I found you Nick, during covid and quickly became an armchair student/fan. I've always been a fan of roadside geology (long haul trucker slowing down to imagine why those designs are in those rocks), but never felt there was a learning place in this for little old uneducated me. Your Mom and Dad did good! I would not be intimidated at all if I saw you in the grocery store 🤗. Always a volcano watcher, the Iceland eruptions introduced me to Shawn and I never miss an upload now. He also comes across as unpretentious and not afraid to fumble along translating how to read and understand the graphs and charts without adding silly drama to events that are/were dramatic enough on their own. I'm thrilled to know there is a community fit for me out there, a thousand + people around the world tuning in to watch a live stream about rocks... just for fun! What a treat to have you both chatting. A+
It was so wonderful to see & view how you both developed a career and learn about your history. Most days or evenings, time permitting, it's a pleasure to learn from both channels! Especially now with politics heating up and dragging on. I worry how AI can be manipulated by the likes of flat-earthers or extreme religious groups. Thank you both for being you! ❤
I am from South Africa and admire both of you so much. I do feel that we all start watching both of you because our interest in the mountains and rocks around us make us want to learn more. RU-vid then helps us to migrate to the right place which is to you guys. Geology is far from anything I have done with my life, but at 70 I am fascinated and especially by such excellent teachers as you both.
I had an influential and beloved JC teacher (50+ years ago) who did much of what you do with slides where you guys use videos. He was a bomber navigator in WW II and taught geography, history and a bit of aerial photograph analysis because he knew them and loved to share. If a teacher loves to share intense knowledge, they will come. That love of your craft comes through and reaches your audience. Love both of you guys for sharing. Thx.
You are trailblazing the future for all colleges around the world to adopt exactly what you are doing Nick! Video platform live around the world! Carl Sagan would be praising you for investing your personal time to your passion to better this world! I hope they see you as a treasure and offer you all the hardware software and man power to help you grow explore and share as you do so well!
Two of my Three favorite Geologist on one show? Great job both of you! My other favorite is Myron Cook. Like you guys, Myron who is a little bit older than you guys, takes it outdoors complete with on the spot drawings to help understand.
I'm a fan of both of your RU-vid channels and follow both of you. You both do great outreach work and those of us that are no longer in school really benefit from your work and efforts! I greatly appreciate what you are doing. I keep tuning into both channels because both of you are personable, authentic and down to earth. You provide real information without the stupid crap fake drama that's so prevalent today. I do not watch any other geology channels because I don't trust their content. As with all of us, my time is valuable and I don't have time for crappy shows and drama, but I will absolutely make time for both of your channels because I can learn a tiny crumb of geology in a relatively short amount of time and hopefully retain a portion of that information. If you are ever in Central Oregon, I'll provide some cold refreshing beverages! Thank you from Central Oregon.
I’ve been watching Shawn’s videos on Iceland since the guy with the cute dog left Reykjavik Grapevine, and found Nick’s channel, and became absolutely addicted, thanks to Shawn. I started university with the intention of getting a degree in geology or geophysics, but got sidetracked and switched to something else just before second year. I’m retired now and, thanks to these channels, seriously considering going back and finishing where I left off. To the both of you - keep up the good work!
