Each season, we take listeners on a journey into the heart of a complex environmental story—about a species, a place, an idea, a controversy, or a question—that we think deserves attention.

It’s a show as much about relationships as it is about the environment. And relationships are complicated. Threshold steps into that complexity, revealing the challenges and possibilities in our relationship with the planet.

We go where the narrative unfolds and feature perspectives from those most invested, impacted, and involved. We engage science, history, culture, and politics to create a nuanced view with big ideas at the center.

But most of all, there are great stories—told with beauty, sadness, joy, outrage, humor, heartbreak, and wonder.

The result is an open invitation to think about what it means to be alive, in awe of our natural world, in this time of extraordinary planetary change.

Created by host and executive producer Amy Martin, Threshold first aired on Montana Public Radio in 2017.

The show has been recognized by top publications, has received a number of journalism awards, and has over a million downloads.

Our Mission

To deepen understanding of human relationships with each other and the natural world.

Our Vision

A more informed, attentive, and compassionate world.

Listening

We believe the quality of our listening determines the quality of our stories. We listen with empathy, curiosity, and a willingness to learn and change.

Connection

We start with the understanding that humans are part of the natural world, not separate from it, and that our relationships to the places and non-human lives around us are as rich and meaningful as our connections with each other.

Integrity

We're committed to rigorous reporting, vigilant fact-checking, independence from any outside group or individual, and admitting when we get something wrong.

Complexity

True stories are inherently complex stories. We reveal unexpected throughlines and undercurrents, explore nuance, and illuminate shades of gray.

Justice

We believe our journalism can and should strengthen democracy. We amplify a multitude of voices, call attention to overlooked stories, interrogate our own biases, and encourage thoughtful analysis.

Listening for the Deeper Rhythms

This is a pivotal moment in human history. In the future, people will look back at our era and wonder how we could have talked about anything other than the way humans are changing—and being changed by—the planet.

We don’t lack data. Loads of facts and figures on environmental change can be found with the click of a mouse. What we lack is context and perspective. If we don’t absorb the meaning of what we’re taking in, the data is almost worthless.

Deploying an Ancient Technology

Luckily, we have an excellent tool at our disposal which we can use to solve this problem. It’s the world’s best meaning-making device, capable of conveying information, eliciting empathy and inspiring new ideas among every person on the planet. This tool is called story. It is as old as humanity itself, and remains the number one way we process information, expand our worldviews and deepen our connection to others.

At Threshold, we're deploying this ancient technology to help us make sense of this moment we're in. We take our listeners on journeys, where they can learn without feeling preached to, empathize with people they didn’t expect to like, and imagine things they didn’t think were possible.

Threshold is nonprofit, listener-supported, and independently produced.

Learn more about how the show gets made.