PODCAST · society
Earthbound
by Thomas Schueneman
A podcast helping people like you who feel anxious about climate change challenge the narratives that fuel overwhelm and reconnect you with the natural world to help you stay grounded in what you’re protecting rather than consumed by what’s being lost.Earthbound is about what it means to be human on a warming planet. Host Thomas Schueneman, a climate writer, global freelance journalist, and audio producer, talks with scientists, philosophers, activists, artists, Indigenous leaders, policy experts, and everyday people about how a changing Earth is reshaping our lives—and how our choices, values, and imaginations are reshaping the planet in return.From climate politics and planetary health to environmental justice, mental well‑being, psychology, and philosophy, the show explores the quiet work of repairing our relationship with nature and each other. Earthbound offers clear‑eyed, human‑centered stories from the Anthropocene.
Episodes
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Fair Trade, Farmers, and the True Cost of Food: A Conversation with Brenda Huerta
Who pays when the price on the shelf doesn't cover the cost of growing the food? Brenda Huerta, Senior Advisor for Climate and Environment at Fairtrade International, joins Earthbound to talk about what a label on a banana can promise, what it can never promise, and why the farmers who…
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Mutually Assured Distraction: Why Worry About Climate Change When AI Will Get Us First?
In the 1960s, schoolchildren practiced for the end of the world by hiding under their desks. Sixty years later, the desks are virtual, and the apocalypse has company. In this solo episode, host Thomas Schueneman reads a short essay from Thinking Out Loud, his column in the Global Warming Is Real...
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The Human Idea: Earth's Newest Ecosystem - A Conversation with Anne Riley
What if human thought isn’t separate from nature, but Earth’s newest ecosystem? Anne Riley spent more than 30 years in accounting, high tech, and banking before walking away from a system built on one goal: maximize profit at all costs. Her book, The Human Idea: Earth’s Newest Ecosystem, starts...
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Maya Lilly: Lifting the Veil - Storytelling as a Catalyst for Change
Maya Lilly builds documentaries around one question: what makes a story move somebody to act? She trained at Juilliard, ran an environmental club there called the Juilliard Greens, then took an environmental studies degree and moved to Hollywood on purpose. The plan was to learn what the industry...
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The Ocean Is Confused: Connecting with Our Ocean for a Better Tomorrow
The harbor master in Monterey once told me the ocean is confused. Scientists have a name for part of it: shifting baseline syndrome, where each generation inherits a diminished ocean and calls it normal. The loss happens underwater, unwitnessed. Andrew Lewin has built a career on making it…
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Somebody Should Do Something | Individual Action vs. Systemic Change
Bridging the Gap and Finding Agency in a Complex World What can one person actually do about problems as vast as climate change, racism, or inequality? For most of us, the honest answer feels like: not much. That sense of powerlessness is exactly what philosophers Michael Brownstein and Alex…
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Breaking the Chains: The Lust for Power vs. the Light of Energy
More Than Enough Light What is more addictive than fentanyl, cocaine, or heroin? Evan Jaqua’s answer is power. And once people have it, they will do almost anything to keep it. This is a solo episode, a short essay built around the ideas of Evan Jaqua and the Solutions Party, the political reform...
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The Psychology Behind Our Rage: Understanding Outrage Overload
Your Brain is the Algorithm A conversation with David Beckemeyer We are a storytelling species. Long before we had data, we had narrative. But in a media environment engineered to trigger our most primitive threat responses, even the most compelling story struggles to find its audience. The...
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Diana Colleen: They Could Be Saviors | Curing Billionaire-ism
What if the problem isn’t that the people with the most power don’t care? What if it’s that they’ve lost the capacity to? That’s the question at the center of Diana Colleen’s debut novel, They Could Be Saviors. A group of the world’s wealthiest men is kidnapped and brought to a facility where...
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From Dystopia to Liberation: Lee Schneider's Utopia Engine Trilogy
Novelist Lee Schneider completes the Utopia Engine Trilogy with a story of climate collapse, AI dominance, and the stubborn possibility of liberation. What if the Earth pushed back? That’s the question at the heart of Liberation, the final book in Lee Schneider’s Utopia Engine Trilogy. Schneider…
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Bridget Lyons | Entwined: Dispatches From the Intersection of Species
A Shift in Perception What if the climate crisis isn’t just about what we’re doing to the planet, but how we see it? What if it is our flawed perception of the world and our place within it that separates us from nature and drives our destructive actions? In this contemplative conversation…
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Peter Solomon: 100 Years to Extinction
Do We Need to Colonize Mars to Survive? A Book Review of Dr. Peter Solomon's 100 Years to Extinction In 2017, Stephen Hawking warned that humanity had just 100 years to move beyond Earth or face extinction. That bold prediction frames my Earthbound podcast conversation with Dr. Peter Solomon,...
