Guest: Dr. Josh Kastman

When you think about Amazon, you probably picture two-day shipping, Prime Video, or that familiar brown package on your doorstep. But behind the scenes, the company has to navigate one force that doesn’t follow a schedule: the weather. From hurricanes threatening delivery routes to heat waves impacting worker safety, weather impacts nearly every aspect of Amazon’s operations. And at the center of it all is Dr. Josh Kastman, Amazon’s Chief Meteorologist. Today, we’ll explore how one of the world’s biggest companies forecasts, prepares for, and adapts to the atmosphere’s every move.

Chapters

1. 00:00 The Role of Weather in Amazon's Operations
2. 02:56 Josh Kastman's Journey to Meteorology
3. 05:52 A Day in the Life of Amazon's Chief Meteorologist
4. 09:03 Safety First: Preparing for Severe Weather
5. 12:03 Communicating Weather Risks Effectively
6. 14:21 Break 1
7. 14:53 Forecasting Tools and AI in Meteorology
8. 18:08 Community Engagement and Disaster Relief
9. 21:02 The Importance of Communication in Forecasting
10. 22:41 Break 2
11. 22:42 Lessons from the Private Sector
12. 27:07 Global Weather Challenges and Solutions
13. 29:55 The Excitement of Meteorology in the Private Sector
14. 32:57 Advice for Future Meteorologists

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Guest: Alan Gerard

From tornado outbreaks to hurricane landfalls, few have had a front-row seat to as many high-impact weather events as Alan Gerard. After decades of service with NOAA and the National Weather Service, Alan now brings his expertise to the public through Balanced Weather, a Substack dedicated to delivering clear, measured, and science-driven weather insights. In this episode, we’ll talk with Alan about the biggest changes he’s seen in forecasting, the challenges of communicating severe weather without hype, and why independent weather voices are more important than ever. Whether you’re a Weather Geek or just someone who wants to better understand the skies above, this conversation will offer a rare look at the intersection of science, communication, and public trust…

Chapters

1. 00:00 Introduction to Alan Gerard and His Journey in Meteorology
2. 05:20 Evolution of NOAA and National Weather Service
3. 12:43 The Birth of Balanced Weather and Its Mission
4. 23:21 Challenges in Modern Weather Forecasting
5. 31:15 The Role of Independent Weather Voices
6. 33:43 Future Aspirations for Balanced Weather

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Guest: Dr. Rachel Muncrief

When we think about tackling climate change, it’s easy to picture solar panels and wind farms. But there’s another piece of the puzzle that impacts us all, every single day: how we get from point A to point B. Transportation accounts for a major share of global greenhouse gas emissions, but it’s also an area of rapid innovation and urgent opportunity. From cleaner fuels in shipping lanes to electric trucks on highways, the road to a stable climate runs straight through the way we travel and transport goods. Today on Weather Geeks, we’re joined by Dr. Rachel Muncrief from The International Council on Clean Transportation, which is an organization leading the charge to transform global transportation systems with science-backed policy and practical solutions. We’ll talk about where progress is being made, what challenges remain, and why rethinking transportation is critical for a climate-resilient future. Let’s hit the road!

Chapters

1. 00:00 The Role of Transportation in Climate Change
2. 14:57 Electrification of Vehicles: Opportunities and Challenges
3. 29:54 Decarbonizing Shipping and Aviation
4. 42:11 Equity in Clean Transportation

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