Earthbound (Formerly Global Warming Is Real)

Outrage Overload: Finding the Movable Middle

A conversation with David Beckemeyer

We are a storytelling species. Long before we had data, we had narrative. But in a media environment engineered to trigger our most primitive threat responses, even the most compelling story struggles to find its audience. The amygdala doesn’t care about nuance. It cares about survival.

So how do we talk about climate change to people who aren’t already in the room?

David Beckemeyer has spent years studying that question, not from a climate angle, but from within the...

What if the problem isn’t that the people with the most power don’t care? What if it’s that they’ve lost the capacity to?

That’s the question at the center of Diana Colleen’s debut novel, They Could Be Saviors. A group of the world’s wealthiest men is kidnapped and brought to a facility where they’re offered a choice: undergo psychedelic-assisted therapy, or stay put indefinitely. It sounds far-fetched. Spend a few minutes with the headlines, and it starts to feel less like science fiction and more like a thought experiment we should have s...

Novelist Lee Schneider completes the Utopia Engine Trilogy with a story of climate collapse, AI dominance, and the stubborn possibility of liberation.

What if the Earth pushed back?

That’s the question at the heart of Liberation, the final book in Lee Schneider’s Utopia Engine Trilogy. Schneider is a novelist, screenwriter, futurist, and podcast producer, and in this episode, he sits down with me to talk about a near-future world battered by climate breakdown, controlled by an authoritarian artificial intelligence called MIND, and populated by imperfect people doing their best to find their way thro...

A Shift in Perception

What if the climate crisis isn’t just about what we’re doing to the planet, but how we see it? What if it is our flawed perception of the world and our place within it that separates us from nature and drives our destructive actions?

In this contemplative conversation, writer and wilderness guide Bridget Lyons explores how perspective shapes our relationship with the living world, and why empathy for other species might be the key to our survival.

Her book Entwined: Dispatches from the Intersection of Species weaves toge...

Do We Need to Colonize Mars to Survive?

A Book Review of Dr. Peter Solomon's 100 Years to Extinction

In 2017, Stephen Hawking warned that humanity had just 100 years to move beyond Earth or face extinction. That bold prediction frames my Earthbound podcast conversation with Dr. Peter Solomon, physicist, serial entrepreneur, and author of 100 Years to Extinction. We dig into the triggers threatening our survival (climate change, AI, nuclear war, misinformation) and whether a Mars colony is really our best backup plan or a fool’s paradise.

In my book review of Solomon’s novel, we f...

Climate, Energy, Morality, and How We Thrive as a Species on a Finite Planet

We tell ourselves stories to help us cope with existence, but too often we bend our stories to fit a misguided, destructive, and utterly unsustainable worldview.

In this revised audio version of a 2019 article I published in Medium, we begin with a tight shot on Venezuela and the Trump administration’s recent military action and claim to its oil. From there, we slowly pan back and consider the moral grounding of a civilization convinced of its “God-given” right to extract, destroy, and do...

This bonus episode features a short reading from my Thinking Out Loud section of my newsletter.

Is empathy a strength or a weakness? How do we respond to forces that hide behind masks and seek to coerce, intimidate, and terrorize? In the midst of the chaos, how do we make sense of living in a warming world?

There are lessons we can learn from the citizens of Minneapolis as they resist the masked men and their grasp at power, and from their efforts to maintain an unjust world, exemplifying the power of community, compassion, and...

What if the sun, the same star that’s powered life on Earth for billions of years, could finally free us from the fossil fuel stranglehold that’s choking our future?

That’s the question at the heart of this episode’s conversation with legendary climate activist and author Bill McKibben. In his latest book, Here Comes the Sun, McKibben delivers a message that's equal parts urgent and unexpectedly hopeful: after decades of fighting uphill against Big Oil, the economics of energy have fundamentally shifted, despite the rhetoric from vested interests and their bought-and-paid-for politicians.

In 2024...

In a world of either-or thinking, where you’re expected to choose between hugging trees or hugging flags, Katherine Lacefield offers a refreshing alternative. The founder of Just Be Cause Consulting and host of the Just Be Cause Podcast joins us to dismantle the false binaries that plague environmental and animal rights movements. With candor and hard-won wisdom, she shares her journey from "crazy vegan" activism to a more nuanced understanding of how we create lasting change. Katherine reminds us that perfection isn’t the goal—connection is. Whether it’s a well-meaning mother buying the wrong cheese or an envir...

With this bonus holiday episode, I revisit a short article I originally wrote for a now-defunct website and republished on Medium back in 2022. Blood and Cigarettes takes us back to Christmas Eve and the trenches of World War I, and how redemption can be found in the unlikeliest of places.

Ever since I heard the story of the Christmas Truce of 1914, it has intrigued me. The poignant tale of the 1914 Christmas Truce serves as a powerful reminder of our shared humanity, even amidst the chaos of war. This was not a truce fiercely negotiated by generals miles...

What Would The Ocean Say If You Could Ask It A Question?

Exploring the intersection of art, science, and environmental activism, this episode features thought provoking conversation with Joshua Harrison, director of the Center for the Study of the Force Majeure based at the University of California, Santa Cruz. 

