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In this episode, we engage with environmental filmmaker Angelina Lee, who discusses her documentary "Making a Mini Forest." Angelina shares insights into the Miyawaki method, a revolutionary approach to reforesting the planet that emphasizes planting indigenous trees in dense clusters to restore ecosystems efficiently. As we confront the realities of climate change and biodiversity loss, learn how microforests can be a powerful tool for community engagement and environmental stewardship. Join us as we explore the vital connection between forests and human well-being, and discover how each of us can contribute to a greener future. Given the essential value of forests for planetary health it is imperative that we protect, preserve and plant the forests of tomorrow today. The Miyawaki method, developed 50 yrs ago by renowned botanist, ecologist & researcher Dr. Akira Miyawaki, known as the Keeper of Forests. Instilled with an ethos of humility, this multi-layered method of densely planting indigenous trees and shrubs can rapidly restore native forests, habitat, and biodiversity, to address human-induced climate change and help rebalance the hydrological cycle. Rather than be devastated by continuing news of massive tree cover loss across the globe through human actions of permanent agriculture, wildfires, logging, clearcutting and road-building through precious forest ecosystems, we can plant microforests, especially in small spaces on degraded lands. We can humbly assist Mother Earth in bringing back diverse ecosystems and be a positive force for the planet. The best kept secret is that millions of human beings are right now acting to regenerate and reforest the Earth. Angelina Lee joins us to encourage us to plant the Trees of tomorrow now. As the saying goes…the best time to plant a tree is yesterday and the second best time is today. Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio RESOURCES Trailer for upcoming mini-forest documentary: https://vimeo.com/1186356912 Read autobiography “Forests for the Future” by Dr. Akira Miyawaki himself: https://japhy.or.jp/article/activity/detail-319.html Read “Mini-Forest Revolution” by Hannah Lewis: https://hannahlewis.org Learn more about Japan’s Miyawaki forest making: (Instagram handles) @dondon.gfwp, @inochi.no.mori2020, @renafo_eu Get involved with Los Angeles micro-forests: https://lamicroforests.com Angelina Lee is an environmental documentary filmmaker with Punk Pebble Productions based in Los Angeles. She directed the feature-length documentary Making a Mini-Forest, [https://punkpebble.com/films/mini-forest/] which celebrates the extraordinary global movement to plant Miyawaki “mini-forests" of trees that fight climate change and renew local biodiversity. This is based on the work by Akira Miyawaki (1928-2021), Japanese botanist and expert in plant ecology. The film premiered at the UN Convention to Combat Desertification's COP16 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and has been screened in ten countries. Carry Kim, Co-Host of EcoJustice Radio. An advocate for ecosystem restoration, Indigenous lifeways, and a new humanity born of connection and compassion, she is a long-time volunteer for SoCal350, member of Ecosystem Restoration Camps, and a co-founder of the Soil Sponge Collective, a grassroots community organization dedicated to big and small scale regeneration of Mother Earth. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Intro: Jack Eidt Hosted by Carry Kim Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 294

In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of J.G. Ballard's provocative works, what later may be known as Climate Fiction, written mostly last century. From his early novel "The Drowned World" to the controversial "Crash," we delve into how Ballard's dystopian visions have shaped the genre. We feature insights from a PBS show Hot Mess, a short BBC film Ballard appeared in 1973 exploring his experimental novel of linked short stories called “The Atrocity Exhibition,” and a 2006 South Bank Show interview. We discuss the psychological and societal impacts of Climate Fiction, and how it might inspire change in an era of environmental urgency. The Atrocity Exhibition is J.G. Ballard’s instruction manual on how to disrupt mass media and recontextualize technology in a dystopian landscape overrun with industrial waste and technological white noise. The excerpt is from a 1973 BBC film directed by Harely Cokliss and features Ballard talking about car crash fetishism and the response to the bleak modern landscapes dominated by industrial monotony and the irrational violence of the technology-infused world which would coalesce into his controversial novel Crash, published in 1973. For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Resources/Articles: https://wilderutopia.com/performance/literary/j-g-ballard-atrocity-exhibition-modernist-motorcar-dystopia/ James Graham Ballard who lived between 1930 and 2009 was an English novelist and short-story writer known for psychologically provocative works that explore relations between human psychology, technology, sex and mass media. Ballard’s original climate