Life Is A Story We Tell Ourselves

Send us a textThis episode explores the mystery of a cellular organelle known as the vault and how unlocking the secrets of nano vaults could revolutionize Disease Cures.  Though its structure is well know and its protein composition well established, its function remains a mystery.  Joining us to explain this mystery is its discoverer, Dr. Leonard Rome.Dr. Leonard H. Rome is a cell biologist, biochemist and part-time dean involved in research, teaching and administration at the University of California, Los Angeles. He earned his undergraduate degree (B.S. in Chemistry) and graduate degrees (M.S. and Ph.D. in Biological Chemistry) at the University of Michigan, Ann Arbor. He was a postdoctoral fellow at the National Institutes of Health, where he worked on lysosome biogenesis.Dr. Rome has been on the faculty of the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA since he joined the Department of Biological Chemistry in 1979. He became a full Professor in 1988 and has been Senior Associate Dean for Research in the School of Medicine since 1997. Since 2005 he has been the Associate Director of the California NanoSystems Institute. Dr. Rome has served as the elected Chair of the School of Medicine Faculty Executive Committee and he is actively involved in Graduate and Medical Education. In 1991 he received a UCLA School of Medicine Award for Excellence in Education.If you would like to learn more about vaults check out Dr. Rome's youtube channel or go to our website:https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com

Send us a textThis episode is all about deep fakes.  It is getting more difficult everyday to tell what is real and what is fake, especially on social media and even on TV networks.  In this episode we will explore, the war thats raging between creation and detection of deep fakes.  So what exactly is a deep fake.  Joining us to answer that question is Dr. Ilke Demir.  She's on the front lines of this battle.Dr. Demir is a curious research scientist, working on topics in 3D vision, computational geometry, generative models, remote sensing, and deep learning. She earned my Ph.D.  from Department of Computer Science at Purdue University, working under supervision of Daniel Aliaga. She later joined Facebook as a Postdoctoral Research Scientist to work with Ramesh Raskar. After some groundbreaking projects, she left to pursue a startup path, which ended with an acquisition. That next led her to find her research heaven in the world's largest volumetric capture stage at Intel Studios.https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com

Send us a textOn this episode we speak with Dr. Zafra Lerman about how a love for science is fostering world peace.Zafra Lerman is an American chemist, educator, and humanitarian. She is the President of the Malta Conferences Foundation, which aims to promote peace by bringing together scientists from otherwise hostile countries to discuss science and foster international scientific and technical collaboration. From 1986 to 2010, she chaired the American Chemical Society's Subcommittee on Scientific Freedom and Human Rights. She has been successful in preventing executions, releasing prisoners of conscience from jail and bringing dissidents to freedom. She is the recipient of many awards for education and science diplomacy, including the 1999 Presidential Award from U.S. President Clinton, the 2005 Nyholm Prize for Education from the Royal Society of Chemistry (England), the 2015 Science Diplomacy Award from the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), the 2016 Andrei Sakharov Award for human rights from the American Physical Society (APS), the 2016 United Nations NOVUS Award for the 16th Sustainable Development Goal: Peace and Justice, and the 2017 International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry Distinguished Women in Chemistry or Chemical Engineering Award.https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com

Send us a textOn this episode we speak with Dr. Jesse Goodman about the spread of the H5N1 virus.  We will discuss what a virus is, how viruses migrate from animal populations to humans and assess the chances for a new pandemic.Jesse L. Goodman, M.D., M.P.H., directs Georgetown COMPASS, which focuses on science based policy and research to address unmet public health needs with an emphasis on product development and access and antimicrobial resistance and stewardship. Until February 2014 he served as the Chief Scientist of the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), a position he assumed in 2009 along with Deputy Commissioner for Science and Public Health (2009-2012). As FDA's Chief Scientist he had broad responsibility for strategic leadership of crosscutting scientific and public health efforts, including developing and implementing FDA's Strategic Plan for Regulatory Science and FDA's public health preparedness and response and medical countermeasures efforts.A graduate of Harvard, Dr. Goodman received his M.D. from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine and did residency and fellowship training in Medicine, Infectious Diseases and Oncology at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania and at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA), where he was also Chief Medical Resident. https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com

Send us a textThe next episode will explore how to avoid the devastating psychological impacts of disasters. A native of Long Island, New York, Dr. Katz attended Harvard College and went on to Columbia University where he obtained his medical degree, completed his psychiatric residency training and served as chief resident in psychiatry. He subsequently completed a fellowship in forensic psychiatry at NYU. Dr. Katz has a private practice in general and forensic psychiatry in Manhattan and is a former President of the New York County District Branch of the American Psychiatric Association as well as a Distinguished Fellow of the APA.  Dr. Katz is married to Linda, a pediatrician and a child psychiatrist who is herself Chair of the Disaster Committee of the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, and is the proud father of twenty-two-year-old Maya (whose travelled with him to Haiti and Japan and studies international relations) and eighteen-year-old Lev (whose travelled to Japan).https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com

Send us a textOn this episode we speak with Dr. Jonathan Zehr.  He and his colleagues discovered an example of evolution in action.  Dr. Zehr will share with us how such a revolutionary discovery was made.Jonathan Zehr is the distinguished professor at the University of California, Santa Cruz, Institute of Marine Sciences.  He and his colleagues have discovered the possibility of a complex cellular organism with a nitrogen-fixing organelle derived from endosymbiosis with a nitrogen fixing bacteria. This new organelle is called a nitroplast. Studying a marine alga with a cyanobacterial endosymbiont, Zehr and his colleagues  used soft x-ray tomography to visualize cell structure and division of the alga, revealing a coordinated cell cycle in which the endosymbiont divides and is split evenly, similar to the situation for plastids and mitochondria in these cells.  In other words instead of having a symbiotic relationship, the alga and bacteria integrated to form a newly evolved organism.  Dr. Zehr, welcome to the program.  We can't wait to hear more about this revolutionary discovery.https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com

Send us a textHuman beings have been breeding and cross-breeding plants for thousands of years.  We have done this to increase yield, taste, growth rate and in modern times shelf life in grocery stores.  With the discovery of the gene editing tool, CRISPR, plant breeding has risen to a whole new level; a level that has the potential to end world hunger, respond to the negative impacts of climate change, and even make it easier to eat black berries.Dr. Tom Adams co-founded gene editing company Pairwise and serves as Chief Executive Officer. Tom has over 25 years of leadership experience heading up biotechnology for global companies, serving most recently as Vice President of Global Biotechnology at Monsanto where he led the team developing a broad range of innovative products. Tom wanted to realize the possibilities of CRISPR and gene editing in plants, and co-founded Pairwise to realize this potential in a mission-based environment. Formerly a faculty member at Texas A&M University, Tom holds a PhD in microbiology and plant science from Michigan State University and a BS in botany and plant pathology from Oregon State University. Tom is a long-time distance runner and often competes in local events.https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com

