What does it take to become a climate & weather scientist?

What does it take to become a climate & weather scientist?

Author: ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather August 28, 2025 Duration: 34:14

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. We open with one of Wil’s unforgettable tales from growing up in Peru.

From there, the conversation explores the pathways that brought Wil, Rachael, and Bethan 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.

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Ever feel like the weather forecast is just the opening act for a much bigger, more urgent story? That’s the space where Totally Cooked: The Climate & Weather Podcast lives. Guided by Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, a climate scientist who studies extreme heat, and Iain Strachan, a journalist who translates complex science, this conversation pulls apart the daily headlines and the long-term trends. They connect the dots between a specific storm, a record-breaking heatwave, and the broader shifts in our global climate system. The discussion isn’t just about melting ice caps far away; it’s about what changing weather patterns mean for health, fitness, and daily life, particularly in the Australian context where the effects are often felt first and hardest. This podcast from the ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather moves beyond alarmism into grounded, evidence-based exploration. You’ll hear clear explanations of the physical mechanisms driving our weather, frank assessments of risks, and thoughtful conversations about adaptation, all delivered with a relatable dynamic and the occasional necessary dash of dark humour. It’s for anyone who wants to move past the soundbites and understand the real-world implications of a planet that’s, well, totally cooked.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 35

Totally Cooked: The Climate & Weather Podcast
Podcast Episodes
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Trailer [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:42
The Climate & Weather Podcast invites listeners behind the scenes of climate science to explore the big questions shaping our future. Hosted by Professor of Climate Science Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and science communica…