Constant Wonder: Recent Episodes
BYUradio
Stay in tune with our phenomenal world; Join Marcus Smith for explorations of hidden marvels in nature, forgotten heroes of history, and life stories that both humble and inspire. Constant Wonder is a production of BYUradio.
Join us for conversations that invite you to discover, explore, and engage with the wonders of the world around you. New episodes available Wednesdays, starting September 20, 2023, on your favorite podcast platforms and the BYUradio app.
Join us for conversations that invite you to discover, explore, and engage with the wonders of the world around you. New episodes available Wednesdays, starting July 5, 2023, on your favorite podcast platforms and the BYUradio app.
Join host Marcus Smith for conversations that invite you to discover, explore, and engage with the wonders of the world around you. New episodes available Wednesdays, starting April 19, 2023, on your favorite podcast platforms and the BYUradio app.
Constant Wonder presents a feed swap with an episode from Bring Birds Back, a podcast about the joy of birds and the ways that humans can help them through simple, everyday actions. In this episode, host Tenijah Hamilton explains that migratory birds use starlight to find their way on their long journeys—which makes light pollution a serious threat. Drawn off course by bright, artificial lighting, birds can wind up fatally colliding with windows or wasting precious time and energy that they need to survive. “Lights Out” programs get cities and their residents to turn off nonessential lighting during migration seasons which can help make their journeys a little easier (and save energy!). Guest: Bring Birds Back host Tenijah Hamilton speaks with Julia Wang, project leader at BirdCast and the Lights Out Texas campaign at the Cornell Lab of OrnithologyImage Artist: Hayden Maynard
Join host Marcus Smith for conversations that invite you to discover, explore, and engage with the wonders of the world around you. New episodes will be available each week starting January 4th, 2023 on your favorite podcast platforms and the BYUradio app.
Part 2 of our Freedom House story involves the racial politics of saving lives in the late '60s and early '70s, the battle to take credit for inventing a vital profession, and the graceful but determined response of one skilled Black paramedic, who provided unheralded leadership to the people he worked under.
Kevin Hazzard, author of "American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America's First Paramedics"
John Moon, former paramedic at Freedom House and former Assistant Chief, City of Pittsburgh EMS
Paramedics haven't always raced to the scene of an emergency. Before 1966, if you called for help to get to the hospital, you might get a police car, or even a hearse. That year, Pittsburgh's non-profit Freedom House set out to change that for the city's Hill District, which was predominately Black. Staffed by trained Black men and mentored by the inventor of CPR, the ambulance service served as a model for newly emerging paramedic services around the country.
Guests:
Kevin Hazzard, author of "American Sirens: The Incredible Story of the Black Men Who Became America's First Paramedics"
John Moon, paramedic at Freedom House and former Assistant Chief, City of Pittsburgh EMS
Photo Credit: Harvard University, Schlesinger Library on the History of Women in America, MC531-PD-12-3
One day in 1901, a young farmer from Croatia set out on a walk. Decades later, he was still walking, had traversed six continents, and had stood face-to-face with the most famous people of the age. His mammoth autograph book, lost to history for nearly a century, has resurfaced to tell the tale of Joseph Mikulec and his eccentric quest.
Guests:
Rebecca Rego Barry, author of "Rare Books Uncovered: True Stories of Fantastic Finds in Unlikely Places" and editor of Fine Books & Collections magazine. She wrote about Mikulec's odyssey for "Smithsonian Magazine."
Nathan Raab, rare book collector, Philadelphia, PA
In some cultures, the dead are regularly exhumed and carried about in celebration. Why, in the West, are we so much more somber about death and dead bodies? And what can we learn from the carnival atmosphere at many death festivals?
Guests:
Erica Buist, author of "This Party’s Dead: Grief, Joy and Spilled Rum at the World’s Death Festivals"
Victoria Finlay, author of "Fabric: The Hidden History of the Material World"
Tony Rinaudo arrived in Africa optimistic that his tree-planting efforts would reverse the damages of deforestation and drought. His efforts failed abysmally, but one day he stumbled on a solution that had been right at his feet the whole time. His new methods have led to the regeneration of more than 200 million trees in Niger alone.
Guest: Tony Rinaudo, author of "The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis" and Principal Climate Action Advisor for World Vision International
Tony Rinaudo arrived in Africa optimistic that his tree-planting efforts would reverse the damages of deforestation and drought. His efforts failed abysmally, but one day he stumbled on a solution that had been right at his feet the whole time. His new methods have led to the regeneration of more than 200 million trees in Niger alone.
Guest:
Tony Rinaudo, author of "The Forest Underground: Hope for a Planet in Crisis" and Principal Climate Action Advisor for World Vision International
Have you heard the buzz about pollinators? Bees, butterflies, wasps, and even some flies live fascinating lives and play critical roles in our ecosystems. Come learn why we should make more room for pollinators in our yards and how to do it.
Guests:
Rachel Taylor, Volunteer Research Associate for the Southwest Monarch Study and Administrator of the Utah Friends of Monarchs Facebook page
Joseph (Joe) Wilson, Associate Professor of Biology, Utah State Univ; co-author of several books, including "Common Bees of Eastern North America" and "The Bees in Your Backyard: A Guide to North America's Bees"
An exploration of delectable foods and the people who make them: Pho is delicious and nutritious, one of the best comfort foods. Learn some tips for making your own pho at home. Every week, 400,000 food lovers wait anxiously for a new video about pasta from their favorite YouTubers: authentic Italian grandmothers. And, St. Vith, Belgium is home to the only sourdough library in the world—they are dedicated to preserving and researching sourdough for current and future generations.
Guests:
Andrea Nguyen, cooking teacher, editor, consultant, and author of "Vietnamese Food Any Day: Simple Recipes for True, Fresh Flavors" and "The Pho Cookbook: Easy to Adventurous Recipes for Vietnam's Favorite Soup and Noodles”
Vicky Bennison, creator of “Pasta Grannies” YouTube channel
Karl De Smedt, Sourdough Librarian at Puratos Sourdough Library, St. Vith, Belgium
Conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton had a love for each other that helped them weather exploitation and tragedy. And, how the world's most famous Siamese twins broke free from bondage.
When widespread disaster strikes, survivors lose not just their homes and belongings, they also can lose their "lifescape": their relationships with their neighbors, the places they frequent daily, their support systems. Meet some survivors from around the world who have held on to their lifescapes with creativity and tenacity. From out of the rubble, stories of inspiration and hope.
Guests:
Lucy Easthope, author of "When the Dust Settles: Stories of Love, Loss and Hope from an Expert in Disaster"
Marc Mattox, Public Works Director and Town Engineer for the City of Paradise, CA
Jeff Marcus, retired principal and former special teams football coach at Paradise High School
Rick Printz, retired head football coach from Paradise High School
Josh Alvies, former player and current JV football coach at Paradise High School
Travel with us to otherworldly places, both beautiful and strange. You may never get to see these places in person, but we'll take you there: volcanoes in space, the tips of the mighty redwoods, the sunken Titanic. We've mined our archives for breathtaking adventure stories.
Guests:
Richard Preston, author of "The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring"
Robin George Andrews, author of "Super Volcanoes: What They Reveal about Earth and the Worlds Beyond"
Palani Mohan, author of "Hunting with Eagles in the Realm of the Mongolian Kazakhs"
Kerry McCauley, author of "Ferry Pilot: Nine Lives over the North Atlantic"
Doug Peacock, author of "Was it Worth It? A Wilderness Warrior's Long Trail Home"
Brilliant Planet, founded by an enthusiastic dreamer who has always believed in the power of photosynthesis, borrows a simple process from nature to produce food and sequester carbon. And, an ocean farm that needs no seeds, no fertilizer, no fresh water, no LAND. Through the non-profit GreenWave, its farmer teaches his competitors how do it, too.
Guests:
Raffael Jovine, Founder and Chief Scientist, Brilliant Planet; author of "How Light Makes Life: The Hidden Wonders and World-Saving Powers of Photosynthesis"
Bren Smith, Co-Founder of Greenwave; author of "Eat Like a Fish: My Adventures as a Fisherman Turned Restorative Ocean Farmer"
Photo credit: Brilliant Planet
Constant Wonder is giving listeners a sneak peak of another BYUradio show, Top of Mind.
Millions of Americans move each year in search of a better house, neighborhood, job, or quality of life. Is leaving the only way to live some place better? What would it take for an imperfect place to become your perfect match? Today we crisscross the country and check in with Top of Mind listeners about what makes a city great.
Guests:
Majora Carter, author of “Reclaiming your Community”
Jim and Deb Fallows, co-authors of “Our Town: A Journey into the Heart of America”
Melody Warnick, author of “This Is Where You Belong” and “If You Could Live Anywhere”
Lynn Kreutz, Hayley Trotter, Reed Wolfley, Erika Layland, Jenny Van Stone, Kim Parati – Top of Mind Listeners
How the painfully shy John Steinbeck came to be the voice of a generation. And, preserving stories from the Great Depression.
Adam Nicolson went looking for tranquility and reflection when he built tide pools along Scotland's harsh coastline. He found plenty to reflect on, but things were not so peaceful in the pools. He discovered that to maintain harmony in the wild, species need to be at each others' throats.
Guest: Adam Nicolson, author of "Life Between the Tides"
There's plenty of warfare in animal kingdom, even within a species: battalions of mongooses square off against each other, hermit crabs evict each other in the quest for the perfect shell, ravens rally their brothers to back them up in a rumble. Sounds almost like West Side Story. But all of this conflict actually leads to more peace and harmony, not less.
Guest: Lee Alan Dugatkin, author of "Power in the Wild: The Subtle and Not-So-Subtle Ways Animals Strive for Control over Others"
A true national anthem isn't set by law: it's chosen by the people, often emerges out of conflict, and its meaning shifts over time. All of that and more is true of The Star-Spangled Banner. But still, it was sung by four generations of Americans before it became our official anthem. It's been translated into 40 languages, requires extraordinary athleticism to sing, and has long been both an object of awe and a lightening rod for controversy.
Guest: Mark Clague, author of "O Say Can You Hear? A Cultural Biography of The Star-Spangled Banner" and a professor of musicology at the University of Michigan.
At an improbable greenhouse in the Utah desert, yummy tomatoes grow without soil and produce for nearly an entire year. The greenhouse gets heat and CO2 from a natural-gas power plant to which it is linked by a sort of umbilical cord. Within this bubble of clean, warm air, bumblebees pollinate the vines, and wasps fend off parasites. Whether you hope to build a colony on Mars or just aim to get a good tomato when there's snow on the ground, this is a good place to start.
Guests:
Travis Jones, General Manager of Longvine Growing Co.
Martin Weijters, Head Grower at Longvine Growing Co.
"The past is never dead," wrote William Faulkner. "It's not even past." Ron Coddington was a young boy at a flea market one Saturday, when he stumbled on a book of Civil War-era photos and felt his world shift beneath his feet. The boy's passion deepened as he grew to adulthood, maturing into a deeply felt obligation to uncover these stories. Many photos of the time were preserved on calling cards ("cartes de visite") that people would hand out to others, much like the profile pictures we post on social media today.
Guest: Ron Coddington, Editor and Publisher of "Military Images" magazine
Cartes de visite featuring Daniel Waldo, Martin C. Clark, and Almira Newcomb McNaughton Lockwood Fales from Ron Coddington's personal collection. These images are used with his permission.
An old friend of Benjamin Franklin always regretted not having asked the founding father if he could taxidermy his body. He thought Franklin might have agreed, and then maybe George Washington might have also followed suit. But (maybe to our collective relief) what we do have, instead, as a tangible reminder of our first president are several collections of cuttings from his hair. In the days before photography, a lock of hair might be the only proof that a person had access to a notable man like Washington. After his death, some pseudoscientists used Washington's hair to "prove" the biological superiority of America's founders. Others used their clippings to prove that they, too, were there at America's founding. Now, in our digital age, are these kinds of physical relics and mementos still important?
Guest: Keith Beutler, author of "George Washington's Hair: How Early Americans Remembered the Founders" and professor of history at Missouri Baptist University
Meet the improbable rescuer of a dilapidated English manor house: Hopwood DePree, a Hollywood producer having a mid-life crisis. He'd heard rumors about his family's ancestral castle, and when he discovers that it really exists–but in a shocking state of disrepair–he goes all in to save it.
Guests:
Hopwood DePree, author of "Downton Shabby: One American's Ultimate DIY Adventure Restoring His Family's English Castle"
Geoff Wellens, historian
Bob Wall, caretaker of Hopwood Hall; historical and heritage building specialist
Zena Howard, PR & Communications for Hopwood DePree and Hopwood Hall Estate
In Auschwitz, twenty-five Jewish slaves used their sewing skills to survive the Holocaust. The Upper Tailoring Studio, run by the commandant's wife, Hedwig Höss, and a prisoner, Marta Fuchs, was created to design, cut, and sew popular fashions for the Nazi elite. But it was also the means of saving Jewish women from the gas chambers.
Guest: Lucy Adlington, author of "The Dressmakers of Auschwitz: The True Story of the Women Who Sewed to Survive"
Why do some cultures object to dogs the way that we object to rats? And why do we object to rats? Simon Barnes says they're our brothers. We explore who's really domesticating whom in the pet ownership process, why we choose to protect certain wild animals over others, how there's no such thing as the natural world, and many other assumptions about our relationships with animals.
Guests:
Hal Herzog, psychologist; author of "Some We Love, Some We Hate, Some We Eat: Why It's So Hard to Think Straight about Animals" and "Animals and Us" blog in Psychology Today
Simon Barnes, author of "The History of the World in 100 Animals"
Madi Vazquez, veterinary nurse
After losing a leg as a toddler and struggling with repeated infections, Cassandra Quave became obsessed, even as a young child, with preventing infection. That obsession has led her from Florida's swamps to the Peruvian Amazon in pursuit of plants that can defeat antibiotic-resistant superbugs. Her stories are personal, riveting and inspiring, and they offer hope for a medical future that's quite different from our present.
Guest: Cassandra Quave, author of "The Plant Hunter: A Scientist's Quest for Nature's Next Medicines" and Associate Professor of Dermatology and Human Health at Emory School of Medicine
Clarinet duets with laughing thrushes, nightingales, whales and cicadas. Philosopher and ornithologist David Rothenberg poses the question: do birds make music, or do they just make sounds to defend a territory or attract a mate? We also talk to a zoomusicologist in Scotland, and we listen to a trio of two oboes and a dog.
Guests:
David Rothenberg, musician, composer, author, philosopher-naturalist, and Professor of music and philosophy at the New Jersey Institute of Technology
Dave Gammon, professor of biology at Elon University
Emily Doolittle, composer, zoomusicologist, and Athenaeum Research Fellow and Lecturer in Composition at the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland
Constant Wonder is giving listeners a sneak peak of another BYUradio show, The Apple Seed. In this episode, a musician and a couple of actors take unlikely approaches to sharing scripture.
(4:58) Detroit storyteller and blues guitarist Robert B. Jones talks about how he became an ordained minister
(9:51) Rev. Jones tells the story of he built his guitar from the wood from different parts of his childhood home to stay connected to his hometown in the story “Detroit Guitar,” recorded live in the Apple Seed studio
(25:32) Host Sam Payne connects with his Greek grandparents by learning to cook Greek food in today’s entry in The Radio Family Journal
(34:03) Two New York pals connect to their heritage by performing Torah stories for families as a duo called The Bible Players
Meet the crustacean that packs the biggest punch in the animal kingdom and the river-dweller that could be called a "swimming tongue." We investigate animal superpowers to celebrate what marvels our fellow creatures are, and also to remind ourselves of our own often-neglected senses.
Guest: Jackie Higgins, author of "Sentient: How Animals Illuminate the Wonder of Our Human Senses"
He walked the streets in secret, a veterinarian in his off-hours, looking to help the pets of the homeless. Now his work in the subject of the tv show "Street Vet." He describes how his work has changed the lives of both pets and their owners. And his own.
Guest: Kwane Stewart, veterinarian and co-founder of Project Street Vet
Darwin hated peacocks because he couldn't explain their excess beauty. He likely would have hated mockingbirds for the excessive complexity of their songs. Where many birds are content with a few simple chirps, mockingbirds learn hundreds of sounds from other birds and animals and mix them together using sophisticated musical techniques, the kind human musicians often employ. Their songs go far, far beyond anything necessary to find food, defend territory, or attract a mate. Why do they do it?
Guests:
David Rothenberg, author, composer, musician, and Distinguished Professor of Humanities & Social Sciences at the New Jersey Institute of Technology
Dave Gammon, Professor of Biology, Elon University
This seed could symbolize the resilience of an entire people. Atop a lonely desert fortress near the Dead Sea, a Judean date seed lay inert for over 2,000 years. We talk to the scientists who brought that tree to life, named it Methusaleh, and rejuvenated an extinct species.
Guests:
Elaine Solowey, Director of the Center for Sustainable Agriculture, The Arava Institute for Environmental Studies R.A., Ketura, Israel
Sarah Sallon, Hadassah University Medical Center, Jerusalem, Israel
Jodi Magness, Professor of Archeology, University of North Carolina.
Giraffe's don't like to swim, so how do you get them off an island that's flooding? How do keepers feed a violent, orphaned baby elephant that's been traumatized by humans? The answer is to think like an animal. Meet some empathetic rescuers who had to get creative to save the animals in their care. But their efforts paid off, and, turns out, the humans' lives were better for it, too.
Guests:
David O'Connor, President of Saves Giraffes Now
Ami Vitali, filmmaker and National Geographic Magazine photographer
Jake Owens, Director of Conservation at the L.A. Zoo
When Daniel Kish was a toddler, he got around. One night he climbed out of his window and made his way over multiple chain link fences, but the neighbors knew who he was. "All the neighbors knew who the blind kid belonged to," he says. As a kid, Daniel climbed trees, rode bikes, and swam in pools. Today he is one of the world's leaders in human echolocation and does pretty much whatever he wants. And he's teaching younger generations to do the same. Part 2 of 2.
Guests: Daniel Kish, President of World Access for the Blind
Robert Just, retired medical record transcriber
Daniel Kish is blind and he navigates the world kind of like a bat—making clicking sounds with his mouth and, from the echoes he gets back, building a picture of the world he's moving through. "The sonic environment is incredibly alive," says Kish, who lost his eyes to cancer when he was barely one year old. He doesn't just get around. He reveals in the physical beauty of the world. "Domes are pretty special," he says. "So I've been in these tropical gardens, for example, where they'll have these dome structures over these gardens. And when you find the apex of the dome, your every sound that you make, and every sound that's being made in that dome is highly, highly resonant." Come along with us while we walk alongside one of the world's leading experts on echolocation. Part 1 of 2.
Guest: Daniel Kish, President of World Access for the Blind
Larry Doby, Sr., became the second Black player in the MLB, and his home run during the '48 World Series turned the series around for the Indians. Behind him stood the team's free-thinking owner, Bill Veeck, who wanted to upend the sport, opening his doors to Negro league players and bringing a carnival atmosphere into the stands. Baseball would never be the same again.
Guests:
Larry Doby, Jr., son of Larry Doby, Sr.; union stage hand, Local One IATSE, New York City
Luke Epplin, author of "Our Team: The Epic Story of Four Men and the World Series That Changed Baseball"
We examine why flavor is our "most neglected sense" and we meet a restaurant owner who, in the spirit of the fictional "Babette's Feast," is spreading the message that "Food Is Love."
When a two-year-old baby orca lost her mother, rescuers in Washington State and Canada rallied to get her home to her grandmother and extended family. Nothing was easy about this rescue, but the results exceeded expectations. Now living a normal life with her clan, Springer is the mother of two with a third on the way. Here is an intimate tale told by people who were there.
With a hint of magic and the lure of buried wisdom, ancient Egypt has, like a mysterious and powerful magnet, for millennia pulled on the collective imagination of the West. But almost as gripping as the story of Egypt itself is the story of Egyptomania, the tale of how that fascination took hold, the bold adventurers who unearthed antiquities, the clashing empires that fought over these ancient prizes, and a pair of brilliant linguists who cracked the ancient code of the hieroglyphs.
Mollusks cultivate underwater gardens, cuttlefish become invisible, and tiny fish run spas for predators. Meanwhile, some ingenious humans work to protect the underwater world that most of us rarely see.
When a comet crashes into Jupiter, the first to see it are amateurs at the Vatican Observatory in Rome, whose glee makes the Pope's Astronomer feel like dancing. Far to the north, an aurora hunter backs into a freezing river in Iceland and barely notices his frigid feet. His eyes are on the skies. Miracles, mindfulness, and celestial wonder.
Guest: Brother Guy J. Consolmagno, S.J., Director of the Vatican Observatory, "The Pope's Astronomer," and author of "Turn Left at Orion: Hundreds of Night Sky Objects to See in a Home Telescope—and How to Find Them"
Guest: Tom Kerss, F.R.A.S., aurora-hunter, veteran of the Royal Observatory, founder of Stargazing London, and author of "The Northern Lights: The Definitive Guide to Auroras"
Why the mishaps of the 1904 Olympic Marathon almost led to the event being banned in all future Olympic Games. Also, how world's fairs have changed the world.
Trees conspire with each other to thwart seed predators. David Allen Sibley tries to answer essential birder questions: “What do birds do?” and “Why?”
The stories of how a freed slave in Kentucky worked with a former Confederate hero to win damages from a lynch mob, and of a formerly enslaved woman who sued her former master, and won.
Scorpions hear through their feet, navigate by the stars, and cannibalize each other. And, milking deadly snakes to make lifesaving anti-venom.
The secrets to making excellent pho at home; cooking with Italian grannies; and an introduction to the world's only sourdough library.
A delightful history of using personal ads to find love. And, when did diamonds become a girl's best friend?
For two POWs in WWI, a con was the only way to secure their freedom. And, Gregor MacGregor fooled hundreds into believing in a nonexistent promised land.
Stay in tune with our phenomenal world. Join Marcus Smith for explorations of hidden marvels in nature, forgotten heroes of history, and life stories that both humble and inspire. Constant Wonder is a production of BYUradio.
Whitman's poetry sheds light on human connections and national identity. Maps help us view history differently.
From "chili queens" to the founder of Taco Bell to the invention of Doritos, how America embraced Mexican food.
Christmas wouldn't be the same without Dickens. And, the railroads changed Christmas forever.
The Santa Claus Association was supposed to help kids, but its founder was no saint. And, the myths behind the man Johnny Appleseed.
Christmas wouldn't be the same without Dickens. And, the railroads changed Christmas forever.
Danielle Reed explores the wide genetic differences in taste buds, and a related topic, why COVID-19 causes some people to lose their sense of taste and smell. And, musician Annie Dickinson sees music in color.
Advances in cardiac surgery were pioneered by fearless heart surgeons, and some unsung heroes who assisted them.
Secret auctions, vendors refusing to sell to patrons, and other unusual tales from the legendary Chelsea Flea Market.
Kao Kalia Yang's family immigrated to Minnesota after her parents fled Laos and she now tells the stories of the many immigrants who call Minnesota home.
Using a shark-derived product in a Covid-19 vaccine could be a death sentence for some sharks.
Evidence that a major city near the Dead Sea was mysteriously, and instantly, destroyed.
Forgetting can be annoying, but our brain's ability to forget keeps us sane and heals wounds.
During the Victorian Era, mass entertainment exploded with fireworks, zoos, aquariums, and gin palaces.
High school basketball has deep meaning to the Navajo. For the kids, it's also an exit strategy.
Join host Marcus Smith for conversations that invite you to discover, explore, and reengage with the wonders of the world around you. Weekdays at 2p ET/11a PT
Bob Gersony is the greatest humanitarian you’ve never heard of. And, the quest for sainthood for Father Emil Kapaun, a POW chaplain in the Korean War.
U.S. Navy nurses in the Philippines provided care to thousands of imprisoned. Also, the quest for sainthood for Father Emil Kapaun, a POW chaplain in the Korean War.
Both princes and paupers sought after antidotes for poisons during the Renaissance. Medieval people weren't as superstitious about medicine as we might think.
An astronaut experiences a juxtaposition of the sublime and the mundane, hearing God while floating weightless, fixing cables outside his spacecraft.
Guest: Colonel Terry Virts, fighter pilot, test pilot, NASA astronaut, and author of "How to Astronaut: An Insider's Guide to Leaving Planet Earth"
A warming climate has caused Polar and Grizzly bear ranges to overlap, leading to a few “Pizzly” offspring.
Before social media, we had advice columns. Also, explore incredible gadgets at the CIA Museum.
Before social media, we had advice columns. Also, explore incredible gadgets at the CIA Museum.
Indiana Jones wasn't the first archaeologist to go searching for the lost Ark of the Covenant.
In 1897, Britain razed an entire empire to the ground in response to a foolish contract.
Crippled by a flying accident and depressed, Victor Sassoon found his way to Shanghai to run his family’s business.
In early 2020, wildlife filmmaker James Aldred was commissioned to film the lives of a family of goshawks.
Successful Mexican businessman Guilermo Eliseo lived a double life on two sides of the border.
Visit the Vinegar and Mustard Museums, and find out why grease might be your favorite condiment.
The enchanting music of the natural world has captured the attention of humans for centuries.
A warming climate has caused Polar and Grizzly bear ranges to overlap, leading to a few “Pizzly” offspring.
Some insects are so good at cooperation that we ought to consider their colonies to be a single organism.
An unsung trailblazer in Russian literature, Anna Dostoyevsky ensured her husband's success.
Orthodox Jewish housewives boycotted kosher beef in 1902 to bring down the prices set by a monopolistic collective. And, when a bagel union beat the mafia. Also, the long and sometimes odd history of presidential pets.
A former national park ranger, moved into an isolated cottage in Montana where she met her best friend.
Jack Ruby quietly slipped into the Dallas police station and assassinated the assassin, Lee Harvey Oswald.
During the peak of the Somali piracy crisis, the "Albedo" was hijacked, and its crew held for nearly five years before they executed a brazen escape.
Some Victorian women went into trances in the public square, and, through the voices of the dead, advocated for women’s rights, for abolition, and even for presidential candidates.
After the horrors of the Holocaust, Jewish survivors were often not welcomed to their European homelands.
Glen Bell tried to reverse engineer a rival's a taco recipe. The rival was on to him and decided to give it him and wished him well, but their store still stands and their tacos are still better, according to our guest.
Guest Gustavo Arellano, author of "Taco USA: How Mexican Food Conquered America"
From imposter syndrome to burnout, how doctors can take better care of their physical and mental health.
Black-owned clubs sparked the disco movement and became an important place for the rising Black middle class.
Forgetting helps us be more adaptable, creative, empathetic, and successful at navigating our busy world. Understanding how and why our brains record memories can help us understand why it’s good to forget details, and treat memory loss more effectively.
Guest: Dr. Scott Small author of, "Forgetting: The Benefits of Not Remembering"
Historian Lee Jackson explores how we have the Victorians to thank for modern entertainment like variety shows, modern soccer, and even theme parks.
Andre Michaux was a pioneering explorer and botanist in the early United States, but he also became a spy.
When conservationist Bryce Andrews set up cameras in a cornfield, he got to see a plethora of wild and domestic animal species, including several magnificent bears.
Emily Anthes encourages us to create spaces that bring the outdoors in. Céline Montanari of the KTH Royal Institute of Technology discusses how to make wood clear, to be a replacement for glass.
Wendy Woloson looks through the junk drawers around the country to figure out why we love cheap stuff. Adam Minter examines the global market for used goods.
Joseph Smith founded an American religion and claimed to see God. Why did he need to run for president?
Labor rights have not always been guaranteed, and they were certainly not guaranteed to the match women in the 1800’s.
Natalie Warren and her best friend Ann Raiho were the first women ever to canoe the two thousand-mile journey from Minneapolis to Hudson Bay.
Many of our fears and laws about additives in food come from one man's fight for pure food.
A cure for leprosy was found at the only leprosy colony in the United States. How one doctor deliberately ingested a disease to disprove myths about it.
Josh Humbert and his family operate Kamoka Pearl on a tiny atoll called Ahe in French Polynesia.
US presidents, like anyone else, rely on their friends for support or advice. Gary Ginsberg tells us the stories of the unelected but influential people who shaped our presidents.
Guest: Gary Ginsberg author of, "First Friends: The Powerful, Unsung (And Unelected) People Who Shaped Our Presidents."
Three years jailed in an insane asylum could not silence this woman nor her quest for women's rights.
Flawed detection methods and blind trust in medical practitioners let this serial killer thrive.
Frank Hamer killed Bonnie and Clyde, but he doesn't get enough credit for the rest of his amazing career.
Looking closely at strange animal traits gives a glimpse into brilliant evolutionary adaptations.
Alecia Carter on how baboons deal with death and how they understand their own mortality. Naturalist Sy Montgomery describes “How to be a Good Creature," lessons she's learned from wildlife.
Lorrie Glover looks at the life of Eliza Pinckney, one of the wealthiest planters in pre-revolutionary America. Catherine Clinton, of the University of Texas at San Antonio, shares a complicated perspective on the Civil War from the diary of Mary Chesnut, a Southern feminist.
The U.S. went to incredible lengths to rescue one airman behind 30,000 enemy soldiers and tanks.
Kareem Rosser joins the first all-Black national interscholastic polo championship team.
On June 29, 1919, one day after the Treaty of Versailles ended WWI, some 70 cyclists started on the thirteenth Tour De France.
Along the coast of South Africa, the illegal act of sneaking carrier pigeons onto mine property results in a dangerous game.
Pigments in every color that you can imagine are within the Forbes Pigment Collection at Harvard.
Sweating has its uses—cooling us down, keeping us alive, and maybe even helping us find love.
Americans love the Marquis de Lafayette. The French, not so much. Lafayette found himself caught in a quickly eroding middle ground between the left and right during the French Revolution. Once considered a hero, he fell from grace as events spiraled out of control.
Guest: Laura Auricchio, author of "The Marquis: Lafayette Reconsidered"
Maintaining an elegant balance, the immune system must identify threats and eliminate them without destroying us.
There are no animal species untouched by human activity, so what's our moral obligation to them?
Four women who pioneered television as we know it today. How Sesame Street started a revolution.
We follow Chopin's funeral march all over the world to learn the story it had to tell. Why Mozart didn't fall apart like other child prodigies.
The Marblehead Regiment was indispensable to the rebel army. Boston bookseller Henry Knox won the first major battle of the Revolution.
In 1954, when Annie Wilkins' doctor gives her two years to live, she leaves Maine on a horse in pursuit of the Pacific Ocean. And, in 1894, Annie Londonderry shocked the world by setting off on a solo world-wide biking tour.
For two POWs in WWI, a con was the only way to secure their freedom. And, Gregor MacGregor fooled hundreds into believing in a nonexistent promised land.
Goats use a special tactic for decision making. And, prairie dogs have the most complex language system ever observed in animals.
The creator of the thesaurus, Peter Mark Roget, almost fell captive to Napoleon. And, expressions are a dime a dozen in the English language.
Justice John Marshall Harlan was on the right side of the law decades before the court would recognize African American rights granted by the Constitution.
Nitrogen is the perfect ingredient for both preventing world starvation and causing mass destruction.
U.S. Navy nurses in the Philippines provided care to thousands of imprisoned. The quest for sainthood for Father Emil Kapaun, a POW chaplain in the Korean War.
Both princes and paupers sought after antidotes for poisons during the Renaissance. Medieval people weren't as superstitious about medicine as we might think.
David Weill became a transplant doctor because he wanted to be a hero, but he came up against emotional burnout.
Geoff Wilson took on the longest solo, unsupported journey across Antarctica, which lasted 58 days and covered 3,297 miles.
It once seemed like nothing could live on Mars, but now we're asking if humans might actually make it there.
Trying to restore the ocean’s ecosystem by radically changing the way people catch and eat what comes from the sea.
In the uber-dry Mojave and Sonoran deserts, feral donkeys and horses dig wells that are sometimes as deep as two meters.
The colorful crew of the Belgica narrowly escaped death after they spent an unplanned winter in Antarctica.
Secret auctions, vendors refusing to sell to patrons, and other unusual tales from the legendary Chelsea Flea Market.
From homelessness to art school to mole catcher to gardener, stories from an extraordinary life.
Some of the strangest, quirkiest, worst days in history, to help you put your own bad days in perspective.
Dian Fossey was one of the world’s most renowned primatologists before her murder in 1985.
How two streets, and two prominent families, in Atlanta represent the history of a divided city.
NYU's Dr. Perri Klass follows the nearly miraculous decline in infant and child mortality rates over the last century. Julian Guthrie explains how a fourteen-year-old Australian boy's life-saving blood transfusion eventually saved millions of lives.
Its maiden voyage lasted 1200 meters and then this mighty ship sunk to the bottom of Stockholm’s harbor.
German Renaissance artist Albrecht Dürer captured fascinating animals with a surprisingly modern flair.
In Yugoslavia, customers couldn't believe the bounty when Americans imported an entire supermarket.
Beth Beverly is a couture taxidermist. Brittany Cox restores antique clocks and curiosities.
After observing the process in Istanbul, Mary Wortley Montagu pioneered inoculation efforts in England.
Enchanted by the haunting and beautiful sounds of a violin deemed worthless, Helena Attlee criss-crosses Italy to discover its origin.
Journalist and author Danielle Dreilinger tells the fascinating stories behind the home economists who invented tomato and Jell-O pie, practice babies, and astronaut food.
High school basketball has deep meaning to the Navajo. For the kids, it's also an exit strategy.
Looking for the Titanic was a cover for Cold War deep water Cold War espionage. That story and much more.
Katherine Moore tells the story of her mother, Katherine Johnson, one of the heroes of "Hidden Figures," in a new inspirational picture book. Joe Drape on the quest for sainthood for Father Emil Kapaun, a POW chaplain in the Korean War.
Jonathan S. Jones reveals an opiate crisis among veterans of the US Civil War that mirrors our current problem. David Blistein explains the complicated history of opium.
General S. Patton was an egocentric glory hound, but also an immensely talented general. Not unlike some of the great fighter pilots from WWII.
This weekend marks the 100-year anniversary of some of the worst racial violence in US history.
Forrest Fenn hid a treasure worth millions in the Rocky Mountains in 2010, providing clues to it its location in a poem and a book he wrote.
Music across our lifespans, across cultures, and across history reveals what it truly means to be human.
Prairie dog language rivals the complexity of that of bees, dolphins, monkeys, and orcas.
The Lockhart Plot: a “turning point that failed to turn”, Agent Sonya: "Moscow’s most daring wartime spy”
Flies are seen as nuisances, they’re actually pretty cool, A photographer works to inspire the conservation of insects.
From Hercules Mulligan to Vietnam War heroes, the Irish have changed history around the globe.
Mark Biederman is the son of Holocaust survivors and worked tirelessly to discover their story, which they were reticent to tell. Educator Jennifer Rich talks with us about teaching and remembering the Holocaust.
Bob Brier explains why Egyptian obelisk mania swept over Paris, London, and New York City, and how Egyptian relics ended up so far from home. Elaine Sciolino explains the important role the Seine has played in the history of Paris.
In Maui in 1937 a Japanese-American school teacher, unable to swim himself, challenged his impoverished students to join the Three-Year Swim Club and train for Olympic gold.
The Disgusting Food Museum encourages people to try unusual dishes. How and why to eat bugs! Meet a varsity grill team in Ennis, Texas.
The eventful 18-month-long history of the Pony Express. The Spiral Jetty in the Great Salt Lake. The race to summit the Himalayas for the first time in Western history.
Mayday! Mayday! Mayday! In 1991, off the coast of South Africa, the Oceanos was quickly taking on seawater and sounding the alarm.
Advances in cardiac surgery were pioneered by fearless heart surgeons, and some unsung heroes who assisted them.
Cecil B. DeMille buried the set of The Ten Commandments. Peter Brosnan spent 30 years digging for it.
The other Lafayette, enslaved hero of the Revolution. And, woman successfully sues her former enslaver.
From the hill country of Appalachia to Harvard Law and back. And, YouTube's Pasta Grannies sensations.
Failure and success on the US side of the space race was openly advertised, while the secret of the first Soviet man in space was kept so well that his own family had to find out on the radio while it was happening
The lack of hummingbirds in his hometown didn’t stop Jon Dunn from becoming obsessed with them. Sara Dykman made history when she became the first person to ever trail the entirety of the monarch butterfly migration—on bike!
Modern conservationists had to face their own biases. The farm-to-table revolution owes its origins in large measure to a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist.
Bob Gersony is the greatest humanitarian you’ve never heard of. And, the quest for sainthood for Father Emil Kapaun, a POW chaplain in the Korean War.
Georg Steller's detailed notes provide the history of giant sea cows. Bathsheba Demuth explores the ecological history of the Bering Strait.
Jo Marchant shares the ways humanity has been connected with the skies throughout history. Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee on the impact of the Apollo Earthrise photo.
A fake doctor saved hundreds of lives, thanks to incubators in a Coney Island sideshow.
Livestock auctioneering doesn’t just sound cool—it’s an efficient way to sell cows quickly. And, meet the people who are keeping the West wild.
A tale of murder and surprising mercy in colonial America. Two Shawnee brothers defy the United States.
Florence Nightingale revolutionized infographics. How to think critically about visual data.
Hockey started as a niche sport but is now a global phenomenon. Youth hockey shows how far parents and children will go to achieve victory.
How acrobatic thieves stole $3.4 million worth of rare books. And, a librarian gone bad stole some 300 books from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh over 25 years.
The Little Ice Age made the 1600s one of the worst centuries for colonizing North America. Follow an arctic fox. Visit a greenhouse 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle.
The mesmerizing performance art of stone stacking. Inmates who turned their lives around through creative writing.
Filmmaker Max Quinn braves the cold (and overfriendly whales!) to create films in the Antarctic. And, the deep dives of emperor penguins.
Keeping bees in your own backyard. And, how bees saved this scientist's life during the Third Reich.
Frank Hamer killed Bonnie and Clyde, but he doesn't get enough credit for the rest of his amazing career.
Len Solomon makes his own instruments from recycled items. Sam Payne shares his experience with homemade musical instruments.
Exciting events in the night sky this weekend. Why stargazing, as we've historically thought about it, is vanishing.
How women broke into journalism in the late nineteenth century. Michelle Duster tells the story of her great-grandmother Ida B. Wells and her fight for racial equality.
Sinkholes were swallowing Paris in the 18th century. How the French bounty on rats in Colonial Vietnam backfired.
The human story behind the creation of artificial intelligence. Can artificial intelligence be creative?
The love conjoined twins Violet and Daisy Hilton had for each other helped them weather exploitation and tragedy. And, how the world's most famous Siamese twins broke free from bondage.
Introducing a South American bird of prey that acts like a cross between a crow and a dog. Rescuing a blue jay.
Four women who pioneered television as we know it today. How Sesame Street started a revolution.
We follow Chopin's funeral march all over the world to learn the story it had to tell. Why Mozart didn't fall apart like other child prodigies.
Greg Bassenian shares the history of the Salton Sea and why it is beginning to disappear. Gary Krist covers the improbable creation of the city of Los Angeles.
University of Texas at Austin's H. W. Brands contrasts the styles of Abraham Lincoln and John Brown in the fight to end slavery. Josh Mensch describes a foiled assassination attempt on President-elect Abraham Lincoln.
General S. Patton was an egocentric glory hound, but also an immensely talented general. Not unlike some of the great fighter pilots from WWII.
Author Jennifer Howard shares how the developed world came to drown in material goods. Wendy Woloson looks through the junk drawers around the country to figure out why we love cheap stuff.
The last great adventure of the 19th century. Greenhouses that provide fresh vegetables to people living 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle.
Growing up, Eileen Bjorkman's father kept an airplane propeller under his bed, until he finally built his own plane. UW's Cecilia Aragon went from extremely fearful of heights to acrobatic pilot.
Vanessa O’Brien is the first American woman to reach Earth’s highest and lowest points. A first responder survived a brutal hike in the White Mountains, only to watch in horror as another hiker died on the same mountain a week later.
Trees conspire with each other to thwart seed predators. David Allen Sibley tries to answer essential birder questions: “What do birds do?” and “Why?”
The telephone came out of Alexander Graham Bell's efforts to help deaf people communicate. Musician Annie Dickinson sees music in color.
Poet Kate Lebo explores the most difficult fruits in the world so you don't have to. The Disgusting Food Museum pushes people to try unusual dishes or to question some of their favorites.
Laws proscribing certain fashion were meant to keep lower classes in line. Mad hatters and other victims of fatal fashion.
People with autism may have enhanced aptitude for the STEM fields—why don't we take greater advantage of their skills? A college student fights the stigma of schizophrenia.
Elizabeth Becker discusses women who reported on the Vietnam War. Janice Nimura explains how Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell became the first female doctors in the United States.
What life was really like in the time of Jesus Christ. Rediscovering a village near the Sea of Galilee.
Caleb Smith founded Peacebunny island, an animal sanctuary for unwanted bunnies. Christopher McDougall shares how the sport of burro racing saves lives.
A historian shares how the United States put an end to the transatlantic slave trade. Douglas Egerton of Le Moyne College explains the daring escape of the enslaved man, Robert Smalls, and his distinguished legislative career.
In the 18th century, Jeanne Barret disguised herself as a man and became a talented botanist while sailing around the world. And, a high-school dropout becomes a female sailing legend.
A bucket load of word games and the backstory of some of our favorite phrases. And, we investigate the rules of conversation.
When he punched a VA doctor, this vet was sent to the wilderness instead of jail. Falconers' view from 1000 feet.
The descendant of a Holocaust victims fights to reclaim his family's real estate. The last boat out of Shanghai fleeing Mao's campaign.
A medical doctor shares what he has learned by studying near death experiences around the world.
A food historian shares about the wars between 534 baking powder companies in the United States at the end of the 19th century. Gary Beauchamp of Monell examines the flavor of umami and how MSG fits into the picture.
Fear of typhoid paralyzed Victorian England. Olympian Kyra Condie overcomes obstacles to make the US Olympic team.
Insistence on organic products might be causing harm. A 19th-century explorer scoured the world for exotic fruits and vegetables that now fill our fridges.
Animal rituals and social behavior. Discovering bee language while evading Nazis during WWII.
How a black American nurse and a German POW fell in love during WWII. The hardship and triumph of a high school football team from an internment camp during WWII.
A cure for leprosy was found at the only leprosy colony in the United States. How one doctor deliberately ingested a disease to disprove myths about it.
How Disney, Netflix, and Southwest Airlines both exploit and ignore hidden rules of ownership. Why the spitball has been banned in baseball for almost 100 years.
We tag along as a volcanologist explores erupting volcanoes and lava tubes. Taking care of the Earth's skin.
Massive earthquake upends our understanding of tectonics. Scientists jailed for not predicting Italian quake.
Carl Zimmer explores examples in nature that complicate the definition of what it really means to be alive. Algae is an essential life form.
How a Russian spy became best friends with an American spy during the Cold War. Having friends is good for your health.
Children and teens played a vital role in the civil rights movement of the 1960s. Henrietta Wood sued her former enslavers for damages and won.
The story of infamous art forger Elmyr de Hory told by his apprentice. Thiago Piwowarczyk of New York Art Forensics sniffs out art forgeries.
The dangerous career of ferry pilots, who deliver small aircraft across the world. The heated race between airplanes and zeppelins for domination of the skies.
How different cultures approach land ownership. Reconstructing what the Earth might look like in thousands of years as all the continents drift back together again.
Why we don't all talk like New Yorkers. Sam Payne tells a curious story about a magpie trap.
Moscow's race to transformed itself. Backstage with Rachel Brosnahan and other actors from "The Courier."
Interconnected global trade brings prosperity. Money is the most valuable fiction we have ever created.
The forgotten Carleton Watkins was arguably the greatest photographer of the American West. NPR's Steve Inskeep discusses his newest book, "Imperfect Union," and explains how Jessie and John Frémont forever changed the American West.
Fig trees help maintain biodiversity. A crusade to bring back beavers to the world's waterways.
A cancer survivor dispels the myths and stigmas of cancer survivorship. Nancy Frates, co-creator of the ALS ice bucket challenge, explains how the movement took off.
The lives of six first-class passengers on the Titanic showcase the tensions of Edwardian society. How Rasputin brought down a dynasty.
Tarpons fight back when they're caught on the line. "Moby-Dick" teaches us about our relationship to the ocean.
Mad King George would've been a perfect royal for the internet age. Why the abdication crisis of 1936 shook the English monarchy.
Early vegetarians thought that you'd behave like an animal if you ate meat. Henry Bergh was a sort of super-hero—running through the streets, interrupting traffic, making arrests, all to save a mistreated horse or dog.
In the 19th century, urban dwellers tried to fight disease by covering up bad smells. Smells are important in making memories.
Alexander Mackenzie beat Lewis and Clark across North America by more than a decade. In the 16th century, William Barents' luck ran out on his third attempt to find an ocean shortcut across the North Pole.
A historian reveals the complicated race to build the world's fastest clipper ship. Jonathan Rees of Colorado State University-Pueblo tells us how the "Ice King" shipped ice around the globe before refrigerators.
The Young People's Poet Laureate of the United States is using poetry to help us rethink our relationship with trash. Author and journalist Adam Minter claims that the changing face of the second-hand market reflects shifting values.
The religious views and political legacy of the Adams family. Sea cucumber poop is essential to the health of our oceans.
Imaging wrecks underwater and underground. The lost city of the monkey god. DNA clues from 5,700-year-old chewing gum.
Life on the front lines with Black Hawk Down's Matt Eversmann. Wives of Vietnam War POWs fought publicly for their husbands' release.
Nineteenth-century crime investigators thought the shape of one's skull was connected to moral character. Why mid-century mothers were blamed for mental illness.
Laws proscribing certain fashion were meant to keep lower classes in line. Mad hatters and other victims of fatal fashion.
People with autism may have enhanced aptitude for the STEM fields—why don't we take greater advantage of their skills? A college student fights the stigma of schizophrenia.
Scorpions hear through their feet, navigate by the stars, and cannibalize each other. Milking deadly snakes to make lifesaving anti-venom.
Learn how to garden effectively (even using worms in your compost) and preserve your food from self-reliance expert Kris Bordessa. Protect the climate with your menu choices.
A National Geographic photographer and former park ranger shares his favorite parts of the American National Park System. First park rangers faced guerrilla warfare, hawkers setting up shop, and even boredom and desertion.
Following the monarch butterfly migration on bike—all 10,000 miles. Documenting half of the world's bird species in one year.
Cystic fibrosis was not well understood 100 years ago but the fight against it has had a huge impact on medicine. Using the gene-editing technology CRISPR to diagnose and fight many diseases, including COVID-19.
Risk-taking and a fatal hike in the White Mountains. Adventurer Roman Dial faced a personal and family crisis when his son went into the jungle one day and never came out.
San Francisco's self-proclaimed emperor of the United States called for the Bay Bridge, along with integrated transit and education, in the late 1800s. The Principality of Sealand is arguably the world’s most stubborn micronation.
Ingrid Ockert examines the many science based tv shows that were created to help inspire a generation to pursue the sciences.
Cabin boy Narcisse Pelletier was cruelly stranded in Australia, taken in by Aboriginals, then forced to return to France. In the 18th century, Jeanne Barret disguised herself as a man and became a talented botanist while sailing around the world.
Janice Nimura explains how Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell became the first female doctors in the United States. Patricia Fara of Clare College explores the flourishing of female scientists during WWI.
Scott McElroy shares how some weeds evolve to mimic the plants we cultivate with, sometimes, beneficial results. Karin Kjernsmo of the University of Bristol shares how animals use iridescence as camouflage.
Enrique Salmón explains the integral relationship between people and plants. Cassandra Quave of Emory University tests Civil War herbal remedies for antibiotic properties.
Matthew Goodman shares how the all minority City College Beavers basketball team skyrocketed to popularity before crashing back down due to a gambling scandal. Charles Fountain discusses "The Betrayal: The 1919 World Series and the Birth of Modern Baseball."
Tom Zoellner explains how the Sam Sharpe slave rebellion in Jamaica brought an end to slavery in the British Empire. Oxford University's Sudhir Hazareesingh shares the story of the father of Haiti, the former slave Toussaint Louverture, who revolutionized the country.
Ben Montgomery shares how a freed slave in Kentucky worked with a former Confederate hero to win damages from a lynch mob. Caleb McDaniel of Rice University tells the story of a formerly enslaved woman who sued her former master, and won.
Timothy Mousseau has spent the last 20 years studying how the radioactivity in the Chernobyl region of Ukraine is affecting the animals that live there. Author Adam Higginbotham tells us the true story of the Chernobyl disaster.
Andrea Pitzer tells the story of Dutch explorer William Barents, who was shipwrecked in the Arctic in the 1590s. Maryn McKenna on the quest to find the cause of the 1918 Spanish flu in the permafrost of a remote Norwegian town.
David Robinson considers climate change through the lens of changing snowpack across the country. Kenneth Libbrecht of Caltech creates designer snowflakes in his lab. Tim Linhart of Ice Music makes instruments out of ice.
Checking in on OSIRIS-REx's mission to bring back asteroid samples with NASA's Mike Nolan. Emily Levesque explains why stargazing as we've historically thought about is vanishing.
William Hazelgrove shares the key role Edith Wilson had after her husband suffered a debilitating stroke in office. Historian Brenda Wineapple takes us back to the first American presidential impeachment.
Betty Boyd Caroli explains just how different each First Lady's tenure is. Marta McDowell describes the rich history and pleasures of the White House gardens.
Frank Langfitt started a free taxi cab service in Shanghai to learn more about China from ordinary citizens. Peter Zheutlin separates the facts and fiction of Annie Londonderry's bike ride around the world.
Jan Swaffod's new biography on Mozart insists that he was a happy man instead of a tragic tortured genius. Curator Chris Semtner of the Edgar Allen Poe museum explains the poet's mysterious death.
William Hazelgrove shares the key role Edith Wilson had after her husband suffered a debilitating stroke in office. Historian Brenda Wineapple takes us back to the first American presidential impeachment.
Betty Boyd Caroli explains just how different each First Lady's tenure is. Author Marta McDowell describes the rich history and pleasures of the White House gardens.
Danielle Reed explores the wide genetic differences in taste buds, and a related topic, why COVID-19 causes some people to lose their sense of taste and smell. Musician Annie Dickinson sees music in color.
Emily Friedenrich shares "almost lost" arts from around the world in an effort to preserve them for future generations. Palani Mohan captures Mongolian eagle trainers in "Hunting with Eagles."
Tom Doherty explains how Joseph Breen set the moral tone for Hollywood films for decades. Tony Lee Moral examines the influential life of filmmaker Sir Alfred Hitchcock.
Michelle Duster tells the story of her great-grandmother Ida B. Wells and her fight for racial equality. Rachel Wadham introduces winners of the Coretta Scott King Book Awards.
Historian David Stradling of the University of Cincinnati describes the Cuyahoga River fire on its 50th anniversary. Martin Doyle sees American history through the eyes of the rivers that run all over the country.
James Otis Smith shares the story of Black Wild West heroes whom history has largely forgotten about. H.W. Brands reveals the complex forces that intertwined to settle the American Western Frontier and how inaccurate stereotypes of cowboys, sheriffs, and outlaws might be.
Ed Douglas gives an overview of Himalayan history up to the present. Barbara Demick explores Tibet to see what modern life is like in a country that it famous for its defiance against China. Host Marcus Smith and producer Tennery Taylor discuss the Sundance Film Festival.
Harvard's Avi Loeb shares how an interstellar object named Oumuamua could actually be a piece of technology from intelligent life outside the solar system. Jill Tarter of the SETI Institute searches for extraterrestrial life.
Tobias Capwell is the Curator of Arms and Armour at the Wallace Collection in London and jousts semi-professionally. "In the Same Breath" and "Captains of Zaatari" from the Sundance Film Festival.
Rich Cohen shows the lengths that some parents will go to help their children reach youth hockey victory in Connecticut. Arnold Rosen shares the joy of being a Band Grandpa.
British historian Gareth Russell explains how six first-class passengers on the Titanic showcase the tensions of Edwardian society. Historian Douglas Smith separates myth from reality in the story of Rasputin.
Michael Butler Brown has recently documented the first known dwarf giraffes and is using it to increase awareness of declining giraffe populations. Producer Tennery Taylor discusses the new films at the Sundance Film Festival this year. Sharon Marcus reveals why we're so enamored of celebrities.
Claire McNear explains just how much work goes on to make the gameshow Jeopardy a reality. Author Mary Pilon reveals scandal in the history of the famous board game Monopoly. Karin Kjernsmo of the University of Bristol shares how animals use iridescence as camouflage.
Andrea Nguyen is a master of vietnamese pho and shares the secrets to making excellent pho at home. Creator of YouTube channel "Pasta Grannies" Vicky Bennison chats about unique and tasty Italian food. Karl de Smedt of Puratos, the world's only sourdough library.
Russell Shorto digs into his own families past to learn more about his grandfather who was a small-town mobster. Scott Seligman explains how Orthodox Jewish housewives boycotted kosher beef in 1902 to bring down the prices set by a monopolistic collective.
Quintin Lake took 5 years to walk the 7000 miles of British coastline and take photos along the way. Frances Mayes shares the best-kept secrets of Italy and how to get the most of your visit once once you can fly there yourself.
Kerry McCauley introduces us to the dangerous career of ferry pilots, who deliver aircraft across the world. Alexander Rose on the heated race between airplanes and Zeppelins to dominate the skies during the early days of commercial international air travel.
Simon Winchester investigates how different cultures view land ownership. Christopher Scotese, a paleogeographer, is hard at work reconstructing what the Earth might look like in thousands of years as all the continents drift back together again.
Andreas Ahrens is the Director of the Disgusting Food Museum and pushes people to try unusual dishes. Daniella Martin tells us how and why to eat bugs! Tommy Copeland coaches a varsity grill team in Ennis, Texas.
Jim Defelice shares the eventful 18-month-long history of the Pony Express. Sam Payne describes the Spiral Jetty in the Great Salt Lake. Scott Ellsworth brings us along the race to summit the Himalayas for the first time in Western history.
Paul Rogers describes the threats to the world's largest living organism, an aspen forest in Utah. Matthew LaPlante of Utah State University and Utah Public Radio investigates the biggest, deadliest, oldest organisms on Earth. Patrick Hunt, of Stanford University, reveals the lasting legacy of Hannibal.
Misty Paig-Tran of Cal State Fullerton had a life dream fulfilled when a 14-foot oarfish washed ashore. Helen Scales brings the ocean to life for us.
Margaret Rousser is using technology to save the mountain yellow-legged frog. Andrew Gray of the Manchester Museum journeyed around the world in search of a frog that was right under his nose. Ken Albata of the University of the Pacific, Stockton takes us behind the scenes at a Renaissance feast.
Sara Weinstein studies African crested rats that can use poison from plants to defend themselves. Michael G. Vann explains how the French bounty on rats in Colonial Vietnam backfired. Idaho State's Winston Black reminds us that the Plague is still around today.
P. Jane Hafen shares the story of Gertrude Simmons Bonnin (Zitkala-Ša), a Sioux woman who campaigned for equal treatment of indigenous peoples in the United States. Elizabeth Horton identifies long-lost crops that have fallen out of domestication and could show up as weeds in your backyard.
Bradford Pearson shares the hardship and personal triumph of a high school football team formed in an internment camp during WWII. Duncan Ryuken Williams of USC explains how Japanese Americans in internment camps kept their religious practices alive.
Paul Koudounaris looks at history through a cat's eyes. Clive Wynne explains why dogs love us.
Emmanuel Ntibonera fled from the Democratic Republic of the Congo as a refugee, and he now runs a non-profit organization to aid war victims. The Liz Shropshire Music Foundation uses music to help refugee children.
Humans have a long complicated history with energy extending back thousands of years to the present day. A material scientist discusses how discoveries and inventions, like Edison's light bulb, have changed our lives.
Freezing DNA to hopefully bring back extinct species once the technology exists. And, scientists use genetics to help combat the threats that many ecosystems are facing.
Texas tales, from Native Americans and European colonists, to famous frogs. Doug Baum, owner of Texas Camel Corps, shares the story of the US military's use of camels in the American desert.
A philosopher decides to teach himself piano, starting with Bach, learning more about the maestro along the way. ArtCurious podcast host Jennifer Dasal reveals thrilling stories behind storied old masterpieces.
Danielle Clode tells the story of Jeanne Baret, the 18th century woman who disguised herself as a man and became a talented botanist while sailing around the world. Tracy Edwards was a high school dropout who became a female sailing legend.
Beth Kobliner shares the ways in which our idioms help define the way we speak. David Crystal analyzes conversations to understand what makes them work.
Maurice Jackson, of Georgetown, introduces Anthony Benezet, founder of abolitionism in the United States. Jerry Mikorenda tells the story of Elizabeth Jennings, a woman who fought for civil rights more than 100 years before the movement of the 1960s.
Martin Puchner has a long family history trying to preserve the secret language of thieves. Martin Puchner has a long family history trying to preserve the secret language of thieves. Mark Biederman is the son of Holocaust survivors and he's worked tirelessly to discover their story, which they were reticent to tell.
Richard Dixon, of the University of North Texas, Denton, studies why gingko trees don’t die of old age and what they can teach us about the past. Jeremy Black describes how tanks changed the way wars were fought.
Douglas McCauley, of UC, Santa Barbara, uses drones to study great white sharks. Jean Muenchrath survived major injuries on Mt. Whitney and encourages others to overcome barriers. Rashad Shabazz, of Arizona State University, explains how vibrant music education was in Minneapolis a century ago.
Maurice Jackson, of Georgetown, introduces Anthony Benezet, founder of abolitionism in the United States. Jerry Mikorenda tells the story of Elizabeth Jennings, a woman who fought for civil rights more than 100 years before the movement of the 1960s.
Martin Puchner has a long family history trying to preserve the secret language of thieves. Martin Puchner has a long family history trying to preserve the secret language of thieves. Mark Biederman is the son of Holocaust survivors and he's worked tirelessly to discover their story, which they were reticent to tell.
James Madison University's Ken Rutherford survived a landmine blast and he now advocates for their removal around the world. Robert Gaunt of the University of Pittsburgh designs mind-controlled prosthetic limbs.
Darcy Gaechter is the first and only woman to kayak the Amazon River from source to sea. Here's her story. Buddy Levy describes a Western explorer's discovery of the Amazon River.
Trond Larsen shares his recent journey to Bolivia’s Zongo Valley, a haven for lost and forgotten species. Richard Preston teaches us about the would above our heads in tree canopies. Mike Benton of the Univ of Bristol discusses dinosaur extinction theory.
Patrick T. Reardon explains how the ”L” tracks in Chicago both form and give identity to the city. Carl Smith breaks down the events that led up to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that displaced thousands.
Alecia Carter studies how Baboons deal with the death and how they understand their own mortality. Naturalist and author Sy Montgomery describes “How to be a Good Creature," as she's learned from wildlife.
Lorrie Glover looks at the life of Eliza Pinckney, one of the wealthiest planters in pre-revolutionary America. Catherine Clinton, of the University of Texas at San Antonio, shares a complicated perspective on the Civil War from the diary of Mary Chesnut, a Southern feminist.
Roland Ennos tells human history through our uses of wood. Céline Montanari of the KTH Royal Institute of Technology discusses how to make windows out of wood.
Wood and the Construction of Civilization
Guest: Roland Ennos, Visiting Professor of Biological Sciences at the University of Hull, and author of "The Age of Wood: Our Most Useful Material and the Construction of Civilization"
Timber harvest stoked revolutionary passion in the early colonies; cheap wood pulp enabled yellow journalism; replaced by iron and steel during the Industrial Age, wood is now transforming modern construction capabilities. We could tell human history through our use of wood.
Making Windows Out of Wood
Guest: Céline Montanari, Materials Science Engineer at the KTH Royal Institute of Technology
A group of Swedish researchers has discovered a way to make wood transparent. More durable, renewable, safer, and better at insulation, transparent wood could one day replace glass as the go-to material for windows. But that’s not all: now new wood material can absorb heat when it’s too hot and release it when it’s cold.
Cassie Chambers Armstrong grew up in Appalachia and eventually attended both Yale and Harvard; she couldn't have done it without generations of determined women behind her. Shannon Parker describes how of Maud Lewis' entire house ended up in The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
From Rural Kentucky to Harvard Law and Back
Guest: Cassie Chambers Armstrong, lawyer and former vice chair of the Kentucky Democratic Party, and author of "Hill Women: Finding Family and a Way Forward in the Appalachian Mountains"
Cassie Chambers Armstrong grew up in rural Kentucky, but eventually attended Yale and Harvard law before returning home to help women in her community. She gives credit to the strong, yet poor Appalachian women in her life for her many opportunities.
Maud Lewis' Painted House
Guest: Shannon Parker, Laufer Curator of Collections at The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Known for her paintings of happy cats, colorful flowers, and bright ocean seascapes, Maud Lewis was one of Canada’s most important folk artists. She died in 1970, but her legacy lives on in the form of her painted house, preserved in its entirety in The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
See the Maud Lewis collection here.
Katherine Moore tells the story of her mother, Katherine Johnson, one of the heroes of "Hidden Figures," in a new inspirational picture book. Joe Drape on the quest for sainthood for Father Emil Kapaun, a POW chaplain in the Korean War.
One Step Further
Guest: Katherine Moore, co-author, with Katherine Johnson and Joylette Hylick, of "One Step Further: My Story of Math, the Moon, and a Lifelong Mission"
"Hidden Figures" hero Katherine Johnson.was both confident and humble: She said, "if you expect nothing, you'll get nothing." But she also thought she was just doing her job at NASA and was surprised by all the attention her story got, which eventually led to her receiving the Presidential Medal of Freedom.
The Saint Makers
Guest: Joe Drape, sportswriter for "The New York Times" and author of "The Saint Makers: Inside the Catholic Church and How a War Hero Inspired a Journey of Faith"
Saints are "the superheroes of the Catholic Church," according to Drape, and here's the moving story of Emil Kapaun, a Korean War POW who saved many comrades and is now up for sainthood.
Opium Slavery
Guest: Jonathan S. Jones, postdoctoral scholar in Civil War History at Penn State University and author of the upcoming “Opium Slavery: Veterans and Addiction in the American Civil War Era”
Opioid addiction is nothing new to our day—it was an issue during and after the Civil War too, when successful treatment was hampered by social norms about manliness and pain.
The Tangled History of Opium
Guest: David Blistein, co-author with John H. Halpern of "Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned our World"
Our opioid epidemic is nothing new, as the Chinese could tell you—they fought for years to keep British opium out of their country, to no avail. So many cultures have tackled the double-edged sword of opium use. It's relieved more pain than it's caused, according to Blistein, but it certainly has caused a great deal of pain.
Jonathan S. Jones reveals an opiate crisis among veterans of the US Civil War that mirrors our current problem. David Blistein explains the complicated history of opium.
Dana Chandler shares how George Washington Carver used clever science to helped save America's farms. James Tour races nano cars, cars so small you can't see them, to drive the field of nanomanipulation forward. Ben Abbott of BYU introduces us to microbes that fight pollution.
The Man who Saved America’s Farms
Guest: Dana Chandler, trained archivist and historian, Professor of history and political science at Tuskegee University
George Washington Carver is sometimes called the first green scientist for his fascination with innovating with things many other people deemed useless. Join us as Tuskegee University archivist Dana Chandler tells us the story of this modern-day Renaissance man.
The Tiniest Racecars
Guest: James Tour, Professor of Chemistry, Computer Science,and Materials Science and NanoEngineering at Rice University.
Nanocars are collections of atoms that are designed to race along heated gold surfaces. Developments in nanocars help drive the study of nanomanipulation forward.
Microbes Absorbing Pollution
Guest: Ben Abbott, Assistant Professor, Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University
We get a lot of bad news about the damage humans have done to the environment, but here's word about helpful microbes undoing some of the damage.
Humankind's Greatest Invention
Guest: Ben Wilson, author of "Metropolis: A History of the City, Humankind’s Greatest Invention"
The story of city life and flourishing culture is an ever-evolving one. Uruk, the very first city, formed written language in response to complex trade negotiations. Filth in ancient Rome was tolerated for the sake of extravagance and solidarity. New York City’s vertical skyline sparked disgust at the excesses of "Gotham." In the wake of climate change, Shanghai and others have implemented green policies and are exploring technological solutions.
The 99% Invisible City
Guest: Roman Mars, host and creator of "99% Invisible" podcast and co-author of "The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design"
The urban environment is replete with inconspicuous design choices, stories, and secrets. Roman Mars has spent a decade exploring them on his wildly popular podcast "99% Invisible," and he has now released a book guide to as many as can fit into 375 pages. We find out why Mars once thought he was "unsuitable for public radio," and we hear some of his favorite stories, including why he loves stairs to nowhere that are "useless, but maintained."
Ben Wilson explains why the city might just be humankind's greatest invention. On his "99% Invisible" podcast, Roman Mars uncovers the stories behind seemingly insignificant design choices in our built environment.
Henry Adams, the Last American Aristocrat
Guest: David Brown, Professor of History at Elizabethtown College in Pennsylvania, and author of "The Last American Aristocrat: The Brilliant Life and Improbable Education of Henry Adams"
Henry Adams had a presidential pedigree, and in his lifetime he saw America transition from a former colony to an industrial powerhouse. And though he was an aristocrat, he warned about our day, when we are addicted to the technology that gives us so much power. He wouldn't be surprised at all that we can't go anywhere without our cell phones.
History Has Been Growing on Pennsylvania Avenue for a Long Time
Guest: Marta McDowell, gardener and author of "All the Presidents' Gardens: Madison's Cabbages to Kennedy's Roses, How the White House Grounds Have Grown with America"
The White House grounds have seen a lot of history: weddings, parties, and discussions with foreign leaders have all taken place there. The history of the grounds is as storied as the history of the house's inhabitants.
David Brown of Elizabethtown College recounts the life of Henry Adams, one of the last true American aristocrats. Marta McDowell describes the rich history and pleasures of the White House gardens.
Advertising for Love: From Personal Ads to Swiping Right
Guest: Francesca Beauman, historian, bookseller, and author of "Matrimony, Inc.: From Personal Ads to Swiping Right, a Story of America Looking for Love," and "Shapely Ankle Preferr'd: A History of the Lonely Hearts Ad"
In 1759 a man put the first “wife wanted” ad in an American newspaper. These advertisements for love have many fascinating parallels to today’s online dating. Even if we no longer value “good cow wrangling skills,” it is true we all still hope for “no foppish fool.”
When Did Diamonds Come to Mean Forever?
Guest: Rachelle Bergstein, author of "Brilliance and Fire: A Biography of Diamonds"
Diamonds once were worn only by royal men, until a young courtier changed the jewelry world forever. The stories of the people who created the diamond market that so many of us have bought in to, and the ways that young people today are changing up the engagement-ring tradition.
Francesca Beauman shares a delightful history of personal ads in the US. Rachelle Bergstein entertains us with the history of the diamond engagement ring and how it became practically essential to the Western marriage contract.
Making the Apollo Space Suit
Guest: Bill Ayrey, former space suit test engineer and company historian at ILC Dover for over forty years, and author of "Lunar Outfitters: Making the Apollo Space Suit"
ILC Dover started out as an international latex company. However, creative employees and talented engineers dreamed bigger. After many attempts to win NASA’s favor, they finally won the contract to build the Apollo space suits.
Spacefarers
Guest: Christopher Wanjek, author of "Spacefarers: How Humans Will Settle the Moon, Mars, and Beyond"
Remember the excitement around the space race? We've made it to the moon, we’ve sent satellites, we’ve blasted off shuttles and rockets and telescopes. There’s no doubt that space is exciting, so why aren’t more humans in space? What happened to the excitement?
Bill Ayrey on the ingenuity of the Apollo space suits. Christopher Wanjek describes how the space race continues, though not on the trajectory we once thought it would.
Secrets of New York City's Subway
Guest: John Morris, author of "Subway: The Curiosities, Secrets, and Unofficial History of the New York City Transit System"
At its debut in 1904, the New York subway impressed the world. Here are the stories of the people who made the dream of the subway a reality, including one unlucky laborer who was shot unceremoniously out of the subway tunnel and into the harbor by a sudden change in air pressure! Today, New Yorkers may grumble about the subway or simply take it for granted. Here's a look at the way it transformed the city.
NYC, Supreme City
Guest: Donald L. Miller, John Henry MacCracken Emeritus Professor of History, Lafayette College, and author of "Supreme City: How Jazz Age Manhattan Gave Birth to Modern America"
It's the place you went to see the future: the Big Apple. NYC's booming transformation in the early 20th century changed world culture.
Discover, explore, and reengage with John Morris shares the history behind the iconic New York City subway and how it went from being the most advanced subway system in 1904 to its current outdated state. Donald L. Miller of Lafayette College on how jazz made The Big Apple. wonders around you.
Judith Warner examines the awkward years of middle school and argues that it may not be as awful as parents think. Newbery Award-winning author Jerry Craft discusses his new book, "New Kid," the poignant story of a young middle schooler who moves to a new school and has to confront racial bias on top of all the pain of being the new kid.
Middle School Misery
Guest: Judith Warner, author, "And Then They Stopped Talking to Me: Making Sense of Middle School"
Most people would like to forget the often traumatizing years of middle school, and that can lead to parents getting more involved than they maybe should be. You can best help your middle schooler by understanding that things may not be as bad as you think in those tweenage years.
New Kid
Guest: Jerry Craft, author and illustrator, “New Kid,” winner of the 2020 Newbery Medal
"New Kid" is a graphic novel, the first to win the Newbery Medal; it tells the story of Jordan Banks, an African-American student who transfers to a new school and has to confront racial bias, on top of all the other miseries of middle school. The book tackles tough subjects but it does so with a sense of humor.
The Getty's Elizabeth Morrison and Larisa Grollemond explore the fantastic world of medieval bestiaries, which capture both real and fictional animals. Caspar Henderson finds some of the strangest animals in world, creatures just as weird and wonderful as any in a medieval bestiary.
Medieval Bestiaries
Guests: Elizabeth Morrison, Senior Curator of Manuscripts, J. Paul Getty Museum; Larisa Grollemond, Assistant Curator of Manuscripts, J. Paul Getty Museum
Unicorns and griffins and dragons galore! What can we learn about the Middle Ages from their depictions of real-life and fictional beasts?
The Only Thing Stranger than a Medieval Bestiary Is a Modern One
Guest: Caspar Henderson, author, "A New Map of Wonders: A Journey in Search of Modern Marvels," and "The Book of Barely Imagined Beings: A 21st Century Bestiary"
The animals we know of today are every bit as extraordinary as those imagined in medieval bestiaries, but they're real, and we have a responsibility to protect these living fantastical beasts. Our sense of wonder must be tempered with a sense of responsibility, according to Henderson.
Michael Kranish tells the story of Major Taylor, the world's fastest man. Jeff Salvage, race walking coach, and Miranda Melville, Olympic race walker, discuss the sometimes overlooked sport of competitive race walking.
Meet Major Taylor, America’s First Black Sport’s Hero
Guest: Michael Kranish, investigative reporter, "Washington Post," and author, “The World's Fastest Man: The Extraordinary LIfe of Cyclist Major Taylor, America's First Black Sports Hero”
Before Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens, or Jack Johnson, Major Taylor used his incredible athletic ability to fight racism and prejudice and become the world’s fastest man.
Race Walking
Guests: Jeff Salvage, race-walking coach, founder, racewalk.com, and former international competitor; Miranda Melville, Olympian race walker
Race walking is a serious sport for serious athletes. It is distinguished from running by keeping one foot on the ground at all times. Fastidious form is paramount, and it's helpful for everyone to learn how to do it as they age. Marcus Smith wonders if it's a sport he should take up.
Stephen Puleo shares the heartwarming story of the first major international aid effort, when Americans rescued the Irish during the Irish Potato Famine of 1847. Douglas Smith explains the largest humanitarian operation that you probably never heard of when the United States aided Russia during its famine in 1921.
Voyage of Mercy
Guest: Stephen Puleo, author, "Voyage of Mercy: The USS Jamestown, the Irish Famine, and the Remarkable Story of America's First Humanitarian Mission"
In a massive nationwide effort, the US sent tons of food and supplies to Ireland in the wake of the Potato Famine of 1847. This mission of mercy changed the face of humanitarian aid forever and cemented Irish loyalty to America.
The Largest Humanitarian Operation That You Never Heard Of
Guest: Douglas Smith, award-winning historian, translator, and author, "The Russian Job: The Forgotten Story of How America Saved the Soviet Union from Ruin"
One of the largest humanitarian operations in history has been almost completely forgotten, maybe because neither side wanted to admit they worked with the other. Douglas Smith writes about how American aid during the Russian famine of 1921 saved the Soviet Union from collapse.
Tim Walsh, a toy historian and game inventor, tells the story of people banding together to help the inventor of the game "Operation" pay for an operation he couldn't afford due to bankruptcy. Thomas Morris shares medical curiosities from history, such as how one doctor conducted an appendectomy on himself. Mary Pilon recounts the surprisingly scandalous history of the board game "Monopoly."
When the Man Who Invented "Operation" Needs One
Guest: Tim Walsh, game inventor, toy historian, and producer, “OPERATION: Operation, The Power of Play”
When John Spinello sold the idea for the game “Operation” in 1964 for $500, he didn’t realize how hugely popular the game would become. He himself struggled financially late in his life, and found himself urgently needing an operation he couldn't afford. Tim Walsh, game inventor and toy historian, tells the story of the people inspired by the 1960s game, including a surgeon who invented a medical device inspired by the game. Most poignantly, he shares the crowdsourced effort to get Spinello the operation he needed.
Barely Believable Stories from the Annals of Medical History
Guest: Thomas Morris, author, “The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth and other Curiosities from the History of Medicine”
A soldier who seemed immune to death, no matter how many injuries he sustained. A patient who performed his own appendectomy. A man who had had enough and decided to surgically remove his own bladder stone.
The Untold Story of the World’s Greatest Game
Guest: Mary Pilon, author, “The Monopolists: Obsession, Fury, and the Scandal Behind the World's Favorite Board Game”
What has long been one of America’s favorite pastimes is not as innocent as it seems. The history of Monopoly is messy and fraught with deception and scandal.
Ruth Goodman has explored bad behavior, good manners and ordinary life in Elizabethan England. Katherine Harvey shows how people living in the Middle Ages were a lot more concerned with cleanliness than you might think.
Naughty Knaves
Guest: Ruth Goodman, historian and author, "How to Behave Badly in Elizabethan England: A Guide for Knaves, Fools, Harlots, Cuckolds, Drunkards, Liars, Thieves, and Braggarts" and "The Domestic Revolution: How the Introduction of Coal into Victorian Homes Changed Everything"
Ruth Goodman, gets down in the dirt with historic reenactments of ordinary farm life in Victorian and Tudor times. She's also written the book on bad (and good!) behavior in Renaissance times.
The Middle Ages: Cleaner Than We Thought
Guest: Katherine Harvey, Medieval Historian, Birkbeck, University of London
Even without indoor plumbing, people in the Middle Ages were aware of—and attentive to—cleanliness much more than we've given them credit for.
Stephen Kinzer explains the twisted life of Sidney Gottlieb, a CIA operative who tortured and poisoned for a supposed greater good. Former CIA Chief of Counterintelligence James M. Olson on what it takes to catch a spy. Sonia Purnell tells the story of Virginia Hall, a highly unlikely but most dangerous Allied spy in WWII.
The Secret Poisoner
Guest: Stephen Kinzer, author, "Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control"
Sidney Gottlieb was the 20th century's most powerful American you never heard of. A CIA operative who tortured and poisoned for a supposed greater good, no one during his lifetime fully grasped his shocking influence. He is responsible for introducing LSD to America, for example. But in his last years he volunteered in leper colonies, became a speech therapist, and was wracked with guilt.
The Art of Counterintelligence
Guest: James M. Olson, former Chief of CIA Counterintelligence, and Professor, Counterintelligence, Bush School of Government & Public Service, Texas A&M University
Someone must spy on the enemy's spies. This is the role of counterintelligence agents, who track down and identify spies in their midst, and try to prevent them from getting there in the first place.
A Most Unlikely Spy
Guest: Sonia Purnell, author, "A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II"
Virginia Hall was a Baltimore socialite, amputee, and the most dangerous Allied Spy of WWII. This is her story of heroism, self-sacrifice, and grit.
Clive Wynne breaks down the psychology behind dogs and why they love us. Phyllis Meuller is the chief of staff for Maximus Mighty-Dog Meuller II, the only dog who serves as mayor. Sy Montgomery explains why wild dogs are not necessarily mans best friend.
How do Dogs Love Us?
Guest: Clive Wynne, Professor, Psychology, and Director, Canine Science Collaboratory, Arizona State University, and author, "Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You"
Unlike other animals, dogs can bond with multiple species, which makes them excellent pets. They make good hunting partners, of course, as do wolves. The only difference is that wolves won't share their kills with you.
The Dog Mayor of Idyllwild
Guest: Phyllis Meuller, Chief of Staff, Office of Mayor Max Mueller
Maximus Mighty-Dog Meuller II has been serving loyally as the Mayor of Idyllwild for five years. Impressive for a golden retriever who is only five-and-a-half years old.
If Dogs Are Man's Best Friend, Then Why Are Wild Dogs Man's Worst Enemy?
Guest: Sy Montgomery, author, "How to be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals"
Why is it that we hate wild dogs so much? They're so like our own dogs that they can even interbreed with them. The qualities that we hate so much in wild dogs we love in our own. Do we have a double standard?
The Bird Way
Guest: Jennifer Ackerman, author, "The Genius of Birds" and "The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think"
Birds play with abandon, but they also relay very specific messages about dangers. Some are doting parents, but others make their new chicks work hard just to see the light of day. Their chicks are the toughest on the planet. No helicopter parenting here.
Parrot Intelligence
Guest: Irene Pepperberg, Research Associate and Lecturer, Harvard University
African grey parrots are as intelligent as a five-year-old child. Just check out these hilarious stories about Alex, Dr. Pepperberg’s world famous parrot. He even apologizes, but just to get what he wants.
Raptors Keep Jersey Gulls in Line
Guest: Erik Swanson, Master Falconer, East Coast Falcons; Animal Control Officer and Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator
Patrolling raptors may be the solution to the Jersey shore’s seagull problem.
Good to Know - Bird Words
Take a minute to think about just how many bird-related words and phrases you know. "Hoodwinked," "wrapped around your finger," and "fed up," all come from falconry.
Jennifer Ackerman reveals that birds' social lives often rival our own. Harvard's Irene Pepperberg describes the humor and intelligence of her famous African grey parrot. Erik Swanson, of East Coast Falcons, uses raptors to solve the Jersey Shore’s seagull problem. Marcus Smith explains the aviary origins of well-known English phrases.
Joshua Mezrich share a day in the life of a transplant surgeon. Jens Puschhof of Hubrecht Institute shares his groundbreaking research growing organs in a lab.
Notes from a Transplant Surgeon
Guest: Joshua Mezrich, Associate Professor, Surgery, and Surgical Director, Living Donor Kidney Program, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health; and author, “When Death Becomes Life: Notes from a Transplant Surgeon”
As a new transplant surgeon, Dr. Mezrich was afraid to approach the donor's family, but they welcomed him enthusiastically. The spiritual and physical aspects of giving new life from tragedy through transplant surgery.
Lab-Grown Organs
Guest: Jens Puschhof, PhD candidate, Hubrecht Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Growing organic tissue in the lab helps researchers understand and treat diseases and cancer, and, in an exciting step forward, researchers in the Netherlands recently replicated venomous snake glands.
Bring Back the Beavers!
Guest: Derek Gow, author of “Bringing Back the Beaver: The Story of One Man’s Quest to Rewild Britain’s Waterways”
Derek Gow leads a passionate quest to bring back beavers to Britain's waterways. Historically, they've been considered a pest in Britain, but, in reality, they revitalize water systems. The story of their demise involves the hunting preferences of the landed class, but there's hope for their future as people begin to realize how valuable these busy builders are.
How Carp Conquered America’s Rivers
Guest: Andrew Reeves, author of “Overrun: Dispatches from the Asian Carp Crisis”
Carp are one of the world’s most successful river-dwellers. They came to dominate America’s river systems from a series of environmental miscalculations. At the same time, they've become threatened in their native waters. How to restore the balance?
Derek Gow is a beaver crusader with a mission to bring back beavers to the world's waterways. Andrew Reeves explains why Asian Carp have become a huge problem in America's river systems, even as they become endangered in their native habitats.
Judith Sumner breaks down the botanical history of WWII to show how plants played a significant role, for good and ill, on both sides of the war. David Taylor explains that cork was essential in construction of WWII battleships.
Plants Go to War
Guest: Judith Sumner, author of “Plants Go to War: A Botanical History of World War II”
Victory gardens provided 44 percent of produce in 1944, and they could be found anywhere from backyards to rooftops to public squares. But plants had even more impact on the outcome of the war, as they were used for good and ill. Take the humble sugar beet: it provided sugar but was also the source of poison gas. Judith Sumner provides a wide-ranging tour of the plants that shaped the war's outcome.
Cork Wars
Guest: David Taylor, author of "Cork Wars: Intrigue and Industry in World War II"
Sometimes conflict, strife, family life, and fortune can all revolve around the most innocuous of substances—during World War II, one of these was cork. This is the story of how cork changed the course of the war.
Nicholas A. Basbanes tells the rich story of famous poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Daniel Peterson of BYU examines the mystery of the Magi.
The Life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Guest: Nicholas A. Basbanes, author of "Cross of Snow: A Life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow"
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was propelled to international fame—even Queen Victoria notes in her diary that her staff lined up to catch a glimpse of the famous American. His relationship with his second wife was a marriage of equals and he was brokenhearted by her tragic death, but he never lost his faith. He may have fallen out of favor after his death, but historian Nicholas Basbanes seeks to restore him to his rightful place in American history.
The Mystery of the Magi
Guest: Daniel Peterson, Professor of Arabic, and founder and long-time editor of the Middle Eastern Texts Initiative, Brigham Young University
The Magi have appeared in the traditional Christmas narrative for centuries, bringing their gold, frankincense, and myrrh from faraway lands. But how much do we really know about their origins?
Judith Flanders shares all the types of Christmas traditions that have arisen in the almost 2000 year history of Christmas. Kim Balaschak explains the Russian tradition of New Year's Ornaments.
Christmas Traditions from the Archbishop of Constantinople to Department Store Parades
Guest: Judith Flanders, writer and social historian, primarily focused on Victorian era, author of “Inside the Victorian Home,” “The Invention of Murder,” and, “Christmas: A Biography."
Christmas has had nearly 2000 years of evolving traditions, cultures, and practices. While we all might think our way of celebrating the holiday is the “right” way to do it, there are actually as many differences as you’d expect with 2000 years of history.
A Russian Tradition
Guest: Kim Balaschak, retired collector of Russian New Year’s Tree Ornaments
Kim Balaschak’s Russian New Year’s ornament collection started as a way for her to feel a bit of the holidays in Russia. Over the years, it’s become a chronicle of Russian history. It’s now at The Museum of Russian Art
Alex Palmer shares how John Duval Gluck founded the Santa Claus Association to answer the letters children sent to Santa, but was busted when they found him embezzling large amounts of the association's funds. Author Howard Means explains the myths behind the man Johnny Appleseed.
Kris Kringle Nabs Cash! A Cunning Christmas Crime
Guest: Alex Palmer, author of "The Santa Claus Man: The Rise and Fall of a Jazz Age Con Man and the Invention of Christmas in New York," published in 2016, but the paperback version just came out on November 1st of this year.
John Duval Gluck, started the Santa Claus Association, which answered children’s Christmas letters to the fat man and connected them with philanthropists who could help. But corruption was the downfall of this Progressive-Era showman.
Johnny Appleseed: The Eccentric Man Behind the Great American Legend
Guest: Howard Means, journalist and author, "Johnny Appleseed: The Man, the Myth, the American Story"
Johnny Appleseed, born John Chapman, was a pioneer of the American frontier, and an eccentric one at that. He's a larger-than-life figure with a story we've all helped to promote and expand. His history, though, is a bit more complicated than the Disney biopic lets on.
Great-great-great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens, Lucinda Hawksley, shares how Dickens kicked off the Victorian obsession with Christmas when he published, "A Christmas Carol." Ainissa Ramirez shares how the Henry Bessemer made railroads and our modern celebration of Christmas possible.
Dickens and Christmas
Guest: Lucinda Hawksley, author, broadcaster, lecturer, great-great-great-granddaughter of Charles Dickens, author of, "Dickens and Christmas."
Charles Dickens’ young life sounds like it came straight out of A Christmas Carol: his father was arrested and sent to debtors’ prison, and young Dickens went to work in a factory to help support the family. Listen here to learn more about the man who started the Victorian obsession with Christmas, and penned the most beloved Christmas classic of all time.
The Making of Christmas As We Know It
Guest: Ainissa Ramirez, Material Scientist, Science Communicator and Author of “The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another"
You probably haven’t heard of Henry Bessemer, but he may be as important as the beloved Saint Nick in our modern Christmas traditions. Today, we are talking to Ainissa Ramirez about this unexpected Christmas hero and how railroads made modern Christmas possible.
Kittie Wilkins, the Horse Queen of Idaho
Guest: Philip Homan, Catalog Librarian and Associate Professor at Idaho State University’s Eli M. Oboler Library
Kittie Wilkins, known as the “Horse Queen of Idaho,” became a millionaire in the late 1800s thanks to being one of the most prolific horse traders in history. Trained as a classical pianist, she was refined—in no way a tomboy—and she capitalized on her femininity in her business dealings.
The Hidden Canadian Island Where Wild Horses Roam
Guest: Zoe Lucas, President of Sable Island Institute
Home to more feral horses than people, Sable Island is a thin strip of land off the coast of Nova Scotia. Its history is rife with tales about shipwrecks and roaming sea merchants. Turns out, the island is also an important place for scientific observation. We spoke with Zoe Lucas, a Sable Island researcher, about the history and significance of this little-known place.
Philip Homan describes how Kittie Wilkins became a millionaire in the late 1800s by trading horses. Zoe Lucas of the Sable Island Institute reveals the wonders of a place where there are more feral horses than people.
UW's Cecilia Aragon went from extremely fearful of heights to acrobatic pilot. Keith O'Brien shares the stories of lesser-known "fly girls" who flew alongside Amelia Earhart in the 1920s and '30s.
From Fear of Elevators to Champion Acrobatic Pilot
Guest: Cecilia Aragon, Professor in the College of Engineering at the University of Washington, and author of "Flying Free: My Victory Over Fear to Become the First Latina Pilot on the US Aerobatic Team"
Cecilia Aragon was so afraid of heights that she couldn't ride in an elevator. She began to feel like her fear was defining her life, so when a co-worker invited her to go flying with him, she said yes. In just six years, she would be flying in acrobatic air shows. She broke barriers to become the first Latina pilot on the US Aerobatic Team and the first full professor in her department at the UW.
Fly Girls
Guest: Keith O’Brien, journalist and author of “Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History”
Amelia Earhart wasn't the only pioneering female pilot in the skies in the '20s and '30s. She was the president of The Ninety-Nines, a group of women who were all licensed pilots. They came from different backgrounds, but they all supported each other in their pursuit of flying. But that doesn't mean that they didn't compete against each other for prizes and accolades in air races and record-breaking feats of daring.
Owen Stanwood follows the path of the Huguenots, who, in the 1600s, were driven from France for their religious beliefs and scattered all over the world. Maria Konnikova explained how confidence man Gregor MacGregor fooled hundreds into setting sail for a fake country.
Huguenot Diaspora
Guest: Owen Stanwood, Associate Professor, History, Boston College, and author, "The Global Refuge: Huguenots in an Age of Empire"
Huguenots—French Protestants—were run out of France in the 1600s. They ended up all over the world and were so good at fitting in that their culture and language were largely lost. But their experience paved the way for countries to accept other refugees.
The Land that Never Was
Guest: Maria Konnikova, journalist and author, "The Confidence Game: Why We Fall For It . . . Every Time"
Gregor MacGregor used his superior storytelling ability to fool hundreds into believing in a promised land that didn't exist. Sadly, many people lost their lives trying to find it. Why are great con artists so good? They're selling us what we already want to buy.
Kate Winkler Dawson, University of Texas at Austin, describes one of the worst environmental disasters in British history and why no one cared. Anirudh Sharma extracts carbon from the air to make printer ink.
Smog Strangles London
Guest: Kate Winkler Dawson, Associate Professor, Journalism, The University of Texas at Austin, and author, "Death in the Air: The True Story of a Serial Killer, the Great London Smog, and the Strangling of a City"
When a thick black smog blanketed the sky in December of 1952, Londoners assumed it was just another fog. After all, inversions were common. So no one really cared. Until so many bodies piled up that the morgues had no place to put them. Listen to the story of the perfect storm, and how the press about a brazen serial killer distracted the government and the public from protecting London from the pollution that killed over 4,000 people.
Capturing Air Pollution to Create Ink
Guest: Anirudh Sharma, Co-Founder, Graviky Labs, and creator, Air-Ink
Anirudh Sharma captures CO2 emissions from tailpipes and turns it into fine artists' ink.
A True Story of Survival at Sea
Guest: Jonathan Franklin, investigative journalist who has reported for The New York Times, Boston Globe, and Washington Post, author of "438 Days: An Extraordinary True Story of Survival at Sea."
On November 17, 2012, Salvador Alvarenga left the coast of Mexico for a weekend fishing trip. He was caught in a violent storm which sent him drifting into the Pacific Ocean. Fourteen months later, on January 30, 2014, Alvarenga washed ashore some 7,000 miles away on the Marshall Islands. His resilience, will, ingenuity, and determination helped him survive for more than a year at sea.
When Two Ships Found Themselves Marooned on the Same Island
Geust: Joan Druett; author of "Island of the Lost: An Extraordinary Story of Survival at the Edge of the World"
The Auckland Islands just south of New Zealand were treacherous for sailors in the late 19th century. With unforgiving terrain and subantarctic winds, shipwrecks were common. So when two ships crashed on the same island, just four months apart, both crews had to scramble for survival. Why did one group fare well, while the other descended into mutiny? Author and maritime historian Joan Druett tells the story.
Jonathan Franklin shares the story of how Salvador Alvarenga survived for more than a year adrift in the Pacific Ocean. Joan Druett shares the parallel stories of two ships marooned on the same island four months apart that couldn't have had more different endings.
Jan Swafford brings Beethoven to life in honor of the composer's 250th birthday. James Gaffigan, Lucern Symphony Orchestra, describes the emotional role a conductor plays in a performance.
Beethoven’s 250th Birthday
Guest: Jan Swafford, author of "Beethoven: Anguish and Triumph"
He wanted to be known by everyday people, and in that his music has certainly succeeded. What most people don't know is how tortured and difficult Beethoven's life was.
