Guest: Dr. Aran Mooney

When you think about saving coral reefs, you probably imagine divers, coral nurseries, or maybe even futuristic technology — but what if part of the solution starts with simply turning up the volume? Because it turns out, coral reefs don’t just look alive… they sound alive. Today’s guest, Dr. Aran Mooney, is helping scientists and conservationists tune into the ocean in a whole new way. His research explores how the natural “music” of healthy reefs — the pops, clicks, and choruses of marine life — can actually help guide coral larvae home and jump-start reef recovery. In this episode, we’ll talk about listening to the ocean, using sound as a conservation tool, and why sometimes the key to protecting our planet isn’t louder warnings — it’s learning how to hear what nature has been telling us all along.

Chapters

1. 00:00 The Sound of Coral Reefs
2. 06:00 Sound as a Restoration Tool
3. 12:02 The Mechanics of Sound Playback
4. 17:23 Break 1
5. 17:55 Environmental Influences on Coral Soundscapes
6. 20:17 The Power of Sound in Coral Restoration
7. 26:59 Break 2
8. 27:28 Hurricanes and Their Impact on Coral Reefs
9. 30:43 Understanding the Time Scale of Sound Influence
10. 35:39 Scaling Sound Solutions for Coral Reefs
11. 40:51 Community Engagement and Partnerships for Coral Health

Resources

• Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution - https://www.whoi.edu/
• NOAA Coral Reef Conservation Program - https://coralreef.noaa.gov/

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Guest: Brad Panovich, WCNC Charlotte

If you’ve lived in North Carolina for any length of time, chances are you’ve turned to one familiar face when the weather turns serious. But being a trusted meteorologist today isn’t just about what happens on TV—it’s about showing up wherever your audience is, whether that’s on-air, online, or in the middle of a rapidly evolving storm. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by Brad Panovich, Chief Meteorologist at WCNC Charlotte. For decades, Brad has helped guide North Carolinians through everything from day-to-day forecasts to high-impact events—including more recent storms like Hurricane Helene—building a level of trust that goes far beyond the forecast itself. We’ll talk about how his approach to communication has evolved in the age of social media, what it takes to cut through misinformation, and how you balance urgency, clarity, and calm when people are depending on you the most.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Brad Panovich and His Journey
2. 02:55 The Evolution of Weather Communication
3. 05:54 The Importance of Credentialing in Meteorology
4. 08:56 The Role of Trust in Weather Forecasting
5. 12:05 Break 1
6. 12:08 Navigating Social Media as a Meteorologist
7. 15:13 Handling Negativity and Criticism in the Digital Age
8. 20:13 Understanding Public Perception of Weather Forecasts
9. 23:40 Break 2
10. 24:12 The Role of Social Media in Weather Communication
11. 26:28 The Impact of AI on Meteorology
12. 30:11 Personal Reflections on the Impact of Meteorology
13. 34:26 The Educator's Role in Meteorology

Resources

• Ohio State University Meteorology Program - https://meteo.osu.edu/
• UNC Charlotte Weather Communication Course - https://physics.charlotte.edu/

Guest links

• Brad Panovich on Twitter - https://twitter.com/WXBrad
• Website - https://www.wcnc.com/
• TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@wxbrad

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Guest: Seth Borenstein, Associated Press

Every day, new scientific discoveries shape the way we understand our world — from extreme weather to the changing climate. But most of us don’t read scientific journals. Instead, we rely on journalists to translate complex research into stories that inform the public and help us make sense of what it all means. Today we’re joined by Seth Borenstein, a veteran science reporter with the Associated Press who has spent decades covering everything from hurricanes and heat waves to the latest breakthroughs in climate research. Over the years, his reporting has helped bring critical science stories to audiences around the world. In this episode, we’ll talk about how science journalism has evolved, how the media approaches reporting on Climate Change, and what it takes to translate complex science into clear, trustworthy stories for the public.

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction and Guest Credibility
2. 01:43 How Seth Became a Weather and Climate Geek
3. 04:02 The Evolution of Climate Science Narratives
4. 07:47 From Uncertainty to Scientific Certainty
5. 11:53 Finding and Vetting Credible Scientific Sources
6. 16:04 The Role of AP and Wire Services in Science Reporting
7. 17:48 Break 1
8. 18:16 Challenges and Opportunities in Science Journalism
9. 21:52 How Seth Finds His Experts
10. 25:03 Impact of Social Media on Climate and Weather Reporting
11. 27:57 Dealing with Disinformation and Misinformation
12. 28:39 Break 2
13. 29:46 Memorable Stories and Impactful Reporting
14. 32:20 Embedded Reporting with Storm Chasers
15. 34:15 The Human Side of Weather Disasters
16. 36:55 Advice for Future Climate and Science Journalists
17. 39:25 Where to Find Seth's Work

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