Everything Antarctica

What do you stop missing when you spend months living at the bottom of the world? In this episode of the Everything Antarctica Podcast, Matty Jordan and Jonny Harrison share the surprising things they didn’t miss from everyday life back home — from paying for petrol and groceries, to traffic jams, meetings, online shopping, and even bugs!Expect honest stories, funny insights, and a unique perspective on what makes Antarctic life so different — and in some ways, better — than the “real world.”👉 If you’re curious about behind the scenes life in Antarctica, surviving on the ice, and what it’s really like to live on a scientific research station, this episode is for you.📈 Our Most Popular YouTube Videos:🎥 How to Get a Job in Antarctica: https://youtu.be/-vv3QYUHvZs?si=pFYmhjFIvGAGrPI8🎥 A day in the life in Antarctica: https://youtu.be/mMiwIe0c0Vw?si=lBpDFHXBLYA--Xwy🎥 Driving Across Antarctica for Science: https://youtu.be/SqJxKFrDXw0?si=DyD9lMgaQim0beXH👂 Listen to the show 🎙️Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6gjwykXgz8O7pMHUenNBn0🎙️Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/nz/podcast/everything-antarctica/id1728333730📸 Join us on Social Media: Facebook: https://facebook.com/everythingantarcticaInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/everythingantarcticaYouTube: https://youtube.com/+@everythingantarcticaTikTok: https://tiktok.com/everythingantarctica🗣️ Who are the hosts?Matty Jordan and Jonny Harrison have a combined experience of three Antarctic winters and 13 trips to Antarctica. Collectively, they've spent over 1200 days “on ice” primarily at New Zealand's Antarctic research station, Scott Base. Their photos and stories have been shared in international news outlets and media in more than 20 countries and they’ve been featured in every major news outlet in New Zealand. They both have a passion for science communication, education, and everything to do with Antarctica. 🎙️About the Podcast:Whether you're interested in getting a job in Antarctica, or just curious about what life is like down there, the Everything Antarctica Podcast helps you connect with the frozen continent. Hosts Matty Jordan and Jonny Harrison were inspired by the tradition of explorers keeping journals and wanted to preserve and share Antarctic experiences in a modern, accessible medium. They now share experiences through conversations with people about their time on the ice. The podcast entertains, while also educating about the importance of the work that happens in Antarctica. The podcast is an excellent resource for those hoping to either work the ice or visit one day. Whether you're an Antarctic enthusiast, a curious listener, or someone considering a role down south, the podcast is a great resource for various audiences.❄️ Get in Touch:🧊 Please subscribe to our email newsletter at https://everythingantarctica.com🧊 If you, or someone you know would like to be a guest on the show, please fill in the guest request form here: https://everythingantarctica.com/podcast-guest/

In this episode of the everything Antarctica podcast, Jonny and Matty discuss some of the things they missed the most while living and working in Antarctica.There are several things that become inaccessible, especially during the winter. Some things are exactly as expected - like family, friends, partners, pets and fresh fruits and vegetables. Other things, like being barefoot outside, only become apparent much later I. The deployment when you retrospectively think about the things you used to be able to do, but now can’t.We’ve spoken to several people who have spent time in Antarctica, and the answers all tend to be pretty similar. It’s a shared experience where people tend to miss the same things. What do you think you would miss if you lived and worked in Antarctica?

Raised on the rooftop of a high-rise building in Hong Kong, Rewa’s desire for a unique perspective has taken her beyond the frame and into the remote landscapes of Australia, New Zealand, Europe and across the Southern Ocean to the Antarctic Peninsula.Touched by the magic of her father developing his own photographs, Rewa has gone back to the beginning of Photography. She is tracing the footsteps of Antarctic pioneers Frank Hurley and Herbert Ponting, the techniques and resilience needed to step into the frame.Rewa has been chasing light most of her life. Celebrating 50 years this month. Her adventurous past is frozen in time. Antarctica is one of the most isolated places onearth - it is otherworldly, and yet she has made it part of her everyday….Check out her work at rewarendall.com—————————————————————————