What Are Maestros Really Doing on Stage?
Guest: James Gaffigan, Chief Conductor of the Luzerner Sinfonieorchester, and Principal Guest Conductor of the Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducting an orchestra is so much more than keeping time. Conductors must make an emotional connection with the musicians if the performance is to succeed.
The Smithsonian's Steven Turner describes the discoveries of James Smithson, the man who founded the Smithsonian. Kathryn Harkup explains the scientific discoveries that influenced Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein."
The Life and Contributions of the Smithsonian Founder
Guest: Steven Turner, Historian of Science and Curator Emeritus of Physical Sciences at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, and author of "The Science of James Smithson: Discoveries from the Smithsonian Founder"
You’ve heard of the Smithsonian, but you probably don’t know much about the man who funded the museum. James Smithson was a brilliant scientist, but even the institution named after him downplayed his achievements. Steven Turner wants to set the record straight, and he has even replicated many of Smithson’s experiments to prove the value of his contributions.
The Science Behind the First Science-Fiction Novel
Guest: Kathryn Harkup, chemist and author of “Making the Monster: The Science Behind Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein"
The years before Mary Shelley published "Frankenstein" saw huge leaps in our understanding of natural sciences, and many of the most popular experiments, lecturers, and science gossip made its way into Shelley’s famous novel. Kathryn Harkup, a chemist herself, talks about the science fact behind the science fiction.
Judith Flanders on the not-so-obvious genius of alphabetical order. Peter Martin describes cultural wars over dictionaries in early America.
From A to Z
Guest: Judith Flanders, writer, social historian, and author of "A Place for Everything: The Curious History of Alphabetical Order"
We take our ABCs for granted, including the reason why the alphabet is in a certain order. But it was surprisingly not always obvious that ABCs were the best way to to order the world. This history spans centuries, and understanding why we place such importance on this (seemingly arbitrary) organizational system can explain a lot.
Dictionary Wars
Guest: Peter Martin, author, “The Dictionary Wars: The American Fight over the English Language”
The American Revolution fought to preserve our rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness--and also our right to cultural independence through our language. The battle over American language played out between lexicographers and the public, with the question of patriotism hanging over the whole debate, because in America, unlike in England, the dictionary was like the Bible.
Kao Kalia Yang's family immigrated to Minnesota after her parents fled Laos and she now tells the stories of the many immigrants who call Minnesota home.
A Collective Refugee Memoir in Minnesota
Guest: Kao Kalia Yang, author of "The Song Poet: A Memoir of My Father" and "Somewhere in the Unknown World: A Collective Refugee Memoir"
Kao Kalia Yang’s family left their home in Laos before she was born. She spent her early years in a refugee camp in Thailand, and her family eventually settled in Minnesota. In poetic, mesmerizing storytelling, she shares the experiences of many refugees in Minnesota.
Health and Beauty Products Endanger Sharks
Guest: Stefanie Brendl, founder and Executive Director of Shark Allies
The upcoming Covid-19 vaccines may contain a surprising ingredient—shark oil. Stefanie Brendl, of Shark Allies, teaches us about squalene and why its use might be a death sentence for thousands of sharks. The good news is that squalene can be found in plants as well, and some consumers are insisting that manufacturers use plant-based sources, which would preserve sharks to do their job managing sealife populations.
Forget JAWS: Swimming with Sharks
Guest: Cristina Zenato, ocean explorer and shark professional
Contrary to what pop culture myths, sharks are not mindless killing machines. Zenato's job is to swim with the sharks and she'd like to change your mind about what they're really like.
Rosie the Taxidermied Shark
Guest: Tom Kapitany, Director of "Crystal World," Victoria, Australia
In 1998, a great white shark was netted in the tuna nets off the South Australian coast. The fishermen humanely killed her, and she ended up in an amusement park where she was preserved and given the name Rosie. Later the amusement park was abandonded, leaving Rosie all by herself until Tom Kapitany rescued her. She is now on display at "Crystal World" in Victoria, Australia.
Stefanie Brendl, founder of Shark Allies, warns that using a shark-derived product in a Covid-19 vaccine could be a death sentence for some sharks. Cristina Zenato, shark professional, challenges the Hollywood portrayal of sharks. Tom Kapitany tells the story of Rosie the taxidermied shark, who was found in an abandoned wildlife park in 2018 and now has a new home.
Scott Seligman explains how Orthodox Jewish housewives boycotted kosher beef in 1902 to bring down the prices set by a monopolistic collective. Jason Turbow tells us about the time a bagel union beat the mafia. Andrew Hager shares the long and sometimes odd history of presidential pets.
How Immigrants Fought the Beef Trust, and Won
Guest: Scott Seligman, historian, genealogist, retired corporate executive, author of "The Great Kosher Meat War of 1902: Immigrant Housewives and the Riots That Shook New York City"
In 1902, rowdy boycotts against kosher meat distributors were an effort to lower the price of kosher beef, which was set by the Midwest Beef Trust. The boycotts, organized and largely carried out by women, ultimately helped drive the price of kosher beef back down.
How a Bagel Union Fought Off the Mafia
Guest: Jason Turbow, author, "How New York’s Bagel Union Fought — and Beat — a Mafia Takeover," Grub Street, "They Bled Blue: Fernandomania, Strike-Season Mayhem, and the Weirdest Championship Baseball Had Ever Seen: The 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers"
In 1960's New York City, bagels were just getting popular, and the mafia wanted in on the profits. Bagel Union 338, though, would have none of it.
From Hyenas to Opossums, the White House has Seen a Wide Variety of First Pets
Guest: Andrew Hager, historian-in-residence at the Presidential Pet Museum
Pets are an American passion, and one that’s been reflected in the White House for centuries. But First Pets are sometimes a little more exotic than a typical dog or cat. Harrison had opossums; Coolidge had a bobcat and raccoons. And Teddy Roosevelt had just about everything. Besides companionship, First Pets play an important role in politics; they both humanize the President, and sometimes make for good diplomacy.
One Woman’s Experience with the Vegetarian Movement
Guest: Deborah Madison, award-winning author of fourteen cookbooks, including "The New Vegetarian Cooking for Everyone," and, "Vegetable Literacy," in 2016 she was inducted into the JamesBeard Foundation Cookbook Hall of Fame, author of, "An Onion in my Pocket: My Life with Vegetables"
Deborah Madison has had a profound impact on how Americans view vegetarianism, but doesn’t like the label for herself. While she does prefer mostly veggies on her own plate, she hopes that food will bring people together instead of dividing them.
One Gilded Age Eccentric's Fight for the Rights of Animals
Guest: Ernest Freeberg, Professor of humanities and head of the history department at the University of Tennessee, author of "A Traitor to His Species: Henry Bergh and the Birth of the Animal Rights Movement"
Henry Bergh was a sort of super-hero—running through the streets, interrupting traffic, making arrests, all to save a mistreated horse or dog. This Gilded Age man started the Animal Rights movement.
Deborah Madison made vegetarian cooking accessible for everyone. This is her life story. Ernest Freeberg explains how Henry Bergh single-handedly started the animal rights movement during the Gilded Age.
Harvard Medical School's Dr. Paul Farmer was one of the first international responders to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Emory's Walter Orenstein explains how smallpox was eradicated.
Fevers, Feuds, and Diamonds
Guest: Dr. Paul Farmer, Kolokotrones University Professor at Harvard Medical School; Co-Founder and Chief Strategist of Partners In Health; Chief of the Division of Global Health Equity at Brigham and Women’s Hospital in Boston; author of "Fevers, Feuds, and Diamonds: Ebola and the Ravages of History"
Paul Farmer, a co-founder of Partners in Health, anthropologist, and acclaimed medical doctor, was one of the first international responders to the Ebola outbreak in West Africa. Successful treatment of Ebola hinges on the tension between controlling the spread of the disease and care for those who've already contracted the disease. Care is often seen as too expensive in poor countries and containment can't happen without proper PPE. One of Dr. Farmer's patients challenged him to write down the stories from the frontlines. Their stories have lessons for us in the current pandemic.
How to Wipe a Disease Off the Earth
Guest: Walter Orenstein, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine and Director, Emory-UGA Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS)
Thanks to modern medicine and vaccines, there’s a very good chance that you’ve never met anyone who has suffered from polio or the black plague, but that doesn’t mean the disease is truly gone. Actually eradicating a disease is incredible difficult, and we talk to Dr. Walter Orenstein to find out why.
Adrian Goldsworthy shows how Philip and Alexander of Macedonia conquered far away lands. Paul Cartledge of Clare College Cambridge clears up some of the misconceptions about the ancient Greek city of Thebes.
Philip and Alexander of Macedonia
Guest: Adrian Goldsworthy, Greek and Roman historian, and author of "Philip and Alexander: Kings and Conquerors"
When Philip II came to power, Macedonia had all but fallen apart. The next 23 years were spent conquering, negotiating, marrying, and laying the groundwork for empire. Alexander the Great used the confidence and war techniques he learned from his father to lead Macedonian armies to Greece, Egypt, Babylon, Persia, and even India.
Thebes, the Forgotten Greek City
Guest: Paul Cartledge, AG Leventis Senior Research Fellow Emeritus of Clare College Cambridge, and author of "Thebes: The Forgotten City of Ancient Greece"
Frequently overshadowed by its Greek counterparts Athens and Sparta, Thebes too often gets a bad rap. But Thebes was actually pretty important, mythically and historically; it was the birthplace of Hercules, and played a key role in the Peloponnesian War. But it had to be resurrected after it was thoroughly crushed by Alexander the Great.
One Man’s Quest to Climb Everest Unassisted
Guest: Ed Caesar, author of "The Moth and the Mountain: A True Story of Love, War, and Everest," and a contributing writer to The New Yorker
Maurice Wilson was a troubled veteran of WWI, who sought to soothe his demons through adventure. Hopping along Europe in a Moth airplane, he set his sights on being the first to climb Mount Everest unassisted.
Ed Caesar shares the story of Maurice Wilson, an amateur climber who wanted to be the first to scale Mt. Everest.
Sharika Crawford explains how turtle fishing shaped the Caribbean lifestyle and culture. Sam Payne describes the unusual animals his father gave him as pets.
The Last Turtlemen of the Caribbean
Guest: Sharika Crawford, Associate Professor of History at the United States Naval Academy, and author of "The Last Turtlemen of the Caribbean: Waterscapes of Labor, Conservation, and Boundary Making"
For hundreds of years, sea turtle fishing was a major part of Caribbean life. Eventually, demand for turtle spread across America and Europe, and the depletion of sea turtles led to the decline of turtle trade. Environmental awareness was the nail in the coffin for the turtemen's livelihood, though you can still eat turtle in the Caymans.
Animal Stories
Guest: Sam Payne, host of the Apple Seed
Sam Payne's father often brought home unusual pets and Sam often had to screw up his courage to domesticate them. His experiences provide more than a few laughs, and Marcus Smith decides he can be more brave as well.
A Political History of Project Apollo
Guest: Teasel Muir-Harmony, curator of the Project Apollo collection at the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, Instructor at Georgetown University, and author of "Operation Moonglow: A Political History of Project Apollo"
The Space Race involved American scientists in massive PR campaigns throughout the United States. Astronauts went on world tours, exhibits attracted millions, and billions of people listened to broadcasts of missions to space. President John Kennedy looked to the space program to provide him a win when political events like the Bay of Pigs fiasco threw a long shadow on his administration.
Earthrise
Guest: Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee, Emmy nominated filmmaker and director of "Earthrise: The Image that Shared our World"
The Apollo 8 mission captured an image of Earth that amazed the billion people watching it on TV at the time: the cratered but barren surface of the moon in the foreground, and the Earth in the black sky beyond, nearly half-eclipsed by the shadow of the moon. Referring to this view, Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell said, "The vast loneliness is awe-inspiring and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth." How the "Earthrise" photo changed our perspective on our planet.
The Surprisingly Rich Emotional and Mental Lives of Neanderthals
Guest: Rebecca Wragg Sykes, archaeologist and Honorary Fellow at the Universities of Liverpool and Bordeaux, and author of "Kindred: Neanderthal Life, Love, Death and Art"
Neanderthals were so much more than the knuckle-dragging brutes popular history makes them out to be. Paleolithic archaeologist Rebecca Wragg Sykes presents a new narrative based on DNA and mounting archeological evidence about the rich lives, emotions, and experiences of these 125,000-year-old cousins of our species.
Teasel Muir-Harmony of the Smithsonian looks at the politics behind the NASA's Apollo program. Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee on the impact of the Apollo Earthrise photo.
Rebecca Wragg Sykes highlights the surprising depth and breadth of what we know about the Neanderthals. They were far more advanced and inventive than usually assumed.
Anna Nekaris describes a venomous mammal that is cute enough to be a stuffed animal, the loris. Jeramiah Smith of the University of Kentucky introduces the mysterious axolotl.
Cute Little Devils
Guest: Anna Nekaris, Professor in Anthropology and Primate Conservation, Oxford Brookes University, and Director of the Little Fireface Project
YouTube videos promote these cute and cuddly creatures who supposedly like being tickled. Far from it, they are vicious, with a toxic bite, and they use their venom most often on other lorises who intrude on their territory. And those videos? They're actually evidence of trauma.
Adorable Mexican Salamanders May Unlock Limb Regeneration in Humans
Guest: Jeramiah Smith, Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, University of Kentucky
Axolotls are adorable, weird, super-powered creatures, and this Mexican salamander’s giant genome may unlock limb regeneration in humans.
Prashant Kidambi describes how a cricket team from India broke through barriers and twelve years of failure to finally play a competitive tour in Britain in 1911. Jenny Feterovich shares the story of five Soviet hockey players who were smuggled out of the USSR to play hockey for the Detroit Red Wings.
An Indian Cricket Odyssey into the Empire
Guest: Prashant Kidambi, historian at the University of Leicester, UK, and author of "Cricket Country: An Indian Odyssey in the Age of Empire"
It was 1911, after twelve years and three failed attempts, when the first Indian cricket team completed a competitive tour of Britain. Their journey includes a Sikh prince, some missing team members, an unprecedented heat wave, and the backdrop of imperial England.
The Russian Five
Guest: Jenny Feterovich, producer, "The Russian Five" documentary
In a true story more like a spy film, the Detroit Red Wings hockey team helped five world-class Russian players defect to join their team at the end of the Cold War. They led the Red Wings to win two back-to-back Stanley Cups.
The Fabric of Civilization
Guest: Virginia Postrel, award-winning journalist and independent scholar who has written for "Bloomberg Opinion," the "Atlantic," the "Wall Street Journal," and the "New York Times." Author of, "The Fabric of Civilization: How Textiles Made the World."
The story of humanity is the story of textiles, one that is as old as civilization itself. Spinning and weaving patterns perpetuated mathematical thinking. Experimentation with dyes were the beginnings of chemical discovery. Cotton and silk production encouraged commerce and spread new ideas throughout the world. Modern environmental concerns have stimulated the creation of synthetic cloth.
How Fabric Changed History
Guest: Kassia St. Clair, author, "The Secret Lives of Color" and "The Golden Thread: How Fabric Changed History"
From the wool sails that carried the Vikings across the sea to the multi-layered nylon suits that took men to space, fabric makes history. And behind every choice of fabric is a story. For example, the women who were sewing NASA's spacesuits influenced the decision to bring in Playtex, maker of women's lingerie, to outfit the astronauts.
Virginia Postrel follows fabric through history to show what it can teach us about the creation and evolution of civilization. Kassia St. Clair tells history through fabric and textiles.
Sarah Cameron explains how Stalinist policies to resettle the nomads of Kazakstan lead to a generational famine in the republic. Shoshana Keller showcases the unique history of the Central Asian republics.
A People and Country Decimated
Guest: Sarah Cameron, associate professor of history at the University of Maryland, College Park, author of "The Hungry Steppe: Famine, Violence, and the Making of Soviet Kazakhsta"
One of the lesser-known evils of the Stalinist Regime was the forced resettlement of Kazakh nomads in an effort to collectivize farming, a policy that resulted in the deaths of over 1.5 million people. Until recently, the Kazakh famine and its repercussions were largely unknown to the West and the Republic of Kazakstan itself.
Central Asia
Guest: Shoshana Keller, Professor of History at Hamilton College and author of "Russia and Central Asia: Coexistence, Conquest, Convergence"
Stalin ordered the nomadic peoples of Central Asia to settle down and become members of Soviet states, and the five "-stans" are still reeling from that dramatic change today. But in some ways, residents have come to relish their modern identities.
How Our Brains Came to be and How They Work
Guest: Lisa Feldman Barrett, Professor of Psychology & Director of the Interdisciplinary Affective Science Laboratory at Northeastern University, author of "Seven and a Half Lessons about the Brainand How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain"
Have you heard the concept of your “lizard brain”? Total myth. Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett corrects this error in understanding our brain function and more.
Brain Damage and Criminal Behavior
Guest: Kim Gorgens, Professor, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, University of Denver
Traumatic brain injuries are much more common in prison populations than in the population at large. What does this teach us about rehabilitation and recividivism?
Lisa Feldman Barrett goes deep into our brains to figure out where they came from and how they work. Univ of Denver's Kim Gorgens on the correlation between brain injury and criminal behavior.
Breaking Laws and Barriers
Guest: Anthony Amore, Director of Security and Chief Investigator at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, author of, "The Woman Who Stole Vermeer: The True Story of Rose Dugdale and the Russborough House Heist."
The story of the most valuable art heist in history starts long before its fateful night. Full of twists and turns from Cuba to Bloody Sunday to wealthy estates in England, the story of Rose Dugdale and the Russborough House Heist reveals Dugdale’s fascinating life.
Chasing Cultural Crooks
Guest: Robert K. Wittman, former Senior Investigator and founder, FBI's National Art Crime Team, and author, "Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures"
Art heists aren't always like the movies. In fact, it's the cops who are usually dressed up as the slick, debonaire characters. How they think on their feet to trip up criminals and return priceless treasures to the public.
Anthony Amore reveals the hidden life of Rose Dugdale, the woman who pulled off the most valuable art heist in history. Robert K. Wittman spent a career chasing art thieves.
Tony Lee Moral examines the influential life of filmmaker Sir Alfred Hitchcock. Michael J Socolow of the University of Maine recounts the not-so-cataclysmic "War of the Worlds" broadcast of 1938.
The Master of Suspense
Guest: Tony Lee Moral, filmmaker and author of "Hitchcock and the Making of Marnie," "The Making of Hitchcock's The Birds," and "Alfred Hitchcock's Moviemaking Masterclass"
Sir Alfred Hitchcock, the Master of Suspense, was one of the most influential filmmakers of all time. His decades-long career produced classics such as Rebecca, North by Northwest, Rear Window, Vertigo, The Birds, and so much more.
Orson Welles' Media Myths
Guest: Michael Socolow, Associate Professor of Communications, University of Maine
The infamous "War of the Worlds" broadcast of 1938 never produced the mass hysteria the history books claim.
The Life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
Guest: Nicholas A. Basbanes, author of "Cross of Snow: A Life of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow"
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow was propelled to international fame—even Queen Victoria notes in her diary that her staff lined up to catch a glimpse of the famous American. His relationship with his second wife was a marriage of equals and he was brokenhearted by her tragic death, but he never lost his faith. He may have fallen out of favor after his death, but historian Nicholas Basbanes seeks to restore him to his rightful place in American history.
The Mystery of the Magi
Guest: Daniel Peterson, Professor of Arabic, and founder and long-time editor of the Middle Eastern Texts Initiative, Brigham Young University
The Magi have appeared in the traditional Christmas narrative for centuries, bringing their gold, frankincense, and myrrh from faraway lands. But how much do we really know about their origins?
Nicholas A. Basbanes tells the rich story of famous poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. Daniel Peterson of BYU examines the mystery of the Magi.
John Clayton explains the mutual respect that John Muir and Gifford Pinchot held for each other even though they had different ideas on the best way to preserve nature for future generations. Tom Rust, of Montana State University Billings, explains how the Army protected Yellowstone National Park for 32 years.
The Creation of America’s Public Lands
Guest: John Clayton, author of "Natural Rivals: John Muir, Gifford Pinchot, and the Creation of America’s Public Lands"
John Muir advocated for the preservation of nature. Gifford Pinchot was more concerned about sustainability. For this reason, the Founder of the National Parks and the Founder of the U.S. Forest Service are often portrayed as fierce enemies. In reality, although they had different philosophies about land management, each man respected and admired the other. Together they played a vital role in the establishment of national parks and public lands.
When the Army Ruled Yellowstone
Guest: Thomas Rust, Professor of History at Montana State University Billings, and author of “Watching Over Yellowstone: The US Army's Experience in America's First National Park, 1886–1918”
Creating Yellowstone National Park was quite a feat to begin with, but managing and patrolling it was quite another. For 32 years, the US Army protected the park and provided a pattern for the Ranger system. They had to deal with poachers practicing guerrilla warfare, hawkers setting up shop, and even boredom and desertion.
Lamorna Ash captured life on a fishing trawler, off of the small Cornish town of Newlyn. Stories from a disappearing life.
The Life of a Fishing Town
Guest: Lamorna Ash, author of "Dark, Salt, Clear: The Life of a Fishing Town"
Lamorna Ash, a 22-year-old university student from London, traveled to a remote fishing town in Cornwall to gather research for her thesis about how fishing shapes a community. What she finds shapes her own coming-of-age experience. She shares vivid stories from her time on a trawler with four seasoned fishermen, encountering seasickness, all kinds of fish guts, and the constant tension between land and sea, in short—a people and place fading from our urban world.
Dylan Taylor-Lehman explains how the micronation of Sealand and its royal family came to be. Eric Jay Dolin debunks pirate myths.
Tim Thompson of Teesside University uses forensic sleuthing skills to re-examine how the victims of Vesuvius died. BYU's Roger Macfarlane corrects the historical misconception that the last days at Pompeii, leading up to the eruption of Vesuvius, were unusual or particularly decadent.
Sealand's Royal Family
Guest: Dylan Taylor-Lehman, staff writer, "Narratively," and author of "Sealand: The True Story of the World’s Most Stubborn Micronation and Its Eccentric Royal Family"
The Principality of Sealand is arguably the world’s most stubborn micronation. Established by Roy Bates in the middle of the North Sea, Sealand has endured battles with radio pirates, British skepticism, and a coup d’état. Over 50 years later, the battered fort and its royal family continues to stand strong.
Swashbuckling Stories of Savage Seamen
Guest: Eric Jay Dolin, author of "Black Flags, Blue Waters," and "Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America"
Though golden-age pirates are often romanticized by popular culture, a pirate’s life was far less appealing than is often portrayed. Reviewing the histories behind these storied individuals reveals that their lives were usually nasty, brutish, and short.
Herculaneum Mystery
Guest: Tim Thompson, forensic anthropologist and Professor of Applied Biological Anthropology at Teesside University, UK
The eruption of Mt. Vesuvius left many mysteries in its wake, not the least of which were found on the beaches of Herculaneum. Forensic anthropologists are making new discoveries about the way the victims in the seaside town died.
Mt. Vesuvius and the Destruction of Pompeii
Guest: Roger Macfarlane, Professor of Classical Studies at Brigham Young University
The last days of Pompeii before the eruption of Vesuvius were just like any others, despite the dramatic portrayals in cultural history that suggest differently. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the people of Pompeii were more decadent than people in any neighboring cities, so be skeptical when people suggest they got what they deserved.
Alan M. Kraut explains how one doctor deliberately ingested disease to prove its origin. Anthony Valerio explains that doctors began washing their hands thanks to young Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis.
Dr. Joseph Goldberger and the Fight Against Pellagra
Guest: Alan M. Kraut, Professor of History at American University, and author of “Goldberger's War, the Life and Work of a Public Health Crusader”
Contrary to the popular medical opinion of the time, Dr. Joseph Goldberger discovered that pellagra, a rampant epidemic in the South, was not infectious but diet-related. But the truth was hard to bear for the Southern establishment, and Dr. Goldberger had to resort to throwing "filth parties" where he and his colleagues ingested the disease to make their point. Find out how his discoveries still affect the food you eat today.
How a Hungarian Physician Saved Women from Childbed Fever and Became the ‘Savior of Mothers’
Guest: Anthony Valerio, editor, teacher, and author of “Semmelweis”
Washing your hands isn’t just the best way to prevent COVID-19 in 2020—it was also the rallying cry of Ignaz Semmelweis, a young Hungarian doctor trying to end the scourge of childbed fever and lower maternal mortality rates in the 1840s, well before germ theory entered scientific thought.
Scott Dawson investigates the mysterious disappearance of the early English colony of Roanoke. Stephen Kershaw, of Oxford University, compares the story of Atlantis to what happens when a moral society becomes corrupt.
The Lost American Colony
Guest: Scott Dawson, author of “The Lost Colony and Hatteras Island”
In 1587 a group of over one hundred English colonists departed to start a colony on Roanoke Island. After the leader John White left for a resupply in England he returned to find nothing left. What happened to these colonists and why can't we solve the mystery of the lost colony.
Atlantis: An Ancient Allegory
Guest: Stephen Kershaw, Oxford University Department for Continuing Education, and author of "The Search for Atlantis: A History of Plato’s Ideal State," and most recently "Barbarians: Rebellion and Resistance to the Roman Empire"
Atlantis is a Platonic, mythical allegory demonstrating the corruption of a previously moral society. But most people don't care about the allegory, they just want to find a mystical city. Plato would shake his head in disbelief if he could see what we've done with his tale.
Author Martyn Whittock explores fact and fiction in the history we think we know about the Pilgrims. Jonathan Mack shares the story of his ancestor, Stephen Hopkins, who survived the Jamestown colony and played a crucial role in the success of the Plymouth colony.
Mayflower Tales
Guest: Martyn Whittock, author of "Mayflower Lives: Pilgrims in a New World and the Early American Experience"
The stories of the Mayflower and Plymouth Colony have shaped the legend of the founding of America. We sort out fact from fiction in the stories of William Bradford, Tisquantum, Mary Chilton, John Howland, and, not to be missed, the romance of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins.
Stephen Hopkins
Guest: Jonathan Mack, attorney, official member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, and author of "A Stranger Among Saints: Stephen Hopkins, The Man Who Survived Jamestown and Saved Plymouth"
Jonathan Mack shares the incredible story of his little-known ancestor. Distinguished by his knowledge of Native American cultures, Stephen Hopkins played a vital role in bridging the gap between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. One of his early exploits even inspired Shakespeare.
Author Denise Kiernan introduces Sarah Josepha Hale, who worked tirelessly to make a national holiday of gratitude. We visit with author Heath Hardage Lee about the true story of remarkable military wives who lobbied to bring home their POW husbands during the Vietnam War.
Mother of Thanksgiving
Guest: Denise Kiernan, journalist, producer, and author of "We Gather Together: A Nation Divided, a President in Turmoil, and a Historic Campaign to Embrace Gratitude and Grace”
Sarah Josepha Hale was the mother of Thanksgiving. She campaigned for decades with various presidents, local leaders, and the readers of her incredibly popular journal "Godey’s Lady’s Book" to establish a national holiday of gratitude. She was a social influencer in her time, and she impacted fashion, the literary scene, and public opinion, especially about the need for this holiday.
Wives of POWs Brought their Husbands Home from Vietnam
Guest: Heath Hardage Lee, author of “The League of Wives: The Untold Story of the Women Who Took on the U.S. Government to Bring Their Husbands Home from Vietnam”
In 1967, the wives of POW/MIA soldiers in Vietnam revealed years of coded letters they had sent to their husbands, proving that their captors were violating the Geneva Convention’s rules for treating prisoners of war. The League of Wives helped change public perception of the war.
A Brilliant Disguise
Guest: Scott Eyman, formerly the literary critic at The Palm Beach Post and is the author or coauthor of fifteen books, including bestsellers on John Wayne and Robert J. Wagner. He’s author of a new book, "Cary Grant: A Brilliant Disguise, just released in October."
Despite a troubled childhood which complicated his adult life, Cary Grant became and remains one of the great icons in Hollywood. He did it by inventing his Cary Grant persona.
The Master of Suspense
Guest: Tony Lee Moral, author and film maker who has written three books on Alfred Hitchcock: "Hitchcock and the Making of Marnie," "The Making of Hitchcock's The Birds," and "Alfred Hitchcock's Movie Making Masterclass."
Sir Alfred Hitchcock, the Master of Suspense, was one of the most influential filmmakers of all time. His decades-long career produced classics such as Rebecca, North by Northwest, Rear Window, Vertigo, The Birds, and so much more.
Scott Eyman shares how Cary Grant went from a troubled childhood to Hollywood royalty. Tony Lee Moral breaks down the influential life of filmmaker Sir Alfred Hitchcock.
John G. Turner explains how the Pilgrims idea of liberty differs considerably from our modern definition and what legacy the Pilgrims left behind. David J. Silverman of George Washington University gives Squanto's perspective on the first Thanksgiving.
Pilgrim Liberty
Guest: John G. Turner, Author of "They Knew They Were Pilgrims: Plymouth Colony and the Contest for American Liberty," and Professor of Religious Studies at George Mason University in Virginia.
We’ve all heard the story of the Mayflower, with its tall-hat, buckled-shoes, dour-faced pilgrims who established religious freedom in America. According to historian John Tuner, though, the story is much more complex—and interesting—than that.
Wampanoag Thanksgiving
Guest: David J. Silverman, Professor of History at George Washington University, and the author of "This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving"
The Wampanoag tribe had a long history of dealing with Europeans before the Pilgrims, and the feast of Thanksgiving, we've come to know, is largely a myth. Making repairs to our misunderstandings of history can strengthen our collective American house.
Mark Biederman is the son of Holocaust survivors and worked tirelessly to discover their story, which they were reticent to tell. Educator Jennifer Rich talks with us about teaching and remembering the Holocaust.
Schindler's Listed
Guest: Mark Biederman, co-author of "Schindler’s Listed: The Search for my Father’s Lost Gold"
Mark Biederman’s quest to understand his parents’ pasts, and the horrors they endured during the Holocaust, was inspired by his parents's secrecy. His father, Harry, did, however, mention buried gold coins in Poland. After 20 years of research and numerous trips to Poland, Mark came to piece together his family’s story and determine the location of the coins. This is the story of how that discovery reconnected him with his lost family members.
Teaching the Holocaust
Guest: Jennifer Rich, Assistant Professor of Education at Rowan University and the Director of the Rowan Center for Holocaust and Genocide Studies
The Holocaust was an atrocity that should never be repeated, but if we fail to teach people about it, we risk letting more atrocities happen.
Cleopatra's Needles
Guest: Bob Brier, Senior Research Fellow at Long Island University and author of "Cleopatra’s Needles: The Lost Obelisks of Egypt"
Bob Brier, affectionately known as Mr. Mummy, explains how France’s obsession with Egyptian history set off obelisk mania in Paris, London, and New York City. Obelisks had been painstakingly hand-hewn with stone tools and then, in the 1800s, shipped abroad at great cost and sacrifice—one was nearly lost at sea in a hurricane. We find out what drove the obsession.
The Mythical and Historical Origins of the Famous Paris River
Guest: Elaine Sciolino, contributing writer and former Paris bureau chief for "The New York Times," and author of "The Seine: The River That Made Paris"
Parisians have a mythical connection with the Seine. It was named after the forgotten goddess Sequana, played a major role in French conflicts, and even helped save the Notre Dame cathedral in 2019.
Mark Biederman is the son of Holocaust survivors and worked tirelessly to discover their story, which they were reticent to tell. Educator Jennifer Rich talks with us about teaching and remembering the Holocaust.
Cleopatra's Needles
Guest: Bob Brier, Senior Research Fellow at Long Island University and author of "Cleopatra’s Needles: The Lost Obelisks of Egypt"
Bob Brier, affectionately known as Mr. Mummy, explains how France’s obsession with Egyptian history set off obelisk mania in Paris, London, and New York City. Obelisks had been painstakingly hand-hewn with stone tools and then, in the 1800s, shipped abroad at great cost and sacrifice—one was nearly lost at sea in a hurricane. We find out what drove the obsession.
The Mythical and Historical Origins of the Famous Paris River
Guest: Elaine Sciolino, contributing writer and former Paris bureau chief for "The New York Times," and author of "The Seine: The River That Made Paris"
Parisians have a mythical connection with the Seine. It was named after the forgotten goddess Sequana, played a major role in French conflicts, and even helped save the Notre Dame cathedral in 2019.
Bob Brier explains why Egyptian obelisk mania swept over Paris, London, and New York City, and how Egyptian relics ended up so far from home. Elaine Sciolino explains the important role the Seine has played in the history of Paris.
Sam White, of the Ohio State University, explains how a Little Ice Age made the 1600s one of the worst centuries for colonizing North America. Ray Solotki provides fresh vegetables to people living 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle.
Mayflower Tales
Guest: Martyn Whittock, author of "Mayflower Lives: Pilgrims in a New World and the Early American Experience"
The stories of the Mayflower and Plymouth Colony have shaped the legend of the founding of America. We sort out fact from fiction in the stories of William Bradford, Tisquantum, Mary Chilton, John Howland, and, not to be missed, the romance of John Alden and Priscilla Mullins.
Stephen Hopkins
Guest: Jonathan Mack, attorney, official member of the General Society of Mayflower Descendants, and author of "A Stranger Among Saints: Stephen Hopkins, The Man Who Survived Jamestown and Saved Plymouth"
Jonathan Mack shares the incredible story of his little-known ancestor. Distinguished by his knowledge of Native American cultures, Stephen Hopkins played a vital role in bridging the gap between the Pilgrims and the Wampanoag. One of his early exploits even inspired Shakespeare.
The Little Ice Age in North America
Guest: Sam White, Associate Professor of Environmental History at the Ohio State University and author of "A Cold Welcome: The Little Ice Age and Europe’s Encounter with North America"
England, France, and Spain were all trying to colonize North America in the 1600s, one of the worst possible centuries to try such a venture. The Earth was experiencing dramatic climate change, known now as the Little Ice Age, and producing some of the most unpredictable weather the Europeans had ever known.
Arctic Greenhouses
Guest: Ray Solotki, Executive Director of the Inuvik Community Greenhouse
Imagine trying to grow food in the Arctic: 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle, food insecurity is a real threat. But in the summer, at the Inuvik Community Greenhouse, one of the most northerly greenhouses in North America, it's a different story. They get overwhelmed with produce thanks to 24-hour sun.
Abolitionists vs. The New York Kidnapping Club
Guest: Jonathan Daniel Wells, Professor of Afroamerican and African Studies at the University of Michigan, and author of "The Kidnapping Club: Wall Street, Slavery and Resistance on the Eve of the Civil War"
The Fugitive Slave Clause required states to return escaped enslaved people to their Southern enslavers. Nefarious groups like the New York "Kidnapping Club" capitalized on this clause and terrorized Black communities by kidnapping free Black children and selling them to plantations in the South.
The Great Dismal Swamp
Guest: Dan Sayers, Associate Professor and Chair of the Department of Anthropology at American University; Director of the Great Dismal Swamp Landscape Study; author of “A Desolate Place for a Defiant People: The Archaeology of Maroons, Indigenous Americans, and Enslaved Laborers in the Great Dismal Swamp”
Enveloped by swamp land, mosquitoes, brush, and sweltering heat, the Great Dismal Swamp harbored a hidden maroon community of runaway enslaved people, Native Americans, and others who established a free society that lasted for centuries. Capitalizing on Whites' fear of swamps, these maroon people lived for generations in a land apart, yet within the borders of Virginia and North Carolina.
One Foot in Front of the Other
Guest: Charlie Engle, writer, ultramathoner, recovering addict, and subject of the Matt Damon-produced documentary "Running the Sahara." Engle is also a motivational speaker and author of "Running Man: A Memoir of Ultra-Endurance"
Ultramarathoner Charlie Engle turned to running when he hit rock bottom after a six-day alcohol and cocaine binge. Coming out of addiction, however, has had its ups and downs. In a record-breaking run across the Sahara Desert, Charlie challenged physical affliction and raised millions for charity. The Matt Damon-produced film about the run brought Engle fame, but he eventually landed in federal prison on a disputed white-collar charge. There, he fought emotional hardship and shared his love for running with his fellow inmates, changing many lives. Charlie’s story shows how in the right mindset we can overcome anything—one step at a time.
Art Too Bad to Be Ignored
Guest: Louise Reilly Sacco, Permanent Acting Interim Executive Director of the Museum of Bad Art, located in Somerville, Massachusetts
Some pieces of art are too bad to be ignored. That’s the slogan of the Museum of Bad Art in Somerville, Massachusetts. It all started with a strange painting picked up off the curb on trash night in 1994, and the project has developed into a world-renowned collection with strict criteria and over 800 pieces of bad art.
You can learn more about the Museum of Bad Art here.
Films So Bad, They’re Actually Good
Guest: Jeffrey Sconce, Associate Professor in the Screen Cultures program at Northwestern University
‘Badfilm’ is a genre long characterized by movies “so bad that they are actually good.” What makes a truly great badfilm?
Record-Breaking Technology in Running
Guest: Geoffrey Burns, professional ultrarunner and research fellow at the University of Michigan with a focus in sport performance, running, and biomechanics.
Technological advancements in sports have long evaded the simplicity of running. But the Nike Vaporfly” led to new records in running across the globe. Is it fair and sporting? How is the sport responding?
Sneakers: An American Tale
Guest: Nicholas Smith, author of “Kicks: The Great American Story of Sneakers”
Sneakers were created not to protect the human foot, but to protect the lawn, the croquet lawn to be precise, from the human foot. The story of sneakers is tied to the famous name Goodyear, and the business wouldn't be what it is today without the phenom Michael Jordan.
Banana Cultures
Guest: John Soluri, Associate Professor and Director of Global Studies in the History Department at Carnegie Mellon University, and author of "Banana Cultures: Agriculture, Consumption, and Environmental Change in Honduras and the United States"
The banana is the world’s most popular fruit crop. In the last 100 years, this fruit you’ve seen in every grocery store has been central to big business, the economies of several countries, and civil rights. Mass production of this fruit has led to the genetic homogenization, making crops susceptible to disease. But don't worry, yet, about them disappearing from your grocery aisles.
A History of the Greater United States
Guest: Daniel Immerwahr, Associate Professor of History, Northwestern University, and author of "How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States"
Generally when Americans think of their borders, a familiar shape comes to mind—the one beginning with California and ending with Florida. But what about Guam and Puerto Rico? How about the Philippines during WWII? US influence reaches far beyond the borders of its 50 states. Daniel Immerwahr of Northwestern University explains why we might want to refer to all of this as "the greater United States."
The Medieval Light Ages
Guest: Seb Falk, Instructor of Medieval History and the History of Science at Cambridge University, and author of "The Light Ages: The Surprising Story of Medieval Science"
The Middle Ages are often remembered as the Dark Ages for the sweeping bubonic plague. However, it was also the Middle Ages that saw science emerge as a field of inquiry. Spurred by religious motives, this era saw developments in astronomy, mechanical clocks, modern calendars, mathematical theory, and universities. Perhaps the Dark Ages weren’t so dark after all.
The Middle Ages: Cleaner Than We Thought
Guest: Katherine Harvey, Medieval Historian at Birkbeck, University of London
Even without indoor plumbing, people in the Middle Ages were aware of—and attentive to—cleanliness much more than we've given them credit for.
River Monsters
Guest: Nizar Ibrahim, paleontologist and National Geographic Explorer
The 50-foot-long spinosaurus was one of the most terrifying prehistoric creatures, but it didn’t roam the earth like the T. rex—it was actually lurking underwater.
Monarchs of the Sea
Guest: Danna Staaf, marine biologist and author of “Monarchs of the Sea: The Extraordinary 500-Million-Year History of Cephalopods”
The Jurassic Park franchise may have put T. Rex and velociraptors in the spotlight, but strange and slimy marine creatures ruled the planet almost 250 million years before dinosaurs were even around. These cephalopods are the prehistoric ancestors of squid, octopus, and cuttlefish, and their name means "head foot," and, guess what? They've got a brain in each!
If You Thought Art Museums Were Boring. . .
Guest: Jennifer Dasal, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the North Carolina Museum of Art; creator and host of the podcast ArtCurious; author of “ArtCurious: Stories of the Unexpected, Slightly Odd, and Strangely Wonderful in Art History”
Forget linear perspective and chiaroscuro, let's get the stories behind the masterpieces: maybe Van Gogh was murdered and didn't commit suicide after all; the woman who pushed Norman Rockwell in a more political direction; the secret CIA funding that was poured into abstract expressionism. Art has never been so engaging before. Take a listen and you'll get a whole new look on the art world.
Stealing the Mona Lisa
Guest: Noah Charney, Professor of Art History at the American University of Rome and at University of Ljubljana; Founding Director of the Association for Research into Crimes against Art (ARCA); author of "The Thefts of the Mona Lisa: On Stealing the World’s Most Famous Painting"
The Mona Lisa has long been known for her enigmatic smile. But her fame is due to more than that mysterious look on her face. In fact, it was a 1911 heist that transformed the Mona Lisa from one among many masterworks to the most famous painting in the world.
The Lockhart Plot
Guest: Jonathan Schneer, Professor Emeritus of British History, Georgia Institute of Technology, and author of "The Lockhart Plot: Love, Betrayal, Assassination and Counter-Revolution in Lenin’s Russia"
The Lockhart Plot, if successful, would have resulted in the assassinations of Lenin and Trotsky and the establishment of an Ally-friendly regime in Russia. But this plot was a “turning point that failed to turn.” How would history have been different if they had succeeded?
Stalin's Housewife Spy
Guest: Ben Macintyre, author of “Agent Sonya: Moscow’s Most Daring Wartime Spy”
Ursula Kuczynski, or Agent Sonya, was one of Moscow’s most brilliant spies throughout WWII and the Cold War. While raising three children, Ursula secretly passed blueprints for the atomic bomb to the Russians. MI5 never caught her because nobody could believe that “Mrs. Burton” could get around to stealing nuclear secrets when she was so busy baking scones.
Flies—How Bad Can They Be?
Guest: Erica McAlister, Senior Curator of Diptera and Siphonaptera (Flies and Fleas), Natural History Museum, London, and author of "The Secret Life of Flies (2016)" and "The Inside Out of Flies (2020)"
Flies are everywhere—there are about 17 million per every human on earth. Seen as nuisances, they’re actually pretty cool. There are thousands of species, some that haven’t even been named yet. Their impressive adaptability has allowed them to keep on keeping on in the world as they evolve in new ways to meet ecological challenges.
Bug Appreciation
Guest: Danae Wolfe, professional insect photographer
Danae Wolfe has been photographing bugs ever since she was a young girl, and now she uses her skills to inspire the conservation of insects.
One Gilded Age Eccentric's Fight for the Rights of Animals
Guest: Ernest Freeberg, Professor of humanities and head of the history department at the University of Tennessee, author of "A Traitor to His Species: Henry Bergh and the Birth of the Animal Rights Movement"
Henry Bergh was a sort of super-hero—running through the streets, interrupting traffic, making arrests, all to save a mistreated horse or dog. This Gilded Age man started the Animal Rights movement.
Flies—How Bad Can They Be?
Guest: Erica McAlister, Senior Curator of Diptera and Siphonaptera (Flies and Fleas), Natural History Museum, London, Author of "The Secret Life of Flies (2016)" and "The Inside Out of Flies (2020)"
Flies are everywhere—there are about 17 million per every human on earth. Seen as nuisances, they’re actually pretty cool. There are thousands of species, some that haven’t even been named yet. Their impressive adaptability has allowed them to keep on keeping on in the world as they evolve in new ways to meet ecological challenges.
Ozone: Keep It Up Where It Belongs
Guest: Paul Newman, Chief Scientist for Earth Sciences at NASA
A couple decades ago, we were all obsessed with the ozone layer. Today we speak with NASA scientist Paul Newman about how it became threatened and the road to atmospheric recovery.
Up In Flames
Guest: Ben Abbott, Professor of Plant and Wildlife Sciences at Brigham Young University
Every year there seem to be more wildfires than the year before. That isn’t your imagination—Ben Abbott explains the increasing rates of wildfires around the world. We also talk megafires, a new breed of wildfire that we don’t yet totally understand. We're managing forests better, but we now have to deal with the side effects of climate change.
New World Culinary Wonders: Tomatoes and Chiles
Guest: Jenny Linford, author of “The Seven Culinary Wonders of the World: A History of Honey, Salt, Chile, Pork, Rice, Cacao, and Tomato”
When the New World was discovered, it completely changed the culinary world forever. Take tomatoes and chiles. Anything but commonplace, these extremely diverse fruits are so intrinsic to much of the world’s cuisine that we often forget that they arrived on the world culinary scene only recently.
History of Chocolate
Guest: Carla D. Martin, Founder and Executive Director, Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute, and Lecturer, Harvard University
From pedestrian Hershey's to luxurious Belgian, chocolate has a history spanning centuries. Martin asks us to think about the "value chain" involved in the global distribution of chocolate: workers and producers receive the smallest profit from the industry. Looking back centuries to the history of cacao production also reveals another type of value, one that was even sacred.
Jenny Linford shares the culinary revolution that followed the discovery of the new world. Harvard lecturer Carla D. Martin tells the centuries-long story behind the chocolate we find in the grocery store.
Evidence of Life on Venus
Guest: Sara Seager, Professor of Planetary Science and Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
There is possible evidence of microbial life sent back from Venus' clouds. Find out what scientists are looking for in the search for life on other planets, in our galaxy and beyond.
Biological Treasures of a Lost City
Guest: Trond Larsen, Director of the Rapid Assessment Program at Conservation International
A lost city, an impenetrable rainforest, species never before seen by science—no, this is not the plot of the next Indiana Jones, but the story of Trond Larsen and Conservation International’s expedition to the Mosquitia Rainforest.
Wampanoag Thanksgiving
Guest: David J. Silverman, Professor of History at George Washington University, and the author of "This Land Is Their Land: The Wampanoag Indians, Plymouth Colony, and the Troubled History of Thanksgiving"
The Wampanoag tribe had a long history of dealing with Europeans before the Pilgrims, and the feast of Thanksgiving, we've come to know, is largely a myth. Making repairs to our misunderstandings of history can strengthen our collective American house.
The Untold History of the Aztecs
Guest: Camilla Townsend, Professor of History at Rutgers University, and author of "Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs"
History is written by the victors, especially in the colonization of indigenous peoples. But the Aztecs wrote down their own history and it neither began nor ended with the Spanish conquest, and it’s much more complex than the story most of us know.
Bear Attack
Guest: Alex Messenger, photographer, and author of “The Twenty-Ninth Day: Surviving a Grizzly Attack in the Canadian Tundra"
Alex Messenger was only 17 years old when he was mauled by a 600-pound grizzly bear in the middle of a camping trip. How cool-headed thinking helped him survive and how his experience informs his volunteer search-and-rescue work,
Bear Safety
Guest: Tom Smith. Professor of Life Sciences at BYU
Have you heard that you should wear bells on your clothes when you're hiking in bear country? Yeah, that doesn't work. Here's what does, and why you should consider even the desert to be bear country.
Tecumseh and the Prophet Defy the US
Guest: Peter Cozzens, author of “Tecumseh and the Prophet: The Shawnee Brothers Who Defied a Nation”
Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa were two Shawnee brothers who worked together to simulatneously unify Native American tribes in the Great Lakes region and deny the United States control of their land.
Red Cloud, An American Legend
Guest: Tom Clavin, journalist and co-author of "The Heart of Everything That Is: The Untold Story of Red Cloud, An American Legend"
Native American leader Red Cloud accomplished what no Native American had before—defeating the US Army. He was feted in Washington, but then his fame dwindled. Here's an introduction to his story.
Mother of Thanksgiving
Guest: Denise Kiernan, journalist, producer, and author of "We Gather Together: A Nation Divided, a President in Turmoil, and a Historic Campaign to Embrace Gratitude and Grace”
Sarah Josepha Hale was the mother of Thanksgiving. She campaigned for decades with various presidents, local leaders, and the readers of her incredibly popular journal "Godey’s Lady’s Book" to establish a national holiday of gratitude. She was a social influencer in her time, and she impacted fashion, the literary scene, and public opinion, especially about the need for this holiday.
Wives of POWs Brought their Husbands Home from Vietnam
Guest: Heath Hardage Lee, author of “The League of Wives: The Untold Story of the Women Who Took on the U.S. Government to Bring Their Husbands Home from Vietnam”
In 1967, the wives of POW/MIA soldiers in Vietnam revealed years of coded letters they had sent to their husbands, proving that their captors were violating the Geneva Convention’s rules for treating prisoners of war. The League of Wives helped change public perception of the war.
When Did Diamonds Come to Mean Forever?
Guest: Rachelle Bergstein, author of "Brilliance and Fire: A Biography of Diamonds"
Diamonds once were worn only by royal men, until a young courtier changed the jewelry world forever. The stories of the people who created the diamond market that so many of us have bought in to, and the ways that young people today are changing up the engagement-ring tradition.
Wedding Feasts
Guest: Claire Stewart, author of "As Long As We Both Shall Eat: A History of Wedding Food and Feasts"
What changes in the modern marriage feast—hamburgers, shakes, cupcakes, instead of prime rib and elaborate cakes—reveal about the generation getting married today. Signature drinks, individual portions, exotic dishes all reveal a desire to have a celebration that stands out, rather than conforms to tradition. But does this focus on uniqueness ignore the historical community elements of a wedding feast?
The people who created the diamond market, and a look at the history of wedding feasts.
Land of Water, City of the Dead
Guest: Sarah Baires, Associate Professor, Anthropology, Eastern Connecticut State University, and author of "Land of Water, City of the Dead: Religion and Cahokia's Emergence"
Outside of St. Louis there is evidence of the ancient city of Cahokia. We take a look at some of their elaborate burial practices to discover their religion and find glimmers of what life was like in this bustling metropolis.
The Glory, Gory Game of Mayan Ball
Guest: Stephen Houston, Chair, Department of Anthropology, Dupee Family Professor of Social Sciences, Brown University
This Mesoamerican ball game combined decapitation, communion with the dead, and worship of the gods. Misconception and mystery still surround the game, but Professor Houston of Brown University weighs in on the rules, history, and deep cultural implications of the sport.
Underwater Ghost Towns of North Georgia
Guest: Lisa M. Russell, Instructor of English at Georgia Northwestern Technical College, where she serves as the Assistant Dean of Dual Enrollment; author of micro-history books about “lost things,” including "Underwater Ghost Towns of North Georgia"
North Georgia has more than forty lakes and not a single one of them is natural. Authorized for flood control, hydroelectric power, and recreation, many of these dams destroyed communities in the process. Buildings, roads, and bridges were drowned but occasionally reappear in times of drought. Cemeteries were relocated but still ghost stories of Civil War soldiers and angry townspeople continue to draw visitors to the shores.
Fishing for Sunken Treasures
Guest: Nigel Lamford, Northants Magnet Fishing
Instead of line and hook, Lamford ties a big magnet to a heavy cord and trolls for sunken treasures. What he hauls in makes him puzzle like a modern-day Sherlock Holmes: knives, jewelry, cannon balls, and even a BMX bike. His hobby has spawned hundreds of imitators and a YouTube channel. Join us for some lively tales of unexpected finds, and maybe get hooked yourself.
Diving Sea Nomads
Guest: Melissa Ilardo, Evolutionary Genomicist, University of Utah, and Integrative Biologist, UC Berkeley
Humans have adapted to live in some of the most extreme environments on earth, from the high altitude of the Tibetan Himalayas to the dry wasteland of the world’s deserts. The Bajau, a people of the Malay Archipelago, spend almost all of their lives at sea. These sea nomads, who live on floating houses, have prodigious diving capabilities. Studying them may help us prevent hypoxia in normal folks.
New Take on the Cuban Missile Crisis
Guest: Martin Sherwin, University Professor of History at George Mason University, and author of "Gambling with Armageddon: Nuclear Roulette from Hiroshima to the Cuban Missile Crisis"
How close did we come to nuclear disaster when the Soviets and the US went toe to toe over Cuba in 1962? Much closer than most people think. During the Cuban missile crisis, leaders on both sides felt and fumbled and bumbled their way out of a mess that could have ended very differently.
Was the Murder of JFK Castro’s Payback?
Guest: Jim Johnston, lawyer, lecturer, and author of "Murder, Inc.: The CIA Under John F. Kennedy"
The Bay of Pigs invasion was just one of the many ways John F. Kennedy tried to destabilize Fidel Castro’s regime, though the President’s other methods were more cloak-and-dagger, such as hiring mobsters to poison Castro, deploying saboteurs, and secretly organizing a coup. Despite Kennedy’s actions, and Lyndon Johnson’s reversal of these plots, the Warren Commission concluded that JFK’s assassination had nothing to do with his Cuba policy.
History Is Written by the Winners, and the Losers
Guest: Daniel Woolf, Professor of History and Principal Emeritus at Queen’s University in Kingston, Ontario, and author of "A Concise History of History: Global Historiography from Antiquity to the Present"
The writing of history is not like an onion, where we can peel back layers to get at the truth, but more like garlic, where competing "cloves," or versions, grow up together. And, despite the aphorism, sometimes the history written by the losers outlasts the history written by the winners. Woolf tackles historians' attempts throughout time to get the story "right."
Clock Mirage
Guest: Joseph Mazur, Professor Emeritus of Mathematics at Marlboro College and author of "The Clock Mirage: Our Myth of Measured Time"
From the beginning of time (if it had a beginning at all), humans have been keenly interested in the concept of measured time. In 1884, the establishment of the Greenwich Meridian was supposed to standardize time across the globe. Unfortunately, a concept of clean-cut time zones doesn’t account for our biological circadian rhythms, what happens in outer space, or how time seems to pass differently as we age.
Central Asia’s Environmental Catastrophe
Guest: Maya Peterson, Associate Professor of History at the University of California, Santa Cruz, and author of "Pipe Dreams: Water and Empire in Central Asia’s Aral Sea Basin"
The Aral Sea was once the fourth-largest lake in the world. Now, most of it has receded into desert. In the Soviet Era, its tributaries were diverted for irrigation to produce more cotton, but the Sea was threatened at least a century before that. Here are lessons for arid lands around the world, including the American West.
Is a New Ocean Forming?
Guest: Erik Klemetti, Volcanologist and Associate Professor of Geosciences at Denison University
Continental rift in East Africa is splitting the continent in two, and one day there may be a new ocean in the gap. It would only take a few million years to form.
NYU's Dr. Perri Klass follows the nearly miraculous decline in infant and child mortality rates over the last century. Julian Guthrie explains how a fourteen-year-old Australian boy's life-saving blood transfusion eventually saved millions of lives.
A Good Time to Be Born
Guest: Dr. Perri Klass, MD, Professor of Journalism and Pediatrics at New York University and Co-Director of NYU Florence, and author of "A Good Time to Be Born: How Science and Public Health Gave Children a Future"
A century ago, no family, no matter how wealthy, could statistically count on all their children living to adulthood. Even Rockefeller's first grandchild died of scarlet fever. Thanks to genius medical advancements and improvements in public health practices, we are, by and large, unacquainted with that reality.
Good Blood
Guest: Julian Guthrie, author of “Good Blood: A Doctor, a Donor, and the Incredible Breakthrough That Saved Millions of Babies”
Rh disease was a chronic problem during pregnancy, one in which the mother's immune system attacked the unborn child she was carrying. Dr. John Gorman found a most improbable cure from a fourteen-year-old Australian boy who received a life-saving blood transfusion in 1951.
Mt. Vesuvius and the Destruction of Pompeii
Guest: Roger Macfarlane, Professor of Classical Studies at Brigham Young University
The last days of Pompeii before the eruption of Vesuvius were just like any others, despite the dramatic portrayals in cultural history that suggest differently. Furthermore, there is no evidence that the people of Pompeii were more decadent than people in any neighboring cities, despite commentaries that suggest they got what they deserved.
Archeologists Shed New Light on Ancient Jewish Life
Guest: Jodi Magness, Professor of Early Judaism, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Director, Huqoq Excavation Project
In an ancient mural of Jonah, the poor prophet is swallowed by a succession of three fish. What could that possibly mean? We’ll ask the expert who found this unusual mural in a remote town in Israel.
See Huqoq murals here.
Learn more about the Huqoq excavation here.
Who Gives a Poop?
Guest: Heather L. Montgomery, science educator and author of "Who Gives A Poop? Surprising Science from One End to the Other"
From microbiomes to nutrient transport to renewable fuel, poop is, in fact, a fundamental part of keeping our world healthy.
Paleoscatology, the Study of Ancient Dino Poop
Guest: Karen Chin, Professor of Geological Sciences and Curator of Paleontology at the University of Colorado Museum of Natural History
Karen Chin is a “paleoscatologist," meaning she studies fossilized poop, usually from dinosaurs. Seventy-five million-year old poop gives us a new understanding of the dinosaurs' world.
A most unconventional family getaway, and BYU's Rachel Wadham shares some book titles about family adventures.
A Most Unconventional Family Getaway
Guest: Bruce Kirkby, wilderness writer, adventure photographer, and author of "Blue Sky Kingdom: A Family Journey to the Heart of the Himalaya"
Bruce Kirkby’s no stranger to adventure—but taking along small children and living in a Buddhist monastery was something altogether different from his usual high-adrenaline exploits. Seeking an escape from modern life, they traveled to Zanskar, in northern India—slowly—by container ship, train and overland trekking. They lived there three months, learned a new way of life, and grew closer to one another.
Rachel Wadham
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian and regular contributor to The Lisa Show on BYUradio
Rachel Wadham looks at some great books about family adventure, mostly featuring children as the heroes.
The work of cartoonist Charles M. Schulz, the creator of Peanuts. Also, what it was like to grow up having Schulz as a famous father.
Peanuts and the Meaning of Life
Guest: Andrew Blauner, founder of Blauner Books Literary Agency, editor of "The Peanuts Papers: Writers and Cartoonists on Charlie Brown, Snoopy & the Gang, and the Meaning of Life."
Famous for his popular comic strip, Peanuts, cartoonist Charles M. Schulz explored themes of hope and disappointment through wit, humor, and his beloved characters. We explore why Charlie Brown was just the superhero, without the "super," that America needed. Blauner collected the thoughts of Adam Gopnik, Chris Ware, Peter Kramer, among others, in exploring Schulz' 50-year legacy.
Amy Schulz Johnson on Growing Up with Charles M. Schulz
Guest: Amy Schulz Johnson, daughter of Peanuts creator Charles M. Schulz
Amy shares her perspective on the work of her father and growing up in a household with the famous cartoonist. Spoiler alert: she had no idea what a big deal he was, and, as child, she had wished he was a banker because drawing cartoons wasn't a real job.
Miss America Meets Feminism
Guest: Margot Mifflin, Professor of English at the City University of New York, and author of "Looking for Miss America: A Pageant’s 100-Year Quest to Define Womanhood"
Margot Mifflin describes Miss America as an organization that is “in constant dialogue with feminism, though rarely in step with it.” The beauty pageant that began in 1921 has survived second-wave feminism and the #metoo movement, but it’s seen some dramatic changes and challenges. It's so close to its 100th anniversary . . . Will it make it?
You can find more of Margot Mifflin's publications here.
The Debutante Tradition Thrives
Guest: Kristen Richardson, author of "The Season: A Social History of the Debutante"
Debutante culture emerged when Henry VIII split from the Catholic church, and the nobility could no longer send their "excess" daughters to convents. The practice seems antiquated today, but the tradition of debutante balls is alive and well (or it was before the pandemic). What's the point when young women have so many options for career and marriage partners? The answer involves geopolitics, business, and personal ambition.
The History of Vampires (originally aired October 31, 2019)
Guest: Nick Groom, Professor of English at Exeter University, UK, and author of "The Vampire: A New History"
Before "Twilight" and "True Blood," even before Bram Stoker’s "Dracula," the vampire played a fascinating role in pop culture and folklore. We ask the "Prof of Goth" why vampires are different from other monsters and demons.
Monster Movies: The Creation of the Horror Genre (originally aired October 31, 2019)
Guest: Carl Sederholm, Professor of Comparative Arts and Letters at Brigham Young University
The twisted roots of the horror genre. The difference between suspense and horror. The genius of Shelley, Poe, and Lovecraft.
Kentucky Meat Shower
Guest: Colin Dickey, cultural historian and author of “The Unidentified: Mythical Monsters, Alien Encounters, and Our Obsession with the Unexplained”
Over a century ago, red meat fell from the sky in Kentucky and it's never been explained how it happened or what the meat actually was. Dickey investigates the intersection of the paranormal and science.
"Prof of Goth" Nick Groom of Exeter University regales us with the history of the vampire. Carl Sederholm of BYU talks monster movies. Colin Dickey on the strange phenomenon of the Kentury Meat Shower.
Broadway Ghosts
Guest: Robert Viagas, author, journalist, teacher and Editor-In-Chief of “Encore Monthly”
Ghost tales have long been a tradition in Broadway culture. The superstitions of theater culture and complicated lives of Broadway players make it fertile ground for spooky stories.
Samhain to Halloween
Guest: Arthur George, cultural historian and mythologist, and author of "The Mythology of America's Seasonal Holidays: The Dance of the Horae"
Ancient Greek and Roman traditions honoring the dead influenced several similar Christian traditions. These Christian traditions merged with the Celtic Samhain festival to form what we know today as Halloween.
Robert Viagas introduces us to ghosts that haunt Broadway theaters. Arthur George explains how Roman traditions and Celtic holidays shaped Halloween.
William Hazelgrove tells the story of Henry Knox, lesser known hero of the Revolutionary War, who made his mark by retrieving cannons from Fort Ticonderoga. Alexis Coe gives her take on the life of George Washington. Nick Bunker delves into the the rise of Benjamin Franklin.
Washington's Other Right-Hand Man
Guest: William Hazelgrove, author of “Henry Knox’s Noble Train: The Story of a Boston Bookseller’s Heroic Expedition That Saved the American Revolution”
Put aside Alexander Hamilton for a minute. Here's the story of Henry Knox, a bookseller in Boston, who gets the credit for winning the first major battle of the Revolution and who was Washington's right-hand man for years. A self-taught ammunitions specialist, he became a Washington’s first Secretary of War. His success began with his dramatic retrieval of cannons at Fort Ticonderoga.
You Never Forget Your First
Guest: Alexis Coe, author of "You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington"
A conversation with the first woman biographer to write about George Washington in 40 years. She wonders why her male counterparts have been obsessed with Washington's thighs. More significantly, she also tackles Washington's conflicted attitude toward slavery. And she reminds us that Washington was raised by a single mother. And he fought for the British . . . If he'd been more satisfied with his appointment there, we may not have had an American Revolution.
Benjamin Franklin
Guest: Nick Bunker, author of "Young Benjamin Franklin: The Birth of Ingenuity"
How the printing business helped Franklin build his sphere of influence.
Don't Blame Mrs. O'Leary's Cow
Guest: Carl Smith, author of "Chicago’s Great Fire: The Destruction and Resurrection of an Iconic American City," and Professor Emeritus of English and History at Northwestern University
The Great Chicago Fire of 1871 displaced thousands. It became a global story with newspapers famously blaming the blaze on Mrs. O’Leary’s cow (or Mrs. O’Leary herself). The story is a little more complicated though—the fire was ultimately fueled by dreams for a new city, hastily built infrastructure, and internal division between the residents. But its resurrection was a global inspiration.
How Paradise Went Up in Flames
Guest: Alastair Gee and Dani Anguiano, authors of "Fire in Paradise: An American Tragedy"
Destroying thousands of homes and claiming the lives of 85 people, the Camp Fire was, by far, the deadliest in California history. Now, two years after the blaze, these reporters have returned to Paradise, California to examine the aftermath of the tragedy.
Carl Smith breaks down the events that led up to the Great Chicago Fire of 1871 that displaced thousands. Alastair Gee and Dani Anguiano describe the aftermath of the Camp Fire in Paradise California.
Dijon, Honey, Barbecue, and more: The National Mustard Museum
Guest: Barry Levenson, founder and curator of the National Mustard Museum in Middleton, Wisconsin, and author of “The Art of Mustard”
The National Mustard Museum is part mustard shop, part art, part humor, and all condiment!
Vinegar
Guest: Lawrence Diggs, “The Vinegar Man,” founder of the International Vinegar Museum, and author of "Vinegar"
Vinegar—it’s in so many of the common foods and condiments we eat, it’s been around for thousands of years, and it can be made at home from leftover juice. This fascinating liquid is a bigger part of your life than you'd imagined.
Why is Grease So Tasty?
Guest: George Motz, author of "The Great American Burger Book: How to Make Authentic Regional Hamburgers at Home"
Lard and tallow have been a part of fast food for generations. Here's why they're so much tastier than the vegetable oils that often replace them.
Barry Levenson is a mustard connoisseur who founded the National Mustard Museum. International vinegar consultant Lawrence Diggs wrote the book on vinegar and explains how to make it at home. George Motz explains why lard makes food taste so good.
Christopher Harding of the University of Edinburgh explores conformity and diversity in Japan. Duncan Ryuken Williams of USC explains how Japanese Americans in internment camps kept their religious practices alive.
Diversity and Conformity in Modern Japan
Guest: Christopher Harding, Senior Lecturer in Asian History at the University of Edinburgh and author of "Japan Story: In Search of a Nation, 1850 to the Present"
Japan’s quest for progress has often led to a push for conformity. Harding explores challenges to a national culture.
American Sutra
Guest: Duncan Ryuken Williams, Director, USC School of Religion
Buddhist Japanese-Americans incarcerated during WWII made makeshift altars and used the light of the army search lights to continue practicing their religion. Their resilience inspires us to preserve the American value of religious freedom.
Greg Bassenian shares the history of the Salton Sea and why it is beginning to disappear. Gary Krist covers the improbable creation of the city of Los Angeles.
Miracle in the Desert
Guest: Greg Bassenian, director of "Miracle in the Desert: The Ride and Fall of the Salton Sea"
The Salton Sea is the result of a failed irrigation project in California’s Imperial Valley. After a long history of boasting resorts, boating, fishing, and farming, the sea is finally starting to shrink. The future environmental consequences could be deadly.
The Invention of Los Angeles
Guest: Gary Krist, author of "The Mirage Factory: Illusion, Imagination, and the Invention of Los Angeles"
LA was built against all odds—no water and no people in desiccated country. It took innovation, creativity, and a little deception to persuade people to come and make it thrive.
John Brown, Abraham Lincoln, and the Struggle for American Freedom
Guest: H.W. Brands, Professor of History at the University of Texas at Austin and author of "The Zealot and the Emancipator: John Brown, Abraham Lincoln, and the Struggle for American Freedom"
John Brown and Abraham Lincoln stood on the same side of the fight against slavery, but Brown and Lincoln’s respective approaches to the fight could not have been more different. By his own admission, Brown was willing to tear up the Constitution if it extended the practice of slavery. He was backed by "armchair abolitionists" who were unwilling to participate in his violent protests but quietly supported him. Lincoln initially thought that violence would cause Southerners to dig in their heels and ultimately be counterproductive.
The Plot to Prevent Lincoln’s Presidency
Guest: Josh Mensch, co-author of "The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America’s 16th President—and Why It Failed"
Long before John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln at Ford’s theater, another group tried to assassinate Lincoln and prevent him from ever taking office in the first place. They planned to strike on the train ride to Lincoln’s first inauguration.
University of Texas at Austin's H. W. Brands contrasts the styles of Abraham Lincoln and John Brown in the fight to end slavery. Josh Mensch describes a foiled assassination attempt on President-elect Abraham Lincoln.
Kitty Wilkins, the Horse Queen of Idaho
Guest: Philip Homan, Catalog Librarian and Associate Professor at Idaho State University’s Eli M. Oboler Library
Kittie Wilkins, known as the “Horse Queen of Idaho,” became a millionaire in the late 1800s thanks to being one of the most prolific horse traders in history. Trained as a classical pianist, she was refined—in no way a tomboy—and she capitalized on her femininity in her business dealings.
The Hidden Canadian Island Where Wild Horses Roam
Guest: Zoe Lucas, President of Sable Island Institute
Home to more feral horses than people, Sable Island is a thin strip of land off the coast of Nova Scotia. Its history is rife with tales about shipwrecks and roaming sea merchants. Turns out, the island is also an important place for scientific observation. We spoke with Zoe Lucas, a Sable Island researcher, about the history and significance of this little-known place.
Philip Homan describes how Kittie Wilkins became a millionaire in the late 1800s by trading horses. Zoe Lucas of the Sable Island Institute reveals the wonders of a place where there are more feral horses than people.
From Fear of Elevators to Champion Acrobatic Pilot
Guest: Cecilia Aragon, Professor in the College of Engineering at the University of Washington, and author of "Flying Free: My Victory Over Fear to Become the First Latina Pilot on the US Aerobatic Team"
Cecilia Aragon was so afraid of heights that she couldn't ride in an elevator. She began to feel like her fear was defining her life, and when a co-worker invited her to go flying with him, she said yes. In just six years, she would be flying in acrobatic air shows. She broke barriers to become the first Latina pilot on the US Areobatic Team and the first full professor in her department at the UW.
Fly Girls
Guest: Keith O’Brien, journalist and author of “Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History”
Amelia Earhart wasn't the only pioneering female pilot in the skies in the '20s and '30s. She was the president of The Ninety-Nines, a group of women who were all licensed pilots. They came from different backgrounds, but they all supported each other in their pursuit of flying. But that doesn't mean that they didn't compete against each other as well in the race for prizes and accolades in air races and record-breaking feats of daring.
UW's Cecilia Aragon went from extremely fearful of heights to acrobatic pilot. Keith O'Brien shares the stories of lesser-known "fly girls" who flew alongside Amelia Earhart in the 1920s and '30s.
Doctors and Dracula
Guest: Dr. Fiona Subotsky, emeritus consultant child psychiatrist of the National Health Service Trust and author of "Dracula for Doctors: Medical Facts and Gothic Fantasies"
Gothic literature conjures images of castles and counts, but medical mysteries also contribute to the horror of "Dracula." This psychiatrist sleuths around the mental and physical illnesses that drive the plot in the novel.
Bodysnatching Doctors in Early America
Guest: Bess Lovejoy, author of “Rest in Pieces: The Curious Fates of Famous Corpses”
The practice of graverobbing for medical cadavers in the 18th century led to public riots by angry mobs. But there was a real need for bodies to study. We examine the uneasy progress made to regulate the use of cadavers and to also advance science.
Dr. Fiona Subotsky delves into the medical history that informed Bram Stoker's "Dracula." Bess Lovejoy on doctors and medical students robbing graves for cadavers in the early United States.
How a Couple of Nitpickers Designed the Modern World
Guest: Simon Winchester, author of "The Perfectionists: How Precisions Engineers Created the Modern World"
The millions of mechanical and electrical systems we rely on to drive a car, turn on a light, look at a webpage, or cook something all require precision. Simon Winchester spotlights a new way of thinking about precision that dates to the 19th century, with the rise of steam-powered machines.
The Wrong Foot
Guest: Michael Dennis, NOAA and NGS geodesist
For more than a century, America has been using two different measurements for the foot, but we’re finally dropping one, and the US will become 28.3 feet wider. How we got into this situation in the first place.
Simon Winchester on how precision engineering made the modern world possible. Michael Dennis explains why the US is getting a new standard "foot" measurement.
Learning a Language Before You Can Feed Yourself or Go to the Bathroom on Your Own is a Feat we Take for Granted
Guest: Jenny Saffran PhD, Professor of Psychology at University of Wisconsin-Madison
How babies learn language. Understanding the ways that human brains have adapted (and adapt to) the complexities of communication by looking at infants.
How English Conversation Works
Guest: David Crystal, Honorary Professor of Linguistics at Bangor University, Author of "Let’s Talk: How English Conversation Works"
Conversations are an essential part of our life and communication with everyone around us. But have you ever stopped to wonder how they work?
Jenny Saffran explores how language can develop before we can feed ourselves or go to the bathroom on our own. David Crystal analyzes conversations to understand what makes them work.
Journey through the Beauty of America with National Geographic
Guest: Susan Goldberg, Editor in Chief of National Geographic and Editorial Director of National Geographic Partners
National Geographic’s photographic archives have been collecting our nation’s history of over 130 years. America the Beautiful uses these vast archives to paint a portrait of a vast and diverse nation.
Photos That Have Shaped our World
Guest: Steve McCurry, author and photojournalist
He photographed Sharbat Gula, the Afghan girl with piercing, sea-green eyes, who stared back at us from the cover of "National Geographic" in a picture that is known round the world. But that photo is just one example of the way Steve McCurry uses his lens to connect humanity.
Susan Goldberg describes National Geographic's new photo book, "America the Beautiful," and discusses the organization's role in a changing world. Steve McCurry gives the backstory to some iconic photos.
Shoshana Keller showcases the unique history of the Central Asian republics. Lara Prior-Palmer was the first woman, and youngest person ever, to win the Mongol Derby.
Central Asia
Guest: Shoshana Keller, Professor of History at Hamilton College and author of "Russia and Central Asia: Coexistence, Conquest, Convergence"
Stalin ordered the nomadic peoples of Central Asia to settle down and become members of Soviet states, and the five "-stans" are still reeling from that dramatic change today. But in some ways, residents have come to relish their modern identities.
Winning the Mongol Derby
Guest: Lara Prior-Palmer, author of "Rough Magic: Riding the World’s Loneliest Horse Race"
Lara Prior-Palmer was the first woman, and youngest person ever, to win the Mongol Derby, a 1000-km race through wild Mongolian steppes. This physically harrowing, profound experience fueled an insightful, gripping and candid book, “Rough Magic.” Let's consider the limits of human endurance, and what drives the soul of a rider.
The Legacy of the Roman Colosseum
Guest: Nathan T. Elkins, Associate Professor of Art History at Baylor University, Director of the Allbritton Art Institute, and author of "A Monument to Dynasty and Death: The Story of Rome’s Colosseum and the Emperors Who Built It"
Think of it as the original amusement park. Gladiators, wild animals, and naval reenactments (How did they do that? Boats in a stadium?): entertainment accessible to the masses and enjoyed by elites as well. It was meant to be a truly democratic edifice.
Hadrian’s Wall
Guest: David Potter, Francis W. Kelsey Collegiate Professor of Greek and Roman History and Arthur F. Thurnau Professor in the Department of Classical Studies at the University of Michigan
Hadrian’s wall, over 70 miles long and stretching throughout Britain, marked the edge of the Roman empire. It also marked an ideological shift, abandoning the idea of “anyone can be a Roman” to a much more exclusionary view of Romans v. outsiders. The wall itself was an impressive feat of engineering and prowess, but did this physical and societal barrier lead to the downfall of an empire?
Baylor University's Nathan T. Elkins relives the glory days of the Roman Colosseum, naval battle reenactments, and gladiator fights. David Potter of the University of Michigan speaks to us about Hadrian's Wall, an ancient attempt at creating a border wall.
Prehistoric Spectacle
Guest: Lukas Rieppel, Associate Professor of History at Brown University and author of "Assembling the Dinosaur: Fossil Hunters, Tycoons, and the Making of a Spectacle"
Our idea of dinosaurs has been shaped since their discovery by both scientists and showmen. Financial giants of the Gilded Age, such as Andrew Carnegie, took a special philanthropic interest in the dinosaur craze, which benefited both paleontologists and those trying to capitalize on the creatures.
Dinosaur Treasure
Guest: Caleb Brown, Curator of Dinosaur Systematics and Evolution at the Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Alberta, Canada
In March 2011, a mechanical shovel operator accidentally stumbled on a mummified dinosaur. It was so well preserved that the contents of its guts were still inside. What we learn from this amazing specimen.
Scientists Learn Big Lessons from Tiny Dinosaur Dandruff
Guest: Mike Benton, Professor of Vertebrate Palaeontology at the University of Bristol
When you have a chance to visit a dinosaur museum, it’s easy to feel small next to a 20- to 30-foot long skeleton of, say, a stegosaurus. But it’s fun to imagine paleontologists assembling all those massive bones and plates to solve the puzzle of what dinosaurs looked like. Except, the puzzle isn’t really complete once the skeleton is put back together again. Because, there’s the skin to consider . . . and feathers. And, scientists now even look at dinosaur dandruff to figure out how these creatures moved. Because something as small as a flake of skin can actually be just as important to understanding these creatures as a skull, or a leg bone.
Brown University's Lukas Rieppel illustrates how showmen and paleontologists alike have influenced how we view dinosaurs as scientific curiosities and sensational show stoppers.
Catherine Grace Katz looks at the daughters who accompanied their fathers, the leaders who negotiated the peace following WWII at the Yalta Conference. Jay Nordlinger explores the lives of the children of some of the world's worst modern dictators.
Daughter Diplomats Behind WWII Leaders
Guest: Catherine Grace Katz, author of "The Daughters of Yalta: The Churchills, Roosevelts, and Harrimans: A Story of Love and War"
The Yalta Conference had a lot of big personalities: Churchill, FDR, and Stalin, for starters, who were referred to as “The Big Three.” Meet the women referred to as “The Little Three,” the daughters of Churchill, FDR, and American ambassador Averell Harriman, who served as diplomats and confidantes for their fathers during this tricky time of negotiation.
The Sons and Daughters of Infamous Modern Dictators
Guest: Jay Nordlinger, Senior Editor of "National Review" and author of "Children of Monsters: An Inquiry into the Sons and Daughters of Dictators"
What would life be like as the child of a dictator? The lives of these children shows that an infamous pedigree alone does not condemn a child to replicate their parents.
Jim Thorpe
Guest: Bob Wheeler; Emmy Award winner, founder and president of the Jim Thorpe Foundation, and author of "Jim Thorpe: World’s Greatest Athlete"
Jim Thorpe was known as the greatest Athlete in the world. A member of the Sac and Fox nation, he was the first Native American to win Olympic Gold medals for the United States in 1912. When the Olympic Committee found out that he had been payed $2 a game to play two seasons of semi-professional baseball, they stripped him of his title and gold medals.
Jim Thorpe, PA
Guest: Jack Sterling; local historian of Jim Thorpe, PA
In the hills of Pennsylvania is a small town called Jim Thorpe with a history involving the famous athlete.
Emmy Award-winner Bob Wheeler on the life of Jim Thorpe, one of the greatest athletes in the world. Local historian Jack Sterling explains how the town of Jim Thorpe, PA, got its name.
Vermont boatbuilder Douglas Brooks preserves the dying art of traditional Japanese boatbuilding. Peter Chan went from engineer to bonsai tree artist.
Japanese Boats
Guest: Douglas Brooks; author of five books on Japanese boatbuilding, most recently "Japanese Wooden Boatbuilding," and is a visiting faculty teacher at Middlebury College and Bates College
Douglas Brooks is trying to save an age-old tradition, traveling to and from Japan to document and learn right from the old master boatbuilders to preserve their craft
The Big World of Miniature Trees
Guest: Peter Chan, expert bonsai artist
The history of bonsai and how an electrical engineer taught himself the this ancient art and became an award-winning expert.
Cheesemonger Gordon Edgar traveled around the country to explore the popularity of cheddar. Professor Paul Kindstedt tells the long history of cheese.
Cheddar: America's Favorite Cheese
Guest: Gordon Edgar, cheesemonger for San Francisco’s Rainbow Grocery Cooperative, blogger, and author of "Cheddar: A Journey into the Heart of America’s Most Iconic Cheese”
Cheesemonger Gordon Edgar traveled coast to coast to discover why Americans love cheddar cheese so much and to investigate claims of superiority from Wisconsin to Vermont. Along the way, he introduces us to foodies taken in by the charm of Velveeta and a sheepherder who didn't realize that some people make cheese from sheep's milk.
A Quick Tour Through the 9,000-Year History of Cheese
Guest: Paul Kindstedt, Professor of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Vermont
One of the workhorses of the Western diet comes from fermented or curdled milk in various colors, flavors, textures and smells that range from the sweet to the savory to the downright disgusting. Our guest is a cheese historian from Vermont, the heart of American cheese country. Who discovered it and when, and where did all these varities come from?
Author William Souder explains how a painfully shy John Steinbeck came to be the voice of a generation. Preserving stories from the Great Depression with David Taylor.
John Steinbeck
Guest: William Souder, author of "Mad at the World: A Life of John Steinbeck"
John Steinbeck was a mystifying character. A California Man who could never seem to find his place, his words represented millions of the disenfranchised. The power behind his writing may come from the fact that he could never abide injustice against the poor.
Depression Stories
Guest: David A. Taylor, author of "Soul of a People: The WPA Writers’ Project Uncovers Depression America"
In the 1930s, the federal government sponsored unemployed teachers, writers, historians, and artists to record the stories of everyday Americans. What they produced could be called an encyclopedia of life in early 20th-century America.
Paul Cartledge tries to clear up some of the misconceptions about the ancient Greek city of Thebes. BYUradio's Sam Payne channels his inner Hercules. Loyola University, Maryland's Kelly DeVries highlights Joan of Arc's short, inspiring life.
Thebes, the Forgotten Greek City
Guest: Paul Cartledge, AG Leventis Senior Research Fellow Emeritus of Clare College Cambridge, and author of "Thebes: The Forgotten City of Ancient Greece"
Frequently overshadowed by its Greek counterparts Athens and Sparta, Thebes too often gets a bad rap. But Thebes was actually pretty important, mythically and historically; it was the birthplace of Hercules, and played a key role in the Peloponnesian War. But it had to be resurrected after it was thoroughly crushed by Alexander the Great.
Greek Mythology
Guest: Sam Payne, host, "The Apple Seed," BYUradio
Of Greek descent, Sam Payne grew up thinking of Greek mythology as family history.
The Real Impact of Joan of Arc
Guest: Kelly DeVries, Professor, History, Loyola University Maryland
590 years ago, Joan of Arc had a frankly miraculous year. Though countless books and articles have been written on her, her military career is pretty much confined to 1429, and she died only two years later. We revisit this dramatic period of history and ask how she ever could have had the impact she did.
Ray Solotki runs one of the most northerly greenhouses in North America to provide fresh vegetables to people living 100 north of the Arctic Circle. James Giovannoni of the USDA and Cornell University explains why grocery-store tomatoes are so bland. Paul W. Bosland, New Mexico State University, on chile peppers.
Arctic Greenhouses
Guest: Ray Solotki, Executive Director of Inuvik Community Greenhouse
Imagine trying to grow food in the Arctic: 100 miles north of the Arctic Circle, food insecurity is a real threat. But in the summer, at The Inuvik Community Greenhouse, one of the most northerly greenhouse in North America, it's a different story. They get overwhelmed with produce thanks to 24-hour sun.
Most Store-Bought Tomatoes are Actually Missing the “Flavor Gene”
Guest: Professor James Giovannoni, Molecular Biologist, USDA, and Professor at Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University
There’s a rare “flavor gene” in wild tomatoes called TomLoxC that’s actually missing in most modern, domesticated tomatoes. No wonder store-bought tomatoes are less flavorful! Can we get back the flavor gene?
Why do you enjoy food that sets your mouth on fire?
Guest: Paul W. Bosland, Professor of Horticulture and Director of Chile Pepper Institute, New Mexico State University
Many pregnant moms have this internal debate: If I love spicy food, and I order that hot salsa or that Indian vindaloo curry, will it hurt my baby? Or at the very least, maybe irritate the baby? Or, on the other hand, will the baby be born with a love for onions and chilepeppers?
Chile peppers are a staple in many cuisines, but some people really can’t tolerate them at all. Why is that?
Marathon Mayhem
Guest: Jody Sowell, Managing Director of Strategic Initiatives for the Missouri Historical Society
The many disasters of the 1904 Olympic Marathon led the event director to conclude that marathons were “man-killing,” almost resulting in the marathon being excluded from the Olympics for good. Jody Sowell relates the funny misadventures, redemptive stories, and lasting legacy of the 1904 games. Not that we're doing the "plunge for distance" anymore . . .
Wacky Inventions and World's Fairs
Guest: Charles Pappas, senior writer at Exhibitor Magazine and author of “Flying Cars, Zombie Dogs, and Robot Overlords: How World's Fairs and Trade Expos Changed the World”
Colt revolvers, ice cream cones, and ATMs were all introduced at trade fairs, which have served as incubators of innovation for more than a century. And speaking of incubators, one world's fair featured live babies in incubators, which helped to persuade a skeptical public of their lifesaving power. But there have been truly weird entries, like Salvador Dali's lobster women, that have debuted there, too.
Jody Sowell explains why the mishaps of the 1904 Olympic Marathon almost lead to the event being banned in all future Olympic Games. Charles Pappas regales us with stories from world's fairs.
Louise Biddle uses sensors on elephant seals to chart the ocean currents under the Antarctic ice. Vince Gaffney explains how the land between England and Europe disappeared.
Elephant Seals Gather Data
Guest: Louise Biddle, researcher at the Department of Marine Sciences at the University of Gothenburg, Sweden
Understanding how ocean currents work is key to understanding climate. While we have autonomous gliders that send back data from the watery depths, but areas under the deep Antarctic ice are inaccessible by autonomous glider. So, scientists used data gathered from elephant seal dives to study how the ocean moves under deep ice.
The Sunken Bridge to England
Guest: Vince Gaffney, Anniversary Chair in Landscape Archaeology and Professor at the University of Bradford
Doggerland is an ancient sunken land that connected England to the rest of Europe. Its story has implications for how we can deal with rising coastlines.
Alexander von Humboldt
Guest: Eleanor Harvey, Senior Curator at the Smithsonian American Art Museum and curator of the current exhibit, "Alexander von Humboldt and the United States: Art, Nature, and Culture"
Prussian Alexander von Humboldt was the most popular man in the world in his day (much to the annoyance of his contemporary, Napoleon). A true Renaissance man, he was knowledgeable in geography, history, politics, art, and the natural world. His six-week visit to the United States has left a lasting impact on the US, an impact that began with his urging Americans to take their democracy seriously. He said he felt like he was "practically an American himself." If it weren't for slavery, he may have gone all in for America.
Imperfect Union
Guest: Steve Inskeep, author of "Imperfect Union: How Jessie and John Frémont Mapped the West, Invented Celebrity, and Helped Cause the Civil War"; host, NPR's "Morning Edition" and NPR's morning news podcast "Up First"
Jessie and John Frémont were central to the westward expansion of the United States. John Frémont attached the name Humboldt to landmarks across the country. Along the way, the Frémonts themselves became so famous that their name, too, can be found all over the West. And celebrity was the point for them.
The Smithsonian's Eleanor Harvey on how Alexander von Humboldt's American legacy. NPR's Steve Inskeep discusses his book, "Imperfect Union," and explains how Jessie and John Frémont became celebrities of the day.
Bodysnatching Doctors in Early America
Guest: Bess Lovejoy, author of “Rest in Pieces: The Curious Fates of Famous Corpses”
The practice of graverobbing for medical cadavers in the 18th century led to public riots by angry mobs. But there was a real need for bodies to study. The uneasy progress made to regulate the use of cadavers and to also advance science.
The Science Behind the First Science-Fiction Novel
Guest: Kathryn Harkup, chemist and author of “Making the Monster: The Science Behind Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein"
The years before Mary Shelley published "Frankenstein" saw huge leaps in our understanding of natural sciences, and many of the most popular experiments, lecturers, and science gossip made their way into Shelley’s famous novel. Kathryn Harkup, a chemist herself, talks about the science fact behind the science fiction.
Bess Lovejoy on doctors and medical students robbing graves for cadavers in the early United States. Kathryn Harkup explains the scientific discoveries that influenced Mary Shelley's "Frankenstein."
Greg Gbur explains how something as simple as a falling cat can teach us a lot about fundamental physics. Marta Braun of Ryerson University explores Eadweard Muybridge's pioneering work in motion photography. Lucy King of Save the Elephants has found that bees can keep elephants from trampling farmers' crops.
The Physics of Falling Cats
Guest: Greg Gbur, author of "Falling Felines and Fundamental Physics"
Why do cats always land on their feet? Turns out it’s a more complex question than you would think. Cats have a surprising history of slinking through science. They have been supporting characters in the history of photography, neuroscience, and space exploration.
Eadweard Muybridge: Revolutionary Photographer
Guest: Marta Braun, Professor in the School of Image Arts, Ryerson University, Toronto; Director of The Graduate Program in Film and Photography Preservation; and author of "Critical Lives biography, Eadweard Muybridge"
How Muybridge got his famous photos of horses with four feet off the ground and settled a scientific score. This was the beginning of animation and also contributed to our understanding of animal physiology. But it touched off legal battles with Leland Stanford, founder of Stanford University.
Honeybees Protect African Villages from Elephants
Guest: Lucy King, Head of Human-Elephant Co-Existence Program, Save the Elephants, and Research Associate, University of Oxford
Although the poaching industry has declined in recent years, elephant-human conflict is on the rise in both Africa and Asia. Foraging for food, elephants often battle against farmers trying to preserve their crop. Lucy King of Save the Elephants weighs in on how honey bees may be a natural and potentially life-saving solution.
Human GPS
Guest: Michael Bond, author of "From Here to There: The Art and Science of Finding and Losing Our Way"
Our smartphone's GPS may give us a sense of security, we are losing innate cognitive abilities when we rely on devices to wayfind for us. Why you should allow yourself the possibility of getting lost. Children, in fact, already know the value of wandering.
Where did the Polynesian People Really Come From?
Guest: Christina Thompson, "Harvard Review" editor, author of "Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia" and "Come On Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All: A New Zealand Story"
How did the earliest Polynesians conquer the largest ocean on our planet? How did they manage to colonize virtually every habitable island in the vast, watery triangle between Hawaii, New Zealand, and Easter Island? It’s quite the historical puzzle—a puzzle we’ll try to solve.
David Nasaw dives into the complicated effort of repatriating refugees and prisoners of war in Europe after WWII. David Sorkin of Yale University argues that Jews have been fighting for equality for centuries.
The Last Million
Guest: David Nasaw, author of "The Last Million: Europe's Displaced Persons from World War to Cold War," past president of the Society of American Historians, former Professor of History at the City University of New York Graduate Center
More than four million people were left displaced and in a foreign country at the end of WWII, but even after extensive repatriation efforts the "last million" remained trapped in Germany for up to five years after the war ended. The fact that world war quickly morphed into the Cold War complicated efforts to return people home.
Jewish Emancipation
Guest: David Sorkin, Professor of History at Yale University, and author of "Jewish Emancipation: A History Across Five Centuries"
If you were asked what the most influential event in modern Jewish history is, you might want to say the Holocaust, or the founding of Israel, but in a new book written by David Sorkin, he argues that over the past five centuries it was Jewish emancipation efforts that were catalysts for those grim and triumphal events of the 20th century.
