Off the Radar

The Drake Passage, a 600-mile stretch of ocean between South America and Antarctica, is one of the most dangerous bodies of water on Earth. With waves that can exceed 40 feet and a history littered with shipwrecks, it's claimed the lives of an estimated 10,000 sailors. Yet today, thousands of tourists willingly cross it every year on their way to Antarctica, documenting the experience with hashtags like #DrakeShake and #DrakeLake. In this episode, we explore what makes the Drake Passage so treacherous and why it's become a rite of passage for modern adventurers. Travel influencer Alyssa Ramos, who has crossed the Drake eight times, shares what it's really like aboard a ship battling these notorious waters. Then, marine meteorologist Alvaro Scardilli from the Argentine Navy breaks down the atmospheric forces and ocean dynamics that create some of the most volatile conditions on the planet. From its days as a ship graveyard to its current status as a bucket-list destination, this is the story of the Drake Passage.

Red light therapy masks are everywhere on social media - glowing, slightly terrifying, and according to influencers, life-changing. But beyond the hype, there's legitimate science here: specific wavelengths of red and near-infrared light can penetrate skin tissue, boost cellular energy production, and potentially speed healing and reduce pain. In this episode, meteorologist Emily Gracey explores the physics behind red light therapy and investigates whether it lives up to its promises. Joining her is Dr. Zakia Rahman, Clinical Professor of Dermatology at Stanford University School of Medicine, who breaks down which benefits have solid research backing them and which claims need more study. They discuss the cellular mechanisms at work, how to use red light responsibly without getting ripped off by overpriced devices, and the critical question: given our history of getting "harmless" light exposure wrong, from X-rays to radium to tanning beds, should we be concerned about long-term effects we don't yet understand? Whether you're curious about adding red light therapy to your routine or just want to understand the science behind the glow, this episode separates evidence from marketing in the booming world of light-based wellness.

In the 1930s, the Great Plains transformed from a land of promise into an apocalyptic landscape of suffocating dust storms. For nearly a decade, massive black clouds swept across 150,000 square miles of Oklahoma, Kansas, Texas, Colorado, and New Mexico, turning day into night and forcing families to abandon their homes. Dust storms lasted for days at a time, reducing visibility to zero. People coughed up clumps of earth and developed "dust pneumonia," while livestock died with inches of dirt lining their digestive tracts. But how did this happen? And more importantly, could it happen again? We speak with Dr. Jeff Lee of Texas Tech University and Dr. Thomas Gill of the University of Texas at El Paso to explore the causes of this catastrophic period in American history, how the Dust Bowl reshaped the nation, and what vulnerabilities we still face today.

Here's a special message from OTR host, Emily Gracey.

Dr. David Beuther, a pulmonologist, reveals how climate change is creating a quiet respiratory health crisis - one where patients with lung disease are increasingly trapped indoors by poor air quality. In this conversation, we explore the growing impact wildfire smoke, extended pollen seasons, and shifting weather patterns are having on our ability to breathe. Dr. Beuther shares practical strategies for protecting lung health, from choosing the right air filters to understanding air quality forecasts, and discusses how he advises patients about the connection between climate change and their symptoms. This isn't a distant environmental threat; it's happening now, in doctors' offices and homes across the country, affecting millions of people who just want to take a breath of fresh air.