Shows
Wiser TomorrowHow Books Can Change Lives Behind BarsA conversation with Andy Chan of Books to Prisoners, sponsored by Evincer:https://evincer.org/?link=wiserBooks to Prisoners - https://www.bookstoprisoners.net/To Make a Donation - https://www.bookstoprisoners.net/donate-money00:00 - Introduction02:18 - What is Books to Prisoners?06:03 - The Dangers of Donating Old Books?07:58 - Banning Books10:19 - Changing the Book Banning Process18:24 - Evincer.org19:55 - What Books Should be Banned in Prisons?24:29 - Punishment vs. Rehabilitation27:31 - Do Prisoners Deserve Books?30:35 - How Big of an...2024-08-0858 minWiser TomorrowMath and Science in the First 5 Seconds - Ashley Christinehttps://evincer.org?link=wiser @modernday_eratosthenes is a STEM communicator teaching people of all ages to better understand science, and appreciate recent breakthroughs in the world of STEM.00:00 - Teaser00:20 - Introduction02:26 - Science and Religion 15:39 - Evincer.org17:53 - Escaping the Arab Spring36:25 - Bots, bots, bots!40:41 - Performance Artist to Mathematician49:19 - Imposter Syndrome53:02 - Name Change to Ashley Christine1:03:15 - Math and Science on TikTok vs. YouTube vs. ...1:06:21 - Controversy1:11:45 - The Future of ModernDay Eratosthenes1:18:40 - Problems with Sc...2024-06-261h 40Wiser TomorrowUnveiling Islam with Harris SultanHarris Sultan is an ex-Muslim atheist activist and author of the book The Curse of God: Why I Left Islam. Harris has been at the forefront of atheist activism in Pakistan and now in the West, using his Urdu and English channels to delve into thought-provoking discussions on atheism and critique of Islam.In our conversation, we discuss the history and role of Islam in many facets of modern life, particularly in the West, from immigration policy to the consequences of radical religious belief.English Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@HarrisSultanAtheistUrdu Channel...2023-12-051h 13Wiser TomorrowHistory of the World, Told Through RecipesMax Miller is the creator and host of Tasting History with Max Miller. On Tasting History, Max recreates recipes from around the world and across time, sharing the story behind these dishes and discussing the broader historical context. From Viking mead to Spartan staples, Celtic snacks, and 20th-century sweets, Max takes you back in time to learn about the world's favorite foods and how they tell the story of human civilization.Screen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the s...2023-08-311h 06Wiser TomorrowA Scientists Guide to Cannabis - Amber WiseDr. Amber Wise is a cannabis scientist and scientific director at Medicine Creek Analytics. Amber has a background in chemistry, receiving her Ph.D. from UC Berkeley and serving as a professor at Chicago State University. She has become a familiar face in the world of cannabis, making several appearances across publications, including WIRED's "Tech Support" series. In our conversation, we explore many facets of cannabis and cannabis science, from the chemical and biological foundations to regulatory considerations and consequences. So whether you're a regular cannabis user, a professional chemist, or just curious, I hope you enjoy!2023-08-211h 05Wiser TomorrowScience, Society, and the Subtleties of Discovery - Eli KraislerDr. Eli Kraisler is a theoretical physicist specializing in Density-Functional Theory (DFT), and leads his own research group at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Fritz Haber Center for Molecular Dynamics. Born in Uzhgorod, Ukraine, and later repatriated to Israel, Dr. Kraisler's journey through academia has taken him across the globe, from Tel Aviv University to Germany's Max Planck Institute of Microstructure Physics, and finally, to establishing his own research group at The Hebrew University of Jerusalem's Fritz Haber Center for Molecular Dynamics.Eli's diverse background and theoretical expertise provide a unique perspective as we delve into the...2023-07-201h 04Wiser TomorrowjREG - Art, Memes, and the Pursuit of HappinessToday I'm speaking with @jREG - YouTuber, satirist, social commentator, and artist. jREG is infamous for his impenetrably ironic and hilarious social & political commentary told through skits, conversations, monologues, and everything in between. From discussing radical and esoteric ideologies to sharing his experience with mental illness, jREG exemplifies what it means to be a digital artist in the era of the early internet.jREG's Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@jREGjREACTIONS Channel - https://www.youtube.com/@jREACTONSScreen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world.Li...2023-05-221h 01Wiser TomorrowThe Cold War to Silicon Valley with Filmmaker David HoffmanDavid Hoffman is an award-winning filmmaker, entrepreneur, and online content creator who has documented the ordinary to the extraordinary from as early as the 1960s. From his Emmy Award winning series, to his viral archival videos, David has lived and documented key points in history in the United States and across the world. In our conversation, we speak about his creative process, many stories from his