Shows
Trying 2 LearnEpisode 20- Vitamin/Supplement series intro: Starting the Nutraceutical JourneySend us a text Starting the Nutraceutical Journey: Why We Need to Talk About This Supplements promise health in a bottle—but behind every label is a web of science, sourcing, and sometimes sketchy shortcuts. In this first episode of our Nutraceutical Series, we lay out the questions that drive the journey: What makes a supplement trustworthy? Who actually ensures quality? And how do consumers separate marketing from truth?It’s part curiosity, part accountability—an honest look at the industry from someone that is venturing into the middle of it.
2025-11-251h 03Trying 2 LearnEpisode 19- Dr. Delphine Derrien | Modeling Regeneration: Agriculture, Carbon & the Future of FoodSend us a textWhat if we could simulate the future of farming—and make smarter choices now?In this episode, systems modeler and agroecologist Delphine Derrien breaks down how regenerative agriculture can be scaled intelligently through computational modeling. Her work connects carbon sequestration, regional realities, and global food systems in ways that challenge conventional thinking.We explore:How modeling can predict the climate impact of regenerative farmingWhy “best practice” varies by region, culture, and ecosystemHow better data leads to more grounded decisi...
2025-09-2951 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 18- Dr. Jessica Lancaster | Immunity & Aging, the Fibroblast T-cell FrontierSend us a textWe often think of T cells as the body’s defenders—but what happens when they can’t move where they’re needed?In this episode, immunologist Dr. Jessica Lancaster breaks down the overlooked role of fibroblasts—the structural cells that help (or hinder) T cell movement—and how this relationship impacts aging, immune function, and disease outcomes.We explore:Why aging immune cells don’t just slow down—they get stuckThe role of tissue environments in T cell surveillance and...
2025-09-1557 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 17- Dr. Hanadie Yousef | Protein Mapping & The Future of Regenerative MedicineSend us a textWhat if we could map the healing signals our bodies already use—and turn them into targeted therapies?In this episode, Dr. Hanadie Yousef, co-founder and CEO of Juvena Therapeutics, walks us through how her team is using stem cell systems biology and protein mapping to develop a new class of regenerative medicines.We explore:How secreted proteins mapping helps identify potential therapeuticsWhat it takes to go from protein signals to actual therapyWhy this approach could unlock treatments that are safer and more directed to...
2025-09-1232 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 16- Dr. Heidi Peterson | Stewardship That Works: Conservation Rooted in Real LifeSend us a textConservation isn’t just about protecting land—it’s about understanding it. And in this episode, Heidi Peterson from the Sand County Foundation helps us explore how healthy land management starts with local knowledge, long-term thinking, and partnerships that actually work.We talk about:The real-world tension between productivity and sustainabilityWhy the best conservation efforts are co-created, not handed downWhat being a steward of soil health looks like in the industry and as a consumer.If you care about food, farming, or the future of the land we live on, th...
2025-09-0955 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 15-Dr. Praveen Kumar | Rethinking Water: From Farm Runoff to Fog HarvestingSend us a textFrom contaminated farm runoff to pulling moisture straight from sea air, hydrologist Dr. Praveen Kumar explores the future of water—how we’re wasting it, how we can reclaim it, and why smarter infrastructure might just change everything.
2025-08-1149 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 14-Dr. Christelle Guédot | Pests, Pollinators & Protecting Our Future FoodSend us a textWe rely on insects more than we realize—until they become a problem. In this episode, entomologist Dr. Christelle Guédot helps us untangle the delicate balance between pests we fight and pollinators we depend on.From fruit crops to backyard gardens, Dr. Guédot breaks down how insect behavior shapes our food system, what happens when we tip that balance, and how farmers and researchers are working with—not just against—nature.We explore:Why pollinator health is declining (and why it matters)How we m...
