POPULARITY
Categories
Theologian and historian Dr. Martin Erdmann explores the concept of Orwellian perpetual war in the modern era. Drawing on the works of George Orwell and historian Harry Elmer Barnes, Erdmann argues that contemporary conflicts like the war in Ukraine are often “phony wars” designed for domestic control rather than military victory. The discussion suggests that global elites use these manufactured tensions to consolidate power, build up technocratic defense industries, and forestall economic collapses through national debt. Erdmann interprets the rise of multipolarity and regional blocs—such as the European Union and Eurasian Union—as strategic steps toward a unified world federation. Ultimately, the conversation frames these geopolitical shifts within a biblical worldview, asserting that the global movement toward a single world government and currency aligns with prophetic history. Watch on BitChute / Brighteon / Rumble / Substack / YouTube *Support Geopolitics & Empire! Become a Member https://geopoliticsandempire.substack.com Donate https://geopoliticsandempire.com/donations Consult https://geopoliticsandempire.com/consultation **Listen Ad-Free for $4.99 a Month or $49.99 a Year! Apple Subscriptions https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/geopolitics-empire/id1003465597 Supercast https://geopoliticsandempire.supercast.com ***Visit Our Affiliates & Sponsors! Above Phone https://abovephone.com/?above=geopolitics American Gold Exchange https://www.amergold.com/geopolitics Escape The Technocracy (15% off w/ GEOPOLITICS!) https://escapethetechnocracy.com/geopolitics Expat Money (FREE “Plan B” Report!) https://expatmoney.com/geopolitics PassVult https://passvult.com Sociatates Civis https://societates-civis.com StartMail https://www.startmail.com/partner/?ref=ngu4nzr Wise Wolf Gold https://www.wolfpack.gold/?ref=geopolitics Websites Erdmann’s Books https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/B086BQ2C2Z/allbooks Musings of the Court Jester https://drmartinerdmann.substack.com Verax Institute https://veraxinstitut.ch About Dr. Martin Erdmann Dr. Martin Erdmann studied theology at Columbia International University, SC (Master of Divinity), the University of Basel, Switzerland and the University of Aberdeen, Scotland (Master of Theology). In 1999, he was awarded a doctoral degree in Modern Church History at Brunel University London, England. The senate of the Károli Gáspár University, Budapest, Hungary, conferred on him a Habilitation degree (Dr. habil.) in Systematic Theology in 2017. In 1996, he founded Online Communication Systems, Inc. in Columbus, Ohio. For four years he headed up the New Testament department of the Staatsunabhängige Theologische Hochschule Basel (State-independent Theological Seminary), Switzerland. In his position as Senior Scientist at the University Hospital in Basel, he was involved in researching the ethical implications of Nanotechnology for five years. From 2003 to 2010 he was Assistant Professor of Biblical Studies (distance education) at Patrick Henry College, Purcellville, VA. Since 2003 he has directed the Verax Institute (Christian apologetics). *Podcast intro music used with permission is from the song “The Queens Jig” by the fantastic “Musicke & Mirth” from their album “Music for Two Lyra Viols”: http://musicke-mirth.de/en/recordings.html (available on iTunes or Amazon)
Elephants call each other by name. They grieve. They remember. They communicate across distances in frequencies we are only beginning to hear. What does it mean to truly listen to another species — one with memory, language, and a social world as intricate as our own?In this Listening Field conversation, we enter the world of elephant communication with two of its most devoted witnesses. Dr. Mickey Pardo led the landmark discovery that elephants address one another with name-like calls — a finding that traveled around the world and cracked open new questions about animal cognition and communication. Moderated by Katie Surma of Inside Climate News, whose reporting sits at the intersection of science, rights of Nature, and environmental justice, this conversation asks not only what elephants are saying, but what it means for us to finally listen.Dr. Mickey Pardo is a behavioral ecologist and bioacoustician interested in the intersection of animal communication, cognition, conservation, and welfare. He earned his PhD in behavioral ecology from Cornell University, where he studied vocal communication and social cognition in both Asian elephants and Acorn Woodpeckers. He completed a National Science Foundation postdoctoral fellowship at Colorado State University on vocal communication in African elephants, working in collaboration with Save The Elephants in Kenya, where he led the discovery that elephants address each other with name-like calls. This work was featured by over 3,000 media outlets in more than 90 countries, including the New York Times, NPR: Morning Edition, and BBC World, and helped contribute to the recent surge of interest in using machine learning to understand animal communication. During a second postdoc in the Yang Center for Conservation Bioacoustics at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, Dr. Pardo expanded his skillset into applied wildlife conservation, using passive acoustic monitoring, AI, and computer simulations to assess the status of bird populations. He is currently a Senior Scientist at the non-profit research organization ElephantVoices, where he is once again studying vocal communication in African elephants. Dr. Pardo has authored over a dozen scholarly publications, including in top scientific journals such as Nature Ecology and Evolution and Current Biology. In addition to his scientific work, he is an outspoken advocate for the rights of nonhuman animals and for food system reform to end our reliance on animal agriculture and commercial fishing.To learn more about Mickey's work, visit ElephantVoices' website here: https://elephantvoices.org/Katie Surma is a reporter at Inside Climate News covering the rights of nature movement and international environmental justice. Her work has a strong focus on the intersection of human rights and the environment. Before joining ICN, she practiced law, specializing in commercial litigation. Her journalism work has been recognized by the Overseas Press Club, the Society of Environmental Journalists, the Society of American Business Editors and Writers and others. Katie has a master's degree in investigative journalism from Arizona State University's Walter Cronkite School of Journalism, an LLM in international rule of law and security from ASU's Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law, a J.D. from Duquesne University, and was a History of Art and Architecture major at the University of Pittsburgh. Learn more about Katie's work at https://insideclimatenews.org/Support the show
Michelle Watt sits down with DairyNZ Senior Scientist Katrina Macintosh, to explore what decades of on-farm research reveal about the link between best practice farming and freshwater results. Drawing on real data from farms across New Zealand, they unpack how science is shaping sustainable outcomes for both farmers and the environment. Find out more about DairyNZ's extensive Science at www.dairynz.co.nz See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Una delle tecno-fobie più diffuse è la paura dei robot: robot che prendono il nostro posto di lavoro, robot che si ribellano. Eppure non si vedono robot maggiordomi, né robot che svolgono quei compiti che nessuno vorrebbe svolgere. Il fatto è che ancora i robot non sono pronti a stare in mezzo a noi: non ci capiscono abbastanza e perciò non sono abbastanza sicuri. Di intesa tra robot e umani si intendono però all’IIT, dove da anni studiano protesi robotiche, oggetti concettualmente non diversi da robot indossabili. E ora stanno pensando a come riversare quello che hanno imparato nella robotica collaborativa, sia domestica sia industriale. Ne abbiamo parlato a "Research to Innovate" a Bologna con Antonio Bicchi , professore di Robotica all’Università di Pisa e Senior Scientist dell’Istituto Italiano di tecnologia.
Die Highlights aus unserem G'SCHEITHOLZ! Podcast.Folge #34: Biomasse liefert in Österreich einen großen Teil der Raumwärme, und das auf technologischem Spitzenniveau. Rund 20% heizen direkt mit Pellets, Holz und Hackschnitzel, die Hälfte unserer Fernwärme wird ebenfalls aus Biomasse gewonnen. Doch wie effizient ist diese Wärmeversorgung? Wie verändert sich die Bedeutung der Biomasse in der Zukunft? Werden wir in 30 Jahren auch noch großflächig mit Holz heizen? Dr. DI Lukas Kranzl, Senior Scientist an der TU Wien, erklärt in dieser Episode, welche Vorteile Biomasse in der Raumwärme birgt, wo ihre Grenzen liegen und wie wir sie in Zukunft am effizientesten nutzen können.
Edmonton's senior scientist, Mike Jenkins, joins us for our annual conversation about pests. He gives us his mosquito forecast for the summer of 2026. His take on how bad wasps will be this year. He answers our questions about other pests like voles, muskrats, rats, ticks, and ants. Get ready to learn!
