This week, I host Sydney DeMets, PhD candidate at the University of Washington, to talk about her research on podcast networks! We chat about the polarization within podcasting spaces, the influence of moderate shows on bridging political divides, and the gender disparity in podcast hosts and guests. My favorite part was Sydney highlighting how guests spread across different shows in a similar way to the diffusion of viruses! Sydney also gives some podcast recommendations and reflects on potenti...
Jun 16, 2025•50 min
This week, I had the privilege to interview Professor Roger Fu from Harvard's Earth and Planetary Sciences department. We cover planet formation in our early solar system, harvesting samples from meteorites, tectonic plate motion, paleoclimate research, and science funding in Boston! Professor Fu has a really unique perspective from his time studying astronomy in Chile and also leading research projects in university settings. If you like the episode, please subscribe and rate the episode wherev...
Jun 02, 2025•43 min
I host David Zabner, 4th year PhD Candidate at Tufts University to tell me all about his research — improving Computer Science education! I start with an intro about why this subject specifically can be so challenging to teach and learn, then David tells me about his background and different research projects he’s done to improve education at different levels. He emphasizes the importance of interactive and practical learning, comparing it to learning a second language. Enjoy, thanks for listeni...
May 19, 2025•54 min
In this episode, I host Amanda Calhoun, PhD candidate in the Earth and Planetary Sciences program at Harvard! In one project, Amanda uses carbon isotopes to uncover signs of ancient life. In another project, Amanda uses pyrite (fool’s gold!) to understand Earth’s oxygen history. Listen to hear about the history of both our atmosphere and life itself! 00:00 Intro and Overview 02:46 Research Projects Explained 05:41 Fieldwork and Sample Collection 12:35 Goals & Implications of projects 15:27 O...
Apr 28, 2025•25 min
Today is a solo episode with your host, Alex Chansky! I talk about why I do this show — in addition to some personal reasons, this channel is a great opportunity to make scientific research more accessible and understandable to the public! This is especially important in recent months as research funding cuts are proposed and our country’s top research institutions are cutting people & projects. So why is science funding important? Listen to find out more! 00:00 Why I do this show 01:20 Why ...
Apr 14, 2025•18 min
In this week’s episode, I host Catherine Knox, PhD candidate at Tufts University, to discuss water diplomacy and decision-making! We talk about different ways to think about water management, especially when it stretches across multiple boundaries. Catherine goes on to discuss her work on sea-level rise adaptation in Boston and also how decisions can be made under both uncertainty and ambiguity. For example, me saying “I have no idea what to write next in this description” is uncertainty . Sayin...
Mar 31, 2025•43 min
In this episode, I interview Danielle Eng, an environmental scientist at the EPA! Danielle shares her experiences in light pollution control, water testing, and environmental consulting. We talk in detail about her role at the EPA, working with tribes in the Great Lakes region using Clean Water Act grants and conducting water quality sampling. Perhaps most excitingly, Danielle discusses her senior thesis on native and domestic bee interactions! Tune in for an in-depth look at careers in environm...
Mar 17, 2025•44 min
This week, I reunite with Christina Sanon, a researcher and PhD candidate at Tufts University, to discuss her journey and recent research developments! Christina discusses a recent seminar and her ~groundbreaking~ earthquake research. We also talk about water diplomacy, a recent Maine Earthquake, and the practical applications of Christina’s projects. Subscribe to hear more scientists discuss climate and natural hazards research projects! 00:00 Intro and Water Diplomacy 06:00 PhD Journey and Car...
Mar 03, 2025•45 min
In this episode of Rocks for Jocks, I chat with Dr. Matt Curran, a recent doctorate in physical therapy. Together, we talk through aspects of the physical therapy field, including the differences between hospital and outpatient settings, nerve repair, and cadaver dissections. Matt shares what it’s like working with patients of different age groups, his research on post-stroke rehabilitation, and his transition into home care. If you like the episode, please subscribe and share it with a friend! ...
Feb 17, 2025•37 min
I welcome back Aidan Bailey, a close friend and first-year MD/PhD student at Wayne State University! Aidan shares his experiences in medical school, reflecting on his study strategies, dissecting cadavers, and balancing extensive coursework. He discusses the structure and goals of the MD/PhD program, the value of both degrees, & his future research plans. Our conversation also touches on life in Detroit, highlighting its vibrant culture and sports! 00:00 Intro and Guest Background 01:20 Med ...
