Shows
In Tune to Nature PodcastTaking you along my Tasmanian Wildlife Journey: Part 2 Maria Island Wombats to Hobart Eco HeroesJoin me on the second segment of my ecotourism trip to Tasmania, Australia (my unscientific, amateur, American, vegan, wombat-obsessed perspective) with all my own audio recordings from my June 2025 trip. This 58-minute (part 2) segment of the trip takes you along with me to my favorite part -- Maria Island National Park and its wombats, kangaroos and wallabies, stingrays, and ruby red anemones, and the culling issue of marsupial "overpopulation" -- through to Port Arthur Historic Convict Site, then on to the city of Hobart, with insights from my Conference on Communication and Environment #COCE2025 (at Univ of Tasmania), including...2025-07-1758 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastTaking you along my Tasmanian Wildlife Journey: Part 1 Cradle Mountain to Wineglass BayI’m so excited to share my three-week ecotourism trip through Tasmania, Australia. This 50-minute podcast is the first of a multi-part podcast series I created from the audio that I took along my June 2025 trip (and you can pair that with the gorgeous photos I posted on https://www.facebook.com/InTunetoNature ) to get a feel for this extraordinary place, and its animals, like wombats, kangaroos, wallabies, seals, whales, sheep, cows, and birds like cockatoos, forest ravens, magpies, wrens, and kookaburras. Often I’m adding in my own audio commentary and context as an American traveler and animal and...2025-07-1049 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastApocalyptic Authoritarianism: Dr. Hanna Morris Discusses Climate Crisis News Coverage and Progressive Politics in the trump EraEnvironmental communication scholar Dr. Hanna Morris shared her insights from "Apocalyptic Authoritarianism: Climate Crisis, Media, and Power," her 2025 book with Oxford Univ Press. This book meets the political moment in analyzing the way most mainstream news media actually lean moderate to right in climate coverage that "others" and villianizes the New Left activists and progressive politicians as too 'radical' or 'woke' (like A.O.C. and often other women of color or those proposing the Green New Deal) in favor of older American narratives of "order" and quick solutions via white male authorities and American exceptionalism, rather than exploring...2025-06-0950 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastWhat is Welfare for Sparrows and Other Wild Animal Individuals? Wild Animal Initiative InterviewWhen you hear the term "animal welfare" you probably think cats, dogs, horses, maybe pet parakeets. But there is an organization called Wild Animal Initiative that is expanding the notion of animal welfare to include wild/free-living animal individuals. For my 100th podcast episode, my guest Cat Kerr with Wild Animal Initiative was here to talk about how scientists try to measure wellbeing in wild animals (you can guess some of the criteria) and why we have not often done that in scientific research on a regular basis (it's different from veterinary research and conservation research). Cat and host...2025-05-3151 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastProtecting the Endangered Species Act (and Wild Animals) from trump Attacks: An Interview with Wildlife Legal Expert Tara ZuardoIn this mass extinction era, can we save the Endangered Species Act? We discuss how engaged citizens can speak out against the trump regime's recent proposal to weaken the notion of what “harm” legally means (so the Endangered Species Act would essentially no longer protect animals’ habitats from exploitation, even though habitat destruction is the largest threat to species). Here's a link to a public comment opportunity for engaged citizens to post their thoughts to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Services (by May 19 ,2025). But the fight will be ongoing and end up in court, so continue to keep tabs on wha...2025-05-1444 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastSharing National Parks Memories to Help Save OUR National Parks & StaffIn honor of National Park Week and Earthday 2025, we are supporting OUR national parks by sharing stories about what we love about the parks that we all collectively own (the most beautiful and ecologically significant wild places/habitats in the nation...and in the world, as some earned UNESCO World Heritage Site designations), to help encourage Americans to ask for political support to stop trump and musk/DOGE from defunding OUR parks and to stop firing our hard-working park rangers and staff who are our park defenders. In this 28 minute episode I talk about an Atlanta group of women...2025-05-1028 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastSolving the "egg crisis" means confronting the Factory Farming crisis: Jennifer Molidor on Bird Flu and Sustainable Food SolutionsWe reframe the “egg crisis” (high prices and low supply of commercial hen’s eggs in a bird flu outbreak) as a crisis of mass farming of animals, proposing sustainable alternative food solutions that can replace eggs and reduce the spread of zoonotic diseases, pollution, and the killing and harm of millions of wild and domesticated animals. Jennifer and Carrie discuss this in the context of the bird flu outbreak, as avian influenza is spreading and mutating in a variety of animal species (including cows used for dairy and human farm workers) – this infectious pathogen is an increasingly alarming issue fo...2025-03-2042 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastSave the National Parks' Staff from Firings! Retired Forester Kristine Johnson Talks about Effects on Great Smoky Mountains National ParkOur National Park Service staff are under seige, as so many federal employees are, from trump and Elon Musk’s unfair attacks on our federal government agencies with haphazard and frankly cruel mass firings of public servants (not truly based on inefficiency or poor performance) along with spending and hiring freezes that are traumatizing and debilitating park employees and surrounding communities, creating a culture of fear and demoralization (the rhetoric not only lacks appreciation but is insulting). What little we gain in $ savings are outweighed by the massive long-term costs for everyone.
I turned to a career pu...2025-03-0847 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastSolving Climate Change Requires Changing Our Food Systems: Dr. Svetlana Feigin, Journal Lead AuthorWe gotta start eating plants not other animals. A 2025 article published in the journal “Oxford Open Climate Change” titled “Solving climate change requires changing our food systems” outlines the need for human societies globally to transition to plant-based food systems and phase out factory farming, offering pathways to make that vision a reality to reach climate mitigation goals and spare the worst warming and deforestation impacts. (the article is open-access and available to share, with a wealth of sources in the bibliography https://academic.oup.com/oocc/article/5/1/kgae024/7942019?l )
"In Tune to Nature" host Carrie Freeman is one o...2025-02-1028 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastA Declaration of Animal Dignity as Part of Human Dignity: With Author Melanie ChallengerWe discuss the concept of animal dignity – two words that don’t often get put together; we typically only hear of human dignity, as if it means we are dignified precisely because we aren’t animals, yet we humans are part of the animal kingdom and not the only animal species who possesses a dignity that should be respected.
In this special 55-minute podcast, host Carrie Freeman explores this novel ethical and legal concept with our guest, award-winning British author, philosopher, and animal advocate Melanie Challenger who has a new edited book out on Animal Dignity and just w...2025-01-2755 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastBuild A Meaningful Life Helping Animals and Nature: Carrie & Melody Talk Personal Growth OpportunitiesCarrie and Melody discuss how to incorporate animal and eco protection into your life in meaningful ways to meet your own life goals, priorities, and interests in big and small ways, syncing up with actions and virtues the world needs from us humans.
Since the beginning of each new year is a time to reassess our own goals and priorities, it seemed a good time to have an In Tune to Nature show that focused on our own personal growth resolutions and how that can synergize with efforts to help other species. This is also a special s...2025-01-011h 04
In Tune to Nature PodcastRudolph, Six Geese a Laying, and Jingling Horses Pulling Sleighs: Popular Christmas Songs Analyzed by an Animal Rights ActivistThis Christmas, I thought it would be fun to analyze 6 popular Christmas songs referencing animals-other-than-humans (mostly mammals who are forced to pull people around the snow in sleds, and then some birds, mainly birds that humans kill and eat but sometimes birds humans admire for their beauty). The songs are Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer, Run Run Rudolph, Sleigh Ride, Jingle Bells, The 12 Days of Christmas, and Nat King Cole’s The Christmas Song. I’m going to deconstruct these Christmas songs from a Critical Animal Studies perspective. In other words, as an animal rights activist who is sympathetic to th...2024-12-2423 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastGifting Experiences & Services over Items: Eco-and-Animal-Friendly Holiday Gift Giving ShowTo have a greener holiday season (and beyond) and avoid buying a bunch of cluttering stuff your friends and family don't need (and probably don't want), this annual holiday show focuses not on eco-friendly products/items but more on eco-friendly experiences and services in order to avoid cluttering up our lives (and planet) with more items that land in our homes permanently and ultimately weigh us and our descendants down (or just end up in a landfill down the line).
