Behind the Lens episode 248: ‘They’ve harmed our public health’

Sara Sneath on the fossil fuel industry's relationship with Louisiana universities. Marta Jewson and Katy Reckdahl on Rooted School's guaranteed income study.
Behind The Lens podcast logo

On this week’s episode, in what some critics are calling “greenwashing”, a prominent University of Louisiana Lafayette agreed to help spread fossil fuel industry talking points on social media and in op-ed pieces for newspapers. The unusual arrangement is part of larger, national pattern according to a congressional report. 

The number of low-income students who drop out of high school is nearly four times higher than those of higher-income households. Administrators at Rooted School thought those students might do better if they felt more economically stable, and piloted a guaranteed-income program, which they called The $50 Study.

Our guests this week are investigative environmental reporter Sara Sneath, Lens reporter Marta and Lens managing editor Katy Reckdahl. 

Theme music by Podington Bear. Additional music Csm by Podington Bear soundofpicture.com. 

You can also listen to Behind The Lens on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and other services.

Carolyne Heldman

Carolyne Heldman has been in media for 35 years, most recently as Executive Director at an NPR member station in Colorado where she was responsible for new multi-platform content initiatives, strategic planning, research, branding, and non-traditional revenue generation. During her tenure she also created and launched four weekly news, public affairs and cultural affairs programs and monthly live Town Hall broadcasts. Heldman moved to New Orleans last summer with her husband and canine companion and they live happily in The Marigny.