Water Talk
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Water Talk
A podcast for the water curious in California
 
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Season 6
drinking water, sanitation, groundwater, community engagement, Central Valley
Making good on the Human Right to Water
Season 6
drinking water, sanitation, groundwater, community engagement, Central Valley

A conversation with Susana De Anda (Executive Director and Co-Founder of the Community Water Center) about the gaps between legislating and enacting the Human Right to Water including accountability, affordability, and leveraging related water policies. Released December 12, 2025.

Season 6
drinking water, sanitation, groundwater, community engagement, Central Valley

Season 6 | Season 5 | Season 4 (CA) | Season 3 (CA) | Season 2 (CA) | Season 1 (CA) | About the Show

Reflecting on CA's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act after ten years
Reflecting on CA's Sustainable Groundwater Management Act after ten years

A conversation with Deputy Director for Sustainable Water Management Paul Gosselin (CA Department of Water Resources) about California's groundwater governance and progress towards sustainability goals. Released November 22, 2024. 

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Season 5Mallika NoccoNovember 22, 2024California, groundwater, subsidence, small farms, sustainability, policy
Blackwater Swamps
Blackwater Swamps

A conversation with professor Ryan Emanuel (hydrologist, Lumbee tribe member, Duke University) about Indigenous survival and resilience across swamps, plains, and blackwaters in Eastern North Carolina. Released November 15, 2024. 

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Season 5Mallika NoccoNovember 15, 2024Indigenous environmental history, environmental justice, North Carolina, climate change, swamps
Colorado River Compact
Colorado River Compact

A conversation with John Fleck (author, journalist, University of New Mexico) and Kathryn Sorenson (Senior Global Futures Scientist, Kyl Center for Water Policy, Arizona State University) about the Colorado River Compact. Released November 8, 2024. 

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Season 5Mallika NoccoNovember 8, 2024leadership, representation, governance, Colorado River, Mexico, Arizona
Science and Civic Engagement
Science and Civic Engagement

A conversation with Dr. Juliet Christian-Smith (Union of Concerned Scientists) about the role of scientists in politics and policy with a focus on Western water policy. Released November 1, 2024. 

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Season 5Mallika NoccoNovember 1, 2024politics, power, policy, danger season, action
Great Lakes Compact
Great Lakes Compact

A conversation with environmental attorney and clinical law professor Oday Salim (National Wildlife Federation, University of Michigan Law School) about the Great Lakes Compact. Released October 25, 2024. 

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Season 5Mallika NoccoOctober 25, 2024Great Lakes, water law, Canada, policy, Midwest, governance
Urban Agriculture, Compost, and Water
Urban Agriculture, Compost, and Water

A conversation with soil microbial ecologist Dr. Joshua Garcia about farming in cities, composting, and regenerative agriculture. Released October 18, 2024. 

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Season 5Mallika NoccoOctober 18, 2024regenerative agriculture, urban food systems, urban farming, compost
Climate Change & Mental Health
Climate Change & Mental Health

A conversation with climate psychologist and author Leslie Davenport about eco-anxiety, eco-grief, and mental health strategies for coping with climate change. Released October 11, 2024. 

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Season 5Mallika NoccoOctober 11, 2024climate change, eco-anxiety, solastalgia, climate psychology
Season 5 Teaser
Season 5 Teaser

Welcome back to the fifth season of Water Talk! Cohosts Drs. Mallika Nocco, Faith Kearns, and Sam Sandoval talk about some big changes and updates for Season 5. Released August 16, 2024

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Season 5Mallika NoccoAugust 16, 2024science communication, Extension, Arizona, Wisconsin, California
Episode 54: Water Advocacy and Implementation
Episode 54: Water Advocacy and Implementation

A conversation with Laurel Firestone (State Water Resources Control Board) about water governance, leadership, and policy implementation in CA. Released June 2, 2023. 

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Season 4Mallika NoccoJune 2, 2023water quality/quantity/security, leadership, human right to water, water law, decision-making, SGMA
Episode 53: Sierra Snowpack
Episode 53: Sierra Snowpack

A conversation with Dr. Safeeq Khan (UC Merced) about the Sierra Nevada Snowpack, snow-vegetation-fire interactions, and snow futures. Released May 19, 2023. 

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Season 4Mallika NoccoMay 19, 2023water quality/quantity/security, snowpack, forest, fire, headwater streams, Sierra Nevada
Episode 52: Water Sovereignty and Artistry
Episode 52: Water Sovereignty and Artistry

A conversation with Dr. Brittani Orona (San Diego State University) about visual sovereignty, Indigenous history, artistry, and advocacy on waters. Released May 12, 2023. 

