Urgent Futures with Jesse Damiani

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

What are the most extreme extinction events in Earth's history? And what should we learn from them to avoid a similar fate? Today's guest, Peter Brannen, is an expert in these extinctions, having written one of the key books on the topic, The Ends of the World.It’s an invigorating read, in part because you really confront the raw power and volatility of this planet—and because you can then more thoroughly appreciate the blissful window of relative stability that humanity has evolved within. You then must confront the fact that techno-industrial civilization is undertaking many of the same processes that brought about past mass extinctions...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 Peter Brannen.Peter Brannen is a science journalist and contributing writer at The Atlantic. His work has also appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, The New Yorker, and The Guardian among other publications. His book, The Ends of the World, about the five major mass extinctions in Earth's history, was published in 2017 by Ecco. He was most recently a visiting scholar at the Kluge Center at the Library of Congress, and is an affiliate at the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research at the University of Colorado-Boulder.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 video episodes of Urgent Futures at: youtube.com/@UrgentFutures. Get full access to Reality Studies at www.realitystudies.co/subscribe

Phoebe Barnard, an internationally awarded scientist and strategist, discusses the critical human behavioral crisis fueling ecological overshoot. She emphasizes the need for collaborative stories and social justice in tackling climate challenges. Topics include the importance of self-awareness in resource consumption, the link between population growth and women's empowerment, and innovative solutions like regenerative agriculture. Phoebe also shares her childhood experience that sparked her commitment to environmental awareness and introduces the Climate Repair Cafe to foster climate discussions.

Rodolfo Dirzo, a conservation scientist at Stanford University, discusses his groundbreaking work on biodiversity loss and 'defaunation.' He explains how this term captures the nuanced spectrum of animal extinction and its ecological impacts. Dirzo shares his fascinating journey from medicine to ecology, revealing the intricate defenses of plants and their relationships with herbivores. He highlights the dire state of biodiversity and the urgency for sustainable practices while advocating for indigenous knowledge in conservation efforts, emphasizing the interconnectedness of all life.