Motherhood was a wake-up call for Hilary Swank, as she learned about the toxic chemicals lurking in everyday products we trust to keep our babies safe. In today's episode, Ken sits down with the two-time Academy Award-winning actress and film producer to discuss how becoming a mom transformed her understanding of just how toxic our world is for the most vulnerable among us. Last year, Hillary joined Ken at the California State Capitol to fight for passage of SB 646, a crucial prenatal vitamin safety law. She opens up about the shocking moment she learned that prenatal vitamins aren't required to be tested for heavy metals, her partnership with Healthy Baby (the first EWG VerifiedⓇ diaper), and why she'll show up “time and time again” to protect not just her children, but all children. From her first-ever lobbying experience to helping pass the groundbreaking SB 646 in just six months, Hilary is on a mission to make the world safer for the next generation.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:EWG Skin Deep - Healthy Baby Gov. Newsom signs nation’s first law to require tests of prenatal vitamins for heavy metals EWG Area's of Focus: CaliforniaKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week. @kencookspodcast www.ewg.org @environmentalworkinggroup

Just one year into the Trump administration, the onslaught of attacks on the environment and public health is staggering. The Environmental Protection Agency is leading the deregulatory charge with policy actions that will lead to more pollution. To help understand the full scope of the damage, Ken in this episode speaks to environmental law expert Joe Goffman. He served as assistant administrator for the EPA's Office of Air and Radiation during the Biden administration. Goffman also played a key role in writing the landmark 1990 Clean Air Act amendments that strengthened U.S. air quality law. With his work on virtually every major air quality law and rule over the past 35 years, Goffman is uniquely qualified to unravel the full extent of damage that the EPA is doing to our air, water, and health.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Joseph Goffman, Executive Director of Harvard Law School's Environmental & Energy Law ProgramMAAHA: EWG’s ‘Make America Actually Healthy Again’ agenda for EPA Administrator ZeldinTrump’s EPA Could Limit Its Own Ability to Use New Science to Strengthen Air Pollution RulesEPA’s Goffman lashed out at ethics chargesKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Julia Belluz, co-author of "Food Intelligence: The Science of How Food Both Nourishes and Harms Us," joins Ken to dismantle everything you think you know about nutrition, metabolism and weight loss. Julia is an award-winning health journalist, contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, and former senior health correspondent at Vox. She's a Knight Science Journalism Fellow from MIT and currently lives in Paris, France.Julia explains why our struggles with food aren't personal failures. They are the predictable result of living in toxic food environments designed to make us overeat. Drawing on decades of nutrition science research conducted with co-author Kevin Hall at the National Institutes of Health, she reveals what people get wrong with food despite thinking they’re doing it right. Julia compares France's deliberate cultivation of healthy food environments to America's chronic disease crisis. She discusses California's groundbreaking legislation defining ultra-processed foods, the promise and failures of Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s "Make America Healthy Again" agenda, and why we need systemic change to how we approach food.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Food Intelligence: The Science of How Food Both Nourishes and Harms UsEWG's food policy work California's ultra-processed food lawKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Something unprecedented just happened at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. A newly reconstituted advisory committee voted to recommend delaying hepatitis B vaccination for most babies. The vote overturns a 30-year policy that led to a massive decline in infant infections.In today’s episode, Ken talks with former CDC Director of the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases Dr. Demetre Daskalakis. Daskalakis spent decades fighting on the front lines of America's toughest public health battles. He brought HIV testing to the communities that needed it most. He stopped a meningitis outbreak in its tracks and he led the national Mpox response. He left the CDC in August.Demetre breaks down the recent shake-up at the CDC and why the best sign that federal public health efforts are working are that they’re not in the news – unlike today.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Dr. Demetre’s InstagramKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Are you susceptible to cult-like thinking? According to author Jane Borden, everyone might be, especially Americans.In today’s episode, Jane talks with Ken about how the Pilgrims and Puritans essentially founded America as a "high-control doomsday group" and that those patterns never went away.In her book, "Cults Like Us: Why Doomsday Thinking Drives America," Jane identifies the warning signs: worship of a charismatic leader who can't be criticized, apocalyptic crisis narratives, conspiratorial thinking that explains away inconvenient facts, and promises to return to a "pure" past. Sound familiar?The “Make America Great Again” and “Make America Healthy Again” movements check many of these boxes even while acknowledging that the health threats many Americans face are very real. Are we addressing those threats through evidence and accountability, or through cult-like devotion to leaders who promise easy answers?For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Jane Borden’s WebsiteKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week. @kencookspodcast www.ewg.org @environmentalworkinggroup

The longest U.S. government shutdown in history just ended and millions of Americans are about to pay for it. Health insurance premiums are set to double, SNAP food benefits were frozen for 42 million people and Democrats caved without securing protections for either.In today’s episode, Ken sits down with Liz Hamel, vice president and director of public opinion and survey research at health policy research organization KFF, about her groundbreaking research on the Make America Healthy Again, or MAHA, movement. A Washington Post/KFF poll reveals surprising contradictions: Most MAHA parents vaccinate their kids but trust Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. on vaccine information. These parents want more government regulation of food but support deregulating raw milk and they're more worried about fluoride than gun violence. As the government shutdown fallout continues and with basic health protections at risk, this conversation explores how divided Americans are over what they want for their children's health.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Washington Post - Who Supports RFK Jr’s MAHA KFF/The Washington Post Survey of Parents: Polling Insights on the MAHA MovementKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

In today’s episode Ken and Lindsay Dahl talk about how we regulate chemicals, protect public health and decide product safety. Lindsay has more than two decades of environmental health work in the private and public sector. She’s the author of "Cleaning House: The Fight to Rid Our Homes of Toxic Chemicals,” that discusses why environmental health has always been a bipartisan issue, despite today's polarized politics. She emphasizes the importance of holding all elected officials accountable, regardless of party, on their environmental health records. Lindsay addresses the “Make America Healthy Again” movement, noting that Republican women joining the fight against toxic chemicals represent a continuation of decades-long grassroots organizing, not something new. She warns that voters who supported President Donald Trump based on Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy's promises need to hold the administration accountable as it rolls back air quality regulations, protections from the “forever chemicals” known as PFAS  and other environmental safeguards. Lindsay is an incredible science communicator and encourages people to cut through social media disinformation to engage meaningfully with environmental health issues through their votes and advocacy.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Cleaning House: The fight to rid our homes of toxic chemicalsLindsay Dahl’s SubstackKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Matt Randolph, aka Mr. Global, has more than 33 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, including his work as Shell expert and as co-founder of Sentinel Energy. As Mr. Global, he’s an internet educator using TikTok and YouTube to combat political lies about energy policy. While Matt is an oil industry veteran, he actively promotes renewable energy and believes in climate change, while warning about the consequences of moving too fast on clean energy without proper planning.Ken and Matt explore why Americans’ electric bills are skyrocketing, what environmentalists get right and wrong about energy transitions and why California's rollback of rooftop solar incentives was such a devastating mistake. This conversation proves that an environmentalist and an oilman can actually learn from each other through curiosity and facts. Whether you care about climate change, energy policy or just want to understand why your electric bill keeps climbing, this one is for you.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Mr. Global on TikTokMr. Global on YoutubeKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

