Periodic Talks

Radio waves aren't sound. They're electromagnetic radiation and essentially a type of invisible light. Radio astronomer Nicole Gugliucci joins us to explain how it's used to observe the formation of galaxies, black holes and other objects in outer space. Then, Gillian and Diona go on a field trip to see a meteor shower! It's pretty much a disaster, but kind of hilarious and most definitely a blast. Stick around until the very end for an important announcement. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Birds are simply captivating. We take a deep dive into their relationship dynamics, parenting habits and other behaviors with biologist and conservationist Wenfei Tong. Then, actress Olivia Scott Welch (Fear Street) stops by to help us share an incredible story from the Apollo Era. We also get a voice memo from Gillian's co-star on Community, Joel McHale! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Cities aren't meant to last, according to writer Annalee Newitz. In their book “Four Lost Cities: A Secret History of the Urban Age,” they explore the rise and fall of ancient sites. What can architecture tell us about how we live? What can urban planning tell us about our changing values? And ultimately, why are cities abandoned? Later, we also dive into the story of a scientist who helped us understand the very structure of our DNA. Plus, we get a voice message from actress Sarah Ramos (Parenthood). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're off this week, but we wanted to share a bonus behind the scenes exclusive: Creating the sound for our show. We're joined by senior audio engineer and musician Brendan Byrnes, who walks us through initial concepts and building the music you hear every week!   This exclusive is part of a series of bonus episodes, which includes peeks behind the scenes and extended guest conversations. You can hear more bonus episodes by signing up for Stitcher Premium. Just subscribe through the Stitcher app, use the promo code PERIODIC and then you can listen to the rest of our bonus content for free for 30 days! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can you imagine hearing music all day, every day? Mary Steenburgen says that's her reality. The Oscar-winning actress and songwriter joins us to share a mysterious, fascinating and moving story. How do you re-adjust to life when your brain plays music nonstop? Also, in a completely separate conversation, we learn about the functions and mysteries of the brain by talking to neurosurgeon Dr. Alfredo Quiñones-Hinojosa. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A roughly 1-million pound space station orbits our planet every day. Wanna know how they keep the lights on? Battery Subsystem's Manager Penni Dalton breaks down how it gets its power. Then, NASA engineer Tracy Drain returns to answer listener questions. We even get a question from actor Joel McHale! Plus, director Mikey Alfred sends us a math fact. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Astronaut Victor Glover joins us after an extended stay on the International Space Station. He gets personal, sharing his launch day music playlist and what it's like being a dad in space. Then, actor Jack Black and his brother Neil Siegel do their first joint interview. In a one-of-a-kind conversation, they reminisce about the life and career of their late mother, aerospace engineer Judith Love Cohen. We hear unbelievable stories, like the day Judith left for work, went into labor, delivered Jack and still finished the problem she was working on. And yep, she also worked on a system that helped get Apollo 13 astronauts home. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, we're immersed into the world of sound. First, we're deep in the ocean with acoustic ecologist Michelle Fournet. She shares some truly mind-blowing audio of humpback whales and bearded seals, and then analyzes what they're probably saying. Later, we have an extended conversation with Roman Mars, host and creator of the show 99% Invisible. He breaks down telling visual design stories through sound, and how to teach yourself to see stories everywhere. Also, actor Pedro Pascal (Game of Thrones, The Mandalorian) leaves us a voice memo that has us wishing he'd work on a nature documentary.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Humans are about 99.9% the same genetic material. The little that makes us different tells fascinating stories about our ancestors and histories, according to geneticist Dr. Janina Jeff. She joins us to share some basics about our genes, and to have a critical conversation about race and facing the harmful history of genetics. Then, New York Times best selling author Mary H.K. Choi helps share the story of a man who built the precursor to our modern day traffic signal. We also get a fun voice message from actor Danny Pudi (Community, Mythic Quest) and his daughter that has us smiling from ear to ear.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We need to talk about volcanoes. Seriously. From the Pacific Ring of Fire to Mount Erebus, which holds an active lava lake, volcanoes have altered the very landscape of our planet, according to volcanologist Kayla Iacovino. Then, actress Zazie Beetz (Atlanta, Joker) helps share the story of severe storm researcher Dr. Tetsuya ‘Ted' Fujita, aka Mr. Tornado. We also get a delightful voice memo from actress Robin Tunney (The Mentalist, The Craft) about raindrops.   Stick around until the very end for a post-credit treat! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Spiders have been getting a bad wrap, according to expert Hannah Wood. We talk about how they've evolved over hundreds of millions of years, their species diversity and... the chelicerae (a.k.a., spider jaws). Then, we share a story about an animator and special effects artist who created an iconic horror movie monster.    Plus, Gillian gets a shoutout from Kiana Madeira, Olivia Scott Welch and Benjamin Flores Jr., her co-stars from the Netflix film trilogy, Fear Street! