope for the future. I think it's easy to forget that sometimes. So, my takeaway message from this week's episode and my first week back in the UK is to surround yourself with people who give a damn and join forces to create positive change. There's loads of examples of that happening around the world, and your story might be the next to join them.This week's hot topics that Matt and Hannah discussed on our Instagram Live Producer's Chat included:After our last episode with Elizabeth Kolbert, the news of the Controversial carbon removal technology just got $1.2 billion from the Biden administration seemed strangely timely. Hannah hadn't even heard the words ‘carbon removal technology' before she finally opened her mind to geo-engineering having listened to the last episode, and was surprised to see this article in the news so shortly after. She wasn't surprised; however, to discover that the company running the carbon capture were a petroleum corporation. Could the world not have chosen a more trustworthy climate change hero?Matt's deep-dive into the Pleistocene extinction conundrum continued as new research was published, uncovering that Ancient Fires Drove Large Mammals Extinct, Study Suggests. AKA - it's looking like the 6th mass extinction started in this area when humans set a bunch of fires that got out of control. Sounds strangely familiar?Hannah ended us on a high, discussing the fantastic news that Ecuadorians vote to halt oil drilling in biodiverse Amazonian national park. A landmark law for climate and land justice, and a huge middle finger to the fossil fuel industry. Love to see it! As always, thanks for listening, and if you have any comments or feedback on today's episode or the podcast in general we'd love to hear from you! Send us a DM on our Instagram or Facebook. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com

Today's episode features an interview with Pulitzer prize winning journalist and author, Elizabeth Kolbert. Elizabeth has been reporting on the climate crisis for several decades, and her book “The Sixth Extinction” brought her enormous critical acclaim. Her most recent book, “Under a White Sky”, explores the nature of the future, analyzing how humans have, and will continue to change the planet and its ecosystems in response to our rapidly changing climate. In the book, she explores controversial ideas such as carbon capture technologies and atmospheric geoengineering. My inspiration for reaching out to Elizabeth Kolbert for this interview came from fellow Wild Lens Collective filmmaker, Kristin Tieche. Kristin has been directing a feature documentary about bats and the threat of white-nose syndrome for almost five years now, and her inspiration for initiating the project came from an article that she read back in 2009 written by none other than Elizabeth Kolbert. Kolbert's article about a mysterious die-off of bats in a cave in upstate New York eventually became a key component of her book, “The Sixth Extinction”, and it also raised a warning for bat populations across North America, which have continued to be decimated by the introduction of the fungal blight called white-nose syndrome.So when Kristin explained this connection to me and suggested that we reach out to Elizabeth Kolbert for a podcast interview, I grabbed a copy of her latest book, “Under a White Sky”, and started reading. The book is exceptional and terrifying. It paints a picture of our future in which our human society will be forced to make some very difficult decisions, and in which the best case scenario still most likely involves geoengineering. On the one hand, it showcases some fascinating cases of human ingenuity, and on the other hand, it shows how our ingenuity can spiral out of control and cause unforeseen problems that have no easy solutions. As you'll hear while you listen, Elizabeth does not shy away from the truth, even when it gets ugly, and her bluntness actually feels like a breath of fresh air. It was a true honor for both Kristin and myself to have this opportunity to speak with such an influential journalist and author.-Matt PodolskyResources:Elizabeth Kolbert's New Yorker staff profileClimate Change from A to Z - New Yorker article mentioned in the interviewMore information about Elizabeth Kolbert's most recent book, “Under a White Sky” This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com

