Shows
Green ChampionsBruce Bekkar - Why The Climate Crisis Is a Health CrisisBruce Bekkar is a former OB-GYN turned passionate climate advocate. Bruce recounts the "light bulb" moment that ignited his passion for climate action, a powerful article in an alumni newsletter that revealed the devastating impact of global warming on the coastlines he cherished. He discusses his transition from a successful medical practice to full-time climate advocacy, highlighting the power of health professionals as trusted messengers. He shares his research on the impacts of climate change on pregnancy, explaining how heat, air pollution, and other stressors are linked to adverse birth outcomes.He also discusses his...
2025-09-1726 min
Green ChampionsBruce Bekkar - From Delivering Babies to Delivering Climate SolutionsBruce Bekkar is a former OB-GYN turned climate activist who shares his remarkable journey from delivering babies to advocating for a healthier planet. Through his work with ecoAmerica and as co-host of the Green Docs podcast, he's empowering health professionals to become leaders in the climate movement. Bruce recounts his path into medicine, driven by respect for the physician who delivered him, and his early love for the coast that led to founding San Diego's first Surfrider Foundation chapter. His passion for protecting the environment evolved into a deep concern for the health impacts of climate change, particularly on...
2025-09-1026 min
Healthy Climate AmericaThe Summer Series: Extreme Heat and PregnancyExtreme heat is becoming a major threat to pregnant people and their babies. In this episode, guest host Dr. Bruce Bekkar sits down with Dr. Santosh Pandipati, Co-Founder and Chief Health Officer at Lōvu and Founder and President of Silicon Valley Maternal-Fetal Medicine. They discuss the health impacts, the inequities that worsen them, and how health professionals can help through patient care and advocacy. Referenced in this episode: Climate Change Nearly Doubled Pregnancy Heat Risk Days in U.S. https://www.climatecentral.org/climate-matters/pregnancy-heat-risk-days Lōvu https://lovu...
2025-07-2423 min
Climate CuriousHow doctors are healing more than just patientsMedical professionals are powerful voices in the climate conversation, says doctor turned climate advocate Dr. Bruce Bekkar on Climate Curious. From noticing the effects of pollution on his patients to taking his first steps into climate action, Bruce shares why protecting our environment is also about protecting our health. Recorded live at TED 2025. Created by TEDxLondonExecutive produced by Josie ColterProduced by Ben BeheshtyCurated by Deesha ChandraHosted by Maryam Pasha and Ben HurstCommunications by Tara Cooper and Issey GladstonI...
2025-05-2211 min
Climate CuriousClimate Mixtape: Earth Day 2025Happy Earth Day! This year, we’re celebrating climate progress. We spoke to our Climate Curious experts about what keeps them going during challenging times. Tune in to receive six chunks of wisdom on how to keep positive when progress might feel hopeless. Recorded live at TED 2025 in Vancouver.Featuring: Vijay Karia Kelsey LeonardJacquelyn FrancisTasso AzevedoTheresa FyffeBruce BekkarCreated by TEDxLondonExecutive produced by Josie ColterProduced by Ben BeheshtyCurated by...
2025-04-2406 min
Green DocsS2E15 - “Mother of Dragons” with Guest: Kyndell DeNicolaDescription: Pending Show Links Pending What does it mean to be a “Mother of Dragons” per the Smithsonian: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/why-is-the-year-of-the-dragon-considered-so-lucky-180983764/ Risk of maternal mortality in the US may have been overestimated relative to other countries: https://foreignpolicy.com/2024/01/31/united-states-maternal-mortality-crisis-statistics-health/ A new, improved way to make an early diagnosis of Gestational Diabetes: https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240416/Placental-IGFBP1-A-key-factor-in-development-of-gestational-diabetes.aspx
2024-05-0944 minGreen DocsS2E14 - “Earth Day” - FIGO PodcastIn this episode we’re joining forces with FIGO – the international federation of gynecology and obstetrics; basically like the UN for Ob/Gyn – to bring you a special earth day episode. We’ll be hearing from voices around the globe – like Dr. Ditas Decena from the Philippines, Dr. Jim Zhang from China, and Rashmi Joglekar from UCSF – on what earth day means to them, and what in the world it has to do with family health. Links: EV sales slowing: https://www.cnbc.com/2024/03/13/ev-euphoria-is-dead-automakers-trumpet-consumer-choice-in-us.html Redfin air pollution with listings...
