World Is Burning

In this spooooky Halloween episode, we’re talking aliens and Sasquatch. Olivia takes us through a study of the rise and fall of faraway alien civilizations, and what they can teach us about our understanding of climate scenarios here on Earth. Then, Elise explores the story of Bigfoot and other favorite cryptids around the world. Will certain parts of the world start to have more Bigfoot sightings as the climate continues to change? Other topics include breaking your cape in a haunted house, Mario-inspired costume ideas, and seeking a friend for the end of the world.

Subscribe/follow/press the button to keep up with new episodes every Wednesday! You can also follow us @worldisburnin on Instagram and Twitter, and check out our website worldisburning.com for extended show notes including sources and photos.

World Is Burning is hosted by Olivia Hamilton and Elise Nye. Our theme music is by Kaycie Satterfield, and our logo was made by Sonja Katanic.

This week we’re talking stars and movie stars. Elise gives a TLDR of major planetary events and past asteroid collisions; do we need to worry about a Don’t Look Up-style asteroid attack, or should we focus our energy on the ground? Then Olivia tells the incredible story of Sacheen Littlefeather, the Native activist best known for refusing an Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando for The Godfather at the 1973 Academy Awards. We talk about her surprising career shift and the long-overdue apology that almost came too late. Other topics include Mother Teresa, spooky ghost tours, and the difference between an asteroid, a comet, and a meteor.

Subscribe/follow/press the button to keep up with new episodes every Wednesday! You can also follow us @worldisburnin on Instagram and Twitter, and check out our website worldisburning.com for extended show notes including sources and photos.

World Is Burning is hosted by Olivia Hamilton and Elise Nye. Our theme music is by Kaycie Satterfield, and our logo was made by Sonja Katanic.

This episode is all about our favorite topics, colonialism and the climate crisis. Olivia tells the story of the Irish Potato Famine, which likely goes a bit deeper than you remember. We talk about the parallels between this piece of Irish history and the crises happening today that impact the most vulnerable first. What happens when power structures are completely out of balance? Then, Elise digs further into the suspicious claims that Charles could be our new “Climate King.” Other topics include reformist vs. abolitionist approaches, meaningfully redistributing power, and diving into fall.

Subscribe/follow/press the button to keep up with new episodes every Wednesday! You can also follow us @worldisburnin on Instagram and Twitter, and check out our website worldisburning.com for extended show notes including sources and photos.

World Is Burning is hosted by Olivia Hamilton and Elise Nye. Our theme music is by Kaycie Satterfield, and our logo was made by Sonja Katanic.

This week Olivia tells the story of the unexpected place where the environmental justice movement cut its teeth: Warren County, North Carolina. What started as a small town fighting against a dangerous landfill became national news and seven weeks of continued protests, led together by civil rights leaders and local activists. Then Elise tells us about the cowgirl-actress-turned-canyon-advocate Katie Lee, who dedicated her free-spirited life (and her music) to the preservation of Glen Canyon. Other topics include Simpsons villains, mediums with dark family histories, and swearing in board meetings.

Subscribe/follow/press the button to keep up with new episodes every Wednesday! You can also follow us @worldisburnin on Instagram and Twitter, and check out our website worldisburning.com for extended show notes including sources and photos.

World Is Burning is hosted by Olivia Hamilton and Elise Nye. Our theme music is by Kaycie Satterfield, and our logo was made by Sonja Katanic.

How should you respond when you see a friend going down a climate doom spiral? What’s the best way to approach headlines that spark panic and disengagement over action? In this minisode, we dismantle some of the common doom narratives and consider better ways to approach big issues. Because if we’re committed to building stronger communities, we have to acknowledge our hardest feelings too.

Subscribe/follow/press the button to keep up with new episodes every other Wednesday! You can also follow us @worldisburnin on Instagram and Twitter, and check out our website worldisburning.com for extended show notes including sources and photos.

World Is Burning is hosted by Olivia Hamilton and Elise Nye. Our theme music is by Kaycie Satterfield, and our logo was made by Sonja Katanic.

