The deep sea is one of Earth’s last frontiers—and the battle over who gets to mine it is heating up. This week on the Scientista Podcast , host Monica Medina sits down with Leticia Carvalho, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority, to talk about her mission to regulate deep sea mining before it’s too late. From overseeing negotiations in Jamaica to fending off pressure from billion-dollar mining interests, Carvalho is holding the line on behalf of the planet. She shares her journ...
Jul 16, 2025•41 min
Bill Nye the Science Guy joins the Scientista Podcast for a wide-ranging and candid conversation about making science accessible, the role of humor in advocacy, and what it takes to keep going when the world feels upside down. Co-hosts Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina talk with Bill about everything from vaccine misinformation and climate denial to his early days in stand-up comedy and how a Steve Martin lookalike contest helped launch his TV career. They also dive into the fight for wome...
Jul 09, 2025•46 min
Dr. Ashish Jha, Dean of the Brown School of Public Health and former White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator, joins the Scientista Podcast to talk about what happens when women are left out of health research and policymaking—and why fixing that gap is critical for everyone’s well-being. From pandemic lessons to the future of public health, Dr. Jha shares candid insights on science, leadership, and how to build a system that works for all. Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista h...
Jul 02, 2025•38 min
Kathi Vidal has spent her career at the heart of American innovation — first as an engineer, then as Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. But as she explains in this episode, the system that fuels invention and economic growth is far from equitable. Just 12-13% of patents are granted to women, and the numbers are even lower for other underrepresented groups. In this wide-ranging conversation, Vidal shares why intellectual property matters, how the U.S.-China rivalry over innovation ...
Jun 26, 2025•41 min
Former NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco joins the Scientista Podcast to talk about her lifelong love of the ocean, what’s threatening its future—and why she still has hope. From marine protected areas to blue carbon, she shares how the ocean can be a powerful climate solution and why science-based policy is more essential than ever. Plus, hear what it was like to attend the premiere of David Attenborough’s new documentary Ocean , and what gives her the strength to keep pushing for change. T...
Jun 17, 2025•37 min
Her Deepness: Sylvia Earle on a Lifetime Underwater and the Fight to Save the Sea In this special World Oceans Day episode of the Scientista Podcast , we dive deep with legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle. From leading the first all-female aquanaut team to founding Mission Blue and advocating for marine protected areas, Earle shares stories from her lifetime of exploration and activism. She reflects on how the ocean has changed, why it matters more than ever, and what gives her hope for the...
Jun 08, 2025•46 min
What do pigeons, volcanoes, and climate change have in common? For Dr. Elizabeth Gray, they’ve all been part of her unlikely journey from bird nerd to CEO of the National Audubon Society. In this episode of the Scientista Podcast , Dr. Gray shares how birds led her to science, conservation, and climate advocacy, and why she believes birds can unite us across politics, geography, and generations. From spark birds to career curveballs, this conversation is full of wisdom, heart, and hope. Dr. Gray...
Jun 05, 2025•25 min
As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reverses his stance on COVID-19 vaccines for children and pregnant women, the stakes of vaccine misinformation have never felt higher. In this episode of the Scientista Podcast , we sit down with Dr. Nikki Romanik — former Chief of Staff & Deputy Director of the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy — to unpack the consequences of politicized public health messaging. Dr. Romanik shares what it was like working at the highest levels of govern...
May 28, 2025•50 min
Conservation leader Sally Ann Ranney joins the Scientista Podcast to share the surprising story that started it all—napping inside a tree as a child—and how that deep connection to nature led her to spearhead a bold international campaign: a 10-year moratorium on Arctic development. She talks with Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina about what makes the Arctic the epicenter of climate change, why women are leading the movement to protect it, and how trust, science, and courage are reshaping ...
May 16, 2025•27 min
Dr. Whitney Strauss, Executive Director, AdvoCare Foundation; Philanthropist, Food Systems Expert, and Author, joins us to talk about food systems, health equity, and what it takes to drive real change. From the fight for healthier food access to battling misinformation and building trust at the community level, Whitney shares lessons from her career—and why she believes success always comes with failure. Plus, her personal journey of resilience, from earning her PhD to navigating unexpected cur...
May 09, 2025•21 min
Musician, activist, and climate advocate Adam Met joins the Scientista Podcast to talk about using the power of music—and the influence of artists like Taylor Swift—to mobilize fans for climate action. From street performances in Central Park to sold-out arenas and a PhD in climate policy, Adam shares his unique journey blending entertainment and advocacy. He explains why concerts are the perfect place for collective action, what other artists can learn, and why building a climate movement start...
