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Your brain doesn't just run on chemistry. It runs on time.Every day your body broadcasts signals through sleep timing, light exposure, body temperature, hormones, and circadian rhythms—yet most people ignore these patterns while chasing pills, supplements, and productivity hacks.In this episode of the Crackin' Backs Podcast, we sit down with Benjamin Smarr to explore a new frontier of human biology: how time-series biology and wearable data may unlock powerful, non-drug ways to improve brain health, mood, and performance.Dr. Smarr's research looks at the body not as a snapshot—but as a movie, where continuous biological signals reveal patterns that traditional medicine often misses.In this episode, we explore:Why “normal” is a misleading concept in human biologyHow circadian rhythms and sleep timing shape mental performance and moodWhat wearable devices can reveal about your hidden biological patternsWhy body temperature rhythms may be linked to depression and mental healthThe overlooked role of light timing, temperature regulation, and daily rhythmsHow “social time” vs biological time affects cognition, sleep, and productivityWhere self-tracking and wearable data help—and where they can backfireWhether the future of medicine could include “time prescriptions” instead of drugsThis conversation reframes how we think about health, performance, and mental well-being—not as something fixed, but as something that shifts with how we live in time.If you're interested in sleep science, circadian biology, wearables, mental performance, precision health, and the future of non-drug brain optimization, this episode will challenge how you think about your own body.About Dr. Benjamin SmarrBenjamin Smarr is an Associate Professor of Bioengineering and Data Science at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD). He earned his PhD in Neurobiology from the University of Washington, and later served as an NIH fellow at UC Berkeley in Psychology.His research focuses on biological rhythms, neuroendocrinology, wearable health data, and HealthAI, developing technologies that improve precision medicine while reducing algorithmic bias for diverse populations.The Smarr Lab works at the intersection of women's health, aging, circadian biology, and data science, aiming to accelerate the future of personalized healthcare and population-level health insights.Dr. Smarr's work and insights have been featured in global media outlets including NPR, BBC, Forbes, and many others. He is also a strong advocate for science communication and community empowerment in discovery and health innovation.Learn more about his research and work HERE: We are two sports chiropractors, seeking knowledge from some of the best resources in the world of health. From our perspective, health is more than just “Crackin Backs” but a deep dive into physical, mental, and nutritional well-being philosophies. Join us as we talk to some of the greatest minds and discover some of the most incredible gems you can use to maintain a higher level of health. Crackin Backs Podcast
This is an encore of a program originally broadcast in July 2024. Since their foundational philosophical critique of gender and sexuality, Gender Trouble, Judith Butler has been a singularly important contributor to our contemporary understanding of those categories, including what it can mean to be queer. Butler's revolutionary cultural influence and constant drive towards better understandings of our world guarantee that they will remain a widely read canonical writer for decades to come. In recent years, Butler's theoretical and activist work on gender performance and nonviolence has placed them in conversations around transgender rights, Black Lives Matter, and the Occupy Movement. Their forthcoming book, Who's Afraid of Gender?, examines why recent authoritarian governments and transexclusionary feminists have focused so much of their energy and ire on gender.On June 13, 2024, Judith Butler came to the Sydney Goldstein Theater to be interviewed on stage by Poulomi Saha, the co-Director of the Program in Critical Theory at UC Berkeley.
In this episode, Mike Caldwell sits down with Dr. Kristilynn Turney, an educational consultant, speaker, and former school principal with 27 years in education. Kristilynn shares her journey from being labeled a "problem child" for talking too much to becoming the first Black principal of two predominantly white suburban schools in the Cincinnati area.Key topics include:The weight and responsibility of being "the first" in leadershipBuilding relationships as the foundation for school transformationBalancing vision with collaborative decision-makingNavigating resistance while holding firm on non-negotiablesKeeping instruction at the center of every leadership decisionEpisode Links:Website: DrKristilynnTurney.com YouTube: Dr. Turney SpeaksLindkedIn: Dr. Kristilynn Turney Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks and IXL:We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments
WHAT IS LIFE REALLY LIKE IN IRAN? I'm very excited about today's guest at 1. Khosro Isfahani. Khosro was born and raised in Tehran, where he lived for over three decades, working as a journalist and frontline human rights defender until 2021. He infiltrated secretive missile facilities. He smuggled classified documents beyond the regime's reach. He delivered aid quietly to communities placed deliberately in harm's way. Those choices carried consequences: interrogations, threats, surveillance, and finally exile. But exile did not silence him. Over seventeen years reporting on Iran's political and human landscape, Khosro has transformed lived experience into disciplined research and strategic advocacy. Today, he serves as Research Director at the National Union for Democracy in Iran (NUFDI), documenting abuses and articulating a pathway toward a democratic transition. Before NUFDI he worked for Financial Tribune, Article 19, Atlantic Council, and as a professor at Colby College. He has also led Iran research at UC Berkeley and UCLA. We will talk about life in Iran both before the war, now and hopefully after.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
This year, the UCB's Majorette team, The Bearettes, are celebrating their 10th year anniversary! If you've ever been to a Cal football or basketball game, you can't miss their body rolls, back bends, hip pops, twists, and sparkly outfits. Nia Coates is a reporter with UCB's North Gate radio. Here introduces us to the Bearettes, Cal athletes who are fighting for a space of their own on campus.Nia reported this story as a student in the audio concentration at UC Berkeley's Graduate School of Journalism. Listen to more North Gate Radio sports stories here!
As reports emerge of AI-powered weapons systems deployed in strikes on Iran, we're joined by Dr. Sarah Shoker, Senior Research Scholar at UC Berkeley, and Paul Scharre, Executive Vice President of the Center for a New American Security. Together, they examine how autonomous weapons and artificial intelligence are being integrated into military operations, investigate the relationships between Silicon Valley AI companies and the Pentagon, and explore if regulation is possible amid an accelerating arms race. This episode is brought to you by: MINT MOBILE - Plans start at $15/month at https://mintmobile.com/tws BILT - Join the loyalty program for renters at https://joinbilt.com/tws SHOPIFY - Link in Description: Sign up for your $1 per month trial and start selling today at https://shopify.com/TWS Follow The Weekly Show with Jon Stewart on social media for more: > YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@weeklyshowpodcast > Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weeklyshowpodcast > TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@weeklyshowpodcast > X: https://x.com/weeklyshowpod > BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/theweeklyshowpodcast.com Host/Executive Producer – Jon Stewart Executive Producer – James Dixon Executive Producer – Chris McShane Executive Producer – Caity Gray Lead Producer – Lauren Walker Producer – Brittany Mehmedovic Producer – Gillian Spear Video Editor & Engineer – Rob Vitolo Audio Editor & Engineer – Nicole Boyce Music by Hansdle Hsu Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Enjoy the What's Bruin Show Network!Multiple shows to entertain you on one feed:Support WBS at Patreon.com/WhatsBruinShow for just $2/month and get exclusive content and access to our SLACK channel.Twitter/X: @whatsbruinshow Instagram: @whatsbruinshowCall the What's Bruin Network Hotline at 805-399-4WBS (Suck it Reign of Troy)We are also on YouTube HEREGet Your WBSN MERCH - Go to our MyLocker Site by Clicking HEREWhat's Bruin Show- A conversation about all things Bruin over drinks with Bruin Report Online's @mikeregaladoLA, @wbjake68 and friends!Subscribe to the What's Bruin Show at whatsbruin.substack.comEmail us at: whatsbruinshow@gmail.comTweet us at: @whatsbruinshowWest Coast Bias - LA Sports (mostly Lakers, Dodgers and NFL) with Jamaal and JakeSubscribe to West Coast Bias at wbwestcoastbias.substack.comEmail us at: WB.westcoastbias@gmail.comTweet us at: @WBwestcoastbiasThe BEAR Minimum - Jake and his Daughter Megan talk about student life and Cal Sports during her first year attending UC Berkeley.Subscribe to The BEAR Minimum at thebearminimum.substack.comEmail us at: wb.bearminimum@gmail.comTweet us at: @WB_BearMinimumPlease rate and review us on whatever platform you listen on.
Enjoy the What's Bruin Show Network!Multiple shows to entertain you on one feed:Support WBS at Patreon.com/WhatsBruinShow for just $2/month and get exclusive content and access to our SLACK channel.Twitter/X: @whatsbruinshow Instagram: @whatsbruinshowCall the What's Bruin Network Hotline at 805-399-4WBS (Suck it Reign of Troy)We are also on YouTube HEREGet Your WBSN MERCH - Go to our MyLocker Site by Clicking HEREWhat's Bruin Show- A conversation about all things Bruin over drinks with Bruin Report Online's @mikeregaladoLA, @wbjake68 and friends!Subscribe to the What's Bruin Show at whatsbruin.substack.comEmail us at: whatsbruinshow@gmail.comTweet us at: @whatsbruinshowWest Coast Bias - LA Sports (mostly Lakers, Dodgers and NFL) with Jamaal and JakeSubscribe to West Coast Bias at wbwestcoastbias.substack.comEmail us at: WB.westcoastbias@gmail.comTweet us at: @WBwestcoastbiasThe BEAR Minimum - Jake and his Daughter Megan talk about student life and Cal Sports during her first year attending UC Berkeley.Subscribe to The BEAR Minimum at thebearminimum.substack.comEmail us at: wb.bearminimum@gmail.comTweet us at: @WB_BearMinimumPlease rate and review us on whatever platform you listen on.
In this episode, Barb talks with Kurtis Hewson about what makes collaborative teams truly effective and how principals can build a culture where teachers solve problems together. Kurtis shares simple meeting structures that increase psychological safety and shared ownership, like clear norms, roles, and a predictable agenda. He breaks down the “Collaborative Team Meeting” format that helps teams focus on key issues, swap strategies, and leave with one clear action to try. You'll also learn how this approach connects PLCs and MTSS and reduces reactive meetings over time.Connect with Kurtis at Jigsaw LearningDownload the Free Toolkit for Collaborative TeamsCheck out Barb's resource for Navigating Challenging Team Dynamics Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks and IXL:We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments
Sometimes the most powerful guidance arrives quietly through intuition, synchronicity, and reflection. Join Amy and Dr. Judi Neal, the Founder of Edgewalkers, as they give into the Edgewalker framework and the creation of the Edgewalker card deck, a tool designed to help people navigate change while staying connected to purpose and inner wisdom. Together they discuss how symbols, affirmations, and reflective practices can reveal insight in unexpected ways. From leadership development to spiritual awareness, the discussion highlights how intuitive tools can help people reconnect with their gifts, bring creativity into their work, and move forward with clarity even in uncertain times. The message is simple yet powerful: when people learn to listen to both practical wisdom and deeper intuition, they become the kind of leaders the future needs.Key Takeaways:1. The Edgewalker Mindset – Discover the qualities that define people who bridge practical leadership and spiritual awareness in times of change.2. How The Card Deck Was Created – Learn how intention, creativity, and emerging technology combined to bring the Edgewalker deck into the world.3. The Role Of Synchronicity – Explore why seemingly random messages often arrive at exactly the right moment for reflection or decision making.4. Symbolism As A Source Of Insight – Understand how visual symbols and archetypes can activate intuition and deeper awareness.5. Leadership In Uncertain Times – Reflect on how spiritual grounding and community can help leaders navigate disruption and uncertainty.6. Living Your Gifts With Purpose – See why using your gifts in service to both your life and the world creates sustainable passion and energy.To purchase your own copy of the Edgewalker Card Deck visit https://createmagicatwork.net/shop/ols/products/the-edgewalker-card-deckAbout the Guest:Dr. Judi Neal is the Founder, Chairman, and CEO of Edgewalkers International. She was the founding director of the Tyson Center for Faith and Spirituality in the Workplace at the Sam M. Walton College of Business, University of Arkansas. Judi is recognized as an expert on spirituality in the workplace and speaks and consults internationally. She received her Ph.D. from Yale in Organizational Behavior. In 1988 Judi began teaching management at the University of New Haven. She focused her research on business leaders who have a strong commitment to their faith and spirituality, and began studying how they bridged the spiritual world and the material world of business. That led to her research on people she calls “Edgewalkers.” Judi was a co-founder of the Management, Spirituality and Religion Interest Group at the Academy of Management, as well as co-founder of the Journal of Management, Spirituality and Religion, and the International Association of Management, Spirituality and Religion. She has published widely in the field, and is a popular and inspiring international speaker. She has consulted with major organizations such as Pfizer and General Electric as well as with small entrepreneurial companies and with non-profits.https://edgewalkers.org/https://www.linkedin.com/groups/14345722/https://www.instagram.com/edgewalkersAbout Amy:Amy Lynn Durham, known by her clients as the Corporate Mystic, is the founder of the Executive Coaching Firm, Create Magic At Work®, where they help leaders build workplaces rooted in creativity, collaboration, and fulfillment. A former corporate executive turned Executive Coach, Amy blends practical leadership strategies with spiritual intelligence to unlock human potential at work.She's a certified Executive Coach through UC Berkeley & the International Coaching Federation (ICF) In addition, Amy holds coaching certifications in Spiritual Intelligence (SQ21), the Edgewalker Profile, and the Archetypes of Change . In addition to being the host of the Create Magic At Work® podcast, Amy is the author of Create Magic At Work®, Creating Career Magic: A Daily Prompt Journal and the founder of Magic Thread Media™. Through her work, she inspires intentional leadership for thriving workplaces and lives where “magic” becomes reality.Connect with Amy:https://createmagicatwork.net/https://www.linkedin.com/company/create-magic-at-workhttps://www.facebook.com/112951637095427https://www.instagram.com/createmagicatworkhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnEm4h3fUgaq8qgvZpz6dGgThanks for listening!Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!Subscribe to the podcastIf you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.Leave us an Apple Podcasts reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you are enjoying the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.Mentioned in this episode:This show was brought to you in part by the Magic Thread Media Network. To learn more visit: https://magicthreadmedia.com/