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The Climate of Our Moral Character | Energy, Capital, and Human Well-Being
Climate, Energy, Morality, and How We Thrive as a Species on a Finite Planet We tell ourselves stories to help us cope with existence, but too often we bend our stories to fit a misguided, destructive, and utterly unsustainable worldview. In this revised audio version of a 2019 article I…
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Climate and Peace | Lessons of Minneapolis
This bonus episode features a short reading from my Thinking Out Loud section of my newsletter. Is empathy a strength or a weakness? How do we respond to forces that hide behind masks and seek to coerce, intimidate, and terrorize? In the midst of the chaos, how do we make sense of living in a...
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Bill McKibben: Here Comes the Sun and How Renewables Can Power the Future
What if the sun, the same star that’s powered life on Earth for billions of years, could finally free us from the fossil fuel stranglehold that’s choking our future? That’s the question at the heart of this episode’s conversation with legendary climate activist and author Bill McKibben. In his...
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Katherine Lacefield: From Purity to Pragmatism
In a world of either-or thinking, where you’re expected to choose between hugging trees or hugging flags, Katherine Lacefield offers a refreshing alternative. The founder of Just Be Cause Consulting and host of the Just Be Cause Podcast joins us to dismantle the false binaries that plague...
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Blood and Cigarettes: The Christmas Truce of 1914-Finding Peace on Common Ground
With this bonus holiday episode, I revisit a short article I originally wrote for a now-defunct website and republished on Medium back in 2022. Blood and Cigarettes takes us back to Christmas Eve and the trenches of World War I, and how redemption can be found in the unlikeliest of places. Ever...
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Joshua Harrison: Art, Science, and Reconnecting with Our Roots in a Modern World
What Would The Ocean Say If You Could Ask It A Question? Exploring the intersection of art, science, and environmental activism, this episode features thought provoking conversation with Joshua Harrison, director of the Center for the Study of the Force Majeure based at the University of...
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Black (Cyber) Monday: How the Sausage is Made in an Instantaneous, Digital World
How I Felt Ridiculous When I Ordered Same-Day Delivery In this short bonus episode, I briefly examine the complexities of modern consumerism and the often-overlooked hidden costs of our convenience-driven shopping habits. As we rush into another holiday shopping season, I revisit a 2018 article...
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Sustainability Isn't a Dirty Word: A Conversation With Sustainable Business Expert Lee Stewart
The 1970s “Crying Indian” campaign, as it came to be known, with its poignant imagery and simple message about littering, has left an indelible mark on American culture. Yet, as we unpack the history and implications of this campaign, we discover that not all was as it appeared. It served as a...
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The Fourth Turning Meets the Ways of the Duck | Responding With Calm in a Chaotic World
Feed the inner duck Not with human news Or greedy things that suck, But give it quiet views; Comments from the moon. Opinions from the sky. The insights of a tune. The wisdom of a sigh. -Michael Leunig History Doesn’t Repeat, But It Rymes In a world hurtling toward what feels like an inevitable...
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Here Comes the Apocalypse: Jennifer Heller's Guide to Disaster Preparation for Non-Preppers
Here Comes the Apocalypse! Panicked or Prepared? The art of preparation in today's polycrisis, conspiracy-driven world is far from straightforward. In all cases, it is an art that encompasses, among other things, science-based common sense and community-oriented planning. Just as important is a...
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Where Have All the Golden Toads Gone? A Tale of Extinction and Hope
The Golden Toad If you’re like me, by the time you first heard about the Golden Toad, it was already gone. A flash of gold high in the damp cloud forest of Costa Rica. This mysterious and elusive species, native to a tiny habitat in the misty clouds of Costa Rica, serves as a poignant reminder of...
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Hollar: A Graphic Memoir of Rural Resistance with Denali Sai Nalamalapu
The Mountain Valley Pipeline and Stories of Resistance in Appalachia Amidst the Appalachian dawn, our exploration of community resilience and environmental justice unfolds through the lens of Denali Sai Nalamalapu, author of ‘Holler: A Graphic Memoir of Rural Resistance.’ The Mountain Valley...
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Anthrogs, Action, and Hope: A Conversation with Peter Blue Series Author Laurel Colless
Vanquish the Storm Lords and Anthrogs! The power of stories to shape our understanding of the world is a central theme explored in this episode. We welcome Laurel Colless, an author dedicated to igniting the imaginations of young readers through her Peter Blue series of fantasy-adventure novels.…
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Wildfire Days: A Woman, a Hotshot Crew, and the Burning of the American West
Wildfire Days "Wildfire is actually a natural part of our ecosystems and our landscape, particularly in the American West. Fires had been burning naturally for millennia and keeping the forest healthy." "It's the most incredible job. It's so fulfilling and exciting and fascinating... just seeing...
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Raising Hope: Parenting in a Climate Crisis with Bridget Shirvell
Raising Children in a Climate-Changed World My conversation with Bridget Shirvell, author of 'Parenting in a Climate Crisis', explores the challenge of raising children in an era defined by environmental uncertainty. Acknowledging the universal desire of parents to leave behind a livable world…
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Clamor: How Noise Took Over the World and How We Can Take it Back
A Sound Environment Exploring the multifaceted nature of sound, this episode features an enlightening conversation with Chris Berdick about his book, Clamor: How Noise Took Over the World and How We Can Take It Back. Berdick discusses the physiological and psychological implications of noise...
