Ken Cook
@ewgprez.bsky.social
President & Co-Founder of Environmental Working Group. Views are my own personal copies of others’ views. Pod “Ken Cook is Having Another Episode.”
The systems meant to make sure food is actually safe to eat are the ones being undercut by this administration. Worst measles outbreak in 35 years. Nearly 2,000 cyclospora illnesses tied to Taylor Farms lettuce. I spoke with Dr. Georges Benjamin of @apha.org about how we got here.
Dr. Georges Benjamin on our public health crisis
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
youtube.com
Every day we rely on regulatory systems and animal testing to tell us whether the chemicals we're exposed to are safe. But what if AI could get us more ethical, more accurate answers, and avoid animal testing altogether? That's the question at the heart of my conversation with Dr. Thomas Hartung.
How AI could transform chemical testing
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
youtube.com
The same chemicals linked to earlier puberty in girls may also affect the end of the reproductive lifespan. Dr. Lauren Petrick shares why perimenopause and menopause are a "window of susceptibility" to environmental exposures like pregnancy and puberty.
Environmental chemicals and menopause
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
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My guest Dr. Jabeen Taiba found a statistically significant association between 32 pesticides and pediatric cancer. We are almost never exposed to one chemical at a time, yet our system evaluates them one by one.
Unregulated chemical mixtures are always in our bodies
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
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Plastic is Big Oil's next big bet, just as the world is finally starting to turn away from fossil fuels. That's the argument of Plastic Inc. by award-winning journalist Beth Gardiner @bethgardiner.bsky.social.
How big oil hooked the world on plastic
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
youtube.com
In March, a federal judge handed the American Academy of Pediatrics a significant victory against HHS. Lead attorney Richard Hughes breaks down what it means and what comes next.
The vaccine lawyer suing RFK Jr.
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
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Two battles over glyphosate last week — one at the Supreme Court, one on the House floor. Dr. Chuck Benbrook breaks down what's at stake for pesticide accountability across the country.
Pesticide protections in the crosshairs
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
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This Earth Day, instead of progress, we're watching environmental protections get systematically rolled back. Dr. Landrigan and Dr. Gaffney joined the podcast to document what's being lost and what it will cost us. @awgaffney.bsky.social
Doctor, doctor: How the Trump administration is making America sicker
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
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On the podcast: Rina Shah was the first Republican delegate to publicly challenge Trump's nomination in 2016. Her party erased her name in retaliation. She didn't leave. Ten years later, no regrets.
Rina Shah: Principles over power
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
youtube.com
For your weekend entertainment, here's a great conversation I had with @ewgprez.bsky.social about Project 2025—and I'd say on a more fundamental level, how American government works, or doesn't: www.youtube.com/watch?v=4F_G...
David A. Graham on Project 2025's assault on American government
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
youtube.com
Rep. Pingree has fought pesticide preemption, SNAP cuts and toxic chemicals since 2009 — mostly without fanfare. Now MAHA is promising to do in a news cycle what she's spent decades on legislatively. The record tells a different story. @pingree.house.gov
Democrats were MAHA before MAHA — Rep. Chellie Pingree unpacks the contradictions
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
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Microplastics are in our food, blood, and even brain tissue. While industry says concerns are overblown, researchers like Dr. Matthew Campen are finding evidence that deserves serious attention. We’re diving into how these particles affect our long-term health. Listen here: ow.ly/hIyM50Yl9zH
The plastics problem
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This week on the podcast: Congress cut $200B from SNAP, taking food from 48M food insecure Americans, including families, veterans and seniors. I’m joined by Rep. Jim McGovern to unpack whose interests are really being served. @repmcgovern.bsky.social
Rep. Jim McGovern on ending hunger in the richest country in the world
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
youtube.com
Celebrity activism can get a bad rap—but Hilary Swank proved its power. Fresh off a red-eye, she testified for CA SB 646, helping pass a law requiring prenatal vitamins to be tested for heavy metals & results publicly disclosed. She shares why she’s using her platform to protect the next generation.
Hilary Swank fights for transparency in baby products
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
youtube.com
Within a year, the Trump admin has moved to repeal emissions standards, extend the life of coal burning power plants & dismantle the EPA's scientific capacity. My guest Joe Goffman—who shaped U.S. air quality law for 35+ years—shares what we’re losing & why strong environmental protections matter.
