AI continues to be a major subject of debate—and for good reason. It’s a technology that holds incredible potential to shape and reshape power. This is why we have to remain more vigilant than ever to how AI models are built, who builds them, what their motivations and value systems are, and what we collectively demand from builders—and how we regulate them as a society. As with any emerging technology, what we’re talking about is not just technology—we’re talking about how that technology is interwoven into society. My guest this week, Avriel Epps, is an expert on the intersection of AI, transformative justice, and identity formation.Support the show by checking out: ZBiotics (Decrease impact of hangovers. Code: JESSEDAMIANI for 10% off), MUD\WTR (43% off starter kits), 1Password (simplify your life and increase digital safety), Mission Farms CBD (healthy, effective CBD for relief, sleep, and wellbeing—25% off with email), NordVPN (the simplest way to protect yourself online, 74% off 2-year plans).Avriel Epps is a computational social scientist, scholar, and strategist whose work bridges artificial intelligence, transformative justice, and youth well being.With a PhD from Harvard University, Dr. Epps' research delves into the intersection of technology, storytelling, and social equity, focusing on how biases in artificial intelligence impact the human beings that use it.Their work has been featured in major outlets like The New York Times, The Guardian, Vogue, The Atlantic, and more. Dr. Epps is committed to leveraging digital spaces to usher in a just and regenerative future. They are currently the Civic Science Postdoctoral Fellow at Cornell University. In Fall 2025 they will begin their tenure as Assistant Professor of Fair and Responsible Data Science at Rutgers University.CREDITS: This podcast is edited and produced by Adam Labrie and me, Jesse Damiani. Adam Labrie also edited the video version of the podcast, which is available on YouTube. The podcast is presented by Reality Studies. If you appreciate the work I’m doing, please subscribe and share it with someone you think would enjoy it.Find more episodes of Urgent Futures at: youtube.com/@UrgentFutures. Get full access to Reality Studies at www.realitystudies.co/subscribe

How bad is it going to get?This is the provocation today's guest Rupert Read makes in a recent keynote—and one that I found to be an excellent way to jump into our conversation—though it’s a bit of a decoy. It gives way to a deeper, more nuanced conversation about how we ultimately survive and even thrive in complex emerging realities. Support the show by checking out: ZBiotics (Decrease impact of hangovers. Code: JESSEDAMIANI for 10% off), MUD\WTR (43% off starter kits), 1Password (simplify your life and increase digital safety), Mission Farms CBD (healthy, effective CBD for relief, sleep, and wellbeing—25% off with email), NordVPN (the simplest way to protect yourself online, 74% off 2-year plans).Given what we now know, it would be foolish to think we could reverse the harm done to the planet enough to return to a previous version of normal—but that doesn’t mean our only option is to prepare for dystopia. Instead—following the argument of Rupert's latest co-authored book, Transformative Adaptation: Another World is Still Just Possible—through transformative adaptation, we might bring about “thrutopias.” Will we have all our modern conveniences and material abundance in a thrutopia? Probably not. But could we build meaningful lives, in which we deeply connect with each other and experience a shared sense of purpose, while endeavoring to realign our species with the patterns of nature? We can—that world is still just possible.Rupert Read is an Emeritus Professor of Philosophy at the University of East Anglia in Norwich, UK, former spokesperson for Extinction Rebellion and co-director of the new Climate Majority Project. He authored several books, including This Civilisation is Finished, Parents for a Future, and Why Climate Breakdown Matters and has been many times on the Today programme, QuestionTime, Newsnight, Politics Live, Al Jazeera, and more. He is co-author of Transformative Adaptation: Another World is Still Just Possible, with Morgan Phillips and Manda Scott.CREDITS: This podcast is edited and produced by Adam Labrie and me, Jesse Damiani. Adam Labrie also edited the video version of the podcast, which is available on YouTube. The podcast is presented by Reality Studies. If you appreciate the work I’m doing, please subscribe and share it with someone you think would enjoy it.Find more episodes of Urgent Futures at: youtube.com/@UrgentFutures. Get full access to Reality Studies at www.realitystudies.co/subscribe

Danielle Stevenson, a multidisciplinary scientist and the founder of the Centre for Applied Ecological Remediation, discusses vital strategies for healing Los Angeles post-wildfires. She highlights the use of native plants and fungi in ecological remediation to restore contaminated soil and water. Stevenson addresses the severe pollutants released by urban fires and the importance of community training in environmental recovery. Her insights reveal promising methods and tools for sustainable recovery, fostering resilience in the face of future ecological challenges.