My guests today, Dr. Justine Karst, mycologist at the University of Alberta and Dr. Jason Hoeksema, professor of biology at the University of Mississippi, take us deep into the complex world of fungi, trees and the story we all might be getting wrong about their relationships. For a while now, there has been this narrative out there about trees communicating with each other through fungi. I'm sure you've heard of it. It's a cool concept. Trees using the vast network of underground mycelium to not only communicate, but share and transfer resources and warn each other of dangers like bark beetle and wildfire. It paints a visual of individual trees connected in a vast, sprawling network of entangled intelligence, altruism and shared wisdom. Kind of gives you this warm and fuzzy feeling. This concept is largely known as the “wood wide web” and if you'd asked me about it a few months ago, I would've been eager to tell this tale myself. Look anywhere and you'll see article after article after podcast after book after popular culture reference of its existence as settled science. But what if I told you that this theory is far from having any semblance of scientific concensus, and not only that, but the evidence we have for it, might be a simplification of what's actually going on.Let's start with the basics. The narrative of the “wood wide web” hinges on the relationship between trees and fungi, specifically mycorrhizal fungi. These fungi can form mutualistic associations with trees, connecting with their roots and extending a network of mycelium (the main body of the fungus) throughout the soil. The tree provides the fungi with carbohydrates it produces through photosynthesis (because fungi cannot photosynthesize themselves), and in return, the fungi can assist the tree with nutrient and water uptake.This mutualistic relationship has been well-documented and is largely agreed upon within the scientific community. But where Justine and Jason feel we need to pump the breaks and gather more evidence, is in the interconnectedness and level of sophistication in communication and resource sharing proposed by the "wood wide web" theory. For many researchers, the primary function of mycorrhizal networks is to provide resources to individual trees, not necessarily to create a cooperative network of trees in a forest.“I wish I would've caught it a lot earlier. But the only reason I started paying attention is because the claims got so crazy, and so incredible and so extraordinary.”Several studies supporting the "wood wide web" theory are based on experiments under controlled laboratory conditions, a limitation that may not accurately represent the more complex and competitive conditions in a natural forest ecosystem. Basically, there's just so much that we have yet to understand about these forest and mycorrhizal systems that Justine and Jason believe require much more evidence and experimentation for some of these popular claims to be substantiated and reach scientific consensus.Moreover, while this concept of the “wood wide web” paints a romantic picture of the forests around us, this narrative might actually be oversimplifying the complexity of soil ecology and presenting the public with limited information that lacks evidence. The reality is, it's just one of many possible interpretations of the evidence. The truth of soil ecology and tree-fungi relationships is likely more complex and nuanced, influenced by a myriad of factors we are just beginning to comprehend. So let's continue to explore, question, and learn about the awe-inspiring world beneath our feet, embracing its complexity and continuing to dig deeper into its mysteries.  Anyway, I learned so much from Justine and Jason on this episode, and I hope you do too!-Sarinah Resources: https://karstlab.ualberta.ca/https://olemiss.edu/hoeksemalab/jdh_papers.htmlhttps://undark.org/2023/05/25/where-the-wood-wide-web-narrative-went-wrong/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com

Hannah speaks to the production team and star of Diving for Rays - a unique documentary, which tells the story of a conservationist whose dreams are abandoned due to a lack of visibility of LGBTQIA+ individuals within the sector she wants to join - marine science. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com

Egyptian filmmaker Omar Manjouneh is the director of the documentary, “Crocodopolis”, about the complex situation surrounding the presence of Nile Crocodiles in Lake Nasser, in Southern Egypt. Omar discusses crocodile research and conservation, the challenges that he has faced as a wildlife filmmaker in Africa, and the great potential that this film has to affect positive change.  This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com

As a science communicator, I'm always on the lookout for people with innovative, creative and accessible ideas who say no to the classic dry and mundane or overwhelming and intense communications methods we scientists can be guilty of. Social media is a frequent outlet of the videos, graphics and written pieces that I create, and I follow many other activists and creative conservationists, who regularly fill me with inspiration, which I very much appreciate in a world where doom and gloom often dominates. Enter…Hila the Earth - an eco rapper, with whom my very first encounter was watching one of her amazing videos, in which she is twerking next to a giant glowing mushroom, dressed as an Earth cheerleader, rapping about mycelium. I went back through her archives and found raps about soil, recycling, composting, and even an eco-friendly remix of Cardi B's WAP. Suffice to say, I was instantly hooked.I wanted to get Hila the Earth on the podcast to learn more about the person inside the giant Earth costume, what motivates her and, with a whole world of inspiration to rap about, how she decides on her next topic. I hope you enjoy this episode, and the music of Hila's that I've featured within it!EarthToHumansPod.com This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com

