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

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 gets to delve into his favorite pastime, fly fishing, with two of his heroes -- Mike Mercer and Bryan Quick from The Fly Shop in Redding, California.

Host Dave Schlom is joined by two scientists from the SETI Institute in Mt. View, California, to talk about one of hisfavorite celestial phenomena -- comets.

Host Dave Schlom is joined by neuroscientist and animal intelligence advocate Dr. Lori Marino, who was recently named the 2026 winner of the Frank Drake Award by the SETI Institute in Mountain View, California.

Host Dave Schlom is joined by nature and wildlife photographer Tom Murphy for an in-depth conversation about his life and career.

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Recent Guests

Lori Marino
Pioneer in neuroscience and animal behavior; founder/president of Whale Sanctuary Project; executive director of the KEMELA Center
Whale Sanctuary Project; KEMELA Center
Episode: Blue Dot: Animal intelligence with Lori Marino
Dominic Frisby
British comedian and economics writer, author of The Secret History of Gold
Author, The Secret History of Gold
Episode: Blue Dot: All that glitters: a conversation with Dominic Frisby author of The Secret History of Gold
Trisha Muro
Science writer, physics educator, author of It's Just Rocket Science
Author, Johns Hopkins Press; Space Telescope Science Institute alum
Episode: Blue Dot: Understanding the basic science of spaceflight with Trisha Muro
Louise K. Blight
Conservation biologist and seabird expert; adjunct professor at University of Victoria
University of Victoria, School of Environmental Studies
Episode: Blue Dot: Studying penguins for a season in Antarctica with Louise K. Blight
Cedric David
Hydrologist and project investigator, JPL for SWOT
Jet Propulsion Laboratory / NASA
Episode: Blue Dot: Rivers from space and on the ground: the US/French SWOT mission and restoration of Battle Creek
Robert Erwin
Restoration biologist, Chico State
California State University, Chico
Episode: Blue Dot: Rivers from space and on the ground: the US/French SWOT mission and restoration of Battle Creek
Chad Pretorius
Environmental scientist, Chico State
California State University, Chico
Episode: Blue Dot: Rivers from space and on the ground: the US/French SWOT mission and restoration of Battle Creek
Scott Weidensaul
Bird expert and author
Author; conservationist
Episode: Blue Dot: Bird conservation success stories with Scott Weidensaul
Charles Schneider
Connectivity Program Manager, California Trout
California Trout
Episode: Blue Dot: California's wild and scenic Eel River and California Fly Fisher magazine

Host

Dave Schlom
Host and guide of discussions spanning space, science, and exploration.

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 States10 months 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.

Guests and topics are described as informative and inspiring, with a strong emphasis on science communication.
Some feedback notes the music choice as jarring, but content quality remains highly valued.
Listeners praise the host's ability to explain complex topics clearly and engagingly.

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: Wildlife photography with Yellowstone's Tom Murphy
Q: What are some of the principles you've learned for great photography?
Technical skills are teachable, but the real craft is understanding your subject, learning the rules and when to bend them, and composing scenes that invite viewers to linger and engage with the story your image tells.
Best of Blue Dot: Wildlife photography with Yellowstone's Tom Murphy
Q: Tell us about growing up on a cattle ranch in South Dakota.
Growing up on a cattle ranch taught me to be outside, resilient in harsh weather, and observant of wildlife behavior from an early age, which shaped my ability to work in extreme conditions.
Blue Dot: Animal intelligence with Lori Marino
Q: How does SETI intersect with your work on animal intelligence and what does this mean for our understanding of intelligence in the universe?
SETI provides a framework for considering intelligent life beyond Earth, but Marino argues that intelligence is not limited to civilizations with technology; studying Earth's non-human intelligences informs broader questions about the nature and detectability of intelligence in the universe.
Blue Dot: Animal intelligence with Lori Marino
Q: What did the mirror test with dolphins reveal about self-awareness, and why was it significant?
The mirror test with bottlenose dolphins demonstrated self-recognition and body awareness, showing that they understand reflection as themselves, which was a landmark finding because it extended self-awareness to non-primates and reshaped how we think about intelligence across species.
Blue Dot: Rivers from space and on the ground: the US/French SWOT mission and restoration of Battle Creek
Q: Why study Earth from space, specifically rivers, and what practical applications does this have?
Space-based river observations reveal variability and flood dynamics that inform water management, flood warning, irrigation planning, and understanding how different river types respond to climate and human management.

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-focused interview series hosted by a versatile educator, drawing guests from space science, ecology, environmental policy, and technology. Conversations explore big questions in space exploration, planetary science, climate resilience, water management, and biodiversity, often linking cutting-edge research to real-world impacts. The host steers accessible discussions with researchers, practitioners, and storytellers, highlighting how science informs policy, conservation, and public understanding. The show is notable for blending technical depth with human-interest angles, field storytelling, and sometimes history or philosophy of science to illuminate complex topics for curious listeners and decision-makers.

A standout quality is... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Blue Dot?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Blue Dot:

1. Radio Atlantic
2. Fresh Air
3. Throughline
4. Main Justice
5. Radiolab

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. Lori Marino
2. Dominic Frisby
3. Trisha Muro
4. Louise K. Blight
5. Cedric David
6. Robert Erwin
7. Chad Pretorius
8. Scott Weidensaul

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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