Episode Overview

In this compelling conversation, host Shannon Lovgren sits down with Judith Enck, President of Beyond Plastics, former EPA Regional Administrator, long-time environmental advocate, and author of The Problem With Plastic: How We Can Save Ourselves and Our Planet Before It’s Too Late. Together, they explore one of the most urgent environmental challenges of our time: the plastics crisis—how we got here, what’s at stake, and the powerful movement rising to confront it.

Judith begins by sharing her origin story: growing up in the Catskills, discovering activism in college, and carving an unconventional path into environmental policy. Her early work on passing New York’s landmark bottle bill sets the stage for a career spent navigating both government and grassroots organizing. Shannon and Judith discuss what it takes to lead change—tenacity, community, deep knowledge, and the willingness to take action even when the odds are daunting.

The conversation then turns to the plastic pollution crisis itself. Judith breaks down the many dimensions of the problem: the alarming health risks of microplastics now found in human organs, the toxic impacts faced by communities near plastic manufacturing sites, and the massive role plastics play in climate change. She explains why recycling—long promoted as the solution—is structurally incapable of addressing the scale of plastic waste, with over 90% of plastics never recycled.

Shannon and Judith explore the path forward: bold policy interventions, producer responsibility laws, local advocacy, and the power of collective action. They highlight how everyday people—from students to volunteers to local officials—can turn concern into meaningful change. Judith offers clear, actionable guidance: show up at city council meetings, write letters to the editor, engage neighbors, and push for laws that reduce plastic production at its source.

The episode also dives into global impacts, inequities in who bears the burden of plastic pollution, and promising alternatives to harmful plastics. Judith emphasizes that progress is possible—if we move beyond individual gestures and build a broad, sustained movement for systemic change.

Rich with insights, practical advice, and hopeful direction, this episode is both a wake-up call and a roadmap. Whether you’re new to the issue or deeply involved, Shannon and Judith offer inspiration for anyone committed to creating a healthier, more sustainable, and plastic-free future.

Produced by Trench

Enjoy our conversation with Aoife Kelleher, director of the documentary Mrs. Robinson, which highlights the incredible career of Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, and cofounder of Project Dandelion.

In this episode, we explore Mary Robinson’s journey breaking glass ceilings, championing human rights, and leading global climate justice initiatives. Aoife shares behind-the-scenes stories from making the documentary and the moments that inspired her vision.

Aoife Kelleher is an acclaimed Irish director and filmmaker known for her compelling storytelling and visually powerful documentaries. Her work often explores themes of identity, history, and social change in Ireland.

She gained international recognition for One Million Dubliners, an exploration of Dublin’s Glasnevin Cemetery, and continued to build her reputation with projects such as Strange Occurrences in a Small Irish Village and Mrs. Robinson. Hert films are noted for their depth, empathy, and ability to bring Ireland’s cultural and political narratives to life through a human lens.

Listen now and get inspired by the story of a woman who has shaped history.

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Welcome to Earth Sayers Cinema, where we amplify the voices of transformational leaders working toward a more sustainable and compassionate world. Today's episode explores Creative High, a powerful documentary that ventures into the profound intersection of art, addiction, and recovery. This isn't just another film about substance abuse—it's an intimate journey into the lives of nine artists who have faced the abyss of addiction and discovered that creativity itself can be a pathway to healing and wholeness.

Joining us is filmmaker Dianne Griffin, co-director of Creative High alongside Adriana Marone. Dianne brings a unique dual perspective to this project: she's both an accomplished documentary cinematographer and someone in recovery herself. Her work explores themes of transformation, spirituality, and human resilience, informed by her practice of Buddhism and her belief that the creative process is fundamentally a spiritual journey. Through her nonprofit organization, Dig All Media, Dianne creates films that explore social issues and amplify marginalized voices.

Our host, Paul Steinbroner, guides this conversation with thoughtful questions that invite deep reflection. Paul's interviewing style creates space for exploring complex ideas about trauma, transformation, and the healing power of art. His observation that "being vulnerable around the right people is the ultimate courage" captures the essence of what makes this conversation, and the documentary itself, so powerful.

Creative High follows nine artists—dancers, painters, musicians, and performers—each navigating their own relationship with addiction and recovery. Their stories reveal a fundamental truth: for many artists, the creative impulse and the addictive impulse are deeply intertwined. As one artist shares, "Art through my whole using period kept me alive." Another describes addiction starkly: "Addiction is an abyss." These raw testimonies set the stage for a deeper exploration of how creativity functions not just as expression, but as survival, and ultimately, as transformation.

Throughout this episode, you'll discover how the documentary came to life over several years of intimate filming, building trust with vulnerable subjects, and witnessing both triumphs and tragedies. Dianne shares the story of Louisa, a dancer whose extraordinary vulnerability and openness create immediate connection with everyone around her. You'll hear about Kathy, a painter who returned to school in her seventies to earn her MFA after achieving sobriety, proving it's never too late for transformation. And you'll learn about Luis, a hip-hop artist whose powerful performances and creative achievements were tragically cut short by relapse and overdose—a sobering reminder that recovery is fragile and not every story ends in triumph.

The conversation explores profound themes that resonate far beyond addiction and recovery. Dianne discusses creativity as spiritual practice, quoting John Daido Loori's description of the creative process as "intuitive, nonlinear and experiential," something that "points us towards our direct nature" and "connects us to the entire universe." She shares how suffering can be a "Dharma gate"—a doorway to awakening—and how recovery allowed her to "awaken to emotional states that I was stunted in," states that continue to unfold through her creative work.