2024-04-211h 35Green DocsS2E13 “Gator-Aid” with Dr. Joel Gator Warsh How much screen time is safe for your kids? Does it really put them at risk for depression and anxiety? And what’s the story with encapsulating- and eating- your placenta…? In this episode we bite into all those questions with Dr. Joel Gator Warsh, or as you may know him on instagram, “Dr. Gator.” He brings his expertise as a Pediatrician, Integrative Medicine physician, and author of the book “Parenting At Your Child’s Pace”, to give you the incisive answer to these and other pressing questions parents face today. You might be surprised by his take on social media...
2024-03-281h 13Green DocsS2E12 Global IVF Practice, Irish Twins and Guinness!Irish eyes are smiling this St. Patrick’s Day as the Green Docs share a pint with Dr. Edgar Mocanu, a Dublin-based fertility specialist and president of the International Federation of Fertility Societies. He brings his unique global perspective to the fertility question on everyone’s mind: what on earth is going on in Alabama? The answer might surprise you. Dr. Mocanu also weighs in on the latest trends: how diet can improve fertility, why we worry about jacuzzis and getting pregnant, and how to avoid hormone-disrupting chemicals. There’s a reason they say geniuses pick green. Nate...
2024-03-141h 07Green DocsS2E11 Trust Your Gut: Dietary Tips from a Health GuruShow Notes: What is “integrative medicine” and why has it gotten so popular? This episode explores this approach to illness – and boosting wellness- with Dr. Edison de Mello, the founder and head of the Akasha Center for Integrative Medicine in Santa Monica, California. As the author of a book called Bloated, Dr. de Mello shares his views on the many connections of our gut microbiome to our overall health as well as the benefits and risks of vaginal “seeding” of newborns to help boost their immune systems. Speaking of the gut flora, Nate and Bruce start off wi...
2024-02-291h 18Green DocsS2E10 Lead Expert Spills the Tea on Stanley CupsShow Notes Have you ever wondered how consumer goods get recalled? In this episode the Green Docs spill the tea with Tamara Rubin, the woman behind many of those recalls related to lead and food toxicity – including most recently calling out Stanley Cup Tumblers. You may have seen Saturday Night Live satirizing the safety of these “Big Dumb Cups.” Tamara brings her experience as the mother of two children with lead poisoning to drive her passion as an activist and filmmaker – and as the “Lead Safe Mama” she delivers everything you need to know about protecting you and your family...
2024-02-1554 minGreen DocsS2E9 Just The Tips: Valentine’s Day Health GuideIn this Valentine’s Day episode, the Green Docs review toxic-free romance. Yes, it can happen. You’ll learn how couples, including expectant couples, can enjoy a swoon-worthy evening without any extra toxic chemicals – from chocolate and sweets, safe foods to enjoy, flowers, spa days, and other – ahem – “lotions.” Plus, have you ever wondered if safe sex is actually safe in pregnancy? Later in the episode we’ll switch it up and talk with a co-founder of a premium non-alcoholic beverage company, Something and Nothing, and get some rose-themed mocktails to cap the night. Nate and Bruce review the l...
2024-02-0157 minGreen DocsS2E8 Climate, Health, & Rock’n’RollCongressman Mike Levin joins the Green Docs to talk about climate, health, and yes rock’n’roll. Roughly in that order. He explains how his early work in Southern California’s clean energy sector has informed a prolific career in Congress – one that has delivered successful, bipartisan environmental policies that improve the health of pregnancies and families nationwide. He shares what members of Congress do for fun on rare days off: turns out they like Pearl Jam too. And he gives a candid look behind the scenes of campaign finance; where the real action happens. We’ll jump to the punchline...
2024-01-1845 minGreen DocsS2E7 Not Your Grandfather’s Dry JanuaryDescription: To kick off 2024 the Green Docs raise a glass with Dan Scott, a master mixologist in Los Angeles, California and founder of his own craft beverage catering company, The Whaling Club. With over a decade of experience blending spirits in New York, DC, and now LA, Dan has served some of Hollywood’s brightest stars – and here he’s sharing custom mocktail recipes just for us. Because as you’ll learn, this is not your Grandfather’s Dry January. Nate and Bruce break down the headlines: the ozone hole is getting… smaller, California recy...
2024-01-0457 minGreen DocsS2E6 Christmas Recipes with a Culinary Medicine DocDescription: In this holiday finale, the Green Docs review Christmas movies, more seasonal mocktails, and healthy holiday recipes with Angie Neison – a Family Medicine doctor sharing her unique training in lifestyle and culinary medicine. She gives you step-by-step recipes for hearty vegetable accouterments, green & red Christmas pasta with grated cheese “snow”, and fresh takes on traditional tamales. She even designed a holiday mocktail just for this show! You’ll want to take notes to create your own “Herb Tea-zzy.” Nate and Bruce cover the latest headlines: Merriam-Webster’s word of the year for 2023 (can you guess?), w...
