Greener Us

The assassination of President John F. Kennedy in November of 1963 was one of the most significant events of the 20th century. Over the past 60 years, a slew of stories have been told about who killed the president and why - elements of the CIA and American military, the Soviets, Castro and the Cubans, the mafia, or some strange amalgamation of them all? One thing we know for sure is the story the Warren Commission tells about Lee Harvey Oswald being the one and only person involved in the assassination is dubious at best. In this episode of What's What, we focus on the military-industrial complex, the CIA, and the coup d'état theory of JFK's assassination; citing Oliver Stone's 1991 film "JFK". The second half of the episode takes a detour into power and privilege dynamics in the United States and how racial grievances are fueling misguided public policy. What's What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion: Website & Blog YouTube @vayusmedia Instagram @vayusmedia Instagram @chrissiracuse Facebook @VayusMedia Twitter @VayusMedia TikTok @vayusmedia Vayus Media LinkedIn What's What LinkedIn

Death is a topic that is often avoided or ignored, but it is one of the few things that is absolutely certain for living beings. In this episode of What's What, Rushi and Chris discuss Eastern and Western perspectives on death, the moral problems with suicide and medically assisted dying, and the spiritual aspects of the dying process. “When death comes, it's just like winter. We don't say, 'There ought not to be winter.' That the winter season, when the leaves fall and the snow comes, is some kind of defeat, something which we should hold out against. No. Winter is part of the natural course of events. No winter, no summer. No cold, no heat." - Alan Watts Warning: This episode contains material that may be disturbing for some listeners and viewers. What's What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion: Website & Blog YouTube @vayusmedia Instagram @vayusmedia Instagram @chrissiracuse Facebook @VayusMedia Twitter @VayusMedia TikTok @vayusmedia Vayus Media LinkedIn What's What LinkedIn

For better or worse, the introduction of ChatGPT to the public was a monumental moment for the development of the human species. AI technologies will re-shape every aspect of society and they are ushering in a new era of creative expression - what will this new world look like and how will we maintain the spiritual essence of the human experience as machines take more and more control of our lives? In this episode of What's What, Rushi and Chris offer their take and explore ways to utilize these tools without losing our humanity. What's What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion: Vayus Media Website & What's What Blog YouTube @vayusmedia Instagram @vayusmedia Instagram @chrissiracuse Facebook @VayusMedia Twitter @VayusMedia TikTok @vayusmedia Vayus Media LinkedIn What's What LinkedIn

On the surface, propaganda is relatively simple - it is the dissemination of information (facts, arguments, rumors, half-truths, or lies) to influence public opinion and it is often used to promote a specific political cause or point of view. But the discussion around propaganda becomes much more complex when we start to ask questions about intent. It is easy to look at opposing view points and say we know the intent behind them and label them as propaganda, disinformation, or misinformation - but it's much harder to look at ourselves and question our own intent and our own beliefs. In this episode of What's What, Rushi and Chris sift through their biases and beliefs about the world, and try to reach a shared understanding of truth. What's What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion: YouTube @vayusmedia Instagram @vayusmedia Instagram @chrissiracuse Facebook @VayusMedia Twitter @VayusMedia TikTok @vayusmedia Vayus Media LinkedIn What's What LinkedIn

Taoism (or Daoism) emerged in China around 500 BCE when the philosopher Lao Tzu wrote the Tao Te Ching. The word Tao has many translations but one of the most common is "the flow of nature" or according to Alan Watts "the course of things". At the heart of Taoist philosophy is the belief that the best way to maintain order is to not try to maintain order. By relinquishing our desire for control, we create space for spontaneity and adaptability. Just as a river flows effortlessly, finding its own path around obstacles, Taoism invites us to navigate life's challenges with grace and flexibility. Rather than resisting the natural flow, we learn to flow with it. In part three of our mini-series on Eastern philosophy, Rushi and Chris discuss the Tao and how it relates to political and economic systems like communism and free market capitalism. The second half of the show gets deep into Taoism and transgenderism, and what the "flow of nature" truly means when it comes to the free will of human beings. Is it possible for humans to have "unnatural" thoughts and do "unnatural" things, or is everything we do natural because we are part of the natural world? Tune in to find out. "The great Tao flows everywhere, both to the left and to the right.It loves and nourishes all things but does not lord it over them.And when good things are accomplished it lays no claim to them." - Lao Tzu from the Tao Te Ching What's What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion: YouTube @vayusmedia Instagram @vayusmedia Instagram @chrissiracuse Facebook @VayusMedia Twitter @VayusMedia TikTok @vayusmedia Vayus Media LinkedIn What's What LinkedIn