fiction work from 1962 was the post-apocalyptic New Wave science fiction novel The Drowned World. He followed with the controversial 1970 short-story collection The Atrocity Exhibition, which includes the 1968 story "Why I Want to F- Ronald Reagan", and later the 1973 novel Crash (1973), a story about car-crash fetishists. In 1984, Ballard won broad critical recognition for the war novel Empire of the Sun, a semi-autobiographical story of the experiences of a British boy during the Japanese occupation of Shanghai;[4] three years later, the American film director Steven Spielberg adapted the novel into a film of the same name. From the distinct nature of the literary fiction of J. G. Ballard arose the adjective Ballardian, defined as: "resembling or suggestive of dystopian modernity, bleak man-made landscapes, and the psychological effects of technological, social or environmental developments." Jack Eidt is an environmental journalist, urban theorist and designer, and advocate for the wild, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes for a PBS SoCal Artbound project called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs. He also publishes articles and podcasts on Substack [https://jackeidt.substack.com/]. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 233 Photo credit:

In the words of Terence McKenna, since the rise of western monotheism the human experience has been marginalized. We have been told that we were unimportant in the cosmic drama when one considers the power of creation of the one God. But we now know as the global temperatures rise and glaciers melt from the burning of fossil fuels and the feedback mechanisms associated with the greenhouse effect: the impact of human culture on the Earth is massive. So how do we reverse the course of destruction created out of the human imagination? Some have postulated plant medicines learned from Indigenous societies of the Americas have a way to reintegrate humans into the processes of the Earth to heal the sickness and warming all around. In this show from 2024, we explore human symbiotic relationships with plants and chemicals in the sacred peyote medicine used by the Native American Church in the US and in societies in the mountains of Mexico. We look at the work of several ethnobotanists who also studied the plants and the rites associated with ayahuasca or yage in South America. Richard Evans Schultes and Terence McKenna researched the ancient human relationship with chemicals that would open the doorway to the divine, and perhaps a solution for saving our troubled world. This show aims to explore the powerful potential to replace abuse of illegal drugs with a shamanic understanding, insistence on community, reverence for nature, and increased self-awareness that can re-orient people to heal the fractured relationships with our communities and ecosystems. For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Resources/Articles: Sacred Peyote Short documentary Creed Spencer Film with Bryce Jarrett Appearing: Lisa Aldred PhD Hartford Stops Crow Dennis Holds - Crow Alexandra Witkin-New Holy PhD Montana State Univ Link: https://youtu.be/9rYdgHx8yrw?si=HWYDh8USmEEezLvC ---------- Fred Wahpepah - About the Peyote Ceremony from 7 Circles Foundation https://youtu.be/7qa6N7anaV8?si=bNKuyXo_aTUT1IOp ---- Benedict Allen Peyote the last of the medicine men - Huichol People of Mexico https://www.benedictallen.com/ —-- Native Lens: Healing Through Peyote -- Rocky Mountain PBS Amber Lahabe Dine/Navajo Video: https://youtu.be/Q7gR5oXARII?si=XxHb1OrkdAS5vTOu Icaros: https://youtu.be/hS21jI7p3hQ?si=QzRvHyvk2jhDRJTi Father of Modern Ethnobotany, Richard Evans Schultes Interview from 1990 https://youtu.be/1lxtn7zbQfw?si=Z_5UXi0IOG-ml8Xg Terence McKenna Culture is Your Operating System https://youtu.be/9c8an2XZ3MU?si=kEfa47NLkh8-mZND Terence McKenna - Eros and the Eschaton https://wilderutopia.com/performance/literary/terence-mckenna-on-shamanic-schizophrenia-and-cultural-healing/ Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate organizer, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 225 Photo credit: Mikhail Nilov on Pexels

In this episode, we engage in a discussion about the preservation of forests with Chad Hanson, a research ecologist and director of the John Muir Project of Earth Island Institute and Maya Khosla, biologist and writer who actively documents and explores biodiversity of post-fire forests. They share their insights on the urgent need to protect giant sequoia forests and the misconceptions surrounding forest management practices. We delve into the impact of logging and biomass industries on forest ecosystems and explore the significance of natural fire cycles in promoting biodiversity. Join us as we uncover the truth behind forest health and the critical role these majestic ecosystems play in our environment. Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Many of these so-called forest restoration and wildfire resiliency policies are misguided and highly destructive to the very forests and forest dwellers that they claim to protect. For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio RESOURCES John Muir Project, Click on TAKE ACTION: www.johnmuirproject.org The Great Big Giant Sequoia Scam film: https://www.bing.com/search?q=the%20great%20big%20giant%20sequoia%20scam%20film%20you%20tube&FORM=ARPSEC&PC=3FPX&PTAG=53030277 Maya Khosla [https://www.mayakhosla.com/] is a biologist and writer who began exploring the biodiversity of post-fire forests in 2014. She is currently working with Sequoia ForestKeeper. Her work on giant sequoias after fire, conducted in collaboration with many other independent scientists, has been featured in Ecology and Evolution and in FIRE. Her books include “All the Fires of Wind and Light” (poems from Sixteen Rivers Press), “Keel Bone” (poems from Bear Star Press), and “Web of Water: Life in Redwood Creek” (nonfiction from Golden Gate Parks). Her work has been featured in documentary films including “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire” and “Village of Dust, City of Water,” which included her poetry. Chad Hanson [http://www.johnmuirproject.org/] is a research ecologist and the director of the John Muir Project of Earth Island Institute. Dr. Hanson has a Ph.D. in ecology from the University of California at Davis, with a research focus on fire ecology in conifer forest ecosystems, and he is the author of the 2021 book, “Smokescreen: Debunking Wildfire Myths to Save Our Forests and Our Climate”. He is also the co-editor and co-author of the 2024 book, “Mixed-Severity Fires: Nature’s Phoenix” (Elsevier, Inc.). He has published several dozen scientific studies and articles in peer-reviewed journals pertaining to forest and fire ecology, and climate change. The New York Times (August 6, 2017) described Dr. Hanson works on “the cutting edge of ecological research” (https://www.nytimes.com/2017/08/06/science/let-forest-fires-burn-what-the-black-backed-woodpecker-knows.html ). Dr. Hanson regularly authors opinion-editorial articles that are published in national newspapers. Carry Kim, Co-Host of EcoJustice Radio. An advocate for ecosystem restoration, Indigenous lifeways, and a new humanity born of connection and compassion, she is a long-time volunteer for SoCal350, member of Ecosystem Restoration Camps, and a co-founder of the Soil Sponge Collective, a grassroots community organization dedicated to big and small scale regeneration of Mother Earth. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Intro: Jack Eidt Hosted by Carry Kim Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 293

In this episode, we explore the fascinating world of neon signs with Corrie Siegal, Executive Director of the Museum of Neon Art and neon artist-craftsman and educator Michael Flechtner. Discover the history, artistry, and cultural significance of neon as we discuss its evolution from a symbol of class and modernity to its outlaw status and eventual resurgence as a cherished part of Americana and new expressions of glowing art. Join us as we delve into the intricate process of neon sign creation and the stories behind some of the most iconic signs in Los Angeles and beyond. Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Resources/Articles: Neon Dreams: The Art and History Behind a Glowing Culture, PBS SoCal: https://www.pbssocal.org/shows/artbound/neon-dreams-the-art-and-history-behind-a-glowing-culture Corrie Siegel (she/her) is Executive Director of the museum of Neon Art (MONA) [https://www.neonmona.org/] in Glendale, California. As Co-Founder and Director of Actual Size Los Angeles, Siegel championed contemporary art and audience engagement for over a decade. In addition, she worked in museum education and administration at multiple art, music, and culture institutions in Los Angeles. Michael Flechtner [https://www.flektro.com/index] is a neon artist based in Los Angeles, employing his mastery of three-dimensional sculpture, employment of visual puns, and his mentorship of future generations of neon benders. Born in Tiffin, Ohio, Flechtner had an early interest in colored light and electronics while a Bachelors of Fine Art student at Columbus College of Art and Design and during his Masters of Fine Art studies at Wichita State University. In 1991 Flechtner presented his first solo exhibition at MONA. The exhibition was titled Ecce Signum, Latin for “Behold the Sign.” The title was emblematic of the artist’s play with a medium often associated with signage as well as his interest in symbols. Now, thirty-four years later, the title for his follow-up exhibition translates as “Behold the Craftsman.” The title serves as a testament to the simultaneous humility and staggering skill neon craftspeople cultivate in order to create their works. Flechtner’s best-known public work in Los Angeles is the Neon Aquarium at Olympic and Sawtelle completed in 1998. In 1999 he became a J. Paul Getty Trust Fund Fellow. He was commissioned by the US Postal Service in 2011 to design a stamp for the Forever series: the Celebrate! Stamp. The original work of art is held in the Smithsonian National Postal Museum. Jack Eidt is an environmental journalist, urban theorist and designer, and advocate for the wild, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes for a PBS SoCal Artbound project called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs. He also publishes articles and podcasts on Substack [https://jackeidt.substack.com/]. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Featured Guests: Corrie Siegel, Michael Flechtner Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt Engineer: Blake Quake Beats Show music: Jack Eidt and Blake Quake Beats Episode 292 Photo credit: Osceola Refetoff in PBS SoCal

