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Apocalyptic Optimist Podcast

Pique Action 8 Episodes Sep 1, 2026

The show features Professor Dana R. Fisher in conversation with activists, decision-makers, and experts about pressing threats to democracy and the climate. Episodes focus on honest discussions of what is broken and practical paths forward. Each conversation emphasizes collective action and what listeners can do to help address these challenges. The podcast is produced by Pique Action in collaboration with the Center for Environment, Community, & Equity.

Episodes

Stop Worrying About AI Doomsday. Worry About THIS Sep 1, 2026 00:45:33 Big Tech frames generative AI as effortless digital magic, but the reality involves centralized power, hidden and exploited labor, and massive environmental costs. In this episode of the Apocalyptic Optimist, sociologist and AI ethics expert Dr. Alex Hanna joins host Dr. Dana Fisher to cut through corporate hype, expose the real-world harms happening right now, and outline how distributed tech can

How Moms Are Shutting Down Big Polluters Aug 4, 2026 00:47:56 When federal environmental guardrails start buckling, who steps up? Meet Dominique Browning, who pivoted from a career as an editor at Condé Nast into building a 1.6-million-strong army of caregivers fighting for clean air and healthy kids. Alongside host Dr. Dana Fisher, Dominique breaks down how Moms Clean Air Force is shutting down toxic facilities locally, protecting electric school buses, and

Why They Tried to Silence This TV Meteorologist Jul 7, 2026 00:57:15 When Chief Meteorologist Chris Gloninger started connecting the dots between extreme weather and climate change in a red state, he expected a challenge—but he didn’t expect a death threat. After his station management told him to dial back the science, Chris chose to step away from the TV camera to protect his integrity. In this episode, host Dr. Dana Fisher digs into Chris's journey from a censor

The Most Overlooked Climate Solution Isn’t Technological Jun 23, 2026 00:58:21 What happens when the climate movement focuses entirely on data and strategy, but completely ignores the human hearts carrying the load? In this episode, Dr. Dana Fisher sits down with best-selling author and leader Dr. Katharine Wilkinson to navigate our transition into a mapless political world under the new climate reality. Together, they discuss why the relentless question of "What can I do?"

How to Break Through Big Oil’s Disinformation Jun 9, 2026 00:54:20 What happens when a global superpower starts dismantling its own scientific infrastructure to protect a dying industry? In this episode, Dr. Dana Fisher sits down with acclaimed Harvard historian Dr. Naomi Oreskes to map out the terrifying parallels between current American rollbacks in science and historic authoritarian regimes. They break down the mechanics of modern disinformation networks, exp

Adam Conover Demands You Reclaim Your Political Power May 27, 2026 00:48:30 We’ve been conditioned to believe that changing the world means voting with our wallets, withholding our clicks, or publishing the perfect takedown online. Comedian and labor activist Adam Conover joins Dana R. Fisher to dismantle this myth and expose why digital outrage is exactly what big tech platforms want you to settle for. True civic power doesn't live on a server—it exists in your physical

Why Solidarity Is So Hard — and How We Build It Anyway with Rashawn Ray Feb 24, 2026 00:54:09 In Episode 2 of the Apocalyptic Optimist Podcast, Dana talks with Dr. Rashawn Ray about the realities of building solidarity in a deeply divided moment. From his work with communities-of-color and police departments to learning from the Black Lives Matter movement, Dr. Ray breaks down what works, what doesn’t, and how people can show up as more effective racial justice advocates right now.

Apocalyptic Optimist Episode 1 Feb 4, 2026 00:55:14 In the inaugural episode of the Apocalyptic Optimist Podcast, Dr. Dana R. Fisher talks with Rachel O’Leary Carmona and Tamika Middleton from the Women’s March about what we can learn from the Free America Walkout.https://cece.american.edu/explore/apocalyptic-optimist-podcast/

Apocalyptic Optimist Podcast

Episodes

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