So my emphasis here is on sharing gift-giving ideas for vegan-friendly foods/restaurants or experiences (airbnbs/cabins, p...2024-11-2644 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastU.S. election postmortem expressing love to overlooked animals: Collective grieving and venting with Deb Merskin and Carrie FreemanI decided animals needed an election postmortem after being erased from the political and media agenda by self-centered anthropocentrism; so I wanted to use this media platform with my friend from Oregon, Dr. Debra Merskin, to collectively grieve, vent, and discuss how we really feel this week as animal rights activists, vegans, environmentalists, social justice advocates, human animal earthlings, and feminists who were excited to have America's first women president after 200+ years! While the show is hopeful and uplifting in parts, that was not actually my aim. I just wanted to get real in explaining my despair and my...2024-11-1133 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastSolutions to our Planet in Peril this Decade: Restoring Oasis Earth with Author Dr. Rick SteinerThis election season is the ultimate time to consider that this decade is our last best chance to transition to a liveable planet instead of continuing to further recklessly degrade the sustainability of our own species’ future, and that of fellow earthlings, and our one Oasis Earth. Marine conservationist, former U of Alaska professor, and clean energy and wildlife consultant, Dr. Rick Steiner speaks with In Tune to Nature radio host Carrie Freeman about his book Oasis Earth: Planet in Peril – Our Last Best Chance to Save Our World. Anyone can download, read, and share this open-access/free digital book...2024-10-2152 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastGeorgians Early Vote with the Environment in Mind: Brionte McCorkle of Georgia Conservation Voters Helps us Make a Voting PlanWe voters really do care about eco issues (it's aligned with our health and economy and love for other animals...and future generations), so I wanted to get us prepared, motivated, and confident for early voting in Georgia Oct 15 - Nov 1st, with resources and tips shared by Brionte McCorkle, Executive Director of the nonpartisan Georgia Conservation Voters (GCV) at https://www.gcvoters.org/vote/
That GCV voter resource website includes a link to this nonpartisan tool https://gcv.branch.vote/summary where you can see your ballot ahead of time and check out the candidates' views on...2024-10-0647 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastProject 2025 Republican Plan for more Drilling and Killing in Oceans: Conservationist Angelo Villagomez Sounds WarningElections are about more than just the current economy. We citizens must consider longterm effects of policies on our climate stability, wild animal livelihoods, community wellbeing, ecosystem health, and sustainable economic opportunities for future generations. But "Project 2025," the Heritage Foundation's extreme right-wing policy plan for a trump presidency forecasts a grim future of handing over more power to industries for oil and gas exploitation in ocean habitats, increasing not decreasing the deadly climate crisis, with less government scientific oversight and fewer protections and preservations of aquatic communities, more noise and toxic disruptions and killing/fishing of animals who live...2024-09-2232 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastHow Are We Doing Protecting 30 Percent of Ocean Areas by 2030? Beth Pike of Marine Protection AtlasThe Marine Protection Atlas maps the global conservation of ocean areas that are supposed to legally protect aquatic animals and plant life from industrial activities like commercial fishing, mining, and drilling, but they have varying levels of protection and effectiveness so far. In this 33-minute podcast, we discuss the status of legally protected marine ocean areas worldwide, some of which are called “blue parks,” based on a report titled “Ocean protection quality is lagging behind quantity: Applying a scientific framework to assess real marine protected area progress against the 30 by 30 target” this was published in the Conservation Letters journal in 2024...2024-09-1033 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastSafeguarding Rivers & Communities from Factory Farm Pollution: Waterkeeper Larry Baldwin on Pure Farms, Pure Water programWater is essential to life, yet factory animal farms have polluted freshwater and river and wetland ecosystems and rural neighborhoods for decades. But we can work to protect water, wildlife, animals, and community health. To tell us how, is our guest Larry Baldwin. He’s with the nonprofit group Waterkeeper Alliance https://waterkeeper.org/ and serves as their Campaign Coordinator for the “Pure Farms, Pure Waters” program in North Carolina. He works with the 15 licensed Waterkeeper Alliance groups in North Carolina in their efforts to reform the current polluting practices of the industrial meat producing facilities, known as Concentrated Animal Fe...2024-08-0736 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastWildlife Equity and Multi-Species Tourism Justice: Professor Carol Kline on Sustainable Tourism and AnimalsI love hearing about "wildlife equity" for the wild animals who are often an integral focus of tourists. As ecotourists, we long to see amazing wild animals, but how can we ensure we aren’t endangering or harming them and putting ourselves or tourism profit before the lives and wellbeing of local humans and other animals in these tourism hotspots? To tell us about her (and co-authors') concept of wildlife equity and multispecies tourism justice is our guest Dr. Carol Kline, Appalachian State University Professor and Hospitality & Tourism Management Program Director, in the Department of Management. She recently edited tw...2024-07-2229 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastCoastal Georgia Right Whale, Sea Turtle, and Horseshoe Crab ProtectionWe talk with Catherine Ridley, VP of One Hundred Miles, about wildlife protection efforts in coastal Georgia, focusing on the endangered North Atlantic Right Whale and Loggerhead Sea Turtles who breed here and are at risk due to fatal ship strikes, fishing gear entanglements, dredging, and noise and light pollution, as well as discussing ancient Horseshoe Crabs, who are especially under threat lately by pharmaceutical industries who are capturing (kidnapping) hundreds of thousands of them and draining them of their blue blood, despite a synthetic substance that serves the same medical purpose without the massive animal exploitation.
I...2024-06-1826 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastCrossings Book Explores Road Ecology Paths to Save Wildlife: With Journalist Ben GoldfarbConservation Journalist Ben Goldfarb explains stories and lessons from his fantastic book "Crossings: How Road Ecology is Shaping the Future of Our Planet" It examines how our vast system of roads and all our car and truck traffic is dissecting landscapes and making life dangerous and often lethal for other animal species (to bypass the "moving fence" of traffic) – and what we can do about it to support biodiversity and to share our planet more equitably with other animal individuals striving to thrive and survive amongst the noisy and dangerous new roadway 'ecosystems.'
I found "Crossings" so...2024-06-0633 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastCowspiracy Filmmakers Discuss Impact and Activism for Animals 10 Years LaterA decade after the release of the 2014 award-winning documentary Cowspiracy, filmmakers Kip Anderson and Keegan Kuhn come together with Atlanta animal activists and scholars in a webinar on May 21st 2024 to discuss the impact of the film and the status/progress/strategies of the vegan movement today. Facilitated by host Dr. Natalie Khazaal, a critical animal studies scholar and Associate Professor at Georgia Tech (the webinar was funded by a grant from her department, the School of Modern Languages), this 57-minute webinar allows the filmmakers to answer questions from GA Tech students and Atlanta animal activists (including me, In...2024-05-2857 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastNourishing all Species with Veganic Farming and AgroEcology: Atlanta Farmer Eugene Cooke of Grow Where You AreFood justice activist and veganic farmer Eugene Cooke shares an aspirational vision for why he practices agro-ecology in urban ag at Grow Where You Are farms around Atlanta and how (and why) this can be scaled up for widespread regenerative agricultural practices that the U.S. needs to stay viable and sustainable to feed our human population and nurture our soil naturally not chemically. In this 25-minute podcast (from Sept 2022), Eugene explains his unconventional roots from artist to farmer and what it's like to share his biodiverse, Atlanta-based veganic crop farms with wandering wildlife (not domesticating or farming any a...2024-05-0425 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastWorking for Wildlife into their 90s: Interviews with the Inspirational Dr. Jane Goodall and Dr. E.O. WilsonTo honor primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall's 90th birthday (April 3 2024) and her continuing conservation work, I am playing part of a recent Mongabay News interview with her, hosted by Rhett A. Butler, followed by a PBS News Hour interview from 2016 with the late biologist E.O. Wilson where he discussed his final book "Half Earth" which he wrote in his late eighties. He continued working until he passed at age 92 in 2021 and his legacy lives on with his many nature books and his Half Earth Project nonprofit that seeks to protect half of our planet's most biodiverse land and sea...2024-04-2130 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastThe Emotional Lives of Animals: Dr. Marc Bekoff Explains Why Animal Wellbeing MattersRenowned animal ethologist Dr. Marc Bekoff shares insights from the newly revised edition of his classic book: “The Emotional Lives of Animals: A leading scientist explores animal joy, sorrow, and empathy, -- and why they matter” with a foreword by famed primatologist Dr. Jane Goodall. In April 2024, with the release of the book near Dr. Goodall's 90th birthday, Dr. Bekoff spent 38 minutes with host Carrie Freeman discussing: what it's like working with Dr. Goodall, what has changed in the exploding field of cognitive ethology (the study of animal minds) in the last 20 years, how fairness and justice are a comm...2024-04-0638 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastDefending the Atlanta Forest & Stopping Cop City: Dr. Jackie Echols on Civil Rights Act and Clean Water Act Legal ActionsWe discuss the latest in the 2024 fight against environmental racism and stream water degradation as part of the "Save The Atlanta Forest" movement also knowns as the "Stop Cop City" movement, in Southeast Atlanta, comprised of many allied groups of citizens who over the last several years are working to stop/discontinue the building of a multi-million dollar mega law enforcement training center in a forested watershed area, where it is unwanted by the adjacent human community of many Black residents, and by the wildlife who (used to) live there too.