In this episode of The Impostor Syndrome Files, we take a closer look at a topic that quietly shapes every professional interaction we have: perception. My guest this week is Shira Abel, keynote speaker, marketing expert and creator of the Perception Formula. Shira brings more than 25 years of experience in marketing, sales and teaching to show us why understanding how others see us is essential to building stronger relationships, communicating with clarity and showing up with confidence.Shira breaks down her perception formula, which includes heuristics, hormones, history and heritage. We explore cultural and socioeconomic differences, the role of social conditioning and how much of our daily communication happens on autopilot. Shira also shares practical strategies for preparing for conversations, reading the room and navigating the nuances of communicating online.Here we talk about the growing influence of AI on communication and personal brand, including how to use AI tools responsibly without losing your own voice. Shira also opens up about confidence, what it really means and why it has less to do with fearlessness and more to do with self-trust and the willingness to get back up after failure.About My GuestShira Abel is the go-to-market expert trusted by category-leading enterprises including Siemens, Samsung, AXA, and Allianz. As the founder of Hunter & Bard and creator of The Perception Formula, she helps companies reshape how they're seen, so they can close bigger deals, earn trust faster, and grow with intention. Her perception work has doubled sales for tech companies and enabled clients to land enterprise deals they previously thought were out of reach.Shira holds an MBA from Kellogg, has taught at UC Berkeley, and is recognized globally as a keynote speaker and business mentor. She's driven over a billion dollars in economic impact and scaled her own agency to seven-figure revenue, an accomplishment fewer than 2% of female founders achieve.~Connect with Shira:Website: https://shiraabel.comLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shiraabel/YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/shiraabel~Connect with Kim and The Impostor Syndrome Files:Join the free Impostor Syndrome Challenge:https://www.kimmeninger.com/challengeLearn more about the Leading Humans discussion group:https://www.kimmeninger.com/leadinghumansgroupJoin the Slack channel to learn from, connect with and support other professionals: https://forms.gle/Ts4Vg4Nx4HDnTVUC6Join the Facebook group:https://www.facebook.com/groups/leadinghumansSchedule time to speak with Kim Meninger directly about your questions/challenges: https://bookme.name/ExecCareer/strategy-sessionConnect on LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/kimmeninger/Website:https://kimmeninger.com
Yes, of course college students want scholarships. Who wouldn't want their education funded in part or entirely with funds that don't need to be paid back? But an astonishingly deep well of free money seems inaccessible to most applicants. Amy and Mike invited educator Leia LeMaster Horton to explore how to win scholarships. What are five things you will learn in this episode? When should students start going after scholarships? What are the three types of scholarships? Which major private, merit-based scholarships are most strategic to target? What preparation should a student complete before seriously applying for scholarships? What are the three most common scholarship essay prompts students should prepare for? MEET OUR GUEST Leia LeMaster Horton, M.Ed., is the founder of Horton Test Prep and a nationally recognized Test Prep Professional and Scholarship Expert in the college prep industry. She is a featured speaker at homeschool conferences and college fairs across the country, including events at UC Berkeley, UT Austin, Clemson, Johns Hopkins, and Columbia University, and has been on numerous podcasts and webinars guiding families through the often stressful college preparation process. As a founding member of the National Test Prep Association, a scholarship judge, certified test prep instructor, and creator of the digital course Secrets to Earning Scholarships, Leia is passionate about helping students raise their ACT, CLT, and SAT scores, unlock scholarship opportunities, and make their dream schools a reality. Leia previously appeared on the podcast in episode 248 for a TEST PREP PROFILE. Leia can be reached at info@hortontestprep.com or on Instagram @LeiaLeMasterHorton. LINKS Secrets to Earning Scholarships The Coolidge Scholarship Jeanne Lucas Memorial Scholarship Bold.org Scholarships.com RELATED EPISODES COMMON MISTAKES IN SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS HOW TO WIN LOCAL SCHOLARSHIP AWARDS LESSONS LEARNED BY OFFERING A SCHOLARSHIP ABOUT THIS PODCAST Tests and the Rest is THE college admissions industry podcast. Explore all of our episodes on the show page. ABOUT YOUR HOSTS Mike Bergin is the president of Chariot Learning and the founder of TestBright, Roots2Words, and College Eagle. Amy Seeley is the president of Seeley Test Pros and LEAP. If you're interested in working with Mike and/or Amy for test preparation, training, or consulting, get in touch through our contact page.
Privacy laws keep multiplying, regulations keep changing, and AI is making everything more complex. How do businesses build privacy compliance that actually sticks instead of just checking a box? Let's find out with our guest Jordan Fischer, Founder and Partner at Fischer Law and Cybersecurity Lecturer at UC Berkeley. Your hosts are Kip Boyle, CISO with Cyber Risk Opportunities, and Jake Bernstein, Partner with K&L Gates. Jordan Fischer's website: https://jordanfischerlaw.com Shoshana Zuboff's book: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Age_of_Surveillance_Capitalism
Replicating Nature As the effects of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions become increasingly well understood, researchers like Dr. Peidong Yang at UC Berkeley are developing technologies that address human-caused climate change with a nature-based approach. Dr. Yang's artificial leaves capture sunlight and carbon dioxide and produce C2, a key precursory ingredient in the production of many everyday items. Diving Deeper Though synthetic fuels have been manufactured for over a century - by combining carbon monoxide and hydrogen - these new structures may be able to generate fuel in a more sustainable way by harnessing solar energy. The artificial leaves produce ethylene and ethane, showing that artificial leaves can create hydrocarbons; previously, similar structures have only been able to separate water into oxygen and hydrogen. A few innovations make this process possible. One is the catalyst, a microscopic copper structure, flower-like in appearance. According to another scientist working on the project, Virgil Andrei, the copper nanoflowers can be adjusted, based on the desired outcome: “Depending on the nanostructure of the copper catalyst you can get wildly different products.” Another innovation occurs on the side of the device opposite the nanoflowers - Benefits The benefits for climate change are two fold. First, these artificial leaves can remove CO2 that's already been released into the atmosphere by mimicking what natural leaves do through photosynthesis. These artificial leaves uptake CO2 from the air, and use it to make all sorts of different chemicals that can be utilized to create fuel. The second major benefit is this technology is an opportunity to revolutionize the current chemical industry. Right now, the chemical industry is powered by fossil fuels converted into the liquid fuel that powers our society. Instead, this artificial photosynthesis allows scientists to create those same very useful chemicals from the CO2 being uptaken by the artificial leaves without any added emissions in the process. Though the carbon will be reemitted once this fuel is used, it works out to be a net carbon-neutral system because the cycle continues—the artificial leaves will reuptake this CO2 as well. So, this net carbon-neutral system is drastically better than the current fossil fuel based system driving our climate crisis. Issues of Scale Though this artificial leaf technology is promising for a number of future applications, it's not ready to be scaled yet. Though the trial system worked, it's just one step towards developing a commercially viable product. Another scientist, Yanwei Lum, emphasizes that, “The performance is still not sufficient for practical applications.” Once the leaves' durability and efficiency is improved, they will be adoptable for fuel production. Andrei is optimistic that this step forward could come in the next five to ten years. Yang's take on the future of Artificial Leaves Currently, the costs and energy needed for the technology are relatively high just because of how new it is. But Yang is confident that they will be able to bring the costs done, as well as the energy needed for the actual chemistry to happen. He also notes that for this to actually revolutionize our fuel production, this technology needs to be implemented at a massive scale. He hopes to see policies mandating new carbon capture technology in the conversion industry down the road. About our Guest Peidong Yang is a chemist, material scientist, and businessman. He is the S.K. and Angela Chan Distinguished Professor of Energy, as well as a Professor of Chemistry and a Professor of Materials Science at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Yang researches materials chemistry, solid state chemistry, inorganic chemistry, and physical chemistry, focusing on low-dimensional nanoscopic building blocks that are used to assemble complex architectures with novel chemical and physical properties. Further Reading Andrei et al., Perovskite-driven solar C2 hydrocarbon synthesis from CO2 Ashleigh Papp (Berkeley Lab), Scientists develop artificial leaf that uses sunlight Department of Energy, Perovskite solar cells Carly Kay (MIT), This artificial leaf makes hydrocarbons out of carbon dioxide For a transcript of this episode, please visit climatebreak.org/photosynthesis-through-artificial-leaves-with-dr-peidong-yang
Quantum entanglement? Time traveling information? What is behind the phenomenon of precognitive dreaming? Meet astrophysicist, oneironaut, and author Paul Kalas, who argues that precognition is naturally selected for because of its unmistakable evolutionary advantage. Paul Kalas explains that precognitive dreams are dreams that appear to contain information about future events. Paul introduces the concept of the “Oneironaut” (a dream traveler) and draws from his personal archive of more than 300 recorded precognitive dreams. The discussion spans personal anecdotes, neuroscience, evolutionary theory, and physics—particularly quantum mechanics and the many‑worlds interpretation. Kalas describes how some dreams feel “unmistakably precognitive” due to the sense of surprise and improbability felt within the dream and shares a childhood dream involving an unusual phrase that was later spoken verbatim, and a detailed dream sketch that matched a real astronomical discovery nine years later (the offset debris disk around the star Fomalhaut). The episode also explores the possible evolutionary value of precognition, suggesting dreams may “prime” individuals for future learning or decision‑making. Kalas proposes that information may travel backward in time—from future selves to past selves—rather than consciousness traveling forward. The conversation touches on déjà vu as a possible memory of forgotten dreams, the importance of novel environments, and practical advice for cultivating dream recall through journaling. Finally, the discussion turns to the future: how large‑scale dream recording, AI analysis, and neuroscience might one day allow collective patterns in dreams to be identified, potentially offering early insight into future events. 00:00 – Welcome & Can Dreams Really Predict the Future? Katherine Bell opens the show and introduces astronomer Paul Kalas and the topic of precognitive dreaming. 05:00 – So… What Is a Precognitive Dream? What makes some dreams feel different — vivid, specific, and strangely tied to future events and evoking a sense of curiosity even within the dream. 10:00 – A Dream Phrase That Came True Paul shares a childhood dream involving a bizarre phrase that later appeared in real life. 15:00 – Déjà Vu: Have You Dreamed This Before? How déjà vu may come from forgotten dreams — why some moments feel uncannily familiar. 20:00 – Why Would Humans Have Precognitive Dreams? Exploring evolution, learning, and how future information might quietly guide us. 25:00 – When a Dream Matches a Scientific Discovery A remarkable story of a dream sketch that later matched an astronomical breakthrough. 30:00 – Time Travel, Parallel Lives, and Changing Outcomes Could information flow backward in time? A deep dive into many‑worlds and alternate timelines. 35:00 – Listener Question: Is This All Just Interpretation? An audience question sparks discussion about science, skepticism, and testable ideas. 40:00 – AI, Brain Science, and Reading Dreams What neuroscience and artificial intelligence might reveal about dreams — and the future. 48:00 – How to Work With Your Own Dreams + Final Thoughts Practical advice on dream journaling, recognizing meaningful dreams, and closing reflections. AI, Brain Recording, and the Future of Dream Research (00:50:53) BIO: Dr. Paul Kalas is an accomplished astronomer at UC Berkeley who searches for undiscovered planets among the billions of stars in our galaxy. In his book The Oneironauts he documents more than 300 precognitive dreams, explores alternate explanations, describes connections to neuroscience, physics, and evolution, discusses the significance for the individual, and foretells the future impact on humanity. Find our guest at Oneironauts.org Videos available on YouTube at youtube.com/@experientialdreamwork. Popular playlists: “Dream Journal shorts” and “FULL LENGTH VIDEOS”. This show, episode number 353, was recorded during a live broadcast on March 7, 2026 at KSQD.org, community radio of Santa Cruz. Here are links to some other Dream Journal episodes you might be interested in: Precognitive Dreamwork and the Long Self with Eric Wargo Dreaming up the World We Want to Live in with Katrina Dreamer Intro and outro music by Mood Science. Ambient music new every week by Rick Kleffel. Archived music can be found at Pandemiad.com. Many thanks to Rick for also engineering the show and to Erik Nelson for answering the phones. SHARE A DREAM FOR THE SHOW or a question or enquire about being a guest on the podcast by emailing Katherine Bell at katherine@ksqd.org. Follow on LI, IG, YT, FB, & LT @ExperientialDreamwork #thedreamjournal. To learn more or to inquire about exploring your own dreams go to ExperientialDreamwork.com. The Dream Journal aims to: Increase awareness of and appreciation for nightly dreams. Inspire dream sharing and other kinds of dream exploration as a way of adding depth and meaningfulness to lives and relationships. Improve society by the increased empathy, emotional balance, and sense of wonder which dream exploration invites. A dream can be meaningful even if you don’t know what it means. The Dream Journal is produced at and airs on KSQD Santa Cruz, 90.7 FM. Catch it streaming LIVE at KSQD.org 10-11am Pacific Time on Saturdays. Call or text with your dreams or questions at 831-900-5773 or email at onair@ksqd.org. Podcasts are available on all major podcast platforms the Monday following the live show. The complete KSQD Dream Journal podcast page can be found at ksqd.org/the-dream-journal/. Closed captioning is available on the YouTube version of this podcast and an automatically generated transcript is available at Apple Podcasts within 24 hours of posting. Thanks for being a Dream Journal listener! Available on all major podcast platforms. Rate it, review it, subscribe, and tell your friends.
