Site • RSS • Apple PodcastsDescription (podcaster-provided):
Blue Dot, named after Carl Sagan's famous speech about our place in the universe, features interviews with guests from all over the regional, national and worldwide scientific communities. Host Dave Schlom leads discussions about the issues science is helping us address with experts who shed light on climate change, space exploration, astronomy, technology and much more. Dave asks us to remember: from deep space, we all live on a pale, blue dot.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ Science interviews • Space exploration, astronomy, black holes, James Webb telescope • SETI, Fermi Paradox, science in film • Earthquakes, tsunamis, tectonics • Environmental conservation, restoration, pollinators • Regenerative agriculture, permaculture • California natural history, trees, landscapes • Disasters, Titan submersible • Prehistoric sites • Exploration, wildlife history • Fly fishingThis podcast is an interview-driven science show that uses conversations with researchers, authors, and practitioners to explain how science and scientific thinking connect to everyday risks, big-picture discovery, and stewardship of the natural world. Guided by a “pale blue dot” perspective, the host explores topics that span Earth systems, space science, and the ways human choices intersect with complex environments.
A prominent thread is hazards and disaster analysis, with attention to the underlying physical forces that shape events and how experts assess and communicate risk. Geology and tectonics appear as a lens for understanding regional earthquake and tsunami danger, while engineering and human factors help unpack catastrophic failures in extreme environments.
Space and astronomy also figure heavily, including discussions of black holes, stellar dynamics, and major observational tools used by the astronomical community. The show also engages with the culture of space exploration through conversations about notable figures and public leadership in NASA, alongside reflections on how scientific institutions contribute to public storytelling about extraterrestrial life, including questions such as the Fermi Paradox and the role of science advising in popular media.
Environmental and ecological themes run throughout, often grounded in the landscapes of California. Episodes touch on natural history and the documentation of wild places, botany and native trees, habitat restoration work in waterways, and conservation organizations focused on biodiversity, including pollinators and endangered species. The podcast also includes applied sustainability topics such as regenerative agriculture, resilient farming systems, and permaculture concepts that link land use to long-term ecological health.
Interspersed with these scientific and environmental discussions are episodes that bridge science with history and the humanities, such as explorations of ancient sites and narratives of exploration and discovery drawn from nonfiction writing. Recreational and outdoor pursuits appear as well, treated as subjects where craft, natural knowledge, and environmental conditions meet.
