Perpetual Notion Machine

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Perpetual Notion Machine is a look at contemporary scientific issues and discoveries in a way that is accessible, understandable and entertaining to the non-scientists of the listening community.

Perpetual Notion Machine

Madison, WI

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    • May 23, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • monthly NEW EPISODES
    • 29m AVG DURATION
    • 130 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from Perpetual Notion Machine

    Biodynamic Biking

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2025


    Madison bicycling legend Colin O'Brien joins WORT PNM host Patrick Sajbel to discuss his career in bike building, bike racing, leading bike tours even helping injured riders in recovery. Working […] The post Biodynamic Biking appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Modern Cannabis in Wisconsin

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2025 27:21


    Ian Marsden is the owner and mind behind Turtle Island Dispensary here in Madison, Wisconsin. He shares his passion for exploring the corners of the mind as a business owner as well as supporting indigenous rights and fighting the Enbridge pipeline. The post Modern Cannabis in Wisconsin appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program Lobby Day!

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025


    The Perpetual Notion Machine speaks with Charles Carlin, Director of Strategic Initiatives with Gathering Waters, Wisconsin's Alliance for Land Trusts, about Knowles-Nelson Lobby Day taking place March 12, 2025. The […] The post Knowles-Nelson Stewardship Program Lobby Day! appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Conserving the Siberian Crane Population in China

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 24, 2025 29:20


    Perpetual Notion Machine speaks with Dr. Mahendra Shrestha with the International Crane Foundation, about a successful collaboration to preserve flyway habitat for the Siberian Crane in China. This 10-year effort […] The post Conserving the Siberian Crane Population in China appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Monarch Butterfly Conservation in Wisconsin

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 6, 2024 27:00


    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is considering the addition of the monarch butterfly to the endangered species list, and are set to announce a decision the week of December […] The post Monarch Butterfly Conservation in Wisconsin appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Land Restoration and Bird Monitoring at the Oneida Nation

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 15, 2024


    The Perpetual Notion Machine speaks with Tony Kuchma and Erin Giese. They are working with the Oneida Nation to restore historically tribal land that was once farmland. The resulting wetlands […] The post Land Restoration and Bird Monitoring at the Oneida Nation appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Conservation Biologist Jennifer Reddell on Bats

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 31, 2024


    Jennifer Reddell is a conservation biologist for the DNR, and a bat expert working with the Wisconsin Bat Project. She talked to WORT about the eight different types of bats […] The post Conservation Biologist Jennifer Reddell on Bats appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Dr. Edgar Spalding on Dragonflies, Damselflies, and Citizen Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 7, 2024 29:23


    Dr. Edgar Spalding sat down with WORT to talk about citizen science, dragonfly walks at the UW Arboretum, recently discovered species of dragonflies, and more!   Did you enjoy this […] The post Dr. Edgar Spalding on Dragonflies, Damselflies, and Citizen Science appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    A Conversation with USDA Forester Karl Welch

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 26, 2024 30:07


    The Perpetual Notion Machine speaks with USDA Forester Karl Welch about his work in the Chequamegon National Forest. We talk about Wisconsin's evergreen trees, among them pines, spruce, tamarack, and […] The post A Conversation with USDA Forester Karl Welch appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Professor Randy Goldsmith on new technique to unlock a molecule’...

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 28, 2024 28:30


    UW-Madison scientists have developed a new technique for identifying and analyzing single molecule, which allows for "unprecedented detail." We speak with UW-Madison chemistry professor Randy Goldsmith. The post Professor Randy Goldsmith on new technique to unlock a molecule'... appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    The Great Lakes Biobank: DNA preservation to save threatened species

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2024 28:22


    The Perpetual Notion Machine speaks with UW Professor Francisco Pelegri about his research and how it is advancing work within the Gaylord Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies and the Great […] The post The Great Lakes Biobank: DNA preservation to save threatened species appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Fossil Librarian Kallie Moore on Speaking Science

