Water Talk is a new podcast from the University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources about all things California Water hosted by Drs. Mallika Nocco, Faith Kearns, and Sam Sandoval
Drs. Mallika Nocco, Faith Kearns, Sam Sandoval
The Water Talk podcast is a refreshing and necessary addition to the conversation surrounding California's water issues. In an arena where a few dominant voices tend to monopolize discussions, this podcast brings to light important perspectives that are often marginalized. The show fills an essential role in broadening the conversation and including diverse viewpoints that are crucial in finding holistic solutions for our state's water challenges.
One of the best aspects of The Water Talk podcast is its ability to amplify voices that are often overlooked in mainstream media coverage. It provides a platform for individuals and communities who have firsthand experiences and valuable insights regarding California's water issues but are typically left out of the public discourse. By sharing their stories, struggles, and solutions, this podcast helps to shed light on the complexities of water management and ensure that all stakeholders have a say in shaping our collective future.
Another commendable aspect of this podcast is its commitment to participatory engagement. Listeners have the opportunity to join in on live recordings, adding an interactive dimension to the show. This creates a unique space for audience members to ask questions, share their own experiences, and engage directly with experts and guests. Such participatory endeavors foster a sense of community involvement and demonstrate that everyone has a role to play in addressing California's water challenges.
However, it should be noted that The Water Talk podcast may potentially lack balance in its selection of guests or topics discussed. While it aims to include diverse perspectives, there might still be room for improvement in ensuring equal representation across different interest groups or communities affected by water issues. Striving for even greater inclusivity would enhance the credibility and impact of this podcast while fostering an environment conducive to productive dialogue.
In conclusion, The Water Talk podcast is an excellent resource for anyone interested in gaining deeper insights into California's complex water issues. By amplifying marginalized voices and embracing interactive participation from listeners, this show broadens the conversation surrounding water management while actively involving individuals who can contribute unique perspectives. While the podcast could benefit from further diversifying its guest lineup, it remains a valuable and necessary platform for fostering understanding, collaboration, and ultimately, effective solutions for California's water challenges.
Welcome back to the fifth season of Water Talk! Cohosts Drs. Mallika Nocco, Faith Kearns, and Sam Sandoval talk about some big changes and updates for Season 5. Released August 16, 2024
A conversation with Laurel Firestone (State Water Resources Control Board) about water governance, leadership, and policy implementation in CA. Released June 2, 2023.
A conversation with Dr. Safeeq Khan (UC Merced) about the Sierra Nevada Snowpack, snow-vegetation-fire interactions, and snow futures. Released May 19, 2023.
A conversation with Dr. Brittani Orona (San Diego State University) about visual sovereignty, Indigenous history, artistry, and advocacy on waters. Released May 12, 2023.
A conversation with Dr. Daniel O'Connell (Central Valley Partnership) about land, water, and community development in the CA Central Valley. Released May 5, 2023.
A conversation with Dr. Sharon Megdal (University of Arizona) about water governance in AZ and CA, recharge, transboundary aquifers, and science diplomacy. Released April 28, 2023.
A conversation with farmer and author David 'Mas' Masumoto about peaches, regenerative practices, soil, water, and intergenerational histories in the CA Central Valley. Rereleased April 20, 2023 with original recordings from October 2020.
A conversation with Dr. Traci Brynne Voyles (University of Oklahoma) about the environmental history of The Salton Sea as well as current and future challenges. Released April 14, 2023.
A conversation with Claire Bjork (Central Coast Regional Water Board) about groundwater nitrogen policy, water quality compliance, and the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program. Released April 7, 2023
A conversation with Nayamin Martinez (Central California Environmental Justice Network) about environmental public health issues and activism in the San Joaquin Valley. Released March 24, 2023.
A conversation with Dr. Katerina Gonzales (EPA Climate Adaptation Advisor) and Dr. Daniel Swain (UCLA) about atmospheric rivers, climate extremes and futures, and climate science communication. Rereleased March 17, 2023 with original recordings from June 30, 2020.
A conversation with Dr. Greg Pierce (UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation) about the Human Right to Water, the housing-water-fire nexus, wastewater equity, and green infrastructure. Released March 10, 2023.
