Space Madness Podcast Episode 38: Geology - Beyond Rocks

In this episode of the Space Madness podcast, host Jeff Nosanov speaks with Aaron Celestian, curator of gems and minerals at the Museum of Natural History in Los Angeles. They discuss the museum's extensive collection, including urban wildfire ash and recent efforts to study the January 2025 Los Angeles fire, and the role of geology in drug development and environmental science. Aaron shares his journey to becoming a curator, the challenges of funding research, and the innovative projects underway at the museum. The conversation also touches on unexpected applications of Geology, the differences between museums and academia, and the philosophical implications of geology and the interconnectedness of life and Earth.