Totally Cooked: The Climate & Weather Podcast

ARC Centre of Excellence for 21st Century Weather
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Totally Cooked is a straight-talking, science-backed podcast about weather, climate change, and what it all means for life on Earth — especially here in Australia. Hosted by Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, a leading expert in extreme weather, and Iain Strachan, a former journalist turned science communicator, the show dives deep into the causes and consequences of our changing climate.  With clarity, curiosity and a touch of dark humour, Sarah and Iain unpack the science behind climate change, high-impact weather, and the urgent need for action. From greenhouse gases and El Niño to ice cores, heatwaves, and hail storms, Totally Cooked connects the dots between complex climate science and the everyday weather we all experience. Along the way, you’ll hear from world-class researchers, policymakers, and frontline communities grappling with the climate crisis. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, confused, or just curious about what’s really going on, this podcast will leave you better informed, more confident, and ready to face the future. No jargon. No sugar-coating. Just the facts — and a little hope.

  1. 5D AGO

    What Is Net Zero, and What Happens When We Get There?

    Join hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan as they welcome Associate Professor Andrew King and PhD candidate Aditya Sengupta for a deep dive into the science, politics, and post-zero implications of net zero emissions. What does net zero actually mean, when did the concept enter our vocabulary, and why is reaching it so urgent? From the cumulative effect of atmospheric carbon to the role of natural sinks like forests and the Southern Ocean, the episode builds a grounded understanding of what we're working towards — and how far away we remain. The conversation then turns to what happens beyond net zero: a world that is in many ways still getting worse even after emissions balance out. The guests explain the concept of overshoot — why we'll likely exceed 1.5°C of warming before potentially coming back down — and walk through what we know, and what we urgently don't, about a post-net zero climate. Andrew's research reveals that the Southern Hemisphere, and Australia in particular, faces a harder trajectory than the Northern Hemisphere due to ocean thermal inertia. Aditya's PhD work on the El Niño–Southern Oscillation shows that whatever changes we've already driven in ENSO variability will be locked in once emissions stop — for centuries. So turn on a fan and buckle up as Totally Cooked looks into a warming world and what Net Zero really looks like as we tangle with 1.5°C and beyond. Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 6m

  2. 6D AGO ·  BONUS

    Your chance to win 21st Century Weather merchandise

    Help to shape how we share our weather and climate research. At 21st Century Weather, we’re always looking for ways to make our research more accessible, relevant and engaging. We’re inviting you to take part in a short audience survey to help us understand how people interact with our content, and how we can improve. By completing the survey, you can enter the draw to win limited edition 21st Century Weather-branded merchandise. Your input will help us: Improve how we communicate weather and climate research Create content that is more useful and engaging Better connect with our diverse audiences, from researchers to the broader community Whether you regularly follow our work or have only recently come across us, your perspective is valuable. About the survey Takes 2–3 minutes to complete Covers your awareness of 21st Century Weather and our content Explores how you prefer to engage with research and science communication Your response will be used to inform future content, events and campaigns. Take the survey To complete the survey, please go to: https://bit.ly/21stCenturyWeatherSurvey Prize draw (optional) As a thank you for your time, you can choose to enter a prize draw to win limited edition 21st Century Weather merchandise. To enter, you’ll be asked to provide your name and email address. This information will only be used for the purpose of administering the prize draw and will remain confidential, accessible only to our small operations team. Take part in a focus group (optional) We’re also inviting interested participants to take part in an online focus group later this year. This session will give you the opportunity to share more detailed feedback and help shape how we communicate our research and engage with our audiences. If you’d like to be considered, you can indicate your interest at the end of the survey and provide your contact details. All participants selected for the focus group will receive 21st Century Weather merchandise as a thank you for their time. Participation is entirely optional, and your details will only be used by our team to follow up about the focus group. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    29 sec

  3. APR 30

    How Lesley Hughes and the Climate Council got one over Tony Abbott

    In this Totally Cooked episode, Sarah and Iain talk with Professor Lesley Hughes, exploring the concept of biodiversity—what it means, why it matters, and how it connects all life on Earth, from genes to ecosystems. They cover how climate change is accelerating biodiversity loss, particularly in Australia, and the real-world consequences this has for ecosystems, communities, and the economy. Lesley shares insights from her career in climate science and public advocacy, including her role in the Climate Council and the political challenges surrounding climate communication in Australia. The episode also unpacks how scientists engage with the public and policymakers, and the importance of clear, accessible communication in driving action. Ultimately, it’s a story about resilience, evidence-based advocacy, and how climate scientists have navigated political resistance to keep critical conversations alive. Whether you want to start your own climate change organisation, learn how one of Australia's best functions, or just love successful women in STEM, this episode is for you. Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    57 min

  4. APR 16

    Movie Special Twister (1996)

