Weather Geeks

Guest: Dr. Samantha Montano
When a disaster strikes, most of us focus on what we can see: the storm, the wildfire, the flood, or the earthquake. But what if the real story begins long before the event—and continues long after the headlines fade? Today on Weather Geeks, we're joined by Dr. Samantha Montano, a disaster researcher, author, and one of the leading voices helping the public better understand how disasters actually work. Through her work in "Disasterology," she examines the systems, decisions, and vulnerabilities that can turn natural hazards into human disasters—and what we can do to build more resilient communities. We'll talk about some of the biggest misconceptions surrounding disasters, why recovery is often the most overlooked phase of the disaster cycle, and how individuals, communities, and leaders can better prepare for the challenges that come before, during, and after a crisis.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Disasterology and Dr. Montano
01:05 How Disasterology Became a Field
02:07 The Human Side of Disasters
03:36 Disaster Research and Human Responsibility
05:08 The Role of Community and Leadership
07:10 Impact of Physical and Social Vulnerability
09:16 Training and Roles of Emergency Managers
11:50 Public Misconceptions and Personal Responsibility
13:51 Communication Strategies During Disasters
14:29 Break 1
14:30 Recovery Challenges and Success Factors
18:49 Community Leadership in Recovery
22:24 Social Media and Disaster Communication
26:19 The Future of Disaster Communication
28:51 Break 2
28:51 Increasing Costs of Disasters and Communication
36:16 Building Resilient Communities
39:01 The Future of Disaster Management
41:03 Optimism and the Next Generation of Emergency Managers

Resources
Book - Disasterology: Dispatches from the Front Lines of the Climate Crisis
Dr. Samantha Montano - Website - https://disaster-ology.com
FEMA - Federal Emergency Management Agency - https://www.fema.gov

Guest links
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/samlmontano/
Bluesky - https://bsky.app/profile/samlmontano.bsky.social
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Guest: Mike Olbinski
For most people, a thunderstorm is something you watch from a window. But for storm chasers, it's a front-row seat to some of nature's most spectacular displays—and few have captured those moments as beautifully as today's guest. On this episode of Weather Geeks, we're joined by storm chaser and filmmaker Mike Olbinski. Based in the Desert Southwest, Mike has spent years documenting everything from towering monsoon thunderstorms and dramatic haboobs to lightning-filled skies across the Great Plains, creating breathtaking imagery that has inspired weather enthusiasts around the world. We'll talk about what makes chasing storms in Arizona so unique, some of the unforgettable moments he's experienced on the road, and how the art of storm storytelling has evolved alongside advances in cameras, social media, and live streaming.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Mike Olbinski and his work
13:38 Break 1
13:39 How technology has changed storm chasing
24:38 Break 2
24:40 Advances in weather models and forecasting
26:53 Mobile connectivity and Starlink for storm chasing
28:22 Apps and tools for real-time weather data
28:45 Use of drones in storm photography
29:45 Carving out a niche in storm photography
30:22 Advice for aspiring storm chasers and photographers
32:34 Platforms to follow Mike Olbinski
33:24 Closing remarks and upcoming projects

Resources
Storm Photo Contests - https://stormphotocontest.com/
Stormchaser Atlas App - https://stormchaseratlas.com/
Weatherfront App - https://weatherfront.com/

Guest links
Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/mikeolbinski/
YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/user/mikeolbinski
See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Guest: Dr. Dillon Amaya
The Pacific Ocean covers nearly a third of our planet, and yet some of its most important changes happen far from shore and often out of sight. But whether it's a developing El Niño, a cooling La Niña, or an expansive marine heat wave, what happens in the Pacific can influence weather, ecosystems, and communities around the world. Today on Weather Geeks, we're joined by Dillon Amaya, whose research focuses on the complex relationship between the ocean and the atmosphere. We'll explore the growing scientific interest in Pacific marine heat waves, what we've learned from some of the most notable events in recent years, and how these episodes can ripple through both weather and climate systems.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Marine Heat Waves
02:32 Dylan Amaya's Journey into Meteorology
05:34 Understanding Marine Heat Waves
08:48 Marine Heat Waves vs. Ocean Warming
11:38 Impact of Marine Heat Waves on Weather
13:37 Break 1
13:39 Marine Heat Waves and El Niño
17:45 Causes and Effects of Marine Heat Waves
20:54 Ocean Temperature Changes and Jet Stream Dynamics
22:11 Marine Heat Waves and Climate Variability
23:59 Ecosystem Impacts of Marine Heat Waves
25:41 Coral Reefs and Marine Heat Waves
27:17 Global Hot Spots for Marine Heat Waves
28:05 Break 2
28:06 Understanding Atlantic Niña and Its Effects
30:32 European Heat Waves and Ocean Anomalies
31:37 Surprising Discoveries in Marine Heat Wave Research
34:13 Climate Change and Ocean Temperature Trends
36:22 Future Research Directions in Marine Heat Waves
37:41 Machine Learning in Marine Heat Wave Forecasting

