

Power, People and Planet
Kumi Naidoo
Feeling at all freaked out by the state of the world at the moment? Wondering what you can do about it? Join Kumi Naidoo, the veteran social and environmental justice campaigner, to tackle some of the biggest issues of our time. In each episode Kumi is joined by activists, artists and community leaders who are dismantling our broken system - and building something better in its place. Hear their stories. Learn what has kept them fighting. Find out how we all can make a difference. Learn more about the podcast by visiting: powerpeopleplanet.org
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 27, 2025 • 1h 10min
Laudato Si, Music and Culture: Reimagining Climate Activism | Joe Moeono-Kolio | Power, People and Planet
“Laudato Si’ reframed climate change as an issue of justice, shifting the conversation into the moral and spiritual realm.”In this episode, Kumi Naidoo speaks with Joe Moeono-Kolio, Pacific Regional Director of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative, about the spiritual and cultural dimensions of the climate struggle. Joe leads the Initiative’s diplomatic and campaign efforts across the Pacific. They explore how Pope Francis’ Laudato Si’ reframed climate change as a moral and ethical crisis, connecting “the cry of the earth and the cry of the poor.” Joe reflects on how faith traditions, indigenous wisdom, and Pacific spirituality continue to inspire action and resilience.🎶 The conversation also highlights the vital role of arts and music as living archives of Pacific resistance. From colonial struggles to today’s climate fight, songs and cultural expression carry memory, healing, and power—reaching hearts where reports and policies cannot.🔥 Key themes in this episode:Faith leadership and the impact of Laudato Si’How spirituality and culture deepen the fight for justiceArts and music as tools for healing, resistance, and movement buildingPacific traditions and their role in global climate activism🎶 Featuring: This Is Our Home – Pacific Artists for Climate Justice________🔗REFERENCESPersonal: @joe.moeonokolioOrganizational: @project.thisisourhomehttps://www.fossilfreepacific.org/#LaudatoSi #FaithAndJustice #ClimateJustice #Artivism #PacificWarriors #KumiNaidooSubcribe to Kumi Naidoo's Power People and Project for more updates and episodes! https://www.powerpeopleplanet.org/

Sep 19, 2025 • 1h 10min
Climate Justice & the Pacific’s Fight for Survival | Alopi Latukefu | Power People and Planet
🔥 What can young leaders, indigenous wisdom, and the arts teach us about saving our future?In this episode of Power, People, Planet Podcast, Kumi Naidoo sits down with Alopi Latukefu — Director of The Global Centre for Social Justice and Advocacy Leadership — to talk about his remarkable journey from Papua New Guinea to global advocacy and to explore stories of resilience, leadership, and justice from the Pacific to the world. Together, they explore the Pacific’s leadership on climate justice—from law students in Vanuatu bringing the climate crisis before the International Court of Justice, to the region’s push for a Fossil Fuel Treaty that challenges global dependency on extraction. They highlight the urgent need to uplift indigenous knowledge, center cultural wisdom in climate solutions, and harness the power of art and music as tools for mobilization. The episode closes with the song “Don’t Mess It All Up” by Alope’s daughter Meena Siali, reminding us that protecting our planet is both a responsibility and a legacy.🔑Episode Highlights:How young Pacific law students brought the fight for climate justice to the International Court of JusticeWhy indigenous knowledge and wisdom are essential for humanity’s survivalThe Pacific’s leadership in pushing for a Fossil Fuel Treaty and the global transition away from extractionThe rising role of art and culture (“artivism”) in communicating the urgency of climate action👉 Watch, listen, and be inspired to act: the fight for climate justice needs all of us.🔗RESOURCESA Just(ER) Generation Podcast (Episode with Kumi)https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nYnGjL0xWvsAlopi Latukefu Linkein: Mina-Siale Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6cgRFKW05DZQz6XJPkLgSRSubcribe to Kumi Naidoo's Power People and Project for more updates and episodes! https://www.powerpeopleplanet.org/