In this DairyNZ Update, Michelle Watt talks to Senior Scientist Susanne Meier about fertility research, how research using data collected is helping improve fertility outcomes on farm, and how the Resilient Dairy Programme plays a part. For more information on the Resilient Dairy Programme, and fertility research, find resources at www.dairynz.co.nz See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
The British government is set to ban the sale of cigarettes to anyone born after 2008 - raising both hopes that it could create the first smoke-free generation, but also doubts about whether it could actually be enforced. The legislation also puts limits on the sale and consumption of vape products. Host Maria Kestane speaks with Michael Chaiton, a Senior Scientist at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health and an Associate Professor at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health at the University of Toronto, about whether or not the idea is feasible, and if it might be worth considering in Canada. We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:Through email at hello@thebigstorypodcast.ca Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky
In this episode, Dr. Aly-Khan Lalani, Dr. Christopher Wallis, and Dr. Alex Wyatt walk through the fundamentals of clinical genomics and why it matters for routine practice. They discuss which alterations matter in prostate cancer, germline vs. somatic testing, ctDNA test use cases and limits, and more.Dr. Alex Wyatt is an Associate Professor in Urologic Sciences and holds the President's Excellence Chair in Precision Oncology at the University of British Columbia. He is also a Senior Scientist at the Vancouver Prostate Centre and BC Cancer, where his work focuses on advancing clinical genomics and precision oncology in prostate cancer.This podcast has been made possible through unrestricted financial support by Pfizer, Tolmar, AbbVie, Astellas, Eisai, Ipsen, Merck, Bayer, TerSera.The View on GU with Lalani & Wallis integrates key clinical data from major conferences and high impact publications, sharing meaningful take home messages for practising clinicians in the field of genitourinary (GU) cancers. Learn more about The View on GU: theviewongu.ca
While the podcast team is taking a Radical Sabbatical, Kim is interviewing authors of the books that have had a big impact on her in the past two years. In this episode she's speaking with Tom Rath about his new book What's The Point. Graduation speeches are often filled with lofty advice for how to approach the upcoming transition from school to the real world–a topic that feels especially fraught at this moment of AI Anxiety. Speakers often urge newly minted graduates to “follow your passion.” But is that the best way to decide what type of work to focus on as a career? Perhaps a better approach is to figure out what the world needs and how you can best contribute. Tom Rath stresses the importance of surveying the landscape and identifying the big problems the world is facing. Then, identify your skills and develop them so that you can help address the issues that concern you. One fascinating point Tom makes is that 90% of people in the workforce fall into roughly 50 different occupations. However, most of us are only exposed to a handful of these 50, often only what their parents or parents' friends do for a living. Wouldn't it be better to give young adults exposure to a much wider range of careers before they pursue career goals? In fact, we could all benefit from this exposure. It's never too late to change careers. Tom Rath's CareerSight team brings together industry experts committed to helping people discover career possibilities and find purpose. Background on Tom Rath: Tom is an author and researcher who studies how careers impact health and well-being. He has written 12 books that have sold more than 10 million copies and made hundreds of appearances on global bestseller lists. Tom's first book, How Full Is Your Bucket?, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. His book StrengthFinder 2.0 was listed as Amazon's top-selling non-fiction book of all time. Tom's other bestsellers include Strengths Based Leadership, Wellbeing, Eat Move Sleep, and Are You Fully Charged? Tom is currently co-founder and CEO of CareerSight. He previously led Gallup's workplaces business and served as a Senior Scientist. Tom was also a Vice-Chair of the VHL cancer research organization. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania, where he has also been a guest lecturer. CHAPTERS: (00:00) Introduction to Radical Sabbatical and Tom Rath's Book (01:52) The Problem with Passion (06:56) Purpose vs. Passion: Finding Meaning in Work (11:22) Job, Career, and Calling: Understanding the Differences (13:10) Shifting Focus: From What You Do to Who You Help (21:28) Skepticism About Childhood Dreams and Career Paths (24:29) Reevaluating Life Choices (28:01) Exploring Career Options (30:40) The Importance of Exploration (33:02) Navigating Career Pressures (34:40) The Evolution of Work (39:57) Understanding Comparison Detox (43:10) Finding Meaning in Daily Life Connect with the Radical Candor team: Website Instagram TikTok LinkedIn YouTube Bluesky Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if purpose isn't something we find, but something we build? In this episode, bestselling author and researcher Tom Rath breaks down purpose in a way that feels practical, not pressuring. We talk about why “purpose” can feel loaded, how service and relationships create meaning, and simple ways to notice the impact we are already having, especially in hard seasons.Thrive Global Article: Tom Rath on Turning Purpose Into Your Daily SuperpowerExplore his books, tools, and work at TomRath.org and follow Tom on X.About Our Guest:Tom is an author and researcher who studies how careers impact health and wellbeing. He has written 12 books that have sold more than 10 million copies and made hundreds of appearances on global bestseller lists.Tom's first book, How Full Is Your Bucket?, was an instant #1 New York Times bestseller. His book StrengthFinder 2.0 was listed as Amazon's top-selling non-fiction book of all time. Tom's other bestsellers include Strengths Based Leadership, Wellbeing, Eat Move Sleep, and Are You Fully Charged?Tom is currently co-founder and CEO of CareerSight. He previously led Gallup's workplaces business and served as a Senior Scientist. Tom was also a Vice-Chair of the VHL cancer research organization. He is a graduate of the University of Michigan and the University of Pennsylvania, where he has also been a guest lecturer.About Lainie:Lainie Rowell is a bestselling author, award-winning educator, and TEDx speaker. She is dedicated to human flourishing, focusing on community building, emotional intelligence, and honoring what makes each of us unique and dynamic through learner-driven design. She earned her degree in psychology and went on to earn both a post-graduate credential and a master's degree in education. An international keynote speaker, Lainie has presented in 41 states as well as in dozens of countries across 4 continents. As a consultant, Lainie's client list ranges from Fortune 100 companies like Apple and Google to school districts and independent schools. Learn more at linktr.ee/lainierowell.Website - LainieRowell.comInstagram - @LainieRowellLinkedIn - @LainieRowellX/Twitter - @LainieRowell Evolving with Gratitude, the book is available here! And now, Bold Gratitude: The Journal Designed for You and by You is available too!Both Evolving with Gratitude & Bold Gratitude have generous bulk pricing for purchasing 10+ copies delivered to the same location.
Guest: Mark Freedman, HBSc, MSc, MD, CSPQ, FAAN, FRCPC Cxplore how cell-based therapies are reshaping treatment strategies for multiple sclerosis (MS). Hear from Dr. Mark Freedman as he examines the scientific rationale behind emerging strategies. Dr. Freedman is a Professor of Medicine in Neurology at the University of Ottawa and a Senior Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, and he spoke about this topic at the 2026 Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) Annual Meeting.
Guest: Mark Freedman, HBSc, MSc, MD, CSPQ, FAAN, FRCPC The role of cell-based therapies in multiple sclerosis (MS) is evolving, with immune system replacement via autologous stem cells, investigational mesenchymal repair strategies, and CAR T-cell approaches changing the treatment landscape. Hear from Dr. Mark Freedman as he dives into current and emerging mechanisms of action, which he also discussed at the 2026 Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) Annual Meeting. Dr. Freedman is a Professor of Medicine in Neurology at the University of Ottawa and a Senior Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
Guest: Mark Freedman, HBSc, MSc, MD, CSPQ, FAAN, FRCPC The role of cell-based therapies in multiple sclerosis (MS) is evolving, with immune system replacement via autologous stem cells, investigational mesenchymal repair strategies, and CAR T-cell approaches changing the treatment landscape. Hear from Dr. Mark Freedman as he dives into current and emerging mechanisms of action, which he also discussed at the 2026 Consortium of Multiple Sclerosis Centers (CMSC) Annual Meeting. Dr. Freedman is a Professor of Medicine in Neurology at the University of Ottawa and a Senior Scientist at the Ottawa Hospital Research Institute.
Nothing in biology is random. Not growth. Not metabolism. Not disease. What we will explore today is the reality that the earliest inputs in life: nutrition, environment, signaling, don't just influence outcomes… They shape them. They write the first draft. And if you understand that, if you truly let that land, then everything about how we approach pregnancy, childhood, and prevention begins to shift. From reaction…to intention. From downstream management…to upstream design. Why This Conversation Matters This episode is not just another discussion. In many ways, it is ground zero. Because if you don't understand this layer, the imprinting, the epigenetic programming, the responsiveness of biology to environment, then everything that follows in this podcast…becomes harder to fully see. But once you do see it, the picture sharpens. You begin to understand:why trajectories diverge early, why children present so differently and why the same diagnosis can have completely different roots. This is the beginning of a new map. And maps matter. Gratitude to Today's Guests I want to take a moment to acknowledge the voices you heard today—because this kind of thinking doesn't happen by accident. Lucia Aronica Dr. Aronica is a Stanford scientist and a global authority in nutritional epigenetics, helping clinicians understand that food is not simply fuel—it is biological information that actively programs gene expression. She created Stanford's first courses in nutritional epigenetics and pioneered the Epinutrition framework, a clinical model that reframes nutrition as signaling, not supplementation. You may recognize her from the Netflix documentary You Are What You Eat: A Twin Experiment, and she is now launching the world's first Clinical Epinutrition Certification, training health professionals to use food as epigenetic medicine. Emily Stone Rydbom Emily is a clinical nutritionist, researcher, and digital health founder working at the frontier of precision maternal nutrition. As Founder and CEO of GrowBaby Health, and through her work with GrowHealth Technologies, she is building AI-enabled systems that integrate nutrition directly into standard obstetric care. With over 14 years of clinical experience, she has helped pioneer the “Standard of Care PLUS” model, demonstrating meaningful reductions in preterm birth and gestational diabetes in high-risk populations. She is also a co-investigator on the ROOT Study—bringing this work directly into real-world maternal care here in North Carolina. Samantha N. Fessler Dr. Fessler brings a deep scientific lens to the intersection of metabolism, inflammation, and perinatal nutrition. With a PhD in Exercise and Nutritional Sciences from Arizona State University, her work has focused on how nutritional strategies can modulate the interplay between immune signaling and metabolic function to improve outcomes for mothers and children. As Director of Scientific Affairs at Needed, she helps translate rigorous science into actionable, evidence-based approaches that clinicians and families can actually use. Randy L. Jirtle And finally, Dr. Randy Jirtle—joining us again—whose work, quite simply, changed how we understand biology. A pioneer in epigenetics and genomic imprinting, Dr. Jirtle's research on the agouti mouse model demonstrated for the first time that environmental inputs—particularly nutrition and chemical exposure—could directly alter gene expression across generations. His work reframed the gene from a fixed sentence…to a responsive system. In fact, Time Magazine once described it this way:“A gene represents less of an inexorable sentence and more of an access point for the environment to modify the genome.” He is a Professor of Epigenetics at North Carolina State University and Senior Scientist at University of Wisconsin–Madison and remains, at his core, a deeply curious thinker. And that curiosity… is what moved this field forward. Final Thought: If there is one takeaway from today, it is this: The environment is not acting on the child. The child is responding to the environment. And that response…is being written into biology. Dr. M
