Christopher Reddy's guest appearances

Christopher Reddy

Getting Work To Work

Behavioral Grooves Podcast

Leonard Lopate at Large on WBAI Radio in New York

OwlTail

Between disinformation and misinformation, it’s difficult to know what and who to trust, especially during a crisis. When disaster does strike, it is critical that scientific information is communicated clearly. Oceanographer Christopher Reddy discusses his experiences relaying vital information during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010.   Scientists are bathing in uncertainty. It is the basis of their work. As Chris says “if I’m certain about something, I’m not going to research it.” But during a disaster, people crave answers, not a comprehensive research paper published 5 years after the event! So a huge challenge for scientists is how to communicate effectively to both the media, the public and all of the stakeholders involved in disaster relief.    In this episode, we’ve reached outside of our traditional box of guests and are talking with a sharp, witty and very informative scientist, Christopher Reddy. Chris is a chemist, but for reasons he explains in the podcast, he most often refers to himself as an oceanographer. He is a leader in the study of marine pollution and the development of environmentally friendly industrial chemicals and works as a senior scientist in the Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry at Woods Hole Oceanographic.    When the Deepwater Horizon oil spill disaster struck in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, Chris was one of the sets of boots on the ground, leading the field operations. His expertise in the science of oil spills meant he was thrust into a public facing role which later got him personally entangled in the BP legal case surrounding the liability for the spill. He’s written about this experience in his new book, Science Communication in a Crisis: An Insider’s Guide.   We love bringing you interesting and funny conversations from people like Chris. If you would like to support our work, please share this episode on social media, write a review on your app or become a Behavioral Grooves Patreon member.   Topics  (3:57) Welcome and speed round questions. (7:57) How communicating can make you a better scientist. (13:02) Who are the most important stakeholders in the communication process? (16:16) Mistrust in science is a big challenge. (18:04) How to communicate uncertainty. (22:32) Public statements have real world consequences. (25:33) Why you shouldn’t start a conversation with your PhD qualifications! (30:18) The hardest part of the Deepwater Horizon disaster for Chris. (35:05) Clair Patterson’s impact on the world. (39:11) Advice on how to become a science communicator. (40:46) Why Chris can’t listen to music. (46:19) Grooving Session with Kurt and Tim on communicating.   © 2023 Behavioral Grooves   Links  Chris’ book: Science Communication in a Crisis: An Insider’s Guide: https://amzn.to/3rfrKan  Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_Horizon  Clair Patterson: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clair_Cameron_Patterson  Clair Patterson, the Hero Who Got the Lead Out of Gasoline: https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/science/environment/clair-patterson-got-lead-out-of-gasoline/  Freddie Mercury: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Mercury  Larry Bird: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Bird  Behavioral Grooves Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves    Musical Links  Queen “We are the Champions”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04854XqcfCY  Queen “We will Rock You”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tJYN-eG1zk  Queen “Bohemian Rhapsody”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ 

Between disinformation and misinformation, it’s difficult to know what and who to trust, especially during a crisis. When disaster does strike, it is critical that scientific information is communicated clearly. Oceanographer Christopher Reddy discusses his experiences relaying vital information during the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. Scientists are bathing in uncertainty. It is the basis of their work. As Chris says “if I’m certain about something, I’m not going to research it.” But during a disaster, people crave answers, not a comprehensive research paper published 5 years after the event! So a huge challenge for scientists is how to communicate effectively to both the media, the public and all of the stakeholders involved in disaster relief.  In this episode, we’ve reached outside of our traditional box of guests and are talking with a sharp, witty and very informative scientist, Christopher Reddy. Chris is a chemist, but for reasons he explains in the podcast, he most often refers to himself as an oceanographer. He is a leader in the study of marine pollution and the development of environmentally friendly industrial chemicals and works as a senior scientist in the Department of Marine Chemistry and Geochemistry at Woods Hole Oceanographic.  When the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_Horizon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Deepwater Horizon</a> oil spill disaster struck in the Gulf of Mexico in 2010, Chris was one of the sets of boots on the ground, leading the field operations. His expertise in the science of oil spills meant he was thrust into a public facing role which later got him personally entangled in the BP legal case surrounding the liability for the spill. He’s written about this experience in his new book, <a href="https://amzn.to/3rfrKan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Science Communication in a Crisis: An Insider’s Guide</a>. We love bringing you interesting and funny conversations from people like Chris. If you would like to support our work, please share this episode on social media, write a review on your app or become a <a href="https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Behavioral Grooves Patreon member</a>. Topics  (3:57) Welcome and speed round questions. (7:57) How communicating can make you a better scientist. (13:02) Who are the most important stakeholders in the communication process? (16:16) Mistrust in science is a big challenge. (18:04) How to communicate uncertainty. (22:32) Public statements have real world consequences. (25:33) Why you shouldn’t start a conversation with your PhD qualifications! (30:18) The hardest part of the Deepwater Horizon disaster for Chris. (35:05) Clair Patterson’s impact on the world. (39:11) Advice on how to become a science communicator. (40:46) Why Chris can’t listen to music. (46:19) Grooving Session with Kurt and Tim on communicating. © 2023 Behavioral Grooves Links  Chris’ book: Science Communication in a Crisis: An Insider’s Guide: <a href="https://amzn.to/3rfrKan" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://amzn.to/3rfrKan</a> Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_Horizon" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deepwater_Horizon</a> Clair Patterson: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clair_Cameron_Patterson" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clair_Cameron_Patterson</a> Clair Patterson, the Hero Who Got the Lead Out of Gasoline: <a href="https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/science/environment/clair-patterson-got-lead-out-of-gasoline/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.bbvaopenmind.com/en/science/environment/clair-patterson-got-lead-out-of-gasoline/</a> Freddie Mercury: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Mercury" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freddie_Mercury</a> Larry Bird: <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Bird" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larry_Bird</a> Behavioral Grooves Patreon: <a href="https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.patreon.com/behavioralgrooves</a> Musical Links  Queen “We are the Champions”: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04854XqcfCY" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=04854XqcfCY</a> Queen “We will Rock You”: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tJYN-eG1zk" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-tJYN-eG1zk</a> Queen “Bohemian Rhapsody”: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJ9rUzIMcZQ</a>