India the 6th-5th centuries BCE... according to legend, the Hindu prince Siddhartha Gautama renounced his position and wealth to seek enlightenment as a spiritual ascetic. It is said that he reached enlightenment while meditating under a bodhi tree, and thus became the Buddha. He began to preach his path to others and the religion of Buddhism was born. In part two of our mini-series on Eastern philosophy, Rushi and Chris delve into the core beliefs of Buddhism such as the Four Noble Truths, Aldous Huxley and Alan Watts's perspective on the teachings, and the modern importance of one of the world's most popular religions. What's What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion: YouTube @vayusmedia Instagram @vayusmedia Instagram @chrissiracuse Facebook @VayusMedia Vayus Media LinkedIn What's What LinkedIn

Hinduism is thought to be the world's oldest religion, and it includes many different systems of philosophy, belief, and ritual. But to some, Hinduism is not a religion at all, but rather a lifestyle or simply a way of being. In part one of our mini-series on Eastern philosophy, Rushi and Chris dig into the history, myths, and influence of Hinduism; and how these ancient beliefs are shaping the modern world. What lessons can we learn from Hindu texts like the Vedas, the Ramayana, and the Bhagavad Gita? Tune in to find out. What's What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion: YouTube @vayusmedia Instagram @vayusmedia Instagram @chrissiracuse Facebook @VayusMedia Vayus Media LinkedIn What's What LinkedIn

Two questions are at the core of discussions about sustainable agriculture, food, and health (individual and ecosystem health): Where does our food come from and how is it grown or produced? In this episode of What's What, Rushi and Chris dig into industrial food systems and explore solutions to the challenges around producing enough food to feed the growing population of the planet, while also keeping ourselves healthy and our environment clean. They touch on regenerative and biodynamic farming, permaculture, food sovereignty, and local food production. What's What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion: YouTube @vayusmedia Instagram @vayusmedia Instagram @chrissiracuse Facebook @VayusMedia Vayus Media LinkedIn What's What LinkedIn

Lawrence Blair is an anthropologist, author, explorer, and filmmaker. He is the writer, presenter, and co-producer of "Ring of Fire: An Indonesian Odyssey" (1988) a series of five documentary films following the decade-long journey of Lawrence and his brother Lorne, and their search for the lost cultures and forgotten traditions of Indonesia. He is also the author of the 1976 book "Rhythms of Vision: The Changing Patterns of Belief" in which he explores sacred geometry, energy, chakras, and spiritual planes of existence. In this episode of What's What, Rushi and Chris visit Pak Lawrence ("Pak" means "sir" or "mister" in Indonesian) at his home in Bali to discuss a range of topics including his connection with Aldous Huxley, science and mysticism, the counterculture movements of the 1960s and today, and his adventures in Indonesia. What's What is produced by Vayus Media - click on the links below for more content about counterculture ideas, Earth-conscious living, and Eastern philosophy and religion: YouTube @vayusmedia Instagram @vayusmedia Instagram @chrissiracuse Facebook @VayusMedia Vayus Media LinkedIn What's What LinkedIn

In this episode of What's What, Chris sits down with author and philosopher Martin O'Toole to discuss his upcoming book, How To Die Happy. Cherry-picking Eastern philosophies like Taoism, Confucianism, and Buddhism - and introducing mindfulness, psychological practices, and tales of the miraculous healing power of ayahuasca - How To Die Happy distills the secrets to living and dying well. Part curated wisdom, part handbook, part memoir, this inspirational text offers a blend of ancient lessons, stories of real-life suffering, and a host of practical utilities to enjoy a vibrant and contented life.

