Vanishing of the Bees Roundtable: Maryam Henein, Rob McFarland & Paul Towers - 12.09.14

Bees, with guests Maryam Henein, Rob McFarland and Paul Towers.

The documentary film, Vanishing of the Bees, narrated by actress Ellen Page, takes a piercing investigative look at the economic, political and ecological implications of the worldwide disappearance of the honeybee.

Directors George Langworthy and Maryam Henein present not just a story about the mysterious phenomenon known as Colony Collapse Disorder, but a platform of solutions, encouraging audiences to be the change they want to see in the world.

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The Round Table discussion will consist of 3 guests: Maryam Henein, is a filmmaker, eco-entrepreneur and all-around raconteur. Maryam is the director of Vanishing of the Bees and author of the upcoming memoir Of Bees & Men.

Maryam Henein, Founder, CEO & Editor-In-Chief, HoneyColony. Through HoneyColony, Maryam has fused her reporting skills with her love of nutrition and social media in a cooperative model that closely resembles the workings of a real hive. Maryam is dedicated to empowering folks to be their own best health advocate.

In 2010, Maryam Henein’s 15-year career as an investigative journalist, entrepeneur, producer, and director hit a milestone with the release of her award-winning documentary Vanishing of the Bees, narrated by Ellen Page. It also marked her directorial debut.

Maryam’s other credits include programs for the BBC, Discovery, Robert Greenwald, and Morgan Spurlock—plus, she co-wrote and hosted a program for TLC about the Ark of the Covenant. Her articles have appeared in several publications including the Los Angeles Times, Maxim, Science & Spirit Magazine, and Penthouse. The native Montrealer gained notoriety by breaking a story about Dodi Fayed’s imposter, a man who duped hundreds across North America, including Duran Duran and Jodie Foster. The trial set a precedent in Canadian legal history.

Maryam’s immersion in nutrition science and alternative healing started about 10 years ago, on the heels of a near death experience. Maryam’s brush with death also raised her awareness of the environment, which inspired her to work on a piece on the Exxon Valdez Oil spill for Robert Greenwald and The Sierra Club. Shortly thereafter, the bees flew into Maryam’s life.

Rob McFarland is President and Co-Founder of HoneyLove.org, a 501(c)3 non-profit with a mission to inspire and educate urban beekeepers. Drawing from his background in media and technology, Rob leverages his passion and skills to advocate for honeybee conservation and urban agriculture.

Rob is a creative director / social media strategist, and organic gardener.

Husband and wife team Rob, along with his wife, Chelsea, started HoneyLove with a mission to protect the honeybees and inspire and educate new urban beekeepers.

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Paul Towers, joining us during the last half hour of the show is organizing and media director for Pesticide Action Network, which works to replace the use of hazardous pesticides with ecologically sound and socially just alternatives. Paul joined PAN in summer 2011 bringing more than eight years experience in community organizing, fundraising and organizational development with environmental, health and social justice organizations. PAN is doing great work around raising awareness about neonicotinoids and petitioning to get them banned. They work trying to get this through advocacy work in DC.

Before coming to PAN, he directed Pesticide Watch and Pesticide Watch Education Fund, sister California organizations dedicated to reducing pesticide use and promoting healthy farming. Previously, Paul was a community organizer with New England-based Toxics Action Center, and he is a graduate of Green Corps, the field school for environmental organizing. Paul’s media background comes from serving as Public Affairs and General Manager of KDVS-FM and as a co-founder of Common Frequency, a media justice nonprofit. At PAN, Paul provides support to partner organizations and communities, coordinates the Organizing Hub, and acts as primary contact for print media, television and radio. Paul earned a B.S. in Environmental Policy Analysis and Planning, at University of California, Davis