The Deep-Sea Podcast

In our sixth  installment of the Deco-Stop series we go deep into the gaming verse with video games that focus on, and were inspired by the deep-sea. This second episode in our two part pop culture series features interviews with the creators behind SubROV and SOMA.  Both of these games are perennial favorites on our Discord chat server, and are often the focus of much discussion and even playthroughs. This is the episode we’ve all been waiting for! Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading.   In part 2 we chat with José Luis González Castro of SubROV, a fascinating remote operated vehicle game that really captures the essence of flying an ROV. We hope you enjoy Jose’s inspiring attention to detail, and passionate recreations of deep-sea environments, with an emphasis on soundscapes.   Support the show The podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us: Add Patrons Here   Check out our podcast merch here!   Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on: [email protected] We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone! https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!   Find out more Social media BlueSky: @deepseapod.com Twitter: @DeepSeaPod Instagram: @deepsea_podcast Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:  Alan - @Hadalbloke Thom - @ThomLinley  Instagram:  Thom - @thom.linley  Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions BlueSky: Thom @thomaslinley.com  Alan @hadalbloke   Reference list Interview Links STEAM page Our interview with an ROV pilot SubROV trailer Instagram: @sub-rov

Welcome to the PRESSURISED version of episode 71, a tighter edit that gets right to the point. If you would like to hear the full episode, you can find it in the same feed.  Episode Summary This month on the Deep-Sea Podcast, we speak with Anne Helene Tandberg, a researcher from the University Museum of Bergen who specializes in amphipods and curated the deep-sea exhibit at the University Museum of Bergen, Norway.    Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading.   Interview Links Diversity, habitat endemicity and trophic ecology of the fauna of Loki’s Castle vent field on the Arctic Mid‑Ocean Ridge Gammarid amphipods (Crustacea) in Norway, with a key to the species | Fauna norvegica Exitomelita sigynae gen. et sp. nov.: a new amphipod from the Arctic Loki Castle vent field with potential gill ectosymbionts A new species of Exitomelita (Amphipoda: Melitidae) from a deep-water wood fall in the northern Norwegian Sea 10 Tons   University Museum of Bergen Universitetsmuseet i Bergen on Facebook Universitetsmuseet_i_bergen on Instagram Universitetsmuseet i Bergen on Bluesky Universitetsmuseet i Bergen on Linkedin   The unknown land – the deep sea | UiB. The whale hall | UiB   Anne Helene Socials Instagram Linkedin