2023-12-211h 02Green DocsS2E5 - Happy Holidays need Healthier HomesDescription: In this first of a two-part holiday series the Green Docs share their “Green Docs Gift Guide”, new seasonal mocktails, and ways to look ahead for a healthy, happy New Year. We also take a look back at our generation’s greatest public health emergency, the COVID-19 pandemic, in an interview with America's top public health doc, Dr. Georges Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health Association. He candidly discusses what went right, what admittedly went wrong, and how we will be more prepared for whatever comes in 2024. Plus, Nate and Bruce can...
2023-12-0754 minGreen DocsHealthy Thanksgiving: It’s Hot Stuff-ingDescription: Okay, so you may not have a “healthy” Thanksgiving meal, but with tips from the Green Docs it can at least be less-toxic. The food that is. The dinner conversations are on you. And you’ll have plenty of food-for-thought after listening to our interview with Ashely Ward, an expert in heat policy at Duke University, who teaches us why staying cool is a year-round job. You’ll learn about the latest headlines including which applesauce packs to avoid over concerns about lead toxicity, new “old” techniques for mowing lawns, and can there really be a...
2023-11-2154 minGreen DocsWhat the Frack: A Case for Leaving Fossils GroundedDescription: What the frack?! That’s what the Green Docs ask Adam Aron, professor of psychology at UC San Diego and author of a new book “The Climate Crisis”, about our current state. Adam’s answer – we’re fracked. Or at least we will be if we don’t start changing our ways and leaving fossil fuels in the ground. He makes a candid and colorful case for why our actions now matter immensely; but also which ones don’t. You’ll learn that “greenwashing” is a real thing, along with other eco terms you probably didn’t know. In t...
2023-11-0959 minGreen DocsWitch Makeup is Safe for Ghouls & Boys?Witch Makeup is Safe for Ghouls & Boys? Description: Halloween is spooky enough without having to worry about toxic chemicals in your hair & makeup. To cure this haunting feeling the Green Docs talk with Sonya Talamantes, a professional makeup artist of 20 years, to uncover which types of makeup are best for you and your kids to stay blemish and toxic-free while getting into character, or even just getting out the door each morning. You’ll get practical, professional advice along with helpful apps and DIY recipes for children’s face paint to avoid those ghastly...
2023-10-2649 minGreen DocsTED Talks: Women to the RescueTED Talks: Women to the Rescue Description: Worldwide, eighty percent of those displaced by climate change are women, and by 2025, that same crisis will prevent more than 12 million girls from completing their education - every year. In this first episode of Season 2, we hear from Ronda Carnegie about Project Dandelion, the very first women-led global climate justice organization. After a stellar business career, Ronda co-founded TEDWomen and the TEDInstitute before joining powerful women around the world looking to connect and amplify the efforts underway to speed climate solutions to where they are needed mos...
2023-10-1246 min2023-10-0404 minGreen DocsCANARY- a little birdie told me.. go see this film A rainforest standoff with tribal leaders, deadly denial, and a real-life Indiana Jones: CANARY, a new documentary film, drills down on the real story of global warming lying far beneath the deluge of data. We interview director Alex Rivest, an MIT-trained neuroscientist who teamed with Danny O’Malley (Netflix: Chef’s Table) in his film debut, to chronicle the life of legendary glacier scientist Lonnie Thompson: from his roots in coal-country West Virginia to his pioneering research penetrating remote ice peaks in Peru and beyond. Join us as we muse on bringing the power of storytelling to scienc...
2023-09-181h 00Green DocsA Unicorn Walks Into a Doctor’s OfficeThis episode finds the Green Docs talking to Kate Ryder, CEO of Maven, the world’s largest online virtual care company for women and families. You’ll hear about the challenges and opportunities of bringing greatly improved access to specialists in fertility, mental health and menopause for clients like Amazon, serving employees around the globe in 35 languages. And, since we’re the Green Docs, we explore how this virtual care model aids those affected by health care disparities and can also be a lifeline for families affected by our escalating “natural” disasters. Beginning the episode, the guys weigh...
2023-09-0755 minGreen DocsOn Location: Heat and Human Health SummitThe Green Docs are on location! Go back to school with them at UC San Diego’s Medical School campus for the inaugural Heat and Human Health (H3) Summit. They interview conference organizer Vi Nguyen, better known on Instagram as Dr. Plastic Picker, as she tells us about cleaning up her own backyard: from favorite beaches to lecture halls. You’ll also hear from conference-goers – a husband-wife green “power couple” and an inspiring 2nd year medical student – about why they showed up on a summer Saturday. Spoiler alert: it wasn’t just for the donuts. Green Docs rock! As usual...
