Today’s climate and weather researchers have grown up with the escalating climate crisis as a defining feature of their lives. Their education unfolded against culture wars about science, energy, and climate policy, with many inspired by voices like Greta Thunberg and movements such as the School Strike for Climate. This episode explores how those experiences are shaping the next generation of scientists.

Hosts Prof. Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan sit down with three emerging researchers: Bethan White, Rachael Isphording, and Wil Laura. Together they talk about the motivations that drew them into climate science, from childhood experiences of hurricanes in Alabama to growing up in the Peruvian Andes. They share how their backgrounds, curiosity, and resilience are helping them carve out research careers in a rapidly changing world.

The conversation dives into the challenges and joys of early research life, from pushing climate models to their limits to investigating “compound events” like heatwaves and wildfires, to benchmarking weather resources for renewable energy. Alongside science, the guests reflect on cultural influences, personal motivations, and the global networks that support their work.

To find out more, go to: https://www.21centuryweather.org.au/engage/totally-cooked-the-weather-climate-podcast/

Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals.

Today&rsquo;s climate and weather researchers have grown up with the escalating climate crisis as a defining feature of their lives. Their education unfolded against culture wars about science, energy, and climate policy, with many inspired by voices like Greta Thunberg and movements such as the School Strike for Climate. This episode explores how those experiences are shaping the next generation of scientists.
Hosts Prof. Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan sit down with three emerging researchers: Bethan White, Rachael Isphording, and Wil Laura. Together they talk about the motivations that drew them into climate science, from childhood experiences of hurricanes in Alabama to growing up in the Peruvian Andes. They share how their backgrounds, curiosity, and resilience are helping them carve out research careers in a rapidly changing world.
The conversation dives into the challenges and joys of early research life, from pushing climate models to their limits to investigating &ldquo;compound events&rdquo; like heatwaves and wildfires, to benchmarking weather resources for renewable energy. Alongside science, the guests reflect on cultural influences, personal motivations, and the global networks that support their work.
To find out more, go to: <a href="https://www.21centuryweather.org.au/engage/totally-cooked-the-weather-climate-podcast/">https://www.21centuryweather.org.au/engage/totally-cooked-the-weather-climate-podcast/</a>
Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals.

Totally Cooked is a straight-talking, science-backed podcast about weather, climate change, and what it all means for life on Earth — especially here in Australia.

Hosted by Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, a leading expert in extreme weather, and Iain Strachan, a former journalist turned science communicator, the show dives deep into the causes and consequences of our changing climate. 

With clarity, curiosity and a touch of dark humour, Sarah and Iain unpack the science behind climate change, high-impact weather, and the urgent need for action.

From greenhouse gases and El Niño to ice cores, heatwaves, and hail storms, Totally Cooked connects the dots between complex climate science and the everyday weather we all experience. Along the way, you’ll hear from world-class researchers, policymakers, and frontline communities grappling with the climate crisis.

Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, confused, or just curious about what’s really going on, this podcast will leave you better informed, more confident, and ready to face the future.

No jargon. No sugar-coating. Just the facts — and a little hope.

Totally Cooked is a straight-talking, science-backed podcast about weather, climate change, and what it all means for life on Earth &mdash; especially here in Australia.
Hosted by Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, a leading expert in extreme weather, and Iain Strachan, a former journalist turned science communicator, the show dives deep into the causes and consequences of our changing climate.&nbsp;
With clarity, curiosity and a touch of dark humour, Sarah and Iain unpack the science behind climate change, high-impact weather, and the urgent need for action.
From greenhouse gases and El Ni&ntilde;o to ice cores, heatwaves, and hail storms, Totally Cooked connects the dots between complex climate science and the everyday weather we all experience. Along the way, you&rsquo;ll hear from world-class researchers, policymakers, and frontline communities grappling with the climate crisis.
Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, confused, or just curious about what&rsquo;s really going on, this podcast will leave you better informed, more confident, and ready to face the future.
No jargon. No sugar-coating. Just the facts &mdash; and a little hope.