Upload the VHS! We want to see you study your early years so we can all learn how to go from beginner to well rounded pro! People will love seeing you go back in time and share that experience! It will inspire so many people to become teachers🙏
Wow! So glad the RU-vid algorithms pitched me another unexpected Zentnergram! I've been experiencing a sad little void since the end of "Glacial Floods From A to Z", and this pleasant surprise from you, Nick and Sean, was just what the doctor ordered up to keep those warm fuzzies going. It was truly heartwarming to learn a lot more of your personal back story, Nick, about how you and your little family cast loose the security bonds of Ohio and made the trek of the unknown out to the Pacific Nortwest, something like the hopeful but naive settlers on the Oregon Trail a century and a half earlier in their conestogas. I felt your raw disappointment upon learning that the position at CSI that you had counted on evaporated during the trip. It was fascinating to learn from Sean in retrospective how ten years later he had filled the niche you would have had there. Things happen for a reason, right? I identified with your life story when compared with my own career ups and downs as a fighter pilot, and the unexpected help from incredible people at dark times who opened doors for me that I couldn't have opened for myself. The same for how I took opportunities, as you both did, to seize insignificant collateral jobs I'd been given, injected my own creativity, and made something special out of them with great personal gratification that still resonates fifty years later! So, Nick, I'll now enjoy the last two thirds of your chat with Sean, and perhaps react here at the end again. Meanwhile, just know that your podcasts have added me to your growing list of worldwide Zenter-recruited geology fans. If I'd had such a charismatic professor when I took Geology 101 at UW in 1965, I might have ended up as a geologist today. Your welcomed efforts here on RU-vid continue to enrich my life and the lives of thousands around the globe. Thank you so much! Parenthetically, I was amazed to learn that you're not a PhD! How hopeful it is to know that an inspired and inspiring teacher like youself can still carve out an educational enclave within the mossbacked institutional structure of modern American academia. It gives me hope that maybe, just maybe, the Titanic this time can be steered around the looming iceberg and avert near certain disaster!
Oh, my! I just realized that I was not subscribed to your channel. Your videos pop up on my WiFi TV and I watch & share them on Fscebook. Some I share with my son. I took Historical Geology 101 at South Seattle Community College in 1982. As a teenager, I learned some basic Geology from my father who was an amateur miner before WW II. He showed me his old galena mine once in Idaho. I got claustrophobic and wanted to leave that big dark hole. One cannot live in the high mountains of the Challis National Forest without learning about the old gold rush days. Or camping in the Blue Mountains in Eastern Oregon and listening to the adventures about the gold rush in Sumpter. We explored the abandoned dredge boats on the river banks. I was amazed at how tiny the remains of the old bank in Sumpter were. Just the red brick outline on the dirt told its story. A square about 5 feet wide framed where the safe for tons of gold once set. A 8 foot by three foot area outlined the bank teller/manager's area. And about a 3×5 foot area of dirt for customers. Yet, a few people still lived there on what was mostly a ghost town. But the Geology of the area proved to get the basis of its story. The retired asseyer was in his 90s and loved telling the history of the brief gold rush days in the late 19th Century. This was in 1959.
Two brilliant and interesting geology instructors. I majored in college in the late 60s-early 70s, in a department headed by a guy who also loved geology. These two guys have taught me a lot. I, too, love learning.
I like that you two did this I believe with nick from when I first seen him in 2020 during the lockdown I found you nick you are genuine and knowledgeable and down to earth person you are more knowledgeable in your field but you don't come off as your better than others instead you want to help others step up to your knowledge base so they can be always learning I always believe that you never stop learning as soon as you think you know everything you are only stopping you from expanding I appreciate you nick as I got to enjoy watching you teach geology 101 and nick at home I enjoyed learning from youyou are a great teacher as like you said you need to be a people person as in the way you treat others m glad I found your channel again from when I lost my other attachment name on RU-vid back in 2022 keep up the great work I really enjoy learning from you and will continue to enjoy learning from you Shawn I will check you out and hopefully I will find the same with you as nick
there is nothing more interesting to me, especially within communicating geology as ive realized, than ”creating your own boardgame”. getting somewhere where you feel you fill an important role via passion and curiosity, willingness to learn and not afraid to just take stuff ON! truly inspirational to listen to. i follow both of you and this interview was a real gem, thank you both!
I’m a big fan of both of you (and also Myron Cook). I’m working on getting my 3rd university degree now in my 60s in geology, just for the fun of it. Your videos inspire me. Thank you, both!
To of my favorite geologist. Found Nick way back when he was flipping the chalkboard around talking about Ellensburg/ Cascadia. Been a lover and climber of all rocks since I was a child with the family. Shawn is a recent find since the Icelandic eruptions. Great find! Thanks guys. Wish I jumped into geology as a job but found carpentry. Love my job btw.