To tell us about the ongoing...2024-02-2428 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastA Compassionate Conservation Approach to US Wildlife Policy: Dr. Anja Heister author interviewIn this double-show we explore problems and solutions for transforming America’s flawed model of wildlife management that is oddly human-centric (hunter-centric), undemocratic, and often cruel, by speaking with wildlife advocate and author Anja Heister, PhD, about her recent book “Beyond the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation: From Lethal to Compassionate Conservation,” published by the academic press Palgrave Macmillan as part of their Animal Ethics Series.
Founder of Footloose Montana, an anti-trapping organization, and decades long advocate for animals, Dr. Heister wrote a book that provides a nuanced analysis of the wildlife management system and its faults...2024-01-2754 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastThe Loveliness of Being Animal: Philosopher Melanie Challenger on her book ”How to be Animal”Today it's one of my favorite topics -- the benefits of humans starting to embrace our animality and kinship with other animals, instead of falsely repressing our animality and continuing to think of ourselves as exceptional and above all animal life. We’ll talk about how we human animals can productively change our self narrative to be more honest with author and environmental philosopher Melanie Challenger who wrote the fascinating book “How to be animal: A New History of What it Means to be Human.” As she phrases is, “It's an invitation to refresh in our minds the loveliness of being...2024-01-1430 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastCreating Song, Story and Film to Support Wildlife Safe Road Passageways: Artists Frances Figart & Ted GrudowskiWe focus on the creative process of several artists in the road ecology movement who have promoted safe passageways for wildlife to cross over and under human highways, via song, children’s literature, and documentary film. Our guests are writer Frances Figart of Asheville, NC and filmmaker Ted Grudowski of Seattle, WA, interviewed in this 30-minute podcast by host Carrie Freeman.
Our discussion explores creative ways these artists have inspired humans to more safely and fairly share land with free-living nonhuman animals, specifically to promote the design and build of wildlife road crossings to enable safe passage fo...2023-12-1930 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastWild Atlanta: Poems and Photographs Celebrating Wildlife, Forests, & ParksWe enjoy the poetry and photography in a new book Wild Atlanta: Greenspaces and Nature Preserves of “The City in the Forest” with the book author and poet Stephen Wing and the book’s photographer Luz Wright. Their 98-page full color poetic photo book is an artistic tribute to several dozen of Atlanta’s gorgeous public forests and parks for humans and wildlife to share.
In this 26-minute interview (airing in December 2023), I have Stephen read a few of his poems that ingeniously weave in the climate crisis, wild animals like hawks, and protecting natural areas like Intrenchm...2023-11-2826 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastEcoFriendly Holiday Gift Giving: Experiences Over ItemsTo have a more meaningful holiday season and avoid buying a bunch of stuff, this is a replay of my 28-minute annual green gift giving show -- this time focusing not on eco-friendly products but more on eco-friendly experiences in order to avoid cluttering up our lives with more stuff that lands in our homes permanently. So the emphasis is on gift-giving ideas for vegan food/meals or experiences (travel, parks, spas, etc.) or lending a helping hand (dog-sitting, babysitting/tutoring, lawncare, home organization), and savings/investing. It is an Atlanta focused show. It also highlights the So Kind...2023-11-2228 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastThe Race to Save Our Vanishing Birds: Interview with Book Author Anders GyllenhaalDid you know one third of North America's birds have vanished over the last 50 years -- on our watch? That's 3 Billion fewer birds in our ecosystems, skies, trees, farms, and backyards! In their book "A Wing and a Prayer: The Race to Save our Vanishing Birds," journalists and bird lovers Anders and Beverly Gyllenhaal went on an adventure to sound the alarm and help us discover why birds aren't thriving anymore (after tens of millions of years on this planet) and to profile the many unique and innovate ways that scientists and outdoor enthusiasts are helping to preserve species...2023-10-2428 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastDesigning Health-Promoting Landscapes Inspired by Nature: David Kamp, Biophilic Landscape ArchitectDiscussing his book "Nature, Design, and Health: Explorations of a Landscape Architect," David Kamp describes his nature-inspired design philosophy, and we specifically concentrate on garden project elements designed to enhance the wellbeing of older adults and people with special needs. We also discuss how wildlife can be encouraged and supported in our yards and landscapes. You can see his lovely designs at the book website https://www.naturedesignhealth.com/.
This 24-minute podcast is hosted by Carrie Freeman, who recorded it for "In Tune to Nature," a weekly radio show airing Wednesdays at 6:30pm Eastern Time on 89.3FM-Atlanta r...2023-09-1224 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastAdvice on Effective Environmental Advocacy: Interview with Author & Lobbyist Sue InchesThis double-length show explains tips from the book "Advocating for the Environment: How to Gather Your Power and Take Action" by environmental lobbyist, public servant, teacher, and author Sue Inches from Maine. https://sueinches.com/ After meeting at the 2023 Conference on Communication & Environment and hearing about her book and vast experience, I invited Sue to be interviewed on In Tune to Nature for a longer format show (52 minutes). This gave us more time to discuss advice from the book, such as:
the power of being visionary in environmental action (and the 80-10-10 rule),
the importance of reframing o...2023-08-2551 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastSustainable Marine Policy Viewing Fishes as Ecological Beings not Food/Resources: Interview with Dr. Jennifer JacquetWe discuss the need for marine eco policies and "sustainable fishing" policies to move toward a non-industrial discourse that treats fish as subjects and as ecological beings rather than primarily objectifying them as human food/stock/seafood – basically sustainable fisheries rhetoric should stop reducing fish and other aquatic animal species to mere economic resources to be 'sustainably managed'. Dr. Jennifer Jacquet, Professor of Environmental Science and Policy at Univ of Miami, explains her rationales for why a change in our discussion of fish (and relationship with fish) is warranted and ecologically beneficial, in this 25-minute podcast with host Carrie Fr...2023-08-1725 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastProtecting Yellowstone’s Wild Bison Herds from Slaughter: The Buffalo Field CampaignThe Buffalo Field Campaign has worked for decades restoring rights to the wild Bison of Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming to live and freely migrate in and outside of Yellowstone National Park in their rightful territory. Carrie Freeman's radio guests Mike Mease and Dallas Gudgell are from the nonprofit Buffalo Field Campaign and we discuss their achievements since the 1990s. In this 25-minute podcast recorded late July 2023, they explain why the bison are at risk of being killed by hunters and ranchers when they leave Yellowstone National Park and how Montana's wildlife policies have been hostile to this threatened and...2023-08-0325 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastClimate News Coverage of Animal Agriculture: What’s Missing and How to Improve JournalismWe discuss findings from a 2023 report “Animal Agriculture is the Missing Piece in Climate Change Media Coverage”. Given the policy agenda-setting role of the news media, this report details what coverage improvements are warranted to facilitate needed farming and dietary changes in the U.S. to help mitigate the climate crisis, given the large role that animal ag plays in greenhouse gas emissions (especially via methane and deforestation). In this 25-minute podcast, In Tune to Nature host Carrie Freeman interviews two of the report's co-authors, Coni Arevalo (Research Associate at Faunalytics) and Jenny Splitter (Managing Editor at Sentient Media).
