Vince Beiser is an award-winning journalist and author known for investigating the hidden forces that shape our world. His work focuses on the raw materials behind modern life—from sand to the critical "power metals" driving the clean energy transition. With a sharp eye for global systems and their human impact, Vince reveals the environmental, political, and ethical costs of progress. His reporting has appeared in The New York Times, Wired, The Atlantic, and more.

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to the Conversation and Personal Interests
03:00 The Hidden Costs of Technology Production
06:03 The Paradox of Renewable Energy
09:14 Mining Practices and Global Implications
11:53 The Role of Indigenous Rights in Mining
15:00 The Environmental Impact of Electric Vehicles
18:05 Individual Responsibility vs. Systemic Change
20:58 Class Disparities in Environmental Responsibility
25:15 Urban Mobility and Sustainable Transportation
30:31 Politics of Transportation and Climate Change
35:27 The Complexities of Recycling
42:40 Optimism vs. Pessimism in Environmental Progress