"We inhibited a brain region and connectivity went up. I thought it was an artifact..."Dr. Alessandro Gozzi is a systems neuroscientist investigating how the brain functions as an integrated network and how disruptions in that network relate to behavior and mental health. He is Senior Scientist and Group Leader of the Functional Neuroimaging Laboratory at the Italian Institute of Technology in Rovereto, Italy. His research combines fMRI, functional ultrasound imaging, optogenetics, chemogenetics, electrophysiology, and computational modeling to decode the neural underpinnings of brain connectivity in rodent models, with the goal of bridging circuit-level findings to human psychopathology.In this conversation, Dr. Gozzi unpacks what resting-state fMRI connectivity actually reflects and why the answer may be more surprising than the field assumes. Drawing on a series of elegant chemogenetic and pharmacological manipulations in mice, he reveals how regional excitability, rather than direct synaptic communication, may be a dominant driver of the connectivity patterns we observe. Within this context, the conversation explores the paradoxical relationship between neural silencing and hyperconnectivity, the evolutionary conservation of brain networks across species, and what rodent models of autism can and cannot tell us about human psychiatric disorders. Join the conversation to discover how mechanistic animal studies are reshaping our understanding of human brain connectivity.We hope you enjoy this episode!Chapters:00:00 - Introduction to Dr. Alessandro Gozzi05:12 - Gozzi's Unconventional Journey into Neuroscience13:17 - Transitioning from Industry to Academia20:49 - The Relevance of Rodent Models in Understanding Autism32:04 - Exploring the Complexities of Brain Connectivity38:57 - Excitability and Its Role in Connectivity Patterns42:27 - Exploring fMRI Connectivity and Local Computation45:28 - The Role of the Hearst Index in Brain Activity54:00 - Implications for Treatment in Psychiatric Disorders58:42 - The Intersection of Biology and Neuroscience Research01:07:08 - Balancing Life and Science: Personal ReflectionsWorks mentioned:00:12:48 - Gutierrez-Barragan, D. et al. (2024). Evolutionarily conserved fMRI network dynamics in the mouse, macaque, and human brain. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-49245-600:17:40 - Zerbi, V., Pagani, M. et al. (2021). Brain mapping across 16 autism mouse models reveals a spectrum of functional connectivity subtypes. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41380-021-01245-400:18:00 - Pagani, M. et al. (2021). mTOR-related synaptic pathology causes autism spectrum disorder-associated functional hyperconnectivity. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-021-26520-800:29:50 - Pagani, M. et al. (2025). Biological subtyping of autism via cross-species fMRI. https://doi.org/10.1101/2025.03.04.64140000:40:40 - Rocchi, F. et al. (2022). Increased fMRI connectivity upon chemogenetic inhibition of the mouse prefrontal cortex. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-022-28591-300:43:30 - Trakoshis, S., Martínez-Cañada, P. et al. (2020). Intrinsic excitation-inhibition imbalance affects medial prefrontal cortex differently in autistic men versus women. https://doi.org/10.7554/eLife.5568400:45:10 - Newbold, D.J. et al. (2020). Plasticity and spontaneous activity pulses in disused human brain circuits. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.neuron.2020.05.007Episode producer:Xuqian Michelle Li
The Origins of the New (Princeton University Press, 2026) presents a revolutionary approach to evolutionary success in all realms of life. In this groundbreaking book, Douglas Erwin takes readers on a dazzling excursion across science and history to explore how evolution generates new and enduring features in biology, culture, and technology.Erwin begins by tracing how thinkers from Darwin's time to the present day have sought to discover the driving mechanisms of evolutionary novelty. He then lays out compelling empirical evidence for separating novelty from innovation, showing that novelty involves the emergence of unique characteristics, while innovation concerns the success of those characteristics over time. Erwin develops a unifying conceptual framework for these powerful dynamics, demonstrating how they have shaped everything from the evolution of avian feathers and flight to the creation of human language and the breathtaking advances in digital computing we're witnessing today.A landmark work that redefines our understanding of the changes happening all around us, The Origins of the New reveals how the forces of novelty and innovation are the same across nature and culture, continually producing new forms and refashioning the world as we know it. Our guest is doctor Doug Erwin, who is an independent researcher at the Santa Fe Institute, after retiring as Senior Scientist and Curator of Paleobiology at the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution. Our host is Eleonora Mattiacci, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Amherst College. She is the author of "Volatile States in International Politics" (Oxford University Press, 2023). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network
The Origins of the New (Princeton University Press, 2026) presents a revolutionary approach to evolutionary success in all realms of life. In this groundbreaking book, Douglas Erwin takes readers on a dazzling excursion across science and history to explore how evolution generates new and enduring features in biology, culture, and technology.Erwin begins by tracing how thinkers from Darwin's time to the present day have sought to discover the driving mechanisms of evolutionary novelty. He then lays out compelling empirical evidence for separating novelty from innovation, showing that novelty involves the emergence of unique characteristics, while innovation concerns the success of those characteristics over time. Erwin develops a unifying conceptual framework for these powerful dynamics, demonstrating how they have shaped everything from the evolution of avian feathers and flight to the creation of human language and the breathtaking advances in digital computing we're witnessing today.A landmark work that redefines our understanding of the changes happening all around us, The Origins of the New reveals how the forces of novelty and innovation are the same across nature and culture, continually producing new forms and refashioning the world as we know it. Our guest is doctor Doug Erwin, who is an independent researcher at the Santa Fe Institute, after retiring as Senior Scientist and Curator of Paleobiology at the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution. Our host is Eleonora Mattiacci, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Amherst College. She is the author of "Volatile States in International Politics" (Oxford University Press, 2023). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science
The Origins of the New (Princeton University Press, 2026) presents a revolutionary approach to evolutionary success in all realms of life. In this groundbreaking book, Douglas Erwin takes readers on a dazzling excursion across science and history to explore how evolution generates new and enduring features in biology, culture, and technology.Erwin begins by tracing how thinkers from Darwin's time to the present day have sought to discover the driving mechanisms of evolutionary novelty. He then lays out compelling empirical evidence for separating novelty from innovation, showing that novelty involves the emergence of unique characteristics, while innovation concerns the success of those characteristics over time. Erwin develops a unifying conceptual framework for these powerful dynamics, demonstrating how they have shaped everything from the evolution of avian feathers and flight to the creation of human language and the breathtaking advances in digital computing we're witnessing today.A landmark work that redefines our understanding of the changes happening all around us, The Origins of the New reveals how the forces of novelty and innovation are the same across nature and culture, continually producing new forms and refashioning the world as we know it. Our guest is doctor Doug Erwin, who is an independent researcher at the Santa Fe Institute, after retiring as Senior Scientist and Curator of Paleobiology at the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution. Our host is Eleonora Mattiacci, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Amherst College. She is the author of "Volatile States in International Politics" (Oxford University Press, 2023).
The Origins of the New (Princeton University Press, 2026) presents a revolutionary approach to evolutionary success in all realms of life. In this groundbreaking book, Douglas Erwin takes readers on a dazzling excursion across science and history to explore how evolution generates new and enduring features in biology, culture, and technology.Erwin begins by tracing how thinkers from Darwin's time to the present day have sought to discover the driving mechanisms of evolutionary novelty. He then lays out compelling empirical evidence for separating novelty from innovation, showing that novelty involves the emergence of unique characteristics, while innovation concerns the success of those characteristics over time. Erwin develops a unifying conceptual framework for these powerful dynamics, demonstrating how they have shaped everything from the evolution of avian feathers and flight to the creation of human language and the breathtaking advances in digital computing we're witnessing today.A landmark work that redefines our understanding of the changes happening all around us, The Origins of the New reveals how the forces of novelty and innovation are the same across nature and culture, continually producing new forms and refashioning the world as we know it. Our guest is doctor Doug Erwin, who is an independent researcher at the Santa Fe Institute, after retiring as Senior Scientist and Curator of Paleobiology at the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution. Our host is Eleonora Mattiacci, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Amherst College. She is the author of "Volatile States in International Politics" (Oxford University Press, 2023). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Origins of the New (Princeton University Press, 2026) presents a revolutionary approach to evolutionary success in all realms of life. In this groundbreaking book, Douglas Erwin takes readers on a dazzling excursion across science and history to explore how evolution generates new and enduring features in biology, culture, and technology.Erwin begins by tracing how thinkers from Darwin's time to the present day have sought to discover the driving mechanisms of evolutionary novelty. He then lays out compelling empirical evidence for separating novelty from innovation, showing that novelty involves the emergence of unique characteristics, while innovation concerns the success of those characteristics over time. Erwin develops a unifying conceptual framework for these powerful dynamics, demonstrating how they have shaped everything from the evolution of avian feathers and flight to the creation of human language and the breathtaking advances in digital computing we're witnessing today.A landmark work that redefines our understanding of the changes happening all around us, The Origins of the New reveals how the forces of novelty and innovation are the same across nature and culture, continually producing new forms and refashioning the world as we know it. Our guest is doctor Doug Erwin, who is an independent researcher at the Santa Fe Institute, after retiring as Senior Scientist and Curator of Paleobiology at the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution. Our host is Eleonora Mattiacci, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Amherst College. She is the author of "Volatile States in International Politics" (Oxford University Press, 2023). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/science-technology-and-society