In this discussion, Rachel Donald, creator of the Planet: Critical podcast, delves into the multifaceted crises facing our world, from climate corruption to violence against the earth and women. She shares insights on the challenges of independent journalism and the need for a collective understanding of truth in a post-truth society. The conversation also highlights emerging grassroots activism, personal narratives from her travels, and the importance of acknowledging our body's responses to societal chaos, calling for a transformative approach to global issues.

Dr. Jyoti Mishra, an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at UC San Diego, dives into the serious psychological impacts of climate trauma, especially from LA wildfires. She explains how trauma manifests differently in the wake of climate disasters, leading to PTSD and anxiety. The conversation emphasizes the importance of community support for healing and adaptive resilience strategies. Dr. Mishra also shares practical tips for enhancing mental well-being amid crises, highlighting the power of social connections and self-care techniques.

Wim Carton, an Associate Professor of Sustainability Science, and Andreas Malm, a human ecology expert, tackle today’s pressing climate crisis in this insightful dialogue. They discuss their book, Overshoot, highlighting the paradox of rising fossil fuel consumption despite urgent climate goals. The duo critiques geoengineering and the disconnect in political strategies while emphasizing the financial risks of fossil fuel investments. They also explore the potential of renewable energy solutions and advocate for urgent, genuine climate action in the face of despair.

Jane Williams, Executive Director of California Communities Against Toxics, shares her expertise on the lingering air quality issues in Los Angeles post-wildfires. She describes the 'disaster after the disaster,' revealing the dangers posed by pollutants like asbestos and lead. The conversation covers the health risks of living near ash zones and the importance of proper mask usage to protect against harmful substances. Williams emphasizes community advocacy and awareness as essential tools for navigating environmental challenges in the aftermath of such crises.

John Vervaeke, an Associate Professor at the University of Toronto, explores the pressing 'meaning crisis' facing society today. He discusses how anxiety and loneliness stem from our disconnect with meaningful existence. The conversation delves into the role of AI in shaping human intelligence and ethical considerations in technology. Vervaeke emphasizes the dynamic nature of truth and the significance of wisdom and spirituality in navigating the complexities of modern life, urging a cultural revolution towards a more interconnected understanding of existence.

Recent wildfires in Los Angeles reveal alarming truths about climate change and governmental failures. The podcast explores ecological overshoot and its historical impact on places like southern Iraq. It advocates for resilient innovation, blending technology with sustainable practices. A critical discussion around the interplay of indigenous wisdom and Western methods underscores the importance of authentic change. Vivid imagery highlights the devastation of the fires, provoking a call for community support and urgent transformation.

Oil defines our lives, but we actually understand so little about it—and moreover, so little about its role in driving what we call “progress.” The flip side of that, of course, is that we don’t grasp how utterly dependent modern civilization is on oil. Without it, everything we take for granted about energy, the economy, technology, agriculture, and medicine would change. We are, as this week's guest would say (along with his colleague Nate Hagens of The Great Simplification), “energy blind.”And that's a big, big problem for understanding coming realities, and figuring out what to do.Support the show by checking out: ZBiotics (Decrease impact of hangovers. Code: JESSEDAMIANI for 10% off), MUD\WTR (43% off starter kits), 1Password (simplify your life and increase digital safety), Mission Farms CBD (healthy, effective CBD for relief, sleep, and wellbeing—25% off with email), NordVPN (the simplest way to protect yourself online, 74% off 2-year plans).My guest this week is Art Berman.With 46 years of expertise in petroleum geology and a unique background in Middle Eastern history, Art Berman combines academic rigor with market insight to navigate the complexities of energy.A realist who bridges fossil fuels and renewables, he integrates energy, the economy, the environment, and human behavior into actionable insights. Trusted by investors and global corporations alike, Art is a leading voice in the energy sector, known for data-driven truth and no-nonsense analysis.A seasoned keynote speaker, he has authored more than 60 posts in 2024 alone, covering energy, geopolitics, earth systems, the environment, climate change, economics, and human behavior. He engages daily with a large audience through his website, 42,000+ followers on Twitter/X (@aeberman12), and thousands more on LinkedIn, Facebook, and Substack.CREDITS: This podcast is edited and produced by Adam Labrie and me, Jesse Damiani. Adam Labrie also directed, shot, and edited the video version of the podcast, which is available on YouTube. The podcast is presented by Reality Studies. If you appreciate the work I’m doing, please subscribe and share it with someone you think would enjoy it.Find more episodes of Urgent Futures at: youtube.com/@UrgentFutures. Get full access to Reality Studies at www.realitystudies.co/subscribe