The Trump administration’s recent claim that acetaminophen [Tylenol] use during pregnancy may increase the risk of autism is yet another chapter in its campaign of misinformation and assault on science.At the center of modern anti-vaccine mythology is Andrew Wakefield, the disgraced former physician who lost his medical license after his infamous 1998 Lancet study fraudulently linked the MMR – measles, mumps and rubella vaccine to autism. It was investigative journalist Brian Deer - author of, “The Doctor Who Fooled the World” - who exposed Wakefield’s deception and dismantled the fraudulent study.  Ken and Brian discuss how the Trump administration led by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. continues to spread Wakefield’s falsehoods, exploit people’s fears and undermine public health.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Brian Deer's WebsiteThe BMJ "How the vaccine crisis was meant to make money"Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Has your grocery bill gone up? Ken’s guest today, Errol Schweizer, knows why. Errol has 25 years of experience in the food and grocery industry. He is the former grocery vice president of Whole Foods and has worked with Patagonia, Annie’s, General Mills, Fairway, Good Eggs and National Co+op Grocers. He is a self-professed “grocery nerd” and frequently writes for Forbes covering food retail, consumer packaged goods, and the food industry at large.Ken and Errol discuss food inflation, how federal immigration raids are impacting the food industry, and the disappointing lack of positive change coming from RFK Jr.’s “Make America Healthy Again” regime. For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Errol's Substack - The Check Out Grocery UpdateErrol's articles for ForbesErrol Schweizer LLCMichelle Obama Was Vilified by the Right. Then Came MAHA (Politico)Isabella M. Weber ArticlesUnited Farm WorkersMake Our Children Healthy Again Strategy ReportKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Women’s healthcare and medical research have major funding shortfalls. In today’s episode, Ken is joined by Lo Bosworth, TV star turned founder and CEO of Love Wellness. Lo knows all too well the journey many women need to take to self-advocate for their  health and wellness. Love Wellness’ mission is supporting women on their health and wellness journeys, investing in much-needed research for women’s health conditions. Lo shares her own personal health struggles, which led to her launching Love Wellness. She also talks about her IVF success story. By advocating for her own healthcare, Lo has created a movement that other people can follow. For a deeper dive into today’s discussion: Lo Bosworth Love Yourself Well: An Empowering Wellness Guide to Supporting Your Gut, Brain, and Vagina Endometriosis Foundation of America My Story: Diagnosis Endometriosis Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

If you’ve walked down a personal care products aisle in your local store, you probably recognize Dr. Bronner’s soaps. They come in big bottles with minimal graphics but plenty of words, are affordable, and many of their products are EWG Verified®. In today’s episode, Ken is joined by Lisa Bronner, the granddaughter of Dr. Emanuel Bronner, who founded the company in 1948.Since its launch, Dr. Bronner’s has been committed to being ethical, thoughtful and forward-thinking, operating with stewardship. The company is also an industry leader on the front lines of the “regenerative” agriculture movement and reducing its carbon footprint through constant innovation. Ken and Lisa also discuss her book Soap & Soul: A Practical Guide to Minding Your Body, Your Home, and Your Spirit with Dr. Bronner’s Magic Soaps and what inspired her to write it.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Dr. Bronner’s: The original all-one soapEWG Verified: Dr. Bronner’sDr. Bronner’s CertificationsGoing Green with Lisa BronnerCampaign For Safe Cosmetics“Soap and Soul: A Practical Guide to Minding Your Home, Your Body, and Your Spirit with Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps”“Honor Thy Label: Dr. Bronner’s Unconventional Journey to a Clean, Green, and Ethical Supply Chain”Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Does “the dose make the poison?” The chemical industry claims that a toxic exposure dose is “safe” until it’s not. But regulations can take years to catch up to scientific data about the dangers of low-level chemical exposures.In today’s episode, EWG President and co-Founder Ken Cook is joined by Dr. Bruce Lanphear, a professor of health sciences at Simon Fraser University in British Columbia, Canada. In that role, he’s the  principal investigator for a study examining fetal and early childhood exposures.Lanphear is a leading proponent of using a science-based approach to assess the potential health harms children face through exposure to toxic chemicals.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Little Things MatterWater fluoridation less effective now than in past (Cochrane Review)Science and Decisions, Advancing Risk Assessment (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine)MurderlandHormones And Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: What You Need To Know (The Endocrine Society)Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Will Westmoreland became an influencer overnight when he directly addressed a farmer's concerns over not receiving a rotational grazing reimbursement. The first/second Trump administration’s Department of Agriculture promised the money but then rescinded it. Will’s story made an impression on millions of people with the straightforward way he shared how the farmer voted against his best interest by supporting Donald Trump.Westmoreland, Ken’s guest on today’s episode, is a farmer and political activist. He’s also the founder of The Back Forty, a bipartisan media company focused on fortifying and growing rural America, family farmers, ranchers, and nearby communities. It does this work through public education, infrastructure, healthcare, and economic development. EWG and  The Back Forty are committed to helping rural Americans. EWG’s Farm Subsidy Database (visited by thousands of people daily) helps ensure public accountability for how taxpayer dollars are distributed in agricultural support programs.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:The Back Forty@WestmorelandPopsFarm.EWG.orgNot All Corn Is the Same — Learn About the 3 Main Types with Our Handy Cheat Sheet (The Kitchn)RHIhub Maps on Rural Healthcare FacilitiesKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Under the Trump administration, the Department of Health and Human Services, the Environmental Protection Agency, and other key federal departments are shedding thousands of experienced scientists. This assault on federal scientists will have a lasting effect for generations, eliminating much-needed expertise that has historically played a central role in developing rules that protect human health and the environment.Two leaders in the science community – Dr. Linda Birnbaum and Dr. Micah Niemeier-Walsh – talk with Ken about the widespread damage this brain drain is causing. Birnbaum worked at the EPA and as the director of the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. Niemeier-Walsh is an industrial hygienist in the Firefighter Health Program and the National Firefighter Registry for Cancer at the National Institute for Occupational Safety & Health.Federal rules that safeguard the environment and public health need scientific research – without it, backsliding to weaker rules and more pollution is the only likely outcome.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Linda S. Birnbaum, Ph.D., D.A.B.T., A.T.S.National Institute for Occupational Safety and HealthThe American Federation of Government Employees (AFGE)Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Food production is responsible for a third of the climate crisis, yet it’s the part of the problem we talk about the least. With agricultural land making up forty percent of our planet, we are literally eating the Earth. The first step is acknowledging the mess and the second is addressing it. In today’s episode, Ken is joined by investigative reporter Mike Grunwald. They discuss Mike’s exploration of our broken food system in his new book, “We Are Eating the Earth: The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our Climate”.Both Ken and Mike acknowledge that industrial agriculture has many problems: it mistreats workers and animals, pollutes air and water, and relies too heavily on toxic chemicals and antibiotics. But they also share a conviction that reform is possible — and essential — if we want to feed a growing population without destroying the planet.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:We Are Eating the Earth The Race to Fix Our Food System and Save Our ClimateMonsanto Hid Decades Of Pollution (The Washington Post, 2002)Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

