H2O and Beyond

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, we explore the story of Tulare Lake — once the largest freshwater lake west of the Mississippi — and one of the most overlooked water systems in the United States. Joined by experts from the Tulare Basin Watershed Partnership, we dive into the history, science, and complexity of a lake that doesn’t behave like most others. Unlike permanent lakes, Tulare Lake has...

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by historian Dr. Sarah Cameron to unpack the story of the Aral Sea — one of the greatest environmental catastrophes of the 20th century. How did a massive inland sea in Central Asia nearly disappear? What role did Soviet cotton production play? And what happens to communities when an entire ecosystem collapses? We dive into the Cold War politics behind...

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Morgan Shimabuku from the Pacific Institute to break down how water becomes a trigger, casualty, and weapon in conflict. We explore what actually qualifies as a water conflict, why the term “water wars” can be misleading, and what global data reveals about where and how these conflicts are increasing. We discuss real-world examples from around the g...

In this Episode of H2O and Beyond, I'm joined by Mr. Regan Kwan, a research analyst from the Stimson Center as we talk about the unregulated rare earth mines of Southeast Asia. Rare earth elements are crucial to modern life. They’re in our phones, computers, electric vehicles, and renewable energy technologies. But the environmental cost of extracting them is often paid far from where these te...

For thousands of years, Pacific Island communities survived rising seas, volcanic eruptions, tsunamis, and storms—without satellites, sensors, or climate models. In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I speak with Patrick Nunn, a geologist who has spent more than three decades working with Pacific Island communities, learning how traditional knowledge preserved real environmental history—and how colon...

What happens when the people responsible for protecting public health become the ones doing the harm? In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Dr. Marc Edwards, a Virginia Tech professor who was named to TIME’s 2016 TIME 100 for his role in helping expose the Flint water crisis. But this conversation goes far beyond Flint. Dr. Edwards breaks down how the Washington D.C. lead crisis unfolde...

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Ian Giancarlo, Oceans Advocate at Environment Oregon, to break down what’s really happening to salmon in the Pacific Northwest—and why dams on rivers like the Columbia and Snake are at the center of the crisis. For thousands of years, salmon have made one of the most demanding migrations on Earth. From the Pacific Ocean, they swim hundreds—sometimes...

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Dr. Kevin Perry from the University of Utah to uncover the science behind one of the most urgent environmental issues in the American West: the shrinking Great Salt Lake and the dust it’s leaving behind. Dr. Perry spent years studying the exposed lakebed — even biking more than 2,300 miles around it — to map where dust originates and what’s actually...

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Dr. Michael McKibben from UC Riverside to explore and learn more about lithium, its environmental impacts, and the future of the lithium market in the US. Traditional lithium extraction is very harmful to the environment. In the case of the salars in South America, they pump brine from underground into these large ponds where the sun evaporates and...

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Dr. Mia Maltz, a professor of microbial biology and soil health from the University of Connecticut to discuss the health effects of the Salton Sea. The Salton Sea is California's largest lake. But the area surrounding it has some of the highest rates of pediatric asthma in the country. Why is that? The lake is currently shrinking, and the lakebe...

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Brian Eyler, Director of the Energy, Water & Sustainability Program at The Stimson Center, to explore one of the most important rivers in the world: the Mekong. Over 70 million people rely on this river for food, income, and transportation — but its future is changing fast. From hydropower dams and rare earth mining, to flood pulse disruption an...

Did you know that sea otters were almost hunted to extinction for their fur? In this Episode of H2O and Beyond, I'm joined by Mr. Ian Giancarlo from Environment Oregon to discuss the importance of Sea Otters in the ecosystem! We'll talk about the history of sea otters, the exact role they play in maintaining kelp forests, what threats they face today, and future plans to help stabilize the...

In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I'm joined by Ms. Cassandra VanDyne from California State Parks to learn about the Salton Sea. It was once a desert oasis! Millions would flock here in the 1960s and 70s to swim, fish, boat, and even hold speedboat competitions! However, once a desert paradise, it's turned into a public health and ecological disaster. All the fish inside have died out through mas...