incredible career, and what it takes to make compelling media.Screen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify2023-05-101h 03Wiser TomorrowPhotosynthetic Sea Slugs, Venomous Cone Snails, and Brilliant Cephalopods with Michael MiddlebrooksToday I’ll be speaking with Dr. Michael Middlebrooks, Associate Professor of Biology at the University of Tampa. Michael is a marine ecologist and invertebrate zoologist, with an infectious enthusiasm for underwater life, and in particular, sea slugs. Much of Michael’s work has centered around photosynthetic sea slugs, truly bizarre organisms with many mysteries still outstanding. Michael and I discuss these creatures and so much more, including what scientists hope to learn from the venom of cone snails and the remarkable nature of cephalopod intelligence. Screen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digit...2023-05-0453 minWiser TomorrowVaibhav Pai - Unlocking the Secrets of Shape in BiologyDr. Vaibhav Pai is a Senior Research Scientist with the Allen Discovery Center at Tufts University. The Allen Discovery Center investigates the reading and writing of the Morphogenetic Code - how networks of cells communicate to create and repair complex anatomical shapes. Dr. Pai explores the role of bioelectrical signaling, aiming to answer a key question within what is often considered the "dark matter of biology": how information processing in cells implements robust control of large-scale patterning. Combining many tools and disciplines, his work offers numerous potential applications in regenerative medicine, cancer treatment, and bioengineering. Screen DeepA...2023-04-3047 minWiser TomorrowJared Henderson - Books, Beliefs, and the Battle Against NihilismToday I'm speaking with Dr. Jared Henderson, philosopher, YouTuber, and co-host of "The Classical Mind" podcast. Jared received his PhD in philosophy, specializing in the philosophy of language and logic, having also published in philosophical theology. Over the last several months, Jared has begun to share his thoughts and ideas on books and philosophy, exploring the way they impact our lives. Our conversation covered a lot of ground, including the implications of artificial intelligence, the toxic nature of the modern media landscape, and combating nihilistic thinking to find meaning in our lives. YouTube - https://www.youtube.c...2023-04-211h 10Wiser TomorrowJosh Bongard - AI for Biological RobotsDr. Josh Bongard is a Professor of Computer Science at the University of Vermont, and director of the Morphology, Evolution & Cognition Laboratory. His groundbreaking work is centered around using AI to design novel organisms, pushing the boundaries and blurring the lines between robotics and biology. We take a deep dive into the fascinating world of Xenobots, programmable bio-hybrid organisms that have the potential to revolutionize everything from regenerative medicine to scientific research itself. As we explore this emerging world, our conversation also touches upon the many nuances of intelligence, and we discuss the different interpretations and manifestations of intelligence...2023-04-1448 minWiser TomorrowThe Anatomy of Life and Death with Justin Cottle of The Institute Human AnatomyJustin Cottle is the lab director and a lead content creator for “The Institute of Human Anatomy” (IOHA). The IOHA is a private cadaver lab that, as they say, aims to teach as many people as possible about the one thing that everyone carries with them for their entire lives - their bodies. From showcasing the effects of drugs and alcohol, to highlighting the miracle that is human reproduction, the Institute of Human Anatomy makes understanding and appreciating our bodies both easy and entertaining. Only a few years after beginning to share their educational content online, they’ve amassed over 1...2023-04-071h 03Wiser TomorrowCorey Gil-Shuster - Voices of the Israeli-Palestinian ConflictToday I’m speaking with Corey Gil-Shuster from “The Ask Project”, otherwise known as the “Ask an Israeli” / “Ask a Palestinian Project". Corey asks viewer submitted questions to people across both Israel and Palestine, with topics ranging from food to religion. Corey’s work is among the best, and sadly the few, to be consistently documenting and sharing what real people think and feel, helping to educate those on both sides of the conflict about one another, as well as others elsewhere in the world.As we discuss in our conversation, and is obvious to anyone who has...2023-03-121h 03Wiser TomorrowForbidden Matter - The Incredible Story of the Discovery of QuasicrystalsToday I’m introducing a new narrative series covering a wide range of topics, from the history of science, to recent archeological discoveries. This won’t be replacing my regular conversations, but instead will allow me an avenue to cover more specific topics, in more detail, and in an organized fashion. I’ll also be posting this series in written form, which you can find on the Wiser Tomorrow Substack. I’ve been very excited to introduce this format to the Wiser Tomorrow project, and look forward to hearing the response.To kick off this series, I’m