Pete’s diverse experience in environmental management spans climate risk modelling and management in the Finance Industry, to technical advising in a project delivering data infrastructure that enabled next generation water use forecasting, however, Pete’s first foray into the Antarctic in 2014 was as a student at Canterbury University. In this project, he undertook field work at Lake Vanda in the McMurdo Dry Valleys, looking at legacy environmental contamination from a former station site and investigated impacts (if any) on the pristine Lake Vanda.In his career, Pete joined Antarctica New Zealand in 2019 as an environmental manager where he led the delivery of the environmental strategy for the Scott Base Redevelopment Project. His role included leading projects such as the design and implementation of a bespoke sustainable design standard (Green Star) for Antarctic construction, developing and implementing of all environmental management and monitoring plans, and the publication of the Comprehensive Environmental Evaluation.Peter has presented on Antarctic environmental management to the Committee for Environmental Protection (CEP) to the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM), the Scientific Community on Antarctic Research (SCAR), the Council of Manager of National Antarctic Programs (COMNAP), and as an invited guest at the NZ Planning Institute's Annual Conference.

This episode of the Everything Antarctica Podcast we host a panel discussion with David Tayler (Head of Christchurch Antarctic Office), Lt. Col. Matt McNulty (Commander & Director of Operations), Professor Pat Langhorne NZAM (Former Head of Department of Physics, Otago University) and Dr Dan Price (Glaciologist and Remote Sensing Specialist). As part of the Speaker Series of the Days of Ice Festival in Christchurch, we go into the different parts which are needed in order to help understand our world and what the future environment may be. There are plenty of great questions and answers at the end of the episode so keep listening right to the end. We hope you enjoy this slightly different episode.

This week on the show, we talk about the different kind of weather we have and some of the interesting things specific to weather in Antarctica. While you would think weather is much the same around the world, being a desert, Antarctica has some interesting things which make it stand out from your day to day back home.

This week on the podcast we talk through what it's like on the day you fly to Antarctica. We dive into everything from the moment you get up through the day to when you finally get to bed. Hopefully you get a feel for some of the moments which make it a special day for anyone heading south and what a long but exciting day it really is.

This week we chat with Lewie Chilcott an Antarctic enthusiast with an interest in leopard seals and all things Antarctica. Working as a guide at the International Antarctic Centre in Christchurch, Lewie has lots of passion and knowledge which he shares in this great episode.

This week on the podcast we talk all about the vehicles we use, those found at McMurdo station and a few of the intricacies of operating vehicles in cold harsh conditions found in Antarctica. We talk everything from Hagglunds to Ivan the terror bus and everything between.

This week on the Everything Antarctica Podcast we talk about Fam trips. These are the coordinated trips which usually consist of a larger group and go a little further away from base. Called other things at other stations, we go over the main ones for Scott Base which are similar to those at McMurdo station. Come with us as we explore some of the more exciting group outings we get to experience down on the ice.

One of the most common questions we get asked is “What do you eat in Antarctica?” This is a great question and given that we don’t have farms, or animals or plants we can eat, the answer can surprise people. This episode explains a day of food starting at breakfast and heading all the way through to dinner, dessert and after dinner snacks. We answer questions like “What do vegetarians eat?” “I’m a vegan, will I be catered for?” “I have food allergies, what will I eat?” And so much more. The food is all free and cooked for us so we have huge variety in the meals we get to eat. We also discuss some of the challenges when it comes to food like a lack of fresh fruit and vegetables. We talk about food preservation and how we keep food safe and fresh. This is the only podcast you’ll ever need to explain the process of eating in Antarctica.

We get a little more specific into the work of the electrician at Scott Base. Jonny has done the role a few times so knows exactly what the job entails. If you’re applying to be an electrician in Antarctica, this is the episode for you. It also provides a good overview of his day to day life including recreation and a whole lot of other things you’re probably wondering about!

We don’t get to avoid chores just because we live in Antarctica. This episode explains how we go about day to day life including: how we do our washing, how we get our hair cut, how we send and receive mail and letters, online shopping, in person shopping at the small store, what the living situation is like with other people in shared rooms, and the repurposing of items that we no longer need like what we do with left over shampoo, body wash, clothing and food. It’s an episode where we answer some of the most asked questions about what a day in the life is like in Antarctica. This is one of our favourite episodes and we hope you enjoy it as well!

