Plastic has infiltrated every facet of our lives. It is essentially inescapable. And while plastic is now a normalized material that we interact with every day, the health impacts are becoming harder and harder to ignore. 

The Plastic Detox, a new documentary now available on Netflix, examines how much plastic is impacting our health and whether it is possible to detox our bodies from continued exposure.

It combines the science behind these health concerns with real human experiences for a compelling story about human resilience and the solutions to a few of the problems plastic has plagued us with. 

In episode 218 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I had the pleasure of sitting down with one of the film’s producers and directors, Josh Murphy, to discuss what went into making the film and how stories like these can help us better understand the plastic pollution crisis while inspiring us to take action in our own lives. 

Josh Murphy is an Emmy Award–winning filmmaker, director, producer, and writer whose work focuses on character-driven stories at the intersection of humanity and the environment. His films often explore climate, conservation, and human resilience through compelling storytelling.

His credits include producing the Tribeca-winning film Here Alone, co-producing The Push, contributing to Alex Gibney’s documentary The Inventor, and directing the acclaimed documentary Artifishal, commissioned by Patagonia founder Yvon Chouinard. 

Most recently, he won an Emmy for the Netflix series You Are What You Eat: A Twins Experiment and co-directed and produced the Netflix documentary The Plastic Detox. Before entering filmmaking, he trained as a natural resource scientist and fisheries biologist, inspired early on by Jacques Cousteau’s blend of exploration, storytelling, and environmental advocacy.

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Josh "Bones" Murphy

IMDB: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm3096202/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/josh-bones-murphy-92313113/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joshbonesmurphy/

The Plastic Detox: https://www.netflix.com/title/82074244

In this week's public lands news briefing, we cover three main stories:

1. The Trump administration has begun the process of potentially reversing federal protections for the lands surrounding Chaco Culture National Historical Park in northwestern New Mexico

2. Senator Mike Lee and Rep. Celeste Maloy introduced a joint resolution to undo the Grand Staircase-Escalante management plan using the Congressional Review Act ft. Steve Bloch, the legal director for the Southern Utah Wilderness Alliance

3. The U.S. Department of Agriculture announced the reorganization plan for the U.S. Forest Service ft. Josh Hicks, Conservation Campaigns Director at The Wilderness Society

We can only cover a limited number of stories in our Friday public lands news briefing, and a lot more has happened in the last two weeks concerning our public lands.

So, be sure you’re subscribed to our weekly newsletter at theoutdoorminimalist.com and follow up on Instagram (@outdoor.minimalist.book) for more frequent updates throughout the week.

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Episodes Resources:

Comment on Chaco Canyon: https://eplanning.blm.gov/Project-Home/?id=D949F582-402D-F111-8341-001DD804183B

Archaeology Southwest YouTube Video: https://youtu.be/ol8-AiG6lxg?si=0G-NINyf_vtS_Jmb

Forest Service Reorganization: https://www.fs.usda.gov/sites/default/files/organizational-realignment-factsheet.pdf

In recent years, more people than ever have been heading outdoors—discovering new trails, exploring public lands, and connecting with nature in ways that are shaping the future of outdoor recreation. 

But with that surge in participation comes an important question: how do we make sure the places we love are protected?

In episode 217 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we’re talking about AllTrails’ first-ever Impact Report and what it reveals about the role technology can play in protecting trails, supporting land managers, and turning outdoor users into stewards of the places they explore.

To explore this topic, I’m joined by Pitt Grewe, Head of Social and Environmental Impact at AllTrails. 

If you’ve ever used the app to plan a hike, check trail conditions, or discover a new route, you’ve interacted with the platform he’s helping shape.

Pitt has spent more than two decades working across the outdoor industry with a focus on helping people connect with public lands. Before joining AllTrails, he served as Director of the Division of Outdoor Recreation for the state of Utah, where he worked with partners across government, nonprofits, and industry to expand outdoor access and funding.

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AllTrails

Website: https://www.alltrails.com/

Impact Report: https://www.alltrails.com/press/alltrails-2025-impact-report

What do you think of when you think of meditation? 