The Republican-led Congress is considering a “Big Beautiful” reconciliation bill that might include new hurdles for crucial assistance programs like Medicaid and SNAP, such as adding work requirements and increasing paperwork. GOP lawmakers claim the changes aim to tackle fraud, waste and abuse in the programs.In today’s episode, Ken talks with Bob Greenstein, founder and president emeritus of the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, a think tank that for more than 40 years has been the gold standard for analyzing the impact of federal and state government budget policies.Ken and Bob highlight the millions of Americans who will lose access to health care and food assistance if the bill becomes law. A core EWG belief is that you can’t help people make healthier choices if they don’t have access to food. Creating barriers to, and reducing, benefits, doesn’t mean healthier kids – it only leads to hungrier kids.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:The Center on Budget and Policy PrioritiesThe Brookings InstitutionPaul Krugman's SubstackWork Requirements and Work Supports for Recipients of Means-Tested Benefits (CBO)The Recession of 2007–2009 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics)Medicaid Work Requirements In Arkansas: Two-Year Impacts On Coverage, Employment, And Affordability Of Care (NIH)Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

While there are positive aspects of having top government officials talking about chronic disease prevention and diet, the food industry's primary goal remains profit – not public health. In today’s episode, Ken is joined by Marion Nestle, one of America's most respected voices on nutrition and food politics. Marion believes that truly addressing human health and equality in food requires getting politics out of the discussion. She has dedicated her career to advocating for public health and food policy, is a professor at NYU, author of several books and writes the daily newsletter Food Politics.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Marion Nestle’s Newsletter Food PoliticsMarion Nestle’s BooksAwareness of the MyPlate Plan: United States, 2017–March 2020 Center on Budget and Policy PrioritiesFood Research & Action CenterFood security among SNAP participants 2019 to 2021: a cross-sectional analysis of current population survey food security supplement data (Journal of Nutritional Science)Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Eric Garcia is a journalist and author who challenges the misconceptions about autism spectrum disorder through his own experience living with autism. In Eric’s book, “We’re Not Broken: Changing the Autism Conversation,” he explores how society can improve support for people on the spectrum through policy, education and healthcare. In today’s episode Ken is joined by Eric to refute Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. 's harmful and scientifically discredited claims linking autism to vaccines. But more importantly, this episode is about changing the conversation around autism to focus on the importance of self-advocacy, inclusion, progress and respect.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:We’re Not Broken Changing the Autism ConversationSen. Maggie Hassan questions RFK Jr. in confirmation hearingIn a Different Key: The Story of AutismNeurotribes: The Legacy of Autism and the Future of NeurodiversityThe Closing of Willowbrook (DisabilityJustice.org)Robert Kennedy Visiting Institutions in NYKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

There are times when society needs to act, the government needs to act, and today we’re going to focus on how you can act for your health. It’s rare for physicians to help you live a healthier life by integrating the whole notion of environment health. But in today’s episode Ken is joined by one of the country’s leading medical and legal experts in environmental health, Dr. Aly Cohen – a triple board-certified physician in rheumatology, internal medicine, and integrative medicine. Dr. Aly Cohen has a new book out today, “Detoxify, The Everyday Toxins Harming Your Immune System and How to Defend Against Them.”We’re excited to share this episode May 6 – the day her book comes out – because there are many great tips that you can follow to make a positive impact on your life.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:DETOXIFY: The Everyday Toxins Harming Your Immune System and How to Defend Against ThemDr. Aly Cohen InstagramDr. Aly Cohen WebsiteKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

The U.S. faces a growing measles outbreak. At the time of this recording, there are more than 800 confirmed cases and at least three deaths, including two young children who were unvaccinated. These tragic losses were almost certainly preventable with the MMR vaccine, which is safe, highly effective and widely available.  Measles is one of the most contagious diseases on earth, and it spreads quickly in communities with low vaccination rates. Once nearly eliminated in the U.S., a rise in vaccine hesitancy has opened the door for its return, fueled by misinformation, especially since the COVID-19 pandemic.  The danger isn’t just measles. Falling vaccination rates threaten to bring back other serious, preventable diseases once under control.  In today’s episode, Ken talks with two leading experts on why it’s critical that parents and caregivers stay informed and make sure children are fully vaccinated — not just for their own safety, but for the health of our communities. The first segment is with Dr. Mike Koster, Pediatric Infectious Disease Professor at Brown University. The second segment features Jessica Malaty Rivera, MS, an infectious disease epidemiologist and award-winning science communicator.  For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Jessica Malaty Rivera, MSMichael P Koster, Professor of Pediatrics, Clinician EducatorKennedy, in His Own Words: Flu, Diabetes, Autism and More (NYTimes, January 2025) Thimerosal and Vaccines (FDA.gov) The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia Vaccine Education CenterKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week. @kencookspodcast www.ewg.org @environmentalworkinggroup

