Episode Summary
In this episode of The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations, Dr. John Izzo and Alain Gauthier sit down with Yurok attorney, activist, and author Amy Bowers Cordalis to explore one of the great environmental and human-rights stories of our time. Amy takes us from her earliest memories of abundance on the Klamath River, through generations of Indigenous resistance, to the catastrophic 2002 fish kill that set her on a path to law school and a lifelong mission. She shares how the Yurok Tribe declared personhood rights for the Klamath, how the river itself “spoke” to power-company executives at Blue Creek, and how four dams finally came down — with salmon returning to spawning grounds they hadn’t reached in a hundred years. Along the way, the conversation turns to faith, joy, the false narratives that keep us divided, and the truth that we are not apart from nature but a part of it. It is a story of rewilding, regeneration, and hope: if the river can heal, so can we.
About the Guest — Amy Bowers Cordalis
Amy Bowers Cordalis is a Yurok Tribal member, attorney, and activist who served as General Counsel for the Yurok Tribe and was instrumental in the historic removal of four dams on the Klamath River — the largest salmon-restoration project in world history. A former attorney with the Native American Rights Fund, she was named a 2024 United Nations Champion of the Earth (Inspiration and Action) and included on the 2024 TIME100 Climate list of the most influential leaders in climate action.
She is co-founder and Executive Director of Ridges to Riffles Indigenous Conservation Group, which she established in 2022 with co-founder Molli Myers (Karuk). The organization provides legal, scientific, and grassroots support to Indigenous Peoples working to protect and restore the natural and cultural resources at the heart of their identity and sovereignty.
Amy is also the author of the acclaimed memoir The Water Remembers: My Indigenous Family’s Fight to Save a River and a Way of Life (2025), a multigenerational story of Indigenous resistance, environmental justice, and homecoming.
Connect with Amy and her work:
Website: https://amybowerscordalis.com
Ridges to Riffles: https://www.ridgestoriffles.org
The Book: The Water Remembers (Hachette Book Group)
Ridges to Riffles — Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ridgestoriffles
Ridges to Riffles — Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ridgestoriffles
About the Hosts
Dr. John Izzo is a bestselling author, speaker, and advisor who has spent more than 30 years working at the intersection of leadership, purpose, and social responsibility. He has spoken to over a million people, advised hundreds of leading organizations, and written nine books, including The Purpose Revolution and Stepping Up. A former Presbyterian minister with a Ph.D. in Communication Studies, John brings a deep grounding in both spiritual traditions and practical change-making to every conversation. Learn more at https://drjohnizzo.com.
Alain Gauthier is co-founder and coordinator of the Regenerative Elder Process (REP) at the Elders Action Network (EAN). Now in his 80s, Alain devotes his work to co-creating the conditions for elders to live regenerative lives and to collaborate with younger generations in transforming education and community life. Inspired largely by Indigenous worldviews, the Regenerative Elder Process supports elders in integrating inner growth, community wisdom, and courageous action to help regenerate society, democracy, and the living Earth for future generations. Learn more at https://eldersaction.org/regenerative-elder-process.
About The Way Forward
The Way Forward: Regenerative Conversations is hosted by Dr. John Izzo, Alain Gauthier, and producer Jim Burke. The podcast explores the deeper questions facing humanity through thoughtful dialogue with scholars, leaders, and practitioners working toward a more regenerative future.
Connect With Us
Linktree: https://linktr.ee/thewayforwardrc
Website: https://wayforwardpodcast.com
Email: thewayforwardrc@gmail.com
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