Streaming Science

Hosted by UFAEC graduate student Adeyinka Ayodele, this episode features Dr. Shannon Gowans discussing plastic pollution and how the Remora app helps individuals track and reduce their use of single-use plastics. Learn how small behavior changes, combined with data-driven insights, can influence businesses, inform policy, and create meaningful environmental impact.Dr. Shannon Gowans: https://www.eckerd.edu/biology/faculty/gowans/Remora: https://remora.eckerd.edu/People & Nature Symposium: https://tbep.org/people-nature-symposium/

In this episode of the Streaming Science: People & Nature podcast, Dr. Jamie Loizzo sits down with Dr. Amanda Brinton, founder of Environmental Stakeholder Connections, LLC, to explore the powerful role of relationships, networks, and human dimensions in environmental decision-making. Drawing from her interdisciplinary background in ecology and sociology, Amanda shares how her experiences—from the Peace Corps in Ecuador to research in Puerto Rico—shaped her passion for connecting stakeholders to drive meaningful environmental change. The conversation highlights the importance of social science in conservation, the challenges of fragmented systems, and the opportunities to build collaborative, community-centered solutions. Through stories of coastal resilience, waste management, and professional pathways, this episode invites listeners to consider how people, partnerships, and purpose are essential to sustaining both ecosystems and communities. Environmental Stakeholder Connections LLC: http://www.esc-us.comPeople & Nature: https://tbep.org/people-nature-symposium/ 

Hosted by UFAEC graduate student Adeyinka Ayodele, this episode features Caleta Scott discussing how programs like Lagoon Yoga strengthen mind–body connections with nature while expanding inclusive access to outdoor spaces. Learn how intentional community engagement, cultural connection, and experiential practices can empower people to build deeper relationships with the environment. Caleta Scott: https://onelagoon.org/resources/contact/People & Nature Symposium: https://tbep.org/people-nature-symposium/

Hosted by UFAEC graduate student Emma Lauren Poole, this episode features Sarah Lockhart, a conservation social scientist exploring land trusts, landscape connectivity, and the human dimensions of conservation in Florida. Discover how collaboration, policy, and community-driven approaches can help protect biodiversity and shape the future of conservation across the state. UF Center for Landscape Conservation Planning: https://conservation.dcp.ufl.edu/People & Nature Symposium: https://tbep.org/people-nature-symposium/

In this episode of the Streaming Science: People & Nature podcast, Dr. Jamie Loizzo speaks with Jim Bays, a retired ecologist and leader of Stewards of Our Urban Lakes (SOUL), about the power of community-driven conservation and the role of co-production in environmental stewardship. Drawing on nearly five decades of experience in wetland and lake ecology, Jim shares how his work has evolved from technical science to engaging communities in hands-on restoration, education, and long-term stewardship of urban lakes. The conversation explores how building relationships, fostering a sense of agency, and “reading the room” are essential to successful conservation efforts, as well as how small, local actions can create meaningful environmental impact. With reflections on birds, community identity, and finding purpose through stewardship, this episode highlights how science and people come together to care for the places we share.Stewards of Our Urban Lakes (SOUL): https://www.soulinc.org/People & Nature: https://tbep.org/people-nature-symposium/

Hosted by UFAEC graduate student Adeyinka Ayodele, this episode features Dr. Rebecca Zarger discussing how communities in Tampa Bay can strengthen climate resilience through urban forestry, storytelling, and community-driven solutions like the Blue-Green Action Platform (Blue Gap Project). Explore how connecting scientific data with lived experiences can inspire meaningful environmental action and help bridge the relationship between people and nature.Dr. Rebecca Zarger: https://www.usf.edu/arts-sciences/departments/anthropology/people/zarger.aspxPeople & Nature Symposium: https://tbep.org/people-nature-symposium/

Hosted by UFAEC graduate student Emma Lauren Poole, this episode features Dr. Blake Simmons of the Tampa Bay Estuary Program discussing the purpose and impact of the People in Nature Symposium and the growing field of conservation social science. Learn how human behavior, community action, and collaboration play a critical role in addressing environmental challenges and how individuals can get involved in making a difference. Dr. Blake Simmons: https://tbep.org/about-tbep/our-team/People & Nature Symposium: https://tbep.org/people-nature-symposium/

