John Leeman
Co-Host of Don't Panic Geocast
John received a B.S. is geophysics and B.S. in meteorology from the University of Oklahoma, then proceeded onto to a PhD in geoscience at Penn State in which he studied slow earthquakes as an experimental rock mechanics researcher. John has worked on gas hydrates experiments at Oak Ridge National Lab as well as worked on telemetry software for NASA JSC. Currently he operates Leeman Geophysical located in Siloam Springs, Arkansas. The company builds custom laboratory equipment as well as educational materials. In his off time John enjoys hiking, brewing beer, restoring antique engines, and flying airplanes.
John Leeman has hosted 134 Episodes.
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Episode 415 - "Fiat 500 Volcanic Bomb"
April 25th, 2025 | 48 mins 12 secs
This week we talk hail, Vesuvius, volcanic bombs, and vitrified brains. Don't miss it!
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Episode 414 - "Closed Because of Landslide"
April 18th, 2025 | 1 hr 5 mins
Shannon's class took a trip to study catestrophic sedimentation... and they found it!
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Episode 413 - "Waterfalls I Have Loved"
April 4th, 2025 | 57 mins 30 secs
This week its all about waterfalls and some local and global ones that we have enjoyed over the years.
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Episode 412 - "Unpopular Flavor of Capri Sun"
March 7th, 2025 | 48 mins 42 secs
This week we talk about snow forecasting as the winter season starts to wrap up and try to figure out if you're really happier in the morning or not!
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Episode 411 - "TSA Does Not Care About Your Data "
February 14th, 2025 | 45 mins 27 secs
How do geologists figure out when a landslide happened? From tree rings to cosmic rays, we break down the detective work behind dating geomorphic features! Plus, a Fun Paper Friday that answers the question - can Dorito dust make your skin transparent?
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Episode 410 - "GEARS OIL UTEP"
February 7th, 2025 | 48 mins 18 secs
We just wrapped up our first-ever on-site GEARS Workshop at UTEP and it was a massive success! 🎉 Tune in as we break down the highlights, what we learned, and how this hands-on geoscience training is evolving for the future.
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Episode 409 - "Resolutions"
January 24th, 2025 | 1 hr 7 mins
This week, it's time for our 2025 resolutions show, where we see how we can improve this year and discuss everything that's changed in the past year!
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Episode 408 - "Everywhere there's cottonwood trees"
January 17th, 2025 | 41 mins 23 secs
This week we wrap up our finding faults show started oh so long ago! Learn how to identify faults in the field and then relax with a coffee with a physicist! A perfectly spherical coffee on a frictionless plane that is!
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Episode 407 - "If you like dragons, that's important to you" Joshua Pearce
December 27th, 2024 | 1 hr 12 mins
This week, we’re thrilled to welcome Joshua Pearce to the show! We dive into the world of open-source hardware for academic labs, the challenges and rewards of open-sourcing projects, and the exciting opportunities it creates for researchers and the general public alike. Tune in for a fascinating discussion about innovation, making, and the future of accessible technology!
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Episode 406 - "Taking in all the really interesting things"
December 20th, 2024 | 57 mins 26 secs
Shannon went to AGU and we're updated on the meeting and what cool new science things she saw!
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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.