going to...2023-03-0818 minWiser TomorrowJim Pfaus - Unlocking the Science of Sexual BehaviorToday I’m speaking with Dr. Jim Pfaus, Professor of Neuroscience at Charles University in Prague, and the Research Director of the Center for Sexual Health and Intervention at the Czech National Institute of Mental Health. Jim’s research focuses on the neurobiology, neurochemistry, and molecular biology of sexual behavior, and examines how the brain’s neurochemical and neuroanatomical systems are organized for sexual arousal, desire, pleasure, and inhibition. Over Jim’s more than 30 years as a professor, he has received countless awards for his work as both a research scientist and science communicator, and his work has been reported...2023-02-201h 06Wiser TomorrowFraser Cain - Covering the CosmosToday I’m here with Fraser Cain of the Fraser Cain YouTube channel, Universe Today, and Astronomy Cast. Across his work, Fraser offers space and astronomy news, covering everything from the big bang, to the latest and greatest space-bound missions. We had the chance to speak about a wide range of topics, including the James Webb Space Telescope, the difference between Eastern and Western perspectives on science & institutions, the importance of citizen science, and more. Fraser Cain - https://www.youtube.com/@frasercain Universe Today - https://www.universetoday.com/Astronomy Cast - http://www.astr...2023-02-081h 10Wiser TomorrowMamlambo Fossils - Digging Deep Into Fossil HuntingToday I’m speaking with Morne from Mamlambo Fossils. Morne is a fossil hunter living on the South Island of New Zealand, searching for Miocene and Cretaceous era fossils, and preparing them for donation to museums for research or as educational tools for the next generation of scientists. The Mamlambo channel and social media accounts document his discoveries, and inspire others who are interested in fossil hunting, or the many disciplines that are behind the hobby. Morne is nothing short of delightful, and his warm and generous disposition make him the perfect ambassador between amateur and professional fossil hunters an...2023-02-051h 07Wiser TomorrowNatasha's Adventures - A Journey of Culture and ConflictToday I'm speaking with Natasha from @NatashasAdventures . Natasha makes videos about Russian life and culture, including her experience as a Russian who left the country following the war in Ukraine. We spoke on many topics from life in the far East of Russia, to Natasha's personal experiences being affected by the conflict. Screen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show2023-02-011h 03Wiser TomorrowJordan Harbinger - The Wisdom of Travel & The Future of PodcastingToday I’m honored to be speaking with Jordan Harbinger, host of the Jordan Harbinger Show. Promoting lifelong learning, Jordan interviews some of the world’s most fascinating and accomplished people, offering insight and advice from those who lead by example. I’m speaking with Jordan today as a part of a charity event, donating to a variety of charities over the course of 2023, including Ava’s Kitchen for families with children battling cancer, Hustle 2.0, an educational program for inmates, GiveDirectly, and to sponsor children from Children International. I myself have made a donation of $550, and encourage anyone listening to consi...2023-01-2959 minWiser TomorrowLeo Richards (Natural World Facts) - Exploring the DepthsToday I’m excited to be speaking with Leo Richards from Natural World Facts. Leo makes documentaries on a range of subjects spanning the natural world, and with a focus on marine life. From deep sea gigantism to chemosynthesis, NFWs covers everything about life in the oceans and seas. Starting when Leo was only 8 years old, he has consistently produced videos for over a decade, and are now among the most comprehensive and highest production quality videos on these topics available anywhere online.Screen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world....2023-01-251h 05Wiser TomorrowAvi Loeb - Exploring the Frontiers of Astronomy and AstrophysicsToday I’m honored to be speaking with Avi Loeb. Avi is the former chair of the astronomy department at Harvard University, and is the current director of the Institute for Theory and Computation at the Harvard-Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, the founding director of the Harvard University Black Hole Initiative, and the head of the Galileo Project. Beyond his academic work, Avi has also become a major figure in the world of science communication, having written several books including his most recent best seller “Extraterrestrial: The First Sign of Intelligent Life Beyond Earth” and has a new book scheduled for pu...2023-01-1751 minWiser TomorrowSilicon Curtain - A Decade of ChangeToday I’m speaking with Jonathan Fink, host of the Silicon Curtain Podcast. Silicon Curtain, as Jonathan describes it, is a podcast about propaganda, digital disinformation, politics, corruption, hybrid warfare, weaponized conspiracy theories, social echo chambers and digital dystopias, and specifically, as it relates to the War in Ukraine. In only a short amount of time, Jonathan