Threshold

Tomorrow is Giving Tuesday Now, a new global day of giving to address the immense need created by the COVID-19 pandemic. We’re participating in this campaign all week long. Nonprofit, independent journalism is more important than ever. If you can, we hope you'll help Threshold stay afloat during these uncertain times. You'll be joining the millions of people around the world who are contributing to causes they care about. Every donation, whether $5 or $500, helps us to hit our goal of raising $3,000 by the end of day Friday. Visit thresholdpodcast.org and click “Donate” to contribute. Thank you.

Each week, we’re inviting you to help us document this crazy time, when we’re confronting a national crisis together — from alone in our homes.  This week, we’re asking: Tell us about a song or a piece of music that’s especially meaningful to you right now. Or — sing it to us. Record up to one minute of audio and send it our way. To participate, go to www.thresholdpodcast.org. We’ve posted everything you need to know on how to record and how to submit.  Just a couple days ago, we also found out that we’re one of 60 finalists for the Peabody Awards. They’re one of the biggest and most prestigious awards in journalism. And we’re just wowed that they selected us as a finalist - out of more than 1,200 submissions. We could never have done this without you, our listeners. We’re halfway to our goal of $3,000 for Giving Tuesday Now - to show your support, visit thresholdpodcast.org/donate. Thank you.

Hey! We’re starting a new thing!Welcome to Threshold Conversations, a new series featuring interviews with environmental thought leaders.We're still doing our main show—our documentary work, where we take you on a journey deep into one pressing issue. But between seasons of Threshold, we're going to start sharing interviews with people who have interesting things to say on important issues impacting cultures, creatures, and ecosystems around the world.For our inaugural episode, Amy talks with Kendra Pierre-Louis, a climate reporter at The New York Times, to discuss how coronavirus intersects with a number of the environmental stories she tracks every day.Threshold Conversations is supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists, as well as the Park Foundation, the High Stakes Foundation, and our home public radio station, Montana Public Radio.Our work is also made possible by listeners like you. This week, we’re aiming to raise $3,000 as part of Giving Tuesday Now. Every contribution makes a difference, no matter the size. You can choose to give monthly or make an individual gift. Just go to thresholdpodcast.org/donate.Thank you for helping us to keep independent, nonprofit journalism afloat in the choppy pandemic waters!Learn more about Threshold on our website.

Each week, we’re inviting you to help us document this crazy time, when we’re confronting a national crisis together — from alone in our homes. This week, we’re asking: Is this the end of the lockdown for you? Or are you still in quarantine mode? Send us some audio that captures the sound of this weird, nebulous moment. Record up to one minute of audio and send it our way. To participate, go to www.thresholdpodcast.org. We’ve posted everything you need to know on how to record and how to submit. On our website, you can also find our listener survey. We’re eager to know more about the folks who listen to our podcast. It’ll take just a few minutes of your time—and if you complete it, you’ll be entered to win an REI backpack cooler. 

Threshold Wins a Peabody Award! Threshold was selected as one of 30 Peabody Award winners from a pool of nearly 1,300 submissions. This one of the most prestigious awards in media. We're thrilled! The board of jurors awarded the Peabody to Threshold’s most recent season, “The Refuge,” which examined the controversy over drilling for oil in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The jurors wrote,  “This five-part series examines the battle for the future of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge, and opens up into a superb account of environmental activism, Alaskan Native rights, and the politics of oil and gas exploration.” About the Peabody Awards The Peabody Awards honor the most powerful, enlightening and invigorating stories in television, radio and digital media. Each year, Peabody Awards are bestowed upon a curated collection of 30 stories that capture society’s most important issues — known as the Peabody 30. Honorees must be unanimously chosen by the Peabody Board of Jurors, a diverse assembly of industry professionals, media scholars, critics and journalists who each bring a unique perspective of what constitutes a story that matters. From major Hollywood productions to local journalism, the network of Peabody Awards winners is a definitive collection of society’s most important stories and storytellers. Huge thanks to everyone who shared their stories with us. And also to: Pulitzer Center Montana Public Radio Park Foundation High Stakes Foundation NewsMatch the William H and Mary Wattis Harris Foundation Threshold’s community of listeners and donors