Black Spartacus
Guest: Sudhir Hazareesingh, author of "Black Spartacus: The Epic Life of Toussaint Louverture," and Lecturer in Politics at Bolliol College, Oxford University
Toussaint Louverture is known as the Father of Haiti. A former slave, and former slave owner, he studied both revolutionary European Enlightenment ideals and African theories of war, such as guerilla warfare. By uniting the people of Saint-Dominque, he forged the path towards Haitian independence.
Berbice Rebellion
Guest: Marjoleine Kars, Associate Professor of History at the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and author of “Blood on the River: A Chronicle of Mutiny and Freedom on the Wild Coast”
In 1763, in the midst of a pandemic, slaves in modern-day Guyana rebelled against harsh working conditions. The founders of the rebellion conscripted other wary slaves and set up their own government, led by Governor Coffij, a charismatic enslaved man who set about negotiating with the Dutch colonialists. The rebels were successful for a while, and their efforts foreshadowed revolutionary movements throughout the Western world.
Oxford University's Sudhir Hazareesingh shares the story of the father of Haiti, the former slave Toussaint Louverture, who revolutionized the country. Marjoleine Kars tells the story behind the Berbice slave rebellion, which predated the successful rebellion in Haiti.
Karen Babine found solace in cooking as she helped her mother battle cancer. Gina Rae La Cerva goes beyond the supermarket to explain why eating "wild foods" is so appealing.
Wild Hungers
Guest: Karen Babine, author of "All the Wild Hungers: A Season of Cooking and Cancer"
This is a story of solace: finding refuge in the kitchen when the world seems out of control.
The Advantages of Eating Wild Foods
Guest: Gina Rae La Cerva, author of "Feasting Wild: in Search of the Last Untamed Food"
Why would we want to forage for wild food when we cultivate so much? And why don't we think of foraging for plants and insects as sport the way we think about hunting and fishing? It's all wild food, after all.
John Wyatt Greenlee explains that eels were central to medieval economies. Jacob Goldstein shows how money is the most valuable fiction we have ever created.
Smoked Eels Were Used as Currency in Medieval Europe
Guest: John Wyatt Greenlee, Medievalist, Cartographic Historian
Eels were once used as currency in medieval Europe, useful since they were plentiful in local rivers and they dried well. In fact, the Dutch filled their ships' holds with water so they could always have a fresh stock to bring to market. Today, they're threatened by modern technology, and they represent an estimated $3 billion black market.
Money: A Shared (but Valuable) Fiction
Guest: Jacob Goldstein, author of “Money: The True Story of a Made-Up Thing”
Forms of money change as the needs of people change, as civilizations change, as power changes. But Europeans thought Marco Polo was lying when he told them the Chinese used paper money. How the world has come to embrace the necessary fiction of money.
The Spy Who Saved D-Day
Guest: Nigel West, Intelligence Historian
Garbo, the most notorious and successful double agent of WWII, was thought dead and gone. Here’s his real story.
Best Spy Books
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian and regular contributor to The Lisa Show on BYUradio
Rachel Wadham is back to discuss some of the best books about spies and espionage.
Nigel West explains how Garbo became one of the most successful and notorious double agents of WWII. Rachel Wadham shares some thrilling books on espionage.
Ben Macintyre shares the story of one of Soviet Russia's best spies, the housewife Agent Sonya. Jonathan Gill of the Univ of Amsterdam on Boris Morros, a film producer who spied for the Soviets then turned double agent for the US.
Stalin's Housewife Spy
Guest: Ben Macintyre, author of “Agent Sonya: Moscow’s Most Daring Wartime Spy”
Ursula Kuczynski, or Agent Sonya, was one of Moscow’s most brilliant spies throughout WWII and the Cold War. While raising three children, Ursula secretly passed blueprints for the atomic bomb to the Russians. MI5 never caught her because nobody could believe that “Mrs. Burton” could get around to stealing nuclear secrets when she was so busy baking scones.
The Hollywood Producer Who Became a Cold War Double Agent
Guest: Jonathan Gill, Professor of American History and Culture at University of Amsterdam, and author of "Hollywood Double Agent: The True Tale of Boris Morros, Film Producer Turned Cold War Spy"
Hollywood film producer Boris Morros was a useful tool for Soviet intelligence operations—that is until he turned himself in to the FBI and became a double agent. At least that's what we think happened. His ex-wife said his memoir was full of lies, and his true history has been difficult to unravel.
The Great Indoors
Guest: Emily Anthes, author of “The Great Indoors: The Surprising Science of How Buildings Shape Our Behavior, Health, and Happiness”
Research shows that kids who grow up with a rich diversity of microbes are healthier, and our homes have a rich microbiome ecosystem. Beyond that, designers can encourage us to be more healthy and active by bringing more of the outside in, including light, air, and microorganisms. That's the opposite of what builders have done over the last several decades. Hospitals have made big changes in their indoor environments, with dramatic health results. Prisons could take note if they truly wanted to be "correctional."
Making Windows Out of Wood
Guest: Céline Montanari, Materials Science Engineer, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
A group of Swedish researchers has discovered a way to make wood transparent. More durable, renewable, safer, and better at insulation, transparent wood could one day replace glass as the go-to material for windows. But that’s not all: now new wood material can absorb heat when it’s too hot and release it when it’s cold.
Emily Anthes encourages us to create spaces that bring the outdoors in. Céline Montanari of the KTH Royal Institute of Technology discusses how to make wood clear, to be a replacement for glass.
Wendy Woloson looks through the junk drawers around the country to figure out why we love cheap stuff. Adam Minter examines the global market for used goods.
A History of Useless American Crap
Guest: Wendy Woloson, Associate Professor of History at Rutgers University-Camden, and author of “Crap: A History of Cheap Stuff in America“
We all have crap in our lives: free T-shirts, a snow globe collection, little knickknacks that we never quite manage to throw away. What's the allure of cheap, useless stuff? The dollar store has vestiges of childhood treasure hunts, and so many of us fall prey to the promise of a great deal. But there's something American about our willingness to "encrapify" our lives.
Global Garage Sale
Guest: Adam Minter, business journalist and author of “Junkyard Planet,” and “Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale”
The secondhand world is a global market and Minter follows the path of unwanted American stuff (and there is so much of it!) from garage sales to border crossings. In one instance, Minter discovered a technician in Ghana converting a 40-year-old tube television into a remote-control model.
Derek Gow is a beaver crusader with a mission to bring back beavers to the world's waterways. Andrew Reeves explains why Asian Carp have become a huge problem in America's river systems, even as they become endangered in their native habitats.
Bring Back the Beavers!
Guest: Derek Gow, author of “Bringing Back the Beaver: The Story of One Man’s Quest to Rewild Britain’s Waterways”
Derek Gow leads a passionate quest to bring back beavers to Britain's waterways. Historically, they've been considered a pest in Britain, but, in reality, they revitalize water systems. The story of their demise involves the hunting preferences of the landed class, but there's hope for their future as people begin to realize how valuable these busy builders are.
How Carp Conquered America’s Rivers
Guest: Andrew Reeves, author of “Overrun: Dispatches from the Asian Carp Crisis”
Carp are one of the world’s most successful river-dwellers. They came to dominate America’s river systems from a series of environmental miscalculations. At the same time, they've become threatened in their native waters. How to restore the balance?
Judith Sumner breaks down the botanical history of WWII to show how plants played a significant role, for good and ill, on both sides of the war. David Taylor explains that cork was essential in construction of WWII battleships.
Plants Go to War
Guest: Judith Sumner, author of “Plants Go to War: A Botanical History of World War II”
Victory gardens provided 44 percent of produce in 1944, and they could be found from backyards to rooftops to public squares. But plants had even more impact on the outcome of the war, as they were used for good and ill. Take the humble sugar beet: it provided sugar but was also the source of poison gas. Judith Sumner provides a wide-ranging tour of the plants that shaped the war's outcome.
Cork Wars
Guest: David Taylor, author of "Cork Wars: Intrigue and Industry in World War II"
Sometimes conflict, strife, family life, and fortune can all revolve around the most innocuous of substances—during World War II, one of these was cork. This is the story of how cork changed the course of the war.
Helen Zia on her mother's flight from Shanghai as Chairman Mao rose to power in China. Her mother nearly took the story with her to her grave. Jonathan Rée only discovered the heights of his father's heroism in WWII after his father had passed away.
Last Boat Out of Shanghai
Guest: Helen Zia, activist and author, "Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution"
After 50 years, Zia finally hears the story of her mother's flight from Shanghai as Chairman Mao’s Communist takeover began.
A Hidden Hero in the House
Guest: Jonathan Rée, author, "A Schoolmaster’s War: Harry Rée—A British Agent in the French Resistance"
Harry Rée, a British schoolmaster who parachuted into rural France to help the French Resistance, succeeded because he kept his head down. He talked the Peugot factory owner into blowing up his own factory and was shot at close range, but when he got home, he hardly mentioned the war. His son finally tells his story.
Land of Resistance
Guest: Barbara Demick, author of "Eat the Buddha: Life and Death in a Tibetan Town"
Tibet is a mysterious land on the roof of the world, jammed between global powers of India and China, and, in fact, swallowed and digested by the latter. It's a remote land, made more remote by its long tradition of sacred isolation and by its controversial occupation by China. Home of the exiled Dalai Llama, Tibet has long been synonymous with resistance to Chinese tyranny. Journalist Barbara Demick traveled to Tibet to see what modern life is like there. She explains how Tibet’s long history of resistance to China has led to the current moment.
Blood Letters
Guest: Xi Lian, Professor, World Christianity, Duke Divinity School, Duke University, and author of "Blood Letters: The Untold Story of Lin Zhao, A Martyr in Mao’s China"
Fighting to get her words into the world, jailed and ultimately martyred political dissident Lin Zhao used anything available, including her own blood, to tell her story. She turned out to be the most important political prisoner in Mao's regime, and she remains a hero in China today.
The Eight Million Dollar Book Theft
Guest: Travis McDade, Curator of Law Rare Books and Associate Professor of Library Service at University of Illinois College of Law
Some criminals steal diamonds or gold boullion. Others steal books. A rare and valuable copy of Ptolemy’s "La Geographia," printed in 1548, was stolen from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh sometime in the last 25 years. This alone is a noteworthy crime, but it was just the beginning. Eventually, roughly 300 other rare books were stolen from the library in an $8 million bit-by-bit book heist. It's a story of a librarian who went bad and the sleuthing to crack the case and recover the books.
Beardmore Hoax
Guest: Douglas Hunter, journalist, historian, and author of "Beardmore: The Viking Hoax that Rewrote History"
Uncovering ancient Viking relics in your backyard is highly improbable, especially in central North America. What’s even more unlikely is museum directors, renowned scholars, and the press defending the discovery even when the archaeology doesn’t add up. Author Douglas Hunter joins us to talk about the notorious 20th century scandal of Beardmore, and the schoolteacher and geologist who took on powerful academic institutions in a quest for the truth.
Barbara Demick explores Tibet to see what modern life is like in a country that it famous for its defiance against China. Xi Lian tells the tragic story of Lin Zhao, a woman who resorted to using her own blood to write her story when an oppressive government tried to take away her voice. Travis McDade explains how one man stole eight million dollars in rare books. Douglas Hunter examines a hoax involving Vikings in central Ontario.
Danna Staaf considers the evolution and wonder of cephalopods, including the squid, octopus, cuttlefish, and nautilus. Nizar Ibrahim introduces us to a prehistoric river monster.
River Monsters
Guest: Nizar Ibrahim, paleontologist and National Geographic Explorer
The 50-foot-long spinosaurus was one of the most terrifying prehistoric creatures, but it didn’t roam the earth like the T. rex—it was actually lurking underwater.
Monarchs of the Sea
Guest: Danna Staaf, marine biologist and author of “Monarchs of the Sea: The Extraordinary 500-Million-Year History of Cephalopods”
The Jurassic Park franchise may have put T. Rex and velociraptors in the spotlight, but strange and slimy marine creatures ruled the planet almost 250 million years before dinosaurs were even around! These cephalopods are the prehistoric ancestors of squid, octopus, and cuttlefish, and their name means "head foot," and, guess what? They've got a brain in each!
Jennifer Dasal of ArtCurious reveals thrilling stories behind storied old masterpieces. Noah Charney explains how someone got away with stealing the world's most recognizable painting, the Mona Lisa.
If You Thought Art Museums Were Boring. . .
Guest: Jennifer Dasal, Curator of Modern and Contemporary Art at the North Carolina Museum of Art; creator and host of the podcast ArtCurious; author of “ArtCurious: Stories of the Unexpected, Slightly Odd, and Strangely Wonderful in Art History”
Forget linear perspective and chiaroscuro, lets get the stories behind the masterpieces: maybe Van Gogh was murdered and didn't commit suicide after all; the woman who pushed Norman Rockwell in a more political direction; the secret CIA funding that was poured into abstract expressionism. Art has never been so engaging before. Take a listen and you'll get a whole new look on the art world.
Stealing the Mona Lisa
Guest: Noah Charney, Professor of Art History at the American University of Rome and at University of Ljubljana; Founding Director of the Association for Research into Crimes against Art (ARCA); author of "The Thefts of the Mona Lisa: On Stealing the World’s Most Famous Painting"
The Mona Lisa has long been known for her enigmatic smile. The smile is just quirky enough, just mysterious enough, to make you wonder if she might have been in on the 1911 heist that transformed her from just another famous painting to the most famous painting in the world.
Kit Chapman explains what we learned, and what we sacrificed, when pilots flew their planes into atomic explosions during the 1950s. Paul J. Steinhardt has discovered a new state of matter and uses it to show how science doesn't always follow the rules.
Red Flight: Discovering Elements in An Atomic Storm
Guest: Kit Chapman, historian at the University of Sunderland and author, "Superheavy: Making and Breaking the Periodic Table"
Flying into an atomic explosion is as crazy as it sounds. However, it was common practice in the heyday of atomic testing and development in the 1950s. While missions like the “Red Flight” of 1952 resulted in groundbreaking scientific discoveries, the Atomic Veterans of these missions paid a high price.
New Matter
Guest: Paul J. Steinhardt, Professor of Physics at Princeton University, and author of “The Second Kind of Impossible: The Extraordinary Quest for a New Form of Matter”
Science may seem very clear cut—there are things that are possible, and things that are not. Paul Steinhardt disagrees. His discovery of quasicrystals—a new form of matter with an arrangement of atoms and molecules that were deemed impossible—upset nearly 200 years of scientific understanding.
Nicholas Smith explains how we all came to get our kicks from the ubiquitous sneaker. Conor Heffernan on the specter of the 97-pound weakling and the rise of bodybuilding in the US.
Sneakers: An American Tale
Guest: Nicholas Smith, author of “Kicks: The Great American Story of Sneakers”
Sneakers were created, not to protect the human foot, but to protect the lawn, the croquet lawn, to be precise, from the human foot. The story of sneakers is tied to the famous name Goodyear, and the business wouldn't be what it is today without the phenom Michael Jordan.
Bodybuilding
Guest: Conor Heffernan, Assistant Professor in Kinesiology and Health Education at the University of Texas at Austin
Early European gymnasiums, strong-men performances, and bodybuilding gyms brought physical culture into the mainstream in the United States.
New World Culinary Wonders: Tomatoes and Chiles
Guest: Jenny Linford, author of “The Seven Culinary Wonders of the World: A History of Honey, Salt, Chile, Pork, Rice, Cacao, and Tomato”
When the New World was discovered, it completely changed the culinary world forever. Take tomatoes and chiles. Anything but commonplace, these extremely diverse fruits are so intrinsic to much of the world’s cuisine that we often forget that they arrived on the world culinary scene only recently.
History of Chocolate
Guest: Carla D. Martin, Founder and Executive Director, Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute, and Lecturer, Harvard University
From pedestrian Hershey's to luxurious Belgian, chocolate has a history spanning centuries. Martin asks us to think about the "value chain" involved in the global distribution of chocolate: workers and producers receive the smallest profit from the industry. Looking back centuries to the history of cacao production also reveals another type of value, one that was even sacred.
Evidence of Life on Venus
Guest: Sara Seager, Professor of Planetary Science and Physics, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
There is possible evidence of microbial life sent back from Venus' clouds. Find out what scientists are looking for in the search for life on other planets, in our galaxy and beyond.
Biological Treasures of a Lost City
Guest: Trond Larsen, Director of the Rapid Assessment Program at Conservation International
A lost city, an impenetrable rainforest, species never before seen by science—no, this is not the plot of the next Indiana Jones, but the story of Trond Larsen and Conservation International’s expedition to the Mosquitia Rainforest.
MIT's Sara Seager shares clues about possible life on Venus. Trond Larsen of Conservation International found a rich ecosystem hidden in the jungles of Honduras.
Jerry Mikorenda tells the story of Elizabeth Jennings, a woman who fought for civil rights more than 100 years before the movement of the 1960s. Cambridge's Patricia Fara wants to redefine the legacy of Rosalind Franklin.
America's First Freedom Rider
Guest: Jerry Mikorenda, author of "America's First Freedom Rider: Elizabeth Jennings, Chester A. Arthur, and the Early Fight for Civil Rights"
We all know the story of Rosa Parks, a woman whose refusal to give up her seat on a bus became the catalyst for public transit boycotts and desegregation efforts. But here's the story of Elizabeth Jennings, a woman who did nearly the same thing, 100 years earlier, before the Civil War. Her efforts led to the desegregation of transit in New York City.
Rosalind Franklin
Guest: Patricia Fara, Emeritus Fellow, Clare College, Cambridge, and author of "A Lab of One’s Own: Science and Suffrage in the First World War"
Rosalind Franklin helped discover the structure of DNA, but a decade after her death, the Nobel Prize for the discovery went to Watson, Crick, and Wilkins (who stole her photo of the double helix and showed it to the other two). But her legacy shouldn't be one of a martyr. By the time of her death at age 37, she was already internationally acclaimed for her work on viruses and vaccines.
The True Origin of the FBI
Guest: Willard Oliver, Professor of Criminal Justice at Sam Houston State University, and author of “The Birth of the FBI: Teddy Roosevelt, the Secret Service, and the Fight Over America's Premier Law Enforcement Agency”
Federal law enforcement was weak at the beginning of America. Counterfeiting, assassinations, land fraud deals, and a conflict between Teddy Roosevelt and a Congress led to the eventual creation of the FBI.
The Pinkertons
Guest: Paul O’Hara, Associate Professor of History, Xavier University, and author, "Inventing the Pinkertons: Or Spies, Sleuths, Mercenaries, and Thugs, Being a story of the nation’s most famous (and infamous) detective agency"
A cooper named Allan Pinketon fell into detective work quite by accident, but he soon found himself in high demand. His foiling of a plot to assassinate President-Elect Abraham Lincoln vaulted him to national renown, and he worked across state lines with government agencies on every level.
Willard Oliver, of Sam Houston State Univ, explains that the FBI was created by Teddy Roosevelt in an attempt to investigate land fraud deals, some of which involved members of Congress. Xavier Univ's Paul O’Hara tells the story of Allan Pinkerton, the founder of the Pinkerton National Detective Agency.
Money: A Shared (but Valuable) Fiction
Guest: Jacob Goldstein, author of “Money: The True Story of a Made-Up Thing”
Forms of money changes as the needs of people change, as civilizations change, as power changes. But Europeans thought Marco Polo was lying when he told them the Chinese used paper money. How the world has come to embrace the necessary fiction of money.
How Tariffs Helped Spark the Great Depression
Guest: James Kearl, A.O. Smoot Professor of Economics, Brigham Young University
Sometimes our best intentions—when run through the gamut of fear and doubt—backfire spectacularly. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 was one such backfire, when the US government passed a set of laws that ultimately hastened the Great Depression.
Jacob Goldstein shows how money is the most valuable fiction we have ever created. Mike Dash on the Netherlands Tulip Craze.
On his "99% Invisible" podcast, Roman Mars uncovers the stories behind seemingly insignificant design choices in our built environment. Michael Dennis explains why the US is getting a new standard "foot" measurement.
The 99% Invisible City
Guest: Roman Mars, host and creator of "99% Invisible" podcast and co-author of "The 99% Invisible City: A Field Guide to the Hidden World of Everyday Design"
The urban environment is replete with inconspicuous design choices, stories, and secrets. Roman Mars has spent a decade exploring them on his wildly popular podcast, "99% Invisible," and has now released a book guide to as many as can fit into 375 pages. We find out why Mars once thought he was unfit for public radio, and we hear some of his favorite stories, including why he loves stairs to nowhere that are "useless, but maintained."
Find us on Facebook or Instagram for a chance to win your copy of the book.
The Wrong Foot
Guest: Michael Dennis, NOAA and NGS geodesist
For more than a century, America has been using two different measurements for the foot, but we’re finally dropping one, and the US will become 28.3 feet wider. How we got into this situation in the first place.
Travis McDade explains how one man stole eight million dollars in rare books. Douglas Hunter examines a hoax involving Vikings in central Ontario.
The Eight Million Dollar Book Theft
Guest: Travis McDade, Curator of Law Rare Books and Associate Professor of Library Service at University of Illinois College of Law
Some criminals steal diamonds or gold boullion. Others steal books. A rare and valuable copy of Ptolemy’s "La Geographia," printed in 1548, was stolen from the Carnegie Library of Pittsburgh sometime in the last 25 years. This alone is a noteworthy crime, but it was just the beginning. Eventually, roughly 300 other rare books were stolen from the library in an $8 million bit-by-bit book heist. It's a story of a librarian who went bad and the sleuthing to crack the case and recover the books.
Beardmore Hoax
Guest: Douglas Hunter, journalist, historian, and author of "Beardmore: The Viking Hoax that Rewrote History"
Uncovering ancient Viking relics in your backyard is highly improbable, especially in central North America. What’s even more unlikely is museum directors, renowned scholars, and the press defending the discovery even when the archaeology doesn’t add up. Author Douglas Hunter joins us to talk about the notorious 20th century scandal of Beardmore, and the schoolteacher and geologist who took on powerful academic institutions in a quest for the truth.
Land of Resistance
Guest: Barbara Demick, author of "Eat the Buddha: Life and Death in a Tibetan Town"
Tibet is a mysterious land on the roof of the world, jammed between global powers of India and China, and, in fact, swallowed and digested by the latter. It's a remote land, made more remote by its long tradition of sacred isolation and by its controversial occupation by China. Home of the exiled Dalai Llama, Tibet has long been synonymous with resistance to Chinese tyranny. Journalist Barbara Demick traveled to Tibet to see what modern life is like there. She explains how Tibet’s long history of resistance to China has led to the current moment.
Blood Letters
Guest: Xi Lian, Professor, World Christianity, Duke Divinity School, Duke University, and author of "Blood Letters: The Untold Story of Lin Zhao, A Martyr in Mao’s China"
Fighting to get her words into the world, jailed and ultimately martyred political dissident Lin Zhao used anything available, including her own blood, to tell her story. She turned out to be the most important political prisoner in Mao's regime, and she remains a hero in China today.
Barbara Demick explores Tibet to see what modern life is like in a country that it famous for its defiance against China. Xi Lian tells the tragic story of Lin Zhao, a woman who resorted to using her own blood to write her story when an oppressive government tried to take away her voice.
Bathsheba Demuth explores the ecological history of the Bering Strait. Jonathan Slaght documents the largest owl species in the world, which has taken him through unforgiving landscapes and introduced him to a cast of quirky characters.
Mysteries of the Bering Strait
Guest: Bathsheba Demuth, Assistant Professor of History and Environment and Society at Brown University, and author of “Floating Coast: An Environmental History of the Bering Strait”
The Bearing Stait seems so remote and forbidding, but this scholar lived there herself before she entered university, with sled dogs and all. She came away with a deep appreciation for the ecological systems and the energy sources found in this dramatic landscape. Do you ever think of a whale as an energy source? She argues that you should.
The Search for the World’s Largest and Most Elusive Owl
Guest: Jonathan Slaght, Russia and Northeast Asia Coordinator, Wildlife Conservation Society, and author of “Owls of the Eastern Ice: A Quest to Find and Save the World’s Largest Owl”
Jonathan Slaght has spent years tracking down and mapping out the elusive and almost mythical giant fish owls in Primorye, a beautiful yet unforgiving wild landscape in a remote province of Russia. Along his journey, he met a host of colorful characters.
When Does Healthy Skepticism Become Conspiracy-Mongering?
Guest: Colin Dickey, cultural historian and author of “The Unidentified: Mythical Monsters, Alien Encounters, and Our Obsession with the Unexplained”
Two camps of Bigfoot seekers represent very different views of science: one hopes to discover a legitimately new species of animal, and one doesn't trust scientists and fears what they might do to Bigfoot. Why do some people embrace conspiracy this way? Dickey tries to understand the psychology of mistrust: it's nothing new. And with every advent of technology there has been a suspicion of its connection to the paranormal. How can we maintain wonder and protect ourselves against being vulnerable? And how can we be skeptical without losing our sense of wonder?
Finding Life in Outer Space
Guest: Jill Tarter, Emeritus Chair, SETI Institute
Jill Tarter has devoted her life to the scientific discovery of alien life and technology. She claims that if we find any sign of life in the universe, we can assume the universe is full of life. Tune in to hear what the SETI Institute is looking for.
Colin Dickey examines the relationship between healthy curiosity, skepticism, and conspiracy-mongering. Jill Tarter of the SETI Institute searches for extraterrestrial life.
Dr. Joseph Goldberger and the Fight Against Pellagra
Guest: Alan M. Kraut, Professor of History at American University, and author of “Goldberger's War, the Life and Work of a Public Health Crusader”
Contrary to the popular medical opinion of the time, Dr. Joseph Goldberger discovered that pellagra, a rampant epidemic in the South, was not infectious but diet-related. But the truth was hard to bear for the Southern establishment, and Dr. Goldberger had to resort to throwing "filth parties" where he and his colleagues injested the disease to make their point. Find out how his discoveries still affect the food you eat today.
How a Hungarian Physician Saved Women from Childbed Fever and Became the ‘Savior of Mothers’
Guest: Anthony Valerio, editor, teacher, and author of “Semmelweis”
Washing your hands isn’t just the best way to prevent COVID-19 in 2020—it was also the rallying cry of Ignaz Semmelweis, a young Hungarian doctor trying to end the scourge of childbed fever and lower maternal mortality rates in the 1840s, well before germ theory entered scientific thought.
Alan M. Kraut explains how one doctor deliberately ingested disease to prove its origin. Anthony Valerio explains that doctors began washing their hands thanks to young Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis.
Scott Dawson investigates the mysterious disappearance of the early English colony of Roanoke. Stephen Kershaw, of Oxford University, compares the story of Atlantis to what happens when a moral society becomes corrupt.
The Lost American Colony
Guest: Scott Dawson, author of “The Lost Colony and Hatteras Island”
In 1587 a group of over one hundred English colonists departed to start a colony on Roanoke Island. After the leader John White left for a resupply in England he returned to find nothing left. What happened to these colonists and why can't we solve the mystery of the lost colony.
Atlantis: An Ancient Allegory
Guest: Stephen Kershaw, Oxford University Department for Continuing Education, and author of "The Search for Atlantis: A History of Plato’s Ideal State," and most recently "Barbarians: Rebellion and Resistance to the Roman Empire"
Atlantis is a Platonic, mythical allegory demonstrating the corruption of a previously moral society. But most people don't care about the allegory, they just want to find a mystical city. Plato would shake his head in disbelief if he could see what we've done with his tale.
Kevin Gardner is a master stonemason and historian of New England stone walls. Jack A. Sobon extols the virtues of hand-hewn timber framing.
New England Stone Walls
Guest: Kevin Gardner, former producer for NH public radio, stonemason, and author of “The Granite Kiss: Traditions and Techniques of Building New England Stone Walls”
Master stonemason Kevin Gardner has dedicated his life to building and restoring stone walls in New England. He shares techniques for building stone walls and stories of the struggles faced by early New England settlers.
Hand Hewn
Guest: Jack A. Sobon, architect and builder specializing in timber-framing, and Founding Director of Timber Framers Guild of North America
Constructing houses from wood, by hand, is a craft with thousands of years of history, and still has great value to us today, both for its structural and aesthetic values, as well as for the connections it has to the people building it and the land it came from.
How Basketball Mirrored the Cold War in Munich
Guest: David A. F. Sweet, author of “Three Seconds in Munich: The Controversial 1972 Olympic Basketball Final”
Who really won the 1972 Olympic basketball final? The Soviet Union took home the gold, but the US team felt robbed, and refused their medals. The head of international basketball himself had interfered in the game, and we examine what happened and why he might have done that.
Miracle in Lake Placid
Guest: John Gilbert, author of "Miracle in Lake Placid: The Greatest Hockey Story Ever Told"
Forty years later, the victory of the US ice hockey team over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics still stands as the ultimade underdog story.
Teaching Kids Sportmanship
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian and regular contributor to The Lisa Show, BYUradio
Stories provide much-needed context for teaching kids valuable lessons. Rachel provides a list of stimulating titles that teach important lessons about playing fair, in sports, and in life.
David A. F. Sweet breaks down the last three seconds of the 1972 Munich Olympics basketball final that gave the Soviet Union the gold. John Gilbert explains why the Miracle on Ice remains the greatest hockey story ever told. BYUradio's Rachel Wadham shares titles about sportsmanship.
Wendy LeBorgne explains how your voice impacts what others think about you. VocaliD's Rupal Patel creates unique voices for people who've lost the ability to speak. Joe Hutto learned the language of turkeys.
You Are Your Voice
Guest: Wendy LeBorgne, voice pathologist and vocal athlete expert
Voice pathologist Wendy LeBorgne explores the impact that your voice has on the way you are perceived by others.
What's in a Voice?
Guest: Rupal Patel, a speech scientist and the founder and CEO of VocaliD
Rupal Patel is on the forefront of creating individual, unique voices for those who have lost the ability to speak instead of the same computer voice people like Stephen Hawking had to use.
Turkey Talk
Guest: Joe Hutto, naturalist, wildlife artist, and author of "Illumination in the Flatwoods," the book that inspired the documentary film "My Life As a Turkey"
Joe Hutto learned to talk turkey, literally. Lessons from his eavesdropping on turkey conversations.
Sleep Like The Dead
Guest: Baland Jalal, Visiting Researcher in the Department of Psychiatry at Cambridge University
Sleep paralysis can make someone feel like they're in a horror movie, especially since the state often contains apparitions and ghosts. And in many cultures around the world, those night terrors are accepted as real supernatural visitations. But, if patients are willing to use meditation and other therapies, they can overcome what can be real trauma.
Engineering Sleep
Guest: Penelope Lewis, Professor, Psychology, Cardiff University, and author, "The Secret World of Sleep: The Surprising Science of the Mind at Rest"
Researchers have long heralded the psychological benefits of a good night’s rest. But what if better sleep could make us more creative? Sleep researcher Penelope Lewis explains how “sleep engineering” may be the key to better memories, slower aging, and improved creativity.
Cambridge's Baland Jalal studies and treats the sometimes terrifying condition of sleep paralysis. Penelope Lewis of Cardiff University wants to better "engineer" our sleep.
Julian Guthrie shares how a fourteen-year-old Australian boy's life-saving blood transfusion eventually saved millions of lives. Jonas Salk discovered a polio vaccine and became a national hero, but he was an outcast in the eyes of other scientists. Stanford's Charlotte Jacobs shares his story.
Good Blood
Guest: Julian Guthrie, Author of “Good Blood: A Doctor, a Donor, and the Incredible Breakthrough That Saved Millions of Babies”
Rh disiease was a chronic problem during pregnancy in which the mother's immune system attacked the unborn child she was carrying. Dr. John Gorman found a most improbable cure from a fourteen year old Australian boy who recieved a life saving blood transfusion in 1951.
Jonas Salk: Hero and Outcast
Guest: Dr. Charlotte Jacobs, Professor, Medicine, Stanford University, and author, "Jonas Salk: A Life"
America rejoiced when Jonas Salk's polio vaccine was announce on April 12, 1955. Polio had terrified the nation for decades, and within 25 years the disease was eradicated in the US. The public and press loved Jonas Salk, so why did his colleagues sideline him?
Philip Mansel discusses what made the last king of France, King Louis XIV, great and how his efforts to gain global influence ultimately led to his downfall. Hannah Spiegelman is an ice cream historian who tells history through interesting flavors.
Louis XIV: The Sun King
Guest: Philip Mansel, author of "King of the World: The Life of Louis XIV"
King Louis XIV achieved what many French kings before him had striven for: a global influence. But he did so at enormous cost to his own country. Was it worth it?
The Ice Cream Historian
Guest: Hannah Spiegelman, Ice Cream Historian
Hannah Spiegelman is the history teacher we all wish we’d had; instead of showing PowerPoints or giving long lectures, Spiegelman tells history through ice cream, creating brand new flavors for different historical figures.
Claire L. Evans describes the pioneering women who brought the internet to life. Jason Fagone tells the story of an unsung hero and code-breaking genius.
The Era Defining Early Stages of the Internet, and the Women Who Were at the Front Line.
Guest: Claire L. Evens, writer, singer, founding editor of VICE’s Terraform, advisor at the Art Center College of Design. Author of “Broad Band: The Untold Story of the Women Who Made the Internet”
The story of the internet is one of community and ingenuity in which women played a key role.
Smashing Codes
Guest: Jason Fagone, author, “The Woman Who Smashed Codes”
Elizebeth Friedman is an unsung hero of WW2, who worked so secretively, and with so little recognition, that it is only now we realize her contributions.
Sam Kriegman has created tiny computer-designed microorganisms from living cells. Eric Diller of the University of Toronto creates robots small as a pin head.
Tiny, Programmable, Living Robots
Guest: Sam Kriegman, Postdoctoral Researcher at the University of Vermont
Xenobots are computer-designed and controllable microorganisms built out of stem cells from a frog that open the door for some amazing technology and human health benefits down the road.
Microbots, Move Out!
Guest: Eric Diller, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Lead, Microrobotics Labratory, University of Toronto
Innovation in tiny robot technology has resulted in microbots the size of a pinhead; they are remarkable for their minisculity (which could possibly allow them to move through tiny passageways in the human body), their ease of construction, and their precise maneuverability.
Yale's Valerie Hansen argues that globalization really began long before the industrial revolution. Eric Rutkow, of Univ of Central Florida, describes the ambitious Pan-American Highway.
When did Globalization Really Begin?
Guest: Valerie Hansen, Professor, History, Yale, and author, “The Year 1000: When Explorers Connected the World—and Globalization Began”
People were far less homebound in the year 1000 than we give them credit for. People really got around even back then. How far did they go? Well, there were vikings in Canada, where the trade for bright red cloth was brisk. Learn about globalization before Columbus.
Pan-American Highway
Guest: Eric Rutkow, Assistant Professor, History, University of Central Florida, and author, "The Longest Line on the Map: The United States, the Pan-American Highway, and the Quest to Link the Americas"
The Pan-American Highway was supposed to stretch from Alaska to Argentina, and a hundred years ago it was a vision that enthralled two continents. We untangle why it was never finished and meet those who tried to bring it to fruition.
Inspiring Stories of Heroic Jewish Resistance in WWII
Guest: Toby Simpson, Director, The Wiener Holocaust Library
Alfred Wiener, a Jewish German, was horrified by the rise of Hitler, and he attempted to warn people of the danger ahead, but to no avail. So he set about documenting the horrors, including the events Kristallnacht. His records are kept in The Wiener Holocaust Library.
French Resistance
Guest: Jonathan Rée, author, "A Schoolmaster’s War: Harry Rée—A British Agent in the French Resistance"
Harry Rée, a British schoolmaster who parachuted into rural France to help the French Resistance, succeeded because he kept his head down. He talked the Peugot factory owner into blowing up his own factory and was shot at close range, but when he got home, he hardly mentioned the war. His son tells his story.
Toby Simpson preserves the collection of Alfred Wiener, who documented the stories of the Holocaust. Jonathan Rée tells the story of his father, a British schoolmaster who snuck behind enemy lines to partner with the French Resistance in WWII.
How Has Industrial Society Affected the Planet?
Guest: Adam Frank, Professor, Physics and Astronomy, University of Rochester
The Silurian Hypothesis: Could Earth have been ruled by another advanced civilization millions of years ago, one constituted of lizard people, perhaps? That’s the clickbait. What the Silurian Hypothesis is really asking is how has our industry impacted the environment, and what our fossilized record would look like.
UFO Stories
Guest: Sam Payne, host, "The Apple Seed," BYUradio
Sam Payne shares a story from a childhood sleepover on a neighbor's trampoline when he thought he saw a UFO. He misses that kid who was so ready to believe. But, Marcus asks, where were the lizard people?
From catastrophic asteroids to terminal constipation, how did the dinosaurs get wiped out?
Guest: Mike Benton, Professor, Vertebrate Paleontology, University of Bristol
Maybe we'll never know why the dinosaurs went extinct, but why we really should still care.
The University of Rochester's Adam Frank tackles the Silurian Hypothesis, in order to ask what our own impact on the planet is. Sam Payne shares his own UFO sighting story. Mike Benton of the University of Bristol discusses dinosaur extinction theory.
Ed Berlin shares the life of Scott Joplin, creator of classic ragtime pieces like "The Maple Leaf Rag." Legendary jazz pianist Marcus Roberts' lessons from jazz inspire us to be better citizens of a democracy. Ricky Riccardi shows how Louis Armstrong wasn't only a great jazz musician, but that he was also the first king of pop.
Scott Joplin: The Ragtime King
Guest: Ed Berlin, author, "King of Ragtime: Scott Joplin and His Era"
Where did the soulful rhythms of ragtime come from? Scott Joplin was making waves even as a child composer.
Jazz and Democracy
Guest: Marcus Roberts, internationally renowned jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and teacher
What can jazz music teach us about compromise and the art of getting along? A lot. To play jazz well, you need to listen, adapt to others, and assume the best about your fellow musicians. Lessons we all need to learn as citizens of a democracy.
Louis Armstrong's Big Band Years
Guest: Ricky Riccardi, Director of Research Collections, Louis Armstrong House Museum, and author, “Heart Full of Rhythm: The Big Band Years of Louis Armstrong”
His versatiltiy was unmatched: gravelly singing and smooth trumpet tones. Louis Armstrong could move back and forth effortlessly, and he revolutionized both pop singing and big band music. On top of that, he was a civil rights pioneer, despite not being on the front lines marching or making speeches. And through it all, he respected everyone. In fact, he said, you'd have to earn his disrespect.
From Medieval Knights to Coney Island, Carousels Have Hidden Stories to Tell
Guest: Lourinda Bray, carousel historian, collector, and owner of “Running Horse Studio”
From medieval knights to Coney Island, carousels have always been a popular form of entertainment. Bray restores them to their former glory, but these antique horses are more than old attractions from amusement parks—they represent stories of early America. For example, a carousel ride was a popular date for the working classes over a century ago.
Resurrected Perfume
Guest: Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone, perfumer at the Lili Bermuda Perfumery
A perfumer in Bermuda recreates a scent from Victorian England, thanks to an antique bottle discovered in a shipwreck.
Lourinda Bray restores antique carousel hoses to their former glory. Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone explains how a diver found an intact ancient bottle of perfume, which she used to recreate the original scent.
Finding Astonishment in the World Around Us
Guest: Aimee Nezhukumatathil, author, "World of Wonders: In Praise of Fireflies, Whale Sharks, and Other Astonishments"
The natural world is full of things to wonder about, from ripe peaches to fireflies to whale sharks. Let's make sure all can access that wonder. Nezhukumatathil noticed growing up that there weren't a lot of people who looked like her writing about and advocating for exploration in nature. But we can all change that.
What Our Connection to Animals Is Really Worth
Guest: Richard Louv, author, best-selling “Last Child in the Woods” and “Our Wild Calling: How Connecting with Animals Can Transform Our Lives—and Save Theirs,” journalist, and winner of the Audubon Award
Animals have spiritual, mental, and even physical effects on us. And that's a real resource we should preserve.
Aimee Nezhukumatathil is fascinated with the natural world around her and wants to bring it into everyone's lives. Richard Louv explains the real worth of our connection with animals.
Galileo: The Father of Modern Science
Guest: Mario Livio, author, "Galileo and the Science Deniers"
Galileo was a great scientist whose discoveries landed him in house arrest. But he was not a heretic; in fact, he was a believer. His argument was that the Bible was for salvation, not written as a science text.
Earthrise
Guest: Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee, Emmy-nominated filmmaker and director of "Earthrise: The Image that Shared our World"
The Apollo 8 mission captured an image of Earth that amazed the billion people watching it on TV at the time: the cratered but barren surface of the moon in the foreground, and the earth in the black sky beyond, nearly half-eclipsed by the shadow of the moon. Referring to this view, Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell said, "The vast loneliness is awe-inspiring and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth." How the "Earthrise" photo changed our perspective on our planet.
Holocaust Story
Guest: Jeff Jacoby, columnist, "The Boston Globe"
Jeff Jacoby’s father, Mark Jacoby, is a Holocaust survivor. More than that, though, he is a father, a husband, a practicing Jew, and a happy man. This is the story of the triumph of faith and the human spirit.
Mario Livio recounts the hurdles Galileo had to go through to engage in scientific discovery in an era of persecution. Filmmaker Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee examines the impact of the famous photo "Earthrise." Jeff Jacoby of "The Boston Globe" shares his father's Holocaust survival story.
Washington's Other Right-Hand Man
Guest: William Hazelgrove, author, “Henry Knox’s Noble Train: The Story of a Boston Bookseller’s Heroic Expedition That Saved the American Revolution”
Put aside Alexander Hamilton for a minute. Here's the story of Henry Knox, a bookseller in Boston, who gets the credit for winning the first major battle of the Revolution and was Washington's right hand man for years. A self-taught ammunitions specialist, he became a Washington’s first Secretary of War. His success began with his dramatic retrieval of cannons at Fort Ticonderoga.
You Never Forget Your First
Guest: Alexis Coe, author, "You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington"
A conversation with the first woman biographer to write about George Washington in 40 years. She wonders why her male counterparts have been obsessed with Washington's thighs. More significantly, she also tackles Washington's conflicted attitude toward slavery. And she reminds us that Washington was raised by a single mother. And he fought for the British . . . If he'd been more satisfied with his appointment there, we may not have had an American Revolution.
Benjamin Franklin
Guest: Nick Bunker, author, "Young Benjamin Franklin: The Birth of Ingenuity"
How the printing business helped Franklin build his sphere of influence.
William Hazelgrove tells the story of Henry Knox, lesser known hero of the Revolutionary War who made his mark by retrieving canons from Fort Ticonderoga. Alexis Coe gives her take on the life of George Washington. Nick Bunker delves into the the rise of Benjamin Franklin.
David Allen Sibley tries to answer essential birder questions: “What do birds do?” and “Why?” Gail Damerow, poultry predator detective, will help you catch those critters that are killing your chickens.
Sleeping While Flying And Other Bird Wonders
Guest: David Allen Sibley, artist, birder, author, Sibley Field Guides and “What It’s Like to Be a Bird: From Flying to Nesting, Eating to Singing—What Birds Are Doing, and Why”
What do birds do in a storm? It's a question renowned birder David Allen Sibley often gets. But if you're watching birds at your feeder, you'll get a heads up that a storm is coming. Birds know. Among other wonders, they can sleep in midflight and shrink their appetites during winter. Sibley introduces us to a world of wonder in the skies, and in our own backyards.
Catching Fantastic Mr. Fox
Guest: Gail Damerow, author of various books on farm living, including “What’s Killing My Chickens? The Poultry Predator Detective Manual”
Some barnyard CSI basics will help you identify the predators stalking your backyard birds.
Memoirs of Growing up in the Spice Industry
Guest: Caitlin PenzeyMoog, author, "On Spice: Advice, Wisdom, and History with a Grain of Saltiness"
Caitlin PenzeyMoog grew up surrounded by spices in her family business. She gives an insider's perspective: Why does pepper make you sneeze? What kind of cinnamon is the most potent? How different are salts from around the world? Why is vanillin so inferior?
The 5th Basic Taste
Guest: Gary Beauchamp, Distinguished Member, Emeritus Director and President, Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Umami, the mysterious fifth basic flavor, wasn’t discovered until the early 1900s. After umami’s discovery and synthesis, it got added to everything from Chinese food to cheese. Now it’s being needlessly taken out of food products everywhere. But why?
From saffron to salt, Caitlin PenzeyMoog shares an insider's perspective on spices. Gary Beauchamp of Monell examines the flavor of umami.
Nigel Lamford uses magnets to fish for long-lost treasures in rivers. Ken Butler makes environmentally friendly musical instruments out of garbage. Lara Maiklem explains the tradition of mudlarking and what it has taught her about London's past.
Fishing for Sunken Treasures
Guest: Nigel Lamford, Northants Magnet Fishing
Instead of line and hook, Lamford ties a big magnet to a heavy cord and trolls for sunken treasures. What he hauls in makes him puzzle like a modern-day Sherlock Holmes: knives, jewelry, canon balls, and even a BMX bike. His hobby has spawned hundred of imitators and a YouTube channel. Join us for some lively tales of unexpected finds, and maybe get hooked yourself.
Unearthing History Along the River Thames
Guest: Lara Maiklem, author, "Mudlark: In Search of London’s Past Along the River Thames"
Most people see garbage on the side of a river and look the other way, but for "mudlarkers" along the River Thames, trash means history. Mudlarking is a tradition that began centuries ago with London’s poor. In search of food, lost coins, or other valuable material, they’d forage along the banks of the river at low tide. Today, it has a more nostalgic value. Mudlarker and author Lara Maiklem weighs in on this historic pastime.
One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Music
Guest: Ken Butler, artist, musician
When you think of instruments, you might think of an expertly crafted cello, or a shiny brass trumpet, but do you really need the finest instruments to make good music? Ken Butler puts that idea to the test by making musical instruments out of recycled garbage, and you'll have a hard time telling the difference.
Thom Johnson explores Bannerman Castle, a Scottish-inspired castle on an island in the Hudson River. Jennifer Mitchelhill explores samurai castles in Japan. Sam Payne revisits castle dreams of his youth.
A Historical Oddity on the Hudson River
Guest: Thom Johnson, co-author, "Bannerman Castle"
Originally built as an island arsenal by the father of the Army-Navy store, Francis Bannerman VI, Bannerman’s Castle appears to be an old-world Scottish castle plopped down in the middle of the Hudson River. Thom Johnson delights us with stories of romances on the island, munitions misfiring, and connecting young people with adventure.
Japanese Samurai Castles
Guest: Jennifer Mitchelhill, author, “Samurai Castles: History / Architecture / Visitors' Guides”
Medieval Japanese castles are just as ornate, if not more so, than European castles of their day. They protect an inner tower behind concentric layers of stone fortifications. Over the centuries, hundreds of these were deliberately destroyed as unwelcome reminders of feudal powers, but 19 of them remain in tact today. Mitchelhill had her first glimpse of one castle's ruins when she snuck in to one restoration site during a gap year. As an architectural student, she was hooked. She explains, for example, that they were engineered anciently to withstand earthquakes.
Castle Stories
Guest: Sam Payne, host, "The Apple Seed," BYUradio
Sam Payne revisits his youth through a book about castles.
James Hamblin of Yale explains that bathing and showering may not be that good for us after all. Professional armpit sniffer Barrie Drewitt has a nose that knows.
Everyone Has Skin in the Game –Untangling the Skin-care Morass, and How That Might do More for Us than Just Clearing Pimples
Guest: Dr. James Hamblin, preventive medicine physician, writer for "The Atlantic," and lecturer at Yale School of Public Health. Author of “Clean: The New Science of Skin”
The Skin Care industry is not really on our side. A lot of products are misleading, and besides being overpriced, are often based on faulty or nonexistent science. The fact is, you probably need a lot less than you think, and lifestyle changes will always be the most efficient way to improve your skin, and your life.
How Do They Test Deodorant? That’s Right – Professional Armpit Sniffers
Guest: Barrie Drewitt, Princeton Consumer Research Technical Director
This veteran “odor guru” who’s spent 20 years sniffing armpits talks about the down and dirty (or the nice and clean) of the deodorant business.
Ben Platts-Mills helps people learn to live after suffering life-changing brain injuries. University of Denver's Kim Gorgens on the relationship between brain injury and criminal behavior.
Survivors of Traumatic Brain Injuries Don’t Just Learn to Walk or Eat Again –They May Also Have to Learn How to Live
Guest:, project manager of “Who Are You Now?” with Headway East London and author of “Tell Me the Planets: Stories of Brain Injury and What It Means to Survive”
Waking up from a coma or leaving a hospital is only the first step in surviving a traumatic brain injury. Ben Platts-Mills has worked with people that have suffered accidents, assaults, and other forms of trauma to help them understand and live with disabilities that can affect their sense of identity as well as physical or mental capacities.
Brain Damage and Criminal Behavior
Guest: Kim Gorgens, Professor, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, University of Denver
Traumatic brain injuries are much more common in prison populations than in the population at large. What does this teach us about rehabilitation and recividivism?
Culture of BBQ
Guest: Robert F. Moss, Contributing Barbecue Editor, "Southern Living," and author of “Barbecue: The History of an American Institution”
Love a good backyard barbecue with the family? Then you’ll love finding out the 300 years of history America has had with the meats and sauces of BBQ, from Native American traditions to political campaigns and everything in between.
Barbacoa
Guest: Nick Zukin, former owner, Mi Mero Mole, Portland, Oregon
How barbacoa was originally made in Mexico. It's very similar to how Polynesians roast pig; in fact, these slow roast traditions sprung up independently all over the world.
Varsity Grill Team
Guest: Tommy Copeland, teacher of horticulture, and founder, Competitive Barbecue Team, Ennis High School, Ennis, TX
These teen cooks are just as competitive as any elite football team. By tradition, they make wet BBQ, not dry rub. Which can lead to lots of debate in the BBQ world. But in the end, it's
Regional Burgers
Guest: George Motz, author, "Hamburger America: A State-By-State Guide to 200 Great Burger Joints"
What makes a good burger? Depends on wear you live, but don't discount the value of grease, which Motz calls a condiment.
Robert F. Moss on the long history of BBQ. Nick Zukin describes authentic barbacoa. Tommy Copeland coaches a varsity grill team in Ennis, Texas. George Motz has eaten thousands of burgers all over the country.
How Fabric Changed History
Guest: Kassia St. Clair, author, "The Secret Lives of Color" and "The Golden Thread: How Fabric Changed History"
From the wool sails that carried the Vikings across the sea to the multi-layered nylon suits that took men to space, fabric makes history. And behind every choice of fabric is a story. For example, the women who were sewing NASA's spacesuits influenced the decision to bring in Playtex, maker of women's lingerie, to outfit the astronauts.
How the Race to the Moon Gave Us Tang and Space Pens
Guest: Charles Pappas, senior writer, Exhibitor Magazine, and author, "One Giant Leap: Iconic and Inspiring Space Race Inventions that Shaped History"
The space race not only uncovered some of space’s secrets, it also vastly improved the day-to-day lives of us terrestrials. And it brought us Tang!
Kassia St. Clair tells history through fabric and textiles. Charles Pappas points out that the space race brought indispensable inventions to our lives on planet Earth.
Culture of BBQ
Guest: Robert F. Moss, Contributing Barbecue Editor, "Southern Living," and author of “Barbecue: The History of an American Institution”
Love a good backyard barbecue with the family? Then you’ll love finding out the 300 years of history America has had with the meats and sauces of BBQ, from Native American traditions to political campaigns and everything in between.
Barbacoa
Guest: Nick Zukin, former owner, Mi Mero Mole, Portland, Oregon
How barbacoa was originally made in Mexico. It's very similar to how Polynesians roast pig; in fact, these slow roast traditions sprung up independently all over the world.
Varsity Grill Team
Guest: Tommy Copeland, teacher of horticulture, and founder, Competitive Barbecue Team, Ennis High School, Ennis, TX
These teen cooks are just as competitive as any elite football team. By tradition, they make wet BBQ, not dry rub. Which can lead to lots of debate in the BBQ world. But in the end, it's
Regional Burgers
Guest: George Motz, author, "Hamburger America: A State-By-State Guide to 200 Great Burger Joints"
What makes a good burger? Depends on wear you live, but don't discount the value of grease, which Motz calls a condiment.
Robert F. Moss on the long history of BBQ. Nick Zukin describes authentic barbacoa. Tommy Copeland coaches a varsity grill team in Ennis, Texas. George Motz has eaten thousands of burgers all over the country.
How Fabric Changed History
Guest: Kassia St. Clair, author, "The Secret Lives of Color" and "The Golden Thread: How Fabric Changed History"
From the wool sails that carried the Vikings across the sea to the multi-layered nylon suits that took men to space, fabric makes history. And behind every choice of fabric is a story. For example, the women who were sewing NASA's spacesuits influenced the decision to bring in Playtex, maker of women's lingerie, to outfit the astronauts.
How the Race to the Moon Gave Us Tang and Space Pens
Guest: Charles Pappas, senior writer, Exhibitor Magazine, and author, "One Giant Leap: Iconic and Inspiring Space Race Inventions that Shaped History"
The space race not only uncovered some of space’s secrets, it also vastly improved the day-to-day lives of us terrestrials. And it brought us Tang!
Kassia St. Clair tells history through fabric and textiles. Charles Pappas points out that the space race brought indispensable inventions to our lives on planet Earth.
Beth Beverly is a couture taxidermist. Brittany Cox restores antique clocks and curiosities.
A Victorian Tradition in the Modern World
Guest: Beth Beverly, couture taxidermist, and owner, Diamond Tooth Taxidermy, Philadelphia
Taxidermy is so much more than stuffed game for mountain lodges. In her ornate hats and stoles, this couture taxidermist revives a Victorian tradition that features animals in unusual display—take for example the hat that sports a goose with wings spread wide. The perfect finishing touch for your Kentucky Derby outfit.
Restoring Antique Curiosities
Guest: Brittany Cox, antiquarian horologist, and founder, Memoria Technica, Seattle
Cox restores antique clockwork and curiosities. Her favorite are tiny automaton birds.
Ian Neligh went in search of vestiges of the Wild West, and found it's alive and well. Cowboy poet Waddie Mitchell preserves ranch life in his poems.
Just How Wild Is the West Today?
Guest: Ian Neligh, author, “Spurred West: Rogues, Treasure Seekers, Bounty Hunters, & Colorful Characters Past and Present”
How wild is the West today? Neligh took a year to study whether there were still any vestiges of the Wild West left. He found gunslinging competitions, bounty hunters, and a school for mountain men. Meet the people who are keeping the West wild.
The Whole Dern Load
Guest: Waddie Mitchell, cowboy poet
When he was a teenager, Mitchell had to board in town to attend school, and he realized how much he wanted to be back on the ranch. He preserves that rural lifestyle and its lessons in his cowboy poetry. If you ever want to catch him performing live, keep your eyes peeled for a cowboy poetry gathering. But tune in now to hear him perform a couple favorites for us.
Anna Mae Duane shares how two fugitive slave boys, James McCune Smith and Henry Highland Garnet, grew up to inspire abolitionists before the Civil War. Douglas Egerton of Le Moyne College tells the story of the daring escape of an enslaved man, Robert Smalls, and his ensuing successful legislative career.
Educated for Freedom in a Slaveholding Nation
Guest: Anna Mae Duane, Associate Professor, English and American Studies, University of Connecticut, and author, "Educated for Freedom: The Incredible Story of Two Fugitive Schoolboys Who Grew Up to Change a Nation"
As fugitive slaves before the Civil War, James McCune Smith and Henry Highland Garnet were educated at the New York African Free School to compete with the best and brightest in America. But even some of the teachers there thought America would never be a land of equality and that the graduates should return to Africa to live truly free lives. These two boys set out to prove that America was a land of promise for all.
Robert Smalls, Unsung Civil War Hero
Guest: Douglas Egerton, Professor, History, Le Moyne College
Historian Douglas Egerton explores the legacy of one Civil War hero you probably haven’t heard of. Robert Smalls was an enslaved man who took over a Confederate ship, freed sixteen other enslaved people, and turned the Confederate ship over to the Union. Then he went on to have a fiery legislative career.
The Untold Story of the American Pilots Who Waged a Secret War Against Japan
Guest: Sam Kleiner, author, "The Flying Tigers: The Untold Story of the American Pilots Who Waged a Secret War Against Japan"
Sent to help China long before the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, The Flying Tigers were a group of mercenary American pilots whose job was to defend US allies against Japan. The operation was completely covert, especially given America had declared neutrality. Their very existence would have scandalized a nation determined to stay out of the war.
The Pacific Theater’s Most Daring Raid
Guest: James M. Scott, author, "Target Tokyo: Jimmy Doolittle and the Raid That Avenged Pearl Harbor"
Jimmy Doolittle's raid on Tokyo during WWII was one of the first turning points of the war. It was an act of vengeance for the attack on Peal Harbor and it shook the confidence of the Japanese. But what did it cost? The daring raid and the Japanese retaliation that followed.
Sam Kleiner shares the stories of The Flying Tigers, aces who fought Japan long before the attack on Pearl Harbor. James M. Scott recounts Dolittle's Raid, a daring WWII air raid that revealed Japan's vulnerability.
Tom Rust, of Montana State University Billings, shares what it was like for the army to protect Yellowstone National Park for 32 years.
When the Army Ruled Yellowstone
Guest: Thomas Rust, Professor, History, Montana State University, Billings, and author, “Watching Over Yellowstone: The US Army's Experience in America's First National Park, 1886–1918”
Creating Yellowstone National Park was quite a feat to begin with, but managing and patroling it was quite another. For 32 years, the US Army protected the park and provided a pattern for the Ranger system. They had to deal with poachers practicing guerilla warfare, hawkers setting up shop, and even boredom and desertion.
Louis Armstrong's Big Band Years
Guest: Ricky Riccardi, Director of Research Collections, Louis Armstrong House Museum, and author, “Heart Full of Rhythm: The Big Band Years of Louis Armstrong”
His versatiltiy was unmatched: gravelly singing and smooth trumpet tones. Louis Armstrong could move back and forth effortlessly, and he revolutionized both pop singing and big band music. On top of that, he was a civil rights pioneer, despite not being on the front lines marching or making speeches. And through it all, he respected everyone. In fact, he said, you'd have to earn his disrespect.
Scott Joplin
Guest: Edward Berlin, author, "King of Ragtime: Scott Joplin and His Era"
Jazz wouldn't exist without its predecessor, ragtime, arguably America's first true musical art form. Scott Joplin was the composer of the famous ragtime "Maple Leaf Rag." But what Joplin really wanted in life was to be a classical composer.
Ricky Riccardi shows how Louis Armstrong wasn't only a great jazz musician, but that he was also the first king of pop.
The Americans with Disabilities Act
Guest: Sara Hendren, author, "What Can A Body Do? How We Meet the Built World"
In this 30th anniversary year of the Americans with Disabilities Act, Sara Hendren, artist and engineer, highlights the creative ways people have made our world more accessible.
Robotic LUKE Hand Lets Amputee Feel Fingers Again
Guest: Gregory A. Clark, Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering, and Director, Center for Neural Interfaces, University of Utah
The LUKE robotic hand, inspired by Luke Skywalker’s fully functional robotic hand, allows the participant to regain the feeling of touch.
Walkable City Rules
Guest: Jeff Speck, city planner and author, "Walkable City" and "Walkable City Rules"
“The car is an optional instrument of freedom rather than a prosthetic device,” according to Jeff Speck, one of the leading advocates for a revolution in the way we conceive and design our places of habitation and our means of transportation.
Sara Hendren examines how much more accessible our world is to those with disabilities. Gregory Clark of the University of Utah discusses robotic hands. Jeff Speck, city planner and author, outlines walkable city rules.
Berbice Rebellion
Guest: Marjoleine Kars, Associate Professor, History, University of Maryland, Baltimore County, and author, “Blood on the River: A Chronicle of Mutiny and Freedom on the Wild Coast”
In 1763, in the midst of a pandemic, slaves in Guyana rebelled against harsh working conditions. The founders of the rebellion consripted other wary slaves, and set up their own government, led Governor Coffy, a charismatic enslaved man who set about negotiating with the Dutch colonialists. The rebels were successful for a while, and their efforts preshadowed revolutionary movements throughout the Western world.
The Reverse Underground Railroad
Guest: Richard Bell, Associate Professor, History, University of Maryland, and author, "Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped Into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home"
The early 1800s were a dangerous time for free African-Americans. Although Pennsylvania was a free state, kidnappers wandered the streets of Philadelphia, snatching people to be sold into slavery in the South. Author and historian Richard Bell tells the story of five free boys captured to be sold into slavery and their incredible journey home.
Marjoleine Kars tells the story behind the Barbice slave rebellion, which predated the successful rebellion in Haiti. Richard Bell of the University of Maryland describes the terrifying "reverse underground railroad."
Ruling Life on the Track
Guest: Devoney Looser, Professor of English at Arizona State University, editor of “The Daily Jane Austen: A Year of Quotes,” and member of the Arizona Derby Dames—a team on which she skates as “Stone Cold Jane Austen”
Knee pads, helmets, nicknames, and punching. That may be what comes to mind when you picture roller derby. Devoney Looser, aka “Stone Cold Jane Austen” gives us the scoop on what life is like on the track, including how Covid-19 is affecting the sport.
It’s Like Hockey, But at the Bottom of a Pool
Guest: Tyera Eulberg, USA Women's Elite Underwater Hockey Team
Ice hockey. Field hockey. Underwater hockey? This lesser-known sport has been around since the 1950s, and it is one of the most intense sports out there, since you have to do it holding your breath.
Learn more about underwater hockey here.
Race Walking
Guests: Jeff Salvage, race-walking coach, founder, racewalk.com, and former international competitor; Miranda Melville, Olympian race walker
Race walking is a serious sport for serious athletes. It is distinguished from running by keeping one foot on the ground at all times. Fastidious form is paramount, and it's helpful for everyone to learn how to do it as they age. Marcus Smith wonders if it's a sport he should take up.
Devoney Looser, aka "Stone Cold Jane Austen," is a roller derby star who knows the ins and outs of the tough sport. Tyera Eulberg dives into the world of underwater hockey. Jeff Salvage, race walking coach, and Miranda Melville, Olympic race walker, discuss the sometimes overlooked sport of competitive race walking.
Around the World in 80 Trees
Guest: Jonathan Drori, author, “Around the World in 80 Trees”
From latex to aspirin, people have turned to trees for products which have changed the world. Trees have led to border disputes in England and entire farming systems in Portugal. World history through the lens of the forest.
Tending Trees
Guest: William Bryant Logan, faculty, New York Botanical Gardens, and author, "Sprout Lands: Tending the Endless Gift of Trees"
Pollarding and other types of pruning used to allow us to make living fences, diversify our forests and feed our families while preserving a living resource. It's time to relearn these lost arts.
Jonathan Drori presents world history through the lens of trees. William Bryant Logan of the New York Botanical Gardens shares historical practices for taking care of trees.
The Heart of Everything That Is: The Untold Story of Red Cloud, An American Legend
Guest: Tom Clavin is a bestselling author and has worked as a newspaper and web site editor, magazine writer, TV and radio commentator, and a reporter for The New York Times covering entertainment, sports, and the environment. He is the author of multiple books on figures of American history. Tom Clavin is the co-author of "The Heart of Everything That Is: The Untold Story of Red Cloud, An American Legend"
Despite the challenges of a tumultuous family life, Native American leader Red Cloud accomplished what no Native American had before—defeating the US Army.
How the Civil War Affected the American West
Guest: Megan Kate Nelson, author, "The Three-Cornered War: The Union, the Confederacy, and Native Peoples in the Fight for the West"
The Civil War didn't just impact the East—it also affected the development of the Western United States. People often forget that before the Civil War, the US was engaged in a massive effort to expand its borders. The Union and the Confederacy competed for control of the Western territories during the Civil War.
How the Bicycle Changed American History
Guest: Margaret Guroff, author, “The Mechanical Horse: How the Bicycle Reshaped American Life”
Two hundred years ago, in 1819, the precursor to the modern bicycle first arrived in America.
Tom Clavin tells the story of Red Cloud, the only Native American leader to ever defeat the US Army in a war. Megan Kate Nelson reveals how the Civil War played out in the American West. Author Margaret Guroff on the history of the modern bicycle.
We Came in With a Bang, but How are We Going Out?
Guest: Katie Mack, Assistant Professor of Physics at North Carolina State University, author of “THE END OF EVERYTHING (Astrophysically Speaking)”
Some say the universe will end with a big crunch—all the planets and galaxies being pulled together in a kind of hot and sweaty reverse-Big Bang. Most astrophysicists, however, think it’s going to be much colder than that. Colder and darker. Katie Mack joins us to talk about the ways the universe could end.
How to Die in Space
Guest: Paul Sutter, author, “How to Die in Space: A Journey through Dangerous Astrophysical Phenomena”; astrophysicist at Stony Brook University and The Flatiron Institute; and host, “Ask a Spaceman!” podcast
If you find yourself outside your space ship, cosmic forces can lead to spaghettification of the human body (and yes, it's as gruesome as it sounds). But investigating ways to die in space is really a tongue-in-cheek introduction to the fantastic power of the cosmos.
Find out more about Paul Sutter's book here.
Katie Mack theorizes about the many ways in which the universe could end. Paul Sutter investigates strange ways to die in space to showcase the power of the cosmos.
Susan Fletcher studies history through the lens of toys. Susan Linn wants kids to have commercial-free childhoods.
The History of Childhood in 50 Historic Treasures
Guest: Susan Fletcher, Director, History and Archives, The Navigators, and author, "Exploring the History of Childhood and Play Through Fifty Historic Treasures"
Play-Doh, jump ropes, teddy bears, or Candyland—toys and games shed a light on that enterprise we call childhood. But the concept of childhood is actually a modern construct. And it's changed family life forever. Childhood used to be a dangerous time, but now parents spend lavishly to protect and nurture little ones. Our ancestors might puzzle indeed at our behavior.
Child's Play
Guest: Susan Linn, author, "Consuming Kids"
Child's play is serious business for little minds. Adults should get out of their way.
Fools are Everywhere
Guest: Beatrice Otto, author, “Fools Are Everywhere: The Court Jester Around the World”
The court jester, and all of the jokes, advice, and support he or she provided to kings and queens, was not just a Western figure. Fools are everywhere, and we talk about court jesters ranging from China to France, from India to England, from Central America to Spain. Learn more at www.foolsareeverywhere.com
A Most Serious Edifice of Education
Guest: Rodney Huey, Assistant Professor, Communications Studies, Lynchburg College, and Communications Advisor, "Federation Mondiale du Cirque”
Clown college (no, not your favorite rival university) revolutionized the way clowns were trained and how they performed.
Beatrice Otto finds fools and jesters everywhere throughout history from China to France. Rodney Huey talks seriously about clown college.
Theresa Kaminski details the efforts of Mary Walker, the only woman to ever be awarded the Medal of Honor. Space historian Amy Shira Teitel describes a rivalry between two women pilots trying to join NASA's space program in the 1950s.
Medal of Honor
Guest: Theresa Kaminski, author, “Dr. Mary Walker’s Civil War: One Woman’s Journey to the Medal of Honor and the Fight for Women’s Rights”
Only one woman in history has been awarded the medal of honor, and it wasn’t a recent event. Mary Walker was a Civil War doctor, Union spy, suffragette, and proud wearer of pants.
Fighting for Space
Guest: Amy Shira Teitel, author, "Fighting for Space: Two Pilots and Their Historic Battle for Female Spaceflight"
Jackie Cochran and Jerrie Cobb, two record-holding women pilots, fought each other and the male-dominated NASA for the right to travel into space in the 1950s. They never left Earth, but the female astronauts who followed them reaped the rewards of their struggle.
Notes fro a Transplant Surgeon
Guest: Joshua Mezrich, Associate Professor, Surgery, and Surgical Director, Living Donor Kidney Program, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health; and author, “When Death Becomes Life: Notes from a Transplant Surgeon”
As a new transplant surgeon, Dr. Mezrich was afraid to approach the donor's family, but they welcomed him enthusiastically. The spiritual and physical aspects of giving new life from tragedy through transplant surgery.
Lab-Grown Organs
Guest: Jens Puschhof, PhD candidate, Hubrecht Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Growing organic tissue in the lab helps researchers understand and treat diseases and cancer, and, in an exciting step forward, researchers in the Netherlands recently replicated venomous snake glands.
Joshua Mezrich share a day in the life of a transplant surgeon. Jens Puschhof of Hubrecht Institute shares his groundbreaking research growing organs in a lab.
Lefty Alvarez
Guest: Kat D. Williams, Professor, History, Marshall University; President, International Women's Baseball Center; and author, "Isabel 'Lefty' Alvarez: The Improbable Life of A Cuban American Baseball Star"
Isabel “Lefty” Alvarez, left Cuba as a 15-year-old to play women's baseball in America. That league folded, but she grabbed opportunity in America and made a successful life regardless.
Lou Gehrig
Guest: Alan D. Gaff, author, "Lou Gehrig: The Lost Memoir"
Known for his unparalleled baseball career and the tragic disease that took his life, Lou Gehrig has become an American legend. Forgotten newspaper columns written by the baseball star reveal greatness both off and on the field.
Kat D. Williams of Marshall University tells the story of Isabel "Lefty" Alvarez who came to America from Cuba to play women's baseball as a teen. Alan D. Gaff tells Lou Gehrig's story through forgotten newspaper columns written by the baseball great.
Jonas Salk discovered a polio vaccine and became a national hero, but he was an outcast in the eyes of other scientists. Stanford's Charlotte Jacobs explains why. Maryn McKenna on the quest to find the cause of the 1918 Spanish flu in the permafrost of a remote Norwegian town.
Jonas Salk: Hero and Outcast
Guest: Dr. Charlotte Jacobs, Professor, Medicine, Stanford University, and author, "Jonas Salk: A Life"
America rejoiced when Jonas Salk's polio vaccine was announce on April 12, 1955. Polio had terrified the nation for decades, and within 25 years the disease was eradicated in the US. The public and press loved Jonas Salk, so why did his colleagues sideline him?
Looking for the Spanish Flu in Norwegian Permafrost
Guest: Maryn McKenna, science journalist, author, and Senior Fellow, Center for the Study of Human Health, Emory University
Researchers went looking for a graveyard in the permafrost of a Norwegian territory in the Arctic Circle. They wanted to study victims of the 1918 Spanish flu and they were in a race to identify the cause of the disease. Here's what they found. We also talk about how the current pandemic may increase antibiotic resistance. McKenna's work on disease takes her into the past and also right into the thick of research on Covid-19.
The Search for the World’s Largest and Most Elusive Owl
Guest: Jonathan Slaght, Russia and Northeast Asia Coordinator, Wildlife Conservation Society, and author, “Owls of the Eastern Ice: A Quest to Find and Save the World’s Largest Owl”
Jonathan Slaght has spent years tracking down and mapping out the elusive and almost mythical giant fish owls in Primorye, a beautiful yet unforgiving wild landscape in a remote province of Russia. Along his journey, he's met a host of colorful characters.
Jonathan Slaght documents the largest owl species in the world, which has taken him through unforgiving landscapes and introduced him to a cast of quirky characters.
Saving the World . . . Even the Parasites
Guest: Chelsea Wood, Assistant Professor, Aquatic and Fishery Sciences, University of Washington
Parasites could be as important in our ecosystems as top predators—like wolves and sharks, the ones we tried to eradicate and then brought back—and it’s high time we started considering them in our conservation efforts despite our long-held mistrust of mosquitoes, nematodes and the like.
Bringing Back Helpful Gut Worms
Guest: William Parker, Associate Professor, Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine
Things that we think of as harmful to our bodies may actually be crucial to our health. Bacteria were once labeled as the universal enemy, but we now know some of them to be helpful. This might be the case for some parasites such as intestinal worms.
Chelsea Wood, University of Washington, wants us to include parasites in our conservation efforts. Duke's William Parker explains that some worms can be good for the gut.
Charles Pappas regales us with stories from world's fairs. Richard Browning has flown like a real-life Ironman, with the fastest jetpack in the world. Might you own one, one day?
Wacky Inventions and World's Fairs
Guest: Charles Pappas, senior writer, Exhibitor Magazine, and author, “Flying Cars, Zombie Dogs, and Robot Overlords: How World's Fairs and Trade Expos Changed the World”
Colt revolvers, ice cream cones, and ATMs were all introduced at trade fairs, which have served as incubators of innovation for more than a century. And speaking of incubators, one world's fair featured live babies in incubators, which helped to persuade a skeptical public of their lifesaving power. But there have been truly weird entries, like Salvador Dali's lobster women, that have debuted there, too.
The Fastest Jetpack in the World
Guest: Richard Browning, Founder and Chief Test Pilot, Gravity Industries Ltd.
Gravity Industries founder Richard Browning’s world-record-breaking jet suit is right out of the movies. Could its technology be widely used by ordinary people some day?
NASA's Ray Villard has worked on the Hubble Space Telescope since its launch 30 years ago, and gives the history behind those breathtaking images. Chris Impey unveils the mystery behind black holes, the universe's best kept secret.
Celebrating 30 Years of the Hubble Space Telescope
Guest: Ray Villard, Hubble Space Telescope News Chief, NASA
The history of the Hubble Space Telescope has played out like a TV miniseries: anticipation, heartbreaking delay, success, setback, and redemption. Ray Villard has worked with Hubble over its entire lifetime and he tracks how the fabulous images it sends back have inspired scientists and the public alike.
Images:
Jupiter Impact
Hubble Deep Field
The Pillars of Creation
Einstein’s Monsters
Guest: Chris Impey, Professor, Astronomy, and Associate Dean, Science, University of Arizona; author, "Einstein’s Monsters: The Life and Times of Black Holes"
Ubiquitous in pop culture, and enigmatic in science, black holes are still the universe’s greatest mystery. Astronomer Chris Impey tells us the story of how we found them, how they form, and what they could do for us in the future.
Shane O’Mara of Trinity College Dublin on why the human body needs to walk more. Jeff Salvage walks a little faster in the competitive world of race walking, but he recommends the sport for everyone.
Why We Walk
Guest: Shane O’Mara, Professor, Experimental Brain Research, Trinity College Dublin, and author, "In Praise of Walking: The new science of how we walk and why it’s good for us"
“Take a walk” is a pithy and classic phrase of de-escalation that is ironically sometimes escalatory in nature. But it's good advice and here's why.
Race Walking
Guests: Jeff Salvage, race-walking coach, founder, racewalk.com, and former international competitor; Miranda Melville, Olympian race walker
Race walking is a serious sport for serious athletes. It is distinguished from running by keeping one foot on the ground at all times. Fastidious form is paramount, and it's helpful for everyone to learn how to do it as they age. Marcus Smith wonders if it's a sport he should take up.
Beethoven’s 250th Birthday
Guest: Jan Swafford, author, "Beethoven: Anguish and Triumph"
He wanted to be known by everyday people, and in that his music has certainly succeeded. What most people don't know is how tortured and difficult Beethoven's life was.
What Are Maestros Really Doing on Stage?
Guest: James Gaffigan, Chief Conductor, Luzerner Sinfonieorchester, and Principal Guest Conductor, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducting an orchestra is so much more than keeping time. Conductors must make an emotional connection with the musicians if the performance is to succeed.
Jan Swafford brings Beethoven to life in honor of the composer's 250th birthday. James Gaffigan, Lucern Symphony Orchestra, describes the emotional role a conductor plays in a performance.
Rosalind Franklin
Guest: Patricia Fara, Emeritus Fellow, Clare College, Cambridge, and author, "A Lab of One’s Own: Science and Suffrage in the First World War"
Rosalind Franklin helped discover the structure of DNA, but a decade after her death, the Nobel Prize for the discovery went to Watson, Crick, and Wilkins (who stole her photo of the double helix and showed it to the other two). But her legacy shouldn't be one of a martyr. By the time of her death at age 37, she was already internationally acclaimed for her work on viruses and vaccines.
The Pioneering Life of Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin
Guest: Georgina Ferry, author, “Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin: Patterns, Proteins and Peace: A Life in Science”
Dorothy Hodgkin was the first British woman to ever win a Nobel Prize in a scientific field. From 1937 to 1956, Hodgkin used a new technique called X-ray crystallography to unlock the secrets of many biological molecules, such as cholesterol, vitamin B12, and insulin.
Patricia Fara wants to redefine the legacy of Rosalind Franklin. Georgina Ferry recounts the life of famed scientist Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin and her life's work to understand how insulin works.
Katherine Kitterman takes a closer look at women's suffrage. Mona Siegel looks at the impact of the Paris Peace talks of 1919 on women's suffrage around the world. Rachel Wadham discusses some of the best books for young readers about women's suffrage.
Suffrage at 100
Guest: Katherine Kitterman, Historical Director, Better Days 2020
2020 marks the 100th anniversary of the 19th Amendment, but also the 150th anniversary of the first woman to cast a ballot in the US and the 55th anniversary of the Voting Rights Act. Women’s history involves reform movements seeking equality for everyone. Another look at that legacy.
International Women's Rights
Guest: Mona Siegel, Professor, History, California State University, Sacramento, and author, "Peace on Our Terms: The Global Battle for Women's Rights After the First World War"
The Paris Peace talks of 1919 led to an increase in international women’s organizations, and ultimately contributed to advances in international women’s rights.
Teaching Kids About Suffrage
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian, BYU, and regular contributor to "The Lisa Show," BYUradio
Rachel Wadham discusses some of the best books for young readers about women's suffrage.
Alex Fogg has found that the best way to deal with invasive lion fish is to eat them. Thomas Tennant and Sophie O'Hehir on innovative strategies to combat invasive Iguanas: "If you can't beat 'em, eat 'em." Andrew Tsui shares the most humane way to kill a fish.
Eat the Fish!
Guest: Alex Fogg, Marine Resource Coordinator at Okaloosa County Board of Comissioners
Since before 2000, lionfish have been invading the Atlantic. They are now one of the most dangerous invasive species in the world, responsible for the destruction of ecosystems throughout the ocean. And we let them in.
If You Can’t Beat ‘em, Eat ‘em
Guests: Thomas Tennant, Chef, Tomfoodery Kitchen; Sophie O’Hehir, Research Officer, Grand Cayman Department of Environment
There's a bounty on green iguanas in the Cayman Islands, and the Department of Environment has paid out millions to reduce the plague of the invasive species. Chef Thomas Tennant takes it from there and fries up the reptiles and make tasty empanadas and confits out of them.
Ike Jime: The Delicious Way to Kill Fish
Guest: Andrew Tsui, President, Ike Jime Federation
The Ike Jime method, the most humane way to kill a fish, also creates a product that can age to perfection.
Sunny Days
Guest: David Kamp, author of “Sunny Days: The Children’s Television Revolution That Changed America”
Sesame Street, Mister Rogers’ Neighborhood, and the other television shows of that era are the result of a social experiment; could TV actually help kids be better prepared for school?
The Voice and Heart Behind Sesame Street's Autistic Puppet, Julia
Guest: Stacey Gordon, autism advocate and puppeteer on Sesame Street
Sesame Street has always led the way when it comes to teaching children to be respectful, kind, and compassionate towards others who might be different. That's especially true of their puppet Julia, who teaches kids how to interact with children who have autism. The voice, and heart, behind Julia has herself a long history in the worlds of puppetry and autism advocacy.
David Kamp explains that television shows like "Mister Rogers' Neighborhood" and "Sesame Street" revolutionized children's TV programming. Autism advocate and puppeteer Stacey Gordon of Sesame Street explains her character, Julia.
A Culinary Journey Into the USSR
Guest: Anna Kharzeeva; author of “The Soviet Diet Cookbook: Exploring Life, Culture and History -One Recipe at a Time”
Published during the Soviet era, The Book of Healthy and Tasty Food, was both a cookbook and a propaganda tool. In her new memoir, Anna Kharzeeva works her way through the book, inviting her grandmother along the way. The result is a deep and nuanced look at life during the Soviet Era.
Cuban Cuisine
Guest: Anthony DePalma; author of "The Cubans: Ordinary Lives in Extraordinary Times."
Cuban cuisine can be an acquired taste with beans, rice, and some kind of meat at almost every meal.
Order Up Grandma's Cooking
Guest: Jody Scaravella, owner, "Enoteca Maria"
A small restaurant in Staten Island doesn't employ professional chefs; instead, they hire grandmas from all over the world to cook family recipies and bring their culture to the customers.
With her grandmother, Anna Kharzeeva cooked her way through a Soviet cookbook. Anthony DePalma introduces us to Cuban cuisine. Jody Scaravella runs a restaurant staffed with grandmas from around the world, instead of professional chefs.
Sally Snowman is the keeper of Boston Light, a lighthouse just outside of Boston Harbor. Zoe Lucas of the Sable Island Institute reveals the wonders of a place where there are more feral horses than people.
Life as the Keeper of Boston Light
Guest: Sally Snowman, Keeper of Boston Light
Sally Snowman is the Keeper of Boston Light, the oldest lighthouse in the United States. She weighs in on the history of the island, as well as what daily life looks like for her.
The Hidden Canadian Island Where Wild Houses Roam
Guest: Zoe Lucas, President, Sable Island Institute
Home to more feral horses than people, Sable Island is a thin strip of land off the coast of Nova Scotia. Its history is rife with tales about shipwrecks and roaming sea merchants. Turns out, the island is also an important place for scientific observation. We spoke with Zoe Lucas, a Sable Island researcher, about the history and significance of this little-known place.
What Is Floating Above Us?
Guest: Martin McCoustra, Professor in the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences at Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh
With over 2,000 satellites launched since Sputnik I in 1957, the earth’s atmosphere has become overcrowded with space junk. Prof. Martin McCoustra, of Edinburgh’s Heriot Watt University walks us through this problem, and what can be done to fix it.
The Apocalypse May Be Just One Sun Flare Away
Guest: Paul Sutter, astrophysicist, The Ohio State University, author, and host, "Ask a Spaceman!" YouTube channel and podcast
Solar storms can impact our communications, electrical systems, and tech infrastructure, resulting in damages that can take years to recover from--and there’s not much we can do to stop one. Can we prep for a storm from space?
Humans Could Use All Resources in the Solar System in 400 Years
Guest: Martin Elvis, Senior Astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics at Harvard University
As Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk set their sights on space colonization, astrophysicist Martin Elvis is raising question of mining in space. What’s out there? How much is there? What will we use it for? And most importantly, what happens when we run out?
Martin McCoustra of Heriot Watt University on what to do with all the space junk floating around the planet. Astrophysicist Paul Sutter explains the danger of solar flares. Martin Elvis of Harvard University explores the possibility of mining in space.
Anthony DePalma reveals stories of everyday life in a rapidly changing Cuban neighborhood. Kat D. Williams of Marshall University tells the story of Isabel "Lefty" Alvarez who came to America from Cuba to play women's baseball as a teen.
The Cubans
Guest: Anthony DePalma; author of "The Cubans: Ordinary Lives in Extraordinary Times."
Cuba’s image is often overshadowed by conflicts with the outside world, and it’s citizens’ voices are lost in the noise. Anthony DePalma wants these voices to resurface. His book, "The Cubans," gives us a clear picture of what Cuba is today, and the complex experiences of the people living there.
Lefty Alvarez
Guest: Kat D. Williams, Professor at Marshall University, President of the International Women's Baseball Center, Author of "Isabel “Lefty” Alvarez: The Improbable Life of A Cuban American Baseball Star."
Most athletes sacrifice time and energy for their sport, but few have sacrificed as much as Isabel “Lefty” Alvarez, a 15-year-old who was invited to America from a war-torn homeland because of her baseball (not softball) skills.
Ben Lewis follows the story of the Salvator Mundi, a painting that was lost for 184 of its 500 year existence. Kieran McCarthy recounts the miraculous discovery of a missing Romanov Faberge Easter egg at an American junk sale.
Salvator Mundi
Guest: Ben Lewis, art critic, documentary film-maker, and author, "The Last Leonardo: The Secret Lives of the World’s Most Expensive Painting"
The Salvatore Mundi hung for decades in family homes in suburban America, while art collectors wondered where the masterpiece had disappeared to. It eventually sold at auction for $450 million, amid debate about whether it's the real thing. We'll trace its history and meet some people who never knew what they had hanging in their hallway.
The Rarest Eggs
Guest: Kieran McCarthy, Managing Director, Wartski, Court Jewellers of London, and author, "Fabergé in London: The British Branch of the Imperial Russian Goldsmith"
The Imperial Easter Eggs are extravagant symbols of wealth and craftsmanship, but a number of the famous eggs have been missing for over a hundred years. Kieran McCarthy recounts the day one the missing eggs was rediscovered, at an American junk sale.
Mark Elbroch considers how we humans can live successfully with big cats. Craig Pittman on the moral and scientific quandaries of bringing back an endangered species.
Living With Predators
Guest: Mark Elbroch, biologist; Director, Panthera’s Puma Program; author, “The Cougar Conundrum: Sharing the World with a Successful Predator”
When it comes to conservation, people may rally around saving the whales, but what about saving the animals that can prey on us? The complex story of cougar conservation involves the ethics of hunting, human safety, and understanding where we fit in a predator-prey ecosystem.
Protecting Panthers
Guest: Craig Pittman, author, "Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther"
When big cats are endangered, some may worry that bringing them back will increase risks to humans. What are the benefits, though? The complicated tale of bringing back the Florida panther involves a campaign by school children and a rivalry between the panthers and alligators for food, and also for the glory of being the state animal.
The Untold Story of Mount St. Helens
Guest: Steve Olson, author, "Eruption: The Untold Story of Mount St. Helens"
The 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens captured worldwide attention. The most powerful natural disaster to hit the United States—more powerful than Hurricane Katrina, the 1906 earthquake in San Francisco, and the first atomic bomb explosion—this event showed people that no matter what technological advances had been made, we are all still at the mercy of nature.
Volcano Prediction
Guest: Janine Kavanagh, Senior Lecturer in Geology and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, University of Liverpool
Volcanic eruptions are the stuff of ancient legend, cataclysmic historical events, and Hollywood apocalypse movies. Has our technology allowed to predict them?
Steve Olson shows how the 1980 eruption of Mount St. Helens reminded the world of how we are at the mercy of nature, even in the modern world. Janine Kavanagh shares the science behind predicting volcanic eruptions.
James M. Scott recounts Dolittle's Raid, a daring WWII air raid that revealed Japan's vulnerability. Dan Hampton explains how a group of pilots during WWII were able to take out Isoroku Yamamoto, the Japanese admiral who planned the attack on Pearl Harbor.
The Pacific Theater’s Most Daring Raid
Guest: James M. Scott, author, "Target Tokyo: Jimmy Doolittle and the Raid That Avenged Pearl Harbor"
Jimmy Doolittle's raid on Tokyo during WWII was one of the first turning points of the war. It was an act of vengeance for the attack on Peal Harbor and it shook the confidence of the Japanese. But what did it cost? The daring raid and the Japanese retaliation that followed.
Operation Vengeance
Guest: Dan Hampton, former US Air Force pilot and author, "Operation Vengeance: The Astonishing Aerial Ambush that Changed World War II"
On April 18, 1943, a group of pilots embarked on a secret mission to take out Isoroku Yamamoto, the Japanese admiral who planned and executed the attack on Pearl Harbor. The actual “Operation Vengeance” is only the tip of the iceberg for this relatively obscure chapter in World War II.
How Paradise Went Up in Flames
Guest: Alastair Gee and Dani Anguiano, authors, "Fire in Paradise: An American Tragedy"
Destroying thousands of homes and claiming the lives of 85 people, the Camp Fire was among the deadliest in history. Reporters returned to Paradise, California to unearth stories of heroism and bravery amid the tragedy.
Blame the Scientists for Not Predicting an Earthquake?
Guest: David Alexander, Professor, Risk and Disaster Reduction, University College London, and Vice-President, Institute of Civil Protection and Emergency Management
On April 6, 2009, an earthquake shook the city of L'Aquila, Italy, and took the lives of 309 people. After the rubble was cleared, five scientists and one government official were charged with comitting manslaughter for not warning the residents of L'Aquila before the earthquake happened. The judge found them guilty and they were all sentenced to six years in prison. Did the judge make the right call, or did he not understand the science at play?
Co-authors Alastair Gee and Dani Anguiano tell the heroic and inspiring stories of people affected by the forest fire in Paradise California. David Alexander shares how the Italian government convicted scientists for failing to warn the people of L'Aquila before a massive earthquake took the lives of 309 people.
Inside the Mind of An American Family
Guest: Robert Kolker, author, "Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family"
The Galvins seemed like the model American family. With twelve bright, good-looking children and two hard-working parents, they seemed to epitomize the baby-boomer generation. Things changed, however, when their oldest son started showing signs of schizophrenia. And then more sons were diagnosed with the disease. Their complex story, although deeply tragic, has improved our current understanding of schizophrenia and given hope for the future.
Students with Schizophrenia
Guest: Cecilia McGough, founder and Executive Director, Students with Schizophrenia
Cecilia McGough was diagnosed with schizophrenia when she was in college, and now she leads a group to fight the stigma related to mental illness among students all around the United States.
Robert Kolker investigates the story of the Galvin family, a family with twelve children, five of which were diagnosed with schizophrenia. Cecilia McGough leads the fight agains the stigma related to schizophrenia and helps students struggling with the disorder to get the help they need.
How China Plans to Recover Its Superpower Status
Guest: Michael Schuman, author, "Superpower Interrupted: The Chinese History of the World"
The West may see China's rise as a new phenomenon, but China believes it's reclaiming the superpower status it has often enjoyed during the last couple millenia.
How China Gets Things Done
Guest: Eric Hyer, Associate Professor, Political Science, Brigham Young University
China's influence is being felt around the globe, from South America to Africa. China is filling a void in international relations that the US has left. While Chinese methods are authoritarian, Hyer is optimistic about the new world order.
The Tangled History of Opium
Guest: David Blistein, co-author with John H. Halpern, "Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned our World"
Our opiod epidemic is nothing new, as the Chinese could tell you—they fought for years to keep British opium out of their country, to no avail. So many cultures have tackled the double-edged sword of opium use. It's relieved more pain than it's caused, according to Blistein, but it certainly has caused a great deal of pain. What can be done about addiction today?
Michael Schuman on China's attempt to reclaim its superpower status. BYU's Eric Hyer explores the ways in which the Chinese government exercises international power without waging war. David Blistein explains the complicated history of opium.
Rebecca Giggs explores the life and death of whales, and our role in both. Shari Tarantino of the Orca Conservancy talks about the mistreatment of captive killer whales.
The World in the Whale
Guest: Rebecca Giggs, author, "Fathoms: The World in the Whale"
A windfall is an unexpected bounty that seems to fall from above. When a whale dies at sea, it provides a "whale fall," a bounty of nutrients that other fish and marine life harvest as the mammal falls to the ocean floor. Just another example of our interconnected world, and you'd be surprised at the way humans are caught up in it.
