We were driven by two goals:
Nuclear weapons have always been portrayed as something too scary to even think about. As a result, it’s common for most people to feel that there’s nothing they can do about them.
We wanted to use the Back from the Brink podcast to fundamentally shift the narrative and challenge the ideas that we’re stuck with nuclear weapons and that they keep us safe. We shared a more hopeful vision for a safer, better future: one where all people can live in a world free of this existential threat to humanity.
To convey the importance of this mission, we first had to interrogate the assumptions that fuel our nuclear status quo. What are the real life impacts of testing and maintaining nuclear weapons? Do nuclear weapons actually keep us safe? What if nuclear deterrence fails?
We know there are other podcasts that talk about the dangers of nuclear weapons. That’s why we wanted the Back from the Brink Podcast to be different and emphasize all the legal, political, technical, and social tools we have for creating change. It was important to not only make this scary topic feel more approachable, but also leave listeners feeling like they can take action and make a difference.
Most people would rather live in a world without nuclear weapons. They just need help seeing that it’s possible.
Part of the challenge is that many conversations about nuclear weapons are dominated by scientists and politicians. We intentionally changed that in the Back from the Brink podcast by featuring compelling voices that aren’t always heard in this space – a survivor of nuclear weapons testing, a former missile launch officer, and activists who focus on social issues – not just experts and policymakers.
Our host, Ryann Blackshere Vargas, represented our “curious listeners” in the audience. When speaking with guests, she asked questions many people might have when thinking seriously about nuclear weapons for the first time.
We knew we needed to address some common misconceptions: that the threat of nuclear war has faded, that nuclear weapons can deter war, that we would never be able to trust or verify if another country eliminated their arsenal, and that there’s nothing everyday people can do to get rid of nuclear weapons.
This limited series began with an episode focusing on the “who” and “what” of nuclear abolition. We learned how the lived experiences of our guests led them to become activists for abolishing nuclear weapons, so guests would have some human stories to connect to.
After that, we set up the “why” by interrogating the status quo: What’s the harm in continuing to do things the way we have been? What kind of risks do we take with our nuclear weapons policies? What assumptions do we make about what safety looks like?
Finally, the Back from the Brink podcast ended with several episodes that took a deep dive into the “how.” Ryann talked in great detail with people who’ve worked in science, diplomacy, politics, and organizing about how we can get rid of nuclear weapons. In each episode, she asked how an everyday person fits into that work and what they can do to support this mission.
From beginning to end, the Back from the Brink podcast is different because it’s specifically designed for casual, curious listeners to learn what we can do about nuclear weapons. Every episode prioritized storytelling and approached the topic from a beginner’s point of view. How does this relate to the other things going on in their lives? What do they need to know? What can they do about it?
Nobody wants nuclear war. The Back from the Brink podcast provides people with the knowledge and tools to create the world they want to live in, leaving listeners both informed and inspired.
Our host Ryann Blackshere Vargas’s warmth and natural curiosity resulted in engaging, genuine conversations about how some of our guests' own lives have been shaped by nuclear weapons, how others came to change their minds about nuclear weapons, and what gives them hope when change feels out of reach.
We succeeded in booking compelling and high-profile guests with activist, military, scientific, and political backgrounds. This diverse cast of characters not only helps the podcast connect with a wider audience, but also shows that people from all walks of life believe in a world free of nuclear weapons. They embody the hope and people power driving this mission. In the process of producing this podcast, we also deepened our relationships with the featured guests and are excited to pursue more collaborations in the future.
Our episode trailers were viewed more than 720,000 times on Instagram. In over 30 countries and 47 U.S. states, people are tuning in to the Back from the Brink podcast because they’re done living in the shadow of nuclear war. We will continue to promote this evergreen material so more people know that it doesn’t have to be this way. Above all, we’re proud of how this helps people believe in their own ability to create a better world.
