The Tilted Planet Podcast

High above the frozen north, the night sky dances with ribbons of green and violet — the mysterious Aurora Borealis. In this episode of The Tilted Planet Podcast, Jack explores the science and stories behind the northern lights, from the sun’s charged winds to the myths that saw them as spirits or celestial fires. Discover how wonder and science intertwine in this breathtaking natural display.

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From sundials in ancient deserts to the invisible oscillations of atomic clocks, humanity has spent millennia trying to capture the flow of time. It’s a story of science and civilization, of how we went from watching shadows to measuring seconds with the rhythm of atoms.

In this episode of The Tilted Planet Podcast, we trace the evolution of timekeeping across thousands of years. From water clocks and monastery bells t...

In the depths of oceans, forests, and caves, life glows. From fireflies lighting summer nights to plankton illuminating waves, bioluminescence turns darkness into a stage for wonder. But why do organisms produce their own light, and how does it help them survive in some of Earth’s most mysterious habitats?

In this episode of The Tilted Planet Podcast, we explore the glowing world of bioluminescence. We’ll journey...

In the heart of Antarctica’s McMurdo Dry Valleys, a glacier bleeds. Known as Blood Falls, this crimson cascade has puzzled explorers and scientists for over a century. Is it algae, iron, or something stranger? Beneath the ice lies a hidden brine, a frozen laboratory where life endures without sunlight or oxygen — and where the boundaries of survival are tested.

In this episode of The Tilted Planet Podcast, Jack e...

When you think of Canada, deserts probably aren’t the first thing that come to mind. Yet hidden across the prairies and the far north are landscapes of rolling sand, wind-sculpted ridges, and ecosystems that defy expectations. In this episode of The Tilted Planet Podcast, Jack takes you on a journey through Canada’s hidden deserts — from the remote Athabasca Sand Dunes in Saskatchewan, to the tiny yet otherworldly...

Volcanoes have shaped our landscapes, our history, and even life itself. In this episode of The Tilted Planet Podcast, we journey deep into the fiery heart of Earth to uncover the science, power, and mystery behind these awe-inspiring forces of nature.

From the explosive eruptions that changed civilizations to the quiet giants that continue to reshape coastlines, we’ll explore how volcanoes form, why they erupt, and th...

Step into the misty Highlands and along the rugged shores of Scotland, where folklore lingers in every loch, stone circle, and crashing wave. In this episode of The Tilted Planet Podcast, Jack explores the myths that have shaped Scottish culture for centuries — from kelpies lurking in dark waters, to selkies torn between sea and shore, to the eerie wail of the banshee and the enduring mystery of the Loch Ness Monster.

Discove...

Step into the mysterious world of Japanese folklore. From eerie yokai that haunt the night to the mystical practices of the Onmyōji and the cunning, shape-shifting kitsune, these stories reveal the ways myth and legend have shaped Japan’s culture and imagination for centuries.

These timeless tales carry lessons, warnings, and wonder, passed down through generations and still alive in the shadows of modern Japan. Join me as we...

Explore the hidden cities of the Amazon, the sprawling networks of the Maya, and the forgotten urban landscapes of Angkor—all revealed through cutting-edge LiDAR technology. This episode dives into how beams of light fired from the sky are uncovering ancient roads, pyramids, plazas, and settlements, reshaping our understanding of human history. From South America to Southeast Asia and even Europe, discover the incredible civi...

Beneath the towering walls and grand halls of Europe’s castles lie whispers of forgotten secrets, hidden passages, and untold tales. In this episode, we journey beyond the surface to uncover the mysteries that shaped these ancient fortresses — from secret tunnels and hidden chambers to legends passed down through centuries. Join us as we listen closely to the echoes of history and discover what truly lies beneath the st...

Göbekli Tepe: Stones, Secrets, and the Birth of Civilization

Before the pyramids or Stonehenge, there was Göbekli Tepe—a mysterious temple complex buried for thousands of years. In this episode of The Tilted Planet Podcast, we explore the site that’s rewriting human history.

Who carved these massive stone pillars over 12,000 years ago? Why was it deliberately buried? We dive into the theories, discoveries, and...

In this episode of The Tilted Planet Podcast, we travel to the shores of Lake Maracaibo in Venezuela, where a spectacular natural phenomenon lights up the sky with near-nightly regularity. Known as Catatumbo Lightning, this atmospheric marvel has puzzled scientists, inspired legends, and even disappeared without warning in 2010.

We’ll explore how geography, climate, and mystery combine to create one of Earth’s most awe-...

Launched on a mission to peer deeper into the universe than ever before, the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) is revolutionizing how we see the cosmos. In this episode, we explore how this marvel of modern engineering works, what it’s already discovered, and why its infrared vision is a game-changer for astronomy.

From peeking into the earliest galaxies to analyzing the atmospheres of distant exoplanets, JWST is not just a t...

Far below the romantic streets of Paris lies a chilling secret — miles of tunnels stacked with the bones of over six million souls. In this episode of The Tilted Planet Podcast, we explore how these eerie catacombs came to be, what it's like to descend into them, and the myths and legends that still haunt the labyrinth today.

From forbidden passageways to historical oddities, join us as we uncover the darker side of th...

In this episode of The Tilted Planet Podcast, we journey to the coast of Belize to explore one of the most breathtaking and mysterious natural wonders on Earth: the Great Blue Hole. This massive marine sinkhole is more than just a diver’s dream—it’s a portal into the planet’s past.

We’ll dive into how it formed, the strange discoveries made in its depths, and the legends that swirl around its inky wate...

In this episode of The Tilted Planet Podcast, we journey to Tromsø, Norway, a city where the sun vanishes for two whole months each winter. Discover how the people celebrate and adapt to the Polar Night with vibrant festivals, rich local folklore, and breathtaking displays of the Northern Lights. Join us as we explore the science, stories, and spirit behind this Arctic wonderland bathed in tilted light.

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In this episode of The Tilted Planet Podcast, we dive into the awe-inspiring Bay of Fundy—home to the world’s highest tides, rare geological wonders, and the legendary Old Sow Whirlpool, the largest in the Western Hemisphere. We’ll explore the science behind the tides, local folklore, and the deep-rooted cultural significance of this natural marvel to the Mi’kmaq people. Tune in for a journey through one of ...