Published by Earth to Humans Podcast
Earth to Humans is a bi-weekly interview series featuring conversations with some of the amazing humans who are fighting for a brighter and more just future for all of Earth's inhabitants. earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com
Listen on Apple PodcastsAfter spending six months backpacking on the Appalachian Trail (AT), reaching the end felt like a joyous celebration. But there was a sadness lurking just around the corner. Reaching the end meant saying goodbye to the truly unique community of people on the trail, and it also meant the end of a routine focused on extreme exercise and exploring new places. Post-trail depression is a common topic of conversation amongst thru-hikers on the AT - most hikers understand that the transition back into the real world can be challenging. But depression probably isn’t the right word for what most thru-hikers experience when their journey comes to an end - it’s more akin to grief or sadness. But for some, trail’s end can lead to real, clinical depression. That was the case for one of the members of my trail family, Chop Chop. Chop Chop’s reason for embarking upon a thru-hike of the AT was drastically different from my own. I had been dreaming of hiking the Appalachian Trail since I was a kid - I spend years planning the trip. For Chop Chop, the AT was a lifeline. It was his last resort - the only thing that he thought might help when he found himself lost in a deep depression. Despite our differences, Chop Chop and I connected immediately when we met on the trail. We first met in Virginia, and our paths criss-crossed regularly until Vermont, when we connected with a few additional hikers and formed an impromptu trail family. The time that we spend on the trail together was largely joyous and celebratory. But as I got to know Chop Chop a bit more, he started to open up about his struggles with anxiety and depression. These conversations continued after we completed our hike. Chop Chop was one of the most vocal fans of my Common Land podcast series , and we began talking about sharing his story in an episode of the show. It’s been a slow and intentional process - we recorded our first interview over a year ago - but we’re both extremely proud of what we’ve put together. Chop Chop’s primary goal in sharing his story is to inspire others who may be struggling to get outside, go for a hike, and find their own safe space in nature. -Matt Podolsky Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe
In 2022, I set out to thru-hike the Appalachian Trail. In addition to all of my necessary backpacking gear, I also carried small audio recorders and a suite of microphones that I could use to capture the sounds of the trail and document my journey. I spend six months hiking the entire length of this iconic trail, something that I had been dreaming about for almost 20 years. For most of the hike, I was joined by my mom, who was 65 years old at the time. The two of us had the adventure of a lifetime, and I captured some amazing moments with my audio recorder. It took me three full years to piece together the story of our long hike. The podcast series that resulted did more than just document my journey - I also captured expert interviews exploring the history of the trail and the conservation issues that it faces. What resulted was a 12-part radio documentary series , produced in partnership with New Hampshire Public Radio, which first aired in the summer of 2025. All 12 of the half-hour episodes are now available via the Common Land podcast feed . But for the past year or so I’ve been working on a 13th episode - an epilogue to the series. This final episode will drop next week, and it explores a particularly important topic - how mental health is intertwined with long distance hiking. I explore this idea through the perspective of one of my close friends who I met on the trail, Kevin Remillard, AKA Chop Chop. Chop Chop’s story is both fascinating and inspiring. But my hope is that it will also be instructive. I believe that long distance hiking can teach us about ourselves, illuminating the path towards a happier life. For Chop Chop, this idea serves as a guiding light, and both of us are eager to share this story with the wider world. But for now, enjoy episode one of Common Land’s second season. If you want to know what comes next, just head over to our podcast feed for the series , or click here to check out the show’s website and see pics from the trail. -Matt Podolsky Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe
In Scotland, Alan Watson Featherstone is often referred to as the 'Godfather of Rewilding' - he has dedicated his life to saving Scotland's forests, after making a very public declaration to do so. Prepare to be inspired! Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe
Josh didn’t know anything about the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) until he was looking for an escape during the pandemic. After visiting a few BLM managed areas in California, he decided to make it his mission to visit every area managed by this federal agency in the state. This marked the start of The Forgotten Lands Project , Josh’s effort to raise awareness about these largely unknown patches of public land. I was drawn to Josh’s work because of my connection to a BLM managed protected area near my home in Boise, Idaho - the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. This National Conservation Area is a part of BLM’s National Conservation Lands system, and it is a truly special place. In less than an hour’s drive, I can be siting along the rim of a dramatic canyon with prairie falcons whizzing by and golden eagles circling overhead. This Conservation Area is home to one of the highest density nesting areas for birds of prey in the world. Because of its proximity to this unique area for raptors, Boise has become known as a global hub for raptor research. In the 1980s the Peregrine Fund established the World Center for Birds of Prey here, and Boise State University launched the Raptor Research Center, home to the only graduate degree program in Raptor Biology in the US. There’s also a famous raptor migration survey effort run by the Intermountain Bird Observatory just outside of town, and our minor league baseball team is called the Hawks! Despite all of this, the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area, which was designed to protect raptor populations, is woefully underfunded and understaffed. In my role as a board member of the Birds of Prey NCA Partnership , a “friends” group associated with this National Conservation Area, I’m trying to elevate the profile of these BLM managed public lands. Josh Jackson shares this mission, and the two of us had an engaged conversation about the role of public land in our society and the challenges facing the Bureau of Land Management. A version of this interview was originally published as an episode of the Dedication Point podcast - a series focused on issues relevant to the Morley Nelson Snake River Birds of Prey National Conservation Area. Check out our latest season of Dedication Point for more discussions about the BLM’s current funding and staffing crisis. -Matt Podolsky Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe
For this episode, I’m bringing our global audience to the place I call home - the Scottish Highlands. In this historical landscape, where midgies reign and deer stand majestically atop purple-washed hillsides, simple shelters stand that welcome weary travellers to rest, dry off and, most importantly, connect with each other. Known as ‘bothies’, these shelters may lack modern conveniences, but they offer a chance to escape, breathe and be at one with nature. Today’s guest Kat Hill is a researcher and author who explores landscape, people, and heritage. After reading her book, Bothy: in Search of Simple Shelter, I wanted to explore what these shelters mean to the subculture of people who are dedicated to their preservation and exploration, their history, benefits and current surge in popularity. Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe
Heidi Schreiber-Pan is a leading expert on nature-based therapy, a psychotherapist and a public speaker. She’s the author of “Taming the Anxious Mind: A Guide Book to Relieve Stress and Anxiety", and the founder of the Center for Nature Informed Therapy. Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe
In this episode I speak to Mo Wilde - author, forager, ethnobotanist and research herbalist. Throughout my life, I’d never ventured further into foraging than picking blackberries when they were in season. But reading Mo’s book opened my eyes to the incredible diversity of wild food that fills our forests, grasslands, hedgerows and coasts. On returning to the UK, I began to discover the abundant plants that could not only feed me, but heal me too. And thus began my foraging journey. So, I was intrigued to hear about what started hers, and delve deeper into her work… Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe
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 🌎 Let’s make this one count. -Sarinah Get full access to Earth to Humans Podcast's Substack at earthtohumanspodcast.substack.com/subscribe
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.org https://www.contrailscience.com https://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 Hortop Lisa 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 Hortop Not 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