EcoJustice Radio

In this episode, we delve into the historical and contemporary implications of the Monroe Doctrine and U.S. intervention in Latin America. Host Jack Eidt mixes excerpts from Rubén Darío’s poetry (Nicaragua) and Gabriel García Márquez’s fiction (Colombia) with an interview of Yale historian Greg Grandin by journalist Michael Fox. They explore how Simon Bolivar's legacy and the Monroe Doctrine have shaped U.S. imperialism in Central and South America. They trace the origins of Bolivar's fight for independence, the creation and evolution of the Monroe Doctrine, and its lasting effects on U.S. foreign policy. The interview originates from Michael Fox's podcast series "Under the Shadow," [https://therealnews.com/under-the-shadow] produced in collaboration with the Real News Network and NACLA, the North American Congress on Latin America [https://nacla.org/].

For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio

Resources/Articles:

Under the Shadow Podcast Episode: https://therealnews.com/he-legacy-of-monroe-under-the-shadow-bonus-episode-4

Simon Bolivar History From NBC News https://youtu.be/wxuxFg_8nkI?si=eZAH6W3FmCT6ZGYD

Chilean folk music group, Inti Illimani doing the song Simon Bolivar from 1973

https://youtu.be/AObTf9yOdoQ?si=7iRpeA3u8BQqQLt-

Greg Grandin is the author of his latest, America, América, A New History of the New World [https://greggrandin.com/book/america-america/]. Also Fordlandia, a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, the National Book Award, and the National Book Critics Circle Award. A Professor of History at Yale University, Grandin has published a number of other award-winning books, including Empire's Workshop, The Last Colonial Massacre, and The Blood of Guatemala [https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B001IQW9VI].

The Blood of Guatemala: A History of Race and Nation (2000, Duke University Press Books)

Empire’s Workshop: Latin America, the United States, and the Making of an Imperial Republic (Holt, 2006)

The Last Colonial Massacre: Latin America in the Cold War (2011, The University of Chicago)

Kissinger’s Shadow: The Long Reach of America’s Most Controversial Statesman (2016, MacMillan)

You can find more of Greg’s books, here.

Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate organizer, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He has a project on PBS SoCal Artbound called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs.

Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/

Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/

Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio

PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url

Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt

Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats

Episode 234

We embark on the first part of a series begun in 2024 by Jack Eidt who joined the artistic residency of Osceola Refetoff, a Canadian-American visual artist and photojournalist, in Antofagasta, Chile. Supported by SACO Cultural Corporation, this residency places a spotlight on the Atacama Desert, one of the driest places on Earth, and its rich yet troubled history with mining. We delve into the environmental and social impacts of mining in this region, the historical context of Latin American exploitation, and the legacy of colonialism and neoliberal policies. Featuring poignant quotes from local authors and music that reflects Chile's cultural heritage, this episode is a profound exploration of eco-justice, history, and art.

This episode sheds light on the difficult working conditions, pollution, and migratory phenomena that have shaped the Atacama's legacy.

**Historical Context and Colonial Legacy**

We journey through the historical context of mining in the Atacama, from the nitrate boom of the 19th century to the present-day lithium rush. The episode explores the economic motivations and political maneuverings that have led to the region's exploitation, including the devastating impact of colonialism and neoliberal policies.

**Interview with Don Victor Loyola**

One of the highlights of the episode is an interview with Don Victor Loyola, a former miner who has worked at the municipal museum in Maria Elena.

**Indigenous Presence and Geoglyphs**

The Atacama Desert is also home to a rich indigenous history, evidenced by the thousands of geoglyphs that dot the landscape. These ancient works of art, created by the region's early inhabitants, offer a glimpse into the spiritual and practical lives of the people who once thrived in this harsh environment. The episode explores the significance of these geoglyphs and their role in the transportation networks that connected ancient South American civilizations.

Music Featured

Violeta Parra “Gracias a la Vida.”

Victor Jara “The Right to Live in Peace.”

Illapu “Raza Brava”

For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio

Resources/Articles:

Victor Loyola has a thirty year history working in the mining industry in the Atacama Desert of Chile and recently worked in tourism at the Municipal Museum in Maria Elena, Chile.

Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate organizer, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs.

Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/

Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/

Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio

PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url

Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt

Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats

Episode 229

Devil's urine. That's what Dupont employees called PFAS. These toxic, human made forever chemicals are now in the blood of almost every human on the planet. They are found in drinking water around the world, even Antarctica. And they are used in a broad range of consumer products, like non-stick cookware, stain-resistant clothing, waterproof items, dental floss, and even medical masks. These are only a few examples of many.

