Podcasts about scicomm

The Dungeons & Doctorates cast gather with some guests to celebrate 5 years of making the podcast by answering questions and discussing all thing TTRPG

Here at D&SD Over the Summer on Wednesdays we will be releasing some of our cool side campaign episodes! This series is called “The Playa Rose” is a western campaign DM'd by our Very own Andrew Kornblatt.   Hyenas, Mariachis, and Pyrrhic Victory   The defense of Trail's homestead unfolds in multiple harrowing phases. As afternoon heat reaches itszenith, the terrifying whooping of hyenas breaks the silence - impossible creatures this far east, led by agiant specimen that sniffs the air with an almost humanoid smile before turning toward the defenders.   A fast-paced musical duel accompanies the battle as serpentine guitar melodies coil around each otherwhile a trumpet rises to take the lead. The party fights desperately against the pack, with the creatures'unnatural presence confirming the supernatural nature of their enemies.   As the last hyena dies in a pool of dark blood, the music shifts to haunting words in an unknown tongue.Four mysterious musicians fade into existence: Vargus (the black-suited leader with grey skin and bone-white guitar), Song of the Lonesome Howl (a spotted Tabaxi with brass instrument and pistol), Gerar (ayellow dragonborn guitarist with gila monster features), and Solis (a red-skinned tiefling with horn-shaped shoulder pads).   The battle is fierce and costly. Though our heroes' preparation and determination prove superior to thesupernatural mariachi band, their victory comes at a terrible price. The homestead burns above them asthey flee through Mac D's tunnel system, while Vargus screams "Consuela!" into the night, revealing apersonal connection to their enigmatic halfling companion.   Please support Dugongs & Sea Dragons on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/DugongsAndSeadragons  

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by qualitative sociologist, Dr. Gretchen Sisson. Gretchen's researches pregnancy, abortion and adoption at Advancing New Standards in Reproductive Health (ANSIRH) department at UC San Francisco. Her 2024 book is: “Relinquished: The Politics of Adoption and the Privilege of American Motherhood “ Follow Gretchen: @GretchenSisson

Since arriving in my role at the University of Rochester, I've developed a great collaboration with Jeff Koslofsky, Senior Marketing Strategist at the U Rochester Medical Center. Here, he asked me about my own particular brand of scientific communication, which eschews production flourishes in favor of honesty. (At least that's what I tell myself. It could also be because I don't have the skills or budget to make things more polished ; ) Please check out Jeff's other content here: exclusive content: https://www.youtube.com/@JeffKoslofskyUR Medicine: https://www.youtube.com/@URMedicineThe Next Step Podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/7byv4p78X1wB5JQHQTfyQ6?si=9e6ba3c2a5b84273

Here at D&SD Over the Summer on Wednesdays we will be releasing some of our cool side campaign episodes! This series is called “The Playa Rose” is a western campaign DM'd by our Very own Andrew Kornblatt. Tunnels, Traps, and Musical Nightmares With the party split, we follow the defenders at Trail's homestead as they prepare for the Pusheen Brothers' promised return. The trio hatches an elaborate three-part defense plan: Ol' Mac D will dig an escape tunnel system to the bottom of the gorge (complete with traps and dead ends), they'll create pit traps spiked with hallucinogenic cactus needles, and manufacture crude flash-bang grenades. Mac D's tunnel-digging reveals an existing underground passage system, adding mystery to their defensive preparations. As they take a midday siesta on the porch during the blazing heat, Marshal hears haunting music approaching. When he investigates, he finds four musicians playing an eerie tune that raises his hackles - but when he turns to warn the others, both the music and the musicians have vanished. The psychological warfare begins as the music returns, audible to all. Those who speak Abyssal understand the sinister lyrics. For a full hour, the otherworldly melodies assault their minds, requiring periodic Charisma checks to resist the supernatural influence. The music creates an atmosphere of dread and anticipation, setting the stage for the coming battle. Please support Dugongs & Sea Dragons on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/DugongsAndSeadragons  

Potentia passes her Arcana check and understands the situation. Oh no! Johanna Howes - Meredith, Kate O'Sullivan - Potentia, Ross Balch - Harold, Ben Keirnan - DM/NPCs

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by biologist and Professor of science writing, Anne E. Greene. They discuss Anne's book, “Writing Science in Plain English, Second Edition.” 