The Fate of Kidnapped Whales Russia Released Into Wild (originally aired June 28, 2019)
Guest: Shari Tarantino, Executive Director, Orca Conservancy
“Blackfish” put the sea park industry in the spotlight for inhumane living conditions and threats to both humans and killer whales when the animals are forced to live in captivity. In 2019, a group in Russia was sanctioned for keeping over 100 orcas and belugas in “whale jail” for several months to attempt and sell the animals to theme parks. The danger didn't end when the animals were released.
Tiger Queen
Guest: Leslie Zemeckis, writer, producer, director, of "Mabel, Mabel, Tiger Trainer"
Step aside, Tiger King, we have the story of Mabel Stark, the world’s first female tiger trainer, a woman who revolutionized animal training and entertainment, in addition to surviving over a dozen maulings.
The Man-Eating Tiger of Champawat
Guest: Dane Huckelbridge, author, “No Beast So Fierce: The Terrifying True Story of the Champawat Tiger, the Deadliest Animal in History”
The Champawat tiger killed approximately 436 people, and was eventually killed by Jim Corbett, who went on to become a legendary slayer of man-killers. But the tiger was a man-made monster, and this is really a story about what our relationship with our world should be.
Leslie Zemeckis shares the amazing life of Mabel Stark, the world’s first female tiger trainer. Dane Huckelbridge tells the story of the man-eating tiger of Champawat.
Mark Moffett on how humans often act more like ants than our nearest cousins, the chimps. Simon Garnier of the New Jersey Institute of Technology has found patterns of swarm intelligence in slime molds.
Why We're More Like Ants Than Chimps
Guest: Mark Moffett, research biologist and author, “The Human Swarm: How Our Societies Arise, Thrive, and Fall”
We may have more DNA in common with chimps, but when it comes to how our societies function, we're more like ants. What we can learn from insect society can help us better understand our own identities.
Swarm Intelligence
Guest: Simon Garnier, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology
A single ant may not seem to be so smart, but since the insects are so specialized, they work together to form a brilliant organization.
Sue Stuart-Smith uses gardening to help get through mental and emotional struggles. Why journalist and author Isabella Tree returned her ancestral farm to wilderness.
The Benefits of Living a Well-Gardened Life
Guest: Sue Stuart-Smith, Author of "The Well-Gardened Mind: The Restorative Power of Nature," Psychiatrist, and Psychotherapist.
A distinguished psychiatrist and avid gardener offers an inspiring and consoling work about the healing effects of gardening and its ability to decrease stress and foster mental well-being in our everyday lives.
Converting an English Estate into a Thriving Ecosystem
Guest: Isabella Tree, journalist and author, “Wilding: Returning Nature to Our Farm”
Take a walk on the wild side--the wild side of conservation, that is! When Isabella Tree’s 3,500 acre farm was failing, she and her husband decided to switch gears from intensive farming to a hands-off conservation technique called “rewilding.” Check out the miraculous tenacity and wonder of nature.
Films So Bad, They’re Actually Good
Guest: Jeffrey Sconce, Associate Professor in the Screen Cultures program at Northwestern University
‘Badfilm’ is a genre long characterized by movies “so bad that they are actually good.” What makes a truly great badfilm?
Citizen Kane
Guest: Harlan Lebo, author, "Citizen Kane: A Filmmaker's Journey"
The making of "Citizen Kane," long recognized as one of the greatest films ever made, has a story as interesting as the movie itself.
The Real Lawrence of Arabia
Guest: Eugene Rogan, Professor, Modern Middle Eastern History, and Director, Middle East Centre, University of Oxford
Few true stories have inspired more awe than that of T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia. Winston Churchill said of Lawrence, “I deem him one of the greatest beings alive in our time . . . we shall never see his like again. His name will live in history. It will live in the annals of war. . . . It will live in the legends of Arabia.” The 1962 film about Lawrence also became iconic. How well did the film capture the legend?
Jeffrey Sconce breaks down the genre of 'bad film,' movies "so bad that the are actually good." Harlan Lebo, author of "Citizen Kane: A Filmmaker's Journey," reveals that the filming of Citizen Kane was just as engaging as the film itself. Eugene Rogan of the University of Oxford reveals the story behind the legendary Lawrence of Arabia.
Carolyn Steel wants to change the way we think about food to try and stem the overuse of Earth's resources. Andrew Lawler chronicles the sometimes regal, sometimes groundbreaking history of chickens.
Sitopia: How Food Can Save the World
Guest: Carolyn Steel; architect and author of "Hungry City: How Food Shapes Our Lives" and "Sitopia: How Food Can Save The World "
Whether we know it or not, food is at the center of the way that we interact with the physical world. Carolyn Steel argue that changing the way we think about food is the way we can save the world.
How the Chicken Became Our Favorite Food Source
Guest: Andrew Lawler, author, "Why did the Chicken Cross the World? The Epic Saga of the Bird that Powers Civilization"
Chickens have been regarded as a symbol of the gods, used in ground-breaking research, beloved by monarchs. They haven't always been the butt of jokes. Take another look at the humble chicken.
Merlin Sheldrake is a fungi lover who has devoted his life to understanding these mind bogglingly complex organisms. Author Ryan Jacobs investigates black-market truffles. Author Lawrence Millman shares his "Fungipedia."
The Wonders and Contradictions of not so Ordinary Fungi
Guest: Merlin Sheldrake, biologist and author of "Entangled Life: How Fungi Make Our Worlds, Change our Minds, and Shape our Futures"
Fungi fuse their cells with plants, other fungi, algae, and pretty much everything else, complicating and defying our definitions for what an individual is, and where one organism starts and another stops. They conduct electricity, glow, have thousands of sexes, trade nuclei between cells, solve mazes, and otherwise boggle the mycophiles who study them. They might even save the world.
The Extraordinary World of Fungi
Guest: Lawrence Millman, author, “Fungipedia: A Brief Compendium of Mushroom Lore”
Fungi are misunderstood, underappreciated, and totally fascinating.
Spacefaring Humanity
Guest: Christopher Wanjek author of Spacefarers; How Humans Will Settle the Moon, Mars, and Beyond
Remember the excitement around the space race? We made it to the moon, we’ve sent satellites, we’ve blasted off shuttles and rockets and telescopes. There’s no doubt that space is exciting, so why aren’t more humans in space? What happened to the excitement?
Humans Could Use All Resources in the Solar System in 400 Years
Guest: Martin Elvis, Senior Astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics at Harvard University
As Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk set their sights on space colonization, astrophysicist Martin Elvis is raising question of mining in space. What’s out there? How much is there? What will we use it for? And most importantly, what happens when we run out?
Moving the Earth
Guest: Matt Caplan, Assistant Professor, Physics, Illinois State University
A stellar engine is a theoretical machine that could move the earth out of harm's way in the face of imminent planetary destruction. Could we build one if we needed to?
Christopher Wanjek muses on the future of humanity as a spacefaring race. Martin Elvis of Harvard University explores the possibility of mining in space. Illinois State's Matt Caplan shares how stellar engines—enormous theoretical machines—could be used to move the earth.
Rebecca Earle dives into the politics behind potatoes with enlightened potatoes, capitalist potatoes, and immigrant potatoes; just to name a few. Stephen Puleo shares the heartwarming story of the first major international aid effort, when Americans rescued the Irish during the Irish Potato Famine of 1847.
Feeding the People: The Politics of the Potato
Guest: Rebecca Earle, Head of Department and Professor of History at the University of Warwick. She is the author of three books, including "Feeding the People: The Politics of the Potato"
As a cheap and reliable source of calories and nutrients, the potato has few if any equals. Prior to 1500, no on out side of the South American Andes had ever heard of it. But in short order, it concquered the world. How did it pull that off? And with what consequences?
Voyage of Mercy
Guest: Stephen Puleo, author, "Voyage of Mercy: The USS Jamestown, the Irish Famine, and the Remarkable Story of America's First Humanitarian Mission"
When Ireland was starving in the potato famine of the 1840s, a massive nationwide American effort sent tons of food and supplies to relieve the suffering. This mission of mercy changed the face of humanitarian aid forever and cemented Irish loyalty to America.
Tracy Edwards was a high school dropout who became a female sailing legend. Peter Zheutlin separates the facts and fiction of Annie Londonderry's bike ride around the world. Keith O'Brien shares the stories of lesser-known "fly girls" who flew alongside Amelia Earhart in the 1920s and '30s.
Sailing
Guest: Tracy Edwards MBE, Round the World Yachtswoman, Founder of The Maiden Factor Foundation
If anyone could show you that life doesn’t often go straight from point A to point B it would be sailing legend Tracy Edwards. This high school dropout learned to navigate in two days, put together the first all-female team for the Whitbread Round the World Race, and now advocates for women’s education.
One Woman’s Journey Around the World on Two Wheels
Guest: Peter Zheutlin; author of "Around the World on Two Wheels: Annie Londonderry’s Extraordinary Ride"
At the dawn of the bicycle craze, Annie Londonderry shocked the world by setting off on a world-wide tour. She gained international fame as the first woman to traverse the world on two wheels, becoming an important symbol of women’s equality. But how much of her sensational story was true? The details get a little complicated. We spoke with Peter Zheutlin to hear the story.
Fly Girls
Guest: Keith O’Brien, journalist and author, “Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History”
Amelia Earhart wasn't the only pioneering female pilot in the skies in the '20s and '30s. She was the president of The Ninety-Nines, a group of women who were all licensed pilots. They came from different backgrounds, but they all supported each other in their pursuit of flying. But that doesn't mean that they didn't compete against each other as well in the race for prizes and accolades in air races and record-breaking feats of daring.
How Earth’s Deadliest Creatures Mastered Biochemistry
Guest: Christie Wilcox, author of "Venomous: How Earth’s Deadliest Creatures Mastered Biochemistry"
Snakes, spiders, wasps, and scorpions seem like the stuff of nightmares. Their venomous stings and bites are enough to make us stay far away. But where does this fear come from? And how does venom work anyway? Turns out, we may owe more to these fearsome creatures than we think.
An Antidote to One of the Deadliest Venoms on Earth
Guest: Greg Neely, Associate Professor and Head, The Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, University of Sydney
Horror movies centered on the great white shark are missing out on the ocean’s real terror: the Australian box jellyfish. Ten-foot-long carnivores with 24 eyes and about 60 tentacles each, the box jellyfish is also one of the most venomous animals on the planet. Luckily, researchers from the University of Sydney are using CRISPR to close in on an antidote.
Milking Snakes
Guest: Carl Barden, owner and director, Medtoxin Venom Laboratories and The Reptile Discovery Center
Talk about hazard pay! This guy's job is to milk venomous snakes. Be grateful, since he's in the business of saving human lives.
Christie Wilcox shows how much we owe to venomous snakes, spiders, wasps, scorpions, and even platypuses. Greg Neely of the University of Sidney warns us about the infamous box jellyfish. Carl Barden milks some of the most deadly snakes for their venom to make lifesaving anti-venom.
David Crystal analyzes conversations to understand what makes them work. Mark Antoniou covers the many benefits to learning a second language.
How English Conversation Works
Guest: David Crystal, Honorary Professor of Linguistics at Bangor University, Author of "Let’s Talk: How English Conversation Works"
Conversations are an essential part of our life and communication with everyone around us. But have you ever stopped to wonder how they work?
Speaking Multiple Languages Doesn’t Just Help Out Your Resume–It Can Change the Structure of Your Brain
Guest: Mark Antoniou, AssociateProfessor of Psychology and Research Program Leader for the Speech and Language Program at Western Sydney University
Learning another language can have promising results on brain development, plasticity, and cognitive functions –depending on the study you read. The debate over bilingual advantages has been raging for 100 years. What is the actual benefit of learning languages?
Noah Strycker flew around the world to see half of the world's bird species in one year. Jennifer Ackerman reveals that birds' social lives often rival our own.
112 Flights, 41 countries, over 6000 Birds
Guest: Noah Strycker, Associate editor of "Birding" magazine, author of books including "Among Penguins," "The Thing with Feathers," "Birding Without Borders," and, "Birds of the Photo Ark." He also guides expeditions in the polar regions.
41 countries, 100,514 miles, and one year to see over half the world’s birds. But for Noah Strycker, it was a lot more than just a list.
Roxie Laybourne: the Smithsonian Ornithologist Who Paved the Way to Safer Flight
Guest: Carla Dove, Program Manager, Feather Identification Lab, Smithsonian Institution
Among the most significant risks in the world of aviation are birdstrikes. Every year in the US, thousands of aircrafts hit birds, often causing engine failure. Known affectionately as the “feather lady,” Roxie Laybourne was a Smithsonian ornithologist who started cracking these cases, using her discoveries to improve aviation safety. Carla Dove of the Smithsonian Institute weighs in on Roxie’s life and legacy, as well as the field of science she pioneered.
Special thanks to the Smithsonian Archives for audio of Roxie Laybourne.
Trond Larsen find the rich ecosystem hidden in the jungles of Honduras. Douglas Preston takes us to "The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story." Maria Konnikova shares how confidence man Gregor MacGregor fooled hundreds into setting sail for a fake country.
Biological Treasures of a Lost City
Guest: Trond Larsen, Director of the Rapid Assessment Program at Conservation International
A lost city, an impenetrable rainforest, species never before seen by science—no, this is not the plot of the next Indiana Jones, but the story of Trond Larsen and Conservation International’s expedition to the Mosquitia Rainforest.
Finding the Ancient Honduran Civilization That Mysteriously Vanished
Guest: Douglas Preston, journalist, "National Geographic," and author, "The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story"
One of the greatest archaeological discoveries of our generation was made a few years ago when a research team went to the jungles of Honduras and discovered an ancient civilization whose ruins have been left completely untouched for centuries.
The Land that Never Was
Guest: Maria Konnikova, journalist and author, "The Confidence Game: Why We Fall For It . . . Every Time"
Gregor MacGregor used his superior storytelling ability to fool hundreds into believing in a promised land that didn't exist. Sadly, many people lost their lives trying to find it. Why are great con artists so good? They're selling us what we already want to buy.
Stealing the Mona Lisa
Guest: Noah Charney, Professor of Art History at the American University of Rome and at University of Ljubljana, founding director of the Association for Research into Crimes against Art (ARCA), author of "The Thefts of the Mona Lisa: On Stealing the World’s Most Famous Painting"
The Mona Lisa has long been known for her enigmatic smile. The smile is just quirky enough, just mysterious enough, to make you wonder if she might have beenin on the 1911 heist that tranformed her from just another famous painting to the most famous painting in the world.
The Louvre: A Backstory for Mona Lisa's Home
Guest: James Gardner, art and literary critic, author of “The Louvre: The Many Lives of the World’s Most Famous Museum”
Long before the Davinci painted the Mona Lisa, and long before she made her way to the Louvre in Paris, her future home was the premiere palace of a pampered French Monarchy. In the centuries since, the Louvre has been witness to some of the greatest events, and most violent upheavals, in European history. The Louvre is the rare museum where the building is a fascinating as the art itself.
Maud Lewis' Painted House
Guest: Shannon Parker, Laufer Curator of Collections, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Known for her paintings of happy cats, colorful flowers, and bright ocean seascapes, Maud Lewis was one of Canada’s most important folk artists. She died in 1970, but her legacy lives on in the form of her painted house, preserved in its entirety in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
See the Maud Lewis collection here.
Noah Charney explains how to get away with stealing the world's most recognizable painting, the Mona Lisa. James Gardner shares the complicated history of the Louvre. Shannon Parker of The Art Gallery of Nova Scotia has Maud Lewis' entire house in their collection.
A Most Unflattering Award
Guest: Jonathan Kasparek, Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee at Waukesha. Author of Proxmire: Bulldog of the Senate.
The frugal William Proxmire was Wisconsin’s longest termed Senator. A feisty, maverick Democrat, his famous and often humorous and even controversial "Golden Fleece Awards" pointed out absurdities that often found their way into backroom budget compromises. We look at the man and the personality behind Proxmire's campaign to explose waste.
Have A’s Become Easier?
Guest: Paul Courant, Edward M. Gramlich Distinguished University Professor of Economics and Public Policy at the University of Michigan
Either students are getting a lot smarter, or grades are getting a lot easier. Paul Courant is pretty sure it's the latter. Grade inflation is occuring at all levels from high school to college and even at the most elite institutions. What does it say about our society. Can or should anything be done to combat it?
Jonathan Kasparek recounts some humorous government waste through former Senator William Proxmire's Golden Fleece award. Paul Courant explains why the average GPA has gone up around the world and what might be done to combat grade inflation.
Andy Isaacson takes us on a journey throughout the world through the lens of photojournalists. We examine the role of National Geographic in our culture and in our world as we highlight the work of photographer Steve McCurry.
Seeing the World Through a Lens
Guest: Andy Isaacson, Photojournalist, Founder of Camping to Connect and Shared Meals and RickshawNYC
Quartine got you stuck. Wanna get away? Among the most remote destination you could pick for your virtual journey is a group of three tiny islands in the South Atlantic between the tip of South Africa and Argentina. Join Photojournalist Any Isaacson for a virtual visit with the islanders, descendants of British pioneers, who carve out a living harvesting lobsters. Lean more and see Isaacson's photos here.
Photos That Have Shaped our World
Guest: Steve McCurry, author and photojournalist
He photographed Sharbat Gula, the Afghan girl with piercing, sea-green eyes, who stared back at us from the cover of "National Geographic" in a picture that is known round the world. But that photo is just one example of the way Steve McCurry uses his lens to connect humanity.
Dr. Danielle Ofri plunges into the world of medical malpractice that is often the fault of the medical system, rather than individual doctors. Anthony Valerio tells the story of how doctors began washing their hands thanks to a young Hungarian doctor Ignaz Semmelweis in 1840.
Nursing Errors
Guest: Danielle Ofri, attending physician at Bellevue Hospital, clinical professor of medicine at NYU School of Medicine, Editor-in-Chief of the "Bellevue Literary Review," and author of "When We Do Harm: A Doctor Confronts Medical Error"
Medical errors are all statistics until they happen to someone you know. How and when do doctors and nurses screw up? And is being done to lower the odds? Dr. Danielle Ofri's new book tackles the statistics and the stories behind them, including her own near fatal mistake misreading a chart when she was a young doctor.
How a Hungarian Physician Saved Women from Childbed Fever and Became the ‘Savior of Mothers’
Guest: Anthony Valerio, editor and teacher, author of “Semmelweis”
Long before anyone knew what a germ was, in the 1840s, a young Hungarian doctor in Vienna fought to get doctors and nurses to wash their hands. He was ignored, and ultimately driven from the profession. And unnecessary deaths continued for decades to come. We now have a term for what happened. "Semmelweiss Syndrome" happens when experts ignore evidence because it contradicts their traditions and biases.
Volcano Prediction
Guest: Janine Kavanagh, Senior Lecturer in Geology and UKRI Future Leaders Fellow at the University of Liverpool
Volcanic eruptions are the stuff of ancient legend, cataclysmic historical events, and Hollywood apocalypse movies. Sounds perfect for 2020, right? We chat with a volcanologist and geoscientist to understand the science behind predicting volcanic eruptions.
Predicting the Unpredictable
Guest: David Alexander, Professor of Risk and Disaster Reduction at University College London and Vice President of the Institute of Civil Protection and Emergency Management.
In 2011 a group of Italian scientists were put on trial for bungling a warning to the public about a pending deadly earthquake. Much of the world was appalled at the notion that scientists were being prosecuted for failing to predict an earthquake. Except they weren't. The case was much more complicated, and the role of scientists much more problematic. The lessons for experts managing public risk and public health challenges are here for the taking.
Janine Kavanagh shares the science behind predicting volcanic eruptions. David Alexander, a professor of Risk and Disaster Reduction at University College London and Vice President of the Institute of Civil Protection and Emergency Management, on the Italian earthquake prediction trials.
The Advantages of Eating Wild Foods
Guest: Gina Rae La Cerva, author, "Feasting Wild: in Search of the Last Untamed Food"
Why would we want to forage for wild food when we cultivate so much? And why don't we think of foraging for plants and insects as sport the way we think about hunting and fishing? It's all wild food, after all.
That Weed in Your Yard May Be an Ancient Crop
Guest: Elizabeth Horton, Station Archeologist, Toltec Mounds Research Station, Department of Anthropology, University of Arkansas
The weeds you find in your backyard today may have been the life-sustaining crops of Native American communities 3,000-5,000 years ago. Though today's wild variations aren’t identical to domesticated plants of the past, botanists, archeologists, and anthropologists from all over the US are studying these “lost crops” to learn more about the past and re-envision a potential farming future.
Gina Rae La Cerva goes beyond the supermarket to explain why eating "wild foods" is so appealing. Elizabeth Horton identifies long-lost crops that have fallen out of domestication and could show up as weeds in your backyard.
Nizar Ibrahim introduces us to a prehistoric river monster. Caleb Brown describes an 18-foot dinosaur mummy that was so well preserved we know what its last meal was. Peter Larson describes two dino fossils locked in battle, a find that led to a dramatic battle in the courts.
A Dangerous and Mysterious Prehistoric Predator
Guest: Nizar Ibrahim, paleontologist and National Geographic Explorer
The 50-foot-long spinosaurus was one of the most terrifying prehistoric creatures, but it didn’t roam the earth like the T. rex—it was actually lurking underwater.
Dinosaur Mummy
Guest: Caleb Brown, Curator, Dinosaur Systematics and Evolution, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Alberta, Canada
In March 2011, a mechanical shovel operator accidentally stumbled on a mummified dinosaur. It was so well preserved that the contents of its guts were still inside. We're getting better at finding amazing fossils, and that's partially thanks to hikers who find them.
The Montana Dueling-Dinosaurs Court Case
Guest: Peter Larson, President, Black Hills Institute of Geological Research
Two dinosaurs were fossilized, locked in combat, in the Montana wilds. The find instigated another battle that went all the way to the Montana Supreme Court, and threatened dinosaur discoveries everywhere. Tune in to hear who won.
Adrienne Raphel reviews the puzzling history of crosswords and why they still appear in popular newspapers like The New York Times. Eric Rickart describes two species of shrew rats discovered in the Philippines.
Thinking Inside the Box
Guest: Adrienne Raphel, Lecturer, Princeton Writing Program, and author, "Thinking Inside the Box: Adventures with Crosswords and the Puzzling People Who Can’t Live Without Them"
4 down . . . 3 across? What’s the clue again? For several decades, crossword puzzles have filled the pages of the world’s most prominent newspapers—"The New York Times" among them. But where did these tricky word games come from, anyway? Why have they gained such popularity—especially in times of crisis? Adrienne Raphel joins us to talk about the history and influence of crossword puzzles.
Two New Species of Peanut-Butter-Hating, Hopping Shrew Rats
Guest: Eric Rickart, Curator of Vertebrate Zoology, National History Museum, The University of Utah
Two species of shrew rats were discovered in the Philippines: shrew rats that hop on their hind legs and eat with toothless mouths. How did they stay hidden for so long? Turns out they just aren’t fans of peanut-butter bait.
Dale Murray discusses why the spitball has been banned in baseball for almost 100 years. Charles Fountain discusses the scandalous 1919 World Series where White Sox players intentionally threw the game in what came to be known as The Black Sox scandal.
Spitball Ethics
Guest: Dale Murray, Professor, Philosophy, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Spitballs have been illegal in MLB play for almost 100 years. Are they unethical, or have they been unfairly banned from the game?
The 1919 World Series and the Betrayal That Forged Modern Baseball
Guest: Charles Fountain, Professor, Journalism, Northeastern University, and author, "The Betrayal: The 1919 World Series and the Birth of Modern Baseball"
Rumors, betrayal, and intrigue characterized the 1919 World Series, known as the Black Sox scandal, when several White Sox players threw the championship. These players went into the tournament hoping to make it big, only to be banned from the game for life.
American Sutra
Guest: Duncan Ryuken Williams, Director, USC School of Religion
Buddhist Japanese-Americans incarcerated during WWII made makeshift alters and used the light of the army search lights to continue practicing their religion. Their resilience inspires us to preserve the American value of religious freedom.
Religious Collaboration
Guest: Azza Karam, Secretary General, Religions for Peace; former Senior Advisor on Culture and Social Development, United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA); former Coordinator/Chair, United Nations Inter-Agency Task Force on Religion and Development
In the past, religion wasn't regarded as a crucial part of peacekeeping. Actually, religious organization working for peace predate our modern cooperative efforts like the United Nations. They've been the "first responders" in times of crisis on the local and international levels.
Duncan Ryuken Williams of USC explains how Japanese Americans in internment camps kept their religious practices alive. Azza Karam is senior advisor on social and cultural development at the United Nations Population Fund.
Daryl Davis, a Black blues musician has changed the hearts of dozens of former KKK members. Stanford's Clayborne Carson describes Martin Luther King, Jr.'s early adult years.
A Black Man's Odyssey in the Ku Klux Klan
Guest: Daryl Davis, recording artist, race relations expert, lecturer, and author, "Klan-Destine Relationships: A Black Man's Odyssey in the Ku Klux Klan"
This Black musician has used the blues to change the hearts of dozens of former KKK members, and he has the robes to prove it.
Martin Luther King and Human Rights
Guest: Clayborne Carson, Martin Luther King, Jr. Centennial Professor, American History, and Director, Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute, Stanford University
Martin Luther King, Jr., was the most influential American civil rights leader of the 20th century. We dive into his early years before he became a minister or activist. Professor Carson calls him "almost an accidental civil rights leader," but he was always bound to help the poor.
A Lab of One's Own
Guest: Patricia Fara, Emeritus Fellow of Clare College, Cambridge and author, "A Lab of One’s Own: Science and Suffrage in the First World War"
Women scientists in Britain saw opportunity when men left for the battlefields of WWI. They came out of home labs in their attics to operate in field hospitals on the front lines, put on lab coats in the university, and change the perception of what women can do. But, sadly, many of their stories have faded into obscurity until now.
To celebrate another often-neglected female scientist, you can participate in an online celebration of Rosalind Franklin's 100th birthday, click here.
Virginia Woolf
Guest: Jarica Watts, Assistant Professor, English, Brigham Young University
Virginia Woolf is famous for her writings about women. Think "A Room of One's Own" and "Mrs. Dalloway." But she's not famous for her tender portraits of mothers, though those can be found throughout her writing. Prof. Watts is exploring those relationships in a new book about Virginia Woolf.
Patricia Fara of Clare College explores the flourishing of female scientists during WWI. BYU's Jarica Watts on the life of Virginia Woolf.
Milking Snakes
Guest: Carl Barden, owner and director, Medtoxin Venom Laboratories and The Reptile Discovery Center
Talk about hazard pay! This guy's job is to milk venomous snakes. Be grateful, since he's in the business of saving human lives.
Snake Bite
Guest: Mark O'Shea, herpetologist
Snake bites are rarely fatal in North America, but around the world over 100,000 people die from them. Here's what some scientists are doing about it.
Carl Barden milks some of the most deadly snakes for their venom to make lifesaving anti-venom. Mark O'Shea describes the dangers of snakebites around the world.
French Resistance
Guest: Jonathan Rée, author, "A Schoolmaster’s War: Harry Rée—A British Agent in the French Resistance"
Harry Rée, a British schoolmaster parachuted into rural France to help the French Resistance, succeeded because he kept his head down. He talked the Peugot factory owner into blowing up his own factory and he was shot at close range, but when he got home, he hardly mentioned the war. His son tells his story.
A Most Unlikely Spy
Guest: Sonia Purnell, author, "A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II"
Virginia Hall was a Baltimore socialite, amputee, and one of the most dangerous Allied spies of WWII. This is her story of heroism, self-sacrifice, and grit.
Jonathan Rée tells the story of his father, a British schoolmaster who snuck behind enemy lines to partner with the French Resistance. Sonia Purnell tells the story of Virginia Hall, a highly unlikely but most dangerous Allied spy in WWII.
Look to Aristotle for advice on happiness, says Edith Hall of King's College. Naturalist and author Sy Montgomery has learned from animals "how to be a good creature."
Aristotle
Guest: Edith Hall, Professor, Classics, King's College London, and author, "Aristotle’s Way: How Ancient Wisdom Can Change Your Life"
Want to be more happy? Some look for tips and tricks from influencers, magazines, YouTube. Hall suggests we look back to Aristotle to find the recipe for happiness.
How to Be a Good Creature
Guest: Sy Montgomery, author, “How to be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals”
You can learn a lot by hanging out with animals and watching them closely on their own terms. Even how to forgive.
Philip Freeman shares some Celtic myths that you've never heard of. Leah Tether of the University of Bristol shares a twist on the legend of King Arthur.
Celtic Mythology
Guest: Philip Freeman, Professor, Humanities, Pepperdine University, and author, "Celtic Mythology: Tales of Gods, Goddesses, and Heroes"
This pantheon of gods could rival any hero in the Marvel universe. You can thank the Romans for the fact that you've never heard of them.
King Arthur
Guest: Leah Tether, faculty member and Co-Director, The Centre for Medieval Studies, University of Bristol
Perhaps no legend in the English language has been as enduring as the story of King Arthur. Thousands of off-shoots and iterations of the central Arthurian ideas have led to story after story of chivalry, conquest, love and magic that could’ve filled the lifetime of a hundred different Arthurs. And here is yet another twist on the enduring legend.
When Two Ships Found Themselves Marooned on the Same Island
Geust: Joan Druett; author of "Island of the Lost: An Extraordinary Story of Survival at the Edge of the World"
The Auckland Islands just south of New Zealand were treacherous for sailors in the late 19th century. With unforgiving terrain and subantarcticwinds, shipwrecks were common. So when two ships crashed on the same island, just four months apart, both crews had to scramble for survival. Why did one group fare well, while the other descended into mutiny? Author and maritime historian Joan Druett tells the story.
Resurrected Perfume
Guest: Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone, perfumer at the Lili Bermuda Perfumery
A perfumer in Bermuda recreates a scent from Victorian England, thanks to an antique bottle discovered in a shipwreck.
Joan Druett shares the parallel stories of two ships marooned on the same island four months apart that couldn't have had more different endings. Isabelle Ramsay-Brackstone explains how a diver found old bottles of perfume and a perfumer was able to resurrect the original scent.
Gary Krist covers the improbable creation of the city of Los Angeles. Donald L. Miller explains how NYC came to be the cultural center of the world in the early 20th century.
Los Angeles
Guest: Gary Krist, author of The Mirage Factory: Illusion, Imagination, and the Invention of Los Angeles
LA was built against all odds—no water and no people in the middle of the desert. It took innovation, creativity, and a little deception for people to be persuaded to come to this city.
New York City
Guest: Donald L. Miller, John Henry MacCracken Emeritus Professor of History, Lafayette College, and author, "Supreme City: How Jazz Age Manhattan Gave Birth to Modern America"
It's the place you went to see the future: the Big Apple. NYC's booming transformation in the early 20th century changed world culture.
Steven Smith reviews the career of Max Steiner, one of Hollywood's most influential composers. Harlan Lebo situates the movie "Casablanca" in its historical context and reveals its enduring appeal.
Hollywood’s Most Influential Composer
Guest: Steven Smith, producer, director, and author of Music by "Max Steiner: The Epic Life of Hollywood's Most Influential Composer"
Max Steiner scored some of the most iconic movie soundtracks of all time. He also transformed the way music was used in movies—Steiner used music in films to augment dialogue and convey emotions through recurring themes.
Casablanca
Guest: Harlan Lebo, author, "Casablanca: Behind the Scenes"
How the story of Casablanca fit into the real world and why it has remained a classic film to this day.
Bing Crosby: A Complicated Man
Guest: Gary Giddins, critic, author, and biographer, "Bing Crosby: Swinging On a Star - the War Years, 1940-1946"
The star of the classic “White Christmas” was more than an entertainment legend—he had an emotional depth that was haunted by what he saw during WWII.
The Life of the Iconic Baseball Star
Guest: Alan D. Gaff; author of "Lou Gehrig: The Lost Memoir"
Known for his unparalleled baseball career and the tragic disease that took his life, Lou Gehrig has become an American legend. For the first time, Gehrig is telling his own story. Alan D. Gaff joins us to talk about his unearthed memoir.
The Ice Bucket Challenge, and the Family Who Started it all
Guest: Nancy Frates; ALS Advocate, Ted Speaker, Keynote Speaker
The 2014 Ice Bucket challenge raised hundreds of millions of dollars for ALS research. But where did it get its start? Nancy Frates tells her son Peter’s story—an ALS patient diagnosed at age 27. He and his family popularized this movement and helped spread awareness throughout the world.
Alan D. Gaff tells Lou Gehrig's story through forgotten newspaper columns. Nancy Frates, co-creator of the ALS ice bucket challenge, explains how the movement took off and explains what researchers are doing with the more than $100 million they raised.
Sarah Gristwood connects the game of chess to powerful women in Europe's 16th-century courts. UCLA's Kara Cooney tells the story of Hatshepsut, ancient Egypt's first female king.
The Game of Queens
Guest: Sarah Gristwood, author of "Game of Queens; The Women Who Made Sixteenth-Century Europe"
We tend to remember Medieval and Renaissance Europe as a continent where kings and knights held power, and princesses were meant to be rescued. But Sarah Gristwood’s book Game of Queens reminds us that it was often the women of Europe who determined its destiny.
Egypt’s First Female King
Guest: Kara Cooney, Egyptologist, author of "The Woman Who Would Be King: Hatshepsut's Rise to Power in Ancient Egypt," and professor of Egyptian Art and Architecture at UCLA
Rulers who fail are sometimes easier to remember than rulers who succeed—terrible tales reverberate where peace does not. We should remember, though, those who succeeded before us, and so we discuss the story of Hatshepsut, Egypt’s first female King.
Why Don’t We See Aliens?
Guest: Keith Cooper, author, "The Contact Paradox: Challenging Our Assumptions in the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence"
Are we alone in the universe? What assumptions do we make in our search for extraterrestrial life? Would contact be a good thing for our planet, and theirs?
Moving the Earth
Guest: Matt Caplan, Assistant Professor, Physics, Illinois State University
A stellar engine is a theoretical machine that could move the earth out of harm's way in the face of imminent planetary destruction. Could we build one if we needed to?
Keith Cooper wonders why we haven't met aliens yet. Illinois State's Matt Caplan shares how stellar enginesâenormous theoretical machinesâcould be used to move the earth.
Ben Lewis follows the story of the Salvator Mundi, a painting that was lost for 184 of its 500 year existence. Kieran McCarthy recounts the miraculous discovery of a missing Romanov Faberge Easter egg at an American junk sale.
Salvator Mundi
Guest: Ben Lewis, art critic, documentary film-maker, and author, "The Last Leonardo: The Secret Lives of the World's Most Expensive Painting"
The Salvatore Mundi hung for decades in family homes in suburban America, while art collectors wondered where the masterpiece had disappeared to. It eventually sold at auction for $450 million, amid debate about whether it's the real thing. We'll trace its history and meet some people who never knew what they had hanging in their hallway.
The Rarest Eggs
Guest: Kieran McCarthy, Managing Director, Wartski, Court Jewellers of London, and author, "Fabergé in London: The British Branch of the Imperial Russian Goldsmith"
The Imperial Easter Eggs are extravagant symbols of wealth and craftsmanship, but a number of the famous eggs have been missing for over a hundred years. Kieran McCarthy recounts the day one the missing eggs was rediscovered, at an American junk sale.
Therapy Llamas
Guest: Shannon Joy, "Llama Mama" and Vice President, Mountain Peaks Therapy Llamas and Alpacas
Llamas aren't typical therapy animals, but Rojo the llama proved that llamas have some unique benefits for therapy.
The Power of Horses to Heal
Guest: Tim Hayes, equine-therapy expert, Natural Horsemanship clinician, and author, "Riding Home: The Power of Horses to Heal"
Inmates who work with horses have a much lower rate of recidivism. Developing relationships with horses can change, inspire, and heal us.
Saving Sherman
Guest: Christopher McDougall, author, "Born to Run," "Natural Born Heroes," and his new book, "Running with Sherman"
An abused and neglected donkey gets a new life as a long-distance runner.
Shannon Joy shares the love of a llama with people in need of animal therapy. Tim Hayes uses horses to teach inmates and others confidence and compassion. Christopher McDougall rescued a donkey, which became a long-distance runner.
Women Writing about the Wild World
Guest: Kathryn Aalto, author, "Writing Wild: Women Poets, Ramblers, and Mavericks Who Shape How We See the Natural World"
Have a favorite nature writer? Edward Abbey? John Muir? Ralph Waldo Emerson? Historically, nature writers have been men, but we rediscover historic and contemporary women writers exploring the natural world. Listen for an introduction to some authors you might want to check out!
Literary Pilgrimage
Guest: Paul Westover, Associate Professor, English, Brigham Young University
Dorothy Woodsworth, the sister of famous poet William Woodsworth, wrote the first description of the views from England's highest peak. But her brother published it without giving her credit, so everyone thought it was his writing. The unique letter opened up a whole new world of hiking and mountaineering.
Kathryn Aalto introduces us to historic and contemporary women nature writers. BYU's Paul Westover recreates a famous hike that opened up a world of mountaineering.
Rachelle Bergstein entertains us with the history of the diamond engagement ring, and how it became practically essential to the Western marriage contract. Claire Stewart examines the changing rituals of the wedding feast.
When Did Diamonds Come to Mean Forever?
Guest: Rachelle Bergstein, author, "Brilliance and Fire: A Biography of Diamonds"
Diamonds once were worn only by royal men, until a young courtier changed the jewelry world forever. The stories of the people who created the diamond market that so many of us have bought in to, and the ways that young people today are changing up the engagement-ring tradition.
Wedding Feasts
Guest: Claire Stewart, author, "As Long As We Both Shall Eat: A History of Wedding Food and Feasts"
What changes in the modern marriage feast—hamburgers, shakes, cupcakes instead of prime rib and elaborate cakes—reveal about the generations getting married today. Signature drinks, individual portions, exotic dishes all reveal a desire to have a celebration that stands out, rather than conforms to tradition. But does this focus on uniqueness ignore the historical community elements of a wedding feast?
Sarah Baires clears up some of the misconceptions around the ancient city of Cahokia that come from the difficulty of good archeology. Stephen Houston of Brown University reveals the political and social relevance of gory ancient Mayan ballgames.
Land of Water, City of the Dead
Guest: Sarah Baires, Assistant Professor, Anthropology, Eastern Connecticut State University, and author of "Land of Water, City of the Dead: Religion and Cahokia's Emergence"
Outside of St. Louis there is evidence of the ancient city of Cahokia. We take a look at some of their elaborate burial practices to discover their religion and find glimmers of what life was like in this bustling metropolis.
The Glory, Gory Game of Mayan Ball
Guest: Stephen Houston, Chair, Department of Anthropology, Dupee Family Professor of Social Sciences, Brown University
This Mesoamerican ball game combined decapitation, communion with the dead, and worship of the gods. Misconception and mystery still surround the game, but Professor Houston of Brown University weighs in on the rules, history, and deep cultural implications of the sport.
Mechanical Turk
Guest: Tom Standage, deputy editor of "The Economist" and author of "The Turk: The Life and Times of the Famous Eighteenth-Century Chess-Playing Machine"
The mechanical Turk was an mechanical chess player from the 1700s that tricked many people into believing that it was magic when infact there was a hidden chessmaster coordinating the whole hoax.
The Future of Art in a World of AI
Guest: Marcus du Sautoy, Charles Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University
Award winning mathematician Marcus du Sautoy has dedicated the last few years of his life to studying creativity and artificial intelligence. Is artificial intelligence truly creative? What does it mean to be creative? And what would the future look like if our algorithms could really create art?
Tom Standage of "The Economist" explains the elaborate hoax of the mechanical turk. Oxford's Marcus du Sautoy looks into the future of artificial intelligence to see if computers will ever exhibit creativity.
Tim Jessop details the life of Komodo dragons. The Getty's Elizabeth Morrison and Larisa Grollemond explore the fantastic world of medieval bestiaries, which capture both real and fictional animals.
How the Race to the Moon Gave Us Tang and Space Pens
Guest: Charles Pappas, senior writer, Exhibitor Magazine, and author, "One Giant Leap: Iconic and Inspiring Space Race Inventions that Shaped History"
The space race not only uncovered some of space’s secrets, it also vastly improved the day-to-day lives of us terrestrials. And it brought us Tang!
The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another
Guest: Ainissa Ramirez, material scientist, science communicator, and author, “The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another”
When we think of inventions that changed the world, things like Edison’s light bulb or Franklin’s kite and key come to mind. But simple clocks and timekeeping had just as profound an effect. Find out the stories behind the inventions that have shaped and reshaped our lives.
Ice Sculpting
Guest: Shintaro Okamoto Founder/Creative Director of OKAMOTO STUDIO
Shintaro Okamoto has been carving ice ever since he was a kid in Alaska. He and his father took a gamble and moved to New York City, where his studio creates intricate sculptures, including the Statue of Liberty.
Delicious Ice
Guest: Nathan Hopson, Associate Professor, Modern Japanese and East Asian History, Nagoya University, Japan
The Japanese commercialized the ice trade way back in the 11th century. Kakigori was a frozen Japanese delicacy that eventually led to the shave ice craze that pops up every year on American street corners.
How the World Kept Cool When “The Ice King” Ruled
Guest: Jonathan Rees, Professor, History, Colorado State University-Pueblo, author, "Refrigeration Nation," "Before the Refrigerator," and "Refrigerator"
Before the refrigerator, or air conditioning, or electric fans, ice was a hot—or rather, cold—commodity. We’re talking with Jonathan Rees about the surprisingly complex workings of the ice industry, and the “Ice King” who started it all by shipping New England ice all around the globe.
The 70-Million-Dollar Flash Crash Prodigy
Guest: Liam Vaughan, senior reporter, Bloomberg and Businessweek, and author, "Flash Crash: A Trading Savant, a Global Manhunt, and the Most Mysterious Market Crash in History"
When Navinder Singh Sarao, who lived in his parent’s house and rode a bicycle, was arrested for involvement in the 2010 “flash crash” of the stock market, nobody could have imagined what he'd been up to. “Nav” had made nearly $70 million, but to this day, there is disagreement over whether he was a folk hero, villain, or scapegoat.
Scam Me If You Can
Guest: Frank Abagnale, author, "Scam Me If You Can," "Catch Me If You Can," "The Art of the Steal" and "Stealing your Life"
We talk to a former professional imposter and world-renowned authority on the subjects of fraud, forgery, and cyber security to learn how to recognize a scam. He explains why public schools need to teach ethics, and he examines regret and redemption in his own life.
The Forgotten Disaster: The Spanish Flu of 1918-1920
Guest: Laura Spinney, author, "Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How it Changed the World"
1918 saw a disease that killed more than each World War, and perhaps even more than both combined. How the world dealt with a pandemic 100 years ago and what we've learned since then.
Looking for the Spanish Flu in Norwegian Permafrost
Guest: Maryn McKenna, science journalist, author, and Senior Fellow, Center for the Study of Human Health, Emory UniversitySenior
Fellow of the Center for the Study of Human Health at Emory University
Researchers went looking for a graveyard in the permafrost of a Norwegian territory in the Arctic Circle. They wanted to study victims of the 1918 Spanish flu and they were in a race to identify the cause of the disease. Here's what they found. We also talk about how the current pandemic may increase antibiotic resistance. McKenna's work on disease takes her into the past and also right into the thick of research on Covid-19.
How a Confederate Journal Could Help Fight Drug-Resistant Bacteria
Guest: Cassandra Quave, Assistant Professor, Dermatology and Human Health, Emory University, and Curator, Emory University Herbarium
When we look back at the medical profession in the 19th century, the picture we get from literature and history is of a profession often fumbling in the dark. Before the discovery of germ theory, modern hygiene, and antibiotics, doctors were as likely to do you in as save you. But a medical handbook from the Confederate Army might help researchers fight drug-resistant bacteria today.
Naloxone
Guest: Nancy Campbell, Professor and Head, Science and Technology Studies, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; author, “OD: Naloxone and the Politics of Overdose”
No one needs to die of overdose. But we do need greater access to life-saving naloxone, according to Professor Campbell. She says think of the drug as an EpiPen or an artificial defibrillator. In fact, physicians should consider a co-prescription for it when they prescribe opiod painkillers.
The Tangled History of Opium
Guest: David Blistein, co-author with John H. Halpern, "Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned our World"
Our opioid epidemic is nothing new, as the Chinese could tell you--they fought for years to keep British opium out of their country, to no avail. So many cultures have tackled the double-edged sword of opium use. It's relieved more pain than it's caused, according to Blistein, but it certainly has caused a great deal of pain. What can be done about addiction today?
Bigfoot
Guest: Laura Krantz, host and producer, "Wild Thing" podcast
Veteran public radio producer Laura Krantz was fully a skeptic about Bigfoot, but when she discovered that a respected relative of hers had been a serious Bigfoot hunter, she found helrself drawn into the search. Mostly, she wanted to know, who really believes this stuff and why?
Loch Ness Monster
Guest: Gareth Williams, author, "A Monstrous Commotion: The Mysteries of Loch Ness"
The story of scientists turned monster hunters and also the unexpected prosperity that the legend brought to the Loch Ness area. But some sleuthing reveals deliberate deceit.
You can find more of Williams’ work here.
A Family History of the Boston Massacre
Guest: Serena Zabin, Professor, History, and Director, American Studies, Carleton, and author, "The Boston Massacre: A Family History"
The stories we have of the event ignore that everyone involved was very much a part of the community, with several of the soldiers married to Bostonians. Everyone involved knew at least several other people involved. It was a family affair.
The Plot Against George Washington During the Revolutionary War
Guest: Josh Mensch, documentary television producer and co-author, "The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington"
While we tend to think of the American Revolution as steadfast colonists throwing off tyrannical British forces, there was great turmoil in the colonies over which side to support. In 1776, conflict even led to a plot against Washington by members of his own elite Life Guard.
The Largest Humanitarian Operation That You Never Heard Of
Guest: Douglas Smith, award-winning historian, translator, and author, "The Russian Job: The Forgotten Story of How America Saved the Soviet Union from Ruin"
One of the largest humanitarian operations in history has been almost completely forgotten, maybe because neither side wanted to admit they worked with the other. Douglas Smith writes about how American aid during the Russian famine of 1921 saved the Soviet Union from collapse.
The Scientists Who Solved the Global Water Cycle: The History of Global Water Systems
Guest: Sarah Dry, author, "Waters of the World: The Story of the Scientists Who Unraveled the Mysteries of Our Oceans, Atmosphere, and Ice Sheets and Made the Planet Whole"
The way in which the global water cycle works, and the way in which it changes and effects global climate, has only begun to be understood in recent years, thanks to a complicated cast of excellent scientists.
Should November 19 Be Our Real July 4th?
Guest: Matthew Mason, Professor, History, Brigham Young University
When Abraham Lincoln stood to give the Gettysburg address on November 19, 1863, he reminded the nation of the principles on which it was founded to inspire a national rebirth of the principles of liberty and government, "of the people, by the people, for the people."
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Guest: Clayborne Carson, Martin Luther King, Jr. Centennial Professor, American History, and Director, Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute, Stanford University
Martin Luther King, Jr.,'s early years reveal that might not have become an activist. Professor Carson calls him "almost an accidental civil rights leader," but he was always bound to help the poor.
You Never Forget Your First
Guest: Alexis Coe, author, "You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington"
A conversation with the first woman biographer to write about George Washington in 40 years. She wonders why her male counterparts have been obsessed with Washington's thighs. More significantly, she also tackles Washington's conflicted attitude toward slavery. And she reminds us that Washington was raised by a single mother. And he fought for the British . . . If he'd been more satisfied with his appointment there, we may not have had an American Revolution.
A Forgotten Revolutionary Hero
Guest: Christian Di Spigna, author, "Founding Martyr: The Life and Death of Dr. Joseph Warren, the American Revolution’s Lost Hero"
A British general once called Joseph Warren "the greatest incendiary in all America." Why have you never heard of him?
Revolutionary War Books
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian, BYU, and regular contributor to The Lisa Show, BYUradio
The slave who spied for the American rebels, a graphic novel about Lafayette, historical fiction that puts you in the shoes of everyday heroes during the Revolutionary War.
Young Benjamin Franklin
Guest: Nick Bunker, author, "Young Benjamin Franklin: The Birth of Ingenuity"
While many of us know Benjamin Franklin as the wise, old founding father who played around with electricity, the story of the young Franklin can help explain the roots of his unique persona and contributions.
UFOs
Guest: Sarah Scoles, author, "They Are Already Here: UFO Culture and Why We See Saucers"
Last year, the “Storm Area 51: They Can’t Stop Us All” Facebook event attracted millions. If we’re trying to understand what happened in 2019, we’re going to have to go back to where America’s obsession with UFOs started. And that involves the Cold War.
The Mysteries That Fly Over Flyover Country
Guest: B.J. Hollars, Associate Professor of English, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and author, “Midwestern Strange: Hunting Monsters, Martians, and the Weird in Flyover Country”
B.J. Hollars spent a year traveling through Midwest America, researching sightings of werewolves, giant lake turtles, and aliens. What he found out was that people who claim to see extraterrestrials and freakish monsters can teach us to maintain our own sense of curiousity and skepticism. Not always an easy balance.
Finding Life in Outer Space
Guest: Jill Tarter, Trustee and Emeritus Chair, SETI Institute
Jill Tarter has devoted her life to the scientific discovery of alien life and technology. She claims that if we find any sign of life in the universe, we can assume the universe is full of life. Tune in to hear what the SETI Institute is looking for.
Beardmore Hoax
Guest: Douglas Hunter, journalist, historian, and author of "Beardmore: The Viking Hoax that Rewrote History"
Uncovering ancient Viking relics in your backyard is highly improbable, especially in central North America. What’s even more unlikely is museum directors, renowned scholars, and the press defending the discovery even when the archaeology doesn’t add up. Author Douglas Hunter joins us to talk about the notorious 20th century scandal of Beardmore, and the schoolteacher and geologist who took on powerful academic institutions in a quest for the truth.
Chasing Cultural Crooks
Guest: Robert K. Wittman, former Senior Investigator and founder, FBI's National Art Crime Team, and author, "Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures"
Art heists aren't always like the movies. In fact, it's the cops who are usually dressed up as the slick, debonaire characters. They've got to think on their feet to trip up criminals and return priceless treasures to the public.
Revealing Art Forgeries
Guest: Thiago Piwowarczyk, Co-Founder, with Jeffrey Taylor, New York Art Forensics
Trained as a chemist, Thiago Piwowarczyk identifies art forgeries in a market surprisingly saturated by them.
Huguenot Diaspora
Guest: Owen Stanwood, Associate Professor, History, Boston College, and author, "The Global Refuge: Huguenots in an Age of Empire"
Huguenots—French Protestants—were run out of France in the 1600s. They ended up all over the world and were so good at fitting in that their culture and language were largely lost. But their experience paved the way for countries to accept other refugees.
The Land that Never Was
Guest: Maria Konnikova, journalist and author, "The Confidence Game: Why We Fall For It . . . Every Time"
Gregor MacGregor used his superior storytelling ability to fool hundreds into believing in a promised land that didn't exist. Sadly, many people lost their lives trying to find it. Why are great con artists so good? They're selling us what we already want to buy.
Smog Strangles London
Guest: Kate Winkler Dawson, Associate Professor, Journalism, The University of Texas at Austin, and author, "Death in the Air: The True Story of a Serial Killer, the Great London Smog, and the Strangling of a City"
When a thick black smog blanketed the sky in December of 1952, Londoners assumed it was just another fog. After all, inversions were common. So no one really cared. Until so many bodies piled up that the morgues had no place to put them. Listen to the story of the perfect storm, and how the press about a brazen serial killer distracted the government and the public from protecting London from the pollution that killed over 4,000 people.
Capturing Air Pollution to Create Ink
Guest: Anirudh Sharma, Co-Founder, Graviky Labs, and creator, Air-Ink
Anirudh Sharma captures CO2 emissions from tailpipes and turns it into fine artists' ink.
The World’s First Female Sports Superstar
Guest: Sasha Abramsky; author of "Little Wonder: The Fabulous Story of Lottie Dod, the World’s First Female Sports Superstar"
Wimbledon champion, mountain climber, hockey player, and Olympic archer. These are just a few of Lottie Dod’s athletic accomplishments. How was she able to do so much? And how did her early efforts pave the way for female athletes everywhere? Sasha Abramsky weighs in on the life and legacy of “The Little Wonder.”
One Woman’s Journey Around the World on Two Wheels
Guest: Peter Zheutlin; author of "Around the World on Two Wheels: Annie Londonderry’s Extraordinary Ride"
At the dawn of the bicycle craze, Annie Londonderry shocked the world by setting off on a world-wide tour. She gained international fame as the first woman to traverse the world on two wheels, becoming an important symbol of women’s equality. But how much of her sensational story was true? The details get a little complicated. We spoke with Peter Zheutlin to hear the story.
What a Failed Rat Hunt Says About Colonialism
Guest: Michael G. Vann, Professor, History, California State University, Sacramento; author, "The Great Hanoi Rat Hunt: Empire, Disease, and Modernity in French Colonial Vietnam"; host, “New Books in History” podcast
The story of colonial-era French-controlled Hanoi being overrun by rats illustrates how prejudiced, arrogant, and perverse incentives lead to ineffective solutions.
The Great American Hog War
Guest: John J. ("Jack") Mayer, research scientist and manager, Savannah River National Laboratory
A combination of feral pigs and wild Eurasian Boars is destroying crops and ecosystems across America, despite culling attempts. Hunters bring in the big guns, and a few helicopters. The stakes are high for the pork industry.
What’s in This and Will It Kill Me?
Guest: George Zaidan, YouTuber and author of "Ingredients: The Strange Chemistry of What We Put in Us and on Us"
The study of what goes in us and on us is so complex that embracing new “science” on the subject is not always the best course of action. Learning how to read the fine print in scientific articles could save you a lot of bother.
What's In This? Soy
Guest: Christine M. Du Bois, author, "The Story of Soy," and former researcher and manager of the Johns Hopkins Project on Soy
Soy is one of the most globally consequential crops of the modern era, and its production has changed the eating habits of humans and animals alike, not always for the better. It has a long, fascinating history, one that involves Henry Ford.
Beyond Broadway
Guest: Stacy Wolf, Professor, Theater, Princeton University, and author, "Beyond Broadway: The Pleasure and Promise of Musical Theatre Across America"
Lights, camera—road trip? The musical "Newsies" was designed to go on the road. "High School Musical" turned a generation of boys on to community theater, which is a vibrant enterprise across America. There is a strong link between a healthy local art scene and a healthy community.
Check out "Beyond Broadway" here.
Ballet Class: An American History
Guest: Melissa R. Klapper, Professor, History, and Director, Women's & Gender Studies, Rowan University, Glassboro, NJ; author, “Ballet Class: An American History”
Most American parents have no desire for their children to become professional ballet dancers, but they do want their kids to be poised, fit, and acquainted with fine art and music, thus the popularity of ballet classes. Baby Boomers were the first generation to broadly embrace them for their daughters, and they've become more and more popular as a rigorous activity for boys, too.
You can learn more about the American history of ballet classes and professor Klapper’s work here and here.
The Advantages of Eating Wild Foods
Guest: Gina Rae La Cerva, author, "Feasting Wild: in Search of the Last Untamed Food"
Why would we want to forage for wild food when we cultivate so much? And why don't we think of foraging for plants and insects as sport the way we think about hunting and fishing? It's all wild food, after all.
That Weed in Your Yard May Be an Ancient Crop
Guest: Elizabeth Horton, Station Archaeologist, Toltec Mounds Research Station, Department of Anthropology, University of Arkansas
The weeds you find in your backyard today may have been the life-sustaining crops of Native American communities 3,000-5,000 years ago. Though today's wild variations aren’t identical to domesticated plants of the past, botanists, archaeologists, and anthropologists from all over the US are studying these “lost crops” to learn more about the past and re-envision a potential farming future.
A Dangerous and Mysterious Prehistoric Predator
Guest: Nizar Ibrahim, paleontologist and National Geographic Explorer
The 50-foot-long spinosaurus was one of the most terrifying prehistoric creatures, but it didn’t roam the earth like the T. rex—it was actually lurking underwater.
Dinosaur Mummy
Guest: Caleb Brown, Curator, Dinosaur Systematics and Evolution, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Alberta, Canada
In March 2011, a mechanical shovel operator accidentally stumbled on a mummified dinosaur. It was so well preserved that the contents of its guts were still inside. We're getting better at finding amazing fossils, and that's partially thanks to hikers who find them.
The Montana Dueling-Dinosaurs Court Case
Guest: Peter Larson, President, Black Hills Institute of Geological Research
Two dinosaurs were fossilized, locked in combat, in the Montana wilds. The find instigated another battle that went all the way to the Montana Supreme Court, and threatened dinosaur discoveries everywhere. Tune in to hear who won.
What Did Shakespeare Sound Like?
Guest: Ben Crystal, actor, producer, and author, "Shakespeare on Toast – Getting a Taste for the Bard"
Ever read Shakespeare and think, "These rhymes don't work"? Well it's not that he was a bad poet, it's just that language evolves. Understanding Shakespeare’s original pronunciation actually clarifies the themes of his plays.
Seuss: Not Just for Kids
Guest: Brian Jay Jones, author, "Becoming Dr. Seuss: Theodor Geisel and the Making of an American Imagination"
Never one to preach, Dr. Seuss was a master at delivering a message to kids in a magical way. But he wasn't writing just for children, and he even compared himself to Picasso. Which is why winning the Pulitzer was so meaningful to him.
Space-Age Sanitation
Guest: Brendan Niemira, Research Leader, Agricultural Research Service, US Department of Agriculture
Cold plasma is an alternative method of sanitation that is effective in killing both bacteria and viruses, and it can be used safely on food.
Copper: An Ancient Antimicrobial
Guest: Michael Schmidt, Professor, Microbiology and Immunology, Medical University of South Carolina
Could copper’s bacteria- and virus-killing superpower make hospitals a safer, cleaner place for patients? The ancients knew all about its germ-busting capabiities.
Listen to more of Michael Schmidt here
A Fishwatcher’s Guide to Life, the Ocean and Everything
Guest: Helen Scales, marine biologist, diver, surfer, broadcaster and author, “Eye of the Shoal: A Fishwatcher’s Guide to Life, the Ocean and Everything”
With more than 30,000 species, the world of fish is more beautiful and strange than you can imagine.
Soul of an Octopus
Guest: Sy Montgomery, author, “The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness”
The octopus is a smart, social creature and each has a distinctive personality. In fact, each arm has a "mind" of its own.
CIA Disguises
Guest: Jonna Mendez, former Chief of Disguise, CIA, and co-author, "The Moscow Rules: The Secret CIA Tactics that Helped America Win the Cold War"
The US President couldn't detect her disguise until she unmasked in the Oval Office, before Tom Cruise made the face peel famous. But there's even more to going undercover than a great mask. Find out some of the tools of the spy trade.
The Hollywood Producer Who Became a Cold War Double Agent
Guest: Jonathan Gill, Professor, American History and Culture, University of Amsterdam, and author, "Hollywood Double Agent: The True Tale of Boris Morros, Film Producer Turned Cold War Spy"
Hollywood film producer Boris Morros was a useful tool for Soviet intelligence operations—that is until he turned himself in to the FBI and became a double agent. At least that's what we think happened. His ex-wife said his memoir was full of lies, and his true history has been difficult to unravel.
A People in Flux
Guest: Robert Hitchcock, Professor, Evolutionary Anthropology, University of New Mexico
The San people of Southern Africa are one of the most studied on the planet—you may know them from their famous Click language—but they have many of the same challenges we all face, including how to respond to Covid-19.
Viking Board Games
Guest: David Petts, Associate Professor, Archaeology, Durham University, and Member, Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies
A crowd-sourced dig team unearthed a board game piece on the Holy Island of Lindisfarne in the UK, connecting early Christianity with the Vikings.
The Strategic Importance of Guano Islands
Guest: Daniel Immerwahr, Associate Professor, History, Northwestern University, and author, "How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States"
Guano Islands are just what they sound like—tiny rocks in the ocean covered with bird droppings. And nothing more. But nations fought over them, or at least diplomatically elbowed each other. Because they were worth enormous amounts—for fertilizer. Guano was a powerful natural source of nitrogen. This is the story of how America built its guano island empire.
Is a New Ocean Forming?
Guest: Erik Klemetti, Volcanologist and Associate Professor, Geosciences, Denison University
Continental rift in East Africais splitting the continent in two, and one day there may be a new ocean in the gap. It would only take a few million years to form.
Pangea Ultima
Guest: Christopher Scotese, Emeritus Professor, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Texas at Arlington, and Director, PALEOMAP Project
Thanks to modern technology, we can see just what the Earth's continents used to look like, and predict where they might move next.
Ötzi the Iceman
Guest: Patrick Hunt, Archaeologist, Stanford University; Expeditions Expert, National Geographic; and Research Associate, Archaeoethnobotany, Institute for the Ethnomedicine
Found half-burried in the Italian Alps, Ötzi the Iceman is among the oldest human beings ever discovered—dating back 5,300 years. Since his initial discovery in 1991, researchers have been piecing together his mysterious life and death. Alpine archaeologist and Ötzi expert Patrick Hunt weighs in on his compelling history.
How a Hungarian Physician Saved Women from Childbed Fever and Became the ‘Savior of Mothers’
Guest: Anthony Valerio, editor and teacher, author of “Semmelweis”
Wash your hands isn’t just the best way to prevent COVID-19 in 2020–it was also the rallying cry of Ignaz Semmelweis, a young Hungarian doctor trying to end the scourge of childbed fever and lower maternal mortality rates in the 1840s, well before germ theory entered scientific thought.
When the Cure is the Cause
Guest: Jeanne Lenzer; medical investigative journalist; author of "The Danger Within Us: America's Untested, Unregulated Medical Device Industry and One Man's Battle to Survive It"
When people in the ‘60s started developing hairy green tongues, blindness, and paralysis, doctors thought it was a strange new infectious disease. They turned to a specific drug, clioquinol, in hopes of a cure, but what they found was shocking. The so-called remedy was causing the disease.
Boredom
Guest: James Danckert, Cognitive Neuroscientist from the University of Waterloo and Co-author of the book "Out of My Skull: The Psychology of Boredom" written together with John Eastwood
How do you manage your boredom while social distancing? Better yet, why do humans even get bored?
How Has the Pandemic Changed Digital Entertainment?
Guest: Peter Csathy, Founder and Chairman of CREATV Media, Author of "VIRAL MEDIA: Entertainment in The Age of The Great Pandemic"
Digital entertainment’s importance has only increased with the COVID-19 pandemic. Entertainment experiences will become even more important as businesses and countries open back up.
NYC, Supreme City
Guest: Donald L. Miller, John Henry MacCracken Emeritus Professor of History, Lafayette College, and author, "Supreme City: How Jazz Age Manhattan Gave Birth to Modern America"
It's the place you went to see the future: the Big Apple. NYC's booming transformation in the early 20th century changed world culture.
Temperance: A Culture War
Guest: Michael A. Lerner, principal, Bard High School Early College, New York City, and author, "Dry Manhattan: Prohibition in New York City"
Prohibition wasn't just about alcohol. In some ways, it was an attempt to control the behavior of immigrants and mark class behavior. New York City saw the clash of opponents and supporters from the first night the law went into effect.
Tulsa Race Riots of 1921
Guest: Scott Ellsworth, Lecturer, Afro-American and African Studies, University of Michigan, and author, "The Ground Breaking: An American City and Its Search for Justice" (forthcoming)
100 years ago, one of the most prosperous African-American communities in the United States flourished in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in a neighborhood known as “Black Wall Street.” Ninety-nine years ago that community was destroyed in 48 hours. How a likely innocent collision in an elevator exploded into the worst racial violence in US History. And why neither the white or black community wanted to talk about it afterwards.
Martin Luther King and Human Rights
Guest: Clayborne Carson, Martin Luther King, Jr. Centennial Professor, American History, and Director, Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute, Stanford University
Martin Luther King, Jr., was the most influential American civil rights leader of the 20th century. We dive into his early years before he became a minister or activist. Professor Carson calls him "almost an accidental civil rights leader," but he was always bound to help the poor.
The Lost Story of an Enslaved Woman Who Sued for Restitution, and Won
Guest: W. Caleb McDaniel, Associate Professor, History, Rice University, and author, “Sweet Taste of Liberty: A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America”
Henrietta Wood was the recipient of the largest known sum ever granted by a U.S. court in restitution for slavery, successfully suing Zebulon Ward, the man who had enslaved her, for $2,500. Her story was lost in history until a historian uncovered two interviews with her.
Why We Walk
Guest: Shane O’Mara, professor of experimental brain research at Trinity College Dublin. Author of "In Praise of Walking: The New Science of how We Walk and why It’s Good for Us"
“Take a Walk” is a pithy and classic phrase of de-escalation that is ironically sometimes escalatory in nature. Does scientific research support the efficacy of this obstinate order? Find out next, on Constant Wonder.
Race Walking
Guests: Jeff Salvage, race-walking coach, founder, racewalk.com, and former international competitor; Miranda Melville, Olympian race walker
Race walking is a serious sport for serious athletes. It is distinguished from running by keeping one foot on the ground at all times. Fastidious form is paramount, and it's helpful for everyone to learn how to do it as they age. Marcus Smith wonders if it's a sport he should take up.
Beethoven’s 250th Birthday
Guest: Jan Swafford, author, "Beethoven: Anguish and Triumph"
He wanted to be known by everyday people, and in that his music has certainly succeeded. What most people don't know is how tortured and difficult Beethoven's life was.
What Are Maestros Really Doing on Stage?
Guest: James Gaffigan, Chief Conductor, Luzerner Sinfonieorchester, and Principal Guest Conductor, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
Conducting an orchestra is so much more than keeping time. Conductors must make an emotional connection with the musicians if the performance is to succeed.
Pan-American Highway
Guest: Eric Rutkow, Assistant Professor, History, University of Central Florida, and author, "The Longest Line on the Map: The United States, the Pan-American Highway, and the Quest to Link the Americas"
The Pan-American Highway was supposed to stretch from Alaska to Argentina, and a hundred years ago it was a vision that enthralled two continents. We untangle why it was never finished and meet the heroes who tried to bring it to fruition.
Father of Route 66
Guest: Susan Croce Kelly, author, "Father of Route 66: The Story of Cy Avery"
Route 66 started as a series of disconnected dirt roads. It took a community, some good publicity, and one man—Cy Avery—to make it into the wonder it is today.
The Return of the Cicadas
Guest: Chris Simon, Professor, Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut
This year, a brood of millions of cicadas will emerge from their underground nests in North Carolina, West Virginia and Virginia for the first time since 2003. Scientists need your help tracking them! And you might discover something unusual about some of these cicadas. Fungi can take over their bodies, turning them into zombies. They've got a survival strategy, though!
Creepy Crawly Parasites That Turn Bugs into Zombies
Guest: Matt Simon, WIRED science journalist and author, "Plight of the Living Dead: What Real-Life Zombies Reveal About Our World—And Ourselves"
In what seems to be taken straight out of a horror movie, some parasites can actually zombify insects.
Mind-Blowing Possibilities
Guest: Cindy Chestek, associate professor of Biomedical Engineering at the University of Michigan
Brain-machine interfaces are not the stuff of science fiction. They're here. And they're being used to help amputees and paraplegics. This technology is constantly improving and could be widely used someday.
Life from the Perspective of a Cyborg
Guest: Thad Starner; wearable computing pioneer, Technical Lead on Google Glass, and a Professor in the School of Interactive Computing at the Georgia Institute of Technology
Have you ever wondered what life would be like if we could remember everything? How much could we accomplish if our brains functioned more like supercomputers? For one man, this is a reality. Thad Starner has been wearing a computer since 1993—a computer which acts as a kind of second memory, an external hard drive. He weighs in on his personal experience as well as some exciting developments in the world of wearable computing.
An Economy of Fragrance
Guest: Sarah Osterhoudt, Assistant Professor of Anthropology at Indiana University. Author of "Vanilla Landscapes: Meaning, Memory, and the Cultivation of Place in Madagascar"
Madagascar exports a huge percentage of the world’s vanilla, but vanilla is not native to the island. It got there thanks to colonial France’s attempt to break into the global spice trade. Sarah Osterhoudt is helping making sure that vanilla today works to help the people on Madagascar.
History of Chocolate
Guest: Carla D. Martin, Founder and Executive Director, Fine Cacao and Chocolate Institute; Lecturer, Harvard University
From waxy Hershey's to luxurious Belgian, Chocolate has a history spanning centuries. Involved in religion, war, colonization, democracy, it has a place everywhere. This global treat has been used as currency, medicine, and a sign of status.
Allan Pinkerton
Guest: Paul O’Hara, Associate Professor, History, Xavier University, and author, "Inventing the Pinkertons; Or, Spies, Sleuths, Mercenaries, and Thugs: Being a story of the nation’s most famous (and infamous) detective agency"
Who was the man behind the Pinkerton National Detective Agency? And how did he come to offer a for-rent militia that pushed the boundaries of policing?
Murder in Miniature: How Dollhouses Led to the Birth of Modern Forensics
Guest: Bruce Goldfarb, Executive Assistant for the Chief Medical Examiner for the State of Maryland: curator of "Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death," and author, “18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics”
Frances Glessner Lee worked tirelessly to create 20 crime scene dioramas that recreated 20 real homicide cases that were hard to crack. She used these dioramas to help teach investigators how to gather the most pertinant details at a crime scene. Through her work she became the mother of modern forensic science. Eighteen of these dioramas are still used to teach about forensic science today.
The Plot to Prevent Lincoln’s Presidency
Guest: Josh Mensch, co-author, "The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America’s 16th President—and Why It Failed"
Long before John Wilkes Booth shot Lincoln at Ford’s theater, another group tried to assassinate Lincoln and prevent him from ever taking office in the first place. They planned to strike on the train ride to Lincoln’s first inauguration.
Robert Smalls, Unsung Civil War Hero
Guest: Douglas Egerton, Professor, History, Le Moyne College
Historian Douglas Egerton explores the legacy of one Civil War hero you probably haven’t heard of. Robert Smalls was an enslaved man who took over a Confederate ship, freed sixteen other enslaved people, and delivered the ship to the Union. Then he went on to have a fiery legislative career.
How to Die in Space
Guest: Paul Sutter, author, “How to Die in Space: A Journey through Dangerous Astrophysical Phenomena”; astrophysicist at Stony Brook University and The Flatiron Institute; and host, “Ask a Spaceman!” podcast
If you find yourself outside your space ship, cosmic forces can lead to spaghettification of the human body (and yes, it's as gruesome as it sounds). But investigating ways to die in space is really a tongue-in-cheek introduction to the fantastic power of the cosmos.
Find out more about Paul Sutter's book here.
Death by Shakespeare
Guest: Kathryn Harkup, chemist and author, “Death by Shakespeare: Snakebites, Stabbings and Broken Hearts”
The science and history behind the numerous deaths in Shakespeare.
Find out more about Kathryn Harkup's book here.
Were Dinosaurs Bored to Death?
Guest: Michael Benton, Professor of Vertebrate Paleontology, University of Bristol, and author, "Dinosaurs Rediscovered: The Scientific Revolution in Paleontology"
I’m sure you have that one friend on Facebook who bombards your feed with conspiracy theories about the moon landing, secret societies, government testing, and so on. But stop me if you’ve heard the one about dinosaurs going extinct due to terminal constipation. Yikes. That and more dinosaur extinction theory.
Find out more about Michael Benton's book here.
Bruce Lee: A Chinese-American Dream Cut Short
Guest: Matthew Polly, author, “American Shaolin" and "Bruce Lee: A Life”
In his brief 32 years, Bruce Lee transformed Kung Fu movies. Always reaching for the next big thing, he channeled his unbridled energy--we probably would have put him on Ritalin today--into acting, directing, and producing. What else might he have achieved had he not died so young?
Unseen Action Heroes
Guest: Lauren Steimer, Associate Professor, Film and Media Studies and Media Arts, University of South Carolina
With jaw-dropping feats like hanging from trains, stunt doubles are stars in their own right.
The Magic of Video Effects
Guest: Eran Dinur, Emmy Award-winning visual effects supervisor, author, artist and teacher
Visual effects are used so often you likely don’t even notice. They're used in comedies and dramas, not just action movies.
Fairytale Fraud
Guest: Claudia Schwabe, Associate Professor, German, Utah State University, and author, "Craving Supernatural Creatures: German Fairy-Tale Figures in American Pop Culture"
In 1963, a German writer published "The Truth About Hansel and Gretel," claiming to have discovered an archeological site, old bones, and some very burnt gingerbread. The tale was a hoax, but it gripped the world, and the whole incident reveals the cultural significance of fairy tales, even to adults.
Twisted Fairy Tales
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian and regular contributor to the Lisa Show, BYUradio
Rachel Wadham recommends some not-so-classic fairy tales.
Johnny Appleseed: The Eccentric Man Behind the Great American Legend
Guest: Howard Means, journalist and author, "Johnny Appleseed: The Man, the Myth, the American Story"
Johnny Appleseed, born John Chapman, was a pioneer of the American frontier, and an eccentric one at that. He's a larger-than-life figure with a story we've all helped to promote and expand. His history, though, is a bit more complicated than the Disney biopic lets on.
Ancestry DNA Tests
Guest: Libby Copeland, author, "The Lost Family: How DNA Testing is Upending Who We Are"
They've become popular as holiday or birthday gifts for the curious, but DNA tests can explode a family's sense of identity when they reveal family secrets or even something as unexpected as babies swapped at birth. Follow the story of two families who find out their fathers were switched in the maternity ward.
The Basque Diaspora
Guest: Anne-Marie Chiramberro, blogger, "Hella Basque"
There could be as many as 100,000 people in America who claim Basque descent.
Isaac Newton’s Year in Quarantine
Guest: Patricia Fara, Emeritus Fellow, Clare College, Cambridge University
Quarantine in 2020 looks different for everyone, and with all our technology, it's much different from quarantine during the bubonic plague of 1666. But if Cambridge had had Zoom classes back then, Isaac Newton may not have made some groundbreaking scientific discoveries. For him, quarantine was an inspiration.
Year of Wonders
Guest: Geraldine Brooks, author, "Year of Wonders: A Novel of the Plague"
One tiny English village made the decision not to flee the plague that had come to their town. They likely saved thousands of lives, but they sacrificed most of their own. This novel of the bubonic plague is both a tragedy and an inspiration.
How to Wipe a Disease Off the Earth
Guest: Walter Orenstein, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine and Director, Emory-UGA Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS)
Thanks to modern medicine and vaccines, there’s a very good chance that you’ve never met anyone who has suffered from polio or the black plague, but that doesn’t mean those diseases are truly gone. Actually eradicating a disease is incredibly difficult, but there is hope.
Hayao Miyazaki, Studio Ghibli, and the Impact of Anime
Guest: Helen McCarthy, author of 13 books on anime and manga, including "Hayao Miyazaki: Master of Japanese Animation"
Studio Ghibli’s animated movies are beloved the world over for their beauty and insight into the human psyche. They've transformed not only Japanese culture but also how the world sees Japan.
The World's Oldest Novel
Guest: Melissa McCormick, Professor, Japanese Art and Culture, Harvard, and author, "The Tale of Genji: A Visual Companion"
"The Tale of Genji" is arguably the oldest novel in the world, and some scholars say it is as central to Japanese art and culture as the Bible is in the West. The voluminous, complicated work was written by a woman scholar from the Imperial court, and you might laugh out loud when you read it.
The Rarest Eggs
Guest: Kieran McCarthy, Managing Director, Wartski, Court Jewellers of London, and author, "Fabergé in London: The British Branch of the Imperial Russian Goldsmith"
The Imperial Easter Eggs are extravagant symbols of wealth and craftsmanship, but a number of the famous eggs have been missing for over a hundred years. Kieran McCarthy recounts the day one the missing eggs was rediscovered, entirely by accident.
The Mad Monk of Russia
Guest: Douglas Smith, historian, translator, and author, "Rasputin: Faith, Power, and the Twilight of the Romanovs"
He is known today as “The Mad Monk of Russia,” but what is the true story of Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin? And why is it so hard to separate fact from fiction?
Fish Don't Exist
Guest: Lulu Miller, former producer of "Radiolab" and co-founder of "Invisibilia," NPR; author, "Why Fish Don't Exist: A Story of Loss, Love, and the Hidden Order of Life"
As humans, we're always trying to impose order on the world, but admit it, the wonders around us often defy categorization. Miller even questions if fish exist. . . . Find out what she means as she tackles failure, catastrophe, and chaos through a look at the life of ichthyologist David Starr Jordan.
Museum of Failure
Guest: Samuel West, curator and founder, "The Museum of Failure"
Failure is something that we can learn from, even celebrate. And that’s why there’s a museum dedicated to it.
How Paradise Went Up in Flames
Guest: Alastair Gee and Dani Anguiano; authors of "Fire in Paradise: An American Tragedy"
Destroying thousands of homes and claiming the lives of 85 people, the Camp Fire was among the deadliest in history. Now, two years after the blaze, reporters have returned to Paradise, California to unearth stories of heroism and bravery amidst the tragedy. Alastair Gee and Dani Anguiano weigh in on the lasting influence of this tragedy.
Blame the Scientists for Not Predicting an Earthquake?
Guest: David Alexander, Professor of Risk and Disaster Reduction at University College London and Vice-President of the Institute of Civil Protection and Emergency Management
On April 6, 2009, an earthquake shook the city of L'Aquila, Italy, and took the lives of 309 people. After the rubble was cleared, five scientists and one government official were charged with comitting manslaughter for not warning the residents of L'Aquila before the earthquake happened. The judge found them guilty and they were all sentenced to six years in prison. Did the judge make the right call, or did he not understand the science at play?
Inside the Mind of An American Family
Guest: Robert Kolker; author of "Hidden Valley Road: Inside the Mind of an American Family"
The Galvins seemed like the model American family. With twelve bright, good-looking children and two hard-working parents, they were the symbol of the baby-boomer generation. Things changed, however, when their oldest son started showing signs of schizophrenia. They declined even further when five more sons followed suit. Their complex story, although deeply tragic, has led to our current understanding of schizophrenia, and hope for the future.
Students with Schizophrenia
Guest: Cecilia McGough; founder and CEO of Students with Schizophrenia
Cecilia McGough was diagnosed with Schizophrenia when she was in college, and now she leads a group to fight the stigma related to mental illness among students all around the United States.
The Complicated History of the World’s Most Famous Test
Guest: Stefan C. Dombrowski, Professor and Director of Graduate Training, School Psychology Program, Rider University
Since the beginning of the 20th century, we've been obsessed with trying to determine our intelligence, and the IQ test has become a symbol of that obsession. Unfortunately, these tests have a pretty dark and complicated history, but Dombrowski claims that they still have value today.
The Iconic Inkblot Test and Its Creator
Guest: Damion Searls, translator and author of "The Inkblots: Hermann Rorschach, His Iconic Test, and the Power of Seeing"
The Rorschach test is a legitimate test, and is also fascinating for the approach it takes to the human mind. The little known story of Hermann Rorschach himself is the story of a fascinating person and brilliant scientist.
Delicious Varieties
Guest: Craig LeHoullier, author of "Epic Tomatoes; How to Select and Grow the Best Varieties of all Time"
Tomatoes are not limited to being big and red. Craig LeHoullier has experimented with and developed thousands of varieties of heirloom tomatoes.
Most Store-Bought Tomatoes are Actually Missing the “Flavor Gene” Present in Wild Tomatoes
Guest: James Giovannoni, Molecular Biologist, USDA, and Professor, Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University
There’s a rare “flavor gene” in wild tomatoes called TomLoxC that’s actually missing in most modern, domesticated tomatoes. No wonder store-bought tomatoes are less flavorful! Can we get back the flavor gene?
The Evolution of Physical Culture
Guest: Conor Heffernan, Assistant Professor in Physical Culture and Sport Studies at the University of Texas at Austin
Early European gymnasiums, strong men performances, and bodybuilding gyms led physical culture into the mainstream in the United States.
Doping and Anti-Doping
Guest: Paul Dimeo, Associate Professor in Sport at the University of Stirling. Co-author of "The Anti-Doping Crisis in Sport: Causes, Consequences, Solutions"
Doping is a huge issue in the world of sports. An approach to anti-doping that focuses on helping athletes is one possible reform of anti-doping policy.
Finding Wrecks
Guest: David W. Jourdan, founder and president of the NauticosCorporation and author of “Operation Rising Sun: The Sinking of Japan’s Secret Submarine I-52"
Nauticosis a company devoted deep ocean exploration and discovery and is responsible for locating two WWII Japanese ships, the missing Isreali submarine Dakar, and an ancient shipwreck dating back to the third century BC. What does it take to track down sunken ships? What deep sea mysteries have yet to be solved?
How Passion and Collaboration Provided Closure to a 75-Year-Old Mystery
Guest: Justin Taylan, founder, Pacific Wrecks; and Michael McAlonie, son of Howard McAlonie, World War II veteran
Taylan and McAlonie discovered the location where the plane of Michael’s father’s high school friend, John McGrath, crashed in WWII.
The Hollywood Producer Who Became a Cold War Double Agent
Guest: Jonathan Gill, Professor, American History and Culture, University of Amsterdam, and author, "Hollywood Double Agent: The True Tale of Boris Morros, Film Producer Turned Cold War Spy"
Hollywood film producer Boris Morros was a useful tool for Soviet intelligence operations—that is until he turned himself in to the FBI and became a double agent. At least that's what we think happened. His ex-wife said his memoir was full of lies, and his true history has been difficult to unravel.
Charlie Chaplin's Fall From Grace
Guest: Richard Carr, Senior Lecturer, History and Politics, Anglia Ruskin University, UK, and author, "Charlie Chaplin: A Political Biography from Victorian Britain to Modern America"
When Americans found out that Charlie Chaplin was a Communist sympathizer, his Hollywood career was pretty much over, and then the FBI chased him clean out of the country.
Time Capsules
Guest: Nick Yablon, Associate Professor, History, University of Iowa, and author, "Remembrance of Things Present: The Invention of the Time Capsule and the Politics of Posterity"
Time capsules were invented to grant a form of immortality to the people who made them. Early proponents even thought they could transfer historical knowledge directly to the people who witnessed their openings, including unborn babies in their mothers wombs. In our digital age, will the time capsule continue as a cultural practice?
Unearthing History Along the River Thames
Guest: Lara Maiklem, author, "Mudlark: In Search of London’s Past Along the River Thames"
Most people see garbage on the side of a river and look the other way, but for "mudlarkers" along the River Thames, trash means history. Mudlarking began centuries ago with London’s poor. In search of food, lost coins, or other valuable material, they’d forage along the banks of the river at low tide. Today, it's more about nostalgia.
The Woman Who Would Be Queen
Guest: Sarah Gristwood, author, "Arbella: England’s Lost Queen"
Elizabeth I designated her the heir to the throne, but Arbella Stuart's fate had always been threatened by her powerful family. James VI of Scotland got the throne and Arbella's life ended in destitution in the Tower of London. Follow the drama of this spirited woman's rise and fall.
Isabella: The Warrior Queen
Guest: Kirstin Downey, author, "Isabella: the Warrior Queen"
Queen Isabella was much more than Ferdinand's side kick. She was a powerful warrior queen who reunited Spain but left a bloody legacy that haunted Spain for three centuries.
Antique Carved Ostrich Eggs
Guest: Tamar Hodos, Reader in Mediterranean Archeology, University of Bristol
Carved ostrich eggs were all the rage in the ancient Mediterranean. Not easy to get, as some unlucky servant would have to steal an egg from a giant jealous bird who could kill a human with a single kick. Then they had to be cured for many months and then carved. Ever tried to carve an eggshell?
More information about Hodos' research can be found here.
Weeki Wachee Mermaids
Guest: Rita King, “Legendary Siren Mermaid,” and volunteer, Weeki Wachee Springs State Park
Meet a real-life mermaid who works hard to conserve the beauty of the Weeki Wachee Springs in Florida.
The Secret Poisoner
Guest: Stephen Kinzer, author, "Poisoner in Chief: Sidney Gottlieb and the CIA Search for Mind Control"
Sidney Gottlieb was the 20th century's most powerful American you never heard of. A CIA operative who tortured and poisoned for a supposed greater good, no one during his lifetime fully grasped his shocking influence. He is responsible for introducing LSD to America, for example. But in his last years he volunteered in leper colonies, became a speech therapist, and was wracked with guilt.
The Art of Counterintelligence
Guest: James M. Olson, former Chief of CIA Counterintelligence, and Professor, Counterintelligence, Bush School of Government & Public Service, Texas A&M University
Someone must spy on the enemy's spies. This is the role of counterintelligence agents, who track down and identify spies in their midst, and try to prevent them from getting there in the first place.
A Most Unlikely Spy
Guest: Sonia Purnell, author, "A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Win World War II"
Virginia Hall was a Baltimore socialite, amputee, and the most dangerous Allied Spy of WWII. This is her story of heroism, self-sacrifice, and grit.
How do Dogs Love Us?
Guest: Clive Wynne, Professor, Psychology, and Director, Canine Science Collaboratory, Arizona State University, and author, "Dog Is Love: Why and How Your Dog Loves You"
Unlike other animals, dogs can bond with multiple species, which makes them excellent pets. They make good hunting partners, of course, as do wolves. The only difference is that wolves won't share their kills with you.
The Dog Mayor of Idyllwild
Guest: Phyllis Meuller, Chief of Staff, Office of Mayor Max Mueller
Maximus Mighty-Dog Meuller II has been serving loyally as the Mayor of Idyllwild for five years. Impressive for a golden retriever who is only five-and-a-half years old.
If Dogs Are Man's Best Friend, Then Why Are Wild Dogs Man's Worst Enemy?
Guest: Sy Montgomery, author, "How to be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals"
Why is it that we hate wild dogs so much? They're so like our own dogs that they can even interbreed with them. The qualities that we hate so much in wild dogs we love in our own. Do we have a double standard?
Fighting for Space
Guest: Amy Shira Teitel, author, "Fighting for Space: Two Pilots and Their Historic Battle for Female Spaceflight"
Jackie Cochran and Jerrie Cobb, two record-holding women pilots, fought each other and the male-dominated NASA for the right to travel into space in the 1950s. They never left the Earth, but the female astronauts who followed them reaped the rewards of their struggle.
Trailblazing Women Lawyers
Guest: Jill Norgren, Professor Emerita, Political Science, City University of New York, and author, "Stories from Trailblazing Women Lawyers: Lives in the Law"
Up until the last decades of the 20th century, women had to fight to get into law school and then they had to fight for jobs once they graduated. And they even had to battle the stereotypes held by other women in the office once they landed a position.
The Planter of Modern Life
Guest: Stephen Heyman, author, "The Planter of Modern Life: Louis Bromfield and the Seeds of a Food Revolution"
The farm-to-table revolution owes its origins in large measure to a Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist. Unlike his friends, Wharton, Fitzgerald, Stein, and Hemingway, Louis Bromfield is no longer a household name, but according to author Stephen Heyman, his contribution is just as relevant.
Converting an English Estate into a Thriving Ecosystem
Guest: Isabella Tree, journalist and author, “Wilding: Returning Nature to Our Farm”
Take a walk on the wild side--the wild side of conservation, that is! When Isabella Tree’s 3,500 acre farm was failing, she and her husband decided to switch gears from intensive farming to a hands-off conservation technique called “rewilding.”
The Race to Rule the Skies
Guest: Alexander Rose, author, "Empires of the Sky: Zeppelins, Airplanes, and Two Men’s Epic Duel to Rule the World"
The Hindenburg met a fiery, tragic end, but there was a time when hydrogen balloons were considered the future of human aviation. Adventure, pride, and visions of previously unheard of international travel play out in the complicated history to dominate the skies.
The Disappearance of An Aviation Legend
Guest: Candace Fleming, author, "Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart"
Even today, Amelia Earhart remains one of the most famous names in aviation history. But who was she, really? She promoted myths about herself, but maybe that was just good marketing? And what went wrong on her last, fatal flight? It was a question that gripped the nation.
The Death of an Adventurer’s Son
Guest: Roman Dial, Roman Dial, Professor, Mathematics and Biology, Alaska Pacific University, and author, "The Adventurer’s Son: A Memoir"
He raised his son from a young age to be a fearless explorer. So when his 27-year-old son, Cody, disappeared in a remote Costa Rican jungle, Roman Dial set out to discover the truth about what happened and examine his own culpability for inspiring his son's extreme adventuring.
The Deadly Race to Summit the Himalayas
Guest: Scott Ellsworth, author, "The World Beneath Their Feet: Mountaineering, Madness, and the Deadly Race to Summit the Himalayas"
From the 1920s through the 1950s, a great race was on, and countries, including Nazi Germany, competed for the first ascent of the world's highest mountains. The world's best mountaineers were pushed to their limits as they tackled dangerous terrain, political agendas, and the limit of the human body.
During the 1920s through the 1950s A Great Race was on, involving huge global actors. Countries fought to top the world's highest mountains. The world’s best mountaineers were pushed to their limits as they fought against dangerous terrain, political agendas, and physical constraints.
How China Gets Things Done
Guest: Eric Hyer, Associate Professor, Political Science, Brigham Young University
China's influence is being felt around the globe, from South America to Africa. China is filling a void in international relations that the US has left. While Chinese methods are authoritarian, Hyer is optimistic about the new world order.
Blood Letters
Guest: Xi Lian, Professor, World Christianity, Duke Divinity School, Duke University, and author, "Blood Letters: The Untold Story of Lin Zhao, A Martyr in Mao’s China"
Fighting to get her words into the world, jailed political dissident Lin Zhao used anything available, including her own blood, to tell her story. She was the most important political prisoner in Mao's regime, and she remains a hero in China today.
The Bird Way
Guest: Jennifer Ackerman, author, "The Genius of Birds" and "The Bird Way: A New Look at How Birds Talk, Work, Play, Parent, and Think"
Birds play with abandon, but they also relay very specific messages about dangers. Some are doting parents, but others make their new chicks work hard just to see the light of day. Their chicks are the toughest on the planet. No helicopter parenting here.
Parrot Intelligence
Guest: Irene Pepperberg, Research Associate and Lecturer, Harvard University
African grey parrots are as intelligent as a five-year-old child. Just check out these hilarious stories about Alex, Dr. Pepperberg’s world famous parrot. He even apologizes, but just to get what he wants.
Raptors Keep Jersey Gulls in Line
Guest: Erik Swanson, Master Falconer, East Coast Falcons; Animal Control Officer and Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator
Patrolling raptors may be the solution to the Jersey shore’s seagull problem.
Good to Know - Bird Words
Take a minute to think about just how many bird-related words and phrases you know. "Hoodwinked," "wrapped around your finger," and "fed up," all come from falconry.
