Aug 19, 2026 · 2 min · 2 segments
Natural Causes is a podcast about the politics and practicalities of going outside in a world on fire, hosted by Dr. James Stout. It approaches the outdoors, conservation, agriculture, food…
James StoutHost
You might know me from my work in conflict and migration, but I grew up with both parents working in agriculture, and since then I've hiked, climbed, ridden, and paddled all over the world.
I've always found healing in nature, and I've always felt most at peace in the wilderness.
That's why I'm mad as hell about the people trying to destroy our special places, and the places that are sacred to some of us, just so they can make a quick buck.
We've got senators trying to sell off public land, wildfires burning in our big cities, and the Trump administration stripping protections on sacred land from the Southern California desert to the Arctic Circle, and I'll be bringing you on-the-ground reporting from both places.
I've written for outdoor publications for more than a decade, and I'm proud of the work we've done, but there are some things that you can't say there now that I can say here.
I want to combine unflinching journalism with unabashed advocacy for our planet and the people and creatures we share it with, so that future generations can enjoy the same things we do.
So join me as we talk about what cyclospora might tell us about the rights of farm workers, why the DOJ is suing big egg producers, how your raincoat might be putting forever chemicals in fish, and how we can all benefit from Indigenous leadership on fire management and living with fire.
We'll have some fun, too, like talking about our ungovernable friend, the javelina, and their war on golf.
I want you to love the outdoors as much as I do, and that means making more people feel safe, comfortable, and welcome in the backcountry and the frontcountry.
So we'll be covering how, when, and where to touch grass, and answering the questions you didn't know to ask.
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You might know me from my work in conflict and migration, but I grew up with both parents working in agriculture, and since then I've hiked, climbed, ridden, and paddled all over the world.
I've always found healing in nature, and I've always felt most at peace in the wilderness.
That's why I'm mad as hell about the people trying to destroy our special places, and the places that are sacred to some of us, just so they can make a quick buck.
We've got senators trying to sell off public land, wildfires burning in our big cities, and the Trump administration stripping protections on sacred land from the Southern California desert to the Arctic Circle, and I'll be bringing you on-the-ground reporting from both places.
I've written for outdoor publications for more than a decade, and I'm proud of the work we've done, but there are some things that you can't say there now that I can say here.
I want to combine unflinching journalism with unabashed advocacy for our planet and the people and creatures we share it with, so that future generations can enjoy the same things we do.
So join me as we talk about what cyclospora might tell us about the rights of farm workers, why the DOJ is suing big egg producers, how your raincoat might be putting forever chemicals in fish, and how we can all benefit from Indigenous leadership on fire management and living with fire.
We'll have some fun, too, like talking about our ungovernable friend, the javelina, and their war on golf.
I want you to love the outdoors as much as I do, and that means making more people feel safe, comfortable, and welcome in the backcountry and the frontcountry.
So we'll be covering how, when, and where to touch grass, and answering the questions you didn't know to ask.