In this episode, we journey into the profound world of art, storytelling, and connection with the remarkable Joy Harjo, the first Native American poet laureate of the United States. Through her insightful keynote from the 2025 Bioneers Conference, Harjo shares her experiences and wisdom on the importance of listening, creativity, and the interconnectedness of all beings. We also feature a discussion with Cara Romero, Program Director of the Bioneers Indigeneity Program and a Chemehuevi artist and photographer. Join us as we explore the power of art in healing and community, and discover how we can cultivate a deeper relationship with the world around us. Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Resources/Articles: Joy Harjo keynote at the 2025 Bioneers Conference: https://youtu.be/syx6U3igUE4?si=up6aheCdvGGF5Yiu https://bioneers.org/art-and-healing-a-conversation-with-joy-harjo-and-cara-romero/ Once the World was Perfect by Joy Harjo: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/141846/once-the-world-was-perfect Joy Harjo [http://www.joyharjo.com/] the 23rd U.S. Poet Laureate and member of the Muscogee Nation, is the author of ten books of poetry, several plays, children’s books, two memoirs, and seven music albums. The author of eleven books of poetry, including the highly acclaimed, Weaving Sundown in a Scarlet Light: Fifty Poems for Fifty Years, several plays, children's books, and non-fiction works, and two memoirs, Crazy Brave and Poet Warrior. Her many honors include Yale’s 2023 Bollingen Prize for American Poetry, National Book Critics Circle Ivan Sandrof Lifetime Achievement Award, the Ruth Lily Prize for Lifetime Achievement from the Poetry Foundation, the Academy of American Poets Wallace Stevens Award, and a Guggenheim Fellowship. Cloud Runner, Harjo's twelfth book of poetry, will be published by W.W. Norton in Fall of 2026. She is a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets and Chair of the Native Arts & Cultures Foundation, and is the inaugural Artist-in-Residence for the Bob Dylan Center in Tulsa, Oklahoma, where she lives. Cara Romero (Chemehuevi), Program Director of the Bioneers Indigeneity Program, previously served her Mojave-based tribe in several capacities, including as: first Executive Director at the Chemehuevi Cultural Center, a member of the tribal council, and Chair of the Chemehuevi Education Board and Chemeuevi Headstart Policy Council. Cara is also a highly accomplished photographer/artist. Jack Eidt is an environmental journalist, urban theorist and designer, and advocate for the wild, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes for a PBS SoCal Artbound project called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs. He also publishes articles and podcasts on Substack [https://jackeidt.substack.com/]. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Featured Guest: Joy Harjo, Cara Romero Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt Engineer: Blake Quake Beats Show music: Jack Eidt and Blake Quake Beats Episode 291 Photo credit: Joy Harjo/Matika

In this episode, we welcome back Danielle Stevenson, founder and Executive Director of the Centre for Applied Ecological Remediation (CAER), to explore the transformative potential of ecological remediation. We also feature clips of Merlin Sheldrake, the biologist and bestselling author of Entangled Life: How Fungi Make our World. He spoke at the 2024 Bioneers Conference, stressing how critically important fungi are and discussed the visionary work of the Society for the Protection of Underground Networks (SPUN) and its efforts to map and protect the mycorrhizal fungal communities of the planet. Join us as Danielle discusses innovative nature-based techniques for cleaning up contaminated sites, the importance of community involvement, and the vital role of fungi and native plants in restoring our ecosystems. Discover how we can collectively address pollution and promote environmental justice while honoring Indigenous practices and knowledge. Danielle continues the conversation on phyto & mycoremediation, and post-fire & ecosystem restoration. Danielle’s restoration techniques allow fungi and native plants to break down toxins such as: petroleum, plastics, and pesticides into less toxic chemicals. CAER’s mission is to advance research and application of ecological remediation to equitably address pollution, promote public health, provide education and workforce development, build climate resilience & ensure environmental justice. Regeneration is possible in even the most dire situations if we follow the ways of Nature. Danielle joins us to explain how we can be part of this collective remembrance. Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Danielle Stevenson [https://www.danielle-stevenson.com/] founded and runs the Centre for Applied Ecological Remediation (or CAER) [https://caer.earth/] and is the Founder & Director of DIY Fungi. She is an environmental toxicologist, applied mycologist, and bioremediation innovator with expertise in soil, water, and waste remediation. She has led community-academic-government partnerships to develop accessible soil testing programs and implement nature-based cleanup strategies, including plant-fungal remediation models. She provides approaches for post-fire bioremediation projects, and advances scalable bioremediation solutions for polluted sites. Carry Kim, Co-Host of EcoJustice Radio. An advocate for ecosystem restoration, Indigenous lifeways, and a new humanity born of connection and compassion, she is a long-time volunteer for SoCal350, member of Ecosystem Restoration Camps, and a co-founder of the Soil Sponge Collective, a grassroots community organization dedicated to big and small scale regeneration of Mother Earth. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Intro: Jack Eidt Hosted by Carry Kim Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 290

The Joshua tree is an icon and ecological keystone of the California deserts. However, climate disruption with hotter, drier summers and more frequent brush fires, threatens that some day soon Joshua Tree National Park will no longer have any Joshua trees. This interview was originally recorded in 2021, and the changing, heating, sweltering climate, with anomalous rainfall, parched, soaked, flooded, massive storms/no storms keeps expanding/lacerating us, burning homes and landscapes, inundating neighborhoods, drying out our reservoirs. We do have, however, some solutions available to us to preserve important ecosystems, like our deserts. We discuss these systems and investigate what solutions for the Mojave Desert are needed. Are solar farms in the desert an appropriate renewable energy solution, or do they cause more harm than good? What about the consequences of lithium mining in Death Valley for electric vehicles? Did you know it is not a wise idea to grow your own Joshua Tree from imported seeds? Our guest, James Cornett [https://www.amazon.com/stores/James-W.-Cornett/author/B001K84BWE?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true], is an ecologist, author, and principal biologist at JWC Ecological Consultants. He is one of the West's most prolific writers with more than forty-four books published. As former Director of Natural Sciences at the Palm Springs Desert Museum, he continues to share his love of natural history through writing, teaching, and lecturing. He is the first professional naturalist to have visited all nine of the world's great deserts and is writing a book on his travels and research in each. James Cornett is the former Director of Natural Sciences at the Palm Springs Desert Museum. He holds B.A. and M.S. degrees in biology and is the author of over three dozen books on aspects of desert environments including his most recent on the Joshua tree. Dozens of his scientific papers have focused on iconic desert plants including the desert fan palm, ocotillo, and Joshua tree. Several of his studies have examined impacts of climate change on plant populations. Jessica Aldridge, Co-Host and Producer of EcoJustice Radio, is an environmental educator, community organizer, and 16-year recycling industry and Zero Waste leader. She is a co-founder of SoCal 350, organizer for ReusableLA, and founded Adventures in Waste. She is a former professor of Recycling and Resource Management at Santa Monica College, and an award recipient of the international 2021 Women in Sustainability Leadership and the 2016 inaugural Waste360, 40 Under 40. In her day job she is the Sustainability and Zero Waste Programs Director for Athens Services. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 111 Photo credit: Stephanie Lemus

Urban beekeeping is forging new paths in Detroit. Nicole Lindsey and Timothy Paule Jackson of Detroit Hives are generating a lot of buzz working to create sustainable communities for people and pollinators by transforming vacant lots in the inner city into urban bee farms, educational apiaries, #greenspaces. Doing so in a way that uplifts long-term residents and doesn't lend to furthering gentrification. With over 17 locations and 47 honeybee hives they proclaim DETROIT as the PLACE TO BEE! Through their conservation and awareness efforts, educational programs, and health based initiatives, Detroit Hives is creating a safe home for bees and the community to live, feed, and thrive. This interview was recorded in 2021. Nicole Lindsey and Timothy Paule Jackson are Co-Founders and Co-Executive Directors of @DetroitHives [https://detroithives.org/] a 501c3 nonprofit organization working to create sustainable communities for people and pollinators by transforming vacant lots into educational apiaries and #GreenSpaces. Nicole is devoted to altering negative stigmas about bees by educating people of their crucial roles and benefits to the environment. She also loves teaching children about apiology. Timothy, comes from a background in advertising/photography. He is focused on educating the next generation of leaders on sustainability, while working to address food insecurity in Detroit.