May 02, 2025•35 min
Jennifer Klein, Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia SIPA and former Director of the White House Gender Policy Council, joins the Scientista Podcast to talk about fighting for the 28th Amendment, confronting the global backlash against gender equality, and why it mattered to be the first person to say “menopause” in the Oval Office. A conversation about persistence, progress, and the power of showing up. Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista here: www.scientista.world...
Apr 25, 2025•30 min
From enlisting in the Army at 19 to becoming one of the nation’s most powerful voices for LGBTQ rights, Charlotte Clymer has never taken the easy path. In this episode, she joins the Scientista Podcast to reflect on her journey, what service taught her, and how her identity as a trans woman, a veteran, and a person of faith shapes her advocacy today. We talk about the dangers of erasing trans voices, the backlash against inclusion in the military and sports, and why building community—and showin...
Apr 18, 2025•34 min
On this episode of the Scientista Podcast , we sit down with Gina McCarthy—former EPA Administrator and the first-ever White House National Climate Advisor—for a candid, urgent conversation about what’s at stake for science, health, and the planet. From her early days in local government to leading historic climate action under President Biden, Gina reflects on the power of persistence, the role of public service, and what it will take to keep progress alive in the face of political pushback. It...
Apr 11, 2025•30 min
Astro Teller, Captain of Moonshots at X (Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory), joins the Scientista Podcast to talk about bold ideas, big failures, and why Pippi Longstocking is still his role model. From AI to innovation culture, Astro shares what it takes to lead with humility, audacity, and purpose—and how embracing failure might be the key to building a better future. Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista here: www.scientista.world
Apr 04, 2025•33 min
Climate scientist and communicator Dr. Katharine Hayhoe joins the Scientista Podcast to break down the most powerful climate solution we have: our voice. In this episode, she shares how to make climate conversations more effective—and more human—by starting with what people already care about. From disinformation to hope, this is a must-listen for anyone who wants to talk about climate in a way that actually inspires change. Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista here: www.scientis...
Mar 28, 2025•21 min
What does a bright-red bird have to do with global conservation? For Patricia Zurita, Chief Strategy Officer at Conservation International, it was the Andean cock-of-the-rock that first sparked her passion for protecting nature. In this episode, Patricia shares how that pivotal moment in Ecuador’s cloud forests led her to a career at the intersection of economics, conservation, and global policy. She explains why biodiversity is critical to human survival, how we can create economic incentives f...
Mar 21, 2025•27 min
How do we protect the climate policies that shape our future? Lora Snyder, former Staff Director for the House Natural Resources Committee, joins The Scientista Podcast to break down the fight for renewable energy, coastal restoration, and conservation policy. From defending the Inflation Reduction Act to countering fossil fuel interests, she shares what’s at stake in the push for true energy independence and why smart climate policy is critical for both the planet and the economy. Listen now fo...
Mar 21, 2025•25 min
How does representation shape leadership? In this episode of The Scientista Podcast , Tamara Wilds Lawson, President & CEO of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation, shares how growing up around strong women in leadership shaped her path. From her family’s legacy of activism to her work advancing gender and racial equity, she discusses why visibility, community, and service are critical for driving change. Listen now for an inspiring conversation on leadership, representation, and building a...
Mar 21, 2025•24 min
How do you stop the next pandemic before it starts? Dr. Nikki Romanik, former Deputy Director and Chief of Staff for the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness, has spent her career answering that question. In this episode of The Scientista Podcast , she takes us behind the scenes of pandemic response, from Ebola to COVID-19, and reveals what it will take to protect the world from the next outbreak. From fighting misinformation to rebuilding public trust in science, Nikki breaks down the cr...
Mar 06, 2025•30 min
What happens when the air your child breathes makes them sick? For Ebony Twilley Martin, it sparked a journey from concerned mother to climate justice leader. In this episode of The Scientista Podcast , the former Executive Director of Greenpeace USA shares how environmental racism, activism, and leadership intersect—and why frontline communities must be at the center of climate solutions. From breaking barriers in the environmental movement to challenging the backlash against diversity and incl...
Mar 06, 2025•26 min
Sherri Goodman: The Godmother of Climate and Security Climate change isn’t just an environmental issue—it’s a national security risk. In this episode of The Scientista Podcast , Sherri Goodman, the expert who coined the term “threat multiplier,” explains how climate-driven disasters are reshaping global defense strategies. As a former Deputy Undersecretary of Defense, Goodman shares how the military is preparing for climate risks, why global alliances matter more than ever, and what it will take...
Mar 06, 2025•24 min