Totally Cooked: The Climate & Weather Podcast

 Meet the next generation of climate scientists

Join hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan as they welcome Associate Professor Andrew King and PhD candidate Aditya Sengupta for a deep dive into the science, politics, and post-zero implications of net zero emissions. What does net zero actually mean, when did the concept enter our vocabulary, and why is reaching it so urgent? From the cumulative effect of atmospheric carbon to the role of natural sinks like forests and the Southern Ocean, the episode builds a grounded understanding of what we're working towards, and how far away we remain.

The conversation then turns to what happens beyond net zero: a world that is in many ways still getting worse even after emissions balance out. The guests explain the concept of overshoot - why we'll likely exceed 1.5°C of warming before potentially coming back down - and walk through what we know, and what we urgently don't, about a post-net zero climate. Andrew's research reveals that the Southern Hemisphere, and Australia in particular, faces a harder trajectory than the Northern Hemisphere due to ocean thermal inertia. Aditya's PhD work on the El Niño-Southern Oscillation shows that whatever changes we've already driven in ENSO variability will be locked in once emissions stop, for centuries.

So turn on a fan and buckle up as Totally Cooked looks into a warming world and what net zero really looks like as we tangle with 1.5°C and beyond.

Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals.

Join hosts&nbsp;<a href="https://www.21centuryweather.org.au/profile/sarah-kirkpatrick">Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick</a> and <a href="https://www.21centuryweather.org.au/profile/iain-strachan">Iain Strachan</a> as they welcome <a href="https://findanexpert.unimelb.edu.au/profile/690702-andrew-king">Associate Professor Andrew King</a> and <a href="https://21centuryweather.org.au/profile/aditya-sengupta/">PhD candidate Aditya Sengupta</a> for a deep dive into the science, politics, and post-zero implications of net zero emissions. What does net zero actually mean, when did the concept enter our vocabulary, and why is reaching it so urgent? From the cumulative effect of atmospheric carbon to the role of natural sinks like forests and the Southern Ocean, the episode builds a grounded understanding of what we're working towards, and how far away we remain.
The conversation then turns to what happens beyond net zero: a world that is in many ways still getting worse even after emissions balance out. The guests explain the concept of overshoot - why we'll likely exceed 1.5&deg;C of warming before potentially coming back down - and walk through what we know, and what we urgently don't, about a post-net zero climate. Andrew's research reveals that the Southern Hemisphere, and Australia in particular, faces a harder trajectory than the Northern Hemisphere due to ocean thermal inertia. Aditya's PhD work on the El Ni&ntilde;o-Southern Oscillation shows that whatever changes we've already driven in ENSO variability will be locked in once emissions stop, for centuries.
So turn on a fan and buckle up as Totally Cooked looks into a warming world and what net zero really looks like as we tangle with 1.5&deg;C and beyond.
Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals.

What is net zero, and what happens when we get there?

Help to shape how we share our weather and climate research.

At 21st Century Weather, we’re always looking for ways to make our research more accessible, relevant and engaging.

We’re inviting you to take part in a short audience survey to help us understand how people interact with our content, and how we can improve.

By completing the survey, you can enter the draw to win limited edition 21st Century Weather-branded merchandise.

Your input will help us:
Improve how we communicate weather and climate research
Create content that is more useful and engaging
Better connect with our diverse audiences, from researchers to the broader community

Whether you regularly follow our work or have only recently come across us, your perspective is valuable.

About the survey
Takes 2–3 minutes to complete
Covers your awareness of 21st Century Weather and our content
Explores how you prefer to engage with research and science communication

Your response will be used to inform future content, events and campaigns.

Take the survey

To complete the survey, please go to: https://bit.ly/21stCenturyWeatherSurvey

Prize draw (optional)

As a thank you for your time, you can choose to enter a prize draw to win limited edition 21st Century Weather merchandise.

To enter, you’ll be asked to provide your name and email address. This information will only be used for the purpose of administering the prize draw and will remain confidential, accessible only to our small operations team.

Take part in a focus group (optional)

We’re also inviting interested participants to take part in an online focus group later this year.

This session will give you the opportunity to share more detailed feedback and help shape how we communicate our research and engage with our audiences.

