I'm Gonna Make Him A Proxy He Can't Refuse - With Dr. Simon Brassell Earth On The Rocks podcast

57:01

We have a few surprises for our season 1 finale featuring Dr. Kaj Johnson, a geophysicist studying earthquakes remotely. Hear about Kaj's journey into the field, the connection between show choirs and teaching, listen in on a couple of potential new segments he promotes (including a drink of non-choice and a friendly competition), hear from a couple of new voices with familiar names - Cari Metz (our producer) and Betsy Leijas (our technical board operator), and stick around for Walther's Outlaws (our department band)...it's worth the wait. Thanks to all of our listeners for sticking with us over the season, it has been so much fun getting to highlight so many great and interesting people in the field. I hope you join us again next season for new guests and stories (and maybe a new segment or two if Kaj has his way). Special thanks on this episode to Cari Metz and Betsy Leijas for their contributions. Thanks, too, to Walther's Outlaws members - Kaj Johnson (vocals and guitar), Andrea Stevens Goddard (mandolin), Stuart Kenderes (banjo), Andrea Bridges (vocals), Jake Gearon (guitar), Mel Humbarger (bass), Arya Gotoh (vocals). Special thanks to Kyle Fulford for his technical expertise and leading the band recording. And thanks overall to the National Science Foundation for their financial support that makes the show possible.…

Earth on the Rocks

1
Blowing your socks off - with Dr. Arndt Schimmelmann 45:38

22 weeks ago45:38

45:38

Dr. Arndt Schimmelmann joins us today, a geochemist focusing on organics in both natural systems and when developing lab standards. Listen in to hear about a couple of close calls in the lab, exciting field work in caves and lakes in Vietnam, his well-known reference materials program (including a range of standards from foods to hydrocarbons to caffeine!), and his views on the current state of the public trust in science.…

Earth on the Rocks

1
A dose of vitamin sea - with Dr. Claudia Johnson 48:29

23 weeks ago48:29

48:29

On the show today is Dr. Claudia Johnson, a geobiologist studying ecosystems of the past and present to understand what adaptations things like corals have made to survive environmental changes over geologic time. Hear about coral reefs and coral farming (or growing baby corals to then place in various spots in our oceans), the role of reefs in our daily lives (even when we don't realize it, like for fisheries, hurricane protection, and the global economy), how we are always evolving as learners and teachers, and the surprise appearance of scuba gear at the Oscars.…

Earth on the Rocks

1
Ice, ice baby - with Dr. David Lilien 43:33

24 weeks ago43:33

43:33

Joining us today is Dr. David Lilien, a glaciologist studying glaciers and ice sheets and how ice moves. Learn about party ice - popping and fizzy glacier ice, how ice flows and moves (and how we measure it!), what goes into a field excursion to study ice (like in Antarctica or Greenland), and mushroom hunting!…

Earth on the Rocks

1
In the AI of the hurricane - with Dr. Chanh Kieu 42:29

25 weeks ago42:29

42:29

Joining us today is Dr. Chanh Kieu, an atmospheric scientist using modeling and machine learning to understand weather phenomena, particularly hurricane intensity and prediction. Listen to learn more about all that goes into weather prediction (and be thoroughly impressed that we can do what we can in that field!), the role of AI (artificial intelligence) in improving weather predictability, how you can think of training a model as building with LEGO bricks, and his transition from growing up in Vietnam to moving to Maryland.…

Earth on the Rocks

1
I lava good volcano - with Dr. Elizabeth Kenderes 43:27

26 weeks ago43:27

43:27

On today's show we have Dr. Elizabeth Kenderes, an igneous petrologist interested in the stories that lavas and igneous rocks may tell about how or why a volcano erupted (or didn't!). Hear about some weird volcanoes that drew her into the field as a student, what makes a good gemstone for jewelry, underground mines and drilling blast holes, and fluid inclusions - literal pockets of fluid trapped in solid, crystallized rock!…