00:08 — John Feffer is Director of Foreign Policy in Focus. 00:33 — Dr. John Swartzberg, clinical professor emeritus of infectious diseases at UC Berkeley's School of Public Health. The post Russia's War in Ukraine; Plus, Corona Calls appeared first on KPFA.
Today's conversation sits right at the edge of what many consider the next era of medicine — regenerative, precision-based, and centered on restoring function at the cellular level rather than simply managing symptoms.To guide us through this rapidly evolving field, I'm joined by Dr. Jeff Gross. Dr. Gross is a spine fellowship-trained neurological surgeon, an internationally recognized speaker in regenerative and biohacking medicine, and the founder of ReCELLebrate. With a background spanning biochemistry at UC Berkeley to a medical degree from George Washington University, he has spent years working at the intersection of surgical medicine, stem cell science, and cutting-edge biologics.We're diving into exosomes — tiny extracellular vesicles that act as biological messengers, carrying proteins, lipids, RNA, and signaling molecules between cells. Once dismissed as cellular debris, exosomes are now recognized as key regulators of inflammation, tissue repair, immune modulation, and possibly even aging itself. In other words, they don't just participate in healing — they help coordinate it.In this episode, we explore how exosomes differ from stem cells, what the current evidence actually shows, where they're being used clinically — from sports injury recovery to chronic inflammatory conditions — and what their role may be in extending health span, not just lifespan. We also discuss safety considerations, dosing questions, regulatory realities, and the future trajectory of regenerative therapeutics as patient demand for non-pharmaceutical solutions continues to grow.If you're a clinician, a biohacker, or simply someone interested in where medicine is heading over the next decade, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.
In today's episode, Anna and Avery explore five of the week's most compelling space and astronomy stories: a new SETI Institute study suggesting stellar space weather could be scrambling alien radio signals before they even leave their home systems; groundbreaking research revealing that spaceflight physically shifts and deforms the human brain inside the skull; the impressive engineering story behind Roscosmos restoring Baikonur's launch pad in record time ahead of the Progress MS-33 mission; a surprising new finding from Nature that Earth's elliptical orbit plays a much bigger role in shaping El Niño and global weather patterns than previously thought; and the endlessly fascinating question of whether asteroid impacts could allow microbes to travel between planets — including the possibility that life on Earth may have originated on Mars. Stories Covered • Why SETI may be missing alien radio signals — space weather around distant stars could be smearing narrowband signals beyond the reach of current detectors (SETI Institute, March 2026) • Spaceflight physically shifts and deforms the brain inside the skull — new MRI study of 26 astronauts published in PNAS reveals extent of microgravity's neurological impact (University of Florida, March 2026) • Baikonur's Site 31/6 launch pad fully restored after November 2025 damage — over 150 workers complete repairs in under two months, clearing path for Progress MS-33 on March 22 (NASASpaceFlight, March 2026) • Earth's distance from the Sun found to dramatically alter seasons — new Nature study shows orbital eccentricity drives its own annual cycle in the Pacific cold tongue, influencing El Niño over millennia (UC Berkeley, March 2026) • Did Earth life begin on Mars? New research examines how asteroid impacts could allow microbes to travel between planets via ejected rock (Universe Today, March 2026) Connect With Us Website: astronomydaily.io Twitter/X, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, Tumblr: @AstroDailyPod Part of the Bitesz.com Podcast NetworkBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/astronomy-daily-space-news-updates--5648921/support.Sponsor Details:Ensure your online privacy by using NordVPN. To get our special listener deal and save a lot of money, visit www.bitesz.com/nordvpn. You'll be glad you did!Become a supporter of Astronomy Daily by joining our Supporters Club. Commercial free episodes daily are only a click way... Click HereThis episode includes AI-generated content.
In this episode, host Mike Caldwell sits down with Dr. Marie Bordeleau, a veteran Catholic and public school leader with over 25 years of experience, to discuss the realities of school leadership. Marie shares insights from her upcoming book, The Dust and the Glory, exploring how principals can navigate criticism, avoid burnout, and find joy in the chaos. From the importance of staying "in the arena" to setting boundaries and embracing slow, steady progress, this conversation offers practical wisdom for any school leader feeling the weight of the job. Marie also reflects on leading through crises like 9/11, the 2008 recession, and COVID—and why mission-driven, servant leadership is the key to holding schools together when everything feels fragile.Links:Website: InTheArena.comEmail: marie@inthearenacoaching.comBook: The Dust and the Glory: Finding God in the Chaos of Catholic School Leadership (March 2026) - LinkedLeaders Profile: https://linkedleaders.com/mentors/7f7772dd-f9a3-4160-91f2-c08fbe3380d6 Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks and IXL:We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments
Hosts and Commonweal contributors Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins and Nick Tabor chat with Jonathan Sheehan, professor of European history at UC Berkeley, about his new book, On the Altar: A History of Sacrifice from the Sacred to the Secular (Princeton University Press). Together, they explore the long, contested history of Christian sacrifice, from the early church and the cult of the martyrs through the Reformation and into the secular modern world—and discuss what the language of sacrifice still offers us today. Episode production and original music by Joel Myers.
At age 10, Omar Yaghi walked into a school library in Amman, Jordan, and opened a book that changed his life. He saw molecular drawings — complex structures he didn't yet understand, but which immediately captivated him. "I thought I discovered something that nobody had ever seen before," Yaghi recalls. Yaghi, now a professor of chemistry at UC Berkeley, shared this story during a recent Brilliance of Berkeley lecture to illustrate how a life defined by scarcity can be transformed through the pursuit of science. Growing up in a family of 10 children, Yaghi lived in a single room that lacked electricity and running water. The family shared their living quarters with cattle, separated from the animals only by sacks of feed. Education was the family's singular priority; his parents spent everything they earned to keep their children in school to ensure they had a path toward a different future.In 2025, Yaghi was awarded the Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the development of metal-organic frameworks, or MOFs — porous materials that act like "molecular sponges" capable of capturing carbon dioxide from the air and harvesting water from desert humidity.In this Berkeley Talks episode, Yaghi describes how his childhood as a refugee and his early days as an immigrant in the U.S. shaped his relentless work ethic. He recounts the "failure" of a yearlong graduate school experiment that actually resulted in his first major discovery: a ball-shaped molecule that paved the way for his career. Today, his research on reticular chemistry continues to push toward real-world solutions to the climate crisis.For Yaghi, science is not only about discovery, but about transforming access to life's most basic resource. “My dream,” he says, is “for everyone to have water independence — where your water is yours, independent of everything else.”This lecture, which took place on Jan. 23, was part of LNS 110: Brilliance of Berkeley, a course featuring distinguished researchers working on the world's most pressing issues.Listen to the episode and read the transcript on UC Berkeley News (news.berkeley.edu/podcasts/berkeley-talks).Music by HoliznaCC0.Photo by Brittany Hosea-Small for UC Berkeley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
You're listening to Burnt Toast. I'm Virginia Sole-Smith. Today my conversation is with the brilliant Savala Nolan. Savala is a writer, public speaker and professor at UC Berkeley. Her brand new book, Good Woman: A Reckoning is out now. Her first book, Don't Let It Get You Down: Essays on Race, Gender and the Body, was shortlisted for the William Saroyan Prize and celebrated as a “standout collection” by the New York Times. Savala's writing has been featured in Vogue, Harper's Magazine, the New York Times, NPR, TIME and more.I have a lot of conversations about bodies. I have a lot of conversations about gender. There is a lot that I thought I knew about race and bodies and gender in America. Reading Good Woman and talking to Savala blew my mind apart in ways that I'm still putting back together. This conversation is a must listen. This book is a must read.There was so much good stuff in this conversation, we are breaking it up into two episodes. Today in part one, we're talking about bodies, race and gender. Part two will drop in two weeks, and that's when we're getting into sex, divorce and Savala's classy and trashy butters. That conversation will be for paid subscribers only, so go to patreon.com/virginiasolesmith to join us. Membership starts at just $5 per month. You're not going to want to miss this one. One last thing! Trust me, you will want to read Good Woman after hearing this conversation. If you order it from my local independent bookstore, Split Rock Books, you can take 10% off if you have also ordered a copy of my book Fat Talk from them. Go to Split Rock Books and use the code "fat talk" at checkout. Here's Savala.If you enjoy this conversation, a paid subscription is the best way to support our work!Join Burnt Toast
Carol Nekesa doesn't know if she was ever infected by parasitic worms. But it's likely, she says, since most kids in her community had them. “It was just a normal part of childhood,” she says. Carol grew up in the 1980s in a rural village in Busia County, Kenya. Like many regions in Sub-Saharan Africa at the time, Busia lacked the infrastructure for clean water and modern sanitation, leading to the pervasive spread of infectious diseases. Parents feared deadly outbreaks like malaria and cholera, often unaware of the slower, hidden damage caused by intestinal worms. The symptoms — fatigue, diarrhea, weight loss, stunted growth — rarely made headlines, yet they shaped children's futures. At the time, more than a billion people worldwide, most of them children, were living with these infections, making parasitic worms one of the most widespread chronic health conditions on the planet.In 1998, two researchers — Ted Miguel, who is now an economics professor at UC Berkeley, and future Nobel laureate Michael Kremer — launched the Primary School Deworming Project in Busia. They had no idea that their work would become a global model proving just how much a healthy childhood matters — not just for kids in the study, but for generations to come.“It's kind of mind-blowing to be a researcher and know that your research is being cited and used as a justification for these large-scale programs,” says Miguel. “It's amazing to see.”Listen to the episode and read the transcript on UC Berkeley News (news.berkeley.edu/podcasts/berkeley-voices).Music by Blue Dot Sessions.Photo courtesy of Ted Miguel. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
February 6, 2017Adam and Drew open the show discussing Drew's conversion to the cold shower method that Adam has recently been advocating. They then turn to the phones and speak to a caller who is wondering how the so-called ‘snowflake' culture has been shaping people today. The guys also discuss last week's protests at UC Berkeley.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
In this episode, Barb is joined by Lisa Danahy, founder of Create Calm, owner of Radiant Child Yoga, and author of Creating Calm in Your Classroom. Lisa brings over 30 years of experience as a yoga therapist and educator, blending mindfulness, neuroscience, and real-world school practices. Together, they explore how viewing behavior through a nervous system lens can transform the way principals support students, staff, and parents. You'll learn why self-regulation is the foundation of effective leadership, how co-regulation reduces reactivity in schools, and simple, practical strategies—like breath and movement—that can be embedded into the school day without sacrificing expectations or accountability.Connect with Lisa at Create Calm. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks and IXL:We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments
Workplace culture did not disappear. It became disconnected from the systems meant to support it. When only 21% of employees worldwide report being engaged, and managers are disengaging faster than their teams, the issue is not motivation. It is a misalignment.In this conversation, leadership expert Tiffany Connauton challenges the outdated workplace systems, HR structures, and performance models that no longer serve a modern workforce. She explores burnout, accountability, emotional intelligence, experiential learning, and the quiet erosion of leader capacity in a “more for less” economy. The path forward is not softer leadership or looser standards. It is human leadership with accountability built in. Change does not require a revolution. It requires one percent shifts practiced consistently. That is how stability is rebuilt from the inside out.Threads We Pulled On:Is Workplace Culture Still Relevant? – Examine why culture is not optional and how every group of humans naturally creates an environment, whether intentional or not.The Engagement Crisis Leaders Cannot Ignore – Understand what current workforce statistics reveal about burnout, disengagement, and the strain on managers.Outdated Systems, Modern Expectations – Discover how legacy HR policies and performance structures may be undermining both people and profit.Human Skills as Competitive Advantage – Explore why emotional intelligence, decision-making, and experiential learning are becoming essential leadership capabilities.Burnout in the Age of AI – Consider how efficiency tools may be amplifying pressure instead of creating breathing room.The Power of One Percent Change – Learn how small, consistent shifts create stability, momentum, and meaningful long-term transformation.About the Guest:Tiffany Connauton is the CEO of Beyond Diversity Inc., creator of Uncharted™, and co-creator of the R.E.N.E.W. Edge change management model. Her work focuses on helping organizations build the human skills needed to perform, adapt, and grow in today's evolving business environment. Through experience-based learning and practical, people-centered strategies, she moves insight into lasting action.Known for her trailblazing leadership in the people space, Tiffany challenges outdated workplace approaches and redefines how work gets done. She is recognized for championing the idea that human experience and strong business results are not competing priorities, but mutually reinforcing drivers of success. Across industries including mining, energy, finance, education, legal, and the public sector, she partners with leaders and teams to navigate complex change with clarity and strength.Connect with Tiffany:https://beyonddiversityinc.com/www.linkedin.com/in/tiffany-connauton-773a69196https://www.linkedin.com/company/beyond-diversity-inc/?viewAsMember=trueAbout Amy:Amy Lynn Durham, known by her clients as the Corporate Mystic, is the founder of the Executive Coaching Firm, Create Magic At Work®, where they help leaders build workplaces rooted in creativity, collaboration, and fulfillment. A former corporate executive turned Executive Coach, Amy blends practical leadership strategies with spiritual intelligence to unlock human potential at work.She's a certified Executive Coach through UC Berkeley & the International Coaching Federation (ICF) In addition, Amy holds coaching certifications in Spiritual Intelligence (SQ21), the Edgewalker Profile, and the Archetypes of Change . In addition to being the host of the Create Magic At Work® podcast, Amy is the author of Create Magic At Work®, Creating Career Magic: A Daily Prompt Journal and the founder of Magic Thread Media™. Through her work, she inspires intentional leadership for thriving workplaces and lives where “magic” becomes reality.Connect with Amy:https://createmagicatwork.net/https://www.linkedin.com/company/create-magic-at-workhttps://www.facebook.com/112951637095427https://www.instagram.com/createmagicatworkhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCnEm4h3fUgaq8qgvZpz6dGgThanks for listening!Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others could benefit from listening, please share it using the social media buttons on this page.Do you have some feedback or questions about this episode? Leave a comment in the section below!Subscribe to the podcastIf you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can follow the podcast on Apple Podcasts or your favorite podcast app.Leave us an Apple Podcasts reviewRatings and reviews from our listeners are extremely valuable to us and greatly appreciated. They help our podcast rank higher on Apple Podcasts, which exposes our show to more awesome listeners like you. If you are enjoying the show, please leave us a review on Apple Podcasts.Mentioned in this episode:This show was brought to you in part by the Magic Thread Media Network. To learn more visit: https://magicthreadmedia.com/
Enjoy the What's Bruin Show Network!Multiple shows to entertain you on one feed:Support WBS at Patreon.com/WhatsBruinShow for just $2/month and get exclusive content and access to our SLACK channel.Twitter/X: @whatsbruinshow Instagram: @whatsbruinshowCall the What's Bruin Network Hotline at 805-399-4WBS (Suck it Reign of Troy)We are also on YouTube HEREGet Your WBSN MERCH - Go to our MyLocker Site by Clicking HEREWhat's Bruin Show- A conversation about all things Bruin over drinks with Bruin Report Online's @mikeregaladoLA, @wbjake68 and friends!Subscribe to the What's Bruin Show at whatsbruin.substack.comEmail us at: whatsbruinshow@gmail.comTweet us at: @whatsbruinshowWest Coast Bias - LA Sports (mostly Lakers, Dodgers and NFL) with Jamaal and JakeSubscribe to West Coast Bias at wbwestcoastbias.substack.comEmail us at: WB.westcoastbias@gmail.comTweet us at: @WBwestcoastbiasThe BEAR Minimum - Jake and his Daughter Megan talk about student life and Cal Sports during her first year attending UC Berkeley.Subscribe to The BEAR Minimum at thebearminimum.substack.comEmail us at: wb.bearminimum@gmail.comTweet us at: @WB_BearMinimumPlease rate and review us on whatever platform you listen on.