The Internet is a digital abstraction of physical life and reality, and this abstraction continues to dominate more and more of our lives. In this episode of What's What, Rushi and Chris discuss social media, the metaverse, and the effects of technology on the individual mind and society as a whole. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, Rushi and Chris dig a little deeper on Alan Watts, the Sausalito Houseboat Summit of 1967, and the vision of a tribal future as the ultimate manifestation of dropping out. They also discuss the hyper-commercialized spiritual movements in Bali and the current state of the counterculture movement. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Alan Watts is best known for being one of the first to interpret Eastern philosophy and religion for Western audiences, and has been described as having the gift of ‘writing beautifully the unwritable'. Watts combined Taoist, Buddhist, and Hindu teachings with his own personal philosophy - forming a unique, eloquent, and inspiring perspective on humankind, nature, and the universe. In this episode, Rushi and Chris focus on Watts's thoughts on the course of nature and returning to our ‘original intelligence'. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In part two, Rushi and Chris discuss the legacy of Leary and Dass, the current state of the ‘revolution of consciousness', and the next chapter in the story of psychedelic counterculture with a new generation carrying the torch. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Timothy Leary most commonly evokes images from the out of control psychedelic experimentation of the 1960s, and Ram Dass is often associated with the new age spiritual movements emerging in the west around that same time. But before they were counterculture icons, they were reputable psychologists and professors at Harvard University, and among the very first western researchers to study psilocybin. In part one of a two part series, Rushi and Chris tell the beginning of their story and how their friendship sparked a cultural revolution. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Starting in September 2022, the Greener Us podcast will be changed to the What's What podcast - we will no longer be producing The Blend or Greener Us episodes. If you're a fan of What's What, please continue to join me and Rushi as we revive the philosophy and literature at the heart of the counterculture movement of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s - using the work of Aldous Huxley, Alan Watts, Ram Dass, Timothy Leary, Buckminster Fuller, Krishnamurti, and others, we take a critical look at societal norms and explore sustainable and Earth-conscious alternatives to the industrialized systems that rule modern life. We will also continue to publish episodes of Vayus Radio on the What's What podcast feed, so you can get new tunes from across the spectrum of independent music. And finally, Greener Us social media channels will be changed to Vayus Media, so you can continue to follow us on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter @vayusmedia for visual and written content exploring humankind's relationship with the natural world. Thank you for following the What's What podcast from Vayus Media - we'll talk with you again soon!

In this episode of The Blend: Europe experiences extreme heat and the mainstream media loves it, a New Hampshire distillery turns invasive crabs into whiskey, the world's largest carbon capture plant was switched on in Iceland, and lab-grown meat is in the limelight. NPR: Heat torches Southern Europe NPR: Invasive green crab whiskey IFLScience: Carbon capture plant in Iceland Forbes: Cultured meat --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode of What's What, Rushi and Chris introduce Krishnamurti and his connection to Aldous Huxley, and discuss their philosophy around alternative education. Themes through the show - What do we think we know and why do we think we know it? What are human beings for? --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode of The Weekly Blend: NPR explores eco-facism and the overlap between far-right politics and environmentalism, Science News touts ‘bubble-blowing' drones for artificial pollination, a study from Ohio State University says that plants are better than technology for reducing air pollution, and grief can now be officially labeled as a mental disorder. From NPR: Eco-fascism From Science News: Bubble-blowing drones From Zee News: Plants better than tech From Science News: Mosquitos From POPSUGAR: Grief as a mental disorder --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

At the core of industrialized society is an economic idea based on scarcity. But Buckminster Fuller, Terence McKenna, and others presented an alternative perspective - abundance. In this episode of What's What, Rushi and Chris continue discussing ‘Food of the Gods' and introduce Fuller's ‘The Operating Manual for Spaceship Earth'. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode of The Weekly Blend: NPR complains about misinformation derailing their utopian energy vision, a cinematographer from SeaLegacy indulges himself while claiming to do conservation work, and a new dating app connects vegans and vegetarians. From NPR: Misinformation and renewable energy From CNN: SeaLegacy cinematographer From EcoWatch: Vegpal dating app for vegans and vegetarians --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode of The Weekly Blend: turning human bodies into soil, the basics of hydrogen energy, and the world's most notorious succulent thief. From NPR: Could our bodies help new life grow after we die? From The Washington Post: Here's what you need to know about hydrogen From The Guardian: The world's most notorious succulent thief --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode of What's What: human evolution, psilocybin mushrooms, and Terrence McKenna's book ‘Food of the Gods'. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode of The Weekly Blend: Disney announces plans to build a residential community in the Palm Desert, Saudi Arabia touts an ambitious but dubious plan for a futuristic eco-city, and Coldplay's eco-friendly tour starts this month in Costa Rica. From Forbes: Storyliving by Disney VIDEO: Announcing Storyliving From BBC: Saudi's planned eco-city VIDEO: Neom, the futuristic mega-city From Rolling Stone: Coldplay's sustainable tour Music of the Spheres World Tour --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Prescription drugs in the world's rivers, the changing smell of snow, and the Center for Biological Diversity supports a federal plan to gun down feral cows from helicopters. Also, we'll take a look at the documentary film, Purple Mountains, featuring professional snowboarder Jeremy Jones. From BBC: Rivers and prescription drugs From The Washington Post: The smell of snow From AP: Gunning down feral cows Documentary film, Purple Mountains Follow us on Instagram @greenerusmedia --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Desmond Tutu's ‘eco-friendly' cremation, climate scientists obsess over data, and coho salmon return to Northern California. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Looking to the work of George Orwell ("Animal Farm" and "1984") and Aldous Huxley ("Brave New World" and "Island") to understand how pharmaceutical companies are using tyrannical tactics to trap us in an industrialized healthcare system. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The modern world is packed with physical and digital stuff, and our endless pursuit of more has put us into a bind - the more we have, the more we seem to want. In today's episode, I'll talk about minimalism as a lifestyle, the connection between minimalism and Earth-conscious living, and how we can all get back to the basics. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

