Teach Me About the Great Lakes
Education & Explainer
About
A monthly podcast in which Stuart Carlton (a native New Orleanian) asks smart people to teach him about the Great Lakes. Co-hosted by the awesome staff at Illinois-Indiana Sea Grant.
Episodes
- The Lowest of the Low Tier
Stuart speaks with Glenn Evans, professor of graphic design, about The Great Lakes Avengers and Point Pelee National Park.
- The Plants Are It
This episode of Teach Me About the Great Lakes features Janice Gilbert discussing the ecological importance of native aquatic plants and the challenges posed by invasive common reeds.
- The Mighty Mac
Stuart and Megan interviewed Kim Nowack, Bridge Director of the Mackinac Bridge Authority, to discuss the Mighty Mac, a 5-mile bridge connecting Michigan's upper and lower peninsulas.
- The Air Can Change Everything
Eric Anderson from the Colorado School of Mines joins the show to discuss Great Lakes ice coverage, the significance of weather conditions, and basic ice calculations.
- Re-air: A Bizarrely Average Year
This episode features James Kessler of NOAA's Great Lakes Environmental Research Lab discussing lake ice coverage, spaghetti diagrams, and preparations for ice hockey. The conversation was originally aired around Groundhog Day.
- I'm Drinking Fish
John Schmidt, program manager of the Great Lakes St. Lawrence Governors and Premiers' 100% Great Lakes Fish Initiative, joins hosts Stuart, Megan, and Natty. The discussion covers the initiative and explores different beverages.
- Making Museums Happen
Stuart and Megan talk with Bill Pringle from the Detroit Historical Society and Dossin Great Lakes Museum.
- The 2025 Lakies
The 2025 Lakies is an annual awards show for the Teach Me About the Great Lakes podcast. No show notes were provided to avoid spoilers.
- Push Their Nose Upstream
This episode features a discussion on fish passage projects with Jeff Tyson from the Great Lakes Fishery Commission. Topics include the impact of these projects on fish, as well as mentions of bears and salmon.
- The Season of Giving 2025
Teach Me About the Great Lakes highlights nonprofits active in the Great Lakes region. This episode features guests from the Great Lakes PFAS Action Network and Save the Dunes, discussing their work on PFAS contamination and conservation.
- It’s in the Collaboration and Connection
This episode covers the establishment of the Lake Superior National Marine Conservation Area with Michael Gemmell from Parks Canada. It also includes a correction regarding Ashley Eaton's affiliation with Lake Champlain Sea Grant and menti…
- The Lakehouse of Terror IV
Teach Me About the Great Lakes presents its fourth annual Halloween special, titled 'The Lakehouse of Terror IV'.
- They Just Kind of Spray Things
Dana Castle discusses anglers in the St. Clair-Detroit River System, the significance of creel surveys, and restoration initiatives. The conversation also touches on non-breakfast donuts.
- Spoiler Alert: This is Not Fine
Experts El Lower, Katie O'Reilly, and Brian Roth discuss aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes on Teach Me About the Great Lakes. They cover species like marbled crayfish, black carp, quagga mussels, and starry stonewort, along with…
- Standing on a Groin
Drs. Sarah Peterson and Hillary Glandon join hosts Stuart and Megan to discuss coastal resilience in southern Lake Michigan, covering topics related to coastal engineering and ecosystem specialization.
- Physical Intricacies of Water
This episode features Dr. Jay Austin discussing lake stratification and its specific application to the Great Lakes. The conversation covers how the Great Lakes differ in stratification and mentions winter thermal structure.
- They Got Along Just Fine Without Pottery
Stuart and Carolyn talk with Dr. Susan Kooiman about Indigenous agriculture in the Great Lakes region. They also discuss what studying the past can teach us about the present, and the process of extracting nut lipids.
- Rerun: There's a Little Bit of Poo
Dr. Chris Winslow was honored with a major award at the International Association for Great Lakes Research conference. This episode is a rerun of a September 2022 conversation discussing Lake Erie, poo, and Stone Lab, recorded in Cleveland…
- A Size-Based Contaminant
This episode examines microplastic pollution in the Great Lakes, defining microplastics from 5mm to 1 micron and identifying sources such as nurdles, tire wear, and synthetic fibers. Experts from the IJC and universities discuss the need f…
- A News-Packed Episode
A News-Packed Episode of Teach Me About the Great Lakes. New episodes are expected soon. The episode description links to external content about geese and mussels.
- A Dr Fish Emergency!
This episode discusses a giant sturgeon attacking a mermaid in China, river dolphins spraying water, and a sturgeon in Black Lake, Michigan.
- The Consequences of Our Own Actions
Environmental journalist Kelly House discusses her work, the importance of journalism, and her outlook on the future of her profession and the natural world. She grew up with newspapers and spent time outdoors in Michigan.
- It Is Coming from the Pipes
Jill Ryan and Ann Baughman of Freshwater Future count down the top five threats to drinking water, based on their work with communities toward cleaner, safer drinking water.
- All of the Gauges We Have
Dr. Drew Gronewold joins Teach Me About the Great Lakes to discuss the Global Center for Climate Change and Transboundary Waters and the value of data regarding the Great Lakes.
- Massive Piles of Petroleum Coke
Michael Hawthorne, an environmental reporter for the Chicago Tribune, joins hosts Stuart and Megan to discuss various environmental issues affecting the Great Lakes, such as drinking water, PFAS, petroleum coke, and microplastics. The conv…
- Christmas Tree Wreck
Host Stuart is joined by Stephanie Gandulla and Kevin Cullen to discuss Great Lakes shipwrecks, including the Christmas Tree Wreck. The episode features the debut of a new shipwreck ballad.
