All science, no spin: New podcast tackles the climate crisis head on

A new podcast launching today aims to reset the climate conversation by handing the mic to the people who know the research best - the scientists themselves.

Totally Cooked: The Climate & Weather Podcast is a straight-talking, science-backed show hosted by one of Australia’s leading climate scientists, Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick of the Australian National University.

The podcast offers something that’s often missing in mainstream climate coverage - real dialogue between the public and the experts.

“For too long, scientists have been asked to fit into soundbites on the evening news,” says Prof. Perkins-Kirkpatrick. “This is our chance to speak directly to the public, answer their real questions, and do justice to the science in a way that’s honest, clear, and engaging.”

A different kind of climate conversation

Launching with three episodes, Totally Cooked covers everything from greenhouse gases and El Niño to fire weather and the emotional weight of climate change. New episodes drop fortnightly and feature interviews with top researchers, frontline communities, and decision-makers.

Unlike traditional media appearances where scientists are squeezed into pre-set narratives, this podcast allows room for nuance, and for scientists to listen as much as they speak. “We’re not here to lecture,” says Prof. Perkins-Kirkpatrick. “We’re here to connect the dots, bust myths, and help people make sense of what they’re seeing and feeling.”

Accessibility without dumbing down

Totally Cooked is designed to be accessible to anyone, including students, teachers, policymakers, and everyday Australians, without dumbing down the science. The show balances clarity with credibility, and doesn’t shy away from complexity or controversy.

With climate misinformation on the rise and public trust in media under pressure, Totally Cooked offers a fresh, reliable voice in the conversation, one grounded in science, but shaped by human stories.