Feb 03, 2025•41 min
I interview Peter Sousounis, an atmospheric scientist who now works as a climate and catastrophe modeling consultant. We discuss the recent January 2025 Los Angeles, California Wildfires, global catastrophe modeling, and the rising impacts of secondary perils (like smoke damage). Peter explains the factors contributing to winter wildfires in California and highlights the broader implications on human health and insurance in the region. 00:53 Introducing Dr. Peter Sousounis 04:36 Catastrophe Mode...
Jan 20, 2025•27 min
In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Danielle LeBlanc, a researcher at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution. Danielle and I discuss her journey from studying petroleum engineering to her PhD research on ocean sediments. Danielle explains why she studies sediment components to understand Earth's climate history, ice sheet dynamics, and ice-rafted debris. She also talks about the challenges of her research and offers advice for rising scientists. If you like this episode, please subscribe and ...
Jan 06, 2025•38 min
In this episode of Rocks for Jocks, I explore the frequently asked question: “isn't the climate always changing?”. I break down the components of climate change, distinguishing between natural cycles and human-caused impacts. Learn about solar radiation, greenhouse gases, airborne particles, climate feedbacks, and tipping points! Very fun! I also go into some details about Earth's orbital patterns, using animations from NASA to help understand long-term climate trends. Listen and subscribe for a...
Dec 23, 2024•15 min
In this bonus episode of Rocks for Jocks, we leap into the world of MrBeast, the world’s most popular YouTuber. Alex and his guest, Colin Vergilio, discuss MrBeast's impressive rise, his business strategies, and the recent internal memo that reveals how his company operates. We cover his astonishing statistics, including over 50 billion views, 500 employees, and nearly $700 million in annual revenue. Wow! We also explore the ethical implications and challenges of running such a massive digital e...
Dec 09, 2024•1 hr 9 min
In this special episode of Rocks for Jocks, I discuss the recent volcanic eruptions in Iceland near the town of Grindavík! With live video streams and data from the Icelandic Meteorological Office, viewers get an in-depth look at magma flow, earthquake patterns, and the impact on local attractions like the Blue Lagoon. The video includes hazard maps, GPS data on ground deformation, and gas pollution trends. Despite massive disruptions, tourists can definitely keep visiting if they stay in the sa...
Nov 27, 2024•12 min
Welcome back to Rocks for Jocks! Today's episode is all about climate change, uncertainty, and the wild ride of asymmetric risks. Stick around to see why every tenth of a degree matters in this high-stakes climate game. Subscribe and join us on the journey towards a greener future! Cover image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Polar_bear_watches_USCGC_Healy_230922-D-GO191-1035.jpg
Nov 18, 2024•10 min
Welcome to the latest episode of Rocks for Jocks! Today, we jump into the fascinating earth science discoveries I learned about during my trip to Iceland. I discuss Iceland's position on the mid-Atlantic Ridge, witness the breathtaking sights of a national park, and discover how magma, hot springs, and geysers interplay to create stunning natural features. Listen here! 00:00 Introduction and Iceland Trip Overview 01:43 Exploring Iceland's Tectonic Activity 03:23 The Formation of Iceland's Landsc...
Nov 04, 2024•10 min
In this episode, I interview Rob Baxter, CEO and founder of CBC Wind Energy. We talk about the mechanical resilience, environmental impacts, and minimal infrastructure of CBC’s wind turbines, which are especially useful in disaster relief areas. Rob also shares insights on the broader role of renewables in diversified energy portfolios and offers advice for entrepreneurs in the energy space. 01:18 Innovative turbine designs 06:58 Cost and Efficiency of CBC's turbines 12:26 Optimal and extreme co...
Oct 21, 2024•31 min
Privately funded Spacewalks! What are they? Why do they matter? Are they good or bad? Let's find out! Spacewalks are when astronauts leave their shuttle in outer space and are completely reliant on their spacesuits to keep living. Listen here to learn more! Sources: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20220713-how-to-make-rocket-launches-less-polluting https://www.statista.com/statistics/564769/airline-industry-number-of-flights/ https://ourworldindata.org/grapher/yearly-number-of-objects-launche...