In this episode, we are joined by Indra Shekhar Singh, an independent writer and agricultural policy analyst who has dedicated his life to water conservation and indigenous water rejuvenation systems. Indra shares his experiences working with the renowned water advocate Rajendra Singh, known as the Waterman of India, to revive rivers and promote sustainable water practices. We explore the significance of community-driven water restoration, the spiritual connection to water, and the need for a shift in our understanding of water as a living entity. Join us as we uncover the profound relationship between water, culture, and ecological stewardship. Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Indra Singh, working closely with renowned water restoration advocate Rajendra Singh, also known as the great "Waterman of India," Indra promotes and continues to study traditional water rejuvenation systems across India. He has helped train hundreds of people internationally in indigenous water conservation techniques and participated in the revival and construction of ponds and decentralized water systems in various regions globally. He has been active with various levels of government in India to draft and advise on policies related to water conservation, agriculture, and ecological restoration and was recently invited by the former President of Colombia as an international expert to advise on water policy and peace reconciliation efforts in the country. He is currently engaged in efforts to revive three rivers in Rajasthan and two rivers in Chhattisgarh, India. His prolific writings and actions reflect his lifelong dedication to agroecology, seed sovereignty, water conservation, and agrarian politics. He continues to actively engage in seed conservation and is an avid, urban food gardener. For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio RESOURCES Rajendra Singh, Waterman of India: https://youtu.be/_N9PIBATSFw?si=CT6LUr56hJmjHHp_ Indra Shekhar Singh [IG: @indra_eye] is an independent writer and agricultural policy analyst with extensive experience in agroecology, seed sovereignty, water conservation, and agrarian politics. He previously served as Director of Policy and Outreach at the National Seed Association of India and currently hosts India’s only bilingual agri-talk show, Krishi Ki Baat / Farm Talks, on The Wire [https://thewire.in/]. For the past five years, Indra has also been working closely with Rajendra Singh, widely known as the “Waterman of India,” [https://tarunbharatsangh.in/] to study and promote traditional water rejuvenation systems across India. Carry Kim, Co-Host of EcoJustice Radio. An advocate for ecosystem restoration, Indigenous lifeways, and a new humanity born of connection and compassion, she is a long-time volunteer for SoCal350, member of Ecosystem Restoration Camps, and a co-founder of the Soil Sponge Collective, a grassroots community organization dedicated to big and small scale regeneration of Mother Earth. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Intro: Jack Eidt Hosted by Carry Kim Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 289

In this episode, we explore the La Tirana Festival, a vibrant celebration that intertwines primordial narratives and the history of Spanish conquest in the Atacama Desert of Chile. Join host Jack Eidt as he engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Rodolfo Andaur, a visual arts curator, and Osceola Refetoff, a Canadian American visual artist. Together, they delve into the cultural significance of the festival, its origins tied to mining and Indigenous traditions, and the rich tapestry of dance and devotion that captivates over 200,000 visitors each year. Discover how this festival serves as a powerful expression of identity and resistance in the face of colonial history. Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Resources/Articles: Rodolfo Andaur [https://rodolfoandaur.com/] is a visual arts curator and cultural manager and Director of Actinómetro, based in the Tarapacá region of the Atacama Desert in Chile. He studied journalism and holds an MA in Art History. He has worked in directing, promoting, and diffusing transdisciplinary projects. Furthermore Rodolfo Andaur has taken part in curatorial teams that focus on critical analysis and reflection about anthropocene, climate change, and eco-geopolitics in Latin America. Not only those proposals produce knowledge through the visual arts, but they have also contributed to the dissemination of renewed thoughts to research into unknown territories. With this background his work has been prized both by Tarapacá Regional Government for his contribution to cultural management (2011), and for his participation in the international project called “examples to follow, expedition in aesthetics and sustainability” (2017). Also he has been involved in curatorial residencies in Brazil, Denmark, Germany, México, Morocco, New Zealand, Poland, Scotland, Singapore, Spain, South Korea, and the United States. Rodolfo is currently a columnist in several online art magazines and visiting lecturer in a couple of universities and art institutions. Jack Eidt is an environmental journalist, urban theorist and designer, and advocate for the wild, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes for a PBS SoCal Artbound project called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs. He also publishes articles and podcasts on Substack [https://jackeidt.substack.com/]. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Featured Guest: Rodolfo Andaur With Osceola Refetoff Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt Engineer: Blake Quake Beats Show music: Jack Eidt and Blake Quake Beats Episode 288 Photo credit: Jack Eidt

Devil's urine. That's what Dupont employees called PFAS. These toxic, human made forever chemicals are now in the blood of almost every human on the planet. They are found in drinking water around the world, even Antarctica. And they are used in a broad range of consumer products, like non-stick cookware, stain-resistant clothing, waterproof items, dental floss, and even medical masks. These are only a few examples of many. This group of toxic chemicals, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), permanently concentrates in your body and the environment. You can't get rid of them. In fact, they bioaccumulate, meaning they get worse and worse. The public awareness from uncovering of the truth behind Dupont’s misdeeds now contaminating much of the planet is tantamount to this generation’s Silent Spring. Our guest Rob Bilott, is very much a Rachel Carson sort of figure who has stood up to the chemical industry as the lead attorney to bring light to the dangers of PFAS and its many variations. He fought and won a 20+ year battle against Dupont for the poisoning of over 70,000 people in West Virginia and Ohio. His work was even captured in the 2019 feature film, Dark Waters where he was portrayed by Mark Ruffalo. Rob has continued his groundbreaking work and is looking at the potential of a nationwide class action lawsuit as newer versions of PFAS emerge, unregulated and as dangerous as ever. In this interview from Summer 2022, we explore the history of PFAS, what exposure means, where it can be found, and what we can do. We also give an update from the actions of Trump's EPA to nbroaden use and exposure of these chemicals. More Info on the PFAS Presidency from Common Dreams: https://www.commondreams.org/news/pfas-pesticides-approval-epa Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP [https://www.taftlaw.com/people/robert-a-bilott], where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings concerning the toxic chemical, recovering over $1 billion for impacted clients. Jessica Aldridge, Co-Host and Producer of EcoJustice Radio, is an environmental educator, community organizer, and 15-year waste industry leader. She is a co-founder of SoCal 350, organizer for ReusableLA, and founded Adventures in Waste. She is a former professor of Recycling and Resource Management at Santa Monica College, and an award recipient of the international 2021 Women in Sustainability Leadership and the 2016 inaugural Waste360, 40 Under 40. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Guest: Rob Bilott Host and Producer: Jessica Aldridge Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Executive Producer: Jack Eidt Created by: Mark and JP Morris

LISTEN to our discussion with the lead architectural designer for the firm Biotonomy [https://biotonomy.com/] using a holistic and Nature-based approach for buildings and cities to address the climate and biodiversity emergency. Rather than abandon crowded urban areas for sustainable living, great potential remains in re-envisioning buildings and cities in ways that work with, rather than against, Nature. Preferable to continuing the crash course of suburban sprawl that takes more than it gives, we can opt to embrace design and lifestyle principles that recycle and innovate with Nature-based solutions that address the climate, biodiversity and social justice crises. In this episode, learn how to respond to the turbulence of our times creatively, collaboratively and harmonize with Nature in how we choose to live and build. Carry Kim talks with Moein Nodehi, the founder, CEO, and Lead Architect for Biotonomy. With an international team of designers, their mission is to make buildings and cities become a force for restoring the natural world. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Guest: Moein Nodehi Host: Carry Kim Engineer: Blake Lampkin Producer: Jack Eidt Producer: Jessica Aldridge EcoJustice Radio Created by: Socal350 Episode 94 Photo credit: Biotonomy

