Don't Panic Geocast
It's not an exact science.
About the show
John Leeman and Shannon Dulin discuss geoscience and technology weekly for your enjoyment! Features include guests, fun paper Friday selections, product reviews, and banter about recent developments. Shannon is a field geologist who tolerates technology and John is a self-proclaimed nerd that tolerates geologists.
Episodes
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Episode 405 - "Getting Tensor"
December 6th, 2024 | 56 mins 20 secs
Faults are fractures in the Earth's crust where movement has occurred, creating features that are critical to understanding geological processes. In this episode, we explore how to recognize fault zones in the field, examine their widths at different depths, and analyze the breakage patterns and deformation features that define them.
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Episode 404 - "So Many Paperclips"
November 29th, 2024 | 50 mins 22 secs
This week, we explore lithium's geological formation, mining, processing, and its growing importance in the energy revolution. We also dive into exciting developments in Arkansas, which could make the U.S. a major player in domestic lithium production.
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Episode 403 - "My Dad Caught my Mom's Pants on Fire"
November 22nd, 2024 | 50 mins 12 secs
Gold has been a symbol of wealth, beauty, and power for millennia, but its importance extends far beyond jewelry and currency. From its formation deep in the Earth’s crust to its critical uses in electronics, medicine, and aerospace, this episode explores the fascinating journey of gold and why it continues to captivate us today.
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Episode 402 - "Shoes in a dryer on turbo"
November 15th, 2024 | 44 mins 58 secs
Ever wondered how silver journeys from ancient rock formations to the tech in your pocket? In this episode of Don't Panic Geocast, we dig deep into the fascinating world of silver—the metal that's shaped economies, inspired legends, and powers modern technology. From its formation in Earth’s crust to the precise science of extraction and refining, we’ll explore how silver’s unique properties make it indispensable in everything from solar panels to medical tools. Tune in to learn why this shiny element is more valuable—and more complicated—than you might think!
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Episode 401 - "I fell into a lot of bogs"
November 8th, 2024 | 58 mins 5 secs
This week, we dive into the fascinating world of coal—its origins, types, and the role it has played in shaping economies, past and present. We discuss coal’s formation in ancient swampy environments, the journey from mining to electricity generation, and the transition we’re witnessing as the world moves toward renewable energy sources. We wrap up with a Fun Paper Friday that challenges the classic "Infinite Monkeys Theorem"—could monkeys really type out Shakespeare if given enough time?
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Episode 400 - "Mushroom Cloud of Salt"
November 1st, 2024 | 36 mins 58 secs
Throughout human history, certain minerals have held immense power, shaping economies, societies, and entire civilizations. In this economic rocks series, John and Shannon discuss how essential minerals like salt, gold, and coal influenced historical events and continue to impact modern geopolitics. This week we start with salt and how it is essential to many aspects of our day to day.
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Episode 399 - "We would have already sacrificed some people"
October 18th, 2024 | 59 mins 22 secs
In our 400th episode, we take a moment to reflect on some of our favorite past episodes and Fun Paper Fridays that have brought joy, knowledge, and a good laugh to the show. From memorable guests to quirky science papers, this episode is a tribute to everything that makes the Don't Panic Geocast special. Join us for this nostalgia-packed episode where we look back at the highlights of 399 episodes!
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Episode 398 - "Are you going to take our jobs?"
October 11th, 2024 | 1 hr 40 secs
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is making its way into academic research and writing, offering a range of tools that can help streamline workflows, enhance creativity, and improve productivity. In this episode, John and Shannon dive into some of the AI tools they’ve been experimenting with and discuss broader questions about fairness, disclosure, and the evolving role of AI in academia.
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Episode 397 - "Terps"
October 4th, 2024 | 49 mins 40 secs
This week, we delve into the fascinating world of the ancient dwelling mounds—terps—of the northern Netherlands. These man-made mounds served as elevated homes for communities living in low-lying, flood-prone areas. Join us as we explore the geology of these mounds, why they were essential for survival, and how modern technology is used to monitor soil subsidence and preserve these unique archaeological sites.
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Episode 396 - "Please Don't Call the FBI" GEARS 2024
September 6th, 2024 | 53 mins 34 secs
This week John and Shannon summarize the GEARS 2024 workshop, lessons learned, and talk about a record air pressure that was just a fluke.
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Episode 395 - "Pressure Finds a Way"
August 23rd, 2024 | 39 mins 47 secs
Learn about the explosion at Yellowstone's Biscuit Basin site and what it means for the park. We also talk about drunk fruit flies and what they are teaching us about alcoholism.
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Episode 394 - "Gates of Hell" Darvaza Gas Crater
August 16th, 2024 | 43 mins 52 secs
This week we look at a geological oddity in Turkmenistan and see how getting a puppy can give you the blues.
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Episode 393 - "Fujiwhara Effect!" Twisters Movie Review
July 26th, 2024 | 1 hr 10 mins
We went to watch Twisters and review it from the standpoint of two people who have chased storms professionally. Also what do philosophers have to say about the movie?
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Episode 392 - "Revisions"
July 12th, 2024 | 44 mins 42 secs
This week we talk about when and how things get revised from classes to papers to theories. Also we read a paper about a curious cure for poisoning.
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Episode 391 - "The Things We Take For Granted"
June 28th, 2024 | 32 mins 6 secs
This week we discuss JMARS and how you can explore the planets at home with just a few clicks of the mouse. Field camp is almost over and we'll be back to our regular shorts soon!
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Episode 390 - "Stretch Aquarium"
May 24th, 2024 | 30 mins 6 secs
What is a flume and how do sedimentologists used them to understand depositional systems? This and how likely you are to be bitten by a rattlesnake if you step on it in this summer's first Don't Panic Summer Short!