TopPodcast.com
Menu
  • Home
  • Top Charts
  • Top Networks
  • Top Apps
  • Top Independents
  • Top Podfluencers
  • Top Picks
    • Top Business Podcasts
    • Top True Crime Podcasts
    • Top Finance Podcasts
    • Top Comedy Podcasts
    • Top Music Podcasts
    • Top Womens Podcasts
    • Top Kids Podcasts
    • Top Sports Podcasts
    • Top News Podcasts
    • Top Tech Podcasts
    • Top Crypto Podcasts
    • Top Entrepreneurial Podcasts
    • Top Fantasy Sports Podcasts
    • Top Political Podcasts
    • Top Science Podcasts
    • Top Self Help Podcasts
    • Top Sports Betting Podcasts
    • Top Stocks Podcasts
  • Podcast News
  • About Us
  • Podcast Advertising
  • Contact
Not in our directory?
Add Show Here
Podcast Equipment
Center

toppodcastlogoOur TOPPODCAST Picks

  • Comedy
  • Crypto
  • Sports
  • News
  • Politics
  • True Crime
  • Business
  • Finance

Follow Us

toppodcastlogoStay Connected

    View Top 200 Chart
    Back to Rankings Page
    Earth Sciences

    Electric Futures

    Featured by the LA Times, La Opinión, and NPR! Electric Futures is an award-winning podcast series from the University of Southern California exploring lesser-known stories of the energy transition, from the perspectives of the people most impacted by the changes that transition will bring. In Season 3, former USC Provost and current professor Charles Zukoski explores how the demand for AI is altering the fabric of not only California’s Imperial Valley but of communities across the country.

    Advertise

    Copyright: © University of Southern California

    • Apple Podcasts
    • Google Play
    • Spotify
    Latest Episodes:
    Lithium Valley | Episode 1: The White Gold Rush Jan 24, 2024
    Show notes

    We’ll get to know Imperial Valley, an area that is home to nearly 180,000 people located in Southeastern California, 200 miles from USC. This community is located at the heart of the Lithium boom. Some have referred to this as a white gold rush because of the enormous demand for lithium as a major component in the batteries that power electric vehicles and so much else in our everyday lives.

    Change is coming to Imperial Valley and its communities. But given this industrialization, can the Valley continue as the massive producer for the agricultural products that feeds the world?

    This Southern California county with sky high unemployment rates and with 17% of citizens living below the poverty line is about to be the center of a billion-dollar business boom…but at what cost?

    Episode transcripts in English and in Spanish are ⁠available here⁠.

    If you’d like to read more about the topics covered in this podcast, please check out our additional resources document.

    You can follow us on Instagram at ⁠@usc_electricfutures⁠.

    -----

    Electric Futures is an original podcast from the University of Southern California, hosted by Charles Zukoski, the Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and the former USC Provost. This series was executive produced by Allison Agsten, the director of USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication.

    USC Annenberg professor Mallory Carra is our lead producer. Natalie Lopez and Spencer Cline are our associate producers. Cindy Chai is our research assistant. This episode was directed by Mallory Carra, and edited and sound designed by Spencer Cline.

    Our cover art is by Matthew Buxbaum. All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound.

    Lithium Valley | Episode 2: The Tech Behind the Scenes Jan 24, 2024
    Show notes

    There’s a big demand for the batteries but it’s a challenge in how to gain access to all the lithium needed for the electric vehicles that are flooding the streets of the world. There's a new way to access the lithium in the brines — but don’t call it mining. In this episode we will explore this chemistry and more…

    We want to hear from our listeners! Please take this short survey.

    Episode transcripts in English and in Spanish are ⁠available here⁠.

    If you’d like to read more about the topics covered in this podcast, please check out our additional resources document.

    You can follow us on Instagram at ⁠@usc_electricfutures⁠.

    -----

    Electric Futures is an original podcast from the University of Southern California, hosted by Charles Zukoski, the Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and the former USC Provost. This series was executive produced by Allison Agsten, the director of USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication.

    USC Annenberg professor Mallory Carra is our lead producer. Natalie Lopez and Spencer Cline are our associate producers. Cindy Chai is our research assistant. This episode was directed by Mallory Carra, and edited and sound designed by Spencer Cline.

    Our cover art is by Matthew Buxbaum. All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound.

    Lithium Valley | Episode 3: Transforming a Small Town Economy Jan 24, 2024
    Show notes

    We will look at how Lithium extraction is expected to boost the local economy and the trade-offs associated with the growth of this industry. The community is preparing - with cautious optimism. In the face of diminished flows in the Colorado River, memories are haunted by past hype.

    We want to hear from our listeners! ⁠Please take this short survey⁠.

    Episode transcripts in English and in Spanish are ⁠available here⁠.

    If you’d like to read more about the topics covered in this podcast, please check out our ⁠additional resources document⁠.

    You can follow us on Instagram at ⁠@usc_electricfutures⁠.

    -----

    Electric Futures is an original podcast from the University of Southern California, hosted by Charles Zukoski, the Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and the former USC Provost. This series was executive produced by Allison Agsten, the director of USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication.

    USC Annenberg professor Mallory Carra is our lead producer. Natalie Lopez and Spencer Cline are our associate producers. Cindy Chai is our research assistant. This episode was directed by Mallory Carra, and edited and sound designed by Spencer Cline.