Send us a textIn this episode we will explore the truth and consequences of the firing of National Park Service seasonal employees.  Joining us is former national park seasonal ranger, Rosanne McHenryRosanne has worked as a National Park Ranger and a California State Park Ranger in many different locations over the years, including the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Mt. Rainier National Park, Auburn State Recreation Area, Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park, and Death Valley National Park, among others. “Serving as a park ranger gave her a unique opportunity to talk to people about our natural world, and to instill a deep sense of stewardship in each person she has met. This beautiful planet, our Earth, is our shared heritage, and we all play an important role in protecting it.https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com

Send us a textMoral bankruptcy threatens to destroy national parks under the guise of government efficiency. The firing of many national park service employees is illegal.  Why illegal?  Not because some codified law is being violated, rather because a higher moral law is violated.  That law is rooted in the human responsibility of stewardship.   The care and love for our natural and cultural resources seeks to resolve what E.O. Wilson called the great paradox.  That is the natural proclivity of human beings to expand and develop while at the same time conserving and protecting the resources needed for development and expansion. This is the great challenge of stewardship and our National Parks represent humanity's attempt to resolve this paradox.When we speak of the benefits of parks it is in these terms that we must speak.  It is dangerous to define the importance of parks and conservation only in terms of the monetary economic benefit.  We must not simply try and make the value of parks and conservation fit within the context of a market economy.   We must understand that the benefits of parks and conservation are more than a commodity in the marketplace, rather they are an important part of the creative processes of the universe.Franklin Roosevelt noted that:“There is nothing so American as our national parks. The scenery and the wildlife are native. The fundamental idea behind the parks is native. It is, in brief, that the country belongs to the people, that it is in process of making for the enrichment of the lives of all of us. The parks stand as the outward symbol of the great human principle.This episode gives an in depth argument for why we have a moral responsibility to protect our national parks.https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com

Send us a textDr. Traill Dowie discusses how Early Childhood Attachments Can Influence Mental Health. He is an Associate Professor of Psychotherapy, Research Fellow, clinician, and clinical supervisor with dual PhDs in Psychiatry and Philosophy. As a respected voice in the field of trauma, attachment, and psychedelic-assisted psychotherapy, he bridges clinical practice with deep theoretical inquiry, bringing cutting-edge insights into the treatment of complex psychological conditions.https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com

Send us a textAre we alone in the Universe.  Are aliens or extraterrestrial beings already here on earth, or are they watching us from afar with technologically advanced probes? It has been decades since the search for aliens began in earnest with SETI, the Search For Extraterrestrial Intelligence.  So why haven't we made contact?  What is the Fermi paradox and the Drake Equation and what do they tell us about he existence of ET? Why does the former chairman of the board at SETI think extraterrestrial probes may be watching us?  We're going to explore these and other questions with John Gertz.John Gertz has  been involved in the field of SETI for more than 20 years, having served three terms as chairman of the board of the SETI Institute (www.seti.org), He is also the president of a new organization that successfully campaigned to raise $100 million for SETI research, and he currently the only layman on the Breakthrough Listen board that advises on the use of that $100 million fund.  His forthcoming book, Reinventing SETI, will be released in Spring 2025 by Oxford University Press.https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com

Send us a textJoining me on this episode is Tom Shunenman to discuss climate change, the anthropocene, the ambitious 30X30 initiative that seeks to preserve 30% of the earth's biodiversity by the year 2030.  Tom will also share what happened recently at the COP29 meeting, the 29th conference of the parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.We will take a deep dive into the question of whether human activity eventually destroy the earth.  We will also take about human caused climate change vs normal variations in the weather.https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com

Send us a textJoining me on this episode is Jessica Ostheim.  Jessica is a clinical dietician at the University of North Carolina Rex Cancer Care.  She received her Masters in Nutrition Sciences from Arizona State University and her Bachelors degree in Nutrition Sciences from Penn State University.  She specializes in helping oncology patients with their dietary needs during cancer treatment.We will explore:What inspired you to become a nutritionist?Why is nutrition important for cancer patients?What role does nutrition play in cancer prevention?There's a lot of misinformation on the internet about cancer cures involving nutrition.  What can you tell our listeners to help them discern what's true and not?How does what you eat affect your health, generally?What are the keys to a healthy diet?Are there foods that you would say are definitely carcinogenic?https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com

Send us a textCan a Cancer cure overcome evolutionary pressures?  Human evolution is possible because of the extreme tendency for DNA to mutate.  This same tendency is what leads to mutations that cause cancer.  This episode takes an in depth look at cancer care from the point of view of two oncologist.  Dr. Robert Wehbie  and Dr. Roger Anderson.  You will hear them discuss how human evolution and cancer are inextricably bound together.We will explore the many types of cancersThe current state of clinical careLearn how cancer has evolved over the millenniaAnd whether or not a cure is finally on the horizon Dr. Wehbie is a chemotherapy oncologist in Raleigh, North Carolina.  He received his medical degree from the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health and has bee in practice for more than 20 years.  He has expertise in treating lymphoma, lung cancer, prostate cancer, among other conditions.Dr. Roger Anderson is a radiation oncologist also in Raleigh, North Carolina.  He received his medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine and has been in practice for more than 40. Years.  As a radiation oncologist, Dr. Anderson treats a variety of cancers that we will more about during the podcast.https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com

Send us a textDr. Craig Hane, affectionately known as Dr. Del, is on a mission to revolutionize math education and empower individuals with practical tools to unlock their potential. With a Ph.D. in Algebraic Number Theory, decades of teaching experience, and a passion for breaking barriers, Dr. Del offers a compelling mix of expertise, innovation, and storytelling that resonates with listeners of all backgrounds.Born in the aftermath of WWII, Dr. Del's early life was shaped by resilience and resourcefulness. From humble beginnings in rural Indiana, where he learned arithmetic under the guidance of his uncle, to overcoming significant academic challenges, his journey underscores the transformative power of belief, perseverance, and mentorship. Dr. Del's inspiring story is one of turning setbacks into stepping stones, making it relatable and uplifting for any audience.What sets Dr. Del apart is his groundbreaking approach to math education. He combines traditional concepts with modern tools like scientific calculators and Wolfram Alpha to demystify math and make it accessible to everyone. His philosophy is simple: math should empower, not intimidate. Dr. Del's strategies enable students and professionals alike to conquer math barriers in STEM fields and beyond, proving that even complex subjects like calculus and differential equations can be made easy.  You can learn more about Dr. Hane's work at his website: https://craighane.com/https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com#podmatch

