
John Vaillant
Vancouver author and journalist, known for his award-winning book Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast. He writes about the impact of fossil fuels on the planet and our relationship with fire.
Top 5 podcasts with John Vaillant
Ranked by the Snipd community

62 snips
Mar 1, 2025 • 1h 2min
Rising from Ashes | John Vaillant on Building Resiliency From Destruction
John Vaillant, acclaimed author of works like Fire Weather and The Tiger, joins to discuss how crises and natural disasters can ignite creativity and resilience. He shares the significance of wildfires in personal and ecological regeneration, and reflects on the emotional highs and lows of his Pulitzer nomination. The conversation dives into the impacts of modern communication on personal expression and the necessity of embracing uncertainty in creative endeavors. Vaillant’s insights on leadership and adaptability further underscore the transformative power of challenges.

14 snips
Jan 12, 2026 • 1h 1min
Drilling Deep: John Vaillant on the Climate-Fire Nexus
Join John Vaillant, a captivating author and journalist, as he delves into the harrowing realities of fire and climate. He discusses the devastating 2016 Fort McMurray wildfire, revealing how extreme conditions fueled its ferocity. Vaillant highlights the environmental destructiveness of tar sands and the influence of Alberta's oil politics. He shares tales of community solidarity during evacuation and the challenges faced by firefighters. Reflecting on the emerging 'Pyrocene' era, he emphasizes the urgent need for a global energy transition.

6 snips
Jun 13, 2024 • 31min
The 21st century will be shaped by fire
Author John Vaillant discusses Canada's fossil fuel industry, the Fort McMurray fire disaster, and the future impact of mankind's obsession with fire. The podcast explores the history of bitumen extraction, financial benefits of climate goals, unique fire phenomena, and the transformation of humanity into a fire-centric species.

May 27, 2025 • 54min
How the fear of fire is taking control of us
John Vaillant, a Vancouver author and journalist known for his book *Fire Weather: The Making of a Beast*, discusses our complex relationship with fire. He highlights fire's role in human evolution and its current threat as climate change escalates wildfires. Vaillant examines incidents like the Fort McMurray disaster, stressing the dual nature of fire as both a tool and a danger. He also emphasizes the urgent need for communities to adapt to increasing fire risks and rethink our reliance on fossil fuels in the face of changing ecosystems.

Jul 27, 2024 • 25min
These days, something's always burning: A fire season preview
In a captivating discussion, author John Vaillant, known for his insights on climate and wildfires, delves into the rising threat of wildfires in Canada. He illustrates how climate change has transformed firefighting tactics and emphasizes the need for adaptive strategies. The Fort McMurray blaze serves as a stark wake-up call, revealing the precarious intersection of urban life and nature. Vaillant stresses that communities must prepare for escalating risks, advocating for immediate climate action to safeguard future resilience against relentless fire seasons.