    Our cover art is by Matthew Buxbaum. All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound.

    Lithium Valley | Episode 4: Whose Health? Consider the Consequences Jan 24, 2024
    Show notes

    We’ll look at how Lithium extraction in the Imperial Valley may potentially impact the environment and health issues in the area. What health and ecological changes can the community expect? What bargain does the community accept as they venture into this natural resource extraction industry?

    We want to hear from our listeners! ⁠Please take this short survey⁠.

    Episode transcripts in English and in Spanish are ⁠available here⁠.

    If you’d like to read more about the topics covered in this podcast, please check out our ⁠additional resources document⁠.

    You can follow us on Instagram at ⁠@usc_electricfutures⁠.

    -----

    Electric Futures is an original podcast from the University of Southern California, hosted by Charles Zukoski, the Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and the former USC Provost. This series was executive produced by Allison Agsten, the director of USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication.

    USC Annenberg professor Mallory Carra is our lead producer. Natalie Lopez and Spencer Cline are our associate producers. Cindy Chai is our research assistant. This episode was directed, edited and sound designed by Spencer Cline.

    Our cover art is by Matthew Buxbaum. All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound.

    Lithium Valley | Episode 5: From the Twitch of Colorado River's Tail to Kwaaymi Point Jan 24, 2024
    Show notes

    We explore concepts of land use and value systems that play out in the Imperial Valley as it is increasingly industrialized and how traditions and cultures are at play as members of the community make decisions about their futures.

    We want to hear from our listeners! ⁠Please take this short survey⁠.

    Episode transcripts in English and in Spanish are available here.

    If you’d like to read more about the topics covered in this podcast, please check out our ⁠additional resources document⁠.

    You can follow us on Instagram at ⁠@usc_electricfutures⁠.

    -----

    Electric Futures is an original podcast from the University of Southern California, hosted by Charles Zukoski, the Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and the former USC Provost. This series was executive produced by Allison Agsten, the director of USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication.

    USC Annenberg professor Mallory Carra is our lead producer. Natalie Lopez and Spencer Cline are our associate producers. Cindy Chai is our research assistant. This episode was directed by Mallory Carra, and edited and sound designed by Spencer Cline.

    Our cover art is by Matthew Buxbaum. All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound.

    Lithium Valley | Episode 6: The Sum of It All Jan 24, 2024
    Show notes

    In our final episode of the season, we discuss how efforts to slow global climate change are impacting the Imperial Valley, bringing anxiety and opportunity to those who live there.

    We want to hear from our listeners! ⁠Please take this short survey⁠.

    Episode transcripts in English and in Spanish are ⁠available here⁠.

    If you’d like to read more about the topics covered in this podcast, please check out our ⁠additional resources document⁠.

    You can follow us on Instagram at ⁠@usc_electricfutures⁠.

    -----

    Electric Futures is an original podcast from the University of Southern California, hosted by Charles Zukoski, the Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science and the former USC Provost. This series was executive produced by Allison Agsten, the director of USC’s Annenberg Center for Climate Journalism and Communication.

    USC Annenberg professor Mallory Carra is our lead producer. Natalie Lopez and Spencer Cline are our associate producers. Cindy Chai is our research assistant. This episode was directed by Mallory Carra, and edited and sound designed by Spencer Cline.

    Our cover art is by Matthew Buxbaum. All music and sound effects used with express permission under unlimited blanket license authority from Epidemic Sound.

    Season 1 Trailer | Welcome to Lithium Valley Nov 29, 2023
    Show notes

    Electric Futures is a new podcast series from the University of Southern California exploring lesser-known stories of the energy transition, from the perspectives of the people most impacted by the changes that transition will bring. Season 1 invites listeners on a journey to California's Imperial Valley with former USC provost and Vivian Professor of Chemical Engineering and Materials Science Charles Zukoski.

    The Imperial Valley is an agricultural area east of San Diego and bordering Mexico. It's suddenly in the spotlight thanks to its vast deposits of lithium, a chemical element necessary for the production of batteries needed for electric vehicles, grid storage, and consumer products. The extraction and processing of this “white gold” is poised to bring a massive influx of capital to the Imperial Valley, which has the highest unemployment rate in California.

    Electric Futures Season 1 explores the tradeoffs the community must make as it weighs economic opportunity, environmental impact, and worldwide hunger for lithium.

    All six episodes will be released on January 24th, 2024.

    Previous 1 2 3

    Related Podcasts

    Quirks and Quarks – CBC

    1

    Quirks and Quarks – CBC Earth Sciences
    Climate One

    2

    Climate One Earth Sciences
    MinuteEarth – Minute Earth

    3

    MinuteEarth – Minute Earth Earth Sciences
    I Know Dino: The Big Dinosaur Podcast

    4

    I Know Dino: The Big Dinosaur Podcast Earth Sciences
    Eat For The Planet with Nil Zacharias

    5

    Eat For The Planet with Nil Zacharias Arts
    The Weather Junkies

    6

    The Weather Junkies Earth Sciences
    footer-logo

    Contact Us

    Toll Free: 844-670-7747

    Links

    • Home
    • Top Charts
    • Networks
    • Apps
    • Independents Podcasts
    • Podcast Advertising
    • Podcast News
    • Contact Us
    • About Us
    • Analytics & Insights

    Stay Connected

      Privacy, Terms of Use & Our Code of Ethics Protecting Content Creators Copyrights