2023-07-2125 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastEcoflix wildlife advocacy nonprofit entertainment streaming service: Interview with founder David CasselmanEcoflix.com is the first not-for-profit streaming channel of entertainment and educational shows and podcasts dedicated to saving animals and the planet. We talk with founder and CEO David Casselman about why he founded Ecoflix, how the non-commercial global programming is different from other animal channels (more advocacy oriented and family friendly, non-graphic), some of the most popular shows (saving bears, elephants, wolves, leopards, whales, rainforests, and more) including kids shows, as well as what wildlife and animal protection NGOs Ecoflix works with and supports with 100% of the subscriber fees. Share with educators that all fees are waived for...2023-06-2325 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastProtecting the Okefenokee Swamp Refuge from Mining: Ecologist Rena Ann Peck of GA River NetworkDue to the threat of titanium mining, the biologically rich and unique Okefenokee Swamp habitat at the GA/FL border has unfortunately been named one of America's Most Endangered Rivers of 2023 (by the organization America Rivers). But there's a wide alliance of bipartisan wilderness and water protectors at https://protectokefenokee.org/ defending this National Wildlife Refuge, including The Georgia River Network. Their Executive Director, ecologist Rena Ann Peck talks to host Carrie Freeman in this 25-minute podcast about why and how so many groups are protecting this delicate and one-of-a-kind ecosystem from damaging mining efforts on the trail ridge...2023-06-1225 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastCoexistence with Coyote Family Neighbors: With Dr. Chris Mowry, Atlanta Coyote ProjectTo help us understand how coyote families live among us in urban/suburban areas as productive members of ecosystems, Berry College Professor of Biology, Dr. Chris Mowry (and co-founder of the Atlanta Coyote Project) tells us about the natural history of wild canine species in the North America, specifically the Southeast region, where settler colonists drove out the native Red Wolf, and over the centuries the coyote has migrated to take the place of their wolf cousins.
Also in this 26-minute In Tune to Nature radio show, recorded in May 2023, host Carrie Freeman expresses concern over the...2023-05-1526 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastRemoving Harmful Wild Animal Social Media Posts: Nicola O’Brien of Social Media Animal Cruelty CoalitionFrom taking selfies with wild animal individuals, to promoting them as pets, to faking animal rescues for clicks, content harmful to animals abounds on social media platforms like YouTube, Tik Tok, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. To help us identify what is inappropriate, harmful, or cruel content and what to do about it, in this 28-minute radio show, host Carrie Freeman interviews Nicola O'Brien, leader of the Social Media Animal Cruelty Coalition. Nicola explains why we should NOT engage with a harmful post or click/comment on it and why we should instead flag and report it to the platform...2023-04-2428 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastStop Cop City to Save the Atlanta Forest for Eco and Racial Justice: Interview with Dr. Echols of the South River Watershed AllianceOn behalf of Atlanta's biggest in-town forest, its resident wildlife, and nearby human neighbors, we discuss the 'Save The Atlanta Forest' movement also known as the 'Stop Cop City' movement, in Southeast Atlanta, comprised of many allied groups of citizens, especially Black residents, who over the last several years are working to stop the installation and building of a multi-million dollar, noisy and explosive, mega law enforcement training center in a greenspace and forested area (a former prison farm), where it is vehemently unwanted by the adjacent community and was already promised by a former mayor to be a...2023-04-1126 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastThe Industrial Ag Accountability Act’s Needed Improvements for Farmed Animals & Workers: Explained by Farming Activist Leah GarcesIn this double-show, Leah Garces, President of Mercy for Animals, discusses initiatives to protect taxpayers, farm workers, chickens, and pigs in an unprecedented and long-overdue marker to the 2023 Farm Bill -- the Industrial Agriculture Accountability Act -- to be considered in the U.S. Congress in Fall 2023. After learning about these issues, U.S. citizens can contact their Congresspeople to express opinions on this critical bill, as Senators and Representatives in the House would need to sign on to it this spring and summer. This link helps you easily make contact: https://mercyforanimals.org/iaa/
The Industrial A...2023-03-2649 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastBird flu outbreak’s impact on factory farmed birds and wild/free animal species: Mercy for Animals interviewMercy for Animals' Managing Director AJ Albrecht updates us on the state of the Avian Influenza crisis and the tens of millions of factory farmed birds who have been inhumanely killed/suffocated in an attempt to stop the spread (largely at U.S. taxpayer expense); she outlines a joint lawsuit Mercy for Animals filed against the USDA for their inadequate response to this massive outbreak, and she discusses the legal settlement. Additionally, bird flu isn't limited to birds, and it is spreading globally across wild and domesticated animal species, including mammals, but is especially problematic in spreading among the...2023-03-1725 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastEvolving together toward an animal-free food system: Pax Fauna study of appealing to American meat-eatersGuest Eva Hamer discusses a recent study of American attitudes toward using animals for food that suggests how best to strategically frame campaign messages promoting a path to evolving together toward animal freedom and plant-based food systems. We discuss what those new policies might be that Americans can support through collective action to get past this feeling of futility that we as individual consumers experience -- that we can't stop factory farming through individual food choices and thus need to work collectively. Host of In Tune to Nature, Carrie Freeman, interviews Eva Hamer, Operations Lead at the nonprofit think...2023-03-0626 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastThe Smell of Money documentary: Pig Factory Farming & Environmental Racism in North CaroliinaThe stench and pollution of pig factory farms is devastating Black rural neighborhoods, but, despite intimidation, NC residents are fighting back in court against the world's largest pork corporation, as documented in "The Smell of Money" a full-length documentary film winning awards at festivals. Radio host Carrie Freeman interviews the film's writer and producer, Jamie Berger, a native of North Carolina, in this 25 minute podcast recorded in February of 2023. We know these warehoused pigs are suffering, but you'll also learn what is wrong with pig CAFOs (concentrated animal feeding operations) and their manure cesspools, and how unhealthy it is...2023-02-1725 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastWild Souls: Eco Writer Emma Marris on Animal Ethics for Introduced Species in NatureWe take on some tricky ethical dilemmas in how we should treat animals in nature, especially “non-native” species (more respectfully called 'Introduced species'), and when and how we should interfere in the lives of animals in a 'post wild' world, based on her thoughtful and nuanced book “Wild Souls: Freedom & Flourishing in the Non-Human World, by environmental writer Emma Marris https://www.emmamarris.com/. Carrie Freeman, host of "In Tune to Nature," interviews Emma in this 26-minute podcast where we discuss: the idea of abandoning "species purity" and static or colonial notions of who should be in a given ecosyste...2023-02-0625 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastThe Creative Lives of Animals: Dr. Carol Gigliotti on the Culture and Ethics of Fellow Animal SpeciesWe should begin to see multiculturalism as including the creativity and morality found in the cultures of fellow animal species (besides just us humans). In this 27 minute interview, host Carrie Freeman talks with Dr. Carol Gigliotti who shares insights and examples from her book “The Creative Lives of Animals” by NYU Press (2022), from whales to dogs to chimps to birds, mice, and ants. There is a lot to discover if we are willing to recognize the creative ways that other animal species choose to live their lives and solve problems (as whole cultures but also as unique individuals).