has spoken with some of the most knowledgeable voices on the war and related topics, and is himself a wealth of information and insight. From the history of Russia and the Soviet Union, to latest developments from the front lines, Jonathan expertly le...2023-01-1553 minWiser TomorrowOdd Animal Specimens - Reviving a Forgotten WorldToday I’m speaking with Charlie from "Odd Animal Specimens". Odd Animal Specimens produces media showcasing the extensive collections of preserved animals in museums across the United States. On YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram, Charlie and the Odd Animal Specimens accounts put a spotlight on fascinating specimens, from lampreys to armadillos. They have seen a meteoric rise over the last year, reaching over 1 million subscribers on YouTube, and nearing 2 million on TikTok, and plan to continue to sharing these incredible creatures with the world. Screen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world.L...2023-01-1355 minWiser TomorrowJohn Michael Godier - Life in the UniverseToday I’m speaking with author and futurist John Michael Godier. John has written several science fiction books including “Supermind” and “The Salvagers”, and hosts two of the best YouTube channels that focus on astronomy, future technologies, and extraterrestrial life. One of these channels dawns his own name, and offers documentary style videos that take a closer look at a wide range of topics and ideas related to the aforementioned subjects. Complementary to this, his second channel, “Event Horizon”, hosts long form discussions with special guests with expertise in astronomy, astrophysics, history, and more. For anyone who loves learning about the bigg...2023-01-1258 minWiser TomorrowSEA Space - A Tour of the Unknown UniverseToday I'm speaking with Sam of SEA Space. Sam produces scientifically rigorous, and visually stunning documentary-style videos about all things space. From the big bang, to the heat death of the universe, SEA explores a range of topics in a way that is easy to follow while simultaneously discussing some of the most complex ideas ever conceived by humanity. In our conversation, we discuss Sam's background, dark matter & dark energy, and black holes, among many other topics. Screen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts Spotify...2023-01-101h 03Wiser TomorrowDavid Broadway (Science Discussed) - Scientific PotentialToday I'm speaking with Dr. David Broadway. David received his PhD in physics from the University of Melbourne in his home country of Australia, and is now a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Basel, in Switzerland. In addition to his academic work, David runs the YouTube channel “Science Discussed”, where he covers scientific news and topics in a fun and interesting way. Screen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show2023-01-051h 01Wiser TomorrowDave Farina (Professor Dave Explains) - Pseudoscience and Scientific MisinformationToday I’m speaking with Dave Farina of the YouTube channel Professor Dave Explains. Dave has been making educational videos across a range of topics and disciplines for many years, with a focus on the physical and life sciences. Dave’s channel has also featured debates, panel discussions, and video responses to flat earthers, climate change deniers, and creationists, among others, in an attempt to combat scientific misinformation. Dave has even published a book on this topic, titled “Is This Wi-Fi Organic - A Guide to Spotting Misleading Science Online”. Screen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behav...2023-01-0351 minWiser TomorrowAnthony "Walt" Carroll (oneminmicro) - Under the MicroscopeToday I’m speaking with Anthony "Walt" Carroll of oneminmicro. Across Tiktok, YouTube, Instagram, and more, Walt creates short form content using microscopes to educate as much as entertain. His videos highlight the beauty of the microscopic world, and the importance of the microbiome for all life on Earth. Walt also uses his microscopes to reveal hidden beauty in the macroscopic world, from looking at the patterns on insects to showing crystal growth using electrochemistry. As Walt likes to describe it, his work is at the intersection of science & art, and for anyone who has yet to see Walt’s wo...2022-12-241h 12Wiser TomorrowLawrence Krauss - The Origins of a ScientistToday I’m delighted to be speaking with Dr. Lawrence Krauss, theoretical physicist and one of the most prolific science communicators of our time. Dr. Krauss has a special place in my own education, as I grew up attending his lectures and events starting in early high school, and later enrolled in his course while studying at Arizona State University. Lawrence currently hosts his own podcast, “The Origins Podcast”, where he has spoken with some of the most brilliant minds of our day, covering a broad range of scientific, social, and artistic topics. He has a new book coming out in...2022-12-2243 minWiser TomorrowAndy Stapleton - The State of AcademiaAndy Stapleton is an educator, entrepreneur, and research chemist. After completing his PhD in chemistry from the University of Newcastle