Scientista

Weather forecasting is more accurate than ever—and at the same time, getting harder. In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, we sit down with Ginger Zee, Chief Meteorologist at ABC News, to go inside how forecasting actually works—and why it’s becoming more complex. From storm chasing to live national broadcasts, Ginger explains how meteorologists translate raw data into decisions people rely on every day. We talk about what extreme weather is—and isn’t—telling us, why trust in science has...

What happens when a song written decades ago suddenly feels like it was written for today? In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, Monica Medina and Sweta Chakraborty sit down with singer and interpretive artist Maxine Linehan to talk about music, meaning, and timing. The conversation centers on her stripped-down reinterpretation of Sunday Bloody Sunday—and why its lyrics are resonating in a new way right now. They explore how songs evolve across time, the role artists play in shaping how ...

What does it mean to defend science in Washington? On this episode of the Scientista Podcast, Monica Medina and Dr. Sweta Chakraborty sit down with Gretchen Goldman, President and CEO of the Union of Concerned Scientists. Goldman has spent her career working at the intersection of science, policy, and public accountability—ensuring that evidence informs the decisions that shape people’s lives. In this conversation, they discuss the role scientists play in protecting democracy, the pressures f...

In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina speak with ecologist Marielle Anzelone and urban forester Georgia Silvera Seamans about the overlooked biodiversity of New York City. As leaders of the New York City Biodiversity Task Force and co-authors of Oaks, Our City and Us, they discuss how native plants, wildlife, and neighborhood green spaces support both urban ecosystems and mental health. From monarch butterflies to piping plovers, this conversation ...

What happens when 1.6 million moms decide clean air is non-negotiable? In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, we speak with Dominique Browning, founder of Moms Clean Air Force, about building one of the most powerful parent-led environmental movements in the country. From fighting methane pollution and plastic burning to defending the Clean Air Act, Dominique explains why protecting children’s health should be Mompartisan — beyond politics. We talk about how moms have become some of the m...

Fear has dominated the way we talk about climate change for decades. But fear doesn’t motivate most people to act—it overwhelms them. In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina are joined by Anne-Therese Gennari, known as the Climate Optimist, for a conversation about why fear-based climate messaging fails—and what works instead. Drawing on behavioral science and lived experience, we talk about how motherhood reshapes the way people think about risk, respon...

In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, hosts Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina reflect on their journey with Scientista, discussing their vision for empowering women in science and the importance of community support. They share personal stories, insights from their favorite guests, and outline future initiatives aimed at fostering inclusivity and leadership among women in STEM fields. The conversation emphasizes the need for allies and the significance of building a supportive netw...

Abby Hopper spent nearly a decade leading the solar industry’s most influential advocacy organization — and now, she’s stepping into a new chapter. In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, Dr. Sweta Chakraborty sit down with Abby to reflect on her path from big-law attorney to clean-energy leader, and the turning points that reshaped her career along the way. She shares how becoming a mother of three young kids forced a major pivot, what she learned about navigating demanding industries as ...

In this episode, Dr. Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina sit down with Dr. M. Sanjayan—ecologist, award-winning storyteller, and former CEO of Conservation International—for a conversation about what it takes to lead in one of the toughest, most important sectors on earth. Sanjayan reflects on a childhood spent exploring the forests of Sierra Leone, the scientific rigor that shaped his career, and the mentors who opened doors when traditional pathways were limited. He also gives straight talk...

“AI will tell you to walk across the English Channel… it’s not intelligent. It is pattern recognition.” NRDC Chief Science Officer Dr. Ticora Jones joins the Scientista Podcast for one of our most candid conversations yet. Dr. Jones talks about what AI really is (and isn’t), the collapse of USAID under Trump’s second term, why global development work depends on genuine collaboration—not American saviorism—and how she helps her own organization slow down and learn together instead of getting s...

National security isn’t just about borders and threats—it’s about how we prepare, respond, and rebuild. CNN analyst and Harvard professor Juliette Kayyem joins Monica Medina and Dr. Sweta Chakraborty to talk about women in crisis leadership, why “less bad” is a winning strategy, and what every family should know about the “72 on you” rule for disaster preparedness. From political violence to parenting in the age of disinformation, Kayyem brings clarity—and calm—to a world that feels anything ...

Clean energy is winning on technology—but losing the story. Jigar Shah tells Sweta Chakraborty and Monica Medina why solar, wind, and EVs need the swagger (and budget) of a “Got Milk?” campaign. From plug-in hybrids to nuclear power, he explains how better narratives—and a billion-dollar confidence boost—can keep the transition moving forward. Thank you for listening! Learn more about Scientista here: www.scientista.world

What does it take to manage a presidential campaign? In this episode of the Scientista Podcast, we sit down with Julie Chávez Rodriguez, who served as campaign manager for Vice President Kamala Harris. Julie takes us inside one of the most intense races in U.S. history—sharing how she prepared Harris for a defining debate stage moment, built a staff of thousands across battleground states, and navigated the unique challenges women face in leadership. She also reflects on her family legacy as ...