This group of toxic chemicals, perfluoroalkyl and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), permanently concentrates in your body and the environment. You can't get rid of them. In fact, they bioaccumulate, meaning they get worse and worse. The public awareness from uncovering of the truth behind Dupont’s misdeeds now contaminating much of the planet is tantamount to this generation’s Silent Spring.

Our guest Rob Bilott is very much a Rachel Carson sort of figure who has stood up to the chemical industry as the lead attorney to bring light to the dangers of PFAS and its many variations. He fought and won a 20+ year battle against Dupont for the poisoning of over 70,000 people in West Virginia and Ohio. His work was even captured in the 2019 feature film, Dark Waters where he was portrayed by Mark Ruffalo.

Rob has continued his groundbreaking work and is looking at the potential of a nationwide class action lawsuit as newer versions of PFAS emerge, unregulated and as dangerous as ever.

In this interview from Summer 2022, we explore the history of PFAS, what exposure means, where it can be found, and what we can do.

Rob Bilott is a partner in the Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky offices of the law firm, Taft Stettinius & Hollister LLP [https://www.taftlaw.com/people/robert-a-bilott], where he has practiced in the Environmental and Litigation Groups for over 31 years. During that time, Rob has handled and led some of the most novel and complex cases in the country involving damage from exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (“PFAS”), including the first individual, class action, mass tort, and multi-district litigation proceedings concerning the toxic chemical, recovering over $1 billion for impacted clients.

In 2017, Rob received the Right Livelihood Award, known as the “Alternative Nobel Prize,” for his decades of work on behalf of those injured by PFAS chemical contamination. Rob is the author of the book, “Exposure: Poisoned Water, Corporate Greed, and One Lawyer’s Twenty-Year Battle Against DuPont,” [https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Exposure/Robert-Bilott/9781501172823]

and his story is the inspiration for the 2019 motion picture, “Dark Waters,” starring Mark Ruffalo. Rob’s story and work is also featured in the documentary, “The Devil We Know.”

Jessica Aldridge, Co-Host and Producer of EcoJustice Radio, is an environmental educator, community organizer, and 15-year waste industry leader. She is a co-founder of SoCal 350, organizer for ReusableLA, and founded Adventures in Waste. She is a former professor of Recycling and Resource Management at Santa Monica College, and an award recipient of the international 2021 Women in Sustainability Leadership and the 2016 inaugural Waste360, 40 Under 40.

Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/

Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/

Support the Podcast: https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio

Guest: Rob Bilott

Host and Producer: Jessica Aldridge

Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats

Executive Producer: Jack Eidt

Created by: Mark and JP Morris

In this episode, host Carry Kim welcomes author and community organizer Hilary Giovale to discuss her book, Becoming a Good Relative: Calling White Settlers to Truth, Healing, and Repair. Hilary shares her journey of truth, reconciliation, and the importance of acknowledging the histories of Indigenous peoples on Turtle Island. Together, they explore the concept of ancestral amnesia, the impact of white privilege, and the ways in which we can begin to heal and reconnect with ancestral roots, whatever they may be. This episode is a call to action for all settlers to engage in meaningful actions to honor the land and its original peoples.

Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url

Many listeners are already aware of the genocide committed against Indigenous peoples, Buffalo and living beings of Turtle Island. Sordid histories of stolen land and dire consequences wrought by the Doctrine of Discovery, Manifest Destiny, and enslavement continue to haunt the present. Ongoing attempts to erase sacred peoples and their cultures in favor of an extractive economy and mindset comes at the expense of wonderment, awe, heart connection and care for all life. What is ours to do now? What is ours to heal, repair and reclaim in the historical aftermath? How to restore and renew this world so that all living beings thrive?

Hilary Giovale joins us to share how we might embark upon the journey of truth, healing and repair, particularly for white settlers on Turtle Island. Are we honoring and giving back to the Indigenous Ancestors of the lands where we now live? Are we living in entitlement or sacred reciprocity? Do we know where we come from and where we are headed? How might we consciously choose to live on behalf of all life as a true relative?

