The Nutmeg's Curse with Alexandra Sundarsingh

Kristen and Kyla are joined by food, migration, and labour historian Alexandra Sundarsingh in a reading of The Nutmeg’s Curse: Parables for a Planet in Crisis by Amitav Ghosh. From the publisher; “The Nutmeg’s Curse argues that the dynamics of climate change today are rooted in a centuries-old geopolitical order constructed by Western colonialism.” Lex, Kristen, and Kyla discuss more abstract ideas of ethics than usual, including the difference between vitalistic and mechanistic viewings of the world, how the history of colonialism and resource domination can be followed through to the race-based climate issues of today, and how important it is to understand our past in order to fully recognize our present and envision a better future. A great discussion on ethics even if you have not read the book (although it’s worth a read!)

Want more Lex? Listen to one of our very first episodes, all about sugar!

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Reacts: 2040 and Planet of the Humans

Kristen and Kyla are joined by activist and friend of the pod Robert Miller to discuss two very different films: Planet of the Humans (we watched it so you wouldn't have to) and 2040 (Kyla's new favourite documentary)! You are encouraged to watch 2040, but Planet of the Humans isn't even worth hate-watching. Topics: climate denial tactics in action; what to do if you liked Planet of the Humans (it's OK to have a change of heart); all of the cool technologies explored in 2040; is it OK to love a film full of dad jokes? (yes).

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Reacts: Doughnut Economics with Megan Linton

Kristen and Kyla are joined by Megan Linton, host of Invisible Institutions, to discuss the book “Doughnut Economics: 7 Ways To Think Like a 21st-Century Economist” by Kate Raworth. The book focuses on seven ways in which mainstream economics has failed humanity and paints a picture of a world where a just society lives within the means of our planet - and that picture looks like a doughnut!

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Reacts: Surveillance Capitalism (And How to Destroy It)

Kristen and Kyla are joined by activist Robert Miller to discuss Corey Doctorow’s book “How to Destroy Surveillance Capitalism”. For extra credit Kyla and Kristen also tried to read Shoshana Zuboff’s “The Age of Surveillance Capitalism”, as Doctorow wrote his piece in large part as a response to Zuboff’s. Topics: what is surveillance capitalism; what are the harms of surveillance capitalism; what would a world without surveillance capitalism look like.

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Reacts: The Waste-Free World by Ron Gonen

"You've got my brain now on what's the most eco-friendly weapon. I think it might be nunchuks."

Kristen and Kyla are joined by activist Robert Miller to discuss the book "The Waste-Free World" by Ron Gonen, an in-depth look at how transitioning to a Circular Economy could help curb the extremes of climate change. This is a divisive book that makes some great points while undermining it's own message by narrowly focusing only on how Capitalism is the best way forward. Tune in for a lively, thoughtful discussion full of fun facts!

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COVID-19, Wildfires, and the Climate Crisis

“Does that include the people who think both of them are a hoax?” In this episode, Kyla and Kristen are joined by climate activist Robert Miller. Following another Global Climate Strike, they reflect on the California wildfires and climate activism in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Topics: West Coast wildfires; the climate movement in 2020; impact of the pandemic on climate activism; racial justice and climate activism; will governments choose a green recovery?

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Ten Things We Learned About Black Lives Matter

This bonus episode reacts to the Black Lives Matter protests against police brutality. Kyla and Kristen share ten things that they have learned since the killing of George Floyd. Check out the research notes for this episode for facts from this episode or for resources on supporting the movement.

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