Episode Summary This month on the Deep-Sea Podcast, we speak with Anne Helene Tandberg, a researcher from the University Museum of Bergen who specializes in amphipods and curated the deep-sea exhibit at the University Museum of Bergen, Norway.    Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading. In this episode… Welcome back to the Deep-Sea Podcast, your punk take on all things deep sea!    Alan is living day 56 on a boat, and feeling great about 50 landers and 900 hours of footage taken on a mystery seamount near the Western Sahara. Thom had a great time at a conference in Shanghai where he enjoyed the historical atmosphere and also met Dmitry Pitruk, a snailfish hero! He then returned to NZ just in time for a sausage sizzle fundraiser, where he cooked over 300 sausages in 45 minutes.    Listen to the epic waffle as they chat about lives ruined by the podcast, brine pool pickles, deep-sea fish biscuits, and bizarre Ai messages on our website.    For our guest this month we speak with Anne Helene Tandberg, a researcher from the University Museum of Bergen who specializes in amphipods, and curated the deep-sea exhibit at the University Museum of Bergen Norway.    Join us for historical deep-sea artifacts, loads of info on Marie Tharp- a pioneering female geologist and oceanographer, a journey from Norway to Greenland underwater, the magic of a well planned carpet, and why the whales in Bergen are too short. In the news, get ready for updates on: Sponges of the Alaskan Deep- with Italian commentary Rethinking Hydrothermal Vent Life Magnapinna Sightings Krill hot tub Parties Discord update Japanese Game Shows Thom’s Cult Electroshock adventures New Deep-Sea Photos Incredible Septopus ceramics fresh from the kiln Support the show The podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us: Mir G - is a new species of Alaskan sponge Moss - is one of the earliest forms of life Amira - is a gummy squirrel found around manganese nodules Jillian - a fish painted on one side   Check out our podcast merch here!   Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on: [email protected] We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone! https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!   Find out more Social media BlueSky: @deepseapod.com Twitter: @DeepSeaPod Instagram: @deepsea_podcast   Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:  Alan - @Hadalbloke Thom - @ThomLinley  Instagram:  Thom - @thom.linley  Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions BlueSky: Thom @thomaslinley.com  Alan @hadalbloke   Credits Image credit:University of Bergen, Deep-Sea Exhibit, taken by Meghan Jones Song of the Month:A Marine Biologist by Deepest of the Hillside Thickets References How Deep is Your Love (documentary) Deep-Sea News Scientists find nine new sponge species in glimpse of Alaska’s deep-sea diversity Five new species of demosponges (Porifera) from the Aleutian Islands and the Gulf of Alaska | Zootaxa Four new demosponges from Alaska and the designation of a new genus in Hymedesmiidae (Heteroscleromorpha, Poecilosclerida) | Zootaxa Cradle of life? Why deep-sea vents might not be the answer Rethinking the origin of life at seafloor hydrothermal vents | PNAS MBARI researchers film chance encounter with a rare deep-sea bigfin squid “Probably ate it headfirst." Here's what scientists found inside this deep-sea fish’s bulging belly | Discover Wildlife Tiny krill are turning up in deep-sea hydrothermal vents. Scientists want to know why Biological Oceanography | OSU Zooplankton Ecology Lab Marie Tharp | Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution 2026 Inductees | Women of the Hall   Interview Links Diversity, habitat endemicity and trophic ecology of the fauna of Loki’s Castle vent field on the Arctic Mid‑Ocean Ridge Gammarid amphipods (Crustacea) in Norway, with a key to the species | Fauna norvegica Exitomelita sigynae gen. et sp. nov.: a new amphipod from the Arctic Loki Castle vent field with potential gill ectosymbionts A new species of Exitomelita (Amphipoda: Melitidae) from a deep-water wood fall in the northern Norwegian Sea 10 Tons   University Museum of Bergen   Universitetsmuseet i Bergen on Facebook Universitetsmuseet_i_bergen on Instagram Universitetsmuseet i Bergen on Bluesky Universitetsmuseet i Bergen on Linkedin   The unknown land – the deep sea | UiB. The whale hall | UiB   Anne Helene Socials Instagram Linkedin   The Unusual Ocean: Who Lives in the Deep?  https://www.studiombj.com/ The Unusual Ocean Book Website studio_mbj Official: Instagram | Linktree Buy the Book  Scaly Foot Snail Coloring Page Abyssal Grenadier Coloring Page Mariana Snailfish Coloring Page Pearl Octopus and Anemones Coloring Page   Discord Links Oceanography Episode: Queer Voices in Oceanography

In our sixth  installment of the Deco-Stop series we go deep into the gaming verse with video games that focus on, and were inspired by the deep-sea. This second episode in our two part pop culture series features interviews with the creators behind SubROV and SOMA.  Both of these games are perennial favorites on our Discord chat server, and are often the focus of much discussion and even playthroughs. This is the episode we’ve all been waiting for! Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading. In this episode… Welcome back to the Deep-Sea Podcast, your punk take on all things deep sea!  In our sixth  installment of the Deco-Stop series we go deep into the gaming verse with video games that focus on the deep-sea. This second episode in our two part pop culture series features interviews with the creators behind SubROV and SOMA.  Both of these games are perennial favorites on our Discord chat server, and are often the focus of much discussion and even playthroughs.  In our part for this packed Deco-stop episode, Thom is thrilled to interview a member of the creative team behind one of his favorite games; SOMA. Join us as we talk with Thomas Grip about the creation of SOMA, its deep-sea inspired roots and the philosophical investigation of human consciousness encapsulated within the game play.  While we don’t share news, or discord updates on our Deco-stop series you can always find loads of supporting information for deco-stop interviews on our website at www.deepseapod.com.    Support the show The podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us: Add Patrons Here   Check out our podcast merch here!   Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on: [email protected] We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone! https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!   Find out more Social media BlueSky: @deepseapod.com https://bsky.app/profile/deepseapod.com   Twitter: @DeepSeaPod https://twitter.com/DeepSeaPod   Instagram: @deepsea_podcast https://www.instagram.com/deepsea_podcast/   Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:  Alan - @Hadalbloke https://twitter.com/Hadalbloke Thom - @ThomLinley  https://twitter.com/ThomLinley Instagram:  Thom - @thom.linley  https://www.instagram.com/thom.linley/ Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions https://www.instagram.com/inkfishexpeditions/ BlueSky: Thom @thomaslinley.com https://bsky.app/profile/thomaslinley.com  Alan @hadalbloke https://bsky.app/profile/hadalbloke.bsky.social   Reference list Interview Links ONTOS reveal trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ll4ZPxUzPhc   ONTOS gameplay trailer - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EXRJB73BDfM   Triple Click Episode: https://maximumfun.org/episodes/triple-click/somas-ai-horror-story-is-even-more-relevant-today/ Credits Theme: Hadal Zone Express by Märvel

