Episodes
Episode #1 - Volcanoes as Instruments
Listen as we interview Bryan Rosenblatt, a Boise State University Masters student, whose research takes us to Chile. Bryan uses infrasound to study Volcán Villarrica - an open-vent volcano with a small lava lake. Find out how fluctuations in the lava lake and geometry of volcano craters can change the frequencies produced by the volcano, and how this relates to trombones (another interest of Bryan's!).
- Recorded: July 2021
Episode #2 - Babbling Brooks and Roaring Rivers
Join us for this interview with Scott Gauvain, a Boise State University Masters student who is using infrasound and acoustic cameras to study discharge and sound sources in rivers, waterfalls, and hydraulic jumps here in the state of Idaho. Turns out, water sources have a lot to tell us...if we only listen.
-Recorded: July 2021
Episode #3 - Volcanic Mudflows: The Murky Side of Research
Join us as we interview Ashley Bosa, a Boise State University PhD student whose research takes us to Guatemala. Ashley uses infrasound, timelapse cameras, and drones to track and detect volcanic mudflows on the flanks of Volcán de Fuego - one of the most active stratovolcanoes in Central America. Learn why Ashley prefers the muddy waters, and how studying them can make things crystal clear.
-Recorded: July 2021
Episode #4 - We Be Clubbin'
Join us as we interview GeoClub President and the amazing undergrad rockstar, Tamara Satterwhite. In this episode, Tamara talks to us about her experience as an undergrad in the program and how research opportunities aren't as daunting as they may seem! We also learn that Tamara, and her awesome team of GeoClub Officers, have an EPIC year of activities lined up. Listen, as we gain insight into how joining organizations like these offers a whole host of benefits for students, and why in Geoscience jargon saying "Going to the Club" might actually really please your parents.
-Recorded: August 2021
To join the GeoClub, please click on the link below:
Sign up to be a member on Engage (by clicking the link. If you are not already a member, there will be a big blue button that says "JOIN")
Episode #5 - License to Chill
Join us as we interview cool PhD student, Rainey Aberle, from Boise State who works with the CryoGARS (Cryosphere Geophysics and Remote Sensing) Lab to remotely sense icebergs, ice sheets, and all things ice in Antarctica. She discusses how work at Mt. Rainier, WA was her inspiration for studying glaciers - a true "love at frost sight" story - and how field work, in general, is always reinspiring. And, if you thought volcanoes were cool as massive instruments (previous podcast with Bryan), Rainey explains why glaciers are really like the entire orchestra! This episode really brings a whole new meaning to "tuning in"...
To learn more about Scott's Epic News: Mesospheric Ozone Layer Depletion, please click the link below.
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-021-92611-3
-Recorded: September 2021
Episode #6 - "The Power is Yours..."
Move over Captain Planet, there's some new Planeteers in town. And with their forces combined, they are helping us think globally, and act locally!
Join us as we interview Carson MacPherson-Krutsky, a research scientist who works for Boise State University and the Natural Hazards Center at CU-Boulder and is a co-founder of the Hazard and Climate Change Resilience Institute (HCRI). Learn how HCRI is using science to build community resilience to adapt to change and thrive in a world that produces chronic stresses (e.g., climate change) and acute shocks (e.g., wildfires, pandemics, etc.).
-recorded October 2021.
For more information about the HCRI, please visit:
https://www.boisestate.edu/research-hcri/
For more information about HazardReady, LLC, please visit:
https://hazardready.org/
To learn more about Scott's Epic News, please click the link below:
https://www.dailyprincetonian.com/article/2021/10/nobel-prize-2021-physics-syukuro-manabe
(Also, if we've just aged ourselves on this podcast by mentioning Captain Planet, he was a cartoon environmentalist superhero created along with 5 Planeteers who used the 5 elements - Earth, Wind, Water, Fire, and Heart - to combat environmental stresses and ecological disasters. Yes, this includes de-escalating gang war tensions...)
Episode #7 - El corazón de Guatemala (The Heart of Guatemala)
Dámaso Alonso, a writer from Madrid, once wrote "Tal vez sea verdad: que un corazón es lo que mueve el mundo" (Perhaps it is true: it is a heart which moves the world). Nothing could be truer of our guest this week, Armando Pineda, whose heart and soul shines through his work.
