As the effects of climate change accelerate, so too do the number of people requiring disaster relief. Research has shown that while natural disasters do not discriminate geographically, their effects do, frequently harming vulnerable communities. This episode explores how emergency managers and civilians alike can navigate disaster relief with trauma-informed techniques. Earl is joined by Professor Kati Corlew, whose expertise in the psychology of disaster and emergency management can teach us what role communities, governments, and researchers ought to play in a changing climate landscape.

In 2023, Michigan’s Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners established an Advisory Council on Reparations to address institutional racism and inequity through the creation of a Washtenaw Reparations Plan. The plan will highlight ways that County policies have harmed Black lives and include specific actions to atone for past harms across sectors including homeownership, education, healthcare, and more. Advisory Council member and Washtenaw County Racial Equity Officer Alize Asberry Payne joins Earl to offer insight on how local communities can support the advancement of reparations plans and pursue a future dedicated to racial equity.

The fourth novel in the Our Compelling Interests book series argues that colorblind policies have made college inaccessible to a large share of students of color and reveals how policies that acknowledge racial inequalities and set racial equality goals can set students and their institutions up for success in contrast. Author Gary Orfield explores paths forward and the benefits of inclusive practices for colleges and their communities as a whole. How can institutions look beyond standardized test scores to employ non-traditional admissions techniques to recruit talented students? How does diversity within an institution benefit its community and society at large?

The premiere of The Cost of Inheritance, a one-hour PBS documentary exploring the topic of reparations for descendants of enslaved Africans through personal stories, has sparked conversations on how to get controversial topics understood and accepted by the masses. Darryl Ford Williams, executive producer of the film, joins Earl to speak on the power of documentary filmmaking and how activists can utilize media to make a change.