Listen Now: Lawless Planet

Summary

Against The Odds: "Lawless Planet" – Detailed Summary

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Introduction

In the episode titled "Lawless Planet," hosted by Zach Goldbaum, Wondery's "Against The Odds" delves into the intricate and perilous intersections between environmental crises and criminal activities. This episode shines a light on the dark underbelly of the climate crisis, revealing stories that intertwine murder, corporate malfeasance, and environmental degradation. Through gripping narratives and firsthand accounts, listeners are immersed in the real-time battles for our planet's future.

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The Disappearance of LJ Price Jr.

The episode opens with a harrowing account that sets the tone for the series. At [01:11], Amy Price contacts 911, desperate to locate her missing husband, Larry "LJ" Price Jr., a prominent figure in the coal mining industry. Amy describes LJ as a 38-year-old man with a strong physical presence, marked by tattoos symbolizing his beliefs and affiliations.

LJ's professional life spans multiple states, indicating his significant involvement and influence within the coal mining sector. However, recent weeks have been tumultuous, with Amy noting his increasing depression and ominous remarks about his potential disappearance: "If something happens to me, be thankful for the years we've had together. Also, liquidate all the stuff and stay in one location." [01:21]

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The Search and Revelation

As Amy's fear escalates, police launch an extensive search operation encompassing helicopters and search dogs across Bluefield, Virginia. Detectives trace LJ's last known whereabouts to a conversation with his pastor, revealing that LJ was contemplating significant decisions related to his business dealings. Despite exhaustive efforts, the initial search yields no results, plunging Amy into sleepless anxiety.

Nearly 24 hours into the search, a breakthrough occurs when a driver reports seeing a man matching LJ's description walking along a lonely road. The identification is confirmed by the distinctive tattoos and attire: jeans, a flannel jacket, and boots. This reappearance raises more questions than answers, suggesting that LJ's troubles are far from over. [02:15]

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Unveiling the Underbelly of Coal Mining

Zach Goldbaum transitions the narrative to explore the broader implications of LJ's disappearance and return. It becomes evident that LJ's situation is symptomatic of deeper issues within the coal mining industry. The episode hints at [03:58] systemic corruption, environmental negligence, and personal turmoil fueled by industry pressures.

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Voices of the Affected

The story broadens to encompass various voices impacted by environmental crises:

• Amy Price expresses a dire plea: "We need help out of here." [04:03]

• Witness 1 confronts the destructive aftermath: "Are we really safe? Is our water safe? You destroyed our town." [04:12]

• Witness 2 emphasizes accountability: "We call things accidents. There is no accident. This was 100% preventable." [04:15]

• Witness 3 recounts a terrifying experience: "I could tell I was floating in oil. And I remember looking under the rig and seeing the water on fire. And I thought, what have you done?" [04:22]

These testimonies underscore the human cost of environmental mismanagement and corporate greed, painting a vivid picture of communities grappling with the immediate and long-term consequences of ecological disasters.

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Global Implications and True Crimes

Expanding beyond local incidents, Goldbaum shares his extensive reporting on global environmental conflicts. He references:

• Environmental activists chaining themselves to pipelines in Louisiana swamps.

• Butterfly conservationists in Mexico who face lethal threats from drug cartels.

• Brazilian street gangs engaged in illegal gold mining in the Amazon rainforest.

These narratives illustrate a pattern where environmental preservation efforts are met with violent resistance, and where criminal activities are deeply intertwined with ecological exploitation. Goldbaum articulates a compelling thesis: "These are the stories about our changing planet, that we need to tell. Stories about people and the things we're doing to either protect the earth or destroy it. In other words, the true crimes fueling the climate crisis." [04:32]

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Conclusion: A Call to Action

In his closing remarks at [05:12], Goldbaum frames the climate crisis as the "crime of the century," emphasizing the urgency for listeners to engage with these narratives. He invites the audience to join the fight by tuning into "Lawless Planet," highlighting the importance of awareness and action in combating the multifaceted threats facing our environment.

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Key Takeaways

• Intersection of Crime and Environment: The episode effectively illustrates how environmental degradation is not just a natural or economic issue but is deeply connected to criminal activities and human rights abuses.

• Personal Stories: Through the gripping story of LJ Price Jr., the podcast personalizes broader environmental conflicts, making the abstract tangible and relatable.

• Global Perspective: By covering events from the Amazon to America, the episode underscores the universal and interconnected nature of the climate crisis.

• Urgent Call for Awareness: "Lawless Planet" serves as a wake-up call, urging listeners to recognize and act against the multifaceted threats to our planet.

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Notable Quotes

• Amy Price ([01:21]): "If something happens to me, be thankful for the years we've had together. Also, liquidate all the stuff and stay in one location."