Many people think of meditation as only sitting still and clearing your mind, but in reality, mindfulness can happen through movement, sound, and attention. And for a lot of people, the outdoors might be the most natural place to experience it.

In episode 216 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we’re exploring the idea that hiking, walking, and spending time outside can become a form of meditation, and why nature often makes it easier for us to slow down.

Today’s guest is Brian Berneman. With a background in neuroscience and more than 15 years of experience teaching and practicing yoga, meditation, mindfulness, and other healing modalities, Brian blends modern scientific understanding with ancient wisdom to help people cultivate healthier, more intentional lives. He has taught hundreds of workshops around the world, empowering people from all walks of life to realize their full potential and live more meaningful, less stressful lives.

Brian also spent two years studying Tibetan Buddhism, yoga, and meditation through the teachings of Tibetan Lama Tarthang Tulku at the Ratna Ling Retreat Center. He’s also the co-founder of Conscious Action, a global movement encouraging intentional living, and You Being You, a platform offering practical lifelong wellbeing pathways for heart-centered, conscious living.

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Brian Berneman: https://www.brianberneman.com/

During this week’s public lands news briefing on the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we have two feature stories for you. 

What we cover this week:

1. Oak Flat, a sacred indigenous site and popular rock climbing destination in central Arizona, was transferred to a multinational mining company featuring Jason Keith from the Access Fund.

2. Southern Texas is battling to protect Big Bend National Park and the surrounding landscapes from the proposed border wall, featuring Bob Krumenaker, a core member of Keep Big Bend Wild and former superintendent of Big Bend National Park.

And no, this is not all that’s happened with public lands this week. So, as always, make sure you’re subscribed to our weekly newsletter at theoutdoorminimalist.com for more in-depth public lands and outdoor industry sustainability news. 

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Episode Resources

Save Oak Flat: https://www.accessfund.org/action-alerts/save-oak-flat

Keep Big Bend Wild: https://keepbigbendwild.org/

No Big Bend Wall: https://nobigbendwall.org/

CPB Smart Wall Map: https://www.cbp.gov/border-security/along-us-borders/smart-wall-map

NPCA: https://act.npca.org/page/94625/action/1?ea.tracking.id=ActionCenter

What happens when one of the world’s largest industrial fishing fleets operates alongside small coastal communities that depend on the same fish to survive?

In Alaska, trawl fisheries—especially those targeting pollock—play a major role in the global seafood supply. 

But they also raise major questions about their impact, including bycatch, ecosystem impacts, and who really benefits from the fish pulled from these waters.

That’s why in episode 215 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we are discussing the current state of trawling in Alaska.

To help us understand the issue, we’re joined by David Bayes, a lifelong Alaskan and charter fishing captain who founded DeepStrike Sportfishing in Homer in 2003. With a background in biological sciences and decades on the water, David has served as president of the Alaska Charter Association and has been actively involved in fisheries management discussions across the state.

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/outdoor.minimalist.book/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Episode Resources

DeepStrike: https://www.deepstrikeak.com/our-fishing-story

Ocean with David Attenborough: https://silverbackfilms.tv/shows/oceanwithdavidattenborough/

Must Read Alaska: https://mustreadalaska.com/trawl-bycatch-understanding-the-serious-harm-to-alaska-and-the-possible-solutions/

Climate change is one of the biggest stories of our time—but the way we tell that story hasn’t always kept up with how people actually consume media today. 

As younger audiences spend more time on social platforms and less time watching traditional news or documentaries, climate communicators are being forced to rethink not just what stories they tell, but how they tell them.

That’s why in episode 214 of the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we’re talking about the future of climate storytelling—and how powerful narratives can shift the focus from individual actions to systemic change, and why short-form media might be one of the most important tools in the climate movement if we want to reach the next generation.

To help us break down how climate storytelling has changed and where we think it is headed, I am joined by Maya Lilly. 

Maya Lilly is a producer, speaker, and climate storyteller leading The Years Project, the Emmy-winning media nonprofit redefining how the world understands climate change. With a background spanning documentary filmmaking, environmental science, and performance, Maya brings a rare blend of creative direction and scientific insight to climate communication. 

