Catastrophe!
Catastrophes are part of life, but many of the worst are the direct result of human error. Whether it’s poor planning, design flaws, or simply greed or hubris, we are often our own worst enemy.
Join volcanologist Jess Phoenix as she explores the stories of natural disaster, failure, and calamity, and what we learn from our fascination with digging through the rubble.
- Update frequency
- every 18 days
- Average duration
- 36 minutes
- Episodes
- 13
- Years Active
- 2019 - 2020
Can of Worms
How do we evaluate if something rises up to a catastrophe? In this mini catastrophe, co-host Carlos Phoenix and Emilie Fournier explore computer security and threats to our global infrastructure. Th…
Raving Mad
How do we evaluate if something rises up to a catastrophe? This mini catastrophe explores rabies and whether its impact to humans and our pets rises to a level of catastrophe.
In this mini catastroph…
No Prospect of an End
The second half of our season finale on climate change. It's the single greatest threat in our lifetime. It's the catastrophic global Dust Bowl of the 21st century and beyond. We answer listener ques…
No Vestige of a Beginning
Climate change is the single greatest threat in our lifetime. It's the catastrophic global Dust Bowl of the 21st century and beyond. Cutting through the jargon and myths is essential if we want to st…
Alpha & Omega
In the late 1980s, oil and gas production were common in the North Sea, off the coast of Scotland. Rig workers were accustomed to long hours in harsh conditions, but nothing could have prepared the m…
Do No Harm
The Tuskegee Syphilis Experiment was a 40-year lesson in how not to conduct medical research on human subjects. Sadly, it wasn't the only episode where the United States and its government researcher…
De Havilland's Comet
Air travel has been a dream of humanity since our earliest ancestors gazed up to the heavens longingly. From a relatively earthbound species just a little over 100 years ago, to thousands of airliner…
Lions & Tigers & Bears
Species have evolved, flourished, and died off for eons. It's only within the last few millennia, however, that humans have been responsible for wiping entire species off the face of the planet.
The …
Guns, God, and the United States Government
In 1993, a fringe religious group with an apocalyptic belief system and a charismatic leader who abused children and called himself the Son of God put the town of Waco, Texas on the map for horrific …
Eternal, Infernal Flame
A devastating underground fire deep within the coal deposits of Pennsylvania has been burning for 57 years. Started by accident, it grew into a monstrosity that drove an entire town into oblivion.
T…
The Fault In The Food
In the summer of 1971, the Middle East was hit with a devastating drought. In an effort to provide its people with food, the Iraqi government purchased 95,000 tonnes of grain from North America. Desp…
Mulholland's Mistake
William Mulholland was an almost legendary figure in American engineering, with a career spanning 40-plus years. He was responsible for bringing water to the thirsty young metropolis of Los Angeles.
…
Horseshoe Nail
Catastrophes are part of life, but many of the worst are the direct result of human error. Whether it’s poor planning, design flaws, or simply greed or hubris, we are often our own worst enemy.
Join …