Getting Through It

An Earthquake in New York City? Hurricanes in LA? More than a month of straight rain across California? This episode explores 5 rare but possible natural hazards that are not well-known that could lead to catastrophic consequences. Dr. Jones explains the science behind each event and reveals when they last happened and how often they occur.

Few people are afraid of hot weather, but in the US, on average it kills more people per year than most other geologic or atmospheric events. And, more extreme heat days are coming. In this episode, we look at extreme heat and what it means for us now and in the near future as we try to keep calm and cool.

As humans move deeper and deeper into the wildlands as part of sprawling cities, and with a rapidly warming earth, wild fires are more intense and more destructive than ever before. In this episode, we explore wildfires, their causes, the way we view them, and what can be done to protect ourselves from their impacts. You'll also learn about "dragon twists" and how devastating a single palm tree can be.

In this episode, we explore the frustration felt when other people take actions during the pandemic that put other people at risk. We look at the research as to why this happens and how others can work to communicate most effectively with them. As a community, we must work together to address this long disaster for the months ahead because, as Dr. Jones says, "We're all in this together."

In this episode, we're diving deep into the pool of misconceptions, myths, and legends that seek to explain what makes earthquakes so scary to humans. From the earliest records kept, humans have sought to explain "why" in order to help us feel better about the fact that we don't know when earthquakes will strike. We take a look at time of day, weather, animals, and more to help you get through it when the earth starts to move...

In a disaster, systems fail where they are already weak or strained (think of brittle pipes, weak buildings, or overwhelmed levies). Like our physical systems, our social systems function in the same way. In this episode, Dr. Jones explores how society finds scapegoats during a disaster, why, and what we can do about it. And it comes down to trust.

It's time to avoid "magical thinking" and referring to things as "on brand" for 2020. In this episode, we delve into the likelihood of an earthquake, hurricane, or other natural disaster of occurring during the COVID19 Pandemic. Spoiler alert -- it's more likely than you probably want to admit!

From the "increased risk" on the San Andreas Fault to many felt aftershocks in Puerto Rico to Yellowstone's super-volcano and the mythological Ring of Fire -- this episode reveals what you need to know about earthquakes they read or hear about and how they might explain what's next. 

In this episode, Dr. Jones discusses the fundamentals of bringing science from the ivory tower to the public square -- to everyone -- so you can take control of our chaotic world. She talks about science as facts vs. science as a process, the role of tobacco in our science-trust crisis, and why reality really matters to all of us trying to manage the current crisis and the crises we'll face in the future.

In this episode, Lucy and John explore the recent spike in COVID19 across the US, what the science tells, and how we, as humans need to find a sense of belonging to survive in the long, slow disaster.