Hi everyone! Sarinah here! Coming to you live from my childhood bedroom visiting my mom following a beautiful trip down California along highway 395. This is my first ever Earth to Humans newsletter, so enjoy this maiden voyage as I try to re-connect with my early 2000's Wordpress days writing to the ether.My guest for this episode is an expert in natural resources management, a woman who's been on the front lines of one of the most crucial environmental issues facing us today. She's a problem-solver and policymaker, but above all, an advocate for our planet's most precious resource: water.Can Great Salt Lake survive us? Laura Briefer, the Director of Salt Lake City Public Utilities, has been working tirelessly to address the water crisis in Utah. She's been an integral figure in water policy for over two decades and has seen first-hand how the environment is shifting right in front of us. She is one of many stakeholders involved in preventing the disappearance of Great Salt Lake. A natural wonder that once stretched across nearly a quarter of the State of Utah (about 22,400 square miles), has been shrinking at an alarming rate. As of 2021, Great Salt Lake now spans a mere 950 square miles, revealing more of the lake bed with each major drought. Lake beds contain a variety of heavy metals in the sediment that, when lake levels recede, dry out and form toxic dust. These airborne dust particles not only affect human health, but also have devastating ecological implications. They can contaminate local ecosystems and have effects on air and water quality. Therefore, the issue of lake shrinkage is not only about the loss of water but also concerns the potential mobilization of hazardous substances that can impact both human health and the environment.Through Laura's eyes, we'll explore what's happening to the Great Salt Lake, why it matters, and most importantly, what is being done about it. Laura Briefer brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for sustainability to this issue. We're thrilled to have her this episode of the Earth to Humans Podcast. We love to hear your feedback, so have a listen and let us know what you think about the show!An update from meAs I mentioned, I'm Sarinah, one of the producers and hosts behind the show and I'm super excited to be building this community with all of you and connecting on a deeper level. I work in a variety of creative and environmental spaces, from nature videography, photography and artwork, to wildlife surveying and field captures.Lately though, I've been getting SUPER into block printing and linocutting. I started small, carving out tiny scenes into pink Pearl erasers, but am now moving onto larger rubber blocks so I can work in more detail. Something about the carving blade smoothly gliding over the stiffness of the rubber unlocked something in my brain launching me into a simultaneously soothing and instantly addicting new venture. Earlier this year I represented two films that I produced and directed at the 2023 Wild and Scenic Film Festival in Nevada City, CA, where I got to connect with some truly inspirational fellow filmmakers and re-ignite my passion for good storytelling. I also got to represent Earth to Humans in the March issue of Diversity in Action Magazine where I was interviewed about what makes our podcast so unique and how the show has evolved and grown alongside our growing decolonized mindset around conservation and the environment. After a long winter in the Sierra Nevada, I'm excited to finally get outside and go hiking and fishing and disappear into the woods for a while. I'm so grateful for Hannah and Matt and this amazing team and community that we've built together. Especially with the weight of all of the world's current issues, its so healing to be able to fight alongside these two as well as you, our listeners, and do what we can to enjoy this beautiful planet and try to make it a better place for all of its inhabitants. Let's keep fighting and do our part to make sure the Earth's voice is heard,Sarinah This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com

In this captivating podcast episode, acclaimed Cherokee author Blake Hausman shares his creative journey behind "Riding the Trail of Tears," a groundbreaking science fiction novel that skillfully intertwines indigenous culture and futuristic elements. Join us as we explore the transformative power of storytelling and the profound connections between Native American history and speculative fiction. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com