In the second episode of Threshold Conversations, Amy talks with award-winning journalist Alfredo Corchado. As Mexico Border correspondent for the Dallas Morning News, Alfredo is one of the nation’s leading reporters covering the complicated issues playing out at the U.S./Mexico border. We all depend on the food we eat, and on the people who raise, grow, and harvest that food for us. In the United States, a huge number of the people who do that work are undocumented immigrants. Today, Alfredo discusses what coronavirus means for this vulnerable and important population and his own experience growing up and working in the fields of California’s Central Valley. He also discusses the intersection of climate, immigration, and food security. Threshold Conversations is supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists, as well as the Park Foundation, the High Stakes Foundation, and our home public radio station, Montana Public Radio. Learn more about Threshold on our website.Mentioned in this episode:Donate

J. Drew Lanham is a Distinguished Professor at Clemson University, and an author, orator and Poet Laureate from Edgefield, SC. As a Black American, he’s intrigued by how ethnic prisms shape perceptions of nature and its care. His writing focuses on his passion for the natural world, and the personal and societal conflicts that sometimes put conservation and culture at odds. His award-winning book, The Home Place: Memoirs of a Colored Man's Love Affair with Nature, came out in 2016.In this episode of Threshold Conversations, host Amy Martin talks with Drew about his relationship to wild things, wild places, and social justice, and his experiences as a Black scientist and birder.Threshold Conversations is an ongoing series featuring interviews with environmental thought leaders on some of the most urgent environmental and social issues today.Threshold Conversations is supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists, as well as the Park Foundation, the High Stakes Foundation, and our home public radio station, Montana Public Radio.Learn more about Threshold on our website.Mentioned in this episode:Donate

IMPORTANT: DATE CHANGE This event was originally planned for August 27. Due to unforeseen changes in Ami Vitale's travel schedule, it's now happening Thursday, September 10 at 7 pm eastern time. Being a National Geographic photographer may seem glamorous, but sometimes the work just plain stinks—literally!  Ami Vitale is an internationally-renowned photographer whose work invites us into extraordinary, intimate interactions between humans and wild creatures, and shines a light on the complicated relationships we have with our fellow beings. She’s received some of the biggest honors in the photography world, including a National Geographic photo of the decade and five (!) World Press Photo of the Year awards.    And, to create all that amazing work she at times has to put herself in some unpleasant situations.    Join our host Amy Martin and Ami Vitale on September 10 for a live recording of Threshold Conversations to hear their discussion, and take a peek behind the scenes to see how the sausage—er, podcast—gets made.   You can find details and tickets on our website: https://www.thresholdpodcast.org/threshold-conversations-live-with-ami-vitale    All proceeds from this event support Threshold’s independent, non-profit journalism. 

If a whale sings in the ocean, and Michelle Fournet is there to record it, how does it sound? Find out in this episode of Threshold Conversations. Michelle Fournet is an acoustic ecologist with the Cornell Bioacoustics Research Program. She studies how marine animals—including humpback whales and other creatures—use sound to communicate, detect predators and prey, and engage with their environments in an increasingly noisy world. From Glacier Bay National Park in Southeast Alaska to Florida’s Everglades, she’s recorded hours and hours of sound from the underwater world.  Threshold Conversations is an ongoing series featuring interviews with environmental thought leaders on some of the most urgent environmental and social issues today. Threshold Conversations is supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists, as well as the Park Foundation, the High Stakes Foundation, and our home public radio station, Montana Public Radio, and listeners like you. Learn more about Threshold on our website.Mentioned in this episode:Donate