For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio

RESOURCES

Guide to Making a Personal Reparations Plan [https://docs.google.com/document/d/1G-ufl_8ixdquMGrDziiBUBAANYKXrN7eHtjiE5aKTfw/edit?tab=t.0#heading=h.1kvofvfw6wns]

Webpage with links to indie booksellers [https://www.goodrelative.com/book]

Reclaiming our Indigenous European Roots, by Lyla June Johnston [https://moonmagazineeditor.medium.com/lyla-june-reclaiming-our-indigenous-european-roots-64685c7fc960]

100% of book proceeds are going to Decolonizing Wealth Project [https://decolonizingwealth.com/] and Jubilee Justice [https://www.jubileejustice.com/]

Hilary Giovale is a mother, author, and community organizer who holds a Master’s Degree in Good and Sustainable Communities. She has taught improvisational dance and has served on the boards of philanthropic, human rights, and environmental organizations. She is the author of Becoming a Good Relative: Calling White Settlers toward Truth, Healing, and Repair from Green Writers Press [https://www.brightsidebookshop.com/book/9798987663172].

Carry Kim, Co-Host of EcoJustice Radio. An advocate for ecosystem restoration, Indigenous lifeways, and a new humanity born of connection and compassion, she is a long-time volunteer for SoCal350, member of Ecosystem Restoration Camps, and a co-founder of the Soil Sponge Collective, a grassroots community organization dedicated to big and small scale regeneration of Mother Earth.

Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/

Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/

Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio

PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url

Executive Producer and Intro: Jack Eidt

Hosted by Carry Kim

Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats

Episode 262

Photo credit: Hilary Giovale

In a world increasingly affected by climate change and environmental disasters, the need for innovative and sustainable solutions has never been more urgent. In this episode, we welcome back John Allen, co-founder of the Birdhouse [https://atthebirdhouse.org/], a community garden and regenerative community organization located just below the Hollywood sign in Los Angeles.

Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url

We discuss the pressing need for regenerative development in every aspect of our collaboration with nature and community in this massive city and beyond, especially in the wake of recent climate disasters in Los Angeles. Jonny shares his journey from filmmaking to community engagement and the importance of building connections with the land and each other. Discover how local actions can lead to global change, and explore innovative ideas for rebuilding communities in a more sustainable and harmonious way.

Resources:

Jonny Allen Manifesto: Holistic Rebuilding Post-Fire in LA | Shared Grok Conversation [https://grok.com/share/bGVnYWN5_1beecb1c-764c-445e-98e2-8934351965cc]

The BirdHouse on EcoJustice Radio in 2020: https://wilderutopia.com/sustainability/the-birdhouse-reconnecting-people-place-through-arts-ecology/

Replant the Forest Festival: https://soundcloud.com/socal350/replant-the-forest-festival-merging-art-music-restoration

John Allen, with his wife Bella LeNestour Co-Founded the BirdHouse, a community generating organization [https://atthebirdhouse.org/]. He has a 10 year history of community building, educational programs, and ecosystem restoration. They are the first urban Ecosystem Restoration Community (ERC) [https://www.ecosystemrestorationcommunities.org/], a global network, and have incubated projects such as the Hollywood Orchard [https://www.hollywoodorchard.org/], the Soil Sponge Collective [https://www.soilspongecollective.org/], the Band of Singers, Water Stories [https://www.waterstories.com/] and Replant the Forest Festival. They have nurtured relationships with Tongva-Gabrielino providing cultural bridges and learning opportunities. They’ve hosted the LA Permaculture Academy and offer hands-on opportunities on the ‘mosaic’ of parcels they’ve stewarded throughout various communities. Their latest project is a planned regenerative farm and intentional community along the Santa Clara River north of Los Angeles.

Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate organizer, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes a column on PBS SoCal called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs.

Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/

Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/

Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio

PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url

Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt

Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats

Episode 261

Photo credit: Bella Le Nestour

In this episode, we are honored to host Dastan Khalili, president of Cal-Earth [http://calearth.org] and son of the visionary architect Nader Khalili, who pioneered the SuperAdobe building technique. Dastan shares his father's timeless vision of creating sustainable shelters using natural materials and principles inspired by the elements of earth, water, air, and fire.

The global housing shortage currently includes some 20-40 million refugees and displaced persons, and hundreds of millions more who live in substandard housing. Amidst the urgency of human-induced climate events, urban conflagrations and “natural” disasters, we are being compelled by Cal-Earth founder Nader Khalili’s vision to create sustainable human shelters, using timeless materials and principles including arches, vaults and domes.