Meet the team behind the Streaming Science: People and Nature podcast series as they share their journeys into science communication, conservation, and storytelling. In this introductory episode, faculty and graduate students from the University of Florida's Department of Agricultural Education and Communication reflect on their experiences at the inaugural People and Nature Symposium and explore how connecting people, science, and the environment can inspire meaningful change. People & Nature Symposium: https://tbep.org/people-nature-symposium/ 

Tampa Bay has faced challenges, but it always fights back.In this episode, I head back to my hometown to speak with scientists at the Tampa Bay Estuary Program about seagrass loss, rising temperatures, changing salinity, and what those shifts mean for the future of the Bay. From deploying temperature loggers in seagrass beds to innovative water restoration projects in local neighborhoods, this episode explores how science and community action work together to protect our coast. One thing has already been proven true- Tampa Bay does resilience like no other.

Major hurricanes. One small island. And a community like no other.In this episode, I take you to Cedar Key. I met with local scientists and residents who are redefining what resilience really means. From a coffee shop turned food truck to living shorelines that protect the coast naturally, Cedar Key is proving that big solutions can come from small towns. Resilience isn’t just surviving the storm, it's recovering stronger than ever before and Cedar Key knows how to do just that.

Florida’s Gulf Coast is no stranger to hurricanes and environmental change- but it’s also no stranger to resilience.In this very first episode of Weather and Whatever, I take you with me to Cedar Key and Tampa Bay to talk with scientists and community leaders about how they’re tackling shoreline erosion, water quality challenges, and seagrass loss. Turns out, the Gulf and the people who care for it are more resilient than we think. 

Google Notebook LM AAD article overview.

In this episode, Emma Stephens, a student in the University of Florida's Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, sits down with Natalia Madrid, an undergraduate student studying biology. Stephens delves into the world of biology and learns how nematodes impact the world around us and why they're more important than you might think! Tune in now for an insightful conversation on the world beneath our feet.

In this episode, Miguel Chavez-Salazar, a student in the University of Florida's Department of Agricultural Education and Communication, sits down with Ricky Critchfield, a Ph.D student studying nematology. Chavez-Salazar explores these fascinating creatures and learns how nematodes impact the world around us and why they're more important than you might think! Tune in now for an insightful conversation on the world beneath our feet.

University of Florida – Department of Agricultural Education and Communication student Bella Weisheimer sits down with UF master’s student Maggie Murphy to explore the power of science communication through the lens of field research in Nebraska’s Sandhills. In this episode, you'll hear how Maggie’s work on the NSF PurSUiT Grant bridges the gap between scientific discovery and public understanding—capturing everything from field photography to compelling storytelling about microscopic life, including nematodes. Produced and edited using Adobe Audition, this episode sheds light on how translating complex science into accessible narratives helps bring hidden ecosystems to life for broader audiences. Join us as we uncover how communication plays a vital role in making the unseen world visible—and why it matters for both science and society.

In this episode of Streaming Science’s Microscopic Marvels series, we explore the intersection of science, storytelling, and tiny organisms with digital media producers Ethan Freese and Dakota Altman hosted by University of Florida - Agricultural Education and Communication student Zack Sopko. As part of the Platte Basin Timelapse Project, these Nebraska-based storytellers use photography and video to showcase the beauty of ecosystems and support scientific communication. We hear about their creative journeys, the power of time-lapse imagery, and the importance of connecting people to nature through compelling media. From Nebraska’s Sandhills to NSF-funded research, this episode celebrates curiosity, collaboration, and the microscopic wonders shaping our world.

In this episode, University of Florida, Department of Agricultural Education and Communication student Andy Franklin interviewed Instructional Assistant Professor Dr. Shane White. White teaches communication courses and is also an independent documentarian. Throughout the interview, Franklin asks White about his experiences working on an NSF funded nematology multimedia project in the Nebraska Sandhills and what it means to be a science communicator.

On this episode of Microscopic Marvels, University of Florida - Department of Agricultural Education and Communication graduate student Emma Poole talks with Jaclyn Wilson, a fifth-generation Nebraska native and cattle rancher, about conservation, the importance of advocacy and collaboration, and all the creatures you can’t see with just your eyes. The NSF PurSUiT grant research on nematodes is happening in part on Wilson Flying Diamond Ranch. Jaclyn gives insight on why research like this is so important to her.