People Want Answers: How to Communicate in a Crisis with Christopher Reddy

Today’s guest is curious about everything and often asks, “Why is that, that way?” Throughout his career as a scientist and chemist, Christopher Reddy has found a way to channel his curiosity into action as he studies marine pollution. In this conversation, Chris explains how science actually works over long stretches of time and the role uncertainty plays in the work. We talk about how Star Trek and Carl Sagan’s work inspired his scientific career, effective tools for science communication, the importance of building local relationships, and the profound events that change our lives. Throughout the conversation, we discuss Chris’s book, Science Communication in a Crisis: An Insider’s Guide. Not only is it effective at explaining the why and how of science communication, I believe it is an excellent resource for any creative professional who wants to learn better ways to communicate what they do. Show Links  Science Communication in a Crisis: An Insider’s Guide by Christopher Reddy Christopher M. Reddy Chris Reddy Lab at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institutions Carl Sagan on Wikipedia Judy Blume Forever (2023) Christopher Pitts The Last Man Who Knew Everything: The Life and Times of Enrico Fermi, Father of the Nuclear Age by David N. Schwartz Midjourney prompt for episode art: birds eye view of the ocean, storm, cinematic lighting –v 5.1 –stylize 1000 –ar 16:9

Today’s guest is curious about everything and often asks, “Why is that, that way?” Throughout his career as a scientist and chemist, Christopher Reddy has found a way to channel his curiosity into action as he studies marine pollution. In this conversation, Chris explains how science actually works over long stretches of time and the role uncertainty plays in the work. We talk about how Star Trek and Carl Sagan’s work inspired his scientific career, effective tools for science communication, the importance of building local relationships, and the profound events that change our lives. Throughout the conversation, we discuss Chris’s book, Science Communication in a Crisis: An Insider’s Guide. Not only is it effective at explaining the why and how of science communication, I believe it is an excellent resource for any creative professional who wants to learn better ways to communicate what they do. <h2>Show Links</h2> <ul> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Science-Communication-Crisis-Christopher-Reddy/dp/1032377801" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Science Communication in a Crisis: An Insider’s Guide</a> by Christopher Reddy</li> <li><a href="https://christopherreddy.com" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Christopher M. Reddy</a></li> <li><a href="https://www2.whoi.edu/site/chrisreddylab/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chris Reddy Lab</a> at Woods Hole Oceanographic Institutions</li> <li><a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carl_Sagan" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Carl Sagan on Wikipedia</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.imdb.com/title/tt18787516/" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Judy Blume Forever (2023)</a></li> <li><a href="https://christopherpitts.net" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">Christopher Pitts</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-Man-Who-Knew-Everything/dp/0465072925" rel="noreferrer noopener nofollow" target="_blank">The Last Man Who Knew Everything: The Life and Times of Enrico Fermi, Father of the Nuclear Age</a> by David N. Schwartz</li> <li>Midjourney prompt for episode art: birds eye view of the ocean, storm, cinematic lighting –v 5.1 –stylize 1000 –ar 16:9</li></ul>

“Science: The Infinite Candy Store” with Christopher Reddy (GWTW692)

If a scientist’s goal is to deliver content and expertise to the people who need it, then other stakeholder groups―the media, the government, industry―need to be considered as partners to collaborate with in order to solve problems. Written by established scientist Christopher Reddy, who has been on the front lines of several environmental crisis events his new book - Communicating Science in a Crisis - highlights ten specific challenges and reflects on mistakes made and lessons learned. Reddy’s aim is not to teach scientists how to ace an interview or craft a soundbite, rather, through exploring several high-profile case studies, including the North Cape oil spill, Deepwater Horizon, and the 2021 Sri Lanka shipping disaster, he presents a clear pathway to effective and collaborative communication.

If a scientist’s goal is to deliver content and expertise to the people who need it, then other stakeholder groups―the media, the government, industry―need to be considered as partners to collaborate with in order to solve problems. Written by established scientist Christopher Reddy, who has been on the front lines of several environmental crisis events his new book - Communicating Science in a Crisis - highlights ten specific challenges and reflects on mistakes made and lessons learned. Reddy’s aim is not to teach scientists how to ace an interview or craft a soundbite, rather, through exploring several high-profile case studies, including the North Cape oil spill, Deepwater Horizon, and the 2021 Sri Lanka shipping disaster, he presents a clear pathway to effective and collaborative communication.