This episode explores the concept of mouse rounds at Scott Base in Antarctica. The “mouse” has many duties to fulfil above and beyond their regular duties. These include: printing the day’s weather, manning the radio for the day, recording people’s movements throughout the day, be alert to any changes in weather, and then completing mouse rounds. Mouse rounds are done at the end of the day and ensure that lights are turned off, things are returned to where they live, vehicles are plugged in, freezers and fridges are at the right temperature, container doors are closed among many many more. This is a job that rotates through the crew and is essential to the safety of occupants. We hope you enjoy learning about this unique aspect of life in Antarctica.

This week on the Everything Antarctica Podcast we get interviewed live as part of Remake Learning Days. This special episode is a Q&A and covers some of the most commonly asked questions about Antarctica. It's a great one for the whole family and we are grateful for the chance to be part of Remake Learning Days this year. Hope you enjoy.

What’s a day in Matty’s life like in Antarctica? The short answer is that it varied dramatically between seasons, with the summer being busier and more hectic than the winter which tends to be more relaxed and a bit slower. If you’re interested in listening to what a typical day is life in Antarctica then this is the episode for you.

Dr Dan Price is a glaciologist with research work focussing on Antarctic sea ice thickness with satellite and airborne sensors. He has been to Antarctica 8 times for both scientific research and program and logistical support. He developed crevasse avoidance techniques for heavy vehicle traverses across the world’s largest ice shelf- the Ross Ice Shelf which is roughly the size of France. This involved finding a new 1,000km long route across the West Antarctica using novel satellite techniques. Dan took this theoretical investigation and was able to put it in to practise in Antarctica with his participation in the initial traverse. Dan has now driven across the Ross Ice Shelf 6 times. In 2015 he led a campaign called Pole to Paris to draw attention to the COP21 climate conference. He cycled a push bike from New Zealand to France over an 8 month period passing though more than 18 countries. During this expedition he gave presentations about the threat of climate change to people who will most likely be affected by sea level rise. He is currently the Chief Scientist for Christchurch based aerospace company Kea Aerospace, who are developing high altitude solar powered aircraft for earth observation. These initiatives will enhance our ability to respond to natural disasters by reducing the time it takes to assess impacts and damage from these events. Dan remains involved in sea ice research at Gateway Antarctica at the University of Canterbury and plans to launch a project to undertake the largest sea ice study ever conducted in Antarctica by flying a sea ice measuring instrument 5,000km from New Zealand’s Scott Base to Australia’s Casey Station. Dan has a bachelor of science from Cardiff University in Marine Sciences and a doctorate (PhD) in sea ice remote sensing from the University of Canterbury. He’s an Edmund Hillary Fellow and is actively involved in not for profit organisations.

In this week’s episode we do a basic introduction to the different types of ice in Antarctica. Do you know the difference between sea ice, glacial ice, ice shelves, ice caps, and ice sheets? Do you know what a polynya is? Have you heard about the shrek the sheep who got shorn on an iceberg? We explain all of these in the hope that it helps with future episodes when we talk about these topics. While we are not ice experts or glaciologists, we have put this one together to provide a foundation for some of the discussions we will have in future episodes. Don't worry if you don't fully understand these concepts immediately; we will revisit them often.

In this week’s episode of the Everything Antarctica Podcast, Matty and Jonny sit down with Tom Newell. Tom was the water engineer at Scott Base in the 2011 and 2012 season, wintering over in 2012. One of the most popular questions we get is how do you produce drinking water, and what do you do with the waste? Tom answers both of these questions! His job was to produce the drinking water and potable water for the station and manage the water infrastructure. He also processed all of the station’s wastewater through the wastewater treatment plant. Tom dealt with many challenges including trying to keep all of the infrastructure warm so that none of the water froze inside the pipes. He talks about how he got his job, and what his day-to-day life was like when he was south.

The question that we get asked every day on social media is "How do I get a Job in Antarctica?" Many people think that working in Antarctica is only for scientists and people with PHD's from a top university, but that absolutely isn't the case. In this episode we delve into all of the types of jobs that are available and how you can get one of them! There are jobs available for chefs, engineers, plumbers, electricians, medics, cleaners, mechanics and almost everything in between. Hopefully, there is something available for you! As part of the episode, we are also giving away a FREE e-book called "How to get a job in Antarctica" You can get it here: https://mattykjordan.com/ebook We really hope you find this episode useful, and the accompanying e-book valuable. Please let us know if you would like any more additional information about this topic, because we love talking about it. If you got value from this episode, please subscribe to the podcast, and leave us a 5 star review. It really will help us spread the word about how special Antarctica is!