Groks Science Radio Show and Podcast

Global scientific research often employs experimental animals. The American beagle may be one of the most influential in the history of modern science. On this episode, Dr. Brad Bolman discussed his book, Lab Dog.

Addictive behaviors are becoming endemic in modern society, driven by excessive activation of the brain's dopamine system. Is it possible to tame our neurobiology? On this episode, Michael Long discussed his book, Taming the Molecule of More.

Snakes may elicit either fascination or revulsion, but what do we know about the biology of these remarkable creatures? On this episode, Stephen S. Hall discussed his book, Slither.

How do we arrive at the choices that we do and how is the brain wired to assess the value of these choices? On this episode, Dr. Emily Falk discussed her book, What We Value.

What are the biological processes that govern our moods and behaviors? Are we wired to be unhappy? On this episode, Dr. Loretta Breuning discussed her book, Why Youre Unhappy.

How do financial incentives in the technology industry lead to disastrous products that can rapidly impact billions of lives? On this episode, Darryl Campbell discussed his book, Fatal Abstraction.

Generative AI has revamped the manner in which science is conducted, but will it influence the scientific display of information? On this episode, Felice Frankel discussed the role of AI in scientific images.

How exactly is the brain wired for altruism? And, if it is so beneficial, why can it be so rare in human society? On this episode, Nicole Karlis discussed her book, Your Brain on Altruism.

Artificial intelligence is advancing at a breakneck pace. How could these advancements change society? On this episode, Dr. Chase Cunningham discussed his books, Gabriel and Variable.

Shame is often viewed as a negative emotion, but can it be used to empower our personal development. On this episode, Dr. Abbie Marono discussed her book, Work in Progress: The Road to Empowerment, The Journey Through Shame.

Resistance to oppressive forces is not an easy feat in any situation, much less in a totalitarian regime. On this episode, Richard Jay Hutto discussed his book, The Countess and the Nazis.

Mindset determination can seem relatively straightforward until the implementation is attempted. How do we establish positive mindsets? On this episode, Dr. Wendy Zimmer discussed her book, The Force Continuum.

Alzheimer's disease and related dementias are a growing health issue, requiring new approaches to care. On this episode, Lisa Skinner discussed her book, Truth, Lies, and Alzheimer's: It's Secret Faces.

Does evolution lead inevitably to consciousness? What are the biological advantages for conscious systems? On this episode, Dr. Francisco Aboitz discussed his book, A History of Bodies, Brains, and Minds.

Evolution of sexual behaviors takes many forms in the animal kingdom. How does this manifest in human relationships? On this episode, Dr. Nathan Lents discussed his book, Sexual Evolution.

Expeditions to reach the North Pole were ultimately successful through aerial approaches. How did technology enable this success? On this episode, Buddy Levy discussed his book, Realm of Ice and Sky.

How much do environmental circumstances determine the actions of individuals, particularly those in law enforcement? What happens when good police turn to crime? On this episode, Michael Cannell discussed his book, Blood and the Badge.

The rapid advancements in artificial intelligence is reshaping modern society. How does this reflect the past and future of these representations? On this episode, Dr. Julie Wosk discussed her book, Artificial Women

The detrimental effects of excessive soda consumption are well known, but have been downplayed by the industry. How did soda companies influence the science studying this issue? On this episode, Dr. Susan Greenhalgh discussed her book, Soda Science.

Solar storms are poorly understood, but investigating the corona of the sun may hold the answers. On this episode, Dr. Andrew Fraknoi discussed the Parker Solar Probe.

Although modern life seems to be constantly moving, it is important to take time to rest and recharge. On this episode, Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith discussed her book, Sacred Rest.

The ecological diversity of inland water systems are often ignored, but have a profound impact on our environment. On this episode, Dr. David Strayer discussed his book, Beyond the Sea.

The transition from fossil fuels to electrical power in automobiles is placing new demands on rare earth metals. How can these resources be utilized effectively? On this episode, Vince Beiser discussed his book, Power Metal.

The study of free will is often couched in broadly philosophical terms, but is it possible to develop a science of free will? On this episode, Dr. Roy F. Baumeister discussed his book, The Science of Free Will.

A picture says a thousand words, but attention to good design and imagery in science communication is often overlooked. How can we promote good visual elements in science? On this episode, Felice Frankel discussed her books, The Visual Elements.