Her mission is bold and clear: to use storytelling as a catalyst for justice, empathy, and measurable climate action. Through projects like Inside the Movement, she amplifies frontline voices and turns complex environmental issues into human stories that inspire global participation. 

Recognized by Grist 50 for transforming Hollywood storytelling, Maya’s voice stands out in a crowded climate media landscape: equal parts credible, courageous, and deeply human.

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The Years Project

Website: https://www.theyearsproject.com/team

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/years-of-living-dangerously-llc/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/Years

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yearsofliving

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@theyearsproject

Holy war? Resource war? Either way, it's illegal.

In this special bonus episode on the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, I am joined by Leigh Larson, who breaks down how and why Christian nationalism and religious extremism might be the true motivator behind the US/Israel war with Iran.

Leigh studied International Relations, African Studies, and Environmental Science at The University of Texas at Austin. She also served in the US Air Force Reserve Chaplain Corps as a Chaplain Candidate during her time in seminary. Since then, she's been exploring and documenting the rise of Christina nationalism within the military and our US political system.

Leigh Larson

Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/follow-the-leighder/id1862693816

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/followtheleighder

TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@followtheleighder

YouTube:  @followtheleighder ​

AI has seemingly taken over our lives in so many ways. Personally, I’ve seen a huge shift in the writing and journalism field for both staff and freelance writers. 

But one thing we often don’t see is the energy being funnelled to AI data centers from our already stressed electrical grid. And it’s not just a little bit of energy either– 

The 2024 US Data Center Energy Usage Report found that after a period of stagnation from 2014-2016, center energy demand grew, in part, due to expanded efforts to digitize data across economic sectors. 

And according to the International Energy Agency, data center energy use increased roughly 4% between 2018 and 2023. And by 2030, U.S. data center consumption is projected to grow by 133%.

This rapid growth begs the question: Are we ready for the AI energy surge?

To help explain how and why AI uses so much energy and what communities can do to prepare for increased energy demand, I’m joined by Dr. Naeem Turner. 

Dr. Naeem Turner-Bandele is an engineer, entrepreneur, and CEO of Latimer Enterprises, an energy technology and services company focused on helping individuals, businesses, and communities take control of how they power their world through practical, affordable energy solutions. 

He holds a Ph.D. in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Carnegie Mellon University and an MBA from NYU Stern, and has spent the past decade developing tools, policies, and planning frameworks that support energy affordability, grid reliability, and resilient energy systems across the United States.

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Dr. Naeem Turner

Latimer Enterprises: ⁠https://www.latimerent.com/team/naeem-turner-bandele⁠

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/latimer-enterprises/

Email: [email protected]

Sources:

https://www.iea.org/commentaries/what-the-data-centre-and-ai-boom-could-mean-for-the-energy-sector⁠ 

⁠https://www.belfercenter.org/research-analysis/ai-data-centers-us-electric-grid⁠ 

During this week’s public lands news briefing on the Outdoor Minimalist podcast, we have three feature stories for you.

And no, this is not all that’s happened with public lands this week. So, as always, make sure you’re subscribed to our weekly newsletter at theoutdoorminimalist.com for more in-depth public lands and outdoor industry sustainability news.

What We Cover:

1. Plans for a border wall through the Big Bend region of West Texas are moving forward with special guest Wes Siler

2. Steve Pearce’s confirmation hearing to become the director of the BLM before the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee happened on Wednesday, February 25th with commentary from Aaron Weiss (Western Priorities)

3. Department of the Interior announced it is moving forward with Public Land Order No. 7966, reopening roughly 2.1 million acres of federal land in Alaska’s Dalton Utility Corridor to mining claims and other development

Federal Register: https://eplanning.blm.gov/Project-Home/?id=e34e2bf5-a7f2-f011-8407-001dd803d7d3&_gl=1*1rsn16j*_ga*Njg5MjAxOTc5LjE3NzEwMDkwMTQ.*_ga_GQKKTMMT8V*czE3NzE2MjQ5NDIkbzIkZzEkdDE3NzE2MjUwNDQkajYwJGwwJGgw

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