This week we’re finally tackling an age-old question head-on: does individual action matter? How can we stay motivated to make small changes in our own lives when Kylie Jenner is using her private jet like a local taxi? Elise looks into the individuals behind a famous statistic and shares a framework for valuing individual action without missing the bigger picture.

Subscribe/follow/press the button to keep up with new episodes every Wednesday! You can also follow us @worldisburnin on Instagram and Twitter, and check out our website worldisburning.com for extended show notes including sources and photos.

World Is Burning is hosted by Olivia Hamilton and Elise Nye. Our theme music is by Kaycie Satterfield, and our logo was made by Sonja Katanic.

This week we’re taking a closer look at what happens when the government procrastinates on its homework. Olivia tells the story of the “white city” of Armero, Colombia, where a 1985 volcanic eruption resulted in the deadliest mudslides in human history. She recounts the haunting story of 13-year-old Omayra Sanchez, and how the tragedy highlights the need for robust emergency management. Then Elise looks into the ancient origins of water towers, some more recent horror stories, and why we should care about how the government regulates water safety. Other topics include Sally Rooney, having an Oscar Wilde quote for everything, and buying sweaters in a heatwave.

Subscribe/follow/press the button to keep up with new episodes every Wednesday! You can also follow us @worldisburnin on Instagram and Twitter, and check out our website worldisburning.com for extended show notes including sources and photos.

World Is Burning is hosted by Olivia Hamilton and Elise Nye. Our theme music is by Kaycie Satterfield, and our logo was made by Sonja Katanic.

Do you imagine a tiny person with a pick axe when you hear about cryptocurrency mining? Are you frustrated that the only ways to learn more come either from crypto bros or slyly sponsored content? Then this is the episode for you :) Elise breaks down what cryptocurrency is, the mysterious creator behind Bitcoin, and why crypto mining is known to be so energy-intensive. Does crypto spell danger for the climate, or can it be an innovative source of good? Our answer might surprise you. Other topics include volcanic love stories, avoiding scams, and nights at the roller disco.

Subscribe/follow/press the button to keep up with new episodes every Wednesday! You can also follow us @worldisburnin on Instagram and Twitter, and check out our website worldisburning.com for extended show notes including sources and photos.

World Is Burning is hosted by Olivia Hamilton and Elise Nye. Our theme music is by Kaycie Satterfield, and our logo was made by Sonja Katanic.

This week we’re looking at inventions gone horribly wrong. Olivia tells the story of the “one-man climate disaster,” aka the wildly successful 20th-century inventor Thomas Midgley Jr., whose creations caused widespread lead-induced madness and the near destruction of the ozone layer. Thanks to a bit of showmanship and barely any regulations, his inventions ended up in everyday vehicles and homes for decades after his untimely death. Then, Elise digs into “forever chemicals” in period underwear, the little-known class-action lawsuit against Thinx underwear, and how to advocate for safer products. Other topics include ethical inventing, the lead-crime hypothesis, and what we’re listening to.

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Subscribe/follow/press the button to keep up with new episodes every Wednesday! You can also follow us @worldisburnin on Instagram and Twitter, and check out our website worldisburning.com for extended show notes including sources and photos.

World Is Burning is hosted by Olivia Hamilton and Elise Nye. Our theme music is by Kaycie Satterfield, and our logo was made by Sonja Katanic.

We’re back from our break! In this episode we’re exploring the multiverse and all of the things that almost didn’t happen in our universe. Elise tells the story of the 90s electric car renaissance that never was, and the untimely death of the electric vehicle that won over Tom Hanks. Then Olivia tells a story of something we’re thankful DID happen in our universe: the discovery of the ozone “hole” and the people who harnessed the power of metaphor to fix a problem that could have wiped out all life on Earth (like, actually). Other topics include the multiverse in pop culture, life updates, and buying a retro camper trailer.

Subscribe/follow/press the button to keep up with new episodes every Wednesday! You can also follow us @worldisburnin on Instagram and Twitter, and check out our website worldisburning.com for extended show notes including sources and photos.

World Is Burning is hosted by Olivia Hamilton and Elise Nye. Our theme music is by Kaycie Satterfield, and our logo was made by Sonja Katanic.