Restoring Darkness

In this eye-opening episode, we welcome Dr. Austin Roorda—visionary researcher, inventor, and professor—who takes us deep into the microscopic world of human vision. From mapping the trichromatic cone mosaic to pioneering adaptive optics scanning laser ophthalmoscopy, Dr. Roorda has revolutionized how we understand the eye.👁️ Discover: How stimulating a single cone can create surreal color experiences The science behind light damage and flicker sensitivity Why blue light might be more harmful than we think The future of vision restoration and gene therapy What it means to be a tetrachromat—and how it could unlock new colors 🌌 Plus, we explore the beauty of seeing in true darkness, the risks of over-illumination, and how lighting design might be impacting our health more than we realize.#VisionScience #DrAustinRoorda #RestoringDarkness #LightingDesign #BlueLightHazards #Tetrachromacy #Optics #EyeHealth #DarkSky #SoftLights #PodcastConnect with Dr. Roorda: www.linkedin.com/in/austin-roorda-8527aa61 Bluesky: @roordalab.bsky.social http://roorda.vision.berkeley.edu https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/04/23/new-color-what-is-olo/83229986007   Sponsor: Tesla Induction Lighting, teslalightingco.com

Highlights from this episode: - Wind Farms at Range - Null Results - Fake Crime - PufflingsIntro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/Headlines and Sources can be Found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

What if more light doesn’t mean more safety? In this episode of Restoring Darkness, hosts Michael Colligan and Mark Baker sit down with Dr. Jim Uttley, lecturer in architectural science at the University of Sheffield and environmental psychologist, to uncover the surprising truth about street lighting, darkness, and human behavior. 🌌 Topics explored: How lighting shapes our perception of safety vs. actual crime risk Why darkness deters walking and cycling—and how minimal lighting can help The debate over color temperature: warmer lights, wildlife, and circadian health Evidence that too much light can backfire, creating glare and even increasing risks The flawed science behind lighting standards and why cities often get it wrong This is a deep dive into how light at night affects crime, travel, and our environment—and why rethinking “brighter is better” could change the way we design our streets. 🔗 Links to Dr. Uttley’s research: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0324134 Variance in odds ratios for estimating the deterrent effect of darkness on cycling: Variation due to the choice of case and control hours Variance in odds ratios for estimating the deterrent effect of darkness on cycling: Variation due to the choice of case and control hours https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0311964   Connect with Dr. Uttley: Https://www.linkedin.com/in/jim-uttley-9542b194/ Https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/architecture/people/academic/jim-uttley Http://lightingresearch.group.shef.ac.uk/index.html 

Highlights from this episode: Lights on the Borderlands Turtle Records Migrations Anyone for Tennis? Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/Headlines and Sources can be Found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

In this captivating episode, Berlin-based visual artist and urban practitioner Alona Rodeh takes us deep into the heart of the nocturnal city. Known for her immersive installations and advocacy for darkness preservation, Rodeh shares her journey from theater scenography to public art, blending light, sound, and urban research. 🌃 Highlights Include: 🔦 The paradox of safety and surveillance in overlit cities 🚶‍♀️ Her meditative “night walks” through Berlin’s dimly lit parks 🕯️ The primal connection between humans and firelight vs. the harshness of LED glare 🏙️ Berlin’s unique lighting culture—gas lamps, sodium lights, and intentional dimness 🎨 Her acclaimed Nightcaps project: sculptural interventions on street lamps to combat light pollution 📱 A powerful critique of screen addiction and the fading peripheral awareness in urban life  💡 Rodeh’s insights challenge conventional beliefs about light and safety, inviting listeners to reimagine darkness not as danger, but as depth, freedom, and cultural richness. 🔗 Support the movement for darkness restoration atRestoringDarkness.com📸 Explore Alona’s work atalonarodeh.comNight Caps: https://www.google.com/search?sxsrf=AE3TifPXkEhKpmY-sYhFTChDn9nQA5_vjw:1756143544359&udm=2&q=alona+rodeh+nightcaps#vhid=ikv-eIczcTmDOM&vssid=mosaic  Connect with Alona: https://www.instagram.com/alona_rodeh/ Connect with The Soft Lights Foundation: www.softlights.org

In this illuminating episode, Dr. Morgan Crump, a postdoctoral research associate at the University of Vermont, joins the Restoring Darkness podcast to discuss her groundbreaking work on light and noise pollution in U.S. national parks. From red streetlights in Grand Teton to quiet zones in Muir Woods, Dr. Crump shares how thoughtful design and visitor education can restore natural soundscapes and dark skies. 💡 Topics Covered: The impact of anthropogenic light and noise on wildlife and visitor experience Innovative lighting experiments using amber and red LEDs Quiet zones and acoustic ecology in protected areas Policy gaps and the need for broader public awareness Personal stories from the field—including a bear encounter and a surprise Mamma Mia serenade in the Grand Canyon!  🚨 Bonus Segment: Mark Baker updates us on his crusade against overly bright auxiliary vehicle lights and the legal loopholes that allow them. 🌟 Whether you're a park enthusiast, lighting designer, or just curious about how to preserve nature’s sensory beauty, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. 🔗 Watch now and learn how small changes—like switching to red flashlights or turning off porch lights—can make a big difference. #RestoringDarkness #MorganCrump #LightPollution #NoisePollution #NationalParks #DarkSky #AcousticEcology #EnvironmentalDesign #TeslaLighting #SoftLightsFoundation Connect with Dr. Crump: https://www.linkedin.com/in/morgan-crump-587a51222/ https://sites.psu.edu/parcsocialscienceacoustics/   Sponsor: Tesla Induction Lighting, www.teslalightingco.com