Send us a textHow do you make an informed decision if your baby may be born with a life threatening illness.  Genetic diseases can be heart wrenching.Kira Dineen joins us to discuss the challenges surrounding genetic diseases and the sometimes difficult decisions parents have to make.  We will also talk about the revolutionary gene editing tool, CRISPR, that is clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats”.  What is that? Join us to find out.  Please don't forget to hit the like button and subscribe at natureandsciencepodcast.comShe is the host of the podcast DNA Today.  She started “DNA Today: A Genetics Podcast” in 2012 which also became a radio show in 2014. The podcast has since produced over 140 episodes interviewing experts in the field. “DNA Today” won the Best 2020 Science and Medicine Podcast Award along with four other nominations. Kira received her Diagnostic Genetic Bachelor's of Science degree at the University of Connecticut and is a certified Cytogenetic Technologist. She received her Master's of Science in Human Genetics at Sarah Lawrence College in New York. She is the host of the PhenoTips Speaker Series and currently practices as a genetic counselor in a high risk prenatal private practice.She is here today to discuss genetic testing, the Nobel Prize winning CRSPR gene editing technique and the to talk about the overall quality and safety of DNA testing by such companies as 23&Me and Ancestry.com.  Kira, Welcome to the program.https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com#podmatch

Send us a textFor the next several episodes we will be focused on cancer care from the physiological, mental and nutritional and clinical oncology aspects of cancer.  We will also discuss the recent research that promises cures for some cancers.Today, we're excited to welcome Dr. Wendy Garvin Mayo to the show! Dr. Mayo is a healthcare leader with over 20 years of experience in clinical practice, leadership, research, and academia. As the CEO of Collaborative Cancer Care, she's dedicated to transforming mental health support for cancer patients, their families, and oncology professionals.In addition, she's the creator of The Stress Blueprint, a consulting firm helping healthcare professionals manage stress through emotional intelligence. Dr. Mayo's contributions have earned her multiple awards, including the University of Saint Joseph's Distinguished Alumni Award and the University of Connecticut's Outstanding Alumni Award. She's also an accomplished author of SHAPE Your Life: 5-Step Blueprint for Sustainable Stress Management.We can't wait to dive into her wealth of knowledge on stress management, mental health in cancer care, and leadership in healthcare.https:/natureandsciencepodcast.com#podmatch

Send us a textAI, there is nothing artificial about it.  And that's the danger.Dr. J. Craig Wheeler is a renowned astrophysicist and professor of astronomy at the University of Texas. Unlike futurists, he applies the rigors of physics to the question of how technology affects humanity, making him a unique voice and thoughtful counterpoint. He was one of the original signators on the infamous letter calling for a temporary pause of work on AI in March 2023. He is the author of the new book The Path to Singularity: How Technology Will Challenge the Future of Humanity, with the foreword written by Neil deGrasse Tyson.  You can find out more about Dr. Wheeler's writings at:  https://jcraigwheeler.ag-sites.net/index.htmIn this episode we talk about the potential threats from AI, how a machine learns and what happens if AI becomes emergent.  Can we really predict what AI will become.  Self aware AI is one thing.  But what if it becomes something else that we can't even imagine?  Listen in as we discuss these and other topics.#podmatch #AI #Singularity #ArtificialIntelligencehttps:/natureandsciencepodcast.com#podmatch

This episode is all about How A Biochemical Chain Reaction Saved Millions of Lives It spawned technology that has revolutionized everything from ancestry research to tools that have improved the criminal justice system and helped to set many innocent people free.  Known as PCR, or the polymerase chain reaction, Dr. Henry Erlich is here to tell us how he and his colleagues discovered PCR and how it is used today.Dr. Henry Erlich is a world-renowned scientist, author, educator, and human rights activist.  His contributions to the field of DNA research are groundbreaking. In the 1980s, he pioneered innovative techniques for assessing DNA evidence, revolutionizing the criminal justice system.  Under his leadership, he and his colleagues developed the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) technology.  The technology is used in numerous ways and is familiar to people even in their daily lives.  PCR technology has helped save millions of lives worldwide. Beyond his work in DNA forensics, Dr. Erlich's research has contributed to medical research and enriched our understanding of evolution and historical events.  His latest book is "DNA Analysis and Human Evolution: Genetic Reconstruction of the Past,”

In the episode we explore why human beings sometimes behave irrationally.  We discuss the irrationality of the middle east conflict, doctor patient decision making, self deception and a lot more with Dr. Dan Ariely.Dan Ariely (Hebrew: דן אריאלי; born April 29, 1967) is an Israeli-American professor and author. He serves as a James B. Duke Professor of psychology and behavioral economics at Duke University. He is the co-founder of several companies implementing insights from behavioral science.[1] Ariely wrote an advice column called "Ask Ariely" in The Wall Street Journal from June 2012 until September 2022.[2] He is the author of the three New York Times best selling books Predictably Irrational, The Upside of Irrationality, and The Honest Truth about Dishonesty.[3] He co-produced the 2015 documentary (Dis)Honesty: The Truth About Lies.[4]His laboratory at Duke, the Center for Advanced Hindsight, pursues research in subjects like the psychology of money, decision making by physicians and patients, cheating, and social justice

Genetics can tell us a great deal about our ancestry and so can newspapers, oral histories, an public records.  Together they tell a story about who we are as human beings.  Mica L. Anders joins us on this episode to help us understand how ancestry research is done.  She is the history detective you never knew you needed. With over 20 years in genealogy, she's made it her mission to uncover the stories history forgot. Specializing in African American and Midwestern U.S. narratives, Mica turns dusty records and forgotten facts into captivating tales helping people form all walks of life to better understand their history.As a member of the Association of Professional Genealogists and recipient of the 2023 Minnesota Genealogical Society Pioneer Award, Mica brings forgotten histories to life. Whether you're curious about your family's journey or want to add depth to your organization's story, Mica's here to help you discover the amazing hidden chapters of your past.  We explore how DNA and forensics are used to uncover family histories and well as solve cold cases.  What is the science behind genetic markers?  How is mitochondrial DNA, passed down from mothers used to research one's ancestry?  We answer these and a host of other questions in this episodeHow does uncovering one's family history impact their sense of identity and place in the world?

Caring for stroke survivors at home can be challenging.  Dr. Kenneth Monaghan, PhD, is a renowned expert in stroke rehabilitation with over 32 years of clinical, academic, and research experience in Ireland. As a lecturer in health science and director of the Neuroplasticity Research Group at Atlantic Technological University, he is at the forefront of developing innovative physical rehabilitation solutions that can be implemented in a patient's own home.  He joins us on this episode to discuss his book, Lights, Mirror, Action.  You can access his book here.Kenneth's mission is to empower stroke survivors to achieve the best possible recovery by optimizing their home environment for physical rehabilitation. With his expertise in digital health technology, remote rehabilitation systems, and neurology rehabilitation, he is revolutionizing the way stroke patients receive care and support after leaving the hospital.A registered chartered physiotherapist specializing in musculoskeletal injuries, Kenneth holds a master's degree in sports medicine from University College Dublin. He has an impressive track record of securing over $2 million in research funding, publishing 30 journal papers, presenting at 50 international conferences, and delivering invited talks worldwide. His groundbreaking work has been featured on radio programs and in national newspapers in Ireland. Kenneth is also the lead inventor of two successful UK/international patents for innovative rehabilitation devices. He serves on the board of directors for the Neurology Support Centre charity and is a former editor and current editorial board member of Physiotherapy Practice and Research international journal.