The art-science environmental research collaborative challenges us to rethink our relationship with the planet and provoke us into thinking beyond the status quo and our long-held assumption about how the world works and our relationship to it. Harrison's work lives at the edges: the intersection of d...

How I Felt Ridiculous When I Ordered Same-Day Delivery

In this short bonus episode, I briefly examine the complexities of modern consumerism and the often-overlooked hidden costs of our convenience-driven shopping habits. As we rush into another holiday shopping season, I revisit a 2018 article that explored the darker side of online shopping convenience, particularly during events like Cyber Monday.

The rapid evolution of retail and escalating consumer expectations, from the demand for same-day delivery to the profound human cost on logistics and fulfillment workers, present a stark reality. 

We’ll hear poignant accounts fro...

The 1970s “Crying Indian” campaign, as it came to be known, with its poignant imagery and simple message about littering, has left an indelible mark on American culture.

Yet, as we unpack the history and implications of this campaign, we discover that not all was as it appeared.

It served as a brilliant marketing tactic by corporations to shift the onus of pollution onto individuals, effectively masking the real environmental damage caused by corporate practices. The origins of the Keep America Beautiful campaign reveal how it was strategically designed to deflect attention from industry-generated pollution and...

Feed the inner duck

Not with human news

Or greedy things that suck,

But give it quiet views;

Comments from the moon.

Opinions from the sky.

The insights of a tune.

The wisdom of a sigh.

-Michael Leunig

History Doesn’t Repeat, But It Rymes

In a world hurtling toward what feels like an inevitable cliff, our daily algorithmically fed news cycles have evolved from continuous to relentless, reaching a brutal intensity that leaves many feeling sh...

Here Comes the Apocalypse! Panicked or Prepared?

The art of preparation in today's polycrisis, conspiracy-driven world is far from straightforward. In all cases, it is an art that encompasses, among other things, science-based common sense and community-oriented planning. Just as important is a sense of humor. With preparation, we can laugh in the face of the Apocalypse!

As we navigate the eerie and unsettling landscape of climate change and societal upheaval, the notion of being prepared has evolved into a complex tapestry of ideologies and practices.

Our guest, Jennifer Heller, the founder of...

The Golden Toad

If you’re like me, by the time you first heard about the Golden Toad, it was already gone. A flash of gold high in the damp cloud forest of Costa Rica. This mysterious and elusive species, native to a tiny habitat in the misty clouds of Costa Rica, serves as a poignant reminder of the fragility of our ecosystems and the impacts of climate change. 

In this episode, I chat with Kyle and Trevor Ritland, authors of “The Golden: An Ecological Mystery and the Search for a Lost Species.”  

The Ritla...

The Mountain Valley Pipeline and Stories of Resistance in Appalachia

Amidst the Appalachian dawn, our exploration of community resilience and environmental justice unfolds through the lens of Denali Sai Nalamalapu, author of ‘Holler: A Graphic Memoir of Rural Resistance.’ The Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) stands as a stark reminder of the battles waged by local communities against encroaching corporate interests. Denali expertly articulates the complexities of this decade-long struggle, revealing how the MVP’s construction, initially presented as a critical energy project, has instead become a symbol of corporate overreach and environmental degradation.

The MVP was me...

Vanquish the Storm Lords and Anthrogs!

The power of stories to shape our understanding of the world is a central theme explored in this episode. We welcome Laurel Colless, an author dedicated to igniting the imaginations of young readers through her Peter Blue series of fantasy-adventure novels.

By infusing her narratives with real-world environmental issues, Laurel not only entertains but also educates, allowing children and adolescents to confront the complexities of climate change. Our discussion explores how Peter Blue and his friends confront ecological challenges, transforming fear into hope and agency through teamwork and imaginative...

Wildfire Days

"Wildfire is actually a natural part of our ecosystems and our landscape, particularly in the American West. Fires had been burning naturally for millennia and keeping the forest healthy."

"It's the most incredible job. It's so fulfilling and exciting and fascinating... just seeing how fire moves on the landscape and how we can use fire intentionally to stop wildfires."

-Kelly Ramsey

The historical context of wildfire management reveals a legacy of suppression dating back to the Big Burn of 1910, which initiated a paradigm shift in how we perceive and...

Raising Children in a Climate-Changed World

My conversation with Bridget Shirvell, author of 'Parenting in a Climate Crisis', explores the challenge of raising children in an era defined by environmental uncertainty.

Acknowledging the universal desire of parents to leave behind a livable world for the next generation, we discuss how to balance hope and reality in parenting amidst climate anxiety.

Bridget Shirvell's insights help guide parents in instilling a love for nature and equipping their children with the resilience and critical thinking skills necessary for navigating a world fraught with ecological challenges.

A Sound Environment

Exploring the multifaceted nature of sound, this episode features an enlightening conversation with Chris Berdick about his book, Clamor: How Noise Took Over the World and How We Can Take It Back.

