Almost 100% of Americans have toxic substances in our bodies and it negatively affects our health in numerous ways. In today’s episode, Ken is joined by functional medicine pioneer and EWG board member, Dr. Mark Hyman. Functional medicine is a complete approach to your whole interconnected biological system. Dr. Hyman came to functional medicine after being diagnosed with mercury poisoning and after using functional medicine to detoxify his body, he became determined to help as many people as possible.

Ken and Dr. Hyman discuss why we are exposed to so many toxic substances, where we are exposed to them, and what you can do to help yourself reduce exposure and increase detoxification.

Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:

functionhealth.com/mark

Mark's Instagram

Dr. Mark Hyman’s Website

EWG's Dirty Dozen: Cancer Prevention Edition

EWG's 2024 Shopper's Guide to Pesticides in Produce™

Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.

@kencookspodcast

www.ewg.org

@environmentalworkinggroup

In today’s episode, Ken is joined by two guests, Diane Cotter and Peter Arlein who both came into environmentalism as a way to protect their families, friends, and communities from toxic ‘forever chemicals.’

Worcester, MA native Diane, wife of firefighter Paul Cotter, plunged into the PFAS rabbit hole when she questioned whether Paul’s exposure to the chemicals contributed to his prostate cancer. Her relentless pursuit for the truth revealed numerous sick firefighters and afflicted firefighter communities nationwide.

Former ski-shop wax tech Peter took matters into his own hands by creating the Colorado-based company MountainFlo dedicated to making ski wax and bicycle lubricants without PFAS and petroleum, to protect the Rocky Mountains he cherishes and the outdoor sports community he belongs to.

Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:

Peter’s Company: Mountain Flow & Mountain Flow Take Back Program

Diane’s Documentary Burned: Protecting the Protectors

What are PFAS chemicals?

Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.

@kencookspodcast

www.ewg.org

@environmentalworkinggroup

When buying or eating food, we don’t often think about the chemicals used in weed killers…but we should. In today’s episode, we go in-depth with Carey Gillam, Managing Editor of The New Lede, EWG’s journalism initiative, and the widely used commercial toxic pesticides found in weed killers. Ken and Carey discuss their link to Parkinson's, non-Hodgkin Lymphoma, and childhood leukemia, and her ground-breaking investigations that have exposed corporations like Monsanto and Syngenta that have concealed health risks from the public for decades.

Earlier this month, EWG partnered with California assembly member Laura Friedman to introduce Assembly Bill 1963 which would end the use of Paraquat on fields and orchards in California by January 2026. The passing of this bill could enormously impact the lives and the health of California’s farmworkers, their families, and agricultural communities across the state.

Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:

Secret “Paraquat Papers” reveal corporate tactics to protect weed killer linked to parkinson’s disease

Toxic Weed Killer Found in Breast Milk, Infant Formula

The New Lede’s ‘Paraquat Papers’ scoop recognized by agriculture journalists

Cary Gillam’s Website

Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.

@kencookspodcast

www.ewg.org

@environmentalworkinggroup

For decades the American people have been exposed to toxic forever chemicals known as PFAS with no protection from our government.

Until now… In today’s monumental episode, Ken travels to Fayetteville, North Carolina to join the EPA as they announce the first-ever legal limit on PFAS in the drinking water of tens of millions of Americans.

In anticipation of this announcement, Ken spoke with environmental attorney, Rob Bilott, who has worked tirelessly for 25 years to make this legal limit on PFAS possible.

Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:

The Lawyer Who Became DuPont’s Worst Nightmare

Dark Waters featuring Mark Ruffalo

The Devil We Know

EPA Says ‘Forever Chemicals’ Must Be Removed From Tap Water

Ruffalo: PFAS drinking water standard delivers justice to poisoned communities

Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.

@kencookspodcast

www.ewg.org

@environmentalworkinggroup

Each individual’s journey with food is unique. At 19, Moby confronted the contradiction of loving animals but consuming a bacon double cheeseburger, leading him to embrace veganism. Andrew Zimmern believes that our food systems are entirely broken, questioning the industrial food production practices in the U.S. and the dying art of small-business fishmongering. How can we change the public’s moral framework in regards to meat and food consumption without finger-wagging…?

Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:

Andrew Zimmern's Website

Andrew Zimmern's Spilled Milk (Substack)

Coalition for Sustainable Aquaculture

Moby’s Website

Moby Pod

EWG’s quick tips for reducing your diet's climate footprint

EWG: Animal feeding operations harm the environment, climate, and public health

EWG: The health benefits of a whole foods, plant-forward diet

EWG: Climate Change & Agriculture

EWG: Meat & Dairy Alternatives

Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.

@kencookspodcast

www.ewg.org

@environmentalworkinggroup

Erin Brockovich is synonymous with environmentalism, which is why she is our inaugural guest. She is an environmental activist, author, and subject of the self-entitled Oscar-winning Steven Soderberg film, Erin Brockovich.

Erin joins Ken on today’s episode to discuss the state of U.S. drinking water and why many toxic contaminants are allowed to flow from taps at levels that are legal, but nowhere near safe.

Despite the promise of the 1974 Safe Drinking Water Act, woefully inadequate regulation persists 50 years later. Join Erin and Ken as they have an episode.

Want a deeper dive on today’s episode? Check out the links below:

What are PFAs Chemicals

Safe Drinking Water Act

Erin Brockovich’s website

EWG’s national tap water database

Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.

@kencookspodcast

www.ewg.org

@environmentalworkinggroup

Join Founder and President of Environmental Working Group Ken Cook as he helps folks connect with their inner environmentalist. Through conversations with diverse innovators and disruptors, Ken delves into the challenges we face and the solutions available to address them.

Everyone on Earth has an intrinsic desire to breathe clean air, drink clean water and eat clean food. So in reality, everyone already is an environmentalist, but not all of us are aware of it…yet.

Ken Cook Is Having Another Episode every other week.

@kencookspodcast

www.ewg.org

@environmentalworkinggroup

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