Join our host Amy Martin and National Geographic photographer Ami Vitale this Thursday, September 10 for a live recording of Threshold Conversations! Ami Vitale is an internationally-renowned photographer whose work invites us into extraordinary, intimate interactions between humans and wild creatures, and shines a light on the complicated relationships we have with our fellow beings. She’s received some of the biggest honors in the photography world, including a National Geographic photo of the decade and five (!) World Press Photo of the Year awards.  You're invited to be part of the discussion and take a peek behind the scenes to see how the sausage—er, podcast—gets made. You can find details and tickets on our website: https://www.thresholdpodcast.org/threshold-conversations-live-with-ami-vitale  All proceeds from this event support Threshold’s independent, non-profit journalism. 

How does your zip code affect your life expectancy? The impacts of climate change, toxic water, and dirty air aren’t evenly distributed. Low income and communities of color bear the brunt of these impacts. Today, we dive into conversation with Peggy Shepard, a pioneer of the environmental justice movement who has worked for more than three decades to shine a light on the ways damage to the natural world intersects with issues of race and class.She co-founded WE ACT for Environmental Justice, a community organization based in New York City with the mission of ensuring that the right to clean air, water, and soil extends to all people, no matter where they live, what color their skin is, or how much money is in their bank accounts. Many of the environmental protections she helped to fight for in her community have been scaled up to the national level, benefitting people around the country and even the world.Threshold Conversations is an ongoing series featuring interviews with environmental thought leaders on some of the most urgent environmental and social issues today.Threshold Conversations is supported by the International Women’s Media Foundation’s Howard G. Buffett Fund for Women Journalists, as well as the Park Foundation, the High Stakes Foundation, and our home public radio station, Montana Public Radio, and listeners like you.Learn more about Threshold on our website.Mentioned in this episode:Donate

Become a Member Today! In-depth reporting on climate change, environmental justice, public lands, and so much more. This is what Threshold is about — bringing you important and thoughtful stories about human relationships with the natural world. And we need your help to continue doing this work. Our annual membership drive starts on November 1st. For the cost of a cup of coffee, a larger year-end gift, or anything in between, you can be a part of the Threshold story. Join us at thresholdpodcast.org/donate 

Award-winning photographer Ami Vitale has seen the best of humanity and the worst of humanity. She’s documented war and conflict, nature, wildlife, and conservation in places from Kashmir to Kenya.  On this episode of Threshold Conversations, we hear the incredible stories behind some of Ami’s most iconic images — including her photo of a northern white rhino that was on the cover of National Geographic; what she sees as the importance of storytelling; and why she’s hopeful for our future.  If you enjoy this episode, please take a moment to support us at thresholdpodcast.org/donate Every contribution, small or large, helps power our independent nonprofit journalism. Mentioned in this episode:Donate

The word crisis comes from the Greek krisis, meaning the turning point in a disease. Today on Threshold Conversations, we sit down with author, activist, and founder of 350.org Bill McKibben to talk about the dual crises of climate change and the coronavirus pandemic.If you enjoy this episode, please support our independent nonprofit journalism at thresholdpodcast.org/donateAll donations through the end of the year will be doubled by NewsMatch. Mentioned in this episode:Donate

“Breathing is civil rights and breathing is environmental justice.” Dr. Robert Bullard, Distinguished Professor at Texas Southern University and a transformational figure in the environmental justice movement, says that the environment isn’t just out in the woods and wilderness; it’s everywhere. “It's where we live, work, play, worship, learn, as well as the physical and natural world,” he says. Robert has devoted much of his life to documenting how environmental racism puts Black people and other people of color at higher risk from polluted air and water, natural disasters, and other natural threats. In this episode of Threshold Conversations, Amy and Robert talk about the origins of his pioneering research, the battle to get environmental justice on the agendas of large, White-dominated environmental groups, and what gives him hope. If you enjoy this episode, please support our independent nonprofit journalism at thresholdpodcast.org/donate All donations through the end of the year will be doubled by NewsMatch.  Mentioned in this episode:Donate