The unseen world is uncovered and presented to us by Dr. Steve Gschmeissner.  From tardigrades, viruses, pollen, human sperm and diatoms, Dr. Gschmeissner has used the scanning electron microscope to photograph them all.  On this episode of A Journey Through Nature and Science you will experience the beauty and wonder of these images.  His electron micrograph images have been used on the cover of record albums and inspired the design of clothing and furniture.  The unseen world is truly full of wonder and life worth seeing.

Daniel Tausan believes that you control your health.  If you understand some basic principles about the importance of sleep, fasting, mental attitude and nutrition you can lead a long and healthy life.Daniel Tausan holds a graduate degree from the University of British Columbia in Stem Cell Biology with a Bachelor of Science in General Biology. He worked in research in the molecular profiling of exercise, looking into comprehensive blood panels in search of biomarkers for predictive health analytics with Molecular You and UBC's School of Kinesiology to develop methods for biological age calculation so that you control your health.  You can learn more about Daniel's work here.https://timelinesciences.com/

Medicine and Miracles are explored in this episode.  Dr.Erica is a doctor detective who finds simple solutions to common maladies that other doctors can't seem to help with.  Here search for spirit, purpose and meaning in life led to her current life of service.  She lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico with patients from across the US. She has lived in many different countries while growing up. Her adult life began as a school teacher on the Navajo Reservation in the early 1970s, then Peace Corps volunteer in South America working as a bilingual educator, high-altitude mountain climber in the Andes, Outward Bound Instructor in the Colorado Rockies. She helped found a co-housing community in Santa Fe called The Commons.  Her life has been a mythic journey of wonderment and life-changing experiences—including some major medical disasters—which ultimately led her to finding her life purpose of service to those who are suffering.  In particular she now describes herself as a medical detective diagnosing and finding a cure for maladies that other doctors have not been able to help with.  You can find out more about Dr. Elliott here:   https://www.ericaelliottmd.com

This episode will explore the effort to keep Big Bend National Park Wild.  Our guest is Bob Krumenaker.  Bob is a former National Park Service superintendent.  Over his thirty year career Bob managed several parks, including The Everglades, Apostle Islands, and Big Bend National Park.  It was at Big Bend that Bob truly found his calling as he worked for years with conservationists, local legislates and citizens to get much of Big Bend National Park designated as wilderness.  Bob recently retired and continues his efforts to have Big Bend designated as wilderness.  You can find out more information at https://keepbigbendwild.wordpress.com/.

Photography changed the lives of National Park Service employees, Dom Nessi and Michael Brown.  In this episode of  @donaldmurphy8843 Journey Through Nature and Science these two world class photographers discuss the difference between "taking" a photography and "making" a photograph as espoused by the famous black and white photographer @Ansel Adams.  You will also hear their thoughts, in a lively discussion, on smart phone photography.  We talk about the use of AI and algorithms that are used by smart phones to capture those beautiful amateur photos.  Most importantly Dom and Mike share many of their photos during this episode.  You the viewer will have an opportunity to receive a free digital copy of a photo of your choice by simply subscribing to the podcast by going to https://natureandsciencepodcast.com/special-podcast-offer/We also discuss the psychological aspects of photography and how photography can promote mindfulness and inspire one to a deeper understanding of life and the connections among all things.  The photos capture the spirit of place and highlight the beauty of cultural diversity as well as the biological diversity.  These photos will take your breath away and leave you with a feeling of awe and wonder.

The National Parks Foundation was founded in 1967 to support the unmet needs of our national parks.  Recently, an anonymous donor donated $40 million for employee housing at Yellowstone National Park.  This was the result of the tireless effort of Will Shafroth, president and CEO of the National Park Foundation and his team.As President and Chief Executive Officer of the National Park Foundation, Will Shafroth leads the organization's work to protect our national parks and connect people to these great places. Will oversees a staff of more than 125 that work to raise and deploy funds to support programs and projects in national parks. Will works closely with National Park Service leadership to ensure our missions remain aligned. He reports to a 30-member board of directors with whom Will remains closely connected to advance the organization's mission.

On this episode we will have a conversation with Dr. Bron Taylor.  Bron has written a compelling book, Dark Green Religion: Nature, Spirituality, and The Planetary Future.  Bron Taylor's scholarly work engages the quest for environmentally sustainable societies.  We will explore a wide range of groups-radical environmental activists, lifestyle-focused bioregionalists, surfers, New Agers involved in "ecopsychology," and groups that hold scientific narratives as sacred.

Jon Jarvis, former director of the U.S. National Park Service and his brother Destry have written a compelling book, National Parks Forever: Fifty Years of Fighting and a Case for Independence.  In the book they argue the case for making the National Park Service an independent agency, similar to the Smithsonian Institution.  In this episode you will hear about their combined 90 years of working to protect national parks and secure the resources necessary to effectively manage the parks.  They will also share how the politicization of the National Parks threaten their future.Jon Jarvis is currently the Chairman of the Board  UC Berkeley Institute for Parks, People, and Biodiversity.  Destry Jarvis currently serves as the vice president of US/ICOMOS, the US National Committee for the International Council on Monuments and Sites, better known as the World Heritage Program.

This episode continues our discussion on America's national parks.  Joining to talk about the work of the National Park Conservation Association(NPCA) is Emily Douce.Emily is the NPCA Deputy Vice President for Government Affairs. Emily Douce helps manage the government affairs department and advocates for additional funding for national parks, both through appropriations and supplementary sources.

Park advocate, Audrey Peterman is back to discuss to continuing lack of adequate funding for America's national park and what can be done about it.  With inadequate funding spawning low morale, the NPS is ranked as one of the least favorable places to work according to a report in National Parks Traveler.  In this podcast we will discuss root causes and possible solutions.

With competing ideas of how to interpret the meaning of quantum mechanics, physics is in crisis. Can an ancient concept known as the One, rescue physics. From Bohr's Copenhagen interpretation to the Many Worlds theory put forward by Hugh Everett, to the seemingly intractable problem of quantum gravity the challenges facing physics threaten to tear down the very foundation of the science.In an attempt to save physics from itself, Heinrich Päs has written a compelling book, The One, that offers a solution rooted in the concept that everything we see in the universe, including ourselves, emerges from the One and surprisingly the One itself is made up of everything that we see. How is this possible? Päs proposes that quantum mechanics can show us the way to the answer once we accept that the universe is one.

The revolution in science that is transforming our understanding of extinct life may also lead to Unravelling The Secret Of Life With Ancient Biomolecules.We used to think of fossils as being composed of nothing but rock and minerals, all molecular traces of life having vanished long ago. We were wrong. Remnants of Ancient Life reveals how the new science of ancient biomolecules—pigments, proteins, and DNA that once functioned in living organisms tens of millions of years ago—is opening a new window onto the evolution of life on Earth.Paleobiologists are now uncovering these ancient remnants in the fossil record with increasing frequency, shedding vital new light on long-extinct creatures and the lost world they inhabited. Dale Greenwalt is your guide to these astonishing breakthroughs. He explains how ancient biomolecules hold the secrets to how mammoths dealt with the bitter cold, what colors dinosaurs exhibited in mating displays, how ancient viruses evolved to become more dangerous, and much more. Each chapter discusses different types of biomolecules and the insights they provide about the physiology, behavior, and evolution of extinct organisms, many of which existed long before the age of dinosaurs.A marvelous adventure of discovery, Remnants of Ancient Life offers an unparalleled look at an emerging science that is transforming our picture of the remote past. You will never think of fossils in the same way again. Join us on this episode of Life Is A Story We Tell Ourselves and learn how fossils of all kinds man lead to Unravelling The Secret Of Life With Ancient Biomolecules. You will hear from the first human being ever to see the fossil of a blood-engorged mosquito. This is real-life Jurassic Park.