In this episode, we are joined by acclaimed documentary filmmaker Rebecca Harrell Tickell, who shares her journey in environmental activism through her impactful films. We discuss her latest project, "Groundswell," which focuses on regenerative agriculture and the importance of healing our planet. Rebecca dives into her personal experiences with environmental challenges and her theory of change, emphasizing the need for collective action and storytelling to inspire hope and drive change. Join us as we explore the intersection of filmmaking, activism, and the urgent need for sustainable practices. Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Rebecca Harrell Tickell is a documentary filmmaker (director, producer, writer) whose award winning short and feature films have made a critical impact in environmental activism domestically and globally. With her partner Josh Tickell, they have collaborated with actors, politicians and environmental leaders over the past several decades to create films that have been seen by millions of people and have raised significant money for environmental and social change. Groundswell [https://groundswellfilm.org/] is the final chapter of a groundbreaking documentary trilogy following Kiss the Ground and Common Ground, a sweeping cinematic journey across five continents narrated by Demi Moore and Woody Harrelson. Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate organizer, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes for a PBS SoCal Artbound project called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs. He also publishes articles and podcasts on Substack [https://jackeidt.substack.com/]. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats Episode 287 Photo credit: Rebecca Harrell Tickell

In this episode, we journey into the rich musical and cultural tapestry of Highland Peru with self-taught musician Rafo Nunjar Tovar. From the traditional sounds of the Andes to the vibrant celebrations that connect communities with their land, Rafo shares his insights on the significance of music, instruments, and rituals in Andean culture. Join us as we explore the interplay between sound, memory, and social justice, highlighting the voices that resonate through the mountains and valleys of Peru. Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio Resources/Articles: Rupestre - by Rafo Nunjar: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=OLAK5uy_lUG8s77dfRZ6p-HlWjh2brGCboate2rUM&si=HbRwEJftxLMSiROj Rafo Nunjar Tovar [https://rafonunjar.bandcamp.com/album/rupestre] is a self-taught musician, composer, sound researcher and instrument builder. Born on the Peruvian coast and raised by Andean grandparents, his artistic work explores the traditional music of Peru, the soundscape and the relationship between sound, territory and memory. He began his journey in music and instrument construction in 2011, developing since then a search focused on the expressive and contemporary possibilities of traditional and pre-Hispanic sounds. His work understands music as a living practice, linked to natural cycles, community life and the forms of perception present in Andean and Amazonian cultures. He has participated in performances, sound installations and audiovisual projects, collaborating in the music of the documentaries Tulpud (2014), El arte de Parir (2023-2024) and Willka Aya Yakuwasi (2024). He also participated as a collector of traditional songs in the communities of Accha Alta and Huilloc within the Yuyaq project and the pilot program Todos Cantamos de Kukuy!, also editing the collected audios. In 2024 he released Rupestre, his first studio album, entirely composed and performed by himself, focused on acoustic exploration, traditional instruments and the creation of sound landscapes of Andean root. He is the founder and owner of the Museum of Traditional Instruments Paccha, in Urubamba; a managing member of the festival Cordas y Sirenas, dedicated to research and visible rituals associated with stringed instruments and sirens in the Peruvian Andean south; and a founding member of Kukuy, an association focused on the collection and preservation of traditional songs from Cusco. In parallel, since 2012 he has been directing spaces and workshops linked to sound, listening and collective exploration. Jack Eidt is an environmental journalist, urban theorist and designer, and advocate for the wild, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes for a PBS SoCal Artbound project called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs. He also publishes articles and podcasts on Substack [https://jackeidt.substack.com/]. Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/ Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/ Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url Featured Music Rafo Nunjar - Rupestre Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt Engineer: Blake Quake Beats Show music: Jack Eidt and Blake Quake Beats Episode 286 Photo credit: Rafo Nunjar