The Outfall Podcast

For over a century, dumping oil overboard was how sailors survived deadly storms. This five-minute episode reveals the science behind this now-banned life-saving technique. See Show Notes.

What if bubbles were secretly running the world? In this episode, we uncover how these tiny spheres are doing everything from helping shrimp fire plasma blasts to scrubbing ocean plastic, with help from a bubble-obsessed scientist and an artist whose photos reveal the hidden math of the universe. See Brad's images here. 

When OpenAI's Sam Altman claimed each ChatGPT query uses just 1/15th of a teaspoon of water, it sparked a heated debate about AI's environmental impact. We brought ChatGPT, Claude, and Google's Gemini into the studio to duke it out, but can a number that small really mask a much bigger problem? Which AI will call out the entire industry, and are you part of the problem too? Show Notes

The dramatic finale of our Table Rock Fire series reveals how South Carolina made history with its first-ever DC-10 aircraft drop and over a million gallons of water falling from the sky during the most intense mountain firefighting operation the state has ever seen. See the Show Notes and Pictures Here.

What started as a 10-acre fire on Table Rock Mountain quickly escalated into one of the largest wildfire responses in South Carolina history. In this episode, we go inside the firefighting operation as it exploded from a manageable incident to a 13,000-acre "complex fire" burning in two locations simultaneously. You'll hear from pilots coordinating massive aerial operations, firefighters watching their containment lines fail, and the moment everyone realized this fire had become something entirely different—complete with the sound Mac Stone describes as "like a jet engine."

Special thanks to our guests: Darryl Jones (South Carolina Forestry Commission Forest Protection Chief), Lee Berry (SC Forestry Commission Pilot), Austin Williams and Mackenzie Boyd (Greenville Water), and Mac Stone (Natural Land Trust Executive Director and National Geographic photographer). For incredible photos, Visit the Show Notes.

In March 2025, careless teenage hikers ignited what would become the largest mountain wildfire in South Carolina's recorded history. What started as a 10-acre fire on Table Rock Mountain exploded into nearly 16,000 acres, becoming the number one priority fire in the entire United States. In this first episode, we explore how South Carolina actually fights wildfires.... spoiler alert: it's not what you think.

Visit Show Notes for Pictures

This is your official teaser for Season 7 of The Outfall. From wildfire crises to nanobubbles and Cold War secrets, this season uncovers the hidden forces shaping the world beneath our feet. Full episodes begin June 6—subscribe now and get ready to explore the unexpected.

In this episode, Dr. Christy Spackman explores the fascinating connection between water's taste and its source environment. Drawing from her book "The Taste of Water," Spackman shares insights in a lecture at Clemson University. Join us as we dive into the journey of water from source to sip, uncovering how flavor and place are inextricably linked. Show Notes and Pictures.

From a heart-stopping near-miss in foggy Seattle waters came Captain John Trimmer’s “How to Avoid Huge Ships” – a 1982 maritime safety guide that transformed from deadly serious advice into an internet sensation.

While thousands of Amazon reviews made it a cult classic (particularly popular among nervous Kansas residents), its seemingly obvious title belies both crucial seafaring wisdom and a deeper truth: when life’s huge ships loom on your horizon, subtle adjustments rarely work – it’s the bold moves that keep us afloat.

 

Show Notes. 

Join us on a behind-the-scenes tour of Spartanburg Water, where Director Ken Tuck shares the 20-year journey of transforming water treatment in a changing world. From taste and odor challenges to innovative solutions, Ken's team is dedicated to improving water quality in the face of evolving environmental demands. This episode offers a fascinating look into the hard work, adaptation, and persistence it takes to deliver daily clean, safe, and great-tasting water. Show Notes with Pictures.