Restoring Darkness

In this illuminating episode, we explore the hidden side of human history: the night. Dr. Nancy Gonlin, professor of anthropology at Bellevue College, joins us to discuss her pioneering work in the Archaeology of the Night. Learn how ancient cultures navigated darkness, how modern lighting is disrupting our biology and making us sick, and why night pollution (aka light pollution) is more than just a nuisance—it’s a threat to health, heritage, and humanity. 

💡 Topics We Cover: 

- The Anthropology of Night and its emerging academic recognition 

- Light as a status symbol: From ancient torches to LED floodlights 

- Health impacts of artificial light and the plight of those hypersensitive to LEDs 

- Night pollution vs. light pollution—and why the distinction matters 

- Cultural practices around sleeping, steaming, storytelling, and darkness 

🔥 Plus, Mark Baker offers an update from the Soft Lights Foundation, sharing the latest efforts to reduce harmful lighting technologies in public spaces. 

🔗 References & Resources:

Find Nancy’s books, including Archaeology of the Night, here: https://upcolorado.com/our-books/our-authors/item/264-nancy-gonlin-editor

In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki, Amazon: https://a.co/d/eGWT7rF,

Dark Futures, by Nick Dunn, Amazon: https://a.co/d/iFCta0H

How to Sleep Like a Caveman, by Merijn van de Laar, Amazon: https://a.co/d/0pQVMLv

#RestoringDarkness #LightPollution #ArchaeologyOfNight #NancyGonlin #Anthropology #SoftLights #DarkSky #NightStudies #SleepHealth 

Highlights from this episode:
 - The Biggest Camera Ever!
 - Extended Stay in the ICU
 - Extra-Electoral Political Action
 - Passing Gas

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

In this illuminating episode of the Restoring Darkness podcast, hosts Michael Colligan and Mark Baker welcome outdoor lighting designer James Solecki—founder of INTEGRA Bespoke Lighting and Island Villa Lighting. From stage lighting gigs as a teen to award-winning installations across Ontario and the Caribbean, James has carved out a unique legacy in environmentally-conscious lighting design. 

🎙️ What You'll Hear In This Episode: 

- How James' passion for light sparked a 25+ year career 

- A firsthand account of defending dark skies in cottage country 

- The balance between outdoor beauty, safety, and environmental responsibility 

- How education—not regulation—can transform communities 

- The evolution of lighting from incandescent to LED to... induction? 

- Lively debates on whether lighting really increases property security 

💡 Whether you’re a lighting professional, an environmental advocate, or just light-curious, this episode is packed with insight, philosophy, and practical wisdom.

🌓 Let’s keep chipping away at the light pollution problem—one community, one light, one night at a time. 

#RestoringDarkness #LightingDesign #DarkSky #JamesSolecki #OutdoorLighting #SoftLightsFoundation #LightPollution #LEDLighting #InductionLighting #EnvironmentalLighting 

Connect with James: www.islandvillalighting.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-solecki-ba05729/

Sponsor: Tesla Induction Lighting, www.TeslaLightingCo.com

Highlights from this episode:
 - Parks Funding
 - New Data
 - Curb Cuts and Umbrellas
 - Blacker Than the Blackest Black Times Infinity!

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Eileen Kragie, founder of Dark Sky Friends and passionate advocate for DarkSky International, to explore the urgent issue of light pollution and how it's transforming our night skies. Eileen shares how her lifelong awareness of light trespass evolved into a full-scale movement for legislative reform and community action. From securing state and local proclamations to educating the public at events like the Wolf Trap National Park’s Bat and Firefly Festival and National Book Festival, she’s rallying support to protect our starry skies and the health of both humans and wildlife.

The conversation digs into:

✨ The surprising health impacts of artificial light at night 

 ✨ Problems with over-lit homes and the era of “darkness pollution” 

 ✨ The role of LED technology and utility companies in exacerbating the issue 

 ✨ Creative ways communities and individuals can embrace responsible lighting 

 ✨ Why lighting designers must rethink their approach With insights from co-hosts Mark Baker and Michael Colligan, this episode challenges assumptions, sparks critical questions, and celebrates the growing movement toward night preservation. 

