In Hot Water, a Climate and Seafood podcast

We can’t talk about Texas—and its seafood ecosystem—without mentioning oil and gas in the region. 

In the second episode of In Hot Water: Texas, we learn about the current (and future!) oil and gas development and hotly debated alternative energy sources like wind farms, along with the far-reaching impacts of agricultural runoff. 

How do these things affect ocean mammals, fishing communities, and local peo...

When we first set foot in Texas to record this podcast, we were cautioned to not say the words “climate change” and to instead describe its effects (like more storms than in years past). But how does our language further fuel climate change acceptance—or denial? 

In our 4th and final episode of In Hot Water: Texas, we talk about PEOPLE and the social issues at play. 

You’ll hear from academics...

Turns out the whooping crane can tell you a WHOLE LOT about the health of our waters—including our seafood! 

That’s why the endangered whooping crane, along with oyster farming and blue crabs, get the spotlight in our 3rd episode of In Hot Water: Texas.

With world class experts, we dig deep into wild oyster and reef restoration, oyster mariculture (btw, Texas was the LAST s...

The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the ocean. 

In the first episode of In Hot Water, Maine, we hear from researchers at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute, the University of Maine, the Island Institute and people working on the water who share the current challenges facing the Gulf of Maine’s fisheries and coastal communities such as invasive green crabs, sea level rise, coastal erosion, oce...

The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the ocean. 

In this episode of In Hot Water, Maine, we learn more about the state's iconic lobster fishery, dive deeper into the plight of the endangered right whale, and understand how the present and future of these critically important species are so intertwined.

There’s no quick fix for seafood harvesters in the Gulf, but climate solutions do...

The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the ocean. 

In this episode of In Hot Water, Maine, we learn more about the history of the state's aquaculture sector, kelp farming as a means to diversify income, social license, and the increasing effects of NIMBY or, Not in My Backyard, which is becoming more pervasive across the Vacationland state.

There’s no quick fix for seafood harvesters ...

The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the ocean. 

In this episode of In Hot Water, Maine, we learn about working waterfronts, the importance of their preservation for the future of the state's fisheries, the gentrification of Maine's coastal communities, and how climate change is endangering the physical and mental health of harvesters and their families.

There’s no quick fix for sea...

The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the ocean. 

 In this episode of In Hot Water, Maine, we learn about the growth of the seaweed sector in Maine, which includes both wild and farmed seaweeds, while asking, “is seaweed a climate solution?” 

 There’s no quick fix for seafood harvesters in the Gulf, but climate solutions do exist. From encouraging species diversification to actively involving frontline commun...

The Gulf of Maine is warming faster than 99% of the ocean. 

In this episode of In Hot Water, Maine, we meet with Plansowes Dana, a member of the Passamaquoddy Tribe and the Indigenous Communities Partnership Manager at the Gulf of Maine Research Institute. Her goal is to build relationships between the Wabanaki communities and GMRI to incorporate Indigenous knowledge with Western science.

Ther...

Explore how environmental justice, food sovereignty, and cultural relevance come together in Chicago. From the legacy of industrial pollution and the “Toxic Doughnut” to the impact of climate change on local growers, we examine how communities are reclaiming power through food. Tune in to hear how land-based farming connects to seafood, and why culturally rooted food systems matter for a more just and sustainable futur...

Step into the world of commercial fishing in Lake Michigan, where deep-rooted tradition meets a rapidly changing environment. This episode traces the importance of whitefish, the effects of rising water temperatures, and the challenges facing fishing families as they navigate shifting policies and climate pressures. Hear how the future of a generational industry hangs in the balance and what’s at stake for the communit...

Discover how one entrepreneur is reshaping the future of regional seafood—one tin at a time. This episode takes you to Fishtown, Michigan, for the story behind the first Midwest-based tinned fish company sourcing exclusively from the Great Lakes. Learn how honoring local flavor, rethinking business models, and planning for climate resilience are all part of building a more sustainable seafood system from the inside out...

Journey into the heart of Fishtown, Michigan—a historic commercial fishing village on the shores of Lake Michigan that continues to anchor Great Lakes maritime culture. This episode dives into the deep roots of the region’s fishing community, the founding of the Fishtown Preservation Society, and the resilience required to protect a working waterfront threatened by rising waters and time. Hear how history, trauma, and ...

Unpack how climate change is reshaping not just ecosystems but our emotional landscapes. This episode connects the rising trauma of a changing climate to the challenges faced by seafood systems in the Great Lakes and around the world. Through systems thinking and trauma-informed design, we examine how climate disruptions ripple through fisheries, communities, and the human psyche, as well as how new approaches can help...