Inspired by the mystic Persian poet Rumi — Nader Khalili envisioned uniting the natural elements to serve humanity and the environment, provide shelter for the world’s homeless and displaced persons, and empower people to participate in the creation of their own homes and communities. By doing so, we can touch the Earth, preserve the planet, and gently walk into our shared, Ancient Future.

For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio

RESOURCES

https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2025-02-20/superadobe-calearth-hesperia-fire-resistant-los-angeles?_gl=1*2g0ikj*_gcl_au*MTgyNzk2NDAwMy4xNzQwMDYwNDI3

Dastan Khalili has been President of Cal-Earth since 2008. He is son of the late founder, visionary architect and author Nader Khalili.

Carry Kim, Co-Host of EcoJustice Radio. An advocate for ecosystem restoration, Indigenous lifeways, and a new humanity born of connection and compassion, she is a long-time volunteer for SoCal350, member of Ecosystem Restoration Camps, and a co-founder of the Soil Sponge Collective, a grassroots community organization dedicated to big and small scale regeneration of Mother Earth.

Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/

Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/

Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio

PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url

Executive Producer and Intro: Jack Eidt

Hosted by Carry Kim

Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats

Episode 260

Photo credit: Cal-Earth

The truth about the US Indian boarding school policy has largely been written out of the history books. Started in the 1800s across the US and Canada, Indian Boarding schools were government-funded and often church-run. The goal? Forced assimilation of Native children into white society under the belief of “Kill the Indian, Save the Man,” which still contributes to how we see and treat Indigenous Peoples today.

In this episode recorded in 2021, we delve into the haunting legacy of Indian Boarding Schools in North America through the voices of SunRose IronShell and Manapee LaMere, representatives of the Sioux Nation of Indians.

About $1.5 million in grants to digitize archival records and collect first-person accounts of Native Americans who attended U.S. government-run boarding schools have been cut as part of the Trump administration’s efforts to drastically reshape cultural programs and transform the federal government.

Sadly, the marked and unmarked graves of children have been found in the residential school systems of both Canada and the US. The total is now over 6,500 indigenous youth, having died amid accusations of abuse and neglect.

Our guests, SunRose IronShell and Manape LaMere, talk about the history of this generational trauma, and how bringing home the remains has become a way to tell the children's stories and hold to account these schools.

Listen to Part 2 of this discussion: https://wilderutopia.com/ecojustice-radio/lost-children-of-turtle-island-part-2/

Check out their 2020 Appearance on EJR: https://www.wilderutopia.com/landscape/culture-landscape/tribal-sovereignty-and-self-determination/

Manape LaMere has relinquished his U.S. citizenship and is a Government Representative of the Sioux Nation of Indians and an U.N. Economic and Social Council committee member to the United Nations. Manape is currently working to rebuild all social and economic development for his nation and provide proactive approach in response to genocide and 150 years of economic sanctions.

SunRose IronShell, Is an Artistic Visionary Dreamer. Hailing from the Missouri River valley area in Sioux City Iowa. SunRose is Sicangu and Oglala Lakota of the Titowan band of the Oceti Sakowyn - the Seven Council fires, Internationally known as the Sioux Nation of Indians. She is a cultural bearer and High School teacher. She was featured in the documentary, Women of the White Buffalo [https://womenofthewhitebuffalo.com/cast/6/] soon to be released. You can catch her every Friday for Native News in 10 on Woman of the White Buffalo Facebook page.

Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/

Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/

Support the Podcast: https://socal350.org/contribute-to-socal-350-climate-action/

Executive Producer: Jack Eidt

Host/Producer: Jessica Aldridge

Engineer: Blake Lampkin

Show Created by Mark and JP Morris

Music: Javier Kadry

Episode 116

Image: Courtesy Manape and SunRose

In this episode, we share multiple presentations given by Paul Stamets, a leading mycologist and advocate for the medicinal use of fungi. He delves into the transformative potential of psychedelics, mycology, and their implications for healing and environmental restoration. Paul shares insights from his extensive research and experiences, including his work on the documentary Fantastic Fungi and his passion for uncovering the intelligence of nature through mushrooms. He discusses the remarkable capabilities of various fungi, from their medicinal properties to their role in ecological balance, and highlights the urgent need for a paradigm shift in our understanding and use of these powerful organisms.

Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url

And psychedelics have entered the zeitgeist. Although illegal as a Schedule I drug in much of the United States and beyond, two states have approved use of psilocybin mushrooms in therapeutic settings, and many more states are reviewing their policies. Schedule I drugs are defined as drugs with a high potential for abuse or drugs with no recognized medical uses. However, psilocybin mushrooms have had numerous medicinal and religious uses in dozens of cultures throughout history and let's face it, mushrooms are not addictive. Paul Stamets is one of the leading advocates worldwide for opening up the possibility of legalizing.

