Shows
SparkDialog PodcastsEp 94: Quantum Entanglement, Consciousness, and the Nature of Reality: with guest Dr. Eric CavalcantiQuantum entanglement is weird. Two particles can share properties no matter where they are in the Universe. Have they always shared these properties, and they are somehow hidden from us, or do they decide these properties the moment they are measured, and somehow communicate across the vastness of space, instantaneously? Or is something else at work? Can people become entangled? Can we put a human consciousness in a sort of "Schrodinger's Cat" situation, where they are in two states at once? And is your reality the same as my reality? Guest Dr. Eric Cavalcanti addresses these questions and more on...2021-04-0742 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 93: Gratefulness, Hope, and COVID – with guest John Van SlotenGratefulness and COVID feel like they don’t belong in the same sentence. But a year into this pandemic, perhaps there are some lessons we can learn, and some ways that this year has changed us all – maybe for the better.2021-03-0329 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 92: Merging Man and Machine: Transhumanism and Religion - with guest Seth VillegasToday, I am joined by Seth Villegas from Boston University's School of Theology to talk about transhumanism - gradually merging body with machine to become faster, stronger, or even live forever. Why is this movement so appealing? And what does this apparently secular movement have to do with religion?2021-02-0243 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 91: Seeing Patterns, Seeing God: The Neuroscience of Belief - with guest Dr. Adam WeinbergerWhat similarities do the brains of religious people share? Do these similarities span differences in lifestyle, geography, culture, and religion? I am joined by Dr. Adam Weinberger, a neuroscientist and psychologist at Georgetown University and the University of Pennsylvania.2020-10-2028 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 90: How Can We Find Life Within the Solar System?: with Dr. Niels LigterinkIs their life in the Universe? What about within our own solar system? With the recent result of a biomarker on Venus, finding life within our solar system could be a game-changer. I go on a deep-dive with Dr. Niels Ligterink of the University of Bern, Switzerland, one of the designers of the ORIGIN Instrument, a payload that can travel to other worlds to find life. We talk about where life might be hiding in our solar system (even Pluto?!), how we know the icy moons of Jupiter have underground oceans, and how we can find potential life from the...2020-10-0643 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 89: Can Online Privacy Exist Today? - with guest Rob ShavellCan online privacy exist today? What kind of ways does our personal data leak out when we are going about our buisness online, or even in person? I talk to Rob Shavell, co-founder of a privacy company called Abine2020-09-2236 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 88: Why We Need Nature – with guest Dr. Peter KahnWe all know that nature is good for us. We know to take care of the Earth, don’t pollute, be mindful of climate change. But how does being in nature affect us personally? How does it change our bodies and our minds, our biology, and our brains? Today I talk to Dr. Peter Kahn, a professor in the Department of Psychology and the School of Environmental and Forest Sciences at the University of Washington. We talk about why nature is so good for us, and how much of nature we have lost – and we don’t even realize it.2020-09-0829 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 87: Environmental Racism and Climate ChangeEnvironmental racism - it's the term for the fact that communities of color are often hit harder by climate change or pollution than others. This happens both in our country and around the world. What can we do about it? Today, Dr. Gregory Simpson joins us. Gregory is a minister and has a doctorate in organic chemistry. He talks about the situation from Tuvalu to the US to his home of Jamaica, and how education is key in transforming the world.2020-08-2534 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 86: The Science of Subjectivity: The World Your Brain Creates - with guest Dr. Jorge MoralesWhy do we see the world as subjective? How is the reality that I see different than from what you see? Does our brain lie to us? Dr. Jorge Morales joins us to talk about the science of the subjective, optical illusions, if we need to be conscious to form a subjective opinion of the world, and when our brain gets it wrong.2020-08-1148 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 85: How Paleolithic is the Paleo Diet? What did our Ancestors Eat Anyways?The appeal of the Paleo diet is to eat like our ancestors ate. But how do we know what they ate anyways? Today I talk to Dr. Briana Pobiner of the Smithsonian about how we know what our ancestors ate, how it influenced their evolution, and what it's like to be an archaeologist.2020-06-3036 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 84: The Coronavirus, Social Media, Online Dating and Black Lives MatterWe are living in a pressure cooker. With the coronavirus paired with the Black Lives Matter protests sweeping the country, how we deal with life and interact with