Category: Our Oceans

#112: Incredible Deep Sea and Tropical Marine Habitats – Dr. Judith Gobin

March 25, 2025

The ocean is a treasure trove of biodiversity, yet it’s often overlooked. Dr. Judith Gobin exposes the rich marine ecosystems of Trinidad and Tobago, highlighting the critical need for conservation amidst exploitation. With treaties emerging to regulate deep-sea mining, the stakes are high. Will humanity prioritize preservation? … More #112: Incredible Deep Sea and Tropical Marine Habitats – Dr. Judith Gobin

#98: Ocean’s Green Giants: The Vital Role of Kelp with Tristin Anoush McHugh

June 10, 2024

The ocean is a mysterious realm, home to vital kelp forests that are now in peril. Tristin Anoush McHugh, Kelp Project Director at The Nature Conservancy, sheds light on the threats facing these underwater ecosystems, from sea star diseases to warming oceans. Discover what we can do in this fascinating episode. … More #98: Ocean’s Green Giants: The Vital Role of Kelp with Tristin Anoush McHugh

#84: Dr. Marshall Shepherd – Weather is Your Mood, Climate is Your Personality

November 20, 2023

What are the differences between climate and weather? And how can we trust climate predictions when weather is so hard to forecast just a few days out? Dr. Marshall Shepherd, renowned climate and weather scientist, has answers! … More #84: Dr. Marshall Shepherd – Weather is Your Mood, Climate is Your Personality

#80: El Niño (ENSO) and Ocean Temperatures

September 25, 2023

Have you heard of El Niño? Some people call it the single biggest influence on winter weather in North America. But what is it, and how does it work? And we’re in an El Niño event this year, and it’s going to affect our weather (and ecology!)

Today we learn about El Niño and how ocean temperatures impact weather, as well as the ecological impacts. … More #80: El Niño (ENSO) and Ocean Temperatures

#78: Pirates, Trophy Fish, and Shifting Baselines: Unveiling Ecological Mysteries With Dr. Loren McClenachan

August 28, 2023

Ever wondered how scientists unravel the ecological mysteries of bygone eras, long before systematic record-keeping? Believe it or not, one part of the answer is in pirate journals.

Tune in to hear how understanding past ecosystems has helped us understand the important concept of Shifting Baseline Syndrome – and how pirates played a role in this story. … More #78: Pirates, Trophy Fish, and Shifting Baselines: Unveiling Ecological Mysteries With Dr. Loren McClenachan

#51: Dr. Karlisa Callwood – The Combined Ecology of Parrotfish, Spiny Lobsters, and People in Coral Reef Systems

August 1, 2022

Summary My guest today is Dr. Karlisa Callwood. Dr. Callwood is the director of the community conservation education and action program for the Perry Institute for Marine Science, and an expert on the coral reef fisheries of the Bahamas, and has a PhD in Ecosystem Science and Policy from the University of Miami in Florida. … More #51: Dr. Karlisa Callwood – The Combined Ecology of Parrotfish, Spiny Lobsters, and People in Coral Reef Systems

#45: Siena Mckim – The Wild World of Sea Sponges

May 2, 2022

Summary My guest today is Siena Mckim. Siena is a PhD student at UC Santa Barbara studying sponges in the kelp forest, which is arguably one of the most iconic marine communities. In particular, she’s looking at sponge symbionts – basically, the tiny marine organisms that use sponges as a habitat.  Today we hear about … More #45: Siena Mckim – The Wild World of Sea Sponges

#32: Cricket Raspet on Dockfouling – finding amazing sea creatures the easy way

October 11, 2021

Summary My guest today is Cricket Raspet (@chilipossum on Instagram). Cricket is a Curatorial Assistant at the California Academy of Sciences, specializing in marine mammals.  She’s a passionate community scientist, a raptor bander with the Golden Gate Raptor Observatory and a rescue and animal care volunteer at the Marine Mammal Center.   An interest (obsession?) … More #32: Cricket Raspet on Dockfouling – finding amazing sea creatures the easy way