Unraveling decades of environmental progress, the Trump administration is systematically dismantling the Environmental Protection Agency. It’s dismantling critical statutes that have protected public health and the environment for years. In today’s episode, Ken is joined by his old boss and mentor, former EPA Administrator Bill Reilly, who served in various roles under four U.S. presidents — Richard Nixon, George H.W. Bush, Bill Clinton, and Barack Obama. As EPA chief from 1989 to 1993, Reilly championed landmark policies like the 1990 Clean Air Act amendments.  He also played a key role in responding to major environmental disasters, including the Exxon Valdez and BP Deepwater Horizon oil spills.The Trump administration claims to be defunding the EPA for “economic reasons.” Bill and Ken, however, highlight how environmental regulations have historically driven economic growth rather than hindered it as the agency’s critics claim.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Three Former E.P.A. Leaders: You’ll Miss It When It’s GoneAdministrator William K. Reilly, 1989-1993 (EPA Archives)The Cuyahoga River Caught Fire at Least a Dozen Times, but No One Cared Until 1969 (Smithsonian Magazine)Lee Zeldin "Power the Great American Comeback"Clean Air Act Revisions (C-SPAN)Gulf of Mexico Oil Spill and Offshore Drilling (C-SPAN)Alaskan Oil Spill Update (C-SPAN)Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Ken is continuing his cook's tour of the who’s-who at public interest organizations. He’s joined by DJ Gerken, the president and executive director of the Southern Environmental Law Center.SELC is the largest environmental nonprofit organization in the southeastern United States. It fights daily to protect our right to clean water, clean air, and a liveable climate. Ken and DJ discuss the latest coming from Trump’s Environmental Protection Agency that has unleashed a wave of controversial moves, from deep budget and staff cuts, office closures and unprecedented rollbacks of critical environmental and public health protections. They debate the current playing field, and how both EWG and SELC are rising to protect American health.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Southern Environmental Law CenterE.P.A. Plans to Close All Environmental Justice OfficesLee Zeldin "Power the Great American Comeback"EPA shuts down 10 environmental justice offices, axes EJ divisionEPA eliminating environmental justice jobsKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Ken’s having another episode, one that quite a lot of people are having lately, all about the federal job layoffs. This is a little bit tricky, as Ken and EWG have at times been critical of the very agencies that are in the Trump administration’s crosshairs. To help Ken unpack this, he’s joined by his friend and environmental hero, Peter Galvin. Peter is one of the founders and the director of programs for the Center for Biological Diversity. They talk about policy, strategies for the next four years, and how their organizations will rise to the occasion to ensure all Americans have a cleaner, safer, non-toxic future.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:The Center for Biological DiversityFrequent Questions and Answers: Draft Sewage Sludge Risk Assessment for PFOA and PFOS (EPA)WHAT THEY ARE SAYING: EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin to Unleash American Greatness as Head of EPAICYMI: Administrator Zeldin on Record-Breaking Response: How EPA Tackled California’s Wildfire CrisisPFAS in sludge spread on farmland poses health risks, EPA report saysOPM-OMB Memo Guidance on Agency RIF and Reorganization Plans Requested by Implementing The President’s “Department of Government Efficiency” Workforce Optimization Initiative 2-26-2025She Lobbied for a Carcinogen. Now She’s at the E.P.A., Approving New Chemicals (NYTimes)PFAS Rule WithdrawnKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

The meat industry has been consolidating rapidly for decades, concentrating its power in a way that creates problems not only for the environment but also for farming communities in the U.S. and around the world.In today’s episode, Ken is joined by Chloe Sorvino, a journalist at Forbes and author of the new book “Raw Deal: Hidden Corruption, Corporate Greed, and the Fight for the Future of Meat.” Chloe unravels a tangled web of bribery, deceit, and international corporate intrigue as she explores the dark side of the modern industrialized meat industry.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Chloe's websiteRaw Deal: Hidden Corruption, Corporate Greed, and the Fight for the Future of Meat.EWG Food Scores: MeatDecoding Meat And Dairy Product LabelsKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Ken Cook is having another episode, and this one is all about two R’s: Red Dye 3 and RFK Jr. Ken is joined by his fellow public interest leader Dr. Peter Lurie, the  president and executive director of the Center for Science in the Public Interest, or CSPI. He has a storied career in public health, including a stint as the Food and Drug Administration’s associate commissioner for public health strategy and analysis during the Obama administration.Thanks to a petition CSPI filed with the FDA in 2022 FDA petition, Red Dye 3 is now banned from use in food products in the U.S.In today’s episode, Ken and Dr. Lurie celebrate that victory and discuss how CSPI, EWG, and other public interest groups are rising to meet this challenging political moment for public health.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion: www.cspinet.org EWG Food Scores: Red Dye 3What is GRAS? Thank you to our live-stream guests Day One: Dr. Rob Davidson, Executive Director of The Committee to Protect Health Care Dr. Georges Benjamin, Executive Director of American Public Health Association  Day Two: Tom Philpott, Senior Research Analyst at Johns Hopkins Center for a Livable Future Executive Director Northe Saunders and Advocacy Director Jen Herricks at SAFE Communities Coalition Action Fund Max Goldberg, founder of the newsletter Organic Insider Darya Minovi, Senior Analyst at The Center for Science and Democracy at The Union of Concerned Scientists Author and entrepreneur, Robyn O’BrienKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week. @kencookspodcast www.ewg.org @environmentalworkinggroup

Our skin is our largest organ, and applying some personal care products may let harmful chemicals sink into the body. That’s why Ken feels so strongly about the importance of non-toxic beauty alternatives.In today’s episode, he’s joined by Hillary Peterson, the founder of True Botanicals, a skincare company offering products without problematic ingredients. Hillary is a cancer survivor who was motivated to start her company after listening to Ken speak on NPR about how chemicals in personal care products end up in the umbilical cord blood in pregnant people. Every True Botanicals product is EWG Verified® and sourced with organic regenerative farm and wild harvest ingredients. Now entering their tenth year, True Botanicals is dedicated to reimagining what responsible, ethical beauty looks like. Ken and Hillary discuss her journey, influences, and what’s next in the world of better beauty.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:True Botanicals WebsiteFood Forest NetworkSkin DeepEWG’s Tap Water Database Body Burden: The Pollution in Newborns (EWG)Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week. @kencookspodcast www.ewg.org @environmentalworkinggroup

Chemicals in our food, water, and air are risk factors contributing to the rise of Parkinson’s disease. It’s  the fastest-growing brain disease in the world, creating urgency to address not just treatment for Parkinson’s but also its causes.Today’s guest is Dr. Ray Dorsey, a neurologist who co-authored the book, “Ending Parkinson’s Disease: A Prescription for Action.” He explains why Parkinson’s is a man-made disease and how eliminating harmful chemicals in food, water, and air could help get rid of it. EWG is on a mission to ban harmful pesticides like paraquat that have links to Parkinson’s disease. We’re thrilled to have Ray as an ally and leader in the fight. Head on over to BanParaquat.org to join the effort. For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Paraquat PapersBanParaquat.orgShopper’s Guide to PesticidesKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week. @kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

At EWG we believe everyone should have access to safe products, clean drinking water, healthy food, and clean air. We believe in that so much that we’ve spent decades fighting for you. Ken sits down with his colleagues Scott Faber and Jocelyn Lyle to discuss EWG’s impact in 2024 and what’s to come in 2025. From a potential Red dye-3 ban to pesticides in produce to PFAS in your drinking water, EWG has made incredible progress.We’ll have our challenges in 2025 but we’re ready to face them head-on, but not before we celebrate this year’s successes with you, our listeners. Thank you for your support and we’re excited to do it again with you next year.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:EWG’s Dirty DozenEWG VerifiedEWG’s Healthy Living AppAlaska Community Action on ToxicsBreast Cancer Prevention PartnersCenter for Environmental HealthClean Water ActionNatural Resources Defense CouncilSierra ClubIllinois Environmental Council Defend Our HealthMaryland PIRGAlliance for a Healthier TomorrowResilient Sisterhood ProjectEcology CenterWomen’s Voices for the EarthClean + HealthyEarthjusticeClean Cape FearNorth Carolina Conservation NetworkOregon Environmental CouncilVermont Conservation VotersVermont Natural Resources CouncilVermont Public Interest Research GroupToxic-Free FutureZero Waste WashingtonAlliance of Nurses for Healthy Environments Break Free From PlasticCenter for Environmental HealthClean Production ActionCommonwealConsumer ReportsEnvironmental Defense FundInternational Pollutants Elimination NetworkLearning Disabilities Association of AmericaNational Caucus of Environmental LegislatorsSilent Spring InstituteToxic-Free FutureUnion of Concerned ScientistsKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