2023-08-2655 minGreen DocsElephant in the WombLet’s talk about the elephant in the womb. That’s the intention of e-Lovu Health, an ascending FemTech startup, who uses their pachyderm logo to introduce a new prenatal care model that improves birth outcomes and reduces environmental impact by bridging virtual care with traditional in-person visits. The Green Docs explore this new “click & mortar” approach with e-Lovu CEO Noel Pugh and CMO Santosh Pandipati as they talk eco-hotspots, micronudges and, of course, Barbie. By the end you just may find yourself wanting your own personal elephant… or two. Nate and Bruce begin the conversation with the latest he...
2023-08-1055 minGreen DocsBaby SharkWhy are two Ob/Gyn’s hosting a Shark Week episode? Tune in and you’ll find out how ocean health and pregnancy health go hand-in-hand: from microplastics in seafood to climate stability to even the air we breathe – it’s all connected. The Green Docs host marine expert James Stewart from the Aquarium of the Pacific to take a deep dive into those topics, along with the importance of coral reefs, what’s going on with those orcas off the coast of Spain, and of course… baby sharks. As always, Nate and Bruce keep you up to date with t...
2023-07-2855 minGreen DocsFemTech Focus x Green DocsThe Green Docs welcome Dr. Brittany Barreto, host of the Femtech Focus podcast and one of the freshest voices in women’s health today. She explains what “FemTech” is, why it matters to everything from pregnancy to investment banking, and what it offers for sustainability in feminine care products. You won’t believe what some entrepreneurs are doing with seaweed! As always, Nate and Bruce keep you up to date with the latest headlines – Texas legislators taking away water breaks from outdoor workers just before a massive heat wave, how everyone in South Korea suddenly just got one year you...
2023-07-081h 07Green DocsDaddy IssuesThis Father’s Day, the Green Docs talk to renowned fertility specialist Dr. Ravi Gada about the often-neglected “other half of the equation”: male fertility. In addition to “a guy’s guide to getting pregnant,” you’ll hear about the latest trends in fertility care – from at-home testing using artificial intelligence, to how fertility labs protect growing embryos from the dangers of wildfire smoke. Oh, and there’s some good news about jacuzzis and the boxers-briefs debate. Nate and Bruce cover news of air conditioning being required in L.A. housing and a solar-powered boat that’s keeping tons of trash...
2023-06-161h 01Green DocsBun in a Crazy-Hot OvenPrep your pregnancy for summer with the Green Docs and guest expert Miri Marshall, Weather Anchor at WUSA-9 in Washington, DC. Miri details how expectant moms and others can best anticipate and lower the risks of the season’s scorching heat. Nate and Bruce follow up with your vital Heat Action Plan — loaded with specific recommendations and weather resources, and even some apps you’ll want to download. The Green Docs always begin with the latest headlines – Tennessee’s shrinking number of hospitals delivering babies, an Italian study finding microplastics in breast milk, and even a memory from Nicolas...
2023-06-0657 minGreen DocsKeep Calm and March For MomsThis Mother’s Day, the Green Docs host Laneceya Russ and Yuliya Labko of the national nonprofit March For Moms, featured recently in a 60 Minutes expose on improving maternal health. Nate and Bruce lead off with some recent headlines: toxic chemicals in children’s clothes, elephants who can induce their own labor, and a couple of million-dollar babies – Oscar winner Hilliary Swank welcomes twins. The guys next welcome a surprise guest- Nate’s mom, Mary- who shares her decades of experience caring for pregnant women as a doctor of nursing and lactation consultant. Of course, she has...
2023-05-1258 minGreen DocsHealthy Earth, Healthy Birth: Mother Earth Needs an OB-GYNIn this Earth Day episode of Green Docs, the guys lead with breaking news – a State Supreme Court election in Wisconsin with national implications, as highlighted by Dr. Kristin Lyerly in Episode 2. They follow with reports of traveling tornadoes and a pro athlete who scored zero points during his wife’s delivery, and then move to the main event: Earth Day #53 and their interview with Dr. Jeanne Conry. After covering the history of the first Earth Day in 1970- and the tumultuous decade that preceded it- Bruce and Nate explain how that simple protest changed the world. To this...
