The Most Important Question

You know you're stressed. You know you're anxious. Do you have depression? And do you need to know the latest in the biology of how the brain works and depression works or doesn't work and whether the gut is involved in getting meaningful help? That's today's big question. I promise it's kind of one question, even if there are a ton of different answers, and they're going to be different for everybody.This conversation is a follow-up to our last couple of conversations about the brain, the gut, and depression. My returning guest is Srijan Sen. Srijan is still the Francis and Kenneth Eisenberg Professor of Depression and Neurosciences at the University of Michigan and the Director of the Francis and Kenneth Eisenberg and Family Depression Center. His leading research focuses on the interactions between genes and the environment and their effect on stress, anxiety, and depression. Content WarningThis week we're talking about depression, and stress, and anxiety, and mental health, and suicide.This is a very important conversation but if any of this could be triggering to you, please just skip over the next one. Nothing in this conversation, of course, should be taken as medical advice. If a treatment, or some combination of treatments, prescribed or recommended, by your health care provider is working for you, huzzah. That's great. Stay with it. Your personal experience with the treatment is much more relevant than anything in this conversation. If you're using a depression medication or other therapy and not getting relief from your depression symptoms, talk with your health care provider.If you are struggling and feeling distressed, or that you might hurt yourself, text or call the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988, right now, to get help. And you can even call and press 3 to speak to a counselor with the Trevor Project, who provide wonderful support for LGBTQ+ folks. -----------Have feedback or questions? Tweet us, or send a message to questions@importantnotimportant.comNew here? Get started with our fan favorite episodes at podcast.importantnotimportant.com.-----------INI Book Club:Find all of our guest recommendations at the INI Book Club: https://bookshop.org/lists/important-not-important-book-clubLinks:Follow along with the work of The Sen LabFollow Srijan on TwitterSuicide Crisis Lifeline (Call 988)The Trevor Project Hotline for LBGTQ+ youthListen to Srijan's first episode Follow us:Subscribe to our newsletter at importantnotimportant.comSupport our work and become a Member at importantnotimportant.com/upgradeFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ImportantNotImpFollow us on Threads: www.threads.net/@importantnotimportantSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow Quinn: on Twitter - twitter.com/quinnemmett; Bluesky - bsky.app/profile/quinnemmett.bsky.social; Threads - www.threads.net/@quinnemmettEdited by Anthony LucianiProduced by Willow BeckIntro/outro by Tim Blane: timblane.comAdvertise with us: importantnotimportant.com/c/sponsors

This week: There are few problems so simple that a single donation can fix them.Usually, to turn a problem into a realistic opportunity takes many donations. Over time, spread over a large number of donors.But all the work before that is kind of exhausting: you’ve gotta make sure your donation goes to the right place, the right organization, the right people — usually the ones closest to the problem — with the most pragmatic intentions.Here's What You Can Do:Donate to Give Directly and put cash straight into the pockets of the people who need it the most.Volunteer with Overdose Lifeline to support their harm reduction and awareness efforts.Get educated about starting a resilience hub in your community with resources from the USDN.Be heard about making healthy school meals free for students everywhere.Invest in a sustainable future and find a clean bank to move your money into using bank.green.Get more:Get more news, analysis, and Action Steps at importantnotimportant.comSupport our work and become a Member at importantnotimportant.com/upgradeGot feedback? Email us at questions@importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter at @importantnotimpFollow us on Threads: www.threads.net/@importantnotimportantSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow Quinn: on Twitter - twitter.com/quinnemmett; Bluesky - bsky.app/profile/quinnemmett.bsky.social; Threads - www.threads.net/@quinnemmettEdited by Anthony LucianiProduced by Willow BeckIntro/outro by Tim Blane: timblane.comTake a nap you deserve itAdvertise with us: importantnotimportant.com/c/sponsors Mentioned in this episode:Become An Important Member