What happens when the EPA stops protecting the environment?
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
youtube.com
Honored to join an inspiring group of speakers at #TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch -- bringing expertise & clarity to what it will take to end plastic pollution. From policy to materials to justice, these talks show what’s possible. Watch: bit.ly/TEDxGPGP #PlasticPollutes #BreakFreeFromPlastic #TEDx
Let’s Get Plastics Out of Our Food! | Ken Cook | TEDxGreatPacificGarbagePatch
YouTube video by TEDx Talks
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Each year, millions resolve to eat healthier & lose weight. Most won’t fail from lack of willpower — they’ll fail because our food system makes unhealthy choices cheap & easy. I talk with @juliabelluz.bsky.social about why nutrition science is misunderstood & why policy, not personal blame, matters.
Understanding the toxic food environment with Julia Belluz
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
youtube.com
I’m joined by Dr. Demetre Daskalakis — infectious disease physician and public health leader. From HIV innovation to leading the White House Mpox response, he unpacks what recent CDC vaccine decisions mean for science, trust and public health. @drdemetre.bsky.social
Why I left the CDC: Dr. Demetre on vaccine policy changes and public health
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
youtube.com
Today’s podcast episode: I chat with author and cultural journalist, Jane Borden, about how cult-like thinking—from Pilgrims to MAGA—shapes America. We explore healthy skepticism vs. dangerous groupthink and how history repeats itself. @janeborden.bsky.social
Cult-like thinking in America
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
youtube.com
In my latest episode: a deep dive with @kff.org's Liz Hamel into new MAHA polling and the stark disconnect between what parents say they want for their children’s health and the political chaos that just left millions facing unaffordable insurance.
Who supports MAHA? New polling reveals surprising divides
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
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It’s Election Day—and key issues Lindsay Dahl @lindsaydahl.bsky.social has spent her career on are on the ballot: how we regulate chemicals, protect public health and decide what’s safe in our homes. In this episode, we talk about her new book and why science, politics & culture all matter.
Environmental health across party lines
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
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Food with Mark Bittman: Paul Schiefer and Ken Cook
Food with Mark Bittman: Paul Schiefer and Ken Cook
What makes Amy's so unique.
bittmanproject.substack.com
My guest this week is Matt Randolph, aka @mrglobaltoo.bsky.social — oil industry veteran with 33+ years of experience and 1M+ followers breaking down energy and policy. We discuss where environmentalists get it right — and where we might get it wrong.
Oil expert, Mr. Global: We are heading towards an energy crisis
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
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Proud to join my EWG colleagues as @governor.ca.gov signed AB 1264 bill into law — a major step toward removing the “worst of the worst” UPFs from CA schools. “It’s a powerful signal to all food companies… Smart companies will start reformulating now.” — Scott Faber, EWG
California Will Ban Certain Ultraprocessed Foods in Schools
nytimes.com
This week's podcast: journalist Brian Deer, author of The Doctor Who Fooled the World. We discuss his investigation, why misinformation remains prevalent today & the incredible scope of disarray and dysfunction playing in public health under RFK Jr. @briandeer.com
The lasting damage of vaccine misinformation and the disgraced doctor fueling it
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
youtube.com
This week on the podcast: Errol Schweizer, one of the sharpest minds in food + grocery. Former Whole Foods V.P., Forbes writer and author of The Checkout Grocery Update on Substack, he unpacks the politics shaping our food system. @grocerynerd.bsky.social
The privilege of MAHA and inflation in your kitchen
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
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Excited to share this week’s episode with Lo Bosworth — author, founder & CEO of Love Wellness. We dive into self-care, functional medicine and why self-advocacy in women’s health matters. A powerful conversation for anyone navigating their own health journey or supporting a loved one.
Lo Bosworth on women’s health advocacy
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
youtube.com
You know the iconic Dr. Bronner’s bottles — but the company is so much more. I’m joined by Lisa Bronner to talk about family legacy, advocacy & her book, Soap & Soul.
Lisa Bronner on her family’s soap legacy and beyond
YouTube video by Environmental Working Group (EWG)
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By exposing the corruption of California’s investor-owned utilities, we will hold them and our government accountable. EWG has a long and proud history of taking on big oil, big pesticide companies, big polluters, and more.
