An Organic Conversation

An Apology to Elephants: Restoring Honor to Nature's Gentlest Giants

"If you want to teach people about the nature of being human, you don't take them to a prison; you take them to a park where they can see families and people being free. If you want to teach people about the nature of elephants, you don't take them to a circus." A passionate documentary about man's relationship to elephants is inspiring a movement to release our world's largest land mammal from grueling entertainment and save multiple species in the process. Tune in this week for our interview with HBO's filmmaker and a renowned expert on elephant captivity.

Guests:

Amy Schatz, Director, An Apology to Elephants, New York, NY

Ed Stewart, President & Co-Founder, PAWS, Galt, CA

Prison Gardens: Growing Hope by Growing Life

A small garden plot within the concrete walls of a maximum security prison does more than just engage prisoners; it improves behavior and reduces reincarceration. Hear data and feedback from a national nonprofit whose gardening and permaculture programs promote responsibility, opportunity, and motivation.

Guest:

Beth Waitkus, Founder & Director, Insight Garden Program, Berkeley, CA

Earth Island Institute: Every Day is Earth Day

As a thank you to all the people who have dedicated their lives and careers to protecting the Earth, find out how one such organization helps initiatives in sustainability, social responsibility, animal welfare, nature conservation, and more with financial and administrative support so innovative ideas can make it into the world and create a healthier planet.

Guest:

Kevin Connelly, Associate Director, Earth Island Institute, Berkeley, CA

Legends of Organic: The Role of Mentorship in the Organic Food Movement

Movements are most often formed by a handful of people declaring the end of the current status quo and embracing a new way of relating that is both healthier and more just. That’s how the organic food movement had its re-emergence in the early 1970’s.

We are honoring those early beginnings with a series of interviews with the pioneers of this movement. In this episode, we are exploring the role of mentorship with three generations of food advocates from the team at Earl's Organic Produce.

Guests:

Earl Herrick, Founder & Owner, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA

Ethan Abendroth, National Sales Manager, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA

Nathan Evers, Produce Selector, Earl's Organic Produce, San Francisco, CA

Zero Waste Living: Practical Tips for Every Day

15% of the cost is in the packaging. So what do you gain by striving for a Zero Waste lifestyle? A cleaner home, a healthier planet, deeper relationships, and up to 40% more money in your wallet. What are you waiting for? It takes less time than you think...

Guest:

Bea Johnson, Author, Zero Waste Home, Mill Valley, CA

The Vegetable Garden: Tips for a Bountiful Season

It's here again: this year's gardening season! Time to think about forming beds, ordering seeds, blocking a weekend to get your hands dirty, and enjoying the benefits of homegrown food - all while saving money.

Guest:

Megan Cain, Garden Educator, The Creative Vegetable Gardener, Madison, WI

Alive Inside: Music to Remember

A new documentary shows the powerful effect music has on patients with Alzheimer's disease. By demonstrating how melody returns people to long lost memories, we explore the question, "can music make you come alive again?"

Guest:

Michael Rossato-Bennett, Writer/Director/Producer, Alive Inside, New York, NY

The Old Farmer's Almanac: Guiding Us for Centuries

Just how relevant is a periodical that's been in print for 225 years - from a time in which our society was deeply connected to the land? With a blend of wisdom from nature and wit from mankind, you'll be surprised by the practicality and entertainment value of this annual publication with tide tables to know the movement of water, sunrise, moon cycles, and planting charts for the organic farmer and gardener alike, recipes for those who live in the kitchen, and forecasts for those who don’t like the question of weather left up in the air.

Guest:

Janice Stillman, Editor, The Old Farmer's Almanac, Dublin, NH

Painted Nails: The Dirty Side of Pretty

Join us on the journey of two filmmakers who set out to make a movie about culture and unearthed surprising details about the dangerous conditions inside nail salons, unflinching gratitude in the face of unfair circumstances, and the transformative power of a courageous spirit.

Guests:

Erica Jordan, Producer & Director, Painted Nails, San Francisco, CA Dianne Griffin, Producer & Director, Painted Nails, San Francisco, CA

Digestive Wellness: What's Next in Nutrition

Holistic nutrition says that overall health relies on the gut and we cannot absorb what we cannot digest. Despite our best efforts to fill our bodies with nutrient-rich fresh foods, we will not reap the benefits if we do not focus on our digestive health. Learn about the root causes of IBS, how to get the most nutrition out of your food and the truth behind the statement, "you are what you eat.”

Guest:

Laura Knoff, Senior Nutrition Consultant Instructor, Bauman College: Holistic Nutriton + Culinary Arts, Berkeley, CA