- Why Don't You Do Stories like This More Often?
Dave Spratt of the Institute for Journalism and Natural Resources trains journalists covering the Great Lakes. Lester Graham, an award-winning environmental reporter, is featured.
- Diner Tuna is the Best Tuna
On the Teach Me About the Great Lakes podcast, Sarah Zack joined hosts Stuart and Renie to discuss microplastics, PFAS, and tuna melts.
- An Era of Body Snatching
In this episode of Teach Me About the Great Lakes, hosts Stuart and Renie interview Judith Neulander about her book on Great Lakes folklore. They explore how folklore reflects culture, whether it continues to be created, and the topic of b…
- Surf the Underwater Waterfall
This episode features Professor Bopi Biddanda discussing underwater sinkholes in the Great Lakes with hosts Stuart and Carolyn.
- Ask Dr Fish: They're Cool Brook Trout
This episode of Teach Me About the Great Lakes features "Drs Fish" discussing coaster brook trout, teenage orcas, and spawning fish. It also includes the Ask Dr. Fish Challenge.
- The Great Lakes Hotdog
The podcast features Dr. Trevor Pitcher discussing the Detroit River, the status of sturgeon, and the concept of gobydogs. The episode was recorded live at the Kildare House in Windsor, ON, during the IAGLR conference.
- They Eat It, They Excrete It
This episode features Dr. Jon Midwood of Fisheries and Oceans Canada discussing the presence and study of invasive goldfish in the Great Lakes. The conversation addresses methods for controlling goldfish populations and mitigating their ef…
- Most of My Babies Are Buoys
In this episode, hosts Stuart and Carolyn discuss real-time data observation methods for the Great Lakes with Katelynn Johnson of RAEON and Jessie Grow of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee School of Freshwater Sciences. They cover a ra…
- Ask Dr Fish: Reach in, Grab a Snack
In this episode of Teach Me About the Great Lakes, hosts and producers ask Dr. Fish about seasonal changes and pregnant stingrays. The episode covers various topics with input from Dr. Fish.
- This Kringle Situation
On this episode of "Teach Me About the Great Lakes," Dr. Fish joins to address past errors, and the show covers Great Lakes News updates. Additionally, Tim Campbell shares an experience eating something unusual at a baseball game. Show lin…
- Whose Sewage Was Whose?
Stuart and Renie host Peter Annin, author of The Great Lakes Water Wars, to discuss sewage and water resource issues in the Great Lakes region.
- Ask Dr Fish: The Great Lakes Are My Aquarium
This episode of Teach Me About the Great Lakes features a Q&A with "Drs. Fish" covering topics such as fish cannibalism and the process of becoming a "Dr. Fish."
- The 2023 Lakies
The 2023 Lakies awards show, hosted by Stuart Carlton and Megan Gunn, is presented late this year. A complete list of winners can be found in the provided Google Doc.
- Yikes! Audio!
An announcement about a technical audio issue with episode 91 of Teach Me About the Great Lakes, advising listeners to re-download the episode.
- A Generational Opportunity
Stuart and Megan talk with Dr. Mike Shriberg about a significant opportunity to train stewards for the Great Lakes in the 21st century. The discussion covers why this moment is important for the region's future.
- I Ask for Broader Shoulders
Heather Stirratt, Director of the International Joint Commission's Great Lakes Regional Office, joins Stuart and Megan to discuss the Triennial Assessment of Progress Report on Great Lakes Water Quality. The conversation highlights the imp…
- Ask Dr Fish: Feast of the Seven Fishmases
Drs. Fish discuss cisco spawning, trading mackerel in prison, and more during their Fishmas celebration. The episode includes the Ask Dr. Fish challenge and Game of the Month. Recorded live in December 2023.
- A Really Nice Thickness of Cheese
El Lower discusses aquatic invasive species in the Great Lakes with hosts Stuart, Carolyn, and Megan at the Great Lakes Sea Grant Network Meeting. They cover the importance of language choices when discussing AIS and explore reasons for op…
- The Lakehouse of Terror III
This is the third annual Halloween special episode of Teach Me About the Great Lakes.
- Ask Dr Fish: You Won't Want to Eat a Zombie Salmon
This episode of Teach Me About the Great Lakes discusses fish that can see with their skin, the presence of Smallmouth Bass in the Colorado River, and the release of Lake Sturgeon into the Saginaw Bay watershed as part of a restoration pro…
- Great Lakes Champions
John Hartig, Visiting Scholar at the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research, is interviewed by Stuart and Megan about his book 'Great Lakes Champions'. The episode highlights Hartig's optimistic perspective on the Great Lakes.
- Different Polymer Backbones
Eden Hataley is interviewed by Stuart about managing microplastics in the Great Lakes, discussing their potential classification as a Chemical of Mutual Concern and their historical use in toothpaste. The episode references two parts of a…
- Biomagnifying in the Food Chain
Dr. Daniele Miranda explains how PFAS enter the Lake Michigan food chain and biomagnify. The episode also features a hermit crab update from correspondent Hope Charters.
- The Inland Seas
Stuart and Renie rode the S/V Inland Seas and spoke with members of the Inland Seas Education Association. They discussed the association's educational work concerning the Great Lakes and different roles of people aboard a boat.