Berdick discusses the physiological and psychological implications of noise pollution, drawing connections between our increasingly chaotic soundscapes and various health issues, including anxiety and heart disease. From the physiological impacts of noise, we briefly explore why simply measuring sound with a decibel meter fails to capture the full scope of sound perception, the toll of human noise in the natural...

Find your place in the world. Dig in, and take responsibility from there.

-Gary Snyder

When the world faces existential threats like climate change, how do we make ethical choices that matter? In this thought-provoking episode, host Tom Schueneman explores philosopher Thomas Rieder's groundbreaking book "Catastrophe Ethics: How to Choose Well in a World of Tough Choices."

Opening with a powerful scene from Netflix's "Landman," this episode confronts the fundamental ethical dilemma of our time: we're deeply embedded in harmful systems we can't easily escape. As Billy Bob Thornton's character bluntly states, fossil...

It's 3:00 AM. All is quiet, the world is asleep.

But is it?

In this illuminating episode, we journey into the darkness to explore the vibrant and often overlooked world of nocturnal creatures, guided by the passionate insights of naturalist Charles Hood. His book, Nature at Night, serves as our compass, leading us through a landscape where life thrives under the stars.

Hood paints a vivid picture of the night as a time of transformation and activity, challenging the commonplace notion that all is quiet when darkness descends. Instead, he reveals a dynamic ecosystem...

Taking It to the Streets

Protests and social movements are often seen as spontaneous eruptions of public sentiment. What drives people to take to the streets? What motivates them to take their anger and frustration offline, out in the open?

In this insightful conversation with sociologist Dana Fisher, we explore the motivations behind collective action, especially in today's political climate of rising authoritarianism under the Trump administration.

Dr. Fisher, a leading voice in climate sociology, examines how various social issues intersect, particularly how the current political environment has galvanized protests surrounding climate change...

Finding Calm in the Chaos – A Personal Journey Through Depression

How do we find our footing and protect our peace of mind in a world that often feels overwhelming, where fear and uncertainty seem to be the new normal? 

In this deeply personal and reflective episode, host Tom Schueneman opens up about his own “days of fear and loathing,” sharing his journey through a period of profound depression. He bravely navigates the distinction between everyday “blues” and the isolating grip of clinical depression, offering not prescriptive advice, but a heartfelt account of what helped him find a glim...

Green amendments are emerging as an effective and essential tool in the quest for environmental justice, ensuring that citizens have the constitutional right to a healthy environment, which is intricately linked to their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. 

In our conversation with Maya Van Rossem, the founder of Green Amendments for the Generations, we discuss how these amendments provide the necessary legal framework to protect our natural resources from industrial harm and pollution, safeguarding both current and future generations. 

With 19 states already taking steps towards drafting such amendments, we explore the ta...

Reviewing A City on Mars by Kelly and Zach Weinersmith

The notion of colonizing Mars often sounds like a thrilling adventure, but let’s hit the brakes on that rocket ship for a moment. Right off the bat, we tackle the idea that Elon Musk’s vision of a bustling Martian colony is, to put it mildly, a touch delusional.

As we delve into the complexities of what it would actually mean to settle on another planet, we confront the sobering reality that space isn't just a hop, skip, and jump away; it’s a harsh...

A conversation with David Lipsky, author of The Parrot and the Igloo

Global warming is a long history spent in the hall of ironies, a statement that resonates throughout our discussion today. We delve into the fascinating yet troubling journey of climate science, tracing back to Svante Arrhenius, who first calculated the impact of accumulating greenhouse gases over a century ago, to the alarming forecasts of the 1950s that continue to haunt us. Amidst this, we uncover the unsettling tactics of climate denial, echoing the tobacco industry's playbook, where for-hire scientists sowed doubt to stall progress. 

Roy Scranton's Learning to Die in the Anthropocene: Reflections on the End of a Civilization invites us to confront a sobering truth: we cannot escape our fate. As we grapple with the challenges of our time, Scranton emphasizes the importance of facing our future with patience, reflection, and love rather than panic or denial.

His reflections draw from a life steeped in experience, including his service in Iraq, where he learned that truly living often requires us to embrace the reality of mortality. This episode explores Scranton's compelling narrative, where a dark optimism emerges, suggesting that there...

In this episode of the GlobalWarmingisReal podcast, we talk with Michael Mezzatesta, a prominent voice in climate economics, policy, and activism.

Our conversation explores the complexities of climate action in the context of a second Trump administration. 

Host Tom Schueneman and Michael Mezzatesta dissect the multifaceted challenges climate change poses, particularly in the context of the Trump administration's ruinous policies. The conversation delves deep into the implications of withdrawing from international agreements like the Paris Accord and the potential ripple effects on global cooperation efforts. 

We tackle the climate movement's response and the em...

Read the article at GlobalWarmingisReal.com.

Takeaways:

Earthbound explores the human story of a planet in transition. We live in the Anthropocene, an age in which human activity is reshaping Earth’s climate and life-support systems—and those planetary changes, in turn, are reshaping who we are.

Hosted by Thomas Schueneman, Earthbound brings together scientists, historians, philosophers, Indigenous leaders, health experts, activists, and artists to ask: