Drilled
Pushkin Industries
Drilled is a true-crime climate change podcast exposing how corporate corruption and political operatives built decades of climate denial and delay. Hosted and reported by award-winning investigative climate journalists and led by Amy Westervelt, each season unravels new evidence of deception, disinformation, and the power structures keeping real climate solutions out of reach.
In September 2025, a group of Brazilian ministers trekked all the way to chilly North Dakota to see a presentation on a new type of clean energy project, one that promised to help them deliver Brazilian President Lula’s dream of turning Brazil into “the Saudi Arabia of sustainable aviation fuels.” It was the latest in a string of projects from Midwest Republican kingmaker and corn ethanol magnate Bruce Rastetter, whose investments in Brazil might just transform him into a global carbon czar, even as his Summit pipeline carbon project faces fierce opposition from Iowa to North Dakota. The problem? It all requires loads of land and none of it does a thing about climate change.
In September 2025, a group of Brazilian ministers trekked all the way to chilly North Dakota to see a presentation on a new type of clean energy project, one that promised to help them deliver Brazilian President Lula’s dream of turning Brazil into “the Saudi Arabia of sustainable aviation fuels.” It was the latest in a string of projects from Midwest Republican kingmaker and corn ethanol magnate Bruce Rastetter, whose investments in Brazil might just transform him into a global carbon czar, even as his Summit pipeline carbon project faces fierce opposition from Iowa to North Dakota. The problem? It all requires loads of land and none of it does a thing about climate change.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 18, 2020 • 23min
Guardian Bans Fossil Fuel Ads: Emily Atkin Talks with CEO Anna Bateson
Climate journalist Emily Atkin interviews The Guardian's interim CEO Anna Bateson about the decision to stop accepting ads from fossil fuel companies. They discuss the ethical considerations, financial implications, and the impact on public perceptions. The conversation delves into the balance between revenue and values in journalism, highlighting the shift towards reader-funded models.
Feb 11, 2020 • 16min
Oil Slick, Part 2: False Equivalence and Free Speech
Exploring the tactics of spin doctors like Herb Schmertz, the challenges of gas supply, false equivalence in media coverage of climate change, confrontation with the media, impact on PBS programming, corporate philanthropy strategies, and the influence of a landmark Supreme Court case on corporate speech.
4 snips
Feb 4, 2020 • 20min
Oil Slick, Part 1: Mobil's PR Mastermind and the Rise of the Corporate Persona
Herb Schmertz, Mobil Oil's PR guru, revolutionized media manipulation, humanizing oil companies through 'corporate persona', and fighting for First Amendment rights for corporations. Explore the impact of advertorials, issue advertising, and shaping corporate image in the oil industry.
14 snips
Jan 28, 2020 • 21min
Psychological Warfare and Big Oil
Exploring the transition of Daniel Edelman from WWII psychological warfare to revolutionizing marketing strategies for tobacco and Big Oil. Unveiling manipulative PR tactics used by a firm to distort perceptions on smoking and climate change. Delving into Exxon and API's role in shaping climate change opinions and the oil industry's deceptive PR campaigns.
Jan 21, 2020 • 21min
The Oil-Nazi-Propaganda Triangle
Exploring the collaboration between Standard Oil and Nazi Germany, with Ivy Lee advising Goebbels and Hitler on dealing with the American press. Delving into Lee's role in fossil fuel propaganda and the creation of the American Petroleum Institute. Unveiling historical messaging tactics in promoting oil as essential for American progress.
4 snips
Jan 21, 2020 • 15min
The Father of Public Relations
Exploring the origins of Big Oil's propaganda machine and its effectiveness, from Standard Oil to the first P.R. guy. Uncovering the manipulation of public perception through historical tactics. Investigating the influence of Ivy Ledbetter Lee in shaping corporate propaganda for Rockefeller and Standard Oil.
Dec 5, 2019 • 3min
Coming Soon: The Mad Men of Climate Denial
Learn about the origins of fake news and climate denial propaganda, including how Big Oil gave Hitler propaganda tips. Dive into the history of fossil fuel propaganda and the influential figures behind the climate denial movement.
Nov 28, 2019 • 27min
Youth Climate Suits and Inter-generational Injustice
Young people around the world are taking governments to court over climate change—and winning global attention in the process. We breakdown the Juliana vs. United States case, where a group of young people sued the government for incentivizing increased fossil fuel dependence, thereby robbing the next generation of the pursuit for life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Others, like Greta Thunberg, filed a complaint with the United Nations that top fossil fuel-producing countries were violating the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. As both suits move forward, we take a look at how they differ from climate liability cases, what makes them so compelling, and where they might head next.Support us on Patreon.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Nov 8, 2019 • 20min
ExxonMobil NY Fraud Trial Recap: What the Verdict Means for Big Oil
Explore the chaotic opening day of ExxonMobil's fraud trial in New York, legal maneuvers in Massachusetts, sustainable laundry options, and the connection between Exxon's accounting practices and climate change denial campaigns.
Sep 3, 2019 • 16min
Fake Reporters and Energy Blogs: How Big Oil Spins Climate News
The podcast reveals how fossil fuel companies hide behind energy blogs, including the deceptive practices of Western Wire and the concealed backing of Energy in Depth by major energy corporations. It discusses the ongoing effects of the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill, a climate lawsuit against ExxonMobil, and the challenges of maintaining professional ethics in the legal realm.