Paul introduces listeners to several key mushroom species, and beyond psychedelics they have important medical and therapeutic uses in treatment of diseases. He emphasizes the importance of integrating Indigenous knowledge with modern science, revealing how traditional practices can inform and enhance our approach to health and wellness. With a focus on the potential of psilocybin mushrooms to address mental health challenges and promote community healing, Paul inspires hope for a future where fungi play a crucial role in both personal and planetary health.

For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio

Sources:

Fantastic Fungi Trailer 2019 https://youtu.be/IHvjfoWzWOw?si=ncAOxYSxQk8C5ZAN

Paul Stamets at TEDMED 2011 https://youtu.be/pXHDoROh2hA

Paul Stamets on the Future of Psychedelics, Mycology & Medicine | NextMed Health: https://youtu.be/Ztan0IYjUd0?si=4s5e5-F8SrRdE1X0

Paul Stamets [https://paulstamets.com/] is an award-winning mycologist, entrepreneur, and industry leader in fungi production, habitat, and medicinal use. He is an author of seven books and advocates on medicinal fungi and mycormediation for ecological restoration and detoxification of the environment. Stamets played a significant part in the 2019 documentary film Fantastic Fungi, and edited its official companion book, Fantastic Fungi: Expanding Consciousness, Alternative Healing, Environmental Impact.

Jack Eidt is an urban planner, environmental journalist, and climate organizer, as well as award-winning fiction writer. He is Co-Founder of SoCal 350 Climate Action and Executive Producer of EcoJustice Radio. He writes a column on PBS SoCal called High & Dry [https://www.pbssocal.org/people/high-dry]. He is also Founder and Publisher of WilderUtopia [https://wilderutopia.com], a website dedicated to the question of Earth sustainability, finding society-level solutions to environmental, community, economic, transportation and energy needs.

Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/

Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/

Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio

PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url

Executive Producer and Host: Jack Eidt

Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats

Episode 259

Photo credit: HavnLife/Paul Stamets

Janine Benyus, the world-renowned “Godmother of Biomimicry,” and her colleagues at Biomimicry 3.8 have been demonstrating what it takes to design human settlements—cities, village, homes, and businesses—that create the same ecological gifts as the wildland next door.

We also feature excerpted discussions from advocates like Anne LaForti and Dayna Baumeister, both from Biomimicry 3.8. Learn how biomimicry isn't just about emulating nature's aesthetics but understanding its functional mechanisms for survival and thriving. Unpack the principles of biomimicry, its implications for industries, and the ethical considerations of borrowing from nature's playbook.

Support the Podcast via PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url

Biomimicry aspires to create a world mentored and inspired by Nature’s 3.8 billion years of infinite creativity and evolutionary ingenuity. Janine Beynus’s seminal book: Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature defines biomimicry as a "new science that studies nature's models and then imitates or draws inspiration from these designs and processes to solve human problems." Designing, creating, and innovating in a generous and abundant vs extractive way that regenerates and reciprocates life is a fundamental aim of biomimicry.

For an extended interview and other benefits, become an EcoJustice Radio patron at https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio

LINKS

Janine Benyus, from the film Biomimicry https://youtu.be/sf4oW8OtaPY?si=7W26J9cyuTayDTda

Janine Benyus, from the Bioneers Conference keynote 2025: https://youtu.be/2ioEtnUjzQw?si=oawftg0O_wWGJVeY

Interview with Anne LaForti on EcoJustice Radio: https://soundcloud.com/socal350/biomimicry-innovation-inspired-by-nature

Dayna Baumeister "Learning From Nature" Omega Institute for Holistic Studies

https://youtu.be/2SvltP8IcTk?si=5cqOAduiyyK2M26O

Janine Benyus, from a TED Talk

https://youtu.be/k_GFq12w5WU?si=4i1ChxIT7q6xe1FR

Janine Benyus, a winner of countless prestigious awards, world-renowned biologist, thought leader, innovation consultant and author of six books, including 1997’s foundational text, Biomimicry: Innovation Inspired by Nature, is widely considered the “godmother of Biomimicry.” In 1998, she co-founded the Biomimicry Guild, which morphed into Biomimicry 3.8 [ https://biomimicry.net/], a B-Corp social enterprise providing biomimicry consulting services to a slew of major firms and institutions. In 2006, Janine co-founded The Biomimicry Institute, a non-profit institute to embed biomimicry in formal education, and over 11,000 members are now part of the Biomimicry Global Network. Among various other roles, Janine serves on the board of the U.S. Green Building Council, the advisory board for the Ray C. Anderson Foundation, the advisory board for Project Drawdown and as an affiliate faculty member at The Biomimicry Center at Arizona State University.