Ca...2023-01-0926 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastA Fish’s Perspective on Fishing: With Biologist Dr. Jonathan BalcombeHow are individual fish (as sentient beings) affected by industrial and recreational fishing practices? We find out by talking with the best selling author of “What a Fish Knows: The Inner Lives of our Underwater Cousins.” biologist, Dr. Jonathan Balcombe, who also recently authored a children's book about a boy and a fish "Jake & Ava". In this interview, we discuss crowded fish farms, death by nets and suffocation, pain from barbed hooks, catch (harass) and release, and ways to avoid all of this by respecting fishes and considering their interests (including eating vegan/plant-based fish or avocado and cucumber sush...2022-12-2428 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastClean Energy Future in Georgia: What would it look like and how to get there? Sierra Club GA ChapterWhat would a clean, renewable energy future look like in Georgia? Neil Sardana, Beyond Coal rep from the Georgia Chapter of the Sierra Club provides a hopeful yet feasible vision. For energy independence and less pollution and less greenhouse gas emissions, we know we need to move away from dependence on fossil fuels like coal and gas, but could we be 100% renewable, and what would the new energy mix be in Georgia? How feasible is that clean energy transition and how can we get the political will in a rather conservative state to make these massive infrastructure changes happen...2022-12-1325 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastWhat’s Wrong with Wool? And What Materials are More EcoFriendly? The Shear Destruction report by the Center for Biological DiversityIn time for winter wardrobe & gift-giving, we review the many eco problems with the wool industry and what materials fashion-makers and consumers can support instead (like organic cotton and bamboo). The role of raising, killing, and processing farmed animals, like sheep, for fiber/clothing is often overlooked in environmental discourse (as we tend to just focus on the meat industry). So in this 27-minute podcast for In Tune to Nature, host Carrie Freeman talked with Stephanie Feldstein of The Center for Biological Diversity about their recent report (with the Collective Fashion Justice group) called "Shear Destruction: Wool, Fashion & the...2022-11-0526 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastGA Voter Rights & Access for November Election: Georgia Conservation Voters’ Director Brionte McCorkleIn support of eco-friendly candidates who are climate champions, Georgia Conservation Voters advocates for all citizens in GA to exercise their right to vote, with their "Democracy for All" initiative. In this 28-minute podcast, host Carrie Freeman interviews Brionte McCorkle, Executive Director or Georgia Conservation Voters about issues with voting in Georgia, how to make a plan to vote in this November 2022 election, and how her organization vets Georgia political candidates to decide on whom to endorse each election cycle. You can see their endorsed candidate list along with who is on your own ballot at https://www.gcvoters...2022-10-2327 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastState of the World’s Birds and How to Prevent Further Species Declines: A Birdlife International ReportLead report author Lucy Haskell explains BirdLife International’s State of the World’s Birds 2022 report (it comes out every 4 years), finding that nearly half of the world’s bird species are in decline, painting the most concerning picture yet for the natural world, But it also identifies all the many human-caused drivers of species loss and the critical solutions we desperately need to save nature if we can urgently garner the political will and financial commitment from decision-makers to implement these solutions at scale and pace. This depends on which politicians we elect into office in the next decade...2022-10-0526 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastAgroEcological & Veganic Farming as a Path to Regenerative Food Systems with Eugene CookeFood justice activist and veganic farmer Eugene Cooke shares an aspirational vision for why he practices agro-ecology in urban ag at Grow Where You Are farms around Atlanta and how this can be scaled up for widespread regenerative agricultural practices that the U.S. needs to stay viable and sustainable to feed our human population and nurture our soil naturally not chemically. In this 25-minute podcast (from Sept 2022), Eugene shares his unconventional roots from artist to farmer and what it's like to share his biodiverse Atlanta veganic crop farms with wildlife (not domesticating or farming any animals) and how...2022-09-2125 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastWorking in Cooperation (rather than Competition) with Nature: Interview with ”Sweet in Tooth & Claw” award-winning authorAn interview with Kristin Ohlson, author of "Sweet in Tooth & Claw," showcasing examples of how nature (including we human animals) thrive on cooperation and mutual aid between species, rather than focusing on the competitive or violent elements in nature that prompt us to try to tame and control species (and douse them with chemicals). The book “Sweet in Tooth and Claw: Stories of Generosity and Cooperation in the Natural World” shows how when we look deeper and embrace the complex interdependent communities all over our planet, we can all reap mutual rewards, much more so than when we see ourse...2022-09-0923 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastCoyote Killing Contests: Transcending urban rural differences in debates over bans, with Dr. Debra MerskinCommunication Professor Dr. Debra Merskin discusses her study of arguments for and against a ban on Oregon's coyote killing contests, including her recommendations for animal advocates to use approaches that are more likely to resonate with the rural residents arguing to keep the killing contests (although, other rural residents and some hunters also believe these killing contests should be banned). This 27-minute interview, hosted by Carrie Freeman for "In Tune to Nature," from August 2022, is broad enough to be applicable to any state's efforts to ban wildlife killing contests in considering various people's worldviews on animals, government, and independence. Y...2022-08-0926 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastSaving the Georgia Coast: Paul Bolster Tells a Political Success Story for Wilderness ProtectionFrom Cumberland Island up through Tybee Island, the Coastal Marshlands Protection Act of 1970 is the reason the Georgia coast is largely a protected natural marshland and not a polluted, exploited, and/or commercialized tourist trap. Historian & former GA congressperson Dr. Paul Bolster discusses the political lessons of getting this marshland protection act passed, as explored in his award-winning new book: “Saving the Georgia Coast: A political history of the coastal marshlands protection act" (UGA Press). In this 26-minute interview with host Carrie Freeman, Dr. Bolster also discusses issues affecting the Georgia coast today and how the political lessons of th...2022-07-2725 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastMisuse of Land for Cattle Grazing: Transitioning to Sustainable Ag to Feed a Growing PopulationThe large proportion of agricultural land (the majority) allocated for grazing of farmed animals doesn't equate to a large amount of nutrients/calories produced and is thus a misuse of land that could be re-wilded or used to grow nutrient dense crops. Host Carrie Freeman interviews Dr. Jennifer Molidor, Senior Food Campaigner at the Center for Biological Diversity to discuss how we can move toward more sustainable agriculture that allows for less grazing and feed crops, and more precious space designated to wildlife thriving and forests regenerating. This more efficient and smart use of land for organic plant based...2022-07-0225 min
In Tune to Nature Podcast”Eating animals is biting us back”: News Coverage of Pandemic Prevention to Reduce Future Zoonotic DiseasesIs the news helping us prevent future zoonotic disease pandemics by facilitating needed policy changes in animal and eco protection (namely the wildlife trade/hunting and agribusiness)? In Tune to Nature radio host and researcher Dr. Carrie Freeman, a professor of communication, shares her recent study in this 31-minute podcast analyzing the pandemic prevention solutions covered in the last 2.5 years of global news coverage of zoonotic disease and its relationship to meat (from wild animals hunted or domesticated animals farmed). She discusses findings and interesting quotes from the news stories and her recommendations of how the news media could...2022-06-2331 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastAnimal Farming Whistleblower Vet Dr. Alice Brough on Pandemic Prevention and ”The End of Medicine” as we know itThis 25-minute interview features the whistleblower from The End of Medicine documentary (on Apple TV and itunes), former pig farm industry veterinarian Dr. Alice Brough in the UK who shares why she quit trying to reform animal ag from within, given its immense systemic problems with animal welfare, public health and antibiotic resistance, environmental racism, and environmental pollution and destruction. As a vegan, she now advocates for animal rights, human rights and public health, and environmentalism, and is pressuring the UK government to make policy changes to prevent future pandemics and continued antimicrobial resistance caused by animal agribusiness practices. h...2022-06-0625 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastPreventing Pandemics & Mistreatment of Animals via the Convention on Animal Protection, a global treaty (interview with Dr. Raj Reddy)Law professor Dr. Raj Reddy explains an important new global treaty for animal welfare and pandemic prevention called “Convention on Animal Protection” found at https://www.conventiononanimalprotection.org/ This is a first draft of a treaty prepared by Lawyers for the Convention on Animal Protection, following the passage of a resolution on animal protection by the American Bar Association House of Delegates in February 2021 which “urges all nations to negotiate an international convention for the protection of animals that establishes standards for the proper care and treatment of all animals to protect public health, the environment, and animal well-being.”
