The Big Blue Rock Pod
Welcome to the Big Blue Rock Pod, produced by the Kentucky Geological Survey, at the University of Kentucky. This podcast is a fun, conversational approach to discussing all things geology and earth processes. We primarily focus on Kentucky. We talk emerging ideas in research, along with classic topics in earth science for all levels of interest.
Podcast Description
Welcome to the Big Blue Rock Pod, produced by the Kentucky Geological Survey, at the University of Kentucky. This podcast is a fun, conversational approach to discussing all things geology and earth processes. We primarily focus on Kentucky. We talk emerging ideas in research, along with classic topics in earth science for all levels of interest.
Episodes

Aug 27, 2025
Aug 27, 2025
31 min
Matt, Doug, and Sarah talk with KGS Director and Ky State Geologist Mike McGlue. They discuss what geologists do, trends in earth science, converging disciplines, exciting research at KGS, and emphasize the application of geology to build resilience for the Commonwealth. Listen up!

Jul 31, 2025
Ep. 44: Out of Office Messages
Jul 31, 2025
Jul 31, 2025
46 min
Matt, Doug, and Sarah talk about conferences they attended this summer, along with a little travel in between. They discuss the National Speleological Society Convention, Niagara Falls, Jim Thorpe, Archbald Pothole State Park, the Kansas Geological Survey (the other KGS) Field Conference, geology of New York City, The Natural Hazards Center Workshop, geologic hazards, disaster resilience, effective data dissemination, the geology of Iceland and much more!

Jun 27, 2025
Ep. 43: Same Geologic Time, New Listen
Jun 27, 2025
Jun 27, 2025
53 min
Geologic time is a fundamental concept at the core of all geology and earth sciences. Since it's the foundation for everything else, we thought it was worth listening to twice. Enjoy this reissued episode of "Geologic Time" from September 2022 (episode 10) with Matt, Sarah, and Doug and special guest KGS geologist and geomorphologist (now SP&M Lab lead) Jason Dortch.

May 30, 2025
Ep. 42: Shale, yeah!
May 30, 2025
May 30, 2025
41 min
Matt, Doug, and Sarah talk with KGS Geologist Alex Washburn to discuss shales, rare-earth element, critical minerals, calcite, geochronology, petroleum geology, and environmental geology. Also, Doug spills his water.

Apr 30, 2025
Ep. 41: Someone to Organize Our Schist
Apr 30, 2025
Apr 30, 2025
55 min
Sarah, Matt, and Doug talk with KGS Public Resources Curator Cheyenne Hohman about KGS archiving, data dissemination over time, weird publications, maps, science and political winds, which Survey was most productive, and much more!And check out our oldest publication (to date - from 1794!) in the KGS catalog here: https://kgs.uky.edu/kygeode/services/pubs/pub.htm?id=4385 "Map of the State of Kentucky with the Adjoining Territories"
You can search the entire KGS publication catalog here: https://kgs.uky.edu/kygeode/services/pubs/