Imperfect Union
Guest: Steve Inskeep, author, "Imperfect Union: How Jessie and John Frémont Mapped the West, Invented Celebrity, and Helped Cause the Civil War"; host, NPR's "Morning Edition" and NPR's morning news podcast "Up First"
Jessie and John Frémont were central to the westward expansion of the United States. John Frémont named the Golden Gate Bridge, and he was looking to expand trade into China. Along the way, the Frémonts became so famous that their name can be found on landmarks all over the West. But their impact wasn't always positive.
The Lure of Celebrity
Guest: Sharon Marcus, author, "The Drama of Celebrity"
The concept of celebrity, as we know it, is pretty new—but, love celebrities or hate them, we're all complicit in their creation.
Vigilante Justice on the Western Frontier
Guest: Andrew C. Isenberg, Hall Distinguished Professor of American History, University of Kansas, and author, "Wyatt Earp: A Vigilante Life"
Wyatt Earp, lawman, gunfighter, and U.S. marshal, was not the perfect role model that much of Hollywood made him out to be. Instead, he was a complicated example of frontier vigilantism and cowboy justice.
The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh
Guest: Candace Fleming, author, "The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh"
Famous for his solo flight across the Atlantic, Charles Lindbergh has long been regarded as a pioneer in aviation history. But who was he, really? Grieving father, Nazi sympathizer, international celebrity? All three, and much more. The complicated history and legacy of Charles Lindbergh.
Race of Aces
Guest: John R Bruning, author of more than twenty historical fiction novels, including his newest, "Race of Aces: WWII's Elite Airmen and the Epic Battle to Become the Master of the Sky"
The quest for air superiority during the WWII saw the rise of ace pilots, defending bombing runs and shooting down enemy fighter planes to lead their side to victory.
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives
Guest: Rachel Bernstein, LaborArts Director, Author of Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives: A Pictorial History of Working People in New York City
Ordinary workers of New York City led extraordinary lives, forever changing their communities and society at large.
The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary 24 Hours in America
Guest: Gene Weingarten; two-time Pulitzer prize-winning journalist, and author, "One Day: The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary 24 Hours in America"
What happened yesterday at 3:15 pm? What about five years ago at 6:27? For most of us, these passing moments seem insignificant in the course of our lives. But according to journalist Gene Weingarten, no moment, no day is insignificant. He joins us to discuss his new book "One Day: The Extraordinary Story of An Ordinary 24 Hours in America."
Ordinary People, Extraordinary Lives
The Central Nervous System Causes Certain Chronic Pain
Guest: Daniel Clauw, M.D, Professor of Anesthesiology, Medicine (Rheumatology) and Psychiatry at the University of Michigan
Some kinds of chronic pain come from the central nervous system and are real, measurable, and treatable.
Feeling Rejected? Take Ibuprofen
Guest: Roy Baumeister, Professor, Psychology, University of Queensland
We often describe social rejection as pain. We refer to “hurt feelings,” “broken hearts,” and being “crushed.” In a series of studies over the course of more than a decade, social psychologist Roy Baumeister demonstrated that we experience rejection like we experience pain, and we can treat it in the same way.
Stardust Found In an Australian Meteorite Dated Older Than the Solar System
Guest: Philipp Heck, Associate Curator of Meteoritics and Polar Studies, Field Museum of Natural History, and Associate Professor, University of Chicago
In a small Australian town in 1969, smelly meteorite fragments fell from the sky. Decades later, researchers discovered that stardust particles within the pieces are older than our solar system.
The Apocalypse May Be Just One Sun Flare Away
Guest: Paul Sutter, astrophysicist, The Ohio State University, author, and host, "Ask a Spaceman!" YouTube channel and podcast
Solar storms can impact our communications, electrical systems, and tech infrastructure, resulting in damages that can take years to recover from--and there’s not much we can do to stop one. Can we prep for a storm from space?
Brain Damage and Criminal Behavior
Guest: Kim Gorgens, Professor, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, University of Denver
Traumatic brain injuries are much more common in prison populations than in the population at large. What does this teach us about rehabilitation and recividivism?
CTE and Contact Sports
Guest: Kevin Bieniek, Assistant Professor, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, and Director, Brain Bank, University of Texas Health, Science Center at San Antonio
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease that is caused by repeated brain injury. People often focus on its prevalence in pro-athletes, but new studies show that players of any contact sport are at risk.
A Most Peculiar Fish
Guest: Karen Martin, Distinguished Professor of Biology at Pepperdine University, Chair, Board of Directors, Beach Ecology Coalition
Grunion are a special fish that spawn on land in legendary “Grunion Runs.” Overfishing and beach replenishment can affect the Grunion runs and have adverse consequences on the grunion population.
How to Protect a Coastline
Guest: Doug Marcy, Coastal Hazards Specialist with NOAA's Office for Coastal Management
Rising sea levels are just one of many hazards facing coastal communities. Modeling how the sea could rise is key in developing strategies to become resilient to coastal hazards.
Supernavigators
Guest: David Barrie, author, "Supernavigators: Exploring the Wonders of How Animals Find Their Way"
Pigeons, puppies, turtles, and bears all seem to know where they’re going. How are they so good at finding their way?
Nature’s Signs
Guest: Tristan Gooley, author, "The Nature Instinct," “How to Read Water,” “How to Read Nature,” “The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs,” and “The Natural Navigator”
Tristan Gooley can tell directions from looking at puddle. He explains how to use nature to navigate anywhere, from the open sea to a big city. Directional signs are all around us, if we'll just learn what to look for.
Ancient Mayan Coming of Age
Guest: Stephen Houston, Professor, Social Science, Brown University, and author, "The Gifted Passage: Young Men in Classic Maya Art and Text"
The glorified, and sometimes violent, coming-of-age rituals in Mayan times.
The Debutante Tradition Thrives
Guest: Kristen Richardson, author, "The Season: A Social History of the Debutante"
Debutante culture emerged when Henry VIII split from the Catholic church, and the nobility could no longer send their "excess" daughters to convents. The practice seems antiquated today, but the tradition of debutante balls is alive and well (or it was before the pandemic). What's the point when young women have so many options for career and marriage partners? The answer involves geopolitics, business, and personal ambition.
A Bird’s-Eye View on the Pandemic in NYC
Guest: Zack Taylor, filmmaker, “What a City of Eight Million Looks Like During a Pandemic”
New York City has always been known as the city that never sleeps, but during the COVID-19 pandemic it has gotten a lot quieter. At least for most people. For front-line medical workers, it's anything but quiet. For them, the month of April felt like 9/11 every day. And yet, these professionals offer up heartfelt reasons that "there is no place [they'd] rather be."
See the documentary here.
How Viruses Spread
Guest: Brian Poole, Associate Professor, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University
Viruses have been with humanity for millennia. How do they work, and how can we combat them?
Microbes Absorbing Pollution
Guest: Ben Abbott, Assistant Professor, Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University
We get a lot of bad news about the damage humans have done to the environment, but here's word about helpful microbes undoing some of the damage.
A Bright Enigma
Guest: Jennifer Whitten, Assistant Professor, Planetary Science Research Group, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Tulane University
Not much is known about Venus due to the immense pressure of its atmosphere. But careful use of radar imaging is bringing Venus to life.
Volcanoes on Venus
Guest: Justin Filiberto, Senior Staff Scientist and Manager, Geology and Petrology, Lunar and Planetary Institute
Looks like Venus may be home to active volcanoes, which would make it the only planet in out solar system besides Earth to experience eruptions. Volcanoes are useful for studying the interior of planets. We discuss what may make up Venus' interior.
Space Books
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian and regular contributor to "The Lisa Show," BYUradio
We're living in the golden age of children's non-fiction, and books about space are no exception. Rachel Wadham shares some of her favorites for younger readers.
Protecting Panthers
Guest: Craig Pittman, author, "Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther"
When big cats are endangered, some may worry that bringing them back will increase risks to humans. What are the benefits, though? The complicated tale of bringing back the Florida panther involves a campaign by school children and a rivalry between the panthers and alligators for food, and also for the glory of being the state animal.
Apple Detective Searches for Lost Apples
Guest: David Benscoter, "Apple Detective," retired FBI and IRS Criminal Division agent
Benscoter scours the Northwest looking for the thousands of apple varieties that were planted commonly in the 1800s but have all but disappeared today. Along the way, he discovers the heartbreak and success of early European settlers who homesteaded in hopes of making a better life.
Furta Sacra
Guest: Patrick Geary, Emeritus Professor of Medieval History at the Institute for Advanced Study
In Medieval Europe, monks would travel to different monasteries to worship and observe other congregations during the day and break into the tombs of saints at night to commit “furta sacra” or “holy theft.” These relics were brought back to their communities and the thieves were praised for bringing miracles back to their monasteries.
Chasing Cultural Crooks
Guest: Robert K. Wittman, former Senior Investigator and founder, FBI's National Art Crime Team, and author, "Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures"
Art heists aren't always like the movies. In fact, it's the cops who are usually dressed up as the slick, debonaire characters. How they think on their feet to trip up criminals and return priceless treasures to the public.
Apple Detective Searches for Lost Apples
Guest: David Benscoter, "Apple Detective," retired FBI and IRS Criminal Division agent
Benscoter scours the Northwest looking for the thousands of apple varieties that were planted commonly in the 1800s but have all but disappeared today. Along the way, he discovers the heartbreak and success of early European settlers who homesteaded in hopes of making a better life.
Where The Streets Have No Names (and where they do)
Guest: Deirdre Mask, a lawyer, writer, and author of “The Address Book: What Street Addresses Reveal About Identity, Race, Wealth, and Power”
Believe it or not, most living quarters in the world do not have addresses, which can have a huge impact on the lives of people living there. Even when we do have street addresses, we’re very picky about our street names.In some years, according to Deirdre Mask, more than 40 percent of all local laws passed by the New York City Council have been street name changes. Why are we so caught up in street addresses? And why do they really matter?
The Last True Hermit
Guest: Michael Finkel, author, "The Stranger in the Woods"
Let's explore social isolation--complete social alienation--by focusing on a single, highly unusual, and actual quite baffling story. It’s baffling because we social creatures can hardly imagine it: a man disappears from society for twenty-seven years. He lives in utter isolation, in the woods. Not far from people, but in a place where they can’t ever see him. He’s in hiding. In all those 27 years he exchanges words with another human being apparently only once.
Are They Really "Murder" Hornets?
Guest: Floyd Shockley, Collections Manager, Entomology, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution
With mean-looking mandibles, a potent sting, and an impressively large wingspan, the Asian giant hornet certainly seems like a fearsome predator. Nicknamed “murder hornets,” these insects have recently popped up in North America, leaving many to worry about their influence on honeybee populations. But is this fear overblown? We spoke with Smithsonian entomologist Floyd Shockley to find out.
Bug Splats!
Guest: Mark Hostetler, Professor, Wildlife Ecology & Conservation, University of Florida
Ever wondered what kind of bug is the owner of that nasty splotch of guts on your windshield? Mark Hostetler did, and wrote a book about it, so you can fill your morbid curiosity to your heart’s content! (It's also an app!)
Honeybees Protect African Villages from Elephants
Guest: Lucy King, Head, Human-Elephant Co-Existence Program, Save the Elephants, and Research Affiliate, University of Oxford
Since the poaching industry has declined in recent years, elephant-human conflict is on the rise in both Africa and Asia. Foraging for food, elephants often battle against farmers trying to preserve their crop. Lucy King of Save the Elephants weighs in on how honeybees may be a natural and potentially life-saving solution.
How to Identify Quality Olive Oil
Guest: Johnny Madge, professional olive oil taster, olive oil competition judge, and ambassador of Italian olive oil
Professional olive oil tasting is no job to sniff at—with countless varieties, it is one of the most dynamic cooking ingredients in the world. But olive oils are not created equal. Johnny Madge will tell us how to identify the best.
Vinegar
Guest: Lawrence Diggs, “The Vinegar Man,” international vinegar consultant
Vinegar—it’s in so many of the common foods and condiments we eat, it’s been around for thousands of years, and it can be made at home from leftover juice. This fascinating liquid is a bigger part of your life than you'd imagined.
CRISPR Therapy and Cures
Guest: Neville Sanjana, Core Faculty Member, New York Genome Center; Assistant Professor, Biology, NYU; and Assistant Professor, Neuroscience and Physiology, NYU Medical School
Conversations about gene editing are often limited to a “should-we, shouldn’t we?” debate. However, gene-editing could offer relief from diseases that we've never been able to find cures for.
CRISPR Cows
Guest: Alison Van Eenennaam, Extension Specialist, Animal Biotechnology and Genomics, University of California, Davis
Gene editing used to be the stuff of science fiction, but recently, animal scientists have figured out how to engineer animals for human benefit. Should they?
Exotic Pets: Buyer Beware
Guest: Stephanie Jayson, Senior Scientific Officer in Exotics and Wildlife Trade, RSPCA
A pair of raccoon dogs got loose in the English village of Clarborough, wreaking havoc. But the creatures are native to Japan. How did they get to Western Europe? A cautionary tale about keeping (or trying to keep) exotic pets.
Our 2,000-year Obsession with Eating Out
Guest: William Sitwell, leading food writer in Britain, long-standing critic on MasterChef, and author of "The Restaurant: A 2,000-Year History of Dining Out"
It's a strange time for restaurants right now, but this critic thinks that they'll bounce back from the pandemic. After all, they had take-out in ancient Pompeii and restaurants boomed in post-revolution Paris. Restaurant owners have always been trying to recapture that lost art of hospitality that used to be freely given in homes to traveling strangers.
Order Up Grandma's Cooking
Guest: Jody Scaravella, owner, "Enoteca Maria"
A small restaurant in Staten Island doesn't employ professional chefs; instead, they hire grandmas from all over the world to cook family recipies and bring their culture to the customers.
Restaurant Menus and the Art of Persuasion
Guest: Alison Pearlman, art historian, and author, “May We Suggest: Restaurant Menus and the Art of Persuasion”
Menus are part of a theatrical experience offered by restaurants. One of the great illusions of the menu is that it makes us feel that we're getting what we want, but that isn't quite the case.
How the Census Shapes Nations
Guest: Andrew Whitby, economist, data scientist, and author, "The Sum of the People: How the Census Has Shaped Nations, from the Ancient World to the Modern Age"
2020 is a census year in the United States. Why our founders thought it was so important, and how census data helps epidemiologists fight pandemics like Covid-19.
Watching a Monastery Wane
Guest: Sam Payne, host, "The Apple Seed," BYUradio
The Domesday Book was an ancient census that included records of flocks, buildings, and resources. Sam Payne talks about leaving home and his own personal accounting of his new college town, including a local monastery. Over the years he kept tabs on the dwindling population of monks there. Now that story has ended. What accountings have you made of special places in your life?
Tree Rings
Guest: Valerie Trouet, Associate Professor, Dendrochronology, Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research, University of Arizona, and author, "Tree Story: The History of the World Written in Rings"
Tree rings are not just something to mark age. By studying tree rings, we can unlock mysteries of the past. Telling stories of droughts and hurricanes, empires and wars, and giving us a view of the future, tree rings are a comprehensive history.
Talking to Trees
Guest: William Bryant Logan, arborist, New York Botanical Gardens, and author, "Sprout Lands: Tending the Endless Gift of Trees"
The act of pruning trees to both care for them and benefit from them is being lost. Pollarding and other related practices used to provide us with the means to make living fences, diversify our forests, and feed our families without simply destroying the trees. A return to these principles opens up a new relationship to the natural world.
Life and Death Math
Guest: Kit Yates, author, "The Math of Life and Death: 7 Mathematical Principles That Shape Our Lives," Senior Lecturer, Department of Mathematical Sciences, and co-director, Centre for Mathematical Biology, University of Bath
The terror of pandemics lies in the math: how many people will catch the disease from one infected person? When you're calculating the risks of wearing a mask or not, social distancing or not, you need to understand the math.
Dancing with Physics
Guests: Emily Coates, Associate Professor, Theater and Perfomance Studies, and Director, Dance Studies, Yale University; Sara Demers, Horace D. Taft Associate Professor of Physics, Yale University
When a noted physicist collaborates with a choregrapher and dancer, we get a whole new perspective on friction, gravity, torque, and momentum.
Science of Shopping
Guest: Paco Underhill, environmental psychologist, author, "Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping," and founder, Envirosell
The design and layout of brick-and-mortar stores are part of their marketing plan. How to realize the ways sellers are trying to influence your behavior.
Zombie Starfish
Guest: Ian Hewson, Cornell University: biological oceanographer; Associate Professor, Microbiology; Program Coordinator, Marine Biology
Sea stars have always seemed to have superpowers, growing back missing limbs. But a strange disease started killing them en masse in 2013, and scientists were baffled at how quickly these creatures were dying. Sea stars are still facing this pandemic, one that turns them into zombies, seemingly destroying their sense of fear, and leads quickly to their deaths.
Facing Fear
Guest: Eva Holland, author, "Nerve: Adventures in the Science of Fear"
After facing one of her greatest fears—losing her mother—Eva Holland went on a quest to learn what she could about the science of fear and to overcome her own fears and phobias. How can you face your fears?
The Fight for Mother's Day
Guest: Katharine Antolini, Associate Professor, History and Gender Studies, West Virginia Wesleyan College, and author, "Memorializing Motherhood: Anna Jarvis and the Struggle for the Control of Mother’s Day"
Anna M. Jarvis founded Mother’s Day, not Woodrow Wilson, and she made sure people knew it. How, then, did she go on to protest a movement that she created?
The Accomplished Mother of the Cheaper by the Dozen Gang
Guest: Jane Lancaster, Visiting Fellow, Brown University, and author, "Making Time: Lillian Moller Gilbreth--A Life Beyond 'Cheaper by the Dozen'"
Published in 1948, then adapted into several movies by the same name, "Cheaper by the Dozen" is an American favorite. But the mother of the family, Lillian Moller Gilbreth, has been sometimes caricatured and her many achievements in engineering and science have been quite forgotten.
Surprising Lessons from Ancient Toilets
Guest: Jennifer Bates, Post-Doctoral Fellow, Archaeology, University of Pennsylvania
Rembrandt probably smoked in the loo. We know that from studying the remains in his toilet, which sounds disgusting but actually reveals secrets about international trade, global health, social status, and family relationships.
Prehistoric Sippy Cups
Guest: Julie Dunne, Biomolecular Archaeologist, University of Bristol
Prehistoric parents used sippy cups in animal shapes, not unlike our plastic versions. These cups and baby bottles may have led to a baby boom, which prompted mass migration across Europe. Who knew?
What 5,700-Year-Old Gum Tells Us About the People Who Chewed It
Guest: Hannes Schroeder, Associate Professor, Archaeology, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen
How DNA found in 5,700-year-old chewed birch pitch can reveal the physical appearance and eating habits of ancient people.
Middle School Misery
Guest: Judith Warner, author, "And Then They Stopped Talking to Me: Making Sense of Middle School"
Most people would like to forget the often traumatizing years of middle school, and that can lead to parents getting more involved than they maybe should be. You can best help your middle schooler by understanding that things may not be as bad as you think in those tweenage years.
New Kid
Guest: Jerry Craft, author and illustrator, “New Kid,” winner of the 2020 Newbery Medal
"New Kid" is a graphic novel, the first to win the Newbery Medal; it tells the story of Jordan Banks, an African-American student who transfers to a new school and has to confront racial bias, on top of all the other miseries of middle school. The book tackles tough subjects but it does so with a sense of humor.
Medieval Bestiaries
Guests: Elizabeth Morrison, Senior Curator of Manuscripts, J. Paul Getty Museum; Larisa Grollemond, Assistant Curator of Manuscripts, J. Paul Getty Museum
Unicorns and griffins and dragons galore! What can we learn about the Middle Ages from their depictions of real-life and fictional beasts?
The Only Thing Stranger than a Medieval Bestiary Is a Modern One
Guest: Caspar Henderson, author, "A New Map of Wonders: A Journey in Search of Modern Marvels," and "The Book of Barely Imagined Beings: A 21st Century Bestiary"
The animals we know of today are every bit as extraordinary as those imagined in medieval bestiaries, but they're real, and we have a responsibility to protect these living fantastical beasts. Our sense of wonder must be tempered with a sense of responsibility, according to Henderson.
What's It Like to Manage 2,700 Picky Eaters?
Guest: Mike Maslanka, Senior Nutritionist and Head of the Department of Nutrition Science, Smithsonian’s National Zoo
The Smithsonian’s National Zoo is home to 2,700 animals, and each one requires their own special diet. How do you juggle so many different diets?
Bringing Back the Northern White Rhino
Guest: Barbara Durrant, Director, Reproductive Sciences, San Diego Zoo Global
It might sound like Jurassic Park, but scientists at the San Diego Zoo are using cells from a frozen zoo to try to bring back the functionally extinct northern white rhino.
Kubrick’s Science Fiction Masterpiece
Guest: Michael Benson, author, "Space Odyssey: Stanley Kubrick, Arthur C. Clarke, and the Making of a Masterpiece"
Even today, "2001: A Space Odyssey" feels fresh and compelling. How this movie set the standard for the many space travel movies that followed it.
Casablanca
Guest: Harlan Lebo, author, "Casablanca: Behind the Scenes"
"Casablanca" reflected the World War II era in which it was made, and its producers never expected it to become the classic film it has. But it endures as a moving tribute to the fate of individuals caught in the crossfire of geopolitical forces they can't control.
Citizen Kane
Guest: Harlan Lebo, author, "Citizen Kane: A Filmmaker's Journey"
The making of "Citizen Kane," long recognized as one of the greatest films ever made, has a story as interesting and convoluted as the movie itself.
Thinking Inside the Box
Guest: Adrienne Raphel, Lecturer, Princeton Writing Program, and author, "Thinking Inside the Box: Adventures with Crosswords and the Puzzling People Who Can’t Live Without Them"
4 down . . . 3 across? What’s the clue again? For several decades, crossword puzzles have filled the pages of the world’s most prominent newspapers—"The New York Times" among them. But where did these tricky word games come from, anyway? Why have they gained such popularity—especially in times of crisis? Adrienne Raphel joins us to talk about the history and influence of crossword puzzles.
Two New Species of Peanut-Butter-Hating, Hopping Shrew Rats
Guest: Eric Rickart, Curator of Vertebrate Zoology, National History Museum, The University of Utah
Two species of shrew rats were discovered in the Philippines: shrew rats that hop on their hind legs and eat with toothless mouths. How did they stay hidden for so long? Turns out they just aren’t fans of peanut-butter bait.
Spitball Ethics
Guest: Dale Murray, Professor, Philosophy, University of Wisconsin-Platteville
Spitballs have been illegal in MLB play for almost 100 years. Are they unethical, or have they been unfairly banned from the game?
The 1919 World Series and the Betrayal That Forged Modern Baseball
Guest: Charles Fountain, Professor, Journalism, Northeastern University, and author, "The Betrayal: The 1919 World Series and the Birth of Modern Baseball"
Rumors, betrayal, and intrigue characterized the 1919 World Series, known as the Black Sox scandal, when several White Sox players threw the championship. These players went into the tournament hoping to make it big, only to be banned from the game for life.
A Bright Enigma
Guest: Jennifer Whitten, Assistant Professor, Planetary Science Research Group, Earth and Environmental Sciences, Tulane University
Not much is known about Venus due to the immense pressure of its atmosphere. But careful use of radar imaging is bringing Venus to life.
Volcanoes on Venus
Guest: Justin Filiberto, Senior Staff Scientist and Manager, Geology and Petrology, Lunar and Planetary Institute
Looks like Venus may be home to active volcanoes, which would make it the only planet in our solar system besides Earth to experience eruptions. Volcanoes are useful to studying the interior of planets. We discuss what may make up Venus' interior.
Space Books
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian and regular contributor to "The Lisa Show," BYUradio
We're living in the golden age of children's non-fiction, and books about space are no exception. Rachel Wadham shares some of her favorites for younger readers.
Protecting Panthers
Guest: Craig Pittman, author, "Cat Tale: The Wild, Weird Battle to Save the Florida Panther"
When big cats are endangered, some may worry that bringing them back will increase risks to humans. What are the benefits, though? The complicated tale of bringing back the Florida panther involves a campaign by school children and a rivalry between the panthers and alligators for food, and also for the glory of being the state animal.
Apple Detective Searches for Lost Apples
Guest: David Benscoter, "Apple Detective," retired FBI and IRS Criminal Division agent
Benscoter scours the Northwest looking for the thousands of apple varieties that were planted commonly in the 1800s but have all but disappeared today. Along the way, he discovers the heartbreak and success of early European settlers who homesteaded in hopes of making a better life.
Meet Major Taylor, America’s First Black Sport’s Hero
Guest: Michael Kranish, investigative reporter, "Washington Post," and author, “The World's Fastest Man: The Extraordinary LIfe of Cyclist Major Taylor, America's First Black Sports Hero”
Before Jackie Robinson, Jesse Owens, or Jack Johnson, Major Taylor used his incredible athletic ability to fight racism and prejudice and become the world’s fastest man.
Race Walking
Guests: Jeff Salvage, race-walking coach, founder, racewalk.com, and former international competitor; Miranda Melville, Olympian race walker
Race walking is a serious sport for serious athletes. It is distinguished from running by keeping one foot on the ground at all times. Fastidious form is paramount, and it's helpful for everyone to learn how to do it as they age. Marcus Smith wonders if it's a sport he should take up.
Voyage of Mercy
Guest: Stephen Puleo, author, "Voyage of Mercy: The USS Jamestown, the Irish Famine, and the Remarkable Story of America's First Humanitarian Mission"
In a massive nationwide effort, the US sent tons of food and supplies to Ireland in the wake of the Potato Famine of 1847. This mission of mercy changed the face of humanitarian aid forever and cemented Irish loyalty to America.
The Largest Humanitarian Operation That You Never Heard Of
Guest: Douglas Smith, award-winning historian, translator, and author, "The Russian Job: The Forgotten Story of How America Saved the Soviet Union from Ruin"
One of the largest humanitarian operations in history has been almost completely forgotten, maybe because neither side wanted to admit they worked with the other. Douglas Smith writes about how American aid during the Russian famine of 1921 saved the Soviet Union from collapse.
Forever Young?
Guest: Thomas Rando, Professor, Neurology, and Director, Glenn Center for the Biology of Aging, Stanford University School of Medicine
Aging is the result of the deterioration of cells. By reprogramming cells to an embryonic state, we can effectively reverse aging affects in human cells. This scientist wants to cure aging, which would eliminate arthritis, osteoporosis, and other diseases that appear later in life.
Fetal Surgery
Guests: Stephen Emery, Director, Center for Innovative Fetal Intervention, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Magee-Womens Hospital, and Stephanie Greene, Director of Vascular and Perinatal Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children’s Hospital
Advances in medical procedures allow surgeons to operate on infants while they are in the womb to help treat birth defects like spina bifida before these babies are born. Dr. Emery and Dr. Greene collaborated on a recent in-utero surgery and are expanding the field of fetal intervention.
Find out more about Pitt's Fetal Medicine program here.
Twin Studies
Guest: Nancy Segal, author, "Accidental Brothers: The Story of Twins Exchanged at Birth and the Power of Nature and Nurture," Professor, Psychology, and Director, Twin Studies Center, California State University, Fullerton
We hear the story of two babies, each from a set of twins, who were switched at birth. The two pairs of mixed-up twins discovered the swap when they were 25 and now they're a band of four brothers. But the study of these twins, and many others separated at birth, has larger lessons on the impact of nature vs. nuture.
Raising Healthy Twins
Guest: Joan Friedman, twin expert, psychologist, and author, “Twins in Session: Case Histories in Treating Twinship Issues”
There’s always been a mystique around the idea of twins. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have an identical twin? Have you sometimes watched twins interacting and wondered, "Am I missing something?" "Are they speaking their own language?" Friedman says we should spend less energy romanticizing the special relationship between twins and focus instead on how well twins bond with their parents, just as we would with single babies.
A History of the American Frontier
Guest: H.W. Brands, Jack S. Blanton Sr. Chair in History, University of Texas at Austin, and author, "Dreams of El Dorado: A History of the American West"
Suede hats, stirrups, gun-slinging, and outlaws. These images have become synonymous with the rugged individuals who sought the freedom of the wild West. But according to H.W. Brands, the history of the American frontier involves more than just cowboys. If there's a red thread to all the stories of settling the American West, it might just be the dreams of El Dorado, no matter if you're a preacher, a politician, or a miner. But, it's fascinating that people expected to fail before they succeeded out West.
What Is a Western?
Guest: Josh Garrett-Davis, Associate Curator of Western History, Popular Culture, and Firearms at the Autry Museum of the American West, Los Angeles, and author, "What Is a Western? Region, Genre, Imagination"
Westerns influenced ideals of American manhood, but there's a lot more to the genre than cowboys. For example, we often overlook the significance of the landscape in this genre. Our guest asks, "Is 'The Mandalorian' a Western?" And why do Westerns have such a global appeal?
We Dream of Space
Guest: Erin Entrada Kelly, author, “We Dream of Space”
In Erin Entrada Kelly's new novel, "We Dream of Space," she tells the fictional story of three middle schoolers in 1986 who dream of space and becoming part of its exploration. The students' world gets turned upside down shortly after the Space Shuttle Challenger explosion that happened only 73 seconds after launch. Turns out children watching at school were the largest audience to view that disaster live.
Bringing Columbia Home
Guests: Mike Leinbach, NASA’s final Space Shuttle Launch Director at the Kennedy Space Center; Jonathan Ward, author, Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society, and executive coach at the Center for Creative Leadership. Both are co-authors of “Bringing Columbia Home: The Untold Story of a Lost Space Shuttle and Her Crew”
On February 1, 2003, the space shuttle Columbia disintegrated on re-entry, killing all seven astronauts aboard and scattering debris over rural areas in East Texas. What followed after is the incredible story of community involvement and an outpouring of support from all kinds of people as NASA worked to bring Columbia home.
When the Man Who Invented "Operation" Needs One
Guest: Tim Walsh, game inventor, toy historian, and producer, “OPERATION: Operation, The Power of Play”
When John Spinello sold the idea for the game “Operation” in 1964 for $500, he didn’t realize how hugely popular the game would become. He himself struggled financially late in his life, and found himself urgently needing an operation he couldn't afford. Tim Walsh, game inventor and toy historian, tells the story of the people inspired by the 1960s game, including a surgeon who invented a medical device inspired by the game. Most poignantly, he shares the crowdsourced effort to get Spinello the operation he needed.
Barely Believable Stories from the Annals of Medical History
Guest: Thomas Morris, author, “The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth and other Curiosities from the History of Medicine”
A soldier who seemed immune to death, no matter how many injuries he sustained. A patient who performed his own appendectomy. A man who had had enough and decided to surgically remove his own bladder stone.
The Untold Story of the World’s Greatest Game
Guest: Mary Pilon, author, “The Monopolists: Obsession, Fury, and the Scandal Behind the World's Favorite Board Game”
What has long been one of America’s favorite pastimes is not as innocent as it seems. The history of Monopoly is messy and fraught with deception and scandal.
Naughty Knaves
Guest: Ruth Goodman, historian and author, "How to Behave Badly in Elizabethan England: A Guide for Knaves, Fools, Harlots, Cuckolds, Drunkards, Liars, Thieves, and Braggarts" and "The Domestic Revolution: How the Introduction of Coal into Victorian Homes Changed Everything"
Ruth Goodman, gets down in the dirt with historic reenactments of ordinary farm life in Victorian and Tudor times. She's also written the book on bad (and good!) behavior in Renaissance times.
The Middle Ages: Cleaner Than We Thought
Guest: Katherine Harvey, Medieval Historian, Birkbeck, University of London
Even without indoor plumbing, people in the Middle Ages were aware of—and attentive to—cleanliness much more than we've given them credit for.
Why Do Humans Swim?
Guest: Bonnie Tsui, "Why We Swim" and "American Chinatown: A People’s History of Five Neighborhoods"
Swimming has mental, emotional, physical, and even spiritual effects on us. Yet, unlike other mammals, we have to learn how to swim.
Diving Sea Nomads
Guest: Melissa Ilardo, Evolutionary Genomicist, University of Utah, UC Berkeley
Ilardo studies the Bajau people, who are nomadic divers from Southeast Asia. Their bodies have developed larger spleens and genetic advantages that allow them to stay underwater much longer than the rest of us. Understanding these traits may help doctors treat conditions such as hypoxia.
The Engineer’s Birthday Present
Guest: Peter Maggs, retired engineer and physicist
Isambard Kingdom Brunel is largely considered one of the most important engineers in British history. He built a tunnel under the Thames, the world’s first ocean liner, and the Great Western Railway. But perhaps his most mysterious feat was the Box Tunnel—a project which many believe carries a secret. Peter Maggs he has been studying IK Brunel and the Box Tunnel for nearly three decades.
The Birthplace of Metropolitan Transportation
Guest: Robert Hulse, founding director (retired), The Brunel Museum, London, and co-author, "The Brunels' Tunnel" and "Brunel’s Great Eastern"
Constructed during the Victorian Era, the Thames Tunnel was the birthplace of the London Underground. But before trains ever started running, the tunnel had a life of its own—complete with a fairground, a ballroom, dancing horses, and a whole slew of pickpockets.
Cooking With Fats: the Good, the Bad, and the Downright Gorgeous
Guest: Andrea Chesman, editor and author, "The Fat Kitchen, How to Render, Cure & Cook with Lard, Tallow & Poultry Fat," "The Pickled Pantry: From Apples to Zucchini, 150 Recipes for Pickles, Relishes, Chutneys & More, among many more
Animal fats make better food, and are actually healthier in many ways than the vegetable substitutes we have been using for years.
Why is Grease So Tasty?
Guest: George Motz, author, "The Great American Burger Book: How to Make Authentic Regional Hamburgers at Home"
Lard and tallow have been a part of fast food for generations. Here's why they're so much tastier than the vegetable oils that often replace them.
Better with Butter
Guest: Elaine Khosrova, food writer and founding editor of "culture," a national magazine about cheese
Butter has made a comeback. The reasons we had for thinking it unhealthy were based on questionable science, and there is so much to be loved in good old butter. There are hundreds of sorts of butter, and it has a facinating history around the world.
The Young Man Behind the Ingenious Legend
Guest: Nick Bunker, author, "Young Benjamin Franklin: The Birth of Ingenuity"
While many of us know Benjamin Franklin as the wise, old founding father who played around with electricity, the story of the young Franklin can help explain the roots of his unique persona and contributions.
You Never Forget Your First
Guest: Alexis Coe, author, "You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington"
A conversation with the first woman biographer to write about George Washington in 40 years. She wonders why her male counterparts have been obsessed with Washington's thighs. More significantly, she also tackles Washington's conflicted attitude toward slavery. And she reminds us that Washington was raised by a single mother. And he fought for the British . . . If he'd been more satisfied with his appointment there, we may not have had an American Revolution.
The Sons and Daughters of Infamous Modern Dictators
Guest: Jay Nordlinger, Senior Editor, National Review and author, "Children of Monsters: An Inquiry into the Sons and Daughters of Dictators"
What would life be like as the child of a dictator? The lives of these children shows that an infamous pedigree alone does not condemn a child to replicate their parents.
Writings of Modern History’s Worst Men
Guest: Daniel Kalder, author, "The Infernal Library: On Dictators, the Books They Wrote, and Other Catastrophes of Literacy"
Modern history’s worst men had an unusual tendency towards writing and access to massive printing runs of their terrible tomes. While in power, totalitarian dictators used the pen and the sword to spread their ideas to an often, literally, captive audience.
What's In This? History of the Donut
Guest: Michael Krondl, author, "The Donut: History, Recipes, and Lore From Boston to Berlin"
Donuts have a surprising history. Beginning in Rome (we think) and beloved now as an American breakfast classic, this treat has traveled the world and been shaped and re-shaped by nearly every civilization.
The Man Who Became (Donut) King
Guest: Alice Gu, writer, director, and producer, “The Donut King”
“The Donut King” tells the story of the rise and fall of Ted Ngoy, a Cambodian refugee who made it big selling donuts in America, then lost it all. Surprisingly, 95 perfect of America’s 5000 independently owned donut shops are owned and operated by Cambodian-American families. Alice Gu, writer and director of “The Donut King,” tells the story of the immigrant and entrepreneur who may be just be the reason why.
Earth Day in Social Isolation
Guest Ben Abbott, Assistant Professor, Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University
How to celebrate Earth Day when so many of us are stuck inside due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The Origins of Earth Day
Guest: Adam Rome, Professor, Environment and Sustainability, University at Buffalo, and author, "The Genius of Earth Day: How a 1970 Teach-In Unexpectedly Made the First Green Generation"
The first Earth Day was even bigger than the biggest civil rights march, anti-war demonstration, or woman's liberation protest in the 1960s, but its history is largely forgotten. But its impact on legislation is still widely felt today.
Falcon Thief
Guest: Joshua Hammer, author, “The Falcon Thief: A True Tale of Adventure, Treachery, and the Hunt for the Perfect Bird”
Meet a bird smuggler with an obsession, willing to use daring and ingenious ways, including helicopters, to raid the nests of rare and valuable birds, and an equally dedicated force trying to stop them.
The Museum Heist That Netted . . . Bird Feathers
Guest: Kirk Wallace Johnson, author, “The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession and the Natural History Heist of the Century”
A thrilling tale of a major museum heist of rare bird feathers. Featuring a Hollywood-style break-in and an unlikely cast of otherwise genteel characters.
What's In This? Vinegar
Guest: Lawrence Diggs, “The Vinegar Man,” international vinegar consultant
Vinegar—it’s in so many of the common foods and condiments we eat, it’s been around for thousands of years, and it can be made at home from leftover juice. This fascinating liquid is a bigger part of your life than you'd imagined.
The 5th Basic Taste
Guest: Gary Beauchamp, Distinguished Member, Emeritus Director and President, Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA
Umami, the mysterious fifth basic flavor, wasn’t discovered until the early 1900s. After umami’s discovery and synthesis, it got added to everything from Chinese food to cheese. Now it’s being needlessly taken out of food products everywhere. But why?
The Science behind “The Hot Hand”
Guest: Ben Cohen, journalist, "The Wall Street Journal," and author “The Hot Hand: The Mystery and Science of Streaks”
A group of scientists tried to prove the “Hot Hand” phenomenon fake in 1985, but new research questions whether there may really be such thing as being on a roll. Ben Cohen unpacks the math behind the “Hot Hand,” showing all the ways winning streaks affect our lives, even off the court, from classical composers to “The Princess Bride.”
The Best Ways for Kids to Learn During COVID-19
Guest: Denise Pope, Co-Founder, Challenge Success, and Senior Lecturer, Stanford University
As we adjust to the new normal of COVID-19, don’t worry about making sure your kids absorb all of their school material. Instead, focus on giving them the experiences that will help them develop the skills to learn in all aspects of life. Remember PDF: personal, down, and family time.
Learn How to Learn
Guest: Barbara Oakley, Professor, Engineering, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, and author, "Learning How to Learn," creator of MOOC "Learning How to Learn"
School got you down? Take heart, because anyone can learn how to learn.
Screen Time Limits
Guest: Nicholas Tampio, Professor, Political Science, Fordham University
Nicholas Tampio wants kids to look up from their screens and learn through interactive and tactile experiences.
Discovering Real-life National Treasures
Guest: Nathan Raab, Principle, The Raab Collection, and author, "The Hunt for History"
How do you become a top historical treasure hunter? Nathan Raab, an expert in rare documents, shares how he learned to sift through forgeries, copies, and fakes in order to discover lost and forgotten treasures of history.
The Curse of the Hope Diamond
Guest: Richard Kurin, Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large, Smithsonian Institution, and author, "Hope Diamond: The Legendary History of a Cursed Gem"
Drawing millions of visitors every year, the Hope Diamond is the crowning jewel of the Smithsonian Institution. It’s famous for its deep blue color and impressive size, but the diamond is also known for something more sinister—a deadly curse befalling those who cross its path. Richard Kurin of the Smithsonian Institution weighs in on the legendary history of this infamous treasure.
The Civil War’s Defining Battle Was Not Gettysburg
Guest: Donald L. Miller, John Henry MacCracken Emeritus Professor of History, Lafayette College, and author, "Vicksburg: Grant’s Campaign that Broke the Confederacy in Pennsylvania"
What placed the dagger in the heart of the Confederacy? The battle at Gettysburg? No, according to historian Donald L. Miller, it was Grant’s successful campaign for Vicksburg that broke the Confederacy.
Forgotten Mississippi Flood
Guest: Rory Doyle, independent photojournalist based in Cleveland, Mississippi
We listen back to a conversation with Rory Doyle, whose photoessay appeared in "The Guardian," depicting the struggles of the residents of the Yazoo backwater area who dealt with flood waters over 859 square miles for much of 2019.
Fiddleheads, Cod Tongues, and Poutine
Guest: Lenore Newman, Canada Research Chair in Food Security and the Environment, University of the Fraser Valley, and author, "Speaking in Cod Tongues: A Canadian Culinary Journey"
Poutine, maple syrup, ketchup chips, and cod tongues are a few items that come to mind when talking about Canadian cuisine. We explore their history, and what it means to live in a country that was essentially "created over lunch."
Drive-Thru Dreams
Guest: Adam Chandler, author, "Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey Through the Heart of America's Fast-Food Kingdom"
Usually, fast food only gets the limelight when something goes wrong. Health scares, the obesity crisis, someone’s finger found in a bowl of chili? While these are certainly part of fast-food culture, drive-thrus, according to Adam Chandler, sometimes get an unnecessarily bad rap.
The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another
Guest: Ainissa Ramirez, material scientist, science communicator, and author of “The Alchemy of Us: How Humans and Matter Transformed One Another”
When we think of inventions that changed the world, things like Edison’s light bulb or Franklin’s kite and key come to mind. But simple clocks and timekeeping had just as profound an effect. Find out the stories behind the inventions that have shaped and reshaped our lives.
The Fastest Jetpack in the World
Guest: Richard Browning, Founder and Chief Test Pilot, Gravity Industries Ltd.
Gravity Industries founder Richard Browning’s world-record-breaking jet suit is right out of the movies. Could its technology be widely used by ordinary people some day?
This Mournful Melody Shows Up Everywhere
Guest: Alex Ludwig, Assistant Professor, Liberal Arts, Berklee College of Music
What do the death of Luke Skywalker’s aunt and uncle, the death of Mufasa and the bridge scene in "It’s a Wonderful Life" all have in common? The "Dies Irae," a mournful melody from a medieval chant about death, plays in the background of all, like a universal dirge.
Hildegard von Bingen
Guest: Charlotte Stanford, Associate Teaching Professor, Comparative Arts & Letters, Brigham Young University
The life, limitations, and legacy of one of the first identifiable composers in Western music: Hildegard Von Bingen, a prioress, writer, scientist, and musician of medieval times.
Imperfect Union
Guest: Steve Inskeep, author, "Imperfect Union: How Jessie and John Frémont Mapped the West, Invented Celebrity, and Helped Cause the Civil War"; host, NPR's "Morning Edition" and NPR's morning news podcast "Up First"
Jessie and John Frémont were central to the westward expansion of the United States. John Frémont named the Golden Gate Bridge, and he was looking to expand trade into China. Along the way, the Frémonts became so famous that their name can be found on landmarks all over the West. But their impact wasn't always positive.
The Lure of Celebrity
Guest: Sharon Marcus, author, "The Drama of Celebrity"
The concept of celebrity, as we know it, is pretty new—but, love celebrities or hate them, we're all complicit in their creation.
Vigilante Justice on the Western Frontier
Guest: Andrew C. Isenberg, Hall Distinguished Professor of American History, University of Kansas, and author, "Wyatt Earp: A Vigilante Life"
Wyatt Earp, lawman, gunfighter, and U.S. marshal, was not the perfect role model that much of Hollywood made him out to be. Instead, he was a complicated example of frontier vigilantism and cowboy justice.
Toilet Paper shortages
Guest: Brian Gersten, documentary filmmaker and creator of "The Great Toilet Paper Scare"
You might be one of the people who have recently waited in a long line just to buy toilet paper. This isn't the first time Americans have hoarded TP: we'll look at the role that Johnny Carson played in another run on the product.
Chernobyl's Untold Story (originally aired May 16, 2019)
Guest: Adam Higginbotham, author, "Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World’s Greatest Nuclear Disaster"
Everyone who’s gotten past 8th grade has heard of Chernobyl and the accident at the nuclear power plant. But author Adam Higginbotham introduces a new perspective on what happened there, telling stories that have literally never been told before.
Death by Shakespeare
Guest: Kathryn Harkup, chemist and author, “Death by Shakespeare: Snakebites, Stabbings and Broken Hearts”
Shakespeare’s plays have inspired many of today’s films, books, and plays, but what inspired Shakespeare's plays? Kathryn Harkup talks about the real science and history behind the numerous deaths in Shakespeare. Find out more about Kathryn Harkup's new book here.
How Victorian Poisonings Shaped Forensic Toxicology
Guest: Linda Stratmann, author, “The Secret Poisoner: A Century of Murder”
One of the defining fears of the Victorian age, writes Linda Stratmann, was the fear of being murdered by poison. In fact, the scandal and fascination surrounding publicized poisonings may have shaped forensic toxicology as we know it today.
What's In a Name?
Guest: Stephen B. Heard, Professor, Biology, University of New Brunswick, and author, “Charles Darwin’s Barnacle and David Bowie’s Spider: How Scientific Names Celebrate Adventurers, Heroes, and Even a Few Scoundrels”
From Spongiforma Squarepantsii to Heteropoda davidbowie, scientists sometimes have a bit of fun naming the creatures they discover. But some researchers have tried to embarrass their rivals by incorporating insults into naming conventions. There's a story behind every name, and we'll get a few of the good ones.
Not All Fun and Names (But Quite a Bit More Than You'd Think)
Guest: Gareth Williams, Astronomer, Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and Secretary, International Astronomical Union’s Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature
Did you know that there’s a committee that gets together just to name things we discover in space? Asteroids like one named after David Bowie, another after Jimi Hendrix, and another named after a cat itself named after Mr. Spock. Just a few of the thousands of creatively named things in space.
Family Names
Guest: Sam Payne, host, "The Apple Seed," BYUradio
Sam Payne shares the stories behind many family names around the world and what they mean.
If You Can’t Beat ‘em, Eat ‘em
Guests: Thomas Tennant, Chef, Tomfoodery Kitchen; Sophie O’Hehir, Research Officer, Grand Cayman Department of Environment
There's a bounty on green iguanas in the Cayman Islands, and the Department of Environment has paid out millions to reduce the plague of the invasive species. Chef Thomas Tennant takes it from there and fries up the reptiles and make tasty empanadas and confits out of them.
From Endangered to Excessive: a Plague of Canada Geese
Guest: Blair Stringham, Migratory Game Bird Coordinator, Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
The once-rare Canada goose has quickly become an invasive species. Now what do we do?
Exotic Pets: Buyer Beware
Guest: Stephanie Jayson, Senior Scientific Officer in Exotics and Wildlife Trade, RSPCA
A pair of raccoon dogs got loose in the English village of Clarborough, wreaking havoc. But the creatures are native to Japan. How did they get to Western Europe? A cautionary tale about keeping (or trying to keep) exotic pets.
The Forgotten Disaster: The Spanish Flu of 1918-1920
Guest: Laura Spinney, author, "Pale Rider: The Spanish Flu of 1918 and How it Changed the World"
1918 saw a disease that killed more than each World War, and perhaps even more than both combined. How the world dealt with a pandemic 100 years ago and what we've learned since then.
How Viruses Spread
Guest: Brian Poole, Associate Professor, Microbiology and Molecular Biology, Brigham Young University
Viruses have been with humanity for millennia. How do they work, and how can we combat them?
How a Bagel Union Fought Off the Mafia
Guest: Jason Turbow, author, "How New York’s Bagel Union Fought—and Beat—a Mafia Takeover" and "They Bled Blue: Fernandomania, Strike-Season Mayhem, and the Weirdest Championship Baseball Had Ever Seen: The 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers"; writer, "Grub Street"
In 1960's New York City, bagels were just getting popular, and the Mafia wanted in on the profits. Bagel Union 338, though, would have none of it.
Why is Grease So Tasty?
Guest: George Motz, author, "The Great American Burger Book: How to Make Authentic Regional Hamburgers at Home"
Lard and tallow have been a part of fast food for generations. Here's why they're so much tastier than the vegetable oils that often replace them.
Finding the Ancient Honduran Civilization That Mysteriously Vanished
Guest: Douglas Preston, journalist, "National Geographic," and author, "The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story"
One of the greatest archaeological discoveries of our generation was made a few years ago when a research team went to the jungles of Honduras and discovered an ancient civilization whose ruins have been left completely untouched for centuries.
River of Darkness
Buddy Levy, author, "River of Darkness: Francisco Orellana's Legendary Voyage of Death and Discovery Down the Amazon"
Francisco de Orellana accidentally sailed across a continent.
Liquid Power
Guest: Mark Miodownik, author, "Liquid Rules: The Delightful and Dangerous Substances That Flow Through Our Lives"
Whether it’s the milk in your bowl of cereal, the toothpaste on your toothbrush, or the gas in your car—liquids make up a huge part of our daily lives. Strangely, scientists have spent far less time studying them than either gases or solids. In his new book, author and engineer Mark Miodownik frames this discussion by taking us on a journey across the ocean, analyzing the liquids that make that flight possible.
Rivers of Mercury
Guest: Philip Ball, author, "The Water Kingdom: A Secret History of China"
China’s first emperor created many of China’s magnificent monuments. Perhaps the most magnificent has not yet been uncovered. But we do know that his fascination with mercury as an elixer of life may have killed him.
New Kid
Guest: Jerry Craft, author and illustrator, “New Kid,” winner of the 2020 Newbery Medal
"New Kid" is a graphic novel, the first to win the Newbery Medal; it tells the story of Jordan Banks, an African-American student who transfers to a new school and has to confront racial bias, on top of all the other miseries of middle school. The book tackles tough subjects but it does so with a sense of humor.
Newbery Honor Books
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian, Brigham Young University, and regular contributor to The Lisa Show, BYUradio
Rachel Wadham describes how the Newbery Medal and Honor winners are not the kind of books that usually win.
Reading During Quarantine
Guest: Kate Messner, author, "Solve This! Forensics: Super Science and Curious Capers for the Daring Detective in You"
During this time of social distancing, Kate Messner is sharing and coordinating efforts to bring new stories to kids at home. Follow her suggestions for reading during social distancing here.
What Your Playlist Reveals about Your Personality
Guest: David M. Greenberg, psychologist and musician, University of Cambridge and the City University of New York
How music preferences can reflect your personality, such as how empathetic or extraverted a person you are.
Does Acting Change Your Brain?
Guest: Christian Jarrett, Senior Editor, "Aeon," covering psychology, mental health, philosophy; author, "Great Myths of the Brain" and "The Rough Guide to Psychology"
Our personalities seem to change by association with people around us. Actors may find they have a hard time shaking off the personality of the character they're playing. Can these changes be permanent? Is personality really a thing we can measure anyway?
Are Polymaths Extinct?
Guest: Waqas Ahmed, author, “The Polymath: Unlocking the Power of Human Versatility”
Education and work is highly specialized today. Does that mean there's no room for a da Vinci or a Benjamin Franklin anymore? How we can better encourage someone with expertise in diverse fields.
A Patriotic Beast of Burden
Guest: Doug Baum, owner, Texas Camel Corps
Camels are incredibly strong beasts of burden, and they were once used by the US military to pack supplies across Texas. They really took to the American West, maybe too well.
Camel Milk and Autism
Guest: Christina Adams, author, "Camel Crazy: A Quest for Miracles in the Mysterious World of Camels"
Camel milk is not used widely in the US, but one mother found that it helped minimize her son's symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. This is their story and a conversation about finding remedies outside of modern medicine.
How Silicon Valley Wants to Conquer Aging
Guest: Chip Walter, science journalist, filmmaker and author, "Immortality, Inc.: Renegade Science, Silicon Valley Billions, and the Quest to Live Forever"
Want to live longer and healthier? Silicon Valley scientists are searching for answers that will prevent aging altogether, and they're looking to long-living animals for inspiration.
Saving Ecosystems with Cutting-Edge Genetics
Guest: Ben Novak, Lead Scientist, Revive and Restore
CRISPR technology, which allows precise manipulation of genomes, affords scientists ecological tools to help combat destruction of species and habitats. It can also help get rid of pests without resorting to pesticides.
Magic Mushrooms
Guest: Tradd Cotter, microbiologist, mycologist, organic gardener, and owner, Mushroom Mountain and Mycomatrix
Mushrooms have a myriad of uses and "superpowers" we're just beginning to discover.
The Amazing! The Incredible! The Marvelous Stan Lee!
Guest: Danny Fingeroth, comics writer and editor, and author, "A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee"
Remembering a legend in the world of comic books. Stan Lee's influence on the evolution of superheros comics. How grown ups became a burgeoning market for superheroes in spandex.
The Science of Making Superheroes
Guest: Sebastian Alvarado, author, "The Science of Marvel: From Infinity Stones to Iron Man's Armor, the Real Science Behind the MCU Revealed!"
This scientist mines the real world for insight into how to create superpowers for Marvel heroes on screen.
Murder in Miniature: How Dollhouses Invented the Field of Modern Forensics
Guest: Bruce Goldfarb, executive assistant for the Chief Medical Examiner for the state of Maryland, curator of Nutshell Studies of Unexplained Death, and author of “18 Tiny Deaths: The Untold Story of Frances Glessner Lee and the Invention of Modern Forensics”
Frances Glessner Lee worked tirelessly to create 20 true crime scene dioramas that recreated 20 real homicide cases that were hard to crack. She used these dioramas to help teach investigators how to gather the most pertinant details at a crime scene. Through her work she became the mother of modern forensic science. 18 of these dioramas are still used to teach about forensic science today.
American Sherlock
Guest: Kate Winkler Dawson, author, "American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSI"
In the first half of the 20th century, Edgar Oscar Heinrich rose to fame as highly skilled and multi-faceted forensic scientist, developing and pioneering techniques that are still used today by criminal investigators.
Antique Clockwork
Guest: Brittany Cox, Antiquarian Horologist and founder of Memoria Technica, an independent workshop based in Seattle that focuses on horological conservation and bespoke services.
Antiquarian horology is the study of antique clockwork. Horology has been used for technological, religious, musical, ornamental, and timing purposes, and is an essential part of history.
Handel's Clock Music
Guest: Luke Howard, associate professor of music history at BYU
Handel is well known for his composition of Messiah, an English oratorio that tells the story of Jesus Christ, but Handel also composed music for clocks.
The Spot Where Country Music’s First Hit Was Recorded Faces Demolition
Guest: Steve Goodson, Associate Professor of History, University of West Georgia, and author, "Highbrows, Hillbillies, and Hellfire: Public Entertainment in Atlanta, 1880-1930"
The spot where country music’s first real hit was recorded in 1923 is marked for demolition to make way for a high-rise timeshare and an outlet of the Jimmy Buffett-inspired Margaritaville restaurant.
Picky Tarrantulas and Pranking Emus
Guest: Sy Montgomery, author, “How to be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals”
Naturalist and storyteller Sy Montgomery explains how to hold a pinktoe tarantula. The secret is to makes sure you don't have sweaty palms, since they taste with their feet and find sweat revolting! We also meet some prankster emus, who inspired Montgomery to begin her lifelong work living and working up close with the wonders of the animal kingdom.
Scientist Recreates 4,000-Year-Old Egyptian Sourdough Bread
Guest: Seamus Blackley, father of the Xbox, physicist
Father of the Xbox, tech scientist, and amateur gastroegyptologist, Seamus Blackley has recreated ancient Egyptian sourdough bread using 4,000-year-old yeast extracted, with help from Harvard University, from Egyptian pottery.
Monopoly World Championships
Guest: Kevin Tostado, Director of the Documentary "Under the Boardwalk: The Monopoly Story"
Every few years, there are national and world championships for one of the oldest and most loved board games ever: Monopoly.
Ancient Board Games
Guest: Irving Finkel, Keeper of Ancient Mesopotamian Artifacts, The British Museum, and author, "Ancient Board Games"
Games have been part of our collective experience for as long as we have recorded history. Irving Finkel tells us about one of the oldest games ever played, and how we rediscovered it.
What Makes a Good Board Game?
Guest: Gabe Barrett, founder of the Board Game Design Lab, author of ""Board Game Design Advice from the Best in the World"
Board Games come in all shapes, sizes, and formats, but they all have the same goal, create a fun exprience through frendly competition. However, not all board games are successful.
How the Chicken Became Our Favorite Food Source
Guest: Andrew Lawler, author, "Why did the Chicken Cross the World? The Epic Saga of the Bird that Powers Civilization"
Chickens have been regarded as a symbol of the gods, used in ground-breaking research, beloved by monarchs. They haven't always been the butt of jokes. Take another look at the humble chicken.
Catching Fantastic Mr. Fox
Guest: Gail Damerow, author of various books on farm living, including “What’s Killing My Chickens? The Poultry Predator Detective Manual”
Some barnyard CSI basics will help you identify the predators stalking your backyard birds.
Predicting the Unpredictable
Guest: Susan Hough, US Geological Survey Seismologist, and author, "Predicting the Unpredictable: The Tumultuous Science of Earthquake Prediction"
Despite the rumors, it is still impossible to predict most earthquakes with any amount of certainty. You can get some clues from your cat, but then again, cats always act strangely.
Blame the Scientists for Not Predicting an Earthquake?
Guest: David Alexander, Professor of Risk and Disaster Reduction at University College London and Vice-President of the Institute of Civil Protection and Emergency Management
On April 6, 2009, an earthquake shook the city of L'Aquila, Italy, and took the lives of 309 people. After the rubble was cleared, five scientists and one government official were charged with comitting manslaughter for not warning the residents of L'Aquila before the earthquake happened. The judge found them guilty and they were all sentenced to six years in prison. Did the judge make the right call, or did he not understand the science at play?
Living in 400 Square Feet or Less
Guest: Derek Diedricksen, artist, singer, and author, "Micro Living: 40 Innovative Tiny Houses Equipped for Full-Time Living, in 400 Square Feet or Less"
The little house movement is gaining popularity for a lot of good reasons. Derek Diedricksen explains all that you can gain by going small and giving up excess stuff.
Celebrating the Tradition of Timber-Framed Houses
Guest: Jack A. Sobon: architect, builder, Founding Director of "Timber Framer's Guild of North America," and founder of "Traditional Timber Frame Research and Advisory Group"
Constructing houses from wood, by hand, is a craft with thousands of years of history, and there is still a tradition of building this way today. It can bring people together: we find out what "barnraising" really means and how it brought communities together.
Evolution Can Help Us Understand Cancer
Guest: Athena Aktipis, Assistant Professor, Department of Psychology, Arizona State University; Co-Director, The Human Generosity Project; Director, Interdisciplinary Cooperation Initiative, ASU; author, "The Cheating Cell: How Evolution Helps Us Understand and Treat Cancer"
Cells in our body both cheat and cooperate to survive. Understanding these processes can help battle cancer.
The Tiny Brain Cells That Connect Body and Brain
Guest: Donna Jackson Nakazawa, author, "The Angel and the Assassin: The Tiny Brain Cell That Changed the Course of Medicine"
For years, scientists have explained mental disorders and illnesses as chemical imbalances in the brain. In "The Angel and the Assassin," Donna Jackson Nakazawa follows recent scientific research on microglia cells, tiny brain cells whose connecting role between our body and our mind reveal a new understanding of mental disorders that challenges our perceptions and provides hope for more effective treatments.
Matters and Myths of Medieval Medicine
Guest: Winston Black, Lecturer and Adjunct Researcher, Medieval History, Idaho State University and Dalhousie University
There are a lot of misconceptions surrounding the Black Death, disease, and medicine in the Middle Ages, but a close look at the sources reveals that medieval people weren’t quite as superstitious or irrational about their medicine as we might believe. They had many similar practices to those we're seeing today during this pandemic.
The Middle Ages: Cleaner Than We Thought
Guest: Katherine Harvey, Medieval Historian, Birkbeck, University of London
Even without indoor plumbing, people in the Middle Ages were aware of—and attentive to—cleanliness much more than we've given them credit for.
Preparing for the Marsupial Apocalypse
Guest: Andrew Pask, Associate Professor, BioSciences, University of Melbourne
Marsupials are an incredible group of animals, but they are also at risk. Here's what scientists are doing to protect and encourge them to thrive again.
Elusive, Extraordinary and Potentially Endangered, the Platypus Swims On
Guest: Josh Griffiths, Senior Wildlife Ecologist, cesar
The cartoon stars of "Phineas and Ferb" have a pet Platypus named Perry that doubles as a secret agent: his undercover escapades protect the city from the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz. But he's hard to keep track of. “Where’s Perry?” is one of the oft repeated lines of the tv show. This caricuture is close to reality because real-life platypuses are terribly difficult to find.
Rosie the Shark
Guest: Tom Kapitany, Director, "Crystal World," Victoria, Australia
In 1998, a great white shark was netted in the tuna nets off the South Australian coast. The fishermen humanely killed her, and she ended up in an amusement park where she was preserved and given the name "Rosie." Later, the amusement park was abandonded, leaving Rosie neglected until Tom Kapitany rescued her. She is now on display at "Crystal World" in Victoria, Australia.
Supernovae and Space Science in Movies
Guest: Andy Howell, Staff Scientist, Las Cumbres Observatory; Adjunct Faculty, Physics, University of California, Santa Barbara; host, “Science Vs. Cinema” YouTube channel
All of those scary situations that space explorers get themselves into in the movies, could those really happen? Getting the science right makes for a more compelling narrative, especially because the universe is crazier than anything Hollywood writers could imagine.
The Science of Making Superheroes
Guest: Sebastian Alvarado, author, "The Science of Marvel: From Infinity Stones to Iron Man's Armor, the Real Science Behind the MCU Revealed!"
This scientist mines the real world for insight into how to create superpowers for Marvel heroes on screen.
Snowflake Science
Guest: Kenneth Libbrecht, Professor, Physics, Caltech
Look out your window during a snowstorm and you’ll see billions and billions of snowflakes falling from the sky. The snowflake has long been a symbol of chilly winters, but the science behind these little frozen pieces of art provides interesting insight into why snowflakes end up looking the way that they do. When Disney wanted to make sure they got the snowflakes right for "Frozen," they came to this scientist.
Blood Letters
Guest: Xi Lian, Professor, World Christianity, Duke Divinity School, Duke University, and author, "Blood Letters: The Untold Story of Lin Zhao, A Martyr in Mao’s China"
Fighting to get her words into the world, jailed political dissident Lin Zhao used anything available, including her own blood, to tell her story. She was the most important political prisoner in Mao's regime, and she remains a hero in China today.
Young Germans Take on the Nazis
Guest: Nathan Stoltzfus, Dorothy and Jonathan Rintels Professor of Holocaust Studies, Florida State University
In 1942, several German students formed the resistance group "White Rose," eventually giving their lives to inform the public of Nazi atrocities and call the German people to action against Hitler.
Bees May Be Smarter than We Thought
Guest: Lars Chittka, zoologist, ethologist, and ecologist, Queen Mary, University of London
For insects with brains the size of sesame seeds, bees are surprisingly intelligent. They can be trained to find landmarks and judge distance, allowing them to adapt to a changing landscape.
Dancing Bees
Guest: Tania Munz, author, "The Dancing Bees: Karl Von Frisch and the Discovery of the Honeybee Language"
With World War II raging around him, Karl Von Frisch cracked the enigma of the honeybee language. Science historian Tania Munz untangles two intertwined stories—the history of the honeybees themselves, and the tumultuous journey of an Austrian scientist caught up in the Third Reich.
You Never Forget Your First
Guest: Alexis Coe, author, "You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington"
A conversation with the first woman biographer to write about George Washington in 40 years. She wonders why her male counterparts have been obsessed with Washington's thighs. More significantly, she also tackles Washington's conflicted attitude toward slavery. And she reminds us that Washington was raised by a single mother. And he fought for the British . . . If he'd been more satisfied with his appointment there, we may not have had an American Revolution.
How the East India Company Influenced the Founding of America
Guest: Jonathan Eacott, Professor, History, University of California, Riverside, and author, "Selling Empire: India in the Making of Britain and America, 1600-1830"
The story of America as we know it leaves out a very important piece—India. Jonathan Eacott explains how the British idea of India created the America of today. The East India Company thought that the new world would be another source of raw goods, but mulberry trees and silk worms don't thrive in temperate America. Furthermore, the French and Indian War was actually a global war that cast doubt on the profitability of the British colonies in America.
The Real History of the “King of the Wild Frontier”
Guest: Michael Wallis, author, "David Crockett: The Lion of the West"
Most people know Davy Crockett for his coonskin hat, bear-hunting skills, and death at the Alamo—all captured in the 1955 ballad by Fess Parker. But what is the real history of this famed American frontiersman? The truth is more fascinating and richer than the myth.
The Lure of Celebrity
Guest: Sharon Marcus, author, "The Drama of Celebrity"
The concept of celebrity, as we know it, is pretty new—but, love celebrities or hate them, we're all complicit in their creation.
The Life and Disappearance of An Aviation Legend
Guest: Candace Fleming, author, "Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart"
She was the first woman to fly across the Atlantic, and she gained international acclaim for it. Even today, Amelia Earhart remains one of the most famous names in aviation history. But who was she, really? She promoted myths about herself, but maybe that was just good marketing? What went wrong on her last, fatal flight, and what more could've been done to find her in the days after she disappeared?
Fly Girls
Guest: Keith O’Brien, journalist and author, “Fly Girls: How Five Daring Women Defied All Odds and Made Aviation History”
Amelia Earhart wasn't the only pioneering female pilot in the skies in the '20s and '30s. She was the president of The Ninety-Nines, a group of women who were all licensed pilots. They came from different backgrounds, but they all supported each other in their pursuit of flying. But that doesn't mean that they didn't compete against each other as well in the race for prizes and accolades in air races and record-breaking feats of daring.
A Fractured Fantasy
Guest: Carson Vaughan, author, "Zoo Nebraska: The Dismantling of an American Dream"
Zoo Nebraska was born out of Dick Haskin's desire to study chimps up close. The whole endeavor eventually snowballed out of control, unfortunately aided by a large well-intentioned donation by Johnny Carson. But was it doomed to fail? Should Haskin have jettisoned his dream of working with chimps?
Willa Cather's Nebraska
Guest: Andy Jewell, Professor, University Libraries, and editor, Willa Cather Archive, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
Willa Cather was overwhelmed with the Nebraska prairie when she first saw it as a child, but she learned to love it--and the immigrants who made their home in that stark landscape. Nebraska and its people informed all of her work, even after she left it to live in New York.
You Never Forget Your First
Guest: Alexis Coe, author, "You Never Forget Your First: A Biography of George Washington"
A conversation with the first woman biographer to write about George Washington in 40 years. She wonders why her male counterparts have been obsessed with Washington's thighs. More significantly, she also tackles Washington's conflicted attitude toward slavery. And she reminds us that Washington was raised by a single mother. And he fought for the British . . . If he'd been more satisfied with his appointment there, we may not have had an American Revolution.
How the East India Company Influenced the Founding of America
Guest: Jonathan Eacott, Professor, History, University of California, Riverside, and author, "Selling Empire: India in the Making of Britain and America, 1600-1830"
The story of America as we know it leaves out a very important piece—India. Jonathan Eacott explains how the British idea of India created the America of today. The East India Company thought that the new world would be another source of raw goods, but mulberry trees and silk worms don't thrive in temperate America. Furthermore, the French and Indian War was actually a global war that cast doubt on the profitability of the British colonies in America.
Americans Who Invaded Canada in the Name of Ireland
Guest: Christopher Klein, author, "When the Irish Invaded Canada: The Incredible True Story of the Civil War Veterans Who Fought for Ireland’s Freedom"
In 1866, Irish American veterans of the Civil War took up arms in the name of Ireland and attempted to seize the British province of Canada.
The 1812 Invasion of Canada
Guest: Alan Taylor, Thomas Jefferson Foundation Chair, History Department, University of Virginia, and author, "The Civil War of 1812: American Citizens, British Subjects, Irish Rebels, & Indian Allies"
The War of 1812 revealed civil discord, not just between countries, but also within the still-forming countries of Canada and the United States. It was this war that solidified the border between the two countries, which had been more fluid in the past. Ultimately, good fences make good neighbors.
War Plan Red
Guest: Kevin Lippert, author of "War Plan Red; The United States’ Secret Plan to Invade Canada and Canada’s Secret Plan to Invade the United States"
Think Canada and the US have always had friendly relations? Think again. Kevin Lippert tells us about the secret cold war that went on for decades between the United States and Canada.
The Real History of the “King of the Wild Frontier”
Guest: Michael Wallis, author, "David Crockett: The Lion of the West"
Most people know Davy Crockett for his coonskin hat, bear-hunting skills, and death at the Alamo—all captured in the 1955 ballad by Fess Parker. But what is the real history of this famed American frontiersman? The truth is more fascinating and richer than the myth.
The Lure of Celebrity
Guest: Sharon Marcus, author, "The Drama of Celebrity"
The concept of celebrity, as we know it, is pretty new—but, love celebrities or hate them, we're all complicit in their creation.
One Man’s Trash is Another Man’s Music
Guest: Ken Butler, artist, musician
When you think of instruments, you might think of an expertly crafted cello, or a shiny brass trumpet, but do you really need the finest instruments to make good music? Ken Butler puts that idea to the test by making musical instruments out of recycled garbage, and you'll have a hard time telling the difference.
Making Music with Icestruments
Guest: Tim Linhart, founder, Ice Music, Luleå, Sweden
What does it take to make a cello or guitar? Probably some suitable wood. String of some kind would be good. And a fair amount of know-how. But what if you were to make them out of water instead of wood? Tim Linhart crafts "icestruments" of many varieties and we'll listen in on his music.
The Boston Typewriter Orchestra
Guest: Chris Keene, musician, The Boston Typewriter Orchestra
Vintage typewriters have become museum pieces, collectors' items. They’re kind of retro-hipster now. Tom Hanks collects them. He narrated an award-winning documentary on typewriters. And in the hands of some very creative people, typewriters have been turned into musical instruments, an orchestra even.
An Intimate Look at Churchill’s First Year as Prime Minister
Guest: Erik Larson, author, #1 New York Times Bestseller "The Splendid and the Vile: A Saga of Churchill, Family, and Defiance During the Blitz"
Churchill’s first year as prime minister was dogged with debt, family trouble, political opposition, and an all-encompassing bombing attack on London. Many biographies document this time in Churchill’s life, but few give us a sense of what his home and family life was like during this period. Author Erik Larson gives an in-depth, intimate look at the lives of Churchill and his inner circle.
Churchill Walks With Destiny
Guest: Andrew Roberts, Visiting Professor, War Studies, King’s College London, and author, "Churchill: Walking with Destiny"
Andrew Roberts is the author of what the New York Times calls the best single-volume biography of Winston Chuchill. He brings us into the life of Winston Churchill from birth until death to give us a glimpse into the life of such a stalwart leader.
Pangea Ultima
Guest: Christopher Scotese, Emeritus Professor, Earth & Environmental Sciences, University of Texas at Arlington, and Director, PALEOMAP Project
Thanks to modern technology, we can see just what the Earth's continents used to look like, and predict where they might move next.
Moving the Sun
Guest: Matt Caplan, Assistant Professor, Physics, Illinois State University
A stellar engine is a theoretical machine that could be used to move the earth across the galaxy in the face of imminent planetary destruction.
Hearing Color, Feeling Sound
Guest: Annie Dickinson, musician, composer and singer
Synesthesia is a neurological condition where people can literally hear colors and see sounds, and it affects approximately four percent of the population. Annie Dickinson is a high-school student who has been able to use her synesthesia to compose and perform music that she can actually see.
Attacked by Noise
Guest: M. Zachary Rosenthal, Associate Professor, Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, and Director, Center for Misophonia and Emotion Regulation, Duke University
Most people have at least one sound that drives them crazy, whether it be nails on a chalkboard, loud swallowing, or your neighbor’s voice. But for people with misophonia, a rare neurological disorder, even the most common noises can become disruptive and painful. What are the causes and treatments of this condition?
The Walls Have Ears
Guest: Helen Fry, author, "The Walls Have Ears: The Greatest Intelligence Operation of World War II"
Thinking that their British intelligence guards were incompetent, German POWs unsuspectingly spilled Nazi secrets—intelligence that proved invaluable in the war effort and the Cold War years that followed.
Such Splendid Prisons
Guest: Harvey Solomon, author, "Such Splendid Prisons: Diplomatic Detainment in America During World War II"
The story of the American luxury hotels that serviced more than a thousand Axis-power diplomats during World War II.
There Was a Time Children Weren't Allowed in Libraries
Guest: Betsy Bird, Collection Development Manager, Evanston Public Library, Evanston, IL
Children’s libraries as we know them today were shaped by a woman named Anne Carroll Moore, but her legacy is a bit complicated by her criticism of books that have since become children’s classics. "Good Night Moon"? She was not a fan.
Books Your Kids Will Love During Social Distancing
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian and regular contributor to The Lisa Show, which airs weekdays at 8 am ET/7 am PT
Rachel Wadham tells us about some of the best stories to share with children while practicing social distancing. She highlights programs put on by libraries, authors, and even zoos to keep kids engaged while they're stuck at home.
Teaching Kids the Basics of Forensic Science
Guest: Kate Messner, author, "Solve This! Forensics: Super Science and Curious Capers for the Daring Detective in You"
Crime scene investigations bring several branches of science together to solve important mysteries. While these techniques are generally reserved for forensic experts, author Kate Messner has found a way to teach these principles to children.
During this time of social distancing, she is sharing and coordinating efforts to bring new stories to kids at home. Follow her suggestions for reading during social distancing here
A 5,300-Year-Old Murder Mystery
Guest: Patrick Hunt, Archaeologist, Stanford University; Expeditions Expert, National Geographic; and Research Associate, Archaeoethnobotany, Institute for the Ethnomedicine
Found half-buried in the Italian Alps, Ötzi the Iceman is among the oldest human beings ever discovered—dating back 5,300 years. Since his initial discovery in 1991, researchers have been piecing together his mysterious life and death. Patrick Hunt, alpine archaeologist and Ötzi expert, weighs in on his compelling history
Catching Fantastic Mr. Fox
Guest: Gail Damerow, author of various books on farm living, including “What’s Killing My Chickens? The Poultry Predator Detective Manual”
Some barnyard CSI basics will help you identify the predators stalking your backyard birds.
A Fierce Ermine Teaches Lessons of Love
Sy Montgomery, "How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals"
One Christmas Day, naturalist Sy Montgomery lost a beloved chicken, but she was inspired to forgive her mother. All thanks to a determined ermine.
Ancient Roman Eggs
Guest: Edward Biddulph, senior project manager, Oxford Archaeology
A 2016 excavation uncovered 1700-year-old eggs from a Roman wishing well. What were the unbroken eggs doing there? And how did were they so well-preserved?
The Largest Humanitarian Operation That You Never Heard Of
Guest: Douglas Smith, award-winning historian, translator, and author, "The Russian Job: The Forgotten Story of How America Saved the Soviet Union from Ruin"
One of the largest humanitarian operations in history has been almost completely forgotten, maybe because neither side wanted to admit they worked with the other. Douglas Smith writes about how American aid during the Russian famine of 1921 saved the Soviet Union from collapse.
The Scientists Who Solved the Global Water Cycle: The History of Global Water Systems
Guest: Sarah Dry, author, "Waters of the World: The Story of the Scientists Who Unraveled the Mysteries of Our Oceans, Atmosphere, and Ice Sheets and Made the Planet Whole"
The way in which the global water cycle works, and the way in which it changes and effects global climate, has only begun to be understood in recent years, thanks to a complicated cast of excellent scientists.
A Family History of the Boston Massacre
Guest: Serena Zabin, Professor, History, and Director, American Studies, Carleton, and author, "The Boston Massacre: A Family History"
The stories we have of the event ignore that everyone involved was very much a part of the community, with several of the soldiers married to Bostonians. Everyone involved knew at least several other people involved. It was a family affair.
The Plot Against George Washington During the Revolutionary War
Guest: Josh Mensch, documentary television producer and co-author, "The First Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill George Washington"
While we tend to think of the American Revolution as steadfast colonists throwing off tyrannical British forces, there was great turmoil in the colonies over which side to support. In 1776, conflict even led to a plot against Washington by members of his own elite Life Guard.
You’re Not Listening!
Guest: Kate Murphy, author, "You’re Not Listening: What You’re Missing and Why it Matters"
We are taught, from a young age, to speak, to put ourselves out there, to be bold in our personal branding. But what if that is missing the point? What if the most the most valuable lessons in life come not from speaking, but from listening?
Noise Is Bad for Your Health
Guest: David Owen, author, "Volume Control: Hearing in a Deafening World"
Our world is getting louder, what with airplanes, trains, crowds, music, and wireless headphones in our ears at all hours. What kind of damage does noise do to our bodies? Would we want to live in silence instead, though?
The Race to Build a Better Racecar than the Nazis
Guest: Neal Bascomb, author, "Faster: How a Jewish Driver, an American Heiress, and a Legendary Car Beat Hitler’s Best"
In 1938, French auto racer Rene Dreyfuss beat Nazi Germany’s best racer at the Pau Grand Prix against all odds.
The Deadly Race to Summit the Himalayas
Guest: Scott Ellsworth, author, "The World Beneath Their Feet: Mountaineering, Madness, and the Deadly Race to Summit the Himalayas"
From the 1920s through the 1950s, a Great Race was on. Athletes from around the globe were competing to see who could top the world’s highest peaks. These efforts brought together the strangest of characters and resulted in both great tragedy and immense wonder.
Fantastic Insects and How to Eat Them
Guest: Daniella Martin, author, “Edible: An Adventure into the World of Eating Insects and the Last Great Hope to Save the Planet,” host of "Girl Meets Bug" insect cooking/travel show, and blogger for "Huffington Post"
We need new and reliable food sources. We also need to start scaling back our carbon footprint and our effect on the environment. Daniella Martin offers entomophagy, the eating of insects, as the answer to both these apparently contradictory issues. What is more, she can also tell us how to cook and eat them.
Forget JAWS: Swimming with Sharks
Guest: Cristina Zenato, ocean explorer and shark professional
Contrary to what pop culture and Hollywood would have us believe, sharks are not mindless killing machines. Zenato's job is to swim with the sharks and she'd like to change your mind about what they're really like.
The Porcupine Inspires Medicine
Guest: Jeff Karp, Biomedical Engineer, Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Medical staples are an incredibly useful way to quickly close wounds, but current methods leave room for infection and further tissue damage. Jeff Karp weighs in on how porcupine quills could be the answer to innovation in surgical sutures. He was even willing to sacrifice his own body to test out porcupine quills!
Bonnie & Clyde
Guest: Perry Carver, owner and Curator, Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum
Bonnie and Clyde were well known because of their love story, and this museum shows how the Great Depression framed that story.
What Happens When Best Practices Aren't?
Guest: Vinay K. Prasad, Hematologist-Oncologist and Associate Professor of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, and co-author of “Ending Medical Reversal: Improving Outcomes, Saving Lives”
Medical doctors seek to “Do No Harm.” Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. Some best practices turn out to be harmful and some just do no good at all. What's a doctor to do then?
The Art of Counterintelligence
Guest: James M. Olson, former Chief of CIA Counterintelligence, and Professor, Counterintelligence, Bush School of Government & Public Service, Texas A&M University
Someone must spy on the enemy's spies. This is the role of counterintelligence agents, who track down and identify spies in their midst, and try to prevent them from getting there in the first place.
Chasing Cultural Crooks
Guest: Robert K. Wittman, former Senior Investigator and founder, FBI's National Art Crime Team, and author, "Priceless: How I Went Undercover to Rescue the World's Stolen Treasures"
Art heists aren't always like the movies. In fact, it's the cops who are usually dressed up as the slick, debonaire characters. How they think on their feet to trip up criminals and return priceless treasures to the public.
The Pioneering Life of Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin
Guest: Georgina Ferry, author, “Dorothy Crowfoot Hodgkin: Patterns, Proteins and Peace: A Life in Science”
Dorothy Hodgkin is the only British woman to ever win a Nobel Prize in a scientific field. From 1937 to 1956, Dorothy Hodgkin used a new technique called X-ray crystallography to unlock the secrets of many biological molecules, such as cholesterol, vitamin B12, and insulin.
A Heroic Hormone
Guest: Benjamin T. Bikman, Associate Professor, Physiology and Developmental Biology, Brigham Young University, and author, "Why We Get Sick" (forthcoming)
Insulin is not just a drug; it is a vital hormone, and science is just beginning to understand the role it plays in humans’ overall health.
Forget JAWS: Swimming with Sharks
Guest: Cristina Zenato, ocean explorer and shark professional
Contrary to pop culture myths, sharks are not mindless killing machines. Zenato's job is to swim with the sharks and she'd like to change your mind about what they're really like.
Keeping Balance in the Ocean
Guest: Bryan Franks, Assistant Professor, Marine Science, Jacksonville University
Sharks are the balance keepers of the ocean. Find out how to follow them on Twitter!
Rosie the Taxidermied Shark
Guest: Tom Kapitany, Director, "Crystal World," Victoria, Australia
In 1998, a great white shark was netted in the tuna nets off the South Australian coast. The fishermen humanely killed her, and she ended up in an amusement park where she was preserved and given the name Rosie. Later the amusement park was abandonded, leaving Rosie all by herself until Tom Kapitany rescued her. She is now on display at "Crystal World" in Victoria Australia.
The Hidden Canadian Island Where Wild Houses Roam
Guest: Zoe Lucas, President, Sable Island Institute
Home to more feral horses than people, Sable Island is a thin strip of land off the coast of Nova Scotia. Its history is rife with tales about shipwrecks and roaming sea merchants. Turns out, the island is also an important place for scientific observation. We spoke with Zoe Lucas, a Sable Island researcher, about the history and significance of this little-known place.
The Micronation of Outer Baldonia
Guest: Kara Arundel, education reporter and editor
Outer Baldonia was a tiny island nation, complete with a declaration of independence, constitution, and its own currency. It was created and led by its “Prince of Princes,” Russell Arundel, a Washington businessman and lobbyist. It supported freedom for fishermen and opposed the communist bloc.
Mummified Animals and Million-Year-Old Hyena Teeth Found Frozen in Canadian Ice
Guest: Grant Zazula, Paleontologist, the Government of Yukon
Paleontologists from the Yukon Territory in Canada have discovered and identified ancient mummified animals frozen in the ice and the first evidence of million-year-old hyenas living in North America.
The Story of a 5,300-year-old Alpine Wanderer
Guest: Patrick Hunt, Archaeologist, Stanford University; Expeditions Expert, National Geographic; and Research Associate, Archaeoethnobotany, Institute for the Ethnomedicine
Found half-burried in the Italian Alps, Ötzi the Iceman is among the oldest human beings ever discovered—dating back 5,300 years. Since his initial discovery in 1991, researchers have been piecing together his mysterious life and death. Alpine archaeologist and Ötzi expert, Patrick Hunt, weighs in on his compelling history.
What 5,700-year-old Gum Tells us About the People Who Chewed It
Guest: Hannes Schroeder, Associate Professor, Archaeology, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen
How DNA found in 5,700-year-old chewed birch pitch can reveal the physical appearance and eating habits of ancient people.
Prehistoric Sippy Cups
Guest: Julie Dunne, Biomolecular Archaeologist, University of Bristol
Prehistoric parents used sippy cups in animal shapes, not unlike our plastic versions.
Ancient Mesopotamia Speaks
Guest: Eckart Frahm, Professor, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Yale University
There are striking similarities between our modern lives and those of the Mesopotamians thousands of years ago: they sang lullabies, kept cookbooks, complained about their parents. Lucky for us, they recorded their thoughts on clay tablets, which last a lot longer than paper.
For a look inside “Ancient Mesopotamia Speaks” exhibit at Yale’s Peabody Museum of Natural History, click here.
Marketing or Manipulation?
Guest: Douglas Thomas, Assistant Professor, Design, Brigham Young University
Font, layout, graphics, color schemes—they're all supposed to make our online experience easier. But "dark patterns," or deceptive design strategies, seek to manipulate us in ways that might be unfair or unethical.
Science of Shopping
Guest: Paco Underhill, environmental psychologist, author, "Why We Buy: The Science of Shopping," and founder, Envirosell
The design and layout of brick-and-mortar stores are part of their marketing plan. How to realize the ways sellers are trying to influence your behavior.
Fake News
Guest: Jevin West, Assistant Professor, Information School, University of Washington; Carl Bergstrom, Professor, Biology, University of Washington
How to sort through fake news and become a more critical consumer of information.
Bringing Back the Northern White Rhino
Guest: Barbara Durrant, Director, Reproductive Sciences, San Diego Zoo Global
It might sound like Jurassic Park, but scientists at the San Diego Zoo are using cells from a frozen zoo to try to bring back the functionally extinct northern white rhino.
Antarctica's Animals' Can Come Back to Life
Guest: Byron Adams, Evolutionary Ecologist, Brigham Young University
While Antarctica might seem like a barren wasteland of ice, it actually contains an incredibly resilient ecosystem of microorganisms—creatures who can essentially hibernate for decades and then come back to life when conditions are just right. Promising implications for human medicine.
Galapagos
Guest: Elizabeth Hennessy, Assistant Professor, History and Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and author, "On the Backs of Tortoises: Darwin, the Galapagos, and the Fate of an Evolutionary Eden"
The Galapagos became famous for what they taught us about evolution. But now scientists are debating efforts to preserve species that live there, which may work against the forces of evolution.
The Cats that Sailed the Seven Seas
Guest: Philippa Sandall, author, “Seafurrers,” and coauthor, “Trim: The Cartographer’s Cat”
Cats are great seafarers, turns out. And they've been important shipmates for centuries. Here are some of their tales from the high seas.
Flinders
Guest: Gillian Dooley, Honorary Senior Research Fellow, English, Flinders University, and co-author, "Trim: The Cartographer’s Cat"
The famous explorer Trim, a beloved black cat with white paws and chin, and his human, Matthew Flinders, are memorialized in several statues across Australia. Here's their story.
Sam Payne
Guest: Sam Payne; Sam Payne, host, "The Apple Seed," BYUradio
Sam Payne shares the story of Shackelton's cat.
Earthrise
Guest: Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee; Emmy nominated filmmaker, and director of "Earthrise: The Image that Shared our World"
The Apollo 8 mission captured an image of Earth that amazed the billion people watching it on TV at the time: the cratered but barren surface of the moon in the foreground, and the earth in the black sky beyond, nearly half-eclipsed by the shadow of the moon. Referring to this view, Command Module Pilot Jim Lovell said, "The vast loneliness is awe-inspiring and it makes you realize just what you have back there on Earth." How the "Earthrise" photo changed our perspective on our planet.
NASA's Solar Orbiter Mission
Guest: Holly Gilbert, Director, Heliophysics Science Division, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, and NASA Project Scientist for Solar Orbiter
NASA has launched the Solar Orbiter probe that will take the first-ever pictures of the sun’s poles and make revolutionary measurements of the sun’s magnetic field and radiation.
Cosmos: Possible Worlds
Guest: Ann Druyan, Peabody Award- and Emmy Award-winning producer and director, and author, “Cosmos: Possible Worlds”
Forty years after the release of Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan’s "Cosmos: A Personal Voyage," Ann Druyan is back With a reboot of the original “Cosmos,” subtitled “Possible Worlds.” Druyan talks with us about how science partakes of the sacred in its search for reality, and she even explores how love is central in that search.
Food and Faith
Guest: Norman Wirzba, Gilbert T. Rowe Distinguished Professor of Christian Theology, Duke Divinity School
How can we be more worshipful in our eating, and what would that add to our lives? Contemplating gratitude in the world of industrial food production.
The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh
Guest: Candace Fleming, author, "The Rise and Fall of Charles Lindbergh"
Famous for his solo flight across the Atlantic, Charles Lindbergh has long been regarded as a pioneer in aviation history. But who was he, really? Grieving father, Nazi sympathizer, international celebrity? All three, and much more. The complicated history and legacy of Charles Lindbergh.
Race of Aces
Guest: John R. Bruning, author, "Race of Aces: WWII's Elite Airmen and the Epic Battle to Become the Master of the Sky"
The quest for air superiority during the WWII saw the rise of ace pilots, defending bombing runs and shooting down enemy fighter planes to lead their side to victory.
The Wonderful World of Ferments
Guest: Kirsten K. Shockey, co-author with Christopher Shockey, of "Fiery Ferments," best-selling "Fermented Vegetables," and the new book "Miso, Tempeh, Natto & Other Tasty Ferments: A Step-by-Step Guide to Fermenting Grains and Beans”
Fermented foods include an incredible nutrient-rich diversity of foods, provide alternative food sources, and are just plain fascinating. Marcus samples some of these living foods on the air.
What's In This? Soy
Guest: Christine M. Du Bois, author, "The Story of Soy," and former researcher and manager of the Johns Hopkins Project on Soy
Soy is one of the most globally consequential crops of the modern era, and its production has changed the eating habits of humans and animals alike, not always for the better. It has a long, fascinating history, one that involves Henry Ford.
Sourdough Library
Guest: Karl de Smedt, librarian, Sourdough Library, Puratos baking company
What's in the vaults of the Sourdough Library? How many different starts? How old are they? This curator combs the world for unique sourdough and makes sure it's preserved for posterity.
The Land that Never Was
Guest: Maria Konnikova, journalist and author, "The Confidence Game: Why We Fall For It . . . Every Time"
Gregor MacGregor used his superior storytelling ability to fool hundreds into believing in a promised land that didn't exist. Sadly, many people lost their lives trying to find it. Why are great con artists so good? They're selling us what we already want to buy.
Atlantis: An Ancient Allegory
Guest: Stephen Kershaw, Oxford University Department for Continuing Education, and author, "The Search for Atlantis: A History of Plato’s Ideal State," and most recently "Barbarians: Rebellion and Resistance to the Roman Empire"
Atlantis is a Platonic, mythical allegory demonstrating the corruption of a previously moral society. But most people don't care about the allegory, they just want to find a mystical city. Plato would shake his head in disbelief if he could see what we've done with his tale.
A Wonderful World in the Canopy
Guest: Richard Preston, author, "The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring"
Giant trees are the gateway to a rarely explored world teeming with wonder.
Global Garage Sale
Guest: Adam Minter, business journalist and author, “Junkyard Planet,” and “Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale”
The secondhand world is changing, which reflects our changing values.