Paul and Dianne examine the role of vulnerability in both art-making and recovery, discussing how sensitivity—often seen as weakness—can actually be a profound capacity for feeling and connection. They explore how many artists are, as Paul puts it, "too tender" to simply dismiss painful experiences, leading them to initially use art to mask pain, and then substances when art alone isn't enough. The path back requires confronting personal problems directly, doing the difficult work that, as Paul candidly notes, "Nobody wants to do."

Greener Pastures, a compelling PBS documentary, takes audiences inside the struggles, hopes, and resilience of America’s family farmers. In this interview with producer Ian Kibbe, we highlight urgent challenges shaping agriculture today—through voices like Jeff Ditzenberger, veteran, corn and soybean farmer and Rural Minds and TUGS founder, as well as Chris Petersen, a tireless sustainable agriculture farmer, advocate and board member of the Organization of Competitive Markets, who works tirelessly lobbying for farmers’ rights.

Family farmers have long been the backbone of rural America, providing not only food but also stability, tradition, and community. Yet today, many of these farms are disappearing. As one farmer shares, “The trouble with farming is the decisions are made with the heart instead of the head.” This emotional reality collides with economic hardships and unpredictable weather patterns that leave farmers questioning their futures.

The documentary sheds light on the devastating stress that comes with farming in the 21st century. From mounting debt to climate instability, farmers face immense challenges. At the same time, they remain deeply connected to the land, making choices that affect not only their own families but also the environment and food systems we all depend on.

Greener Pastures also highlights the resilience of these farmers, showcasing their determination to adapt, innovate, and keep farming alive despite the odds. Viewers will witness stories of people fighting to preserve a way of life while confronting the forces of industrial agriculture that prioritize profit over sustainability and community health.
In this interview, the producer reflects on why Greener Pastures is not just a film about farming, but a story about survival, hope, and the urgent need to support sustainable agriculture. It is a call to action for anyone who cares about where our food comes from, who grows it, and how our choices impact the future of our planet.

Whether you are a farmer, an advocate for sustainable food systems, or someone concerned about climate change and community resilience, Greener Pastures offers an intimate, eye-opening perspective. This conversation invites you to see the people behind the food on your table and to understand the stakes of preserving family farms in an era of rapid change.

Watch the full interview, share it with your network, and join the conversation about the future of farming. Together, we can ensure a greener, more sustainable future for generations to come.

The EarthSayers podcast, which elevates voices in sustainability, recently featured filmmaker Trevor Tejeda-Gervais to discuss his documentary The True Cost of Burning Coal: Iowa’s Dirty Secret. The episode reveals how Iowa, celebrated as a wind-energy leader, still relies heavily on coal—and how that reality endangers communities and the environment.

Many assume Iowa runs on clean power. MidAmerican Energy, the state’s largest utility, has promoted that belief by branding itself around wind energy. Yet the company continues to operate five coal plants. Trujillo’s film exposes this contradiction, focusing on the health and economic toll of coal while showing that renewables are already viable.

The project began when Tejeda-Gervais collaborated with groups like the Iowa Environmental Council, Sierra Club, and Great Plains Action Society. What shaped it into a film were residents’ voices: families coping with cancers, children with asthma, and communities hit by extreme weather. These accounts turned data into lived experience.

Economics are central. Coal is no longer cost-effective, but utilities keep plants open by billing repairs to customers. Berkshire Hathaway Energy, MidAmerican’s parent company, profits while Iowans shoulder both financial and health burdens. Coal ash ponds, often near rivers supplying drinking water, add to the danger. Mercury and arsenic threaten agriculture, ecosystems, and public health.

Politically, little has changed. Lawmakers and regulators have shown little appetite for reform, while utilities exaggerate the cost of pollution controls. MidAmerican reinforces public confusion by claiming “100 percent renewable” status—measured only by capacity, not actual generation. Many Iowans don’t realize coal plants still operate.

Trujillo argues that awareness and pressure are key. Unlike other utilities, MidAmerican could retire coal now because of Iowa’s strong wind resources. Instead, it plans to keep burning coal until 2049—far too late given health and climate impacts. The film aims to challenge corporate narratives and mobilize communities.

The issue extends beyond Iowa. Berkshire Hathaway runs some of the nation’s dirtiest coal plants across Nebraska, Wyoming, and Utah. Pollution crosses borders, and vulnerable communities bear the greatest harm. Indigenous nations like the Winnebago Tribe and Black neighborhoods in Omaha face disproportionate exposure, making environmental justice central to the story.

The rollout of Iowa’s Dirty Secret reflects its activist intent. The premiere in Des Moines sold out, and screenings in Sioux City and at festivals drew strong turnout. Each event pairs the film with local organizers offering concrete actions—contacting utilities, joining campaigns, or hosting community screenings—ensuring audiences channel frustration into action.

The podcast also highlights renewable success stories. Iowa leads the nation in wind generation, and small towns are already benefiting. Farmers leasing land for turbines keep their farms, while communities in Michigan and Texas have revived economies and funded schools with renewable tax revenues. These examples show that the transition is both environmentally and economically sound.

Trujillo stresses that obstacles are less about technology or cost than entrenched corporate interests. Utilities cling to coal because profits are guaranteed, while residents pay the price. By exposing this imbalance and fostering awareness, the film seeks to accelerate Iowa’s transition to a cleaner, fairer energy system.

The episode ends with optimism. Grassroots pressure, public knowledge, and community organizing can drive change where politics lag. As Trujillo notes, films like Iowa’s Dirty Secret are not just informative—they are catalysts, sparking conversations that lead to real action.

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