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 5, 2024 28:14


    Kallie Moore manages the paleontology collection at the University of Montana and co-hosts the YouTube channel PBS Eons. She also recently published a children's nonfiction book, Tales of the Prehistoric […] The post Fossil Librarian Kallie Moore on Speaking Science appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    The Glacial Geology of the Driftless Area

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2024


    The Perpetual Notion Machine speaks with geologist Eric Carson about the geological history of Wisconsin's Driftless Area, where the lack of glacial deposits and glacial landforms indicate that this portion […] The post The Glacial Geology of the Driftless Area appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Data Visualization Using Fabric

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 1, 2024 20:27


    You may have seen trendy temperature blankets on social media where crocheters around the world record their temperature each day or week using different colors for different temperatures. This results […] The post Data Visualization Using Fabric appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Polar Vortexes Explained, with Professor Andrea Lopez Lang

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2024 26:45


    In this edition of the Perpetual Notion Machine, new host Andy Lamia sits down with Andrea Lopez Lang to talk about polar vortexes, and how to get started in an […] The post Polar Vortexes Explained, with Professor Andrea Lopez Lang appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Water for All: Global Solutions for a Changing Climate

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 19, 2024


    On this edition of the Perpetual Notion Machine, we speak with University of California-Berkeley professor and author David Sedlak about his latest book Water for All: Global Solutions for a […] The post Water for All: Global Solutions for a Changing Climate appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    A Conversation with Ecologist Carl Safina

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 28, 2023


    The Perpetual Notion Machine speaks with ecologist Carl Safina about his latest book Alfie & Me: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe. The book tells the story of Alfie, a […] The post A Conversation with Ecologist Carl Safina appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Betz Botz – Gears of the Harvest Robot Combat Tournament

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 24, 2023


    Robot combat bots engage in thrilling battles that showcase the fusion of engineering prowess and strategic ingenuity. These formidable machines enter the arena with the sole purpose of annihilating opponents. […] The post Betz Botz – Gears of the Harvest Robot Combat Tournament appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Land Conservation in Wisconsin’s Driftless Area

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 10, 2023 30:48


    The Perpetual Notion Machine takes a look a land conservation in the Driftless Area of Wisconsin through the lens of volunteers and staff working to restore the ecology at the […] The post Land Conservation in Wisconsin's Driftless Area appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    A “tick”-tac of CWD

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 20, 2023 28:43


    It's deer season! With a harvest, it's important to take precautions against Chronic Wasting Disease, a prion disease in deer. Heather Inzalaco from the Wisconsin Cooperative Wildlife Research Unit at […] The post A “tick”-tac of CWD appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Managing prairie and oak savanna during climate change

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 6, 2023 29:04


    In this pledge drive addition, The Perpetual Notion Machine speaks with Tim Hansel, Wisconsin Master Naturalist and The Prairie Enthusiasts volunteer about how the management and restoration of prairie and […] The post Managing prairie and oak savanna during climate change appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Quinone-Mediated Hydrogen with Shannon Stahl

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 22, 2023


    Green chemistry is a scientific approach that aims to design and develop chemical processes and products that reduce the use of hazardous substances and promote sustainability. Dr. Shannon Stahl joins […] The post Quinone-Mediated Hydrogen with Shannon Stahl appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    The digital future of medicine with Jag Singh

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 18, 2023 29:13


    AI is everywhere these days, including at the doctor's office. In the new book Future Care: Sensors, Artificial Intelligence, and the Reinvention of Medicine, cardiologist Jag Singh provides an overview […] The post The digital future of medicine with Jag Singh appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    The Death Cap Mushroom and Other Invasive Fungi

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2023 29:08


    Perpetual Notion Machine contributor Catherine Garvens speaks with Dr. Anne Pringle about her research into the invasive Death Cap Mushroom in California and her lab's ongoing research in the field […] The post The Death Cap Mushroom and Other Invasive Fungi appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Science Communication in a Crisis with Christopher M Reddy

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 4, 2023


    Science communication involves conveying complex scientific concepts in a clear manner to the public, policymakers, and journalists. Each crisis is unique in its urgency and severity, thus scientists must be […] The post Science Communication in a Crisis with Christopher M Reddy appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    The Necessity of Diverse Teams in Health Design, with Dr. Catherine Kl...