Highlights from this episode: Go to Jail Shopping Problems Turtle Season Hospital Lighting Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/Headlines and Sources can be found at https://restoringdarkness.com/

Highlights from this episode: Sleep Hazards Solar Panel Hazards  Sports Fields An Appeal to the UN Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/Headlines and Sources can be found at RestoringDarkness.com

Highlights from this episode: - Bigger, Longer Research - Night Shifts - 100 Miles of New Brunswick Coastline - Florida!Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/Headlines and Sources can be found at https://RestoringDarkness.com

In this illuminating episode, we explore the hidden side of human history: the night. Dr. Nancy Gonlin, professor of anthropology at Bellevue College, joins us to discuss her pioneering work in the Archaeology of the Night. Learn how ancient cultures navigated darkness, how modern lighting is disrupting our biology and making us sick, and why night pollution (aka light pollution) is more than just a nuisance—it’s a threat to health, heritage, and humanity.  💡 Topics We Cover: - The Anthropology of Night and its emerging academic recognition - Light as a status symbol: From ancient torches to LED floodlights - Health impacts of artificial light and the plight of those hypersensitive to LEDs - Night pollution vs. light pollution—and why the distinction matters - Cultural practices around sleeping, steaming, storytelling, and darkness  🔥 Plus, Mark Baker offers an update from the Soft Lights Foundation, sharing the latest efforts to reduce harmful lighting technologies in public spaces.  🔗 References & Resources:Find Nancy’s books, including Archaeology of the Night, here: https://upcolorado.com/our-books/our-authors/item/264-nancy-gonlin-editor In Praise of Shadows by Junichiro Tanizaki, Amazon: https://a.co/d/eGWT7rF, Dark Futures, by Nick Dunn, Amazon: https://a.co/d/iFCta0H How to Sleep Like a Caveman, by Merijn van de Laar, Amazon: https://a.co/d/0pQVMLv #RestoringDarkness #LightPollution #ArchaeologyOfNight #NancyGonlin #Anthropology #SoftLights #DarkSky #NightStudies #SleepHealth 

Highlights from this episode: - The Biggest Camera Ever! - Extended Stay in the ICU - Extra-Electoral Political Action - Passing GasIntro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/Headlines and Sources can be found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

In this illuminating episode of the Restoring Darkness podcast, hosts Michael Colligan and Mark Baker welcome outdoor lighting designer James Solecki—founder of INTEGRA Bespoke Lighting and Island Villa Lighting. From stage lighting gigs as a teen to award-winning installations across Ontario and the Caribbean, James has carved out a unique legacy in environmentally-conscious lighting design.  🎙️ What You'll Hear In This Episode: - How James' passion for light sparked a 25+ year career - A firsthand account of defending dark skies in cottage country - The balance between outdoor beauty, safety, and environmental responsibility - How education—not regulation—can transform communities - The evolution of lighting from incandescent to LED to... induction? - Lively debates on whether lighting really increases property security  💡 Whether you’re a lighting professional, an environmental advocate, or just light-curious, this episode is packed with insight, philosophy, and practical wisdom. 🌓 Let’s keep chipping away at the light pollution problem—one community, one light, one night at a time.  #RestoringDarkness #LightingDesign #DarkSky #JamesSolecki #OutdoorLighting #SoftLightsFoundation #LightPollution #LEDLighting #InductionLighting #EnvironmentalLighting  Connect with James: www.islandvillalighting.com https://www.linkedin.com/in/james-solecki-ba05729/ Sponsor: Tesla Induction Lighting, www.TeslaLightingCo.com

Highlights from this episode: - Parks Funding - New Data - Curb Cuts and Umbrellas - Blacker Than the Blackest Black Times Infinity!Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/Headlines and Sources can be found at www.RestoringDarkness.com

