Rephonic
Artwork for Blue Dot
Climate Change
California
NASA
Earthquakes
Moon
Chinook Salmon
Hummingbirds
Cascadia Subduction Zone
Volcanology
California Trees
UC Davis
Geology
Klamath Mountains
Chickens
SETI Institute
Water On the Moon
Conservation
Regenerative Agriculture
Salmon
Space Exploration

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: ... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes224Founded11 years ago
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AstronomyScience

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Artwork for Blue Dot

Latest Episodes

Host Dave Schlom is joined by science educator and author Trisha Muro to discuss her book, It's (Just) Rocket Science: Exploring Physics Through Spaceflight Missions.

Host Dave Schlom is joined by world renowned neuropsychologist and psychoanalyst Mark Solms. Dr. Solms is the author of the new book, The Only Cure: Freud and the Science of Mental Healing.

Host Dave Schlom is joined by a longtime friend of Blue Dot, Josh Willis from NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena. Josh is an oceanographer who uses NASA's armada of Earth monitoring satellites to study ocean heights, temperatures and curren... more

Host Dave Schlom is joined by British humorist and financial writer Dominic Frisby.

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Recent Guests

Chris Goldfinger
Marine Geologist, Professor Emeritus at Oregon State University
Oregon State University
Episode: Blue Dot: The Big One times two? The link between Cascadia and the San Andreas Fault with Chris Goldfinger
Geoff Williams
Author of The Summer of Death, The Great Heat Wave of 1936, and The Making of Modern Day America
Pegasus Books
Episode: Blue Dot: The great heat wave of 1936 with author Geoff Williams
Michael Bond
British author, specializes in human psychology; author of Animate, How Animals Shape the Human Mind
Author
Episode: Blue Dot: How animals influence human thought: A conversation with author Michael Bond
Joe Polin
Director of Pyrolysis Engineering at Charm Industrial
Charm Industrial
Episode: Blue Dot: An innovative solution to removing and storing carbon: biochar and bio-oil with Charm Industrial
Nora Cohen Brown
Head of Market Development and Policy at Charm Industrial
Charm Industrial
Episode: Blue Dot: An innovative solution to removing and storing carbon: biochar and bio-oil with Charm Industrial
Kevin Peterson
Operations Manager at Hot Creek Ranch fly fishing resort
Hot Creek Ranch
Episode: Blue Dot: Hot Creek in peril: a proposed gold mine threatens one of California's natural wonders
Jeff Ludlow
Geologist for California Fly Fisher Magazine
California Fly Fisher Magazine
Episode: Blue Dot: Hot Creek in peril: a proposed gold mine threatens one of California's natural wonders
Emily Markstein
Co-founder of No Hot Creek Mine Organization
No Hot Creek Mine
Episode: Blue Dot: Hot Creek in peril: a proposed gold mine threatens one of California's natural wonders
Liliane Burkhard
Lead author of the study on the Southern San Andreas and San Jacinto faults; planetary scientist and geophysicist
University of Bern
Episode: Blue Dot: The "earthquake gate" in Southern California between the San Andreas and San Jacinto faults

Host

Dave Schlom
Host with broad science background focusing on astronomy, space, and environmental science

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 37 ratings
  • The Merganser

    One of many nicknames Mercer has gained, he is a savant on the water and always pleasant to work with. Thank you for having me on Dave. We need to find some hatchery steelhead next month give me a call!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Bryan P Quick
    United Statesa year ago
  • Dee O'Hara

    I totally enjoyed hearing this interview. There are many references to the astronaut's nurse in space history, and to hear her voice tell her part of the story was amazing. I loved hearing the development of her position, her characterizations of the astronauts - her personal stories of a great time. As a child during that period, I became fascinated by the space missions, and like many, the astronauts were my hero's.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Flying Bedstead
    United States4 years ago
  • Dee O’Hara

