S6 Ep 19: Community Over Cancer Alley w/ Mary Heglar

In this episode of The Coolest Show, Rev Yearwood is joined by author and essayist Mary Heglar, whose work ruminates on climate grief and justice. As a Black woman who grew up in the South, she speaks to the importance of telling stories that are explicit about the impacts of climate change and that honor the sacrifices of previous generations. Heglar also reads an excerpt from her new novel Troubled Waters, which explores the beauty and challenges of intergenerational healing on a burning plane...

S6 Ep 19: Community Over Cancer Alley w/ Mary Heglar

S6 Ep 18: Community Over Cancer Alley w/ Dr. Earthea Nance

In this episode of the The Coolest Show, Rev Yearwood sits down with Dr. Earthea Nance, the Environmental Protection Agency Regional Administrator for Region 6. The conversation highlights the importance of intersectionality between climate and other social issues. Dr. Nance discusses the work the EPA is doing to protect Cancer Alley in Louisiana and the need for strategy in sacrifice zones. Recorded at the historic Woodland Plantation, the site of the 1811 slave revolt, “Community Over Cancer A...

S6 Ep 18: Community Over Cancer Alley w/ Dr. Earthea Nance

S6 Ep 17: Community Over Cancer Alley w/ Sharon and Shamyra Lavigne

In this episode of The Coolest Show, Rev Yearwood holds an intimate conversation with Time100 influential person Sharon Lavigne and her daughter, climate justice advocate Shamyra Lavigne Davey. The series aims to illuminate the environmental and social justice challenges facing Louisiana’s Cancer Alley. In her community of St. James Parish, Sharon Lavigne founded the grassroots organization Rise St. James to fight the expansion of petrochemical industries and mobilize her neighbors. The Lavignes...

S6 Ep 17: Community Over Cancer Alley w/ Sharon and Shamyra Lavigne

S6 Ep 16: Community Over Cancer Alley w/ Jo and Joy Banner

In this episode of The Coolest Show, Rev Yearwood heads to New Orleans for a live, in-person conversation with activists and community organizers, Jo and Joy Banner. The Banner sisters are committed to turning plantations into green spaces. Through the Descendents Project, they challenge systems that try to exploit descendants of those enslaved to plantations while ensuring their future and happiness. The twins speak of the importance of land reclamation and how interconnected the environment is...

S6 Ep 16: Community Over Cancer Alley w/ Jo and Joy Banner

S6 Ep 15: Community Over Cancer Alley w/ Sunni Patterson

In this episode of The Coolest Show, Rev Yearwood heads to New Orleans for a live, in-person conversation with renowned poet, activist, and cultural worker Sunni Patterson. The series aims to illuminate the environmental and social justice challenges facing Louisiana's Cancer Alley. Patterson, celebrated for her evocative spoken word performances and steadfast community advocacy, brings a profound and passionate perspective to the discussion. Her deep ties to New Orleans and her commitment to so...

S6 Ep 14: Community Over Cancer Alley Intro w/ Rev Yearwood

This episode serves as the introduction to a special series titled "Community Over Cancer Alley," presented by Think 100% and the Hip Hop Caucus. The series aims to shine a light on the environmental and social justice challenges faced by the communities in Louisiana's Cancer Alley. Rev Yearwood sets the stage by delving into the historical significance of the 1811 revolt and drawing connections to the contemporary struggles in Cancer Alley. Through compelling narratives and insightful commentar...

S6 Ep 15: Community Over Cancer Alley w/ Sunni Patterson

S6 Ep 14: Community Over Cancer Alley Intro w/ Rev Yearwood

S6 Ep 12: Movement Music & Artivism: The H.O.M.E. Review w/ Rev Yearwood & DeJuan Cross

In this special 10-year anniversary episode of The Coolest Show Podcast, host Rev Yearwood is joined by DeJuan Cross, one of the producers and engineers behind the groundbreaking album "H.O.M.E. Heal Our Mother Earth." Together, they dive into an in-depth review of the album, reflecting on its creation and enduring impact in the realm of environmental justice. This episode offers listeners a unique opportunity to hear first hand stories from behind the scenes, exploring the artistic and technica...

