Episodes

ExxonMobil’s Dirty Secret: Geoffrey Supran

Geoffrey Supran is a Research Associate at Harvard University, and co-author of Assessing ExxonMobil's Climate Change Communications (1977–2014). We discuss what ExxonMobil knew about climate change, its relentless campaign to deny the reality of climate science, and the importance of speaking truth to power.

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Ending the Nuclear Era: Fred Pearce

Fred Pearce is the author of Fallout: Disasters, Lies, and the Legacy of the Nuclear Age, and has reported on environmental, science, and development issues from 88 countries over the past thirty years. We discuss the legacy of secrecy surrounding nuclear technology, the true cost of waste management, and whether we're nearing the end of the Nuclear Era.

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A Renewable Future: Mark Z. Jacobson

Mark Z. Jacobson is a Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering and Senior Fellow of the Stanford Woods Institute for the Environment. We discuss the various practical problems that make nuclear energy not a viable solution for decarbonization, which renewable sources work better, and why electrifying our lives is a big part of the solution.

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Climate Justice: Julian Brave NoiseCat

Julian Brave NoiseCat is Vice President of Policy and Strategy at Data for Progress, Narrative Change Director of The Natural History Museum, author, and a First Nations member. We discuss the need for climate justice, what we can learn from our indigenous communities, and why durable clean energy policy is key to stopping climate change.

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Writing Climate Policy: Jerry Taylor

Jerry Taylor is the President and co-founder of the Niskanen Center, a non-partisan think tank that works to promote an open society. We talk about his conversion from climate denier to climate advocate, working behind the scenes to persuade Republican lawmakers to act on climate change, and why a carbon tax is the most effective public policy to do so.

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The Future of Food: Lenore Newman

Lenore Newman holds the Canada Research Chair in Food Security and Environment at the University of the Fraser Valley. Her latest book is Lost Feast: Culinary Extinction and the Future of Food. We discuss achieving food security through better management of food supplies, which include eating lower on the food chain and using technology such as artificial meats.

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Towards a Sustainable Future: Katherine Richardson

Katherine Richardson is the Leader of the Sustainability Science Centre at the University of Copenhagen and a Professor of Biological Oceanography. We discuss the needs of billions of people for food and energy, finding solutions within our finite resources, and tipping points in climate and in societal behavior.

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The End of Welfare: Kathryn Edin (Rebroadcast)

Kathryn Edin is one of the nation’s leading poverty researchers, who works in the domains of welfare and low-wage work, family, and life, through direct, in-depth observations of the lives of low-income populations. We discuss the evisceration of welfare, the rise of destitution, and the absolute necessity of cash in an advanced capitalist society.

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Protecting Free Speech: Suzanne Nossel

Suzanne Nossel is the CEO of PEN America, the world’s foremost human rights and free expression non-profit organization. We discuss the importance of the First Amendment for American democracy, Trump’s unprecedented attacks on the press, and the state of free expression around the world.

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Reimagining Civic Learning: Louise Dubé

Louise Dubé is the Executive Director of iCivics, an organization whose mission is to cultivate a new generation of students for thoughtful and active citizenship. We discuss the critical importance of high-quality civics education, the role of iCivics games in effective learning, and the necessity for robust investment and legislation in this space.

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The Three Dimensions of Freedom: Billy Bragg

Billy Bragg is an acclaimed songwriter, activist, and author. We recently sat down in front of a live audience at Columbia University's Holder Initiative to discuss his latest book, The Three Dimensions of Freedom, the current state of Western Democracy, how we got here, and what we can do to make it better.

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The Time for Civic Engagement is Now: Mila Atmos

Mila Atmos is the Founder and Host of Future Hindsight, this very podcast whose mission is to spark civic engagement. In this mini episode with Associate Producer Myriam Zumbühl, we discuss how the podcast came to be and why we all need to participate in our democracy.

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Achieving Tolerable Climate: Jonathan Lamontagne

Jonathan Lamontagne is a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Tufts University School of Engineering. In his recent study, he finds that immediate global action is required for robust climate abatement. We discuss the narrow window that still remains for both a tolerable climate future and tolerable economic conditions.

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