The climate clock is ticking faster and faster. How can we use capitalism to undo the bad stuff that capitalism did and maybe even make things better? That's today's big (loaded) question, and my returning guest is Akshat Rathi. Akshat is a London-based senior reporter, newsletter writer, and podcaster for Bloomberg News.Akshat has a PhD in organic chemistry from the University of Oxford, and a BTech in Chemical Engineering from the Institute of Chemical Technology in Mumbai. Akshat was previously a senior reporter at Quartz and a science editor at The Conversation. He is here today to talk about his first book, Climate Capitalism.This wonderful book tells the stories of people building solutions at scale to tackle one of humanity's greatest challenges. Some solutions we've already built, like solar and batteries, and some we're still working on because they take a lot of work, and money, and politics.In a world where journalism is going bye-bye, and the climate clock is ticking, but we've made so much progress, and we can make so much more, Akshat's reporting in this book couldn't be more timely, as we seek to answer the question, where are we on this timeline?-----------Have feedback or questions? Tweet us, or send a message to questions@importantnotimportant.comNew here? Get started with our fan favorite episodes at podcast.importantnotimportant.com.-----------INI Book Club:The Long View by Richard FisherFind all of our guest recommendations at the INI Book Club: https://bookshop.org/lists/important-not-important-book-clubLinks:Order Climate Capitalism in the US/Canada (out March 12) Order Climate Capitalism in the UK (out now)Order Climate Capitalism in India (out now)Order Climate Capitalism in the rest of the worldListen to Akshat on his podcast Zero, and subscribe to his newsletterRead about the Biden Administration's regulations on the social costs of climate change here and hereFollow us:Subscribe to our newsletter at importantnotimportant.comSupport our work and become a Member at importantnotimportant.com/upgradeFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ImportantNotImpFollow us on Threads: www.threads.net/@importantnotimportantSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow Quinn: on Twitter - twitter.com/quinnemmett; Bluesky - bsky.app/profile/quinnemmett.bsky.social; Threads - www.threads.net/@quinnemmettEdited by Anthony LucianiProduced by Willow BeckIntro/outro by Tim Blane: timblane.comAdvertise with us: importantnotimportant.com/c/sponsors

This week: Are we in the hardest part of the climate transition?Here's What You Can Do:🌎️ Donate to 350.org, a global movement working towards a fossil fuel-free world.Volunteer with your local Mothers Out Front chapter to fight for a world that protects kids.Get educated about building a clean energy company using the videos, exercises, and curriculum in Third Derivative’s Startup Resource Database.🌎️ Be heard about climate justice and find an initiative that needs your support or signature in your country using GAIA’s action alert tool.Invest in the future by setting up a climate-friendly 401(k) with Sphere.Get more:Get more news, analysis, and Action Steps at importantnotimportant.comSupport our work and become a Member at importantnotimportant.com/upgradeGot feedback? Email us at questions@importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter at @importantnotimpSubscribe to our YouTube channelTake a nap you deserve itAdvertise with us: importantnotimportant.com/c/sponsors

What are reverse coattails, and how might they slow climate change, prevent the next pandemic, and keep Nazis off of school boards? That's today's big question, and my returning guest is Amanda Litman. Amanda is one of my favorite people. She is the co-founder and co-executive director of Run for Something, which recruits and supports young, diverse progressives running for down-ballot office, state, and local, and all those fun levels. Since launching in 2017, a thousand years ago, Run for Something has elected more than 1000 leaders across nearly all 50 states, mostly women and people of color.Politico named Run for Something and Amanda, one of the 50 ideas driving politics in 2018. Bloomberg called her one of the People to Watch in 2019. Fortune named her to their annual 40 under 40 list in 2020. And in 2022, Amanda was one of the Time Next 100, a list of 100 rising stars from around the world.And look, it's yet another election year in America because it's another year in America, so there is never a better time to invite Amanda back onto the show. -----------Have feedback or questions? Tweet us, or send a message to questions@importantnotimportant.comNew here? Get started with our fan favorite episodes at podcast.importantnotimportant.com.-----------INI Book Club:North Woods by Daniel MasonFind all of our guest recommendations at the INI Book Club: https://bookshop.org/lists/important-not-important-book-clubLinks:Run for Office!Volunteer for a progressive, young candidateDonate to help get progressive, young candidates elected Learn more about running for office, support the educational efforts of Run for Something and make a c3 donation at Run For Something CivicsFollow us:Subscribe to our newsletter at importantnotimportant.comSupport our work and become a Member at importantnotimportant.com/upgradeFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ImportantNotImpSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow Quinn: twitter.com/quinnemmettEdited by Anthony LucianiProduced by Willow BeckIntro/outro by Tim Blane: timblane.comAdvertise with us: importantnotimportant.com/c/sponsors

This week: How are we supposed to navigate this energy transition, AI, and pandemics, if we cannot agree on the most basic, fundamental shit?We argue about tradeoffs or gently suggest expanding the scope of our moral concern to include other people’s air, water, food, shelter, and health, instead of simply saying some things — like the lives of children — are simply, emphatically, non-negotiable.Here's What You Can Do:Donate to Tobacco-Free Kids to protect kids from e-cigarettes.Volunteer with Everytown to prevent gun violence in schools.🌎️ Get educated about the many co-benefits of electric school buses.Be heard about keeping kids healthy by urging your representative to co-sponsor the Universal School Meal Program Act.🌍️ Invest in companies with ESG metrics that align with your morals using fennel.🌎️ = Global Action StepGet more:Get more news, analysis, and Action Steps at importantnotimportant.comSupport our work and become a Member at importantnotimportant.com/upgradeGot feedback? Email us at questions@importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter at @importantnotimpSubscribe to our YouTube channelTake a nap you deserve itAdvertise with us: importantnotimportant.com/c/sponsors