In this episode, we're exploring the fascinating world of oscillating chemical reactions — those rare reactions that don't just proceed in one direction, but actually cycle, changing colours as they go.Our guest is mathematical chemistry PhD candidate Heath Dimsey, who helps us unpack how these mesmerizing reactions work, why they defy what we think we know about chemical processes, and how they even help explain the patterns on animal coats — like the stripes of a zebra or the spots of a leopard. Show theme music: Kevin MacLeodThank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week! Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove)Co-Host: Georgia StewartProduction: Dr Hannah Moore (@HannahCMoore)Media & Promotion: Georgia Stewart 

In this week's episode we take a look at all the news our outer solar system has to offer. From newly discovered outer solar system objects to intersteller comet I3/Atlas to the Peried Meteor shower, we have icy objects and absolutely no aliens (It's never aliens #IYKYK).

Here at D&SD Over the Summer on Wednesdays we will be releasing some of our cool side campaign episodes! This series is called “The Playa Rose” is a western campaign DM'd by our Very own Andrew Kornblatt. Hospitality, Heartbreak, and the Pusheen Brothers On the road to the mine, the party encounters Trail in the Grass, a tuxedo-furred Tabaxi homesteader speaking ill of the mine owner. They decide to join him at his small homestead, where he shares a meal and his tragic story - the loss of his mate, the festering of his land and animals, and the growing pressure from Laurentine, the powerful mine owner who's been buying up land along the gorge through increasingly aggressive means. The party is moved to help, offering comfort through song, helping clean his modest shack, and... well, in Mac D's case, shapeshifting into a goat to eat some of the grass. Their evening of frontier hospitality is interrupted when Mac D, wild-shaped into a local bird, spots the Pusheen Brothers - those calico Tabaxi troublemakers - approaching the homestead. In a classic Western standoff, Consuela and Morgan intercept the brothers while Marshal and Trail take defensive positions. The Alley Cat gang members, surprised by the protection and presence of capable, dangerous women, exchange heated words before departing with a warning: Trail has four days to vacate his property, or they'll return with "overwhelming influence." Faced with this threat, the party splits up - Marshal and Mac D staying to help fortify Trail's homestead, while Consuela and Morgan return to Liberty Bluff to investigate the widow of a geologist who died while investigating the mines. Please support Dugongs & Sea Dragons on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/DugongsAndSeadragons  

Fighting continues in the void, will the Academic Adventures survive? Johanna Howes - Meredith, Kate O'Sullivan - Potentia, Ross Balch - Harold, Ben Keirnan - DM/NPCs

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and Science & Environment Writer, Starre Vartan. They discuss Starre's newest book, “The Stronger Sex: What Science Tells Us about the Power of the Female Body.” Follow: @StarreVartan

Returning guest Priya Kitchener joins us to unpack Australia's PISA study results and what they say about how well our students are performing in mathematics.With experience in both public and private school systems and now working as an engineer at a scientific software company, Priya shares her insights on how teachers, schools, and communities can use data to make meaningful change. From maths anxiety to student confidence, Priya dives into the complexity of maths education and the cultural shift that needs to happen for Tasmania to thrive.Show theme music: Kevin MacLeodThank you to the whole TWICS team for the incredible behind-the-scenes volunteering every week!Host: Dr Olly Dove (Insta: ols_dove)Co-Host: Zi Yi Kho. (‪@ziyikho.bsky.social‬)Production: Richard Siu (Insta: richard.siu.photography)Media & Promotion: Zi Yi Kho. 

A Corpse, A Snake-Man, and Uncomfortable Questions The adventure kicks off proper-like in Mona Stanley's saloon, where Marshal Marshal runs into Morganthe necromancer over some heated words. Their attention turns to Consuela, a enigmatic halfling playing haunting music in a dark corner, before Ol' Mac D - aged and sun-addled - joins their growing circle. The evening takes a deadly turn when a man bursts through the saloon's swinging doors and collapses,dead from an apparent gunshot wound. Moments later, a snake-man gunslinger saunters in casual asyou please. When a local lawyer accuses the serpentine stranger of lawlessness, our heroes get mixed upin the confrontation, and the snake-man leaves with threats hanging in the air. Morgan, thinking quick, drags the corpse to a back room and animates it for questioning. The dead manreveals he was in the mine to the north and saw something he shouldn't have. Marshal Marshal sendsword to the local magistrate for a warrant to search the mine and arrest its owner, while the crew decidesto escort their magically silenced undead witness on the multi-day journey northward.  