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 21, 2023 29:11


    IUDs, or intra-uterine devices, are gaining in popularity with as a form of birth control, with more than a 99% efficacy at preventing pregnancy. But, it wasn't always like this. […] The post The Necessity of Diverse Teams in Health Design, with Dr. Catherine Kl... appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Ride along with The Wisconsin Frog & Toad Survey!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 14, 2023


    The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resource's Frog and Toad Survey is the longest running survey of its kind in the country. Every spring and summer, thousands of citizen scientists strike […] The post Ride along with The Wisconsin Frog & Toad Survey! appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Pricing Pollution (and other environmental conditions)

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 30, 2023 28:58


    How much are you willing to pay for a public benefit that you can't pick up with your hands? Our guest this week is Daniel Phaneuf, Professor of Agricultural and […] The post Pricing Pollution (and other environmental conditions) appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    The Universe in a Box with Dr. Andrew Pontzen

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 23, 2023 33:23


    Cosmology is the branch of science that seeks to understand the origin, evolution, and large-scale structure of the universe. It encompasses a wide range of topics, from the study of […] The post The Universe in a Box with Dr. Andrew Pontzen appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    The Past and Future of Conservation Funding in Wisconsin

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 9, 2023


    The Perpetual Notion Machine host Catherine Garvens speaks with Jason Stein, Vice President and Research Director at the Wisconsin Policy Forum. In March 2023, they published a report titled This Land […] The post The Past and Future of Conservation Funding in Wisconsin appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    How to Talk Science and the Dangers of Anti-Science

    Play Episode Listen Later May 26, 2023 28:51


    How do you make science news interesting and understandable? Why is anti-science on the rise? Award-winning science journalist Claudia Wallis joins Perpetual Notion Machine host Patrick Sajbel to talk about […] The post How to Talk Science and the Dangers of Anti-Science appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    The Matter of Everything, Part 2

    Play Episode Listen Later May 19, 2023 26:58


    On today's episode, we continue our journey through the world of experiments, curiosity and the people who made them. In this second part, we explore more of the people behind […] The post The Matter of Everything, Part 2 appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

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    Bioelectronics with Dr. Ying Li from UW-Madison

    Play Episode Listen Later May 5, 2023


    Bioelectronics is a new area of study and industry that combines biology and electronics to develop devices and systems capable of interfacing with living organisms. It focuses on creating biocompatible […] The post Bioelectronics with Dr. Ying Li from UW-Madison appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Saving Wisconsin’s Birds

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 27, 2023


    A study published in Science in 2019 found that 3 billion birds have been lost since 1970. The Perpetual Notion Machine takes a look at existing and new programs to […] The post Saving Wisconsin's Birds appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Saving the White-naped and Red-crowned Cranes

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 14, 2023 30:30


    If you take a stroll down the lakeshore path skirting Lake Mendota, you are likely to encounter one of Madison's most charismatic residents, the Sandhill crane. These graceful and stately […] The post Saving the White-naped and Red-crowned Cranes appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    How Dr. Jane Goodall Inspires Hope

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 7, 2023


    Renowned ethologist and conservationist Dr. Jane Goodall came to UW-Madison last week. Speaking at Memorial Union, Dr. Goodall shared her story and encouraged action for the future of our environment. […] The post How Dr. Jane Goodall Inspires Hope appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Fusion Coming Together with Reality

    Play Episode Listen Later Jan 6, 2023


    Nuclear fusion is the source of energy at the core of our sun. Recent news of experimental advancements has fueled talk of the promising potential for harnessing this source of […] The post Fusion Coming Together with Reality appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Research on the needs of migratory birds: The Neotropical Flyways Proj...