    Another terrific episode full of great stories and insights. Having met her, she was a real treasure to the program and remains a treasure to history today. An intelligent, graceful, and beautiful lady. STILL working at Ames! Long may she run! Thanks for this hour. Time well-spent.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jet Screamer0769
    United States4 years ago
  • Love the podcast, hate the music

    The music is so jarring, I have had to give up listening. Sorry!.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    amblyrhyncus
    United States4 years ago
  • Blue Dot 225: Apollo 15

    This episode on Apollo 15 is a real treasure. Family perspectives offered by Tracy Scott and Jill Irwin Christiansen, Geologic insights from legends like Farouk El Baz and Jim Head, and mission perspectives from Flight Director Gerry Griffin make this one of the most thoughtful 60 minutes you’ll find in one place.

    Terrific job by David Schlom and the team at Blue Dot, and a big THANK YOU to all the participants…it was wonderful to hear from all of you and to know you’re all well. Having met D... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Jet Screamer0769
    United States5 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

A few listeners call out the music as jarring, but content quality remains high.
Conversations feel accessible without dumbing down complex topics.
Guests consistently praised for expertise and clarity.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Best of Blue Dot: All that glitters: a conversation with Dominic Frisby author of The Secret History of Gold
Q: What happened during the 1930s with Americans and gold?
Americans were prohibited from owning gold to reliquify banks; citizens handed in gold in exchange for dollars, which were then devalued, effectively transferring wealth and reshaping the monetary system.
Best of Blue Dot: All that glitters: a conversation with Dominic Frisby author of The Secret History of Gold
Q: What's the significance of Newton's role in Britain's monetary history?
Newton helped stabilize coinage through the Great Recoinage, moving Britain toward a more formal gold standard while addressing issues of counterfeit coins and silver scarcity.
Best of Blue Dot: All that glitters: a conversation with Dominic Frisby author of The Secret History of Gold
Q: Why is Croesus' coinage considered a landmark in monetary history?
Croesus separated gold from electrum into separate gold and silver coins, enabling standardized value and facilitating unprecedented economic mobility and cross-regional trade.
Best of Blue Dot: All that glitters: a conversation with Dominic Frisby author of The Secret History of Gold
Q: Tell us about the origin of gold and why it's older than the Earth.
Gold formed in the aftermath of interstellar supernovae long before the solar system existed, and it has remained chemically stable, which is why it has endured as both a currency and a symbol of wealth through ages.
Blue Dot: The Big One times two? The link between Cascadia and the San Andreas Fault with Chris Goldfinger
Q: What is turbidity and how do you study these records at sea?
Turbidity currents transport sediment down the slope; cores collected from 3,000–5,000 meters of water reveal alternating sandy and fine-grained layers that record earthquake histories, which researchers map and correlate along faults to piece together events.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Blue Dot

What is Blue Dot about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A science-forward show that features interviews with researchers, authors, and practitioners across astronomy, space, ecology, climate, and technology. Episodes pair deep-dive explanations with accessible storytelling, bringing complex topics like animal cognition, carbon removal, fault physics, and remote fieldwork to a curious audience. Guests range from university scientists and SETI researchers to wildlife photographers and policy advocates, often tying scientific concepts to real-world impact—whether it's restoring habitats, defending public lands, or communicating spaceflight fundamentals to the public. The program stands out for blending rigorous expertise with personal narratives, keeping conversations approachable without sacrifici... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Blue Dot?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Blue Dot:

1. Ologies with Alie Ward
2. Daniel and Kelly’s Extraordinary Universe
3. Sleepy History
4. Radiolab
5. Science Magazine Podcast

How many episodes of Blue Dot are there?

Blue Dot launched 11 years ago and published 224 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Blue Dot?

Recent guests on Blue Dot include:

1. Chris Goldfinger
2. Geoff Williams
3. Michael Bond
4. Joe Polin
5. Nora Cohen Brown
6. Kevin Peterson
7. Jeff Ludlow
8. Emily Markstein

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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