The Origins of the New (Princeton University Press, 2026) presents a revolutionary approach to evolutionary success in all realms of life. In this groundbreaking book, Douglas Erwin takes readers on a dazzling excursion across science and history to explore how evolution generates new and enduring features in biology, culture, and technology.Erwin begins by tracing how thinkers from Darwin's time to the present day have sought to discover the driving mechanisms of evolutionary novelty. He then lays out compelling empirical evidence for separating novelty from innovation, showing that novelty involves the emergence of unique characteristics, while innovation concerns the success of those characteristics over time. Erwin develops a unifying conceptual framework for these powerful dynamics, demonstrating how they have shaped everything from the evolution of avian feathers and flight to the creation of human language and the breathtaking advances in digital computing we're witnessing today.A landmark work that redefines our understanding of the changes happening all around us, The Origins of the New reveals how the forces of novelty and innovation are the same across nature and culture, continually producing new forms and refashioning the world as we know it. Our guest is doctor Doug Erwin, who is an independent researcher at the Santa Fe Institute, after retiring as Senior Scientist and Curator of Paleobiology at the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution. Our host is Eleonora Mattiacci, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Amherst College. She is the author of "Volatile States in International Politics" (Oxford University Press, 2023). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
The Origins of the New (Princeton University Press, 2026) presents a revolutionary approach to evolutionary success in all realms of life. In this groundbreaking book, Douglas Erwin takes readers on a dazzling excursion across science and history to explore how evolution generates new and enduring features in biology, culture, and technology.Erwin begins by tracing how thinkers from Darwin's time to the present day have sought to discover the driving mechanisms of evolutionary novelty. He then lays out compelling empirical evidence for separating novelty from innovation, showing that novelty involves the emergence of unique characteristics, while innovation concerns the success of those characteristics over time. Erwin develops a unifying conceptual framework for these powerful dynamics, demonstrating how they have shaped everything from the evolution of avian feathers and flight to the creation of human language and the breathtaking advances in digital computing we're witnessing today.A landmark work that redefines our understanding of the changes happening all around us, The Origins of the New reveals how the forces of novelty and innovation are the same across nature and culture, continually producing new forms and refashioning the world as we know it. Our guest is doctor Doug Erwin, who is an independent researcher at the Santa Fe Institute, after retiring as Senior Scientist and Curator of Paleobiology at the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution. Our host is Eleonora Mattiacci, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Amherst College. She is the author of "Volatile States in International Politics" (Oxford University Press, 2023). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/technology
The Origins of the New (Princeton University Press, 2026) presents a revolutionary approach to evolutionary success in all realms of life. In this groundbreaking book, Douglas Erwin takes readers on a dazzling excursion across science and history to explore how evolution generates new and enduring features in biology, culture, and technology.Erwin begins by tracing how thinkers from Darwin's time to the present day have sought to discover the driving mechanisms of evolutionary novelty. He then lays out compelling empirical evidence for separating novelty from innovation, showing that novelty involves the emergence of unique characteristics, while innovation concerns the success of those characteristics over time. Erwin develops a unifying conceptual framework for these powerful dynamics, demonstrating how they have shaped everything from the evolution of avian feathers and flight to the creation of human language and the breathtaking advances in digital computing we're witnessing today.A landmark work that redefines our understanding of the changes happening all around us, The Origins of the New reveals how the forces of novelty and innovation are the same across nature and culture, continually producing new forms and refashioning the world as we know it. Our guest is doctor Doug Erwin, who is an independent researcher at the Santa Fe Institute, after retiring as Senior Scientist and Curator of Paleobiology at the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution. Our host is Eleonora Mattiacci, an Associate Professor of Political Science at Amherst College. She is the author of "Volatile States in International Politics" (Oxford University Press, 2023). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
You've heard it a thousand times: too much sugar is bad for you. But what does that actually mean? What is sugar really doing inside your body that makes it so harmful—and why is it so hard to cut back once you start? https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates/added-sugar-in-the-diet/ What makes two people feel attracted to each other? Why does chemistry seem to spark instantly with some people but not at all with others? Is love at first sight real—or is something more subtle happening beneath the surface? Dr. Justin Garcia, evolutionary biologist, Executive Director and Senior Scientist at the Kinsey Institute, and author of The Intimate Animal: The Science of Sex, Fidelity, and Why We Live and Die for Love (https://www.amazon.com/Intimate-Animal-Science-Fidelity-Live/dp/0316594032/) explains the biology and psychology behind attraction, how desire forms, and what science reveals about why we fall for the people we do. Work stress isn't new—but it does seem to be getting worse. For many people, work no longer stays at work. It follows you home, into your evenings, into your weekends, and even into your thoughts when you're supposed to be relaxing. Psychologist Guy Winch says this constant mental load is one of the biggest reasons people feel burned out and overwhelmed. With three TED talks viewed more than 35 million times and author of Mind Over Grind: How to Break Free When Work Hijacks Your Life (https://amzn.to/3Nxr9w9), he explains why modern work is so consuming—and what you can actually do to regain control. When you lean in to kiss someone, you instinctively turn your head to one side. It feels automatic—but it's not random. In fact, the direction you turn may reveal more than you think, depending on who you're kissing and why. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2017/07/170717100423.htm PLEASE SUPPORT OUR SPONSORS DUTCH: If your pet is still scratching and you've tried everything at the pet store –it's time to stop guessing and go prescription.Support us and use code SYSK for $40 off your membership at https://Dutch.com RULA: Thousands of people are already using Rula to get affordable, high-quality therapy that's actually covered by insurance. Visit https://Rula.com/sysk to get started. QUINCE: Refresh your wardrobe with Quince! Go to https://Quince.com/sysk https://Quince.com/sysk for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Now available in Canada, too! SHOPIFY: See less carts go abandoned with Shopify and their Shop Pay button! Sign up for your $1 per month trail and start selling today at https://Shopify.com/sysk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What is the role and responsibility of Indigenous knowledge in Arctic research? And how can platforms and frameworks foster genuine, respectful collaboration between Indigenous and Western knowledge systems?Joining the conversation are:Malene Simon Hegelund, Senior Scientist at the Greenland Climate Research CentreQillaq Danielsen, Indigenous Hunter from Qaanaaq, GreenlandOlennguaq Kristensen, Indigenous Hunter from Savissivik, GreenlandSara Olsvig, International Chair of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC)The Session is moderated by Katrín Jakobsdóttir, Chair of the Arctic Circle Polar Dialogue; and former Prime Minister of Iceland.This discussion was recorded live at the 2025 Arctic Circle Assembly in Reykjavík, Iceland, from October 16th to 18th.Arctic Circle is the largest network of international dialogue and cooperation on the future of the Arctic. It is an open democratic platform with participation from governments, organizations, corporations, universities, think tanks, environmental associations, Indigenous communities, concerned citizens, and others interested in the development of the Arctic and its consequences for the future of the globe. It is a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization. Learn more about Arctic Circle at www.ArcticCircle.org or contact us at secretariat@arcticcircle.orgTWITTER:@_Arctic_CircleFACEBOOK:The Arctic CircleINSTAGRAM:arctic_circle_org
The Smart 7 is an award winning daily podcast, in association with METRO that gives you everything you need to know in 7 minutes, at 7am, 7 days a week...With over 20 million downloads and consistently charting, including as No. 1 News Podcast on Spotify, we're a trusted source for people every day and the Sunday 7 won a Gold Award as “Best Conversation Starter” in the International Signal Podcast Awards If you're enjoying it, please follow, share, or even post a review, it all helps...Today's episode includes the following guests:Wes Streeting - UK's Health Secretary Doctor Fari Ahmed - GP and BBC Breakfast contributor Adam Finn - Former member of the Joint Committee on Immunisation and VaccinationOliver PIcard - National Association of Pharmacies Will Guyatt - The Smart 7's Tech GuruDan Cook - Meteor eye witness William Cooke - Manager of NASA's Meteoroid Environment Programme,Professor Emily Shuckburgh CBE - Chief Scientific Adviser at the Department of Energy Security and Net ZeroJay Smart - Senior Puppet Maker at Aardman Studios Kate Anderson - Head of Puppets at Aardman Studios Sean Clarke - Managing Director of Aardman StudiosIan Whitlock the Animation Director at Aardman StudiosJensen Huang - NVidia CEOOlaf - Snowman, “Frozen” Ashley Jester - Director of Research Data and Library Services at the Woods Hole, Oceanographic InstitutePeter Tyack is a Senior Scientist in Biology at the Woods Hole, Oceanographic InstituteContact us over @TheSmart7pod or visit www.thesmart7.com or find out more at www.metro.co.uk Presented by Ciara Revins, written by Liam Thompson, researched by Lucie Lewis and produced by Daft Doris. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You make hundreds of decisions a day. Most of them invisibly. A few of them under real pressure, with incomplete information and no clear right answer. So how do the people who do this for a living like firefighters, surgeons, military commanders, and get it right when the stakes are highest? That's the question Dr. Gary Klein has spent his entire career answering. Not in a lab. In the field. With people whose next call might be life or death. Gary is a cognitive psychologist, a Senior Scientist at MacroCognition LLC, and the Chief Scientist at ShadowBox LLC. He's one of the founding figures of naturalistic decision making, the study of how people actually decide in the real world, under time pressure and uncertainty. He built the Recognition-Primed Decision model, which has been incorporated into Army and Marine Corps doctrine. He created the PreMortem method of risk assessment, endorsed by Nobel Prize winners Daniel Kahneman and Richard Thaler. He's the author of several influential books, including Sources of Power, The Power of Intuition, Streetlights and Shadows, Snapshots of the Mind, and Seeing What Others Don't, a fascinating deep dive into how insight actually works. Malcolm Gladwell put it simply: "No one has taught me more about the complexities and mysteries of human decision-making than Gary Klein." In this conversation, we get into everything from how Gary personally works through a tough decision to when you should, and shouldn't, trust your gut. We cover the value of first-person expertise, the difference between knowledge and knowing, how to use a pre-mortem, and why more information doesn't necessarily mean better decisions. Then we spend time on AI: what happens when people start outsourcing their thinking, and what might get lost in the shuffle. I also ask him to audit my use of his framework for managing uncertainty because there's a lot of that going around right now. Some highlights from the episode: 02:35 The White House Situation Room (and why he can't talk about it) 05:17 Writer's block, pen and paper, and how Gary structures his thinking 07:37 Walking through a real decision: the medical scenario 10:53 Intuition: when to trust it, when to question it 13:00 Pattern matching, mental simulation, and the Recognition-Primed Decision model 18:00 The AI concern: outsourcing decisions and eroding expertise 18:42 The pre-mortem: how it works and why Nobel Prize winners endorsed it 22:35 The 80/20 of decision making: build experience and frame the problem 27:12 AI and the younger generation: old fogey worry or real risk? 31:49 Why curiosity about failure is the thing AI can't replicate 33:06 Tacit knowledge: the invisible layer AI can't scrape 39:07 Five sources of uncertainty — and tools for managing them 42:36 Wrapping up: the cognitive dimension and what makes humans indispensable We go from the mechanics of expert decision making to a surprisingly urgent question: in an age of AI, what happens to the skills you never knew you were building? Enjoy!