Sep 18, 2025 • 18min
Resisting from the Shadows: Ivetta Sergeeva on Covert Acts of Defiance
Can small, hidden acts of resistance change the world? Kumi Naidoo talks to Dr. Ivetta Sergeeva, postdoctoral scholar at Stanford’s Center for Democracy, Development and the Rule of Law, to explore the concept of stealth activism— the covert resistance necessary to navigate life in authoritarian regimes. As co-founder of the OutRush Project, Ivetta studies and supports Russian migrants who fled after the invasion of Ukraine, documenting their displacement and their ongoing covert defiance. In this episode, we’ll learn: What “15 minutes a day to fight the regime” can mean for anyone, anywhere Why supporting small, individualized acts of resistance is vital to long-term social change The distinction between visible protest and subtle dissent How activism takes on different shapes in repressive societies—and why that matters (4th) Why everyday acts like writing letters to political prisoners can be revolutionary How activism takes on different shapes in repressive societies—and why that matters With warmth, humility, and analytical clarity, Ivetta reminds us that power lies not just in marches and megaphones, but in maps, data, and silent courage. Produced by Larj Media 🔗 Resources & Mentions OutRush Project (verify the final link with Ivetta) Stanford CDDRL Write to Russian Political Prisoners – OVD-Info Guide (Russian Human Rights Org) “Weapons of the Weak” by James C. Scott [Stealth Activism concept – Alinea Salnikova-Cook’s work] Kumi Naidoo at Amnesty International Follow her work: @IvettaSergeeva Full show notes and links: powerpeopleplanet.org Subcribe to Kumi Naidoo's Power People and Project for more updates and episodes! https://www.powerpeopleplanet.org/

Sep 5, 2025 • 44min
Can Storytelling Hold Power to Account?
Kumi speaks with journalist and Coda Story co-founder Natalia Antelava about reinventing journalism in the age of authoritarianism, disinformation and algorithmic manipulation. From reporting in Yemen to pioneering context-driven coverage at Coda, Natalia shares how storytelling can resist authoritarian playbooks and (re)build public trust. They explore the role of media as activism, the dangers of being slaves to the “breaking news” cycle, and how narratives around family values and identity have been co-opted to fuel global authoritarianism. Natalia also reflects on her work with the ZEG Festival, an experiment in imagination and cross-disciplinary resistance that brings artists, journalists, and philosophers together to shape the “day after tomorrow.” This episode asks: Can arts and media help us move from information overload to deep understanding—and action? Can journalism reclaim its place as a bridge between divided realities? Resources & Links Coda Story (co-founded by Natalia): www.codastory.com ZEG Festival (co-organized by Natalia): www.zegfest.org Coda's coverage on disinformation and authoritarianism: 👉 Coda’s Authoritarian Tech Section 👉 Coda’s Disinformation Section “Burning with Optimism” essay by Kumi Naidoo (on resistance, burnout & activism): openDemocracy Article Produced by Larj Media Subcribe to Kumi Naidoo's Power People and Project for more updates and episodes! https://www.powerpeopleplanet.org/

Aug 29, 2025 • 43min
Imagination Is a Weapon: Favianna Rodriguez on Creative Liberation
Is Culture our most powerful tool for making a just world? Artist Favianna Rodriguez joins Kumi Naidoo to explore how art isn’t just a mirror to society—it’s a hammer to shape it. As a cultural strategist Favianna reframes activism as a creative, emotional, and embodied act. From growing up amid the drug war and police brutality in East Oakland to leading national protests and organizing artists globally, Favianna’s life is a testament to culture as a catalyst. Together, they discuss: How culture shapes imagination and why imagination is essential for justice Why every movement needs art, music, and joy to thrive The systemic erasure of communities of color and why representation matters. Real-world examples of how culture preceded political victories—from LGBTQ+ rights to environmental protection. How right-wing politics have captured pop culture and what the resistance can learn from it. Her call to action: Make art. Make noise. Make joy irresistible. 🔗 Resources & Mentions Favianna Rodriguez’s website The Center for Cultural Power Sun City by Artists United Against Apartheid Bob Marley – Get Up, Stand Up “Migration is Beautiful” project [Global ARTivism Gathering, Nov 3–9, 2025 – details TBA] Produced by Larj Media Subcribe to Kumi Naidoo's Power People and Project for more updates and episodes! https://www.powerpeopleplanet.org/