California was on the world stage recently helping to save the earth's biodiversity at the international biodiversity summit in Montreal, Canada. The countries agreed to protect 30% of the earth's biodiversity by the year 2030. Leading the United States is the state of California, which has put forward an ambition plan called, Pathways to 30x30.California Governor Newsom's Executive Order N-82-20 establishes a goal of conserving 30% of California's lands and coastal waters by 2030. The Governor tasked the California Natural Resources Agency (CRNA) to coordinate the implementation of 30x30 with other State agencies and stakeholders through a series of actions including the development of a framework document, called Pathways to 30x30. The final Pathways to 30x30 strategy document was released in April 2022 and identifies challenges, opportunities, and strategies to achieve 30x30. Pathways to 30x30: Accelerating Conservation of California's Nature will set us on the path to successful implementation through shared action.Leading this effort is this episode's guest, the secretary of the Resources Agency, Wade Crowfoot. Secretary Crowfoot oversees an agency of 21,000 employees who protect and manage California's natural environment. This includes stewarding the state's forests and natural lands, rivers and waterways, and coast and ocean, protecting fish and wildlife, and overseeing energy development. As a member of the Governor's cabinet, he advises Governor Newsom on natural resources and environmental issues.Secretary Crowfoot firmly believes that good natural resources management helps natural places thrive and allows communities and our economy to prosper. His key priorities include: Building California's resilience to climate change-driven threats, including wildfire, drought, extreme heat, flooding and sea-level rise. Expanding equitable access to parks, natural places and outdoor recreation for all Californians. Preserving California's world-renowned biodiversity of plants and animals.This past week Secretary Crowfoot attend the international summit on biodiversity in Montreal, Canada where he communicated that California is on the world stage saving the earth's biodiversity.

For decades environmental groups, Non Government Organizations and scores of government agencies have been managing the threats to biodiversity. We often hear of the projects to save the elephants or the pandas and now huge projects seek to clean the ocean from millions of tons of plastic pollution.However there are many projects small and large that we don't hear about. Work is quietly being done on the ground to save whole ecosystems or to protect one last remaining plant or animal. Here to talk about some of these project is our guest, who just happens to be my daughter, is Dr. Kina Murphy.Dr. Murphy holds a Ph.D. in Biology/Ecology that focuses on mitigating the impacts of human land-use change on biodiversity and a Masters in Community and Regional Planning with a focus on natural resource management. She has over twenty-years of experience working throughout Africa, Asia and North America where she has focused on biodiversity monitoring, market-based approaches to conservation and community-based conservation planning and policy. Her other strengths include biodiversity offsets and mitigation planning for extractive industries and a detailed understanding of the Business and Biodiversity Offsets Program.Currently, Dr. Murphy is the Africa Strategy Development Lead for the Campaign for Nature where she is responsible for helping the Campaign for Nature (CfN) to achieve it's three overarching campaign goals of: 1) Increasing global targets for terrestrial and marine protected areas under the 2020-2030 strategic plan for the Convention on Biological Diversity to at least 30% by 2030, 2) Securing a minimum of an additional $1B/year in funding commitments for management of protected areas in developing countries to accompany increased protected area targets; and 3) Approaching biodiversity conservation in a way that fully integrates and respects Indigenous leadership and Indigenous rights.Managing the threats to biodiversity is a formidable task, which Dr. Murphy has dedicated her life to achieving. 

Earth's biodiversity is in danger of collapse.  According to the campaign for nature, "The natural world is disappearing at an unprecedented rate. The loss of nature poses a grave threat to our clean air and drinking water, the survival of wildlife, the prosperity of communities, and nature's ability to protect us from natural disasters, future pandemics, and other intensifying impacts of climate change.  The twin crises of climate change and the rapid loss of biodiversity threaten the very existence of humanity on Earth."The Campaign for Nature is a partnership of the Wyss Campaign for Nature and the National Geographic Society. It works with partners worldwide to champion the ambitious, science-driven, global goal to protect at least 30% of the planet by 2030, a target to be agreed on at the 15th Conference on the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity in 2022.Specifically, the Campaign for Nature is calling on world leaders to:  help mobilize financial resources to ensure protected areas are properly managed and approach biodiversity conservation in a way that fully integrates and respects Indigenous leadership and Indigenous rights.On this episode we are joined by Brian O'Donnell. Brian is the executive director of The Campaign For Nature. For more than two decades, Brian has been a leading land and wildlife conservationist.  He helped build international support for a global target of protecting at least 30% of the earth's land and seas by 2030. Brian helped organize a High Ambition Coalition of more than 95 countries to support the campaign's goals. On this episode we will be talking about this ambitious worldwide effort to protect 30% of the earth's biodiversity by the year 2030. The Campaign For Nature is at the forefront of advocating for this ambitious effort because they recognize that the earth's biodiversity is in danger of collapse.

The Third Millennium Alliance has accepted the challenge of Protecting & Restoring The Most Endangered Rainforest On Earth. Ryan Lynch is the executive director of the Third Millennium Alliance (TMA). Ryan is joining on the podcast to discuss this challenge.TMA began when conservationists Isabel, Jerry, and Bryan met in South America during the first years of the new millennium. They were three idealists in their late 20s facing the prospects of a biosphere headed toward collapse. Together they set out to directly engage the greatest challenge of our times: steering humanity onto a path of sustainability and ecological resilience.In 2007, they founded TMA and took the first step toward creating what is now the Jama-Coaque Reserve (JCR). They raised $16,000 from friends and family, established a nonprofit organization, and purchased 100 acres of unprotected rainforest at the very peak of Ecuador's coastal mountain range—in the heart of the Pacific Forest.In the beginning, they camped in the forest, lived off of bananas and soggy bread, and slept in leaky tents while exploring the beauty and biodiversity of this special place. During the years that followed, they learned by doing. They practiced permaculture, experimented with reforestation, and built a collaborative relationship with their neighbors and people throughout the region. Meanwhile, TMA continued to grow as an organization. Hundreds of people from dozens of countries came to JCR to work in the rainforest and join the effort.Fourteen years later, JCR protects 1,500 acres of rainforest. It is equipped with a scientific research center that attracts biologists from around the world. It also includes a regenerative agroforestry demonstration site that features the country's largest repository of the most endangered heirloom cacao variety on earth.TMA is now working on a Community Reforestation Program with the potential to reverse deforestation and steer the regional economy onto a more sustainable course. It's a model that can be replicated in other endangered ecosystems throughout the world.All of the above is in service of TMA's ultimate goal: create a large-scale conservation corridor in northwest Manabí that connects the last surviving remnants of the Pacific Forest of Ecuador.There is no greater challenge to humanity than protecting and restoring the most endangered rainforest on earth.