• Witness 1 ([04:12]): "Are we really safe? Is our water safe? You destroyed our town."

• Witness 3 ([04:22]): "I could tell I was floating in oil. And I remember looking under the rig and seeing the water on fire. And I thought, what have you done?"

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Final Thoughts

"Lawless Planet" is a compelling installment of "Against The Odds," skillfully weaving personal tragedy with systemic critique. It challenges listeners to look beyond the surface, uncovering the hidden crimes that exacerbate the climate crisis. By blending investigative journalism with poignant storytelling, the episode not only informs but also inspires action towards environmental justice and sustainability.

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Listen to "Lawless Planet"

To experience these riveting stories firsthand, listen to "Lawless Planet" on the Wondery App or your preferred podcast platform. For early and ad-free access, consider joining Wondery+ here.

Transcript

[Zach Goldbaum]

What if I told you the biggest crime story of our time is happening right under our noses and we're all witnesses. Introducing Lawless Planet, the new podcast from Wondery that exposes the dark underbelly of the climate crisis. From the Amazon rainforest to small town America, host Zach Goldbaum uncovers shocking tales of murder, corporate coverups and greed. You'll hear about the brave activists risking their lives for their beliefs, the corrupt tycoons destroying ecosystems. For Prof. And the ordinary people caught in the crossfire, this isn't some distant threat. It's happening right now. Each episode drops you into a battle for our planet's future. We're talking mysterious deaths, daring heists, and billion dollar scams, all with the fate of our world hanging in the balance. This is Lawless Planet. I'm about to play a clip from Lawless Planet. Follow Lawless Planet on the Wondery app or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Amy Price]

911, where's your emergency? Yeah, I was just calling. I'm trying to figure out my husband. He's been missing for a while. I can't figure out where he is.

[Narrator]

It's just before 2am on April 18, 2018. Amy Price is in her home in Bluefield, Virginia, an Appalachian coal mining town on the border of West Virginia. Amy last spoke to her husband around 8pm he said there were a few things he needed to take care of at a coal mine he does business with. But Amy hasn't heard from him since and now she's scared.

[Amy Price]

But he's been kind of depressed lately and I know there's a lot of things going on with him. I'm just real concerned. Okay, what's his Name?

[Narrator]

Larry Price Jr. Larry Price Jr. Or LJ as he's known to friends, is 38 years old, 5' 10, muscular build, with a tattoo of a panther on his bicep and another of Jesus with the cross on his chest. LJ has spent his life in coal mines and he's risen to become a bit of a power player in the industry, involved in mines from Virginia all the way to Montana. But lately, Amy could tell things at work were not going well. A week earlier, LJ told Amy, if something happens to me, be thankful for the years we've had together. Also, liquidate all the stuff and stay in one location. On this night in Virginia, police officers, helicopters and canines fan out across the county looking for LJ Detectives contact the last person who Amy believes has seen him. It's his pastor, who tells police that he and LJ had prayed together while over a business decision. Amy Price doesn't sleep that night. And as the sun begins to rise the following day, she starts to fear the worst. Then, nearly 24 hours after LJ went missing, another call comes in to 911, this time from a driver who spotted a man walking along the side of the road about 20 miles away from Amy's home. The man is wearing boots, jeans, and a flannel jacket. And beneath the neckline of a blue T shirt is a tattoo of Jesus with the cross. LJ Price is alive, but his troubles are just beginning. LJ's sudden disappearance and reappearance will set off a chain of events that will expose not only LJ Price, but the dirty underbelly of one of the country's largest coal mines. From Wondry, I'm Zach Goldbaum, and this is Lawless Planet.

[Zach Goldbaum]

From coast to coast, people are fleeing flames, wind and water.

[Amy Price]

We need help out of here.

[Witness 1]

We are stuck. We have caught on firearms.

[Witness 2]

Nature is telling us. I can't take this anymore.

[Witness 1]

Are we really safe? Is our water safe? You destroyed our town.

[Witness 2]

We call things accidents. There is no accident. This was 100% preventable.

[Witness 3]

I could tell I was floating in oil. And I remember looking under the rig and seeing the water on fire. And I thought, what have you done?

[Narrator]

Over the years, I've reported on environmental activists chaining themselves to pipelines in the swamps of Louisiana, butterfly conservationists in Mexico who were killed for standing up to cartels. I've met Brazilian street gangs doing illegal gold mining in the Amazon. And I've come to realize that these are the stories about our changing planet, that we need to tell. Stories about people and the things we're doing to either protect the earth or destroy it. In other words, the true crimes fueling the climate crisis.

[Zach Goldbaum]

The crime of the century, is the one being waged on our planet. The time to listen is now. You can listen to new episodes of Lawless Planet, early and ad free right now by joining Wondery.