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Welcome to the Big Blue Rock Pod, produced by the Kentucky Geological Survey, at the University of Kentucky. This podcast is a fun, conversational approach to discussing all things geology and earth p... more
FAQs about The Big Blue Rock Pod:How many episodes does The Big Blue Rock Pod have?The podcast currently has 54 episodes available.
May 27, 2026Ep. 54: The Enviropod Pod: Teaching Earth Science in a Changing WorldMatt, Sarah, and Doug talk with Earth and Environmental Sciences Department Senior Lecturer Summer Brown. They discuss earth science education, teaching, how scientists connect to stakeholders, natural hazard anxiety, the NSF EPSCoR-funded project CLIMBS and the Enviropods Program, the future of earth science education, and much more!...more44minPlay
April 29, 2026Ep. 53: From Seam to Ash: A Career in CoalMatt, Sarah, and Doug talk with world-renowned applied energy researcher Jim Hower. They discuss the University of Kentucky Center for Applied Energy Research, coal petrology, coal research, the Fire Clay coal, sampling coal, sampling coal-fired power plants, fly ash, rare earth elements, and the future of applied energy research....more50minPlay
March 31, 2026Ep. 52: New Harmonizing with Dr. CobbMatt, Sarah, and Doug speak with former KGS Director and State Geologist Jim Cobb. They talk about James Hutton, New Harmony, Indiana, the job of a State Geologist, the 12th Geological Survey at KGS, digital data dissemination, the legend of Dr. Paul Potter, loving our jobs, and much more!...more45minPlay
February 27, 2026Ep. 51: Friction and Fjords: Curling Stones and The WaveJam packed show! Fresh of the Winter Olympics, Matt, Sarah, and Doug discuss the geology of curling stones. Next, back by popular demand (not really), they break down another Norwegian geology disaster film and discuss the 2015 film The Wave. They discuss rockslide-induced tsunamis, challenges of modeling unstable slopes and potential tsunamis, fjords, rockslope monitoring, geologists who are hoarders, and much more!Please hit the Like and Subscribe buttons to stay up to date on future episodes, and to help us grow this series. And, please offer feedback and suggestions for future guests!...more53minPlay
February 06, 2026Ep. 50: Lakes, Diatoms, and DNA: Will You Be My Valentine?50th Episode! Matt, Doug, and Sarah talk to UK Earth & Environmental Sciences Professor Trisha Spanbauer. The discuss lakes, paleolimnology, lake sediment as proxies for global environmental change, ancient environmental DNA, biodiversity, ecological and molecular evolution, Lake Titicaca, promise of a.e.DNA sequencing, algae and art, and much more!...more42minPlay
December 29, 2025Ep. 49: Seeing what you can't see with geophysicsMatt, Doug, and Sarah talk with UK Earth & Environmental Sciences Professor Ed Woolery. The discuss near surface geophysics, shear wave propagation, imaging technique limitations, blind faults, applied geophysics, department chair duties, Ed’s geophysics heroes and much more! ...more1hPlay
November 27, 2025Ep. 48: Dig Doug: KGS Digital Mapping and a Unique Career ArcMatt and Sarah talk with KGS geologist and BBRP co-host Doug Curl. They talk about Doug’s unique and fascinating career arc as a geologist, geoinformatics, GIS, geologic maps, compact discs, metadata (everyone’s favorite!), online geologic map services, and much more. ...more48minPlay
October 30, 2025Ep. 47: News and BoosMatt, Sarah, and Doug recap their participation in conferences but most importantly lean into Halloween! They discuss haunted pump jacks, suffering cows, the dark history of the Nada Tunnel, and a creepy story from a special guest about their experience with a time vortex during field work....more34minPlay
September 30, 2025Ep. 46: The Coal WhispererMatt, Sarah, and Doug talk with KGS geologist Cortland Eble. They discuss all things coal geology with a world-renowned palynologist, one of few people in the world who grinds up coal and glues in back together! They discuss coal formation, macerals, coke, coal spores and pollen, coal quality and quantity, coal from the Titanic, and much more!...more45minPlay
August 27, 2025Ep. 45: Building resilience from the ground up with the Kentucky State GeologistMatt, Doug, and Sarah talk with KGS Director and Ky State Geologist Mike McGlue. They discuss what geologists do, trends in earth science, converging disciplines, exciting research at KGS, and emphasize the application of geology to build resilience for the Commonwealth. Listen up!...more32minPlay
FAQs about The Big Blue Rock Pod:How many episodes does The Big Blue Rock Pod have?The podcast currently has 54 episodes available.