Why We Do The Work Podcast
Hosted by Arjorie Arberry-Baribeault, West Eugene Community Organizer
Why We Do The Work is a new podcast that focuses on childhood cancer and environmental pollution. In the first three podcasts, we talk about friendship, families and struggling with the reality of childhood cancer. These conversations will include discussion around cancer and the hardships that ensue.
Trigger warning: cancer, traumatic experiences.
Beautician Turned Environmentalist: Arjorie's Story
Arjorie Arberry-Baribeault never envisioned herself on the front lines of the fight for clean air in West Eugene, but when her thirteen year-old daughter was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, she started asking questions. Arjorie’s search for answers led her to Beyond Toxics.
EPISODES
Oregon Just Transition Alliance Chat w/ Joel & Arjorie
Join us for a deep dive into what it means to build a Just Transition! Special Guest: Joel Iboa. Host: Arjorie Arberry-Baribeault.
Trigger Warning: Cancer & Illness, Politics.
West Eugene Speaks: Hope in the Darkness of Sickness
In this segment we take a close look at a couple’s cancer battle. They get candid about the impacts of cancer on their lives and how they overcame the hardest days together. Host: Arjorie Arberry-Baribeault. Guests: Lisa and Eric. Full trigger warning: Cancer and illness.
West Eugene Speaks: A Mother’s Quest Towards Knowledge
Join us in a conversation with local educator, Cara Bryton, about living, working, breathing and growing a family in west Eugene.
New Year, New Episodes!
Welcome back to Why We Do The Work, with Arjorie! Here’s a special update and what you can expect in 2025!
West Eugene Speaks: Kalapuya High School
With Kelly Ferguson, instructor & Metzly, student. Join us for a conversation about high school, environmental justice, art, pollution and activism!
H is for Hydrogen
In this episode, we explore the reality of communities grappling with the impacts of industrial pollution and examine the rising concerns surrounding hydrogen fracking in the United States. Join us to learn more about the challenges communities are facing and ways to foster change and build climate resilience!
Special Guest: Kaleb Lay from Oregon Rural Action
Don’t Get Pump Happy! Let’s Talk About Gas Pumps
Part 2 of 2. Let’s continue our discussion from the last episode about air pollution around gas stations!
Special Guest: Mason Leavitt
Trigger Warnings: illness, cancer
What’s Happening At The Pump? Let’s Talk About It!
Part 1 of 2. Let’s discuss air pollution around gas stations!
Special Guest: Mason Leavitt
Trigger Warnings: illness, cancer
Full Circle with Mary O’Brien
Beyond Toxics’ Founder, Mary O’Brien, joins Arjorie for a conversation about our history, progress and future! Dive in and explore the world of environmental justice activism with us!
Trigger warning: cancer
Anniversary Special – Season 2 Finale
We are wrapping up season 2 with an anniversary celebration and some very special guest cameos! Join us for some fun and bantering while we look back on a year of victories and towards a clean and just future!
Can We Get a Breath of Fresh Air?
This month we discuss the impacts of “natural” gas stoves on indoor air quality and some of the projects we are working on to help local communities transition away from fossil fuel dependance!
Special Guests: Mason Leavitt and Alyssa Rueda
Trigger Warning: Cancer, Sickness
The Unbreakable Bond: Two Friends Reflect on Childhood Cancer
This month we revisit the conversation about battling childhood cancer and it’s aftermath. Two best friends support eachother while helping their kids battle childhood cancer and what comes after.
Air Busters: Can we get a breath of fresh air?
The Beyond Toxics Air Quality Team discusses what drives us to fight for climate justice and environmental justice at a state level and what the work looks like in real life.
Guests: Paige Hopkins and Meet Panchal
Working For Environmental Justice
The Beyond Toxics Air Quality Team discusses what drives us to fight for climate justice and environmental justice at a state level and what the work looks like in real life.
Guests: Paige Hopkins and Meet Panchal
Mapping Pollution
It’s time to look at the big picture of pollution. GIS and Spatial Data Analyst, Mason Leavitt, joins the conversation to help us visualize how communities are burdened by pollution and how we can use maps to better understand and address environmental justice issues.
Case Study: Cancer Clusters in Kashmere Gardens
Arjorie explores the growing cancer cluster around Kashmere Gardens and reflects on how the impacted communities have risen up to demand accountability from big polluters.
Attorneys Building Strong Communities
A conversation with Oregon environmental justice lawyers Teryn Yazdani, Staff Attorney and Climate Policy Manager with Beyond Toxics and Rebeka Dawit, Associate Attorney with Crag Law Center.
Communities Fighting Cancer
In this episode, we discuss some common issues that arise during cancer diagnoses and treatment. Our guest, Leann, shares some of her experiences becoming a medical practitioner and learning how to be an stronger health care advocate for family and friends.
Trigger warning: Cancer, death
Siblings
This episode addresses what it was like to raise siblings while supporting our children during their cancer treatment. We explore what the siblings had to go through and some of the ways we were challenged as parents along the way.
Trigger warning: childhood cancer, chemotherapy, sickness & illness, trauma
Battling Childhood Cancer
This episode addresses what it was like to learn about our children’s cancer diagnosis and some of the realities our families faced while moving through it.
Trigger warning: childhood cancer, chemotherapy, sickness & illness, trauma.
Friendship & Family
Conversations between two life-long best friends. We reflect on our friendship, families, and when we learned that our kids had cancer.
Trigger warning: childhood cancer, sickness & illness, trauma, grieving.