each other is in flux. Part of this is social media and online community. How is online dating changing because of the coronavirus? How is social media being used in the protests? I talk to Dr. Shantel Buggs, a professor Sociology and African American Studies at Florida State University.2020-06-1633 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 83: The West: On the Cusp of a MegaDroughtCould the western United States be on the cusp of a megadrought - one that could last for decades, even a century? How do scientists know this? And how can giant cities in the west, along with their businesses and population, survive a drought unlike anything the US has seen? I talk to Dr. Kasey Bolles, an interdisciplinary climate scientist, about tree rings, the Dust Bowl, and the potential of the western US entering a megadrought.2020-06-0227 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 82 : The Origins of Language May Go Much Farther Back Than We ThoughtWhen did language originate? How can we figure that out, when brains don't fossilize? Today I talk to neuroscientists Dr. Chris Petkov and Dr. Ben Wilson about the origins of language, and how they found out the origins of language go back much farther than previously thought.2020-05-1938 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 81: Staying Connected During COVID-19 (with Technology!)How can we stay connected during this era of COVID-19? I talk to Eric Elnes, who was diagnosed positive with COVID-19 at the start of this outbreak. It is partially due to him that we learned that people can be asymptomatic. We discuss how he keeps his church together through technology during this era of social distancing, how technology can help us all during this time, and why we need each other.2020-05-0530 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 80: Smart Replies Aren't So SmartHave you ever been tempted to use one of those pre-generated replies at the bottom of your gmail message? These so-called smart replies may be convenient, but according to our guest Jess Hohenstein, they might be affecting how we interact and how other people think of you.2020-04-2121 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 79: Evolution in the SouthPerhaps the main reason there is a perceived conflict between religion and science is because of the way that evolution is taught in the Southern United States. Students boycott classes if their teachers bring it up. School boards have encouraged teaching so-called "Creation Science" along with evolution. So how can you teach students without alienating them? Today our guest is Dr. Amanda Glaze-Crampes, an Assistant Professor at Georgia Southern University and a specialist in evolutionary biology, who also specializes in figuring out how to bridge the gap and teach science to Evangelical Christians in the South.2020-04-0736 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 78: This Is Not A Normal Podcast EpisodeYes, COVID-19 has turned the world upside down. I just wanted to remind you you are not alone in this.2020-03-2401 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 77: Yes, It's Possible To Feed The WorldIs it possible to feed the world without over-taxing the world? I talk to Prof. Dieter Gerten and ask how we can do exactly that while staying within the planet's boundaries.2020-03-1029 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 76: How We Found Out Meteors Are Actually Little Rocks From Space Burning Up In The AtmospherePeople didn't always know that meteors were from space. How did they figure THAT out? From the moments of terror during historical meteor storms to clever ways that early astronomers figured out what meteors were, I take you on a journey through the history of meteor showers.2020-02-2518 min
SparkDialog PodcastsEp 75: From Self-Driving Cars to Autonomous Weapons Systems - Can We Trust AI?Can we trust machines that are making decisions for us? What if these decisions are life or death? We talk to Dr. David Danks about self-driving cars, autonomous weapons systems, and AI algorithms, and how we can trust machines that think but don't feel.2020-02-1140 min
SparkDialog PodcastsEp 74: Is the Biodiversity of Earth Doomed?One million species are close to extinction. To make a difference, we need massive societal change. But how can such a change happen over a range of countries and cultures? Today we talk to scientists who are part of the Intergovernmental Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES) about how we can intelligently save the world.2019-12-0342 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 73: Mind Uploading - The Key To Eternal Life?Is it possible to upload your brain to a computer? Would your consciousness follow? Would it still be you? I talk to Dr. Michael Hauskeller about mind uploading, immortality, and consciousness.2019-11-1934 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 72: Reversing Climate Change: Turning CO2 Into RockCan we reverse climate change? Today we talk to two scientists from Reykjavik Energy, Dr. Kári Helgason and Dr. Bergur Sigfússon. They work to take greenhouse and toxic gases and turn them into a rock in a project called CarbFix.2019-11-0528 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 71: Epileptics with Mystical ExperiencesImagine having an experience that changes your life, where you feel