The Academic Adventures begin to come to terms with their current cosmic situation. Johanna Howes - Meredith, Kate O'Sullivan - Potentia, Ross Balch - Harold, Ben Keirnan - DM/NPCs

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by psycholinguist and Professor Emeritus of Psychology and Language Sciences at the University of Wisconsin−Madison, Dr. Maryellen MacDonald. They discuss her book, More Than Words: How Talking Sharpens the Mind and Shapes Our World. Follow Maryellen: @maryellenmacdonald

In this special episode we look at how volunteers throughout history have aided in scientific explorations and tell you how you can get involved with our latest community science projects.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author and Energy and Environment Reporter for The Hill, Rachel Frazin. They talk about her book, “Poisoning the Well: How Forever Chemicals Contaminated America” Follow Rachel: @RachelFrazin

Here at D&SD Over the Summer on Wednesdays we will be releasing some of our cool side campaign episodes! This series is called “The Playa Rose” is a western campaign DM'd by our Very own Andrew Kornblatt.  Welcome to Liberty Bluff, a small frontier town where the plains meet the desert at the edge of Deadwind Gorge. Our unlikely heroes find themselves in this hub on the great trade road, where folks come seeking freedom, fortune, or a fresh start. The air tastes of industry and something fouler - the town's lifeblood flows from the booming arcanite mine to the north, producing rare gems, coal, and the mysterious mineral that powers their world. But all ain't well in Liberty Bluff. Drought withers the farms, strange tales drift in from the western deserts of mutated creatures and bizarre plagues, and bandits prey on the trade routes. Soldiers from a northern fort bustle about, building fortifications as if preparing for siege. In this powder keg of a frontier town, four strangers are about to find their fates intertwined. Please support Dugongs & Sea Dragons on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/DugongsAndSeadragons  

Join us as we look at two parallel stories - the development of the Vera Rubin Observatory and the SpaceX Starship rocket. Both projects are 20 years in the making, and both were supposed to start work in 2019. Both hit new milestones in June, and it's time to review their very different progress. Also included in this episode: Tales from the launch pad.

The Circle begin explaining their part in the mystery. Johanna Howes - Meredith, Kate O'Sullivan - Potentia, Ross Balch - Harold, Ben Keirnan - DM/NPCs

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by environmental scientist turned freelance writer and editor, Sarah Boon. They discuss her new book, “Meltdown: The Making and Breaking of a Field Scientist” Follow Sarah: @snowhydro.bsky.social

The Academic Adventurers gather at the archaeology department ready to unravel the mystery surrounding Harold's sword. Johanna Howes - Meredith, Kate O'Sullivan - Potentia, Ross Balch - Harold, Ben Keirnan - DM/NPCs

The crew talk to Trevor and head off to a city with an unpronounceable name.  Please support Dugongs & Sea Dragons on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/DugongsAndSeadragons  

In this episode we celebrate the 75th anniversary of the Fermi Paradox by looking at a bunch of science capable of preventing and destroying civilizations. We also review our latest not-so-great attempts to land on the moon and launch a rocket that (if it worked) could carry us to Mars.

Meredith and Potentia discuss things over a bit of late night shopping Johanna Howes - Meredith, Kate O'Sullivan - Potentia, Ben Keirnan - DM/NPCs

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science communicator, author and associate professor at Lenoir-Rhyne University, Dr. Carly Anne York. They discuss her new book, “ The Salmon Cannon and the Levitating Frog: And Other Serious Discoveries of Silly Science.” Follow Carly: @CarlyAnneYork

D&SD is Taking a break to do a short adventure in the Doctors and Daleks Universe with DM Chris Parsons. Renegade Time Lord the Corsair and his sontaran companion Dyrall Viddae have rescued Captain Stede Bonnet, but can they escape their pursuers? Please support Dugongs & Sea Dragons on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/DugongsAndSeadragons  

It's a precarious time for science in the United States. Federal funding is being slashed, career scientists are being laid off, and researchers are considering leaving to work abroad. On top of that, public trust in science and experts has declined. Besides acknowledging the federal attacks on science, a lot of scientists are also asking themselves: What are we doing wrong? How do we engage the public? And what could we do better?Joining Host Flora Lichtman to dig through these questions is Felice Frankel, a science photographer and chemical engineer at MIT. She's also the author of the upcoming book Phenomenal Moments: Revealing the Hidden Science Around Us, out this fall.Guest: Felice Frankel is a science photographer and a research scientist at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in the department of chemical engineering.Transcript is available on sciencefriday.com. Subscribe to this podcast. Plus, to stay updated on all things science, sign up for Science Friday's newsletters.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by science journalist and author, Liz Kalaugher. They discuss Liz's newly released book, “The Elephant in the Room: How to Stop Making Ourselves and Other Animals Sick.” Follow Liz: @LizKalaugher

D&SD is Taking a break to do a short adventure in the Doctors and Daleks Universe with DM Chris Parsons. Renegade Time Lord the Corsair and Dyrall Viddae try to come up with a plan to spring Captain Stede Bonnet from imprisonment. Please support Dugongs & Sea Dragons on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/DugongsAndSeadragons  

