Drama, mayhem, extremes

Sometimes, he screams into his pillow.That’s my lead to this column, and I’m sticking to it because I want to draw you into this podcast, even though it’s about a topic many of us seem reluctant to confront: climate change.Oh, those two words can be so politically charged that they’ve led to death threats against our Monday Potluck guest.In fact, Chris left KCCI-TV in Des Moines after being told to tone down his language about climate change—an admonishment he did not take kindly to, which contributed to his decision to leave the market.Political consultants advise clients to avoid discussing it. Legacy media gives it far less attention than it deserves, considering its profound impact on humankind.The term "climate change" is so evocative that broadcasters often resort to euphemisms like "climate variability," "environmental changes," or "changing weather patterns."Here at Potluck Central, we book guests who are compelling, even when their topics aren’t universally popular. Unlike traditional business models that depend on advertising dollars and viewership numbers, we want to introduce you to remarkable voices like Chris, whose column is part of our Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. If you haven’t read Weathering Climate Change yet, I highly recommend it. And if it’s within your means, please consider supporting Chris’s extraordinary reporting by becoming a paid subscriber.When asked how he copes with the emotional toll of living in a time when the world seems slow to acknowledge its responsibility for rising and warming sea levels, he admits to sometimes screaming into his pillow.In this podcast, we discuss his journey as a meteorologist, his transition from television to independent work, and his unwavering dedication to addressing climate change.In response to readers asking for actionable steps individuals can take, Chris penned this insightful column the very next day:Seize These Climate Tax Breaks Before They’re Gone.Monday Zoom Call You Won’t Want to Hear EitherOh, and if you don’t want to think about climate change, I guarantee you won’t want to be a part of our conversation this coming Monday, when Joe Stevens, founder of JOPA, talk about homeless individuals and families. Joe founded this nonprofit organization to help those who do not have shelter to access resources. Our Zoom link for Monday with Joe Stevens:Here’s a video from a local ABC 5 interview with JOPPA’s founder: Editor’s note: I hope you agree, these stories are vital to report. Please consider reading and subscribing to the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative where you can find commentary from over 50 professional writers who have ties to this state. Julie Last minute gift idea? We have several authors who are members of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative. Why not give books by Robert Leonard, Beth Hoffman, Wini Moranville, Fern Kupfer and Joe Geha, Darcy Maulsby, Kali White VanBaale ,Chris Jones, Nicole Baart, Larry Stone, Art Cullen, Rekha Basu, Dave Price, and Mary Swander. And, find several interesting authors, including Leonard and Jones, on Ice Cube Press, LLC, through Steve Semken. Or pick them up at our favorite local bookstore, Beaverdale Books. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit okobojiwriters.substack.com/subscribe