Alex Sammon

Alex Sammon, a features writer at Slate, investigates the disturbing history of an ICE detention center in Jenna, Louisiana, exposing its economic impact on small towns. BB Young, a former Blue Bottle barista, recounts the challenges of organizing a union at the coffee chain against corporate giants like Nestlé. Together, they discuss the struggles of documenting immigrant detention in tight-knit communities and the fight for better working conditions, shedding light on the human costs behind both issues.

In this engaging conversation, Alex Sammon, a politics writer at Slate, dives into the explosive rise of avocado consumption in the U.S. and its profound effects on Mexico. He highlights how aggressive marketing transformed the avocado into a superfood while revealing dark undercurrents like environmental destruction and violence linked to organized crime. Sammon also shares stories of community resilience, detailing how local people banded together to protect their resources from exploitative practices, emphasizing the dire need for sustainable consumption in the avocado industry.

Alex Sammon, a politics writer at Slate, dives into America's avocado obsession and its profound impact on Mexico. He explores the avocado's transformation into a superfood, driven by savvy marketing. However, this popularity comes with troubling realities, including environmental degradation and violence linked to drug cartels. Sammon also highlights local resistance efforts against harmful practices, showcasing community struggles for water and the fight to protect their land. The episode underscores the urgent need for reevaluation of avocado consumption in light of its adverse effects.