Deep-dive conversations where a working scientist unpacks how we know what we know, one paper, or whimsical detour at a time.

I am Dr. Jeffrey Zurek, a volcanologist and geophysicist. I was that "strange kid" who, from a young age, wanted to poke lava with a stick. I followed that curiosity through a BSc and into the mining industry, collecting geophysical data across the Canadian Arctic. I eventually leveraged that experience to volunteer with the Hawaiian Volcano Observatory, which solidified my path toward a PhD and a career deciphering the plumbing systems of volcanoes.

However, Whimsical Wavelengths isn't just about the data; it’s about breaking down the walls of the "ivory tower." Science is often portrayed as something belonging to the elite or the government, but in reality, it is a human endeavor. It is a task done by people, for people. My podcast puts science front and center—going deep into the weeds of peer-reviewed research—but we do so to reconnect that knowledge back to the human experience.

I explore the research process not as a cold, clinical routine, but as a story of persistence and social impact. Whether I am discussing the chemistry of a magma chamber or the socio-economic determinants of health, the goal is to show that science is a collective tool for understanding our world and ourselves.

Our listeners are those who crave depth without gatekeeping. They are science enthusiasts and curious minds who want to see the face behind the research. We bridge the gap between complex science and the community, proving that even the most technical science is, at its heart, a deeply human story.
 

To podcast or not to podcast was never really the question—I have always listened to far too many of them. The real shift happened when I transitioned from academia to industry. I found I needed a way to stay deeply connected to scientific discourse while satisfying a growing need for a creative outlet. I wanted to tell scientific stories that didn't just "paper over" the difficult parts. While the podcast sphere has plenty of pop science, I set out to create the science equivalent of long-form journalism or a deep-dive history series. I wanted to go into the complex, "hard" explanations that other shows often skip.

My initial goals were simple: I wanted to build a show people would actually listen to. While my "why" was strong from the beginning, my specific goals were fuzzy. As the saying goes, a PhD mostly teaches you how little you actually know, and that applies to the podcasting world as well. I didn’t know what was feasible, only that I was in it for the long haul. Today, my primary goal is to reach Season 20. I am currently finishing Season 2, and that long-term vision keeps me focused on quality over quick wins.

The idea for the show began to brew during the pandemic, but professional obligations kept it on the shelf. I finally committed and released the first episode on September 16, 2024. It took time to bridge the gap between "having an idea" and "producing a show," but starting on my birthday was the ultimate gift to myself. Since then, I’ve operated as an army of one—handling everything from the technical geophysics of the sound to the storytelling in the scripts.
 

I am "indie to the bone." Because I maintain a professional career as a Geoscientist, the podcast is entirely self-funded. While I am conscious of the financial costs of hosting and equipment, the most significant investment is, without a doubt, time.

Operating as an "army of one" means balancing the rigors of a professional designation with the creative demands of a high-depth show. To ensure I never have to "paper over" the science, I release episodes every two weeks. A weekly schedule simply wouldn’t allow for the level of research and technical precision I require.

The production time varies significantly depending on the format. An interview episode generally requires about 10 hours of focused labor—covering everything from the initial literature review and scriptwriting to the recording, editing, and SEO. I find this time in the margins of my day, often dedicating 30 to 45 minutes every morning to keep the momentum going.

Solo episodes are a different beast entirely. Because these are deep-dives into complex topics where I am the primary guide, they can take anywhere from 25 to 100 hours to develop over the course of a month or more. While I rely on the brilliance of my guests for interviews, the solo episodes are where I roll up my sleeves and do the heavy lifting to connect the research back to the community. Funding this myself ensures I have total creative control—science by a person, for the people.
 

I don’t have any sponsors. The show is entirely self-funded, which is a choice that allows me to focus on the research without worrying about the "side-hustle" aspect of podcasting. If a sponsor came along that truly fit the show’s niche, I’d be open to it, but for now, I’m not chasing it.

The real benefit for me is the access and the learning. Podcasting gives me a professional excuse to cold-email the smartest people in their fields and ask them questions for an hour. It’s essentially a way to keep my brain sharp while transitioning from academia to industry. Every interview is a masterclass in a new topic, from vaccination logic to CO2 emissions.

Beyond education, it’s a creative challenge. Translating a dense, peer-reviewed paper into a story that a curious non-expert can enjoy is a skill I’m constantly trying to refine. It keeps me connected to the wider scientific community and ensures that even while I'm working in industry, I'm still contributing to the public understanding of science as a human endeavor.
 