Anne LaForti has a Master's Degree in Biomimicry from Arizona State University, and is a project manager supporting nature-based innovation in the built environment and beyond at Biomimicry 3.8 [http://biomimicry.net]. She is deeply interested in ITEK (Indigenous Traditional Ecological Knowledge), regenerative agriculture and landscapes, and is constantly curious about how to grow nutrient dense foods. Anne was the 2022 Spring Nature, Art & Habitat Residency (NAHR) Fellow [https://nahr.it/] in Santa Ynez, CA, working on "Soil as Pattern Language: Emulating Healthy Soil Communities" and has been a NAHR Ambassador since 2022.

Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/

Podcast Blog: https://www.wilderutopia.com/category/ecojustice-radio/

Support the Podcast: Patreon https://www.patreon.com/ecojusticeradio

PayPal https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=LBGXTRM292TFC&source=url

Executive Producer and Intro: Jack Eidt

Hosted by Carry Kim

Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats

Episode 258

Photo credit: Janine Benyus

Join us for a conversation with Brock Pollock and Christopher Breedlove, both from the Replant the Forest Festival [https://www.replanttheforest.org/] who endeavor to create artistic cultural spaces for environmental action. Their latest festival happens April 25-27 in Santa Paula, California, a vibrant fusion of tree planting, live music, and creativity. They work to transform landscapes affected by wildfires and green low-canopy, underserved communities, while grooving to music and art.

SIGN UP FOR APRIL 25-27 EVENT: https://secure.givelively.org/event/replant-the-forest-festival/replant-the-forest-festival-2025

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Our sustenance and that of all life on this planet depends upon the thriving of forests. We should be alarmed and concerned that despite what we know about the urgent need to protect forests globally, the world’s forests continue to be destroyed by deforestation, conventional agriculture, logging, and wildfires as well as urban fires as recently experienced here on Tongvalands. According to The Forest Declaration Assessment 2024, 15.7 million acres of forest were lost in 2023, which is roughly equivalent to an area the size of Ireland.

In 2024, 44.2 million acres of Brazil's Amazon rainforest burned and in 2023, the world lost 9.1 million acres of primary tropical forest. Even though certain gains have been made in protecting forests, we are far behind the threshold needed to halt global deforestation. These statistics while abstract serve as urgent reminders that the time to act on behalf of Mother Earth is: now. Great diligence and committed effort is required of all of us. Responsibility for the Earth, preserving and restoring the world’s forests and ecosystems is up to us. It cannot be deferred or passed on to someone else.

Enter Replant the Forest Festival. It was born of a wish to engage like-hearted communities in the healing of Earth, by combining art, music, and the planting of Trees for ecosystem restoration. By joining in Replant the Forest Festival's efforts to restore degraded lands, plant trees in underserved communities, and educate the public about ecosystems and regenerative practices, we can aspire to leave a legacy of care, thriving and abundance for future generations of all life.

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Brock Pollock is the Founder and Executive Director of Replant the Forest Festival [https://www.replanttheforest.org/], a nonprofit organization dedicated to ecological restoration through the power of community and music. A seasoned professional musician with a strong commitment to environmental healing, Brock merges his dual passions by pioneering a new kind of event: environmental restoration music festivals.

Christopher Breedlove is the Director of Global Activation at Burning Man Project, and a Board Member for the Replant the Forest Festival. He works at the intersection of community, creativity, and regenerative culture and is passionate about helping people design the future they want to live in.

Carry Kim, Co-Host of EcoJustice Radio. An advocate for ecosystem restoration, Indigenous lifeways, and a new humanity born of connection and compassion, she is a long-time volunteer for SoCal350, member of Ecosystem Restoration Camps, and a co-founder of the Soil Sponge Collective, a grassroots community organization dedicated to big and small scale regeneration of Mother Earth.

Podcast Website: http://ecojusticeradio.org/

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Executive Producer and Intro: Jack Eidt

Hosted by Carry Kim

Engineer and Original Music: Blake Quake Beats

Episode 257