In this episode, we sit down with Australian climate scientist Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick to explore the story of climate science, how we first discovered the planet was warming, and what we now know about the forces driving it. Sarah breaks down the role of carbon dioxide in trapping heat like a planetary blanket and shares insights from her cutting-edge research on long-term climate modelling. What would happen if we stopped emitting CO₂ today? The answers are sobering, yet they also offer hope, underscoring why optimism remains essential in the fight for a livable future. Linked in: Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick https://www.21centuryweather.org.au/

I had the honor of sitting down with Dr. Donna Strickland, Nobel Prize-winning physicist and only the third woman in history to receive the prestigious award in physics. In our conversation, we discuss her groundbreaking work in laser physics and the journey that led her there. From her early academic interests to the moment she received the life-changing call from the Royal Swedish Academcy at 5AM (?!), Donna shares insights into her discovery of chirped pulse amplification (CPA), a revolutionary technique that changed the field of high-intensity lasers. We discuss the science behind CPA and the moment she accidentally broke the fiber optic cable required for her PhD research. Donna reflects on the role of perseverance, collaboration, and the underestimated metric of "luck” in scientific discovery.

In part two of our chat with Dr. Heather Ford, we delve deeper into the hidden dynamics of Wikipedia — the world’s largest encyclopedia and 8th most visited website, run largely by volunteers. We explore how pages are updated in real time, yet controversial topics like Indigenous place names often face delays and heated edit wars. Dr. Ford explains how this can lead editors to walk away, raising concerns about who gets to shape history. We also unpack the platform's lack of diversity and the growing influence of AI — with up to 90% of internet content projected to be AI-generated by the end of 2025. Connect with Dr. Heather Ford on Linkedin hblog.org

I'm joined by Dr. Heather Ford, ARC Future Fellow and Professor in the School of Communications at UTS, to explore the fascinating world of Wikipedia. Inspired by her article “We analysed 35,000 Wikipedia entries about Australian places. Some of them sanitise history” in The Conversation, we dive deep into the strengths and shortcomings of one of the internet’s most beloved resources. We unpack how Wikipedia works behind the scenes: who edits it, how “edit wars” break out, and why it remains such a radical platform — a place where history can be written in real time, sometimes even before events unfold. Together, we question whether Wikipedia offers an honest account of Australia’s past, particularly when it comes to Indigenous history. This is a two-parter so be sure to tune in next week for part 2. Connect with Dr. Heather Ford on Linkedin https://hblog.org/    

In part two of my conversation with Dr. Graham Wild, we dive deeper into the fascinating world of hypersonic machines. We explore how sound waves behave at extreme speeds, the significance of the boundary layer, and what materials are best suited for these ultra-fast aircraft. Connect with Dr. Graham Wild on LinkedIn Twitter/X: @AerospaceDoctor

Aviation expert Dr. Graham Wild returns to take us beyond the basics of flight and into the high-speed world of subsonic vs. hypersonic aircraft. We break down the engine mechanics behind these incredible machines, and I squeeze in a humblebrag about sitting in an SR-71 (yes, okay, it was grounded). It’s a theory-packed episode, so we’ve split it into two parts. Catch Part 2 next week. Connect with Dr. Graham Wild on Linkedin Twitter/ X - @aerospacedoctor

In 2020, Scientific American made waves with the provocative headline: "No One Can Explain Why Planes Stay in the Air." But is that really true? Dr. Graham Wild, senior lecturer in aviation science and technology at the University of New South Wales in Canberra, joins us to set the record straight. In this episode, we dip our toes into the complex of flight. We scratch at the very surface of the topic in an episode that could easily take over 20 hours. Connectt with Dr. Graham Wild on Linkedin Twitter/ X - @aerospacedoctor

Most of us throw our clothes in the wash without a second thought, but what if that habit is doing more harm than good? In this episode, Dr. Holly Kaye-Smith, social change expert and communications specialist, challenges the way we think about cleanliness, climate action, and everyday laundry. From surprising stats (over 90% of washed clothes aren’t even dirty!) to the hidden environmental cost of every wash cycle, we dive into the myths, microplastics, and mindsets that shape our laundering routines. Holly shares practical refreshing techniques that save water, and why she recommends everyone have a “rewear chair.” Connect with Dr Holly Kaye Smith on Linkedin Instagram - www.instagram.com/drhollyphd/ Youtube -  www.youtube.com/@drhollyphd    

Are ice baths really the recovery miracle they're made out to be? We plunge into the science with Dr. Hunter Bennett, lecturer at the University of South Australia, exploring the pros and cons of ice baths, when they’re helpful, and when they might actually hinder your gains. We also unpack health misinformation online and Dr Hunter shares five evidence-based tips for anyone curious about cold plunges. Connect with Dr Hunter Bennett on Linkedin Dr Bennett's article on Ice Baths in The Conversation https://theconversation.com/ice-baths-are-popular-for-exercise-recovery-and-general-wellness-but-what-does-the-science-say-250649  

Dr. Brooke Nickel dives into the murky world of health misinformation on social media, exposing how overdiagnosis and unverified health claims are thriving in a mostly unregulated space. We explore the influence of online personalities, the power of personal anecdotes, and the urgent need for evidence-based guidance in digital health conversations. 🔗 Connect with Dr. Brooke Nickel on LinkedIn