Join us as we interview our Guatemalan colleague and learn all about his amazing work as a first responder and volcano enthusiast. Armando has spent decades exploring the heartland of Guatemala and even rescuing people from some of the most dangerous situations, including: in caves, at the summits of active volcanoes, and under extreme conditions after volcanic eruptions. He also works with several institutions (from Guatemala and around the world) in data acquisition for many of the research projects occurring around Guatemala's three most active volcanoes: Pacaya, Santiaguito, and Fuego. What can we say? We are inspired by Armando! You will be too after listening to this episode!
https://youtu.be/AFB1sBtLG5A
-recorded October 2021
Episode #8 - Rare Earth "Rockstar" of the East Coast
Join us as we interview U.S. Geological Survey Research Geologist, Graham Lederer. Graham works for the agency in Reston, Virginia and studies the supply of materials important to society through material analysis and mineral resource assessment. Are you curious to know what critical elements are needed to use your iPhone touchscreen? Why Tungsten is used in the production of so many things? Where rare earth elements are found (clue: they aren't located right next to the cereal aisle at the grocery store) and why they are so important? Have you ever thought about working for a State or Federal agency? Tune in to find out some useful tips on how you can get your foot in the door. Graham is a wealth of knowledge and such a big "rockstar" the Rolling Stones should ask him to the join the group.
-recorded November 2021
Episode #9 - A Day at the Museum: Where Science Comes Alive
Meet Jenna Rolle, a fun-loving Paleobiologist who is the Director of Education at the Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History and Sea Center, California. Jenna's past research has included bioluminescent bacteria, and in her own words "how, why, and when they got so glowy". She also has participated in teaching a course called "Dinosaurs" (which, perhaps a little misleading, is a course that includes discussions around Dinosaurs, but is really an all encompassing course about Earth History!). Her current role centers around helping kids be mindful leaders and creating opportunities for people of all ages to experience science and nature in the most fun and educational ways! When she's not helping people tap into the awesomeness of science, she's out hiking around with her dog Yogi. Join us, as we demonstrate how a day at the museum will "cure"-ate (ha, see what we did there) any deficiency in exploring the wonders of the world.
-recorded December 2021
Episode #10 - Every Little Bit Matters
Meet Lisa Hecht, an inspirational woman in the STEM field, who is influencing the environment in a big way. Join us as we talk to Lisa about her background in engineering, her work as a life coach, and her ambition and motivation to reduce her carbon footprint by two-thirds! Lisa explains to us how small changes can have a big impact, and how easy it can be to reduce your carbon footprint in half - and save big bucks while doing so! Lisa is living proof that "every little bit helps." She also has participated in various State and National organizations like Citizen's Climate Lobby and Union of Concerned Scientists (UCS), and is a founding member of the Idaho CleanTech Alliance (link below) and the Idaho Business for the Outdoors. With her impressive background and carbon reduction initiatives, Lisa will definitely inspire you to "Be the [climate] change you want to see in the world!"....
-recorded January 2022
Want to calculate your carbon footprint? Head to the Cool Climate project, and click on "tools":
Want to learn more on how to reduce your carbon footprint? Check out this book by UCS:
https://islandpress.org/books/cooler-smarter
Other initiatives you might be interested in:
Idaho CleanTech Alliance:
https://www.cleantechalliance.org/idaho-chapter/
Idaho Power - Energy Efficient Programs:
https://www.idahopower.com/energy-environment/energy/clean-today-cleaner-tomorrow/
Episode #11 - Going With The Flow
On this episode of EpicEarth, we interview BSU PhD Geoscience student, Mac Beers. Mac studies hydrology and water resources in the Dry Creek Experimental Watershed close to Boise to understand water resources in the Western US that can help facilitate balancing the needs of humans with those of the natural systems we live with. Join us as we find out why his work is analogous to a medical doctor examining a patient, and just how close Mac has come to seeing a mountain lion while doing field work! Mac's knowledgeable answers and fun approaches to his "serious" questions will captivate! We're opening the floodgates on this fascinating science and diving deep into why Mac's research is essential for life on this Epic Earth...
-recorded February 2022
Episode #12 - The Environmental Sustainability Ninja
Say hello to Lauren Lynam - a fun loving graduate of Chapman University, who double majored in Environmental Science & Policy and Economics, and also is certified in Applied Statistical Analysis. She not only has an impressive undergraduate degree, but has also been published in the journal Water - discussing the projections of California's droughts through the year 2100. Join us as we learn how Lauren was influenced by philosophy and how shifting into an environmental consciousness is almost like thinking like many of the great philosophers. Her comments on our more "serious" questions will leave you feeling like the world is in good hands. She's just the type of person we need fighting the good fight for the STEM fields....the ninja protecting us from our Environmental nemeses.
-recorded March 2022
Episode #13 - The Drone Saga
Let's face it...it was only a matter of time before we interviewed Jerry Mock, Geophysics Masters student at BSU, who is doing some awesome work with drones and lahar (volcanic mudflow) drainages! Join us as Jerry explains how being a non-traditional student has its perks and how he ended up on a project that works exclusively with remote controlled aerial vehicles. We also learn some of the clever names he has given his artillery of drones, including his favorite, "Vincent van Drone". This might be the one episode you don't mind us droning on and on about research...
https://youtu.be/QFbrzf9p7SQ
-recorded March 2022
Episode #14 - Let it Snow, Let it Snow, Let it Snow...
We can probably all relate to the saying "With Great Powder, Comes Great Responsibilty". At least, that's what our Epic star for this episode thinks! Meet Brent Wilder - a PhD Geoscience student at Boise State working with the SnowEx Project. His research combines all sorts of cool remote sensing tools to examine the impact of wildfires and climate change on snowpack distributions here in Idaho. Join us as we learn about his COOL science and just how important snowpack is to our watersheds. We also have a new segment, where we put Brent's creativity to the test - with his favorite geomorph song. We wouldn't be surprised if this is the next big chart topper!
https://youtu.be/YkLQvc3Adn8
-recorded April 2022
If you'd like to hear the real version of Brent's favorite research-related song (listen to the bloopers), please visit:
Episode #15 - World on Fire
Meet Danielle Marquette - a kick butt Geoscience Masters student at Boise State sharing her wealth of knowledge with grade school kids. We have always been taught not to play with fire, but that's exactly what Danielle does in order to teach local students about climate change and wildfires in Idaho. Join us as we delve into this FIREY tale of Epic proportions and "hot" topics (it's the end of the semester...our puns are going up in flames). We hope the knowledge and insight Danielle brings to this episode spreads like a wildfire...
https://youtu.be/-B_H5yBfaR4
-recorded April 2022
If you'd like to hear Danielle's Grateful Dead referenced song "Fire on the Mountain", please click on this link:
https://youtu.be/pffX4oQ-OJg
Episode #16 - The Human Side of Science
This episode really brings something special to the STEM stories. For the first time in Epic Earth history, we interview not just one amazing STEM go-getter, but THREE! And they are some of Boise State's finest and most well-respected! Meet:
Eric Jankowski: an associate professor in the Micron School of Materials Science and engineering where he uses computing to understand organic materials for solar power and aerospace applications.
Krishna Pakala: an assistant professor in the Department of Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering where he uses engineering education research as an engine to identify evidence-based approaches that best enhance student experiences.
AND
Anne Hamby: an assistant professor of Marketing in the college of business and economics where she studies the ways that consumers understand and are influenced by narratives.
Alongside being three amazing teachers, these three EPIC stars are giving a voice to science through "The Story Collider" project - a non-profit story telling organization that focuses on the personal connection we all have with science. Eric, who is also The Story Collider board president, says "Everyone has a science story to tell", and as part of the mission, this organization allows "people from all walks of life - from scientists and doctors to journalists and comedians to artists, firefighters, and bartenders" - to artfully tell their story through trainings and public productions.
Join us as we learn more about their stories and the awesome method of communicating science through story-telling. We couldn't WAIT to post this podcast!
What's your narrative? What story would you tell?
If you'd like more information about The Story Collider Project, please feel free to reach out to Eric, Krishna, or Anne, or visit the website, at:
https://youtu.be/d5Dvu9kIcdk
-recorded April 2022
Logo graphic design by Amanda Kuhlman