We take clothing for granted, but think about this: every day—whether a cold wintry day or a hot summer day—we cover ourselves in clothing. From the top of a hat to the tip of our socks, fabrics—of all kinds—are in direct contact with our skin. Can types of fabric affect our health? And what do we do with all those old clothes? Whether we’re making room in our closet for the latest fashion, or tossing out a pair of ripped jeans, where does it all go? And how does all this affect our efforts toward environmental sustainability. In this episode I talk with Andrea Varga, a Professor of Theater Arts and a Sustainability Fellow at SUNY New Paltz, about these topics and more.

How do environmental conditions impact our health and well-being? Dr. Mark Vossler is the 2025 national president of Physicians for Social Responsibility, as well as a congressional liason for Citizens' Climate Lobby. As a practicing cardiologist for over 30 years, he has seen first-hand the effects of climate change on our physical health. Dr. Vossler is a prominent advocate for public health and sound environmental policies at both the state and national levels.

Eric Larsen is a world-renowned polar explorer, mountaineer, and filmmaker who has been exploring the most remote regions of the planet for more than two decades. In one notable year, Larsen skied 751 miles to the South Pole, trekked 51 days to get to the North Pole, and then climbed Mount Everest. Nat talks with Eric Larsen about his inspiration for exploration, the complicated logistics of polar expeditions, and the effects of global warming on the polar ice caps.