In th...2022-05-1026 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastBird Flu outbreak mass killing methods in industrial farms: An interview with Farm Sanctuary’s animal welfare expertA highly pathogenic bird flu is causing the premature deaths of millions of birds in 2022, including wild birds but especially domesticated birds on industrial egg farms, since U.S. factory farms are conducting horrific mass killings of tens of millions of birds exposed to the virus. Unlike most news stories that focus on avian influenza from a human economic or agricultural perspective, we are going to talk about it from the perspective of those who are most affected and are suffering painful deaths – the birds themselves – and we will talk about the three main ways these grotesque mass killings are...2022-04-2827 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastWild Animal Trapping Investigation by Born Free USA: Dr. Liz Tyson Exposes Cruel Reality and Calls for a BanWe discuss an undercover investigation (in Iowa) of the wild animal trapping industry in the U.S., conducted by Born Free USA and the Humane Society of the U.S., where the investigator witnessed how animals are beaten to death, if not dead already, when found suffering in leghold traps or snares (with callous disregard and even joking), along with the role that government agencies like the DNR play in protecting (poorly regulating) this cruel and unnecessary practice (much of which is to steal and sell their fur). In Tune to Nature host Carrie Freeman interviews Dr. Liz Tyson...2022-04-1223 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastWomen’s Earth & Climate Action Network: An interview with founder Osprey Orielle LakeWomen, especially women of color, are highly impacted by the climate crisis and the fossil fuel industry and also are leaders (and increasingly should be) in promoting a clean energy transition and healthy communities. Osprey Orielle Lake discusses the nonprofit she founded and directs -- WECAN -- Women's Earth & Climate Action Network International in this 25-minute podcast recorded in March 2022 (for Women's Herstory Month) for "In Tune to Nature" radio show, with host Carrie Freeman. https://www.wecaninternational.org/
In addition to answering questions about 'why focus on women?' and 'what is your vision for climate s...2022-03-2124 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastCattle Grazing on Public Lands: We all Pay as Ecosystems & Wildlife SufferChris Bugbee, SW Conservation Advocate of the Center for Biological Diversity, discusses the ecological problems with cheap permits allowing cattle grazing across so many millions of acres of public lands in the U.S. West -- the largest commercial use of public lands. This is especially damaging in riparian zones along rivers, reducing biodiversity and threatening the other animals and plants who live there. We discuss how government land management agencies are not fulfilling a responsibility to serve public and conservation interests as long as they continue catering to ranchers' economic interests (equating to a long-time taxpayer subsidy of...2022-02-1323 min
In Tune to Nature Podcast”Like an Animal” Dehumanization & Speciesism in Immigration Discourse: Interview with Dr. Natalie KhazaalThis provocative discussion on Dr. Khazaal's book "Like an Animal" explores the intersection of immigration, discrimination, the problematic human/animal divide, and speciesism, within the context of advancing a mutual concern for human rights and nonhuman animal rights. In this 27-minute podcast, "In Tune to Nature" host Carrie Freeman interviews Dr. Natalie Khazaal, Assistant Professor in the School of Modern Languages at Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), discussing the book she co-edited with Spanish scholar Nuria Almiron, called “Like an Animal: Critical Animal Studies Perspectives on Borders, Displacement, and Othering” (Brill 2021).
“In Tune to Nature" broadcasts every...2022-01-2227 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastHumanity‘s Quest for Immortality Triggering Denial of Animality: An Interview with Dr. Lori MarinoBased on humanity's subconscious anxiety at admitting we are mortal animals, we seek immortality through a denial of death and our animality. Dr. Lori Marino discusses this topic in her research paper with Michael Mountain on terror management theory explaining studies showing that human recognition of our animality and our mortality (as fellow vulnerable creatures) makes us prone to creating out-groups and discriminating against them, particularly nonhuman animals (as a survival mechanism of sorts). Host Carrie Freeman discusses with Dr. Marino the implications these research findings have for how we should proceed in protecting animals from this discriminatory bias c...2021-12-1526 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastForecasting nightly bird migrations to go Lights Out to save lives: Julia Wang of BirdcastDid you know that birds tend to migrate at night, and light pollution from our homes and buildings can mess up their navigation and cause deadly collisions? Birdcast.info is a website and a research/outreach project that has maps that forecast bird migrations across North America, which are especially prevalent in spring and fall. In this 25-minute interview, host Carrie Freeman talks with Project Leader Julia Wang of Birdcast as she explains how we can reduce light pollution across our cities to save the lives of birds, reducing their needless suffering and species loss. Let's go lights out...2021-11-1524 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastWildlife Corridors Connecting Yellowstone USA to Yukon Canada: Y2Y with Hannah RaskerNorth America’s animals can’t be restricted to living within park boundaries and must migrate freely. The vision of Y2Y is an interconnected system of wild lands and waters stretching 2,000 miles from Yellowstone National Park in Montana to the Yukon region near Alaska in Northern British Columbia, Canada. The nonprofit’s U.S. Program and Adaptive Management Coordinator, Hannah Rasker, explains how the Yellowstone to Yukon Conservation Initiative (Y2Y) works with a network of partners, collaboratively, to knit this landscape together from one jurisdiction to the next. Their website is https://y2y.net/
In this...2021-10-1023 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastAn ecofeminist take on interspecies justice and animal law with rhetoric scholar Dr. Marek MullerWe talk about interspecies justice, animal rights, personhood, and earth jurisprudence from a legal and ecofeminist perspective, putting animal rights in context of intersectional social justice activism, with guest Dr. S. Marek Muller, Associate Professor of Rhetoric at Florida Atlantic Univ and author of the book “Impersonating Animals: Rhetoric, Ecofeminism, and Animal Rights Law” (Michigan State Univ Press). She ends by describing how a critical vegan rhetoric can be a transformative and inclusive communicative perspective to advance interspecies justice (for all of us).
This 33-minute podcast was recorded in Sept 2021 and is hosted by Carrie Freeman, for the...2021-09-2833 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastWe are Human and So Much More: An Interview with ”Four Fifths a Grizzly” Author Doug ChadwickWildlife biologist and journalist Doug Chadwick talks with host Carrie Freeman about his latest conservation book “Four Fifths a Grizzly: A New Perspective on Nature that Just might Save us All" promoting the genealogical kinship we have with fellow animals and even plants and microbes. This beautiful book (part photo book, part nonfiction natural science book, part biographical storytelling book) helps us gain a perspective as part of the animal kingdom and natural world in the hopes we might work harder to save animals and their habitats from extinction. "Four Fifths a Grizzly" shares positive examples such as the Ye...2021-09-1827 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastAnimal Photojournalism -- Telling Stories of Captive Animals: Jo-Anne McArthur of We Animals MediaAward-winning animal photojournalism pioneer Jo-Anne McArthur of We Animals Media tells us about the growing field of courageous animal photojournalists worldwide who visually tell the stories of nonhuman animals, by specializing in animal protection issues and undercover investigations of captive animals -- like in farms, zoos, aquariums, markets, and labs. You can see and use some of these compelling images on the We Animals stock photo archive https://stock.weanimalsmedia.org/
We Animals Media is a nonprofit open to donations. https://weanimalsmedia.org/ They have books and a master class for those interested in the field of ani...2021-08-2926 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastMeat Industry PR Climate Greenwashing: An Investigative Report by Caroline ChristenAn investigation by the DeSmog Blog team & journalist Caroline Christen explains how giant meat companies "climate-wash" -- misinform the public and politicians to avoid being held accountable for their large contributions to the climate crisis. Caroline outlines misleading tactics from the meat industry playbook meant to delay a needed shift away from animal-based foods. In this 25-minute interview, Carrie Freeman (host of "In Tune to Nature") interviews journalist Caroline Christen, author of "Investigation: How the Meat Industry is Climate-Washing its Polluting Business Model"
Photo credit: Cows outside of a JBS slaughterhouse in Texas. By Jonathan Tilove / American-Statesman2021-08-1825 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastA Boy's Fight to Free Two Bears from Zoo Captivity: Justin Barker Describes his Teen Activism in Bear BoyAuthor and animal activist Justin Barker shares his inspiring, true, coming-of-age, queer teen heroism story in "Bear Boy" (www.bearboy.org) of liberating Ursula and Brutus, two black bears languishing in a cage at a zoo in California in the 1990s. Through commitment and perseverance, he investigated and documented their conditions, garnered media attention, raised rescue funds across the nation, and held public officials accountable, to ultimately get this brother and sister bear pair moved to a sanctuary to spend their remaining years getting the help and care they needed and deserved.