as if you are filled with love, you touch the divine, or you understand the Universe. Now imagine that this is the result of an epileptic seizure. I’m joined with Dr. Joseph Tennant to discuss epileptics who have mystical experiences during their seizures.2019-10-2237 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 70: Hack My HeartWhen we accept tech into our lives, we often sacrifice a small piece of our privacy. But if we want complete privacy, we can always leave our tech at home. What about people who have tech embedded within them, and who need it to live? Today we talk to Dr. Marie Moe, a cyborg who is also involved in information security about the privacy concerns and hackability of her own pacemaker.2019-10-0828 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 69: Cameras that can See Around CornersToday we're talking to David Lindell, a PhD student in the Stanford Computational Imaging Lab. He and his group are making a camera that can see around corners and through objects, which has amazing applications for things like self-driving cars.2019-09-2426 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 68: They're Not Speaking English - Decoding a Message from ETIf we were to hear a message from extraterrestrials, how would we go about decoding it? And what's the best way to send our own message? Today we talk to Dr. Sheri Wells-Jensen, a xenolinguist, who studies aliens languages.2019-09-1038 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 67: Space Industry - A Future in the StarsWe first set foot on the moon 50 years ago. A lot has changes since then. Jim Bell joins us from the School of Earth and Space Exploration at Arizona State University to talk about how space industry is changing, the future of corporations in space, how governments, companies, and academia will all have a part, and even space tourism!2019-07-2328 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 66: What the Future May Hold: The Future of TechnologyBrian David Johnson is a futurist. He looks at a combination of ethnographic data, history, technological trends, and scientific knowledge to help companies and groups see what's in store for the next decade or two. We talk about what the future may hold, how social media will continue to influence us, how cyberthreats will change in the future, if the technological singularity is real, and if we should fear the future.2019-07-0942 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 65: The Plausibility of Implausible Science FictionToday we look at the plausibility of some implausible science fiction concepts. Can the transporter from Star Trek or an invisibility cloak from Harry Potter really exist? Can we hope to build a space elevator? And should we fear the singularity, asteroid impacts, or sharknados?2019-06-2527 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 64:Thriving with Autism through ArtWhat is it like to live with autism? How can autistic adults make a living, especially those with non-verbal autism? Today we talk to Colin Weiss and Harish Bikmal about the science of autism, and how art is helping those with autism and their families.2019-06-1122 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 63: Deep Brain StimulationIf a controversial treatment that would potentially alter who you are is the only treatment for your disease, do you accept therapy? Today we are joined by Dr. Laura Cabrera to discuss the ethics of deep brain stimulation.2019-05-2829 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 62: Improving Women's Healthcare: The Calla CampaignHow can we improve women's healthcare? Lack of access, shame and fear of exams, and lack of information are all reasons that women do not receive the care they deserve. Today we talk to Libby Dotson and Andrea Kim from the Center for Global Women's Health Technologies and how technology can improve women's health through the Calla Campaign.2019-05-1429 min
SparkDialog PodcastsEp 61: Technology and the Notre Dame Fire: with guest Dr. Stephen MurrayWhy was Notre Dame built the way it was? How did its structure, conceived in the 1100s, help prevent the recent fire from damaging even more of the cathedral than it did? We talk about technology of today and at the time when Notre Dame was built, how the church may be reconstructed, and how laser scans may be of help.2019-04-3035 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 60: Science, Religion, and EvolutionToday we talk to religious leaders from a range of faiths on science and religion, and how these two worldview can come together. We also discuss the Clergy Letter Project and Evolution Weekend.2019-04-1641 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 59: Climate Change on Alien WorldsToday on the podcast we talk to Dr. Adam Frank about climate change on alien worlds, and how we can use them to see what the future holds for Earth.2019-04-0226 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 58: Who Are You Anyways? Does Dementia and Alzheimer's Change Who You Are?Does dementia and Alzheimer's change who you are? Today we talk to Dr. Nina Strohminger about how loved ones see patients with diseases of the mind change.2019-03-1927 minSparkDialog PodcastsThe Far Future of the UniverseWhat is the far future of the Universe? Today we are joined by Dr. Avi Loeb and Dr. Ethan Siegel to discuss the future