We know which healthy choices we need to make to improve our diet and health but it can seem so daunting in the moment. In today’s episode Ken is joined by pharmacist turned wellness content creator, Mona Vand to tackle exactly that. Sometimes it doesn’t feel convenient to eat healthy or find healthy options when you need something quick but Mona helps reframe how to approach food prep and what to look for. If you travel as frequently as Ken and Mona, eating healthy can be very tricky. Mona provides some great tips to improve your energy and how to eat healthy and move your body while on the road.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:MonaVand.comMona's Instagram EWG’s Dirty DozenEWG VerifiedEWG’s Healthy Living AppKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

No matter your politics, you want the food you and your family eat every day to be safe. So why do so many of the products on the grocery store shelves have worrisome  food chemical additives that have been banned in other countries, including many linked to cancer and behavioral problems in children. To help unravel this, Ken is joined by EWG’s Vice President of Government Affairs Melanie Benesh to do a deep dive into the world of food additives. They discuss how the failures by federal regulators at the FDA have allowed food companies to add troubling chemicals linked to serious health problems into countless foods, and how some states like California are taking a stand on behalf of consumers. For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:EWG’s Dirty DozenEWG VerifiedEWG’s Healthy Living AppWhat is Propyl Paraben?Propyl Paraben: Are you eating an endocrine disruptor?Common food additives in Cap’n Crunch and Apple Jacks cereal may harm human healthThousands of children’s sweets STILL contain additive unsafe for human consumptionCalifornia agency acknowledges synthetic food dyes’ link to hyperactivity and behavioral problems in kidsKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week. @kencookspodcast www.ewg.org @environmentalworkinggroup

Babies are our most vulnerable population when it comes to chemical exposure. And yet, many baby products contain endocrine-disrupting chemicals.Entrepreneur, environmentalist, and trailblazer Shazi Visram wants to protect the next generation. Shazi’s mission isn’t just business, it’s personal, and the subject of neurological health is particularly close to her heart.   Shazi is the creator of the groundbreaking baby food company Happy Baby and has launched her newest venture - HealthyBaby. Her line of baby personal care products are all EWG Verified. In today’s episode Ken and Shazi sit down after an EWG board meeting to talk about her journey, what inspires her, and why being EWG-verified is so important to her. For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Shazi's websiteHappy Family OrganicsHealthyBabyEWG VerifiedEWG’s Healthy Living AppKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week. @kencookspodcast www.ewg.org @environmentalworkinggroup

Do you need an election recovery tool kit? Well, you’ve come to the right place. In today’s episode, Ken is joined by activist, educator, author, and podcast host, Jenna Arnold. Her book, Raising Our Hands, dives deep into conversations with white women about their identity, role in the country, and how to become more engaged citizens to make the changes we desperately need. As a Women’s March Organizer, Jenna is constantly asking questions about what went wrong, what can be done next and what we need to learn more about.  For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:Jenna Arnold’s WebsiteRaising Our Hands How White Women Can Stop Avoiding Hard Conversations, Start Accepting Responsibility, And Find Our Place on the New Front LinesJenna’s Instagram @itsjennaJenna’s Podcast Let’s BeginKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Everyone wants cleaner, cheaper energy. Well, almost everyone. Powerful utility companies like PG&E, Sempra, and Southern California Edison aren’t going down without a fight, and they fight dirty. In today’s episode, Ken is joined by Bernadette Del Chiaro, the Executive Director of the California Solar & Storage Association, who was instrumental in passing the Million Solar Roofs Initiative into law with then-governor Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2006.Since then the solar industry in California has created over 70,000 jobs and has installed over 2 million solar rooftops. But thanks to the monopoly utility giants and the leadership of Governor Gavin Newsom—along with his handpicked regulators—the once-vibrant rooftop solar market has been decimated. Misinformation and deceptive tactics from the utility monopolies, threatened by solar's growth, are systematically dismantling the industry in a bid to protect their profits.For a deeper dive into today’s discussion:The California Solar & Storage AssociationCalifornia Public Utilities Commission 1 Million Solar Roofs InitiativeEnergy Cities & Regions (Climate Action Stories)Milestones: A million solar roofs (Public Interest Network)Edison Electric InstituteKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

In today’s episode, Ken is deep-diving into the intersection of environmentalism and animal welfare. First, Ken speaks with veterinarian Crystal Heath who has been bravely raising the alarm of how her profession enables and endorses animal abuse from veterinarian school to factory farms. In the second part of today’s episode, Ken is joined by longtime friend and founder of Animal Wellness Action, president of the Center for a Humane Economy, and former CEO of the Humane Society, Wayne Pacelle. Wayne,  like Crystal, is advocating for animal welfare across many industries. Crystal and Wayne are great examples of individual integrity and commitment to a cause. They are also great reminders that, as consumers, what we choose to invest in with our dollars makes a difference.Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:Our Honor (Crystal's organization)Animal Wellness ActionCenter for a Humane EconomyCrystal Heath wants veterinary medicine to live up to its values (Vox)New Documents Reveal How the Animal Agriculture Industry Surveils and Punishes Critics (The Intercept)What are gestation crates and are they legal in the U.S.? (Farm Forward)Supreme Court Upholds California’s Prop 12, Protects Rights of States to Set Humane Treatment, Food Safety Rules (Animal Wellness Action)The Bond Our Kinship with Animals, Our Call to Defend Them The Humane Economy How Innovators and Enlightened Consumers Are Transforming the Lives of AnimalsKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Hi, it's Ken Cook from EWG. I'm here in Washington and we're here to get ready to fight.  It already feels like Trump's Washington. That feeling reminds us of what we went through during his first term where we saw a massive assault on environmental protection. We haven't always been happy with everything that happened over the last four years with the Biden administration.And we have called that out. We will always do that. We don't favor Democrats or Republicans. We favor environmental protection. We favor human health. We favor your health. But I have to tell you, this is a very, very different situation that we're facing now. Different than we've ever faced before.We have every reason to think that appointees are, for the most part, here to tear down the ability of the government to do its job, starting with EPA. One of the first announcements was an EPA administrator, and he was instructed to deregulate Environmental protections. So we know that's coming. And for whatever reason, you may have voted for President Trump. That's your right. We're not here to suggest who you should vote for. But we will say that when you vote for someone, you get the whole package. There is no such thing as a single-issue politician. And so what we're seeing now is the consequences of someone coming to power, using that power in ways that we predicted would happen, to deregulate the economy, weaken environmental law, and weaken food safety.Now, there's plenty that we can do as individuals. EWG has tens of millions of people who come to us every year, seeking information so you can protect your family yourself. You can protect your health yourself, and that's vitally important to do. But there are some things we can't do for ourselves.There are some things we can't shop or behave our way out of. Those belong in the realm of policy and politics. So we're here for the fight. We wake up every morning ready to fight. We have for 31 years. We're fighting against companies that don't do the right thing when they make their products. We're fighting against polluters. We're fighting against them and won't ever stop. But now we're facing a really serious challenge that's structural across the entire government at the federal level. We'll be pushing for advances at the state level to make up for what doesn't happen here in Washington.We'll be giving you advice so you can protect yourself without having to depend on the government, as ever. That's who we are.But I'll tell you, I'm very concerned about what we're seeing already with this Trump administration. We're not counting on any help with our agenda from the inside.If we're proven wrong, that would be great. But in the short term, we're preparing for the worst. I'm asking you for your feedback, for your help, as we do that. Because my feeling is, we're in for a long battle. On this show, we're going to be your eyes and ears on Trump's Washington. And we're going to be reporting from the front lines of the fight.So, please keep tuning in.Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week. @kencookspodcast www.ewg.org @environmentalworkinggroup

