Whimsical Wavelengths - A Science Podcast
Winner of the 2026 Science Podcast of the Year (American Writing Awards), Whimsical Wavelengths is a science podcast hosted by volcanologist Dr. Jeffrey Zurek dedicated to the "how" and "why" of discovery. > Eschewing the trend of bite-sized science, the show offers a deep, honest look at how science actually works—messy data, imperfect models, and the human personalities behind the research. From geophysics and planetary discovery to the history of scientific paradoxes, the focus is always on the process: how evidence is gathered, how ideas evolve over centuries, and why uncertainty is a fundamental feature of science rather than a flaw. Because science is conducted by people, Whimsical Wavelengths doesn't ignore the human element. We weave together mathematical rigor and historical context with reflections on the realities of building a scientific career and what it truly means to belong in STEM. Whether it's a solo narrative exploration or a conversation with a working researcher, the goal is clarity without oversimplification. The tone is thoughtful and curious, anchored by real-world field experience and the occasional groan-worthy dad joke—because while the science is serious, the pursuit of it is a human adventure. This is for listeners who want to understand the machinery of the natural world and the people who spend their lives trying to take it apart. New episodes are released every two weeks. Research the the host and the show: SFU Volcanology Lab 2026 Science Podcast of the Year WhimsicalWavelengths.com Linkedin; Host Dr Jeffrey Zurek, The Show Whimsical Wavelengths
Episodes
We treat modern medicine as a given, but for centuries, humanity was blind to the invisible agents of disease. In this solo episode, Dr. Jeff Zurek takes off his volcanologist hat to tackle a listener request.
We start with the 14th-century Black Death, tracing how we moved from medieval superstition to engineering viral defenses. We break down the "Sausage-Making" of science, including how 19th-century lens technology and staining ...
For decades, the "field" has been treated as a character-building barrier in geosciences—a place for the rugged and the able-bodied. But what happens when we view the outdoors as a classroom rather than an obstacle? In S2EP16, Jeff Zurek welcomes Brett Gilley, a Professor of Teaching at the University of British Columbia (UBC) and a master of field pedagogy.
They dive into the results of a groundbreaking accessible field trip held r...
What if Alien wasn't science fiction, but a documentary? 2026 Science Podcast of the Year winner Dr. Jeffrey Zurek sits down with Dr. Rebecca Millena (University of Rochester) to explore Strepsiptera, an enigmatic & bizarre insect order.
We untangle the "Strepsiptera Problem"—a century-long academic debate over where these creatures belong on the tree of life. From males with "raspberry" eyes to worm-like females that live insid...
Detecting volcanic eruptions on Earth is detective work; doing it on the Red Planet is a feat of cosmic proportions. 2026 Science Podcast of the Year winner Dr. Jeffrey Zurek welcomes Dr. Allison Graettinger (UMKC) to discuss the hunt for "Maars"—violent, steam-driven volcanoes—on Mars.
We explore the sociology of becoming a scientist, from muddy kid to volcano expert, & how these unassuming circular lakes are actually clues to ...
The Western Black Widow (Latrodectus hesperus) is a master of invisible chemistry. 2026 Science Podcast of the Year winner Dr. Jeffrey Zurek joins Dr. Andy Fisher (Greifswald University) to untangle the chemical love letters hidden in spider silk.
We explore how "virtually blind" predators use smell & electrostatic charges to communicate. Discover the "stinky cheese" pheromone, why males destroy female webs during courtship, and...
The "motherlode" is just a model away. In this episode, Dr. Jeffrey Zurek (P.Geo) bridges between the classroom & the boardroom with colleague & data scientist Frederick Jackson from Computational Geosciences Inc. Together, they explore how machine learning (ML) & artificial intelligence are revolutionizing mineral exploration.
We dig into the expensive reality of drilling—where a single hole can cost over $100k—& ho...
What if the coldest, darkest craters on the Moon are quietly storing a record of solar system history and the resources that could power future exploration?
In this episode, we dive into the science of lunar permanently shadowed regions (PSRs): craters near the Moon’s poles that sunlight hasn’t touched for potentially billions of years. Dr. Jeffrey Zurek is joined by Dr. Katlyn (Caitlin) Ahrens (NASA Goddard Space Flight Center) to ...
Mount Meager last erupted 2,400 years ago, but today the hazard is the mountain literally falling apart. In this episode, Dr. Jeffrey Zurek (P.Geo) moves downstream with environmental professional Veronica Woodruff to unpack the legacy of the Capricorn Creek landslide—Canada's largest recorded mass wasting event.
We explore how 40km of 1940s diking in the Pemberton Valley has complicated modern flood risks, the physics of river aggr...