Mysterious Petroglyphs At Pohnpaid May Reveal The Secrets Of Life. While residing on the small Pacific island of Pohnpei in the 1990s, Carole Nervig discovered that a recent brush fire had exposed hundreds of previously unknown petroglyphs carved on gigantic boulders. This portion of the megalithic site called Pohnpaid was unknown even to Pohnpei's state historic preservation officer. The petroglyphs were unlike others from Oceania, so Nervig began investigating and comparing them with petroglyphs and symbols from around the world.In this fully illustrated exploration, Nervig documents her discoveries on Pohnpei, revealing how the archetypal symbols of the Pohnpaid petroglyphs have exact counterparts in other ancient cultures and universal motifs throughout the world, including the Australian Aborigines, the Inca in Peru, the Vedic civilization of India, early Norse runes, and Japanese symbols. She provides evidence that Pohnpaid is closely related to—yet predates—neighboring Nan Madol and shows how Pohnpaid was an outpost of the sunken Kahnihmuesio, a city of the now-vanished civilization of Mu, or Lemuria. In this episode Carole Nervig will Discuss the archaeo-astronomical function of the Pohnpaid stones. She will also share how many of the glyphs symbolize celestial phenomena and clearly reveal how their creators were sky watchers with a sophisticated understanding of astronomy, geophysics, geomancy, and engineering. We will discover how the scientific concepts depicted in the petroglyphs reveal how the citizens of Mu had a much deeper understanding of the living Earth than we do, which gave them the ability to manipulate natural forces both physically and energetically. Please listen in and learn how the Mysterious Petroglyphs At Pohnpaid May Reveal The Secrets Of Life.The author, Carole Nervig, has written a fascinating book on this subject. She has spent more than four decades researching Micronesian traditional culture and oral history as well as the sacred sites of Micronesia and Hawai'i. She first moved to Micronesia as a Peace Corps volunteer in 1969. In the 1990s she discovered a previously unknown megalithic portion of the Pohnpaid petroglyphic site on the Micronesia island of Pohnpei. Creator of the Nan Madol Foundation, she now lives in Ecuador. You can buy her book, The Petroglyphs of Mu.

Dr. Ruth Gotian is the Chief Learning Officer and Assistant Professor of Education in Anesthesiology and former Assistant Dean of Mentoring. She will join us to discuss the question, are high achievers really successful. Dr. Gotian is also Executive Director of the Mentoring Academy at Weill Cornell Medicine. She has been hailed by the journal Nature and Columbia University as an expert in mentorship and leadership development. In 2021, she was selected as one of 30 people worldwide to be named to the Thinkers50 Radar List, dubbed the Oscars of management thinking. Recently, she won the Thinkers50 Distinguished Achievement - Radar Award given to a “thinker with the potential to change the world of theory and practice” and cemented her place as the #1 emerging management thinker in the world. She is also a semi-finalist for the Forbes 50 Over 50 list. In addition to publishing in academic journals, she is a contributor to Forbes, Psychology Today and Harvard Business Review, where she writes about ‘optimizing success'. Her research is about the mindset and skill set of peak performers, including Nobel Prize winners, astronauts and Olympic champions. Dr. Gotians latest book, The Success Factor is available on Amazon.In her latest book, Dr. Gotian discusses how high achievers attain that status and others can use some of their methods to attain such a status. However, the questions remains, are high achievers really successful. What is success? How do you measure that success. And what about the rest of us who are not in the loft category of being achievers. Can an average achiever make a difference in the world? These are the questions that we will tackle during this episode of, Life Is A Story We Tell Ourselves.

The story of the hope and heartbreak of Angel Island Immigration Station is artfully and solemnly told by the Angel Island Immigration Station Foundation (AIISF). The Foundation raises awareness of the experience of Immigration into America through the Pacific. AIISF collects and preserves the rich stories and personal journeys of thousands of immigrants. It shares them with visitors and everyone living in America through education initiatives and public programs. The Angel Island Immigration Station reminds us of the complicated history of immigration in America. It serves as a symbol of our willingness to learn from our past. This ensures that our nation keeps its promise of liberty and freedom.From 1910 to 1940, Angel Island was the site of an U.S. Immigration Station that functioned as the West Coast equivalent of Ellis Island. However, Angel Island facility also enforced policies designed to exclude many Pacific Coast immigrants coming from eighty countries.In 1970, the site was slated for demolition because of its deteriorated condition. The later discovery of Chinese poetry that had been carved into the walls of the detention barracks saved it from destruction. That led to renewed interest in the Angel Island Immigration Station. Most importantly, the discovery of poetry increased awareness of the need to access the vivid lessons of sacrifice and triumph in the history of immigration.Sparked by the discovery, Bay Area Asian Americans, spearheaded by Chris Chow, formed the Angel Island Immigration Station Historical Advisory Committee (AIISHAC). This organization studied how best to preserve the station for historical interpretation. In July 1976, their hard work came to fruition. The state legislature appropriated $250,000 to restore and preserve the Immigration Station as a state monument.

Amist world turmoil the human struggle to find spirit, purpose and meaning for a life of peace, health and wellness continues. Deep within the core our beings we all question why we are here. We want to know what does it all mean. We seek to know our purpose on this planet.Cosmologists search the heavens for answers. How did life begin? What is our purpose in the grand scheme of things. Physicists at CERN probe subatomic particles in an attempt to peel back the skin of the metaphorical onion in hopes to find answers to life's deepest questions.Others turn to religion for answers. There are thousands of religions, sects, cults, systems of belief and world views all vying to give answers. Some do it with the best of intentions, while others seek to profit from the human quest for spirit, purpose and meaning.On this episode of Life Is A Story We Tell Ourselves, we are joined by Oluwatobiloba Black who will help us explore the continuing human struggle to find spirit, purpose and meaning. Oluwatobiloba AKA Tobi Black comes from Yorubaland in Nigeria. She's an initiated Ifa and Osun Priestess, a yogi and certified yoga teacher.  She works as a priestess, healer and holistic health guide. She believes that living a true spiritual life can bring about health and wellness which in turn brings peace and happiness. She has travelled to over 50 countries mostly in search of health, meaning, and purpose. With the help of natural and holistic medicines and professionals, she cured herself of clinically diagnosed chronic illnesses, depression, anxiety, Hashimoto, and digestive issues.Oluwatobiloba Black has a wealth of experience and knowledge, lives a holistic embodied lifestyle, teaches movement classes, mindfulness practices, passionately speaks and write about natural alternative and holistic health, and she creates personalised holistic health programs. She is passionate about healing, helping people make conscious decisions about their healing journeys, and to live with clarity. Oluwatobiloba Black holds double masters in computer security & forensics with a distinction.  She continuously studies psychology, philosophy, human behavior, traditional and ancestral wisdom and medicines, Ifa, Isese, Shamanism, movement, meditation, sacred geometry, holistic and natural health, and mindfulness.Her life's journey has led her to experience the connection between health, wellness and spirituality.