S6 Ep 12: Movement Music & Artivism: The H.O.M.E. Review w/ Rev Yearwood & DeJuan Cross

S6 Ep 11: Movement Music & Artivism: Voices in Harmony w/ Antonique Smith & Choklate

In this special episode of The Coolest Show Podcast, JaRel Clay from the Hip Hop Caucus leads a compelling discussion on Movement Music and Artivism. He is joined by the multi-talented Antonique Smith, a Grammy-nominated singer and actress known for her role in "Notorious" and her stirring performances in "Luke Cage." Alongside her is the soulful singer Choklate, celebrated for her critically acclaimed albums "Choklate" and "To Whom It May Concern." Together, they delve into the intersection of ...

S6 Ep 11: Movement Music & Artivism: Voices in Harmony w/ Antonique Smith & Choklate

S6 Ep 10: Movement Music & Artivism: Healing Our Mother Earth w/ Rev Yearwood

In this episode of The Coolest Show, Producer and Guest Host Tamara Toles O'Laughlin sits down with Rev Yearwood to delve into the powerful fusion of movement music and artivism. They explore how the climate movement has historically overlooked the crucial role of art and creativity in driving change. Rev Yearwood, President and CEO of the Hip Hop Caucus, highlights the organization's pioneering efforts to bridge this gap, empowering artivists to craft pieces that illustrate the intersection of ...

S6 Ep 10: Movement Music & Artivism: Healing Our Mother Earth w/ Rev Yearwood

S6 Ep 7: Guess Who’s Back? Producers Roundtable w/ Tamara Toles O’Laughlin, Destiny Hodges, and DeJuan Cross

In the latest episode of The Coolest Show Podcast, hosted by Rev Yearwood, listeners are treated to a behind-the-scenes glimpse as the producers, Tamara Toles O'Laughlin, Destiny Hodges, and DeJuan Cross, take the stage. As the sixth season unfolds, this special episode serves as a comprehensive update on the intersection of climate, culture, and politics. With a fervent dedication to amplifying underrepresented voices, the podcast dives into pressing current events, dissecting their implication...

S6 Ep 7: Guess Who’s Back? Producers Roundtable w/ Tamara Toles O’Laughlin, Destiny Hodges, and DeJuan Cross

S6 Ep 4: Colorado River Basin: It Goes, His People Go w/ Daniel Cordalis

In this episode of The Coolest Show podcast, host Rev Yearwood engages in a discussion with Daniel Cordalis, a distinguished member of the Navajo Nation and Staff Attorney at the Native American Rights Fund. Together, they delve into the pressing issue of the Colorado River Basin's dwindling water supply, a lifeline for 40 million people across multiple states and Tribal Nations. The conversation unfolds to reveal the stark reality of a "mega drought" that has plagued the region since 2000, resu...

S6 Ep 4: Colorado River Basin: It Goes, His People Go w/ Daniel Cordalis

S6 Ep 3: Yes, Black People Are in Alaska: Part 2 w/ Chad Brown

Chad Brown is the Founder & President of Soul River Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to connecting inner-city youth with the outdoors through transformative experiences. Chad has focused his efforts on empowering marginalized communities to engage with nature and become stewards of the environment. In Alaska, Chad has been instrumental in leading expeditions and educational programs that highlight the importance of protecting the state's fisheries and ecosystems. Through his work, he co...

S6 Ep 3: Yes, Black People Are in Alaska: Part 2 w/ Chad Brown

S6 Ep 2: Yes, Black People Are in Alaska: Part 1 w/ Alyssa Quintyne

Alyssa Quintyne is a Bajan-American community organizer, musician, researcher, and artist based in Fairbanks, Alaska. Her artwork subverts the artistic trope of Black women portrayed in positions of servitude. Her organizing is centered in intersectionality, democracy, accessibility, and communal healing and action in response to the impacts of industry and the climate crisis. In this episode of The Coolest Show, Rev Yearwood speaks to Quintyne about artivism, the critical condition of Alaskan f...