Rust Belt Science

About Rust Belt Science

Rust Belt Science: down-to-earth conversations about cutting-edge research, Maggie Fink and Shahir Rizk sit down with passionate scientists to dive into their work, making complex ideas easy to grasp for everyone—no lab coat required! But it’s more than just science talk. We pull back the curtain to show that researchers are everyday people, living and working in our communities. Our conversations dive into how science connects to art, culture, mythology, and all other aspects of our daily lives. Whether you're a science enthusiast or just curious about how the world works, even if you find science to be intimidating, Rust Belt Science connects you to groundbreaking ideas and the inspiring stories of the people behind them.

Publisher

Dr. Maggie Fink and Dr. Shahir Rizk

Category

science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

13 Dec 2024

Latest episode

29 Sept 2026

Latest episodes

33 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   29 Sept 2026

   The AI Con: A Conversation with Dr. Emily M. Bender on the Power of Language, AI and Education, and the Part of our Humanity We Lose to Artificial Intelligence

   In this episode, we dive deep into the evolving conversation surrounding artificial intelligence, featuring insights from Dr. Emily M. Bender, a distinguished linguist and professor at the University of Washington. Her unique perspective sheds light on the implications of AI technologies in academia and beyond.

2. 

   3 Sept 2026

   Exploring Space, Storytelling and Asteroids with Dr. Amy Mainzer

   In this episode of Rust Belt Science, Maggie Fink and Shahir Rizk welcome Dr. Amy Mainzer, a professor at UCLA and principal investigator at NASA, to discuss her fascinating work on near-Earth objects and her unique perspectives on science and science fiction.

3. 

   20 Aug 2026

   Exploring Chemistry of the Ocean with Dr. Claire Till

   In this episode, we journey into the depths of ocean chemistry with Claire Till, a professor at California State Polytechnic University Humboldt. Claire specializes in the intricate relationships between trace metals and marine life, shedding light on how these tiny components play a crucial role in sustaining the entire ocean ecosystem.

Who has been a guest on Rust Belt Science

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Dr Adam Jaffee
• Dr Lee Haines
• Dr Louis Muglia

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

10 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 37 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

55

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

51

Contact Rust Belt Science

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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