In this compelling episode, we sit down with Eileen Kragie, founder of Dark Sky Friends and passionate advocate for DarkSky International, to explore the urgent issue of light pollution and how it's transforming our night skies. Eileen shares how her lifelong awareness of light trespass evolved into a full-scale movement for legislative reform and community action. From securing state and local proclamations to educating the public at events like the Wolf Trap National Park’s Bat and Firefly Festival and National Book Festival, she’s rallying support to protect our starry skies and the health of both humans and wildlife. The conversation digs into:✨ The surprising health impacts of artificial light at night  ✨ Problems with over-lit homes and the era of “darkness pollution”  ✨ The role of LED technology and utility companies in exacerbating the issue  ✨ Creative ways communities and individuals can embrace responsible lighting  ✨ Why lighting designers must rethink their approach With insights from co-hosts Mark Baker and Michael Colligan, this episode challenges assumptions, sparks critical questions, and celebrates the growing movement toward night preservation.  📢 Want to support Eileen's mission? Visit darkskyfriends.org  Connect with Eileen: https://bio.site/eileenkragiehttps://www.darkskyfriends.org/https://www.darkskynova.org/https://www.linkedin.com/in/taooflilahttps://x.com/chandi31216https://www.instagram.com/darkskyfriendshttps://www.facebook.com/darkskyfriendshttps://www.youtube.com/@darkskyfriends685 Connect with The Soft Lights Foundation: www.softlights.org

In this episode of Restoring Darkness, Mark Baker and Michael Colligan dive deep into the unintended consequences of LED lighting. Mark shares eye-opening insights on LED light discrimination, its impact on people with disabilities, and the urgent need for updated policies and regulations. From the Americans with Disabilities Act to scientific discoveries about luminance, this conversation challenges the lighting industry to acknowledge that LED technology isn’t just a brighter bulb—it’s a different kind of light with serious implications for human health. Michael questions whether the industry truly understands light, calling for transparency, regulation, and a shift in thinking. Is it time to rethink how we illuminate our streets, schools, and cities?  🔥 Key Topics: ✅ The overlooked dangers of LED flicker and luminance ✅ How LED lighting affects accessibility and public spaces ✅ Why industry standards must evolve ✅ The call for alternative lighting solutions  💡 Join the conversation and help spread the word! Like, comment, and subscribe to Restoring Darkness for more insightful discussions.  #LightingIndustry #LEDProblems #RestoringDarkness #Accessibility #Transparency  Sponsor: Tesla Induction Lighting, www.TeslaLightingCo.com

Highlights from this episode: - “Health” and “Human” “Services” - Seasons - Municipal Meetings - The Kids are AlrightIntro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/Headlines and Sources at www.RestoringDarkness.com

Highlights from this episode: - Scientific Consensus - Stressed Out - For the Birds - Space MirrorsIntro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/Headlines and Sources can be Found at RestoringDarkness.com

In this episode, we welcome back Yana Yakushina, a legal expert and researcher tackling light pollution from a policy and environmental law perspective. We dive into the latest regulatory frameworks, legal victories, and the fight to recognize artificial light at night as a serious environmental issue like Germany has. Mark Baker shares real-world legal battles, including lawsuits against excessive blue LED lights and landmark cases pushing for stricter light trespass regulations. Yana unpacks international laws, EU policies, and groundbreaking studies linking light pollution to biodiversity and public health risks.   🔦 What you'll learn: - How legal systems are evolving to combat light pollution - The latest breakthroughs in environmental and space law - Real-life lawsuits shaping the future of lighting regulations - The science behind artificial light’s impact on ecosystems   Join us as we explore the intersection of law, science, and activism in the fight to preserve the night!Yana is a lawyer, researcher, and dark sky protection educator currently pursuing a PhD at the University of Ghent under the Horizon EU PLAN-B project, where she also serves as one of the scientific coordinators. Yana specializes in light pollution regulations and space law, leading and contributing to international projects on the development of the protection of the nocturnal environment, and collaborating with various organizations, including the Space Court Foundation Inc., the EU Commission, DarkSky International, Starlight Foundation, the International Astronomical Union, and UNOOSA. In 2023, she co-founded the Belgian dark sky organization Living Night (DarkSky Chapter). Want to know more about the protection of the night from a regulatory perspective? Read my recent article, which classified various approaches to light pollution mitigation.  #LightPollution #DarkSky #EnvironmentalLaw #RestoringDarkness Connect with Yana: https://youtu.be/H3yA8n_jkVE https://www.spacecourtfoundation.org/ https://eng.levendenacht.be/ https://darksky.org/get-involved/the-european-light-pollution-manifesto/ 

Highlights from this episode: Health Updates Nesting Migrations Geopolitics Intro and outro music by Doctor Turtle Sponsored by The National Association of Innovative Lighting Distributors visit https://naild.org/Headlines and Sources can be found at www.restoringdarkness.com

Join hosts Mark and Michael as they sit down with Larry Boxer, an optical engineer with over 30 years of experience in lighting innovation. This episode dives deep into the science behind lighting design, discussing its impact on human health, night environments, and the evolving challenges brought on by LEDs. Larry offers an insider’s perspective on optical engineering and shares groundbreaking insights into creating illumination that's effective and people-friendly. 💡✨ Perfect for professionals in lighting, design, sustainability, or anyone curious about how light shapes our world.  Connect with Larry: https://www.linkedin.com/in/larry-b-6117b67