PRESSURISED This is the short and punchy version of episode 70 that gets right to the science. If you would like to listen to the full episode, you can find it in the same feed. Episode Summary This month on the Deep-Sea Podcast, we chat with Jason Rodriguez, a celebrity ROV pilot whose enthusiasm for all things science, ocean, and collaboration is deeply inspiring. This extra-packed episode is filled with Jason’s love for all things tech, problem-solving on the fly and being an expansive thinker.  Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading.   Support the show The podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us: Vivek- Lays on the seabed fossilized for millions of years Jem- Was perfectly preserved in a bottle of vodka   Check out our podcast merch here!   Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on: [email protected] We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone! https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!   Find out more Social media BlueSky: @deepseapod.com Twitter: @DeepSeaPod Instagram: @deepsea_podcast   Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:  Alan - @Hadalbloke Thom - @ThomLinley  Instagram:  Thom - @thom.linley  Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions JRod - @tx_jrod BlueSky: Thom @thomaslinley.com  Alan @hadalbloke   Credits Logo image: Courtesy of Jason Rodriguez Theme: Hadal Zone Express by Märvel

Episode Summary This month on the Deep-Sea Podcast we chat with Jason Rodriguez, a celebrity ROV pilot whose enthusiasm for all things science, ocean, and collaboration are deeply inspiring. This extra packed episode is filled with Jason’s love for all things tech, problem solving on the fly and being an expansive thinker.  Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading.   In this episode… Welcome back to the Deep-Sea Podcast, your punk take on all things deep sea!    This month Alan reveals progress on his calico beard, and buys cheap vodka in bulk from a budget grocery store for his own personal cabinet of curiosities. Thom develops his own cologne; “Eau de Cusk Eel” and receives a blast from the past in the mail. We interview Jason Rodriguez, a celebrity ROV pilot whose enthusiasm for ocean science, and collaboration are deeply inspiring. Join us as we revel in his love for all things tech, problem solving on the fly and being an expansive thinker.    In the news, get ready for updates on: Chlamydia in the deep-sea Tiny fossilized teeth Hybrid Vent systems Whale Graveyard Misplaced Megalodon Bones   Discord update Member designed deep-sea games Awkward 4 fin teenager-phase Vampire Squid photos Chimera Processing Tongue eating louse in the wild Adventures tagging horseshoe crabs In progress deep-sea inspired ceramics Daily museum photos Support the show The podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. We want to say a huge thank you to those patrons who have already pledged to support us: Vivek- Lays on the seabed fossilized for millions of years Jem- Was perfectly preserved in a bottle of vodka   Check out our podcast merch here!   Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on: [email protected] We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone! https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!   Find out more Social media BlueSky: @deepseapod.com   Twitter: @DeepSeaPod   Instagram: @deepsea_podcast   Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:  Alan - @Hadalbloke Thom - @ThomLinley  Instagram:  Thom - @thom.linley  Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions   BlueSky: Thom @thomaslinley.com  Alan @hadalbloke   Reference list News  Deep-Sea News A submersible ride revealed a vast whale graveyard. And it holds more than just bones Trump administration ditches plan to close a critical ocean monitoring system after furious bipartisan backlash Scientists uncover a deep-sea coral kingdom almost the size of Vatican City Deep-sea crust uncovers steady plutonium rain from ancient kilonova debris Deep-sea denizens go years without food with clever biological fix | Reuters Deep-sea megafauna co-opts microbial energy metabolism genes to withstand ultra-long starvation Chlamydiae in the Environment - ScienceDirect Tiny, blue Galápagos octopus identified as newfound species | CNN A new species of Microeledone from Galápagos Islands and an amended diagnosis of the Megaleledonidae (Octopoda: Incirrata) | Zootaxa Tiny teeth fossils reveal ancient origins of ocean’s most abundant deep-sea fish | Yale News Expedition led by MBARI researchers reveals remarkable, and rare, form of deep-sea hydrothermal vents Lost megalodon vertebrae resurface, confirming 80-foot size estimate Deep-sea snails ride surface currents to reach distant hydrothermal vents Gastropod shells record larval migration from deep-sea hydrothermal vents to the euphotic zone | Science Advances Integrative taxonomy of new genera and species of giant foraminifera (Rhizaria: Foraminifera: Xenophyophoroidea) from the abyssal northwest Pacific reveals novel morphological complexity | Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society | Oxford Academic   JRod’s Instagram @tx_jrod   Discord Updates A Day On The Abyssal Plain by siphonophora 2 Hours of Snailfish to Relax/Study To | Lofi Hip Hop | Monterey Bay Aquarium Krill Waves Radio https://nzase.org.nz/category/resources/deep-sea-tinkerer-and-fish-zoologist-dr-thom-linley/ Deep-Sea and Space with Prof. Alan Jamieson on Failure to Launch   Credits Song of the Month:Important Mermaid (Living Room Version) Stephen Spencer (@_stephenspencer) • Instagram photos and videos Logo image: Courtesy of Jason Rodriguez Theme: Hadal Zone Express by Märvel