The Miracle and Tragedy of the First Surviving Quintuplets
Guest: Sarah Miller, author, "The Miracle and Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets"
Yvonne, Marie, Annette, Cécile, Émilie, and Marie Dionne were the first quintuplets to survive past birth. Born on a farm in Ontario, their upbringing took a strange turn when the government assumed guardianship of them and then exploited them as a tourist attraction.
The Real Story of an Iconic American Family
Guest: Jane Lancaster, Visiting Fellow, Brown University, and author, "Making Time: Lillian Moller Gilbreth--A Life Beyond 'Cheaper by the Dozen'"
Published in 1948, then adapted into several movies by the same name, "Cheaper by the Dozen" is an American favorite. While many think they know the story, few know the real history of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth and their 13 children.
The Birthplace of Metropolitan Transportation
Guest: Robert Hulse, founding director (retired), The Brunel Museum, London, and co-author, "The Brunels' Tunnel" and "Brunel’s Great Eastern"
Constructed during the Victorian Era, the Thames Tunnel was the birthplace of the London Underground. But before trains ever started running, the tunnel had a life of its own—complete with a fairground, a ballroom, dancing horses, and a whole slew of pickpockets.
The Engineering Feat that Connected the World
Guest: John Steele Gordon, author, "A Thread Across the Ocean: The Heroic Story of the Transatlantic Cable"
In today’s world, instant communication is a given. We can text, call, and email across oceans instantly. Before the transatlantic cable in 1858, communication could only travel overseas as quickly as the fastest steam ship. We spoke with author John Steele Gordon about the engineering feat that connected the world.
Why Ration When There's Enough to Eat?
Guest: Lizzie Collingham, Associate Fellow, Warwick University; Royal Literary Fund Fellow, Cambridge University; author, "The Taste of War: World War Two and the Battle for Food"
Following the Great Depression, WWII created an economic boom in the US,drastically changing American diets. On the home front, new nutrition standards and enforced rationing characterized the public’s relationship with their newfound abundance of food. But why ration, if everyone has enough to eat?
Cork Wars
Guest: David Taylor, author, "Cork Wars: Intrigue and Industry in World War II"
Sometimes conflict, strife, family life, and fortune can all revolve around the most innocuous of substances—during World War II, one of these was cork. This is the story of how cork changed the course of the war.
Best Way to Fast
Guest: Valter Longo, Science Director, Valter Longo Foundation; Director, Longevity Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles; and Director, Oncology and Longevity Program, IFOM, Milan
Valter Longo was looking for a way to slow human aging when he found that starving yeast and worms actually made them live longer. He took the lessons learned and is helping humans live longer and healthier lives. In this excerpt, he explains what he believes is the healthiest way to fast.
The First Human-Powered Row Across the Drake Passage
Guest: Andrew Towne, endurance athlete and principal, Boston Consulting Group
In December of 2019, Andrew Towne and five others became the first crew to row through the treacherous Drake Passage from Cape Horn, Chile to mainland Antarctica.
Antarctica's Blood Falls
Guest: Jill Mikucki, Associate Professor, Microbiology, University of Tennessee, Knoxville
Blood Falls is a stunning feature of Antarctica’s Dry Valleys. The bright red falls are the result of a high concentration of salt and iron in the brine that escapes from under the Taylor Glacier.
Drive-Thru Dreams
Guest: Adam Chandler, author, "Drive-Thru Dreams: A Journey Through the Heart of America's Fast-Food Kingdom"
Usually, fast food only gets the limelight when something goes wrong. Health scares, the obesity crisis, kangaroo meat in the burgers? While these are certainly part of fast-food culture, drive-thrus, according to Adam Chandler, sometimes get an unnecessarily bad rap. He joins us to talk about fast food’s important place in American society.
McMillion$
Guests: James Lee Hernandez and Brian Lazarte, writers and directors, HBO documentary mini-series "McMillion$"
Remember McDonald's Monopoly game from the 90s? The fast-food chain offered prizes up to 1 million dollars. Only problem is that the game was rigged. Not by McDonald's, but by Jerry Jacobsen, the man tasked with handling the winning game pieces during the printing process. An outrageous story of hubris and deception that impacted everyone who played that game hoping to win more than just a free Big Mac.
A Journey to the Center of the Earth Reveals Mysterious Continent-size Blobs
Guest: Ed Garnero, Professor, School of Earth and Space Exploration, Arizona State University
Our traditional view of Earth’s interior as four clean layers of consistent materials is challenged by research revealing massive blob-like structures deep within Earth’s mantle.
The Sunken Bridge to England
Guest: Vince Gaffney, Anniversary Chair in Landscape Archaeology, Professor at the University of Bradford
Doggerland is an ancient sunken land that connected England to the rest of Europe. Its story has implications for how we can deal with rising coastlines.
The History of the Great Carthaginian Warrior
Guest: Patrick Hunt, PhD; Professor of Archeology at Stanford University, Research Associate in Archeoethnobotany at the Institute for Ethnomedicine
Widely known as one of the most influential wartime leaders in history, Hannibal Barca was Rome’s most formidable enemy. At age 9, he swore an oath of hatred against the growing empire, vowing to protect his fellow Carthaginians. We spoke with author and archeologist Patrick Hunt about Hannibal’s lasting legacy.
Real Oliphants
Guest: Jacob Shell, Associate professor of global studies at Temple University, College of Liberal Arts, and author of “Transportation and Revolt: Pigeons, Mules, Canals, and the Vanishing Geographies of Subversive Mobility,” as well as his more recent book, “Giants of the Monsoon Forest: Living and Working with Elephants.”
The relationship between humans and elephants is unique among animals, and it used to (and just barely still does), include extraordinary military endeavors.
The Ants Beneath Our Feet
Guest: Jack Longino, Professor, Biology, University of Utah, and Head, Longino Lab
Jack Longino has an impressive track record, from discovering dozens of new species of ants to mapping thousands of genomes to improving scientific outreach using ants. How likely was it that he'd discover a new type of ant right in his own back yard?
In the Tops of the Trees
Guest: Nalini Nadkarni, Professor, Biology, University of Utah, and Director, STEM Ambassador Program
The passion that brings Nalini Nadkarni climbing to the top of trees in Costa Rican cloud forests is exactly what she is trying to instill in everyone she meets, from prisoners to young girls to the community at large. She now has her own tree-top Barbie.
How the World Kept Cool When “The Ice King” Ruled
Guest: Jonathan Rees, Professor, History, Colorado State University-Pueblo, and author, "Refrigeration Nation," "Before the Refrigerator" and "Refrigerator"
Before the refrigerator, or air conditioning or electric fans, ice was a hot – or rather, cold – commodity. We’re talking about the surprisingly complex workings of the ice industry, and the “Ice King” who started it all.
Battle Against the Ice
Guest: Buddy Levy, Author of Labyrinth of Ice: The Triumphant and Tragic Greely Polar Expedition.
The Greely Polar Expedition was vitally important in terms of both scientific research and cartographical advancements. The real drama of its story, however, is the extreme danger the explorers faced, and their struggle to survive.
Jazz and Democracy
Guest: Marcus Roberts, internationally renowned jazz pianist, composer, bandleader, and teacher
What can jazz music teach us about compromise and the art of getting along? A lot. To play jazz well, you need to listen, adapt to others, and assume the best about your fellow musicians. Lessons we all need to learn as citizens of a democracy.
LIfe Lessons from a Chess Grandmaster
Guest: Jonathan Rowson, chess grandmaster and author, “The Moves that Matter: A Chess Grandmaster on the Game of Life”
Jonathan Rowson, a former chess grandmaster, offers some insights he gleaned on life, death, family, and finding happiness.
Lessons from a Fierce Scottish Terrier
Guest: Sy Montgomery, author, "How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals"
Naturalist and talented storyteller Sy Montgomery was inspired to begin her life's work with animals by a Scottish Terrier named Molly.
Frontier Legends: Truth vs. Tall Tale
Guest: Jim Motavalli, journalist and author, "The Real Dirt on America's Frontier Legends"
The stories are Davy Crockett, Daniel Boone, Calamity Jane, and Annie Oakley seem fantastic, and some of them are actually true. Separating fact from fiction in the wild, wild West.
Johnny Appleseed: The Eccentric Man Behind the Great American Legend
Guest: Howard Means, journalist and author, "Johnny Appleseed: The Man, the Myth, the American Story"
Johnny Appleseed, born John Chapman, was a pioneer of the American frontier, and an eccentric one at that. He's a larger-than-life figure with a story we've all helped to promote and expand. His history, though, is a bit more complicated than the Disney biopic lets on.
Camel Corps
Guest: Doug Baum, owner, Texas Camel Corps
Before the Civil War and before the transcontinental railroad, the US Army thought that camels might solve the problem of getting goods and supplies from Texas to California ports.
Fringe Presidential Candidates
Guest: Mark Stein, author, "The Presidential Fringe: Questing and Jesting for the Oval Office"
Fringe presidential candidates, throughout American history, bring to the national stage issues that might otherwise be ignored.
The Legacy of Ross Perot
Guest: Jeremi Suri, Mack Brown Distinguished Chair for Leadership in Global Affairs and Professor of Public Affairs and History, The University of Texas at Austin
The bizarre and unprecedented presidential campaign of Ross Perot.
American Sherlock
Guest: Kate Winkler Dawson, author, "American Sherlock: Murder, Forensics, and the Birth of American CSI"
In the first half of the 20th century, Edgar Oscar Heinrich rose to fame as highly skilled and multi-faceted forensic scientist, developing and pioneering techniques that are still used today by criminal investigators.
How Victorian Poisonings Shaped Forensic Toxicology
Guest: Linda Stratmann, author, “The Secret Poisoner: A Century of Murder”
One of the defining fears of the Victorian age, writes Linda Stratmann, is fear of being murdered by poison. In fact, the scandal and fascination surrounding publicized poisonings may have shaped forensic toxicology as we know it today.
The Development of Aerospace Stealth Technology
Guest: Peter Westwick, author, "Stealth: The Secret Contest to Invent Invisible Aircraft," and Director, Aerospace History Project at the Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West
A fierce competition between Northrop Grumman and Lockheed in the 1970s and '80s led to the development of two entirely different stealth planes – the F-117A and the B-2.
Contemporary Neil Armstrong
Guest: Nils Larson, chief pilot, NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center
Test pilots have made left footprints in history, literally. Neil Armstrong was a test pilot at the Dryden Flight Research Center before he became the first man to walk on the moon. Today the Dryden Flight Research Center has been renamed in honor of Armstrong and they still continue to perform cutting-edge flight research. Learn from the perspective of their head test pilot what it's like to test one-of-a kind aircraft just like Neil Armstrong did.
Physics and Psychics
Guest: Richard Noakes, author, "Physics and Psychics: The Occult and the Sciences in Modern Britain"
Scientists in the Victorian Age regularly integrated their beliefs in the supernatural with their scientific inquiries. People of the past were searching for new ways to push scientific and religious boundaries.
Infamous Cures in Elizabethan England
Guest: Lauren Kassell, Professor, History of Science and Medicine, and Director, The Casebooks Project, University of Cambridge
Two infamous astrologer-physicians in late 16th-century England, Simon Forman and Richard Napier, left behind a record of about 65,000 clients they saw to, offering remedies ranging from bloodletting to spells to wearing pigeons on your feet. These records provide a fascinating insight into the daily lives and personalities of the 16th and 17th century English.
How the Civil War Affected the American West
Guest: Megan Kate Nelson, author, "The Three-Cornered War: The Union, the Confederacy, and Native Peoples in the Fight for the West"
The Civil War didn't just impact the East—it also affected the development of the Western United States. People often forget that before the Civil War, the US was engaged in a massive effort to expand its borders. The Union and the Confederacy competed for control of the Western territories during the Civil War.
Mary Chesnut Diary
Guest: Catherine Clinton, Professor, American History, University of Texas at San Antonio, and editor, "Diary of Mary Chesnut"
Mary Chesnut was a Civil War diarist and a South Carolina belle from a prominent family. She was firmly committed to the South, but she was also a witty, highly educated feminist with no fondness for slavery.
Civil War Photo Sleuth
Guest: Kurt Luther, Assistant Professor, Computer Science, and Director, Crowd Intelligence Lab, Virginia Tech
They say a photo is worth a thousand words. But if we don't know who the people in the photo are, do we lose their words, their stories? We talk to a computer scientist who uses crowdsourcing to identify Civil War soldiers.
Ginseng, the Divine Root
Guest: David Taylor, author, "Ginseng, the Divine Root: The Curious History Of The Plant That Captivated The World"
Ginseng was the first major export from the US to China. It's not easily cultivated, so most ginseng is harvested from forests. Interestingly, the US has seen a ginseng rush, and people today are still prosecuted for illegal ginseng poaching. The history of ginseng goes all the way back to Pangea, which is why one of China's favorite herbs is also plentiful in the US.
Plate Tectonics
Guest: Ron Harris, Professor, Geological Sciences, Brigham Young University
We live in a moving world—not even the rocks under our feet are fixed. The beauty and drama of tectonic plates.
The Tiny Brain Cells That Connect Body and Brain
Guest: Donna Jackson Nakazawa, author, "The Angel and the Assassin: The Tiny Brain Cell That Changed the Course of Medicine"
For years, scientists have explained mental disorders and illnesses as chemical imbalances in the brain. In "The Angel and the Assassin," Donna Jackson Nakazawa follows recent scientific research on microglia cells, tiny brain cells whose connecting role between our body and our mind reveal a new understanding of mental disorders that challenges our perceptions and provides hope for more effective treatments.
Bringing Back Helpful Gut Worms
Guest: William Parker, Associate Professor, Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine
Things that we think of as harmful to our bodies may actually be crucial to our health. Not all bacteria is harmful, some actually help us. This might also be the case for some parasites such as intestinal worms.
The 1919 World Series and the Betrayal That Forged Modern Baseball
Guest: Charles Fountain, Professor, Journalism, Northeastern University, and author, "The Betrayal: The 1919 World Series and the Birth of Modern Baseball"
Rumors, betrayal, and intrigue characterized the 1919 World Series, known as the Black Sox Scandal, when several White Sox players threw the championship. These players went into the tournament hoping to make it big, only to be banned from the game for life.
Roosevelt's "Cold War" on Baseball
Guest: Ryan Swanson, Associate Professor, History, University of New Mexico, and author, "The Strenuous Life: Theodore Roosevelt and the Making of the American Athlete"
Teddy Roosevelt had no fondness for the American pastime.
Emily Dickinson's Gardens
Guest: Marta McDowell, gardener and author, "Emily Dickinson’s Gardening Life: The Plants and Places That Inspired the Iconic Poet"
The archetypal, reclusive, and brilliant poet Emily Dickinson was inspired by the rich biodiversity contained in her gardens.
Emily Dickinson: Plants and Poetry
Guest: Cynthia L. Hallen, Associate Professor, Linguistics, Brigham Young University
Emily Dickinson saw flowers as poems and poems as flowers.
Why Poetry Still Matters
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian and regular contributor to The Lisa Show, which airs weekdays at 8 am ET/7 am PT
You obviously have heard of Emily Dickinson, but how often do you read her, or other poets, for that matter? Rachel Wadham weighs in on the importance of poetry today.
The One, the Only, the Magnificent Harry Houdini!
Guest: Joe Posnanski, author, "The Life and Afterlife of Harry Houdini"
What do we really know about Harry Houdini, a man who invented almost everything about himself? We talk with Joe Posnanski about the man behind the myth, and the wonder he inspired in us all.
Why We Love to Be Fooled by Magic
Guest: Gustav Kuhn, Reader, MAGIC lab and Department of Psychology, Goldsmiths University, London, and author, “Experiencing the Impossible: The Science of Magic”
The bad news is that Hogwarts does not exist. The good news is that the MAGIC lab at Goldsmiths University in London does. A surprising new area of study in psychology: the science of magic.
How Minneapolis Shaped Prince's Music
Guest: Rashad Shabazz, Associate Professor, School of Social Transformation, Arizona State University
Music historians talk a lot about Prince as a genius pioneer of pop music, but they talk less about the city that shaped his music. How much credit can we give the Minneapolis music scene for Prince's success?
Smuggling Rock and Roll In and Out of the USSR
Guest: Joanna Stingray, American singer-songwriter
How an American musician snuck Russian rock and roll out from under the KGB and into the world during the Cold War.
Imaginary Friends
Guest: Eileen Kennedy-Moore, psychologist and expert on childhood friendship
Children often make imaginary friends, but these imaginary friends might have a longer lasting impact than just in childhood.
Why is Friendship Biologically Important?
Guest: Lydia Denworth, contributing editor for Scientific American, author, "Friendship: The Evolution, Biology, and Extraordinary Power of Life's Fundamental Bond"
Friendship is extremely important to both health and happiness, so if you want to live a long life, focus on friendships as well as diet, sleep, and exercise.
The Last Boat Out of Shanghai
Guest: Helen Zia, activist and author, "Last Boat Out of Shanghai: The Epic Story of the Chinese Who Fled Mao’s Revolution"
After 50 years, Zia finally hears the story of her mother's flight from Shanghai as Chairman Mao’s Communist takeover began.
Shanghai and Its Demons
Guest: Paul French, author, “Midnight in Peking,” and “City of Devils: The Two Men Who Ruled the Underworld of Old Shanghai”
Shanghai once was the only city in the world where you could live without a passport. In Shanghai in the 1930s, the rules were few and the opportunities many. The image of Shanghai as a city of jazz, crazy parties, and expatriate splendor is all true, but so is the story of Shanghai’s underworld.
History of Opium
Guest: David Blistein, co-author with John H. Halpern, "Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned our World"
Our opioid epidemic is nothing new, as the Chinese could tell you--they fought for years to keep British opium out of their country, to no avail.
Good to Know: Albatross Spies
Scientists are considering using the albatross to help monitor illegal activity on the high seas.
Jellyfish Explorers
Guest: Nicole Xu, PhD candidate, Bioengineering, Stanford University
Cyborgs, animal-machine hybrids, used to exist only in science fiction. But they may soon become a reality: scientists have discovered how to mechanize jellyfish in order to explore deep reaches of the ocean.
An Antidote to One of the Deadliest Venoms on Earth
Guest: Greg Neely, Associate Professor and Head, The Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, University of Sydney
Horror movies centered on the great white shark are missing out on the ocean’s real terror: the Australian box jellyfish. Ten-foot-long carnivores with 24 eyes and about 60 tentacles each, the box jellyfish is also one of the most venomous animals on the planet. Luckily, researchers from the University of Sydney are using CRISPR to close in on an antidote.
(Originally Aired on Nov 18, 2019)
How Phony Things Teach Us About Real Stuff
Guest: Lydia Pyne, author, “Genuine Fakes: How Phony Things Teach Us About Real Stuff”
The "Spanish Forger" was quite successful in his or her day, but now the work of the Spanish Forger is collectible for its own value. What we can learn from the success of forgeries.
(Originally Aired on Nov 18, 2019)
Calling Bull
Guests: Jevin West, Assistant Professor, Information, University of Washington; Carl Bergstrom, Professor, Biology, University of Washington
Two professors at the University of Washington are on a mission to teach their students, and themselves, how to distinguish truth from fiction online. They started a class together to do just that.
(Originally Aired on Jan 10, 2020)
History Has Been Growing on Pennsylvania Avenue for a Long Time
Guest: Marta McDowell, gardener and author, "All the Presidents' Gardens: Madison's Cabbages to Kennedy's Roses, How the White House Grounds Have Grown with America"
The White House grounds have seen a lot of history--weddings, parties, and discussions with foreign leaders have all taken place there. The history of the grounds is as storied as the history of the house's inhabitants.
(Originally Aired on Jan 10, 2020)
Casablanca
Guest: Harlan Lebo, author, "Casablanca: Behind the Scenes"
How the story of Casablanca fit into the real world and why it has remained a classic film to this day.
The Murder of Freddie Woodruff, and One Man’s Extraordinary Search for the Truth
Guest: Michael Pullara, attorney and author, “The Spy Who Was Left Behind: Russia, the United States, and the True Story of the Betrayal and Assassination of a CIA Agent”
As the Cold War was ending, Freddie Woodruff, a CIA agent, was betrayed by the very organization he was spying for. His story was covered up soon after his demise and nobody heard about Freddie Woodruff again, until Texan trial lawyer Michael Pullara jumped on the case, initially to bring closure to the Woodruffs, family friends from his youth. He later fought for justice for the Georgian man unjustly imprisoned for the murder.
The Troubled History of Ukraine
Guest: Serhii Plokhii, Professor, Ukrainian History, and Director, Ukrainian Research Institute, Harvard University, author, "The Gates of Europe: A History of Ukraine"
Centered in between the Eastern and Western worlds, Ukraine has been subject to internal and external conflict, resulting, at times, in a sort of no-man's land, but at all times in a complicated national and global identity.
The WWI Accident That Destroyed an Entire City
Guest: John U. Bacon, author, "The Great Halifax Explosion: A World War I Story of Treachery, Tragedy, and Extraordinary Heroism"
In the fall of 1917, a costly accident in Halifax Harbor set off one of the largest man-made explosions in world history. Two ships collided, one with six million pounds of explosives, sending a mushroom cloud two miles into the air. Author John U. Bacon joins us to tell the story of the Great Halifax Explosion.
1917 and WWI Films
Guest: Chip Oscarson, Associate Professor, Comparative Arts & Letters, and Co-Director, International Cinema, Brigham Young University
How we commemorate conflict affects how that history is carried forward. In this segment we examine films about WWI and discuss the decisions people make when making art that depicts and commemorates war.
Therapeutic Communities
Guests: Mike Haws and Alan Fahringer, Directors, Red Barn Farms therapeutic community
Drug addicts overwhelm America’s justice system. Therapeutic communities offer a unique solution to the drug crisis. They don't offer doctors or therapists, but, instead, community members help each other take responsibility for their lives and make hard changes.
Unearthing History Along the River Thames
Guest: Lara Maiklem, author, "Mudlark: In Search of London’s Past Along the River Thames"
Most people see garbage on the side of a river and look the other way, but for "mudlarkers" along the River Thames, trash means history. Mudlarking is a tradition that began centuries ago with London’s poor. In search of food, lost coins, or other valuable material, they’d forage along the banks of the river at low tide. Today, it has a more nostalgic value. Mudlarker and author Lara Maiklem weighs in on this historic pastime.
Step Down Into the Magnificently Designed Underworld of Sewers
Guest: Stephen Halliday, author, "An Underground Guide to Sewers or: Down, Through and Out in Paris, London, New York, &c."
The story of a London engineer who developed a sewer system that ended the Great Stink and put a stop to cholera epidemics in London.
Brain Damage and Criminal Behavior
Guest: Kim Gorgens, Professor, Graduate School of Professional Psychology, University of Denver
Traumatic brain injuries are much more common in prison populations than in the population at large. What does this teach us about rehabilitation and recividivism?
CTE and Contact Sports
Guest: Kevin Bieniek, Assistant Professor, Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, and Director, Brain Bank, University of Texas Health, Science Center at San Antonio
Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) is a neurodegenerative disease that is caused by repeated brain injury. People often focus on its prevalence in pro-athletes, but new studies show that players of any contact sport are at risk.
Stardust Found In an Australian Meteorite Dated Older Than the Solar System
Guest: Philipp Heck, Associate Curator of Meteoritics and Polar Studies, Field Museum of Natural History, and Associate Professor, University of Chicago
In a small Australian town in 1969, smelly meteorite fragments fell from the sky. Decades later, researchers discovered that stardust particles within the pieces are older than our solar system.
The Apocalypse May Be Just One Sun Flare Away
Guest: Paul Sutter, astrophysicist, The Ohio State University, author, and host, "Ask a Spaceman!" YouTube channel and podcast
Solar storms can impact our communications, electrical systems, and tech infrastructure, resulting in damages that can take years to recover from--and there’s not much we can do to stop one. Can we prep for a storm from space?
Nancy Drew Turns 90!
Guest: Jennifer Fisher, Nancy Drew consultant and author, "Clues for Real Life: The Classic Wit & Wisdom of Nancy Drew"
Nancy Drew, girl detective, is turning 90 years old in April! Find out how the series' first author was a real-life Nancy Drew herself.
The Happy Hollisters
Guest: Andrew Svenson III, President, The Svenson Group
"The Happy Hollister" books were a popular series of children's mysteries in the 1960s, and The Svenson Group is bringing them back for a new generation.
Sam Payne
Guest: Sam Payne, host, "The Apple Seed," BYUradio
Sam Payne shares his childhood attempt at being a hard-boiled detective writer.
The Science Behind the First Science-Fiction Novel
Guest: Kathryn Harkup, chemist and author, “Making the Monster: The Science Behind Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein"
The years before Mary Shelley published "Frankenstein" saw huge leaps in our understanding of natural sciences, and many of the most popular experiments, lecturers, and science gossip made its way into Shelley’s famous novel. Kathryn Harkup, a chemist herself, talks about the science fact behind the science fiction.
Lab-Grown Organs
Guest: Jens Puschhof, PhD candidate, Hubrecht Institute, Utrecht, the Netherlands
Growing organic tissue in the lab helps researchers understand and treat diseases and cancer, and, in an exciting step forward, researchers in the Netherlands recently replicated venomous snake glands.
Swashbuckling Stories of Savage Seamen
Guest: Eric Jay Dolin, author, "Black Flags, Blue Waters," and "Leviathan: The History of Whaling in America"
Though golden-age pirates are often romanticized by popular culture, a pirate’s life was far less appealing than is often portrayed. Reviewing the actual stories of these storied individuals reveals that their lives were usually nasty, brutish, and short.
Pirates, Past and Present
Guest: Peter Lehr, author, "Pirates: A New History, from Vikings to Somali Raiders"
The late 1600s was the "golden-age" of piracy, but modern pirates are still motivated by the same factors that prompted Blackbeard to terrorize the seas in his day.
Outlaw Ocean
Guest: Ian Urbina, investigative reporter, "The New York Times," and author, "Outlaw Ocean"
There are very few untamed regions left on our planet. Perhaps the most dangerous, unregulated, and least understood are the watery depths of the world’s oceans. Author and journalist Ian Urbina weighs in on the wild criminality that often characterizes these unclaimed waters.
The Russian Five
Guest: Jenny Feterovich, producer, "The Russian Five" documentary
In a true story more like a spy film, the Detroit Red Wings hockey team helped five world-class Russian players defect to join their team at the end of the Cold War. They led the Red Wings to win two Stanley Cups back to back.
Miracle in Lake Placid
Guest: John Gilbert, author, "Miracle in Lake Placid: The Greatest Hockey Story Ever Told"
Forty years later, the victory of the US ice hockey team over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics still stands as the ultimade underdog story.
It’s Like Hockey, But at the Bottom of a Pool
Guest: Tyera Eulberg, Captain, USA Women's Elite Underwater Hockey Team
Ice hockey. Field hockey. Underwater hockey? This lesser-known sport has been around since the 1950s, and it is one of the most intense sports out there, since you have to do it holding your breath.
Learn more about underwater hockey here.
The Tangled History of Opium (Originally aired 1/31/20)
Guest: David Blistein, co-author with John H. Halpern, "Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned our World"
Our opioid epidemic is nothing new, as the Chinese could tell you--they fought for years to keep British opium out of their country, to no avail. So many cultures have tackled the double-edged sword of opium use. It's relieved more pain than it's caused, according to Blistein, but it certainly has caused a great deal of pain. What can be done about addiction today?
Origins of the Global Drug Trade (Originally aired 1/31/20)
Guest: Benjamin Breen, Assistant Professor, History, University of California, Santa Cruz
How we view drugs is deeply influenced by a complicated history involving colonialism, religion, and science.
Iridescence As Camouflage
Guest: Karin Kjernsmo, Behavioural and Evolutionary Ecologist, CamoLab, University of Bristol
Have you ever seen an iridescent beetle? They’re pretty noticeable! It turns out that their iridescence actually helps them camouflage themselves from their predators.
Why Zebras Have Stripes
Guest: Tim Caro, Evolutionary Ecologist and Professor, Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis
Tim Caro has dedicated nearly a decade of his life trying to solve the mystery of why zebras have stripes. Earlier this year, he published what looks like proof of the answer he was searching for: horseflies hate stripes.
Why You Might Need a Pillow with an Ant Print
Guest: Clint Penick, Assistant Research Professor, The Biomimicry Center, Arizona State University
You’ve heard of animal prints: leopard, zebra, giraffe, but have you heard of ANT prints? Learn more about the surprisingly fashion-forward insects living in your front yard.
What Our Connection to Animals is Really Worth
Guest: Richard Louv, author, best-selling “Last Child in the Woods” and “Our Wild Calling: How Connecting with Animals Can Transform Our Lives--and Save Theirs,” journalist, and winner of the Audubon Award
Animals have spiritual, mental, and even physical effects on us. And that's a real resource we should preserve.
Winning the Mongol Derby
Guest: Lara Prior-Palmer, author, "Rough Magic: Riding the World’s Loneliest Horse Race"
Lara Prior-Palmer was the first woman, and youngest person ever, to win the Mongol Derby, a 1000-km race through wild Mongolian steppes. This physically harrowing, profound experience fueled an insightful, gripping and candid book, “Rough Magic.” Join us to consider the limits of human endurance, and what drives the soul of a rider.
How Catching Moles Helped One Man Find Himself
Guest: Marc Hamer, retired mole-catcher, and author, “How To Catch A Mole: Wisdom from a Life Lived in Nature”
We can all get a little bit closer to nature by letting it be.
What Does Nature Teach Us About Efficiency?
Guest: Simon Garnier, Associate Professor, Biological Sciences, New Jersey Institute of Technology
Many living creatures use swarm intelligence—and its technological applications are amazing.
Tulipomania
Guest: Mike Dash, author, "Tulipomania: The Story of the World’s Most Coveted Flower and the Extraordinary Passions it Aroused"
We explore the story of Holland’s 1637 tulip craze to understand the frenzy that feeds speculative bubbles.
A Patriotic Beast of Burden
Guest: Doug Baum, owner, Texas Camel Corps
Camels are incredibly strong beasts of burden, and they were once used by the US military to pack supplies across Texas.
Camel Milk and Autism
Guest: Christina Adams, author of, "Camel Crazy: A Quest for Miracles in the Mysterious World of Camels"
Camel milk is not used widely in the US, but one mother found that it helped minimize her son's symptoms of autism spectrum disorder. This is their story and a conversation about finding remedies outside of modern medicine.
What Your Playlist Reveals about Your Personality
Guest: David M. Greenberg, psychologist and musician, University of Cambridge and the City University of New York
How music preferences can reflect your personality, such as how empathetic or extraverted a person you are.
Does Acting Change Your Brain?
Guest: Christian Jarrett, Senior Editor, "Aeon," covering psychology, mental health, philosophy; author, "Great Myths of the Brain" and "The Rough Guide to Psychology"
Our personalities seem to change by association with people around us. Actors may find they have a hard time shaking off the personality of the character they're playing. Can these changes be permanent? Is personality really a thing we can measure anyway?
Are Polymaths Extinct?
Guest: Waqas Ahmed, author, “The Polymath: Unlocking the Power of Human Versatility”
Education and work is highly specialized today. Does that mean there's no room for a da Vinci or a Benjamin Franklin anymore? How we can better encourage someone with expertise in diverse fields.
The Impeachers
Guest: Brenda Wineapple, author, "The Impeachers: The Trial of Andrew Johnson and the Dream of a Just Nation"
Presidential impeachment has occurred throughout our nation’s history, beginning with Lincoln’s infamous successor, Andrew Johnson. Author and historian Brenda Wineapple explains the first US presidential impeachment.
The Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant
Guest: Paul Kahan, author, "The Presidency of Ulysses S. Grant: Preserving the Civil War's Legacy"
Ulysses S. Grant is often regarded as having one of the worst presidencies in US history, but author and historian Paul Kahan offers a much more nuanced and balanced view of this complicated presidency.
In Search of a Witness to Noah's Flood
Guest: Hans Sues, Senior Scientist and Curator of Fossil Vertebrates, National Musem of Natural History, Smithsonian Institute
The story of an 18th-century man who claimed to have fossil evidence of the Biblical flood. He didn't, but he was still ahead of his time in some important ways.
What Did the Ark Look Like?
Guest: Irving Finkel, Keeper of Ancient Mesopotamian Artifacts, The British Museum, and author, "The Ark Before Noah: Decoding the Story of the Flood"
The Noah’s Ark story you grew up with is not the only such story. One flood story, carved on Mesopotamian clay tablets, is about 4,000 years old. But in this story, the boat was an enormous round "coracle."
Sundance: Women Taking Control of Their Destinies
Producer Tennery Taylor reviews movies form the Sundance Film Festival about women who make their own way in the world, in spite of abuse and oppression. We talk about the Irish drama "Herself," in which a battered mother flees with her two children and concocts a plan to build her own house. Then we go to the Middle East, to "Saudi Runaway," a documentary filmed nearly exclusively on a cell phone by a woman contemplating fleeing the country to escape the stifling rules that restrict women's lives. But she only has a limited window of time. Finally, the winner of the World Cinema Dramatic Feature Grand Jury Award, "Yalda: A Night for Forgiveness," follows a young woman who has accidentally killed her husband and must plead for her life on a national game show. If that sounds weird, it is, for Western audiences, but the directors deliver a thrilling tale with unexpected plot twists.
What is it like to travel 1000 miles with a team of 10 dogs on the Iditarod trail?
Guest: Debbie Clarke Moderow, author, "Fast Into the Night: A Woman, Her Dogs, and Their Journey North on the Iditarod Trail"
It might seem a lonely sport to race dogs a thousand miles with little human contact, but when you're surrounded by man's best friend(s), you really don't feel lonely, according to dog mushers who spend months on the ice with their team of canines.
The 1925 Sled Dog Run That Inspired the Iditarod
Guest: Laney Salisbury, co-author, "The Cruelest Miles: The Heroic Story of Dogs and Men in a Race Against an Epidemic"
The remote town of Nome, Alaska was home to just 1,400 residents when a deadly strain of diphtheria broke out in 1925. The life-saving antidote lay 1,000 miles away Anchorage and the only way to transport it was a team of sled dogs. Author Laney Salisbury tells the incredible story of the people and canines racing against an epidemic.
Diphtheria
Guest: Chantel Sloan, Associate Professor, Life Sciences, Brigham Young University
We don't hear much about diptheria in North America. What is this disease that almost wiped out the entire town of Nome, and could it pose a similar threat today?
Do we need to worry about an asteroid impact?
Guest: Paul Sutter, astrophysicist, Ohio State University, author, and host of “Ask a Spaceman” podcast
How likely is it that we could have a catastrophic collision with an asteroid?
Space Mining
Guest: Martin Elvis, Senior Astrophysicist, Center for Astrophysics, Harvard University
As Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk set their sights on space colonization, astrophysicist Martin Elvis is raising the question of mining in space. What’s out there? How much is there? What will we use it for? And most importantly, what happens when we run out?
New Horizons
Guest: Alan Stern, planetary scientist, principal investigator, NASA New Horizons mission
Alan Stern conceptualized and was able to bring to pass one of the most groundbreaking space missions of the 2000's, New Horizons. In an interview with host Julie Rose from BYUradio's Top of Mind, Stern discusses this mission and what it took to send a little probe all the way to the edge of the solar system and beyond.
The Tangled History of Opium
Guest: David Blistein, co-author with John H. Halpern, "Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned our World"
Our opioid epidemic is nothing new, as the Chinese could tell you--they fought for years to keep British opium out of their country, to no avail. So many cultures have tackled the double-edged sword of opium use. It's relieved more pain than it's caused, according to Blistein, but it certainly has caused a great deal of pain. What can be done about addiction today?
Origins of the Global Drug Trade
Guest: Benjamin Breen, Assistant Professor, History, University of California, Santa Cruz
How we view drugs is deeply influenced by a complicated history involving colonialism, religion, and science.
Impeccable Spy
Guest: Owen Matthews, author, "An Impeccable Spy, Richard Sorge: Stalin's Master Agent"
Richard Sorge was possibly the only man in WWII to be part of the Nazi party and part of the Soviet Communist party at the same time.
Ironbark
Featuring: Rachel Brosnahan, actress; Dominic Cooke, director; Tom O'Connor, writer; Merab Ninidze, actor
Producer Tennery Taylor caught up with the director, screenwriter and a couple of cast members of "Ironbark" just before its worldwide premiere at the Sundance Film Festival. "Ironbark" is based on the true story of an English businessman (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) recruited to help a Russian spy smuggle secrets to British and American intelligence agencies. Their work played a major role in the de-escalation of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
The Curse of the Hope Diamond
Guest: Richard Kurin, Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large, Smithsonian Institution, and author, "Hope Diamond: The Legendary History of a Cursed Gem"
Drawing millions of visitors every year, the Hope Diamond is the crowning jewel of the Smithsonian Institute. It’s famous for its deep blue color and impressive size, but the diamond is also known for something more sinister—a deadly curse befalling those who cross its path. Richard Kurin of the Smithsonian Institute weighs in on the legendary history of this infamous treasure.
The Very Real Person Behind The "Little House" Series
Guest: Caroline Fraser, author, "Prairie Fires: The American Dreams of Laura Ingalls Wilder"
Laura Ingalls Wilder is such an iconic part of our definition of America that, despite our love of her, her life seems more folklore or fairytale. But Wilder was a real person, and her life was a good deal more complex than what she wrote down in her "Little House" books.
The Fate of Hearing in Our Increasingly Loud World
Guest: David Owen, staff writer, "The New Yorker," and author, "Volume Control: Hearing in a Deafening World"
Hearing loss is a widespread issue which is complex and fascinating for various reasons. We should value our hearing more, and perhaps start working for a quieter society.
Welcome to Book Heaven
Guest: Alex Johnson, journalist and author, "Book Towns: Forty-Five Paradises of the Printed Word"
Throughout the world, entire towns are dedicating themselves as havens for book sellers, buyers, makers, readers. These "book towns" are paradises for the literary soul and surprisingly savvy economic solutions to small-town problems.
The Life of Books Beyond the Stories They Tell
Guest: Tom Mole, author, "The Secret Life of Books: Why They Mean More Than Words"
Books have a life of their own outside of the stories they tell. The way we interact with books, use them, write in them, shelve them, both historically and today, tells us about ourselves and why the physical book keeps surviving in an electronic age.
The Power of Horses to Heal Us
Guest: Tim Hayes, equine-therapy expert, Natural Horsemanship Clinician, and author, "Riding Home: The Power of Horses to Heal"
Developing relationships with horses has an incredible power to change, inspire, and heal us.
Saving Sherman
Guest: Christopher McDougall, author, "Born to Run," "Natural Born Heroes," and his new book, "Running with Sherman"
An abused and neglected donkey gets a new life as a long-distance runner.
Sundance Film Festival
Host Marcus Smith and producer Tennery Taylor discuss the Sundance Film Festival.
Baseball and the American City
Guest: Paul Goldberger, author, "Ballpark: Baseball in the American City"
Baseball parks and the structures that surround them offer us a window to understanding the evolution of American cities and our attitudes towards them.
What Does It Take to Create a Monument? Quite A Lot, Actually
Guest: Tracy Campbell, E. Vernon Smith and Eloise C. Smith Professor of American History, University of Kentucky
The history of the Gateway Arch involves a stolen election, never-before-done architectural tricks (How DO you run an elevator through an arch?), and a brash architect looking for glory.
What 5,700-year-old Gum Tells us About the People Who Chewed It
Guest: Hannes Schroeder, Associate Professor, Archaeology, GLOBE Institute, University of Copenhagen
How DNA found in 5,700-year-old chewed birch pitch can reveal the physical appearance and eating habits of ancient people.
Prehistoric Sippy Cups
Guest: Julie Dunne, Biomolecular Archaeologist, University of Bristol
Prehistoric parents used sippy cups in animal shapes, not unlike our plastic versions.
Ancient Mesopotamia Speaks
Guest: Eckart Frahm, Professor, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Yale University
There are striking similarities between our modern lives and those of the Mesopotamians thousands of years ago: they sang lullabies, kept cookbooks, complained about their parents. Lucky for us, they recorded their thoughts on clay tablets, which last a lot longer than paper.
For a look inside “Ancient Mesopotamia Speaks” exhibit at Yale’s Peabody Museum of Natural History, click here.
Mummified Animals and Million-Year-Old Hyena Teeth Found Frozen in Canadian Ice
Guest: Grant Zazula, Paleontologist, the Government of Yukon
Paleontologists from the Yukon Territory in Canada have discovered and identified ancient mummified animals frozen in the ice and the first evidence of million-year-old hyenas living in North America.
The Story of a 5,300-year-old Alpine Wanderer
Guest: Patrick Hunt, Archaeologist, Stanford University; Expeditions Expert, National Geographic; and Research Associate, Archaeoethnobotany, Institute for the Ethnomedicine
Found half-burried in the Italian Alps, Ötzi the Iceman is among the oldest human beings ever discovered—dating back 5,300 years. Since his initial discovery in 1991, researchers have been piecing together his mysterious life and death. Alpine archaeologist and Ötzi expert, Patrick Hunt, weighs in on his compelling history.
The World's Oldest Novel
Guest: Melissa McCormick, Professor, Japanese Art and Culture, Harvard, and author, "The Tale of Genji: A Visual Companion," and curator of the exhibition on "The Tale of Genji: A Japanese Classic Illuminated" at The Met
"The Tale of Genji" is arguably the oldest novel in the world, and some scholars say it is as central to Japanese art and culture as the Bible is in the West. The voluminous, complicated work was written by a woman scholar from the Imperial court.
Virginia Woolf
Guest: Jarica Watts, Assistant Professor, English, Brigham Young University
Virginia Woolf is famous for her writings about women. Think "A Room of One's Own" and "Mrs. Dalloway." But she's not famous for her tender portraits of mothers, though those can be found throughout her writing. Prof. Watts is exploring those relationships in a new book about Virginia Woolf.
How Biocrust Holds It All Together
Guest: Sasha Reed, Research Ecologist, United States Geological Survey
Our skin is the largest organ of the human body, and the Earth has her own skin too--and it’s a living, breathing, and surprisingly vital part of the environment called the biocrust. Sasha Reed explains exactly how important this “organ” is and why we should pay attention to the soil beneath our feet.
Life Under the Earth, an Investigation
Guest: Ben Abbott, Professor, Ecosystem Ecology, Brigham Young University
Recent studies have found that life can flourish underneath the earth. Through a complex network of fractures within the earth, oxygen can make its way deeper through these cracks, facilitating the growth of microbial hotpots. These microbes are pushing life to its limits. What does this discovery mean for ecosystems here on the surface? What can we learn from the life beneath our feet?
Holocaust Memory
Guest: Jeff Jacoby, columnist, "The Boston Globe"
Jeff Jacoby’s father, Mark Jacoby, is a Holocaust survivor. More than that, though, he is a father, a husband, a practicing Jew, and a happy man. This is the story of the triumph of faith and the human spirit. On the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, we revisit our conversation with him.
Why, After a Century of Research, We Still Know Very Little About Curing Mental Illness?
Guest: Anne Harrington, Professor of the History of Science, Harvard University, Author of“Mind Fixers: Psychiatry’s Troubled Search for the Biology of Mental Illness”
We talk about outer space as the last frontier. Maybe we have another yet to conquer. Let’s call it inner space. Few of us, today, have not been touched in some way by mental health crisis, and few have not been beset with fears about what we could or should have done differently. Just like the families of those affected, the mental health profession has struggled for over a century to figure out causes and cures for depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, autism, and other brain maladies. The brain has still not yielded its secrets. And we still aren’t even really sure how the mind and brain –and even the soul connect. Even the human genome still mocks our futility on this front. At some level, we know that mental illness has biological roots. But we still don’t know what this means or what to do about it.
The Iconic Inkblot Test and Its Creator
Guest: Damion Searls, translator and author of "The Inkblots: Hermann Rorschach, His Iconic Test, and the Power of Seeing"
The Rorschach test is a legitimate test, and is also fascinating for the approach it takes to the human mind. The little known story of Hermann Rorschach himself is the story of a wonderful person and brilliant scientist.
The Digital Currency Gold Rush
Guest: Philip Salter, Head of Mining Operations, Genesis Mining Company
This years largest single consumer of electricity in Iceland is not all the residents heating their himes, but instead companies that mine an electronic currency called Bitcoin. Bitcoin is what is called a crypto-currency that is digitally "mined" by massive network computers, and can be used to buy things just like dollar bills can be exchanged to get you a fancy new television. Iceland is a bitcoin paradise because of the low cost of its electricity and cool temperatures that keep the computer processors from catching on fire!
How to Preserve the Future
Guest: Peter Galison, physicist, historian of science, and filmmaker at Harvard University, where he is the Joseph Pellegrino University Professor
The issue of warning future generations about the dangers of stored nuclear waste is complicated. Thankfully, there are some very bright people on the job.
Raptors Keep Jersey Gulls in Line
Guest: Erik Swanson, Master Falconer, East Coast Falcons; Animal Control Officer and Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator
Patrolling raptors may be the solution to the Jersey shore’s seagull problem.
The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary 24 Hours in America
Guest: Gene Weingarten; two-time Pulitzer prize-winning journalist, and author, "One Day: The Extraordinary Story of an Ordinary 24 Hours in America"
What happened yesterday at 3:15 pm? What about five years ago at 6:27? For most of us, these passing moments seem insignificant in the course of our lives. But according to journalist Gene Weingarten, no moment, no day is insignificant. He joins us to discuss his new book "One Day: The Extraordinary Story of An Ordinary 24 Hours in America."
How One Man Traded a Paperclip for a House
Guest: Kyle MacDonald, "the red paperclip guy," and author, "One Red Paperclip: How to Trade a Red Paperclip for a House"
A game of "bigger or better" turned Kyle's little red paperclip into a house. He shares his fun story, and also a message of hope and optimism for anyone who wants to improve his or her situation.
Scientists Learn Big Lessons from Tiny Dinosaur Dandruff
Guest: Mike Benton, Professor, Vertebrate Palaeontology, University of Bristol
When you have a chance to visit a dinosaur museum, it’s easy to feel small next to a 20- to 30-foot long skeleton of, say, a stegosaurus. But it’s fun to imagine paleontologists assembling all those massive bones and plates to solve the puzzle of what dinosaurs looked like. Except, the puzzle isn’t really complete once the skeleton is put back together again. Because, there’s the skin to consider . . . and feathers. And, scientists now even look at dinosaur dandruff to figure out how these creatures moved. Because something as small as a flake of skin can actually be just as important to understanding these creatures as a skull, or a leg bone.
Just How Did Dinosaurs Use Their Teeth?
Guest: Michael D'Emic, Assistant Professor, Biology, Adelphi University
Herbivorous and some carnivorous dinosaurs replaced their teeth rather quickly. What this tells us about their diet and social structure.
Dinosaur Treasure
Guest: Caleb Brown, Curator, Dinosaur Systematics and Evolution, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Alberta, Canada
In March 2011, a mechanical shovel operator accidentally stumbled on a mummified dinosaur. It was so well preserved that the contents of its guts were still inside. What we learn from this amazing specimen.
Finding the Ancient Honduran Civilization That Mysteriously Vanished
Guest: Douglas Preston, journalist, "National Geographic," and author, "The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story"
One of the greatest archaeological discoveries of our generation was made a few years ago when a research team went to the jungles of Honduras and discovered an ancient civilization whose ruins have been left completely untouched for centuries.
River of Darkness
Buddy Levy, author, "River of Darkness: Francisco Orellana's Legendary Voyage of Death and Discovery Down the Amazon"
Francisco de Orellana accidentally sailed across a continent.
How a Bagel Union Fought Off the Mafia
Guest: Jason Turbow, author, "How New York’s Bagel Union Fought — and Beat — a Mafia Takeover," Grub Street, "They Bled Blue: Fernandomania, Strike-Season Mayhem, and the Weirdest Championship Baseball Had Ever Seen: The 1981 Los Angeles Dodgers"
In 1960's New York City, bagels were just getting popular, and the mafia wanted in on the profits. Bagel Union 338, though, would have none of it.
Why is Grease So Tasty?
Guest: George Motz, author, "The Great American Burger Book: How to Make Authentic Regional Hamburgers at Home"
Lard and tallow have been a part of fast-food for generations. Here's why they're so much tastier than the vegetable oils that often replace them.
Magic Mushrooms
Guest: Tradd Cotter, microbiologist, mycologist, organic gardener, and owner, Mushroom Mountain and Mycomatrix
Mushrooms have a myriad of uses and "superpowers" we're just beginning to discover.
The Amazing! The Incredible! The Marvelous Stan Lee!
Guest: Danny Fingeroth, comics writer and editor, and author, "A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee"
Remembering a legend in the world of comic books. Stan Lee's influence on the evolution of superheros comics. How grown ups became a burgeoning market for superheroes in spandex.
The Science of Making Superheroes
Guest: Sebastian Alvarado, author, "The Science of Marvel: From Infinity Stones to Iron Man's Armor, the Real Science Behind the MCU Revealed!"
This scientist mines the real world for insight into how to create superpowers for Marvel heroes on screen.
How Silicon Valley Wants to Conquer Aging
Guest: Chip Walter, science journalist, filmmaker and author, "Immortality, Inc.: Renegade Science, Silicon Valley Billions, and the Quest to Live Forever"
Want to live longer and healthier? Silicon Valley scientists are searching for answers that will prevent aging altogether, and they're looking to long-living animals for inspiration.
Saving Ecosystems with Cutting-Edge Genetics
Guest: Ben Novak, Lead Scientist, Revive and Restore
CRISPR technology, which allows precise manipulation of genomes, affords scientists ecological tools to help combat destruction of species and habitats. It can also help get rid of pests without resorting to pesticides.
(Originally aired on 12/18/2020)
Psychology of Food
Guest: Rachel Herz, author, "Why You Eat What You Eat: The Science Behind our Relationship with Food," and Adjunct Professor, Brown University and Boston College
There is much, much more to your food preferences than you’d think—beyond your tongue, your brain and nose play invaluable roles in helping you love bacon, chocolate, and pickles.
Miracle Fruit
Guest: Linda Bartoshuk, Bushnell Professor, Food Science & Human Nutrition, University of Florida
Miracle fruit can do something truly miraculous—turn sour foods sweet.
Umami: The 5th Basic Flavor
Guest: Gary Beauchamp, Distinguished Member, Emeritus Director and President, Monell Chemical Senses Center
Umami, the mysterious fifth basic flavor, wasn’t identified until the early 1900s. But it's been linked to a feeling of satiation and its been quite a buzzword for the last couple decades. Still, its entree into our vocabulary was accompanied by a bit of drama surrounding the seasoning MSG.
From Spain to Abroad: The Basque Diaspora
Guest: Anne-Marie Chiramberro, blogger, "Hella Basque"
Did you know there could be as many as 100,000 people in America who claim Basque descent?
The Kurds
Guest: Stephen Mansfield, author, "The Miracle of the Kurds: A Remarkable Story of Hope Reborn in Northern Iraq"
You’ve seen their name scroll across the news, you’ve read about them as key players in the Iraqi conflict, but you’re not quite sure who they are, what makes them different, and why they’ve picked the battles that they have. Tune in to learn more about this remarkable group of people, the Kurds.
Making Music with Icestruments (originally aired April 19, 2019)
Guest: Tim Linhart, Founder of Ice Music in Luleå, Sweden
What does it take to make a cello or guitar? Probably some suitable wood. String of some kind would be good. And a fair amount of know-how. But what if you were to make them out of water instead of wood? Water would trickle away … so maybe snow and ice instead? Tim Linhart makes icestruments, and they make an amazing sound.
Smuggling Rock and Roll In and Out of the USSR
Guest: Joanna Stingray, American singer-songwriter
How an American musician snuck Russian rock and roll out from under the KGB and into the world during the Cold War.
Butter
Guest: Elaine Khosrova, food writer and founding editor of "culture," a national magazine about cheese
Butter is starting to come back. The reasons we had for thinking it unhealthy were based on questionable science, and there is so much to be loved in good old butter. There are hundreds of sorts of butter, and it had a facinating history around the world.
What Makes a Gentleman?
Guest: Raphael Schneider, founder, "Gentleman's Gazette" website
With a careful eye for fashion, patience, and a mature disposition, anyone can be a gentleman.
Pregnancy Myths
Guest: Lara Freidenfelds, writer, blogger and historian of health, reproduction and parenting; author, "The Myth of the Perfect Pregnancy: A History of Miscarriage in America"
Freidenfelds claims we ought to temper our expectations of pregnancy and accept that early pregnancy loss is a natural part of healthy women's childbearing.
Let's Debunk Some Baby Myths
Guest: Emily Oster, Associate Professor, Economics, Brown University, and author, "Cribsheet, A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting From Birth to Preschool"
This economics professor combs the data and encourages parents to relax and not worry too much about what "experts" say.
How to Get Your Teens to Listen to Your Stories?
Guest: Sam Payne, host, The Apple Seed, BYUradio
Want your teens to listen to your stories? Tell them stories about themselves.
Immune Memory
Guest: Michael Mina, Assistant Professor, Epidemiology and Immunology, Harvard School of Public Health, and physician, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Besides the dangers measles poses in and of itself, turns out that the disease can also erase the "memory" of its victims immune systems, leaving them vulnerable to other diseases they previously had immunity to.
The Future of Autonomous Robots
Guest: Robert Shepherd, Associate Professor, Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering, Cornell University
An innovative way of approaching robot design led to a unique solution for more compact energy storage in robots, and a robot-fish that can power itself!
What's Free to Use in 2020?
Guest: Jennifer Jenkins, Director, Center for the Study of the Public Domain, Duke University
What is available in the public domain in 2020? "Rhapsody in Blue" and some A. A. Milne, for starters.
A Global History of Mexico's Most Popular Food
Guest: Jeffery Pilcher, Professor, History and Food Studies, University of Toronto, and author, "Planet Taco: A Global History of Mexican Food"
A crunchy U-shaped shell, greasy ground beef, iceberg lettuce, and tomaoes. The Americanized taco has been a staple in our fast food cuisine for decades. But how did this crunchy comfort food come to be?
The Perfect Pizza
Guest: Peter Reinhart, author of 11 books on baking and pizza
What is the greatest pizza? Peter Reinhart has dedicated 10 years of travel, study, and taste-testing to answer that question.
The Burger Belt
Guest: Goerge Motz, author, "Hamburger America: A State-By-State Guide to 200 Great Burger Joints"
Hamburgers are a beloved American staple, and regional diversity in the styles and flavors add surprising variety in burger styles accross the nation.
Ike Jime: The Delicious Way to Kill Fish
Guest: Andrew Tsui, President, Ike Jime Federation
The Ike Jime method, the most humane way to kill a fish, also creates a product that can age to perfection.
Martin Luther King, Jr.
Guest: Clayborne Carson, Martin Luther King, Jr. Centennial Professor, American History, and Director, Martin Luther King, Jr., Research and Education Institute, Stanford University
Martin Luther King, Jr., was the most influential American civil rights leader of the 20th century. We dive into his early years before he became a minister or activist. Professor Carson calls him "almost an accidental civil rights leader," but he was always bound to help the poor.
The Wizard's Story
Guest: Bernie Carlson, Chair, Engineering and Society, Joseph L. Vaughan Professor of Humanities, Professor, History, Director, Engineering Business Programs, University of Virginia
Tesla was an important contemporary of scientific greats such as Edison, Bell and Hertz. His motivation differed from Edison's, however, which might be why we know less about him.
Depression Stories
Guest: David A. Taylor, author, "The Soul of a People: The WPA Writers' Project Uncovers Depression America"
In the 1930s, the federal government sponsered unemployed teachers, writers, historians, and artists to create a comprehensive guide to the United States.
Johnny Appleseed: The Eccentric Man Behind the Great American Legend
Guest: Howard Means, journalist and author, "Johnny Appleseed: The Man, the Myth, the American Story"
Johnny Appleseed, born John Chapman, was a pioneer of the American frontier, and and eccentric one at that. He's a larger-than-life figure with a story we've all helped to promote and expand. His history, though, is a bit more complicated than the Disney biopic lets on.
If Dogs Are Man's Best Friend, Then Why Are Wild Dogs Man's Worst Enemy?
Guest: Sy Montgomery, author, "How to be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals"
Why is it that we hate wild dogs so much? They're so like our own dogs that they can even interbreed with them. The qualities that we hate so much in wild dogs we love in our own. Do we have a double standard when it comes to wild dogs? And what problems does our hatred of wild dogs cause?
A Wonderful World in the Canopy
Guest: Richard Preston, author, "The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring"
Giant trees are the gateway to a rarely explored world teeming with wonder.
The Big World of Miniature Trees
Guest: Peter Chan, expert bonsai artist
The history of bonsai and how an electrical engineer taught himself the this ancient art and became an award-winning expert.
The Open Heart Club
Guest: Gabriel Brownstein, Professor, English,lSt. John's University, New York City, and author, "The Open Heart Club: A Story about Birth and Death in Cardiac Surgery"
Gabriel Brownstein has lived most of his life needing heart surgeries, and he was lucky to get the surgery that saved his life. In his book, he tells his own story, and the stories of the men and women behind the medical breakthroughs that saved his life.
Worm-Inspired Glue Mends Broken Hearts
Guest: Jeff Karp, Associate Professor, Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School
Fixing heart defects is a notoriously difficult feat, and existing suturing technology can be dangerous. Jeff Karp, a biomedical engineer, has worked with a team of researchers to develop a new surgical glue. The coolest part? It's inspired by worms!
History Has Been Growing on Pennsylvania Avenue for a Long Time
Guest: Marta McDowell, gardener and author, "All the Presidents' Gardens: Madison's Cabbages to Kennedy's Roses, How the White House Grounds Have Grown with America"
The White House grounds have seen a lot of history--weddings, parties, and discussions with foreign leaders have all taken place there. The history of the grounds is as storied as the history of the house's inhabitants.
Casablanca
Guest: Harlan Lebo, author, "Casablanca: Behind the Scenes"
How the story of Casablanca fit into the real world and why it has remained a classic film to this day.
Miracle in Lake Placid
Guest: John Gilbert, author, "Miracle in Lake Placid: The Greatest Hockey Story Ever Told"
Forty years later, the victory of the US ice hockey team over the Soviet Union in the 1980 Lake Placid Olympics still stands as the ultimade underdog story.
The Statue of Liberty
Guest: Francesca Lidia Viano, Fellow, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard University, and author, "Sentinel: The Unlikely Origins of the Statue of Liberty"
Uncovering deeper meanings to the symbolism and art behind the Statue of Liberty.
Why Modern Audiences Love "Little Women"
Guest: Anne Boyd Rioux, author, "Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why it Still Matters"
What makes the current adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's "\_Little Women" \_resonate with modern audiences may be the same themes that popularized the novel in the 1870s.
Down to Earth: Disposable Gifts
Guest: Rachel Mabey Whipple, member, Board of Directors, Nature Conservancy's Utah chapter; Clint Whipple, Associate Professor, Biology, Brigham Young University
This husband and wife duo are back to tackle the culture of giving too many gifts. Inexpensive gifts that are used once and then discarded contribute to a large portion of the waste we produce as a society. What can serve as a replacement for these disposable tokens of affection?
Snowflake Science
Guest: Kenneth G Libbrecht, Professor, Physics, Caltech
Look out your window durring a snowstorm and you'll see billions and billions of snowflakes falling from the sky. The snowflake has long been a symbol of chilly winters and the holiday season, but the science behind these little frozen pieces of art provides interesting insight into why snowflakes end up looking the way that they do.
The Burger Belt
Guest: George Motz, author, "Hamburger America: A State-By-State Guide to 200 Great Burger Joints"
Hamburgers are a beloved American staple, and regional diversity in the styles and flavors add surprising variety in burger styles accross the nation. But purist George Motz says don't overpower the meat in your burger, and you might want to think of grease as a condiment.
The Power of Horses to Heal
Guest: Tim Hayes, equine-therapy expert, Natural Horsemanship Clinician, and author, "Riding Home: The Power of Horses to Heal"
Developing relationships with horses has an incredible power to change, inspire, and heal us.
Nature or Nuture?
Guest: Zach Hambrick, Professor, Psychology, Michigan State University, and editor, "Journal of Expertise"
Expertise is born of a combination of genetic ability and hard work.
Nuke the Moon
Guest: Vince Houghton, historian and curator, International Spy Museum, Washington, DC.
The United States has historically never been short on innovation, though some inventive espionage ideas have bordered on the absurd. Ever hear about the time that we nuked the moon? Need we say more?
Cook, Taste, Learn
Guest: Guy Crosby, Adjunct Associate Professor, Nutrition, Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health, and author, "Cook, Taste, Learn: How the Evolution of Science Transformed the Art of Cooking"
We're going to sparse out myth from reality in the kitchen. Harvard's Guy Crosby, "the cooking science guy" explains the science behind producing a tender pork chop or a juicy roast. He's the author of "Cook, Taste, Learn" and we'll learn from him how great chefs use science to improve taste and flavor.
Fighting Fire with Fire in Australia
Guest: Rodney Keenan, Professor, Forest and Ecosystem Science, The University of Melbourne, Australia
Australia is burning, and the solution may be to fight fire with fire. Aboriginal Australians had for centuries managed the forests by burning undergrowth in a mosaic pattern. Also, eucalyptus presents unique challenges. Did you know there are 700 species of eucalyptus in Australia?
Cork Wars
Guest: David Taylor, author "Cork Wars: Intrigue and Industry in World War II"
Sometimes conflict, strife, family life, and fortune, can all revolve around the most innocuous of substances—during World War II, one of these was cork. This is the story of how cork changed the course of the war.
The Truffle Underground
Guest: Ryan Jacobs, author, "The Truffle Underground: A Tale of Mystery, Mayhem, and Manipulation in the Shadowy Market of the World's Most Expensive Fungus"
In the world of luxury foods, the truffle is one of the most expensive delicacies out there, inspiring not only farmers and chefs, but an entire underground of truffle-related crime.
The Impeachers
Guest: Brenda Wineapple, author, "The Impeachers: The Trial of Andrew Johnson and the Dream of a Just Nation"
Presidential impeachment has occurred throughout our nation’s history, beginning with Lincoln’s infamous successor, Andrew Johnson. Author and historian Brenda Wineapple explains the first US presidential impeachment.
Food Safety: Food Processing
Guest: Roger Clemens, biological chemist, University of Southern California Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine
What is the definition of "food processing"? Is mashing food for your baby "processing" food? What changes in the nutritional value of the food when food is "processed"?
Scientist Recreates 4,000-Year-Old Egyptian Sourdough Bread
Guest: Seamus Blackley, father of the Xbox, physicist
Father of the Xbox, tech scientist, and amateur gastroegyptologist, Seamus Blackley has recreated ancient Egyptian sourdough bread using 4,000-year-old yeast extracted, with help from Harvard University, from Egyptian pottery.
Outlaw Ocean
Guest: Ian Urbina, investigative reporter, The New York Times, and author, "Outlaw Ocean"
There are very few untamed regions left on our planet. Perhaps the most dangerous, unregulated, and least understood are the watery depths of the world’s oceans. Author and journalist Ian Urbina weighs in on the wild criminality that often characterizes these unclaimed waters.
Three Kings Day
Guest: Brent Landau, Senior Lecturer, Religious Studies ,University of Texas at Austin, and English translator, "Revelation of the Magi: The Lost Tale of the Wise Men's Journey to Bethlehem"
The "Revelation of the Magi" is an apocryphal text that may shed new light on the Magi’s lives and journey, and presents an interesting perspective on the idea of revelation.
Cloud Poetry
Guest: Gavin Pretor-Pinney, founder, Cloud Appreciation Society, and author, "The Cloudspotter’s Guide," and “A Cloud a Day”
Feeling like you’ve got a cloud hanging over you? Listen in and maybe you’ll start to think that’s a good thing.
Great Books of 2019
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian and regular contributor to The Lisa Show, weekdays at 8 am ET/7 am PT
2019 was the year of sequels wrapping up. Tune in to catch up on what you might have missed. Then look ahead at 2020 because there are biographies you won't want your kids to miss this year!
Christmas Ghost Stories
Guest: Leslee Thorne-Murphy, Associate Dean, College of Humanities, and Associate Professor, English, Brigham Young University
Christmas gatherings in Victorian England looked a little different than they do today. Along with the dancing, singing, and eating, these parties also consisted of an annual spooky story swap.
Bing Crosby: A Complicated Man
Guest: Gary Giddins, critic, author, and biographer, "Bing Crosby: Swinging On a Star - the War Years, 1940-1946"
The star of the classic “White Christmas” was more than an entertainment legend—he had an emotional depth that was haunted by what he saw during WWII.
(Fairly) True Stories
Guest: Liesl Shurtliff, author, "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstiltskin" and other children’s novels
It’s a big world out there and it’s changed a lot since the Brothers Grimm first recorded their fairy tales. Liesl Shurtliff adapts these well-told stories to modern audiences and their problems.
Storytelling Secrets
Guest: Sam Payne, Host, The Apple Seed, BYUradio
A storytelling challenge. How to make fairy tales real to kids today.
A Fierce Ermine Teaches Lessons of Love
Sy Montgomery, "How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals"
One Christmas Day, naturalist Sy Montgomery lost a beloved chicken, but she was inspired to forgive her mother. All thanks to a determined ermine.
Trials of the Season
Guest: Tim Slover, Professor, Theatre, University of Utah
An original poem that will inspire you if Christmas leaves you feeling jaded and exhausted.
Our Complex Relationship with the Nearest Star
Guest: Linda Geddes, freelance science and medical journalist, and author, "Chasing the Sun: The New Science of Sunlight and How it Shapes Our Bodies and Minds"
Sunlight is essential to human health for a variety of physiological and psychological reasons.
Christmas: Light in the Darkest Time of Year
Guest: Ben Abbott, Assistant Professor, Ecosystem Ecology, Brigham Young University
We celebrate Christmas, a symbol of hope and light, at the darkest time of the year. Christ's light is like the sun, but unlike it as well, since it is constant even in times of spiritual darkness in our lives.
Snowflake Science
Guest: Kenneth G Libbrecht, Professor, Physics, Caltech
Look out your window during a snowstorm and you’ll see billions and billions of snowflakes falling from the sky. The snowflake has long been a symbol of chilly winters and the holiday season, but the science behind these little frozen pieces of art provides interesting insight into why snowflakes end up looking the way that they do.
The Micronation of Outer Baldonia
Guest: Kara Arundel, education reporter and editor, based in Washington, D.C., and author, "Raising America’s Zoo: How Two Wild Gorillas Helped Transform the National Zoo"
Outer Baldonia was a tiny island nation, complete with a declaration of independence, constitution, and its own currency. It was created and led by its “Prince of Princes,” Russell Arundel, a Washington businessman and lobbyist. It supported freedom for fishermen and opposed the communist bloc.
The Art of Counterintelligence
Guest: James M. Olson, former Chief of CIA Counterintelligence, and current Professor, Counterintelligence, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University
Someone must spy on the enemy's spies. This is the role of counterintelligence agents, who track down and identify spies in their midst, and try to prevent them from getting there in the first place.
How One Man Traded a Paperclip for a House
Guest: Kyle MacDonald, “the red paperclip guy,” and author, "One Red Paperclip: How to Trade a Red Paperclip for a House"
A game of "bigger or better" turned Kyle’s little red paperclip into a house. He shares his fun story, and also a message of hope and optimism for anyone who wants to improve his or her situation.
Robert Smalls, Unsung Civil War Hero
Guest: Douglas Egerton, Professor, History, Le Moyne College
Historian Douglas Egerton explores the legacy of one Civil War hero you probably haven’t heard of. Robert Smalls was an enslaved man who took over a Confederate ship, freed sixteen other enslaved people, and turned the Confederate ship over to the Union. Then he went on to have a fiery legislative career.
The FBI’s Top Hostage Negotiator Says Never Split the Difference
Guest: Chris Voss, founder and CEO, The Black Swan Group, and author of “Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It”
The same "tactical empathy" hostage negotiators employ in negotiating with terrorists can help you improve your job, your family, and your relationships through effective communication and emotional intelligence. We interview a former top FBI hostage negotiator on how to never split the difference in our daily negotiations.
When the News Was Sung
Guest: Una McIlvenna, Hansen Lecturer in History, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne
With low literacy rates, and a desire to spread information quickly, Renaissance Europeans often sang the news in the town square. These news ballads, often melodramatic and moralizing, warned of the bloody consequences of sin and vice. And they were catchy tunes, so listeners often found themselves redistributing the news voluntarily.
Psychology of Food
Guest: Rachel Herz, author, "Why You Eat What You Eat: The Science Behind our Relationship with Food," and Adjunct Professor, Brown University and Boston College
There is much, much more to your food preferences than you’d think—beyond your tongue, your brain and nose play invaluable roles in helping you love bacon, chocolate, and pickles.
Miracle Fruit
Guest: Linda Bartoshuk, Bushnell Professor, Food Science & Human Nutrition, University of Florida
Miracle fruit can do something truly miraculous—turn sour foods sweet.
Umami: The 5th Basic Flavor
Guest: Gary Beauchamp, Distinguished Member, Emeritus Director and President, Monell Chemical Senses Center
Umami, the mysterious fifth basic flavor, wasn’t identified until the early 1900s. But it's been linked to a feeling of satiation and its been quite a buzzword for the last couple decades. Still, its entree into our vocabulary was accompanied by a bit of drama surrounding the seasoning MSG.
From Spain to Abroad: The Basque Diaspora
Guest: Anne-Marie Chiramberro, blogger, "Hella Basque"
Did you know there could be as many as 100,000 people in America who claim Basque descent?
The Kurds
Guest: Stephen Mansfield, author, "The Miracle of the Kurds: A Remarkable Story of Hope Reborn in Northern Iraq"
You’ve seen their name scroll across the news, you’ve read about them as key players in the Iraqi conflict, but you’re not quite sure who they are, what makes them different, and why they’ve picked the battles that they have. Tune in to learn more about this remarkable group of people, the Kurds.
The Book of Leonard, the Other, Other Wise Man
Guest: Tim Slover, Professor, Theatre, University of Utah
No Christmas scene would be complete without the three wise men. Tim Slover shares an original tale, of Leonard, the other other wise man who never made it to Bethlehem.
The Mystery of the Magi
Guest: Daniel Peterson, Professor, Arabic, and founder and long-time editor, Middle Eastern Texts Initiative, Brigham Young University
The magi have appeared in the traditional Christmas narrative for centuries, bringing their gold, frankincense, and myrrh from faraway lands. But how much do we really know about their origins?
King Arthur and the Knights of the Evergreen Table
Guest: Leah Tether, faculty member and Co-Director, Centre for Medieval Studies, University of Bristol
Perhaps no legend in the English language has been as enduring as the story of King Arthur. Thousands of off-shoots and iterations of the central Arthurian ideas have led to story after story of chivalry, conquest, love and magic that could’ve filled the lifetime of a hundred different Arthurs. Now a new contribution to the Arthur legend.
Discovering the World Through Stamps
Guest: Graham Beck, philatelist and YouTube host
Perhaps nothing is quite as synonymous with the stereotyped image of an eclectic collector as that of the philatelist, or stamp collector. Since 1774 when John Bourke first started the practice, dedicated individuals have hunted down and been captivated by the humble postage stamp. Beck takes this obsession one step further and uses stamps as a lens on the world.
Wives of POWs Brought their Husbands Home from Vietnam
Guest: Heath Hardage Lee, author, “The League of Wives: The Untold Story of the Women Who Took on the U.S. Government to Bring Their Husbands Home from Vietnam”
In 1967, the wives of POW/MIA soldiers in Vietnam revealed years of coded letters they had sent to their husbands, proving that their captors were violating the Geneva Convention’s rules for treating prisoners of war. The League of Wives helped change public perception of the war.
The Ants Beneath Our Feet
Guest: Jack Longino, Professor, Biology, University of Utah, and Head, Longino Lab
Jack Longino has an impressive track record, from discovering dozens of new species of ants to mapping thousands of genomes to improving scientific outreach using ants. How likely was it that he'd discover a new type of ant right in his own back yard?
In the Tops of the Trees
Guest: Nalini Nadkarni, Professor, Biology, University of Utah, and Director, STEM Ambassador Program
The passion that brings Nalini Nadkarni climbing to the top of trees in Costa Rican cloud forests is exactly what she is trying to instill in everyone she meets, from prisoners to young girls to the community at large. She now has her own tree-top Barbie.
How the World Kept Cool When “The Ice King” Ruled
Guest: Jonathan Rees, Professor, History, Colorado State University-Pueblo, and author, "Refrigeration Nation," "Before the Refrigerator" and "Refrigerator"
Before the refrigerator, or air conditioning or electric fans, ice was a hot – or rather, cold – commodity. We’re talking about the surprisingly complex workings of the ice industry, and the “Ice King” who started it all.
Battle Against the Ice
Guest: Buddy Levy, Author of Labyrinth of Ice: The Triumphant and Tragic Greely Polar Expedition.
The Greely Polar Expedition was vitally important in terms of both scientific research and cartographical advancements. The real drama of its story, however, is the extreme danger the explorers faced, and their struggle to survive.
Our Complex Relationship with the Nearest Star
Guest: Linda Geddes, freelance science and medical journalist, and author, "Chasing the Sun: The New Science of Sunlight and How it Shapes Our Bodies and Minds"
Sunlight is essential to human health for a variety of physiological and psychological reasons.
Christmas: Light in the Darkest Time of Year
Guest: Ben Abbott, Assistant Professor, Ecosystem Ecology, Brigham Young University
We celebrate Christmas, a symbol of hope and light, at the darkest time of the year. Christ's light is like the sun, but unlike it as well, since it is constant even in times of spiritual darkness in our lives.
Food Safety: Bacteria
Guest: Roger Clemens, biological chemist, University of Southern California Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine
How bacteria grows in food and how to purify food, including what a "cold press" is.
The Micronation of Outer Baldonia
Guest: Kara Arundel, education reporter and editor, based in Washington, D.C., and author, "Raising America’s Zoo: How Two Wild Gorillas Helped Transform the National Zoo"
Outer Baldonia was a tiny island nation, complete with a declaration of independence, constitution, and its own currency. It was created and led by its “Prince of Princes,” Russell Arundel, a Washington businessman and lobbyist. It supported freedom for fishermen and opposed the communist bloc.
The Art of Counterintelligence
Guest: James M. Olson, former Chief of CIA Counterintelligence, and current Professor, Counterintelligence, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University
Someone must spy on the enemy's spies. This is the role of counterintelligence agents, who track down and identify spies in their midst, and try to prevent them from getting there in the first place.
(Fairly) True Stories
Guest: Liesl Shurtliff, author, "Rump: The (Fairly) True Story of Rumpelstiltskin" and other children’s novels
It’s a big world out there and it’s changed a lot since the Brothers Grimm first recorded their fairy tales. Liesl Shurtliff adapts these well-told stories to modern audiences and their problems.
Storytelling Secrets
Guest: Sam Payne, Host, The Apple Seed, BYUradio
A storytelling challenge. How to make fairy tales real to kids today.
Trials of the Season
Guest: Tim Slover, Professor, Theatre, University of Utah
An original poem that will inspire you if Christmas leaves you feeling jaded and exhausted.
A Fierce Ermine Teaches Lessons of Love
Sy Montgomery, "How to Be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals"
One Christmas Day, naturalist Sy Montgomery lost a beloved chicken, but she was inspired to forgive her mother. All thanks to a determined ermine.
Proteins that Solve Many Problems
Guest: Dominic D’Agostino, Associate Professor, Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine
Oxygen is what allows us to live. However, breathing 100-percent oxygen can have dangerous side effects, like seizures. Dominic D’Agostino is doing research to prevent these side effects by using special organic molecules called ketones. These ketones might solve even more problems such as diabetes, epilepsy and even specific types of cancer.
Snowflake Science
Guest: Kenneth G Libbrecht, Professor, Physics, Caltech
Look out your window during a snowstorm and you’ll see billions and billions of snowflakes falling from the sky. The snowflake has long been a symbol of chilly winters and the holiday season, but the science behind these little frozen pieces of art provides interesting insight into why snowflakes end up looking the way that they do.
Episode Originally Aired on: October 10 2019
Shyness is Both Burden and Blessing
Guest: Joe Moran, Professor, English and Cultural History, Liverpool John Moores University, and author, "Shrinking Violets: The Secret Life of Shyness"
We have an awful habit in our modern society of turning differences into problems. Several years ago, a professor at Northwestern University named Christopher Lane wrote a book on the medicalization of shyness. Our guest today extolls the virtues of shyness and examines why shyness is criticized more in some cultures than others.
Tree “Islands” Are a Cost-Effective Reforestation Alternative to Plantations
Guest: Karen Holl, restoration ecologist, and Professor, Environmental Studies, University of California Santa Cruz
A new study finds that planting tree “islands” is a cost-effective way to restore tropical forests. The practice harnesses nature's own processes--birds and bees and fungus all do their part.
The Strategic Importance of Guano Islands
Guest: Daniel Immerwahr, Associate Professor, History, Northwestern University, and author, "How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States"
Guano Islands are just what they sound like--tiny rocks in the ocean covered with bird droppings. And nothing more. But nations fought over them, or at least diplomatically elbowed each other. Because they were worth enormous amounts--for fertilizer. Guano was a powerful natural source of nitrogen. This is the story of how America built its guano island empire.
The Scientist Who Launched the Age of Chemical Warfare
Guest: Dan Charles, author, "Master Mind: The Rise and Fall of Fritz Haber, the Nobel Laureate Who Launched the Age of Chemical Warfare"
This segment is connected to Daniel Immerwahr's tale "How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States" by a fascinating and tragic personal story about the Immerwahr family. Fritz Haber finally figured out how to make nitrogen--and thereby rendered Guano Islands irrelevant. His wife, Clara Immerwahr, was also an accomplished chemist, but unlike her husband, also a passionate pacifist. Haber is also the man who invented Zyklon A, a poison gas used in the trenches in WWI. Zyklon A is the precursor to Zyklon B, which was used to kill Jews in the Nazi death camps in WWII, including, after they died, some of their relatives.
World's First Recorded Sounds
Guest: Patrick Feaster, Co-Founder, First Sounds Initiative; Media Preservation Specialist, Media Digitization and Preservation Initiative, Indiana University
Until 2008, Thomas Edison was considered the father of recorded sound. That year, an incredible discovery in the vaults of Paris returned credit to Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville, a 19th-century Frenchman who had dedicated his life to this very pursuit. How sound recording change our view of the world.
A History of the Greater United States
Guest: Daniel Immerwahr, Associate Professor, History, Northwestern University, and author, "How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States"
Generally when Americans think of their borders, a familiar shape comes to mind—the one beginning with California and ending with Florida. But what about Guam and Puerto Rico? How about the Philippines during WWII? US influence reaches far beyond the borders of its 50 states. Daniel Immerwahr of Northwestern University explains why we might want to this of ourselves as "the greater United States."
CRISPR Cows
Guest: Alison Van Eenennaam, Extension Specialist, Animal Biotechnology and Genomics, University of California, Davis
Gene editing used to be the stuff of science fiction, but recently, animal scientists have figured out how to engineer animals for human benefit. Should they?
Honeybees Protect African Villages from Humans
Guest: Lucy King, Head, Human-Elephant Co-Existence Program, Save the Elephants, and Research Affiliate, University of Oxford
Although the poaching industry has declined in recent years, elephant-human conflict is on the rise in both Africa and Asia. Foraging for food, elephants often battle against farmers trying to preserve their crop. Lucy King of Save the Elephants weighs in on how honey bees may be a natural and potentially life-saving solution.
Contemporary Neil Armstrong
Guest: Nils Larson, chief pilot at NASA’s Armstrong Flight Research Center in California.
Test pilots have made left footprints in history, literally. Neil Armstrong was a test pilot at the Dryden Flight Research Center before he became the first man to walk on the moon. Today the Dryden Flight Research Center has been renamed in honor of Armstrong and they still continue to perform cutting edge flight research. Learn from the perspective of their head test pilot what itis like to test one of a kind aircraft just like Neil Armstrong did.
Nature’s Signs
Guest: Tristan Gooley, New York Time’s Author of “How to Read Water,” “How to Read Nature,” “The Lost Art of Reading Nature’s Signs,” and “The Natural Navigator.” Most recently the author of, “The Nature Instinct.”
There are two sorts of thinking, fast and slow, and in recent years we have began to favour slow: the methodical, analytical, and academic conscious thought processes we learn in school. Fast thinking is that which has been learned to the point where it happens, “without thinking,” and can be learned in our natural environments. If we can learn the “signs,” which indicate useful information, and pay attention to them, then we develop a, “sixth sense,” which is in no way mysterious, but is nevertheless magical and worth developing.
How do you prove you’re sane?
Guest: Susannah Cahalan, journalist and author of “Brain on Fire: My Monthof Madness” and “The Great Pretender: The Undercover Mission that Changed Our Understanding of Madness”
“If sanity and insanity exist, how shall we know them?” A landmark study in 1973 had eight healthy people feign hearing voices and seeing hallucinations to commit themselves to mental asylums. Once inside, they would have to prove their own sanity in order to escape. This watershed study by a popular and charismatic Stanford pyschologist reshaped the world’s understanding of madness, mental health, and diagnostic processes –but is it all fake?
Emotions don’t just happen to you –you help create them.
Guest: Dr. Lisa Feldman Barrett, author of How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain, professor of psychology & Director of the Interdisciplinary Affective Science Laboratory at Northeastern University.
We’ve come along way from the Freudian analysts of yesteryear who thought they could tell us all we need to know by sitting us on a couch and asking us about our childhood. And we no longer accept that what we think and do are just conditioned responses, like slobbering Pavlovian dogs. We’ve discovered some interesting drugs —and some of these have greatly helped on many struggling minds. But we don’t really know how they work, and often they don’t. Some of the mistakes of the past thankfully are behind us –lobotomies are out of fashion. But electroshock therapy has made a comeback of sorts. Never would have predicted that.
Learn How to Learn
Guest: Barbara Oakley, Professor, Engineering, Oakland University, Rochester, Michigan, author, "Learning How to Learn," creator of MOOC "Learning How to Learn"
School got you down? Take heart, because anyone can learn how to learn.
Joe Moran’s Alternative Christmas Message
Guest: Joe Moran, Professor, English and Cultural History, Liverpool John Moores University
A message from Liverpool John Moores University on how education brings people together, just as Christmas does.
See the video message here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pcCycwGBhas
Retired Gastroenterologist Help Budding Musicians
Guest: Arnold (Arnie) Rosen, founder of Band Grandpas
Dr. Arnold Rosen was in the middle of performing a colonoscopy when he suddenly thought, “When I retire, I want to be a ‘Band Grandpa.’” He met with Rockford Public Schools and helped coordinate other volunteers to start Band Grandpas, a program that allows Arnold and other adults to come help teach music to middle school students.
Napoleon on Elba
Guest: Mark Braude, author, "The Invisible Emperor: Napoleon on Elba from Exile to Escape"
Napoleon Bonaparte once sat astride Europe from Spain to Moscow, with millions dead in his wake. He changed Europe’s culture and politics forever. Then in 1814, the world rose up to defeat him at Waterloo and exiled on a little island called Elba, just off the coast of Italy. Napoleon on Elba is really a miniseries waiting to be written and filmed. What do you do with a man this dangerous once you've caught him? Not what they did on Elba.
The Real Lawrence of Arabia
Guest: Eugene Rogan, Professor, Modern Middle Eastern History, and Director, Middle East Centre, University of Oxford
Few stories have inspired more wonder and awe than the story of T.E. Lawrence, better known as Lawrence of Arabia. Winston Churchill said about Lawrence of Arabia, “I deem him one of the greatest beings alive in our time . . . we shall never see his like again. His name will live in history. It will live in the annals of war. . . . It will live in the legends of Arabia.” Here's the story behind the legend.
A Wonderful World in the Canopy
Guest: Richard Preston, author, "The Wild Trees: A Story of Passion and Daring"
Giant trees are the gateway to a rarely explored world teeming with wonder.
Global Garage Sale
Guest: Adam Minter, business journalist and author, “Junkyard Planet,” and “Secondhand: Travels in the New Global Garage Sale”
The secondhand world is changing, which reflects our changing values.
Eastern State Penitentiary
Guest: Paul Kahan, author, "Eastern State Penitentiary: A History" and "Seminary of Virtue"
When prisoners arrived in 1829, the Eastern State Penitentiaryin Philadelphia was the largest public works project in the United States. This prison is now a historic landmark, and it has some unique architectural features, to be sure. But it’s what was going on inside that was truly revolutionary.
Magic Mushrooms
Guest: Tradd Cotter, microbiologist, mycologist, organic gardener, and owner, Mushroom Mountain and Mycomatrix
Mushrooms have a myriad of uses, and we’ve only begun to scratch the surface.
Food Safety: Fortification
Guest: Roger Clemens, biological chemist, University of Southern California Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine
What does it mean to "fortify" food?
Rett Girls
Guest: Monica Coenraads, Executive Director, Rett Syndrome Research Trust, and mother of Chelsea, a girl with Rett Syndrome
Rett Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that affects 1 in 10,000 girls. It's marked by a loss of function in seemingly normal babies. People with the syndrome have symptoms of autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's and anxiety.
Hope for a Cure for Rett Syndrome
Guest: Tim Riley, Chief Scientific Officer, Rett Syndrome Research Trust
A cure for Rett Syndrome may be on the horizon, and scientists have several possible methods for treating the disease. In fact, the cure for this disease could help treat other brain disorders.
Using Eye-Tracking Technology to Communicate with People Who Have Rett Syndrome
Guest: Julie Peterson, mother of Emily, a girl with Rett Syndrome.
Emily Peterson uses eye-tracking technology to communicate with her family.
Exploring the World’s Deepest Underwater Caves
Guest: Jill Heinerth, Explorer-in-Residence, The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and author, "Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver"
We know more about outer space than we do about the ocean. The world’s deepest underwater caves have long been a source of mystery and danger. Jill Heinerth, a renowned Canadian cave diver, explores the wonders of these secret places.
Black Confederates
Guest: Kevin M. Levin, historian and author, "Searching For Black Confederates: The Civil War’s Most Persistent Myth"
There’s been loud public debate about the removal of Confederate monuments throughout the South. Less well known is a conversation about the role of black Confederate soldiers in the war—in fact the debate has centered on whether there actually WERE any black Confederate soldiers. We don’t generally dig into politics here on Constant Wonder, but we do wonder a lot about history. So, were there blacks soldiers fighting for the Confederate cause? If so, who were they? Enslaved or free men? Why is it important to get this history right?
Discovering the San José’s $17 Billion Treasure
Guest: Jeff Kaeli, Research Engineer, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI),
In 2015, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discovered the San José, a sunken ship from 1708 loaded with treasure valued up to $17 billion.
The Navy Never Wanted You to Know about UFOs
Guest: Iain Boyd, H. T. Sears Memorial Professor and Faculty Director of National Security Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado
The military finally verified UFO sightings. What might possibly be out there and how much will we ever know of what the government knows?
Charles Schulz Told His Story in "Peanuts"
Guest: Benjamin L. Clark, curator, Charles M. Schulz Museum
Even though he hated the name "Peanuts," Charles Schulz told his life story in the beloved comic strip. Jeff Simpson, our Special Collections producer, explores a museum honoring this life.
Restoring Petra
Guest: Cynthia Finlayson, Associate Professor, Anthropology, Brigham Young University, and director, Ad-Deir Monument and Plateau Project
Petra is still churning out some incredible archaeological discoveries that provide more clues about the ancient civilization that thrived there 2,000 years ago. These discoveries might just be able to help better conserve this ancient city for future generations.
Electric Eels are Shockingly Cool
Guest: Will Crampton, Associate Professor, Biology, University of Central Florida
It was recently discovered that there are multiple species of electric eel. Electrophorus voltai, one newly discovered species, has emitted shocks of up to 860 volts.
Down to Earth
Guests: Rachel Mabey Whipple, member, Board of Directors, Nature Conservancy’s Utah chapter; Clint Whipple, Associate Professor, Biology, Brigham Young University
This husband and wife duo try to live responsibly in the spirit of Earth stewardship, and they say that if you make big decisions to conserve energy, you avoid having to make dozens of little decisions every day.
Noise
Guest: David Owen, author, "Volume Control: Hearing in a Deafening World"
Our world is getting louder, what with airplanes, trains, crowds, music, and wireless headphones in our ears at all hours. What kind of damage does noise do to our bodies? Would we want to live in silence instead, though?
Galapagos
Guest: Elizabeth Hennessy, Assistant Professor, History and Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and author, "On the Backs of Tortoises: Darwin, the Galapagos, and the Fate of an Evolutionary Eden"
The Galapagos became famous for what they taught us about evolution. But now scientists are debating efforts to preserve species that live there, which may work against the forces of evolution.
An Element of Mystery
Guest: Philip Ball, author, "The Water Kingdom: A Secret History of China.
China’s first emperor created many of China’s magnificent monuments. Perhaps the most magnificent has not yet been uncovered. But we do know that his fascination with mercury as an elixer of life may have killed him.
Do we need to worry about an asteroid impact?
Guest: Paul Sutter, astrophysicist, Ohio State University, author, and host of “Ask a Spaceman” podcast
How likely is it that we could have a catastrophic collision with an asteroid?
This Episode was Originally Aired on: October 22, 2019
Baseball and the American City (originally aired July 16, 2019)
Guest: Paul Goldberger, architecture critic, and author, "Ballpark: Baseball in the American City"
Baseball parks and the structures that surround them offer us a window to understand the evolution of American cities and our attitudes towards them.
Roosevelt’s “Cold War" on Baseball (originally aired on September 4, 2019)
Guest: Ryan Swanson, Associate Professor of History, University of New Mexico, and author, "The Strenuous Life: Theodore Roosevelt and the Making of the American Athlete"
Teddy Roosevelt had no fondness for the American pastime.
American Legend John Henry Was Probably a Convict Forced into Railroad Labor (originally aired on September 4, 2019)
Guest: Scott Nelson, Professor, History, University of Georgia, and author "Steel Drivin’ Man: John Henry, the Untold Story of an American Legend"
The impossibly strong John Henry, the one who died to prove man could beat machine, likely was actually an ordinary convict forced into railroad labor.
Explorer Uses Satellites to Discover Ancient Cities (originally aired on September 4, 2019)
Guest: Sarah Parcak, Professor, Anthropology, University of Alabama, and President and founder, GlobalXplorer, and author "Archaeology from Space: How the Future Shapes Our Past"
Using satellites, explorer Sarah Parcak is fighting looting in Peru, discovering mythical cities in Egypt and revolutionizing the field of archaeology for tomorrow’s explorers.
This Episode is a Hybrid from Pre-Aired Segments
No Tenors Allowed (Originally Aired on: October 1, 2019)
Guests: Thomas Hampson, baritone; and Luca Pisaroni, bass-baritone
Two opera legends describe the staying power of classical music, and, get this, why it is so much fun! This conversation may not have you dabbing your eyes, but you might catch yourself giggling.