I'll explain how some single-minded eco-warriors are being counterproductive in regards to bringing about lasting change and encouraging more Earth-conscious ways of living. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In the very first episode of What's What, Rushi and Chris discuss the inspiration for the show - Aldous Huxley's 1962 novel, “Island”, his final work before his death and the utopian counterpart to the 1932 dystopian novel, “A Brave New World”. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Food is much more than just physical nourishment - it's a connection to our communities, our traditions, and our planet. In this episode, I sit down with chef, artist, and farm to table cuisine master Evan Rilling to discuss his new cookbook, the magic of food forests, and what the future holds for regenerative agriculture and conscious cooking. Evan spent four and a half years working as a freelance chef for the actor Will Smith, and has designed menus and created recipes for retreat centers, health food brands, and restaurants around the world. Click this link to buy Evan's new cookbook, Retreat To order the book in Bali and receive a signed copy, message Evan on WhatsApp at +1 805 218 0764 --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Exciting new additions coming to the Greener Us podcast feed! Starting in December 2021, we'll be launching a companion series called What's What, co-hosted by Chris Siracuse and Rushi Krishna. In the series, we'll revive the philosophy and literature at the heart of the counterculture movement of the 1950s, 60s, and 70s. Using the work of Aldous Huxley, Alan Watts, Krishnamurti, and others, we'll take a critical look at societal norms and explore alternatives to the industrialized systems that rule modern life. In addition to What's What, we'll also be launching a Music + Talk show made possible by Anchor.fm, Spotify's podcast creation and distribution platform. The show is called Vayus Radio and it will feature curated music playlists, conversations about music, and personal anecdotes and stories. Combining our two series, Greener Us & What's What, with the Music + Talk show, Vayus Radio, we'll be offering an audio experience that is unique in the podcast world. All three shows will live on this podcast feed, so you can stay right here for Earth-conscious stories, philosophical discussions, music, and more. We'll also be ramping up our visual and written content production, so check us out on Instagram @GreenerUsMedia and on Twitter @TheGreenerUs. If you like what you hear, please follow us on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Christina Conklin is an artist, researcher, and writer whose work investigates individual, cultural, and climatic transformation, often using the ocean as both site and metaphor. In this episode, Christina discusses her new book The Atlas of Disappearing Places: Our Coasts and Oceans in the Climate Crisis, and how we can imagine and create more hopeful futures for places in peril. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Burke Boynton is an artist, surfer, surfboard shaper, and one of my closest friends. In this episode, Burke and I discuss how surfing nurtured our love for the ocean and how surfers can help define the future of ocean conservation movements. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Andrew Taylor is a marine biologist and director of Blue Corner Conservation and his organization is working to restore the coral reefs of Bali and the nearby islands of Nusa Lembongan and Nusa Penida. In this episode, we talk with Andrew about encouraging coral reef conservation through diving and the role humans can play in regenerating these crucial ecosystems. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In this episode, I talk with software engineer, ultimate frisbee champion, and my good friend, Octavia Payne (aka Opi) about keeping it simple and sustainable, and why leaf blowers are a bigger problem than you might think. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Carbon climate strategies have been at the core of corporate sustainability goals, but preserving biodiversity, protecting freshwater supplies, preventing land degradation, and mitigating ocean acidification are equally crucial to the sustainability equation. In this episode, we talk with Charlotte Bande, Global Head of Climate Strategy at Quantis International, about the evolution of thought around sustainability and how forward-looking businesses are embracing a holistic approach to environmental conservation. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The Los Angeles River hardly looks like a river. It's concrete channels are emblematic of an era when complete dominance over the landscape was considered progress. But times are changing. In this episode, we talk with Andrea Dell'Apa from the Council for Watershed Health and Wendy Katagi from Stillwater Sciences about the Los Angeles River Fish Passage & Habitat Structures Design Project and the potential for bringing the iconic steelhead trout back to Southern California waters. Links to resources from the show: LAR Fish Passage Project Description Project GIS StoryMap Against the Current video --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Systems thinking isn't a new concept, ancient wisdom tells of the interconnectedness of humans and the systems of our planet. But as a tool for making better decisions in the business world, systems thinking is just taking off. In this episode we talk with three designers, Sabina Popin, Emma Warren, and Oliver Dykes about what systems thinking is and how it can help us on our journey to systemic sustainability. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Restaurants produce a lot of waste, making them perfect places to design and implement zero waste systems and processes. In this episode we talk with Rushi Krishna, former Director of Food & Beverage Operations at Potato Head in Bali, Indonesia about opening and running zero waste restaurants and the future of circular food sourcing and preparation models. More links to resources from the show: Financial Review article about Potato Head Bali CNBC story about sustainability and cost-savings Designboom article about Ijen restaurant in Bali Silo Restaurant --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

