Épisodes

  • The Dust Bowl

    The Dust Bowl
    Dec 2 2025
    In the 1930s, the Great Plains transformed from a land of promise into an apocalyptic landscape of suffocating dust storms. For nearly a decade, massive black clouds swept across 150,000 square miles of Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico, turning day into night and forcing families to abandon their homes. Dust storms lasted for days at a time, reducing visibility to zero. People coughed up clumps of earth and developed "dust pneumonia," while livestock died with inches of dirt lining their digestive tracts. But how did this happen? And more importantly, could it happen again? We speak with Dr. Jeff Lee of Texas Tech University and Dr. Thomas Gill of the University of Texas at El Paso to explore the causes of this catastrophic period in American history, how the Dust Bowl reshaped the nation, and what vulnerabilities we still face today.
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    44 min
  • Happy Thanksgiving!

    Happy Thanksgiving!
    Nov 25 2025
    Here's a special message from OTR host, Emily Gracey.
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    3 min
  • The Forecast for your Lungs

    The Forecast for your Lungs
    Nov 18 2025
    Dr. David Beuther, a pulmonologist, reveals how climate change is creating a quiet respiratory health crisis - one where patients with lung disease are increasingly trapped indoors by poor air quality. In this conversation, we explore the growing impact wildfire smoke, extended pollen seasons, and shifting weather patterns are having on our ability to breathe. Dr. Beuther shares practical strategies for protecting lung health, from choosing the right air filters to understanding air quality forecasts, and discusses how he advises patients about the connection between climate change and their symptoms. This isn't a distant environmental threat; it's happening now, in doctors' offices and homes across the country, affecting millions of people who just want to take a breath of fresh air.
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    28 min
  • The Space Debris Dilemma

    The Space Debris Dilemma
    Nov 11 2025
    In January 2025, astronomers mistook Elon Musk's space-launched Tesla Roadster for a asteroid. It took seventeen hours to realize the "near-Earth object" was actually a seven-year-old sports car orbiting the Sun. We're losing track of what we've sent into space. This week, Emily sits down with Dr. Jonathan McDowell, an astrophysicist at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics who has tracked every rocket and satellite launched since the 1940s. A decade ago, there were 1,000 satellites in orbit. Now there are 12,000. In ten years, we could hit 100,000. Dr. McDowell explains what happens when these objects die: atmospheric burn-up, ocean crashes, graveyard orbits, or trajectories into solar orbit. He discusses why our regulations—rooted in the 1967 Outer Space Treaty—can't keep pace with mega-constellations, and why we need international cooperation and updated policies. We explore the real risks: collision probabilities in crowded orbits, the environmental impact of using our atmosphere as an incinerator, and public safety concerns around uncontrolled reentries. Dr. McDowell shares his vision for sustainable space practices, including an orbital "recycling plant." The space debris dilemma isn't just about what's up there—it's about what comes back down, and whether we're ready for it.
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    46 min
  • iCyclone: Inside the World's Deadliest Storms with Josh Morgerman

    iCyclone: Inside the World's Deadliest Storms with Josh Morgerman
    Nov 4 2025
    When Hurricane Melissa, a catastrophic Category 5 storm with 185 mph winds, slammed into Jamaica last week, the world's top hurricane chaser Josh Morgerman was there by choice. For 36 hours after the eyewall passed over him, he went silent, leaving his followers worried and waiting. In this episode, Emily sits down with Josh to explore his incredible three-decade career chasing more than 80 hurricanes and typhoons around the globe. From his early days as a storm chaser to his terrifying experience inside the eye of Hurricane Dorian, Josh shares what drives him to pursue these deadly storms and what it's really like when you're standing in the path of nature's most powerful force. Plus, hear what happened in Jamaica as Josh intercepted what may be the mightiest hurricane he's ever witnessed.
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    28 min
  • Fearing the Weather: From Trauma to Recovery

    Fearing the Weather: From Trauma to Recovery
    Oct 28 2025
    Have you ever felt anxious about the weather, or wondered if you should cancel plans due to the forecast? You're not alone. In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Millicent Rose, a Professor of Clinical Psychology at Pepperdine University, to explore the often-overlooked intersection of weather and mental health. Dr. Rose discusses the causes behind weather-related fears, phobias, and trauma, and explains the various treatment options available for those who experience debilitating anxiety when severe weather threatens to strike. She offers a surprising perspective on how the weather is communicated during dangerous situations, revealing what meteorologists and emergency officials are getting wrong when it comes to addressing the mental wellbeing of those in harm's way. Whether you struggle with weather anxiety yourself, know someone who does, or you're a weather professional looking to better serve your community, this conversation offers practical insights, hope, validation, and a roadmap toward finding peace of mind.
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    44 min
  • Old Mysteries, New Tools: Remote Sensing and the Search for Amelia Earhart

    Old Mysteries, New Tools: Remote Sensing and the Search for Amelia Earhart
    Oct 21 2025
    For 88 years, Amelia Earhart's disappearance over the Pacific Ocean remained unsolved—until a casual discovery on Apple Maps changed everything. In 2020, an anomaly spotted in satellite imagery off a remote Pacific island reignited the search for her lost Lockheed Electra, and this November, researchers will finally investigate what may be the wreckage of her plane. But the Earhart case is just the beginning. In this episode, we explore how remote sensing technology—from satellites to sonar to LiDAR—is revolutionizing archaeology and historical investigation. Dr. Leila Character, a geographer at Texas A&M University, joins us to discuss how she uses remote sensing and machine learning to locate WWII aircraft wrecks, identify ancient burial sites, and bring closure to families who have waited decades for answers. From images captured 400 miles above Earth to the depths of the ocean floor, discover how scientists are uncovering the past and solving mysteries that once seemed impossible to crack.
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    37 min
  • Weather Wisdom for the Seasons Ahead

    Weather Wisdom for the Seasons Ahead
    Oct 14 2025
    Since 1792, The Old Farmer's Almanac has been helping Americans prepare for the seasons ahead - and it's still going strong 233 years later. In this episode, Emily sits down with Carol Connare, editor-in-chief of The Old Farmer's Almanac, to uncover the secrets behind their famous long-range forecasts and explore the publication's fascinating history. Carol shares surprising finds from centuries-old editions, along with old-world wisdom that remains remarkably relevant. But first, Emily chats with Charlie Lopresti, chief meteorologist at WGME and award-winning giant pumpkin grower, about how this year's unusual weather has impacted the growing season and what gardeners can expect as we head into winter. Whether you're planning next spring's garden or just curious about what winter has in store, this episode offers a unique blend of historical perspective and practical seasonal outlook.
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    37 min