What if science didn't have to feel like science class?

Maynard Okereke — better known as Hip Hop Science — has built an audience of more than 100,000 followers by blending science with entertainment, pop culture and curiosity.

But before Hip Hop Science, Maynard was a civil engineer who also happened to be a hip-hop artist and performer — two sides of himself he once felt he had to keep separate. Eventually, he stopped trying to fit into one box and built a career that brought them together.

In this episode of Atmosphere, Maynard talks with meteorologist Emily Gracey about making the leap from engineering to entertainment, how Hip Hop Science grew from a sketch comedy idea into a platform for science communication, and the work that goes into making complicated science accurate, accessible and fun.

They also dig into a bigger question: kids are naturally curious about science, so why does that curiosity so often fade as they get older? Maynard shares why representation and confidence matter, why science and creativity aren't opposites, and why we might want to stop asking kids what they want to be when they grow up — and start asking what problems they want to solve.

Plus, wildlife, quantum computing, the Amazon rainforest, wrestling, Shark Tank — and how to turn doom scrolling into learn scrolling.

Links:

HipHopScienceShow.com

Hip Hop Science on Instagram

Dr. Dakotah Tyler

Justin Shaifer aka Mr. Fascinate

Dr. Alex Dainis

What if the biggest obstacle to tackling climate change isn’t finding the solutions... but actually using them?

Dr. Jonathan Foley, climate scientist and Executive Director of Project Drawdown, joins Atmosphere for a candid conversation about where we really stand on climate change, the solutions already within reach, and why he has little patience for the idea that our individual actions don’t matter.

We talk about the growing pull of climate doomerism, why Foley believes both despair and blind optimism can get in the way of progress, and what it means to choose action when there’s no guarantee of success.

Jonathan also shares his own path from atmospheric science to becoming one of the world’s most highly cited environmental scientists and an award-winning science communicator, plus what Project Drawdown is doing to make climate science and solutions easier for all of us to understand.

This isn’t a conversation about pretending everything is going to be okay. It’s about recognizing what we already know, what we can already do, and deciding what comes next.

Links Mentioned in this Episode:

Project Drawdown

Join the Shift

Hope in the Dark, Rebecca Solnit

Fork Ranger on Instagram

The Garbage Queen on Instagram

Simon Clark on YouTube

Halfway through the 2026 Atlantic hurricane season, the biggest story may be what hasn’t happened. The Atlantic has been exceptionally quiet — but does that mean we can relax?

Hurricane expert Michael Lowry joins Atmosphere to explain what’s behind the unusual season, what he’s watching as we head into the fall, and why the Gulf could still play an important role.

Michael also shares the fascinating path that has taken him from the National Hurricane Center and FEMA to The Weather Channel and South Florida television. We talk about how hurricane forecasting and communication have changed, the growing role of AI, and why he believes authenticity still matters in a world of algorithms and clickbait.

And Michael opens up about the very personal reason he draws a firm line between hurricane season and family life — and why stepping away from the weather is essential to doing his job well.

Links:

Michael's Substack

Atmosphere Substack