2023-04-181h 12Green DocsDr. Smith Goes to WashingtonIn Episode #2 of Green Docs, “Dr. Smith Goes to Washington”, Bruce and Nate take a deep dive into the crucial role of physicians as advocates for health policy in an interview with Dr. Kristin Lyerly, an Ob/Gyn and recent candidate for Wisconsin State Assembly. They introduce advocacy with current headlines: from the rise in pregnancy-related deaths in the US, to a plan to close the wealth gap with “universal baby income”: a $1M savings account at birth. They even float the notion (pun alert) of dolphins as the new doulas. Next, the guys introduce their interview with Dr...
2023-04-0149 minGreen DocsPlanes, Trains and Oral ContraceptivesJoin Nate and Bruce, two OB Gyn physicians and environmental experts, for the first episode of their podcast, Green Docs. They deliver you right into recent environmental headlines that connect to women’s health and pregnancy -- from the toxic train wreck in Ohio to new concerns about turbulence during plane flights, and even Chris Rock’s latest Netflix special. They honor International Women's Month with a feature on Virginia Apgar, creator of the Apgar Score, and how she ensured every baby’s well-being is “graded” at birth. Finally, they introduce their next episode, a...
2023-03-1720 min
Mama Earth Talk084: How is climate change affecting our health with Dr. Bruce BekkarIn this episode, we talk to Dr. Bruce Bekkar. He is an M.D with over 20 years of experience. He is also a speaker and writer and devotes his time focusing on global Environmental issues as a passionate climate activist. During this episode, we take a look at how climate change is affecting our health. What effects 2 degrees Celsius rise in temperature has on our body. We also look at the increase of tropical diseases appearing due to rising temperatures.Where can people find Dr. Bruce?FacebookInstagram LinkedIn
2019-08-1124 min
PODSHIP EARTHDoctorsClimate is changing health outcomes today and into the future. We talk with Dr Bruce Bekkar and Dr Ashley McClure, about how the medical profession is starting to define the roles doctors and nurses play in treating, explaining and combating the impacts of this health crisis.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
2019-07-1432 min
Classic LoveLine 2000GLL Episode 1149CLL #1149 (feat. Dr. Bruce Bekkar) 02/23/2000 – Wednesday Night Show Source – Debbi and Chris Tape (2020) An episode I did not transfer that was shared with the fan community over 9 years ago, it has very rough audio that has been post processed and improved with heavy noise removal. Bruce is making his 2nd of 2 known appearances on CLL, he was previously on the still missing CLL #1019 from Aug 25th 1999. This episode is roughly 20% complete. Update: The episode is now 99% complete with a new source, the missing 70 minutes have finally been restored after over 20 years. Dr. Bruce Bek...
2000-02-241h 35Classic LoveLine 2000GLL Episode 1149CLL #1149 (feat. Dr. Bruce Bekkar) 02/23/2000 – Wednesday Night Show Source – Debbi and Chris Tape (2020) An episode I did not transfer that was shared with the fan community over 9 years ago, it has very rough audio that has been post processed and improved with heavy noise removal. Bruce is making his 2nd of 2 known appearances on CLL, he was previously on the still missing CLL #1019 from Aug 25th 1999. This episode is roughly 20% complete. Update: The episode is now 99% complete with a new source, the missing 70 minutes have finally been restored after over 20 years. Dr. Bruce Bek...
2000-02-241h 35Classic LoveLine 2000GLL Episode 1149CLL #1149 (feat. Dr. Bruce Bekkar) 02/23/2000 – Wednesday Night Show Source – Debbi and Chris Tape (2020) An episode I did not transfer that was shared with the fan community over 9 years ago, it has very rough audio that has been post processed and improved with heavy noise removal. Bruce is making his 2nd of 2 known appearances on CLL, he was previously on the still missing CLL #1019 from Aug 25th 1999. This episode is roughly 20% complete. Update: The episode is now 99% complete with a new source, the missing 70 minutes have finally been restored after over 20 years. Dr. Bruce Bek...
2000-02-241h 35Classic LoveLine 1999GLL Episode 1019CLL #1019 (feat. Dr. Bruce Bekkar) 08/25/1999 – Wednesday Night Show Source – XJosh VHS Archive (2024) This episode is 99% complete just missing some opening banter. This episode has been missing in full since it originally aired over 24 years ago. Nobody has heard this since it originally aired and we can now all listen together collectively and find out what happened. The Love Between The Two Hosts – CLL on Youtube, with Video for select episodes. https://adamanddrdrewshow.com/1743-loveline-nostalgia-with-superfan-giovanni/ Paid Link – As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Music Provided b...
1999-08-261h 34