In this episode of Microscopic Marvels, you will hear from Melody Benjamin, a cattle rancher from Nebraska. From wrangling livestock to wrangling researchers, Melody details her experiences of managing one of the most fascinating ecosystems in the world: the Nebraska Sandhills. She shares her background in land management, her community involvement in local agricultural initiatives, and how she ended up hosting scientists on her land. Stay tuned to learn more about how ranchers are some of the best conservationists around. This episode was hosted and produced by University of Florida School of Natural Resources and Environment graduate student Patricia Escobar-Torres and Department of Agricultural Education and Communication graduate student Emma Poole.

In the final installment of Season 1, we welcome Mark McDonald. A leader in healthcare, his experience spans volunteer EMT work in a rural community, providing critical care as a flight nurse, engaging in international work through Global Response Medicine, and currently serving as the Executive Director of Villa Therese Catholic Clinic, New Mexico's only free health clinic. Listen in as we learn how his experiences have shaped his philosophy and servant-minded approach to leadership. Read more about the organizations Mark highlights: Global Response Medicine Villa Therese Catholic Clinic

A conversation University of Florida student Charles Overdevest and Dr. Dorota Porazinska an associate professor in the Department of Entomology and Nematology at the University of Florida. We spoke about her path to becoming a professor, the structure of academic science, and her work on an NSF PurSUiT grant funded study about nematodes in the Nebraska Sandhills. Listen in to this episode and interview of other members of the PurSUiT team by other students in our Microscopic Marvels series.

University of Florida - Department of Agricultural Education and Communication student Elizabeth Lamm sits down with Dr. Thomas Powers from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln to explore the fascinating, hidden world of nematodes in Nebraska's Sandhills. Through this conversation, you will discover how these microscopic organisms influence soil health, biodiversity, and the future of land management in one of America's most fragile and unique ecosystems. Produced and edited using Adobe Audition, this episode dives into Dr. Powers’ pioneering research and explains why understanding the smallest life forms is critical to protecting the most significant landscapes. Join us as we explore how life below the surface influences the land above, and why the Nebraska Sandhills are significant.

Dr. Porshe Chiles McKay is passionate about community, raising up others' voices, the power of storytelling, and honoring our connection to the land. I had the pleasure of working with Porshe through her PhD and enjoyed this conversation about her dissertation research and her leadership experiences and beliefs, and the importance of finding and keeping community.GRACE Grows: Community | Garden | Education PDY&F Community Garden - James Gardner

Welcome to Microscopic Marvels, a new podcast from Streaming Science where tiny organisms make a big impact. In this series, students, scientists, and ranchers come together to uncover the hidden world of nematodes—microscopic worms that shape ecosystems in surprising ways. Listeners will hear stories from researchers working in places as diverse as the Nebraska Sandhills and Antarctica, as well as ranchers who view their land as living laboratories. Along the way, you’ll discover what nematodes can teach us about climate change, biodiversity, and the resilience of life on Earth.

Dr. Matt Sowcik is an Associate professor in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communication at the University of Florida. He is a leadership scholar and educator, with an interesting breadth of experience. Listen as we discuss leadership theory and practice and bridging the gap between the two as leadership educators! Check out his book, The H-Factor: The intersection between humility and great leadership.

Meg Boria-Meyer is the founder and executive director of the Gainesville Giving Garden, a non-profit farm combatting food security. Under her leadership, the Gainesville Giving Garden received Project YouthBuild's 2023-2024 Impact Partner of the Year. She is a strong believer that local food is at the intersection of health, environmental sustainability, and community resilience. Meg also believes that collaboration is the most effective way to lead change toward food sovereignty. Listen as she shares about her work with the community, her thoughts on leadership, and the wide variety of community collaborations she invests in like Working Food and others.

