May The River Be With You

Mark River and John Ruskey talk about monthly "Community Canoe Trips" and how inclusion, diversity and equity are best served by inviting all walks of life on these excursions. Mark discusses with Matt Sutton of Spring Initiative (a local after-school program in Clarksdale, MS) how these Community Canoe Trips enrich the lives of the underprivileged students and residents of the area. Mark River interviews Neal Moore, adventurer and author of the blog "22 Rivers", about his experiences traversing the Mississippi by canoe and his thoughts on the future of the American river system. Also featuring "Reflections" by Mark River and a new song by John Ruskey.

Mark River and John Ruskey talk about how the wetlands surrounding the Mississippi River are in danger of disappearing due to agriculture, commerce and pollution. One potential solution discussed is a piece of legislation called the Mississippi River Restoration and Resilience Initiative (MRRRI), a bill which could be passed in the near future. Also featuring "Reflections" my Mark River and a song by John Ruskey.

In this episode, Mark River interviews John Ruskey about how climate change is affecting the flooding, ecology and commerce along the Mississippi River. Learn how it is changing everything from the hatching season of mayflies to the growth of invasive plants and the migration patterns of snow geese while also disrupting the flow of barges and their cargo along the waterway. Also includes "River Time" with John Ruskey.

In this episode, Mark River interviews John Ruskey about the worsening flood events along the Mississippi River and how human engineering - in a benevolent attempt to keep the river stable for development, agriculture, commerce - has unintentionally endangered the crucial wetlands and put communities such as New Orleans at risk.

In our season finale, Mark River interviews Quapaw Canoe Company founder John Ruskey about the natural and invasive species of plants and animals found in and along the Mississippi River and how ecological events such as the changing climate and the current trend of flooding benefits some species while harming others. Featuring "Reflections" by Mark River, "Rivertime" by John Ruskey and a special performance of the song "Muddy Water" by John Ruskey.

The Mississippi River has inspired some of the most iconic music in the world and in this episode, we explore the importance and the reach of its musical influence. First, we meet and hear a performance by St. Louis native Lucious Spiller who is currently making waves in the Mississippi Delta blues music scene. We also present a performance and interview with Meghan Maike, a Canadian/Australian folk singer who now calls Clarksdale, Mississippi her home. Also featuring "Reflections" by Mark River and "River Time" by John Ruskey.

We talk to octogenarian paddler and hiker Dale Sanders about his Guinness record-breaking solo treks, how his active lifestyle has improved his health and his frightening "River Stories" encounter with a Minnesota lake monster. We also speak with Todd Davis, a professor and Director of Outdoor Recreation at Delta State University who has created ground-breaking outdoor programs for underprivileged students and community members in the state of Mississippi. Also featuring "Reflections" with Mark River and "River Time" with John Ruskey.

In this episode, we talk to Maya Dizack, a University of Vermont student who is spending her summer traversing the entire length of the Mississippi River to collect water samples to study water quality and micro plastics within the ecosystem. We also talk to Quapaw Canoe Company founder John Ruskey about his observations on how micro plastics could be affecting the river environment. Also featuring "River Stories" with Coop Cooper, "Reflections" with Mark River and "River Time" with John Ruskey.

In this episode, we speak to educators Shannon McMulkin and Scott Shirey about why the Mississippi River is no longer an official part of the curriculum for the children who live near it and what we can do to change it. Also featuring Mark River's Reflections and River Time with John Ruskey.

In our first episode we will be discussing nutrient pollution and its effects on the dead zone in the Louisiana Delta. We will be talking to fifth generation Mississippi Delta farmer John McKee and how the success of farming is directly proportionate to the evolving dependency on the genetically modified seed. Blues musician and Natchez transplant Ron Parks talks about growing up on the river and how chemical runoff affects his enthusiasm for fishing on the Mississippi River. Also featuring "Reflections" by Mark River and "River Time" by John Ruskey.