    In this Totally Cooked movie special, hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan are joined by returning guest Dr Tim Raupach of UNSW Sydney to revisit the 1996 tornado blockbuster. Twister features Helen Hunt driving into a mesocyclone, Philip Seymour Hoffman blasting music from a convoy of beat-up trucks, and Cary Elwes as the most devastatingly handsome villain in meteorological cinema history. Scene by scene, they separate the jargon from the nonsense: the dryline explanation? Surprisingly solid. The tornado warning time argument? Actually one the film's researchers won, and scientists are still fighting today. Hiding under a highway overpass? Absolutely not — do not do that. Along the way, the team unpacks how tornado science has evolved in the three decades since the film's release, what real instruments like Dorothy actually exist now, and why the film's meteorological jargon — while occasionally mixed up — is mostly grounded in real science. There are Wizard of Oz callbacks, a frank discussion of whether an F5 tornado would actually bisect you via a leather belt, and a quiet acknowledgement that the movie's core premise — that getting better data from inside storms saves lives — is as relevant as ever. Whether you loved the film as a kid, are seeing it for the first time at 41 and missed the entire plot, or just want to know what a dryline actually is, this one is for you. Nostalgic, nerdy, and Totally Cooked. Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1h 6m

  5. APR 2

    Are we really on track for Net Zero? Part 2

    Join hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan of the Totally Cooked team for part 2, as they explore Australia’s path to net zero emissions with Monash University expert Roger Dargaville. The discussion goes deeper into the technologies and hard choices shaping Australia's energy future. Unpacking why nuclear power doesn't stack up economically or technically for Australia's high-renewables grid, how pumped hydro acts as a giant rechargeable battery, and where hydrogen really fits into the mix—hint: it's not grid storage. The conversation also covers EV battery degradation and the emerging recycling industry, the challenges of decarbonising aviation with sustainable fuels, and the frustrating reality that fossil fuels can't simply be switched off overnight. Roger shares what cutting-edge research is happening in his lab—from optimal energy system modelling and EV charging infrastructure to building-integrated solar and green steel—before the hosts close with a frank discussion on the political, economic, and intergenerational barriers that have slowed climate action for decades. Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    47 min

  6. MAR 19

    Are we really on track for Net Zero?

    Join hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan of the Totally Cooked team as they explore Australia’s path to net zero emissions with Monash University expert Roger Dargaville. The discussion breaks down what “net zero” really means, revealing how current targets rely heavily on carbon accounting and natural sinks rather than deep cuts to fossil fuel use. While progress in renewable electricity—especially solar and wind—is promising, major challenges remain in transport, industry, and infrastructure. The conversation dives into the realities of scaling renewable energy, including grid limitations, storage needs, and the complexities of transitioning away from fossil fuels. It also unpacks misconceptions around technologies like solar and wind, highlights the importance of energy system planning, and questions whether market-driven approaches are sufficient. Ultimately, the episode argues that while the technology to reach net zero exists, achieving it will require faster action, stronger policy direction, and significant societal change. Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    55 min

  7. MAR 5

    Exploring the stratosphere LIVE

    Join hosts Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick and Iain Strachan as the Totally Cooked team for their very first live recording, as they take you up, up, and away into the stratosphere. To explore this mysterious and wonderful place far above the Earth's surface, the hosts are joined by guest experts Professor Julie Arblaster (Monash University) and Dr. Martin Jucker (University of New South Wales). In this episode, the LIVE panel explores what really happens above the clouds, how the ozone layer and jet stream shape our planet’s climate, and why the stratosphere matters for weather, warming, and life below. So hold your breath as the Totally Cooked team this week take your learning higher than ever before, into the stratosphere. Iain records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Bunurong People of the Kulin Nation. Sarah records Totally Cooked on the lands of the Ngunnawal and Ngambri people. We pay our respects to Elders past, present, and emerging and recognise their unique and continuing connection to the land, skies, waters, plants and animals. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    53 min

  8. SEASON 2, EPISODE 1 TRAILER

    Totally Cooked Season 2 Trailer

    Sarah and Iain are back for Totally Cooked Season 2! This season our cooked hosts will be taking you behind the scenes of forecasting deadly bushfire weather. They will be asking the big questions like how is climate change impacting the world’s rich biodiversity? What is net zero and when are we going to reach it? And how is machine learning powering new climate and weather science? For the answers to those questions and plenty more, join us for Season 2 of Totally Cooked!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

    1 min
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Trailer

About

Totally Cooked is a straight-talking, science-backed podcast about weather, climate change, and what it all means for life on Earth — especially here in Australia. Hosted by Professor Sarah Perkins-Kirkpatrick, a leading expert in extreme weather, and Iain Strachan, a former journalist turned science communicator, the show dives deep into the causes and consequences of our changing climate.  With clarity, curiosity and a touch of dark humour, Sarah and Iain unpack the science behind climate change, high-impact weather, and the urgent need for action. From greenhouse gases and El Niño to ice cores, heatwaves, and hail storms, Totally Cooked connects the dots between complex climate science and the everyday weather we all experience. Along the way, you’ll hear from world-class researchers, policymakers, and frontline communities grappling with the climate crisis. Whether you're feeling overwhelmed, confused, or just curious about what’s really going on, this podcast will leave you better informed, more confident, and ready to face the future. No jargon. No sugar-coating. Just the facts — and a little hope.

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