of our sun, and our Galaxy, if black holes will last forever, and what the Universe will be like once the stars burn out.2019-03-0543 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 56: It's About Time - A Podcast in the Fourth DimensionWhat is time? Why do we see time only run in one direction? Is time travel possible? And what happened "before" the Big Bang? We talk to Dr. Jonathan Tallant about the philosophy of time, and how these ideas stand up to modern science.2018-12-1131 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 55: 3D Printed Buildings: From Earth to MarsSome locations are so remote it’s hard to deliver materials to build houses and infrastructure. Today we talk to Keegan Kirkpatrick from RedWorks, a company that seeks to use 3D printers to print an entire building using in-situ material, on both the Earth and Mars.2018-11-2728 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 54: Transforming Agriculture in AfricaAgriculture in Africa has its share of challenges. Today we talk to Samantha Salimu on technology being employed right now to make food more nutritious and plentiful, and how changes in technology, economic policy, and women’s rights can transform how farming is done in Africa.2018-11-1324 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 53: Down the Rabbit Hole - Scientific Comics and StorytellingScientific comics can be a surprising, yet effective way to communicate science. I talk to Dr. Matteo Farinella about how he uses comics to teach science, his graphic novels and comics, and how he uses characters and metaphor to bring science to life.2018-10-3027 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 52: To GM or not to GM: GMOs in a Changing WorldToday we talk to Dr. Sarah Evanega from the Alliance for Science about the safety of GMO crops and how they view GMOs in the developing world.2018-10-1637 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 51: From Rosie to RoboCop: Gender, Religion, and RobotsFrom Rosie to RoboCop, robots are reinforcing gender roles within society. Robotic designers and even users see “female” or “male” robots very differently. We talk to Dr. Jennifer Robertson, an expert on robotics and culture, about robots and sexism, religion, family, and culture.2018-10-0233 minSparkDialog PodcastsHurricane FlorenceThere is not a new episode of SparkDialog Podcast this week due to Hurricane Florence. We'll be back in two weeks with a new episode. In the meantime check out sparkdialog.com for more episodes.2018-09-1900 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 50_ Keep on Moving, Stop Climate ChangeTransportation is responsible for 23% of global emissions. If we could make getting from point A to point B cleaner, it would go a long way in combatting climate change. Today, we talk to Dr. Ryan Allard, a transportation specialist from Project Drawdown. Project Drawdown is a no-profit organization focused on using existing technology to slow, and even reverse, climate change.2018-09-0434 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 49: Ice Cream and Nazis: The Origin of Moral ChoicesIf someone didn’t like the same ice cream flavor as you, chances are you wouldn’t stop being friends with them. But you might if you found out that they were a Nazi sympathizer. What we see as moral choices are fundamentally different than other preferences. In today’s podcast with Dr. P. Kyle Stanford of UC Irvine, we discuss how they may have been a basis on which modern society was created.2018-08-2128 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 48: Let There be Light: First Stars and Cosmic DawnBillions of years ago, the first star was born, and the Universe was never the same. But how do we know what these first stars were like? How did the stars change the Universe to what we see today? Today we are joined by Dr. Harish Vedantham from the Netherlands Institute of Radio Astronomy to discuss how we can observe these first stars, the radio array LOFAR, and how hard it is to see back in time.2018-08-0740 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 47: Crowdsensing the NoiseNoise is everywhere in our lives. Today we talk to Dr. Julia Buwaya, a mobile crowdsensing researcher, on how she utilizes smartphones to "crowdsense", essentially having hundreds or thousands of people help her gather data to understand the noise in our lives.2018-07-2418 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 46: The Geology of Us: The AnthropoceneHumans are affecting the Earth on a global scale, and this change will be remembered in the rocks. I talk to Dr. David Grinspoon on how humans are affecting the planet: from new minerals to a shift in the climate to our presence in space. Humankind may be responsible for the planet entering a new geological time period: the Anthropocene.2018-07-1032 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 45: Can Science Help Us Live Forever?Can science help us live forever? Can it provide a way to stop aging in its tracks? Perhaps the fountain of youth will be obtained within our lifetimes. Today we talk to Dr. Aubrey de Grey from the SENS Research Foundation on therapy that can keep us young and what a world without aging would look like.2018-06-2627 minSparkDialog PodcastsSummer Hiatus2018-05-2900 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 44: Subglacial Lakes and Life