Welcome to Come Heck or Hot Water (formerly Fahrenheit 140) - where we dive into the science, and solutions shaping climate resilience efforts. In every episode, we’ll explore the science driving change, and the innovations reshaping how we live, work, and sustain our planet. We’ll break down what’s happening, why it matters, and how you can be part of the solution.
In Season 3, we’re diving into the ins and outs of seawater desalination. We’ll uncover what this promising solution could mean for our future water security.
It’s time to face to face the heat, and make a difference—together.
WATER we doing about it: Carving the way with Texas flood planning
In this episode, we learn how Texas funds projects that give floodwaters room to flow safely, and what Texans need to know to prepare for flooding. Join our host Carrie Thompson as she walks through water planning with Reem Zoun, the Assistant Deputy Administrator at the Texas Water Development Board!
Today’s Guest: Reem Zoun, Assistant Deputy Executive Administrator of the Office of Planning at the Texas Water Development Board (02:45)
Reem Shares Why the Texas State Flood Plan is a Big Deal (06:45)
Bottom-Up Approach is Key: Reem explains that local trust is a form of networking essential to planning. (07:45)
The Fall & Rise of the 15 Regions: Reem breaks down the 15 planning regions, their interests and roles, and their rough start. (09:12)
The Statewide Plan Texans Need to Hear: Reem outlines the two focuses of the flood planning effort and 11 types of recommendations for Texans to become more knowledgeable about flood hazards. (12:59)
Water is Apartment Hunting but Who’s the Guarantor?: Reem brings attention to water needing space to flow freely and shares the types of funding to make it happen. (16:56)
550+ Meetings, 2 Years, 1 Plan: Reem spills the beans on the first two cycles of the upcoming plans for the Texas Water Development Board. (21:17)
Don’t Get FOMO – Get Involved: Reem shares the many ways locals can participate in the water plans for their community. (23:14)
The Main Takeaway: Reem offers one final piece of advice and one important warning for Texans to take home. (23:48)
But Wait- There's More!: Robert joins us to share some details about floodplains. (25:38)
Don’t Miss What’s Coming Next: Flash Flooding with the man that literally wrote the book on Flash Floods in Texas.
Episode Links and Resources:
Texas Water Development Board (https://www.twdb.texas.gov/index.asp)
Theme song: Uma Theramin by Robert E. Mace
Learn more about the Meadows Center at meadowscenter.txst.edu (https://www.meadowscenter.txst.edu/).
1 Jul 2026
What the FLOOD: Texas Flooding 101
How should you prepare for flood season? In this episode, we learn about the different types of flooding, why floods can happen even during drought, and the measures being taken to understand and reduce flood risk across Texas. Join our hosts, Robert and Carrie, as they discuss current flood management with the Directors of the Texas Floodplain Management Association (TFMA), Stephanie Griffin and Chris Steubing!
Today’s Guests: Stephanie Griffin, President of TFMA and Vice President & Director of Water Resources at Halff, and Christopher Steubing, Executive Director of TFMA. (05:50)
Stephanie and Chris Give Us the 411 on Flooding 101 (07:00)
Texas’ Front Runners for Flood Management: Stephanie gives us the rundown on TFMA’s mission, while Chris explains how the organization promotes flood protection, resilience, and mitigation across Texas. (07:14)
A Flood’s Opening Act: DROUGHT! Stephanie gives examples of what makes a flood and how it goes hand in hand with its natural disaster counterpart. (08:45)
What’s your flood type? Stephanie breaks down the different types of flooding, while Chris details which ones you shouldn’t underestimate! (10:49)
Floodplain Fine Print: Stephanie exposes what those living in floodplain areas face, especially when it comes to FEMA. (14:41)
Keeping up with the Crises: Chris explains how 3D modeling can help us better prepare for future flooding. (19:02)
Atlas 14, a Has-Been's Comeback: Stephanie shares the role Atlas 14 plays in flood prevention, and Chris shares its history and why it needs an update! (21:59)
Texans, LISTEN UP! Stephanie and Chris share what they hope listeners take away from the conversation, especially for those who reside in Texas. (24:25)
Don’t Miss What’s Coming Next: Flood planning with Reem Zoun at the Texas Water Development Board!
Episode Links and Resources:
Halff | Award-Winning Infrastructure Consulting Firm (https://halff.com/)
Texas Floodplain Management Association (https://www.tfma.org/)
NOAA Atlas 14 (https://hdsc.nws.noaa.gov/pfds/)
Why Harris County Had 31 100-Year Floods in 100 Years (https://reduceflooding.com/2026/02/07/why-harris-county-had-31-100-year-floods-in-100-years/)
Theme song: Uma Theramin by Robert E. Mace
Learn more about the Meadows Center at meadowscenter.txst.edu (https://www.meadowscenter.txst.edu/).
15 May 2026
Oil to Water: What Can Be Done About Produced Water?
What happens when water is produced at the same time as oil is produced? In this episode, we explore how desalination applies to water pumped from oil wells. Join our hosts, Robert and Sarah, as they discuss the details about produced water with Texas Produced Water Consortium experts Shane Walker and Wrye Mauldiin.
Today’s Guests: Shane Walker, Director of the Texas Produced Water Consortium at Texas Tech, and Wrye Mauldiin, Project Manager for the Texas Produced Water Consortium at Texas Tech
Robert introduces Shane Walker (04:53)
Sarah Introduces Wrye Mauldiin (05:43)
First Up, Let’s Get into Some Q&A with Shane and Wrye!
Sarah kicks off with the most simple and complex question, “What is produced water?” (06:42)
Robert asks on the behalf of peers, “How much produced water is there in the state of Texas?” (08:04)
Sarah wants to know “Why are people concerned about produced water?” (10:15)
Robert shares his technical term crunchy water, so he asks, “what are we talking about in terms of saltiness?” (12:17)
Roberts wonders if “earthquakes are a threat if there’s no place to put the water?” (12:52)
Robert asks “[what is the objective] of the produced consortium?” (13:50)
Shane and Wrye Give Us the Dish on All Things Produced Water:
Sea Water Salinity vs. Produced Water Salinity: Shane confirms to Robert the statistics of the range of drinkable water in Texas. (17:10)
The Aftermath of Purification: Shane breaks down the possibilities for municipal uses of produced water. (18:41)
Producing Water in a Surface Stream...oh, What Could Go Wrong?: Shane points out the potential issues in produced water operations in Texas. (21:30)
The Future of the Consortium: Shane shares the upcoming plans that the consortium teams and the TCEQ have in store. (25:06)
Wrye’s Hot Take: Wrye expresses her goal for water reuse from an agricultural point of view. (27:19)
Episode Links and Resources:
Texas Produced Water Consortium (https://www.depts.ttu.edu/research/tx-water-consortium/)
Texas Commission of Enviornmental Quality (https://www.tceq.texas.gov/)
Theme song: Come Heck or Hot Water by Robert E. Mace
We want to thank pixabay.com for providing the sound effects.
Learn more about the Meadows Center at meadowscenter.txst.edu (https://www.meadowscenter.txst.edu/).
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
3 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
1 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 43 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
63
Social presence
0
YouTube
0
Engagement
60
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