Despite millions of dollars spent on well meaning efforts access to clean water is still a problem for millions. That has not deterred  Phillips from giving it another effort.  Phillips played 50 rounds of golf in 50 states in just 50 days. Why is clean water important?It makes people healthier by eliminating water borne diseases and promoting better sanitation. Diseases from dirty water kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.  Between 2 to 5 million people die each year from water-related illnesses and over 40% of those deaths are children under five years old.  Read the previous sentence again.Clean water gives people more time.When people no longer have to walk many miles each day to access water for household tasks like cooking, cleaning, and washing, they are freed to grow food, attend school, enter the workforce, and to better their families, communities and national economies.  In Africa alone, women spend 40 billion hours a year walking for water.  Yes, 40 BILLION.Clean water helps end the Poverty Cycle.As more people are able to enter the workforce and people are healthier, the economy of a country grows and the revolving cycle of poverty is stopped.  People and countries become less dependent on “hand-outs” and emergency relief from more affluent countries and become more self-sufficient and independent. The world could also avoid spending $30 BILLION annually on the treatment of preventable, water-related diseases.  This isn't a temporary, short-term fix; it's a deal changer.  I've seen first-hand how access to clean water is dramatically changing families, communities, even entire regions; you'll hear many of those stories in my upcoming social media posts.The United Nations is also working to provide clean drinking water and sanitation to people in need.  You can learn more about the UN's efforts here.So please join us as Clay Phillips describes how a grueling 50 rounds of golf scores big for clean water and why access to clean water remains a problem for millions. You also can learn more here.

Cave diver, Brian Starnes joins us to talk about his experiences with the rewards and dangers of cave diving exploration in caves all over the world.  Brian was born and raised in Atlanta, Georgia. He completed his cave diver training in 2014 and is now on the way to becoming a Full Cave Instructor. What does it mean to be a "full cave instructor"? Join to find out. Brian started technical diving at Protec Sardinia in 2017 and has continued to develop in technical diving ever since. He has lived and worked in Sardinia, Italy. Brian loves to travel and he has been traveling around the world since 2012. He has worked in several dive centers as an instructor and dive guide. He completed his Divemaster training in Utila, Honduras and passed his diving instructor training in November 2017 in Thailand. After reaching the limits of scuba diving, he entered technical diving. He also worked in Mexico/Tulum from 2014 – 2017 as Cenote Guide and Cave Guide. He has diving experience since 2012 visiting countries like Thailand, Australia, Egypt, Israel, Ecuador, Honduras, USA and now Sardinia. He worked in Mexico as a cave guide and instructor and now spends much of his time in Ecuador. His main tasks at the moment are the training courses in the “Essential Tech”, “Sidemount” and “Cavern” areas. He is also a talented videographer and is responsible for the video department at Protec Sardinia. The rewards and dangers of cave diving exploration are not only enjoyed as a sport but provide scientific information about caves and often reveals new information about life deep within the earth where light never reaches.

Despite millions of dollars spent on well meaning efforts access to clean water is still a problem for millions. That has not deterred 64 year old Clay Phillips from giving another effort. Philips plans to play 50 rounds of golf in 50 states in just 50 days. Why is clean water important?It makes people healthier by eliminating water borne diseases and promoting better sanitation. Diseases from dirty water kill more people every year than all forms of violence, including war.  Between 2 to 5 million people die each year from water-related illnesses and over 40% of those deaths are children under five years old.  Read the previous sentence again.Clean water gives people more time.When people no longer have to walk many miles each day to access water for household tasks like cooking, cleaning, and washing, they are freed to grow food, attend school, enter the workforce, and to better their families, communities and national economies.  In Africa alone, women spend 40 billion hours a year walking for water.  Yes, 40 BILLION.Clean water helps end the Poverty Cycle.As more people are able to enter the workforce and people are healthier, the economy of a country grows and the revolving cycle of poverty is stopped.  People and countries become less dependent on “hand-outs” and emergency relief from more affluent countries and become more self-sufficient and independent. The world could also avoid spending $30 BILLION annually on the treatment of preventable, water-related diseases.  This isn't a temporary, short-term fix; it's a deal changer.  I've seen first-hand how access to clean water is dramatically changing families, communities, even entire regions; you'll hear many of those stories in my upcoming social media posts.So please join us learn why access to clean water remains a problem for millions. You also can learn more here.

Shades of Grey plays music for the ages and for all ages. A group of retired expats living in the small hamlet of Cotacachi, Ecuador, high in the Andes Mountains, formed the band out of a life long love for music and, get this, a love for each other. The four band members met six years ago. Two of its members, husband and wife, Bobby and Becca Vines, were in the audience when they heard Joel Kaplan, playing solo and started singing along. Not long after the two had teamed up with Joel and later they added guitarist, Dan Marceau who  had a bucket list dream of playing in a band. For the past six years they have been playing gigs in and around Cotacachi.In this podcast we will talk about what music has meant to them over the years and why after retiring from their regular jobs they decided to dedicate the rest of their lives to sharing their love of music with audiences. Please join us and listen as Shades of Grey Plays Music For The Ages.

The great outdoors is what makes America great and Our guest, Derrick Crandall, who served as President and CEO of the American Recreation Coalition from 1981 to 2019 has proven that . He was also  the executive vice president of The Recreation Roundtable. As Counselor to the National Park Hospitality Association.  Mr. Crandall directs that organization's staff efforts. He is Chairman of the Board of The Corps Network and also serves as Co-Chair of the Coalition for Recreational Trails. He was a member of the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors (1985 to 1987). He received the Chevron Conservation Award and was named to the President's Commission on Environmental Quality in 1991. He was the initial Chairman of the Take Pride in America Advisory Board, appointed by the Secretary of the Interior, and served as Chair of the Take Pride in America Partners Council. He was a Founding Director of the National Forest Foundation, appointed by the Secretary of Agriculture. He has served on several national judging panels, including co-chairing the U.S. Department of the Interior's Take Pride in America award program. Among the dozens of public-policy programs in which he has played a central role are the National Scenic Byways Program, Recreation Fee Demonstration Program, Recreational Trails Program, Wallop-Breaux Program, and the National Recreation Lakes Study Commission. These efforts have been recognized in many ways, including induction into the RV Hall of Fame and receipt of the Annual Award of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. USA Today has described him as “the outdoor guru.” He received the Spirit of Take Pride Award in October 2004 and was recognized with a Centennial Award by the US Forest Service. He served as a member of the National Park Service Advisory Board Health and Recreation Committee. He has served in leadership roles on numerous community and philanthropic organizations including the executive committee of WOW-Wonderful Outdoor World. He is an honors graduate of Dartmouth College. No one has done more than Mr. Crandall to insure that the great outdoors is what makes America great. The Land and Water Conservation Fund that has been Protecting Lands and Giving Back to Communities for decades owes a debt of gratitude to Mr. Crandall and many other conservationist for their contributions. We will discuss those contributions on the podcast.Specialties: Mr. Crandall served on the Board of the American Society of Association Executives for seven years, including two terms as Vice Chairman. He received ASAE's Professional Performance Award in 1980, his Certified Association Executive recognition in 1990 and was named an ASAE Fellow in 1992.  Please join as we explore the great outdoors.