on Frozen MoonsSubglacial lakes far beneath the Canadian ice are defying all expectations. We are joined by Anja Rutishauser of the University of Alberta, who discovered these lakes. They could be a terrestrial analog to the under-ice oceans of moons like Europa, and could help us to understand any potential life that exists there.2018-05-1520 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 43: Is there Bias in Machine Learning Algorithms?Machine learning algorithms can make inferences about our habits. But can these algorithms be biased against certain people or groups of people? Where does this bias come from? And how can we improve these algorithms? We are joined by Dr. Joshua Kroll from the University of California at Berkeley to discuss bias in machine learning algorithms in everything from your grocery store’s frequent buyer card to the Trump administration’s Extreme Vetting Initiative.2018-05-0134 minSparkDialog PodcastsSpace Junk, Trash on the Moon, and the Earth's Copper RingIs there really a toothbrush orbiting the Earth? And does Earth really have a ring - made of copper? Dr. Lisa Ruth Rand joins us on the podcast today to talk about space junk, the Cold War, trash and the Moon landing, and how debris in space may outlive us all.2018-04-1738 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 41: The Pope's AstronomerToday we talk to Brother Guy Consolmano, the Pope's Astronomer, on meteorites and why, as humans, we are drawn to do pure science. We discuss science and religion, find out if they really are at odds, and whether or not he would baptize an extraterrestrial.2018-04-0337 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 40_ There's More to Color than Meets the EyeIs color just a physical property of objects? If it is, how would we explain why so many people got in arguments about the color of the infamous "dress"? It turns out, color is not just in the world - it's also in our minds. Today we talk to Dr. Mazviita Chirimuuta about how much our brains are involved in understanding the colorful world around us.2018-03-2030 minSparkDialog PodcastsEp 39: Can AI be CreativeCan AI be creative? Today we talk with Dr. Maya Ackerman about AI creativity in the form of songwriting, and even listen to a song composed with artificial intelligence!2018-03-0629 min
SparkDialog PodcastsEp. 38: What Happens Next Will Blow Your Mind! - Using Natural Language Processing to Find Fake News, Satire, and ClickbaitHave you ever been deceived by fake news? Couldn’t resist that click-bait? With more and more news sources, it sometimes becomes hard to tell the truth from the lies. Today we are joined by Dr. Victoria Rubin and her group, who discuss using Natural Language Processing to detect various types of deceptive news.2018-02-2042 min
SparkDialog PodcastsEp. 37: The Philosophy of the Self - From Spirituality to NeuroscienceWhat is the self? Is the self an entity, or is it a process, continually being created? In today’s podcast, Dr. Evan Thompson joins me to discuss how two very different schools of thought - neuroscience and Eastern spirituality - grapple with the concept of the self.2018-02-0638 minSparkDialog PodcastsClimate Change, Religion, and Ethics – A Jewish, Christian, and Muslim Perspective (rerun)SparkDialog Podcasts is currently on break until February 6th with Season 3. In the meantime, enjoy this best of episode about how religious groups are responding to climate change.2018-01-3033 minSparkDialog PodcastsMade In Space - with guest Brad Kohlenberg (rerun)SparkDialog Podcasts is currently on break until February 6th with Season 3. In the meantime, enjoy this best of episode about 3D printing in space.2018-01-1619 minSparkDialog PodcastsCRISPR – With Great Power Comes Great Responsibility – with guest Dr. Leila Jamal (rerun)SparkDialog Podcasts is currently on break until February 6th with Season 3. In the meantime, enjoy this best of episode about the ethics of CRISPR.2018-01-0228 minSparkDialog PodcastsThe Star of Bethlehem – A Real Event – with guest Dr. Peter Barthel (rerun)SparkDialog Podcasts is currently on break until February 6th with Season 3. In the meantime, enjoy this best of episode about the Star of Bethlehem.2017-12-1922 minSparkDialog PodcastsThe Robotic Moral Code – Programming Ethics into Machines - with guest Dr. Don Howard (rerun)SparkDialog Podcasts is currently on break until February 6th with Season 3. In the meantime, enjoy this best of episode about morality in robots.2017-12-0528 min
SparkDialog PodcastsGetting a Second Chance: Space Ethics, Mining, and ColonizationDo we deserve a second chance on a new planet? How can we explore the stars, but maintain the integrity of space? Space ethics is a new field that many are beginning to consider. Today on the podcast, I am joined with Dr. Tony Milligan, author of "Nobody Owns the Moon - the Ethics of Space Exploitation", to discuss everything from space mining to colonization.2017-11-2136 min
SparkDialog PodcastsLending a Hand - a Prosthetic HandNot too long ago, Edie Steinhoff had a really bad day. In a household accident, she lost all of the fingers on her hand. But her university community rallied around her to engineer her a new hand. The team, led by Dr. David Grow of New Mexico Tech, work with Edie to design a prosthetic that works for her. It's not often that you can see how your research immediately benefits those around you!2017-11-0730 min