The Memory Palace (Originally Aired on: October 1, 2019)
Guest: Nate DiMeo, creator of the podcast "The Memory Palace"
Nate DiMeo created a podcast 10 years ago called "The Memory Palace" as a side hobby. It has become so successful that now it’s his full-time job and it even earned him a place as the Metropolitan Museum’s Artist in Residence a couple years ago.
Croc Attacks on the Rise on this Southeast Asian Island (Originally Aired on: October 15, 2019)
Guest: Sam Banks, conservation biologist, Charles Darwin University, Australia
Researchers try to understand the sudden rise in crocodile attacks in East Timor.
Appleseed (Originally Aired on: October 15, 2019)
Guest: Same Payne, storyteller and host, The Appleseed, BYU Radio
Take care when you're telling other people's stories.
Ancient Board Games (Originally Aired on: October 15, 2019)
Guest: Irving Finkel, Keeper of Ancient Mesopotamian Artifacts, The British Museum, and author, "Ancient Board Games"
Games have been part of our collective experience for as long as we have recorded history. Irving Finkel tells us about one of the oldest games ever played, and how we rediscovered it.
Episode Oringinally Aired on September 17, 2019
The Lost Story of an Enslaved Woman Who Sued for Restitution, and Won
Guest: W. Caleb McDaniel, Associate Professor, History, Rice University, and author, “Sweet Taste of Liberty: A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America”
Henrietta Wood was the recipient of the largest known sum ever granted by a U.S. court in restitution for slavery, successfully suing Zebulon Ward, the man who had enslaved her, for $2,500. Her story was lost in history until a historian uncovered two interviews with Henrietta herself.
Real Tennis Is Not the Sport You Know
Guest: Camden Riviere, 2016 Real Tennis World Champion, world-ranked #1 since 2013, tennis pro, Tennis & Racquet Club of Boston
Real tennis a game that Shakespeare knew, and it was played at Versailles. It's a predecessor to modern tennis, but it's still played today.
Down to Earth: Single-Use Plastics
Guests: Rachel Mabey Whipple, member, Board of Directors, Nature Conservancy’s Utah chapter; Clint Whipple, Associate Professor, Biology, Brigham Young University
This husband and wife duo try to live responsibly in the spirit of Earth stewardship, but they say they’re not yet locked in to any snack bag replacements for Ziplocks, and give their reasoning. Convenient single-use plastics have biased us all about switching to alternatives.
Pass the Frog Pie: Behind the Scenes in a Renaissance Kitchen
Guest: Ken Albala, Professor, History, University of the Pacific, Stockton
A Renaissance kitchen was quite different from ours today, and they produced some fantastical feasts. We talk to a chef who has actually baked a black bird pie to find out what one was like.
Alcatraz Island
Guest: Sarah Anderson, Park Ranger, National Park Service on Alcatraz Island
Our segment producer, Jeff Simpson, speaks with Sarah Anderson, Park Ranger at Alcatraz Island National Park.
Get Your Family Telling Stories
Guest: Sam Payne, host, Apple Seed, BYUradio
Here's a great idea to get your family and friends telling stories.
No More Snow?
Guest: Brian McInerney, Senior Hydrologist, National Weather Service Forecast Office, Salt Lake City, Utah
Skiing as we know it is going to look very different, where it exists at all, in 20 years. To understand why, you need to understand the powerful rivers of water in the sky that move moisture around the world. Global warming means that more of that moisture falls as rain, and not snow. But it's not too late to capture some of that heat that's in the atmosphere.
Listeners from Abroad Make Thanksgiving Their Own
How listeners have adopted and adapted this very American holiday.
Thanksgiving Has Always Been Evolving
Guest: Michael Wise, Associate Professor, History, University of North Texas, and editor, "Food and Foodways" book series, University of Arkansas Press
No one knows exactly what the first Thanksgiving looked like—but experts can make a pretty good guess, and they say it looked nothing like our feasts today. But that's okay, because Thanksgiving has always been an evolving holiday.
More Thanksgiving Musings from Listeners Abroad
The Mysterious Death of Edgar Allan Poe
Guest: Chris Semtner, Curator, Edgar Allan Poe Museum, Richmond, Virginia
With the death of Edgar Allan Poe, author of the haunting poem “The Raven,” a practically unsolvable detective mystery began.
Microbots, Move Out! (originally aired June 14, 2019)
Guest: Eric Diller, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Lead, Microrobotics Labratory, University of Toronto
Innovation in tiny robot technology has resulted in microbots the size of a pinhead; they are remarkable for their minisculity (which could possibly allow them to move through tiny passageways in the human body), their ease of construction, and their precise maneuverability.
Video Effects Transform Movie-Making
Guest: Eran Dinur, Emmy Award winning visual effects supervisor, author, artist and teacher
Visual effects are a valuable addition to any filmmaker’s toolbox and are used so often you likely don't even notice. But they've transformed the movie-making and movie-watching experience.
The Miracle and Tragedy of the First Surviving Quintuplets
Guest: Sarah Miller, author, "The Miracle and Tragedy of the Dionne Quintuplets"
Yvonne, Marie, Annette, Cécile, Émilie, and Marie Dionne were the first quintuplets to survive past birth. Born on a farm in Ontario, their upbringing took a strange turn when the government assumed guardianship of them and then exploited them as a tourist attraction.
The Real Story of an Iconic American Family
Guest: Jane Lancaster, Visiting Fellow, Brown University, and author, "Making Time: Lillian Moller Gilbreth--A Life Beyond 'Cheaper by the Dozen'"
Published in 1948, then adapted into several movies by the same name, "Cheaper by the Dozen" is an American favorite. While many think they know the story, few know the real history of Frank and Lillian Gilbreth and their 13 children.
Why You Should Love the Semicolon
Guest: Cecelia Watson, faculty, Language and Thinking, Bard College, and author, “Semicolon: The Past, Present, and Future of a Misunderstood Mark”
Punctuation as a rule is a relatively recent invention, with different marks going in and out of style, and with their usage changing over time. Cecelia Watson calls for a return to the freedom of an understanding of punctuation as a stylistic art rather than part of the didactic dictatorship of grammarians.
#HistoryoftheHashtag
Guest: Chris Messina, inventor of the hashtag
How has the hashtag changed the way we communicate? It was meant to be a way of finding people with similar interests, but it's now morphed in to a tool with many uses.
Talking to Trees
Guest: William Bryant Logan, faculty of New York Botanical Gardens, author of multiple books, including his newest, "Sprout Lands: Tending the Endless Gift of Trees"
The act of pruning trees to both care for them and benefit from them is being lost. Pollarding and other related practices used to provide us with the means to make living fences, diversify our forests and feed our families without simply destroying the trees. A return to these principles might just remind us of what our relationship with our world should really be like.
The Wonder of Trees (Originally Aired on: September 3, 2019)
Guest: Mike Rutter, Adjunct Professor, English, Brigham Young University, and nature photographer
Why you need to try looking at the world like a tree. Also the smell of rattlesnakes and how bears measure the competition.
Orson Welles' Media Myths
Guest: Michael Socolow, Associate Professor, Communications, University of Maine
The infamous "War of the Worlds" broadcast of 1938 never produced the mass hysteria the history books claim.
Citizen Kane
Guest: Harlan Lebo, author, "Citizen Kane: A Filmmaker's Journey"
The making of "Citizen Kane," long recognized as one of the greatest films ever made, has a story as interesting and convoluted as the movie itself.
Isabella: The Warrior Queen
Guest: Kirstin Downey, author, "Isabella: the Warrior Queen"
Queen Isabella was much more than Ferdinand's side kick. She was a powerful warrior queen who reunited Spain but left a bloody legacy that haunted Spain for three centuries.
How We Almost Lost the Bison for Good
Guest: Andrew C. Isenberg, Professor, American History, University of Kansas, and author, "The Destruction of the Bison: An Environmental History"
This is the tragedy of the near-extermination of the American bison, and the story of their eventual return, an effort launched, improbably, in New York City.
Nocturnal Brain
Guest: Guy Leschziner, clinical lead for the Sleep Disorders Centre, Guy's Hospital, and consultant neurologist at London Bridge Hospital, the Cromwell Hospital and within the Department of Neurology and Sleep Disorders Centre at Guy's and St Thomas' Hospitals; author, "The Nocturnal Brain: Nightmares, Neuroscience, and the Secret World of Sleep"
Meet people who deliver snacks, run from helicopters, and drive motorcycles, all while sound asleep. What we can learn about healthy sleep and brain function from extrene sleep disorders.
Blue Light Isn't as Dangerous as You've Heard
Guest: Philip Yuhas, Assistant Professor, Optometry, The Ohio State University
Blue light isn’t the devil it’s made out to be.
Diving Sea Nomads (Originally Aired on: May 22, 2019)
Guest: Melissa Ilardo, Evolutionary Genomicist, University of Utah, and Intergrative Biologist, UC Berkeley
Humans have adapted to live in some of the most extreme environments on earth, from the high altitude of the Tibetan Himalayas to the dry wasteland of the world's deserts. The Bajau, a people of the Malay Archipelago, spend almost all of their lives at sea. These sea nomads, who live on floating houses, have prodigious diving capabilities.
The World’s First ICBM Packed a Powerful Pop
Guest: Ross Coen, Assistant Professor, History, University of Alaska, Fairbanks
Balloon bombs were used by Japan in World War II in an attempt to terrify America.
Discovery of the River of Wind
Guest: John Lewis, Research Meteorologist, National Severe Storms Laboratory/Desert Research Institute
Those who make scientific discoveries don’t always get credit, until sometimes much later.
The Troubled History of Valium and Xanax
Guest: Robert Whitaker, journalist, author, "Mad in America" and "Anatomy of an Epidemic," founder, madinamerica.com.
What happens when a drug becomes popular because of marketing, not effectiveness?
America’s Addiction to Adderall
Guest: Casey Schwartz, writer and author, forthcoming "Attention: A Love Story"
Our environments are primed to capture and monetize our attention span today, which makes harder for us to focus.
The Wizard’s Story
Guest: Bernie Carlson, Chair, Engineering and Society, Joseph L. Vaughan Professor of Humanities, Professor, History, Director, Engineering Business Programs, University of Virginia
Tesla was an important contemporary of scientific greats such as Edison, Bell, and Hertz. His motivation differed from Edison's, however, which might be why we know less about him.
Depression Stories
Guest: David A. Taylor, author, "The Soul of a People: The WPA Writers’ Project Uncovers Depression America"
In the 1930s, the federal government sponsored unemployed teachers, writers, historians, and artists to create a comprehensive guide to the United States.
Stories Told by the Stars
Guest: Anthony Aveni, Russell Colgate Distinguished University Professor Emeritus, Astronomy, Anthropology, and Native American Studies, Colgate University
Human beings have always found stories in the stars that developed and reflected their culture, even providing parents with morality tales for their children.
Who Gets to Name Asteroids?
Guest: Gareth Williams, Astronomer, Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and Secretary, International Astronomical Union’s Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature
The asteroid with permanent number 2055 eventually was named ‘Dvorak,’ after the Czech composer; Asteroid 2244, Tesla, after the inventor Nikola Tesla; 13070 Sean Connery, after the actor. Who decides what asteroids are named?
How Phony Things Teach Us About Real Stuff
Guest: Lydia Pyne, author, “Genuine Fakes: How Phony Things Teach Us About Real Stuff”
The "Spanish Forger" was quite successful in his or her day, but now the work of the Spanish Forger is collectible for its own value. What we can learn from the success of forgeries.
Calling Bull
Guests: Jevin West, Assistant Professor, Information, University of Washington; Carl Bergstrom, Professor, Biology, University of Washington
Two professors at the University of Washington are on a mission to teach their students, and themselves, how to distinguish truth from fiction online. They started a class together to do just that.
History of Silence
Guest: Jane Brox, author, "Silence: A Social History of One of the Least Understood Elements of Our Lives"
Where has silence gone? Would we be satisfied if we got it?
How the Swarming Bacteria in Your Gut Might Save a Life (originally aired May 22, 2019)
Guest: Justin O’Sullivan, Associate Director for Research, Liggins Institute, University of Auckland
Ever wanted to be a super hero? In our world, of flightless and fragile humans, that may not be possible—for you. Your fecal matter, on the other hand, might just have super powers.
Jewish Emancipation
Guest: David Sorkin, Professor, History, Yale University, and author, "Jewish Emancipation: A History Across Five Centuries"
If you were asked what the most influential event in modern Jewish history is, you might want to say the Holocaust, or the founding of Israel, but in a new book written by David Sorkin, he argues that over the past five centuries it was Jewish emancipation efforts that were catalysts for those grim and triumphal events of the 20th century.
One Family's Journey on Four Continents
Guest: Melanie Schwartz, Professor, Law, University of New South Wales, Australia
This is the story of four generations of a Jewish family who have moved between four continents. In it, you'll hear that random luck—whether you get out of a country in time, which boat you catch, can determine whether you live or die and on which continent your grandchildren will grow up. Throughout, being a people in exile underlies this family's Jewish identity.
Guest: Jeff Jacoby, columnist, "The Boston Globe"
Jeff Jacoby’s father, Mark Jacoby, is a Holocaust survivor. More than that, though, he is a father, a husband, a practicing Jew, and a happy man. This is the story of the triumph of faith and the human spirit.
Champion Rubik's Cubing
Guest: Tyson Mao, Co-founder of the World Cube Association
You’ve definitely seen, handled and tried to solve a Rubik’s Cube before. But did you succeed in matching each color to its respective side? Probably not. If you have, how long did it take you? Twenty minutes? Five minutes if you’ve practiced a bit? In this interview, we talk to Tyson Mao, co-founder of the World Cube Association and former world record holder for the fastest time solving a Rubik’s cube blindfolded in a time of just under two minutes.
Bears, and bears, and bears, oh my!
Guest: Tom Smith, Associate Professor, Plant and Wildlife Sciences, Brigham Young University
Insight into bears around the world, from the marvelously entertaining Tom Smith. Watch out for the sloth bear: despite its name it's especially vicious. Polar bears are cannibals. Bear spray doesn't work, but try this instead when you're hiking in the wild.
Raptors Patrol the Jersey Boardwalk
Guest: Erik Swanson, Master Falconer, East Coast Falcons; Animal Control Officer and Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator
Patrolling raptors may be the solution to the Jersey shore’s seagull problem.
Cowboy Stories
Guest: Marshall Trimble, Arizona State Historian
Tall tales and cowboy poetry are as central to the history of the American West as our formal histories. Fortunately, historian Marshall Trimble moves nimbly between fact and fiction to preserve cowboy culture.
Circus World
Guest: Scott O’Donnell, Circus World Museum
Ever since "The Greatest Showman" hit theaters, interest in circuses and circus life has exploded, according to Scott O'Donnell, of the Circus World Museum, a Wisconsin Historic Site dedicated to the history of circuses in America. Attendance has shot up. But P.T. Barnum wasn’t the only showman in the U.S. at the time; in fact, over one hundred circuses had their roots in this state, the most unlikely of places. One of those circuses was started by a group of brothers, fittingly named “The Ringling Brothers,” whose circus reputation rivaled Barnum's.
Our Special Collections producer, Jeff Simpson, spoke with Scott O'Donnell about the Circus World Museum, the history and wonder of circuses in the U.S., and O'Donnell's own story of being a kid who literally ran away to join the circus.
Flying Dutchman
Guest: Agnes Andeweg, Assistant Professor, Literature, Utrecht University, the Netherlands
Chances are you know a thing or two about the Flying Dutchman, perhaps after seeing it rise from the sea in "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man’s Chest." In the Hollywood franchise about piracy, the Flying Dutchman is notorious for spreading terror across the seas, while being capable of sailing on the surface as well as underwater – disastrous for those who happen to cross its path. We retrace the legend of the Flying Dutchman through the centuries.
Retracing Audubon's Steps
Guest: Hitnes, Italian painter and muralist
In memory of J.J. Audubon, Italian painter and muralist Hitnes spent a summer capturing photographs and painting massive murals of some of America’s most iconic birds.
A Daily Dose of Austen
Guest: Devoney Looser, Professor, English, Arizona State University, and editor, “The Daily Jane Austen: A Year of Quotes”
Jane Austen has become a pop culture icon, inspiring multiple creative projects, including even "Pride and Prejudice and Zombies." You can now enjoy Austen every day of the year!
Jane Austen Is More Than a Good Rom Com
Guest: Jane Kathleen Gardner Hinckley, Adjunct Faculty, Comparative Arts and Letters, Brigham Young University
Recovering the original Jane Austen now that she's become a pop culture icon.
Hip Hop Diplomacy
Guest: Mark Katz, Professor, Music, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, founder and former Director of Next Level; Junious Brickhouse, Director, Next Level, founder and Director, Urban Artistry
The U.S. Department of State started sending out “hip hop diplomats” in 2013 through a program called Next Level, a new way to spread community and society through an art form that can transcend political boundaries and languages.
Dance and Connection
Guest: Bronwyn Tarr, Postdoctoral Research Associate, Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford
Dancing is fun and makes (many of) us happy. But it also improves social cohesion and may change the way our brains process relationships with other people.
Annie Griffiths: Help a Woman, Help the Planet
Guest: Annie Griffiths, National Geographic photographer, and founder and Executive Director, Ripple Effects Images
Ripple Effects Images documents the work of top aid groups, dramatically improving their fundraising. Its founder, Annie Griffiths, is a photographer who uses her trade to improve the lives of women and children in impoverished communities.
The Original Siamese Twins: An American Story
Guest: Yunte Huang, Professor, English, University of California Santa Barbara, and author, "Inseparable: The Original Siamese Twins and Their Rendezvous with American History"
Conjoined by a thin fleshy band at the base of their abdomen, Cheng and Eng Bunker were the first conjoined twins to be called “Siamese twins.” They came to America in the 19th century, touring the country as indentured servants, in "freak shows." They also later owned a plantation, supported the confederacy, owned slaves, and fathered 21 children. This is their complicated story.
Discovery of the San José’s 17-Billion-Dollar Treasure
Guest: Jeff Kaeli, Research Engineer, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
In 2015, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discovered the San José, a sunken ship from 1708 loaded with treasure valued up to $17 billion.
How Passion and Collaboration Provided Closure to a 75-Year-Old Mystery
Guest: Justin Taylan, founder, Pacific Wrecks; and Michael McAlonie, son of Howard McAlonie, World War II veteran
Taylan and McAlonie discovered the location where the plane of Michael’s father’s high school friend, John McGrath, crashed in WWII.
Treasure Island 2020
Guest: Sam Payne, host, Apple Seed on BYUradio, and producer, Treasure Island 2020
Sam drops in to share a sneak peak of BYUradio's new podcast, Treasure Island 2020.
Dispelling the Breakfast Myth (Originally Aired on: April 26, 2019)
Monique Trello, Harvard Medical School
Of course you know that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” You've heard it a million times. But is it true? Is breakfast even necessary? It turns out that both the cereal industry and the bacon industry helped create the mythos of breakfast.
How to Feed Children Healthy Foods in a Highly Processed World.
Guest: Bettina Elias Siegel, author of Kid Food: The Challenge of Feeding Children in a Highly Processed World, creatorof The Lunch Tray blog.
How do you feed children healthy foods in a world filled with candy, fast food, and pizza? It’s certainly getting harder and harder, but that doesn’t mean it’s impossible.
Diving Sea Nomads
Guest: Melissa Ilardo PhD an Evolutionary Genomicistwho works in molecular medicine at the University of Utah and in integrative biology at UC Berkeley.
The Bajau have mind-blowing diving capabilities, and Dr. Ilardo’s study which examined spleen size and genetic comparisons shows that these abilities can be credited to natural selection for a few certain traits, which may also have medical significance for treating conditions such as hypoxia.
Nobel Prize winning discovery.
Guest: Professor Sir Peter Ratcliffefrom the University of Oxford, and 2019 Nobel Laureate.
The 2019 Nobel Prize in Physiology or medicine was shared by three men—their names, William Kaelin, Sir Peter Ratcliffe and Gregg Semenza—who each contributed to a discovery of how cells detect and adjust to available oxygen levels.
The Reverse Underground Railroad
Guest: Richard Bell, Associate Professor, History, University of Maryland, and author, "Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped Into Slavery and Their Astonishing Odyssey Home"
The early 1800s were a dangerous time for free African-Americans. Although Pennsylvania was a free state, kidnappers wandered the streets of Philadelphia, snatching people to be sold into slavery in the south. Author and historian Richard Bell tells the story of five free boys captured to be sold into slavery and their incredible journey home.
The Lost Story of an Enslaved Woman Who Sued for Restitution, and Won
Guest: W. Caleb McDaniel, Associate Professor, History, Rice University, and author, “Sweet Taste of Liberty: A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America”
Henrietta Wood was the recipient of the largest known sum ever granted by a U.S. court in restitution for slavery, successfully suing Zebulon Ward, the man who had enslaved her, for $2,500. Her story was lost in history until a historian uncovered two interviews from Henrietta describing her experience in slavery and restitution.
The Truffle Underground
Guest: Ryan Jacobs, author, "The Truffle Underground: A Tale of Mystery, Mayhem, and Manipulation in the Shadowy Market of the World's Most Expensive Fungus"
In the world of luxury foods, the truffle is one of the most expensive delicacies out there, inspiring not only farmers and chefs, but an entire underground of truffle-related crime.
The Extraordinary World of Fungi
Guest: Lawrence Millman, author, “Fungipedia: A Brief Compendium of Mushroom Lore”
Fungi are misunderstood, underappreciated, and totally fascinating.
The Gunfight at the O.K. Corral (originally aired October 15, 2019)
Guest: Marshall Trimble, Official Arizona State Historian
Much of our identity is built on our collective history, and here in the U.S., a big part of that history is the Wild West. Historian Marshall Trimble tells us the real story behind one the most famous gunfights of the 19th century, the Gunfight at O.K. Corral.
Vigilante Justice on the Western Frontier
Guest: Andrew C. Isenberg, Hall Distinguished Professor of American History, University of Kansas, and author, "Wyatt Earp: A Vigilante Life"
Wyatt Earp, lawman, gunfighter, and U.S. marshal, was not the perfect role model that much of Hollywood made him out to be. Instead, he was a complicated example of frontier vigilantism and cowboy justice.
The Curse of the Hope Diamond (originally aired on September 6, 2019)
Guest: Richard Kurin, Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large, Smithsonian Institution, and author, "Hope Diamond: The Legendary History of a Cursed Gem"
Drawing millions of visitors every year, the Hope Diamond is the crowning jewel of the Smithsonian Institute. It’s famous for its deep blue color and impressive size, but the diamond is also known for something more sinister—a deadly curse befalling those who cross its path. Richard Kurin of the Smithsonian Institute weighs in on the legendary history of this infamous treasure.
New Species of Leech Discovered in Washington (originally aired on September 6, 2019)
Guest: Sebastian Kvist, Assistant Professor, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, and Associate Curator of Invertebrates, Royal Ontario Museum
A new species of bloodsuckers was recently discovered in Washington, D.C., and no, it’s not Congress. These leeches are part of an exhibit at the Smithsonian that examines the medicinal and ecological roles of these invertebrates.
Photos That Have Shaped our World
Guest: Steve McCurry, author and photojournalist
He photographed Sharbat Gula, the Afghan girl with piercing, sea-green eyes, who stared back at us from the cover of "National Geographic" in a picture that is known round the world. But that photo is just one example of the way Steve McCurry uses his lens to connect humanity.
Capturning the World's Animals in the Photo Ark
Guest: Joel Sartore, National Geographic Photographer and Fellow, 2018 Rolex National Geographic Explorer of the Year, and National Geographic Photo Ark founder
Joel Sartore uses photography to promote conservation. He's cataloguing endangered species in a virtual Photo Ark.
How Catching Moles Helped One Man Find Himself
Guest: Marc Hamer, retired mole-catcher, and author, “How To Catch A Mole: Wisdom from a Life Lived in Nature”
We can all get a little bit closer to nature by letting it be.
How to Be a Good Creature (originally aired June 28, 2019)
Guest: Sy Montgomery, author, “How to be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals”
You can learn a lot by hanging out with animals, and watching them closely on their own terms. Even how to forgive.
It's Coming: Treasure Island 2020
Sam Payne stops by with some previews for the upcoming radio adventure, Treasure Island.
Finding Life in Outer Space
Guest: Jill Tarter, Trustee and Emeritus Chair, SETI Institute
Jill Tarter has devoted her life to the scientific discovery of alien life and technology. She claims that if we find any sign of life in the universe, we can assume the universe is full of life. Tune in to hear what the SETI Institute is looking for.
The Power of Science Fiction for the Young Brain
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian, BYU Library, and regular contributor to The Lisa Show on BYUradio
Science fiction isn't just fluff. It's a powerful genre for young readers to develop confidence and imagination.
Superhero Psychology (originally aired Feb. 6, 2019)
Guest: Andrea Letamendi, clinical psychologist
What's the connection between what lies behind the masks of superheroes and our own behaviors?
The Amazing! The Incredible! The Marvelous Stan Lee!
Guest: Danny Fingeroth, comics writer and editor, and author, “A Marvelous Life: The Amazing Story of Stan Lee”
One year after his passing, remembering a legend in the world of comic books. Stan Lee's influence on the evolution of superhero comics. How grown ups became a burgeoning market for superhereos in spandex.
Being Basque-American
Guest: Anne-Marie Chiramberro, blogger, Hella Basque
Learning about other people and their different ways of life allows us to better cultivate goodness in our world. There may be as many as 100,000 people in America who claim Basque descent.
A Muslim Hero in the West
Guest: Jonathon Phillips, Professor, History of the Crusades, Royal Hollaway University of London, and author, "The Life and Legend of the Sultan Saladin"
The greatest Arab history in history, the Sultan Saladin conquered the crusaders at Jerusalem, but before long he was also seen as a hero in Christian lands. Who was this man?
All Warfare Is Based on Deception
Guest: Michael Nylan, Professor of History, University of California, Berkeley
The "Art of War" is a seminal work that has influenced great generals for generations. Leaders who've ignored its advice have seen disastrous results.
The Power of Scent (originally aired July 31, 2019)
Guest: Rachel Herz, author, "The Scent of Desire: Discovering our Enigmatic Sense of Smell"
Smell might be perhaps your least appreciated sense, but your nose gives you really important information, including a good genetic mate for you. And no two noses are alike!
Shanghai and Its Demons
Guest: Paul French, author, “City of Devils: The Two Men Who Ruled the Underworld of Old Shanghai”
Shanghai once was the only city in the world where you could live without a passport. In Shanghai in the 1930s the rules were few and the opportunities many. The Shanghai known for its age of jazz, parties, and expatriate splendor really did exist, but it was also home to criminals on the run.
The Fraught History of Daylight Savings Time
Guest: David Prerau, author, “Seize the Daylight: The Curious and Contentious Story of Daylight Saving Time”
You're looking forward to that extra hour of sleep this weekend, for sure. But take a minute to explore the history of why we're doing this anyway.
The Eighth Continent
Guest: Nick Mortimer, geologist, GNS Science, New Zealand
New Zealanders are claiming an eighth continent, Zealandia, though the mass is mostly underwater.
The History of Vampires
Guest: Nick Groom, Professor, English, Exeter University, UK, and author, "The Vampire: A New History"
Before "Twilight" and "True Blood," even before Bram Stoker’s "Dracula," the vampire played a fascinating role in pop culture and folklore. We ask the "Prof of Goth" why vampires are different from other monsters and demons.
Monster Movies: The Creation of the Horror Genre
Guest: Carl Sederholm, Professor, Comparative Arts and Letters, Brigham Young University
The twisted roots of the horror genre. The difference between suspense and horror. The genius of Shelley, Poe, and Lovecraft.
Instruments Fashioned from Ice Actually Work . . . and Sound Good
Guest: Tim Linhart, founder, Ice Music
Tim Linhart builds everything from musical instruments to cathedrals out of water, snow, and ice.
What Are Maestros Really Doing on Stage?
Guest: James Gaffigan, Chief Conductor, Luzerner Sinfonieorchester, and Principle Guest Conductor, Netherlands Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
You’ve seen conductors on stage waving their hands furiously, but what do those movements actually mean? What is this secret language? Turns out it is a lot more complicated than you might think. Maestro James Gaffigan weighs in on the history and art of musical conducting.
Baseball and the American City (Originally Aired on: July 16, 2019)
Guest: Paul Goldberger, author, Ballpark: Baseball in the American City
Baseball parks and the structures that surround them offer us a window to understanding the evolution of American cities and our attitudes towards them.
What Does It Take to Create a Monument? Quite a lot, Actually.
Guest: Tracy Campbell, E. Vernon Smith and Eloise C. Smith Professor of American History, University of Kentucky.
History is messy, but it can often create something beautiful and symbolic.
The Making of the Modern Middle East
Guest: Professor Eugene Rogan, Professor of Modern Middle Eastern History and the Director of the Middle East Centre atthe University of Oxford.
The Middle East has always been a contentious area of the world and some of the current issues there are due to the fall of the last great power in the area, the Ottoman Empire. In our conversation with Eugene Rogan, Professor of Middle Eastern History at the University of Oxford, we learn more about the fall of the Ottomans and what effects that had on the world today.
The Untold History of the Aztecs
Guest: Camilla Townsend, Professor, History, Rutgers University, and author, "Fifth Sun: A New History of the Aztecs"
History is written by the victors, especially in the colonization of indigenous peoples. But the Aztecs wrote down their own history and it neither began nor ended with the Spanish conquest, and it’s much more complex than the story most of us know.
Worm-Inspired Glue Mends Broken Hearts (Originally Aired on September 30, 2019)
Guest: Jeff Karp, Associate Professor, Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Fixing heart defects is a notoriously difficult feat, and existing suturing technology can be dangerous. Jeff Karp, a biomedical engineer, has worked with a team of researchers to develop a new surgical glue. The best part? It’s inspired by worms!
The Real King Arthur Originally Aired on: May 28, 2019
Guest: Leah Tether, faculty and Co-Director, Centre for Medieval Studies, University of Bristol
Perhaps no legend in the English language has been as enduring as the story of King Arthur. Thousands of off-shoots and iterations of the central Arthurian ideas have led to story after story of chivalry, conquest, love and magic that could’ve filled the lifetime of a hundred different Arthurs. Where do the Arthurian tales come from? Who is the real Arthur?
The Importance of Worldwide Education
Guest: Joel Cohen, Professor, Populations, Rockefeller University and Columbia University
How do you talk about education in countries where people don't even have secure food sources?
Forget JAWS: Swimming with Sharks
Guest: Cristina Zenato, ocean explorer and shark professional
Contrary to what pop culture myths, sharks are not mindless killing machines. Zenato's job is to swim with the sharks and she'd like to change your mind about what they're really like.
Keeping Balance in the Ocean
Guest: Bryan Franks, Assistant Professor, Marine Science, Jacksonville University
Sharks are the balance keepers of the ocean. Find out how to follow them on Twitter!
Observations of the Sea and Sky
Guest: Geoffrey Chester, Public Affairs Officer, U.S. Naval Observatory.
On a warm summer’s night in August of 1877, Asaph Hall was looking through a telescope at the Naval Observatory in Washington, DC and found two moons flying around Mars. He was working at the US Naval Observatory, the site of many discoveries in astronomy.
Since 1830, the Naval Observatory has been keeping the time of day for the country. Its mission began out of a need for accurate time-keeping tools for naval navigation and today is the home to the clock that makes the internet function. Without this facility you probably wouldn’t be able to turn on your phone and get directions to the nearest Walmart.
The Naval Observatory was a favorite haunt of President Abraham Lincoln, even once at 2 am!
You Know That Time You Got Stuck in the Distant Past...?
Guest: Ryan North, writer of multiple award winning comics, and author of his most recent book, “How to Invent Everything: A Survival Guide for the Stranded Time Traveler.”
We took ages to develop things we really could have done much quicker. It was a process of dicovery that took ages. Today we are surrounded by many different gadgets that run our lives. These almost magic devices have a large power over our lives. But if we were dropped back into the past? Knowing how things work would be very helpful! Our guest first up today is going to help us with that!
Economics and Hungry People
Guest: Joel Cohen, Professor of Populations, Rockefeller University and Columbia University.
There is a massive hunger problem all around the world. Using economics and demography, the study of populations, we might actually be able to solve it.
Fantastic Bugs and How to Eat Them
Guest: Daniella Martin, author of “Edible: An Adventure into the World of Eating Insects and the LastGreat Hope to Save the Planet,” host of Girl Meets Bug, the insect cooking/travel show, and blogger for Huffington Post.
You could easily get all the protein you need from little critters. This hour we’re talking about wild edibles, including plants and bugs. We’ll be looking at what you can eat to save yourselfin the wilderness, orjust be adventurous out there, or maybe to save the planet.
Wild Edibles
Guest: Tom Smith. Professor of Life Sciences at BYU
We might live in cities, and sleep in houses, but the wild world is all around us. Tom Smith teaches us a little about how to forage for food, and interact with the predators that still roam the wilds.
The Jews Who Saved America from the Nazis (Originally Aired on 8/19/2019)
Guest: Steven J. Ross, author, “Hitler in Los Angeles: How Jews Foiled Nazi Plots Against Hollywood and America”
A Jewish spy network, started by untrained citizens, saved a good number of prominent Americans from the Nazis, who had Hollywood in their sights.
Smashing Codes (Originally Aired on 8/19/2019)
Guest: Jason Fagone, author, “The Woman Who Smashed Codes”
Elizebeth Friedman is an unsung hero of WW2, who worked so secretively, and with so little recognition, that it is only now we realize her contributions.
On Safari with Africa’s Last Great Herds (Originally Aired on 8/19/2019)
Guest: Sy Montgomery, naturalist and author, “The Magnificent Migration: On Safari with Africa’s Last Great Herds”
After three decades of waiting, Sy Montgomery finally had the opportunity to visit Africa with the foremost expert on African wildlife, Richard Estes. Sy travels through the Serengeti chasing wildebeest, avoiding tourists and even braving a unanticipated night alone on the plains. But she also has a bigger story to tell: world leaders need to help preserve migratory routes that help these animals (and their habitats) thrive.
Let the Children Play (Originally Aired on 8/19/2019)
Guest: William Doyle, co-author, Let the Children Play: How More Play Will Save Our Schools and Help Children Thrive
Play is serious business (even in school) and kids need it if they're going to succeed.
History of Lyme Disease
Guest: John Aucott, Associate Professor of Medicine, and Director, Johns Hopkins Lyme Disease Research Center
Officially identified in the 1970s, Lyme disease has largely been shrouded in a cloud of mystery. We know the disease comes from tick bites, but chronic symptoms are often hard to characterize and diagnose. The history, symptoms, and treatments of this strange illness.
Crazy Cat Parasite
Guest: Rob Dunn, Professor, Applied Ecology, North Carolina State University
There is a parasite that gets in mice that makes them take crazy risks, almost like they're trying to get killed by cats, which is just what the parasite wants, since it can only reproduce in the guts of cats. But humans can get the parasite, too, and researchers are finding a connection between the parasite and mental illness.
Exercise Leads to Mental Fitness
Guest: J. Carson Smith, Associate Professor, Kinesiology, and Director, Exercise for Brain Health Laboratory, University of Maryland School of Public Health
For clearer thinking, hit the gym. Why brain health stimulates memory and cognitive function.
Electrical Brain Stimulation Increases Short-Term Memory
Guest: Robert E. Hampson, Professor, Physiology and Pharmacology, Wake Forest School of Medicine
Researchers found that in epileptic patients with electrical implants, they could minimize the damage from Alzheimers, stroke or age-related memory loss, or severe injury to the head.
Deep Brain Stimulation Treats Treatment-Resistant Depression
Guest: Dr. Helen Mayberg, Professor, Neurology, Neurosurgery, Psychiatry and Neuroscience?, and Director, Nash Family Center of Advanced Circuit Therapeutics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
The practice of placing tiny electrodes deep within the brain in order to stimulate specific areas of the brain, called deep brain stimulation, has been around for decades for the purpose of treating tremors in patients with Parkinson’s disease. Now, DBS appears to also be an effective long-term treatment for people with treatment-resistant depression.
The Help and Hurt of Caffeine
Guest: Murray Carpenter, journalist and author, “Caffeinated: How Our Daily Habit Helps, Hurts, and Hooks Us”
A mid-afternoon ritual of downing a daily dose of caffeine has more effects, both good and bad, than you may think.
Two Wild Gorillas Shifted the National Zoo Toward Conservation
Guest: Kara Arundel, education reporter and editor, and author, "Raising America’s Zoo: How Two Wild Gorillas Helped Transform the National Zoo"
Two wild gorillas helped shift the National Zoo’s outlook on conservation.
Tennessee's Pivotal Role in Women’s Suffrage (and the Legislator Who Listened to His Mother and Voted for It)
Guest: Elaine Weiss, author of “The Woman’s Hour: The Great Fight To Win The Vote”
One hundred years ago, Tennessee was caught up in the fierce fight for women’s suffrage. As the last vote needed in order to ratify the 19th Amendment, suffragists and anti-suffragists alike travelled from across the country to make their voices heard in Nashville.
Why Women in Wyoming Got the Vote So Early (originally aired June 19, 2019)
Guest: Tom Rea, author, editor, WyoHistory.org, Wyoming State Historical Society
Years before the events in Nashville Tennessee, women in many American states were already voting. Women in Wyoming got the vote first in 1890, followed by those in Colorado, Utah, and Idaho. But Wyoming didn't award the vote for the reasons you'd think.
Baseball and the American City (originally aired July 16, 2019)
Guest: Paul Goldberger, architecture critic, and author, "Ballpark: Baseball in the American City"
Baseball parks and the structures that surround them offer us a window to understand the evolution of American cities and our attitudes towards them.
Roosevelt’s “Cold War" on Baseball (originally aired on September 4, 2019)
Guest: Ryan Swanson, Associate Professor of History, University of New Mexico, and author, "The Strenuous Life: Theodore Roosevelt and the Making of the American Athlete"
Teddy Roosevelt had no fondness for the American pastime.
American Legend John Henry Was Probably a Convict Forced into Railroad Labor (originally aired on September 4, 2019)
Guest: Scott Nelson, Professor, History, University of Georgia, and author "Steel Drivin’ Man: John Henry, the Untold Story of an American Legend"
The impossibly strong John Henry, the one who died to prove man could beat machine, likely was actually an ordinary convict forced into railroad labor.
Explorer Uses Satellites to Discover Ancient Cities (originally aired on September 4, 2019)
Guest: Sarah Parcak, Professor, Anthropology, University of Alabama, and President and founder, GlobalXplorer, and author "Archaeology from Space: How the Future Shapes Our Past"
Using satellites, explorer Sarah Parcak is fighting looting in Peru, discovering mythical cities in Egypt and revolutionizing the field of archaeology for tomorrow’s explorers.
Originally aired September 16, 2019
Expecting Better
Guest: Emily Oster, Professor, Economics, Brown University, and author, "Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong—And What You Really Need to Know" and "Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool"
Expecting moms are bombarded with advice, much of it unsolicited. Women can gain more confidence in their decision-making when they know how to examine the data, and reject it, if needed.
Cribsheet (originally aired May 10, 2019)
Guest: Emily Oster, Professor, Economics, Brown University, and author, "Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong—And What You Really Need to Know" and "Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool"
We continue the conversation with Prof. Ostler and re-examine advice often given to new parents.
Dinosaur Mummy
Guest: Caleb Brown, Curator, Dinosaur Systematics and Evolution, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Alberta, Canada
In March 2011, a mechanical shovel operator accidentally stumbled on a mummified dinosaur. It was so well preserved that the contents of its guts were still inside. What we learn from this amazing specimen.
Maud Lewis' Painted House
Guest: Shannon Parker, Laufer Curator of Collections, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Known for her paintings of happy cats, colorful flowers, and bright ocean seascapes, Maud Lewis was one of Canada’s most important folk artists. She died in 1970, but her legacy lives on in the form of her painted house, preserved in its entirety in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
See the Maud Lewis collection here.
Moderate Consumption of Alcohol May Not Be Healthy
Guest: Tim Stockwell, Director, Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria
A number of studies recommend moderate alcohol consumption to lower your cholesterol, boost your immune system, and even expand your life span. But a closer look casts doubts on these findings.
Originally aired August 20, 2019
Hold the Sea Cucumber
Guest: Steven Purcell, Associate Professor, Southern Cross University
Sea cucumbers are everywhere—or at least they should be. But, because they're in high demand as delicacies, medicine, and gifts, they’re dying out faster than they can reproduce. Why that should worry everyone.
Witch Hunts
Guest: Rev. Brian A. Pavlac, Professor, History, King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Thousands of people died in witch hunts from the 1400s to the 1800s, as fear and superstition roiled communities. However, some towns wouldn't tolerate witch hunters, or never even feared witchcraft to begin with, while other towns saw neighbors turn viciously on each other. Why the difference? We find out what led to the rise of witch hunts and to their general disappearance. But our guest warns us not to think that they never happen today.
The Appleseed
Guest: Sam Payne, host, The Appleseed, BYUradio
Mining your experience for a good story. Memories and stories.
Barely Believable Stories from the Annals of Medical History
Guest: Thomas Morris, author, “The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth and other Curiosities from the History of Medicine”
A soldier who seemed immune to death, no matter how many injuries he sustained. A patient who performed his own appendectomy. A man who had had enough and decided to surgically remove his own bladder stone.
Pencil Love
Guest: Caroline Weaver, owner, CW Pencil Enterprise
In our digital world, what is lost when we don't write out our thoughts by hand? If they don't learn cursive, how can kids read the Constitution as it was originally printed? Do you ever take pleasure in the simple pencil? It's really a thing of beauty, according to this aficionado.
Who wants some snake hugs?
Guest: Sara Ruane, Assistant Professor of Evolution at Rutgers University-Newark.
There are things to be feared, and then there are things we fear. Not necessarily the same thing. When I first took up hiking a few decades ago I remember feeling very exposed, all sorts of unknowns. We often harbor suspicions about the things we don’t know. Chalk that up to evolution, just like everything else. That’s probably how we got the “better safe than sorry” gene—you know, the BSTS gene. Eh that’s not really a thing. Maybe it’s more BS than BSTS.Better safe than sorry!
Adorable Mexican salamanders can potentially unlock limb regeneration in humans.
Guest: Jeramiah Smith, Associate Professor in the Department of Biology, University of Kentucky.
Today we are talking about adorable, weird, super-powered creatures called axolotls, and how this Mexican salamander’s giant genome can unlock limb regeneration in humans.
Mind and Body
Guest: Alan Jasanoff, Director of MIT Center for Neurobiological Engineering and author of, “The Biological Mind: How Brain, Body, and Environment Collaborate toMake Us Who We Are.”
We have assumptions about the brain which could be both detrimental to the study and damaging to our society. His big, overriding statement is: We are more than our brains.
The 5th Basic Taste
Guest: Gary Beauchamp, Distinguished Member, Emeritus Director and President, Monell Chemical Senses Center, Philadelphia, PA .
Umami, the mysterious fifth basic flavor, wasn’t discovered until the early 1900’s. After umami’s discovery and synthesis, it got added to everything from Chinese food to cheese. Now it’s being needlessly taken out of food products everywhere. But why?
O.K. Corral
Guest: Marshal Trimble, Official Arizona State Historian
Much of our identity is built on our collective history, and here in the U.S., a big part of that history is the Wild West. Historian Marshall Trimble tells us the real story behind one the most famous gunfights of the 19th century, the Gunfight at O.K. Corral.
Museum of Art Fakes
Guest: Lydia Sumbera, Press Specialist, Museum of Art Fakes (Falschermuseum)
If you'd rather be confronted with a criminal wielding a paintbrush than a pistol, check out this radio tour of an entire museum devoted to art fakes that were good enough to fool museums and educated collectors.
Croc Attacks on the Rise on this Southeast Asian Island
Guest: Sam Banks, conservation biologist, Charles Darwin University, Australia
Researchers try to understand the sudden rise in crocodile attacks in East Timor.
Appleseed
Guest: Same Payne, storyteller and host, The Appleseed, BYU Radio
Take care when you're telling other people's stories.
Ancient Board Games
Guest: Irving Finkel, Keeper of Ancient Mesopotamian Artifacts, The British Museum, and author, "Ancient Board Games"
Games have been part of our collective experience for as long as we have recorded history. Irving Finkel tells us about one of the oldest games ever played, and how we rediscovered it.
Tim O’Brien: Dad's Maybe Book
Guest: Tim O’Brien, author, "The Things They Carried," “Dad’s Maybe Book”.
Tim O’Brien, award-winning author of “The Things They Carried” and “Going After Cacciato” has released his first book in 18 years. Dedicated to his sons, “Dad’s Maybe Book” documents the declining life of an older father.
How the Environment and Population Influence Where People Live
Guest: Joel Cohen, Professor, Populations, Rockefeller University and Columbia University
This is the first of a three-part series on demography: why do people in the world live where they do and what forces population changes?
Insomnia and Suicide (originally aired August 27, 2019)
Guest: Zach Simmons, sleep and suicide researcher, graduate student, Clinical Psychology, Brigham Young University
Around 800,000 people die by suicide every year, and it is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds. This is a serious public health problem, but research has shown ways to prevent suicide, including interventions and access to mental health resources. However, a recent study from BYU has found a predictive relationship between patients who report insomnia and later attempt suicide, which gives us one more insight into preventing tragedy.
Insomnia: You Can Learn to Sleep
Guest: Donn Posner, President, Sleep Well Consultants, Clinical Research Psychologist, Palo Alto Veterans Institute for Research
Insomnia is extremely common, and its fatiguing effects can be devastating to those who live with it. Cognitive behavioral therapy is an effective long-term treatment for the disorder.
Scientist Recreates 4,000 Year-Old Egyptian Sourdough Bread
Guest: Seamus Blackley, Father of the Xbox, Physicist
Father of the Xbox and scientist Seamus Blackley has recreated ancient Egyptian sourdough bread using authentic ingredients and 4,000 year-old yeast extracted from Egyptian pottery.
The First and Only Sourdough Library in the World
Guest: Karl De Smedt, Sourdough Librarian, Puratos Sourdough Library, St. Vith, Belgium
St. Vith, Belgium is home to the only sourdough library in the world--they are dedicated to preserving and researching sourdough for current and future generations.
How Three Major Religions Coexist and Worship in Jerusalem's Old City
Guest: Shon Hopkin, Associate Professor, Religious Education, and Chair of the Council of Religious Outreac, Brigham Young University
In Jerusalem's Old City, three major religions negotiate daily life and worship, a challenge when holy sites are literally layered one on top of the other.
There's No Place Like Kansas
Guest: Tom Averill, Professor Emeritus, English, Washburn University of Topeka
From the antislavery firebrand John Brown to "The Wizard of Oz" to "Little House on the Praire" to President Eisenhower . . . there's a rich history in that piece of flat real estate.
Converting an English Estate into a Thriving Ecosystem (originally aired September 18, 2019)
Guest: Isabella Tree, journalist and author, “Wilding: Returning Nature to Our Farm”
Take a walk on the wild side--the wild side of conservation, that is! When Isabella Tree’s 3,500 acre farm was failing, she and her husband decided to switch gears from intensive farming to a hands-off conservation technique called “rewilding.” Check out the miraculous tenacity and wonder of nature.
Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve (originally aired September 30, 2019)
Guest: J. David Bamberger, founder, Bamberger Ranch Preserve
David Bamberger set out to buy the worst piece of ranchland he could find in Texas Hill Country. He now lives on a 5,500-acre nature preserve that he created out of Texas’s most desolate wilderness.
Sprout Lands
Guest: William Bryant Logan, faculty, New York Botanical Gardens, and author, “Sprout Lands: Tending the Endless Gift of Trees”
The act of pruning trees to both care for them and benefit from them is being lost. Pollarding and other related practices used to provide us with the means to make living fences, diversify our forests, and feed our families, without simply destroying the trees.
Stowaway
Guest: Laurie Gwen Shapiro, author, “The Stowaway: A Young Man’s Extraordinary Adventure to Antarctica”
What would you do to explore the ends of the earth? One cold swim across the Hudson River sent Billy Gawronski, the 17-year-old son of Polish immigrants, all the way to Antarctica on an expedition with the explorer Richard Byrd over 90 years ago.
Do we need to worry about an asteroid impact?
Guest: Paul Sutter, astrophysicist, Ohio State University, author, and host of “Ask a Spaceman” podcast
How likely is it that we could have a catastrophic collision with an asteroid?
Shyness is Both Burden and Blessing
Guest: Joe Moran, Professor, English and Cultural History, Liverpool John Moores University, and author, "Shrinking Violets: The Secret Life of Shyness"
We have an awful habit in our modern society of turning differences into problems. Several years ago, a professor at Northwestern University named Christopher Lane wrote a book on the medicalization of shyness. Our guest today extolls the virtues of shyness and examines why shyness is criticized more in some cultures than others.
Tree “Islands” Are a Cost-Effective Reforestation Alternative to Plantations
Guest: Karen Holl, restoration ecologist, and Professor, Environmental Studies, University of California Santa Cruz
A new study finds that planting tree “islands” is a cost-effective way to restore tropical forests. The practice harnesses nature's own processes--birds and bees and fungus all do their part.
The Strategic Importance of Guano Islands
Guest: Daniel Immerwahr, Associate Professor, History, Northwestern University, and author, "How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States"
Guano Islands are just what they sound like--tiny rocks in the ocean covered with bird droppings. And nothing more. But nations fought over them, or at least diplomatically elbowed each other. Because they were worth enormous amounts--for fertilizer. Guano was a powerful natural source of nitrogen. This is the story of how America built its guano island empire.
The Scientist Who Launched the Age of Chemical Warfare
Guest: Dan Charles, author, "Master Mind: The Rise and Fall of Fritz Haber, the Nobel Laureate Who Launched the Age of Chemical Warfare"
This segment is connected to Daniel Immerwahr's tale "How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States" by a fascinating and tragic personal story about the Immerwahr family. Fritz Haber finally figured out how to make nitrogen--and thereby rendered Guano Islands irrelevant. His wife, Clara Immerwahr, was also an accomplished chemist, but unlike her husband, also a passionate pacifist. Haber is also the man who invented Zyklon A, a poison gas used in the trenches in WWI. Zyklon A is the precursor to Zyklon B, which was used to kill Jews in the Nazi death camps in WWII, including, after they died, some of their relatives.
How the World Kept Cool When "The Ice King" Ruled
Guest: Jonathan Rees, Professor of History, Colorado State University-Pueblo, author, "Refrigeration Nation," "Before the Refrigerator," and "Refrigerator"
Before the refrigerator, or air conditioning or electric fans, ice was a hot-–or rather, cold-–commodity. We’re talking with Jonathan Rees about the surprisingly complex workings of the ice industry, and the “Ice King” who started it all by shipping New England ice all around the globe.
How delicious can you make ice?
Guest: Nathan Hopson, Associate Professor, Modern Japanese and East Asian History, Nagoya University, Japan
The Japanese commercialized the ice trade way back in the 11th century. Kakigori was a frozen Japanese delicacy that eventually led to the shave ice craze that pops up every year on American street corners.
The Glory, Gory Game of Mayan Ball (originally aired August 2, 2019)
Guest: Stephen Houston, Chair, Department of Anthropology, Dupee Family Professor of Social Sciences, Brown University
This Mesoamerican ball game combined decapitation, communion with the dead, and worship of the gods. Misconception and mystery still surround the game, but Professor Houston of Brown University weighs in on the rules, history, and deep cultural implications of the sport.
The Real Impact of Joan of Arc (originally aired August 2, 2019)
Guest: Kelly DeVries, Professor, History, Loyola University Maryland
590 years ago, Joan of Arc had a frankly miraculous year. Though countless books and articles have been written on her, her military career is pretty much confined to 1429, and she died only two years later. We revisit this dramatic period of history and ask how she ever could have had the impact she did.
The Mysteries That Fly Over Flyover Country
Guest: B.J. Hollars, Associate Professor of English, University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire, and author, “Midwestern Strange: Hunting Monsters, Martians, and the Weird in Flyover Country”
B.J. Hollars spent a year traveling through Midwest America, researching sightings of werewolves, giant lake turtles, and aliens. What he found out was that people who claim to see extraterrestrials and freakish monsters can teach us to maintain our own sense of curiousity and skepticism. Not always an easy balance.
King Solomon's Mines?
Guest: Erez Ben-Yosef, Associate Professor of Archaeology, Department of Archaeology and Near Eastern Cultures, Tel Aviv University, and head of the Timna Valley Excavation Project
The Edomites, some of the ancient inhabitants of southern Israel, were thought to be a nomadic people who left little evidence of their existence. But some recently discovered remnants of ancient copper production may shed light on where King Solomon sourced construction materials for his famous temple.
Dinosaur Fossils Like You've Never Seen Them Before
Guest: Hans Sues, Senior Scientist and Curator of Fossil Vertebrates, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution
In the "Deep Time" exhibit in the Smithsonian's new Fossil Hall, life is messy: dinosaur poop, fish who die of overeating, a lizard who decomposes before your eyes. And the piece de resistance: a t-rex taking a bite out of an unwitting triceratops. We get a behind-the-scenes radio tour of this new kind of exhibit.
LEGOs As Fine Art
Guest: Nathan Sawaya, LEGO artist
Nathan Sawaya is a LEGO brick artist who recreates everything from Stephen Colbert to the Mona Lisa and Michelangelo's David (life-size too!). But, to become a master model builder, Nathan chose to leave behind a law career and overcome art critics that deemed his medium too childish. Today, his exhibitions smash attendance records and invite everyone to participate in creating art.
The Raspberry Pi Puts a Computer In Every Pocket
Guest: Eben Upton, Creator of the Raspberry Pi
Since its creation in 2012, the Raspberry Pi has become an iconic part of the computer and programming network. This small, credit-card-sized computer has been used in everything from drones to homemade insulin pumps and has created a thriving community of passionate users.
Scam Me If You Can
Guest: Frank Abagnale, author, "Scam Me If You Can," "Catch Me If You Can," "The Art of the Steal" and "Stealing your Life"
We talk to a former professional imposter and world-renowned authority on the subjects of fraud, forgery, and cyber security to learn how to recognize a scam. He explains why public schools need to teach ethics, and he examines regret and redemption in his own life.
Discovering the San José’s $17 Billion Treasure
Guest: Jeff Kaeli, Research Engineer, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI)
In 2015, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discovered the San José, a sunken ship from 1708 loaded with treasure valued up to $17 billion.
On Safari with Africa’s Last Great Herds
Guest: Sy Montgomery, naturalist and author, “The Magnificent Migration: On Safari with Africa’s Last Great Herds”
After three decades of waiting, Sy Montgomery finally had the opportunity to visit Africa with the foremost expert on African wildlife, Richard Estes. Sy travels through the Serengeti chasing wildebeest, avoiding tourists, and even braving a unanticipated night alone on the plains. But she also has a bigger story to tell: world leaders need to help preserve migratory routes that help these animals (and their habitats) thrive.
Rett Girls
Guest: Monica Coenraads, Executive Director, Rett Syndrome Research Trust, and mother of Chelsea, a girl with Rett Syndrome
Rett Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that affects 1 in 10,000 girls. It's marked by a loss of function in seemingly normal babies. People with the syndrome have symptoms of autism, epilepsy, cerebral palsy, Parkinson's and anxiety.
Hope for a Cure for Rett Syndrome
Guest: Tim Riley, Chief Scientific Officer, Rett Syndrome Research Trust
A cure for Rett Syndrome may be on the horizon, and scientists have several possible methods for treating the disease. In fact, the cure for this disease could help treat other brain disorders.
Using Eye-Tracking Technology to Communicate with People Who Have Rett Syndrome
Guest: Julie Peterson, mother of Emily, a girl with Rett Syndrome.
Emily Peterson uses eye-tracking technology to communicate with her family.
Exploring the World’s Deepest Underwater Caves
Guest: Jill Heinerth, Explorer-in-Residence, The Royal Canadian Geographical Society, and author, "Into the Planet: My Life as a Cave Diver"
We know more about outer space than we do about the ocean. The world’s deepest underwater caves have long been a source of mystery and danger. Jill Heinerth, a renowned Canadian cave diver, explores the wonders of these secret places.
Black Confederates
Guest: Kevin M. Levin, historian and author, "Searching For Black Confederates: The Civil War’s Most Persistent Myth"
There’s been loud public debate about the removal of Confederate monuments throughout the South. Less well known is a conversation about the role of black Confederate soldiers in the war—in fact the debate has centered on whether there actually WERE any black Confederate soldiers. We don’t generally dig into politics here on Constant Wonder, but we do wonder a lot about history. So, were there blacks soldiers fighting for the Confederate cause? If so, who were they? Enslaved or free men? Why is it important to get this history right?
Drink Milk? Conquer the World!
Guest: Justin Cook, Assistant Professor, Economics, UC Merced
Milk, or more accurately the ability to digest it, possibly led to Europe's economic prosperity and their colonization of the globe.
Prehistoric Sippy Cups
Guest: Julie Dunne, Biomolecular Archaeologist, University of Bristol
Prehistoric parents used sippy cups in animal shapes, not unlike our plastic versions.
Chernobyl's Untold Story (originally aired May 16, 2019)
Guest: Adam Higginbotham, author, "Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World’s Greatest Nuclear Disaster"
Everyone who’s gotten past 8th grade has heard of Chernobyl and the accident at the nuclear power plant. But author Adam Higginbotham introduces a new perspective on what happened there, telling stories that have literally never been told before.
Hear the Elephants (originally aired August 6, 2019)
Guest: Joyce Poole, elephant ethologist, conservationsist, and Co-Director, ElephantVoices
Joyce Poole can translate elephant-speak and she provides insight into how they feel about their interactions with humans, both in the wild and in captivity. How successful are efforts to save them and their habitats?
The Man-Eating Tiger of Champawat
Guest: Dane Huckelbridge, author, “No Beast So Fierce: The Terrifying True Story of the Champawat Tiger, the Deadliest Animal in History”
The Champawat tiger killed approximately 436 people, and was eventually killed by Jim Corbett, who went on to become a legendary slayer of man-killers. But the tiger was a man-made monster, and this is really a story about what our relationship with our world should be.
What Did the Ark Look Like?
Guest: Irving Finkel, Keeper of Ancient Mesopotamian Artifacts, The British Museum, and author, "The Ark Before Noah: Decoding the Story of the Flood"
The Noah’s Ark story you grew up with is not the only such story. Some of the oldest texts we have, carved on Mesopotamian clay tablets, are about 4,000 years old. But in this story, the boat was an enormous round "coracle."
Symbolism Is All Around Us
Guest: Jonathan Pageau, Artist, Editor of The Orthodox Arts Journal, and Host of The Symbolic World podcast
Symbolism surrounds us—it has been a central part of our culture, and continues to be through today. Sometimes symbolism is part of a participant's experience and sometimes it's part of a passive viewing experience.
The Weird and Wonderful World of Roald Dahl
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian, Brigham Young University
Roald Dahl had a traumatic childhood and his books tackle the injustice faced by kids, who find a way to overcome the odds. But his worlds are weird and fantastic, which makes for great screen adaptations.
More Boys Should Read Little Women (originally aired August 16, 2019)
Guest: Anne Boyd Rioux, author, "Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters," and Professor, English, University of New Orleans
There’s a lot that boys can learn from reading “Little Women.” How to get them excited about the novel, and why it persists as an American classic.
The Era of the Dash
Guest: Cecelia Watson, faculty, Language and Thinking, Bard College, and author, “Semicolon: The Past, Present, and Future of a Misunderstood Mark”
People who are unsure about grammar rules use the dash so much that it feels like we're living in the Era of the Dash. Why you should let go of this crutch.
No Tenors Allowed
Guests: Thomas Hampson, baritone; and Luca Pisaroni, bass-baritone
Two opera legends describe the staying power of classical music, and, get this, why it is so much fun! This conversation may not have you dabbing your eyes, but you might catch yourself giggling.
The Memory Palace
Guest: Nate DiMeo, creator of the podcast "The Memory Palace"
Nate DiMeo created a podcast 10 years ago called "The Memory Palace" as a side hobby. It has become so successful that now it’s his full-time job and it even earned him a place as the Metropolitan Museum’s Artist in Residence a couple years ago.
Sooner Than You Might Think: Humans on Mars
Guest: Stephen Petranek, journalist and author, "How We'll Live on Mars"
In the very near future, we could be landing people on Mars. The first person who will set foot on Mars is likely alive today. Here's what we'd need to live on the red planet.
Splendid Frogs
Guest: Andrew Gray, Curator of Herpetology, Manchester Museum
Welcome to the world of the Splendid Leaf Frog. We'll take you deep into the Costa Rican forest. And we also get a behind-the-scenes look into how scientists decide that they're looking at two different species. Andrew Gray's search for leaf frogs took him halfway across world looking for a new species, only to find it in his own museum.
Writhing dens of mating garter snakes are drawing crowds to Narcisse, Manitoba
Guest: Robert T. Mason, Professor of Integrative Biology, Oregon State University
For a few days every spring, tens of thousands of snakes emerge from limestone caves in Narcisse, Manitoba to mate. They congregate in writhing dens completely covering the marshy ground. Robert T. Mason, professor of Integrative Biology, weighs in on this slithery phenomenon.
The Porcupine Inspires Medicine
Guest: Jeff Karp; Associate Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
Medical staples are an incredibly useful way to quickly close wounds, but current methods leave room for infection and further tissue damage. Jeff Karp, a biomedical engineer from Harvard Medical School, weighs in on how porcupine quills could be the answer to innovation in surgical sutures.
Worm-inspired glue is being used to mend broken hearts
Guest: Jeff Karp; Associate Professor of Medicine at Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School.
Fixing heart defects is a notoriously difficult feat, and existing suturing technology can be dangerous. Jeff Karp, a biomedical engineer, has worked with a team of researchers to develop a new surgical glue. The best part? It’s inspired by worms!
Selah, Bamberger Ranch Preserve
Guest: J. David Bamberger, founder, Bamberger Ranch Preserve
Meet the man that once sold vacuums and now lives on a 5,500-acre nature preserve that he created out of Texas’s most desolate wilderness.
Hadrian’s Wall
Guest: David Potter, Francis W. Kelsey Collegiate Professor of Greek and Roman History and Arthur F. Thurnau professor in the Department of Classical Studies at the University of Michigan.
Hadrian’s wall, over 70 miles long and stretching throughout Britain, marked the edge of the Roman empire. It also marked an ideological shift, abandoning the idea of “anyone can be a Roman” to a much more exclusionary view of Romans v. outsiders. The wall itself was an impressive feat of engineering and prowess, but did this physical and societal barrier lead to to the downfall of empire?
Discovering the San José’s $17 Billion Treasure
Guest: Jeff Kaeli, Research Engineer, Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution (WHOI),
In 2015, the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution discovered the San José, a sunken ship from 1708 loaded with treasure valued up to $17 billion.
The Navy Never Wanted You to Know about UFOs
Guest: Iain Boyd, H. T. Sears Memorial Professor and Faculty Director of National Security Aerospace Engineering Sciences, University of Colorado
The military finally verified UFO sightings. What might possibly be out there and how much will we ever know of what the government knows?
Charles Schulz Told His Story in "Peanuts"
Guest: Benjamin L. Clark, curator, Charles M. Schulz Museum
Even though he hated the name "Peanuts," Charles Schulz told his life story in the beloved comic strip. Jeff Simpson, our Special Collections producer, explores a museum honoring this life.
Restoring Petra
Guest: Cynthia Finlayson, Associate Professor, Anthropology, Brigham Young University, and director, Ad-Deir Monument and Plateau Project
Petra is still churning out some incredible archaeological discoveries that provide more clues about the ancient civilization that thrived there 2,000 years ago. These discoveries might just be able to help better conserve this ancient city for future generations.
Electric Eels are Shockingly Cool
Guest: Will Crampton, Associate Professor, Biology, University of Central Florida
It was recently discovered that there are multiple species of electric eel. Electrophorus voltai, one newly discovered species, has emitted shocks of up to 860 volts.
Down to Earth
Guests: Rachel Mabey Whipple, member, Board of Directors, Nature Conservancy’s Utah chapter; Clint Whipple, Associate Professor, Biology, Brigham Young University
This husband and wife duo try to live responsibly in the spirit of Earth stewardship, and they say that if you make big decisions to conserve energy, you avoid having to make dozens of little decisions every day.
Ice at the End of the World
Guest: Jon Gertner, author, "The Ice at the End of the World: An Epic Journey into Greenland' Buried Past and Our Perilous Future"
We've heard a lot about the melting icecaps and the environmental impact that rising seas will have around the world. But when those icebergs melt, we're going to lose a deep, literally, historical record of the earth that's frozen in those layers of ice.
Band Grandpas (originally aired June 13, 2019)
Guest: Arnold Rosen, founder, "Band Grandpas"
Dr. Arnold Rosen was in the middle of performing a colonoscopy when he suddenly thought “when I retire, I want to be a ‘Band Grandpa.’” He met with Rockford Public Schools and helped coordinate other volunteers to start Band Grandpas, a program that allows Arnold and other adults to help teach music to middle school students.
The Truffle Underground
Guest: Ryan Jacobs, author of "The Truffle Underground: A Tale of Mystery, Mayhem, and Manipulation in the Shadowy Market of the World's Most Expensive Fungus
In the world of luxury foods, the truffle is one of the most expensive delicacies out there, inspiring not only farmers and chefs, but an entire underground world of truffle-related crime.
Why You Should Love the Semicolon
Guest: Cecelia Watson, faculty, Language and Thinking, Bard College, and author, “Semicolon: The Past, Present, and Future of a Misunderstood Mark”
Punctuation as a rule is a relatively recent invention, with different marks going in and out of style, and with their usage changing over time. Cecelia Watson calls for a return to the freedom of an understanding of punctuation as a stylistic art rather than part of the didactic dictatorship of grammarians.
How One Man Traded a Paperclip for a House
Guest: Kyle MacDonald, “the red paperclip guy,” and author, "One Red Paperclip: How to Trade a Red Paperclip for a House"
A game of "bigger or better" turned Kyle’s little red paperclip into a house. He shares his fun story, and also a message of hope and optimism for anyone who wants to improve his or her situation.
Robert Smalls, Unsung Civil War Hero
Guest: Douglas Egerton, Professor, History, Le Moyne College
Historian Douglas Egerton explores the legacy of one Civil War hero you probably haven’t heard of. Robert Smalls was an enslaved man who took over a Confederate ship, freed sixteen other enslaved people, and turned the Confederate ship over to the Union. Then he went on to have a fiery legislative career.
Mary Chesnut Diary
Guest: Catherine Clinton, Professor, American History, University of Texas at San Antonio, and editor, "Diary of Mary Chesnut"
Mary Chestnut was a Civil War diarist, a South Carolina belle from a prominent family. She was firmly committed to the South, but she was also a witty, highly educated feminist with no fondness for slavery.
Dictionary Wars
Guest: Peter Martin, author, “The Dictionary Wars: The American Fight over the English Language”
The American Revolution fought to preserve our rights to life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness--and also our right to cultural independence through our language. The untold battle over American language played out between lexicographers and the public, with the question of patriotism hanging over the whole debate, because in America, unlike in England, the dictionary was like the Bible.
Wondering and Wandering on Trails
Guest: Robert Moor, author, “On Trails: An Exploration”
Hiking the length of the Appalachian trail from Georgia to Maine is quite the feat, but that was only the beginning of a seven-year exploration from Robert Moor that took him across trails of all kinds, from ant to cow to horse to human.
Mirror World (originally aired March 20, 2019)
Guest: Kevin Kelly, Senior Maverick, Wired.com
You’ve probably seen virtual reality or VR goggles pop up in commercials and shopping malls as the next big thing. But have you ever wondered about where all this new tech can take us through augmented reality? Will our future merge the digital and real worlds into one experience through augmented reality technology?
Climate Change and Flesh-Eating Bacteria
Guest: Rachel Noble, Distinguished Professor of Marine Sciences, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Institute of Marine Sciences
Vibrio, also known as flesh-eating bacteria, normally lives in warm, brackish waters in the Gulf of Mexico. Recently, however, with sea temperatures on the rise, it is spreading to Atlantic waters and causing more infections. How worried should we be?
The Untold Story of the World’s Greatest Game
Guest: Mary Pilon, author, “The Monopolists: Obsession, Fury, and the Scandal Behind the World's Favorite Board Game”
What has long been one of America’s favorite pastimes is not as innocent as it seems. The history of Monopoly is as messy and fraught with deception and scandal as any monopoly ever was.
Vantablack is the Darkest Material Ever Created
Guest: Ben Jensen, Chief Technical Officer, Surrey NanoSystems
Vantablack is a material that consists of millions of nanotubes that trap well over 99 percent of visible light. Follow his journey of discovery.
Famed Bank Robber Exhumed to Settle Conspiracy Theories
Guests: Speros Batistatos, President/CEO, South Shore Convention and Visitors Authority; Ken Drinkwater, Senior Lecturer, Psychology, Manchester Metropolitan University, UK
Several days ago, the bank robber and gangster John Dillinger was the focus of a lot of media attention, even though he’s been dead for nearly 85 years. His corpse is being exhumed by family members to settle a dispute about whether it’s really him in that grave in Indiana. Apparently, some people believe that the FBI shot an innocent man instead of Dillinger.
Why do we believe in conspiracy theories anyway? Conspiracy theories are often evidence of rational minds trying to solve a puzzle, not necessarily instances of people abandoning all reason.
Life as a Turkey (originally aired: May 15, 2019)
Guest: Joe Hutto, naturalist, wildlife artist, and author, "Illumination in the Flatwoods," the book that inspired the documentary film "My Life As a Turkey"
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a wild turkey? Perhaps not, but naturalist Joe Hutto did and he found out. By adopting a brood of turkeys, Joe became their mother and they became his personal wildlife tour guide, showing him a side of the wilderness that few people have ever experienced before.
Falconry: The View from 1,000 Feet
Guest: Steve Chindgren, professional falconer and author, "The Art of Hawking Sage Grouse"
Falconry is one of the most complex and misunderstood sports in the world. And it is beautiful.
Johnny Appleseed: The Eccentric Man Behind the Great American Legend
Guest: Howard Means, journalist and author, "Johnny Appleseed: The Man, the Myth, the American Story"
Johnny Appleseed, born John Chapman, was a pioneer of the American frontier, and an eccentric one at that. He's a larger-than-life figure with a story we've all helped to promote and expand. His history, though, is a bit more complicated than the Disney biopic lets on.
Walkable City Rules
Guest: Jeff Speck, city planner and author, "Walkable City" and "Walkable City Rules"
Jeff Speck has said, “The car is an optional instrument of freedom rather than a prosthetic device.” He is one of the leading advocates for a revolution in the way we conceive and design our places of habitation and our means of transportation.
Our Listeners Find Wonder
Guests: Amy Jensen, Norma Roberts, Marie-Laure Oscarson, Marshall Coleman, and Joanna Harmon
Throughout this hour, listeners from around the globe share discoveries of wonder in their neighborhoods.
The Reactivator Suspends Life and Reanimates It
Guest: Shannon Tessier, Instructor, Harvard Medical School and Massachusetts General Hospital, and Scientific Staff, Shriners Hospitals for Children, Boston
When you hear the word "cryogenics," what comes to mind? The strange practice of freezing heads of people when they die in hopes that somehow, someday, medical science will figure out how to unfreeze them and bring them back? Yeah, it’s a thing. Well, it turns out that "cryonics" is the word for the pseudoscience of achieving immortality by freezing bodies. "Cryogenics" simply means the science of working with materials at extremely low temperatures. Now, if you were a frog, you might do both--it turns out that some frogs can be frozen all winter, frozen solid--and then thaw and come back to life in the spring. If we can figure out how this works it may be more than just cool, so to speak. It may have medical implications. Think about preserving organs as they move from donors to transplant recipients.
Highlight: Ancient Sourdough Brought to Life (originally aired September 11, 2019)
Guest: Seamus Blackely, father of the xBox, physicists, master baker
Seamus Blackely, with the help of a Harvard lab, has made sourdough bread from yeast harvested from 4,000-year-old pots.
Saxophonist Johnny Hodges
Guest: Con Chapman, author, "Rabbit’s Blues: The Life and Music of Johnny Hodges"
The story of the life and music of legendary blues saxophone player Johnny Hodges, a member of Duke Ellington’s orchestra for more than 40 years.
The Friendship Between Henry Ford and Thomas Edison Lives On
Guest: Marc Gruether, Vice President, Historical Resources and Chief Curator, The Henry Ford
A dynamic and influential pair, Thomas Edison and Henry Ford shared a decades-long friendship. They were so close, in fact, Henry Ford is said to have received a test tube with Edison’s final breath trapped inside. Why?
The 75th Anniversary of French Liberation from German Occupation
Guest: Hanna Diamond, Senior Lecturer, French History, University of Bath, UK
It’s been a big year for WWII memories. The 75th anniversary of D-Day was in June, followed by related milestones. Battles in France, Holland and Belgium continued into the fall of 1944. Calais itself was not liberated until September 22. The world is paying close attention to this anniversary, as it is the last time that any actual WWII veterans will be around to see it.
Will the Zeppelin Fly Again?
Guest: David Grossman, science journalist and staff writer, Popular Mechanics
The infamous 1937 Hindenburg accident was like an airborn Titanic, but after the tragedy at sea, people still continued to travel by boat, while airships have been abandoned. A recent study however claims that using modern Zeppelins can help reduce global warming and serve as cargo vessels. Is it time to let Zeppelins fly again? Or are we flirting with disaster?
World’s First Civilization
Guest: Eckart Frahm, Professor, Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations/Assyriology, Yale University
There are striking similarities between our modern lives and those of the Mesopotamians thousands of years ago: they sang lullabies, kept cookbooks, complained about their parents. Their leaders wanted to build walls to keep out foreigners. Find out how that went.
Converting an English Estate into a Thriving Ecosystem
Guest: Isabella Tree, journalist and author, “Wilding: Returning Nature to Our Farm”
Take a walk on the wild side--the wild side of conservation, that is! When Isabella Tree’s 3,500 acre farm was failing, she and her husband decided to switch gears from intensive farming to a hands-off conservation technique called “rewilding.” Check out the miraculous tenacity and wonder of nature.
Diving Sea Nomads (originally aired May 22, 2019)
Guest: Melissa Ilardo, Evolutionary Genomicist, University of Utah, and Integrative Biologist, UC Berkeley
Humans have adapted to live in some of the most extreme environments on earth, from the high altitude of the Tibetan Himalayas to the dry wasteland of the world’s deserts. The Bajau, a people of the Malay Archipelago, spend almost all of their lives at sea. These sea nomads, who live on floating houses, have prodigious diving capabilities.
Know Nothings
Guest: Tyler Anbinder, Professor, History, George Washington University, and author, “City of Dreams: The 400-Year Epic History of Immigrant New York”
During the 1840s, a massive immigration of Catholics (mostly from Ireland and Germany) resulted in the creation of the “Know Nothing” party, commonly considered the forerunner to other radical hate groups such as the Ku Klux Klan. It was founded mostly upon a distrust of immigrants, and particularly of Catholics.
Redefining Nature
Guest: Emma Marris, environmental science, policy and culture writer, and author of “Rambunctious Garden: Saving Nature in a Post-Wild World”
Between climate change and the destruction of habitat, it may seem like nature as we know it is coming to an end. But maybe we need to get away from a definition of nature as something pristine and untouched and spend more time appreciating the wildlife in our own backyard. We might be surprised at what we find.
Constant Wonder wants to know where you find wonder in your neighborhood! Call in and leave us a message at (855) 242-8298. We'll showcase several wonderful descriptions from people in our audience just like you! If we highlight your contribution, we'll send you some swag, so give us a call.
The Lost Story of an Enslaved Woman Who Sued for Restitution, and Won
Guest: W. Caleb McDaniel, Associate Professor, History, Rice University, and author, “Sweet Taste of Liberty: A True Story of Slavery and Restitution in America”
Henrietta Wood was the recipient of the largest known sum ever granted by a U.S. court in restitution for slavery, successfully suing Zebulon Ward, the man who had enslaved her, for $2,500. Her story was lost in history until a historian uncovered two interviews with Henrietta herself.
Real Tennis Is Not the Sport You Know
Guest: Camden Riviere, 2016 Real Tennis World Champion, world-ranked #1 since 2013, tennis pro, Tennis & Racquet Club of Boston
Real tennis a game that Shakespeare knew, and it was played at Versailles. It's a predecessor to modern tennis, but it's still played today.
Down to Earth: Single-Use Plastics
Guests: Rachel Mabey Whipple, member, Board of Directors, Nature Conservancy’s Utah chapter; Clint Whipple, Associate Professor, Biology, Brigham Young University
This husband and wife duo try to live responsibly in the spirit of Earth stewardship, but they say they’re not yet locked in to any snack bag replacements for Ziplocks, and give their reasoning. Convenient single-use plastics have biased us all about switching to alternatives.
Pass the Frog Pie: Behind the Scenes in a Renaissance Kitchen
Guest: Ken Albala, Professor, History, University of the Pacific, Stockton
A Renaissance kitchen was quite different from ours today, and they produced some fantastical feasts. We talk to a chef who has actually baked a black bird pie to find out what one was like.
Alcatraz Island
Guest: Sarah Anderson, Park Ranger, National Park Service on Alcatraz Island
Our segment producer, Jeff Simpson, speaks with Sarah Anderson, Park Ranger at Alcatraz Island National Park.
Get Your Family Telling Stories
Guest: Sam Payne, host, Apple Seed, BYUradio
Here's a great idea to get your family and friends telling stories.
Expecting Better
Guest: Emily Oster, Professor, Economics, Brown University, and author, "Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong—And What You Really Need to Know" and "Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool"
Expecting moms are bombarded with advice, much of it unsolicited. Women can gain more confidence in their decision-making when they know how to examine the data, and reject it, if needed.
Cribsheet (originally aired May 10, 2019)
Guest: Emily Oster, Professor, Economics, Brown University, and author, "Expecting Better: Why the Conventional Pregnancy Wisdom Is Wrong—And What You Really Need to Know" and "Cribsheet: A Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting, from Birth to Preschool"
We continue the conversation with Prof. Ostler and re-examine advice often given to new parents.
Dinosaur Mummy
Guest: Caleb Brown, Curator, Dinosaur Systematics and Evolution, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology, Alberta, Canada
In March 2011, a mechanical shovel operator accidentally stumbled on a mummified dinosaur. It was so well preserved that the contents of its guts were still inside. What we learn from this amazing specimen.
Maud Lewis' Painted House
Guest: Shannon Parker, Laufer Curator of Collections, Art Gallery of Nova Scotia
Known for her paintings of happy cats, colorful flowers, and bright ocean seascapes, Maud Lewis was one of Canada’s most important folk artists. She died in 1970, but her legacy lives on in the form of her painted house, preserved in its entirety in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia.
See the Maud Lewis collection here.
Moderate Consumption of Alcohol May Not Be Healthy
Guest: Tim Stockwell, Director, Canadian Institute for Substance Use Research, University of Victoria
A number of studies recommend moderate alcohol consumption to lower your cholesterol, boost your immune system, and even expand your life span. But a closer look casts doubts on these findings.
“It’s important to have something that makes you laugh a little bit”
Guest: Tamir Elterman, journalist, filmmaker, and director, “Spring Chicken” and "Muhi: Generally Temporary"
What do a 94-year-old Israeli holocaust survivor in a rest home and a seven-year-old Palestinian boy without hands or feet living in an Israeli hospital have in common? More than you might think.
Holocaust Story (originally aired June 4, 2019)
Guest: Jeff Jacoby, columnist, "The Boston Globe"
Jeff Jacoby’s father, Mark Jacoby, is a Holocaust survivor. More than that, though, he is a father, a husband, a practicing Jew, and a happy man. This is the story of the triumph of faith and the human spirit.
WWII Pigeon Messages
Guest: Gordon Corera, author "Operation Columba, The Secret Pigeon Service: The Untold Story of World War II Resistance in Europe"
During World War II, pigeons were air dropped behind German lines with pleas for help. Ordinary people living in occupied Europe responded with information of life and resistance under the shadow of Germany, as well as key pieces of intel which helped to win the war.
The Last True Hermit (originally aired June 7, 2019)
Guest: Michael Finkel, author, "The Stranger in the Woods"
Let's explore social isolation--complete social alienation--by focusing on a single, highly unusual, and actual quite baffling story. It’s baffling because we social creatures can hardly imagine it: a man disappears from society for twenty-seven years. He lives in utter isolation, in the woods. Not far from people, but in a place where they can’t ever see him. He’s in hiding. In all those 27 years he exchanges words with another human being apparently only once.
Constant Wonder wants to know where you find wonder in your neighborhood! Call in and leave us a message at (855) 242-8298. We'll showcase several wonderful descriptions from people in our audience just like you! If we highlight your contribution, we'll send you some swag, so give us a call.
CRISPR Cows
Guest: Alison Van Eenennaam, Extension Specialist, Animal Biotechnology and Genomics, University of California, Davis
Gene editing used to be the stuff of science fiction, but recently, animal scientists have figured out how to engineer animals for human benefit. Should they?
Honeybees Protect African Villages from Elephants
Guest: Lucy King, Head, Human-Elephant Co-Existence Program, Save the Elephants, and Research Affiliate, University of Oxford
Although the poaching industry has declined in recent years, elephant-human conflict is on the rise in both Africa and Asia. Foraging for food, elephants often battle against farmers trying to preserve their crop. Lucy King of Save the Elephants weighs in on how honey bees may be a natural and potentially life-saving solution.
The Tangled History of Opium (originally aired August 15, 2019)
Guest: David Blistein, co-author with John H. Halpern, "Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned our World"
Our opiod epidemic is nothing new, as the Chinese could tell you--they fought for years to keep British opium out of their country, to no avail. So many cultures have tackled the double-edged sword of opium use. It's relieved more pain than it's caused, according to Blistein, but it certainly has caused a great deal of pain. What can be done about addiction today?
The Voice and Heart Behind Sesame Street's Autistic Puppet, Julia (originally aired August 15, 2019)
Guest: Stacey Gordon, autism advocate and puppeteer on Sesame Street
Sesame Street has always led the way when it comes to teaching children to be respectful, kind, and compassionate towards others who might be different. That's especially true of their puppet Julia, who teaches kids how to interact with children who have autism. The voice, and heart, behind Julia has herself a long history in the worlds of puppetry and autism advocacy.
Constant Wonder wants to know where you find wonder in your neighborhood! Call in and leave us a message at (855) 242-8298. We'll showcase several wonderful descriptions from people in our audience just like you! If we highlight your contribution, we'll send you some swag, so give us a call.
Scientist Recreates 4,000-Year-Old Egyptian Sourdough Bread
Guest: Seamus Blackley, father of the Xbox, physicist
Father of the Xbox, tech scientist, and amateur gastroegyptologist, Seamus Blackley has recreated ancient Egyptian sourdough bread using 4,000-year-old yeast extracted, with help from Harvard University, from Egyptian pottery.
Paralyzing Choice
Guest: Sheena S. Iyengar, S.T. Lee Professor of Business, Management Division, Columbia Business School
There are three assumptions we make which aren’t always true: 1) You must make your own choices; 2) The more choices you have the better; 3) Having choices is always better.
Mushroom Possibilities
Guest: Tradd Cotter, microbiologist, mycologist, organic gardener, and owner, Mushroom Mountain and Mycomatrix
Mushrooms have a myriad of uses, and we’ve only begun to scratch the surface.
Scam Me If You Can
Guest: Frank Abagnale, author, "Scam Me If You Can," "Catch Me If You Can," "The Art of the Steal" and "Stealing your Life"
We talk to a former professional imposter and world-renowned authority on the subjects of fraud, forgery, and cyber security to learn how to recognize a scam. He explains why public schools need to teach ethics, and he examines regret and redemption in his own life.
Wonder and Tragedy
In light of the 9/11 anniversary, Marcus thinks about the role of wonder in times of tragedy.
Constant Wonder wants to know where you find wonder in your neighborhood! Call in and leave us a message at (855) CHAT-CW-8. We'll showcase several wonderful descriptions from people in our audience just like you!
Thank the French Revolution for Your Pearly Whites (originally aired June 7, 2019)
Guest: Colin Jones, Professor of History, Queen Mary University of London
Nothing is more universal than smiling . . . or so you might think. Like everything else, smiles have a history, and this one involves quite a bit more painting, politics, and revolution than you might expect.
Laughter: A Social Signal
Guest: Robert Provine, Professor Emeritus of Psychology, University of Maryland, Baltimore County
Laughter makes us feel good. But it does more than just improve our individual health. Laughter bonds us together.
Researchers Pollute Canadian Lakes On Purpose
Guest: Jose Luis Rodriguez Gil, Postdoctoral Fellow, Biology, University of Ottawa, and coordinator, BOREAL project
Researchers purposefully pollute lakes in Canada to see how our pollutants affect real-world environments.
Why We're Always Forgetting What We Came Into a Room For (originally aired May 23, 2019)
Guest: Gabriel Radvansky, Professor of Psychology, University of Notre Dame
Have you ever wondered why you totally forget what you were doing when you walk into a new room? It turns out this is a real psychological process called the “doorway effect.”
Jell-O Gallery
Guest: Lynne Belluscio, Curator and Director, Jell-O Gallery, Le Roy, New York
Our Special Collections Producer, Jeff Simpson, spoke with Lynne Belluscio about everything from terrible Jell-O recipes, to the unexpected similarities between Jell-O and the human brain, to how the dish conquered the hearts and appetites of the American public.
From Quills to Computers: What We've Lost
Guest: Brian Allison, independent historian at The Hermitage
We ask an expert on antique letters, a guy who makes his own quill pens, what we lost when we put down our pens and picked up Twitter.
Don't Trust That Memory (originally aired February 25, 2019)
Guest: Catriona Morrison, Department Head, Psychology, University of Bradford, UK
What's your earliest memory? Research shows that your earliest memory is probably constructed, not actually real at all. Why is memory so fallible that all of us do this? Find out, and find out how to improve your memory as you age.
Welcome to Book Heaven
Guest: Alex Johnson, journalist and author, "Book Towns: Forty-Five Paradises of the Printed Word"
Throughout the world, entire towns are dedicating themselves as havens for book sellers, buyers, makers, readers. These “book towns” are paradises for the literary soul and surprisingly savvy economic solutions to small-town problems.
Frontiers in Autism Research
Guest: Rebecca Lundwall, Assistant Professor, Psychology, and Director, Development of Visual Cognition Lab, Brigham Young University
Approximately one in every 59 children is diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder. Autism is an umbrella term that captures a wide variety of behaviors, experiences, and individuals, and there’s a lot of ongoing research exploring what we do and don’t know about this diagnosis. Gender differences, genetic influences, even changes in gut bacteria are all areas of interest for autism researchers.
Radium Girls
Guest: Kate Moore, author, “The Radium Girls: The Dark Story of America’s Shining Women”
In the early twentieth century, radium was used to make luminous watch dials, but the women who painted them became poisoned by the radium, and had to fight against huge, powerful companies to save the lives of their friends and to win justice. They weren’t fighting for their own lives. They were already doomed to die.
Map of Wonders
Guest: Caspar Henderson, author, "A New Map of Wonders: A Journey in Search of Modern Marvels"
In an age of technology and distraction, how do we maintain our sense of wonder? Why is it important that things still surprise and amaze us? Caspar Henderson sets out to restore our sense of awe.
Algae Is More than Scum
Guest: Ruth Kassinger, author, “Slime: How Algae Created Us, Plague Us, and Just Might Save Us”
When you think algae you think of the scum in your fish tank. But this lowly life form is more essential than we give it credit for.
The Curse of the Hope Diamond
Guest: Richard Kurin, Distinguished Scholar and Ambassador-at-Large, Smithsonian Institution, and author, "Hope Diamond: The Legendary History of a Cursed Gem"
Drawing millions of visitors every year, the Hope Diamond is the crowning jewel of the Smithsonian Institute. It’s famous for its deep blue color and impressive size, but the diamond is also known for something more sinister—a deadly curse befalling those who cross its path. Richard Kurin of the Smithsonian Institute weighs in on the legendary history of this infamous treasure.
New Species of Leech Discovered in Washington
Guest: Sebastian Kvist, Assistant Professor, Ecology & Evolutionary Biology, University of Toronto, and Associate Curator of Invertebrates, Royal Ontario Museum
A new species of bloodsuckers was recently discovered in Washington, D.C., and no, it’s not Congress. These leeches are part of an exhibit at the Smithsonian that examine medicinal and ecological roles of these invertebrates.
The Man Who Saved Western Classics
Guest: G. Scott Clemons, author, "Aldus Manutius: A Legacy More Lasting than Bronze," and former president, the Grolier Club
In the early days of the printing press, publishing was expensive, but an enterprising printer recognized the chance to save Western classics from oblivion with this new technology. Our modern libraries would never be the same without Aldus Manutius.
Is the Amazon Really the Earth’s Lungs?
Guest: Scott Denning, Professor, Atmospheric Science, Colorado State University
Fires in the Amazon are catastrophic, but the role of the Amazon forests in producing the world's oxygen has lately been mischaracterized.
Robotic LUKE Hand Let Amputee Feel Fingers Again
Guest: Gregory A. Clark, Associate Professor, Biomedical Engineering, and Director, Center for Neural Interfaces, University of Utah
The LUKE robotic hand, inspired by Luke Skywalker’s fully functional robotic hand, allows the participant to regain the feeling of touch.
Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-Luck Jay
Guest: Julie Zickefoose, artist, naturalist, and author, “Saving Jemima: Life and Love with a Hard-Luck Jay”
Julie Zickefoose has interacted with hundreds of birds over the years as an artist, author, and even parent. After all those birds, none touched her as deeply as the abandoned blue jay Jemima. Find out why Jemima claims the top spot, and why Julie refers to Jemima as her savior.
The History of the Filibuster
Guest: Gregory Wawro, Professor and Chair, Political Science, Columbia University, and co-author, "Filibuster: Obstruction and Lawmaking in the U.S. Senate"
The filibuster has proved to be a useful strategy or a maddening tool of political obstruction, depending on which side of an issue you find yourself on. Why it's so difficult to get rid of.
Using DNA in Genealogy Research
Guest: James Baker, professional genealogist
It's cool to spit in a tube, send it off, and find out where your distant ancestors came from. DNA tests from genealogy companies will break down your heritage into a handy pie chart. But that's not the most useful thing about these tests. Look at that pie chart once, and then put it away, says James Baker. Tune in to find out what's really useful about these DNA tests.
Baseball and the American City (originally aired July 16, 2019)
Guest: Paul Goldberger, architecture critic, and author, "Ballpark: Baseball in the American City"
Baseball parks and the structures that surround them offer us a window to understand the evolution of American cities and our attitudes towards them.