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why is Hollywood obsessed with time travel? Theoretical physicist Dr. Clifford V. Johnson breaks down black holes, string theory, science consulting on Marvel flicks and how time travel to the future might not be total fiction. Then, a story about dark matter, and why actress Kirby Howell-Baptiste (Cruella, Killing Eve) thinks we're all living on a massive made up set. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Did you miss us? The wait is almost over! We're back with all new episodes beginning Tuesday, July 13th. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This is literally our most fun episode yet. Listen to our full game of D&D with Felicia Day (Supernatural, Buffy), Erika Ishii (Apex Legends) and Jasmine Bhullar (Twitch). Warning: After you hit play, you may spend the next 45 minutes with a smile on your face. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What can games tell us about who we are? Game designer Mitu Khandaker sees a connection between the earliest forms of play and modern day virtual reality. It’s head spinning! Plus, we play a little unofficial Dungeons and Dragons with Felicia Day (Supernatural, Buffy), Erika Ishii (Apex Legends) and Jasmine Bhullar (Twitch)! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do we put on sad songs for a good cry? Why do certain melodies give us the chills? We get the details from neuroscientist and singer Dr. Indre Viskontas, who looks at how music affects the brain. Then, we’re joined by special guests Jessie Ennis (Mythic Quest) and Brie Larson (Captain Marvel). See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Food writer J. Kenji López-Alt gets us thinking about cooking as a science. A kitchen is kind of like a lab. So, what experiments do you do? Then later, we fall down a rabbit hole on Google investigating an often misunderstood ingredient. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do fossil hunters know where to dig? How is it possible dinosaurs are still flying in the sky? What are feathers? Paleontologist Jingmai O'Connor talks to us about the connection between modern day birds and avian dinosaurs.Then later, actor Ken Jeong (The Hangover, Community) helps tell a story about the mysteries at the center of the Earth! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Raven Baxter, aka Raven The Science Maven, is a rapper, YouTube personality and yes, a scientist. She answers our every question about molecular biology, and offers an unforgettable lesson in how to stay true to yourself. Later, special guest Sasheer Zamata (Saturday Night Live, Home Economics) helps share the story of a doctor who battled a tough genetic disorder. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It’s beyond time to think about how we live in what we wear, according to Camila Chiriboga, an emerging clothing designer from Ecuador. We talk to her about designing for people with disabilities, including people who are blind or visually impaired. Then, special guest Briana Venskus (Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., Sorry For Your Loss) helps share the story of a midwife who brought healthcare to an entire community. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why are coral reefs so mesmerizing? And what do they have to do with hyperbolic geometry? With delicate precision, science artist Margaret Wertheim helps crochet incredible reefs, explaining their connection to mathematics and conservation. Then later, we share a story about an early experiment to capture images of marine plants! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Who gets to shape extended reality? We talk to Arwa Michelle Mboya, a young innovator from Kenya, about designing more inclusive virtual experiences and headsets. Plus, we share a story about the origins of computer science. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Can we reintroduce ourselves? Hello. This is Periodic Talks! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We’re taking a little break to work on new stuff. We'll be back next week with a new episode and an exciting announcement. Talk soon! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We shape inventions, and our inventions shape us. Everyday items, like clocks and lightbulbs, fundamentally transformed how we live, according to Dr. Ainissa Ramirez. We talk to her about working in material science and her book “The Alchemy of Us.” Plus, special guest Lilan Bowden (Andi Mack, It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Parks and Rec) helps share the story of a Mexican-American botanist who explored the Americas. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

We're making this show during the pandemic. It got us thinking: Who would choose to make infectious disease their life's work? And why? So, we called Dr. Céline Gounder who advised President Biden's transition team about COVID-19. Then later, we learn about a Black doctor who revolutionized how we use blood plasma today.   You can hear more from Dr. Gounder on her podcasts, EPIDEMIC and AMERICAN DIAGNOSIS. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What if someone offered you a chance to go to outer space? When NASA called, Jessica Meir's response was "... really?" Gillian and Diona talk to her about her incredible adventures! From excursions in Antarctica, taking part in the first all woman space walk AND RETURNING TO EARTH DURING THE PANDEMIC. She's also training for another mission, and it might just make her the first woman to step foot on the moon. Then, special guest Keiko Agena (Prodigal Son, Gilmore Girls) reads the story of the first African American and Native American woman aviator, Bessie Coleman. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you land a job at NASA? How can you learn from failure? How do you pronounce Louisville? These are some of the questions we asked NASA engineer Tracy Drain. And later, we get into a story about a group of women who helped map the universe. Update: Since this interview was recorded, Tracy has been promoted to Lead Flight Systems Engineer for the Europa Clipper mission! See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.