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Season 4Mallika NoccoMay 12, 2023Klamath River, water infrastructure, cultural resources, salmon, Indigenous environmental history
Episode 51: Rural Socio-hydrology
Episode 51: Rural Socio-hydrology

A conversation with Dr. Daniel O'Connell (Central Valley Partnership) about land, water, and community development in the CA Central Valley. Released May 5, 2023. 

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Season 4Mallika NoccoMay 5, 2023Reclamation, Arvin-Dinuba, healthy cities & communities, rural sociology
Episode 50: Comparative Water Politics
Episode 50: Comparative Water Politics

A conversation with Dr. Sharon Megdal (University of Arizona) about water governance in AZ and CA, recharge, transboundary aquifers, and science diplomacy.  Released April 28, 2023.

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Season 4Mallika NoccoApril 28, 2023water quality/quantity/security, policy, recharge, Arizona, Israel, groundwater banking
Episode 49: David Mas Masumoto
Episode 49: David Mas Masumoto

A conversation with farmer and author David 'Mas' Masumoto about peaches, organic practices, soil, water, and histories in the CA Central Valley. Released April 21, 2023

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Season 4Mallika NoccoApril 21, 2023peaches, groundwater, irrigation, sustainable food systems
Episode 48: The Salton Sea(s)
Episode 48: The Salton Sea(s)

A conversation with Dr. Traci Brynne Voyles (University of Oklahoma) about the environmental history of The Salton Sea as well as current and future challenges. Released April 14, 2023. 

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Season 4Mallika NoccoApril 14, 2023water quality/quantity/security, Salton Sea, Colorado River, settler colonialism, birds, fish
Episode 47: Regulating Nitrogen
Episode 47: Regulating Nitrogen

A conversation with Claire Bjork (Central Coast Regional Water Board) about groundwater nitrogen policy, water quality compliance, and the Irrigated Lands Regulatory Program. Released April 7, 2023

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Season 4Mallika NoccoApril 7, 2023water quality/quantity/security, compliance, nitrogen, fertilizer, policy
Episode 46: Environmental Justice in the San Joaquin Valley
Episode 46: Environmental Justice in the San Joaquin Valley

A conversation with Nayamin Martinez (Central California Environmental Justice Network) about environmental public health issues and activism in the San Joaquin Valley. Released March 24, 2023.

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Season 4Mallika NoccoMarch 24, 2023water quality/quantity/security, healthy cities & communities, farm workers, Fresno, asthma, particulate matter
Episode 45: Atmospheric Rivers
Episode 45: Atmospheric Rivers

A conversation with Dr. Katerina Gonzales (EPA Climate Adaptation Advisor) and Dr. Daniel Swain (UCLA) about atmospheric rivers, climate extremes and futures, and climate science communication. Rereleased March 17, 2023 with original recordings from June 30, 2020.

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Season 4Mallika NoccoMarch 17, 2023drought, climate change, water quantity/quality/security, atmospheric river, floods
Episode 44: Water Insecurity and Circularity
Episode 44: Water Insecurity and Circularity

A conversation with Dr. Greg Pierce (UCLA Luskin Center for Innovation) about the Human Right to Water, the housing-water-fire nexus, wastewater equity, and green infrastructure. Released March 10, 2023. 

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Season 4Mallika NoccoMarch 10, 2023water quality/quantity/security, wastewater, housing, human right to water, green infrastructure, healthy cities & communities
Episode 43: Educating & Empowering Elected Officials
Episode 43: Educating & Empowering Elected Officials

A conversation with Leticia Gonzales (District 4 Supervisor, Madera County) and Victor Griego (Water Education for Latino Leaders) about representation in water governance, service through leadership, and action-oriented education for elected officials. Released March 3, 2023. 

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Season 4Mallika NoccoMarch 3, 2023leadership, representation, action, governance, elected officials
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Water Talk is a podcast about water science, policy, and history. Hosted by three water experts, the goal of the show is to invite communities together to discuss all things water.

Thank you!
 

The views, thoughts, and opinions expressed in podcast episodes are the speaker’s own and do not represent the views, thoughts, and opinions of their employers. The material and information presented here is for general information purposes only. The University names and all forms and abbreviations are the property of its owner and its use does not imply endorsement of or opposition to any specific organization, product, or service. Site and brand design by Impact Media Lab.