Send a textIn this insightful episode of Navigating the Customer Experience, we welcome Victoria Mensch, Founder & CEO of the Silicon Valley Executive Academy, for a powerful conversation on leadership, innovation, and thriving in the age of AI.With a PhD in Psychology, an MBA from UC Berkeley, and more than 25 years in Silicon Valley, Victoria has built her career at the intersection of human behavior, executive performance, and technological transformation. Arriving in Silicon Valley during the dot-com boom, she was inspired by its bold, world-changing mindset. That culture of innovation shaped her journey from working across semiconductor and software companies to launching her own executive academy, where she helps global leaders apply Silicon Valley's innovation principles within their own organizations.A central theme of the episode is how leadership must evolve in today's fast-changing 2026 environment. Victoria emphasizes that leadership isn't limited to job titles—it exists at every level. She outlines three essential qualities leaders must cultivate:Self-Responsibility & Agency – Great leaders take ownership of their choices and focus on what they can control, even amid disruption.Curiosity – With technological, political, and economic shifts happening constantly, leaders must stay open, adaptable, and willing to explore new perspectives.Continuous Learning – In the age of AI, growth is non-negotiable. Leaders must embrace learning, develop new skills, and view change as an opportunity rather than a threat.One of the most powerful discussions centers on reframing failure. Victoria explains that fear of failure is often driven by imagined future scenarios. The key practice is returning to the present moment and rationally assessing reality. She also offers a mindset shift: the probability of success is equal to the probability of failure—yet we tend to focus only on what could go wrong. By consciously balancing those possibilities, leaders can make decisions rooted in clarity instead of fear.When asked for one word leaders should adopt for 2026, Victoria chooses humanity. As organizations increasingly integrate artificial intelligence, she believes leaders must keep the human element at the forefront. Technology should create space for deeper creativity and stronger connections—not replace them. The goal isn't simply to be faster or more efficient, but to be better in how we serve and relate to others.Victoria also shares her excitement about AI-driven automation and tools that eliminate time-draining tasks, freeing leaders to focus on high-value work. She recommends exploring Lovable, a platform that allows users to build applications and landing pages without coding skills. A book that influenced her thinking is Digital Darwinism: Surviving the New Age of Business Disruption by Tom Goodwin, which examines how companies navigate digital transformation.Her personal guiding quote? “Faith over fear.”This episode delivers practical leadership insights for executives, entrepreneurs, and professionals ready to embrace change, lead with intention, and remain human in a rapidly evolving digital world.Connect with Victoria at www.svexecutive.academy and join the conversation on X @navigatingcx or in the Navigating the Customer Experience community.
Impacts of Air Transportation on Climate Change Air transportation is a major contributor to the fossil fuel economy: studies have shown that aviation is responsible for 3.5 percent of all drivers of climate change from human activities. Planes use immense amounts of kerosene—a flammable liquid used as fuel—in order to travel. When kerosene burns, it releases greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide and black carbon. Also, planes create contrails: “line-shaped clouds produced by an airplane's hot engine exhaust interacting with cold humid air several miles above the Earth's surface.” These are the lines of white you see behind a plane as it flies overhead: small water particles from the plane's engine exhaust that have frozen to become visible ice crystals. Because these are essentially clouds, when they persist past a short period of time, they have the potential to trap heat in the atmosphere, leading to a warming effect with many negative climate change consequences. Advanced Air Mobility as a Climate Solution In order to combat these negative effects of air travel—and to keep up with increasing demand for shorter distance air travel—researchers have begun looking toward opportunities for low emission options that can be more widely applied. This concept has been coined Advanced Air Mobility (AAM), and seeks to develop transportation technologies which are: “highly automated, electrically powered, and have vertical take-off and landing capability.” One main goal of the project is to develop Urban Air Mobility (UAM) in order to connect underserved communities within cities and rural regions. Ideally, Advanced Air Mobility will be an environmental improvement because it will use cleaner forms of energy to fuel the transportation, from electricity to hydrogen. According to Adam Cohen of UC Berkeley's Transportation Sustainability Research Center, there are several different potential uses for the cleaner energy technology, including air taxi services, small package delivery, emergency services, or aeromedical use cases. Airports in particular are confronting a lot of demands for power—both in terms of aviation and ground vehicles—which electric fueled AAM may be able to help fulfill. In terms of hydrogen power, Cohen says manufacturers are testing and have prototypes for a hydrogen aircraft in the hopes that hydrogen will be an entry point for more sustainable flight in the future. Challenges of Implementation AAM is still in its early stages of development, and has yet to be implemented in a real way. In order for this to occur, its innovators need to place safety and integration at the forefront, ensuring passenger and cargo safety, as well as minimal disruption to current air traffic pathways. Further, it will be necessary to ensure some level of equitable access in terms of both convenience and cost across groups of people. Ultimately, AAM hopes to be a step in the direction toward clean energy in the aviation sector, encouraging policies and technologies in line with sustainable goals. About our guest Adam Cohen is a transportation thought leader, consultant, and shared mobility researcher at the Transportation Sustainability Research Center at the University of California, Berkeley. Since joining the group in 2004, his research has focused on innovative urban mobility solutions, including shared mobility, smart cities technologies, smartphone apps, urban air mobility, and other emerging technologies. Resources Federal Aviation Administration: Advanced Air Mobility National Business Aviation Association: Advanced Air Mobility NASA: Advanced Air Mobility For a transcript of this episode, please visit https://climatebreak.org/advanced-air-mobility-with-adam-cohen
In Part 1 of this two-part conversation, Lea Austin, former Executive Director of the Center for the Study of Child Care Employment at UC-Berkeley, reflects on her 25-year career in ECE. In discussing lessons learned and persistent challenges facing the field, Lea examines how ECE workforce development both shapes — and is shaped by — the public workforce system in the United States.
The Shrimp Tank Podcast - The Best Entrepreneur Podcast In The Country
Mr. Liebelson has more than 40 years of experience in the energy sector, including executive management positions in two publicly traded companies; serving on the Board of Directors of a publicly traded company; co-founding and co-managing a highly successful and innovative independent power company; and acting as a hands-on executive for three startup companies. ¬¬Mr. Liebelson earned a BS in Chemical Engineering with Honors at UC Berkeley, and an MBA in Finance from Wharton.
In this episode, Nick Pretasky draws on his experience as an Alaskan backcountry guide to share three essentials for leadership: Bond, Mastery, and Belief. He explains why leaders fail when they forget they're leading humans—and why every leader needs a coach. The episode closes with a powerful story about a student who carried a teacher's handwritten note in his pocket for months, reminding us that small acts of recognition can be transformative.Links:LinkedIn: Nick PretaskyLinkedLeaders Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks and IXL:We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments
TrulySignificant.com riffs with Kevin Adler, new Daddy, founder of Miracle Messages. Kevin F. Adler is an award-winning social entrepreneur, author, speaker, and “street sociologist” whose work focuses on homelessness, relational poverty, and community connection. He is best known for founding Miracle Messages, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people experiencing homelessness rebuild social support systems and find belonging and stability. He has been featured in major media outlets including The New York Times, Washington Post, PBS NewsHour, and delivered a TED Talk on his work. Adler has received recognition as a TED Resident, Presidential Leadership Scholar, American Express / Ashoka Emerging Innovator, and more. Educationally, he holds graduate degrees from UC Berkeley, the University of Cambridge, and is pursuing a Ph.D. in sociology at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. Miracle Messages (Organization) Miracle Messages is a nonprofit focused on addressing what Adler calls relational poverty — the isolation and lost social ties common among people experiencing homelessness. The organization helps unhoused individuals by:Reuniting them with family and loved ones through volunteer-led message and reconnection services.Providing “phone buddies” — volunteers who connect weekly with unhoused neighbors for consistent social support.Direct cash support pilots, such as basic income experiments backed by Google.org and USC research.The mission reframes homelessness not just as a housing issue but as a crisis of community, connection, dignity, and belonging. When We Walk By (Book) When We Walk By: Forgotten Humanity, Broken Systems, and the Role We Can Each Play in Ending Homelessness in America is Adler's book (co-authored with Donald W. Burnes) that explores the deeper causes of homelessness and proposes constructive ways individuals and systems can help. Key themes include:Humanizing people experiencing homelessness — challenging stereotypes and urging readers to see their shared humanity.Relational poverty — the idea that losing social connections is a core contributor to people becoming and remaining unhoused.Critiques of broken systems — showing how social services and public narratives often fail to address root causes.Actionable solutions — from individual empathy and connection to evidence-based policy and community-driven approaches.The book blends social analysis, personal stories, history, and practical guidance, showing how walking with rather than walking by people experiencing homelessness can transform both individuals and systems. Why His Work Matters Adler's work is influential because it reframes homelessness from a problem to be managed into a shared human challenge that society can solve through empathy, connection, and better policy. His approach emphasizes relationships and agency rather than judgment or paternalism, and it has measurably reunited thousands of unhoused people with loved ones and helped inform innovative solutions like basic income pilotsBecome a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/success-made-to-last-legends--4302039/support.
Enjoy the What's Bruin Show Network!Multiple shows to entertain you on one feed:Support WBS at Patreon.com/WhatsBruinShow for just $2/month and get exclusive content and access to our SLACK channel.Twitter/X: @whatsbruinshow Instagram: @whatsbruinshowCall the What's Bruin Network Hotline at 805-399-4WBS (Suck it Reign of Troy)We are also on YouTube HEREGet Your WBSN MERCH - Go to our MyLocker Site by Clicking HEREWhat's Bruin Show- A conversation about all things Bruin over drinks with Bruin Report Online's @mikeregaladoLA, @wbjake68 and friends!Subscribe to the What's Bruin Show at whatsbruin.substack.comEmail us at: whatsbruinshow@gmail.comTweet us at: @whatsbruinshowWest Coast Bias - LA Sports (mostly Lakers, Dodgers and NFL) with Jamaal and JakeSubscribe to West Coast Bias at wbwestcoastbias.substack.comEmail us at: WB.westcoastbias@gmail.comTweet us at: @WBwestcoastbiasThe BEAR Minimum - Jake and his Daughter Megan talk about student life and Cal Sports during her first year attending UC Berkeley.Subscribe to The BEAR Minimum at thebearminimum.substack.comEmail us at: wb.bearminimum@gmail.comTweet us at: @WB_BearMinimumPlease rate and review us on whatever platform you listen on.