In this 24-minute "In Tune...2021-07-2223 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastChemicals To Ban to Prevent Parkinson's Disease (TCE, Paraquat, and Chlorpyrifos)The authors of the book Ending Parkinson's Disease have a campaign at www.endingpd.org to get the U.S. to ban chemicals (like the de-greaser TCE) linked to the rising rates of Parkinson's Disease in US. These doctors are asking us to write the head of the EPA and President Biden to ask them to specifically ban Trichloroethylene (TCE), Paraquat (an agricultural chemical), and Chlorpyrifos, as well as ask for a needed increase in Parkinson's research funding, since rates of the disease keep rising (and these dangerous toxins persist in the air, water, and soil). Will we do...2021-07-1529 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastNatural History & Conservation of Rabbit Species: Interview with author Mark Hawthorne "The Way of the Rabbit"Bunnies span the globe and may be in our yards or on our laps (and hopefully not on our plates). Author Mark Hawthorne explores the natural and cultural history of rabbits (a favorite animal companion of his) and ways to support them. In Tune to Nature host Carrie Freeman interviews Mark, a long time animal advocate and author, in this 25 minute podcast about his new book "The Way of the Rabbit" (2021, Changemakers Books). His website is www.markhawthorne.com
The "In Tune to Nature" radio show airs each Wednesday at 6:30pm EST on wrfg.org and 89.3FM-Atlanta r...2021-06-2825 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastSuper Fly: Flies as Pollinators & Recyclers with author & biologist Dr. Jonathan BalcombeIn this interview, biologist and animal advocate Dr. Balcombe helps us appreciate an ecologically beneficial group of animals who are buzzing all around us but whom we mostly ignore, malign, or swat away -- flies -- the topic of his new book “Superfly: The Unexpected Lives of the World’s Most Successful Insects" (Penguin Press, 2021). For this "In Tune to Nature" show, host Carrie Freeman asks Dr. Balcombe to focus on the vital role of flies as pollinators of flowers and food crops (including chocolate!), and as waste disposers, composters, and recyclers (they literally clean up everyone's sh*t) so t...2021-06-2125 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastWildlife as Property Owners: Legal Scholar Karen Bradshaw Proposes a New Conception of Animal RightsLaw Professor Karen Bradshaw (Arizona State U) discusses the innovative biodiversity solution from her book "Wildlife as Property Owners: A New Conception of Animal Rights" (Univ of Chicago Press, 2020). www.wildlifeaspropertyowners.com This challenges the current system where only certain humans or nations are owners of the entire world. As part of the In Tune to Nature radio show, host Carrie Freeman questions Professor Bradshaw about why animals in nature need to (deserve to) be owners of the property they inhabit, how that would work within our legal system, how this is influenced by postcolonial scholarship, and some examples o...2021-06-0724 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastHow Biden Declaring Extinction a National Emergency Could Save Life on Earth: A Campaign of the Ctr for Biological DiversityIn this interview, scientist and Saving Life on Earth campaign director Tierra Curry explains plans that the Ctr for Biological Diversity outlined for U.S. governmental protection of lands and waters (30% by 2030 and 50% by 2050) if Pres. Biden declares global extinction a National Emergency and dedicates $100 billion toward protection efforts (including establishing new parks/reserves, combatting introduced species and illegal wildlife trading, strengthening the Endangered Species Act and who is protected, establishing wildlife corridors, protecting corals and tropical bird habitats worldwide, and avoiding routine practices that disturb and destroy plant and animal species on public lands). See the report and...2021-04-2324 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastNo animal should be called "it": AP journalism guidelines discussion with media experts Deb Merskin & Ana BradleyMedia Professor Dr. Debra Merskin and Sentient Media Executive Director Ana Bradley discuss a campaign (started by In Defense of Animals and supported by Jane Goodall and others) to encourage the Associated Press to update its journalism style guidelines to use pronouns like "they," "she," "he," or "he or she" to describe an individual animal, rather than calling him or her "it" (a word only fitting for an inanimate object). In this 26-minute podcast, we discuss the impact of media messages about fellow animals on our treatment of them and ways we can encourage the media to do better...2021-04-1326 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastBig Banks Fund Big Ag Despite Links to Deforestation & Climate Emissions: Georgina Gustin reportsEnvironmental Journalist Georgina Gustin of Inside Climate News discusses the findings of her March 2021 article "Big Banks Make a Dangerous Bet on the World’s Growing Demand for Food" with the subtitle "While banks and asset managers are promising to divest from fossil fuels, they are expanding investments in high-carbon foods and commodities tied to deforestation." (such as animal meat, cow's milk, and palm oil). This 25-minute interview by host Carrie Freeman for In Tune to Nature radio show (March 24, 2021), explores how increasing financial investments in the ag sector are a "catastrophic blindspot" when it comes to calls for ca...2021-03-1925 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastSolutions to Food System Drivers of Biodiversity Loss: Dr. Helen Harwatt of Chatham HouseThis 26-minute interview features Dr. Helen Harwatt, one of the researchers of the 2021 report "Food System Impacts on Biodiversity Loss" by Chatham House, a research and policy institute in the UK. We explore what aspects of global agriculture and dietary practices, namely animal ag, are causing species extinctions at such high rates and discuss the three solutions/levers the report proposes: 1) shifting toward plant-based diets, 2) preserving existing habitats and rewilding some farmland, and 3) enacting sustainable farming practices -- all of which need to happen together, hinging on the reduction of animal ag (consumers demanding less animal meat and dairy...2021-03-1326 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastRacism as Zoological Witchcraft: Aph Ko on Multidimensional LiberationAuthor and activist Aph Ko explains her novel and insightful ideas on race and animality to foster multidimensional liberation for all human races and animal species, based on her book Racism as Zoological Witchcraft: A Guide to Getting Out (Lantern Press: 2019) (Jordan Peele's movie Get Out is an inspiration here). In this 26-minute "In Tune to Nature" Podcast, host Carrie Freeman asks Aph to explain concepts from the book, such as how racism is a form of "zoological witchcraft" where "white supremacy uses both minoritized bodies and animality to communicate and reinscribe a mythical fantasy of racial superiority" (p. 99...2021-02-0526 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastAnimals as Legal Beings Rather than Persons or Objects: With Law Prof. Maneesha DeckhaLegal scholar Maneesha Deckha explains her novel category of "beingness" to raise the legal status of animals, in her new book "Animals as Legal Beings: Contesting Anthropocentric Legal Orders" (Univ of Toronto Press, 2021). In this 25-minute interview on In Tune to Nature, hosted by Carrie Freeman, Professor Deckha (Univ of Victoria, BC, Canada) explains how feminism, postcolonialism, and critical animal studies informs her less exclusionary and more universal notion of a legal "being" as opposed to some ideal and limiting legal notion of an independent, rational "person."
"In Tune to Nature" airs on Radio Free Georgia's 89.3FM-Atlanta...2021-01-2125 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastThe Animals Manifesto for Preventing Pandemics: Building Forward with One Health One Welfare PrinciplesThis 25-minute podcast explains the 2021 Animals' Manifesto to prevent pandemics, signed by over 150 eco & animal protection NGOs to influence international policy-making in support of One Health & One Welfare holistic approaches to considering the mutual welfare interests of humans and other species. "In Tune to Nature" radio host Carrie Freeman interviewed Jessica Bridgers of World Animal Net in early January 2021 to explain the manifesto's origins from the covid crisis, its signatories, its purpose, and its policy recommendations to transform animal farming, animal based food consumption, the wildlife trade, testing on animals for vaccines, and welfare implications for domesticated animals.
2021-01-1125 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastCultivating a Human Animal Earthling Identity to Build Alliances Between Social CausesIn this 50-minute interview with author Dr. Carrie Freeman, fellow activist and host Melody Paris discusses the ideas within Carrie's newest book The Human Animal Earthling Identity: Shared Values Unifying Human Rights, Animal Rights, and Environmental Movements (2020, UGA Press), such as:
why identity and values matter to social change,
how animal rights can be a bridge between human and nonhuman protection,
common opponents and root causes of social and ecological problems,
how empathy, respect, and coexistence relate,
how social movement organizations can better serve as allies for other causes, and
values that befit the Human Animal Earthling identity...2020-12-2251 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastInvestigating Wild Animal Welfare: Michelle Graham of Wild Animal InitiativeIn this 25-minute podcast, the Exec. Dir. of Wild Animal Initiative explains their unique research mission to understand and improve the lives of wild animals as sentient individuals not just 'populations'. Animal welfare does not have to be limited to domesticated animals; Wild Animal Initiative hopes to facilitate "research and applied projects that will open the door to a clearer picture of wild animals’ needs and how to enhance their well-being. Ultimately, Wild Animal Initiative envisions a world in which people actively choose to help wild animals — and have the knowledge they need to do so responsibly." Their website is ww...2020-12-0425 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastHoliday Wellness Gift Giving: Green, Vegan, & Natural Gift Ideas to Support HealthHost Carrie Freeman provides ideas for green, vegan, natural, & affordable holiday gifts to support health and wellness during this pandemic. This 25 minute "In Tune to Nature" podcast was also broadcast on 89.3FM Atlanta on Radio Free Georgia, Nov. 25th 2020.