Dr. Amy Harder has held a variety of positions in Cooperative Extension, across several states. She has spent a majority of her professional career dedicated to improving Extension through developing capacity of its people. From needs assessments and prioritization, to job satisfaction and motivation, to competency development, Dr. Harder's contributions to and through Extension extend not only across state boarders, but internationally also. It was a joy to learn more about her own journey through Extension, from being a county agent in Colorado, to her role as the director of the UF/IFAS Extension Program Development and Evaluation Center (PDEC), to her current role as Associate Dean and Associate Director for Extension in the University of Connecticut's College of Ag, Health, & Natural Resources (CAHNR). Amy leads by example, matching high expectations with a determined work ethic. Enjoy this episode of Rooted In Leadership, as Dr. Harder shares how Extension is a natural training ground for leadership. 

This article from "Advancements in Agricultural Development" explores the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) faced by female health and nutrition extension agents working in Guatemala's Western Highlands. The study, conducted by researchers primarily from the University of Florida, aims to understand these agents' perspectives on their roles and challenges in delivering effective programs. Utilizing an instrumental case study design with semi-structured interviews and observations, the research identifies key factors like effective communication and professional vocation as strengths, while language barriers and difficulty demonstrating program value emerged as weaknesses. Opportunities include network expansion and professional growth, contrasted by threats such as gender inequality and political instability. The authors recommend multilingual training, professional development, and community engagement to address identified challenges and improve program implementation.

Janice Morrow is the Executive Director for the Society of American Indian Dentists. She has over two decades of experience in strategic marketing and communications. Her resume extends to leadership in the non-profit sector as well. Most impressively, Janice has leveraged her expertise to serve organizations across various contexts, often while working remotely, which can pose extra challenges when leading high performance teams. In this episode, we talk about transitioning from city to rural life, the power of 4-H in youth leadership development, and the importance of cultural understanding in leadership. 

Dr. Marina Denny is the Associate Vice Provost for Engagement at Oregon State University, but she has enjoyed a versatile career across a range of Cooperative Extension systems at various levels. She has vast experience working with volunteers and developing and measuring leadership competencies in different audiences within and outside Extension. She brings her interesting and diverse personal, educational, and employment background to bear on our conversation and reminds us that a non-traditional path is still a path to achieving your goals if you open yourself up to all the ways you can succeed. 

Blaze Currie has dedicated his career to agricultural education and leadership development. He has worked with youth and adults through domestic and international organizations. He has served on and led advisory boards and boards of directors. He brings a wealth of experience to our conversation, as he encourages us to be curious, cultivate community, and embrace challenge. He is an advocate for transformative learning, and you can hear his TedTalk here: https://youtu.be/5cnMbCYrd40?si=cpZXlfajgowT5EQZ 

In this second episode of Rooted in Leadership, Dr. Tobin Redwine joins us to share about leading from your values, international experiences, raising kids and livestock, and mental health *trigger warning*. Below are some links to information and organizations we chat about! Enjoy! 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, https://988lifeline.org/AgriStress Helpline, 833-897-2474, https://www.agrisafe.org/agristress-helpline/Mind Your Melon, https://mindyourmelon.org/Field of Hope, https://www.fieldofhope.orgMontgomery County Fair Association, https://mcfa.org/

Join me for a visit with Boe Lopez, an Extension agent, rancher, and mayor of Springer, New Mexico. Boe shares how taking a risk attending an agricultural conference while he was an undergraduate resulted in opportunities that still haven’t stopped coming as he has stepped into leadership time and again. Boe has been involved numerous agricultural organizations from the local to the national level, including Farm Bureau Federation, New Mexico Cattle Growers’ Association, U.S. Cattlemen’s, Colfax County (NM) Soil and Water Conservation District. In 2023, he was recognized with the NM Cattle Growers’ Association King Service Award, which honors “an individual whose talents and demeanor positively impact communities of New Mexico and inspire those around them to take action, too.”*due to some audio issues, we join Boe as he begins to share about his background and journey. 

Florida’s population is growing faster than the rest of the country. Consequently, the US is losing many of its important habitats for wildlife. However, a solution may come from the livestock sector; with something called rangeland systems. This system enable ranches to sustainably raise cattle using Florida’s native vegetation, allowing these places to be profitable while maintaining -sometimes increasing- biodiversity in the region. UFAEC graduate student Cesar sat down with Dr. Hance Ellington, a wildlife scientist, to understand how they work, the benefits for society, and how people can support this type of production.Dr. Hance Ellington is an Assistant Professor at the University of Florida, department of Wildlife Ecology and Conservation. He is a grazinglands wildlife specialist, and wildlife-human interaction expert. Follow his work @uf_rwel on Instagram.