This podcast is about environmental sustainability, but what does ‘sustainable' really mean and how can we take a holistic approach to living sustainably? On Earth Day 2021, we talk with sustainability researcher Tristan Månsson-Perrone about the Good Intentions Network - a roadmap for balancing the needs of people and Planet Earth. More links to resources from the show: Holistic Sustainability and the concentric circles referenced in the show Doughnut Economics - the Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries The Nine Planetary Boundaries United Nations Sustainable Development Goals The Future We Choose - book recommendation from Tristan Bubble-hopping - a method for pushing back on polarization --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Happy Girl Kitchen Co. in Pacific Grove, California is a place where food is fun. In this episode, we talk with Happy Girl's co-founder/owner, Jordan Champagne, about the magic of local harvests, building community through food, and how to look at food production from a farmer's perspective. More links to resources from the show: It Starts with Fruit - Jordan's cookbook Live Earth Farm - the farm where Happy Girl sources a lot of their produce Pete's Greens - Jordan's recommendation for a CSA in Vermont --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

If you look at Bitcoin from a philosophical perspective, you see a system that has the potential to fundamentally change how human civilizations function. And two words capture the essence of Bitcoin philosophy - scarcity and decentralization. In this episode, we talk with Bitcoin software developer Fontaine Denton about why central banks have too much power and how Bitcoin can help set the stage for a more sustainable and environmentally conscious future. More links to resources from the show: Why Bitcoin Needs Philosophy - CoinDesk article Bitcoin Will Save Our Earth - Bitcoin Magazine article Bitcoin Independence Day - Bitcoin Magazine article The Bitcoin Standard - book about the decentralized alternative Fiat Money - Investopedia article Dissolution of the Bretton Woods Agreement and System WTF Happened in 1971? - visuals showing what happened when the U.S. stopped backing the USD with gold Fontaine's Twitter @Fonta1n3 Fully Noded - Bitcoin wallet built by Fontaine --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Nemo Gould is an artist, sculptor, compulsive collector of things, and self-described ‘Chairman of the Hoard'. He makes kinetic sculptures from found objects, repurposing what most of us would consider junk to create weird and wonderful art. In this episode, Nemo and I discuss his work in the context of the sustainability movement and how we can all spend less time in front of screens and get back to a more grounded existence in the physical world. More links to resources from the show: Found - short documentary featuring Nemo Artist in Residence Program at Recology San Francisco - where Nemo's philosophy about found objects first developed --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

The pristine Chilkat River Valley in Southeast Alaska is a special place. In this episode, we talk with documentary filmmaker Connor Gallagher about his film, Rock, Paper, Fish that tells the story of how residents of this valley are dealing with a proposed mining operation in the mountains above Klukwan and Haines - two communities nestled along the Chilkat River. We also discuss the power of conservation storytelling, how it can shape public opinion around environmental issues, and how to make a new type of documentary that doesn't preach to the choir. More links to resources from the show: Irreparable Harm - Connor's other film about mining in Alaska Nomad Island - Connor's production company Constantine Metal Resources and the Palmer Project - proposed mine above the Chilkat River --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

In the Greener Us pilot episode, we talk with Marcus Eriksen of The 5 Gyres Institute about the insidious nature of single-use plastics, how to rethink our relationship with plastic, and the promise of using science, policy, and circular economies to fix the plastic problem. More links to resources from the show: The Great Pacific Garbage Patch Marcus's plastic raft voyage Plastic and the albatross of Midway Atoll Plastic and the camels of Dubai What is a circular economy? Vessel - circular economy solution for single-use plastic cups and to go boxes RePack - reuse as a service --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app

Behind the environmental conservation buzzwords there are complex and fascinating stories about how us humans are reimagining how we interact with our environment. From revitalizing the concrete channels of the Los Angeles River to preserving the salmon rich waters of Southeast Alaska to rethinking the sprawling agricultural empires of the American Midwest, the Greener Us podcast explores the science, philosophy, and artistry driving the green revolution. Living sustainably starts with knowledge, and this podcast is our quest to find and share that knowledge. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app