PBS Digital Studios Launches New Digital Series HOT MESS From the Team Behind “It’s Okay to Be Smart”
Weekly episodes, breaking down climate change, will stream every Thursday on YouTube and Facebook Watch
ARLINGTON, VA; April 19, 2018 – PBS Digital Studios announced today the premiere of its new original YouTube series HOT MESS, dedicated to illustrating the complexities of the Earth’s climate and its impact on populations. See a preview here.
Beginning Thursday, April 19, HOT MESS will showcase climate and environmental stories through the perspective of one of its three expert hosts: Joe Hanson, a Ph.D. biologist, science writer and host of the award-winning show, “It’s Okay to Be Smart”; Miriam Nielsen, an environmental journalist and climate communicator; and Talia Buford, a ProPublica journalist covering environmental justice and disparities.
The series premiere features host Joe Hanson, who explores the history of climate change and the influence of human beings on the world’s shifting environment.
“HOT MESS is dedicated to growing online communities that are interested in exchanging dialogue about environmental science,” Brandon Arolfo, Senior Director, PBS Digital Studios, said. “At its core, HOT MESS is rooted in science education, and we are lucky to have such smart, passionate hosts bring their varied experiences and perspectives to the series.”
Future HOT MESS episodes combine science and testimonials to help audiences decode topics like environmental justice and the impact of consumer choices, energy sources and human behaviors such as eating meat and driving electric cars.
HOT MESS is produced in partnership with Spotzen, the PBS Digital Studios team behind the award-winning science education show “It’s Okay to Be Smart” and the Facebook Watch series “Two Cents.”
HOT MESS is presented in partnership and with funding provided by Peril & Promise, a national public media initiative from WNET New York, focusing on the human stories of climate change. Peril & Promise features stories about our warming world, scientific innovation and resiliency solutions.
Credits:
Host/Editor-in-Chief: Joe Hanson, Ph.D.
Host/Writer: Talia Buford
Host/Writer: Miriam Nielsen
Director: David Schulte
Producers: Amanda Fox, Stephanie Noone
Editors/Animators: Karl Boettcher, Derek Borsheim
Story Editor: Alex Reich
About Joe Hanson, Ph.D.
Joe Hanson, Ph.D., is a science writer, biologist and YouTube educator. He is the creator and host of “It’s Okay to Be Smart,” an award-winning science education show from PBS Digital Studios, that celebrates curiosity and the pleasure of finding things out. He received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin, and his science writing has been published by WIRED, Nautilus, Scientific American and Texas Monthly. He lives in Austin, TX.
About Miriam Nielsen
Miriam Nielsen is a video journalist and animator in New York. She has produced science and educational videos for The Verge and CBS News and raises awareness about environmental issues on her YouTube channel, “zentouro.” She is pursuing a master’s degree from Columbia University in Climate and Society. Interests include biking, Frisbee and posting Instagram photos of her dog, Darcy.
About Talia Buford
Talia Buford covers disparities in environmental impacts for ProPublica. Previously, she was an environment and labor reporter at The Center for Public Integrity, where her work focused mostly on wage theft and the Environmental Protection Agency’s lackluster enforcement of Title VI of the Civil Rights Act. She also covered energy for POLITICO Pro. She began her career covering municipal and legal affairs at The Providence (R.I.) Journal. She earned a master’s degree in the study of law from Georgetown University Law Center and a bachelor’s degree in print journalism from Hampton University.
About PBS Digital Studios
PBS Digital Studios’ original digital programming includes more than 15 ongoing series for YouTube and Facebook Watch, including those from PBS member stations across the country, designed to engage, enlighten and entertain online audiences. The PBS Digital Studios YouTube network has more than 13 million subscribers and has generated more than one billion lifetime views. Series include the Webby Award-winning It’s Okay to Be Smart, Physics Girl and Crash Course, as well as popular series such as BrainCraft and PBS Space Time .
About PBS
PBS, with nearly 350 member stations, offers all Americans the opportunity to explore new ideas and new worlds through television and digital content. Each month, PBS reaches nearly 100 million people through television and nearly 28 million people online, inviting them to experience the worlds of science, history, nature and public affairs; to hear diverse viewpoints; and to take front row seats to world-class drama and performances. PBS’ broad array of programs has been consistently honored by the industry’s most coveted award competitions. Teachers of children from pre-K through 12th grade turn to PBS for digital content and services that help bring classroom lessons to life. Decades of research confirms that PBS’ premier children’s media service, PBS KIDS, helps children build critical literacy, math and social-emotional skills, enabling them to find success in school and life. Delivered through member stations, PBS KIDS offers high-quality educational content on TV – including a new 24/7 channel, online at pbskids.org, via an array of mobile apps and in communities across America. More information about PBS is available at www.pbs.org, one of the leading dot-org websites on the internet, or by following PBS on Twitter, Facebook or through our apps for mobile and connected devices. Specific program information and updates for press are available at pbs.org/pressroom or by following PBS Pressroom on Twitter.
CONTACTS:
Atiya Frederick, PBS, 703-739-5147, anfrederick@pbs.org
Stephanie Kennard, PBS, 703-739-5454, skkennard@pbs.org