Saw this on Sunday Both of you are men of science but also both of you are educators ( teachers)You both make learning interesting and fun .You both inspire people to learn to be open to new ideas .Have watched your videos for over 4 years You getting a PHD would of been a waste of your time and talents You are truly gifted at what you do
I worked in the geology field in the late 70s and early 80s. After that i got work that used all of the required classes for the degree-physics, chemistry, mathematics and computer science. Was geology the best degree choice, maybe. It gathered all the sciences together to help me navigate through rough times in the economy. It also enabled me to imagine structures I couldn’t see directly
Love your here your personal side of your career adventures- my 2 year community college in Rockville ,Md was outstanding-especially the Geology dept .went on to work for the USGS in Washington,dc and Reston va for a couple years for east coast off-shore oil leases (geophysics) 1978. In 1979 I departed the east coast for more studies at Univ of Az, tucson where I worked as a cabinetmaker and woodworker to pay bills . I became so successful at this trade I decided to start my own business , as a result my hobby turned into my new career and my geology career became my hobby. I retired 5 years ago after 40 years of a very successful career at custom woodworking for clients nationwide. I really enjoy hearing your stories and the journey's you both took , love the curiosity and adventures you share with us from Bretz to Iceland, follow each of your channels and it's wonderful to see both of you in conversation thanks for being part of my journey.
Very cool to see two ROCK STARS talk about geo-science education. Loved hearing how you both got started, what motivates you to continue and more. We viewers are hungry for knowledge about geology in the world, your back yards and for Shawn in Iceland too. You've built quite the impressive on-line leaning communities. I have learned lots from both your talks/ lectures. Thank you
Your styles are inviting, easy to digest, and fun. I had no idea that I was into geology until I found Nick on RU-vid during the pandemic. It didn't hurt that I live in Washington and enjoy the outdoors. Thank you both! I have a different perspective because of your work. I am so grateful. Much love from Vancouver Washington ❤
Great interview here. Two treasures within the geologic and educational world with Nick and Shawn. Awesome attitude and creativity for putting the material out to the masses. Whether it’s college students or the general public. I’ve been hooked on this stuff for a few years now. Bless both of you good sirs and long may you serve.
❤❤❤ watched this live! Thank you, Nick! I have been a you tube student of yours for some years now. You are a wonderful professor! Thank you for your sharing of knowledges!!
Thanks for this wonderful discussion. Having spent a lot of time living in and hearing about the the world of university departments and that life, I'm always interested in stories about people's academic career histories. One of the things that's nice about Mathematics is that there is a genealogy page that gives doctoral advisers, theses topics, and advisees for Mathematics Ph.Ds. But the details of the actual history of people and departments is so much richer, more interesting and dramatic. It always strikes me how small these worlds are and the College of Southern Idaho connection dramatically underscores that smallness.
Two of my favorites! Yes there is a world full of us retired people with money and time looking for something productive, fun, interesting, and cool to get involved in. You two have opened that up for me. Thank you! A retired Ag Teacher/Administrator that loved his job but now loves something else .
I don't know about other people but I've been watching Nick for at least 4 or 5 hyears and Shawn since he started. I ended up teachiong Computer Science in high school but in university I always loved geology, took a few courses, but finally moved in other directions. I think we watch the two of you because: 1. we trust your information and realize that you are learning as you go along as well; 2. Both of you are fun to watch. For Nick especially and Shawn you can get in on this as well, I am fascinated by Nick's most recent theories of how the Rocky mountains formed.
Glad you mentioned Myron Cook. I've really enjoyed his content and style. James Hagedorn at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science does short subject geology videos through DMNS. Also, I'm a big fan of both your videos. I've followed you, Nick, since Covid times, and Shawn, especially since the Iceland Grindavik eruptions began.