Episode Summary In this episode Thom gets his game on with the creative team behind the Deep-Sea inspired and supportive board game Endeavor: Deep-Sea. Join us for this behind-the-scenes chat with the developers of some deeply authentic and enjoyable deep-sea-inspired board games.     Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading. In this episode… Welcome back to the Deep-Sea Podcast, your punk take on all things deep sea!    In our fifth instalment of the Deco Stop series, Thom gets his game on with Jarratt and Carl, the creative duo behind Endeavor: Deep-Sea, an award-winning deep-sea inspired board game that uses real-life research and events to craft a deeply authentic gameplay akin to real deep-sea research team experiences.   Support the show The podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. Check out our podcast merch here!   Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on: [email protected] We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone! https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!   Find out more Social media BlueSky: @deepseapod.com https://bsky.app/profile/deepseapod.com   Twitter: @DeepSeaPod https://twitter.com/DeepSeaPod   Instagram: @deepsea_podcast https://www.instagram.com/deepsea_podcast/   Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:  Alan - @Hadalbloke https://twitter.com/Hadalbloke Thom - @ThomLinley  https://twitter.com/ThomLinley Instagram:  Thom - @thom.linley  https://www.instagram.com/thom.linley/ Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions https://www.instagram.com/inkfishexpeditions/ BlueSky: Thom @thomaslinley.com https://bsky.app/profile/thomaslinley.com  Alan @hadalbloke https://bsky.app/profile/hadalbloke.bsky.social   Reference list Interview Links Endeavor Deep-Sea Endeavor: Deep Sea, Standard Edition $59USD | Burnt Island Games Endeavor Deep Sea: Uncharted Waters by Burnt Island Games — Kickstarter Wellycon Discoveries from the deep – the Bounty Trough expedition | Te Papa’s Blog Credits Theme: Going Home by Harvey Jones

Episode Summary In this episode Thom gets his game on with the creative team behind two incredible Deep-Sea inspired board game: Finspan   Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading. In this episode… Welcome back to the Deep-Sea Podcast, your punk take on all things deep sea!    In our fifth instalment of the Deco Stop series, Thom gets his game on with the creative team behind two incredible Deep-Sea-inspired and supportive board games. We hear from Michael O'Connell, the co-designer of Finspan, who gives us an insider look into the development of this game for 'fish people' which features ocean zonation, the creation of your own personal eco-system and the midnight zone- filled with some of our favourite deep-sea cuties.  Support the show The podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. Check out our podcast merch here!   Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on: [email protected] We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone! https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!   Find out more Social media BlueSky: @deepseapod.com Twitter: @DeepSeaPod Instagram: @deepsea_podcast   Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:  Alan - @Hadalbloke https://twitter.com/Hadalbloke Thom - @ThomLinley  https://twitter.com/ThomLinley Instagram:  Thom - @thom.linley  https://www.instagram.com/thom.linley/ Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions https://www.instagram.com/inkfishexpeditions/ BlueSky: Thom @thomaslinley.com https://bsky.app/profile/thomaslinley.com  Alan @hadalbloke https://bsky.app/profile/hadalbloke.bsky.social   Reference list Interview Links Finspan Finspan – Stonemaier Games Sharks & Reefs Expansion - Finspan Anarchytabletop.bsky.social Credits Theme: Going Home by Harvey Jones

