Outspoken government scientists are increasingly hard to find in Washington. This episode tells how one high-profile epidemiologist withstood political pressure and intimidation throughout his career in his quest to protect public health.

Fumed is a production of Public Health Watch, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to investigating life-threatening public health inequities. Listen to the award-winning first season at fumedpodcast.com. To support our independent journalism, visit: publichealthwatch.org/donate.

Hear the story of a con man and a group of hardscrabble East Texas farmers who uncovered the biggest oilfield in U.S. history — and how that discovery forced an obscure state agency to confront the destructive forces of unrestrained oil drilling.

Listen to: The Disconnect

Written, reported, produced and co-hosted by Mose Buchele
Co-hosted and produced by Audrey McGlinchy
Produced and Edited by Matt Largey
Production help from Rene Chavez and Jake Perlman

Greg’s house is burned down and his video camera shows the face of the suspected arsonist — a man he doesn’t know. Greg thinks the barge company he’s been monitoring is behind the fire, but he has no proof. Greg carries a gun wherever he goes, and Carolyn and her husband make sure their guns are always nearby. Neither she nor Greg can afford to move away from the dangers that surround them — so for now, they’ll keep fighting to preserve what remains of the community they love.

To see pictures of Carolyn and Greg and learn more about Channelview, go to fumedpodcast.com.

CREDITS