On this episode of OneHaas, learn about the incredible, globe-spanning career journey of alumna Ann Hsu, Founder and Head of School at Bert Hsu Academy. From high tech to yogurt to revolutionizing the approach to public education, this double bear's story is not one to miss!Born and raised in Beijing, China, Ann moved to the U.S. with her family at age 11 but has always maintained a strong cultural connection to China. After getting her Master's degree in electrical engineering from UC Berkeley, she moved back to China and launched into a successful career in high tech. When the need arose to add more business acumen to her skillset, she knew Berkeley Haas was her best option for an MBA. Ann's latest career pivot has been into education, where she's opened the first American-Chinese bicultural school in the U.S., named in honor of her father, Bert Hsu. Ann joins host Sean Li to discuss the exciting ways they are reimagining education at the Bert Hsu Academy, how her Berkeley degrees have supported her career journey, and her advice for current MBA students and young alumni. She also shares her memories of moving to the U.S. as a young girl in 1978, her family's history in China, and how her own bicultural experience has shaped her career and worldview. *OneHaas Alumni Podcast is a production of Haas School of Business and is produced by University FM.*Episode Quotes:On her assimilation to American culture“ I remember a discussion in class and they were talking about china, the bowls and plates. Well, I thought they were talking about the country of China. And I raised my hand, I said, ‘I'm from China.' Yes, I knew the word, but I didn't know that we were talking about plates and bowls china and not the country of China. That's what I mean by cultural assimilation or Americanization. It took me four years.”On where the idea for a Chinese-American bicultural school came from“ I thought back to my own experience of going to school in China and the U.S. and then watching my sons go to school in China …and about what's good about the Chinese education approach, what's good about the American ones, what's bad about each. And I thought, I want to combine the Chinese education philosophy, approach and practices with the American ones because both have pros and cons. And if I'm going to design [a school] from scratch, I'll just pick the good ones. The pros!”On her decision to name the school after her father“...It came to me that the person who embodies the bicultural and bilingual Chinese American experience, whom I have the utmost respect for, is my father. And he was bicultural, in addition to being bilingual. He not only survived, but thrived in both China and in the United States because he understood [the culture] and could really thrive in both cultures. And I thought, that should be the goal. I want all of our students to be able to do that.”Her advice to current MBA students“ MBA students, they fret about,what should I do [after MBA]? Which job should I take? What career should I pursue? what I tell them is that you only have so much information. You're never going to get complete information, and you're never going know whether that decision you made is the right decision. So what you do is you take all the information you have, make a decision, and then make that the right decision.”Show Links:LinkedIn ProfileBert Hsu Academy Website Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/onehaas/donations
In his first visit since to CASBS since his 1996-97 fellowship, UC Berkeley economist David Card lifts the veil behind the innovative empirical work on the labor market effects of immigration, minimum wages, and education that earned him the Nobel Prize in 2021. In conversation with 2024-25 CASBS fellow Dylan Connor, Card also explores issues and questions involving the relationships among geography, social and labor mobility, and wealth inequalities. DAVID CARD: UC Berkeley page | Berkeley economics page | Wikipedia page | Nobel Prize page | Google Scholar page | Berkeley Nobel Prize article | DYLAN CONNOR: ASU page | Google Scholar page | Work emerging from David Card's CASBS year "Immigrant Inflows, Native Outflows, and the Local Labor Market Impacts of Higher Immigration," Journal of Labor Economics (2001)"Would Financial Incentives for Leaving Welfare Lead Some People to Stay on Welfare Longer?" NBER Working Paper (1997)"Adapting to Circumstances: The Evolution of Work, School, and Living Arrangements among North American Youth," in Youth Employment and Joblessness in Advanced Countries (Univ. of Chicago Press, 2000)"School Finance Reform, the Distribution of School Spending, and the Distribution of Student Test Scores," Journal of Public Economics (2002)"The More Things Change: Immigrants and the Children of Immigrants in the 1940s, the 1970s, and the 1990s," in Issues in the Economics of Immigration (Univ. of Chicago Press, 2000) Other CASBS fellows mentioned in this episode Orley Ashenfelter (1989-90) Alan B. Krueger (1999-2000) Roberto M. Fernandez (1996-97) Robert D. Putnam (1974-75, 1988-89) Min Zhou (2005-06) Center for Advanced Study in the Behavioral Sciences (CASBS) at Stanford UniversityExplore CASBS: website | Bluesky | X | YouTube |LinkedIn | podcast |latest newsletter | signup | outreachHuman CenteredProducer: Mike Gaetani | Audio engineer & co-producer: Joe Monzel |
The Outer Realm welcomes the return of Samuel Chong Date: February 25th, 2026 EP: 685 TOPIC: Tonight we REVISIT with Samuel Chong as he returns to discuss once again the “ Thiaoouba Prophecy “. We will talk about reclaiming our lost knowledge and how it can be applied today in aiding humanity in forging a better future with an open mind, Contact for the show - theouterrealmcontact@gmail.com https://linktr.ee/michelledesrochers_ Please support us by Liking, Subscribing, Sharing and Commenting. Thank you all !!! About Our Guest: Samuel Chong is a certified court interpreter and a Chinese translator in Los Angeles. He was instrumental in arranging for the Chinese publication of Michel Desmarquet's book, Thiaoouba Prophecy, which has been a best-seller in both China and Taiwan, a rare phenomenon. He also translated the book "334 ‰ Lies: The Revelation of H. M. v. Stuhl", an autobiography of the High Master of the Chair of a secret society that was started in Germany. Here he describes his original life-changing encounter with Desmarquet's book, prompting him to make the journey twice to Vietnam in order to meet Desmarquet. This resulted in a close working relationship that eventually led to the Chinese publication. Samuel Chong now dedicates his efforts in promoting the messages in these books in order to give people hope and to help promote a better world through his scholarship, for students who read the book “Thiaoouba Prophecy” and write about how they can make the world a better world. Graduated from UC Berkeley with a BA in economics, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid with a MA in financial analysis, Samuel currently resides in Los Angeles, California. Websites: https://www.chinasona.org/Thiaoouba/Samuel-Chong.html https://www.certifiedchinesetranslation.com/team-Chinese-translators-Samuel.html (Professional) https://www.chinasona.org/scholarship.html (Scholarship) If you enjoy the content on the channel, please support us by subscribing: Thank you All A formal disclosure: The opinions and information presented or expressed by guests on The Outer Realm Radio and Beyond The Outer Realm are not necessarily those of the TOR, BTOR Hosts, Sponsors, or the United Public Radio Network and its producers. Although the content may be interesting, it is deemed "For Entertainment Purposes" . We are always be respectful and courteous to all involved. Thank you, we appreciate you all!!!!
Ukraine will emerge from this war with enormous debt. The conventional wisdom treats that as an obstacle: investors weigh it before committing capital, and the burden slows the recovery before it starts. Yuriy Gorodnichenko and Maurice Obstfeld of UC Berkeley argue the opposite. A thorough restructuring of Ukraine's war debts – including, for sufficiently large obligations, outright forgiveness – is not just politically defensible but economically essential for attracting private investment. The bill for rebuilding and growing Ukraine, Gorodnichenko estimates, is $40 billion a year: $20 billion to replace destroyed capital, $10 billion to stop Ukraine falling behind its Eastern European peers, and $10 billion to start closing the gap. Put that figure next to what Poland absorbed in FDI during its post-communist transition, or the €200 billion of Russian state assets currently immobilised in Euroclear, or the budgetary support Ukraine has been receiving since 2022 – and it looks achievable. The harder challenge, they argue, is not raising $40 billion. It is directing it: towards investment rather than consumption. Ukraine didn't grow in the post-Soviet era at the rate that its neighbours achieved. EU accession momentum and secure borders can be a signal to investors that this time the trajectory will be different.The research behind this episode:Gorodnichenko, Yuriy, and Maurice Obstfeld. 2026. "You Only Live Twice: Financial Inflows and Growth in a Westward-Facing Ukraine." Economic Policy: Papers on European and Global Issues, special issue: "What's Next for Ukraine?"To cite this episode:Phillips, Tim. 2025. "You Only Live Twice: Financial Inflows and Growth in a Westward-Facing Ukraine." Economic Policy: Papers on European and Global Issues (podcast).Assign this as extra listening — the citation above is formatted and ready for a reading list or VLE.About the guestsYuriy Gorodnichenko is a CEPR Research Fellow and Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley, where he leads CEPR's Ukraine Initiative. His research spans monetary policy, fiscal policy, and the macroeconomics of growth and business cycles.Maurice Obstfeld is a CEPR Distinguished Fellow and Class of 1958 Professor of Economics at the University of California, Berkeley. He served as Chief Economist of the International Monetary Fund from 2015 to 2018, and as a member of the Council of Economic Advisers under President Obama from 2014 to 2015. He is also a Fellow of the Econometric Society and the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.Research cited in this episodeThe discussion of debt overhang draws on a body of work from the 1980s developing-country debt crises, notably the insight that for sufficiently indebted countries, debt reduction can increase the expected value of what creditors recover. Gorodnichenko and Obstfeld apply this framework directly to Ukraine's war debts, arguing that deep restructuring – supported by bilateral official creditors, many of whom are European – is a prerequisite for private investment to follow.The €200 billion figure for immobilised Russian central bank assets held at Euroclear is the basis for Obstfeld's proposal of a reparations loan that would give Ukraine immediate access to large-scale resources, with repayment contingent on Russian reparations. This is discussed in more detail in the related reading below.More in the "What's Next for Ukraine?" seriesThis episode is the first in a three-part series based on papers presented at the inaugural Economic Policy winter conference, Paris, December 2025. Episodes 2 and 3, on rebuilding and the labour market, are forthcoming.Related reading on VoxEUYou only live twice: A growth strategy for Ukraine — Gorodnichenko and Obstfeld's own VoxEU column summarising the key arguments in this paper: why $40 billion a year is achievable, what the policy levers are, and why the window matters.Euroclear and the geopolitics of immobilised Russian assets — The legal and financial context behind the €200 billion of Russian central bank assets frozen at Euroclear, and what it would take to use them for a reparations loan to Ukraine.Using the returns of frozen Russian assets to finance the victory of Ukraine — A VoxEU proposal for channelling the interest income generated by frozen Russian assets to finance Ukraine's needs, without requiring the more politically contested step of confiscating the assets themselves.Ukraine's recovery challenge — An earlier VoxEU overview of the reconstruction task: the scale of damage, the role of EU accession, and the two-phase approach to restoring growth.
What's really happening inside the larynx when we ‘tilt?' In this episode, Alexa is joined by voice researcher Mathias Aaen to unpack the science behind thyroid tilt - exploring what his latest studies reveal about pitch, vocal fold lengthening, and healthy singing. The pair cut through common misconceptions, translate research into studio-ready language, and ask the big question: are our teaching prompts actually doing what we think they are? If you love practical pedagogy grounded in solid science, this one's for you. WHAT'S IN THIS PODCAST? 2:58 What is tilt? Anatomy & physiology 6:35 CVT framework 16:13 Study results 22:45 Physiology vs the perceptual 25:36 Teaching prompts 43:10 Vocal fold length and pitch change 48:14 Enemies of tilt 52:37 Common misconceptions about tilt About the presenter HERE RELEVANT MENTIONS & LINKS Investigating Laryngeal “Tilt” on Same-pitch Phonation—Preliminary Findings of Vocal Mode, Metal and Density Parameters as Alternatives to Cricothyroid-Thyroarytenoid “Mix” by Mathias Aaen et al Correlating Degree of Thyroid Tilt Independent of fo Control as a Mechanism for Phonatory Density with EGG and Acoustic Measures across Loudness Conditions by Mathias Aaen et al Singing Teachers Talk - Ep.131 Mastering Research Papers: How to Read with Ease and Extract Knowledge Complete Vocal Training Ian Howell Dr Mark Tempesta Kerrie Obert Dr Ingo Titze Estill CVT App Folia Phoniatrica et Logopaedica Manuel Garcia Praat ABOUT THE GUEST Mathias Aaen, PhD, is a voice researcher, educator, and certified rehabilitation specialist. He serves as Honorary Researcher at Nottingham University Hospitals and VP of Research & Collaboration at CVI, and was previously a Fulbright Fellow at UC Berkeley. His work focuses on voice physiology, acoustics, auditory-perceptual analysis, and voice habilitation and rehabilitation, with groundbreaking research into the physiology and health of contemporary commercial music styles, including rock and heavy metal. He recently completed a PostDoc investigating the CVT framework as a clinical treatment for dysphonia in MTD and ABI patients. An award-winning researcher and Authorised CVT Teacher, Mathias is also an active performer who has worked with leading opera houses and voice professionals worldwide. SEE FULL BIO HEREWebsite
Send a textAlycia and Tyler meet on a flight from Houston to Los Angeles. As they experience extensive turbulence along the way, they distract themselves by sharing intimate secrets with each other.Bernadette Armstrong directs Christine Uhebe as Alycia and David Phurdham as Tyler.Linda Shayne is the playwright. She graduated from UC Berkeley, worked in mental hospitals and published articles about San Quentin State Prison ex-offenders, before she became a writer/director in film and TV. Shayne has written movies for Disney, Showtime, Imagine Entertainment, and directed for Nickelodeon, Warner Bros, and Paramount. Shayne created a dramedy TV series for Quincy Jones, two animated series for Warner Bros, and a dramedy TV series to film in Thailand. She directed an award-winning documentary playing festivals and adapted a WW2 spy book for a Swiss producer. Recently, Shayne was hired to write/direct a rom-com movie.Support the showFounded by playwright and filmmaker Bernadette Armstrong, Open-Door Playhouse is a Theater Podcast- like the radio dramas of the 1940s and 1950s. The Playhouse launched on September 15, 2020. At the time, Open-Door Playhouse provided Playwrights, Actors and Directors a creative outlet during the shutdown. Since its inception. Open-Door Playhouse has presented Short and One-Act plays from Playwrights across the country and internationally. In 2021 Open-Door Playhouse received a Communicator Award for Content for the Play Custody and in 2023 the play What's Prison Like was nominated for a Webby Award in the Crime & Justice Category.Plays are produced by Bernadette Armstrong, Sound Engineer is David Peters, sound effects are provided by Audio Jungle, and music from Karaoke Version. All plays are recorded at The Oak House Studio in Altadena, CA. There's no paywall at the Open-Door Playhouse site, so you could listen to everything for free. Open-Door Playhouse is a 501c3 non-profit organization, and if you would like to support performances of works by new and emerging playwrights, your donation will be gratefully accepted. Your tax-deductible donations help keep our plays on the Podcast Stage. We strive to bring our listeners thoughtful and surprising one-act plays and ten-minute shorts that showcase insightful and new perspectives of the world we share with others. To listen or to donate (or both), go to https://opend...
