Running for the Mountains|How Corporate Power Sold Out the Environment

In this powerful episode of the Lean to the Left Podcast, host Bob Gatty sits down with filmmakers Babette Hogan and Julie Eisenberg to discuss their searing documentary, Running for the Mountains.

Filmed over 15 years, Running for the Mountains exposes the deep entanglement between greed, politics, and environmental sacrifice in West Virginia, revealing how extractive industries have shaped public policy at the expense of human health and democratic accountability. Hogan and Eisenberg share firsthand stories of resistance, risk, and resilience—from arrests and threats to building trust within communities often ignored by the national media.

The conversation digs into:

• How corporate power influences environmental and energy policy

• The weaponization of patriotism to justify environmental harm

• The outsized political role of West Virginia figures like Joe Manchin

• The personal and political cost of documenting environmental injustice

This episode is a must-watch for anyone concerned about climate justice, political accountability, and the real human cost of deregulation. Running for the Mountains is currently available on Amazon Prime and Kanopy.

👉 Subscribe to Lean to the Left for in-depth conversations that challenge power, expose injustice, and inspire action.

CHAPTERS:

00:00 Introduction to the Lean to the Left Podcast

00:18 Meet the Filmmakers: Babette Hogan and Julie Eisenberg

01:52 The Story Behind 'Running for the Mountains'

02:34 Challenges and Risks in Filmmaking

07:51 Political Landscape and Environmental Impact

09:43 The Role of Patriotism and National Politics

12:19 Joe Manchin's Influence and National Implications

16:23 Environmental Devastation in West Virginia

20:32 Film Distribution and Accessibility

21:45 Personal Reflections and Future Plans

25:26 Closing Remarks and Final Thoughts