We are interrupting our regular programming for Election Day to encourage you to vote. Make your voice heard at the ballot box and if you have any last-minute questions on how or where to vote head on over to VOTE.ORG.Who knows what episode I’ll be having after the results are in but tune in to find out. Happy Election Day.

If you’ve followed the world of pesticides for as long as Ken has, it can be hard to be shocked. But journalist Carey Gillam (The New Lede) has dug up a story that has rattled even Ken. In her newest piece “Defend or be damned’ - How a US company uses government funds to suppress pesticide opposition around the world” (The New Lede, The Guardian, Le Monde) Carey exposes a government-funded (pssst, that means funded by your taxes) covert social network that has worldwide tentacles. Carey and Ken discuss secret dossiers on pesticide critics, including sensitive personal information of journalists and public health advocates, agendas to attack pesticide and GMO opponents, and private social networks used by pesticide industry lobbyists and government officials worldwide to conceal their collusion from public scrutiny. Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:“Defend or be damned” – How a US company uses government funds to suppress pesticide opposition around the world (The New Lede)Carey Gillam’s website (CareyGillamNewsNow@gmail.com)Revealed: the US government-funded ‘private social network’ attacking pesticide critics (The Guardian)Poison PR Media Library (The New Lede)The Monsanto Papers: Deadly Secrets, Corporate Corruption, and One Man's Search for Justice (Carey Gillam)Lighthouse ReportsVFluenceAcademicsReviewAcademics Review Form 990 2014Bonus EventusThe Monsanto Papers: Poisoning the Scientific Well (National Library of Medicine)Farm to Fork strategy (EU Commission) Secret files suggest chemical giant feared weedkiller’s link to Parkinson’s disease (The Guardian)OIG Reports (Sept 2024)Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Endocrine disruptors are chemical compounds that interfere with our hormones. For years, it was seen as a fringe theory. Today, it’s embraced by The Endocrine Society and Endocrinologists worldwide. A new study by our guest today shows that chemical exposure to young brains impacts their hormones, which can result in early-onset puberty.  In his latest episode, Ken is joined by Dr. Natalie Shaw, a pediatric endocrinologist and clinical investigator, to discuss her team’s findings and the dangers of early-onset puberty. EWG has been following this topic for quite some time. Join us as we jump back to 2010 when Ken interviews Dr. Louise Greenspan and Dr. Juliana Deardorf about their book, The New Puberty. We’ll explore the unfolding of this story over the past decade, which leaves us to wonder - what are we doing to our girls, and why?Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below: Identification of Environmental Compounds That May Trigger Early Female Puberty by Activating Human GnRHR and KISS1R (Endocrinology, Volume 165, Issue 10, October 2024, bqae103) The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Hormones And Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals What You Need To Know (The Endocrine Society) Exposure and potential risks of thirteen endocrine- disrupting chemicals in pharmaceuticals and personal care products for breastfed infants in China (Environment International) Endocrine Disrupting Chemicals: Threats To Human Health Pesticides, Plastics, Forever Chemicals, And Beyond (The Endocrine Society) The New Puberty, How to Navigate Early Development in Today's Girls (Louise Greenspan, M.D., Julianna Deardorff, Ph.D.)Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week. @kencookspodcast www.ewg.org @environmentalworkinggroup

People come to environmental work in many different ways. Our first guest today, Kari Rhinehart, came to environmentalism after experiencing a parent’s worst nightmare, the loss of a child, due to a rare brain tumor. When other children in her community of Franklin, IN started getting sick, parents in the community began asking questions and putting data on a map. What they found shocked them. Contaminated drinking water.Our second guest, Kari’s attorney, Chris Nidel, is a former chemical engineer turned environmental lawyer. People like Kari and her daughter, Emma Grace, are why Chris does the work that he does (and we wish there were more people like him!) Both Kari and Chris are incredible examples of how one person can have an enormous impact and affect change.Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below: If It Was Your ChildNidel & Nace, P.L.L.C.Emma Grace Creative Arts ScholarshipTCE Interactive Map (EWG) EWG Tap Water DatabaseTap water of more than 19 million Americans polluted by ‘Civil Action’ carcinogen that EPA is poised to ban (EWG) Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry (ATSDR) Health Consultation (EPA) What is Vapor Intrusion? (EPA) Search for Superfund Sites Where You Live (EPA) Health Consultation and Analysis, Franklin, IN (ATSDR, HHS, CDC)Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week. @kencookspodcast www.ewg.org @environmentalworkinggroup

First things first, the onus shouldn’t be on us to find food options without chemicals and additives. If it’s in a store, it should be safe to eat. Right? Unfortunately, that’s not the world we live in. In today’s episode, Ken is joined by noted nutritionist Courtney Swan. Courtney is on a mission to empower people to understand what healthy eating is and how to go about it within our broken food system. She is also on a mission to empower people to make their own food and dispel the myth that healthy doesn’t taste good. Ken and Courtney encourage people to trust their gut (in multiple ways) when making food choices and they believe everyone deserves access to healthy and affordable food. Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below: RealfoodologyCourtney’s InstagramEWG's Food ScoresEWG, “Monsanto Emails: ‘Let’s Beat the S*** Out of’ Moms Worried About Cancer-Linked Weedkiller”Seed Oil ScoutUnited States District Court, Northern District of California, Case 3:16-md-02741-VC Document 246-2New York Times, "A Florida Professor Works with the Biotech Industry"New York Times, "Food Industry Enlisted Academics in G.M.O. Lobbying War, Emails Show"Oxfam, "These 10 companies make a lot of the food we buy. Here’s how we made them better."Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week. @kencookspodcast www.ewg.org @environmentalworkinggroup