Is discipline running your day more than instruction is? In this episode, you'll learn how to spot the discipline habits that quietly drain your time, energy, and confidence, and what to do instead so you can lead with more calm and consistency.How to stop treating every discipline call like an emergencyWhat to do when emotions, pressure, or fatigue are driving your consequencesHow to set boundaries so you are not owning problems that belong in the classroomThe Tier 1 clarity that reduces repeat behaviors and restores trust with staffCheck out The Principal's Discipline Blueprint and The Tier 1 Behavior Blueprint. Learn more about today's sponsors, Playworks and IXL:We're proud to be sponsored by Playworks, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization with evidence-based practices that help schools improve the health and well-being of children by increasing opportunities for physical activity and safe, meaningful play.If you're a school or district leader struggling with the challenge of chronic absenteeism, as so many are across the U.S., you may not realize that structured recess is a research-backed approach to keep kids in school. In fact, a UC Berkeley study of Title I schools found that those partnering with Playworks had significantly lower chronic absenteeism rates. Further, Mathematica research demonstrated that Playworks schools spent 27% less time transitioning from recess back to learning, saving teachers valuable instructional time. These results are possible for your students, too. Learn how Playworks can help you improve student-educator relationships, belonging, and attendance by signing up for a quick no-obligation conversation. We're also thrilled to be sponsored by IXL. IXL's comprehensive teaching and learning platform for math, language arts, science, and social studies is accelerating achievement in 95 of the top 100 U.S. school districts. Loved by teachers and backed by independent research from Johns Hopkins University, IXL can help you do the following and more:Simplify and streamline technologySave teachers' timeReliably meet Tier 1 standardsImprove student performance on state assessments
When neuroscientists scanned the brains of people going along with a group, they expected to find lying. What they found instead was something far stranger. The group wasn't changing people's answers. It was changing what they actually saw. We'll get to that study in a minute. But first, I want you to remember the last time you were in a meeting, and you knew something was wrong. The numbers didn't add up. The risk was being underestimated. And someone needed to say it. Then the most senior person in the room spoke first: "I think this is exactly what we need." Heads nodded. Finance agreed. Marketing agreed. The consultant agreed. And by the time it was your turn, you heard yourself saying, "I have some minor concerns, but overall I think it's solid." You're not alone. Research shows that roughly half of employees stay silent at work rather than voice a concern. And among those who stayed quiet, 40% estimated they wasted 2 weeks or more replaying what they didn't say. Two weeks. Mentally rehearsing the point they should have made in a meeting that's already over. That silence isn't a character flaw. It's your neurology working against you. And today I'm going to show you exactly why it happens and how to stop it. It starts with what was happening inside your head during that meeting you just remembered. Why Your Brain Surrenders to the Group Most people know about the Asch conformity experiments from the 1950s. People were asked to match line lengths, and seventy-five percent went along with answers that were obviously wrong. That result gets cited everywhere. But the more important study came fifty years later, and it revealed something the Asch experiment never could. In 2005, neuroscientist Gregory Berns at Emory University put people inside an MRI machine and ran a similar conformity task, this time with three-dimensional shape rotation. Like Asch, he planted actors who gave wrong answers. But unlike Asch, he could watch what was happening inside people's brains while the conformity was occurring. Berns expected the MRI to show activity in the prefrontal cortex, the brain's decision-making center, when people went along with wrong answers. That would mean they were knowingly lying to fit in. Just a social calculation. That's not what the scans showed. People who conformed showed no increased activity in decision-making regions. Instead, the activity showed up in the parts of the brain that handle visual and spatial perception, the occipital and parietal areas. The group wasn't changing people's answers. It was changing what they actually saw. Their brains were rewriting their experience to match the room. And the people who resisted the group? Their scans told a different story. Heightened activity in the amygdala, the brain's threat detection center. The same circuitry that fires when you encounter physical danger lit up when someone disagreed with the group. Berns put it plainly. The fear of social isolation activates the same neural machinery as the fear of genuine threats to survival. When you caved in that meeting, your neurology wasn't malfunctioning. It was doing exactly what it was designed to do. Keep you safe inside the tribe. This is why what I call mindjacking works so well. Algorithms manufacture social proof by showing you what's trending, what your friends liked, and what similar people chose. Your wiring responds the same way it does at the conference table. You're fighting your own threat-detection system every time you try to hold an independent position within a group. You can't turn off the wiring. But you can learn to catch it in the act. And that starts with one critical distinction. The First Skill: Separating Updating from Caving Sometimes the people around you know something you don't. Changing your mind in a group isn't always a surrender. Sometimes it's the smartest move in the room. The real skill is knowing which one just happened. You can test this in real time. When you feel your position shifting in a group, ask yourself three questions. First: Did someone introduce information I didn't have before? If the CFO reveals a data point that genuinely changes the calculus, updating your view isn't a weakness. It's intelligence. That's new evidence. Second: Can I articulate why I changed my mind, in specific terms? If you can say, "I shifted because of the margin data in Q3 that I hadn't seen," that's a real update. If you can only say, "I don't know, everyone seemed to think it was fine," that's capitulation. Third: Would I have reached this same conclusion alone, with the same information? This is the killer question. If the answer is no, and you only arrived at this position because others were already there, you haven't updated. You've surrendered. Getting this wrong is costly. And not just the one time. When you capitulate and call it updating, you train yourself to stop trusting your own analysis. Do it enough times, and you won't even bother preparing, because you already know you're going to defer. That's how capable people slowly become passengers in rooms where they should be driving. Capture those three questions somewhere you'll see them. They're your real-time check on whether you're being open-minded or spineless. Those questions work when you're already in the meeting and the pressure is live. But what if you could protect your thinking before the pressure even starts? The Pre-Meeting Lock-In The most important thing you can do to protect your independent thinking doesn't happen during the meeting. It happens before. I call it the Pre-Meeting Lock-In, and it takes less than two minutes. Before any meeting where a decision will be made, write down three things: Your position Two or three key reasons supporting it What would it take to change your mind Put it on paper. Put it in a note on your phone. Just get it out of your head and into a form you can reference. Why does this work? Because once the discussion starts, your mind is going to quietly edit your memories of what you believed. You'll start thinking, "Well, I wasn't really sure about that point anyway." Your pre-meeting notes are an anchor against that self-deception. They're a record of what you actually thought before the social pressure arrived. You want to see what happens when someone has the analysis but doesn't lock it in? The night before the Challenger launch in January 1986, engineer Roger Boisjoly and his team at Morton Thiokol had the data. They knew the O-ring seals were dangerous in cold weather. They'd written memos. They'd run the numbers. They recommended against launching. But when NASA pushed back hard on the teleconference, Thiokol management called an off-line caucus and excluded the engineers from the room. When the call resumed, management reversed the recommendation. Boisjoly had the analysis. His managers had heard it. But under pressure from their biggest customer, the conclusion got edited in real time. Boisjoly later described it as an unethical forum driven by what he called "intense customer intimidation." He fought like hell, but the room won. That's the most extreme version of the problem. Life and death. But the mechanics are the same in every conference room. The analysis exists. The pressure arrives. And without something anchoring you to what you actually concluded, the room rewrites the story. There's a bonus effect to the Lock-In, too. When you've documented what it would take to change your mind, you've given yourself permission to be genuinely open. You're not being stubborn for the sake of it. You're saying, "Show me evidence that meets this threshold, and I'll update." That's intellectual honesty with a backbone. But you can know exactly what you think and still fail if you can't get anyone else to hear it. How to Dissent and Actually Be Heard Most dissent fails not because it's wrong, but because it's delivered badly. Blurting out "I think this is a mistake" when the group is already aligned feels like an attack. People get defensive. Your point gets ignored, not because it lacked merit, but because your delivery threatened the group's cohesion. You triggered the same threat response in them that you've been learning to manage in yourself. Charlan Nemeth, a psychologist at UC Berkeley, has studied dissent for decades. You'd expect her research to show that dissent helps groups when the dissenter is right. When someone spots a flaw that everyone else missed. That makes intuitive sense. But that's not what she found. Nemeth discovered that when someone voices a genuine minority opinion, the entire group thinks more carefully. They consider more information, examine more alternatives, and reach better conclusions. And the group benefits even when the dissenter turns out to be wrong. Even when you're wrong, the act of dissenting makes the group smarter. Your disagreement forces everyone out of autopilot. Decades of research by Moscovici supports this. Minority voices don't just influence people in the moment. They shift perception afterward, in private, long after the meeting ends. That's the good news. The catch is in how the dissent happens. Nemeth tested what happens when dissent is assigned rather than authentic, when someone plays devil's advocate because they were told to. It doesn't produce the same effect. Groups can tell when disagreement is performative. The cognitive benefits only show up when the dissent is authentic. When someone actually believes what they're saying. That means the goal isn't just to voice disagreement. It's to voice it in a way that people can actually receive. And the hardest version of this isn't when you have a minor concern about an otherwise good plan. It's when the whole direction is wrong, and finding something to praise would be dishonest. In those moments, the move is to separate the people from the position. "I respect the work that went into this, and I know this isn't what anyone wants to hear, but I think we're solving the wrong problem." You're honoring the effort while challenging the direction. You're not attacking the tribe. You're trying to save it from a bad bet. When the stakes are lower, and you do see genuine merit, you can lead with that. "The market timing argument is strong, and I want to make sure we've stress-tested one thing before we commit." Same principle. You're working with their wiring instead of against it. Either way, your dissent has value beyond being right. Remember that. It's worth holding onto when your amygdala is screaming at you to stay quiet. Everything so far has assumed you're in a room with other people. Your amygdala can't tell the difference between a conference table and a phone screen. The Rooms You Can't See You're not just in meetings. You're in invisible rooms all day long. And most of the time, you don't even know you've walked into one. Every time you scroll past a post with ten thousand likes and think, "I guess that's the right take." Every time you read three articles with the same conclusion and stop questioning it. Every time an algorithm shows you what similar people chose, and you choose it too. Those are rooms full of nodding heads. And your amygdala responds to them the same way it responds to the conference table. Think about the last time you researched a major purchase. You probably started with some idea of what you wanted. Then you read reviews. Then you checked what was trending. Then you asked friends. By the time you decided, how much of that decision was yours? How much of it was the room? Or think about how you form opinions on topics you haven't studied deeply. You read a few articles. They mostly agree. You adopt the consensus. That feels like research. But Berns' scans tell us what's actually happening. Your brain isn't independently weighing the evidence. It's detecting a consensus and rewriting your perception to match. The same process that happens at the conference table is happening every time you open your phone. Mindjacking doesn't need to override your thinking. It just needs to make sure you never finish thinking for yourself before the crowd's answer arrives. And once it arrives, your neurology does the rest. The group doesn't just influence your answer; it shapes it. It rewrites your perception. The Lock-In works for these invisible rooms, too. Before you research a major purchase, write down what you actually want and what you're willing to pay. Before you dive into reviews and opinions, commit your criteria to paper. Before you ask friends what they think about a decision you've already analyzed, record your conclusion. Give yourself the same protection from algorithmic conformity that you'd want before walking into a boardroom. The skill isn't being contrarian. It's being first. First, to your own conclusion, before the room, any room, gets a vote. This is your challenge for the week. Think of one meeting you have coming up where a decision will be made. Before you walk in, open your notes app and type three lines. Line one: what you think. Line two: why. Line three: what would change your mind. That's it. Then sit in that meeting and watch what happens to your thinking when the room pushes back. I think you'll surprise yourself. What if the person you can't resist isn't your boss, your colleagues, or the algorithm? What if it's you? What happens when the decision you need to make threatens something deeper, when being wrong would mean something unbearable about who you are? That's where we're headed next. Closing If this episode gave you something useful, hit that subscribe button. I'm building a complete thinking toolkit here in the Thinking 101 series. If you got value today, share it with someone who could use it, especially anyone heading into a big meeting this week. Drop a comment and tell me: what's the hardest group you've ever had to disagree with? I read every comment and reply. Thanks for watching, and I'll see you in the next episode. Endnotes/References "roughly half of employees stay silent at work rather than voice a concern" / "forty percent estimated they wasted two weeks or more": VitalSmarts, Costly Conversations: Why The Way Employees Communicate Will Make or Break Your Bottom Line (Provo, UT: VitalSmarts, December 2016). In a study of 1,025 employees, 70 percent reported instances where they or others failed to speak up effectively when a peer did not pull their weight. Half wasted seven days or more avoiding crucial conversations. Forty percent estimated they wasted two weeks or more ruminating about the problem. A 2021 follow-up study by Crucial Learning (formerly VitalSmarts) of 1,100 people found the rumination figure had risen to 43 percent. The script's "roughly half" is drawn from the VitalSmarts finding that the majority of the workforce reported conversation failures, with half losing seven or more days to avoidance behaviors. Primary source: https://www.vitalsmarts.com/press/2016/12/costly-conversations-why-the-way-employees-communicate-will-make-or-break-your-bottom-line/. Follow-up study: https://cruciallearning.com/press/costly-conversations-how-lack-of-communication-is-costing-organizations-thousands-in-revenue/ "the Asch conformity experiments from the 1950s": Solomon E. Asch, "Effects of Group Pressure upon the Modification and Distortion of Judgments," in Groups, Leadership and Men, ed. Harold Guetzkow (Pittsburgh: Carnegie Press, 1951), 177–190. The expanded report was published as Solomon E. Asch, "Studies of Independence and Conformity: I. A Minority of One Against a Unanimous Majority," Psychological Monographs: General and Applied 70, no. 9 (1956): 1–70. Asch conducted the line-judgment experiments at Swarthmore College. Participants judged which of three comparison lines matched a standard line, with confederates unanimously giving incorrect answers on critical trials. Across conditions, approximately 75 percent of participants conformed at least once, and the mean conformity rate was approximately one-third of critical trials. Group sizes varied across experiments, typically with 6–8 confederates and one real participant. https://psycnet.apa.org/record/1952-00803-001 "neuroscientist Gregory Berns at Emory University put people inside an MRI machine": Gregory S. Berns, Jonathan Chappelow, Caroline F. Zink, Giuseppe Pagnoni, Megan E. Martin-Skurski, and Jim Richards, "Neurobiological Correlates of Social Conformity and Independence During Mental Rotation," Biological Psychiatry 58, no. 3 (August 1, 2005): 245–253. doi:10.1016/j.biopsych.2005.04.012. The study used functional magnetic resonance imaging with a mental rotation task. Participants (n=32, ages 19–41) judged whether three-dimensional shapes were rotated versions of each other while four confederates provided answers. Conformity was associated with functional changes in the occipital-parietal network (visual and spatial perception regions), not the prefrontal cortex. Independence was associated with heightened activity in the right amygdala and right caudate nucleus, regions linked to emotional salience and threat detection. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15978553/ "The group wasn't changing people's answers. It was changing what they actually saw": Berns et al., "Neurobiological Correlates of Social Conformity," 245–253. The researchers isolated the specifically social element of conformity by comparing brain activation when wrong answers came from a group of people versus when they came from computers. Conformity to group-sourced wrong answers produced greater activation bilaterally in visual cortex and right intraparietal sulcus, overlapping the baseline mental rotation network. Berns interpreted this as evidence that social conformity operates at a perceptual level rather than merely at a decision-making level. Full text PDF: https://pdodds.w3.uvm.edu/files/papers/others/2005/berns2005.pdf "Heightened activity in the amygdala": Berns et al., "Neurobiological Correlates of Social Conformity," 245–253. Participants who gave independent (correct) answers when the group was wrong showed significantly increased activation in the right amygdala and right caudate nucleus. The amygdala is associated with processing emotionally salient stimuli and threats. Berns described these findings as "consistent with the assumptions of social norm theory about the behavioral saliency of standing alone." The script's characterization that "the fear of social isolation activates the same neural machinery as the fear of genuine threats to survival" is an accessible paraphrase of this finding, consistent with the broader social pain literature (e.g., Eisenberger, Lieberman, & Williams, 2003), though Berns' paper does not use that exact language. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/15978553/ "engineer Roger Boisjoly and his team at Morton Thiokol had the data": Roger M. Boisjoly, "Ethical Decisions — Morton Thiokol and the Space Shuttle Challenger Disaster" (paper presented at the American Society of Mechanical Engineers Annual Meeting, December 13–18, 1987). First presented as a talk at MIT in January 1987. Boisjoly, a specialist in O-ring seals and rocket joints at Morton Thiokol, documented how engineers recommended against the January 28, 1986 launch based on concerns about O-ring performance in cold temperatures. During the pre-launch teleconference, Thiokol management called an off-line caucus, excluded the engineers, and reversed the no-launch recommendation under pressure from NASA. Boisjoly described the forum as constituting "the unethical decision-making forum" driven by customer pressure. He was awarded the Prize for Scientific Freedom and Responsibility by the American Association for the Advancement of Science. The Online Ethics Center at the National Academy of Engineering hosts Boisjoly's full account: https://onlineethics.org/cases/ethical-decisions-morton-thiokol-and-space-shuttle-challenger-disaster-introduction. See also Russell P. Boisjoly, Ellen Foster Curtis, and Eugene Mellican, "Roger Boisjoly and the Challenger Disaster: The Ethical Dimensions," Journal of Business Ethics 8, no. 4 (April 1989): 217–230. doi:10.1007/BF00383335. https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007/BF00383335 "Nemeth discovered that when someone voices a genuine minority opinion, the entire group thinks more carefully": Charlan J. Nemeth, In Defense of Troublemakers: The Power of Dissent in Life and Business (New York: Basic Books, 2018). Nemeth's research program at UC Berkeley, spanning four decades, demonstrated that exposure to minority dissent stimulates divergent thinking, broader information search, consideration of more alternatives, and higher-quality group decisions. The finding that dissent improves group performance even when the dissenter turns out to be wrong is documented across multiple studies. See also Charlan J. Nemeth, "Minority Influence Theory," IRLE Working Paper No. 218-10 (Berkeley: Institute for Research on Labor and Employment, May 2010). https://escholarship.org/uc/item/1pz676t7 "Decades of research by Moscovici": Serge Moscovici, Elisabeth Lage, and Martine Naffrechoux, "Influence of a Consistent Minority on the Responses of a Majority in a Color Perception Task," Sociometry 32, no. 4 (December 1969): 365–380. In the original experiment, participants viewed blue slides while two confederates consistently called them green. The consistent minority condition produced a shift in approximately 8 percent of majority judgments toward the minority position, and roughly one-third of participants conformed at least once. In the inconsistent minority condition, the effect was negligible (approximately 1.25 percent). The script's claim that "minority voices don't just influence people in the moment — they shift perception afterward, in private" draws on Moscovici's subsequent conversion theory and research on the delayed and private effects of minority influence, including afterimage studies showing genuine perceptual shifts. https://www.jstor.org/stable/2786541 "Nemeth tested what happens when dissent is assigned rather than authentic": Charlan J. Nemeth, Joanie B. Connell, John D. Rogers, and Keith S. Brown, "Improving Decision Making by Means of Dissent," Journal of Applied Social Psychology 31, no. 1 (2001): 48–58. doi:10.1111/j.1559-1816.2001.tb02481.x. Groups deliberated a personal injury case under three conditions: authentic dissent (a genuine minority viewpoint), assigned devil's advocate (a member told to argue the opposing side), and no dissent. Authentic dissent was superior in stimulating consideration of opposing positions, original thought, and direct attitude change. The devil's advocate condition did not produce the same cognitive benefits, suggesting that groups detect and discount performative disagreement. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1559-1816.2001.tb02481.x. See also Charlan Nemeth, Keith Brown, and John Rogers, "Devil's Advocate versus Authentic Dissent: Stimulating Quantity and Quality," European Journal of Social Psychology 31, no. 6 (2001): 707–720. doi:10.1002/ejsp.58.
In order for any lawyer to be a successful advocate for their client or law firm they must become an excellent dealmaker. However, the secrets to the art of deal closing can seem incredibly elusive to even the most initiated. What are the fundamental tenets of being a good dealmaker, and how does one focus on honing these skills? In this episode of The Legal Toolkit, host Jared Correia sits down with Cohen Gardner LLP Co-Founder Jeff B. Cohen, a former child actor best remembered for his role as Chunk in The Goonies, to discuss dealmaking in the context of the law. The conversation opens with Jeff providing insights into his experiences behind the camera as a child actor and how this unique upbringing influences his perception of entertainment dealmaking. Within these recollections he also discusses how Machiavelli's “The Prince” aided him after his acting career ended and how these teachings inspired his book “The Dealmaker's Ten Commandments: Ten Essential Tools for Business Forged in the Trenches of Hollywood.” Jeff provides a glimpse into his methodologies and why he thinks it's so important for lawyers to effectively manage their time. He then provides a few of his personal commandments and best practices that any legal professional can use to become a more effective and successful dealmaker. Jeff B. Cohen co-founded Cohen Gardner LLP in 2002 and focuses on transactional representation for clients in the entertainment, media and technology verticals. His first book, “The Dealmaker's Ten Commandments: Ten Essential Tools for Business Forged in the Trenches of Hollywood” was published by the American Bar Association's imprint Ankerwycke in 2015. Jeff received his Juris Doctor from UCLA Law School with an emphasis in business law and his undergraduate degree from The University of California at Berkeley, Haas School of Business. While at UC Berkeley, Jeff served as President of the Associated Students of the University of California. Oh, man! I bet you didn't know how much you were missing Jared's unique take on culture, legal practice, and whatever else pops into his head. But don't fret, there's plenty to go around. Jared's back with a new **WEEKLY** show, Legal Late Night, available not only on your favorite podcast app, but in living color on your neighborhood YouTubes. That's right, Jared's more than just a pretty voice. Join him and his guests in high-def 2D through the links below. Subscribe to Legal Late Night with Jared Correia on: Apple - https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/legal-late-night/id1809201251 Spotify - https://open.spotify.com/show/0Rkik0LLMaU6u0e7AKfK9h Or your favorite podcasting app. And bask in the majesty of our YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZO71dMbPZJWAKWw_-qrRRQ
Enjoy the What's Bruin Show Network!Multiple shows to entertain you on one feed:Support WBS at Patreon.com/WhatsBruinShow for just $2/month and get exclusive content and access to our SLACK channel.Twitter/X: @whatsbruinshow Instagram: @whatsbruinshowCall the What's Bruin Network Hotline at 805-399-4WBS (Suck it Reign of Troy)We are also on YouTube HEREGet Your WBSN MERCH - Go to our MyLocker Site by Clicking HEREWhat's Bruin Show- A conversation about all things Bruin over drinks with Bruin Report Online's @mikeregaladoLA, @wbjake68 and friends!Subscribe to the What's Bruin Show at whatsbruin.substack.comEmail us at: whatsbruinshow@gmail.comTweet us at: @whatsbruinshowWest Coast Bias - LA Sports (mostly Lakers, Dodgers and NFL) with Jamaal and JakeSubscribe to West Coast Bias at wbwestcoastbias.substack.comEmail us at: WB.westcoastbias@gmail.comTweet us at: @WBwestcoastbiasThe BEAR Minimum - Jake and his Daughter Megan talk about student life and Cal Sports during her first year attending UC Berkeley.Subscribe to The BEAR Minimum at thebearminimum.substack.comEmail us at: wb.bearminimum@gmail.comTweet us at: @WB_BearMinimumPlease rate and review us on whatever platform you listen on.
"Great minds think alike? It's completely wrong. It's not that great minds think alike; it's that different minds are great." — David OppenheimerIt's diversity week. Yesterday, Brian Soucek argued in favor of what he calls the "opinionated university" to protect free speech. Today David Oppenheimer, law professor at UC Berkeley, on The Diversity Principle: The Story of a Transformative Idea. Oppenheimer reminds us that diversity isn't a modern invention. It traces back to Wilhelm von Humboldt's University of Berlin in 1810, which admitted Catholics and Jews to what would otherwise have been an entirely Protestant institution. And to John Stuart Mill, whose On Liberty—written with his wife Harriet Taylor Mill—might be renamed On Liberty and Diversity.Oppenheimer's case for diversity is partly moral, partly utilitarian. Diverse boards result in more profitable corporations, he says. Diverse science labs make more significant discoveries. Diverse classrooms generate better ideas. The phrase "great minds think alike" is, he says, the product of a poor mind. Different minds are great. That's where the greatness comes from.Oppenheimer takes seriously Clarence Thomas's critique of diversity. Thomas argues that racial diversity assumes Black people all think alike, which is its own form of liberal racism. But Oppenheimer responds by citing Thomas's "brilliant" dissent in Virginia v. Black, where he argued that cross burning isn't political speech but terrorism. That insight, Oppenheimer says, came from Thomas's lived experience as a Black man. The other justices, all white, couldn't see it.The unsung hero in Oppenheimer's history of diversity is Pauli Murray. Born 1910 into the segregated South, Murray coined the term "Jane Crow," influenced Thurgood Marshall's arguments in Brown v. Board, saved the sex discrimination clause in the Civil Rights Act, hired Ruth Bader Ginsburg at the ACLU against the judgment of the men who thought her "meek," and ended her life as an Episcopal priest. Now recognized by the church as a saint, Oppenheimer cites Murray as not just a great theorist of diversity, but also as a paragon of a diverse life. Maybe every week should be diversity week. Five Takeaways● Different Minds Are Great: The phrase "great minds think alike" is, Oppenheimer says, the product of a poor mind. Different minds are great. That's where their greatness comes from.● Diversity Traces Back to 1810: Diversity isn't a modern invention. It traces back to Humboldt's University of Berlin in 1810, which admitted Catholics and Jews. Mill's On Liberty might be renamed On Liberty and Diversity.● Clarence Thomas's Critique Is Serious: Thomas argues that racial diversity assumes Black people all think alike—its own form of liberal racism. But Oppenheimer responds by citing Thomas's own "brilliant" dissent in Virginia v. Black, which came from his lived experience as a Black man.● Pauli Murray Is the Model of a Great Mind: Murray coined the term "Jane Crow," influenced Thurgood Marshall's arguments in Brown v. Board, saved the sex discrimination clause in the Civil Rights Act, and hired Ruth Bader Ginsburg. Oppenheimer cites her as a paragon of a diverse life.● Mill Warned Against Majoritarianism: On Liberty is instructive today. When everyone agrees, listen harder to those who disagree. The majority is not only often ill-informed but often wrong. About the GuestDavid Oppenheimer is a Clinical Professor of Law at UC Berkeley School of Law. He is the author of The Diversity Principle: The Story of a Transformative Idea and co-director of a center on comparative equality law. He attended Harvard Law School and spent his final year at Berkeley.ReferencesPeople mentioned:● John Stuart Mill wrote On Liberty with his wife Harriet Taylor Mill. Oppenheimer argues the book might be renamed On Liberty and Diversity.● Wilhelm von Humboldt founded the University of Berlin in 1810 on principles of diversity, admitting Catholics and Jews to a Protestant institution.● Pauli Murray coined "Jane Crow," influenced Thurgood Marshall, saved sex discrimination in the Civil Rights Act, hired RBG, and became an Episcopal saint.● Charles William Eliot was President of Harvard who brought diversity principles to American higher education, encouraging the "clash of ideas" among undergraduates.● Clarence Thomas offers a critique of diversity that Oppenheimer takes seriously but ultimately rejects, using Thomas's own dissent in Virginia v. Black.About Keen On AmericaNobody asks more awkward questions than the Anglo-American writer and filmmaker Andrew Keen. In Keen On America, Andrew brings his pointed Transatlantic wit to making sense of the United States—hosting daily interviews about the history and future of this now venerable Republic. With nearly 2,800 episodes since the show launched on TechCrunch in 2010, Keen On America is the most prolific intellectual interview show in the history of podcasting.WebsiteSubstackYouTubeApple PodcastsSpotify Chapters:(00:00) - Introduction: A legal week on diversity (01:32) - Diversity traces back to Humboldt's Berlin, 1810 (02:08) - What is diversity? (03:19) - Mill and On Liberty: The philosophy of diversity (05:08) - Great minds don't think alike—different minds are great (06:13) - Mill against the tyranny of the majority (07:23) - Is diversity utilitarian? (09:14) - Charles William Eliot brings diversity to Harvard (11:04) - Harvard vs. Princeton: Who welcomed outsiders? (12:47) - What's the strongest argument against diversity?