SparkDialog PodcastsZombees! A Halloween EpisodeThis is the story of the day Zombees were discovered in San Francisco. No, not the type that eat brains. We're talking about zombees - honeybees that have their bodies hijacked by parasites and are eaten from within. This is a very real threat to honeybees today in North America, and could affect our entire agricultural system. We talk to Dr. John Hafernik about zombees and the citizen science project Zombee Watch.2017-10-2432 min
SparkDialog PodcastsFrom Steak to Insects - The Future of FoodWhat does the future of food hold in store for us? Are our current eating practices sustainable, or will a growing population paired with transportation issues force us to rethink how we eat? Today we talk to Max Elder from the Food Futures Lab about the future of food - everything from the evolution of our protein sources to GMOs to lab-grown meat.2017-10-1036 min
SparkDialog PodcastsHumanitarian and Privacy Concerns with AIAI and machine learning have become an increasingly prevalent part of our society. Companies use them to take snippets of information about you and to learn about your life, and even to make inferences about what you might do and what you believe. Today we talk to Dr. Rumman Chowdhury about the humanitarian and privacy concerns that result from the use of AI.2017-09-2629 min
SparkDialog PodcastsWomen in Science - Ruby Payne-Scott - with guest Dr. Miller GossWhat was it like for women in the sciences at the beginning of the 20th century? Today we discuss one woman in particular – Ruby Payne-Scott. Ruby was a brilliant radio astrophysicist who also fought for equal rights for women in the workforce, and her career was shaped by WWII, her marriage, and when she had children. Today we are joined by Dr. Miller Goss, a radio astronomer, who wrote a book about Ruby’s life. We discuss what it was like for women 1oo years ago, and how far we have come.2017-09-1235 min
SparkDialog PodcastsThe Solar Eclipse - Awe, Wonder, and ScienceWhat is it like to see a total solar eclipse? It’s hard to describe, but I hope that this podcast, with the cheers of pure joy of people who saw it, might give you a little taste. We also talk about what science was done during the eclipse, from watching the oceans to watching the climate.2017-08-2931 min
SparkDialog PodcastsTeaching Science with Animals and TravelIn this special podcast episode, I am teaming up with Dr. Meenakshi Prabhune. We interview each other about our work in science and science communication. In this podcast, I talk to her about how she uses animals and travel to communicate heavier topics in science, like biophysics and genetics. She then interviews me about this podcast series. Both of these interviews will appear in Signal to Noise Magazine.2017-08-1518 min
SparkDialog PodcastsAutism Therapy and ZenAutism has not always been well understood in the medical community. In fact, sometimes it was so poorly understood that people with autism suffered from misdiagnosis. Yet, these brave people fought their way in a world that constantly demanded they be normal. In today's podcast I talk to Anlor Davin, author of Being Seen, about her journey with autism, autism therapy, and about finding a balance of her own life through Zen meditation.2017-08-0130 min
SparkDialog PodcastsA Slice of LifeFood in space leaves a lot to be desired. But if we want to have a sustained presence in space, this will have to change. Today I'm joined with Sebastian Marcu and Neil Jaschinski of a company called Bake In Space, seeking not only to make bread safe to eat in space, but to actually bake it there as well! What challenges do they have to overcome? Find out!2017-07-1831 min
SparkDialog PodcastsThe Ethics of Augmented Reality and Our FutureAugmented Reality - It could be games like Pokémon Go. It could also mean talking to an old friend a world away, but it looks like they are siting in the chair besides you. It's exciting, but what ethical and privacy issues come along with augmented reality? Today we talk to Liv Erickson, a software engineer at High Fidelity who works on VR and AR, about the implications of augmented reality.2017-07-0437 min
SparkDialog PodcastsSustainability - The Bigger PictureWhen we think of sustainability, we often think of making a better world for our children. In today's podcast, hopefully you will be encouraged to look at the even bigger picture. We are joined by Dr. Oliver Putz, a member of a sustainability think tank, to discuss how climate change and the ecological crisis are affecting plants, animals, and people a world away from us, and how, by thinking globally, we can find deeper meaning.2017-06-2027 min
SparkDialog PodcastsRobots That Eat Trash and the Entrepreneurs Who Build ThemWhat do you do when landfills are full of recyclables and prone to fires? Design a robot of course! Today we talk to the young entrepreneur Jaidev Shah, who designed robots that can go into the landfills of India. These robots search and collect recyclables and can locate landfill fires before they become too large. His robots promise to help those who currently live in and around the landfills have better lives.2017-06-0612 min