Astounding advancements have been made in clean energy technology, and rooftop and community solar initiatives have been shown to drive consumer costs down and help us reach carbon emission reduction goals. So why are solar projects hitting a regulatory brick wall? (hint: it’s about corporate greed and value for monopoly utility shareholders). In today’s episode, we’re joined by the co-director of the Institute for Local Self Reliance, John Farrell, to unravel the ins and outs of why rooftop and community solar and other clean energy advancements are being stoned-walled, and what we can do about it. Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:Institute for Local Self-RelianceLocal Energy Rules PodcastEWG's guide to solar energyFight to save rooftop solar in California heads to state Supreme Court (EWG)Upcharge: Hidden Costs of Electric Utility Monopoly Power (ILSR)What the Monopoly Utility Model Really Costs Us (ILSR)The Free Delivery Farce in SolarKIUC 2023 Annual ReportPG&E to pay $55 million for two massive California wildfires (PBS News)Project 2025's "Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise" (The Heritage Foundation, made public by NPR)Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

A cleaner, greener, and brighter future is within our reach. But often the path we have to walk is littered with discriminatory hurdles put up by the male-dominated financial sector. From subsidies that suppress organic farming to everyday biases preventing the funding of new startups and innovative ideas from women and people of color, Wall Street often stands in the way of progress. No one can speak to this better than our guest today, Robyn O’Brien. Robyn is a bestselling author, speaker, entrepreneur and investor. After earning her MBA from Rice University, Robyn went on to work as an equity analyst on Wall Street where she covered the food and tech industry. After falling down the convoluted rabbit hole of contaminated food and personal care products, she now sits at the intersection of environmentalism, equality and finance.Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below: Robyn's websiteTed X - "Real Food Evangelism"Ted X - “Patriotism on a Plate”Seeding Innovation: The Path to Profit and Purpose in the 21st CenturyThe Unhealthy Truth: One Mother's Shocking Investigation into the Dangers of America's Food Supply-- and What Every Family Can Do to Protect ItselfDetox Development -The World BankLifting financial performance by investing in women, Long-term capitalism at BlackRock (Nov. 2023)Reforming federal cosmetics law: What is the Modernization of Cosmetics Regulation Act? (EWG)EWG welcomes cosmetics law reforms in end-of-year spending billMontCalmHR5050Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Many people find EWG while seeking information  about pesticides. In today’s episode Ken is joined by our in-house Senior Toxicologist, Dr. Alexis Temkin whose research establishes safety guidelines to help people (including children) minimize their exposure to toxic crop chemicals. In the second half of today’s episode, Ken is joined by renowned pediatrician Dr. Phillip Landrigan whose decades of research and advocacy  is integral for understanding the effects of pesticides on children. We see this episode as Pesticides 101, to help give our audience agency over how they (and their families) are exposed to pesticides. Our government isn’t doing enough to protect us from harmful chemical  residues often found in healthy foods like fruits and vegetables. Until that changes, we’re grateful for the work of Dr. Temkin and Dr. Landrigan which has helped  people, including parents and caregivers, better understand how they can take steps to reduce their exposure to pesticides while eating plenty of healthy fruits and veggies. Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:EWG’s 2024 Dirty Dozen EWG’s 2024 Clean 15EWG’s Dirty Dozen Guide to Food Chemicals: The top 12 to avoidEWG’s YouTubeAlexis Temkin, Ph.D. EPA warns farmworkers about risks of Dacthal60 Minutes (CBS; 2/26/1989)National Research Council (US) Committee on Pesticides in the Diets of Infants and ChildrenFood Quality Protection Act SigningSafe Drinking Water Act SigningChildren and Environmental Toxins: What Everyone Needs to Know®Project 2025's "Mandate for Leadership: The Conservative Promise (contributed by NPR)Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Oil companies have known about their enormous and “catastrophic” contribution to climate change since the 1950s. They lied about it for as long as they could and are now lying about their newfound commitment to solving the problem they created. Who will hold them accountable?  Melissa “Missy” Sims, a lawyer from Illinois, is currently representing 52 Puerto Rican municipalities against Big Oil for hurricane-related damages caused by the climate crisis. Richard Wiles is the president of the Center for Climate Integrity, which helps state and local elected leaders, including state attorneys generals hold Big Oil companies accountable for climate damages through litigation. In today’s episode, Ken, Missy and Richard talk about how they got to the front lines of protecting our planet by working together on a mission to sue Big Oil and what their hope for the future looks like.Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:She’s on a Mission From: God Suing Big Oil Companies for DamagesCenter for Climate Integrity The Global Climate Science Communications Action Plan “The Victory Memo”T.I.N.A. Group Sceanarios 1998Exxon’s 1978 report “The Greenhouse Effect”Exxon’s 1979 report “Controlling Atmospheric CO2”Exxon's 2019 Corporate Strategic Planning memorandumShell’s 2020 “Let’s Talk Energy Transition” emails and deckHouse Oversight documents reveal Big Oil’s “greenwashing” climate claims to hide investments in fossil fuelsKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Local businesses and local farms are being lost in this era of monopolizing America’s food system, but the food industry didn’t become corrupt overnight. In today’s episode, Ken is joined by Austin Frerick, expert on agricultural and antitrust policy. His debut book, “Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America’s Food Industry” profiles a series of powerful magnates to illustrate the concentration of power in the food system. Policy language used effectively by the food industry is designed to wall people off, Austin’s book let’s people in.During the 2020 presidential campaign, Austin advised candidates Elizabeth Warren, Bernie Sanders, and Pete Buttigieg on agricultural policy before ultimately serving as Co-Chair of the Biden campaign’s Agriculture Antitrust Policy Committee. He now works at Yale University, collaborating on research related to competition policy and antitrust enforcement.Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:“Barons: Money, Power, and the Corruption of America's Food Industry”EWG's Meat And Dairy Product Labels DecoderEWG’s quick tips for reducing your diet's climate footprintEWG’s Meat Eater’s Guide to Climate & HealthKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