Enjoy the What's Bruin Show Network!Multiple shows to entertain you on one feed:Support WBS at Patreon.com/WhatsBruinShow for just $2/month and get exclusive content and access to our SLACK channel.Twitter/X: @whatsbruinshow Instagram: @whatsbruinshowCall the What's Bruin Network Hotline at 805-399-4WBS (Suck it Reign of Troy)We are also on YouTube HEREGet Your WBSN MERCH - Go to our MyLocker Site by Clicking HEREWhat's Bruin Show- A conversation about all things Bruin over drinks with Bruin Report Online's @mikeregaladoLA, @wbjake68 and friends!Subscribe to the What's Bruin Show at whatsbruin.substack.comEmail us at: whatsbruinshow@gmail.comTweet us at: @whatsbruinshowWest Coast Bias - LA Sports (mostly Lakers, Dodgers and NFL) with Jamaal and JakeSubscribe to West Coast Bias at wbwestcoastbias.substack.comEmail us at: WB.westcoastbias@gmail.comTweet us at: @WBwestcoastbiasThe BEAR Minimum - Jake and his Daughter Megan talk about student life and Cal Sports during her first year attending UC Berkeley.Subscribe to The BEAR Minimum at thebearminimum.substack.comEmail us at: wb.bearminimum@gmail.comTweet us at: @WB_BearMinimumPlease rate and review us on whatever platform you listen on.
Your gray hair, thinning lashes, brain fog, and that low energy feeling after 30 might all trace back to one thing: falling NAD and stressed mitochondria. This episode breaks down what actually happens inside your cells as NAD declines, and what you can do about it using specific compounds from mushrooms, olive oil, and even chocolate. -Watch this episode on YouTube for the full video experience: https://www.youtube.com/@DaveAspreyBPR -Subscribe and save $15 on Wonderfeel by going to: https://getwonderfeel.com/product/wonderfeel-youngr-nmn/?utm_source=Dave&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode2Host Dave Asprey sits down with Baran Dilaver, CEO and co-founder of Wonderfeel Biosciences, to unpack the real science behind NAD, mitochondrial energy, and long-term longevity. Baran is an entrepreneur and inventor who previously led multiple start-ups as CEO and COO, collaborated with leading scientists and medical experts, and developed award-winning products. A UC Berkeley economics graduate and former scholarship athlete, he now focuses on translating cutting-edge bioscience into practical tools that enhance people's lives. They break down how NAD powers mitochondria, why your body strategically allocates cellular energy away from peak cognitive performance as you age, and how stress accelerates that decline. You'll hear the differences between niacinamide, NR, and NMN, the FDA confusion around NMN, and why raising NAD is about cellular repair, resilience, and metabolic function, not just “more energy.” The conversation goes deep on hydroxytyrosol, the powerful olive oil polyphenol that acts as a CD38 inhibitor, and ergothioneine, a mushroom-derived antioxidant with its own receptor in the human body that can accumulate in damaged tissues. Baran shares the origin story that pushed him to research ergothioneine, along with anecdotal observations from long-term users reporting improvements in sleep, focus, energy, thicker hair, reduced gray hair, and even eyelash regrowth. You'll also hear Dave's practical take on ketosis, fasting, supplements, and metabolism, why he prefers NAD precursors over IV NAD for most people, how methyl donors affect NAD IV tolerance, and why Wonderfeelbuilt a creatine chocolate bar sweetened with allulose to stay keto-friendly and diabetic-friendly. This is biohacking grounded in mechanism, from mitochondria and neuroplasticity to anti-aging strategy and smarter supplementation. You'll Learn: • What NAD does in the body and why oral NAD itself is not effective • How niacinamide, NR, and NMN compare as NAD precursors • Why mitochondria control energy allocation, cognition, and resilience • How hydroxytyrosol may support NAD longevity through CD38 inhibition • What ergothioneine is, why it comes from mushrooms, and why the body has a receptor for it • What long-term users commonly report: better sleep, clearer thinking, stronger energy, and cosmetic shifts • Why Dave prefers supplements over NAD IVs in most cases • How allulose differs from other sweeteners and why it matters for metabolism • Why creatine supports brain energy and how heat changes absorption strategy Thank you to our sponsors! • MASA Chips | Go to https://www.masachips.com/DAVEASPREY and use code DAVEASPREY for 25% off your first order • Branch Basics | Get 15% off at https://branchbasics.com/DAVE15 with code DAVE15 • Timeline | Go to timeline.com/Dave for 20% off• OneSkin | Try OneSkin at https://www.oneskin.co/DAVE and use code DAVE for 15% off Dave Asprey is a four-time New York Times bestselling author, founder of Bulletproof Coffee, and the father of biohacking. With over 1,000 interviews and 1 million monthly listeners, The Human Upgrade brings you the knowledge to take control of your biology, extend your longevity, and optimize every system in your body and mind. Each episode delivers cutting-edge insights in health, performance, neuroscience, supplements, nutrition, biohacking, emotional intelligence, and conscious living. New episodes are released every Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, and Sunday (BONUS). Dave asks the questions no one else will and gives you real tools to become stronger, smarter, and more resilient. Keywords: NAD supplementation, NMN benefits, NR vs NMN, nicotinamide mononucleotide, mitochondrial function, CD38 inhibition, hydroxytyrosol olive oil, ergothioneine mushrooms, mushroom antioxidant benefits, Alzheimer's prevention strategies, brain fog after 30, mitochondrial energy production, anti aging supplements, longevity compounds, fertility mitochondrial health, NAD IV vs oral NMN, creatine for brain health, allulose sweetener benefits, keto friendly chocolate, GLP 1 natural support, biohacking longevity, neuroplasticity support, metabolism optimization, fasting and NAD levels, ketosis and mitochondria, supplement regulation FDA, functional medicine longevity, Dave Asprey biohacking, Wonderfeel NMN Resources: • Wonderfeel Website: https://getwonderfeel.com/product/wonderfeel-youngr-nmn/?utm_source=Dave&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=episode2• Get My 2026 Biohacking Trends Report: https://daveasprey.com/2026-biohacking-trends-report/ • Dave Asprey's Latest News | Go to https://daveasprey.com/ to join Inside Track today. • Danger Coffee: https://dangercoffee.com/discount/dave15 • My Daily Supplements: SuppGrade Labs (15% Off) • Favorite Blue Light Blocking Glasses: TrueDark (15% Off) • Dave Asprey's BEYOND Conference: https://beyondconference.com • Dave Asprey's New Book – Heavily Meditated: https://daveasprey.com/heavily-meditated • Join My Substack (Live Access To Podcast Recordings): https://substack.daveasprey.com/ • Upgrade Labs: https://upgradelabs.com Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction 01:13 - What Is Wonderfeel 05:31 - NAD and NMN Explained 09:41 - FDA Status of NMN 13:50 - Supplements vs Pharmaceuticals 16:48 - How NAD Powers Mitochondria 25:46 - NAD Benefits and Effects 30:57 - Hydroxytyrosol 35:03 - Ergothioneine 41:55 - Alzheimer's and Brain Health 44:10 - Vitamin D and K2 46:15 - Sustainable Packaging 49:26 - Creatine Bars 51:43 - Allulose Deep Dive 59:28 - Inflammation Research 01:02:15 - Supplement Regulation See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
The College Essay Guy Podcast: A Practical Guide to College Admissions
Welcome back to our series, "On Becoming: The Art and Craft of Personal Storytelling." In this series, we take a close look at personal essays written by real students, talking about why we love them, what makes them work, and how they came to be. On Becoming speaks not just to the craft of writing, but to what I believe the personal statement is at its best: a record of becoming, the often messy, hopefully meaningful process of finding yourself… through the process of storytelling. In this episode, we slow things down and focus on a single essay, which the author calls "Much Ado About Nothing." Together, we take this essay apart, looking at the storytelling choices on the page, the deeper ideas underneath them, and how the essay captures a moment in the student's becoming. Dr. Greg Ungar is a professor at the University of Denver. Greg grew up in California and spent six years working on the assembly line at General Motors before finding his way to college, where reading (and thinking) changed the direction of his life. Greg went on to study philosophy and theatre arts at UC Berkeley, and later earned advanced degrees across a wide range of disciplines, including sociology, criminal justice, acting, and theatre and drama. He's someone who has spent a lifetime thinking deeply about identity, work, class, performance, and what it means to make meaning out of lived experience. We hope you enjoy. Play-by-Play: 3:23 – Why do Ethan and Greg love reading stories and poetry together? 5:34 – Do college essays need a title? 6:47 – Greg reads the essay, "Much Ado About Nothing" 12:03 – What does Ethan love about this essay? 13:25 – What did Greg notice while reading? 19:23 – How does the author use structure to keep the reader engaged? 25:02 – How can humor be used in college essays? 30:58 – How does the author show different roles and identities throughout? 40:24 – Closing thoughts Resources: "Much Ado About Nothing" Essay College Essay Essentials College Essay Guy's Personal Statement Resources College Essay Guy's College Application Hub
Fun episode for you today! We're talking with Hannah Chea, Miss SF Chinatown 2025! She is a woman of many interests and talents. She marched with the Cal Marching Band during her time at UC Berkeley. She worked in tech, but after getting laid off, she pivoted to oyster shucking at parties and touring with a Cambodian dance company! And, she lives near Galileo High, so we had her "in studio" for a face-to-face chat! Listen to our episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you find podcasts. Follow Hannah @xirimpi on social media, and look for her in Chinatown during these 2 weeks of festivities! As I always mention, you can write to us at: infatuasianpodcast@gmail.com, and please follow us on Instagram and Facebook @infatuasianpodcast Our Theme: “Super Happy J-Pop Fun-Time” by Prismic Studios was arranged and performed by All Arms Around Cover Art and Logo designed by Justin Chuan @w.a.h.w (We Are Half the World) #asianpodcast #asianamerican #infatuasian #representationmatters
Today I have your headlines + Clips and my conversation with Waj begins at 38mins. Subscribe and Watch Interviews LIVE : On YOUTUBE.com/StandUpWithPete ON SubstackStandUpWithPete Stand Up is a daily podcast. I book,host,edit, post and promote new episodes with brilliant guests every day. This show is Ad free and fully supported by listeners like you! Please subscribe now for as little as 5$ and gain access to a community of over 750 awesome, curious, kind, funny, brilliant, generous souls Subscribe to Waj Substack Channel "The Left Hook" Check out his new show on youtube 'America Unhinged,' with Francesca Fiorentini and Wajahat Ali - Zeteo's new weekly show following Trump's first 100 days in office. Wajahat Ali is a Daily Beast columnist, public speaker, recovering attorney, and tired dad of three cute kids. Get his book Go Back To Where You Came From: And, Other Helpful Recommendations on Becoming American which will be published in January 2022 by Norton. He believes in sharing stories that are by us, for everyone: universal narratives told through a culturally specific lens to entertain, educate and bridge the global divides. Listen to Waj and DAnielle Moodie on Democracy-ish He frequently appears on television and podcasts for his brilliant, incisive, and witty political commentary. Born in the Bay Area, California to Pakistani immigrant parents, Ali went to school wearing Husky pants and knowing only three words of English. He graduated from UC Berkeley with an English major and became a licensed attorney. He knows what it feels like to be the token minority in the classroom and the darkest person in a boardroom. Like Spiderman, he's often had the power and responsibility of being the cultural ambassador of an entire group of people, those who are often marginalized, silenced, or reduced to stereotypes. His essays, interviews, and reporting have appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, The Guardian, and New York Review of Books. Ali has spoken at many organizations, from Google to Walmart-Jet to Princeton University to the United Nations to the Chandni Indian-Pakistani Restaurant in Newark, California, and his living room in front of his three kids. On YOUTUBE.com/StandUpWithPete ON SubstackStandUpWithPete Pete on Blue Sky Pete on Threads Pete on Tik Tok Pete on YouTube Pete on Twitter Pete On Instagram Pete Personal FB page Stand Up with Pete FB page Gift a Subscription https://www.patreon.com/PeteDominick/gift Send Pete $ Directly on Venmo