The Mysteries of Easter Island continue to boggle the mind.  The islanders, however, prefer to call it by its Polynesian name, Rapa Nui or Te Pito o Te Tahiti.  The mystery is rooted in the iconic stone statues called moai.  People continue to wonder how the statues were made and who made them. Even though archeologists have answered some questions, mysteries still remain.  For example, no one really knows how the statues were moved from the quarry where they were made to locations throughout the island.  Theories have been advanced and experiments conducted but scholars still can't agree.In our next episode Josie Nahoe Mulloy will join us to discuss the mysteries of Easter Island that continue to boggle the mind and attract tourists to the island from around the world.  Josie will share her family history and ancestry.  She will let you know how you can visit the island and get the most out of your visit.  The Island is a World Heritage Site and much of the island is protected in Rapa Nui National Park.  It is called an open air museum. It is one of the most remote Islands in the world. The island was settled by Polynesians, most likely from the Pitcairn and Gambier Islands. Scholars believe the island was settled between 700 and 1000 A.D. Original settlers of the island traveled more than 2000 miles to establish a new colony.Proficient sailors, the first inhabitants sailed to the island in double-hulled canoes especially built for long voyages. They found a heavily forested island with plentiful resources. Today, most of those resources have been depleted and years of sheep grazing have severely changed the natural environment. Despite these changes mysteries abound as recorded in many of the island's petroglyphs and of course the iconic moai statues.Please join us on the podcast and learn from Josie Nahoe Mulloy, a direct descendent of the ancient Rapanui, why the mysteries of Easter Island continue to boggle the Mind. You can also learn more at The Easter Island Foundation.

Has Your Personal Life Has Been Compromised By Cyber Criminals? Is it too late to secure your personal data? And what about state sponsored cyber warfare? Has the threat of a nuclear holocaust been replaced by the threat of destruction of our way of life by cyber warfare. Cyber security expert, Dom Nessi, will attempt to answer these questions as we explore the world of cyber security.In December the most brutal cyber attack against U.S. government agencies and business occured. It was the result of a flaw in software that was supposed to protect against such attacks and manage multiple information technology systems. The extent of the damage done by the attack is still not known and may not be known for months to years.Hacking of personal accounts on social media platforms continues. Protection of voting computer systems has become a major objective of government voting agencies and intelligence agencies.Cyber security expert, Dom Nessi, joins us on this episode. He shares insights into the murky world of cyber crimes and cyber warfare. Dom spent 10 years as the vice president and chief information officer of the Los Angeles Airport system and 5 years as the chief information officer of the National Park Service.

With all of the promise of a covid 19 vaccine it appears we need to be saved from ourselves, to make Covid19 vaccines effective. Doctor Y Bruce Lee is a writer, journalist, professor, systems modeler, computational and digital health expert, and entrepreneur. He will attempt to to explain why many health care workers refuse to get vaccinated and why there seems to be disagreements among health care workers about how effective the vaccines will ultimately be. You can also go to our website to get vaccine information that may save your life.He has over two decades of experience developing mathematical and computational models. The models assist a wide range of decision makers in health and public health. Currently, he is a Professor of Health Policy and Management at the City University of New York (CUNY) Graduate School of Public Health & Health Policy. There he is the Executive Director of PHICOR (Public Health Informatics, Computational, and Operations Research). Dr. Lee is also the CEO of Symsilico, which develops and uses computational methods, models, and tools to help decision-making.His previous positions include serving as Associate Professor of International Health at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. He also served as Executive Director of the Global Obesity Prevention Center (GOPC). In addition he served as Associate Professor at the Johns Hopkins Carey Business School and Associate Professor at the University of Pittsburgh, Senior Manager at Quintiles Transnational. There he worked worked in biotechnology equity research at Montgomery Securities, and co-founded Integrigen.Bruce has authored over 200 scientific publications. This includes over 100 first author and over 65 last author. He is the author of three books. Doctor Bruce Y Lee has written extensively for the general media and often addressed the question, will a corona virus vaccine give you your life back? He is a Senior Contributor for Forbes. At Forbes he covers a wide range of health-related topics. These include medicine, wellness, digital health and the business of health and having written over 700 articles.His writing has also appeared in a number of other media outlets. Most notably these have included Time, The Guardian, the HuffPost, and the MIT Technology Review. His work and expertise have appeared in leading media outlets such as the New York Times, USA Today, the Los Angeles Times, Newsweek, CBS News, Businessweek, U.S. News and World Report, Bloomberg News, Reuters, and National Public Radio (NPR). Dr. Lee received his B.A. from Harvard University and M.D. from Harvard Medical School. He earned his M.B.A. from the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He completed his internal medicine residency training at the University of California, San Diego.In this podcast I asked Dr. Lee, don't we need to be saved from ourselves, to make Covid19 vaccines effective?

In many public high schools all across America police are present on campus. This has led many criminal justice reform advocates to ask, do police belong on public high school campuses? Many also believe that police, often called resource officers, on high school campuses has led to the school to prison pipeline. Why? Because minor offenses on high school campuses sometimes lead to arrests and criminal records for students. Add to this the fact that the majority of arrests are of students that are non-white. Our guest, Montgomery County council member, Will Jawando has proposed legislation that would remove police officers from Montgomery County high school campuses.Mr. Jawando was a candidate for Congress and served as Associate Director of Public Engagement in the White House during the Obama administration. He has a law degree from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America. We will explore the question, do police belong on public high school campuses?In many public high schools all across America police are present on campus. This has led many criminal justice reform advocates to ask, do police belong on public high school campuses. Many also believe that police, often called resource officers, on high school campuses has led to the school to prison pipeline. Why? Because minor offenses on high school campuses sometimes lead to arrests and criminal records for students. Add to this the fact that the majority of arrests are of students that are non-white. Our guest, Montgomery County council member, Will Jawando has proposed legislation that would remove police officers from Montgomery County high school campuses.Mr. Jawando was a candidate for Congress and served as Associate Director of Public Engagement in the White House during the Obama administration. He has a law degree from the Columbus School of Law at the Catholic University of America. We will explore the question, do police belong on public high school campuses?Proponents of high school resources officers argue that police officers are campuses are now well trained to diffuse situations, act as deterrents to violence and they often serve as counselors and advocates for students. But this begs the questions as to whether these roles are appropriate for police officers. The training in counseling for example is up two weeks while a school guidance counselor receives two years or more of education and training. So do police officers really belong on high school campuses. Listen in on this lively discussion to find out more.