2025-07-2851 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 13- Dr. Sarah Bass | What Makes Public Health Messages Actually WorkSend us a textIn a world flooded with headlines, hashtags, and health advice, how do you actually reach people—and help them change?Dr. Sarah Bass has spent her career studying that question. As a professor of public health communication, she works at the intersection of science, trust, and human behavior—helping health campaigns move from ignored to impactful.In this episode of Trying 2 Learn, we dig into what separates effective messaging from noise, how culture and context shape communication, and why effective public health is about both sharing accurate information and help...
2025-07-1652 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 12- Dr. Lisa Norton | ecology and organic farming, using biodiversity to enhance our food productionSend us a text If you're interested in sustainable agriculture, land management, or the intersection of farming and ecology, this episode of Trying 2 Learn is for you. I sit down with Dr. Lisa Norton, a landscape ecologist and agroecologist at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology . Dr. Norton has spent over two decades studying the intricate relationships between agriculture, ecology, and land management. Her work focuses on sustainable land use practices that support biodiversity and ecosystem services.We delve into the differences between organic and conventional farming systems, discussing how organic practices can enhance biodiversity a...
2025-07-0255 min
Trying 2 LearnEpisode 11- Dr. Frank Borriello | New Less Invasive Cancer Therapy.Send us a textWhat if the key to treating disease wasn’t to overpower the body—but to work with its existing systems?In this episode, I sit down with Frank Borriello, founder of Alloplex Biotherapeutics, to explore a new approach to therapy—one that uses natural immune regulation instead of chemical force. We talk through the science behind Alloplex’s platform, how it’s aiming to activate—not suppress—the body’s own healing potential, and why that shift in mindset could change everything from how we treat cancer to how we think about drug devel...
2025-06-1056 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 10- Deirdre McCarthy | Substance Effects on Multigenerational Epigenetic InheritanceSend us a textDeirdre McCarthy is a distinguished researcher with a passion for understanding the complex interplay between environmental exposures and genetic inheritance. In this episode, we explore her groundbreaking work on substance exposure in mice and how it can impact not only the exposed individuals but also their subsequent generations.Join us as we unravel the fascinating discoveries made by Deirdre McCarthy and her team, delving into the mechanisms of epigenetics and how they can transmit the effects of substance exposure across generations in mice.
2024-04-2355 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 9- Elle Murata | Women's health studies on effects of hormones on brain activitySend us a textElle Murata has dedicated her career to studying how female hormone cycles influence neural activity, cognition, and behavior. In this episode, she shares her profound insights into the connections between the brain and the fluctuations in hormones experienced by women throughout their menstrual cycles.Join us as we delve into the latest scientificfindings, uncovering how hormones like estrogen and progesterone impactneurotransmitter levels, neural plasticity, and even emotional processing. Elledemystifies common misconceptions and sheds light on the true extent of theinfluence that hormone fluctuations...
2023-09-1250 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 8- Dr. Ryan Jackson- CRISPR History and New DiscoverySend us a textIn this episode of the Why Science Initiative, we are joined by Dr. Ryan Jackson for a discussion on CRISPR gene editing systems. Dr. Jackson not only does a phenomenal job of guiding us through the history, potential, and limitations of CRISPR but also discusses his recent discovery of the novel CRISPR-Cas12 system.Whether you’re a science enthusiast with a full knowledge of the CRISPR scify-like potential or you have never heard the term before you will be entertained by Dr. Jackson's depth of knowledge and communication skills within this fi...
2023-08-2853 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 7- Dr. Michael Skinner-Epigenetic Inheritance and DiseaseSend us a textDr. Michael Skinner has devoted his career to unraveling the mechanisms behind epigenetic inheritance and its role in health and disease. In this episode, he shares his cutting-edge research on how environmental exposures and lifestyle choices can leave a lasting imprint on our genes, influencing the health of future generations.Join us as we explorethe fascinating world of epigenetics, understanding how chemical modificationsto our DNA can influence gene expression and impact susceptibility to variousdiseases. Dr. Skinner sheds light on the role of epigenetic changes in
2023-08-1457 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 6- Dr. Rebecca Spencer | Your brain on sleepSend us a textIn this episode of the Why Science Initiative, we are joined by Dr. Rebecca Spencer a cognitive neuroscientist from the University of Massachusetts. We discuss the Universal and often elusive topic of sleep and its impact on our brains. Sleep is a fundamental aspect of our existence and Dr. Spencer’s research sheds light on how sleep affects our cognitive function, especially the memory system in developing brains. We also touch on movement development and its connection to brain function. There is a lot of fascinating brain discussion that anyone could associate with....
