Nuclear and climate activist Benetick Kabua Maddison, Executive Director of the Marshallese Educational Initiative, joins the podcast to discuss MEI's programs and services, sharing his journey of amplifying the voices of the Marshallese people. Engaged in education, research, and advocacy, Benetick emphasizes the connection between nuclear power and climate change, as well as the broader social and environmental injustices linked to both issues.

In this episode, hosts Marcina Langrine and Matthew John ask Benetick about his life in the Marshall Islands, his experiences as executive director of a nonprofit, the importance of community engagement and collaboration, and the need to amplify the voices of communities affected by nuclear issues. Leading with heart and vision, Benetick navigates the ever-changing landscape of organizational leadership and his life as a COFA migrant, embracing change and growth.

About Our Guest:

Benetick Kabua Maddison serves as the Executive Director of the Marshallese Educational Initiative (MEI), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Springdale, Arkansas, where the largest concentration of Marshallese resides. Maddison migrated to the United States from Majuro, Marshall Islands, at the age of six, partly due to the threat of rising sea levels. Maddison first worked at MEI in 2014, collecting and translating Marshallese oral histories in Arkansas and leading educational efforts to improve educational attainment levels among his peers. He rejoined MEI in 2019, where he led efforts to raise awareness of nuclear and climate issues. Maddison was named Executive Director at the nonprofit in 2022, where he leads efforts to raise awareness about the multifaceted consequences of nuclear testing that have left an indelible mark on his homeland.

Stay tuned with us on our social platforms: @meinonprofit on Instagram and the Marshallese Educational Initiative on Facebook.

Special thanks and credit to our media team, Marino Morris, Jessica Schwartz, Marcina Langrine, and Matthew John, for putting this episode together.

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The theme music for “MEI, the Podcast” was composed by Matthew John. All rights reserved.

Season 1, Episode 2 was recorded on April 8, 2025, at MEI. Marcina Langrine and Matthew John co-hosted, and Marino Morris co-produced and edited this episode. Jessica Schwartz did post-production work. The transcript is available here.

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