Adani chats with Dr. Julia Chatain, Senior Scientist at the Singapore-ETH Centre of ETH Zürich. Julia is a computer scientist and learning scientist responsible for building a new research program, “Future Embodied Learning Technologies” (FELT), focusing on exploring AI-powered embodied learning interventions to support low-progress learners and learners with special needs, both at the cognitive and the affective levels. Before that, she led the EduTech group at ETH Zürich, conducting Research and Development of educational technology through co-design with lecturers and students, with a focus on XR, AI-supported learning, and accessibility.In this episode, Adani and Julia discuss Julia's recent work on embodied learning in mathematics, much of which was part of her doctoral research at ETH Zürich conducted with her advisors Prof. Manu Kapur and Prof. Robert Sumner. They also dive into her journey that led her to where she is now, and discuss what she is currently working on at the Singapore-ETH Centre and beyond!If you found this episode interesting at all, subscribe on our Substack and consider leaving us a good rating! It just takes a second but will allow us to reach more people and make them excited about psychology.Julia's website: https://juliachatain.com/Julia's paper on Grounding Graph Theory in Embodied Concreteness with VR: https://doi.org/10.3929/ethz-b-000583039Singapore-ETH Centre's website: https://sec.ethz.ch/Julia's Twitter @JuliaChatainAdani's website: https://www.adaniabutto.com/Adani's Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/adani.bsky.socialPodcast Twitter @StanfordPsyPodPodcast Substack https://stanfordpsypod.substack.com/Let us know what you thought of this episode, or of the podcast! :)stanfordpsychpodcast@gmail.com
Amy LeBlanc, DVM, a board-certified veterinary oncologist, Senior Scientist, and the Director of the intramural NCI's Comparative Oncology Program, will review canine osteosarcoma and the clinical, biologic, and molecular features that make it a relevant animal-patient model for humans. She will share new data from the NCI's Comparative Oncology Program regarding MYC, and its value as a predictive biomarker for the disease in canine patients.Dr. Amy LeBlanc is a board-certified veterinary oncologist, Senior Scientist, and the Director of the intramural NCI's Comparative Oncology Program. In this position, she conducts preclinical mouse and translational pet dog studies that are designed to inform the drug and imaging agent development path for human cancer patients, specifically those with osteosarcoma. She directly oversees the NCI Comparative Oncology Trials Consortium (COTC), which provides the infrastructure necessary to connect participating veterinary academic institutions with stakeholders in drug development to execute fit-for-purpose comparative clinical trials in novel therapeutics and imaging agents. Her program provides support to several extramural NCI-funded initiatives, including the Integrated Canine Data Commons and Cancer Moonshot-funded canine immunotherapeutic clinical trials conducted under the PRECINCT network.
Vijay Gadepally joins Ed and Sara to break down the real energy footprint of AI—and why most people (and companies) are getting it wrong. They discuss: How "agentic" AI systems use an order of magnitude more energy than ChatGPT.Whether efficiency gains can keep pace with exploding usage (spoiler: not yet). The one simple change that could cut AI energy use by 80%. Vijay is Senior Scientist at the MIT Lincoln Laboratory Supercomputing Center and Co-Founder of Bay Compute and Radium Cloud. He studies what's actually happening under the hood of AI systems—and has the data to back it up. If you've been wondering whether AI is derailing the clean energy transition, or whether smarter software design could keep energy use in check, this is the conversation you need to hear.
In this episode, join me in my living room for a conversation between me, Christie Hefner, and the author of a just released book, Intimate Animal by Justin Garcia, an evolutionary biologist and international authority on the science of sex and relationships and the Executive Director of the world-renowned Kinsey Institute. The Intimate Animal explores: Why we love who we love? Why do we stay in unfulfilling relationships and stray from rewarding ones? Is it ever a good idea to open a relationship? How has the digital age affected courtship? And why do some longtime couples crash and burn while others stay madly in love? The difference between intimacy and sex If evolution is driven by sex or intimacy Dating in a digital world If ending a relationship is the same as a failed relationship The number one thing people are looking for in a partner ..and much moreDr. Justin Garcia is an evolutionary biologist and international authority on the science of sex and relationships. Since 2019, he has served as the Executive Director of the world-renowned Kinsey Institute, where he is also a Senior Scientist. Dr. Garcia holds a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology and M.S. in biomedical anthropology from Binghamton University and an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard Kennedy School.Dr. Garcia is currently the Chief Scientific Advisor to Match where he provides expertise for the annual Singles in America study. He has co-authored over 100 academic articles and book chapters and is co-author of Evolution and Human Sexual Behavior. https://www.amazon.com/Intimate-Animal-Science-Fidelity-Live/dp/0316594032The recent article in People Magazine mentioned during the episode:https://people.com/justin-garcia-the-intimte-animal-essay-exclusive-11894513To hear more about Dr. Garcia's work with Match.com: Episode 50 Dating in a Digital World-The Kinsey Report on with Dr. Justin Garcia https://www.amazon.com/Intimate-Animal-Science-Fidelity-Live/dp/0316594032COME AGAIN is a 30-part audio series to address the biological, hormonal, and medical issues that can sabotage your sex life. This solution-driven, science-based guide will help get your libido to kick in and your clitoral nerve endings to wake up.For more information, go to DrStreicher.com/COMEAGAIN Dr. Streicher is on SUBSTACK DrStreicher.Substack.com Articles Monthly News Flash Reports on recent research Monthly Zoom Ask Me Anything Webinar Lauren Streicher MD, is a clinical professor of obstetrics and gynecology at Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, the founding medical director of the Northwestern Medicine Center for Sexual Medicine and Menopause, and a Senior Research Fellow of The Kinsey Institute, Indiana University. She is a certified menopause practitioner of The Menopause Society. Dr. Streicher is the medical correspondent for Chicago's top-rated news program, the WGN Morning News, and has been seen on The Today Show, Good Morning America, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN, NPR, Dr. Radio, Nightline, Fox and Friends, The Steve Harvey Show, CBS This Morning, ABC News Now, NBCNightlyNews,20/20, and World News Tonight. She is an expert source for many magazines and serves on the medical advisory board of The Kinsey Institute, Self Magazine, and Prevention Magazine. She writes a regular column for The Ethel by AARP and Prevention Magazine. LINKS Subscribe To Dr. Streicher's Substack Information About COME AGAIN Dr. Streicher's CV and additional bio information To Find a Menopause Clinician and Other Resources Glossary Of Medical Terminology Books by Lauren Streicher, MD Slip Sliding Away: Turning Back the Clock on Your Vagina-A gynecologist's guide to eliminating post-menopause dryness and pain Hot Flash Hell: A Gynecologist's Guide to Turning Down the Heat Sex Rx- Hormones, Health, and Your Best Sex Ever The Essential Guide to Hysterectomy Dr. Streicher's Inside Information podcast is for education and information and is not intended to replace medical advice from your personal healthcare clinician. Dr. Streicher disclaims liability for any medical outcomes that may occur because of applying methods suggested or discussed in this podcast.
We're talking about the fascinating link between the mouth and the heart, and how tiny microbes play a big role. Tune to find out what oral health can tell us about overall health. Special Guest: Dr. Jessica Mark Welch For more information, show notes and transcripts visit https://www.ada.org/podcast Show Notes In this episode, we're connecting the dots between the oral microbiome and overall health and talking about the fascinating link between the mouth and the heart, and how tiny microbes play a big role. Our guest for this episode is Dr. Jessica Mark Welch, a Senior Scientist and Full Professor at the ADA Forsyth Institute in Somerville, MA. Dr. Mark Welch and her team use both imaging and DNA sequencing approaches to investigate the structure and organization of the oral microbiome. She is co-developer of the Combinatorial Labeling and Spectral Imaging-Fluorescence in situ Hybridization (CLASI-FISH) strategy for imaging the spatial organization of microbial communities, with which she and her colleagues have discovered highly organized, complex structures in human dental plaque and on the human tongue. Her group uses DNA sequence data to construct pangenomes of oral microbes and examines metagenomic data to investigate why different bacteria live where they do, and how we can encourage the growth of health-promoting bacteria in the mouth. Dr. Mark Welch curates the Human Oral Microbiome Database to provide the research community with high-quality, curated information about oral bacteria, their genomes, and their distribution throughout the mouth. Dr. Mark Welch explains her work with oral microbiome, and the connection between heart health and oral health. She shares that the mouth contains hundreds of bacterial species that form distinct communities on teeth (dental plaque) and on the tongue (tongue biofilm). A balanced oral microbiome supports normal metabolism and contributes to blood pressure regulation. Researchers are investigating why so many different bacterial species coexist in the mouth and how these interdependent microbial communities share metabolic functions to support each other. Dr. Mark Welch says her research explores how differences in people's mouth bacteria might explain varied responses. The conversation shifts to the implications of microbiome research for oral health and how a deeper understanding of bacterial communities could eventually influence approaches to patient care. Resources Learn more about the research from the ADA Forsyth Science Institute. See what makes ADA Forsyth® dentech™ the top conference for oral health innovation — find out more. Stay connected with the ADA on social media! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and TikTok for the latest industry news, member perks and conversations shaping dentistry.
