Welcome to another season of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast! In this episode, Laura introduces plans for Season 6 and shares her conversation with Jim Anderson about where we are now in Buffalo, NY (recorded on April 21, 2021). Jim is a long-time activist for civil rights, nuclear peace, climate justice, and more. He hosts the radio show Conversations with Jim Anderson on Power 96.5 FM.

Season 6 Welcome

John Heim is a clean water activist with the Southwest Florida Clean Water Movement. In this episode (recorded over Zoom on July 19, 2021), Laura and John talk about water pollution issues in Florida, including the current devastation in Tampa Bay, where hundreds of tons of marine life have died due to an intense episode of Red Tide (a toxic algae that causes air pollution and harm to all life). This deadly event is extra big and toxic because the Piney Point fertilizer facility spilled chemicals directly into Tampa Bay this past April. Laura links this interview to past episodes 53, 54, and 55, which she recorded in Florida in February 2019, a few months after the 2018 Red Tide killed hundreds of tons of marine life (sadly this year is worse).

John Heim

In this episode, Laura speaks wtih Schondra Aytch, a Buffalo-based freelance writer and journalist who covers all things music and culture. Most known for creating the burgeoning Hip-Hop + R&B blog Sneakvibing, Schondra has also contributed her writing for staple WNY publications like The Challenger News, Cornelia Magazine, and Qween City. Listen to Laura and Schondra talk about the importance of women voices and commentary, Hip-Hop in Buffalo, the history of Sneakvibing, & more.

Schondra Aytch

Just in time for the start of early voting in Erie County, NY (voting started this past Sat. October 23rd and runs until this Sunday Oct. 31st, followed by Election Day on Tuesday, Nov. 2nd), Episode 83 is the annual "ballot review" episode that I put together with John Washington for this Fall 2021 election in Buffalo, NY. This is the third election that John and I have reviewed what government positions will be on the City of Buffalo ballot. John is a thoughtful and experienced community organizer and political educator living in Buffalo, NY. 

The purpose of this ballot review episode is help listeners become aware of what government positions are on the ballot (in the City of Buffalo, which also includes some Erie County seats and voter propositions that apply beyond City of Buffalo residents) and how they may affect a person's life. We also talk about the Working Families Party, democratic socialism, and what we know and have experienced in and around the particular candidates who are running.

For two of the races, we are clear on who we want to win, and why: vote for India Walton and Kimberly Beaty!

Now please go vote, and when you're in the booth, remember to flip over your ballot to answer the propositions on the back!

John Washington's 2021 Ballot Review

Samantha Nephew is a Healthcare Advocate with the Healthcare Education Project and 1199 SEIU United Healthcare Workers East, focusing on programming and campaigns related to public heath, health and wellness, and the social determinants of health. Sam is a past podcast guest, all the way back to Episode 11 in 2017! In this episode, Sam and Laura talk about voting for Kimberly Beaty to be the next Erie County Sheriff, having kids while climate change rages, the Covid-19 pandemic, and more.

Samantha Nephew

The purpose of this episode is to share the exciting news that Laura wrote a book! "Silent Seasons: Chasing Sustainability Through the Law" will be published by New Degree Press this fall. The purpose of "Silent Seasons" is to offer accessible information about environmental law and new perspectives on sustainability for everyone, based on Laura's life. There are still 6 days left to pre-order your signed copy, get a ticket to launch party, and support the publication of this exciting project! 

Here is the campaign webpage: https://igg.me/at/silent-seasons

Laura Wrote a Book!

Season 7 of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast is here! Listen to Laura and John Washington talk about what they have been up since last year and their intentions for the upcoming season. They discuss Laura's new book, Silent Seasons, and how it can help readers navigate current environmental issues and events.

Season 7 Welcome

In this episode, Laura interviews Margaret Wooster about sustainable water planning and her latest book, Meander: Making Room for Rivers. Margaret has worked as a watershed planer for local governments and environmental groups in Western New York. She is a founding member of Buffalo Niagara Waterkeeper and has taught Environmental Planning at the University at Buffalo.

You can purchase Meander online, as well as locally in Buffalo at Talking Leaves Books, Barnes & Noble, and Fitz Waffles and Books. You can also order online straight from SUNY Press: https://sunypress.edu/Books/M/Meander.

Margaret Wooster

In this episode, John Washington and Laura break down what government positions were on the 2022 election ballot in Buffalo, NY, who won, and what to be on the lookout for during the 2023 election year. This episode was recorded with video and can be viewed on the Keeping Things Alive YouTube channel and Facebook page.

John Washington's 2022 Ballot Review

Laura talks about Silent Seasons updates, what has been going on with her during the off-season, and intentions for Season 8.

Season 8 Welcome

In this episode, Laura speaks with Marya Casey of The Mothertree Apothecary and Unearthing Venus about motherhood, nervous system regulation, plant medicine, and much more. If you're listening to this before Saturday August 26, 2023, be sure to get your tickets to the Thriving Life Faire in East Aurora, NY!

Mothertree Apothecary

Learn about how community acupuncture is related to healing and health. In this episode, Laura speaks with acupuncturist Jenny Flanigan about community acupuncture, work, healing, and more. There is also a big announcement about Laura's future work :)

For community acupuncture appointments in the City of Buffalo, visit www.buffaloalternativetherapies.com 

For private acupuncture appointments in Hamburg, NY email Jenny at jennyjflanigan@gmail.com 

For monthly acupuncture sound bath event announcements, check in on Instagram (at)jenny_jewel (at)skylarkhealing

Acupuncture With Jenny Flanigan

In this episode, Laura speaks with civil engineer Madison Rich about the various approaches to energy efficiency and electrification in the home. Madison has been doing personal research and implementing projects in order to make his home more efficient, healthier, and electric. In this episode, Laura and Madison talk about why home energy efficiency matters, what behavioral, structural, and technology changes are possible, resources for more information, & more.