2023-07-2750 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 0- Introduction to "The Why Science Initiative" with Kyle ValgardsonSend us a textWelcome to the Why Science initiative where we explore the reasons why life science researchers and industry professionals are driven to do the work they do and why the general public should understand and care about their discoveries and breakthroughs. I’m your host Kyle Valgardson and in every episode, we will strive to unravel the motivations behind science and try to inspire you as the listener to better understand the world we live in. Before we get into the good stuff, I wanted to introduce you to the mission of ou...
2023-04-2602 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 5- Epigenetic Reprogramming with Dr Vincent PasqueSend us a textIn this episode of the Why Science Initiative, we discuss with Dr. Vincent Pasque Epigenetic Reprogramming and its applications in stem cell research. This may seem like a daunting subject but Dr Pasque, with the University of Leuven, does a fantastic job of explaining the basics and how his research has led to some remarkable opportunities in understanding early embryo development. We discuss the process that is taken to reprogram cells from sources like urine or blood and transform them into active stem cells capable of dividing and organizing into early embryo-like structures...
2023-04-2646 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 2- Wildfire Smoke inhalation with David ScieszkaSend us a textIn this episode of the Why Science Initiative, soon-to-be Dr. David Scieszka tells us about his unexpected finding with extreme distance wildfire smoke inhalation in a mouse field study. David is a Ph.D./MBA candidate with the University of New Mexico focusing on aging processes and cardiovascular health. We discuss the complex mixture of wildfire smoke and the impact it had on his mice from hundreds of miles away, highlighting the national if not global impact that these recent wildfires may have on our cardiovascular health.This episode is perfect...
2023-04-2646 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 1-Nanomedicines with Dr. Paul JoyceSend us a textIn this episode of the Why Science Initiative, we explore the world of Nano Medicines with Dr. Paul Joyce from the University of Adelaide. Nanomedicines are incredibly small molecules utilized as direct therapeutics or often drug delivery systems. Dr. Joyce describes how these unique medicines utilize biophysical characteristics to increase drug delivery and reduce side effects with examples around ibuprofen delivery and a safer more pleasant alternative to the traditional fat loss pills. This episode is perfect for anyone interested in the cutting-edge field of nanomedicines and the power it holds t...
2023-04-2645 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 3- The Ultimate Urinal with Dr. Zhao Pan and Dr. Randy HurdSend us a textThe true title of this episode should be Zhao and Randy’s excellent urinal, as we discuss the fluid dynamics that govern splashback in restrooms across the globe. Zhao and Randy are two innovative engineers tackling one of the more pervasive overlooked issues that anyone who uses or cleans up after someone that uses, the modern urinal face. We discuss their design process, which involved extensive research into stream fluid dynamics, surface interactions, intensive mathematical modeling, and some surprising inspiration from nature. This episode is very entertaining and will speak to any...
2023-04-2644 minTrying 2 LearnEpisode 4- Regenerative Biology with Dr. Ashley SeifertSend us a textIn this episode of the Why Science Initiative, we are joined by Dr. Ashley Seifert, a regenerative Biology wizard with the University of Kentucky. Dr. Seifert describes the field of regenerative biology as the study of how organisms can not only heal wounds but regenerate true tissues and even limbs. Throughout the episode, we explore the potential applications of regenerative biology and share stories of animals like spiny mice and the mechanics of how they regenerate tissue. This episode is great as there is you will get a better understanding of r...
2023-04-2647 min