Scientista

After four decades at The Washington Post, Ruth Marcus made a decision few journalists ever face: she resigned after her column — critical of Jeff Bezos’s editorial policy — was blocked from publication.

In this episode, Ruth opens up about the events leading to her departure, the editorial shift she saw under Bezos’s ownership, and why she believes dissenting voices are essential to democracy. She also reflects on her accidental en...

As we welcome new listeners to the Scientista Podcast, we’re highlighting some of our most popular conversations from the archive.

In this timely episode, climate scientist and bestselling author Katharine Hayhoe shares what it really takes to talk about climate change — especially with people who might not want to hear it.

She discusses why facts alone aren’t enough, how to reach people where they are — including through shared valu...

The deep sea is one of Earth’s last frontiers—and the battle over who gets to mine it is heating up. This week on the Scientista Podcast, host Monica Medina sits down with Leticia Carvalho, Secretary-General of the International Seabed Authority, to talk about her mission to regulate deep sea mining before it’s too late.

From overseeing negotiations in Jamaica to fending off pressure from billion-dollar mining interests, Carvalho is...

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Bill Nye the Science Guy joins the Scientista Podcast for a wide-ranging and candid conversation about making science accessible, the role of humor in advocacy, and what it takes to keep going when the world feels upside down. Co-hosts Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina talk with Bill about everything from vaccine misinformation and climate denial to his early da...

Dr. Ashish Jha, Dean of the Brown School of Public Health and former White House COVID-19 Response Coordinator, joins the Scientista Podcast to talk about what happens when women are left out of health research and policymaking—and why fixing that gap is critical for everyone’s well-being. From pandemic lessons to the future of public health, Dr. Jha shares candid insights on science, leadership, and how to build a system that work...

Kathi Vidal has spent her career at the heart of American innovation — first as an engineer, then as Director of the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. But as she explains in this episode, the system that fuels invention and economic growth is far from equitable. Just 12-13% of patents are granted to women, and the numbers are even lower for other underrepresented groups.

In this wide-ranging conversation, Vidal shares why intellectu...

Former NOAA Administrator Dr. Jane Lubchenco joins the Scientista Podcast to talk about her lifelong love of the ocean, what’s threatening its future—and why she still has hope. From marine protected areas to blue carbon, she shares how the ocean can be a powerful climate solution and why science-based policy is more essential than ever. Plus, hear what it was like to attend the premiere of David Attenborough’s new documentary Ocea...

Her Deepness: Sylvia Earle on a Lifetime Underwater and the Fight to Save the Sea

In this special World Oceans Day episode of the Scientista Podcast, we dive deep with legendary oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle. From leading the first all-female aquanaut team to founding Mission Blue and advocating for marine protected areas, Earle shares stories from her lifetime of exploration and activism. She reflects on how the ocean has changed,...

What do pigeons, volcanoes, and climate change have in common? For Dr. Elizabeth Gray, they’ve all been part of her unlikely journey from bird nerd to CEO of the National Audubon Society.

In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, Dr. Gray shares how birds led her to science, conservation, and climate advocacy, and why she believes birds can unite us across politics, geography, and generations. From spark birds to career curveballs,...

As Robert F. Kennedy Jr. reverses his stance on COVID-19 vaccines for children and pregnant women, the stakes of vaccine misinformation have never felt higher. In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, we sit down with Dr. Nikki Romanik — former Chief of Staff & Deputy Director of the White House Office of Pandemic Preparedness and Response Policy — to unpack the consequences of politicized public health messaging.

Dr. Romanik ...

Conservation leader Sally Ann Ranney joins the Scientista Podcast to share the surprising story that started it all—napping inside a tree as a child—and how that deep connection to nature led her to spearhead a bold international campaign: a 10-year moratorium on Arctic development.

She talks with Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina about what makes the Arctic the epicenter of climate change, why women are leading the movement t...

Dr. Whitney Strauss, Executive Director, AdvoCare Foundation; Philanthropist, Food Systems Expert, and Author, joins us to talk about food systems, health equity, and what it takes to drive real change. From the fight for healthier food access to battling misinformation and building trust at the community level, Whitney shares lessons from her career—and why she believes success always comes with failure. Plus, her personal journey...

Musician, activist, and climate advocate Adam Met joins the Scientista Podcast to talk about using the power of music—and the influence of artists like Taylor Swift—to mobilize fans for climate action. From street performances in Central Park to sold-out arenas and a PhD in climate policy, Adam shares his unique journey blending entertainment and advocacy. He explains why concerts are the perfect place for collective action, what o...

Jennifer Klein, Professor of Professional Practice at Columbia SIPA and former Director of the White House Gender Policy Council, joins the Scientista Podcast to talk about fighting for the 28th Amendment, confronting the global backlash against gender equality, and why it mattered to be the first person to say “menopause” in the Oval Office. A conversation about persistence, progress, and the power of showing up.

Thank you for...

From enlisting in the Army at 19 to becoming one of the nation’s most powerful voices for LGBTQ rights, Charlotte Clymer has never taken the easy path. In this episode, she joins the Scientista Podcast to reflect on her journey, what service taught her, and how her identity as a trans woman, a veteran, and a person of faith shapes her advocacy today. We talk about the dangers of erasing trans voices, the backlash against inclusion ...

On this episode of the Scientista Podcast, we sit down with Gina McCarthy—former EPA Administrator and the first-ever White House National Climate Advisor—for a candid, urgent conversation about what’s at stake for science, health, and the planet. From her early days in local government to leading historic climate action under President Biden, Gina reflects on the power of persistence, the role of public service, and what it will t...

Astro Teller, Captain of Moonshots at X (Alphabet’s Moonshot Factory), joins the Scientista Podcast to talk about bold ideas, big failures, and why Pippi Longstocking is still his role model. From AI to innovation culture, Astro shares what it takes to lead with humility, audacity, and purpose—and how embracing failure might be the key to building a better future.

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Climate scientist and communicator Dr. Katharine Hayhoe joins the Scientista Podcast to break down the most powerful climate solution we have: our voice. In this episode, she shares how to make climate conversations more effective—and more human—by starting with what people already care about. From disinformation to hope, this is a must-listen for anyone who wants to talk about climate in a way that actually inspires change.

Thank y...

How does representation shape leadership? In this episode of The Scientista Podcast, Tamara Wilds Lawson, President & CEO of the Washington Area Women’s Foundation, shares how growing up around strong women in leadership shaped her path. From her family’s legacy of activism to her work advancing gender and racial equity, she discusses why visibility, community, and service are critical for driving change. Listen now for an insp...