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Catastrophe Ethics: Doing Good in a World Gone Bad
Find your place in the world. Dig in, and take responsibility from there. -Gary Snyder When the world faces existential threats like climate change, how do we make ethical choices that matter? In this thought-provoking episode, host Tom Schueneman explores philosopher Thomas Rieder's…
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Nature at Night: Celebrating Nature and the Beauty of the Dark
It's 3:00 AM. All is quiet, the world is asleep. But is it? In this illuminating episode, we journey into the darkness to explore the vibrant and often overlooked world of nocturnal creatures, guided by the passionate insights of naturalist Charles Hood. His book, Nature at Night, serves as our...
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From Protests to Progress: What Moves Us to Take Action?
Taking It to the Streets Protests and social movements are often seen as spontaneous eruptions of public sentiment. What drives people to take to the streets? What motivates them to take their anger and frustration offline, out in the open? In this insightful conversation with sociologist Dana...
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Mental Health Awareness: Finding Peace of Mind in the Days of Fear and Loathing
Finding Calm in the Chaos – A Personal Journey Through Depression How do we find our footing and protect our peace of mind in a world that often feels overwhelming, where fear and uncertainty seem to be the new normal? In this deeply personal and reflective episode, host Tom Schueneman opens up...
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How Green Amendments Are Changing the Game for Environmental Rights
Green amendments are emerging as an effective and essential tool in the quest for environmental justice, ensuring that citizens have the constitutional right to a healthy environment, which is intricately linked to their rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. In our conversation...
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Living on Mars: Utopia or Fool’s Paradise? | Review of City on Mars
Reviewing A City on Mars by Kelly and Zach Weinersmith The notion of colonizing Mars often sounds like a thrilling adventure, but let’s hit the brakes on that rocket ship for a moment. Right off the bat, we tackle the idea that Elon Musk’s vision of a bustling Martian colony is, to put it mildly…
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The Parrot and the Igloo: A Deep Dive into Climate Denial with Author David Lipsky
A conversation with David Lipsky, author of The Parrot and the Igloo Global warming is a long history spent in the hall of ironies, a statement that resonates throughout our discussion today. We delve into the fascinating yet troubling journey of climate science, tracing back to Svante Arrhenius,...
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Confronting Reality: Patience, Reflection, and Love in the Anthropocene
Roy Scranton's Learning to Die in the Anthropocene: Reflections on the End of a Civilization invites us to confront a sobering truth: we cannot escape our fate. As we grapple with the challenges of our time, Scranton emphasizes the importance of facing our future with patience, reflection, and…
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Economics, Environment, and the Trump Effect: A Climate Crisis Conversation with Michael Mezzatesta
In this episode of the GlobalWarmingisReal podcast, we talk with Michael Mezzatesta, a prominent voice in climate economics, policy, and activism. Our conversation explores the complexities of climate action in the context of a second Trump administration. Host Tom Schueneman and Michael…
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Solastalgia and Healing: A Personal Tale of Recovery
Read the article at GlobalWarmingisReal.com. Takeaways: Experiencing a health scare can profoundly alter our relationship with nature and ourselves. Solastalgia reflects the emotional distress tied to environmental changes affecting our sense of home. Healing from personal trauma and…
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Earthbound: Stories from the Anthropocene | Life on a Warming Planet
Earthbound explores the human story of a planet in transition. We live in the Anthropocene, an age in which human activity is reshaping Earth’s climate and life-support systems—and those planetary changes, in turn, are reshaping who we are. Hosted by Thomas Schueneman, Earthbound brings together...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A podcast helping people like you who feel anxious about climate change challenge the narratives that fuel overwhelm and reconnect you with the natural world to help you stay grounded in what you’re protecting rather than consumed by what’s being lost.Earthbound is about what it means to be human on a warming planet. Host Thomas Schueneman, a climate writer, global freelance journalist, and audio producer, talks with scientists, philosophers, activists, artists, Indigenous leaders, policy experts, and everyday people about how a changing Earth is reshaping our lives—and how our choices, values, and imaginations are reshaping the planet in return.From climate politics and planetary health to environmental justice, mental well‑being, psychology, and philosophy, the show explores the quiet work of repairing our relationship with nature and each other. Earthbound offers clear‑eyed, human‑centered stories from the Anthropocene.
HOSTED BY
Thomas Schueneman
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Earthbound have?
Earthbound currently has 39 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Earthbound about?
A podcast helping people like you who feel anxious about climate change challenge the narratives that fuel overwhelm and reconnect you with the natural world to help you stay grounded in what you’re protecting rather than consumed by what’s being lost.Earthbound is about what it means to be human...
How often does Earthbound release new episodes?
Earthbound has 39 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Earthbound?
You can listen to Earthbound on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Earthbound?
Earthbound is created and hosted by Thomas Schueneman.
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