In a recent New Yorker article, investigative reporter Sharon Lerner writes about former 3M scientist Kris Hansen who conducted a study in the 90s where she found PFAs forever chemicals in the general public's blood. 3M executives told her PFAS chemicals weren't harmful, she believed them. Decades later she would learn the truth about the serious risks of  PFAS exposure, and why she decided to speak out against the company she worked at for decades.  We are aware of the harmful effects of PFAs because of Professor Philippe Grandjean, a Danish Toxicologist. In the first part of today’s episode, Ken is joined by Sharon Lerner and talks about the human experience 3m scientist Kris Hansen has gone through since finding out her employer lied to her and the general public for decades. Sharon Lerner refers to Professor Philippe Grandjean’s groundbreaking work in her article and in the second part of today’s episode, Ken is joined by Professor Grandjean to speak about one of his own articles that explores the vested interest in keeping facts about chemical exposure a secret from the public.Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:How 3M Discovered, Then Concealed, the Dangers of Forever Chemicals (The New Yorker)Sharon Lerner's work at ProPublicaIs Pollution Value-Maximizing? The Dupont Case (National Bureau Of Economic Research)Paracelsus Revisited: The Dose Concept in a Complex WorldEWG’s PFAS resourcesLead: Celebrate its ban, but don't cross it off your list (EWG)Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Climate change, air pollution, jobs! These are buzzwords that have helped the nuclear energy industry stay in power. In today’s episode, Ken is joined by author and environmental engineering professor, Mark Jacobson and former Chairman of the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission and author, Greg Jaczko to discuss why we continue to waste so much money in nuclear power, what the new clean energy alternatives are and why we are still using both.Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:Mark Jacobson’s Book, No Miracles NeededGreg Jaczko’s Book, Confessions of a Rogue Nuclear RegulatorEWG’s Green Energy GuideThe Economic Viability of Nuclear Power Is Only Going DownWhy Small Modular Nuclear Reactors Won’t Help Counter the Climate CrisisKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Almost 100% of Americans have toxic substances in our bodies and it negatively affects our health in numerous ways. In today’s episode,  Ken is joined by functional medicine pioneer and EWG board member, Dr. Mark Hyman. Functional medicine is a complete approach to your whole interconnected biological system. Dr. Hyman came to functional medicine after being diagnosed with mercury poisoning and after using functional medicine to detoxify his body, he became determined to help as many people as possible.  Ken and Dr. Hyman discuss why we are exposed to so many toxic substances, where we are exposed to them, and what you can do to help yourself reduce exposure and increase detoxification. Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:functionhealth.com/markMark's Instagram Dr. Mark Hyman’s Website EWG's Dirty Dozen: Cancer Prevention Edition EWG's 2024 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce™ Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week. @kencookspodcast www.ewg.org @environmentalworkinggroup

In today’s episode, Ken is joined by two guests, Diane Cotter and Peter Arlein who both came into environmentalism as a way to protect their families, friends, and communities from toxic ‘forever chemicals.’ Worcester, MA native Diane, wife of firefighter Paul Cotter, plunged into the PFAS rabbit hole when she questioned whether Paul’s exposure to the chemicals contributed to his prostate cancer. Her relentless pursuit for the truth revealed numerous sick firefighters and afflicted firefighter communities nationwide. Former ski-shop wax tech Peter took matters into his own hands by creating the Colorado-based company MountainFlo dedicated to making ski wax and bicycle lubricants without PFAS and petroleum, to protect the Rocky Mountains he cherishes and the outdoor sports community he belongs to. Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:Peter’s Company: Mountain Flow & Mountain Flow Take Back ProgramDiane’s Documentary Burned: Protecting the ProtectorsWhat are PFAS chemicals?Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

When buying or eating food, we don’t often think about the chemicals used in weed killers…but we should. In today’s episode, we go in-depth with Carey Gillam, Managing Editor of The New Lede, EWG’s journalism initiative, and the widely used commercial toxic pesticides found in weed killers. Ken and Carey discuss their link to Parkinson's, non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, and childhood leukemia, and her ground-breaking investigations that have exposed corporations like Monsanto and Syngenta that have concealed health risks from the public for decades. Earlier this month, EWG partnered with California assembly member Laura Friedman to introduce Assembly Bill 1963 which would end the use of Paraquat on fields and orchards in California by January 2026. The passing of this bill could enormously impact the lives and the health of California’s farmworkers, their families, and agricultural communities across the state.Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:Secret “Paraquat Papers” reveal corporate tactics to protect weed killer linked to parkinson’s diseaseToxic Weed Killer Found in Breast Milk, Infant FormulaThe New Lede’s ‘Paraquat Papers’ scoop recognized by agriculture journalistsCary Gillam’s WebsiteKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

For decades the American people have been exposed to toxic forever chemicals known as PFAS with no protection from our government. Until now… In today’s monumental episode, Ken travels to Fayetteville, North Carolina to join the EPA as they announce the first-ever legal limit on PFAS in the drinking water of tens of millions of Americans. In anticipation of this announcement, Ken spoke with environmental attorney, Rob Bilott, who has worked tirelessly for 25 years to make this legal limit on PFAS possible. Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare Dark Waters featuring Mark Ruffalo The Devil We KnowEPA Says ‘Forever Chemicals’ Must Be Removed From Tap WaterRuffalo: PFAS drinking water standard delivers justice to poisoned communitiesKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Each individual’s journey with food is unique. At 19, Moby confronted the contradiction of loving animals but consuming a bacon double cheeseburger, leading him to embrace veganism. Andrew Zimmern believes that our food systems are entirely broken, questioning the industrial food production practices in the U.S. and the dying art of small-business fishmongering. How can we change the public’s moral framework in regards to meat and food consumption without finger-wagging…? Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below: Andrew Zimmern's Website Andrew Zimmern's Spilled Milk (Substack) Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture Moby’s Website Moby Pod EWG’s quick tips for reducing your diet's climate footprint EWG: Animal feeding operations harm the environment, climate, and public health EWG: The health benefits of a whole foods, plant-forward diet EWG: Climate Change & Agriculture EWG: Meat & Dairy Alternatives Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week. @kencookspodcast www.ewg.org @environmentalworkinggroup

Erin Brockovich is synonymous with environmentalism, which is why she is our inaugural guest. She is an environmental activist, author, and subject of the self-entitled Oscar-winning Steven Soderberg film, Erin Brockovich.Erin joins Ken on today’s episode to discuss the state of U.S. drinking water and why many toxic contaminants are allowed to flow from taps at levels that are legal, but nowhere near safe.Despite the promise of the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act, woefully inadequate regulation persists 50 years later. Join Erin and Ken as they have an episode.Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:What are PFAs ChemicalsSafe Drinking Water ActErin Brockovich’s websiteEWG’s national tap water databaseKen Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.@kencookspodcastwww.ewg.org@environmentalworkinggroup

Join Founder and President of Environmental Working Group Ken Cook as he helps folks connect with their inner environmentalist. Through conversations with diverse innovators and disruptors, Ken delves into the challenges we face and the solutions available to address them. Everyone on Earth has an intrinsic desire to breathe clean air, drink clean water and eat clean food. So in reality, everyone already is an environmentalist, but not all of us are aware of it…yet. Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.  @kencookspodcast www.ewg.org  @environmentalworkinggroup.