If you’d like to be considered, you can indicate your interest at the end of the survey and provide your contact details. All participants selected for the focus group will receive 21st Century Weather merchandise as a thank you for their time.

Participation is entirely optional, and your details will only be used by our team to follow up about the focus group.

Help to shape how we share our weather and climate research.
At 21st Century Weather, we&rsquo;re always looking for ways to make our research more accessible, relevant and engaging.
We&rsquo;re inviting you to take part in a short audience survey to help us understand how people interact with our content, and how we can improve.
By completing the survey, you can enter the draw to win limited edition 21st Century Weather-branded merchandise.
<hr>
Your input will help us:
<ul>
<li>Improve how we communicate weather and climate research</li>
<li>Create content that is more useful and engaging</li>
<li>Better connect with our diverse audiences, from researchers to the broader community</li>
</ul>
Whether you regularly follow our work or have only recently come across us, your perspective is valuable.
<hr>
About the survey
<ul>
<li>Takes 2&ndash;3 minutes to complete</li>
<li>Covers your awareness of 21st Century Weather and our content</li>
<li>Explores how you prefer to engage with research and science communication</li>
</ul>
Your response will be used to inform future content, events and campaigns.
<hr>
Take the survey
To complete the survey, please go to:&nbsp;<a href="https://bit.ly/21stCenturyWeatherSurvey"></a><a href="https://bit.ly/21stCenturyWeatherSurvey">https://bit.ly/21stCenturyWeatherSurvey</a>
<hr>
Prize draw (optional)
As a thank you for your time, you can choose to enter a prize draw to win limited edition 21st Century Weather merchandise.
To enter, you&rsquo;ll be asked to provide your name and email address. This information will only be used for the purpose of administering the prize draw and will remain confidential, accessible only to our small operations team.
Take part in a focus group (optional)
We&rsquo;re also inviting interested participants to take part in an online focus group later this year.
This session will give you the opportunity to share more detailed feedback and help shape how we communicate our research and engage with our audiences.
If you&rsquo;d like to be considered, you can indicate your interest at the end of the survey and provide your contact details. All participants selected for the focus group will receive 21st Century Weather merchandise as a thank you for their time.
Participation is entirely optional, and your details will only be used by our team to follow up about the focus group.

Your chance to win 21st Century Weather merchandise

In this Totally Cooked episode, Sarah and Iain talk with Professor Lesley Hughes, exploring the concept of biodiversity—what it means, why it matters, and how it connects all life on Earth, from genes to ecosystems. They cover how climate change is accelerating biodiversity loss, particularly in Australia, and the real-world consequences this has for ecosystems, communities, and the economy. 

Lesley shares insights from her career in climate science and public advocacy, including her role in the Climate Council and the political challenges surrounding climate communication in Australia. The episode also unpacks how scientists engage with the public and policymakers, and the importance of clear, accessible communication in driving action. Ultimately, it’s a story about resilience, evidence-based advocacy, and how climate scientists have navigated political resistance to keep critical conversations alive. 

Whether you want to start your own climate change organisation, learn how one of Australia's best functions, or just love successful women in STEM, this episode is for you. 

Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals.

In this Totally Cooked episode, Sarah and Iain talk with Professor Lesley Hughes, exploring the concept of biodiversity&mdash;what it means, why it matters, and how it connects all life on Earth, from genes to ecosystems. They cover how climate change is accelerating biodiversity loss, particularly in Australia, and the real-world consequences this has for ecosystems, communities, and the economy. Lesley shares insights from her career in climate science and public advocacy, including her role in the Climate Council and the political challenges surrounding climate communication in Australia. The episode also unpacks how scientists engage with the public and policymakers, and the importance of clear, accessible communication in driving action. Ultimately, it&rsquo;s a story about resilience, evidence-based advocacy, and how climate scientists have navigated political resistance to keep critical conversations alive. Whether you want to start your own climate change organisation, learn how one of Australia's best functions, or just love successful women in STEM, this episode is for you. Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals.

Meet the next generation of climate scientists

In 1 playlist(s)

Totally Cooked: The Climate & Weather Podcast

Social links

Follow podcast

Recent clips