I was lucky enough to be brought onto the Hellbent team last year to create content for their online storytelling and, after watching the film for the first time, I was so excited to be part of such an incredible project. Having worked together for months, it was great to sit down with the film's Co-Directors, Justin Grubb and Annie Roth, to ask them all the questions I'd been wanting to ask them for ages, as well as those I thought our listeners would enjoy hearing the answers to.This, now multi-award winning, short film documents a mother and daughter team in Grant Township, Pennsylvania, as they take on a huge fracking corporation to protect their water source and, in the process, save the habitat of the highly endangered, incredibly sensitive and thoroughly weird-looking hellbender salamander. I instantly fell in love with Stacy and Judy - the film's main characters, as their warmth and determination was contagious, and I was behind their community 100%. The film is empowering and hopeful, but the story is far from over. This is one of the very few ‘rights of nature' cases that has been upheld in the US and, with many having been overturned since designation, Grant Township is far from being out of the woods. The people behind the film are working hard to make sure this film is seen by as many people as possible, so that other communities can gain inspiration and encouragement to fight their own battles, and protect both human and nature's rights.Oh, and I won't end this article without mentioning the beautiful animation created by the multi-talented Katie Garrett (also the film's editor) stunning cinematography, and the magnificent original score, which features in the podcast episode and was composed by Micah Anderson. Having listened to me bang on about how great the film is, I'm sure you want to watch it, so here's a link. You have to register for free and then you'll get access to five of the films in the Jackson Wild World Wildlife Day Showcase (including ours). AND if you love it too, please vote for the film to win the Audience Award, as the more attention the film gets, the more people will know about it and will be inspired by its message.Follow Hellbent on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook to keep up to date with Grant Township's fight, screenings and the rights of nature movement.If you'd like to organise a screening of Hellbent in your community, you can get in touch with the team here.Hellbent is a co-production of the Wild Lens Collective - who are also the makers of the Earth to Humans podcast. Learn more about our community and the other film's we're currently working on on our website. Join private conversations with top authors and access exclusive bonus content! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome back to Earth to Humans! On our first episode back for the season, Sarinah speaks with guest, Beth Pratt, Executive Director for California at the National Wildlife Federation and renowned conservationist who has worked tirelessly to protect and restore wildlife habitats across the state (which is huge by the way).In this episode, we'll be discussing Beth's unique relationship with a certain mountain lion known as P-22, who became a symbol of the coexistence between wildlife and humans in urban areas. P-22 captured the world's attention when he journeyed from the Santa Monica Mountains to Griffith Park, right in the heart of Los Angeles, where he settled down and made his home. His presence in the city provided a rare opportunity for people to connect with wild animals and inspired many to take action to protect the city's remaining wild spaces.We had Beth on the show back in 2017, but a lot has changed since then. For one, the famed 101 freeway wildlife crossing that was then just an idea still in need of final funding, now looms completed over the huge 10 lane freeway. Unfortunately since our last interview, P-22 was captured by wildlife officials in December 2022 due to concerns related to his health and a few days later, on December 17, 2022, was euthanized.Our conversation discusses the impact of his loss on the local community and the wider conservation movement as well as the challenges facing urban wildlife and the importance of preserving natural habitats in cities in order to support biodiversity and the survival of these precious predators.So, join us as we delve into the fascinating world of urban wildlife and learn more about the amazing journey of P-22, the people who have been touched by his impact, and the many urban species he has inadvertently saved due to his global impact. Subscribe to our monthly newsletter at:earthtohumanspod.com Join private conversations with top authors and access exclusive bonus content! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

When I first heard about the organization that today's guest, Jennifer Hartman, works for, I felt like I could've found my dream conservation job. Two of my greatest loves in life combined - dogs and biology. Apparently this is quite a common perception, but it takes a very special type of person, and an even more special type of dog to join this well-oiled team.Rogue Detection Teams is made up of field biologists, known as ‘bounders', and rescue dogs, chosen for their supreme desire to fetch. These human-canine teams head out into some of the most hostile environments on the planet for days or weeks at a time, all in the name of conservation. They've made numerous important new discoveries, contributed to crucial conservation work, and informed management plans for ecosystems and the species that call them home.In this emotional interview, Jennifer shares her highlights and heartbreaks, and I realize why I might not actually be cut out for the job after all. Join private conversations with top authors and access exclusive bonus content! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Today as I drive alone down highway 395 on the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada along the length of California, I am reminded of a powerful film I had the privilege of seeing in the summer of 2021. It completely changed the way that I looked at this beautiful, harsh landscape and left me contemplating its messages even a year later. Filmmakers Ann Kaneko and Jin Yoo-Kim join producer Sarinah Simons for a deep dive into the empty lake-waters in Payahuunadü (Owens Valley) where Manzanar, the WWII concentration camp, becomes the confluence for memories of Payahuunadü, the now-parched “land of flowing water.” Intergenerational women from Native American, Japanese American and rancher communities form an unexpected alliance to defend their land and water from Los Angeles. Join private conversations with top authors and access exclusive bonus content! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

