Important, Not Important

In Episode 7, Brian and Quinn ask: How can we use the ocean without using it up? Meet Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, marine biologist, policy expert, and conservation strategist extraordinaire. And like a hundred other things, because her hobbies include saving the planet, what about you, punk? Find out how the ocean’s doing, who should be responsible for keeping it clean, how representation is a nightmare on ocean conservation boards just like everywhere else, and finally, the seafood you definitely should and should not be eating.  Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message! Links:  Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson on Twitter Ocean Collectiv Dr. Johnson’s work for National Geographic Dr. Johnson on FundingTheOcean.org  Will the Ocean Ever Run Out Of Fish? (cartoon) Seafood Watch by Monterey Bay Aquarium (app) Billion Oyster Project Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.

In Episode 6, Quinn and Brian meet the queer female volcanologist who wants to change CongressToday's guest is the one and only Jess Phoenix, volcanologist, geologist, and Congressional candidate for CA-25. We discuss her experience in the field, her unlikely move into politics, and the lessons she’s learned as a female scientist that might help others to come. Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!Links: Jess Phoenix on Twitter Jess 2018 Blueprint Earth Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com! Like and share us on Facebook! Check us on Instagram! Follow us on Twitter! Pin us on Pinterest! Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr! Ok that’s enough good lord

In Episode 5, Quinn and Brian conclude (for now!) their conversations with conservative climate activists, asking: Is climate action worth getting kicked out of Congress? Uniquely qualified to answer is former Congressperson Bob Inglis of South Carolina. Bob’s the founder of RepublicEN.org, a small government, free-enterprise, "we need to save the world" climate action group. Hear how he’s trying to move the (very heavy) GOP needle, and what could possibly persuade current conservatives to risk their seat to save the planet.  Also discussed: sailing, Brian running a marathon vs. Bob, ill-timed construction, and angry juice cleanses.  Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message! Links:  Bob Inglis on Twitter RepublicEN.org Bob’s TED talk Alfred Coffee Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com! Like and share us on Facebook! Check us on Instagram! Follow us on Twitter

In Episode 4, Quinn and Brian continue with the second in their "trilogy" of conversations with conservative climate activists, and ask: What does the bible say about climate change?Here to answer: Reverend Mitch Hescox of the Environmental Evangelical Movement.Descended from generations of coal miners, Mitch helps us understand our role — or lack of one — in helping the religious right become green advocates. Because nobody wants the Sierra Club yelling at them all the time. Not even us.Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!Links:  Reverend Mitch Hescox on Twitter Creation Care What is an “evangelical”? The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com! Like and share us on Facebook! Check us on Instagram! Follow us on Twitter! Pin us on Pinterest! Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr!

In Episode 3, Quinn and Brian host the first of three conversations with conservative climate activists. In the first, a professional climate denier changes his mind.Meet Jerry Taylor, former professional climate denier turned good guy. Like Darth Vader, or The Terminator, or Severus Snape. Anyways.We discuss the moment Jerry knew he was wrong, and his ambitious plan to drag Republicans into sensible action — action they should actually be excited about, because it means throwing all of the sissy liberal regulations right out the window.Also don’t miss: details on Jerry’s award-winning board games. FOR REAL.Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!Links: Jerry Taylor on Twitter Bob Inglis on Twitter The Conservative Case for a Carbon Tax Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com! Like and share us on Facebook! Check us on Instagram! Follow us on Twitter! Pin us on Pi

In Episode #2, Quinn introduces his co-host, Brian Colbert Kennedy, the mad genius (ugh) behind IMNIM’s infographic game. Together, they ask the question: Can this boat full of women save the world?Join Quinn and Brian as they have a conversation with Dr. Heidi Steltzer and Anne Christianson, two female climate scientists who joined 74 others on a women-only trip to Antarctica. We catch them after their visit to Congress, and discuss ways to get more ladies involved in science, and finally, what all of us can do to support those efforts.Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!Links: Heidi Steltzer on Twitter Anne Christianson on Twitter DC Eco Women 500 Women Scientists Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com! Like and share us on Facebook! Check us on Instagram! Follow us on Twitter! Pin us on Pinterest! Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr! Ok that’s en

In this impromptu first episode of the Important, Not Important podcast, host Quinn Emmett is joined by childhood friend David Schmidt for a conversation about the longest thirty-eight minutes of David’s life — what he said, did, and feared the morning the Hawaii emergency alert system went very, very wrong. Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!Links:David Schmidt at Ken Burns MediaHawaii Panics After Alert About Incoming Missile Is Sent in Error - NYTimesQuinn Emmett on TwitterBrian Colbert Kennedy on TwitterIntro/outro by Tim BlaneSubscribe to our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com!Like and share us on Facebook!Check us on Instagram!Follow us on Twitter!Pin us on Pinterest!Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on TumblrOk that’s enough good lord