Last Born In The Wilderness

Author and scholar Dr. Mohamed Abdou returns to the podcast, one year after October 7, 2023. // Support the work and listen to the full interview: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness

Meteorologist Jeff Masters joins me in this interview to discuss the damage wrought by Hurricane Helene in the southeastern United States, as he has written extensively about for the Yale Climate Connections blog, Eye on the Storm, and to contextualize this year's hurricane season within the larger trends of human-caused climate change. // Episode notes: https://www.lastborninthewilderness.com/episodes/jeff-masters // Sustain + support: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness // Donate: https://www.paypal.me/lastbornpodcast

Meteorologist Jeff Masters joins me in this interview to discuss the damage wrought by Hurricane Helene in the southeastern United States, as he has written extensively about for the Yale Climate Connections blog, Eye on the Storm. // Support the work and listen to the full interview: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness

Epidemiologist and writer Abby Cartus returns to continue our discussion about the so-called successes and failures of public health, particularly as it relates to the ongoing pandemic. In this interview, I asked Abby to clarify the kinds of data that are collected—mainly from wastewater sites—and how that data is modeled and presented at this phase of the pandemic. How does this impose limitations on our view of the current rates of SARS-CoV-2 infection in the US population? After establishing what can be understood, and not understood, from wastewater data, I asked Abby to raise her critique of how this data is being modeled and presented by the Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative, a popular and well regarded resource often cited by covid cautious and public health advocacy individuals and groups, and what this indicates about not only where we are at this phase of the pandemic, but how data and statistics are underlaid by ideological assumptions that deserve examination. // Episode notes: https://www.lastborninthewilderness.com/episodes/abby-cartus // Sustain + support: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness // Donate: https://www.paypal.me/lastbornpodcast

In this engaging conversation, Abby Cartus, an epidemiologist and writer passionate about public health, delves into the complexities surrounding COVID-19. She critiques U.S. COVID policies, examining systemic failures while challenging narratives of public health success and failure. The discussion spans historical lessons from past public health crises and emphasizes the need for thoughtful advocacy that acknowledges societal contexts. Cartus also advocates for reevaluating public health funding, urging a shift in priorities to build a healthier society.

Epidemiologist and writer Abby Cartus joins me in this interview to explore a fascinating set of questions: What does it mean for public health to fail? What does it mean for it to succeed? // Support the work and listen to the full interview: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness

Barrett Brown, an award-winning journalist and activist, dives into his new memoir, "My Glorious Defeats." He discusses his experiences in the federal prison system, shedding light on the transformative journey of incarceration. Brown critiques conspiracy theories like QAnon, linking them to social issues like child trafficking. He also shares insights on navigating asylum challenges in the U.K. and reflects on Julian Assange's release and its implications for activism and accountability in journalism.

Award-winning journalist, author, and activist Barrett Brown returns to the podcast to discuss his much anticipated new book, My Glorious Defeats: Hacktivist, Narcissist, Anonymous: A Memoir. // Support the work and listen to the full interview: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness

Writer and agitator Vicky Osterweil returns to the podcast to discuss some of the themes raised in her essay, Feeling Good Doesn't Require the Democrats, published for her newsletter. The piece tackles the very vibes-based election cycle in the US, as Vice President Kamala Harris takes up the Democratic Party ticket to face up against Donald Trump this November. Vicky deftly navigates the affect-shift this change in the nominee, from current president Joe Biden to Harris, has had, both in its desired effect, and what is lost in riding this wave of "positive vibes only" while looking away from the realities that demand our fuller attention. In short, Vicky imparts this bit of wisdom that will remain relevant as we continue to move swiftly though our crises-laden times: don't give them the gift of our joy. // Episode notes: https://www.lastborninthewilderness.com/episodes/vicky-osterweil-2 // Sustain + support: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness // Donate: https://www.paypal.me/lastbornpodcast

Ecologist and author Carl Safina returns to the podcast to discuss his newest book, Alfie and Me: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe. Part memoir, part philosophical musing, Alfie and Me contains vignettes of ecological dreaming and profound critique. // Episode notes: https://www.lastborninthewilderness.com/episodes/carl-safina-2 // Sustain + support: https://www.patreon.com/lastborninthewilderness // Donate: https://www.paypal.me/lastbornpodcast