Inside the Life of a Storm Chaser with George Kourounis
Would you take a job that has you stand in a fiery pit that’s been burning for decades in the Turkmenistan desert, rig a rope across a boiling lake, and put yourself in the middle of Tornado Alley?
George didn’t take the job– he made it, and he took his camera with him.
George Kourounis is a National Geographic Explorer, storm chaser, science communicator, and host of the Angry Planet TV series. He's been to all seven continents and over 80 countries to photograph some of Mother Nature's most elusive and dangerous phenomena, like tornadoes, giant hail, dust storms, hurricanes, avalanches, volcanoes, and more.
We talk about...
The logistics of being ready to cross the world at a moment’s notice
Funding big adventures and relying on Mother Nature to make a living
How George broke into media and started the Angry Planet TV series
Why George hates the words “influencer” and “content” and the impact of technology on the news cycle and media
Identifying as a nature junkie but not an adrenaline junkie
The Gateway to Hell expedition with a Guinness World Record of being the first person to set foot at the bottom of this burning pit of gas
Capturing disasters that blur the line between natural and human influence
The FOMO of missing a big storm or event and the pressure to create media for others to enjoy or learn from
When your work is less of a job and more of a lifestyle
A scary bat experience where George’s inner organs could’ve turned to Jello (oopsie)
The essence of exploration in 3 words
PSST! If you like this episode, you’ll love this one: How to be an Imperfect Advocate and Pursue Outdoor Adventures in a Changing Climate with Alpinist Graham Zimmerman
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Music: The King of Sandwich Island by Shut-ins
Thank you to The Ruins, the best wedding venue in Oregon, for supporting the show.