Totally Cooked: Episode 8 – What does it take to become a climate scientist?

In Part 2 of this special Totally Cooked episode, the next generation of climate and weather scientists share more of their stories, and spring a few surprises on your hosts, Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan. We open with one of Wil Laura’s unforgettable tales from growing up in Peru.

From there, the conversation explores the pathways that brought Wil, Rachael Isphording, and Bethan White into climate research. Rachael recounts a journey through meteorology, NASA internships, and early-career challenges before landing in Australia to pursue more climate science. Along the way, the team unpacks the realities of imposter syndrome, the importance of mentors, and the persistence and good fortune required to break into elite scientific research.

Finally, the discussion turns to the future, both for climate and weather science as a field, and for the young scientists themselves. How can research better serve communities, adapt to climate change, and stay optimistic in the face of denial and delay? Our guests share their hopes for more interdisciplinary, collaborative, and inclusive science in the decades ahead.

And we close with one more dramatic tale from Wil’s eventful time in the crib. If you missed Part 1, catch up with the previous episode here.

Show Notes

In this episode, we look at:

• Wil’s infamous frog and snakes stories
• Rachael’s zigzagging career path through meteorology, NASA, and climate science
• The role of luck, timing, and gut instinct in academic careers
• Imposter syndrome in science and how early-career researchers navigate it
• Frustrations with climate denial and political inaction, and why the science keeps going
• The future of weather and climate research: local-scale impacts, open science, and interdisciplinarity
• How young scientists stay motivated, curious, and collaborative despite challenges

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Timestamps

00:00 – Frogs, Snakes, and Childhood in Peru
Wil kicks things off with the long-promised frog story.

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02:53 – Pathways into Climate Science
Rachael shares her academic journey from meteorology undergrad to NASA internships and eventually a PhD in climate science.

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09:49 – Luck, Timing, and Gut Instinct
The team reflects on how chance opportunities (and knowing when to change course) shape careers in science.

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10:46 – Surprises About Climate Research
Bethan and others discuss what people outside the field might not realize about weather and climate science, from international collaboration to open data.

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12:37 – Challenges and Imposter Syndrome
The conversation turns to the pressures of early research careers, the reality of imposter syndrome, and how scientists support each other.

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19:46 – Climate Denial and Public Perception
How does it feel to work on climate change when powerful voices deny the science? Guests share frustrations and ways to stay positive.

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25:18 – The Future of Climate and Weather Science
From local-scale modelling to interdisciplinary collaboration, the panel looks ahead to the next big challenges and opportunities.

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30:24 – Final Snake Story and Closing Thoughts
Wil ends with the tale of a snake in the bedroom, and the team wraps up with hopes for the next generation of climate science.

Further Reading

Han, H., & Ahn, S. W. (2020). Youth mobilization to stop global climate change: Narratives and impact. Sustainability, 12(10), 4127. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12104127

IPCC. (2021). Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis. Contribution of Working Group I to the Sixth Assessment Report of the IPCC. Cambridge University Press. https://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar6/wg1/

National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine. (2021). Next Generation Earth Systems Science at the National Science Foundation. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. https://doi.org/10.17226/26042

Prein, A. F., et al. (2017). Challenges and advances in convection-permitting climate modeling. Bulletin of the American Meteorological Society, 98(5), 1027–1030. https://doi.org/10.1175/BAMS-D-16-0263.1

Ridder, N. N., et al. (2020). Global hotspots for compound heat and humidity extremes. Environmental Research Letters, 15(11), 114036. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41467-020-19639-3

Zscheischler, J., Westra, S., van den Hurk, B. J. J. M., Seneviratne, S. I., Ward, P. J., Pitman, A., Aghakouchak, A., et al. (2018). Future climate risk from compound events. Nature Climate Change, 8, 469–477. https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-018-0156-3

Why listen to Totally Cooked?

Because it’s time to feel empowered, not overwhelmed. Totally Cooked is a science-backed, straight-talking podcast about weather, climate change, and what it all means for life on Earth – especially here in Australia.

Hosted by climate scientist Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and science communicator Iain Strachan, Totally Cooked breaks down how human activity is changing the Earth’s systems—from our skies to our seas—and what we can do about it.

From greenhouse gases to fire weather, supercomputers to Antarctic ice cores, this is climate science without the jargon, and where no subject is too complex or controversial.

Totally Cooked is for anyone who wants to understand the science of climate change—without needing a PhD. Whether you’re a high school student, policy maker, journalist, teacher, concerned citizen or just a little climate-curious, this podcast will give you the tools to think clearly and act confidently.

• Cut through the noise with clear, honest science.
• Understand the why behind climate change;
• Learn how climate change impacts real-world weather;
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