**BOOKCLUB DATE** Friday, July 29th at 6pm PST or 9pm EST at https://www.patreon.com/EarthToHumansThe very first book I read by today's guest haunted me for weeks after finishing it. I couldn't shake the reality of the near-future world that she creates, which feels as terrifying as it is tangible and close. The reality of a world without animals. I knew I had to bring her on the show somehow, and I'm so glad we were able to have today's conversation. Charlotte McConaghy is an Australian author living in Sydney and the mind behind two international bestselling novels, Migrations and Once There Were Wolves. Charlotte's books are sweeping, beautiful and haunting as they tackle issues related to the frayed and fragile relationship that we humans have to the natural world. Today we'll discuss both of her latest novels, the necessity of empathy and preserving hope in the face of devastating ecological and interpersonal loss. Charlotte will be joining us for our next Earth to Humans Book Club, which you can find more information about at patreon.com/earthtohumans. As always, let us know what you thought about this episode by leaving us a review on your favorite podcast app.https://www.patreon.com/EarthToHumanshttps://wildlensinc.org/ Join private conversations with top authors and access exclusive bonus content! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Hannah's ancestry traces back to Ireland, and learning about the folklore that would have shaped the way that her great grandparents, great great grand parents and all the Mulvanys before them would have related to nature and the places around them has been a main feature of her past month in the country. She wanted to delve deeper into the folklore that the country is famous for, so spoke to Bairbre Ní Fhloinn, professor of folklore at Dublin University, about how it has framed humankind and our relationship to nature, and how it links together all humanity. Join private conversations with top authors and access exclusive bonus content! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

I came across today's topic in kind of a roundabout way. Recently I was rewatching the James Cameron film, Titanic, and as I was watching Rose freeze on her floating piece of wood and pry Jack's cold dead hands from hers as she whispers "I'll never let go," it got me wondering just how cold the water actually was when the titanic actually sank. A quick google search told me it was about -2.2 degrees Celsius (or 27 degrees Fahrenheit). And if you're me and were taught that water freezes at 0 degrees Celsius or 32 degrees Fahrenheit, you may have been stumped by the water's ability to be colder than “freezing.” So you do another few google searches and come to find that water doesn't actually HAVE to freeze at 0 celsius (32 degrees Fahrenheit) and continuing the Titanic example, saltwater, ambient air temperature and the sheer size of the body of water all affect the water's temperature and ability to freeze. Still with me? Okay but then I started wondering just how cold liquid water can still exist before it HAS to freeze (the answer is -55 degrees Fahrenheit by the way) and then I came across a bit of research about a group of scientists who accidentally created the coldest place in the universe.This is where today's episode picks up. I wanted to understand a bit more about this experiment, how it happened, and what its implications are for real world and important applications. Christian Deppner is my guest today who was a member of the team that created this ultra cold capsule of atoms while researching what's called internal wave interferometry. By using a tall drop tower that simulates anti-gravity conditions, Christian and his team at the Center for Applied Space Technology and Microgravity (ZARM) at the University of Bremen in Germany, tried to see how slow they could get a contained cloud of atoms to move and how accurately they could measure this movement, all the while creating atomic movement so slow, it became the coldest place in the universe. Join private conversations with top authors and access exclusive bonus content! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Ocean Mercier teaches Te Pūtaiao Māori/Māori Science which is a course on mātauranga Māori (Māori knowledge and science) in both traditional and contemporary contexts, at Victoria University in Wellington, New Zealand. Her research and that of her peers and students recognizes the values and merit of both indigenous and western techniques, using both to produce some amazing research that could hold the key to saving species, ecosystems and even improving human resilience against the negative impacts of climate change. In this episode, we also discuss the Polynesian and European settlement of New Zealand, Maori culture and beliefs, and round off the episode on the ancient creation story of 'Aotearoa' - the land of the long white cloud. Join private conversations with top authors and access exclusive bonus content! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

While Sarinah and Hannah are on vacation, we decided to rebroadcast one of our "best of" episodes with Dr. Sylvia Earle, you'll understand why in a minute... Close your eyes, and picture yourself underwater. See the light sway above you, as it gets darker and darker the further down you go. Welcome to the deep waters of the ocean, a place where today's guest has spent a considerable part of her life, swimming alongside the ocean's many flora and fauna. Dr Sylvia Earle is an icon in marine biology and ocean conservation and has been featured in popular documentaries like Seaspiracy, Mission Blue and Chasing Ice. She has won many awards and accolades including the Carl Sagan Award for Public Understanding of Science, the National Audubon Society's Rachel Carson Award, and has authored more than 150 publications including a new book alongside National Geographic called Ocean: A Global Odyssey.She's also the first woman to walk on the ocean floor.The team here at Earth to Humans is a HUGE fan of Dr. Earle and her work and we've had a hard time containing our excitement in anticipation of this episode's release. We talk octopus intelligence, empathy in science and reasons why there is still so much reason to hope (even though everything seems really f@$%ed). She thinks we humans can overcome the mountain of our environmental negligence, and after this interview, we might be inclined to believe her. Join private conversations with top authors and access exclusive bonus content! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