Aug 13, 2025 • 46min
AI x Human; Together for a Just World? Part 2
Kumi speaks with decolonial thinker Dr. Vanessa Andreotti about what it means to create change in a collapsing world. Together they explore how art, activism, and even artificial intelligence can become tools for healing, resistance, and reimagining justice. From her upbringing in Brazil marked by colonial violence to now co-authoring a book with an AI named Aiden Cinnamon Tea, Vanessa dispels modern myths of what progress means and dares us to embrace complexity, humility, and relational intelligence. This is not your typical conversation about tech or protest—it's a call to transform how we live, relate, and build the future. Featured Works & Resources Burnout From Humans (free book co-authored with AI “Aiden Cinnamon Tea”): burnoutfromhumans.nethomewardbound.org Hospicing Modernity (book): Hospicing Modernity: Facing Humanity’s Wrongs and the Implications for Social Activism climatewords.org Gesturing Towards Decolonial Futures (collective): https://decolonialfutures.net/people/ Produced by Larj Media Subcribe to Kumi Naidoo's Power People and Project for more updates and episodes! https://www.powerpeopleplanet.org/

Aug 1, 2025 • 46min
AI x Human; Together for a Just World? Part 1
Kumi speaks with decolonial thinker Dr. Vanessa Andreotti about what it means to create change in a collapsing world. Together they explore how art, activism, and even artificial intelligence can become tools for healing, resistance, and reimagining justice. From her upbringing in Brazil marked by colonial violence to now co-authoring a book with an AI named Aiden Cinnamon Tea, Vanessa dispels modern myths of what progress means and dares us to embrace complexity, humility, and relational intelligence. This is not your typical conversation about tech or protest—it's a call to transform how we live, relate, and build the future. Featured Works & Resources Burnout From Humans (free book co-authored with AI “Aiden Cinnamon Tea”): burnoutfromhumans.nethomewardbound.org Hospicing Modernity (book): Hospicing Modernity: Facing Humanity’s Wrongs and the Implications for Social Activism climatewords.org Gesturing Towards Decolonial Futures (collective): https://decolonialfutures.net/people/ Produced by Larj Media Subcribe to Kumi Naidoo's Power People and Project for more updates and episodes! https://www.powerpeopleplanet.org/

Jul 28, 2025 • 2min
Season 3 Trailer
Feeling at all freaked out by the state of the world at the moment? Wondering what you can do about it? Join Kumi Naidoo, the veteran social and environmental justice campaigner, to tackle some of the biggest issues of our time. In each episode Kumi is joined by activists, artists and community leaders who are dismantling our broken system - and building something better in its place. Hear their stories. Learn what has kept them fighting. Find out how we all can make a difference. Learn more about the podcast by visiting: powerpeopleplanet.org Subcribe to Kumi Naidoo's Power People and Project for more updates and episodes! https://www.powerpeopleplanet.org/

Aug 27, 2024 • 1h 5min
A Life In Activism | Harsh Mander
In this special episode, which concludes Season 2 of the podcast, Kumi speaks with Indian activist Harsh Mander. This episode was recorded in August 2022 at a time when Harsh was under intense scrutiny for his activities by the Indian government. At the time of recording, he was on the point of returning home to India despite great risks to his personal liberty and pressure from family and friends not to do so. Still, he returned, committed to standing with those in need and fighting hate, Islamophobia, homelessness and violence. Learn more about Power, People & Planet on the website:https://powerpeopleplanet.orgTo watch full episodes of the podcast follow Kumi's YouTube channelFollow Kumi on social media:LinkedInInstagramTwitterFacebook-----------------------Power, People and Planet is produced in association with the Green Economy Coalition, the world’s largest movement for a green and fair economy:https://greeneconomycoalition.orgAdditional support for the podcast was provided by the Robert Bosch Stiftung:https://www.bosch-stiftung.de/enSubcribe to Kumi Naidoo's Power People and Project for more updates and episodes! https://www.powerpeopleplanet.org/

May 19, 2024 • 1h 8min
Doughnut Economics | Kate Raworth
Kate Raworth is a renegade economist focused on making economics fit for 21st century realities. She is the creator of the Doughnut of social and planetary boundaries, and co-founder of Doughnut Economics Action Lab.-----------------------Learn more about Power, People & Planet on the website:https://powerpeopleplanet.orgTo watch full episodes of the podcast follow Kumi's YouTube channelFollow Kumi on social media:LinkedInInstagramTwitterFacebook-----------------------Power, People and Planet is produced in association with the Green Economy Coalition, the world’s largest movement for a green and fair economy:https://greeneconomycoalition.orgAdditional support for the podcast was provided by the Robert Bosch Stiftung:https://www.bosch-stiftung.de/enSubcribe to Kumi Naidoo's Power People and Project for more updates and episodes! https://www.powerpeopleplanet.org/