What’s New on 90 Miles from Needles – the Desert Protection Podcast (Sept–Oct 2025

Hello Desert Defenders,

It’s been a little while since our last newsletter — let’s just say the desert winds weren’t the only thing causing a bit of haze. A stretch of long COVID-style brain fog slowed down the writing side of things, even as the podcast kept rolling. Somehow, through a mix of stubbornness, caffeine, and desert grit, 90 Miles from Needles has mostly stayed on its weekly rhythm. Consider this newsletter a clear-headed catch-up from the far side of the fog. (We hope it’s the far side rather than the eye of the storm.)

Delayed as it may be, we’re excited to bring you this roundup of the latest episodes of 90 Miles from Needles: The Desert Protection Podcast that aired in September and October — each one rich with insight, stories, and calls to action from the arid landscapes we love.
Whether you’ve been listening all along or want to jump in now, here’s what the last two months delivered:

September

Sept 5 Chris takes us into the frenetic beauty of desert monsoonal rains around Twentynine Palms. From flash-flood risks to that creosote scent after the downpour, the episode captures how water — even in scarcity — sculpts and animates the desert.

Sept 12 A more personal chapter: Chris reflects on his first desert road-trip with his father, weaving in the unique ecology of the iconic Joshua Tree and its pollinators, as a metaphor for legacy and place.

Sept 19 This episode shifts gears: media, politics, and the left’s challenge in an era of information warfare. Chris draws links between media control, environmental justice, and the need for strong grassroots voices in desert advocacy.

Sept 26 Returning guest Michael E. Ketterer brings to light how nuclear testing fallout extended into unexpected desert-regions of eastern California, far from the usual “downwind zones.” Powerful stuff, and unexpectedly timely given the regime’s push for a resumption of nuclear testing. 

Merch

All proceeds go to the Desert Advocacy Media Network, and 90 Miles from Needles.

October

Oct 3 Travel with Chris to El Paso and the Chihuahuan Desert Fiesta, as he links desert-advocates from the Mojave, Sonoran and Chihuahuan regions. Because deserts aren’t isolated — and neither should their defenders be.

Oct 10 How does a government shutdown affect our public lands — especially desert parks? Chris examines risks of vandalism, understaffing, and visitor hazards and urges listeners to rethink how and when we explore these fragile places.

Oct 17 In this conversation with Mandy Culbertson of Wildlife for All, we dig into state wildlife policy, border militarization and biodiversity crises in the Southwest. Science + democracy + deserts = compelling.

Oct 31 This episode takes us to the San Rafael Valley in southeastern Arizona — a rare, lush grassland and vital wildlife corridor under mounting threat. Chris talks with Andrea Hoerr about what makes the valley ecologically irreplaceable, how border infrastructure endangers it, and what’s being done to defend this overlooked corner of the desert Southwest.

Why you’ll want to tune in
Each of these episodes brings together place-based storytelling, ecological urgency, and folks doing the hard work. From the thunder of desert storms to the subtle persistence of Joshua trees, from nuclear legacies to wildlife corridors — there’s a lot to absorb, reflect on, and act upon.

What you can do next

• Pick an episode that intrigues you & share it with a friend or in your network.

• After listening, ask: What does this mean for the desert where you live or work?

• Consider supporting or donating to the Desert Advocacy Media Network if you haven’t yet — the podcast continues because of listeners like you.

• If you have ideas or local stories about desert landscapes, reach out — we may feature them in upcoming episodes.

Thanks for staying engaged, for listening, and for helping to protect the desert — one story at a time. As always: keep your boots on the sand, your eyes on the horizon, and your heart with the land.

Warm desert regards,
the Desert Advocacy Media Network team

P.S. Let us know which episode resonated most with you — your feedback helps steer what comes next.