Not a businessman or a geologist, I'm a retired high school history teacher, I watch both Nick and Shawn because they're personable and I'm interested in geology without knowing much about it. I've been interested in the Oregon Trail for half a century. The trail is surrounded by geology, through western Nebraska, across Wyoming, follows the Snake River across Idaho, right past Shawn in Twin Falls, and on to the Pacific Northwest. I'd never heard of Ice Age floods until Nick brought them up back in 2020. I live 1,500 miles away, but I've made a field trip to the Scablands, and will go back again this summer, just because it's (for me) a fascinating story.
I funniest Nick video during Covid was his curiosity about how much could he make if he allowed people to donate to live...if he had too... I knew the response would startle him, he shut that down so fast it was funny... still so funny to look back on.
I first saw Nick on the PBS 5-min. shows, "Nick On The Rocks" - so interesting. Moved on to his videos available on RU-vid. Then, like others, watched his 101 class on-line during Covid - even ordered The Yellow Book and took notes like a real student. Since then I have watched many other field lectures and musings out in nature. Just recently came across Shawn and have watched the videos on The Owens River Gorge and Gargoyle Canyon. Thanks so much you guys - for making my interest in Geology and neat "rocks" so accessible, educational and entertaining! And great to watch you 2 talk to each other!
One of the things Nick does little better is ability to look straight to the camera. It’s not so easy and obvious! I enjoy both of you! Not a geologist, not even close, but geology enthusiasts for sure. Thank you guys!
I landed in Elko & Carlin in '89-90 and HATED it. Drove me out of the industry. I should have tried teaching, like my parents. Became a Flight Instructor in '91-'92 and never looked back. Thank you both for re-igniting my love of Geology.
Nice Nick you are the authentic you. Glad to see you are exactly 💯 you from high school. Authenticity is where it's at. I appreciate the reminders and YES I am proud of myself for using the same techniquesin Indian Country today. (In an Ad Hoc group bridging issues on easement roads on the reservation. Tweener Minocqua and Fifefield. ) Akin to Mr. Carlson, Carty Monahan and Mr. James, authenic as it gets. ❤
Nick and Shawn, my husbad and I have enjoyed this conversation between the two of you, and we are not even geologists! Nick, we have been watching your earlier teaching videos, so now RU-vid offers them up to us to watch. This one came up tonight, and we thoroughly enjoyed the many topics you covered. As far as we are concerned, you can do this anytime - again! The videos we have especially enjoyed are the ones about the Rocky Mountains since we live in Alberta. Although retired, my husband says he might be interested in taking your courses towards a degree.
I’m sitting in the Top End of Australia’s Northern Territory and somehow I stumbled across Nick during Covid I guess, and liked what I saw. So then I went and looked at every video I could find. And as everyone knows, once you search for anything on RU-vid you are fed tons of uninvited channels and that’s where I found Shawn. I like Nick’s work because of the expert analysis etc but as an uneducated person I find that a lot of it sometimes goes way over my head and I may stop watching. I like Shawn’s output because it is generally more basic, explanatory and educational, at my level of understanding. Overall I like both of you and your different styles. Thanks for this video, your humility and honesty and yes we all do things to make us feel part of a community.
I appreciate your honesty on your icons. I like to know what your videos are going to tell me. I have unsubscribed from people who give a sensational icon but they don't deliver in the video. For this reason, I subscribe to both of you.
What a wonderful conversation, thank you. I'm so glad that Shawn addressed the 'sensationalism' issue. I know that it attracts a certain mindset though i do feel that it doesn't do the subject any real favours. I studied O-level Geology at the local grammar school i attended as a child here in the UK, and i still have a deep curiosity in the subject. What i really like about what you guys do is to show that Geology isn't just about deep time but that it's happening under our feet all the time, and there are still new things to be discovered and understood. More power to you both.
I'm really enjoying this. I agree that the authenticity that you both put forward is a big part of the draw for me. I also am very careful about what I open & look at.