Oct 07, 2024•9 min
Today, we're sharing a conversation with Laura Huepenbecker. With notable contributions to several professional movie and podcast productions, Laura continues to be a leader in the environmental media space. We talk about Laura’s experiences on a farm set for 3 years, soil research, and sheep pupils!
Sep 23, 2024•41 min
Alex jumps into the third and final part of his summary and review of Stephen Hawking's 'The Theory of Everything’. Lecture 6 covers the concept of time using thermodynamic, psychological, and cosmological arrows. Lecture 7 explores the search for a unified theory and its philosophical impacts (we promise no more big words). Cover image: NASA/JPL-Caltech/University of Wisconsin, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Sep 09, 2024•21 min
In this episode, I dabble in lectures 3 through 5 of Stephen Hawking’s book, ‘The Theory of Everything’. We are talking Hawking’s shocking explanations of stars, black holes, and the Big Bang! Hawking tells a joke about the pope. I explain surface area using a baseball as an analogy — sports! I even ruminate briefly on how I imagine an infinite universe. 00:00 Intro 00:54 Lecture 3 09:13 Lecture 4 14:50 Lecture 5 Cover image from NASA's Scientific Visualization Studio, public domain (https://svs...
Aug 26, 2024•25 min
In this episode, I interview Adel Asadi, PhD, who talks about his journey from Iran to Stanford University. Adel shares details from his academic career, including his achievements in mining, machine learning, and geohazards. He also offers a glimpse into his ongoing postdoctoral work and entrepreneurship at Stanford. 00:00 Introduction and Education 04:28 PhD Research: mining, remote sensing, geohazards 26:26 Postdoc vs. Industry 41:58 Plans and Advice
Aug 12, 2024•45 min
Aug 09, 2024•1 min
In this episode of 'Rocks for Jocks', I recap and discuss the first part of Stephen Hawking's book 'The Theory of Everything'. The book, despite its brevity and easy-to-understand language, has a lot information to go over. In this episode, I get through lectures 1 and 2 out of 7. 00:00 Overview & key takeaways of 'The Theory of Everything' 02:38 Lecture 1 06:45 Lecture 2
Jul 29, 2024•14 min
Today I explore the main impacts of climate change, a topic often covered in introductory earth science courses. I also talk about the basics of greenhouse gases like CO2 and methane, explaining how they trap heat and alter global weather patterns. 00:00 Defining Climate and Change 01:53 Major Impacts 06:04 Major Causes 10:46 Greenhouse Gases 13:02 Final Thoughts Sources: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/understanding-climate/climate-change-atmospheric-carbon-dioxide https://climate.nasa.go...
Jul 15, 2024•13 min
In this episode, I continue my conversation with Christina, a PhD candidate at Tufts University. We talk further about Christina’s dissertation, the challenges she faced, and advice for rising engineers. 00:00 Christina's Dissertation 04:13 Fragility Functions & Empirical Data 08:48 Project Hurdles 16:14 Future Plans & Advice 23:56 Final Thoughts
Jul 03, 2024•24 min
In this episode I interviewed Christina Sanon, a Civil & Environmental Engineering PhD candidate at Tufts University. Christina discusses her academic journey, how concrete is used in structural engineering, and her research with earthquake damage data. We talk some specifics about Christina’s methodologies, including remote sensing, the preservation of time-sensitive data, and using machine learning for liquefaction assessment. 01:01 Christina's Academic Journey 07:10 Undergraduate and Mast...
Jun 21, 2024•41 min
This episode reviews the recent 4.8 magnitude New Jersey earthquake, its causes, and its implications. I also discuss a few other topics, including tectonic plates and fault lines, the rarity of significant earthquakes on the US East Coast, and different earthquake measurement scales. 00:00 Introduction 01:29 Tectonic Plates and Fault Lines 02:30 Intra Plate Events 03:26 Frequency and Magnitude Relationship 07:11 Earthquake Measurement Scales 10:46 Quakes and CC...
Jun 07, 2024•14 min
In this episode, we discuss Marshall's graduate school projects in seismic site response and geotechnical engineering. In his projects, Marshall studied Mexico City's seismic response after the 2017 earthquake, then extend the application of his findings from Mexico City to New England. We also discuss F-naught, Vs 30, the publication process, and the practical applications of Marshall’s findings. 00:00 Intro 00:36 Exploring the Impact of Mexico City's Geology 06:15 Expanding Dissertation Resear...
May 24, 2024•40 min
