Glaciers in Northern Kentucky, geologic time and surface hydrology are some of the unique topics listeners can explore on the Kentucky Geological Survey's podcast, "The Big Blue Rock Pod."
In each 45- to 60-minute episode, co-hosts Matt Crawford, Sarah Arpin and Doug Curl delve into earth processes, emerging research and other areas in Earth science.
The idea for a podcast developed after many fascinating science-driven lunch conversations at the KGS research center. "I love podcasts. I think it's incredible way to reach a lot of different people," said Crawford, Ph.D., a geologist with expertise in landslides, seismic hazards, geospatial analysis projects and engineering geology, who joined KGS in 2001. "We did some research and found that there are not a lot of strictly Earth science podcasts out there. Part of our mission here at KGS is outreach and this seems to be an effective way to get what we do out to stakeholders in Kentucky."
The podcast launched in January 2022, and episodes focus on subjects that are unique to Kentucky. The KGS podcast team called out two of their favorite episodes: a discussion about the longest cave system in the world, Mammoth Cave, and the influence of rock type and groundwater on bourbon production.
"Of all the things we do at KGS, my friends outside of the field seem to be most interested in our podcast," said Curl, KGS Earth Analysis Research Library section head. "We're not trying to be overly technical. It's a way to reach an audience who may not have a background in science but just find it interesting."
Arpin, a geologist, said she connects with the audience because she finds it exciting to know more about the Earth as she hikes and explores. "There is such a diversity of plants, animals and things that work together. When you start to recognize different species of trees or fungus, and how things in the environment or landscape interact, it makes it that much more fun."
