Climate protests and the curse of the “activist beat,” with Kendra Pierre-Louis

Hi from the science desk!

Jay and Tammy chat this week with a very special guest, eco-apocalypse reporter Kendra Pierre-Louis. Her work has appeared on the How to Save a Planet podcast (RIP) and in The Atlantic and The New York Times, among other places.

Kendra tells us about her non-traditional path to journalism, the trouble with climate journalism in many newsrooms, and the burden and opportunities of being a Black reporter on the “gloom beat.” How do we make environmental collapse feel real and personal to ordinary people? What is the shape and utility of climate protests, from the “eco-terrorism” of the ‘80s and ‘90s to the high-profile actions of the past few weeks? Plus: Pitbull’s eco-anthems, the climate B plot on “Partner Track,” and why Kendra continues to abhor mayonnaise.

A sad note: the incredible Mike Davis has passed on. We were lucky to know him a bit and have him on the show. What a life.

+ RSVPs open this afternoon for the TTSG + Hua Hsu live recording at NYU, December 1! It’s free and in a large theatre, so bring your friends and fam. Whoo!

+ A bonus ask-us-anything ep is out later this week! Mai makes her debut appearance, and Jay and Tammy reveal all their secrets. Subscribe via Substack or Patreon to get it in your feed.

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