A conversation with Leticia Gonzales (District 4 Supervisor, Madera County) and Victor Griego (Water Education for Latino Leaders) about representation in water governance, service through leadership, and action-oriented education for elected officials. Released March 3, 2023.
A conversation with UCCE Viticulture Advisor Dr. Chris Chen (Sonoma, Lake, Mendocino Counties) and soil scientist Noelymar Gonzalez-Maldonado (UC Davis) about regenerative viticulture, soils, and climate resilience in vineyards. Released February 24, 2023.
A conversation with historian Varsha Venkatasubramanian (UC Berkeley) about the history of dams in the Western United States and the world as it relates to foreign policy, policy history, and environmental movements. Released February 17, 2023.
A conversation with Drs. Sam Sandoval, Faith Kearns, and Mallika Nocco about the 2023 Water Year so far, weather whiplash, and what it means for California agriculture and communities. Released February 10, 2023.
A conversation with Erica Gies (Author, Reporter, National Geographic Explorer) about water detectives, slowing down the movement of water, controlling water, and giving water space. Released May 6, 2022.
A conversation with Dr. Michelle Leinfelder-Miles (University of California Cooperative Extension Delta Crops Resource Management Advisor) about different types of crops, soils, salinity, and water management in the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta region. Released April 29, 2022.
A conversation with Ian James (Los Angeles Times) about water journalism in the Western United States, developing stories, journalistic roles, sourcing data, and reporting on contentious water issues. Released April 22, 2022.
A conversation with Mark Battany (University of California Cooperative Extension Water Management and Biometeorology Advisor) about viticulture, water use, fog, salinity, and water use for frost protection in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara Counties. Released April 15, 2022.
A conversation with Dr. Michael Méndez (UC Irvine) about climate-induced disasters, planning, responses, and justice in the Los Angeles area. Released April 8, 2022.
A conversation with Dr. Beth Rose Middleton Manning (UC Davis) about water rights, hydroelectric infrastructure, easements, and conservation in California. Released April 1, 2022.
A conversation with Dr. Arturo Ramírez-Valdez (UC San Diego Scripps Institution of Oceanography & Universidad Autonoma de Baja California) about the iconic Pacific kelp forests, international management efforts, marine protected areas, giant sea bass, and coastal ecosystems. Released March 18, 2022.
A conversation with Joaquin Esquivel (CA State Water Resources Control Board) about intergenerational systems, water histories, and the future of CA water governance. Released March 11, 2022.
A conversation with Dr. Alyssa DeVincentis (Vitidore) and Dr. Ellen Bruno (UC Berkeley) about the costs and benefits of cover crops, SGMA, and drought resilience. Released March 4, 2022.
A conversation with Dr. Asmeret Asefaw Berhe (UC Merced) about soil degradation & water quality, political conflicts, climate solutions, and the politics of geoscience. Released February 25, 2022.
A conversation with Dr. Marisa Escobar (Stockholm Environmental Institute) and Dr. Belize Lane (Utah State University) about different California river ‘personalities', how flowing water creates and sustains habitat, and flow diversions for cannabis cultivation. Released February 18, 2022.
A conversation with Dr. Faith Kearns about science communication around contentious issues, approaches for supporting science communicators, and relationships between water scientists and the public. Released February 11, 2022.
Welcome back to the third season of Water Talk, a University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources podcast about all things California Water hosted by Drs. Mallika Nocco, Faith Kearns, and Sam Sandoval!
