How have urban development patterns in California, particularly in LA, exacerbated wildfire risks? James Pogue and Leighton Woodhouse discuss the LA fires following Leighton’s piece in the Free Press “LA Was Built to Burn.” The conversation explores the ecological, political, and cultural factors contributing to the wildfire crises across Los Angeles and beyond. We shed light on the human and environmental stakes in a burning state. Leighton Woodhouse is a journalist and documentary filmmaker based in Oakland, California. He has written for The Intercept, The New Republic, The Nation, Tablet, UnHerd, and other publications.

How can localism serve as an alternative to large-scale governance and globalized economies? Ashley and Wally discuss small-scale, secular models for civic and economic organizing, and compare/contrast them with their Catholic equivalents (subsidiarity and distribution). We discuss practical ways to build community agency, neighborliness, and autonomy at the smallest scale, exploring the New England town meeting model and the role of direct democracy, If you are interested in regaining a sense of local autonomy in a large-scale world, this episode is for you!

How will the overturning of Chevron deference reshape the regulatory landscape for environmental policy? Special guest investigative journalist Jimmy Tobias joins Ashley and James to discuss the complexities of environmental policy and regulation. They explore how the Chevron decision will reshape the regulatory landscape and what it means for NEPA, the Endangered Species Act, and federal land management. The conversation highlights the growing clash between the rapid push for renewable energy development and its impact on ecosystems while dissecting the bureaucratic and cultural hurdles to preserving public lands and wildlife.

Can AI rival human artistry? Is the potential of AI rivaling human creativity an opportunity to enhance artistic expression and reimagine authorship? Travis Logan, Charles, and A.R.X. Han discuss the complexities of consciousness, creativity, and the limits of AI, drawing on David Bentley Hart’s critique of materialism to explore whether human experiences and meaning can be reduced to physical processes.

In this episode, James and Ashley speak with a return guest and climate and disaster researcher Ilan Kelman. We discuss the state of climate activism, the eco-modernist approach to solving climate change, the uselessness of international climate summits, how the new Trump administration factors on the environment, and what are some points of optimism to focus on. 

Josh catches up with Tom for a second conversation (first interview here) about two new series on Tom’s excellent Do The Math blog. Tom has produced a “Metastatic Modernity” series of 18 short (~10 min) videos accompanied by write-ups providing a succinct but comprehensive explication of the poly crises of modernity, along with a convenient index to the series. Tom also became an ad hoc demographer after examining population and fertility data and noticing anomalies in the official UN population projections for this century. Turns out, we may be facing peak population, peak energy throughput, and peak economic growth much earlier than anticipated!  Demography series: Watching Population Bomb—could we actually start to deflate before 2050? Peak Population Projections—demographic models supporting earlier peaks Whiff After Whiff—the U.N. models don’t capture/predict recent fertility declines Population “What If” Games—exploring population limiting cases Peak Population Video—why U.N. models may overestimate peak population Brace for Peak Impact—demographic driver for civilization’s peak power (soon) Peak Power Video—why we might hit peak power in the next decade Stubborn Expectations—U.N. models for fertility barely react to recent trends

DO 245 - Regenerative Ag Technology W/ Josh Jenske and Ashley

DO 245 - Regenerative Ag Technology W/ Josh Jenske and Ashley

In this episode, Going Godward guest hosts X’s Audrey Horne in a Doomer Optimist/e-girl crossover. GG and Audrey discuss how the Machine affects women and its consequences on beauty standards, self-image, and identity.

In this episode I link up with my new buddy from a recent Doomer Optimism event in Margaretville NY, Travis Logan. Travis brought an essay to my attention, Techne-Zen and the Spiritual Quality of Global Capitalism, by Yale professor R. John Williams. We decided to call John up to see if he would discuss his work, and where he lands with trying to navigate technology, spirituality and religion. One of my (Ashley’s) favorite conversations yet!! Discussing: https://rjohnwilliams.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/05/williams-techne-zen-and-capitalism.pdf&sa=D&source=calendar&ust=1731775211585824&usg=AOvVaw1ZTYOktfC-mKHhdUCdnVma Bios and links R John Williams is Associate Professor of English and Film Studies at Yale (https://filmstudies.yale.edu/people/r-john-williams) Travis Logan reviews books on Substack: https://postliberalbookreviews.substack.com/