SparkDialog PodcastsCRISPR – With Great Power Comes Great ResponsibilityWith great power comes great responsibility. The gene editing technology CRISPR-Cas9 has tremendous promise, from creating a malaria-proof mosquito to making our crops more pest-resistant. It can even be used on humans. But when we edit the genome, are we playing with fire? Here to talk with us about the ethics (and promise) of CRISPR is Dr. Leila Jamal, a bioethicists who is intimately aware of the ethical conundrums of CRISPR.2017-05-2328 min
SparkDialog PodcastsYour Body in SpaceYour body is a delicate machine, and space is a harsh environment. Today we talk to Dr. Ronke Olabisi, a biomedical engineer, about the challenges that the human body has to withstand in space and ways to overcome them. These advances will make space safer for astronauts, and can make life on Earth healthier as well!2017-05-0923 min
SparkDialog PodcastsThe Energy Future of America – from Renewable Energy to Carbon-Negative Technology – with guest Dr. David BabsonIt's time to reimagine the carbon cycle. It's time to rethink where we get our energy from. Renewable energy not only keeps our environment cleaner, but can also be cheaper in the long-run. And new carbon-negative technologies can create energy and generate products, all when removing carbon-dioxide from the atmosphere. Today we talk to Dr. David Babson, a technology manager in the US Department of Energy, about steps to combat the global energy crisis and climate change.2017-04-2525 min
SparkDialog PodcastsEducational Hotspots for Children of the Developing WorldCan children in the developing world, in areas where internet is scarce or nonexistent, have access to educational materials on the web? Today we talk to Dr. Laura Hosman, who has traveled around the world to places like Senegal or Tonga. She is working to bring these children a web-like educational experience through a small ruggedized computer called a SolarSPELL.2017-04-1128 min
SparkDialog PodcastsThe Dalai Lama, Tibetan Monks, and ScienceMany Tibetan monks are not familiar with modern math and science, despite the Dalai Lama’s love of the subjects. To remedy this, the program Science for Monks was born - a program that helps Tibetan monks learn astronomy, physics, math, and biology. Today, we are joined by one of the teachers of this program - astronomer Dr. Chris Impey. He talks to us about his experience, what he taught the monks, and what they taught him in return.2017-03-2827 min
SparkDialog PodcastsVolcanoes - Making Your Planet Habitable for 4.6 Billion YearsWhat does it take to make a planet habitable? Of course, distance to the star is perhaps the most important variable that controls the planet’s temperature and allows liquid water to exist. But what about conditions on the planet itself? Today we talk to Dr. Ramses Ramirez about how things like volcanism and tectonic activity helps a planet develop and maintain an atmosphere to keep it warm, and how the habitable zone might be bigger than we previously thought.2017-03-1422 min
SparkDialog PodcastsWorld Upon World, Universe Upon UniverseIs our Universe all that there is? Is it possible that there are actually more universes than there are atoms in our observable Universe? Such an idea - the concept of the multiverse, is hard, if not impossible, to prove, but is supported by scientific theories like inflation and mathematical theories like string theory. Today we are joined with Dr. Jerry Cleaver, who talks about what the multiverse is and the philosophical puzzles that it produces.2017-02-2829 min
SparkDialog PodcastsThe Robotic Moral Code – Programming Ethics into Machines with guest Dr. Don HowardThere are now instances when robots, machines, and artificial intelligence will need an ethical framework. From self-driving cars to autonomous weapons systems to robots in healthcare, machines will be called upon to make ethical decisions. But how do we even begin to describe morality in lines of code and mathematics that a robot can understand? Today we talk to Dr. Don Howard, a philosopher who speculates about a robotic moral code.2017-02-1428 min
SparkDialog PodcastsCreate Your Own BrainWhy are some habits so hard to break? How much control do we have over our own brains? Today we talk to Dr. Alan Weissenbacher, a neuroscientist who drew his inspiration from his work with recovering addicts. By understanding how pathways in the brain form, we have insights into addictions, bad (and good) habits, and how we can build better brains.2017-01-3120 min
SparkDialog PodcastsClimate Change, Religion, and Ethics - A Jewish, Christian, and Muslim PerspectiveClimate change is often viewed as a political problem. But in reality, it is a scientific issue, and perhaps equally as important, it is a moral and spiritual issue. How are religious communities responding? Today we are talking to three people involved in various religious environmental organizations, each representing a different faith community - Soltan Bryce from the Green Muslims, Casandra Carmichael from the National Religious Partnership for the Environment, and Rabbi Fred Scherlinder Dobb from the Coalition on the Environment and Jewish Life.2017-01-1732 min
SparkDialog PodcastsThe Star of Bethlehem - A Real Event?Was the Star of Bethlehem a real event? If so, was it a comet, a supernova, an alignment of planets, or something else? In today's podcast, we are joined by Dr. Peter Barthel, a professor in astrophysics and the co-editor of “The Star of Bethlehem and the Magi” for a discussion where we explore some of the latest understanding and analysis surrounding the star of Bethlehem.2016-12-1322 min