Wondering about the rising problems in Florida’s Citrus Industry? Or intrigued by the ways they are being tackled? If that’s you, grab a bottle of orange juice and orange slices and tune into this episode. Hosted by UF CALS junior Brenna Sturgis and joined by UF Citrus Research and Education Center Assistant Professor, Dr. John Chater, listeners can embark on a journey focusing on the future of Florida’s citrus! This episode will have you thinking “Orange Ya Glad” tuned in! 

Welcome back to the Boundless Science podcast series, brought to you by Streaming Science, a student driven program that works to connect you with scientists to learn how science impacts all of us- and our everyday lives and interests. Tune in to this episode to listen to our host, Marisa Crowhurst, talk with dachshund breeder, enthusiast and professional dog show handler, Arvind deBraganca, about the genetics and beliefs surrounding cross coat breeding in dachshunds. Dachshunds come in three coat varieties: smooth, long and wire (get the title now?), and cross coat breeding is the interbreeding of the three varieties. DeBraganca has been breeding and showing dachshunds for over 20 years and brings incredible insight on this topic. #boundlessscience #season2 #BoundlessScienceseason2Keywords: dachshund, cross-coat, breeding, cross coat breeding, genetics, pedigree, dog show, purebred, responsibly bred, preservation breeding, dog

This episode is part of the Boundless Science series. In this interview with Taylor Rice, an ecologist studying at Florida Gulf Coast University, we talk about gopher tortoise conservation and her research journey in ecology. We hope you gain an insight on who gopher tortoises are, why they’re important, and how to protect them from this podcast. #boundlessscience #season2 #BoundlessScienceseason2Keywords: Ecology, Conservation, Gopher Tortoises

What if you could buy your broccoli at the grocery store, knowing beforehand for how long it will remain good in your refrigerator? I am Shenara Ramadan, a master’s degree student in Agricultural and Natural Resources Communication. In this episode of Boundless Science, I had a great conversation with Dr. Tie Liu, an assistant professor of Horticultural Science at the University of Florida, about AI advances in reducing food waste worldwide and one of his recent research projects that enables producers and consumers to determine the shelf life of fruits and vegetables. #boundlessscience #season2 #BoundlessScienceseason2Keywords: #FoodWaste #AIInAgriculture #FoodTech #HorticultureResearch #ScienceCommunication

Learn about the University of Florida’s Brahman Project with program director and associate professor, Dr. Todd Thrift. The Brahman Project is a stakeholder-focused project that encompasses the three missions of the land-grant university, research, teaching, and extension. Dr. Thrift explains what he and the rest of the faculty in the UF/IFAS Department of Animal Sciences are currently working on to improve the Brahman breed. This episode of Boundless Science was hosted by Jessica Czipulis, a University of Florida master’s student studying agriculture and natural resources communication. #boundlessscience #season2 #BoundlessScienceseason2Keywords: cattle, brahman, animal science, research

Join Dr. Emma Matcham, a UF/IFAS State Extension Specialist in Nutrient Cycling through the Department of Agronomy and Caitlynne Youmans, a Master’s student at the University of Florida in the Department of Agricultural Education and Communications as they chat about fertilizer research as it relates to Florida agriculture. Dr. Matcham shares her experience researching precision technology as it relates to agronomic crops. As an expert in her field, Dr. Matcham shares with Streaming Science her very personal connection to researching fertilizer best management practices to keep crops happy and healthy, and Florida waterways clear of fertilizer run off. The future is bright in terms of Nutrient Cycling and fertilizer management. Listen in to learn more about Dr. Emma Matcham and some of the science she champions everyday. #boundlessscience #season2 #BoundlessScienceseason2Check out more information about Dr. Matcham, the UF Agronomy Department, and fertilizer management research below: https://www.facebook.com/UFAgr https://agronomy.ifas.ufl.edu/people/emma-matcham/ https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/AG472 https://youtu.be/yCi7WBmB3rQ?si=qsHiXUuKK_Wx-yHC  Keywords: Nutrient cycling, nutrient management, fertilizer, fertilizer management, best management practices, agronomy, agroecology, Extension, State Extension Specialist, BMP