Thanks Nick. Yes continue to encourage other departments to do outreach programs. Start small and always be reagy talk to local community groups, this will build the communication skills necessary and they also learn to feed off the energy in the room. Same skills work on platforms like RU-vid but you do not have the same feedback. Maybe that is where you come in, you have developed ways to engage your viewers that work. I hope they are prepared learn from you.
..glad to have found a little time to peek in on this two interviews episode of Zentner and Willsey, as this is a good heartfelt discussion that offers hope to anyone looking for a clue.. while I'm older and in small town alaska, with lots of things I could've done, and geology has been an interest among others.. Thank you for additional insight into educational paths. (As I can relate to the path my father blazed in his decades of working various fields in Alaska, eventually he fell into teaching for free, driving to locations across the kenai peninsula, and eventually found himself with a classroom a few hours, and most time, outdoors doing what he always liked; getting paid too; for UAA @ Kenai Campus. For 35 years in the final position..!) Thanks again, Mr Z and Mr Wills for another background angles, of your experiences as educators.. Take care! ~ in a small town AK-USA ❄🇺🇸(64 yr AK resident🙂)
I've watched this video several times, more times than either Nick or Shawn's videos (all of which are outstanding). I keep unpacking more from the conversation. One, for sure, is the advent of the retired stepping-up and involving/ creating new areas of research. Love the "Publish or Perish" comment, especially the recent onslaught of papers being debunked for faulty data.
What a good talks. Thanks so much. I'm not good at english and just long- time-ago bachelor of geology in Korea. Love RU-vids of both of you and geology of USA too much.
The socializing you are discussing, we got from field trips. 20 or so geology students traveling and camping together for a long weekend or two weeks, or whatever, was very effective in socialization among us students. We did teams for our 6-day trip to Zion, Bryce, and the Grand Canyon, so we also built teamwork and team identity.
Well I found you during lockdown when you were in your backyard ❤and you and Sean fill that need I have to know more about geology So thankyou so much 🙏🫶
My favorite "geology" film would be Earthquake (1974) Starring Charlton Heston and Ava Gardner, VFX by Albert Whitlock - Greatest matte artist in Hollywood history. Thanks for sharing!
I was visiting Southern California for the first time and saw Earthquake the day before we left for home. I didn’t know anything about geology at the time and had yet to experience my first earthquake, so the film was real and scary. I had a nightmare that night and will never forget the relief I felt as the landing gear folded and our plane lifted off. Luckily, by the time I watched Dante’s Peak, I knew enough about geology to recognise it was entertainment and just for fun.
What would help greatly to satisfy the demand for learning is lower the cost for higher education. In addition to an increase in options, much of it comes down to cost.
“The neutrinos have mutated!” 🙄 pseudoscience disaster movies like that dud, “2012” drive me crazy. I don’t blame you Nick for not watching them. I do want to know some of the bad geology channels to avoid, but I get why you avoided specifics. Great interview from both sides. ✌️
Before Nick I took a couple Astronomy classes from Bruce Betts of the Planetary Society and CHTV Domingo Hills... California... a kind of combination online free class and a live class with tests and homework... California State University does have an online presence... if you are curious.
I am interested in hearing about the different mountain ranges around the world. How they formed and composition. Is it possible to interview ppl who know about the different mountains
Both of you are popular because we (the general public) do not have a way to learn about geology and other topics that interest us unless we take a college course or read books. Personally, I don’t want to go back to college and take tests. I want someone to teach me what they know in a way I can understand and learn about the world around me.
I'd like to see one (both?) of you join "Seeking Lost" on a hike. Wait a minute! What's wrong with Elko? I loved it! Geology was an elective for my surveying major; wished I'd had more geology & chemistry to understand mining & oil business better. Retired now. The grown-up counselors at school knew better than I what I should learn. RU-vid provides easier access to info. I probably wouldn't drive 90 miles to my local Community College to watch a talk. Regarding 'pseudo science' channels, I click [Don't show channel]. Channels like those may have bot farms to fake view numbers. Geology stretches to Mars & beyond. You might copy your YT videos elsewhere if YT goes poof.