This week: Today’s essay is a bit of a departure — I just wanted to make super clear where I stand vis a vis the next eleven months.A MAGA party don't stop unless we stop it.Here's What You Can Do:Donate to Voters of Tomorrow to defend democracy for the next generation.Volunteer with Run For Something to help young, diverse progressives get elected.🌍️ Get educated about how your country is keeping up with its commitments to the Paris Agreement using the Climate Action Tracker, and then hold your public officials accountable.Be heard about returning political power to the people and contact your representative to support the Democracy For All Amendment.🌏️ Invest in sustainable companies with Util, using insights based on data, not greenwashing.🌎️ = Global Action StepGet more:Get more news, analysis, and Action Steps at importantnotimportant.comSupport our work and become a Member at importantnotimportant.com/upgradeGot feedback? Email us at questions@importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter at @importantnotimpSubscribe to our YouTube channelTake a nap you deserve itAdvertise with us: importantnotimportant.com/c/sponsors

This week: Today’s essay is my version of a 2024 preview. Unlike other previews, though, it’s less, “This is what is going to happen” and more “These are the table stakes as far as I can tell.”I think that approach is much more helpful, but you can be the judge.Here's What You Can Do:Donate to the 19th, an independent newsroom that focuses on gender, politics, and policy. Journalism is being hit hard, and small outlets that do incredible work like the 19th are more essential than ever.Volunteer with the Environmental Voter Project. If there was ever a year to do this, it’s this one.Get educated about multisolving with resources from The Multisolving Institute. As you’ll read in the essay below, the issues are myriad, but we can choose solutions that address many problems at once.Be heard about green transportation by urging your representative to reject cuts to Amtrak.Invest in companies that are meeting the metrics that underpin the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.Get more:Get more news, analysis, and Action Steps at importantnotimportant.comSupport our work and become a Member at importantnotimportant.com/upgradeGot feedback? Email us at questions@importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter at @importantnotimpSubscribe to our YouTube channelTake a nap you deserve itAdvertise with us: importantnotimportant.com/c/sponsors

This week: I’m back today to share my 2023 wrap-up. It’s a pretty stream-of-consciousness endeavor, but I think it sums up where I was right in my 2023 preview, where I was very wrong, how the world changed — or didn’t — and most importantly, how we responded.Here's What You Can Do:Donate to CAMFED to help them educate 5 million girls in Africa by 2030 (educating girls is key to building climate resilience!)Volunteer with Action for the Climate Emergency, a network of young people working in key states to register young voters and educate them on climate change and climate justice.Get educated about your country’s GHG emissions to thoroughly understand how and where to prioritize decarbonization resources using the Country Emissions Inventory from Climate Trace. Filter by year, sector, and type of GHG.Be heard about protecting pregnant people at a federal level and urge your representative to support codifying abortion access.Invest in solar and electrification by opening a bank account with ATMOS.Get more:Get more news, analysis, and Action Steps at importantnotimportant.comSupport our work and become a Member at importantnotimportant.com/upgradeGot feedback? Email us at questions@importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter at @importantnotimpSubscribe to our YouTube channelTake a nap you deserve itAdvertise with us: importantnotimportant.com/c/sponsors

How will the universe end? That's today's big question, and my guest is Sarafina El-Badry Nance. Sarafina is an NSF graduate research fellow, astrophysics Ph.D. candidate, and Forbes 30 Under 30 Science 2022 honoree, specializing in supernova and cosmology. She's also the author of the new, honest, and empowering memoir "Starstruck: A Memoir of Astrophysics and Finding Light in the Dark".Sarafina and I recorded this conversation back in 2021, and not only is it an all-time listener favorite, well, the universe at large hasn't ended yet, even though it's felt like it was coming sometimes. We've all been through a lot since then, and this conversation is still and will remain, evergreen.Sarafina's goal is to measure the rate of the expansion of the universe as propelled by dark energy. And, I'm sorry if that isn't exciting enough for you, I don't know what to tell you.-----------Have feedback or questions? Tweet us, or send a message to questions@importantnotimportant.comNew here? Get started with our fan favorite episodes at podcast.importantnotimportant.com.-----------INI Book Club:"Untamed" by Glennon DoyleFind all of our guest recommendations at the INI Book Club: https://bookshop.org/lists/important-not-important-book-clubLinks:starafina.comInstagram: @starstrickensfTwitter: @starstrickenSFLinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/sarafina-nance-7a5888a0Watch: Constellationsgirlswhocode.comthebreasties.orgFollow us:Subscribe to our newsletter at importantnotimportant.comSupport our work and become a Member at importantnotimportant.com/upgradeFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ImportantNotImpSubscribe to our YouTube channelFollow Quinn: twitter.com/quinnemmettEdited by Anthony LucianiProduced by Willow BeckIntro/outro by Tim Blane: timblane.comAdvertise with us: importantnotimportant.com/c/sponsors