What does science actually say about monogamy, desire, and long-term love? Evolutionary biologist Dr. Justin Garcia joins co-host Sue Marriott to deepen our understanding of the myths and realities of modern relationships. From monogamy to consensual non-monogamy, we explore how jealousy and trust function – not as flaws – but as deeply human signals shaped by biology and attachment. Dr. Garcia breaks down how relationships shift over time, especially as we age, and why sexual satisfaction isn't just about frequency – it's about novelty, meaning, and connection. We dive into the neuroscience of intimacy, including the roles of dopamine and oxytocin, and revisit the Kinsey scale to better understand the fluidity of sexual orientation. This conversation is a grounded, nuanced look at how passion evolves, and how couples can intentionally cultivate desire, curiosity, and emotional safety over the long haul. “Humans, the most intimate animal, will always live and die for love. Understanding why gives us the power to find and maintain the loves worth living for.” – Dr. Justin Garcia, a quote from The Intimate Animal Time Stamps for Why Long-Term Love Gets Complicated: A Scientific Approach with Dr. Justin Garcia (291) 00:57 Understanding social vs. sexual monogamy 04:32 The evolutionary perspective on relationships 08:26 Jealousy and relationship dynamics 20:25 Sexuality and aging: A new perspective 28:44 The power of eye gaze and oxytocin 30:30 Understanding aggression: Oxytocin and vasopressin dynamics 39:01 Exploring sexual diversity and the Kinsey scale About Our Guest – Dr. Justin Garcia Dr. Justin Garcia is an evolutionary biologist and international authority on the science of sex and relationships. Since 2019, he has served as the Executive Director of the world-renowned Kinsey Institute, where he is also a Senior Scientist. He holds an appointment as the Ruth N. Halls Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University and is a Founding Co-Director of Human Sexuality and Health at the IU School of Medicine. Dr. Garcia holds a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology and M.S. in biomedical anthropology from Binghamton University and an Executive Certificate in Public Leadership from Harvard Kennedy School.An award-winning researcher and educator, Dr. Garcia has consulted with a variety of industry partners, and he is currently the Chief Scientific Advisor to Match where he provides expertise for the annual Singles in America study. His research has been featured widely in the media and focuses on people's romantic and sexual lives throughout the life course, especially on integrative biopsychosocial models of variation in courtship, intimacy, and sexual behavior. Resources for Why Long-Term Love Gets Complicated: A Scientific Approach with Dr. Justin Garcia (291) Justin Garcia – The Kinsey Institute: Biography and other information The Intimate Animal – Dr. Garcia’s new book, order here! Beyond Attachment Styles course is available NOW! Learn how your nervous system, your mind, and your relationships work together in a fascinating dance, shaping who you are and how you connect with others. Online, Self-Paced, Asynchronous Learning with Quarterly Live Q&A’s! Earn 6 Continuing Education Credits – Available at Checkout As a listener of this podcast, use code BAS15 for a limited-time discount. Get your copy of Secure Relating here!! You are invited! Join our exclusive community to get early access and discounts to things we produce, plus an ad-free, private feed. In addition, receive exclusive episodes recorded just for you. Sign up for our premium Neuronerd plan!! Click here!! Join us again in Washington, DC for the 49th Annual Psychotherapy Networker! March 19-22nd! In person and online options available. Get your discounted seat HERE! Please support our sponsors – they keep our podcast free and accessible to all! Talkiatry is a 100% online psychiatry practice that provides comprehensive evaluations, diagnoses, and ongoing medication management for conditions like ADHD, anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder, OCD, PTSD, insomnia, and more. Head to Talkiatry.com/TU and complete the short assessment to get matched with an in‑network psychiatrist in just a few minutes.
For decades, researchers have noted that Alzheimer's disease and cancer rarely occur in the same person, sparking speculation that one may protect against the other Now, scientists have identified a protein produced by cancer cells that appears to shield the brain from Alzheimer's, at least in mice, offering new clues to the link between the two diseases. Dr Donald Weaver is a Professor of Chemistry and Senior Scientist of the Krembil Research Institute. He chats to Jesse
Love in the time of AI? Some people seeking romance or friendship are turning to AI chatbots to fulfill those desires, but could they surpass traditional human relationships? Those who say they can argue that AI can offer empathy and safety, and it's a solution for those left out of traditional dating. Those saying they can't argue that intimacy is complicated and cannot be replicated in code. Now we debate: Could Dating an AI Be Better Than Dating a Human? Arguing Yes: Thao Ha, Associate Professor of Psychology and Director of the @HEART Lab at Arizona State University Arguing No: Justin Garcia, Executive Director & Senior Scientist at the Kinsey Institute; Chief Scientific Advisor to Match.com; Author of "The Intimate Animal" Nayeema Raza, Journalist and Host of "Smart Girl Dumb Questions", is the guest moderator. Join the conversation on Substack—share your perspective on this episode and subscribe to our weekly newsletter for curated insights from our debaters, moderators, and staff. Follow us on YouTube, Instagram, LinkedIn, X, Facebook, and TikTok to stay connected with our mission and ongoing debates. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Are we in an intimacy and loneliness crisis? And if so, what's so bad about that? A lot more than you might think. Dr. Justin Garcia's new book The Intimate Animal: The Science of Sex, Fidelity, and Why We Live and Die for Love details why intimacy is VITAL for survival in the human species. We are social animals, and that's not something the digital age can get around. Join DB for this BRILLIANT conversation with Dr. Justin Garcia all about what intimacy is, how it works, and why we need it. GUEST DETAILSDr. Justin Garcia is an evolutionary biologist and international authority on the science of sex and relationships. Since 2019, he has served as the Executive Director of the world-renowned Kinsey Institute, where he is also a Senior Scientist and Ruth N. Halls Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University. His latest book, The Intimate Animal, explores the science behind why we live for love and is available now for purchase. https://kinseyinstitute.org/about/staff/executive-director-justin-garcia.html https://kinseyinstitute.org/research/intimate-animal.html https://www.instagram.com/kinseyinstitute https://www.instagram.com/drjustingarcia/ https://www.linkedin.com/company/kinsey-institute/ https://x.com/kinseyinstitute https://x.com/DrJustinGarcia FIND DR. JUSTIN GARCIA'S BOOK HERE The Intimate Animal: The Science of Sex, Fidelity, and Why We Live and Die for Love (This is an affiliate link to our Bookshop.org shop! We'll receive a percentage back if you buy with our link -- and we hope you will!) AND FIND THE FULL VERSION OF THIS EPISODE ON OUR NEWSLETTER SOON! Subscribers to our paid tier (THE SLEEPOVER) on our newsletter will get an extended version of this episode -- AND our monthly premium-only editions with TRUE sexy stories, questions from listeners, product recommendations, deep dives, and more!!! sexedwithdb.substack.com ARTICLES ON THE "MALE LONELINESS EPIDEMIC" "Why Are Women Leaving – And Men Are Calling It 'Loneliness'" "Why the 'Male Loneliness Epidemic' Is Largely Down to Men Themselves" "OPINION: The male loneliness epidemic is severely misleading" TAKE OUR SMUT QUIZFind your page-turning turn-on with our new SMUT QUIZ! In just 5 questions, you'll get right to the good stuff with curated pages, poems, and audios. No slow burn. No fluff. Just pleasure. Take the quiz here: https://sexedwithdb.fillout.com/smutquiz ABOUT SEASON 13 Season 13 of Sex Ed with DB is ALL ABOUT PLEASURE! Solo pleasure. Partnered pleasure. Orgasms. Porn. Queer joy. Kinks, sex toys, fantasies -- you name it. We're here to help you feel more informed, more empowered, and a whole lot more turned on to help YOU have the best sex. CONNECT WITH USInstagram: @sexedwithdbpodcast TikTok: @sexedwithdbThreads: @sexedwithdbpodcast X: @sexedwithdbYouTube: Sex Ed with DB SEX ED WITH DB SEASON 13 SPONSORS Uberlube, Magic Wand, LELO, and Happy V. Get discounts on all of DB's favorite things here! GET IN TOUCH Email: sexedwithdb@gmail.comSubscribe to our BRAND NEW newsletter for hot goss, expert advice, and *the* most salacious stories. FOR SEXUAL HEALTH PROFESSIONALS Check out DB's workshop: "Building A Profitable Online Sexual Health Brand" ABOUT THE SHOW Sex Ed with DB is your go-to podcast for smart, science-backed sex education — delivering trusted insights from top experts on sex, sexuality, and pleasure. Empowering, inclusive, and grounded in real science, it's the sex ed you've always wanted. ASK AN ANONYMOUS SEX ED QUESTION Fill out our anonymous form to ask your sex ed question. SEASON 13 TEAM Creator, Host & Executive Producer: Danielle Bezalel (DB) (she/her) Producer and Growth Marketing Manager: Wil Williams (they/them) Social Media Content Creator: Iva Markicevic Daley (she/her) MUSIC Intro theme music: Hook Sounds Background music: Bright State by Ketsa Ad music: Soul Sync by Ketsa, Always Faithful by Ketsa, and Soul Epic by Ketsa. Thank you Ketsa!