My process is built on the "Army of One" model. I handle every stage of production myself, which requires a mix of standard audio tools and modern AI assistance. For recording, I use Riverside to ensure high-quality local tracks from guests, and I do all my editing in Audacity. Because I am a solo creator, I leverage AI tools for generating show notes, optimizing SEO, and as a sounding board for "bouncing" ideas. While the goal is to connect science back to humans, the irony of using AI to help tell those human stories isn't lost on me—it’s a necessary teammate when you're a team of one.

Preparation is the most labor-intensive part of the show. I start by doing a deep dive into the guest’s research or the specific topic at hand. I then draft a "show blueprint" rather than a rigid script. This allows for a natural conversation while ensuring we hit the essential technical milestones. My goal is to know enough to follow the guest into the weeds, but also to catch jargon in real-time so I can ask for a translation that keeps the episode accessible for the listener.

Finding guests is a mix of professional networking and following the research. I keep a close eye on new publications and often reach out to authors whose work has a significant, under-discussed social impact. Most interviews are conducted remotely via Riverside, which allows me to connect with scientists globally while maintaining the audio fidelity my listeners expect.
 

I am a scientist, not a marketer! That is one of the many things a PhD definitely did not prepare me for. For the longest time, my marketing strategy was simply "still learning." However, I’ve approached growth the same way I approach research: through experimentation and incremental branching out.

My listeners thus far have primarily found the show via Apple Podcasts and Spotify. To support growth, I maintain a presence on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and Bluesky. I’ve experimented with social media ads to varying degrees of success, but I find that the most meaningful growth comes from building real-world connections.

One experiment is a monthly volunteer science column I write for my local paper. It allows me to establish authority and reach a community that might not otherwise stumble across a science podcast. I am also a big proponent of digital discovery; I utilize SEO tools and JSON-LD schema on my website to ensure that when people search for specific scientific topics, they find the show directly.

My advice for other "non-marketers" is to play the long game. Don't feel like you have to be a social media influencer overnight. Marketing isn't just about ads; it's about finding the community your research was meant for in the first place.
 

I would never dissuade someone from starting a podcast, but I would caution them to ensure their "why" is rock solid. Most people who start will eventually give up; industry stats often suggest that only a tiny fraction of shows make it past the 20- or 25-episode mark. If you are in it for quick fame or easy revenue, the "Army of One" workload will burn you out quickly. You have to be in it for the long haul.

One thing that wasn't obvious to me beforehand is that your podcast is essentially a research project that never ends. My advice is to find a topic that you are genuinely curious about—not just something you know, but something you want to keep learning. That curiosity is the fuel that gets you through the 100-hour solo episode edits and the technical hurdles.

In terms of resources, I recommend leaning into the community rather than just the tech. I've found that following the "meta" of the industry through platforms like Listen Notes (for guest research) and PodNews is vital. Also, don't sleep on the power of SEO. As a scientist, I treated my show's growth like a data problem—using tools to track keywords and implementing JSON-LD schema on my site.

Finally, embrace the "PhD humility." Accept that you won't know everything on day one. Your first ten episodes are your "undergrad"—they are where you learn how to find your voice. By the time you hit Season 20, you’ll have built something truly meaningful. Iron out your "why" early, and the "how" will follow.
 

The best place to start is the official home of the show, where you can find show notes, research links, and more:
Official Website: whimsicalwavelengths.com

You can also follow the journey and the "Army of One" behind-the-scenes updates across these platforms:

Social Media: You can find me on LinkedIn for professional updates, and on Bluesky, Instagram, and Facebook for show announcements and scientific deep-dives.
https://www.facebook.com/WhimsicalWavelengths
https://www.instagram.com/whimsical.wavelengths/
https://bsky.app/profile/whimsicallambda.bsky.social
https://www.linkedin.com/company/whimsical-wavelengths
Professional Profiles: For those interested in the academic side of the house, you can find my research history on Google Scholar or via my ORCID profile.
https://scholar.google.com/citations?user=nzcrPGkAAAAJ&hl=en
Digital Directories: The show is also listed on IMDb for a look at our episode history and production.

If you are interested in collaborating or have a research story that needs to be told, feel free to reach out via the contact form on the website. I’m always looking for the next deep dive into the human side of science.