Madison Rich's Home Energy Tips

In this episode, Laura meets up with John Washington for their annual ballot review, this time featuring 2023 City of Buffalo and Town of Hamburg, NY ballots. Election day is November 7, 2023 (plus early voting)! Learn about the positions, parties, and propositions on the WNY ballot this year so you can be prepared to vote. 

After 30 minutes of discussing the ballot, John updates listeners on what he has been paying attention to (for example, the BRICS 2023 Summit), his thoughts on the Barbie movie, and more.

John Washington's 2023 Ballot Review & Check-In

Season 8 has come to a close! Listen to Laura reflect on each episode and themes that came up this season, which ran from June to November 2023. 

At the 41:24 mark, Laura switches gears and discusses the ongoing injustices and habitat destruction from the WNY STAMP (Western New York Science & Technology Advanced Manufacturing Park) project in Genesee County, which threatens the Tonawanda Seneca's Big Woods, a biodiverse and culturally significant place. Laura reads the recent article written by Robin Wall Kimmerer, scientist and author of Braiding Sweetgrass: Indigenous Wisdom, Scientific Knowledge, and the Teachings of Plants, titled "Stand for Indigenous Land Justice: Stop STAMP," which was recently published in Yes! Magazine (https://www.yesmagazine.org/opinion/2023/11/01/ny-native-stamp-seneca). 

Thank you for a wonderful season, and see you next year!

Season 8 Wrap

Welcome to the Re-Release Project of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast! This project is the re-publication of episodes that were originally recorded and published between 2016 and 2020 by Laura Evans out of Western New York. In this introductory episode, Laura explains why and how Seasons 1-5 will be released between February and April 2024.

The Re-Release Project: Introduction

Go back in time to 2017 and listen to re-released episodes of Season 1 of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast! Created and hosted by Laura Evans. In this episode, Laura has a conversation with Lynda Schneekloth about climate justice, shifting culture, and more.

Lynda Schneekloth (S1)

Go back in time to 2017 and listen to re-released episodes of Season 1 of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast! Created and hosted by Laura Evans. In this episode, Laura has a conversation with Jim Anderson about teamwork, connecting the dots, and more.

Jim Anderson (S1)

Go back in time to 2017 and listen to re-released episodes of Season 1 of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast! Created and hosted by Laura Evans. In this episode, Laura has a conversation with Roger Cook about the Love Canal tragedy, movement building, & more.

Roger Cook (S1)

Go back in time to 2017 and listen to re-released episodes of Season 1 of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast! Created and hosted by Laura Evans. In this episode, Laura has a conversation with Sister Eileen O'Connor about protecting future generations, loving the Earth, & more.

Sister Eileen O'Connor (S1)

Go back in time to 2017 and listen to re-released episodes of Season 1 of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast! Created and hosted by Laura Evans. In this episode, Laura has a conversation with Rebecca Sophia Strong about movement, connection, and expanding Self.

Rebecca Sophia Strong (S1)

Go back in time to 2017 and listen to re-released episodes of Season 1 of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast! Created and hosted by Laura Evans. In this episode, Laura has a conversation with Agnes Williams about Indigenous wisdom, activism, & more.

Agnes Williams (S1)

Go back in time to 2017 and listen to re-released episodes of Season 1 of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast! Created and hosted by Laura Evans. In this episode, Laura has a conversation with Craig Labadie about acupuncture, community health, and more.

Craig Labadie (S1)

Go back in time to 2017 and listen to re-released episodes of Season 1 of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast! Created and hosted by Laura Evans. In this episode, Laura has a conversation with Sarah Sorci about herbal medicine, native plants, and more.

Sarah Sorci (S1)

Go back in time to 2017 and listen to re-released episodes of Season 1 of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast! Created and hosted by Laura Evans. In this episode, Laura has a conversation with Vanessa Dwyer about fossil fuel divestment and more.

Vanessa Dwyer (S1)

Go back in time to 2017 and listen to re-released episodes of Season 1 of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast! Created and hosted by Laura Evans. In this episode, Laura is a guest on the radio show Conversations with Jim Anderson, and in this first segment, she speaks to him about environmental law failure and climate injustice.

Laura Evans Pt. 1 (S1)

Go back in time to 2017 and listen to re-released episodes of Season 1 of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast! Created and hosted by Laura Evans. In this episode, Laura has a conversation with Samantha Nephew about community activism, communication, and more.

Samantha Nephew (S1)

Go back in time to 2017 and listen to re-released episodes of Season 1 of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast! Created and hosted by Laura Evans. In this episode, Laura has a conversation with Rebecca Williams and three young people working at the Massachusetts Avenue Project about youth action, climate justice, urban farming, and more.

Massachusetts Avenue Project (S1)

Go back in time to 2017 and listen to re-released episodes of Season 1 of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast! Created and hosted by Laura Evans. In this episode, Laura has a conversation with Miles Gresham about get out the vote, civic engagement, and more.

Miles Gresham (S1)

Go back in time to 2017 and listen to re-released episodes of Season 1 of the Keeping Things Alive Podcast! Created and hosted by Laura Evans. In this episode, Laura is a guest on the radio show Conversations with Jim Anderson, and in this second segment, she speaks to him about the public trust doctrine and climate action.

Laura Evans Pt. 2 (S1)

The Keeping Things Alive Podcast is here to explore the opportunities and challenges for humans living on our beautiful and living Planet Earth. Hosted and produced by @lauramevans. Season 1-3 & 8 music by @madisonjrich. Season 4 music by @lonniebarlow. Season 5, 6, + 7 music by @justconundrum.

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