in Australia in 2011, and many years in both academia and in industry, Andy shifted gears to focus on science communication and academic advising. You can find Andy on his YouTube channel “Andy Stapleton” where he discusses everything about graduate school, and provides excellent tips, advice, and insights into life in academia, how to prepare, and tools for surviving it. Along with his YouTube channel, Andy has also started several businesses including Academia Insider, which offers information, resources, training, and prod...2022-12-201h 00Wiser TomorrowBen Miles - Science & EntrepreneurshipDr. Ben Miles is a YouTuber, podcaster, research scientist, and prolific entrepreneur. His YouTube channel shares the stories of interesting science, as well as the scientists and startups that are tackling global problems using scientific discovery. His podcast, Scientist to CEO, explores the interface of science and startups, and shares the stories of the scientists who have taken their discoveries out of the lab and into the real world by launching companies. On top of his work in the creator space, he is the founder of several ventures including Spin Up science, a company committed to championing research scientists...2022-12-0651 minWiser TomorrowTerry Shoemaker - Religion in AmericaDr. Terry Shoemaker is a lecturer at Arizona State University with the school of historical, philosophical, and religious studies. His academic focus relates to religion in the United States, with an emphasis on religious change in contemporary life. He studies how religion and religious people adapt, convert, deconvert, reform, and abandon various aspects of their religiosity or spirituality.Screen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show2022-11-171h 01Wiser TomorrowJay Bowles (Plasma Channel) - High Voltage PhysicsToday I’m speaking with Jay Bowles of the Youtube Channel, “Plasma Channel”. Jay makes incredible videos on high voltage physics, building fascinating devices that highlight the magic of plasma, and explaining a range of electrical phenomena. Jay has a unique story, and a true love of science and technology. He exhibits what it means to be passionately curious, and his perspectiveScreen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show2022-11-0455 minWiser TomorrowEric Juarez - The Science of Decision-MakingDr. Eric Juarez is a fellow at Mount Holyoke College and a cognitive scientist focused on studying decision-making.Screen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show2022-10-261h 02Wiser TomorrowGarrett Ryan (toldinstone) - The Past is a Foreign CountryDr. Garrett Ryan, otherwise known as "toldinstone", runs several YouTube channels dedicated to life in the ancient world. His premier channel, toldinstone, covers life in ancient Greece & Rome, exploring what life was really like for everyone ranging from the peasantry to the aristocracy. He recently released two new channels, expanding the toldinstone universe to cover a wider range of historical topics. He has also written a fantastic book, "Naked Statues, Fat Gladiators, and War Elephants", covering many topics related to his toldinstone channel. Screen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world.2022-10-2146 minWiser TomorrowJoey Newton (That Chemist) - Chemistry and CommunityJoey Newton, otherwise known by his YouTube channel name "That Chemist" is a graduate student in organic chemistry, and an excellent science communicator. He makes video ranging from lessons on introductory organic chemistry, to tier lists of many kinds. We spoke on a number of topics, including his background and start on YouTube, his prospective career online & in the laboratory, the future of computational chemistry, and much more. Screen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show2022-10-151h 02Wiser TomorrowTamim Ansary - The Invention of YesterdayTamim Ansary is a prolific writer, and wealth of information and perspective. He's written several fantastic books, including "Destiny Disrupted" and "The Invention of Yesterday. We spoke about many topics from both these works, as well as many others on which Tamim has a lifetime of learned and lived experience.Screen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show2022-10-111h 10Wiser TomorrowVlad Vexler - Algorithms for EverythingVlad Vexler is a political philosopher, musicologist, and YouTuber. Screen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world.Listen on: Apple Podcasts SpotifySupport the show2022-09-181h 39
Wiser TomorrowIan Morris - Geography is DestinyDr. Ian Morris is a historian and archeologist who holds a Professorship in Classics at Stanford University. He is a prominent scholar, captivating communicator, and is as kind as they come. In this episode I had the pleasure of having his ear to discuss a range of topics from his new book, "Geography is Destiny: Britain and the World, A 10,000 Year History". Our conversation covers nationalism and cultural identity, new discoveries with old findings, and the rise of China. Screen DeepA podcast decoding young brains and behavior in a digital world.Listen on: Apple P...2022-07-0156 min