In THE GOOD ROAD, Earl Bridges and Craig Martin – longtime philanthropists and best friends – trek around the world to meet people who are making a difference in their communities. In season two, the hosts explore places closer to home like Virginia, South Carolina and Puerto Rico, and destinations abroad such as India and the Burmese border, where the duo discover inspiring change-makers and the limitless power of good.
RICHMOND, VA: HIDDEN IN PLAIN SIGHT | Oct. 4
After the killing of George Floyd in May 2020, Richmond, Virginia became a focus of international attention as the former capital of the Confederacy. Earl and Craig speak with influential members of the community hoping to bridge the gap of racial inequality and negativity: Dontrese Brown, a young, networked Black entrepreneur; and Virginia Museum of Fine Arts curator Valerie Oliver, who talks about the impact of Kehinde Wiley's hip-hop-inspired replica of the J.E.B. Stuart statue and renaming of Arthur Ashe Boulevard.
EVENT: RICHMOND WATCH PARTY
Craig Martin, Earl Bridges and the rest of the team from THE GOOD ROAD went LIVE on YouTube for a watch party celebrating the launch of season two. Watch a screening of the first episode of the season, which explored racial reconciliation in Richmond, Virginia, virtually and enjoy a Q&A with the co-hosts. Watch the recording!
CHARLESTON, SC: VOICE AS FREEDOM | Oct. 11
The local free and independent press has become marginalized by national news sources conglomerated along political and ideological lines, and many have been under attack for asking hard questions. The co-hosts meet with Adam Parker and Ricky Dennis, journalists at the Charleston Post and Courier, to discuss the role of journalists in creating positive societal change; and Dr. Brown and Toby Smith of the McLeod Plantation's African American Experience for further insight into racial inequities and the negative impact of revisionist histories.
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO: AFTER THE STORM |
Oct. 18
For weeks after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico in September 2017, many families were left without any form of communication. Earl walks with meteorologist Ada Monzon along the beach of one of the hardest hit communities, Loíza, to explain the aftermath, and Craig and Earl meet with MLB Hall of Famer Iván "Pudge" Rodriguez, whose partnership with Raul Rodriguéz and the Caguas Criollos baseball franchise provided assistance to the Caguas community. They also explore community organization Casa Pueblo, whose director Arturo Massol-Deya supports the town of Adjuntas through their farms, radio station, medical labs and solar cinema.
HYDERABAD, INDIA: ONE IN A BILLION | Oct. 25
In India, the hosts meet up with Harish Mamtani, who runs a private school designed to help underprivileged students receive a better education than elsewhere in the community, and visit Hyderabad's Golconda Fort and Charminar Mosque. Harish explains why private education in India is critical for poor communities versus the traditional U.S. model of private education for the wealthy.
ON THE BURMESE BORDER: FREE BURMA RANGERS | Nov. 1
The Burmese border is home base to Dave Eubank's Free Burma Rangers, who serve around the world rescuing civilians from the frontlines of combat zones and documenting atrocities in places like Myanmar and Syria. Currently, the Free Burma Rangers are in the middle of a struggle between military oppression and the regular citizenry of Myanmar. Craig and Earl work out with the rangers on their "Ranger Runs" and wade through swamps as they train in northern Thailand.
CHARLESTON, SC: RISING TIDES | Nov. 8
Charleston, South Carolina is susceptible to flooding from major storms and daily shifting of the tides, a reality that complicates everything for businesses and the city’s residents, especially those living in poor, historically Black neighborhoods. The co-hosts have in-depth conversations with those, like Mayor John Tecklenburg, addressing climate change and sustainability, and venture out on oyster beds with Brown's Oyster Supply to explore how climate change has affected oyster harvesting. Eastside Community Development's Latonya Gamble talks about the impact that flooding has had on her struggling community, and a visit to Joe Watson and his family-owned Mary's Sweet Shop restores faith in the power of family and community.
VIRGINIA: BALANCE | Nov. 15
Monacan Nation Chief Kenneth Branham, whose ancestors lived in villages at Rassawek on the banks of the James River, talks with Craig and Earl about how modern development is threatening the tribe's traditional burial site. The hosts also venture to the rural town of Yogaville to speak with activist Swami Dayananda, where they learn more about conservation on the James River.
SAN JUAN, PUERTO RICO: THE ART OF COMMUNITY | Nov. 22
In Puerto Rico’s Old City (Viejo San Juan), Craig and Earl explore the vibrancy of its artists, like sculptor Ana Rosa Rivera, who uses art to enhance the lives of the city's poorest residents, and Freddy Mercado, who exhibits large costumes that represent gender identity, aging and independence.
Watch THE GOOD ROAD Mondays at 9/8c. Check your local listings.
Earl Bridges is a self-proclaimed "philanthropologist," filmmaker and tech entrepreneur who believes that authentic storytelling is key to fixing the world's most pressing problems. He also advises, speaks and writes about the potential of corporate social responsibility, company culture and engagement for good.
Craig Martin is a TV and film producer, director, writer and editor who has spent the past 30 years filming in war zones, disaster zones and remote villages in more than 85 countries. Craig has produced hundreds of projects, both long- and short-form, including the feature-length docudramas 'The Insanity of God' and 'Free Burma Rangers;' the Philanthropology podcast; and Confessions of a Philanthropologist.
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