The Academic Adventurers complete their dinner plan. Johanna Howes - Meredith, Kate O'Sullivan - Potentia, Ross Balch - Harold, Ben Keirnan - DM/NPCs

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by microbiologist, science communicator, Adjunct Professor at Indiana University South Bend and postdoctoral researcher at the University of Notre Dame, Dr. Maggie M. Fink. They discuss her newest co-authored book, “The Color of North: The Molecular Language of Proteins and the Future of Life.” Follow Maggie: @MaggieMFink

D&SD is Taking a break to do a short adventure in the Doctors and Daleks Universe with DM Chris Parsons. Renegade Time Lord the Corsair and his faithful sontaran companion Dyrall Viddae find themselves in 18th century Charleston, VA. Please support Dugongs & Sea Dragons on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/DugongsAndSeadragons  

This week, we take a closer look at the weirdly twisty search for a possible planet in our outer solar system. We'll also take in the happy science of aurorae here, at Jupiter, and over Neptune, as well as a bunch of weird discoveries that has some people screaming "It's Aliens!" (it's not aliens). 

Awesome Con 2025 has come and gone and we have another Doctor's and Daleks Episode out for you all to enjoy! DM Chris Parsons does an adventure to an Antarctic science station with the Corsair and friends in tow.  This was recorded in front of a live audience, so apologies for any issues with sound quality. Please support Dugongs & Sea Dragons on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/DugongsAndSeadragons  

The dinner plans are interpreted by an unexpected restaurant patron. Johanna Howes - Meredith, Kate O'Sullivan - Potentia, Ross Balch - Harold, Ben Keirnan - DM/NPCs

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by author, historian, journalist and mystery novelist, Brandy Schillace, PHD. They discuss Brandy's newest book, “The Intermediaries: A Weimar Story.” Follow Brandy: ‪@bschillace.brandyschillace.com

Potentia and Teriyani excuse themselves from dinner to visit the powder room. Johanna Howes - Meredith, Kate O'Sullivan - Potentia, Ross Balch - Harold, Ben Keirnan - DM/NPCs

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by microbial biogeochemist, Professor of Earth Science and Wrigley Chair in Environmental Studies at the University of Southern California, Dr. Karen G. Lloyd. They discuss Karen's new book, “Intraterrestrials: Discovering the Strangest Life on Earth.” Follow Karen: @KarenLloyd

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Inaugural J. Mario Molina Professor of the History of Medicine in the Department of the History of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins University, Dr. Mary Fissell. They talk about her book, “Pushback: The 2,500-Year Fight to Thwart Women by Restricting Abortion.”

The crew go to the old lab of Herr Findlass only to find their arch-nemesis…  Please support Dugongs & Sea Dragons on Patreon:  https://www.patreon.com/DugongsAndSeadragons  

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by educator,  civil servant, and the 15th Chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY), John B. King, Jr. We discuss his new book, “Teacher By Teacher: The People Who Change Our Lives.” Follow John: @John.B.King

This week we look at how the elimination of science programs, projects, datasets, and funding may be shaping into an extinction-level event for US Space-related sciences. Come cry with us.

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by wildlife ecologist, TV presenter, author, and science communicator, Dr. Rae Wynn-Grant. They discuss Rae's newest project co-hosting NBC's original series Mutual of Omaha's Wild Kingdom Protecting the Wild.  This new series showcases wildlife success stories across the United States and inspires the next generation of conservationists. Follow Rae: @raewynngrant

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by historian, ecologist, and environmental studies professor at Williams College, Dr. Laura J. Martin. They discuss her book, “Wild by Design: The Rise of Ecological Restoration.” Follow Laura: @Laura_J_Martin

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Dr. Helen King. Helen is a Professor Emerita of Classical Studies at The Open University, and an elected member of the General Synod of the Church of England, where she is vice chair of Together. They discuss her newest book: “Immaculate Forms: A History of the Female Body in Four Parts.” Follow Helen: @helenking

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by cognitive neuroscientist and neuroimaging expert, Gina Rippon. They discuss her forthcoming book (April 1 2025), “Off the Spectrum: Why the Science of Autism Has Failed Women and Girls”, which is a call to recognize the full spectrum of the autistic experience. Follow Gina: @ginarippon1

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by Harvard University Professor of the History of Science and author, Rebecca Lemov. They discuss her newest book, “THE INSTABILITY OF TRUTH: Brainwashing, Mind Control and Hyper-Persuasian.” Follow Rebecca: @rebeccalemov

In this episode of Talk Nerdy, Cara is joined by New York Times bestselling nature writer, Leigh Ann Henion. They talk about Leigh's newest book, “Night Magic: Adventures Among Glowworms, Moon Gardens, and Other Marvels of the Dark.” Follow Leigh: @leighannhenion