SparkDialog PodcastsSpace: East and West - Space, Technology, and Culture with Dr. Susmita MohantyFrom space programs to technology, culture affects many aspects of our lives. Today we talk to Dr. Susmita Mohanty, an entrepreneur who has started businesses on three continents and was voted one of Financial Times 25 Indians to Watch in 2012. Intimately familiar with the space programs in a range of countries, we discuss how cultural underpinnings affect something as large as the space program of an entire country.2016-11-2914 min
SparkDialog PodcastsDress to OSYou don't always think of fashion and science together. But why not? Our clothes can get very close and personal to us, more so than most other things in our everyday lives. Adding a flair of technology can allow our clothes to monitor our well being, protect our bodies in new ways, and be quite a fashion statement. Today, our guest is Anouk Wipprecht, a fashion-tech designer who combines robotics, engineering, machine learning, and fashion in her futuristic dresses. After listening to the podcast, check out her designs at her website, http://www.anoukwipprecht.nl/.2016-11-1508 min
SparkDialog PodcastsMade In SpaceGoing to space is always a risky business. If you forget something or if something breaks, you may be days, months, or even years away from receiving a spare part. This risk could be life threatening. But all that is about to change. Today, we talk to Brad Kohlenberg from a company called Made In Space. This company is seeking to revolutionize the space industry by moving 3D printing in space, giving astronauts the opportunity to print any part they may need, making space safer, and eventually, accessible to many more. Seriously, this is the future, and it's awesome.2016-11-0219 min
SparkDialog PodcastsThe International Space Station and I: The World from AboveThere are humans living and working in space as we speak. It's a fact we often forget. This inspired today's guest, Liam Kennedy, to invent a computer called the ISS Above (www.issabove.com/), which connects people on Earth with those in space, and serves as a reminder of humanity's potential. Liam talks about his invention, the plight of an inventor, and what it's like to live on the International Space Station. Today's podcast also features a surprise visit from a computer!2016-10-1817 min
SparkDialog PodcastsGalactic CannibalismIt's a galaxy-eat-galaxy Universe out there. Today we're talking about how big galaxies eat little galaxies, and looking at the fabulous arcs of stars stripped and tossed across the dark sky. Our guest today is Dr. Robyn Sanderson, who looks at these tidal tails, and uses them to understand everything from galactic formation to dark matter.2016-09-0713 min
SparkDialog PodcastsThe Future Universe - Teeming with Life?Why haven't we found life on other planets yet? Perhaps it's because we are some of the first life to develop in the Universe. I talk to Dr. Avi Loeb, chair of the astronomy department at Harvard, about the possibility that life may be much more common in the distant future around small, dim, and colder stars. Can we find life around these dim stars now? The search is on!2016-08-1513 min
SparkDialog PodcastsHello Jupiter! It's Juno.Jupiter is a mystery, but that’s about to change. The spacecraft Juno has traveled billions of miles across the void of space to pay Jupiter a visit, and will finally begin to shed some light on this unique planet, letting us peer beneath the clouds, see what lies behind that Great Red Spot, and even answer the question - what is the core of Jupiter made of? But it’s a perilous journey, and Juno had to be built to withstand it. I paid NASA/JPL a visit on the evening of the 4th of July, 2016, when Juno was set...2016-07-2626 min
SparkDialog PodcastsThe Dolphin WhispererAre humans the only species that use language? Perhaps not. Today we talk to Dr. Jeremy Karnowski from the University of California at San Diego, who talks about how dolphins communicate, how they can call to each other by name, and even answering the question - do dolphins gossip?2016-06-2015 min
SparkDialog PodcastsTraveling to the Stars on the Wind of a LaserEver dream of traveling to the stars? This dream may not be as far away as you think. Today we talk to Dr. Philip Lubin, who tells us about a radical new idea to get to the stars, recently funded by the Breakthrough Foundation.2016-05-2024 min
SparkDialog PodcastsAn Explosion from Across the UniverseGamma ray bursts are some of the most powerful explosions we know of, ones that we can literally see from across the Universe. But they are extremely short - lasting only a few milliseconds to a few minutes. What could cause such an explosion? Today, Dr. Rodolfo Barniol Duran, a theoretical astrophysicist at Purdue, talks to us about what we know about these mysterious explosions.2016-04-2615 min
SparkDialog PodcastsAstronomy… with a Canon!Most times, astronomy is limited to passively observing. But not this time. Today, Dr. Dylan Spaulding, a project scientist at UC Davis in the Department of Earth and Planetary Science, talks with us about how he creates high velocity impacts in the lab with a canon, and what this can tell us about planet formation.2016-03-1310 min