Hi friends,

Welcome back to the Earth to Humans podcast. It’s been a minute, but we’re back!

I’m senior producer Sarinah Simons, and today, on Earth Day, I’m here with a little season update and some reflection.

Yes, we are finally back from our break. Stepping away gave us time to rest, reflect, and sort through the noise—both out in the world and in our own heads. However, none of us quite anticipated the world we would be returning to.

While we typically start each season on Earth Day with a renewed sense of purpose, motivation, and curiosity, I’ll be honest: this year hardly feels like a celebration.

There’s this weight on everything right now, right? Climate and humanitarian grief, ecosystem collapse, a hostile administration…So, truly, if you’re feeling degrees of that heaviness, you’re not alone. I promise, we’re right there with you.

I remember a time, though, when Earth Day felt a little more hopeful. At least, I remember when we were talking about projections and tipping points, and it at least felt a little farther off. A time when we were hopeful because there were good people out there working towards solutions, and while projections looked alarming, there was a sense that we could and would figure this out. But today doesn’t feel like that at all to me, and maybe that’s just me! But I can’t help but feel in certain ways that the climate crisis is now, and we are running out of time. I could recite a laundry list of all the current emergencies we’re all facing and reading about, but that often feels like preaching to an already overwhelmed and exhausted choir…so I’ll spare you all the details of what’s currently keeping me up at night.

So, that begs the question: why are we still doing this podcast?

Honestly? Because we need each other. And we need stories. Not just data. Not just dire warnings (though yes, it’s important to highlight those too), but stories that remind us we’re not alone. That other people care. That fighting for a livable future is still possible. Still worth it.

So this season, we’re doing things a little differently. Yes, we’ll still have the scientists, the authors, the activists—the people doing powerful work on the frontlines of climate and conservation. But we’re also bringing ourselves to the mic a little more.

We want to talk more openly about what it feels like to live in this moment. Not just what we’re doing, but how we’re doing. The hope, the burnout, the weird little coping rituals. The late-night spirals and the tiny, absurd joys that keep us going.

We’re pulling the curtain back a bit. More check-ins between hosts. More behind-the-scenes messiness. Because if we’ve learned anything in the last few years, it’s that pretending to have it all figured out is exhausting—and pretty unhelpful in my opinion.

So, if you’ve been feeling the weight of it all…welcome. If you’re still searching for ways to make a difference, or just survive the news cycle without disappearing into the void, you’re in good company.

And we’re so glad you’re here.

New episodes will be dropping soon, and we’ve got some incredible guests lined up this season. Stay tuned. Stay weird. Stay mad. And stay connected.