📢 Want to support Eileen's mission? Visit darkskyfriends.org 

Connect with Eileen: 

https://bio.site/eileenkragie

https://www.darkskyfriends.org/

https://www.darkskynova.org/

https://www.linkedin.com/in/taooflila

https://x.com/chandi31216

https://www.instagram.com/darkskyfriends

https://www.facebook.com/darkskyfriends

https://www.youtube.com/@darkskyfriends685

Connect with The Soft Lights Foundation: www.softlights.org

In this episode of Restoring Darkness, Mark Baker and Michael Colligan dive deep into the unintended consequences of LED lighting. Mark shares eye-opening insights on LED light discrimination, its impact on people with disabilities, and the urgent need for updated policies and regulations. From the Americans with Disabilities Act to scientific discoveries about luminance, this conversation challenges the lighting industry to acknowledge that LED technology isn’t just a brighter bulb—it’s a different kind of light with serious implications for human health. Michael questions whether the industry truly understands light, calling for transparency, regulation, and a shift in thinking. Is it time to rethink how we illuminate our streets, schools, and cities? 

🔥 Key Topics: 

✅ The overlooked dangers of LED flicker and luminance 

✅ How LED lighting affects accessibility and public spaces 

✅ Why industry standards must evolve 

✅ The call for alternative lighting solutions 

💡 Join the conversation and help spread the word! Like, comment, and subscribe to Restoring Darkness for more insightful discussions. 

#LightingIndustry #LEDProblems #RestoringDarkness #Accessibility #Transparency 

Sponsor: Tesla Induction Lighting, www.TeslaLightingCo.com

Highlights from this episode:
 - “Health” and “Human” “Services”
 - Seasons
 - Municipal Meetings
 - The Kids are Alright

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources at www.RestoringDarkness.com

Highlights from this episode:
 - Scientific Consensus
 - Stressed Out
 - For the Birds
 - Space Mirrors

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be Found at RestoringDarkness.com

In this episode, we welcome back Yana Yakushina, a legal expert and researcher tackling light pollution from a policy and environmental law perspective. We dive into the latest regulatory frameworks, legal victories, and the fight to recognize artificial light at night as a serious environmental issue like Germany has. Mark Baker shares real-world legal battles, including lawsuits against excessive blue LED lights and landmark cases pushing for stricter light trespass regulations. Yana unpacks international laws, EU policies, and groundbreaking studies linking light pollution to biodiversity and public health risks. 

 🔦 What you'll learn: 

- How legal systems are evolving to combat light pollution 

- The latest breakthroughs in environmental and space law 

- Real-life lawsuits shaping the future of lighting regulations 

- The science behind artificial light’s impact on ecosystems 

 Join us as we explore the intersection of law, science, and activism in the fight to preserve the night!

Yana is a lawyer, researcher, and dark sky protection educator currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Ghent under the Horizon EU PLAN-B project, where she also serves as one of the scientific coordinators. Yana specializes in light pollution regulations and space law, leading and contributing to international projects on the development of the protection of the nocturnal environment, and collaborating with various organizations, including the Space Court Foundation Inc., the EU Commission, DarkSky International, Starlight Foundation, the International Astronomical Union, and UNOOSA. In 2023, she co-founded the Belgian dark sky organization Living Night (DarkSky Chapter).

Want to know more about the protection of the night from a regulatory perspective? Read my recent article, which classified various approaches to light pollution mitigation. 

#LightPollution #DarkSky #EnvironmentalLaw #RestoringDarkness

Connect with Yana: 

https://youtu.be/H3yA8n_jkVE 

https://www.spacecourtfoundation.org/ 

https://eng.levendenacht.be/ 

https://darksky.org/get-involved/the-european-light-pollution-manifesto/ 

Highlights from this episode:

Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle 

Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/

Headlines and Sources can be found at www.restoringdarkness.com