Summary Subduction zones don't carry passports, and the Cascade Volcanic Arc doesn't stop at the U.S.-Canada border. In this episode, Dr. Jeffrey Zurek (P.Geo) welcomes his mentor Dr. Glyn Williams-Jones (Simon Fraser University) to discuss Canada’s most dangerous volcano: Mount Meager.
We dig into the "detective story" of Meager’s last explosive eruption 2,400 years ago—an event that sent ash to Calgary and created a 110-meter-high...
Nikola Tesla has been credited with large leaps forward like AC current and wireless transmission. Including things that are conspiratorial or not feasible like a death ray and limitless free power. Ya his legacy is complicated. So fire up the device and lets get going with this episode!
Here is a demo for a Tesla Coil by me! :https://youtu.be/DQK1zZ87Gko?si=yw4C0AABspUCNTYs
Some of the stuff I read to gather information. There was m...
Before we looking forward to a new year of discovery, we have to know the past to understand the present. In this solo episode, Dr. Jeffrey Zurek (P.Geo) takes a deviation from cutting-edge research to chronicle the history of the planets—from the "wandering stars" of antiquity to the mathematical hunt for Planet Nine.
We explore how the Babylonians set the stage for modern astrology, the high-stakes heresy of the heliocentric model...
Who Becomes a Scientist? Exploring STEM Pathways and Identity in Astronomy with Dr. Zachary Richards
Usually, we look outwards to the stars, but this week, we're turning the telescope around. The scientists themselves are under observation. Dr. Jeffrey Zurek (P.Geo) is joined by Dr. Zachary Richards, a researcher at the American Museum of Natural History, to discuss his recent paper: Astronomy Identity Framework for Undergraduate Students and Researchers.
We dive into the "transcendental phenomenological" approach to understanding ...
How do we map the subsurface without digging? It is finally time we explore geophysical inversions—the math of working backward from surface data to Earth's hidden structures. Jeff Zurek and researcher Jonathan Kataj discuss using Image Segmentation and foundational AI models (like Meta’s "Segment Anything") to resolve "fuzzy" data into precise geological maps.
From the Athabasca Basin to remote mineral exploration in China, we brea...
How did the first vertebrates take to the skies? In this episode, we venture into the Mesozoic to explore the world of pterosaurs—the remarkable flying reptiles that ruled the air for over 150 million years. Dr. Jeffrey Zurek is joined by Adele Pentland, a researcher and PhD candidate from Curtin University, to discuss her discovery and description of Haliskia peterseni.
We investigate research process in paleontology, including the...
Is plastic truly the environmental demon it’s painted to be? In this episode of Whimsical Wavelengths, we step away from the traditional paper-based deep dive to look at the material that defines modern life. Dr. Jeffrey Zurek is joined by Dr. Chris DeArmitt, a world-leading polymer scientist and independent consultant, to separate media narratives from peer-reviewed reality.
From the concentration of the Great Pacific Garbage Patch...
What happens at the gravitational center of a galaxy? In this episode of Whimsical Wavelengths, we spiral into the dark heart of the universe with Dr. James Chan, a postdoctoral researcher at the American Museum of Natural History. As a geophysicist, host Dr. Jeffrey Zurek steps out of his "wheelhouse" and into the event horizon to explore how supermassive black holes grow, interact, and occasionally "eat light."
We break down the c...
Why is homemade ice cream never as fluffy as store-bought? This week on Whimsical Wavelengths, we trade liquid rock for liquid dairy and food science. Host Dr. Jeffrey Zurek finds surprising parallels between volcanology and frozen desserts—from rheology and viscosity to the glass transition temperature.
Joining the pod is Dr. Abigail Thale, a food scientist and expert in fat structures. We break down the architecture of ice cream, ...
How can a "well-behaved" volcano produce explosions that dwarf Mount St. Helens? In the Season Two premiere, host Dr. Jeffrey Zurek explores the deadly volcanic paradox of Nicaragua’s Masaya Volcano.
Masaya is a "persistently active" shield volcano, yet the geologic record reveals a history of violent Basaltic Plinian eruptions. By "probing the crystals" through melt inclusion geochemistry, this episode uncovers a massive hidden mag...
Today the pod shows its fitness with im-peck-able wordplay. That's right, today's episode is for the birds. At least those which have a raven-ous appetite for knowledge.
Our guest, PhD candidate Miranda Zammarelli (Dartmouth College) has research that takes place in what I guess can be best described as the closest we can get for lab conditions in the natural world. The site for her work is the Hubbard Brook Experimental Forest - lo...
Part2 jumps in where part 1 left off so more about Theropods! specifically about one of Dr François Therrien's recent studies about a Gorgosaurus and what was found inside its stomach!!!!
incase you missed it from the notes of the last episode:
Dr François Therrien - The Curator of Dinosaur Palaeoecology at the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller Alberta https://tyrrellmuseum.com/
Dr François Therrien's Professional Highlights (lifted ...
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