Have you ever looked at your long-term partner and wondered: Is this still the connection I want? Who are we now? Can we feel close again? If you've reached midlife and found yourself in a relationship that feels more like roommates than lovers, if the spark has faded and you're not sure how to reignite it, or if you're navigating the dating world again after years away, this episode is for you.Gabriella Espinosa sits down with Dr. Justin Garcia. Dr. Garcia brings decades of research to answer the questions many midlife women are asking: Why do long-term relationships drift into disconnection? Can desire return after years together? Is it possible to rebuild intimacy when life, hormones, and identity are all shifting at once? And perhaps most importantly: Are we asking romantic partnerships to do something evolution never designed them for?Dr. Justin R. Garcia is an evolutionary biologist and international authority on the science of sex and relationships. Since 2019, he has served as Executive Director of the world-renowned Kinsey Institute, where he is also a Senior Scientist. He holds an appointment as the Ruth N. Halls Professor in the College of Arts and Sciences at Indiana University and is a Founding Co-Director of Human Sexuality and Health at the IU School of Medicine. An award-winning researcher and educator, Dr. Garcia is the Chief Scientific Advisor to Match, where he provides expertise for the annual Singles in America study. His research focuses on people's romantic and sexual lives throughout the life course, especially on integrative biopsychosocial models of variation in courtship, intimacy, and sexual behavior. He has co-authored over 100 academic articles and book chapters and is co-author of Evolution and Human Sexual Behavior. His latest book, The Intimate Animal: Why We Live for Love, explores the science behind human connection and is available now.Highlights from our discussion include:Intimacy Lives in the Shadow of SexSocial Monogamy vs. Sexual MonogamySexual Habituation Is Normal (And Solvable)What Keeps Passion Alive in Long-Term RelationshipsThe Intimacy Crisis Is RealMidlife Dating Prioritizes Chemistry AND CompatibilityGray Divorce and RenegotiationCuriosity Is the Best Tonic for RelationshipsSexual Satisfaction Increases with AgeTechnology Is a Tool, Not a ReplacementWhether you're in a long-term partnership, newly dating, or choosing singlehood, you'll discover why humans are wired for belonging and how midlife can be the beginning of your real love story.CONNECT WITH Dr. Justin Garcia:InstagramKinsey InstituteCONNECT WITH GABRIELLA ESPINOSA:InstagramLinkedInWork with Gabriella! Go to https://www.gabriellaespinosa.com/ to book a call.Full episodes on YouTube. The information shared on Pleasure in the Pause is for educational and informational purposes only and is not intended as medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider before making any decisions about your health or treatment. The views expressed by guests are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views of the host or Pleasure in the Pause.
In this episode of The Dairy Podcast Show, Dr. Nicole Reisinger from dsm-firmenich breaks down how phytogenic feed additives fit into practical dairy nutrition. She shares how these plant-based compounds can influence rumen function, gut integrity, inflammation, and overall cow comfort, and highlights how biomarkers and modern in vitro tools help fine-tune their use on farm. Hear how phytogenics can support cows facing heat stress, subacute acidosis, and other common herd challenges. Listen now on all major platforms!"Phytogenic feed additives support rumen function, strengthen gut barrier function, and moderate inflammatory activity during critical challenges."Meet the guest: Dr. Nicole Reisinger is a Senior Scientist at the dsm-firmenich Animal Health and Nutrition Center in Tulln, Austria, with a PhD in biotechnology and advanced training in behavior, neurobiology, and cognition. Her research focuses on biomarkers in ruminants, endotoxins, gut health, and complex host-based in vitro and organ chip models, with applications in dairy cattle nutrition, welfare, and precision solutions. Liked this one? Don't stop now — Here's what we think you'll love!Dr. Andy Mueller: Sugar in Dairy Diets | Ep. 105Dr. Gustavo Schuenemann: Mycotoxins & Dairy Feed | Ep. 125Ignacio Artavia: Vitamin D & Dairy Cows | Ep. 132What you'll learn:(00:00) Highlight(01:25) Introduction(02:03) Career path(07:32) What are phytogenics(09:31) Testing plant compounds(14:55) Findings in cow challenges(19:15) Evaluating payback(24:12) Final three questionsThe Dairy Podcast Show is trusted and supported by innovative companies like:- dsm-firmenich* Evonik* CowManager* Adisseo* Priority IAC* Lallemand* Afimilk* Agri-Comfort* Jones-Hamilton Co.- SmaXtec- Protekta- DietForge- Berg + Schmidt- BoviSync- Natural Biologics- AHV
Gassy veils! Orange sunlight! Alien life? It's the sole goddess of our solar system: Venus. And to tour us through her beauty is the charming and enthusiastic planetary geologist and Venusian expert Dr. Vickie Hansen, a Senior Scientist at the Planetary Science Institute. In what is sure to become an instant classic, Vickie will delight you with tales of space probes past and future, dazzling terrain, myths, melting machinery, “noodle data,” analogues to Earth, tectonic misconceptions, and reactions to self-help books that capitalize on our solar geography. Also: what does Venus smell like? Donations went to the Planetary Science Institute and the Nature ConservancyMore episode sources and links: alieward.com/ologies/venusologyOther episodes you may enjoy: Heliology (THE SUN/ECLIPSES), Areology (MARS), Astrobiology (ALIENS), Cosmology (THE UNIVERSE), Selenology (THE MOON), Mythology (STORYTELLING), Astrobromatology (SPACE FOOD), Black Hole Theory Cosmology (WHAT ARE BLACK HOLES?!), Scotohylology (DARK MATTER), UFOlogy (UNEXPLAINED AERIAL PHENOMENA), Space Archaeology (SPACE JUNK), Quantum Ontology (WHAT IS REAL?)400+ Ologies episodes sorted by topicSmologies (short, classroom-safe) episodesSponsors of OlogiesTranscripts and bleeped episodesBecome a patron of Ologies for as little as a buck a monthOlogiesMerch.com has hats, shirts, hoodies, totes!Follow Ologies on Instagram and BlueskyFollow Alie Ward on Instagram and TikTokEditing by Mercedes Maitland of Maitland Audio Productions and Jake ChaffeeManaging Director: Susan HaleScheduling Producer: Noel DilworthTranscripts by Aveline Malek Website by Kelly R. DwyerTheme song by Nick Thorburn Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Guest: Dr. Jayne Danska is a Senior Scientist, Genetics and Genome Biology at the Hospital for Sick Children Research Institute. She is also Associate Chief of Research, Faculty Development and Diversity, and Professor at the University of Toronto. Her research focuses on the microbiome in type 1 diabetes. She discusses insights from longitudinal human studies and mouse models. (40:00) Featured Products and Resources: Register now for IMMUNOLOGY2026! Wallchart: T Cell Nomenclature: From Subsets to Modules The Immunology Round Up Vaccination for Anaphylaxis – A vaccine against IgE protected against anaphylaxis in a mouse model. (2:53) How RSV Can Lead to Asthma – Researchers identified maternal allergy and neonatal RSV infection as converging Fc receptor-dependent risk factors for asthma. (9:50) Antigen Presentation for MAIT Cell Immunity – Macrophages are key for MR1 antigen presentation and MAIT cell immunity. (20:30) HIV Remission after Stem Cell Transplantation – After an allogeneic stem cell transplant, a patient discontinued antiretroviral therapy and sustained HIV remission for over six years. (27:00) Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
In this episode we explore how the food industry defines and creates benchmarks for flavor perfection using gold standards. Paul Hoffman, Senior Scientist, reveals how sensory, culinary, and flavor experts collaborate to identify the best versions of products, ingredients and recipes and translate them into a shared language. Tune in to understand how aligning with these benchmarks can deliver authenticity, consistency and emotional resonance which is true gold when it comes to great flavor.
In this fascinating episode, Dr. Samuel Miller, Senior Scientist and Postdoctoral Research Associate at Oklahoma State University's Elshahed Laboratory and Microbiomics & Culturomics Core Facility, takes us deep into the unseen world of anaerobic microbes — the mysterious bacteria that thrive without oxygen and shape ecosystems from the human gut to the soil beneath our feet. A leading expert in culturomics and microbial taxonomy, Dr. Miller's work focuses on isolating and identifying previously uncultivated bacterial species, expanding our understanding of microbial diversity and their critical roles in human and environmental health. Tune in to explore: · The fundamental differences between anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. · What happens when anaerobes are exposed to oxygen — and why it matters. · How uncultivated microbes influence the human gut, immune system, and beyond. · The revolutionary impact of culturomics on microbiome science. As Dr. Miller explains, studying these elusive microorganisms isn't just about discovery — it's about uncovering the hidden systems that sustain life. From medical breakthroughs to ecological balance, his research is helping to rewrite what we know about microbial evolution, symbiosis, and resilience. Stay connected with Dr. Miller and his research through LinkedIn and X, and discover how the next generation of microbiologists is redefining the future of microbial science. Episode also available on Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/38oMlMr
Astrobiologist Caleb Scharf joins Michael Shermer for a wide-ranging conversation about the past, present, and future of our relationship with space. Drawing on his new book The Giant Leap, Scharf explains why human expansion beyond Earth may be less a choice than an evolutionary development, and he walks through the physics, history, and personalities that shaped our journey off the planet. Scharf also explains the biological toll of radiation and microgravity, and why terraforming Mars is probably unrealistic and why our future might rely more on building vast rotating habitats in space than on settling other planets. Caleb Scharf is an astrobiologist and recipient of the 2022 Carl Sagan Medal. He was Director of Astrobiology at Columbia University in New York and is now the Senior Scientist for Astrobiology at the NASA Ames Research Center in Silicon Valley. He is author of more than 120 scientific papers and over 500 popular science articles. His new book is The Giant Leap: Why Space is the Next Frontier in the Evolution of Life.
