Shows
The Environmental Justice LabThe Earth is Sacred, Not Disposable - The First Principle of Environmental JusticeIn this episode, Dr. Joseph unpacks the first principle of environmental justice, which affirms the sacredness of Mother Earth, the ecological unity of all life, and the right of humans and non-humans alike to be free from ecological destruction. This episode challenges the dominant idea that the environment exists solely for extraction and profit. Instead, Dr. Joseph reframes environmental justice as a moral obligation—one rooted in interdependence, stewardship, and responsibility.Drawing on his Christian faith tradition, his lived experience, and environmental justice movement principles, he confronts the dangerous belief that progress must come at the cost of po...
2026-02-1715 minThe Environmental Justice Lab"A Declaration, Not a Disclaimer" - The Preamble to the Principles of Environmental JusticeEnvironmental justice is not just about pollution. It's about freedom.In this episode, Dr. Joseph takes listeners deep into the Preamble to the Principles of Environmental Justice, first articulated at the 1991 First National People of Color Environmental Leadership Summit. But this is not just a technical introduction. Dr. Joseph describes how the preamble is a bold declaration of resistance, connection, and liberation. This episode unpacks how environmental justice emerged as a global movement rooted in the lived experiences of peoples of color facing centuries of colonization, oppression, land theft, and environmental destruction. Dr. Joseph explores the preamble’s in...
2026-02-0318 minThe Environmental Justice LabFrom the Streets to the World: The Foundations of Environmental JusticeEnvironmental justice didn’t begin as a theory - it began as a movement.In this episode of The Environmental Justice Lab, Dr. Lesley Joseph traces the roots of environmental justice, unpacking how race, class, power, and policy collide to determine who gets clean air, safe water, and healthy communities - and who is forced to bear the burden of pollution and neglect.From the lived experiences of frontline communities to the emergence of environmental justice as a civil rights struggle, this episode explores how systemic inequality became embedded in land use, infrastructure, and environmental decision-making. Yo...
2026-01-2034 min
Songs & SpiritsSongs & Spirits with Lesley & Luke and a Merry Christmas MargaritaSend us a textLesley and Luke's Beverage: A Merry Christmas MargaritaSeason one is done! Thank you all for listening and for the support from all over the globe! We had a really wonderful and wild time making this first season and are looking forward to finding out what Season Two will hold! I want to thank ALL of our guests this season for taking the time to have a drink and chat with us! Huge thank you to Sera Liltih Gold, Ben Keenan, Daniel Scott (of Super Specific artist management...
2025-12-171h 29
Robbie's Backstage BantsBackstage Bants with Lesley Joseph | Robbie's Backstage BantsHello! and Welcome to the next episode of Backstage Bants with Lesley Joseph! [EPISODE 90: LESLEY JOSEPH]GRAB YOUR TICKETS FOR 'SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARVES' IN WOKING: https://www.atgtickets.com/shows/snow-white-and-the-seven-dwarfs-pantomime/new-victoria-theatre/If you enjoy this episode leave a like, and Subscribe to see the next one! Donate to Acting for Others: https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/backstagebants SOCIAL MEDIAS https://www.instagram.com/robbiesbackstagebants https://twitter.com/BackstageBantshttps://www.facebook.com/robbiesbackstagebants https://robbiesbackstageba.wixsite.com/backstagebants PODCAST: https://anchor.fm/backstage-bants A Huge Thank...
2025-10-2512 minThe Environmental Justice LabDon’t Just Go Green...Go Just: The Fight for Environmental Justice with Dr. Bruce StroubleIn this episode of The Environmental Justice Lab, Dr. Joseph is joined by scholar, strategist, and activist Dr. Bruce Strouble, the founder of Citizens for a Sustainable Future and author of By Any Dreams Necessary - Anti-Racist Strategies for Sustainability, Resilience, and Environmental Justice in African-American Communities.Dr. Strouble's expertise made for a dynamic conversation about what it really takes to build grassroots environmental power in Black communities. Dr. Strouble brings deep insight into how environmental injustice intersects with political disempowerment, economic inequality, and systemic neglect, particularly in the South. From democracy to youth organizing, he shares stories...
