Writing Episodes

Dive into the fascinating history and migration of the Joshua tree, the extinction of the Shasta ground sloth, and the impact of invasive species. Chris recounts stories from Cima, California, amidst tales of nature's transformation and personal change. Discover the challenges faced by desert ecosystems and the continuous efforts to protect them. With contributions from nature sound recordist Fred Bell, this episode encapsulates a blend of history, ecology, and introspection.

Chris explores truth in an AI-driven age, and questions the reliability of what we perceive as real, using AI-generated media as an example. He discusses the importance of deserts in maintaining truth, reflecting on how they convey authentic facts resistant to societal distortions. The importance of understanding deserts' complex ecosystems is also highlighted, offering listeners a perspective on authenticity in nature

A distinguished voice in desert poetry and a former wildland firefighter, Ruth Nolan shares her insights into the ecological challenges and intrinsic beauty of California's deserts through her evocative poetry.

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 drawn from desert landscapes and varied intellectual traditions, this episode invites listeners on a journey through two realms: the borderland desert and the spiritual void,

This chapter of our 100th episode showcases poetry and prose, celebrating the Mojave and Amargosa regions' beauty and resilience. Cameron Mayer shares poetry on plants like the Honey Mesquite and Mojave Aster, exploring themes of nature's resilience and connection.

Morgan Sjogren shares an evocative reading from her recent book Path of Light : A Walk Through Colliding Legacies of Glen Canyon discussing uranium mining's impact on red rock country and the broader implications for desert landscapes.

Chris Clarke reflects on how the desert became central to his identity, reviews a year of reporting across North American deserts, and connects personal attachment to the continuing work of ecological advocacy.

In a departure from the show's usual reporting, Chris Clarke reads from Walking with Zeke, recalling a moonlit camping trip with his dog in Red Rock Canyon. The essay explores the physical and emotional bond between dogs and humans, the persistence of memory, and the ways particular desert landscapes become inseparable from those we have loved within them. It's a quiet meditation on companionship, place, loss, and the connections between caring for the natural world and caring for those we consider family.

Sometimes the desert is best understood through stories. Chris Clarke visits the Amargosa Basin during a spectacular wildflower bloom before sharing three tales about the strange relationships that shape desert life. He considers evidence of surprisingly sophisticated behavior in bursage plants, the long and complicated relationship between humans and coyotes, and the seductive power of what we sometimes call desert magic. Together, the stories offer a playful but thoughtful exploration of how humans perceive—and sometimes misunderstand—the living desert.

What can Joshua trees teach us about family? Chris Clarke reads an excerpt from his book in progress about the Mojave Desert's signature plant, weaving natural history with personal memory and reflections on kinship. Through encounters with Joshua trees and the landscapes they inhabit, he considers relationships among plants, animals, people, and place—and challenges the idea that nature consists of isolated individuals rather than communities of interconnected lives.