Politics And Activism Episodes
Covering the intersection of policy, grassroots movements, and environmental activism in the fight to protect desert lands and communities.
Oct. 17, 2025
S4E39: Ideology vs. Wildlife Science: A Conversation with Mandy Culbertson
Join host Chris Clarke for an insightful discussion on wildlife protection and democratic governance with Mandy Culbertson from Wildlife for All. Explore the varying effectiveness of state wildlife policies across the Southwest, the threat of border militarization to biodiversity, and current polit…
Oct. 10, 2025
S4E38: 2 Big Reasons to Avoid National Parks During the Shutdown
With reduced staffing, National Parks in the American Deserts face risks of vandalism and inadequate visitor safety.
Oct. 3, 2025
S4E37: Desert Communities and United Fronts: Building a Cross-Desert Protection Movement
Chris Clarke embarks on a journey to the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta in El Paso, sharing insights from his travels and engaging encounters. He highlights the importance of desert protection, discussing his experiences with passionate advocates across diverse desert communities. Chris explores the sign…
Sept. 19, 2025
S4E35: Silencing the Left: The Fight for Truth and Justice in Uncertain Times
Chris discusses the fallout from media control and recent political events, emphasizing the need for grassroots support and engagement. The episode touches on the struggles small media outlets face against corporate control and authoritarian tendencies, urging listeners to spread the word.
Aug. 22, 2025
S4E32: Joshua Trees are Still Caught in the Climate Crossfire
Chris Clarke and Brendan Cummings discuss the recent approval of the Western Joshua Tree Conservation Plan by California's Fish and Game Commission. Brendan outlines the journey from the 2019 petition for protection to the 2023 Conservation Act, highlighting its aim to combat climate threats and ma…
Aug. 8, 2025
S4E29: Episode 100 | Two Deserts, One Story with Rubén Martinéz
Rubén Martinéz, an instructor, writer, and performer from Loyola Marymount University, shares a captivating reading exploring the duality of deserts—both physical and metaphorical. This reflection ties into broader themes of human migration, spiritual discovery, and personal healing. With insights …
Aug. 8, 2025
S4E28: Episode 100 | Three Sonorans and Tucson's Stand Against High-Tech Ecological Threats
Discover how grassroots activism and environmental awareness halted a resource-intensive project threatening water and energy supplies in the Arizona desert. Learn about the vital role of unified community voices and progressive city leaders in this victory.
Aug. 1, 2025
S4E24: Desert Communities Need Public Broadcasting Now
We discuss crucial topics affecting public media, including funding cuts to the Corporation for Public Broadcasting and their impact on stations serving rural and tribal communities.
June 24, 2025
S4E20: You Can Help Save Public Lands from Privatization
Explore the evolving debate over a budget rider proposed by Senator Mike Lee that threatens to privatize millions of acres of public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.
June 10, 2025
S4E18: Resilience & Resistance in Navajo Country
Chris Clarke hosts a compelling discussion with Diné activist Davina Smith on the significance of the Bears Ears National Monument.
May 26, 2025
S4E17: The War Against The Greens, Updated
Investigative journalist David Helvarg talks to us about threats to democracy, public lands, and global environmental activism amid escalating misinformation and violence.
May 19, 2025
S4E16: Ezra Klein's New Book Has an Abundance of Problems
Chris Clarke explores Ezra Klein and Derek Thompson's book "Abundance," scrutinizing its stance on environmental regulations.
May 13, 2025
S4E15: The Fight to Save Lives on the U.S.-Mexico Border
Chris interviews Laurie Cantillo, Chair of Humane Borders. They discuss the organization's critical work in saving lives by providing water in the Sonoran Desert, the challenges faced by migrants, and the alarming militarization of the US-Mexico border.
March 18, 2025
S4E8: Plan Sonora: The New Face of Green Colonialism
Chris Clarke hosts an engaging discussion with Caroline Tracey, a journalist with The Border Chronicle, on the environmental and political challenges surrounding Plan Sonora, Mexico's ambitious renewable energy project. They examine the complex issues of lithium mining, solar and natural gas develo…
March 4, 2025
S4E6: The Desert Speaks Out
Episode Summary: In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles," host Chris Clarke delves into two pivotal events illuminating the current challenges and triumphs in desert conservation efforts. The episode captures the essence o...
Feb. 26, 2025
S4E5: DOGE Layoffs Are Sabotaging Public Lands
Episode Summary In this episode, we discuss the recent layoffs affecting the National Park Service and other land management agencies. Featuring Kristen Brengel of the National Parks Conservation Association, the episode look...
Nov. 26, 2024
S3E35: Reimagine, Rebuild, Resist: Creating the World We Want Together
Episode Summary: In this episode of "90 Miles from Needles, the Desert Protection Podcast," host Chris Clarke delivers an impassioned reflection on the results of the recent election. He traces the roots of today's situation ...
Nov. 5, 2024
S3E32: Vote, Engage, and Protect Our Desert
In this special Election Day 2024 episode of "90 Miles from Needles," Chris sheds light on the crucial role of civic engagement in the ongoing struggle to protect North America’s deserts. Released strategically on a day when ...
Aug. 27, 2024
S3E25: Utah's Public Lands Lawsuit Sparks Controversy
Public lands in Utah take center stage as Governor Spencer Cox announces a lawsuit aiming to shift control of those lands from federal to state hands. Chris Clarke explores the implications with Jonathan Thompson, a long-time...
July 16, 2024
S3E21: The War on Facts: Environmental Protection after Chevron
Under Chevron, agencies interpreted often vague language in laws passed by Congress. Supreme Court’s move now reallocates these decisions to the courts. We explain what this means. Become a desert defender!: https://90milesfr...
Jan. 29, 2024
S3E3: The Fight Against Flamingo 640; How a Community Stood Up to Big Development
In this episode, host Chris Clarke discusses the successful fight against a proposed glamping project called Flamingo 640 in the California desert. Clarke is joined by community member Caroline Partamian, former president of ...
Feb. 18, 2023
S2E4: Protecting Wonder Valley
Alicia talks to a well-organized group of desert denizens who are working together to stop an inappropriate development from destroying their way of life, and the desert environment they cherish. For more information, or to t...
Oct. 11, 2022
S1E19: Shannon Salter Fights to Save the Desert
Solar in the built environment could meet America's need for electrical power. But still the desert is in the crosshairs. Public lands with intact habitat are coming under extreme threat because of the Inflation Reduction Act...