2025-08-0549 minThe Environmental Justice Lab"Powerless": How Two Scholars Are Rewriting the Energy NarrativeIn this episode of The Environmental Justice Lab, Dr. Lesley Joseph sits down with public health expert Dr. Diana Hernández of Columbia University and sociologist Dr. Jennifer Laird of Lehman College to talk about their new book, Powerless: The People's Struggle for Energy.More than 1 in 4 U.S. households struggle to afford their utility bills, with many facing shutoffs, debt, and the constant stress of choosing between heating and food, or cooling and rent. Powerless brings this hidden crisis into the light, exposing how energy insecurity is not just a personal hardship but a systemic failure rooted in...
2025-07-221h 01The Environmental Justice LabGajarah by Somia Sadiq: A Story of Resilience and Belonging in the Pursuit of JusticeIn this episode, Dr. Lesley Joseph sits down with author, conflict practitioner, and activist Somia Sadiq to discuss her new novel, Gajarah, a story that challenges how we understand land, justice, grief, and the tangled threads of human resilience. Born in Pakistan, raised in Canada, and shaped by a life between cultures and continents, Somia brings her lived experience, and her deep work in justice and peacebuilding, to the page. Through her unforgettable protagonist, Emahn, she explores trauma, displacement, and the often-unspoken truth that healing isn’t linear, and justice doesn’t always come with closure.Dr. Joseph and S...
2025-07-0848 minThe Environmental Justice LabPollution, Power, & the Price of Telling the Truth: The Stunning Resignation of Kimberly Terrell of the Tulane Environ. Law ClinicIn this episode of The Environmental Justice Lab, our host, Dr. Lesley Joseph, responds to a deeply troubling development: the resignation of Dr. Kimberly Terrell from the Environmental Law Clinic at Tulane University. A respected environmental scientist, researcher, and advocate, Dr. Terrell left her position as the Director for Community Engagement, citing political and donor-driven censorship, after years of research exposing the disproportionate health dangers experienced by the residents of Louisiana’s Cancer Alley. Dr. Joseph unpacks what this moment means for academic freedom, community-centered research, and the future of environmental justice in the U.S. He draws a c...
2025-06-2435 minThe Environmental Justice LabUnseen Suffering: The Mental Scars of Environmental InjusticeIn this episode, we confront a powerful but often overlooked reality: environmental injustice doesn’t just harm our bodies - it harms our minds and breaks our spirits.As part of Mental Health Awareness Month, this episode sheds light on the hidden emotional toll of living in neglected, polluted, and disaster-prone communities. From climate anxiety to post-traumatic stress, Dr. Joseph explains how the fear, powerlessness, and injustice faced by frontline communities leads to real, lasting psychological harm. Drawing from research and real-world examples, including Flint, Michigan and global conflict zones, Dr. Joseph explores how trauma, uncertainty, and systemic ne...
2025-05-1434 minThe Environmental Justice LabLegacy Environmental Justice, pt. 2 - The Kodak Facility in Rochester, NYIn this episode, we welcome back Savannah Domenech for a deep dive into the rise and fall of Kodak— and the lasting environmental and social impacts on Rochester, New York. Once a corporate giant that defined photography for generations, Kodak was more than just a company — it was the backbone of an entire community. Savannah unpacks Kodak’s golden era, its contributions to Rochester, and how it became synonymous with job security and innovation. But, as the company declined, so did its reputation, with environmental disasters, mass layoffs, and lingering pollution leaving a lasting mark on the city and its people...
2025-02-1143 minThe Environmental Justice LabAn Introduction to Legacy Environmental Justice with Savannah DomenechFor many, fighting for environmental justice means pushing polluters to stop poisoning our air and water. It means shutting down non-compliant factories and industrial facilities that refuse to follow the law. However, environmental justice issues can persist long after these facilities shut down or stop polluting. It's called "legacy environmental (in)justice", where the pollution of the past continues to impact our present. Not much has been said on this, but it's something that we need to discuss and confront wherever we see it.On this episode, we begin our discussion about legacy environmental justice with Savannah Domenech...
2025-01-2034 minThe Environmental Justice LabWelcome to Season 4 of the Environmental Justice Lab!Happy New Year and welcome to Season 4 of the Environmental Justice Lab. We have a lot of amazing stories and analysis planned for this season. From thinking through the implications of a new president in the United States for EJ work to examining topics like legacy environmental justice to lifting up marginalized voices around the world, we are going to be getting deep this year. Stay with us! Connect with us! And support us!Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab Email: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comSupport our wo...