Did you know that it only takes less than 1/20th of an inch of rain in New York City to overwhelm the sewer system and cause raw sewage to flow out into the surrounding bodies of water? In this episode of H2O and Beyond, we dive into the hidden power of stormwater - something many of us at home never think about. We'll discuss how cities are combating CSO's, or Combined Sewer Overflows. We...

The Great Salt Lake is the largest endorheic in the Western Hemisphere - but it's dying fast. Join Mr. Micah Safsten, the Great Salt Lake Water Coordinator for the State of Utah as we uncover the story behind the lake. We'll talk about the important ecosystem and industry it supports - like sea monkeys and brine flies! We'll also discuss the causes and effects of declining water levels...

Will Texas survive long enough to surpass its 200th birthday? In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I'm joined by Mr. Jeremy Mazur from Texas 2036 - a nonpartisan, nonprofit organization that uses data to draft effective policies regarding Texas’s future. Don’t worry if you know nothing about public policy - We’ll walk you through all the jargon that commonly confuses people. By the end of the episod...

In this Episode of H2O and Beyond, I'm joined by Dr. Kathryn Sorensen from the Kyl Center for Water Policy at ASU to discuss Arizona's fight for water! We'll discuss some of the most pressing issues happening to the state, such as its worst drought in over 1200 years, an influx of new residents, and a need to shift away from groundwater. We'll even discuss the logistics of how semi...

TIMESTAMPS BELOW 👇 In this Episode of H2O and Beyond, join Mr. Dick Lanyon, former executive director of the Chicago MWRD, as we talk about how Chicago managed to reverse the flow of its river! In the mid-late 1800s, the Chicago River, heavily polluted with human waste, flowed into Lake Michigan, the only water source for residents at the time. Waste began to accumulate in Lake Michigan, and so E...

TIMESTAMPS BELOW 👇 In this Episode of H2O and Beyond, I'm joined by Mr. Michael Turco from the Harris-Galveston Subsidence District. We'll discuss the subsidence, or sinking, that's happening in Houston as a result of excessive groundwater withdrawal, methods of data collection, and what can be done to slow down and prevent further sinking! 0:00 Intro 2:08 What is Subsidence? 8:20 Sub...

TIMESTAMPS BELOW 👇 In this episode of H2O and Beyond, I’m joined by Bronson Mack from the Southern Nevada Water Authority to explore how Las Vegas became one of the most water-efficient cities in the world. From turf removal programs to water police, Las Vegas has turned its desert location into a model of conservation. 0:00 Intro 1:44 About the SNWA5:50 Where does Las Vegas get its water from? 7...

TIMESTAMPS BELOW 👇 In this Episode of H2O and Beyond, we dive into the ins-and-outs of the Colorado River. We'll talk about the laws that govern it, the crisis that's happening to it right now, and much more - including who gets their water cut off first if the situation escalates. 0:00 Intro 3:41 What makes the Colorado River so important? 5:45 Colorado River Compact and the laws surrounding the...

TIMESTAMPS BELOW 👇 In this episode of H2O and Beyond, we dive into the hidden world of water leaks — a costly problem that wastes billions of gallons every year. We’ll uncover how aging infrastructure, environmental factors, and unnoticed drips add up to massive losses. From cutting-edge detection technology to simple prevention tips, learn how communities are fighting back to save water and mone...

TIMESTAMPS BELOW 👇 In this Episode of H2O and Beyond, we head to the world-famous research and innovation hub known as the Water Tower located in Buford , Georgia. We explore how this facility is transforming the future of water through research, technology, and workforce development . 0:00 Intro 1:30 What is the Water Tower? 3:55 Demo areas 6:30 Research at the Water Tower 9:12 Surprising discov...

In this episode of H2O and Beyond , we head to Orange County California — home to one of the world’s most largest and most advanced water potable reuse systems called the Groundwater Replenishment System (GWRS). Join me as I explore how wastewater is transformed into clean, safe drinking water to be injected into their aquifers. We'll break down the science of potable reuse, take a look at how Ora...

What happens after you flush? In this episode of H2O and Beyond, we go deep inside the Stickney Water Reclamation Plant—the largest wastewater treatment facility on Earth—serving millions across Chicago every day. From massive aeration tanks to advanced biosolid recovery, we break down how this engineering marvel treats over 1.4 billion gallons of wastewater daily. With Stickney's large size,...