She shares her nutrient dense smoothie seed mix, and recommends micro-green and herbal tea growing gifts, specific whole foods plant based diet cookbooks like Eat to Live, Forks Over Knives, How Not to Die, Plant Strong, Plant Pure Nation, and Oh She Glows, or magazines like Veg News, nutmilk makers, and natural and cruelty-free skincare and household cleaners (f...2020-11-2225 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastRecycling and Replacing Plastics: Ctr for Hard to Recycle Materials in AtlantaPeggy Whitlow Ratcliffe, Exec Dir & Founder of Live Thrive Atlanta explains today's plastic recycling market and what can be recycled at the Atlanta CHARM facility (Center for Hard to Recycle Materials) and what happens to plastics when they leave the center (some gets recycled into carpeting and foam insulation). With "In Tune to Nature" radio host Carrie Freeman, Peggy discusses how and why manufacturers and governments should facilitate replacement materials that are biodegradable and don't end up polluting the oceans for hundreds of years, killing wildlife, or filling up landfills permanently. We consumers are overloaded with plastics (some of...2020-11-0724 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastWWF Recipe for a PLANET-Based Diet to Curb Extinction: With Dr. Melissa HoWWF's Living Planet Report 2020 indicates agriculture and food are key drivers of continued species decline, so they developed a plan to shift humanity toward a restorative PLANET-based diet and food system. "In Tune to Nature" radio host Carrie Freeman interviews Dr. Melissa Ho, Sr. VP of Freshwater and Food at the World Wildlife Fund to discuss these environmental impacts and the WWF recipe for change at the individual level and systems level (ex: regenerative farming and government policies on ag and nutrition that also take environmental impacts into account, for a more comprehensive account of human health). (25 minute podcast)2020-10-2324 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastProtecting Scientific Integrity from Federal Politics: Dr. Jacob Carter with the Union of Concerned ScientistsThe Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS) and Biologist Dr. Jacob Carter recently published detailed recommendations to protect federal employees who work with scientific data to drive decision-making, to ensure that partisan politics or a culture of fear over losing jobs doesn't hinder them from independently serving the public interest in protecting the health of humans and the environment. The path to shore up scientific integrity in U.S. Federal Government Agencies is outlined in the UCS 2020 report: "Roadmap to Science in Decision-Making" and is discussed in this 25 minute podcast by UCS biologist Dr. Jacob Carter with host Carrie Freeman...2020-10-0724 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastVoting in GA 2020 Election: Interview with Brionte McCorkle with GA Conservation VotersIn prep for the Nov 3, 2020 election (GA has 2 U.S. Senate Seats on the ballot), we review early voting options in Georgia, such as how to request a mail-in (absentee) ballot (ideally no later than October 1st); or to find early voting polling locations in your county from Oct 12 - 28th (and what counts as valid ID). This Georgia My Voter page helps you check your registration status (Oct 5th is registration deadline) and find early voting locations Another good resource is GoVoteGA.org (for volunteering and for help with voting).
Brionte McCorkle, Exec Director of Georgia Con...2020-09-2024 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastProtecting National Wildlife Refuges from Mining & Drilling: Interview with George Nickas of Wilderness WatchThe Okefenokee Natl Wildlife Refuge wetland in Georgia is fending off a potential titanium mine and the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge in Alaska continues to be threatened by oil and gas drilling disrupting caribou and bird nurseries. George Nickas, Exec. Dir. of Wilderness Watch, explains the unified efforts of environmental organizations and citizen groups working to defend these precious natural wilderness areas from damaging industrial extractions that fail to provide a "refuge" for wildlife. This 25-minute interview, by host Carrie Freeman of In Tune to Nature, aired on Sept 9, 2020.
In Tune to Nature airs live Wednesdays from 6:30...2020-09-0324 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastMedia Representation of Veganism and Farmed Animals: An Interview with Gene Baur of Farm SanctuaryGene Baur, author and President of Farm Sanctuary, discusses insights on journalistic coverage of farmed animals, vegans, and veganism, as well as the animal agribusiness industry's advertising and marketing tactics. Gene and interviewer Carrie Freeman (radio host, media professor, and coauthor of AnimalsandMedia.org guidelines) also discuss respectful language to use to describe fellow animals. 27 minute podcast. Recorded in November 2019. USA.
www.farmsanctuary.org www.animalsandmedia.org
In Tune to Nature airs live Wednesdays from 6:30-7pm EST on radio station 89.3FM-Atlanta and worldwide on wrfg.org (Radio Free Georgia, non-commercial independent radio). The show's website is w...2020-08-2925 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastHow & Why to Respect Fish: A new campaign from In Defense of Animals"The planet's most abused animals can't run or scream" --they are the trillions of individual fishes we hook, suffocate, farm, eat, experiment on, or breed and keep in captivity in tanks. In Defense of Animals is championing the cause of these misunderstood aquatic beings at Respectforfish.org August 1st 2020 was the first "Respect for Fish Day" supported by a large coalition of groups. Fleur Dawes of In Defense of Animals discusses why and how to show respect for fish (especially focusing on experimentation and the pet trade), in this 26-minute podcast with host Carrie Freeman of In Tune to N...2020-08-1026 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastAnimal Activism in the time of Covid and Black Lives MatterIn this unique time, Atlanta animal activists Christopher Eubanks (Atlanta Save Movement) (shown in photo), and Melody Paris (Georgia Animal Rights & Protection) and Carrie Freeman (PEACE Club at GSU) discuss animal rights and vegan activism strategies for this pandemic era, related to what messages we should use to connect zoonotic diseases like Covid-19 to the meat trade and animal exploitation, and how we can still be effective activists in the shadow of Covid while "social distancing." The latter half of the show covers how animal activists can sincerely support the Black Lives Matter movement to continue its momentum toward...2020-08-0745 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastRacism & Injustice in Agribusiness: Interview with Food Empowerment Project Founder lauren OrnelasFood justice activist lauren Ornelas explains how to combat environmental racism and other human rights violations in factory farms, slaughterhouses, and plant-crop farm systems that often mistreat and exploit farm workers, many of them immigrants and people of color. Ornelas founded and runs the Food Empowerment Project. Their website www.foodispower.org outlines so many food injustice issues facing humans as well as farmed animals and how consumers can help agricultural workers (including advocating for a living wage and fighting slave labor conditions) and eat ethically (including vegan foods, fair trade, organic, and local). This 22 minute interview was conducted in...2020-07-1721 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastEnd U.S. Trophy Hunting: Why & How. An Interview with Born Free USA's Angela GrimesAngela Grimes of Born Free USA dispels the myths that American trophy hunters use to justify so much unnecessary killing of wild animals (even endangered species). She explains how trophy hunting is not only cruel but harmful to the ecosystems and the family/community of that individual animal killed. And most of the money earned does not go to local communities, who would benefit more economically from ecotourism that values the long lives (not the deaths) of these charismatic larger species like bears, lions, tigers, crocodiles, elephants, buffalo, rhino, hippos, zebra, giraffes, and others who are slaughtered for sport...2020-07-0222 min
In Tune to Nature PodcastCreating Environmental Justice: An Interview with Georgia Conservation Voters director Brionte McCorkleBrionte McCorkle discusses the connection between racial injustice (disproportionately harming people of color from the pandemic and from police violence) and environmental degradation --- where the many issues overlap in a call for environmental justice. At Georgia Conservation Voters, a chapter of the League of Conservation Voters, they are working toward creating a more diverse and inclusive environmental movement and electorate to elect and hold accountable political leaders who will be responsive to the needs and interests of all Georgia voters in having clean energy, clean air, clean water, mass transit, a stable climate, and an overall healthier living...2020-06-0924 min