In this episode, Stuart and Natty talk with Dr. Sarah Balgooyen of PFAS@Mines at the Colorado School of Mines about her team's surprisingly good news: PFAS levels in Great Lakes fish have been declining since the mid-2000s. They get into how you actually find that out — freeze-drying and blending 50-year-old lake trout pulled out of an EPA freezer — and how Teflon went from a failed refrigerant experiment to a key material in the Manhattan Project. PLUS: a New Yorker cartoon pitch!

Warren Dunes State Park, Michigan

Bob's Atomic Burgers, Golden, CO

Sarah's paper — Journal of Great Lakes Research

PFAS@Mines research group

EPA Great Lakes Fish Monitoring and Surveillance Program

iiseagrant.org

🚨🚨Manel alert! Manel alert!🚨🚨 In this episode, Stuart speaks with Glenn Evans, professor of graphic design at St. Clair College, about The Great Lakes Avengers, which are apparently a thing?

Show links:

• Great Lakes Avengers
• Point Pelee National Park

In this episode, Stuart and Natty speak with Janice Gilbert of the Invasive Phragmites Control Centre about the ecological benefits of native aquatic plants, the persistent threat posed by invasive common reeds, and the ultimate glory of a fresh summer tomato sandwich.

• Illinois Indiana Sea Grant
• Invasive Phragmites Control Centre
• Great Lakes Phragmites Collaborative
• Invasive Species Centre
• Nature Conservancy of Canada
• Ducks Unlimited Canada
• USGS Great Lakes Science Center
• Great Lakes Commission
• Long Point Region (UNESCO Biosphere Reserve)
• Coastal and Great Lakes Social Science Lab

Stuart and Megan talk with Kim Nowack, Bridge Director of the Mackinac Bridge Authority, about what else? The Mighty Mac, a 5-mile (8 km) bridge that connects Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas!!

Links: 

• Tacoma Narrows Bridge
• David B. Steinman
• Labor Day Bridge Walk 
• Mackinaw City Bakery  https://www.mackinawbakery.com/
• 2 The Moon Bakery 
• Keweenaw Peninsula

Megan, Stuart, and Natty talk Great Lakes ice coverage, the importance of weather conditions, and simple ice math with Eric Anderson of the Colorado School of Mines. 

As we take the week off to celebrate Groundhog Day (or something), we're re-airing this conversation with James Kessler of NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab. In it, Stuart and Carolyn speak with James Kessler of the NOAA Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab about lake ice coverage, spaghetti diagrams, and shoveling snow for ice hockey. Enjoy!

Stuart, Megan, and Natty speak with John Schmidt, program manager of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers' 100% Great Lakes Fish Initiative. They also discuss different things you can drink, if you want.

Show links:

• https://gsgp.org/projects/100-great-lakes-fish/
• https://fiskurleather.com/
• https://theaquaborne.com/gallery
• https://www.collab.is/english
• Grand Traverse Band of Ottawa and Chippewa Indians https://www.gtbindians.org 
• https://michiganadvance.com/2025/08/14/in-peshawbestown-the-grand-traverse-band-puts-fish-waste-to-use/
• https://www.mannysdeli.com/
• https://www.xiancuisinechicago.com/west-loop
• https://www.johnnys-beef.com/
• https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/things-to-do/fishing/black-lake

Stuart and Megan speak with Bill Pringle of the Detroit Historical Society and Dossin Great Lakes Museum. 

Links:

• Dossin Great Lakes Museum | Detroit Historical Society
• Detroit Historical Society
• JW Westcott
• Detroit River Watch Webcam
• Doorway to Freedom – Detroit and the Underground Railroad
• Freedom Seekers curriculum connects students to the Underground Railroad, Great Lakes and science
• Detroit Institute of Arts Museum
• Outdoor Treasures | Detroit Historical Society
• Mudgie's Deli
• Belle Isle Conservancy

Our annual awards show, or, quite possibly not the least prestigious podcast-related awards ceremony there is. No show notes to avoid spoilers!

Stuart and Megan discuss fish passage projects with Jeff Tyson of the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Also, bears and salmon!

Links:

• What is the 'salmon cannon' and how do the fish feel about it? | Fish | The Guardian
• Fat Bear Week
• Brown Bear Cam - Brooks Falls in Katmai National Park | Explore.org
• Webcams - Katmai National Park & Preserve (U.S. National Park Service)
• Great Lakes Fishery Commission - Fish Passage
• Metroparks recommend replacing Flat Rock Dam with rock arches that maintain reservoir - Great Lakes Commission