2025-01-1812 minThe Environmental Justice LabEngineering Environmental Justice in Palestine - A Conversation with the El-Sayeghs, pt. 1It's the holiday season, and we are coming to the end of another amazing season of the Environmental Justice Lab Podcast. And to finish the year strong, we have a 2-part conversation with the El-Sayeghs. They are a dynamic father-daughter duo of Palestinian engineers who care deeply about environmental justice and equity. I hope you enjoy these episodes as much as I enjoyed recording them. So let's get into Part 1 of my conversation with the El-Sayeghs! Resources:Five Myths about Israel & PalestineVoices from Gaza Reports from B’Tselem (Israe...
2024-11-3052 minThe Environmental Justice LabEnvironmental Apartheid, pt. 3 - Infrastructure Apartheid, explainedWe are talking about infrastructure apartheid. Infrastructure can play an important role in social inclusion and economic growth. However, when infrastructure is inadequate, it can lead to social exclusion, poverty, and poor health. The fact that some people in some places have more better, more resilient, more effective infrastructure than others is not an accident. Decisions are being made that keep people from enjoying the quality of infrastructure that would allow them to live healthy, whole lives, while others have an overabundance of high-quality systems and infrastructure. It’s not right.So let’s talk about it on this...
2024-11-2141 minThe Environmental Justice LabEnvironmental Apartheid, pt. 2 - Food Apartheid, explained (pt. 3)We are (still) talking about food apartheid. While the United Nations has the goal of a world free from hunger by 2030, the reality is that because of these inequitable food systems, we are far from that goal. From conflict to climate change, there is a lot that is keeping us from living in a hunger-free world. So let’s get into it on this episode of the Environmental Justice Lab. Resources:Food Apartheid - ReGeneration.Food Apartheid | Why we should change the way we talk about food desertsGlobal Food Crisis - Wo...
2024-11-0136 minThe Environmental Justice LabEnvironmental Apartheid, pt. 2 - Food Apartheid, explained (cont.)We are still talking about food apartheid. The fact that some people in some places have more food choices that they need, while others have no good food choices at all. And on this episode, we are focusing on how food apartheid shows itself in the United States. Trust me, it’s not an accident. People are making decisions that keep healthy foods in some neighborhoods and keeps them out of other neighborhoods. It’s not right.So let’s talk about it on this episode of the Environmental Justice Lab. Resources: USDA's Legacy...
2024-10-0936 minThe Environmental Justice LabEnvironmental Apartheid, pt. 2 - Food Apartheid, explainedWe are talking about food apartheid. The fact that some people in some places have more food choices that they need, while others have no good food choices at all. And it’s not an accident. Decisions are being made that keep healthy foods in some neighborhoods and keeps them out of other neighborhoods. It’s not right.So let’s get into it on this episode of the Environmental Justice Lab. Resources: Food Apartheid: Racialized Access to Healthy Affordable FoodFood Swamps Predict Obesity Rates Better Than Food Deserts in the United...
2024-09-1234 minThe Environmental Justice LabWaste Colonialism, pt. 1 - Plastic and the US (Presented by Co-host Sunny Chen)Since the early 20th century, plastic has been around and has dominated US consumerism. Unfortunately, it hurts the planet in all phases of its life cycle– from when it’s produced (emitting greenhouse gases), to when it’s used (releasing microplastics), to when it’s discarded (rotting in landfills). That being said, everyone knows its negative impact on the environment, but nothing major has been done to reduce this planet-destroying product. So today, we are talking about plastic pollution, but specifically zeroing in the last phase of its life and where it is discarded: developing nations.Let’s explore th...
2024-07-2211 minThe Environmental Justice LabEnvironmental Apartheid, pt. 1 - Climate Apartheid, explainedClimate Apartheid. This phrase, coined by Archbishop Desmond Tutu, describes the ways in which the wealthy and well-connected insulate themselves from the impacts of climate change, while the rest of are left to suffer from them. This two-tiered way of dealing with climate change leaves the vulnerable behind and creates a world where there are two different climate realities. We have to work to identify and dismantle climate apartheid wherever we see it. So let’s get into it on this episode of the Environmental Justice Lab.Resources:'I dare not be quiet': What climate ac...
