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, resulting in the river losing a staggering 10 trillion gallons of water. As the basin faces its first federally declared water shortage and earns the ominous title of the most endangered river in the U.S., Yearwood and Cordalis shed light on the profound impact on communities

They dissect the socio-economic disparities underlying such water usage patterns, emphasizing Cordalis’s crucial role in advocating for equitable water rights and addressing the systemic challenges faced by marginalized communities within the Colorado River Basin. Through their insightful exchange, listeners gain a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness between water scarcity, environmental justice, and the urgent need for sustainable solutions in safeguarding our most precious resource.


The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com! Follow @Think100Climate and @RevYearwood on Instagram, Twitter, and Instagram.

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 combines his love for the outdoors with a commitment to social justice, inspiring individuals to connect with nature and advocate for environmental sustainability.

In this episode of The Coolest Show, Rev Yearwood engages in a deep conversation with Brown, delving into the intricate relationship between Alaska’s fisheries, the cultural significance of salmon to Indigenous communities, and the perilous impacts of the climate crisis and corporate interests in the region.

Support: https://soulriverinc.org/

The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com! Follow @Think100Climate and @RevYearwood on Instagram, Twitter, and Instagram.

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 fisheries, and the role of Black women and femmes in creating a climate just future.

Support: https://www.gouachebody.com/

The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com! Follow @Think100Climate and @RevYearwood on Instagram, Twitter, and Instagram.

S6 Ep 1: Trouble in the Water: Mississippi River w/ Sikowis Nobiss

The Mississippi River has shaped much of American history–from colonization and forming borders to enslavement and “Manifest Destiny.” This river basin is the largest drainage basin in the US, the second longest river in North America, and runs almost the entire length of the US before flowing into the Gulf of Mexico through southeast Louisiana. It covers about 40 percent of the continental United States, providing drinking water for nearly 20 million people. This lifeline for the nation is constantly facing challenges due to pollution from “big agriculture”, saltwater intrusion, the climate crisis, and more. These issues disproportionately affect the health, livelihoods, and cultural practices of Black and Indigenous communities in the region. 

In this episode of The Coolest Show, Rev Yearwood speaks with Sikowis Nobiss, Executive Director of The Great Plains Action Society. They delve into the historical context of how these issues have evolved and the intersectionality of environmental racism in the Mississippi River Basin. 

The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com! 

S5 Ep 30: Before the Streetlights Come on w/ Heather McTeer Toney

In this episode of “The Coolest Show,” Tamara Toles O’Laughlin engages in a dynamic conversation with Heather McTeer Toney. As the Executive Director at Beyond Petrochemicals, Heather leads the charge in pioneering sustainable practices, championing environmental justice, and bridging gaps in the energy sector. With a stellar background, including her impactful collaboration with Bloomberg Philanthropies, Heather delves into her multifaceted experiences and contributions to climate advocacy. The conversation unfolds to explore her recently released book, “Before the Streetlights Come on,” where she artfully weaves narratives that highlight the intersection of race, resilience, and the environment. Heather and Tamara delve into the pressing issue of climate change disproportionately affecting Black communities, addressing systemic challenges and advocating for solutions that empower and uplift. This episode promises an enlightening exploration of Heather’s influential journey, her current endeavors, and the pivotal role of climate justice in shaping a more equitable and sustainable future.

The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com! 

S5 Ep 29: The Crisis Continues w/ Rukia Lumumba

On this episode of “The Coolest Show,” we welcome the dynamic Rukia Lumumba as a guest. A tenacious advocate and Executive Director of the People’s Advocacy Institute, Lumumba brings her unwavering commitment to social justice to the forefront. In this captivating interview, she engages in a poignant conversation with Rev Yearwood, delving into her inspiring journey as a community leader and her relentless pursuit of equitable rights for marginalized groups. Together, they explore the critical issue of the water crisis in Jackson, Mississippi—a crisis disproportionately affecting Black communities due to historical neglect and systemic disparities. Lumumba’s powerful insights and activism take center stage as they shed light on the urgent need for systemic change and sustainable solutions in the face of this pressing environmental and social challenge. Tune in as these two influential voices tackle the intersection of environmental justice and civil rights in a conversation that promises to be both enlightening and empowering.

The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com! Follow @Think100Climate and @RevYearwood on Instagram, Twitter, and Instagram.

S5 Ep 28: Black Executive w/ Michael Regan

Our Black Executive series highlights Black folk in pivotal roles in the Biden-Harris Administration. Given the Administration’s investment in climate and clean energy and its relatively short timeline, we want to ensure those individuals who have been tasked with what could accurately be called an “impossible feat” are seen and supported. Like the rest of us, they have humanity and their own vision for the work. While the Administration might not bring the entirety of their visions to fruition, we want to archive it all so that in community, we can continue to support their efforts for our people and the whole planet.

The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com! Follow @Think100Climate and @RevYearwood on Instagram, Twitter, and Instagram.

S5 Ep 27: Black Executive w/ Dr. Jalonne White-Newsome

Our Black Executive series highlights Black folk in pivotal roles in the Biden-Harris Administration. Given the Administration’s investment in climate and clean energy and its relatively short timeline, we want to ensure those individuals who have been tasked with what could accurately be called an “impossible feat” are seen and supported. Like the rest of us, they have humanity and their own vision for the work. While the Administration might not bring the entirety of their visions to fruition, we want to archive it all so that in community, we can continue to support their efforts for our people and the whole planet.

The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com! Follow @Think100Climate and @RevYearwood on Instagram, Twitter, and Instagram.

S5 Ep 26: Putting It All on the Line w/ Greg Dalton, Ariana Brocious & Jacqueline Patterson

On this Special Episode of “The Coolest Show”, Reverend Yearwood & Jacqueline Patterson join the “Climate One Podcast” , Hosted by Greg Dalton and Ariana Brocious.

From Climate One:

Climate affects everyone, but not equally. Those affected first and worst are often the same communities that suffer from housing and income inequality, and climate and societal injustice. Rev. Lennox Yearwood, Jr. has made striving for social, economic and climate justice his lifelong pursuit. A charismatic leader, Rev. Yearwood embraces his role as a unifying force, working with front-line climate activists and billionaire politicians alike. 

Jacqueline Patterson is former Senior Director of the NAACP Environmental and Climate Justice Program. She’s also the founder and executive director of The Chisholm Legacy Project, a group that supports Black frontline climate leaders. Like Rev. Yearwood, she’s seen too many friends and relations die from exposure to industrial pollution. That’s one reason why she says a just transition needs to be driven by those on the ground.

For More Climate One Podcast : https://www.climateone.org/listen-watch/podcasts

The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com! Follow @Think100Climate and @RevYearwood on Instagram, Twitter, and Instagram.

S5 Ep 25: HBCU Climate Change Conference w/ Dr. William Muun

Join The Coolest Show live from the Ninth Annual HBCU Climate Change Conference.

In part 2 of this bundle, Reverend Yearwood speaks to LaTricea Adams, and Dr. William Munn.”The conference brings together HBCU faculty and students, researchers, climate professionals, and environmental justice and coastal community residents impacted by toxic facilities and severe weather events related to climate change to bridge the gap between theory and the experiential realities of climate change.”  

The Coolest Show – brought to you by Hip Hop Caucus Think 100% PODCASTS – drops new episodes every Monday on environmental justice and how we solve the climate crisis. Listen and subscribe here or at TheCoolestShow.com! Follow @Think100Climate and @RevYearwood on Instagram, Twitter, and Instagram.