Guest: Dr. Anderson is currently the Albert H. Coons Professor of Neurology at Harvard Medical School, Senior Scientist at the Brigham and Women's Hospital, Institute Member of the Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, and Core Faculty Member of the Gene Lay Institute of Immunology and Inflammation. She talks about her research on immune regulation in cancer and enhancing anti-tumor immunity. (38:33) Featured Products and Resources: Submit your abstract now for IMMUNOLOGY2026! Download a free wallchart on the production of CAR T cells. The Immunology Round Up CAR Tregs for Atherosclerosis: Anti-oxidized low-density lipoprotein CAR Tregs reduce atherosclerotic plaque formation in mouse models. (2:20) Tumor-Reactive T Cells: Tumor-reactive CD8+ T cells can be isolated and expanded from clinical samples. (14:24) Harnessing Myeloid and Lymphoid Synergy for Immunotherapy: Myeloid-targeted immunocytokines and natural killer/T cell enhancers show potential for treating solid cancers. (18:50) Subcutaneous Fat Affects Intestinal Aging: Subcutaneous white adipose tissue dysfunction triggers aging-like intestinal dysfunctions in mouse models. (32:40) Subscribe to our newsletter! Never miss updates about new episodes. Subscribe
In episode 241 of America Adapts, host Doug Parsons explores what happens when federal climate services retreat—and a new adaptation ecosystem rises to fill the gaps. As agencies like NOAA, FEMA, and EPA scale back their climate work, adaptation professionals are turning to emerging climate-service innovators for the tools, data, and guidance they need. We kick off with Dr. Jesse Keenan framing the big-picture implications of this federal pullback, then hear from leaders at Climate.us, EcoAdapt, the Georgetown Climate Center and Probable Futures, who are stepping forward with practical solutions. This episode highlights the essential adaptation tools available right now, the people building them, and why decentralized innovation may be one of the most hopeful developments in the field today. This episode was generously sponsored by the CO2 Foundation. Experts in this Episode: Dr. Jesse Keenan - Favrot II Associate Professor of Sustainable Real Estate and Urban Planning at Tulane University (transcript) Rebecca Lindsey – Editor at Climate.us (transcript) Annie Bennett - Associate Director for the Adaptation Program with the Georgetown Climate Center (transcript) Alison Smart - Executive Director, Probable Futures (transcript) Deb Rudnick, Ph.D. - Senior Scientist at EcoAdapt (transcript) Check out the America Adapts Media Kit here! Subscribe to the America Adapts newsletter here. Donate to America Adapts Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Links in this episode: https://www.keenanclimate.com/biography https://www.cakex.org/ https://www.climate.us/#about-us https://probablefutures.org/ https://www.georgetownclimate.org/ https://www.adaptationclearinghouse.org/ CAKEX Contributing content: https://www.cakex.org/get-started#contribute Sign up for slice of cake: https://lp.constantcontactpages.com/su/TBlEu2B/slice National Adaptation Forum https://www.nationaladaptationforum.org/ Doug Parsons and Speaking Opportunities: If you are interested in having Doug speak at corporate and conference events, sharing his unique, expert perspective on adaptation in an entertaining and informative way, more information can be found here! Facebook, Linkedin and Twitter: https://www.facebook.com/americaadapts/ @usaadapts https://www.linkedin.com/in/doug-parsons-america-adapts/ Donate to America Adapts Follow on Apple Podcasts Follow on Android Now on Spotify! List of Previous Guests on America Adapts Follow/listen to podcast on Apple Podcasts. Donate to America Adapts, we are now a tax deductible charitable organization! The 10 Best Sustainability Podcasts for Environmental Business Leadershttps://us.anteagroup.com/news-events/blog/10-best-sustainability-podcasts-environmental-business-leaders Join the climate change adaptation movement by supporting America Adapts! Please consider supporting this podcast by donating through America Adapts fiscal sponsor, the Social Good Fund. All donations are now tax deductible! For more information on this podcast, visit the website at http://www.americaadapts.org and don't forget to subscribe to this podcast on Apple Podcasts. Podcast Music produce by Richard Haitz Productions Write a review on Apple Podcasts ! America Adapts on Facebook! Join the America Adapts Facebook Community Group. Check us out, we're also on YouTube! Subscribe to America Adapts on Apple Podcasts Doug can be contacted at americaadapts @ g mail . com
Talking About Climate Change with Confidence: A Conversation with Dr. Alice Alpert Climate change is a topic that affects every one of us, yet it can feel confusing, overwhelming, or even polarizing. That's why I was excited to welcome Dr. Alice Alpert, Senior Scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund, to the Go Natural English podcast. Dr. Alpert studies emerging climate technologies, evaluates their real-world impact, and works with teams focused on methane, climate policy, and international sustainability partnerships. In our conversation, we explored misconceptions, sources of hope, daily sustainability habits, and clear English vocabulary related to the climate conversation. What Does a Climate Scientist Do? Dr. Alpert evaluates new climate solutions, from clean energy to carbon-removal technologies to sustainable farming. Her work starts with two key questions: Does this solution meaningfully help reduce climate impact? What are the trade-offs or challenges that come with it? Her job is not just to imagine solutions but to determine what actually works. The Biggest Misunderstanding About Climate Change Dr. Alpert explained that a major misconception is the idea that climate action is "all or nothing." People often believe: "It's too late to do anything," or "It's someone else's responsibility." Both mindsets lead to inaction. "You don't have to be perfect," she said. "Every step forward helps. The idea of 'everything or nothing' isn't useful." How She Stays Hopeful Climate news can feel heavy, so I asked what keeps her motivated. Her answer was simple: the future. "I have three kids. That's three votes for the future. We are moving in the right direction, and I think we'll get most of the way there." Her optimism is practical and rooted in evidence. Many climate solutions are already working and becoming more affordable. Misconceptions About Sustainability, Especially in Texas One surprising part of our conversation was about renewable energy in Texas. Many people assume Texas is not sustainable, but the opposite is true. Texas produces more clean energy than any other U.S. state, and by a huge margin. Wind, solar, and battery storage are growing rapidly. Much of this growth is driven by economics, not ideology. "It's the cheapest energy," she said. "People are making money from it." Another misconception is that sustainability is always more expensive. In reality, the cheapest new energy to build today is solar. Short-Term Costs vs. Long-Term Benefits Many sustainable choices cost more upfront but save money over time: installing solar panels, buying an electric vehicle, or purchasing high-quality items that last longer. I shared the example of clothing I've kept for more than a decade. A well-made sweater ended up costing less over time than several cheaper ones. Dr. Alpert agreed. "The upfront investment is real. But long-term thinking matters." Everyday Sustainability: What Works for You Dr. Alpert emphasized that sustainability should be personal and realistic. A few examples we discussed: Thrifting and Secondhand Shopping Buying used items reduces waste and builds community. Reusing Items for Children Circulating children's items among families increases their lifespan and reduces unnecessary purchases. Flexible Eating Habits She chooses what feels natural. She doesn't eliminate any foods, but she eats less beef because she doesn't enjoy it much and knows it has a higher climate impact. Her philosophy is simple: do what works for your lifestyle, not someone else's. Cultural Differences in Sustainability Many listeners of Go Natural English live in the United States but grew up abroad. If that describes you, you may have noticed differences in: recycling habits how food is packaged energy use transportation diet choices We would love to hear about your experiences and what surprised you when comparing sustainability practices around the world. Key English Vocabulary for Talking About Climate Change Because much climate information is published in English, we reviewed several useful terms. Carbon footprint The amount of greenhouse gases created by an activity. Carbon neutral No net increase in emissions; emissions are balanced by removals. Renewable or clean energy Energy sources that do not rely on fossil fuels. Examples include wind, solar, hydro, geothermal, and sometimes nuclear. Fossil fuels Coal, oil, and natural gas. Dr. Alpert jokingly compared them to "burning dinosaurs." Move the needle To make a meaningful impact or measurable improvement. In the same boat Facing the same challenge or depending on the same shared resource. Individual Actions and Leadership Actions While individual choices matter, Dr. Alpert pointed out something important: You cannot expect one person to "save the world." Leadership and policy matter too. So how do we hold leaders accountable? Voting, especially at the local level Joining conservation-minded organizations Speaking up through social media or letters Staying informed on local policies Supporting leaders who prioritize clean energy and sustainability These steps make a meaningful difference. Where to Learn More Dr. Alpert recommends two easy places to start: The book "Not the End of the World" by Hannah Ritchie
Dr. Uri Tabori is a Staff Physician in the Division of Haematology/Oncology, Senior Scientist in the Genetics & Genome Biology program, and Principal Investigator of The Arthur and Sonia Labatt Brain Tumour Research Centre at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids). Uri is also a Professor in Paediatrics and Associate Professor in the Institute of Medical Sciences at the University of Toronto. Uri works as a physician treating kids with cancer, particularly brain tumors. Through his research, he is working to identify drugs and make new discoveries that may cure cancers or improve patients' lives. When he's not hard at work in the lab or clinic, Uri enjoys spending time with his family, watching American football, and exploring the wilderness of Canada. He is especially fond of canoeing and canoe camping with his family. He received his MD from the Hadassah School of Medicine of Hebrew University in Israel. Afterwards, he completed a Rotating Internship and his Residency in Pediatrics at the Sorasky Medical Center in Israel. Next, Uri accepted a Fellowship in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at the Sheba Medical Center in Israel. He served as a Staff Physician in Pediatric Hematology and Oncology at The Sheba Medical Center for about a year before accepting a Research and Clinical Fellowship at The Hospital for Sick Children in Canada SickKids where he remains today. Over the course of his career, Uri has received numerous awards and honors, including the Early Researcher Award from the Ontario Ministry of Development and Innovation, the New Investigator Award from the Canadian Institute of Health Research, the Junior Physician Research Award from the University of Toronto Department of Pediatrics, The New Investigator Award from the Terry Fox Foundation, A Eureka! new investigator award from the International Course of Translational Medicine, A Merit Award from the American Society of Clinical Oncology Annual Meeting, and The Young Investigator Award from the Canadian Neuro-Oncology Society. In our interview, Uri shares more about his life, science, and clinical care.
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Samuel Miller, Postdoctoral Research Associate and Senior Scientist at Oklahoma State University's Elshahed Laboratory and Microbiomics and Culturomics Core Facility. A specialist in culturomics, Dr. Miller focuses on isolating and characterizing strict anaerobes and advancing microbial taxonomy and systematics. His current work zeroes in on gut-associated bacteria, using both cultivation-based and molecular approaches to investigate taxa that remain uncultivated in humans and other mammals. Hit play to learn about: The key differences between anaerobic and aerobic bacteria. What happens to anaerobes when they are exposed to oxygen. How bacteria can be useful for humans. Ready to discover how Dr. Miller and the MCCF are advancing microbiome science and unlocking the mysteries of gut bacteria? Buckle in to dive inside the world of culturomics and anaerobes – where groundbreaking research is reshaping how we understand health, ecology, and the microbial universe…. You can follow along with Dr. Miller's work on LinkedIn and X!