Earth on the Rocks

1
I'm gonna make him a proxy he can't refuse - with Dr. Simon Brassell 44:09

27 weeks ago44:09

44:09

On the show today is Dr. Simon Brassell, a molecular biogeochemist who specializes in organic matter and isotope geochemistry. Hear about his revolutionary work that has earned him the nickname "the Godfather of alkenones", his experiences at sea (including finding out about 9/11 while on a research cruise), the current uncertainties with US-based research cruises moving forward, and his favorite British cuisines.…

Earth on the Rocks

1
Head in the geoengineered clouds - with Dr. Paul Goddard 44:37

28 weeks ago44:37

44:37

We are back for the second half of our first season! Joining us to kick things off is Dr. Paul Goddard, a climate scientist and modeler who looks at how Earth may react to CO2 emissions and how we may combat some of those changes. Hear about geoengineering, or large-scale attempts to counteract anthropogenic climate change, Cincinnati chili (a warm-spiced chili with things from cinnamon to chocolate - but so, so good!), and a new way to think about golf course design. You can find more about Paul's work at http://climateengineering.indiana.edu/.…

Earth on the Rocks

1
A river runs through it (and quickly aggrades) - with Dr. Brian Yanites 37:37

38 weeks ago37:37

37:37

On our midseason finale we hear from Dr. Brian Yanites, a geomorphologist looking at how changes on Earth's surface can impact or are impacted by people, weather, animals, and even ore deposits. Learn a little bit about the history of topography, how the geosciences incorporates drones and lasers (and a time when the drones weren't very well received by some folks on the ground), and his time pre-geomorphology as a collegiate athlete playing football.…

Earth on the Rocks

1
Here comes the rain again (get on the porch!) - with Dr. Cody Kirkpatrick 43:11

39 weeks ago43:11

43:11

Joining us today is Dr. Cody Kirkpatrick, a meteorologist who is interested in weather phenomena and related events. We hear about the Golden Guide that set his course, some aspects of storm chasing (and storm watching), and his passion and skill for sports analytics and prediction (apologies in advance to any Auburn fans that may listen).…

Earth on the Rocks

1
Insane in the big brain, insane in the brain - with Dr. Jackson Njau 43:03

40 weeks ago43:03

43:03

Joining us today is Dr. Jackson Njau, a paleoanthropologist working to understand how early humans evolved and why. Hear about his work in Olduvai Gorge, a key anthropology site in Tanzania, how our brains have grown over time (as hard as that may be to believe sometimes), and a favorite dish of his - Ndizi.…

Earth on the Rocks

1
Super(computer climate)model - with Dr. Travis O'Brien 38:25

41 weeks ago38:25

38:25

Today we get to know Dr. Travis O'Brien, a climate scientist who looks at and models extreme weather and other climate phenomena that could impact our day-to-day lives. We get to hear about some of his more recent work, including using climate models, his time at a national lab and how that works, and a really interesting time living on an alpaca ranch.…

Earth on the Rocks

1
To be(er) or not to be(er) - with Dr. Ed Herrmann 48:31

42 weeks ago48:31

48:31

Joining us today is Dr. Ed Herrmann, a microbiologist by training who is a geoarchaeologist by way of the pharmaceutical industry and beer brewing. His geoarchaeology work draws on and builds from his experience and time in both of these seemingly unrelated fields that makes for a really exciting and unique perspective.…

Earth on the Rocks

1
The Lab Rat Pack - with Dr. Julia Kelson 32:09

43 weeks ago32:09

32:09

Listen in today and get to know Dr. Julia Kelson, a sedimentary geochemist looking at past Earth climates. Julia talks us through how she entered the field (you might say it runs in the family), some of her field experiences, and a bit about what work is like in the lab.

Earth on the Rocks

1
From Russia with love (of rocks and hazards) - with Dr. Michael Hamburger 46:05

44 weeks ago46:05