Episode Summary Here’s our fifth episode of The Deco-Stop; a deeper look into the humans behind deep-sea science and technology. We’ve done our science dive, and now it’s time to decompress, and discuss tales at sea, career paths and the social & political aspects of deep-sea science. We have gazed into the abyss, and now it's gazing back at us.   In this episode Thom gets his game on with the creative team behind two incredible Deep-Sea inspired and supportive board games: Finspan and Endeavor: Deep-Sea. Join us for this behind-the-scenes chat with the developers of some deeply authentic and enjoyable deep-sea-inspired board games.     Check out our lovely new website where you can find more detailed notes, images and links to the wider reading. In this episode… Welcome back to the Deep-Sea Podcast, your punk take on all things deep sea!    In our fifth instalment of the Deco Stop series, Thom gets his game on with the creative team behind two incredible Deep-Sea-inspired and supportive board games. We hear from Michael O'Connell, the co-designer of Finspan, who gives us an insider look into the development of this game for 'fish people' which features ocean zonation, the creation of your own personal eco-system and the midnight zone- filled with some of our favourite deep-sea cuties. Thom also talks with Jarratt and Carl, the creative duo behind Endeavor: Deep-Sea, an award-winning deep-sea inspired board game that uses real-life research and events to craft a deeply authentic gameplay akin to real deep-sea research team experiences.    As one of our infrequent in-person interviews, this one hums with personal connection, bringing another heartwarming Deco-Stop Episode all about the human aspect of the deep-sea community to you, our much-appreciated listeners.  Support the show The podcast is self-sustaining (just) thanks to our lovely listeners. Thom and Alan take no money for the show. All money is put back into running it. Here’s a link to our page on how to support us, from the free options to becoming a patron of the show. Check out our podcast merch here!   Feel free to get in touch with us with questions or your own tales from the high seas on: [email protected] We’d love to actually play your voice, so feel free to record a short audio note on our brand new answerphone! https://www.speakpipe.com/deepseapodvoicemail Thanks again for tuning in; we’ll deep-see you next time!   Find out more Social media BlueSky: @deepseapod.com https://bsky.app/profile/deepseapod.com   Twitter: @DeepSeaPod https://twitter.com/DeepSeaPod   Instagram: @deepsea_podcast https://www.instagram.com/deepsea_podcast/   Keep up with the team on social media Twitter:  Alan - @Hadalbloke https://twitter.com/Hadalbloke Thom - @ThomLinley  https://twitter.com/ThomLinley Instagram:  Thom - @thom.linley  https://www.instagram.com/thom.linley/ Inkfish - @inkfishexpeditions https://www.instagram.com/inkfishexpeditions/ BlueSky: Thom @thomaslinley.com https://bsky.app/profile/thomaslinley.com  Alan @hadalbloke https://bsky.app/profile/hadalbloke.bsky.social   Reference list Interview Links Finspan Finspan – Stonemaier Games Sharks & Reefs Expansion - Finspan Anarchytabletop.bsky.social   Endeavor Deep-Sea Endeavor: Deep Sea, Standard Edition $59USD | Burnt Island Games Endeavor Deep Sea: Uncharted Waters by Burnt Island Games — Kickstarter Wellycon Discoveries from the deep – the Bounty Trough expedition | Te Papa’s Blog Credits Theme: Going Home by Harvey Jones

C-C-C-C-CROSSOVER! Ocean Trenches Explained with Professor Alan Jamieson.  Join Professor Alan Jamieson, one of our venerated hosts, for a special cross over episode with our friends at Oceanography. This hadal trenches primer episode is a great overview for a first time deep-diver, taking you to the deepest parts of our favorite habitat.  Ocean trenches are Earth’s deepest habitats—and they’re full of life. This episode is a guided dive into the hadal zone (6,000–11,000 meters), where tectonic plates create steep trenches that plunge toward the mantle. Learn what trenches are geologically, what conditions are like at full ocean depth (cold, pressure, darkness), and why the deep sea isn’t a single ecosystem—each trench is its own world. You’ll also get myth-busting on how “the abyss” shows up in pop culture, plus an inside look at the technology that makes trench science possible: multibeam mapping, baited landers, and human-occupied submersibles. Finally, we explore the big research questions scientists are asking about biodiversity, evolution, and connectivity across the deepest ocean.   Special thanks to the Monterey Bay Aquarium for sponsoring this episode. Episode Guest: Professor Alan Jamieson Browse Professor Jamieson’s publications on Google Scholar Visit the Hadal Zone Deep Sea Research Center and follow their work on Instagram Episode Transcript  and more information on the Pine Forest Media website Follow Pine Forest Media on Instagram @pineforestmedia Hosted, produced, and edited by Clark Marchese  Cover art by Jomiro Eming Theme music by Nela Ruiz