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Up From Dust

KCUR Studios
Kansas
Climate Change
Invasive Species
Native Plants
Ogallala Aquifer
Agriculture
Bradford Pear Trees
Water Conservation
Haskell County
Light Pollution
Environmental Sustainability
Johnson County Parks and Recreation
High Plains
Drought
Kansas River
Biodiversity
Sustainability
Microplastics
Environmental Impact
Mycorrhizal Fungi

Humans broke the environment — but we can heal it, too. Up From Dust is a podcast about the price of trying to shape the world around our needs, as seen from the Great Plains and the Midwest. Host Celia Llopis-Jepsen wanders across prairies, farm fields and suburbia to find the folks who are fixing our generational mistakes. From the NPR Network, KCUR Studios, and the Kansas News Service.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes20Founded2 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
NatureEarth SciencesScience

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Artwork for Up From Dust

Latest Episodes

(Jessica Cornelison / KCUR 89.3)Astronomers need your help! And you don’t have to be an expert, because it’s as easy as stepping outside your home and taking a good look at a constellation like Orion. For 20 years, the citizen science project Globe ... more

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(Jessica Cornelison / KCUR 89.3)As we embark on our third year of Up From Dust, we discuss why we started an environmental podcast in the Midwest — and what we’ve learned along the way. In 2026, stay tuned for stories about farmers, astronomers, tur... more

YouTube

(Jessica Cornelison / KCUR 89.3)In one long-polluted Ozark river, the little fish darting through the water and the rare mussels hiding on the pebbly bottom tell a story worth celebrating. They’re signs that the Spring River is benefitting from envi... more

YouTube

(Jessica Cornelison / KCUR 89.3)Trevor Starks is on a mission. He wants to help the humble but powerful creatures that clean the waters of the Neosho River: freshwater mussels. For decades, their populations dwindled due to overharvesting, pollution... more

YouTube

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Recent Guests

Connie Walker
Astronomer at Noir Lab
Noir Lab
Episode: Stargazers, unite for science!
Chris Helzer
Ecologist and photographer who spends years photographing a single square meter of prairie.
Nature Conservancy
Episode: Why a prairie scientist spent years photographing a single square meter of land
Dawn Buehler
Head of a nonprofit focusing on the Kansas River
Friends of the Caw
Episode: Kayakers vs. river pollution
Viyajit Gokhale
Physicist and astronomer, professor at Truman State University
Truman State University
Episode: Say no to skyglow: Smarter lighting can help save the stars
Ryan Persinger
Park superintendent at Thousand Hills State Park
Thousand Hills State Park
Episode: Say no to skyglow: Smarter lighting can help save the stars
Daphne Broski-Lane
Physics graduate, advocate for light pollution solutions
Truman State University
Episode: Say no to skyglow: Smarter lighting can help save the stars
Paula Diaz
Master gardener and advocate for native plant gardening
Episode: Less lawn, more wildlife! Here’s how to ditch turf for native plants
David Willard
Bird researcher at the Field Museum specializing in bird mortality due to building collisions
Field Museum
Episode: Can we save millions of migrating birds?
Andrew Farnsworth
Visiting scientist at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology who studies bird migration and conservation
Cornell Lab of Ornithology
Episode: Can we save millions of migrating birds?

Host

Celia Llopis-Jepsen
Host and producer of this podcast, emphasizing community engagement in environmental issues and exploring local ecological narratives.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 95 ratings
  • Prairie Vibes

    My favorite podcast. Every show is a gem.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    vranyourcar
    United States3 months ago
  • Awesome

    Love the show. Thanks

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    IlliniGuy1234
    United States8 months ago
  • Love it!!

    Very informative

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jlass29
    United Statesa year ago
  • how to save birds and the disappearing lake

    i was eager to listen to the podcast about saving migrating birds across midwestern states when i heard it advertised on npr. i also loved the discussion about how to maybe save tuttle creek and rivers in my home state. “Up From Dust” is doing us a great service!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    susanusirenus
    United Statesa year ago
  • Great job

    Just heard the first episode through the DW podcast Living Planet. Great job, looking forward to listening to more.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BK from Ohio
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners praise the show for its informative content and engaging storytelling, highlighting the relevance of local environmental topics. Many appreciate the focus on community efforts and practical solutions to ecological problems.
Listeners express gratitude for shedding light on important but underrepresented environmental issues, particularly those affecting local communities.
Audience feedback underscores the quality of production and the host's ability to communicate complex scientific topics in an accessible manner, indicating a strong connection with the audience.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#92
United States/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#60
Hong Kong/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#92
Taiwan/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#149
South Africa/Science/Nature
Apple Podcasts
#222
Japan/Science/Nature

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Why a prairie scientist spent years photographing a single square meter of land
Q: What are you feeling in that moment when these tiny baby spiders are dangling from silk?
Chris describes this as an incredible moment that is both meditative and invigorating, as if he has been allowed into a private space to observe behaviors not normally witnessed.
Kayakers vs. river pollution
Q: Tell me about the battery cases.
Dawn explains how these cases have been in the river for a very long time and are a large part of the challenge facing river cleanup.
Kayakers vs. river pollution
Q: How did you feel those nights?
Dawn describes the nights spent on the river as peaceful, with bright stars and a sense of being away from everything.
Can we save millions of migrating birds?
Q: What was the decision regarding glass treatment for bird safety?
They decided to apply a film with dots on the windows to help birds see them.
Can we save millions of migrating birds?
Q: Can you tell me about that?
David describes the overwhelming scene of a thousand dead birds he encountered at McCormick Place in the dark.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Up From Dust

What is Up From Dust about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast explores the intricate relationship between humans and the environment, specifically viewing the challenges and solutions through the lens of the Great Plains and the Midwest. Each episode features compelling narratives about individuals working on local ecological issues, ranging from addressing pollution and advocating for biodiversity to sustainable agricultural practices and urban conservation efforts. The emphasis is on community engagement and the importance of recognizing local landscapes, showcasing both the innovations and conservation initiatives aiming to heal the environment and rectify past mistakes.

Noteworthy is the podcast's focus on practical solutions and inspiring stories of resilience, providing listeners w... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Up From Dust?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Up From Dust:

1. Radiolab
2. Outside/In
3. Ologies with Alie Ward
4. Reveal
5. This American Life

How many episodes of Up From Dust are there?

Up From Dust launched 2 years ago and published 20 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 Up From Dust?

Recent guests on Up From Dust include:

1. Connie Walker
2. Chris Helzer
3. Dawn Buehler
4. Viyajit Gokhale
5. Ryan Persinger
6. Daphne Broski-Lane
7. Paula Diaz
8. David Willard

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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