Clear Skies Ahead: Conversations about Careers in Meteorology and Beyond

Learn about careers in meteorology and beyond. Join the American Meteorological Society (AMS) as they talk to experts working in weather, water, and climate sciences.

Celebrating 100 Episodes

We have released our 100th episode! To celebrate, we have created a special show that incorporates clips from some of our most popular episodes. Thank you to all our amazing listeners for your support, and our incredible guests for sharing their stories. We look forward to continuing the conversation and providing you with even more tips and advice from experts in the field. Read more about the 100th episode and the history of the podcast in our Front Page blog.Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2025 American Meteorological Society

09-16
50:47

Ashley Morris, Preparedness and Outreach Division Manager at Prince George's County Office of Emergency Management, and Melissa Sizemore, Planning Captain and Meteorologist at Wilson County Emergency Management Agency

We talk to Ashley Morris and Melissa Sizemore about effectively engaging with your community, emergency management awareness month, and the importance of being well-rounded in your career.Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2025 American Meteorological Society

08-19
45:18

Shawn Dahl, service coordinator at NOAA's Space Weather Prediction Center

We talk to Shawn Dahl about the complexities of space weather, solar radiation and geomagnetic storms, and the importance of global collaboration.Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2025 American Meteorological Society

07-15
42:25

Bob Henson, meteorologist and science writer

We talk to Bob Henson about finding your niche, his book The Rough Guide to Climate Change, and the future of journalism in the age of AI.Mentioned books by Bob Henson:The Rough Guide to Climat Change The Thinking Person's Guide to Climate Change Weather on the Air: A History of Broadcast MeteorologyEpisode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2025 American Meteorological Society

06-17
40:40

Meghan Klee, Product Innovation Manager at StormImpact

We talk to Meghan Klee about the importance of forecasting in risk mitigation and utility resourcing, the challenges of gender and generational barriers in the workplace, and the importance of balancing soft and technical skills.Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2025 American Meteorological Society

05-13
55:05

Micki Olson, Risk Communication Researcher at the Emergency and Risk Communication Testing Lab

We talk to Micki Olson about effectively communicating weather warnings to the public, the challenges of advocating for yourself as an expert in your field, and collaborating and learning from others.Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2025 American Meteorological Society

04-15
38:03

Dr. Annareli Morales, an Air Quality Policy Analyst with the Weld County Department of Public Health and Environment

We talk to Dr. Annareli Morales about the Significant Opportunities in Atmospheric Research and Science (SOARS) Program, building connections with experts in the atmospheric sciences, and the importance of local government work.Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2025 American Meteorological Society

03-11
39:20

Sean Potter, a science writer and weather historian

We talk to Sean Potter about the tornado that set him on a path toward meteorology, transitioning from broadcasting to working at NWS and NASA, and his book, Too Near for Dreams: The Story of Cleveland Abbe, America’s First Weather Forecaster.Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2025 American Meteorological Society

02-11
01:28:07

Ayako Ota, a Japanese meteorologist

We talk to Ayako Ota about emergency weather reporting in Japan, the differences between weather reporting in Japan and the US, and her current writing projects.Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2025 American Meteorological Society

01-14
23:20

Gabby Brown, President of the Board of Directors at The Climate Consensus

We talk to Gabby Brown about her research on climate variability analysis and subseasonal to seasonal predictability, her role as President of the Board of Directors for the Climate Consensus, and the importance of being able to effectively communicate research both to the science community and the public.Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2024 American Meteorological Society

12-17
02:58

Pam Knox, Director of the UGA Weather Network and Agricultural Climatologist

We talk to Pam Knox about the impacts of drought on agriculture, her time as an AMS Certified Consulting Meteorologist, and the importance of obtaining skills in different areas to set yourself apart from others in your career.Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2024 American Meteorological Society

11-12
50:42

Justin Pullin, Deputy Chief of Staff of the National Weather Service

We talk to Justin Pullin about Project Hailstone, the AMS Board for Early Career Professionals, and the importance of networking for career development.Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2024 American Meteorological Society

10-15
50:19

Cliff Jacobs, owner of Clifford A. Jacobs Consulting

We talk to Cliff Jacobs about his diverse career in the private sector, working with the US Antarctic Program and cyberinfrastructure, and his broad understanding of the success of atmospheric sciences and communicating core concepts in geosciences.Mentioned videos:Video on Cliff's CareerTravelers Research Center PaperExperience with the U.S. Antarctic ProgramCliff's YouTube Channel Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2024 American Meteorological Society

09-17
38:31

Stephanie Herring, Chief of the Geophysical Science Branch at NOAA's National Centers for Environmental Information

We talk to Stephanie Herring about the diversity of opportunities in the government sector, the impacts of climate on human health, and learning how your unique skillset can benefit weather, water, and climate industries. Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2024 American Meteorological Society

08-13
38:04

Brandon Katz, Executive Vice President, Strategy at KatRisk

We talk to Brandon Katz about modeling weather phenomena, the importance of networking and work-life balance as a meteorologist, and the economic impact of climate change. Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2024 American Meteorological Society

07-16
33:05

Max Thompson, Certified Consulting Meteorologist and Lead Meteorologist at Duke Energy

We talk to Max Thompson about forecasting customer demand, the impact of a warming climate on the power grid, and how renewable energy is changing the energy industry. Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2024 American Meteorological Society

06-11
42:51

Kim Klockow McClain, UCAR Senior Social Scientist Supporting the National Weather Service

We talk to Kim Klockow McClain about discovering the intersection of meteorology and social science; creating social science positions within the weather, water, and climate industries; and mobilizing people and ideas to positively impact communities. Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2024 American Meteorological Society

05-14
30:45

Bill Sjoberg, Consultant with Leverage Information Technology

We talk to Bill Sjoberg about forecasting in the military, the challenges of making the right call, and keeping the human element in modern meteorology. Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2024 American Meteorological Society

04-16
27:36

Jan Null, Forensic Meteorologist and Certified Consulting Meteorologist at Golden Gate Weather Services

We talk to Jan Null about the importance of integrity, giving back to your community, and staying connected with a variety of experts. Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2024 American Meteorological Society

03-12
35:35

Ginger Zee, Chief Meteorologist and Chief Climate Correspondent at ABC News

We talk to Ginger Zee about the realities of climate reporting, finding your "why", and the challenges women face in the weather, water, and climate industries. Episode transcript Hosted by Emma Collins and Kelly SavoieEdited by Johnny LeTheme music composed and performed by Steve Savoie Visit AMS Career Resources on the web! Contact us at skypodcast@ametsoc.org with any feedback or if you'd like to become a future guest. Copyright © 2024 American Meteorological Society

02-13
56:21

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