2024-07-1228 minThe Environmental Justice LabWhat is Environmental Apartheid?Apartheid. It’s not a word that you can just throw around. When it’s used, it suggests a systematic, deliberate, intentional effort to subjugate and oppress another group with full governmental support. It started in South Africa. It was present in the United States of America. It’s happening now to Palestinians. And now it’s happening to our environment.It’s called “Environmental Apartheid”. And we need to call it out. Name it. Dismantle it. But first, we need to educate ourselves and be aware of how it functions around us.So let’s get into it on t...
2024-06-2341 min
The Environmental Justice LabA Conversation about Palestine, pt. 6 - Educate and AdvocateThe time is now. It’s time to get off of the sideline. It’s time to educate and advocate. Educate yourself on the issues that plague the Occupied Palestinian Territories, otherwise known as Palestine. Then, after you have educated yourself, it’s time to advocate. Advocate for the Palestinian people. Advocate for freedom and justice to reign in the region.The time is now. #freepalestine #ceasefirenow(A few) Advocacy Groups: Churches for Middle East PeaceJewish Voices For PeaceIf Not Now MovementResources: Six ways to...
2024-06-0417 min
The Environmental Justice LabA Conversation about Palestine, pt. 5 - The "Ecocide" in PalestineWar is raging in Gaza. People are being killed. Homes and schools and hospitals are being destroyed. Famine has ravaged the land. But there is also something else going on. Ecocide. The complete and utter destruction of the environment in Gaza. Water infrastructure has been destroyed. Wastewater infrastructure has been decimated. Soil is contaminated. The air is unbreathable. We do not talk enough about how war destroys the environment and exacerbates climate change. Well, we’re talking about it today. Starting with Gaza… Resources: The UN is investigating the environmental impact of the war in Gaza...
2024-05-1732 min
The Environmental Justice LabA Conversation about Palestine, pt. 4 - Water Justice in PalestineYou need water to live. I need water to live. Everyone needs water to live. However, in Palestine, the necessary amount of water is not flowing to the Palestinians. It's not just a matter of water insecurity. It's water injustice. It's water apartheid. And it needs to stop. So let's talk about it.... #ceasefirenow #releasethehostagesnow #freepalestineResources:The Occupation of Water - Amnesty International (11/2017)Palestinians struggle to get water - Al Jazeera (08/2023)Gaza children face acute water and sanitation crisis - UNICEF (09/2017)Connect with our En...
2024-05-0124 min
The Environmental Justice LabA Conversation about Palestine, pt. 3 - Food Justice and Food Sovereignty in PalestineFood justice and food sovereignty are hallmarks of a free society. The ability to get the food you need, when you need it, is critical for any group of people to flourish. However, this is not the case in Palestine.Long before the current war on Gaza, food justice and food sovereignty were not present. And we need to talk about it.... #ceasefirenow #releasethehostagesnow #freepalestineResources:Palestine - World Food ProgrammeRestrictions on food sovereignty in Palestine - Visualizing PalestineConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community:
2024-04-0925 min
The Environmental Justice LabA Conversation about Palestine, pt. 2 - Peace requires environmental justicePeace requires environmental justice. That’s it. #ceasefirenow #releasethehostagesnow #freepalestine Resources:Peace will require environmental justice - The Century FoundationConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comWe love and appreciate everyone who listens to the podcast. Go to the link to financially support this work: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-environmental-justice-lab--5583745/supportDon’t forget to subscribe and rate the podcast wherever you listen!Connect with our En...
2024-03-2718 min
The Environmental Justice LabA Conversation about Palestine, pt. 1 - Who's making the decisions, anyway?We need to talk about Palestine. I've been avoiding it. My guess is that you have been avoiding it. But we cannot avoid it any longer.Too many deaths. Too many parentless children. Too many environmental injustices. It's time to talk about it and take a stand.So I'm going to try and talk about it....#ceasefirenow #releasethehostagesnow #freepalestine Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.comWe love and appreciate everyone who listens to the podcast. ...