Although the medieval period may seem to be greatly underdeveloped, the history of the age may be able to inform the construction of a modern sustainable society. On this episode, Dr. Annette Kehnel discussed her book, The Green Ages.

Humans have now begun to influence the climatic conditions of the earth, but how can we use our collective efforts to guide a solarpunk future? On this episode, Dr. Phoebe Wagner discussed her book, Almanac for the Anthropocene.

The onslaught of digital media continues to compete for our limited attention spans. How do we survive in the digital age? On this episode, Dr. Richard Cytowic discussed his book, Your Stone Age Brain in the Screen Age.

The oceans cover most of the surface of the earth, but they still remain largely unexplored, particularly in their deepest regions. On this episode, James Bradley discussed the ocean depths.

The gang is back for the science news roundup to discuss applications of artificial intelligence. On this episode, we explore AI in nuclear reactors and protein folding.

Advancements in artificial intelligence have raised concerns about their impact on human well being. What are the benefits of this new technology? On this episode, Drs. Ravi Bapna and Anindya Ghose discussed their book, Thrive: Maximizing Well-Being in the Age of AI.

Engaging the brain to receive information requires activating particular neural circuits that mediate surprise. On this episode, Rich Carr discussed his new book, Surprised: The Science and Art of Engagement.

Hypothyroidism is often caused by an overlooked, but prevalent, autoimmune condition known as Hashimoto Thyroditis. On this episode, Dr. Heather Stone discussed these thyroid disorders.

Human impact on the environment has a long history spanning more than a half a millennia. On this episode, Prof. Sunil Amrith discussed his book, The Burning Earth.

Neurodiversity contributes to the breadth of societal interactions, but has not been well addressed in the workplace. On this episode, Dr. Ludmila Praslova discussed her book, The Canary Code.

Sharks may be one of the most fearsome creatures of the oceans, but how much is known about their natural history? On this episode, Dr. John Long discussed his book, The Secret History of Sharks.

Modern life has provided many creature comforts that may cause more harm than benefit for our health. What is the benefit of discomfort? On this episode, Paul Taylor discussed his book, Death by Comfort.

Technological design is often hampered by runaway features with limited utility. How do we design a better future? On this episode, Scott Doorley discussed his book, Assembling Tomorrow.

What are the limitations and promises of artificial intelligence? How do we employ it effectively? On this episode, Dr. Pedro Domingos discussed his book, 2040, A Silicon Valley Satire.

The human brain operates in a manner to predict changes in the environment, but what happens when this prediction window changes? On this episode, Alexander Boldizar discussed his book, The Man Who Saw Seconds.

Technological advances have inundated daily lives and resulted in a massive oversubscription in unnecessary activities. How do we take back our time? On this episode, Julio Vincent Gambuto discussed his book, Please Unsubscribe, Thanks.

The internet has enabled a brand of anonymous negativity that often manifests physically. On this episode, Robyn Harding discussed her new book, The Haters.

Reducing pathogens in indoor environments is a major challenge, which can benefit from novel approaches. On this episode, John Rajchert discussed the development of Far UVC technology.

Public awareness of institutional malfeasance relies on investigative journalists. How has the landscape of such activism changed? On this episode, Barrett Brown discussed his book, My Glorious Defeats.

Leadership does not require exerting complete control. Rather, the most effective leaders empower their organizations and individuals for success. On this episode, James Wetrich discussed his book, Stifled: Where Good Leaders Go Wrong.

Federalism may seem inherent in the United States constitution, but it is a concept that has seen constant refinement, particularly in the interbellum period of the early 1800s. On this episode, Dr. Alison LaCroix discussed her book, The Interbellum Constitution.

The history of the Doolittle Raid in WWII continues to reveal unresolved mysteries regarding the vanishing eighth plane. On this episode, Dan Hampton discussed his book, Vanishing Act.

The 1999 WTO protests were a landmark event in history, but one that has been largely forgotten. What lessons were learned from this event? On this episode, DW Gibson discussed his book, One Week to Change the World.

Even the best ideas can be lost in the deluge of information that surround us daily. How can the best thoughts be conveyed? On this episode, Rhea Wessel discussed her book, Write Like a Thought Leader.

Perhaps no other river in the United States is as iconic as the Mississippi River. What is the past, present, and future of this river? On this episode, Bryce Upholt discussed his book, The Great River.

Traumatic events often leave indelible marks on mental health. What are the avenues for healing? On this episode, Banning Lyon discussed his book, The Chair and the Valley.