Let's go back in time about a few hundred million years. You're a plant. And you're a plant that's been evolving alongside microorganisms, fungi and animals. Come to find out, everyone finds you particularly tasty. You naturally don't like being eaten, but you're a plant and you can't just walk away. So what can you do against all these predators? You could modify your leaves into thorns or equip them with tiny, irritating hairs, but maybe you decide to go a different route and develop chemical toxins to deter your opponent. Perhaps upon ingesting this toxin, insects find you instantly deadly, perhaps small mammals find themselves immobilized and disoriented by your effects and learn to leave you alone, but perhaps early hominids find a way to carefully dose your toxins and use them for medicine or even recreation.That's the topic of my conversation today with Dr. Oné R. Pagán and his latest book, Drunk Flies and Stoned Dolphins: A Trip Through the World of Animal Intoxication. We'll discuss how naturally occurring compounds in our environment been used and abused (both intentionally and unintentionally) by members of the animal kingdom. We'll learn about cigarette wielding birds, LSD induced elephants and big cats crazy for catnip. As always, we'd love to hear from you about this episode, so leave us a review and follow us on social media @earthtohumanspod. Join private conversations with top authors and access exclusive bonus content! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The modern dating world is a tricky thing to navigate. We all have expectations and desires - but what happens when you add environmentalism into the mix? For today's episode, we join together 4 singles who are environmentalists by trade or by passion, to discuss how their belief systems affect their romantic lives. Join private conversations with top authors and access exclusive bonus content! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

An in-depth look at the illegal cheetah trade with the founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund (CCF), Dr. Laurie Marker, and the CCF illegal wildlife trade lead Dr. Shira Yashphe. Join private conversations with top authors and access exclusive bonus content! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The very first book I read by today's guest haunted me for weeks after finishing it. I couldn't shake the reality of the near-future world that she creates, which feels as terrifying as it is tangible and close. The reality of a world without animals. I knew I had to bring her on the show somehow, and I'm so glad we were able to have today's conversation. Charlotte McConaghy is an Australian author living in Sydney and the mind behind two international bestselling novels, Migrations and Once There Were Wolves. Charlotte's books are sweeping, beautiful and haunting as they tackle issues related to the frayed and fragile relationship that we humans have to the natural world. Today we'll discuss both of her latest novels, the necessity of empathy and preserving hope in the face of devastating ecological and interpersonal loss. Charlotte will be joining us for our next Earth to Humans Book Club, which you can find more information about at patreon.com/earthtohumans. As always, let us know what you thought about this episode by leaving us a review on your favorite podcast app.https://www.patreon.com/EarthToHumanshttps://wildlensinc.org/ Join private conversations with top authors and access exclusive bonus content! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

On today's episode, producer Hannah Mulvaney takes over the earth to humans podcast with an amazing interview with two folks leading the charge to create sustainable, environmentally friendly ways for women in developing countries to gain and build financial independence. They work to address gender oppression by focusing on rural, women-led work that remedies issues of poverty and resource disparities. Their community based projects aim to empower women with financial stability and drive communities away from environmentally harmful practices. So often, environmental organizations are not sustainable because they are not wholistic approaches but self-congratulatory band aid solutions that are not led by the communities they are inserting themselves into but The Think Her Project is. This conversation features founder and executive director Daphne De Celles and Godfrey Oyema as they discuss some of the important work they are doing in Tanzania and Kenya. Financial independence can mean the difference between life and death for some of these women as well as an escape from sexual violence all while sustaining their communities and their environments. It's an important conversation, that we hope you enjoy. Join private conversations with top authors and access exclusive bonus content! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.

The ETH crew is happy to invite you to our very first book club meeting which will be Sunday, March 6th at 11am PST via Zoom featuring Author Mark Dowie, author of The Haida Gwaii Lesson. To sign up for this free event, you must be an ETH Patreon subscriber at the $1/month tier, which will also get you access to a free digital download of Mark's book. So sign-up, get reading and we can't wait to see you at our very first bookclub meetup March 6th at 11am PST via Zoom. Zoom details will be sent out to Patreon subscribers ahead of the event. Email sarinah@wildlensinc.org if you have any questions. Join private conversations with top authors and access exclusive bonus content! See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.