2024-03-0818 minThe Environmental Justice LabThe Language of Justice, pt. 4 - The DEI TrapDEI. Diversity. Equity. Inclusion. With the proliferation of DEI offices, officers, divisions, and initiatives, are we actually seeing more justice done in our communities? Are our institutions more equitable? Is it leading to environmental justice and equity for all? And how are we talking about DEI when issues related to justice come up?We need to talk about it. Resources:What is DEI? Failure of the DEI Industrial Complex - The Harvard Business ReviewConnect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelab...
2024-02-2333 minThe Environmental Justice LabThe Language of Justice, Pt. 3 - Race and EthnicityRace. According to researchers, it’s the #1 characteristic that informs the presence of environmental injustice. However, I’ve noticed that in the literature and in the discourse around environmental justice, many of us are not willing to explicitly state WHO is being treated unfairly. We do not say “Black” or “Indigenous” or whoever else. Instead, I see phrases like “communities of color” or “minorities” or “underserved populations”. We need to change that. We need to change our language around justice so we let people know exactly who we are talking about when we talk about them. On this episode, I suggest that...
2024-02-0930 minThe Environmental Justice LabThe Language of Justice, pt. 2 - Equality vs. EquityEquity. Equality. There is a difference. And understanding the difference will determine what we actually advocate for when we fight for justice. It’s the difference between fighting for what THEY have or fighting for what YOU NEED. It’s the difference between advocating for the same RESOURCES or advocating for the same OPPORTUNITIES and the same ACCESS. It’s the difference between demanding changes to the allocation of FUNDING and demanding changes to the operation of the SYSTEM. So let’s explore it! You’re in the right place….Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community:
2024-01-2224 minThe Environmental Justice LabThe Language of Justice, pt. 1 - We need to talk differentlyHappy New Year! Welcome to the first episode of Season 3 of the Environmental Justice Lab. On this episode, we are looking at the "language of justice", how we talk about what we talk about. In order to be most effective, we need to make sure that we are clear and precise with our language, especially as we bring awareness to environmental justice issues and the impacted communities. So let's talk about it! Connect with our Environmental Justice Lab community: Instagram: @envjusticelab YouTube: @envjusticelabEmail: theenvironmentaljusticelab@gmail.com...
2024-01-1521 minThe Environmental Justice LabWrapping up the year 2023 - A lot happened this year!We made it through 2023! Give yourselves a hand! On this bonus episode, I reflect on many of the big topics that we discussed throughout the year, as well as some topics that you can expect from us in 2024. We had a great year, and next year is going to be even better. We have even launched a YouTube channel! So Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year from the Environmental Justice Lab! Give someone a hug, tell them that you love them, and enjoy this final episode of the year.Connect with...
2023-12-2553 minThe Environmental Justice LabVoices for a New Generation: The Ladies of the Laurel SchoolWe have a special episode for you today. In our ongoing commitment to amplify voices, particularly our youth who are doing amazing things, we get to hear from two young ladies, Laina Digeronimo and Eva Ko, who are students at Laurel School, an all-girls high school in Ohio. They just finished their first environmental justice semester in school, and they are sharing a conversation that they had with the founder of Redhouse Studio, a pioneer in sustainable architecture and construction. These young ladies did a great job with their episode, and I know that you are going to enjoy it!
2023-12-0837 minThe Environmental Justice LabWith Liberty and Food Justice For AllWe’re talking about food justice today. With the holiday season officially here, many of us are planning meals and parties and get-togethers with lots of eating involved. With that in mind, I want to bring to your attention the reality that many people around us struggle to get the food that they need. Not because they can’t afford it. Not because they choose to eat unhealthy food. Simply because they live in an area where healthy foods are not available. They do not need your pity.They do not need your handout.They...
2023-12-0135 minThe Environmental Justice LabPrisoners, Pt. 6 - The ConclusionThis episode hits close to home. As we conclude our discussion on prisons, I share how the jails in my home state of South Carolina (in the United States of America) are under federal investigation for the ways that they are operated. These issues are not foreign. They are right here in my backyard. Let’s talk about it!Resources: DOJ opens civil rights probes into South Carolina jails beset by deaths and violence - National Public Radio (NPR)South Carolina Jails to Be Investigated After Reports of Abuse and Violence...
2023-11-1730 min