Resources
NOAA PSL Marine Heat Waves Forecast System - https://psl.noaa.gov/marine-heatwaves/
NOAA Ocean Temperature Monitoring - https://www.cpc.ncep.noaa.gov/products/GODAS/
El Nino and La Nina Explained - NOAA - https://oceantoday.noaa.gov/elninolanina/
Marine Blob Tracker - NOAA - https://www.integratedecosystemassessment.noaa.gov/regions/california-current/california-current-marine-heatwave-tracker-blobtracker
Scripps Institution of Oceanography - https://scripps.ucsd.edu/

Guest links
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/dillon-j-amaya-2bb2a892
Twitter - https://twitter.com/dillonamaya
North Carolina State University - Dillon Amaya Profile - https://meas.sciences.ncsu.edu/people/djamaya/
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Guest: Craig Setzer
When most people think of meteorology, they think of forecasts on television, hurricane updates, or severe weather warnings. But some meteorologists work in places most of us rarely consider—guiding ships across vast oceans, helping industries make critical weather decisions, and even reconstructing past weather events to answer important questions long after the skies have cleared. Today on Weather Geeks, we're joined by maritime meteorologist Craig Setzer. Throughout his career, Craig has helped bridge the worlds of weather, ocean navigation, and risk management, providing forecasts and expertise for operations that depend on understanding conditions far from land. We'll explore the unique challenges of forecasting weather at sea, how the cruise industry uses meteorological information to keep passengers and crews safe, and the fascinating field of forensic meteorology—where weather data, observations, and science are used to piece together what happened during past events.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Maritime Meteorology
05:31 Differences Between Maritime and TV Forecasting
08:32 Cruise Industry and Weather Disruptions
10:27 Operational Decisions During Hurricanes
12:38 Pressure and Responsibilities of a Maritime Meteorologist
15:16 Legal Considerations in Maritime Operations
16:42 Other Weather Hazards in Maritime Forecasting
18:55 The Impact of Meteorology on Cruise Experiences
20:51 The Value of Weather in Maritime Safety
21:16 Break 1
21:17 Introduction to Forensic Meteorology
22:05 Craig Setzer's Background and Expertise
23:36 Understanding Forensic Meteorology
25:09 The Role of Captains and Meteorologists
26:40 Clients and Cases in Forensic Meteorology
28:22 Challenges in Weather Data Analysis
30:28 The Importance of Buoy Data
32:12 Historical Data from Ships
33:38 Break 2
33:38 Hurricane Forecasting and the Cone
39:01 Communication in Meteorology
40:21 Advice for Future Meteorologists

Resources
Royal Caribbean Group - https://www.royalcaribbean.com/
NOAA Buoy Data Center - https://www.ndbc.noaa.gov/
Metropolitan State University of Denver - https://www.msudenver.edu/
University of Oklahoma - https://www.ou.edu/

Guest links
LinkedIn - linkedin.com/in/craig-setzer-ccm-03095422a
Twitter - https://twitter.com/craigsetzer

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Guest: Tim Gallaudet
The ocean shapes our weather, our climate, our economy, and ultimately, life on Earth itself. And yet, for something so vast and so essential, there’s still so much we’re only beginning to understand. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by Dr. Tim Gallaudet—oceanographer, former NOAA administrator, and longtime advocate for advancing ocean science and literacy. His new book takes readers deep into the challenges, discoveries, and opportunities tied to the future of our oceans, while also reflecting on the leadership and innovation needed to better understand and protect them. We’ll talk about the inspiration behind the book, the emerging technologies transforming ocean research, and why collaboration and communication may be just as important as the science itself when it comes to shaping the future of ocean stewardship.
Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Ocean's Role in Earth's Climate
00:47 Dr. Gallaudet's Background and Ocean Passion
01:48 From Coast to Navy: A Dual Passion for Fluids
02:48 Career Highlights and Leadership in the Navy
07:22 Serving as NOAA Deputy and Leading Through Challenges
09:32 Motivation Behind Writing 'Holding Fast in Heavy Seas'
11:31 Break 1
11:32 Stories of Leadership and Resilience
15:09 Advances in Ocean Mapping and Research Initiatives
17:35 Bipartisan Support and Environmental Wins
21:14 Leadership Pillars: All In, All Good, All For One
21:44 Break 2
21:46 Coral Reefs: Biodiversity, Protection, and Economic Impact
28:20 The Role of Private Sector in Ocean and Climate Science
31:02 UAPs and the Quest for Scientific Truth
33:55 Where to Find the Book and Future Research Directions

Resources
Holding Fast in Heavy Seas by Tim Gallaudet - https://www.amazon.com/Holding-Fast-Heavy-Seas-
NOAA - National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - https://www.noaa.gov
Ocean STL Consulting, LLC - https://oceanstl.com

Guest links
Website - https://timgallaudet.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/TimGallaudet

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