Episodes
The terrible, horrible, mostly bad year of 2020 marks a decisive break with the past. But what will come next? What will the future look like? In this episode of The Overstory we imagine a brighter, better future with an all-star roster of activists and authors. Melissa Nelson of The Cultural Conservancy discusses what it will take to Indigenize the conservation movement, Black urbanist Kristin Jeffers envisions a new kind of city, Varshini Prakash of the Sunrise Movement offers her take on...
Published 12/14/20
Published 12/14/20
After a late-summer break, The Overstory is back with a new episode. We talk with energy reporter Antonia Juhasz, who explains why the COVID pandemic may be the nail in the coffin for the global oil and gas industry. Juliet Grable, a frequent Sierra magazine contributor, talks about what it was like working as a volunteer fire fighter battling the recent wildfires in Oregon. And our advice columnist, Ms. Green, has tips for how to recycle old underwear and socks.
Published 10/05/20
On this episode of The Overstory, we explore the connections between systemic racism and environmental destruction. Hop Hopkins, director of the Sierra Club's strategic partnerships, discusses how the ideology of white supremacy fuels environmental degradation and social injustice. Corina Newsome talks about how she launched the online happening, #BlackBirdersWeek. Plus: NASA climate scientist Dr. Kate Marvel explains why the pandemic doesn't have an environmental silver lining and Christy...
Published 07/20/20
On the latest installment of "The Overstory," we talk with some of the people who are coping with the pandemic by getting closer -- much closer -- to the earth. The co-CEO of Johnny's Selected Seeds discusses the skyrocketing demand for vegetable seeds sparked by "pandemic planting," while urban farmers Kanchan Dawn Hunter and Novella Carpenter answer listeners' gardening questions. Our advice columnist, Ms. Green, talks with her mom about how to grow "zombie" crops on the kitchen counter....
Published 06/12/20
In this episode of The Overstory, we're getting out into nature--slowly, safely--and exploring what that looks like in the age of pandemic. We talk with journalist and urban farmer Novella Carpenter about how to grow your own vegetables, while our advice columnist, Ms. Green, talks about how to reduce food waste and shop smart while you're sheltering in place. Reporter Jackie Bryant offers tips for how to recreate outdoors while still maintaining physical distance from others. And...
Published 05/07/20
The first episode of The Overstory's second season was originally intended as a celebration of the 50th anniversary of Earth Day. As the pandemic unfolded, we pivoted to consider what social activism will look like in this season of social distancing. Hear from Denis Hayes, founder of the Earth Day Network; Zero Hour founder Jamie Margolin; author and artist Jenny Odell; and the Reverend Lennox Yearwood, Jr. Plus also: Ms. Green explains her investigation into PFAS in menstrual underwear.
Published 04/03/20
On Episode 9 of The Overstory we go birding with Jason Ward, an impassioned birder in Atlanta, Georgia whose enthusiasm and social media savvy is helping to attract younger and more ethnically diverse groups of people into the world of bird-watching. We also hear from climate activist Patrick Houston about his tips for social change, and talk with Haviland Whiting, the youth poet laureate of Nashville. Plus: Ms. Green discusses the challenges of being a vegan.
Published 12/17/19
We take listeners to the far reaches of Chilean Patagonia, where U.S. philanthropist Kris Tompkins has overseen the largest act of wildlands philanthropy in history. On a new segment of the show, we hear directly from frontline activists who provide us with tips and hints about effective environmental advocacy. And speaking of advice, we introduce our new sustainable living advice columnist, Ms. Green—aka Jessian Choy. Plus, a conversation with Doria Robinson, a resident of Richmond,...
Published 11/06/19
Episode 7 opens with a dispatch from the historic climate strike, as we follow youth climate organizer Daphne Frias while she navigates the New York City march from her wheelchair. We also take listeners to the White Mountains of New Hampshire, where we feed Oreos to a bear (in the name of science, of course!) and learn about the latest findings on animal intelligence. We hear from a West Virginia woman who is using her singing voice as a vehicle for environmental activism. And we say a fond...
Published 10/04/19
We begin this episode with a trip to Miami's "Little Haiti" neighborhood, whichis grappling with "climate gentrification" as rising sea levels and sunny day flooding make the city's high elevation districts attractive to developers. Mr. Green, our advice columnist, talks about the environmental impacts of dogs. And we hear from a cancer survivor who is battling plastic pollution in Great Britain by paddling all of England's rivers.
Published 04/18/19
Published 03/06/19
Published 01/29/19
We join a group of single mom veterans from New York City as they take a weekend camping trip with their families — and in the course of their adventure find a respite from the stresses of military-to-civilian transition. We also talk with Ray Smith, a member of the first all African-American team to summit Mount Kilimanjaro. Plus: advice from Mr. Green and a radio diary from Yellowstone's "wild woman."
Published 12/10/18
This episode of The Overstory includes an in-depth feature story from the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, which is now threatened by oil-drilling. Plus: A radio diary from Olympic snowboarder Justin Reiter, a conversation about equity in the outdoors with Teresa Baker, and sustainable living advice from Mr. Green.
Published 11/27/18
This is the premiere episode of the Sierra Club's new podcast, The Overstory. We take listeners to some of the most contested ground in the United States, Bears Ears National Monument, talk with Sierra magazine's advice columnist, Mr. Green, and hear from the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina about how the natural order of things is being changed, even their sacred river. Plus, we learn how cider-making promotes biodiversity!
Published 10/29/18
Coming soon: a new podcast from Sierra Club. The Overstory brings listeners some of the most surprising, heartfelt, and provocative stories from across the American landscape.
Published 10/25/18