Weather Geeks

He has been on the job for only one year, but this week’s guest has faced a career of natural disasters! Harvey, Irma, Maria, tornadoes, floods and yes, even lava have kept FEMA Administrator Brock Long on the go. How is he doing? What has he learned about the job? Where is FEMA headed? These questions and more for America’s top emergency manager, FEMA Administrator Brock Long.

This week on Weather Geeks we mark the 5 year anniversary of the largest tornado ever recorded...the 2013 El Reno tornado. We’ll discuss how unusual the tornado was and how it changed or didn’t change the way people chase and research storms today. The Weather Channel’s Mike Bettes, who’s heart pounding story of being tossed about by the tornado, kicks off the conversation. We are also joined by author Brantley Hargrove, who’s new book, The Man Who Caught the Storm, chronicles the life of legendary storm chaser, Tim Samaras. Tim was one of 8 people that lost their life due to the tornado. Stories of intrigue, reflection and scientific discussion, all on this episode of Weather Geeks.

Al Roker has been giving forecasts for ‘your neck of the woods’ for over 20 years...He is America’s Weatherman, appearing on the TODAY show, Nightly News and a host of other television and news shows over the years. He has a knack for channeling his on-air charisma into many different media platforms, including penning a New York Times best seller, dishing out award-winning cookbooks, and lending his voice to critically-acclaimed movies.  In this week's Weather Geeks podcast we learn about Al’s deep passion for weather, how he continues to evolve with the ever-changing media landscape and how he manages to balance it all.

This week on Weather Geeks we go to the bottom of the earth….Antarctica! A white desert covered in snow and ice. But did you know plants and algae make up an underwater forest at its edges and that these plants can be used to develop drugs to help with cancer and the flu?! Dr. James McClintock from The University of Alabama - Birmingham joins us to discuss why studying this part of the world is important and why so many people are making the trip down to Antarctica to learn more about the region and experience climate change in action. 

Dr. Greg Forbes's journey has taken him from studying tornadoes with famous tornado scientist Dr. Ted Fujita to molding young meteorological minds as a professor at Penn State University to becoming the Severe Weather Expert at the Weather Channel where he has warned more people about approaching tornadoes than another other human in history.  This week get a first hand peek into the brain of the Storm Master, the man who knows mother nature's most destructive and awe inspiring creation like none other.

World renowned tornado experts Dr. Howard Bluestein and Dr. Victor Gensini break down the mystery of forecasting tornadoes as only they can. Learn the tricks of the trade from the scientists that get out of the classroom and forecast from out in the field.

We go inside the storm with Jim Cantore. As we dive deep into his 30 plus year journey at The Weather Channel, we find out: how have things changed; some of Jim’s most memorable moments; and what will the future bring. All that and more from one of Weather’s most influential names.

From the Weather Geeks Archives - Dr. Shepherd is joined by Dr. Alexa Van Eaton, a physical volcanologist interested in explosive eruptions. Her work examines how volcanic plumes evolve and interact within a complex atmosphere and biosphere. Her current projects include studying volcanic lightning and perhaps most interesting of all, examining “the strange story of volcanic hail."

From the Weather Geeks Archives - Dr. Shepherd is joined by the Commander of the Naval Meteorology and Oceanography Command, Rear Admiral Tim Gallaudet, to discuss his mission, the role of science in modern warfare and how the changing climate is already impacting the NAVY.

From the Weather Geeks Archives - Alan Sealls joins the Weather Geeks team to discuss his history making journey that's taken him from aspiring musician to the "best weatherman ever" to the first African American to lead the National Weather Association.

From the Weather Geeks Archives - Dr. Shepherd is joined by Thomas Dolby, the man who made Science chic in the 80s with his hit song She Blinded me with Science. Dolby, a self-professed weather and climate Geek, whose eclectic career journey has taken him from pop star to silicon valley entrepreneur to academia tells the story behind his science influenced melodies as only he can.

From the Weather Geeks Archives - Most Americans probably don't realize that the first ones behind enemy lines are often a small group of meteorologists who are sent in to harms way to collect the weather data needed to give the U.S. armed forces the home field advantage they need to win the battles necessary to protect our freedom. Major Jonathan Sawtelle, a former Special Operations Weather Team operations officer, will provide amazing insight into this truly special force.

Tornadoes. Hurricanes. Blizzards. Floods. Weather and the science behind it permeate our everyday life. Brought to you by the people behind The Weather Channel and hosted by Dr. Marshall Shepherd, former president of the American Meteorological Society, Weather Geeks looks at how weather intersects with technology, pop culture, industry--and everything in between.