A conversation with Felicia Marcus (Stanford University) about facilitation, coalition building, innovation, and community partnerships in California. Released June 25, 2021
A conversation with Felicia Marcus about community organizing, emergency response systems, and drought in California. Released June 18, 2021
A conversation with Dr. Joan Dudney (UC Davis) about drought, disease, and pest interactions on forest communities in California's Sierra Nevada. Released June 11, 2021
A conversation with Dr. Angel Fernandez-Bou (UC Merced) and Dr. Jose Pablo Ortize Partida (Union of Concerned Scientists) about water equity issues and opportunities for improvement in California's changing climate. Released June 4, 2021
A conversation with Glenn McGourty (University of California Cooperative Extension Viticulture & Plant Science Advisor Emeritus) about grape water use, wine production, and dryland viticulture in Mendocino and Lake Counties. Released May 28, 2021. Transcript and resources available at: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-22
A conversation with Janet Hartin (University of California Cooperative Extension Area Environmental Horticultural Advisor and Director for San Bernadino & Los Angeles Counties) and Dr. Amir Haghverdi (Assistant Cooperative Extension Professor of Water Management at University of California, Riverside) about watering turf grass, trees, and other urban vegetation as well as drought strategies. Released May 21, 2020. Transcript and resources available at: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-21
A conversation with Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy (Humboldt State University) about land and water use futures, decolonization, and communities in California (Part 2/2). Released May 14, 2021. Transcript and resources available at: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-20
A conversation with Dr. Cutcha Risling Baldy (Humboldt State University) about land and water use futures, decolonization, and communities in California (Part 1/2). Released May 7, 2021. Transcript and resources available here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-19
A conversation with Dr. Erik Porse (Sacramento State University & UCLA Institute of the Environment) about urban water resources, energy, conservation, and engineering economics in California. Released April 30, 2021. Find the transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-18
A conversation with researchers Darcy Bostic (Pacific Institute) and Kristin Dobbin (UC Davis) about the legislated human right to drinking water, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, sustainability, and participation in California. Find the transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-17
A conversation with University of California Desert Research & Extension Center Director Dr. Jairo Diaz about agriculture across the California/Mexico/Arizona Borderlands irrigated by Colorado River waters. Released April 16, 2021. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-16
A conversation with University of California Cooperative Extension Advisor Laura Snell about her work studying the lives of wild horses and water in Modoc County, CA as well as strategies for managing wild horses . Released April 9, 2021. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-15
A conversation with farmer and author David 'Mas' Masumoto about peaches, organic practices, soil, water, and histories in the CA Central Valley. Released April 2, 2021. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-14
Welcome back to the second season of Water Talk, a University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources podcast about all things California Water hosted by Drs. Mallika Nocco, Faith Kearns, and Sam Sandoval!
A conversation with UC Davis doctoral researchers Linda Estelí Méndez Barrientos and Jess Rudnick about water governance, institutional reforms, equity, justice, and participation in California. Note: The CA Water Code referenced in this episode is § 10721, (j). Recorded July 7, 2020.
A conversation with Stanford doctoral researcher Katerina Gonzales and UCLA climate scientist Dr. Daniel Swain about atmospheric rivers, climate extremes and futures, and climate science communication. Recorded June 30, 2020. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-04-yzjkt
A conversation with Dr. Doug Parker about climate-smart agriculture, nitrogen & water management, the paradox of irrigation efficiency, and the current/future role of CA extension in water policy and management. Recorded June 23, 2020. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-07-s3bx3-7dgap-lx2f7
A conversation with Dr. Ruth Dahlquist-Willard about crops, irrigation, drought, groundwater management, and water policy on diverse small farms in the CA Central Valley. Recorded June 16, 2020. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-07-s3bx3-7dgap
A conversation with California State University-Chico Professor Don Hankins about his work integrating ecohydrology with Indigenous water and fire management practices and policy. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-07-s3bx3
A conversation with California State University-Channel Islands Professor Emily Fairfax about her work studying the lives of beavers and their impacts on droughts, fires, and water quality as well as some strategies for beaver management. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-07
A conversation with University of California Davis School of Law Professor Karrigan Börk about the CA Water Rights, the Sustainable Groundwater Management Act, drinking water, and federal vs. CA controls over water. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-06
A conversation with University of California Cooperative Extension Sustainable Food Systems advisors for Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, Drs. Rachel Surls and Rose Hayden-Smith about the victory garden movement, urban farming, community gardens, the Master Gardener program, and drought strategies for those interested in growing food. Recorded May 12, 2020. Find the episode transcript here: https://www.watertalkpodcast.com/episodes/episode-05
© 2020-2025 Ivy Podcast Discovery LLC