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 15, 2022 28:01


    The Perpetual Notion Machine speaks with Nick Bayly, Chief of Migration Biology at SELVA in Bogota, Columbia. He is studying bird migration through the Neotropical Region of Central and South […] The post Research on the needs of migratory birds: The Neotropical Flyways Proj... appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Where Science and Art Meet in Wisconsin

    Play Episode Listen Later Dec 2, 2022


    In Wisconsin's earliest days as a state, a vision to awaken a scientific spirit and foster creative activity was formalized in the year 1870 when The Wisconsin Academy of Sciences, […] The post Where Science and Art Meet in Wisconsin appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Wild and humble horses

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 11, 2022 29:00


    Wild horses and burros still roam in many states in the Western US. Unfortunately, the populations have increased beyond what the ecosystem can sustain. In order to alleviate this pressure, […] The post Wild and humble horses appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin

    Play Episode Listen Later Nov 5, 2022 49:56


    Perpetual Notion Machine host Catherine Garvens speaks with the editors of the new book  Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin, published November 1, 2022 by the University of Wisconsin Press.  The book […] The post Amphibians and Reptiles of Wisconsin appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    The Great Sandhill Crane Migration is Back!

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 27, 2022 30:30


    There's an air of excitement in late autumn as we prepare to witness one of the world's greatest animal migrations. Sandhill Cranes have returned from the brink of extinction and […] The post The Great Sandhill Crane Migration is Back! appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Antarctic Explorer Ariel Waldman

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 14, 2022 28:57


    On tonight's episode of Perpetual Notion Machine host Emily Morris speaks with Antarctic explorer and creative director Ariel Waldman (arielwaldman.com). She is a National Geographic Explorer who created the project […] The post Antarctic Explorer Ariel Waldman appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Scent: A Natural History of Fragrance

    Play Episode Listen Later Oct 7, 2022 31:54


    Pleasant to nose and soothing to the mind, some scents evoke calmness and peace. Others remind us of the holidays – the smell of pumpkin pie in the fall, sticky […] The post Scent: A Natural History of Fragrance appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Madison Public Library Debuts Naturalist-in-Residence Program

    Play Episode Listen Later Sep 1, 2022 32:09


    The Madison Public Library debuted it Naturalist in Residence Program in September 2022. Join Perpetual Notion Machine host Catherine Garvens, Madison Public Library (MPL) Community Engagement Librarian Kristina Gómez, and […] The post Madison Public Library Debuts Naturalist-in-Residence Program appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Sweat, limnology and happiness, mysterious webs: Science News August 2...

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 26, 2022 29:36


    This week on PNM, Emily and Serena have a new installment of science news, where we round up some intriguing science news from around the world and in our neighborhood, […] The post Sweat, limnology and happiness, mysterious webs: Science News August 2... appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    What’s Math Got to Do With It? Math & The Social Good

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 19, 2022 29:25


    It is 8am,on a wintry Monday. You have your coffee cup in hand as you rush towards the bus stop. It is the middle of winter, so the buses are […] The post What's Math Got to Do With It? Math & The Social Good appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    An Audio Tour of the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 12, 2022 61:47


    There's no time like a beautiful August day to head to the UW Arboretum. Join us for a guided walking tour of the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens. Curator David Stevens leads […] The post An Audio Tour of the Longenecker Horticultural Gardens appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Will the Reign of Monarchs Continue?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 8, 2022 28:14


    The lifecycle of monarch butterflies is one of the most remarkable of any migrating species. As familiar as these beautiful insects are, last month monarchs were listed as endangered species. […] The post Will the Reign of Monarchs Continue? appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

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    Science fun isn’t hard when you’ve got a library card!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 8, 2022 27:51


    If you're bored this summer, look no further than the local library! This week on PNM, we spoke with Liz Boyd, marketing specialist at the Madison Public Library. There are […] The post Science fun isn't hard when you've got a library card! appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

    Science news June 2022

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 1, 2022 29:48


    This week on PNM, Emily and Serena embark on an experimental episode of PNM science news chat, where we round up some intriguing science news from around the world and […] The post Science news June 2022 appeared first on WORT-FM 89.9.

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