Roosevelt’s “Cold War" on Baseball
Guest: Ryan Swanson, Associate Professor of History, University of New Mexico, and author, "The Strenuous Life: Theodore Roosevelt and the Making of the American Athlete"
Teddy Roosevelt had no fondness for the American pastime.
American Legend John Henry Was Probably a Convict Forced into Railroad Labor
Guest: Scott Nelson, Professor, History, University of Georgia, and author "Steel Drivin’ Man: John Henry, the Untold Story of an American Legend"
The impossibly strong John Henry, the one who died to prove man could beat machine, likely was actually an ordinary convict forced into railroad labor.
Explorer Uses Satellites to Discover Ancient Cities
Guest: Sarah Parcak, Professor, Anthropology, University of Alabama, and President and founder, GlobalXplorer, and author "Archaeology from Space: How the Future Shapes Our Past"
Using satellites, explorer Sarah Parcak is fighting looting in Peru, discovering mythical cities in Egypt and revolutionizing the field of archaeology for tomorrow’s explorers.
Why Grandpa Won't Come to the Table
Guest: Elissa Altman, author, “Motherland”
Caring for an elderly friend or parent can be a difficult role to take on. Author Elissa Altman discusses her newly released memoir "Motherland," her own story of caring for her aging mother and the hidden complexities of feeding the elderly.
How to Help Struggling Readers Love Literature
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian and regular contributor to the Lisa Valentine Clark Show, which airs weekdays at 8 am ET/5 am PT on BYUradio
Helping kids who are struggling readers through teaching them better language skills as well as trying to appeal to their interests.
Highlight: Guano Islands
Guest: Daniel Immerwahr, Associate Professor, History, Northwestern University, and author, "How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States"
Why the US holds on to "guano" islands.
Pirates
Guest: Peter Lehr
The golden age of piracy took place in the 15th century, but lessons from that time period are still relevant today.
The Wonder of Trees
Guest: Mike Rutter, Adjunct Professor, English, Brigham Young University, and nature photographer
Why you need to try looking at the world like a tree. Also, the smell of rattlesnakes and how bears measure the competition.
Consumptive Chic
Guest: Carolyn A. Day, Assistant Professor, Furman University, author “Consumptive Chic”
There was a time when you were beautiful if you looked like you had tuberculosis.
When Looks Could Kill
Guest: Alison Matthews David, Associate Professor, School of Fashion, Ryerson University, Toronto, and author, "Fashion Victims: The Dangers of Dress Past and Present"
From deadly dyes to toxic tophats, Alison Matthews David has studied the deadly side of fashion.
New Horizons
Guest: Anne Verbiscer, Professor, Astronomy, University of Virginia
We explore the outer reaches of the solar system, including and beyond Pluto, with the New Horizons space probe.
Diplomacy & Science
Guest: Heath Bailey, Economic Section Chief, US Embassy, Dakar, Senegal
Sharing science and technology can break down barriers between nations. It's an area where we can find willing partners on all sides. Space exploration, for example, requires international cooperation to build observatories and landing sites.
Can a Spy Help You in Your Relationships?
Guest: Jason Hanson, author, "Agent of Influence: How to Use Spy Skills to Persuade Anyone, Sell Anything, and Build a Successful Business"
Spies have to make their assets "fall in love" with them. Learn from a spy how this skill can help you negotiate relationships and business opportunities.
America’s Founding Grandfathers
Guest: Matthew Jenkinson, author, "Charles I's Killers in America: The Lives and Afterlives of Edward Whalley and William Goffe"
Edward Whalley and William Goffe were the founding grandfathers of the United States of America. After signing King Charles I’s death warrant, and helping to lay the groundwork for a republican government, they escaped to America, avoided capture for decades, and inspired folk tales that inspired a nation.
Animal Memory
Guest: Jonathon Crystal, Professor, Psychological and Brain Sciences, Indiana University, and Editor-in-Chief, "Learning & Behavior"
Scientists have discovered the ability in non-human animals to mentally replay past events from memory. This could open doors to treatments for Alzheimer’s disease.
Genes that Come Alive After You Die
Guest: Alexander Pozhitkov, bioinformatics scientist, City of Hope cancer center, Los Angeles
Maybe you've heard that specific cells continue to live after you die but research from the University of Washington shows that some parts of your messenger RNA actually become more active after death. These ‘undead genes’ may be the key to future innovations in forensics, organ transplants, and cellular research.
Hamilton, Lafayette, and a Long-Lost Letter (originally aired June 26, 2019)
Guest: Joanne B. Freeman, Professor of History and American Studies, Yale University, and leading expert on Alexander Hamilton
If you’ve heard the soundtrack from the smash hit musical “Hamilton,” you know that the character of Alexander Hamilton, George Washington’s “right-hand man” as the song goes, is unhappy being stuck with a desk job. His character wants to “fight, not write.” But Washington’s character insists, and the other characters, Marquis de Lafayette, John Laurens, and Hercules Mulligan have to agree that Hamilton’s “skill with the quill is undeniable.” Well, there’s been another drama of sorts lately, as one of Hamilton’s letters, written on behalf of General Washington—a letter which had been stolen from the Massachusetts Archive way back in the ‘30s or ‘40s—turned up recently.
Man’s Best Friend Takes on Man’s Worst Enemy (originally aired June 26, 2019)
Guest: Thomas Quinn, Clinical Professor, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dogs might be more than man’s best friend. According to researchers, they can be trained to identify cancer-ridden blood to a 97%-degree of accuracy, using their noses. With their help, we may even be able to translate this incredible olfactory ability into an over-the-counter cancer test.
The Apple Seed: Deals With the Devil (originally aired June 26, 2019)
Guest: Sam Payne
Sam stops by with warning stories about selling your soul.
Art Students In the Cadaver Lab (originally aired June 27, 2019)
Guest: Michael Grimaldi, Director of Drawing, New York Academy of Art
Michael Grimaldi, in the throes of his art education, felt like modern art had lost a bit of its realistic touch. The great artists that he revered learned drawing by studying cadavers and dissection, but modern art schools lacked the resources to provide that same experience.
Psychology of Food (originally aired June 27, 2019)
Guest: Rachel Herz, author, "Why You Eat What You Eat: the Science Behind Our Relationship with Food" and adjunct professor, Brown University, and part-time faculty, Boston College
There is much, much more to your food preferences than you’d think—besides your tongue, your brain and nose play invaluable roles in helping you love bacon, chocolate, and pickles. We’re going to learn how to use that.
Find out more about her work here.
Insomnia and Suicide
Guest: Zach Simmons, sleep and suicide researcher, graduate student in Clinical Psychology, BYU
Around 800,000 people die by suicide every year, and it is the second leading cause of death among 15-29 year olds. This is a serious public health problem, but research has shown ways to prevent suicide, including interventions and access to mental health resources. However, a recent study from BYU has found a predictive relationship between patients who report insomnia and later attempt suicide, which gives us one more insight into preventing tragedy.
Mysterious Ancient Gallic Warrior Unearthed in Southern UK
Guest: Andrew Fitzpatrick, University of Leicester Archaeological Consultant
What was likely an ancient Gallic warrior from 50 BCE tells a unique story of the conquest of Julius Caesar in Europe.
Adventures on the World's Highest Peaks
Guest: Alan Arnette, mountain climber, writer, and Alzheimer’s advocate
Climbing Mount Everest is one of the most challenging endeavors in the world, but new rules have exponentially raised costs and limited access to this peak of climbing accomplishments. We speak with a world-renowned climber about how the new rules change the game on Everest.
Gut Reactions
Guest: Ken Cadwell, Associate Professor, Microbiology, Langone Health, New York University
New research connects gut bacteria to obesity and insulin levels. Is there nothing that our gut biome doesn't affect?
We Don’t Really Understand Gravity
Guest: Richard Panek, a Guggenheim Fellow in science writing and author, "The Trouble with Gravity: Solving the Mystery Beneath Our Feet"
We really don’t understand gravity. And physicists don't like to call it a force? Why not?
Why Americans Are Crazy about The Great British Baking Show
Guest: Dennis Cutchins, Professor of English, BYU
The Great British Baking Show is built on the perfect recipe for a TV show. Good food, good people, and the innately human ability to make the best of what little they have.
The FBI’s Top Hostage Negotiator Says Never Split the Difference
Guest: Chris Voss, founder and CEO, The Black Swan Group, and author of “Never Split the Difference: Negotiating As If Your Life Depended On It”
The same "tactical empathy" hostage negotiators employ in negotiating with terrorists can help you improve your job, your family, and your relationships through effective communication and emotional intelligence. We interview a former top FBI hostage negotiator on how to never split the difference in our daily negotiations.
When the News Was Sung
Guest: Una McIlvenna, Hansen Lecturer in History, School of Historical and Philosophical Studies, The University of Melbourne
With low literacy rates, and a desire to spread information quickly, Renaissance Europeans often sang the news in the town square. These news ballads, often melodramatic and moralizing, warned of the bloody consequences of sin and vice. And they were catchy tunes, so listeners often found themselves redistributing the news voluntarily.
The Quest to Catalogue 18,000 Apple Varieties
Guest: Dan Bussey, author, "The Illustrated History of Apples in the United States and Canada"
North America is home to thousands of different apple varieties, despite the fact that grocery stores only carry a few dozen at once. Dan Bussey is part of a passionate community of apple enthusiasts—committed to preserving and documenting the lesser-known heirloom varieties. He weighs in on his experience as an apple farmer and his seven-volume North American apple compendium.
Biggest Lottery Fraud in History
Guest: Perry Beeman, co-author, "The $80 Billion Gamble," and managing editor, "Business Record," Des Moines, IA
How investigators unraveled the largest lottery fraud in history.
Band Grandpas (originally aired June 13, 2019)
Guest: Arnold Rosen, founder, "Band Grandpas"
Dr. Arnold Rosen was in the middle of performing a colonoscopy when he suddenly thought “when I retire, I want to be a ‘Band Grandpa.’” He met with Rockford Public Schools and helped coordinate other volunteers to start Band Grandpas, a program that allows Arnold and other adults to help teach music to middle school students.
Music & Refugees
Guest: Liz Shropshire, founder, Shropshire Music Foundation
Sometimes it seems that the problems of the world are too big, or too far away, for us to help. Liz Shropshire proved that wrong when she dedicated her life to helping refugee children heal through music.
Biodegradable Plastic
Guest: Marx Acosta-Rubio, CEO, Neptune
Students at Brigham Young University have figured out how to make a plastic bag that is completely renewable, breaks down in water, and could be great news for the planet.
How the World Kept Cool When “The Ice King” Ruled (originally aired July 23, 2019)
Guest: Jonathan Rees, Professor of History at Colorado State University-Pueblo, author of "Refrigeration Nation," "Before the Refrigerator," and "Refrigerator"
Before the refrigerator, or air conditioning or electric fans, ice was a hot—or rather, cold—commodity. We’re talking with Jonathan Rees about the surprisingly complex workings of the ice industry, and the “Ice King” who started it all by shipping New England ice all around the globe.
How Beef Changed America
Guest: Joshua Specht, visiting assistant professor, University of Notre Dame, and author, “Red Meat Republic: A Hoof-to-Table History of How Beef Changed America”
If you want a Big Mac, Whopper, or Quarter-Pounder, there’s not much more you have to do than enter a drive-thru and cough up a few dollars. But what it takes to turn cattle into your carry-out isn’t just a modern story of food production—our modern food industry has its roots in the Indian War, cowboy mythology, industrialization, and even in consumer activism, both for and against beef.
Better Back Then
Guest: Jon Townsend, YouTuber, 18th-century historian, James Townsend & Son
The 18th century was a strange time, perched right between the primitive and the industrial. Cooking and working as they did provides a special feeling of exploration and self-sufficiency—along with some strange discoveries.
Smart Online Learning
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian, BYU Library, and regular contributor to the Lisa Valentine Clark Show, BYUradio
Online learning is not just for making classroom lessons more engaging, it's become a standard part of the modern education system. What do you need to know that your "digital native" children already know?
My Name Is Null
Guest: Christopher Null, journalist, WIRED magazine
If you’re tech-savvy, you already know that "null" is a word in programming that tells computers that a value is empty. Basically, "null" is the same as blank. So if your license plate or last name is "Null" then you might become invisible to computers. From minor digital annoyances to receiving dozens of parking citations, we talk about the hilarity and frustration of being Null.
World's First Recorded Sounds
Guest: Patrick Feaster, Co-Founder, First Sounds Initiative; Media Preservation Specialist, Media Digitization and Preservation Initiative, Indiana University
Until 2008, Thomas Edison was considered the father of recorded sound. That year, an incredible discovery in the vaults of Paris returned credit to Edouard-Leon Scott de Martinville, a 19th-century Frenchman who had dedicated his life to this very pursuit. How sound recording change our view of the world.
A History of the Greater United States
Guest: Daniel Immerwahr, Associate Professor, History, Northwestern University, and author, "How to Hide an Empire: A History of the Greater United States"
Generally when Americans think of their borders, a familiar shape comes to mind—the one beginning with California and ending with Florida. But what about Guam and Puerto Rico? How about the Philippines during WWII? US influence reaches far beyond the borders of its 50 states. Daniel Immerwahr of Northwestern University explains why we might want to this of ourselves as "the greater United States."
Helicopter Parenting Is Not All Bad
Guest: Laura Padilla-Walker, Professor, Family Life, Brigham Young University
Laura Padilla-Walker has found that all parents helicopter a bit. Instead of worrying about whether or not they are helicopter parents, parents should think about what kind of helicoptering they are doing.
Raptors Keep Jersey Gulls in Line
Guest: Erik Swanson, Master Falconer, East Coast Falcons; Animal Control Officer and Nuisance Wildlife Control Operator
Patrolling raptors may be the solution to the Jersey shore’s seagull problem.
Owney, Mascot of the US Railway Mail Service
Guest: Lynn Heidelbaugh, curator, Smithsonian's National Postal Museum
Jingling with dozens of tags strapped to his harness, Owney was the beloved mascot of the 19th-century US Postal Service. He was famous for hopping aboard postal trains, planting himself atop the mail bags, and guarding them until they reached their final destination. He was taxidermied over a hundred years ago, but he's been spruced up and is ready for visitors at the Smithsonian.
Hold the Sea Cucumber
Guest: Steven Purcell, Associate Professor, Southern Cross University
Sea cucumbers are everywhere—or at least they should be. But, because they're in high demand as delicacies, medicine, and gifts, they’re dying out faster than they can reproduce. Why that should worry everyone.
Witch Hunts
Guest: Rev. Brian A. Pavlac, Professor, History, King’s College, Wilkes-Barre, PA
Thousands of people died in witch hunts from the 1400s to the 1800s, as fear and superstition roiled communities. However, some towns wouldn't tolerate witch hunters, or never even feared witchcraft to begin with, while other towns saw neighbors turn viciously on each other. Why the difference? We find out what led to the rise of witch hunts and to their general disappearance. But our guest warns us not to think that they never happen today.
Barely Believable Stories from the Annals of Medical History
Guest: Thomas Morris, author, “The Mystery of the Exploding Teeth and other Curiosities from the History of Medicine”
A soldier who seemed immune to death, no matter how many injuries he sustained. A patient who performed his own appendectomy. A man who had had enough and decided to surgically remove his own bladder stone.
Pencil Love
Guest: Caroline Weaver, owner, CW Pencil Enterprise
In our digital world, what is lost when we don't write out our thoughts by hand? If they don't learn cursive, how can kids read the Constitution? Do you ever take pleasure in the simple pencil? It's really a thing of beauty, according to this aficionado.
The Jews Who Saved America from the Nazis
Guest: Steven J. Ross, author, “Hitler in Los Angeles: How Jews Foiled Nazi Plots Against Hollywood and America”
A Jewish spy network, started by untrained citizens, saved a good number of prominent Americans from the Nazis, who had Hollywood in their sights.
Smashing Codes
Guest: Jason Fagone, author, “The Woman Who Smashed Codes”
Elizebeth Friedman is an unsung hero of WW2, who worked so secretively, and with so little recognition, that it is only now we realize her contributions.
On Safari with Africa’s Last Great Herds
Guest: Sy Montgomery, naturalist and author, “The Magnificent Migration: On Safari with Africa’s Last Great Herds”
After three decades of waiting, Sy Montgomery finally had the opportunity to visit Africa with the foremost expert on African wildlife, Richard Estes. Sy travels through the Serengeti chasing wildebeest, avoiding tourists and even braving a unanticipated night alone on the plains. But she also has a bigger story to tell: world leaders need to help preserve migratory routes that help these animals (and their habitats) thrive.
Let the Children Play
Guest: William Doyle, co-author, Let the Children Play: How More Play Will Save Our Schools and Help Children Thrive
Play is serious business (even in school) and kids need it if they're going to succeed later in life.
More Boys Should Read Little Women
Guest: Anne Boyd Rioux, author, "Meg, Jo, Beth, Amy: The Story of Little Women and Why It Still Matters," professorof English at the University of New Orleans
There’s a lot that boys can learn from reading “Little Women.”
Let’s squish some bugs!
Guest: Mark Hostetler, Professor in Dept. of Wildlife Ecology & Conservation at the University of Florida
Ever wondered what kind of bug is the owner of that nasty splotch of guts on your windshield? Mark Hostetler did, and wrote a book about it, so you can fill your morbid curiosity to your heart’s content?
Are small nukes good nukes?
Guest: Robert Rosner, Founding Co-director of the Energy Policy Institute at the University of Chicago, Professor of Astronomy & Astrophysics and Physics, faculty in the Harris School of Public Policy at the University of Chicago
A company called Nuscale is the first in America to propose a viable plan for an SMR, or Small Modular Reactor. This is a nuclear reactor which is much smaller than traditional reactors, theoretically safer, and much less expensive. If everything goes according to plan, then this would be the future of nuclear energy.
The Truth about Cannibalism
Guest: Bill Schutt, professor of biology at LIU Post and research associate in his residence at the American Museum of Natural History
Often we think that cannibalism was isolated to uncivilized island peoples. The history of cannibalism might be closer to home than we think.
Dr. Seuss Museum
Guest: Kay Simpson, President of The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum
Our Special Collections Producer, Jeff Simpson, spoke with Kay Simpson, President of The Amazing World of Dr. Seuss Museum located in Springfield, Massachusetts.
An algorithm can tell you if your baby is hungry, sleepy, or sick by decoding their crying
Guest: Lichuan Liu, PhD, director of the Digital Signal Processing Laboratory and Associate Professor of Electrical Engineering in the College of Engineering and Engineering Technology at Northern Illinois University
In an age of algorithms dominating online interactions, a team of researchers and electrical engineers have developed a “cry language recognition algorithm” that can identify why a baby is crying.
The Tangled History of Opium
Guest: David Blistein, co-author with John H. Halpern, "Opium: How an Ancient Flower Shaped and Poisoned our World"
Our opiod epidemic is nothing new, as the Chinese could tell you--they fought for years to keep British opium out of their country, to no avail. So many cultures have tackled the double-edged sword of opium use. It's relieved more pain than it's caused, according to Blistein, but it certainly has caused a great deal of pain. What can be done about addiction today?
The Voice and Heart Behind Sesame Street's Autistic Puppet, Julia
Guest: Stacey Gordon, autism advocate and puppeteer on Sesame Street
Sesame Street has always led the way when it comes to teaching children to be respectful, kind, and compassionate towards others who might be different. That's especially true of their puppet Julia, who teaches kids how to interact with children who have autism. The voice, and heart, behind Julia has herself a long history in the worlds of puppetry and autism advocacy.
History on the Half Shell (originally aired May 15)
Guest: Mark Kurlansky, journalist, historian, and author "The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell"
Oysters are a deliciously controversial food—exquisitely slippery and tasting of the sea, but maybe not for everyone. But for New Yorkers, from the city's birth until the early 1900s, they played an unquestionably important role.
Milk: the Raw History
Guest: Mark Kurlansky, journalist, historian, and author, "Milk! A 10,000-Year Food Fracas"
Milk may seem like the most commonplace item in the grocery store, but its cultural significance is broad, and its history is surprisingly complex. Mark Kurlansky, author of "Milk! A 10,000-Year Food Fracas," weighs in on the impact of this creamy beverage.
Philistines: The Mysterious History of Biblical Villains
Guest: Laura Mazow, Associate Professor, and Director of Undergraduate Studies, Department of Anthropology, Eastern Carolina University
Made famous by the accounts of David and Goliath and Samson and Delilah, the story of the Philistines has largely been told by their Old Testament enemies. Archeological discoveries are peeling back the layers and giving the Philistines a voice of their own. Archeology professor Laura Mazow, weighs in on the culture, history, and possible origin of the Philistines.
Inspiring Ireland
Guest: Brian O’Connell, author, "Brendan O’Regan: Irish Innovator, Visionary, Peacemaker"
Duty-free shopping may now be a worldwide, multi-billion-dollar industry, but it began in the mind of one man who was always seeking to lift his fellow Irish out poverty.
Fasting for a Longer Life
Guest: Valter Longo, Science Director, Valter Longo Foundation; Director, Longevity Institute, University of Southern California, Los Angeles; and Director, Oncology and Longevity Program, IFOM, Milan
Valter Longo was looking for a way to slow human aging when he found that starving yeast and worms actually made them live longer. He took the lessons learned and is helping humans live longer and healthier lives. Find out why he thinks he'll live to 120!
The Library of Congress Needs Your Help!
Guests: Victoria Van Hyning, Community Manager, "By the People" crowdsourcing project, Library of Congress; Janice Ruth, Library of Congress Manuscript Division Acting Chief, and curator, "Shall Not Be Denied: Women Fight for the Vote" exhibition, Library of Congress
The Library of Congress needs your help to bring millions of documents online where everyone can search them. The personal correspondence of suffragists like Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony are just waiting to be brought to life! Through their crowdsourcing project, "By the People," the Library of Congress is recruiting volunteers from all over the country to transcribe documents like these.
You can sign up to help, right from your home computer: crowd.loc.gov
For more information about the "Shall Not Be Denied: Women Fight for the Vote" exhibition, click here.
A Cure in Sight for Invasive Mussels?
Guest: Mark C. Belk, Professor of Biology, Brigham Young University, and Editor, "Western North American Naturalist"
Scientists have found a way to combat the invasive super-breeding quagga mussels. It's eradicated mussels in one mid-sized American lake. Can it eliminate the pests in the Great Lakes or in the 100-mile-long Lake Powell?
Forget Fukushima, The Marshall Islands May Claim Title of World’s Most “Radioactive” Location
Guest: Ivana Nikolic Hughes, Senior Lecturer, Chemisty, and Director, K=1 Project, Center for Nuclear Studies, Columbia University
The story of how the Marshall Island chain got to be radioactive, affecting generations of residents there.
Fixing Urban Sprawl
Guest: Jeff Speck, city planner and author, "Walkable City" and its new sequel, "Walkable City Rules"
Walkable cities lead not only reduce traffic and carbon emissions, they also improve health and prosperity. 101 ways to make your city more walkable.
Seeing Music in Color (originally aired May 21, 2019)
Guest: Annie Dickinson, musician, composer, singer
Synesthesia is a neurological condition where people can literally hear colors and see sounds, and it affects approximately four percent of the population. Annie Dickinson is a recently graduated high-school student who has been able to use her synesthesia to compose and perform music in the most unusual way. Tune in for her experience as a synesthete.
Face Blindness
Guest: Brad Duchaine, Professor and Chair, Psychological and Brain Sciences, Dartmouth College
Also known as “face blindness,” prosopagnosia is a neurological condition that makes it difficult to recognize faces. Most people forget faces they have seen in passing, but prosopagnosics are different. They often can’t recognize close friends, family members, or even themselves. We dive into the symptoms, history, and social effects of this strange condition.
Voices From War: Your Story
Guest: Jeremy Warneke, co-instructor, "Voices From War," "Craft of War Writing"; Siobhan Adcock, author, "The Completionist," co-instructor, "Voices From War"
"Voices From War" is a free New York City-based writing workshop to encourage veterans and their family members to tell their stories. Their message of healing and hope is for vets everywhere.
The Legacy of I.M.Pei
Guest: Peter Rosen, Director, “First Person Singular: I.M. Pei”
This is a conversation we had not too long ago when the architect IM Pei passed away at the age of 102. You’ll know him as the architect of that famous glass pyramid right in the center of the Louvre courtyard. Putting that modern design smack in the center of a two-hundred-year-old palace was a gutsy move, and it stoked quite a bit of controversy at the time. But I M Pei was not a brash man, not someone who was trying to be in-your-face. We spoke with someone who learned this first-hand when he made a documentary of IM Pei’s life. It’s called “First Person Singular: I M Pei” and we spoke with the director Peter Rosen.
More sculpture than building
Guest: Jeffrey Hurwit, Emeritus Professor of Art and Classics at University of Oregon
We are builders. We build homes, offices, neighborhoods and cities. And sometimes, we build monuments—wonders. The Parthenon is a wonder of human architecture and engineering, and represents some of the best that humans can build.
Dancing Bees
Guest: Tania Munz; author, The Dancing Bees: Karl Von Frisch and the Discovery of the Honeybee Language
With World War II raging around him, Karl Von Frisch revolutionized the world of science by cracking the enigma of the honeybee language. Tania Munz, historian of science,weighs in on two intertwined stories—the history of the honeybees themselves, and the tumultuous journey of an Austrian scientist caught up in the Third Reich.
US Troops Accidentally Brought a Deadly Tree Pathogen to Italian Soil During WWII
Guest: Matteo Garbelotto, PhD, University of California Berkeley Professor of Environmental Sciences and Forest Pathology and Mycology Lab Director
A deadly fungus killing trees in the Italian Presidential Estate of Castelporzianomost likely came from US troops camped there during World War II.
The Porcupine Inspires Medicine
Guest: Jeff Karp, Biomedical Engineer, Professor of Medicine, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, Harvard Medical School
Medical staples are an incredibly useful way to quickly close wounds, but current methods leave room for infection and further tissue damage. Jeff Karp weighs in on how porcupine quills could be the answer to innovation in surgical sutures. He was even willing to sacrifice his own body to test out porcupine quills!
Bonnie & Clyde
Guest: Perry Carver, Owner and Curator, Bonnie and Clyde Ambush Museum
Bonnie and Clyde were well known because of their love story, and this museum shows how the Great Depression framed that story.
What Happens When Best Practices Aren't?
Guest: Vinay K. Prasad, Hematologist-Oncologist and Associate Professor of Medicine, Oregon Health and Science University, and co-author of “Ending Medical Reversal: Improving Outcomes, Saving Lives”
Medical doctors seek to “Do No Harm.” Unfortunately, that doesn’t always happen. Some best practices turn out to be harmful and some just do no good at all. What's a doctor to do then?
Fantastic Insects and How to Eat Them
Guest: Daniella Martin, author, “Edible: An Adventure into the World of Eating Insects and the Last Great Hope to Save the Planet,” host of "Girl Meets Bug" insect cooking/travel show, and blogger for "Huffington Post"
We need new and reliable food sources. We also need to start scaling back our carbon footprint and our effect on the environment. Daniella Martin offers entomophagy, the eating of insects, as the answer to both these apparently contradictory issues. What is more, she can also tell us how to cook and eat them.
Forget JAWS: Swimming with Sharks
Guest: Cristina Zenato, ocean explorer and shark professional
Contrary to what pop culture and Hollywood would have us believe, sharks are not mindless killing machines. Zenato's job is to swim with the sharks and she'd like to change your mind about what they're really like.
Forgotten Mississippi Flood
Guest: Rory Doyle, independent photojournalist based in Cleveland, Mississippi
Rory Doyle's photoessay appeared in the Guardian, depicting the struggles of the residents of the Yazoo backwater area who have been dealing with flood waters over 859 square miles since February.
Truth and Myth: a History of the Samurai
Guest: Michael Wert, Associate Professor, East Asian History, Marquette University, and author, “Samurai: A Concise History”
The history of the magnificent and powerful samurai, a symbol of Japan, is actually much more complicated and nuanced than we realize. Women and children even had their place in samurai culture.
What's in This? Ice Cream You Can Stretch!
Guest: Michael Sadler, co-founder, The Republic of Booza
Ice cream is, arguably, the most fun of all foods. But what if we could make it even more fun? For our weekly series "What's in This?", we call up New York City’s Republic of Booza, where Jilbert El-Zmetr and Michael Sadler make and sell a traditional Eastern Mediterranean form of ice cream that stretches and twists like taffy.
Saving Ecosystems with Cutting-Edge Genetics
Guest: Ben Novak, Lead Scientist, Revive and Restore
CRISPR, technology which allows precise manipulation of genomes, affords scientists ecological tools to help combat destruction of species and habitats. It can also help get rid of pests without resorting to pesticides.
Why Using Humor Will Make You Rich (or At Least Make Work More Pleasant)
Guest: Drew Tarvin, humor engineer, and author, "Humor That Works: The Missing Skill for Success and Happiness at Work"
Drew Tarvin lead the traditional life of an efficiency-driven engineer until he decided to quit his job for the sake of humor. Now he travels the world sharing his humor skills to improve worklife for employees everywhere. He even taught FBI agents to be funny!
Ivory Chess Piece Worth a Fortune
Guest: Alexander Kader, Senior Director & Head, European Sculpture and Works of Art Department, Sotheby's London
Interested about its value, a family in the UK brought their mother's prized ivory chess figure in for appraisal. In a shocking turn of events, the appraiser Alexander Kader immediately recognized the piece as one of the Lewis Chessman and estimated the piece's worth to be as much as £1m, a pretty good return on investment for a piece that the family's grandfather had purchased for only £5. What are the Lewis Chessman, then? And what makes them so valuable?
Illustrations
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Librarian, Harold B. Lee Library, BYU
Pictures are worth a thousand words, and that's what publishers of children's books are counting on when they pair illustrators with authors.
Toni Morrison: An American Legacy
Guest: Kristin Matthews, Professor, English, BYU
Sometimes a person comes along who writes and speaks things that so many people want to say, and does it so well, that they deserve to be remembered with reverence. Toni Morrison was such a person, and deserves such a memory.
Phage Therapy Saves Teenage Girl
Guest: Graham Hatfull, Professor, Biological Sciences, University of Pittsburgh
Phage therapy could be solution to fighting bacteria that are resistant to antibiotics. We investigate a breakthrough case that could signal a new direction in fighting infection.
Music Education Leads to Academic Gains
Guest: Peter Gouzouasis, Professor of Music Education, Department of Curriculum and Pedagogy, University of British Columbia
Music feeds the soul--but new research claims it can also boost grades and academic skills of middle and high school students. Check out the study here: http://dx.doi.org/10.1037/edu0000376
Pink Brain, Blue Brain
Guest: Lise Eliot, Professor, Neuroscience, Chicago Medical School at Rosalind Franklin University, and author, “Pink Brain, Blue Brain: How Small Differences Grow Into Troublesome Gaps and What We Can Do About It”
Are men and women really hard-wired to be different from each other? How much of these differences are a result of environments? We compare the differences in male and female brains in childhood and adulthood, and we discuss ways to help parents raise healthy girls and boys.
Eadward Muybridge: Revolutionary Photographer
Guest: Marta Braun, Professor, School of Image Arts, Ryerson University, Toronto; Director, The Graduate Program in Film and Photography Preservation; and author, "Critical Lives biography, Eadweard Muybridge"
Salesman, adventurer, inventor, photographer . . . murderer? We dive deep into the life of a man known for his innovation but who also had a deeply tragic personal life.
Hear the Elephants
Guest: Joyce Poole, elephant ethologist, conservationsist and Co-Director of ElephantVoices
Joyce Poole can translate elephant-speak and she provides insight into how they feel about their interactions with humans, both in the wild and in captivity. How successful are efforts to save them and their habitats?
The Lure of Celebrity
Guest: Sharon Marcus, author, "The Drama of Celebrity"
The concept of celebrity, as we know it, is pretty new—but, love celebrities or hate them, we're all complicit in their creation.
Complaining Brain
Guest: Rick Hanson, psychologist, author, and Senior Fellow of the Greater Good Science Center, UC Berkeley
Your negative thoughts may have trained your brain to fear the worst. Break the cycle once you understand the science behind the "complaining brain."
Enslaved Colonial Cooks and Modern American Cuisine
Guest: Kelly Fanto Deetz, author, "Bound to the Fire: How Virginia's Enslaved Cooks Help Invent American Cuisine"
The estates of colonial Virginia required enslaved cooks to maintain their high standards of living. Deetz reveals a complicated relationship between slave holders and enslaved kitchen staff, and she gives credit where due for the dishes that are still with us today, from chitlins to gumbo.
Calluses are Good; Shoes are Optional
Guest: Daniel Lieberman, Professor of Human Evolutionary Biology, Harvard University
Daniel Lieberman’s most recent study finds that wearing shoes while walking prevents the development of helpful calluses and increases strain on the leg bones. His findings echo his groundbreaking work that led to the modern trend in barefoot running.
Mood Disorders and Brain Acid
Guest: John Wemmie, Chair of Psychiatry and Neuroscience, Carver College of Medicine in the University of Iowa
The pH level in your brain can alter how your brain functions in a myriad of ways, from how easily you learn new behaviors to your predisposition to develop mood disorders such as anxiety and depression. Micro changes in the acidity levels can result in macro changes in your activity.
Communal Nesting Started with the Dinosaurs
Guest: François Therrien, Curator of Dinosaur Palaeoecology, Royal Tyrrell Museum of Palaeontology
As with much of what we know about dinosaurs, their breeding habits are largely a mystery to us. Large finds of eggs in the same area suggested that communal nesting originated with the dinosaurs, but because it is difficult to know since the eggs could have been laid at different times. Now a unique find in Mongolia sheds new light on the subject.
Special Collections: Edgar Allan Poe Museum
Guest: Special Collections producer Jeff Simpson; Chris Semter, curator, Edgar Allan Poe Museum, Richmond, Virginia
Poe’s life as a stowaway, the love he lost, and the tragic time Poe may have been the victim of something called "cooping."
The Glory, Gory Game of Mayan Ball
Guest: Stephen Houston, Chair, Department of Anthropology, Dupee Family Professor of Social Sciences, Brown University
This Mesoamerican ball game combined decapitation, communion with the dead, and worship of the gods. Misconception and mystery still surround the game, but Professor Houston of Brown University weighs in on the rules, history, and deep cultural implications of this Mesoamerican sport.
The Real Impact of Joan of Arc
Guest: Kelly DeVries, Professor, History, Loyola University Maryland
590 years ago, Joan of Arc had a frankly miraculous year. Though countless books and articles have been written on her, her military career is pretty much confined to 1429, and she died only two years later. We revisit this dramatic period of history and ask how she ever could have had the impact she did.
Mind Control
Guest: Ivan E de Araujo, Professor, Neuroscience, Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York
Using a technique called optogenetics, researchers were able to manually activate the neurons responsible for hunting, biting, and killing in mice brains.
Home Sweet Spaceship
Guest: Tibor Balint, Principal Human Centered Designer, NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory
When you’re traveling far away, a pillow can be the coziest and softest reminder of home you bring with you. For astronauts planning on leaving our planet to travel to Mars, designers are advocating for incorporating pillows and other familiar environmental aspects into space shuttles to help the psychological well-being of these “long-distance” travelers.
When Soldiers Died of Nostalgia
Guest: Thomas Dodman, Assistant Professor of French, Columbia University, and author, “What Nostalgia Was: War, Empire, and the Time of a Deadly Disease”
Nostalgia is a human response to change and today our media, toys, clothes, are saturated with nostalgia. In the early 19th century, though, nostalgia was a diagnosable disease, allegedly responsible for hundreds of deaths.
The Industrial Revolution Provides Clues About Tomorrow's Jobs
Guest: Carl Benedikt Frey, Oxford Martin Citi Fellow, Oxford University, and author, "The Technology Trap: Capitol, Labor and Power in the Age of Automation"
We live in a modern technological revolution that is shaping our global job markets, economies, and balances of power in what appears to be unprecedented ways. However, examining how our world changed due to the Industrial Revolution suggests how we can navigate a world saturated with artificial intelligence.
There's More to Smell Than Meets the Nose
Guest: Rachel Herz, author, "The Scent of Desire: Discovering our Enigmatic Sense of Smell"
Smell, while perhaps your least appreciated sense, actually plays a key role in memory and strengthening relationships. If you fall out of love, for example, you won't be able to stand the smell of your former love.
That Weed in Your Yard May Be an Ancient Crop
Guest: Elizabeth Horton, Station Archeologist, Toltec Mounds Research Station, Department of Anthropology, University of Arkansas
The weeds you find in your backyard today may have been the life-sustaining crops of Native American communities 3,000-5,000 years ago. Though today's wild variations aren’t identical to domesticated plants of the past, botanists, archeologists, and anthropologists from all over the US are studying these “lost crops” to learn more about the past and re-envision a potential farming future.
Roxie Laybourne: the Smithsonian Ornithologist Who Paved the Way to Safer Flight
Guest: Carla Dove, Program Manager, Feather Identification Lab, Smithsonian Institution
Among the most significant risks in the world of aviation are birdstrikes. Every year in the US, thousands of aircrafts hit birds, often causing engine failure. Known affectionately as the “feather lady,” Roxie Laybourne was a Smithsonian ornithologist who started cracking these cases, using her discoveries to improve aviation safety. Carla Dove of the Smithsonian Institute weighs in on Roxie’s life and legacy, as well as the field of science she pioneered.
Special thanks to the Smithsonian Archives for audio of Roxie Laybourne.
What's the Word For It?
Guest: Tim Lomas, Lecturer in Positive Psychology, School of Psychology, University of East London
It is often difficult to find the right words to describe what you’re thinking or feeling. Perhaps the words don’t exist. In English at least. That’s where the Positive Lexicography Project comes in. As a dictionary of untranslatable words for well-being, the lexicon is trying to expand positive psychology beyond its English-dominated origins, helping us find different ways to think and speak about what it means to be happy.
Running the World’s Hardest Race
Guest: Gary "Lazarus Lake" Cantrell, race director, Barkley Marathons
This ultramarathon tests the limits of human endurance and fortitude, even for the elite.
Collecting Asteroid Samples Before They Hit Us
Guest: Harold C. Connolly, Mission Sample Scientist and Co-Investigator, OSIRIS-REx Mission, NASA
Because asteroids represent the pieces of space rock from which our planet is made, NASA is in the middle of an asteroid sample return mission. They have sent a small spacecraft to Bennu—an asteroid not only exemplary of other asteroids, but the most likely to impact our planet in the future.
The Serendipitous Discovery of Olive Oil’s Secret Power
Guest: Gary Beauchamp, Director and President Emeritus, Monell Chemical Senses Center
Gary Beauchamp was sitting atop a mountain in Sicily when he drank extra virgin olive oil straight for the first time. The liquid fat burned the back of his throat causing him to cough. The burning sensation reminded him of the taste of liquid ibuprofen. Could olive oil have anti-inflammatory properties, just like that drug?
Oyster-Inspired Glass Can Bend Without Breaking
Guest: Francois Barthelat, Professor, Laboratory for Advanced Materials and Bioinspiration, McGill University
A new form of glass has been modeled after mother of pearl in oyster shells—and it is much better than any glass we’ve seen before.
Economics—but more complex!
Guest: W. Brian Arthur, External Professor at the Santa Fe Institute
Everyone says that economics is how we predict what people are going to do. Apparently, though, we’re not that predictable. According to W. Brian Arthur, the economy is much, much more complex than we’ve ever dreamed.
Are people good people?
Guest: Nicholas A. Christakis, Director of the Human Nature Lab and author of Blueprint
A doomsayer and pessimist would point to the great abuses and calamities and even wars of human exploitation, oppression, and even genocidal chapters, to say that we’re a mess as a species. But Nicholas Christakis is not one of those pessimists. He puts forth the idea that we have come to operate, as a species, on something of a blueprint that inclines toward cooperation and mutual benefit.
Tom, Dick, and Harry –The Farming Robots of the Future
Guest: Sam Watson Jones, Co-Founder of Small Robot Company
The Small Robot Company has developed three such small robots –Tom, Dick, and Harry –to revolutionize farming and soil health.
Lost dugong calf off the coast of Thai bonds with researchers
Guest: Helene Marsh, PhD, Emeritus Professor of Environmental Science at James Cook University
Dugongs are sea cows –they graze on underwater grass, raise calves, and are believed to have inspired ancient tales of mermaids and sirens! A dugong calf off the coast of Thai named Marium was found and is being taken care of by researchers, in the hopes that she can survive and thrive in the endangered population.
The Solar Eclipse that Rocketed Albert Einstein to Fame
Guest: Matt Stanley, Professor, History of Science, New York University; author, "Einstein’s War: How Relativity Triumphed Amid the Vicious Nationalism of World War I"; and host, “What the If?” science podcast
Did it ever occur to you that there was a time when Albert Einstein was not famous? One hundred years ago, in 1919, Einstein exploded onto the scene with the help of a total solar eclipse and two British astronomers.
Special Collections: The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum
Guests: BYUradio host Jeff Simpson; Andrea Ludden, founder, The Salt and Pepper Shaker Museum
This unusual museum is home to more than 20,000 salt and pepper shakers, and just as many stories.
Cockroaches Can Develop Resistance to Pesticides in a Single Generation
Guest: Michael E. Scharf, Professor & O.W. Rollins/Orkin Chair, Entomology, Purdue University
There’s a joke that cockroaches are so hard to kill that they’ll survive the apocalypse and be the last critters left on Earth. A few years back, the show Mythbusters even tested whether they can withstand radiation. Spoiler alert: actually, no, they can’t. But city dwellers will tell you, the pests really are die-hards. If you feel like you're fighting the plague, it might be time to upgrade your arsenal.
What if you remembered every moment of your life?
Guest: Rebecca Sharrock, autism advocate and writer
Some people seem to be unable to forget anything – but there are only about 60 known people in the world who, quite literally, remember every day of their lives, down to the weather! What’s it like to live an unforgettable life?
Scientist Finds Shocking the Brain Through Implants Significantly Increases Short-Term Memory (Originally Aired on 6/21/2019)
Guest: Robert E. Hampson, Professor, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neurology, Wake Forest School of Medicine
Shockingly, Robert Hampson has shown that sending an electrical pulse through a person’s brain via implant will increase short-term memory by over 30 percent. But how long will it be until this can be replicated outside of a lab? And who would be willing to get brain implants to increase their short-term memory?
Rabid Vampire Bats that Glow in the Dark
Guest: Daniel Streicker, Sir Henry Dale Research Fellow, University of Glasgow
As outbreaks of rabies spread across Latin America, Daniel Streicker and his team went to Peru to find a way to stop the growing infection. But how would they track the effectiveness of the antibiotic they used? Steicker invented an unusual way to find out: a paste that could make a vampire bat glow-in-the-dark.
Monarch Butterflies Shield their Young from Infectious Disease
Guest: Jaap De Roode, Professor of Biology, Emory University
As humans, we may assume we’re the only species with medical knowledge. Turns out, monarch butterflies are pretty good doctors themselves.
To learn more about the De Roode lab, click here.
Word Story: Hector, Cassandra and Pollyanna
Guest: Eric Schulzke
Hector used to be the name for a flawless hero. Cassandra worries too much, and Pollyanna doesn't worry enough. Where these words came from and how their meanings morphed over time.
The Great American Hog War
Guest: John J. ("Jack") Mayer, research scientist and manager, Savannah River National Laboratory
A combination of feral pigs and wild Eurasian Boars is destroying crops and ecosystems across America despite culling attempts. Hunters bring in the big guns, and a few helicopters. The stakes are high for the pork industry.
The Right Whale Breaks into Song
Guest: Jessica Crance, Marine Mammal Scientist, Marine Mammal Laboratory of the Alaska Fisheries Science Center
The Eastern North Pacific Right Whale is critically endangered, with only approximately 30 individuals alive. But it has just been recorded singing for the first time. What’s more, the researchers documented a whale calf, meaning that there is, at least, a single reproductive female, and some hope for the species.
Where Did All That Government Cheese Come From?
Guest: Joann Weiner, Professor of Economics, George Washington University
In the 1970s, the government began buying up to a quarter of all the cheese produced in the country because of a campaign promise Jimmy Carter made while he was running for president.
Engineering Sleep
Guest: Penelope Lewis, Professor, Psychology, Cardiff University, and author, "The Secret World of Sleep: The Surprising Science of the Mind at Rest"
Researchers have long heralded the psychological benefits of a good night’s rest. But what if better sleep could make us more creative? Sleep researcher Penelope Lewis explains how “sleep engineering” may be the key to better memories, slower aging, and improved creativity.
The Bizarre History of the Flea Circus
Guest: Andy Clark, Director, Flea Circus Research Library
Andy Clark has discovered a passion for these tiny circuses and he’s here to tell us about their history, and maybe even tickle your fancy enough to go find one for yourself.
Home Alone in a Ghost Town
Guest: Eileen Muza, visual artist, sole resident of Cisco, UT, and founder, “Home of the Brave” art residency
Once a bustling railroad town in southern Utah, Cisco was abandoned in the early 1990s. Wisconsin-born visual artist Eileen Muza is uncovering the history of this iconic American ghost town and giving it new life. She's founded an artist-in-residence program in Cisco, called "Home of the Brave," to welcome more artists to share in the wonder of this unique place.
To learn more about Cisco, or to apply to or donate to the "Home of the Brave" residency program, click here.
How the World Kept Cool When “The Ice King” Ruled
Guest: Jonathan Rees, Professor of History at Colorado State University-Pueblo, author of "Refrigeration Nation," "Before the Refrigerator," and "Refrigerator"
Before the refrigerator, or air conditioning or electric fans, ice was a hot-–or rather, cold-–commodity. We’re talking with Jonathan Rees about the surprisingly complex workings of the ice industry, and the “Ice King” who started it all by shipping New England ice all around the globe.
Eating Bugs Is Good for You and the Planet
Guest: Daniella Martin, host of the insect cooking/travel show"Girl Meets Bug," blogger for "Huffington Post," an author, “Edible: An Adventure into the World of Eating Insects and the Last Great Hope to Save the Planet”
We desperately need new and reliable food sources. We also need to start scaling back our carbon footprint and our effect on the environment. Daniella Martin offers entomophagy, the eating of insects, as the answer to both these apparently contradictory issues. What is more, she can also tell us how to cook and eat them. Producer Eric Schulze eats one on the air!
Arctic Fox Runs from Norway to Canada in 76 Days
Guest: Eva Fuglei, Research Biologist, Norwegian Polar Institute
Norwegians have a reputation for being fearless explorers. Most people know by now that Columbus was not the first European to discover America. We are pretty sure from Norse sagas and from Norse archeological evidence on Newfoundland, out on the edge of Canada, that nearly 500 years before Columbus, Norwegian voyagers––including Eric the Red and his son, Leif Eriksen––most likely navigated from Scandinavia to Iceland to Greenland to a part of what is now Canada, which they called Vinland. It was an epic journey in long, open boats across often stormy seas. But at least the Vikings had boats. Last summer, another Norwegian completed that same journey, on foot. She left the coast of Norway without support or supplies, traveling 2,175 miles in 76 days from Norway, cutting across Greenland, and ending in Canada. She traveled across solid ice for much of the journey, averaging nearly 28 miles a day––a rate that blew the mind of researchers following her journey via a GPS device. OK, the Norwegian athlete here was Norwegian and female, but she wasn’t a homo sapien. She was an arctic fox. But the speed and distance of her jaunt nonetheless shocked experts. We talk to the researcher who put the radio collar on the little traveler.
It’s like Hockey, But at the Bottom of a Pool
Guest: Tyera Eulberg, Captain of the USA Women's Elite Underwater Hockey Team
Ice hockey. Field hockey. Underwater hockey? This lesser-known sport has been around since the 1950s, and it is one of the most intense sports out there, since you have to do it holding your breath.
Learn more about underwater hockey here.
American Slavery and Democracy Grew Up Together
Guest: James Horn, President and Chief Officer, Jamestown Rediscovery Foundation, Preservation Virginia, and author, “1619: Jamestown and the Forging of American Democracy”
When the English Puritan John Winthrop was about to set sail with his followers for Boston, Massachussettsin in 1630, he told them they would be watched. They would be “as a city upon a hill, the eyes of all people are upon us," he said. The phrase was borrowed from the New Testament, where Jesus had urged his followers to let their light shine to be seen by all the world. And the phrase would stick––most famously echoed in modern times by Presidents like John Kennedy and Ronald Reagan. America has always been a City on a Hill, with its unique combination of religious and democratic foundings––not to mention its vast expanse and material wealth––making it stand out on the world stage. But the problem with being a City on the Hill is––well, as Jesus himself put it––is that you cannot be hid. For better and for worse, you are there for all to see. And America has had its share of both better and worse. The paradox was woven in from the beginning.
Eleven years before Winthrop sailed––and 600 miles south of Winthrop’s Boston, in Jamestown, Viriginia––another American colony go its start. There, within a few weeks of each other, two events occurred that would shape the course of American history. The first was the creation of the first representative governing body, and the second was the sale of the first African slaves in America. Democracy and oppression, equality and slavery, both began at the beginning, 400 years ago. And as Winthrop warned, the world was watching.
Fear and Wonder
Guest: Special Collections producer Jeff Simpson, Jude and Brendan Griebel, co-founders, Museum of Fear and Wonder
We take a tour of the fascinating Museum of Fear and Wonder.
It Takes a Village
Guest: Liz Walker, co-founder of EcoVillage Ithaca, and Director, LEARN@EcoVillage
Popping up around the globe, co-housing projects are communities intentionally designed to be ecologically and socially sustainable. Take a listen to learn more about what life is like in one.
The Montana Dueling-Dinosaurs Court Case
Guest: Peter Larson, President, Black Hills Institute of Geological Research
Two dinosaurs were fossilized, locked in combat, in the Montana wilds. Now there is a court battle over the battling dinosaurs and millions of dollars are on the line.
Apollo Passion
Guest: David Woods, author, "How Apollo Flew to the Moon"
NASA spent about $153 billion in modern dollars to fund the Apollo Program in the late 1960s, consuming 4 percent of all federal spending. Amid the current political debate over where NASA’s future will be, it’s important to look back and rediscover how we managed to get an astronaut to the moon in the first place.
Fetal Surgery
Guests: Stephen Emery, Director, Center for Innovative Fetal Intervention, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Magee-Womens Hospital, and Stephanie Greene, Director of Vascular and Perinatal Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children’s Hospital
Advances in medical procedures allow surgeons to operate on infants while they are in the womb to help treat birth defects like spina bifida before these babies are born. Dr. Emery and Dr. Greene collaborated on a recent in-utero surgery and are expanding the field of fetal intervention.
Sabotaging the Nazi Atomic Bomb
Guest: Sam Kean, author, “The Bastard Brigade: The True Story of the Renegade Scientists and Spies Who Sabotaged the Nazi Atomic Bomb”
Consider this scenario for a film: At the height of World War II, a famous retired professional baseball player—who happens to be multilingual—schleps into Switzerland as an American spy. Posing as a Swiss physics student, he’s carrying a loaded Berretta 9mm and a cyanide pill in his suit pocket. His mission is to assassinate the chief scientist behind the Nazi atomic weapons program. The cyanide pill is for himself—in the likely case that he gets caught after he’s done the deed. He attends the lecture and then walks through the dark streets of Zurich, chatting with the Nazi bomb maker on the way to his hotel, fingering the gun in his pocket.
What a cheesy dime novel spy plot, right? Well, folk's that’s history. The baseball player was named Moe Berg and the Nazi bomb maker was Werner Heisenberg. Did Moe Berg pull the trigger on Werner Heisenberg? Tune in to find out.
Salty Moon
Guest: Samantha K. Trumbo, NASA Fellow and PhD candidate, Planetary Science, California Institute of Technology
Europa is our next best bet at finding life in this solar system. Researchers have just discovered that the ocean we’ve known about for decades is most likely salty—just like our own. We now know that the building blocks for life are there.
The Uncertain Success Of the Apollo 11 Landing
Guest: James Donovan, author, "Shoot for the Moon: The Space Race and the Extraordinary Voyage of Apollo 11"
It all went like clockwork, or so it seems in the history books. Nearly airbrushed from most people’s historical memory are the sacrifices, the near misses, the pressure from Russian rivals, and the crazy, adrenaline-filled final moments racing an emptying fuel tank to find a safe landing spot. Meanwhile, NASA’s organization and systems were rebuilt on the run, and some engineers snapped under the relentless pressure to perform. In racing to the moon, NASA was racing two clocks—one set by President Kennedy to land a man on the moon before the end of the decade—the other to beat the Russians there. Along the way, three astronauts died on a launching pad—and Neil Armstrong nearly crashed to his death testing the moon lander. When the astronauts finally landed on the moon’s Sea of Tranquility, they no doubt felt relief, but the name nonetheless is thick with irony.
The Staying Power of Dungeons and Dragons
Guest: Stephen Marsh, early contributor to Dungeons and Dragons
Dungeons and Dragons is both a cultural touchstone, and extremely dense, and is making its way back into mainstream American entertainment.
When a Beloved Pet Passes Away
Guest: Sy Montgomery, author, “How to be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals”
Sy Montgomery shares tales of love and loss on her farm. She lost her 700-lb pig, Christopher Hogwood, and her beloved border collie, Tess, in the same season. She graciously counsels pet owners on dealing with grief.
Boaty McBoatface Goes Where No Ship Has Gone Before
Guest: Russell Wynn, Associate Director and Chief Scientist of Marine Robotics at the National Oceanography Centre in the UK
The Natural Environment Research Council of the UK is the frontrunner for ocean exploration technology. They’re home to high-end research vessels like the RRS Discovery, the RRS Ernest Shakleton, the RRS David Attenborough, and of course, the long-range autonomous submarine Boaty McBoatface. Boaty McBoatface is a small but surprisingly accomplished autonomous unmanned submarine that’s helping scientists unravel the secrets of ice shelf.
It’s a worm! It’s a mole! It’s a lizard! It's a snake! No, it’s a bipes!
Guest: Sara Ruane, Assistant Professor of Evolution at Rutgers University-Newark
What has the face of a lizard, the arms of a mole, the body of a snake, and the color of a worm? It's a bipes, and you'll be lucky to ever see one in the wild, even though they're really plentiful.
The Dastardly Smart Kettle
Guest: Ken Munro, consultant, PenTestPartners
How safe, really, is our networked home, our personal assistant, our android device, or our smart car? It turns out the Cassandras may be right when they say: here be dragons. Ken Munro is a “Penetration Tester” who has spent a lot of time pulling apart smart objects and making them do things they are not supposed to do to keep the rest of us safe.
The Hoi Toiders Dialect of North Carolina
Guest: Walt Wolfram, Professor, Linguistics, North Carolina State University, Director, North Carolina Language and Life Project, and co-author, “Talkin’ Tar Heel”
The Outer Banks of North Carolina are home to the Hoi Toider dialect. After nearly 200 years of isolation, the community once consisting entirely of ex-pirates, has developed a dialect that in some ways resembles Elizabethan English more than colloquial American speech.
Hopeful Surprises in Pancreatic Cancer Lab
Guest: Dannielle Engle, Assistant Professor, Salk Institute for Biological Studies
Pancreatic cancer is one of the deadliest diseases we’ve ever encountered—and it’s very difficult to detect. But researchers have accidentally stumbled across one possible cause of the disease.
Exotic Pets: Buyer Beware
Guest: Stephanie Jayson, Senior Scientific Officer in Exotics and Wildlife Trade, RSPCA
A pair of racoon dogs got loose in the English village of Clarborough, wreaking havoc. But the creatures are native to Japan. How did racoon dogs get to Western Europe? A cautionary tale about keep exotic pets.
Baseball and the American City
Guest: Paul Goldberger, author, Ballpark: Baseball in the American City
Baseball parks and the structures that surround them offer us a window to understanding the evolution of American cities and our attitudes towards them.
Dinosaur Fossils Like You've Never Seen Them Before
Guest: Hans Sues, Senior Scientist and Curator of Fossil Vertebrates, National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution
In the new "Deep Time" exhibit in the Smithsonian's new Fossil Hall, life is messy: dinosaur poop, fish who die of overeating, a lizard who decomposes before your eyes. And the piece de resistance: a t-rex taking a bit out of an unwitting triceratops. We get a behind-the-scenes radio tour of this new exhibit.
The Apple Seed
Guest: Sam Payne
The incredible true story of Bobbie the Wonder Dog. You've got to hear it to believe it.
The Raspberry Pi Puts a Computer In Every Pocket
Guest: Eben Upton, Creator of the Raspberry Pi
Since its creation in 2012 the Raspberry Pi has become an iconic part of the computer and programming network. This small, credit-card-sized computer has been used in everything from drones to homemade insulin pumps, and has created a thriving community of passionate users.
Surprising Forgiveness in Rwanda as Killers Return Home from Prison Originally Aired on: May 16,2019
Guest: Laura Frizzell, PhD candidate in sociology at The Ohio State University
25 years ago, Hutus slaughtered their neighbors, the Tutsis, in Rwanda. Convicted killers have served their time and are coming home. What are they finding? Forgiveness, actually.
Scotland's Recumbent Stone Circles Originally Aired on: May 16,2019
Guest: Neil Ackerman, freelance archaeological consultant
Everyone’s heard of Stonehenge, but have you heard of Scotland’s recumbent stone circles? An archaeological wonder, these stone circles have been around for literally thousands of years, but this is the story of a replica stone circle that nearly had the experts fooled.
How did an 18-year-old's gap year turn into a nonprofit helping children in Nepal? Originally Aired on: May 16,2019
Guest: Maggie Doyne, founder of the BlinkNow Foundation and the Kopila Valley Children’s Home, School, and Women’s Center
Do-it-yourself projects are all the rage online--you can learn how to create practically anything, from crafting plush poodles out of pom-poms to slapping a jet engine onto your Port-a-Potty! But you don’t usually run across instructions on how to DIY a nonprofit. Tune in to learn about a college student who used her gap year to help hundreds of orphans in Surkhet, Nepal.
Chernobyl's Untold Story Originally Aired on: May 16,2019
Guest: Adam Higginbotham, author of" Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World’s Greatest Nuclear Disaster"
Everyone who’s gotten past 8th grade has heard of Chernobyl and the accident at the nuclear power plant. But author Adam Higginbotham introduces a new perspective on what happened there, telling stories that have literally never been told before.
From Mother's Little Helper to Psychiatric Scandal Originally Aired on: May 16,2019
Guest: Robert Whitaker, journalist, author, "Mad in America" and "Anatomy of an Epidemic"
50 years ago, a pill for controlling anxiety and insomnia called Valium climbed to the top of the ranks of prescription drugs. Valium remained the most prescribed medication until the news broke that Valium was pretty ineffective after a couple weeks, but still highly addictive. After falling out of favor, the drug returned to popularity with a new packaging and a new name, Xanax.
How Biocrust Holds It All Together Originally Aired on: May 23, 2019
Guest: Sasha Reed, Research Ecologist, United States Geological Survey
Our skin is the largest organ of the human body, and the Earth has her own skin too--and it’s a living, breathing, and surprisingly vital part of the environment called the biocrust. Research ecologist Sasha Reed explains exactly how important this “organ” is and why we should pay attention to the soil beneath our feet.
Making Windows Out of Wood Originally Aired on: May 23, 2019
Guest: Céline Montanari, Materials Science Engineer, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
A group of Swedish researchers has discovered a way to make wood transparent. More durable, renewable, safer, and better at insulation, transparent wood could one day replace glass as the go-to material for windows. But that’s not all: now they’ve made it so the new wood material can absorb heat when it’s too hot and release it when it’s cold.
Marsquakes Originally Aired on: May 23, 2019
Guest: Tom Hoffman, Project Manager of the NASA Mars InSight Mission
For the first time in history, we have a sound recording of a Marsquake. Like earth, Mars has a molten core and geologic and volanic activity. NASA recently placed a lander there specifically to study the interior life of the red planet. Check out the sounds that it sent back to Earth.
The Legacy of I.M. Pei Originally Aired on: May 23, 2019
Guest: Peter Rosen, Director, “First Person Singular: I.M. Pei”
On May 16, the world lost one of its most famous contemporary architects: I.M. Pei died at the age of 102. You’ll know him as the architect of that famous glass pyramid right in the center of the Louvre courtyard. Putting that modern design smack in the center of a two-hundred-year-old palace was a gutsy move, and it stoked quite a bit of controversy at the time.
But I.M. Pei was not a brash man, not someone who was trying to be in-your-face. Peter Rosen learned this first-hand when he made a documentary of I. M. Pei’s life.
Why We're Always Forgetting What We Came Into a Room For Originally Aired on: May 23, 2019
Guest: Gabriel Radvansky, Professor of Psychology, University of Notre Dame
Have you ever wondered why you totally forget what you were doing when you walk into a new room? It turns out this is a real psychological process called the “doorway effect.”
A Modern Huckleberry Finn Originally Aired on: May 13, 2019
Guest: Jemma Craig, creative director, destination marketer, and conservationist
Meet Jemma Craig. From feeding the world's largest captured crocodile to growing up as only one of a handful of permanent residents on a tropical island off the coast of Australia, Jemma had a unique childhood. In the years since then, she has dedicated her life to exploring, sharing and preserving the Great Barrier Reef.
Maslow's Pyramid Is a Fake Originally Aired on: May 13, 2019
Guest: Todd Bridgman, Associate Professor, School of Management, Victoria University of Wellington
Of the few things that people remember from years of going through glossy textbooks and graphic-filled PowerPoints in school, one diagram stands out, Maslow’s famous hierarchy of needs displayed in an upright pyramid.
Need motivation to exercise? How about a fitter mind? Originally Aired on: May 13, 2019
Guest: J. Carson Smith, Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Director of the Exercise for Brain Health Laboratory, University of Maryland School of Public Health
Many of us struggle to get the motivation to exercise daily. The lack of motivation is compounded by the fact that physical results are never immediate. If physical results aren’t enough to motivate us, well maybe mental results would be. In recent years there have been increasing studies that show a positive relationship between exercise and cognitive function. Even just a single workout session can help!
Wild Spring Weather: So What Will Summer Bring? Originally Aired on: May 13, 2019
Guest: Russ Schumacher, Associate Professor of Atmospheric Science and Colorado State Climatologist, Colorado State University and Director of the Colorado Climate Center
Skiers have had an amazing winter, but what does all that snow in the mountains mean for spring? We’ll look at flood risk in the mountain and the plains, and we'll look at the connection to flooding in the Mississippi delta.
What is it like to travel 1000 miles with a team of 10 dogs on the Iditarod trail? Originally Aired on: May 13, 2019
Guest: Debbie Clarke Moderow, author, "Fast Into the Night: A Woman, Her Dogs, and Their Journey North on the Iditarod Trail"
Groucho Marx once said that “outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too hard to read.” Well, dogs truly are man’s best furry friend, and puppies and pooches will stick by your side… even for 1000 miles!
Curse of Oak Island: the World's Longest Treasure Hunt Originally Aired On: April 27, 2019
Guest: Randall Sullivan, author, "The Curse of Oak Island: The Story of the World’s Longest Treasure Hunt"
The legendary buried treasure on Oak Island, Nova Scotia has confounded searchers for more than 200 years, killed six people, and contains booby traps that no engineers have been able to figure out or dismantle, even with millions of dollars of today’s cutting edge technology. What is the true story behind this cursed, real life treasure hunt – which is also the subject of a hit TV show on the History Channel?
Why the World Needs Dung Beetles Originally Aired On: April 27, 2019
Guest: Marcus Byrne, Professor of Entomology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa and author of “Dance of the Dungbeetles”
Small phenomena on this planet quite possibly make the world go round, as they say. The fundamental small stuff on which everything else depends. And in the case of dungbeetles, many of them make the world go round by rolling little balls of dung around, as we’ll learn. We’ll learn of their importance in the world’s various ecologies, about how they do their business, and why you should care in the first place.
Kumari: Time to Say Good-bye to a Goddess? Originally Aired On: April 27, 2019
Guest: Isabella Tree, author, "The Living Goddess: A Journey Into the Heart of Kathmandu"
In recent years in Nepal, the practice of designating a young girl as a Kumari, a goddess, has come under scrutiny as an archaic practice. The problem, is that getting rid of of the practice would mean, essentially, the demise of a goddess. Take away the practice, and you destroy what some have deemed to be a fundamental pillar of the society. Who are these girls called Kumari? What is the tradition? Just how old is the practice and how essential is it, or is it not, to the cultural identity and political stability of a country?
How to Write about the Life and Legacy of Someone You've Never Met Originally Aired On: April 27, 2019
Guest: Adam Bernstein, obituary editor for "The Washington Post"
Gary Vaynerchuk once wrote “please think about your legacy because you are writing it every day.” In the smash Broadway musical "Hamilton," Alexander Hamilton says that a legacy is “planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” But how do you go about literally writing a legacy?
DARPA Investing Millions into Telepathic Headsets Originally Aired on: June 3, 2019
Guest: Jacob Robinson, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University
What if you could know what they know, and they know what you’re thinking, and you both have utter confidence that you’ve shared information and you’re not even in the same room or space, or maybe you're even miles apart? That would indeed be telepathy. Is telepathy possible? As in science and nothing New Age-y or mystical. Can science help two brains connect over distances with no sensory contact, at least not in the usual way?
The Last Male Sumatran Rhino in Malaysia Dies Originally Aired on: June 3, 2019
Guest: CeCe Sieffert, Deputy Director of the International Rhino Foundation
Tam, the last male Sumatran rhino in Malaysia has just died. After unsuccessful attempts to have him breed in captivity, what does his passing mean for the state of rhino conservation efforts worldwide?
The Loudest Underwater Sound Vaporizes Water Originally Aired on: June 3, 2019
Guest: Claudiu Stan, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Rutgers University Newark
Scientists have found the loudest possible underwater sound, and it's so loud vaporizes water.
Photographing Mongolia’s Eagle Trainers Originally Aired on: June 3, 2019
Guest: Palani Mohan, photographer, author of "Hunting with Eagles: In the Realm of the Mongolian Kazakhs"
If there was an edge of the earth, or an end, it would be the Altai mountains at the intersection of Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia. Here the last of an ancient group of falconers still hunt foxes and wolves with trained Golden Eagles . . . while on horseback . . . on the top of the mountains. Palani Mohan is a photographer who flew to Mongolia to document the last 50-60 of these men and their extraordinary lifestyle.
"The Creativity Code: Art and Innovation in the Age of AI" Originally Aired on: June 3, 2019
Guest: Marcus du Sautoy, Charles Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and Professor of Mathematics, Oxford University, and author, "The Creativity Code: Art and Innovation in the Age of AI"
Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy has dedicated the last few years of his life to studying creativity and artificial intelligence. Is artificial intelligence truly creative? What does it mean to be creative? And what would the future look like if our algorithms could really create art?
Professor Channels His Own OCD into a Novel Originally Aired on: May 22, 2019
Guest: Spencer Hyde, author, "Waiting for Fitz" and Professor of Creative Writing, Brigham Young University
This creative writing professor takes on his own OCD and turns it into a debut novel.
Diving Sea Nomads Originally Aired on: May 22, 2019
Guest: Melissa Ilardo, Evolutionary Genomicist, University of Utah, and Integrative Biologist, UC Berkeley
Humans have adapted to live in some of the most extreme environments on earth, from the high altitude of the Tibetan Himalayas to the dry wasteland of the world’s deserts. The Bajau, a people of the Malay Archipelago, spend almost all of their lives at sea. These sea nomads, who live on floating houses, have prodigious diving capabilities.
The Apple Seed Originally Aired on: May 22, 2019
Guest: Sam Payne, host of the Apple Seed, BYUradio
Catch up on all your favorite stories! Weekdays at 8 pm ET/ 5pm PT on BYUradio.
World’s First Civilization Originally Aired on: May 22, 2019
Guest: Eckart Frahm, Professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations/Assyriology, Yale University
There are striking similarities between our modern lives and those of the Mesopotamians thousands of years ago: they sang lullabies, kept cookbooks, complained about their parents. Their leaders wanted to build walls to keep out foreigners. Find out how that went.
How the Swarming Bacteria in Your Gut Might Save a Life Originally Aired on: May 22, 2019
Guest: Justin O’Sullivan, Associate Director for Research, Liggins Institute, University of Auckland
Ever wanted to be a super hero? In our world, of flightless and fragile humans, that may not be possible—for you. Your fecal matter, on the other hand, might just have super powers.
Leonardo's Universe, 500 Years Later Originally Aired on: May 7, 2019
Guest: Bulent Atalay, author of “Leonardo’s Universe,” artist, and Professor Emeritus of Physics, University of Mary Washington
This month marks the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death. The scientist, inventor, and artist is arguably one of the most important painters in Western art, as the massive crowds in front of the Mona Lisa at the Louvre will attest. Leonardo da Vinci invented robotics 500 years ago and, without his discoveries, modern manufacturing wouldn’t be the same. ??
John Brown and John Wilkes Booth, Two Sides of the Same Coin Originally Aired on: May 7, 2019
Guest: John Stauffer, Professor of American and African American Studiesat Harvard University
After his failed attack on Harper’s Ferry, the abolitionist John Brown was hung in front of a small crowd composed entirely of soldiers and one out-of-place actor named John Wilkes Booth, the future assassin of Abraham Lincoln.
Highway Overpasses Paved With Grass, Rocks and Trees Save Lives Originally Aired on: May 7, 2019
Guest: Tony Clevenger, Senior Wildlife Research Scientist, Montana State University
Our roads and highways are great connectors. But for animals, they’re potentially lethal barriers. What prevents animal movement? Dams on salmon rivers. Highwalls and fences. Any major man-made thoroughfare. Are there ways for us to be more accommodating of animals that need to migrate to survive?
Tuberculosis Makes You Beautiful Originally Aired on: May 7, 2019
Guest: Carolyn A. Day, Assistant Professor at Furman University, and author, “Consumptive Chic”
If people today were to make a list of attributes that they find most beautiful, things like health or vivacity might appear on the list. Disease, on the other hand, likely wouldn’t. If that list of attributes were written by someone in England in the early 1800’s, however, disease, and specifically, tuberculosis, would’ve been at the top.
King Arthur and the Knights of the Evergreen Table Originally Aired on: May 28, 2019
Guest: Leah Tether, a faculty member and Co-Director of the Centre for Medieval Studiesat the University of Bristol
Perhaps no legend in the English language has been as enduring as the story of King Arthur. Thousands of off-shoots and iterations of the central Arthurian ideas have led to story after storyof chivalry, conquest, love and magic that could’ve filled the lifetime of a hundred different Arthurs. My professor must have known them all, because he seemed to know everything ... and also because he seemed fairly ancient himself. Where do the Arthurian tales come from? Who is the real Arthur? And why are we still talking about him, the original Arthur that is, the original legend?
Elusive, Extraordinary and Potentially Endangered, The Platypus Swims On Originally Aired on: May 28, 2019
Guest: Josh Griffiths, Senior Wildlife Ecologist at CESAR
Children’s TV shows love to feature animals. If the main character isn’t an animal, then chances are that animals are one of the primary features of the show. You could talk about Shawn the Sheep, Paw Patrol, Backyardagains, Arthur, Spongebob, Wonder Pets, eventually leading up to Phineas and Ferb. Phineas and Ferb have a pet Platypus named Perry that doubles as a secret agent that goes on escapades to protect the city from the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz. “Where’s Perry?”Is one of the oft repeated lines of the tv show and is actually very true to actual platypuses because they’re terribly difficult to find.
Why Zebras Have Stripes Originally Aired on: June 4, 2019
Guest: Tim Caro, evolutionary ecologist, and Professor of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis
Tim Caro has dedicated nearly a decade of his life trying to definitively solve the mystery of why zebras have stripes. Earlier this year, he published what looks like proof of the answer he was searching for: horseflies hate stripes.
Holocaust Story Orignially Aired on: June 4, 2019
Guest: Jeff Jacoby, Columnist, The Boston Globe
Jeff Jacoby’s father, Mark Jacoby, is a Holocaust survivor. More than that, though, he is a father, a husband, a practicing Jew, and a happy man. This is the story of the triumph of faith and the human spirit.
From catastrophic asteroids to terminal constipation, how did the dinosaurs get wiped out? Originally Aired: May 14, 2019
Guest: Mike Benton, Professor of Vertebrate Paleontology, University of Bristol
I’m sure you have that one friend on Facebook who bombards your feed with conspiracy theories about the moon landing, secret societies, government testing, and so on. But stop me if you’ve heard the one about dinosaurs going extinct due to terminal constipation. Yikes. That and more dinosaur extinction theory.
Honoring the Dead in the 21st Century Originally Aired: May 14, 2019
Guest: Candi K. Cann, Associate Professor and Faculty of Residence at Baylor University
Death is an overwhelming topic, perhaps only second to love and life in literature and media, but more overwhelming still is the process of mourning for those left behind. Once described as “a special sort of madness,” defining mourning and studying its many facets is a difficult business, one which Candi K. Cann is deeply engaged in. Listen to her describe how modern cultures are changing, and remaining consistent, by incorporating ancient forms of mourning.
The Navy Considers Reopening Military UFO Investigations Originally Aired: June 6, 2019
Guest: Iain Boyd, Professor of Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan
The Navy has a problem. Seemingly super-powered, highly agile, aircrafts are flying around like they own America’s airspace. These UFOs startle even the most experienced and level-headed of pilots.
Bringing Back Helpful Gut Worms Originally Aired: June 6, 2019
Guest: William Parker, Professor of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine
Things that we think of as harmful to our bodies may actually be crucial to our health. Bacteria were once labeled as the universal enemy, but we now know some of them to be helpful. This might be the case for some parasites such as intestinal worms.
The Heart-Tugging Story of WWII’s Forgotten Battle Originally aired: May 24, 2019
Guest: Mark Obmascik, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author, "The Storm on Our Shores"
Paul Nabuo Tatsuguchi didn’t fit the mold of a soldier in the Japanese Royal Navy. As a Christian pacifist and licensed American surgeon, he had more in common with his American “enemies” than his Japanese compatriots. Dick Laird, on the other hand, fled to the US Army in a desperate attempt to free himself from the depression-stricken coal mines that he was born into. Neither man wanted to be on Attu Island in May of 1943, thousands of miles from their wives or newborn daughters. But their meeting in the heat of the final days of the battle would affect the lives of thousands.
Rescue Dogs Are Sniffing Out Poachers and Endangered Species Originally aired: May 24, 2019
Guest: Megan Parker, Co-founder & Director of Research, Working Dogs for Conservation
Megan Parker is a wildlife biologist and conservation-detection dog expert who has pioneered training methods to use dogs to sniff out and find endangered species, invasive plants, or even illegal poachers, while giving a home to dogs left in shelters.
Extreme Adventurer Victor Vescovo Makes History, Again Originally Aired: May 21, 2019
Guest: Victor Vescovo, American private equity investor, retired naval officer, and undersea explorer
Not satisfied with climbing the highest peak on each of the seven continents, Victor Vescovo has now set a depth record, going to the lowest point on earth, piloting a submarine to bottom of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific.
After all These Years, Is Our Moon Suddenly a Hot Property? Originally Aired: May 21, 2019
Guest: Leonard David, author, "Moon Rush: The New Space Race"
Been there, done that? Humans last set foot on the moon 47 years ago. And all we got for our efforts was a bunch of gray rock and some nice travel photos. Why go back? The answer may be resources: water, hydrogen, helium, oxygen, fuel for rockets, rare earth metals for cell phones and military uses. It may not be long, Leonard David argues, before battles for resources on the moon become major drivers of economics and diplomacy here on earth. Are we ready?
Finding the Ancient Honduran Civilization That Mysteriously Vanished Originally aired on: May 29, 2019
Guest: Douglas Preston, journalist, "National Geographic," and author, "The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story"
One of the greatest discoveries of our generation was made a few years ago when an archaeological team went to the jungles of Honduras and discovered an ancient civilization whose ruins have been left completely untouched for centuries.
Your Emotions Aren’t Hard-Wired Chemical Responses Originally aired on: May 29, 2019
Guest: Lisa Feldman Barrett, author, "How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain," and Professor of Psychology & Director of the Interdisciplinary Affective Science Laboratory, Northeastern University
Lisa Feldman Barrett challenges the idea that emotions are hard-wired and uncontrollable brain reactions and explains how our brains predict rather than experience emotions.
When a Tiger Comes Tea Originally aired on: May 29, 2019
Guest: Jill Nicholls, documentary filmmaker
If you’re not familiar with the Judith Kerr’s children’s books, you need to get yourself a copy of “The Tiger Who Came to Tea” and listen to this conversation with Jill Nicholls, who made a documentary of Kerr’s dramatic life and her whimsical fiction.
The Dangers Behind the Romanticizing of Twins Originally aired on: May 29, 2019
Guest: Joan Friedman, twin expert, psychologist, and author, “Twins in Session”
There’s always been a mystique around the idea of twins. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have an identical twin? Have you sometimes watched twins interacting and wondered, Am I missing something? Is there some deep human connectedness that only they get to experience? Friedman says we should spend less energy romanticizing the special relationship between twins and focus instead on how well twins bond with their parents.
The Fate of Kidnapped Whales Russia Released Into Wild
Guest: Shari Tarantino, President, Orca Conservancy
“Blackfish” put the sea park industry in the spotlight for inhumane living conditions and threats to both humans and killer whales when the animals are forced to live in captivity. Five years later, a group in Russia has been busted for keeping over 100 orcas and belugas in “whale jail” for several months to attempt and sell the animals to theme parks. The danger doesn't end when the animals are released.
How Tariff Helped Spark the Great Depression
Guest: James Kearl, A.O. Smoot Professor of Economics, Brigham Young University
Sometimes our best intentions—when run through the gamut of fear and doubt—backfire spectacularly. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930 was one such backfire, when the US government passed a set of laws that signed our way into the Great Depression.
Learning To Be a Better Human By Hanging Out with Animals
Guest: Sy Montgomery, author, “How to be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals”
You can learn a lot by hanging out with animals, and watching them closely on their own terms. Even how to forgive.
Special Collections: Mustard Museum
Guest: Jeff Simpson, BYUradio Producer and Host
Now, if you happen to be in Wisconsin, and you're trying to untangle the place of mustard in Western Civilization, there’s a place you might want to visit. They might even sing you a mustard fight song.
Mind-Controlled Prosthetic Limbs
Guest: Robert Gaunt, Assistant Professor in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pittsburgh
The Rehab Neural Engineering Lab at the University of Pittsburg is working on robots you can control with your brain. Specifically, robot limbs for paralyzed people and amputees that can feel the things it interacts with like biological limb can.
Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders
Guest: Clay Risen author, "The Crowded Hour: Theodore Roosevelt, The Rough Riders, and the Dawn of the American Century"
The Rough Riders, a volunteer cavalry regiment, led by Teddy Roosevelt, symbolized a very specific vision of American identity for the coming century, and their heroic story gave that vision broad reach.
Snake hugs, anyone?
Guest: Sara Ruane, Assistant Professor of Evolution, Rutgers University - Newark
If anyone can make you love snakes, it's Sara Ruane. She wants us all to understand just how amazing, diverse, and relatively safe these creatures are.
Art Students In the Cadaver Lab
Guest: Michael Grimaldi, Director of Drawing, New York Academy of Art
Michael Grimaldi, in the throes of his art education, felt like modern art had lost a bit of its realistic touch. The great artists that he revered learned drawing by studying cadavers and dissection, but modern art schools lacked the resources to provide that same experience.
Psychology of Food
Guest: Rachel Herz, author, "Why You Eat What You Eat: the Science Behind Our Relationship with Food" and adjunct professor, Brown University, and part-time faculty, Boston College
There is much, much more to your food preferences than you’d think—besides your tongue, your brain and nose play invaluable roles in helping you love bacon, chocolate, and pickles. We’re going to learn how to use that.
Find out more about her work here.
Hamilton, Lafayette, and a Long-Lost Letter
Guest: Joanne B. Freeman, Professor of History and American Studies, Yale University, and leading expert on Alexander Hamilton
If you’ve heard the soundtrack from the smash hit musical “Hamilton,” you know that the character of Alexander Hamilton, George Washington’s “right-hand man” as the song goes, is unhappy being stuck with a desk job. His character wants to “fight, not write.” But Washington’s character insists, and the other characters, Marquis de Lafayette, John Laurens, and Hercules Mulligan have to agree that Hamilton’s “skill with the quill is undeniable.” Well, there’s been another drama of sorts lately, as one of Hamilton’s letters, written on behalf of General Washington--a letter which had been stolen from the Massachusetts Archive way back in the ‘30s or ‘40s, turned up recently.
Man’s Best Friend Takes on Man’s Worst Enemy
Guest: Thomas Quinn, Clinical Professor, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine
Dogs might be more than man’s best friend. According to researchers, they can be trained to identify cancer-ridden blood to a 97%-degree of accuracy, using their noses. With their help, we may even be able to translate this incredible olfactory ability into an over-the-counter cancer test.
The Apple Seed: Deals With the Devil
Guest: Sam Payne
Sam stops by with warning stories about selling your soul.
What to Do With a North Atlantic Seal Who Turns Up in Bermuda
Guest: Janelle Schuh, Animal Rescue Program Manager, Mystic Aquarium
Bermuda residents were shocked when a gray seal, 1000 miles from home, washed up on their subtropical shorelines. Janelle Shuh of Mystic Aquarium oversaw Lou-Seal's lengthy rehabilitation and sent her swimming home to the north Atlantic.
Learn more about Mystic's rehab work here.
You've Got the Wrong Guy. It’s Acetaminophen, Not Vaccines
Guest: William Parker, Professor of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine
Acetaminophen seems harmless enough. We’ve used it for ages. If someone told you that it caused autism in children, you might laugh them off as a strange stem of the anti-vaccine movement. You’d laugh until you saw the data....
The Loudest Creature In the Ocean Is . . . An Iceberg?
Guest: Robert Dziak, Director, Acoustic Program, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
Robert Dziak has been studying ocean soundscapes for nearly 20 years. Dziak was there when a mysterious, unexplained ocean sound louder than any previously recorded was caught by NOAA researchers, and he was there when the inevitable sea monster theories were debunked 10 years later.
Why Study the World’s Biggest, Fastest, Loudest, Deadliest Organisms? (Besides that they're cool?)
Guest: Matthew LaPlante, Professor, Journalism, Utah State University, host of Utah Public Radio's show "UnDisciplined," and author, “Superlative: The Biology of Extremes”
Naturally, scientists have studied outliers and extremes hesitantly. Typically, they shoot well inside nature’s bell curve to understand what’s normal or average. But what are we missing when we fail to focus on the wonders of the extremes? For Matthew LaPlante, the answer is a list that starts with a cure for cancer.
Science Education
Guest: Derek Muller, science educator and creator of "Veritasium"
Technology can’t give us an education revolution—but it can help with an education evolution. Leading that charge is Derek Muller. He always wanted to be a filmmaker but he chose a "safe" STEM degree instead. Until one day, he took the biggest risk of his career. Spoiler alert: it worked, and he’s now making films and doing what he loves. And making science come alive for his six million YouTube subscribers.
Winning the Mongol Derby
Guest: Lara Prior-Palmer, author, "Rough Magic: Riding the World’s Loneliest Horse Race"
Lara Prior-Palmer was the first women, and youngest person ever, to win the Mongol Derby, a 1000km race through wild Mongolian steppes. This physically harrowing, profound experience fueled an insightful, gripping and candid book, “Rough Magic.” Join us to consider the limits of human endurance, and what drives the soul of a rider.
The US Invaded Russia?
Guest: James Carl Nelsen, author, "The Polar Bear Expedition: The Heroes of America’s Forgotten Invasion of Russia, 1918-1919"
Between 1918 and 1919, the US military spent a disastrous winter fighting the Russian Red Army. What was meant to be a supporting, defensive role—in conjunction with the British, French, and Tsarist White Army, became a drawn-out winter war that accomplished nothing and, consequently, has been swept under the rug of history. Until now.
What Happened the Day the Dinosaurs Died?
Guest: Douglas Preston, author and journalist
Robert DePalma, a PhD candidate in Paleontology, has found arguably the most important paleontological site of all time—proof of what that killed the dinosaurs, and a fossil record of what happened when they died. Douglas Preston recently captured the story of this discovery in "The New Yorker."
Myths and Truths of Lightning Safety
Guest: John Jensenius, Meteorologist and Lightning Safety Specialist, National Lightning Safety Council
Lightning is fascinating, powerful and dangerous. John Jensenius unravels the science and power behind bolts of lightning. Join us during Lightning Safety Awareness Week as he debunks the myths and affirms the truths of lightning safety.
How the Wheat Genome Map May Forever Change the Way You Eat
Guest: Kellye Eversole, Executive Director, International Wheat Genome Sequencing Consortium (IWGSC)
Scientists have finally been able to crack the incredibly complex genome of wheat after 13 years of meticulous genetic mapping. Their research can be used to help breeders and farmers around the world create stronger and healthier variations of wheat and help ensure food security for our expanding global population.
The Biggest Little Farm
Guest: John Chester, farmer at Apricot Lane Farms, and director, “The Biggest Little Farm”
For the past eight years, John Chester and his wife Molly have been pursuing their dream of creating an entirely regenerative farm, one that works with nature instead of competing with it, one that’s much harder to create then to dream of, and one which John Chester has captured in a newly released documentary, “The Biggest Little Farm.”
LEGOs As Fine Art
Guest: Nathan Sawaya, LEGO artist
Nathan Sawaya is a LEGO brick artist who creates everything from pop culture figures to recreations of the Mona Lisa and Michelangelo's David (life-size too!). But to become a master model builder, Nathan chose to leave behind a law career and overcome art critics that deemed his medium too childish. Today, his exhibitions smash attendance records and invite everyone to participate in creating art.
Feeling Rejected? Take Ibuprophen
Guest: Roy Baumeister, Professor, Psychology, University of Queensland
We often describe social rejection as pain. We refer to “hurt feelings,” “broken hearts,” and being “crushed.” In a series of studies over the course of more than a decade, social psychologist Roy Baumeister demonstrated that we experience rejection like we experience pain, and we can treat it in the same way.
Scientist Finds Shocking the Brain Through Implants Significantly Increases Short-Term Memory
Guest: Robert E. Hampson, Professor, Physiology, Pharmacology, and Neurology, Wake Forest School of Medicine
Shockingly, Robert Hampson has shown that sending an electrical pulse through a person’s brain via implant will increase short-term memory by over 30 percent. But how long will it be until this can be replicated outside of a lab? And who would be willing to get brain implants to increase their short-term memory?
Can Icebergs Solve Cape Town’s Water Problem?
Guest: Captain Nicholas Sloane, South African Marine Salvager
In response to Cape Town, South Africa’s water shortage, Captain Nicholas Sloane has put in motion a plan to snag an iceberg from Antarctica and then melt the iceberg to create a sustainable water source for the parched residents of Cape Town.
Special Collections: Gangster Museum
Guest: Lorkin Otway, Founder and Curator, Museum of the American Gangster
Speakeasies thrived during Prohibition. Often established and run by gangsters, they were a hidden place where American citizens could sneak past the law and enjoy a drink or two. The illegal smuggling and selling of alcohol was one of the ways American gangsters got their notoriety, along with gambling, racketeering, and murdering. Today as part of our ‘Special Collections’ segment, producer Jeff Simpson explores a former New York speakeasy turned museum.
Mummified Animals and Million Year-Old Hyena Teeth Found Frozen in Canadian Ice
Guest: Grant Zazula, Paleontologist, the Government of Yukon
Paleontologists from the Yukon Territory in Canada have discovered and identified ancient mummified animals frozen in the ice and the first evidence of million year-old hyenas living in North America.
Apple Seed
Guest: Sam Payne, Host, The Apple Seed, BYUradio
Sam stops by to share a story.
Anger Can Actually Be Good for You
Guest: Ryan Martin, Professor, Psychology, University of Wisconsin-Green Bay
We all lose our tempers and feel provoked by things we encounter on a daily basis. But anger doesn't happen in a vacuum, and our frustration comes from an evolutionary heritage designed to help us fight and correct injustices.
Nothing: the Answer to Our Biggest Questions About the Universe?
Guest: Paul Sutter, Astrophysicist, The Ohio State University, author, and host of "Ask a Spaceman" podcast
Our universe is filled with a whole lot of nothing–and this cosmic nothingness is where dark energy is able to expand the universe. Paul Sutter is an astrophysicist who takes concepts like dark energy and cosmic nothingness and explains what we know, what we don’t, and everything in between.
Your Cheese Has a Spray Tan
Guest: Gina Mode, Assistant Coordinator, Cheese Industry & Applications, Center for Dairy Research
Cheese is not naturally orange. Instead, cheesemakers dye it, to keep with tradition, and make their product more aesthetically pleasing.
An Antidote to One of the Deadliest Venoms on Earth
Guest: Greg Neely, Associate Professor, and head of the Dr. John and Anne Chong Lab for Functional Genomics, University of Sydney
Horror movies centered on the great white shark are missing out on the ocean’s real terror: the Australian box jellyfish. Ten-foot long carnivores with 24 eyes and about 60 tentacles each, the box jellyfish is also one of the most venomous animals on the planet. Luckily, researchers from the University of Sydney are using CRISPR to close in on an antidote.
The Amazing Biology of the Emperor Penguin
Guest: Cassondra Williams, Research Scientist, National Marine Mammal Foundation, and Research Associate, University of San Diego
Emperor penguins have developed extraordinary ways to thrive amid the frozen desert of Antarctica–from sensitive and varied feathers to an amazing self-regulating metabolism, these cute little guys have got it figured out!
Race and Women's Suffrage in Wyoming
Guest: Tom Rea, author and editor of WyoHistory.org, Wyoming State Historical Society
Women in Wyoming got the vote in 1869 –over 50 years before the 19th Amendment guaranteed universal suffrage for women in America. But that story is bound up in racial equality as well as gender equality.
Changing Type A Blood to Type O
Guest: Peter Rahfeld, Postdoctoral Fellow, University of British Columbia
Researchers have discovered a way to transform type A blood into type O blood, effectively beginning a process that could help us eliminate blood shortages in hospitals around the world.
Dogs are Man’s Best Friend, But Are We Theirs?
Guest: Alicia Phillips Buttner, Director of Animal Behavior, Nebraska Humane Society.
Without even knowing it, we may be stressing out our "best friend." Dogs have gotten so good at getting in our good graces that their stress levels can rise to match our own.
Specialized Vocabulary
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian, and regular contributor to the Lisa Valentine Clark Show on BYUradio
How can you get kids excited about reading books with tricky, specialized vocabulary?
The Font Detective
Guest: Thomas Phinney, font and typography expert and an official “Font Detective”
Originally a font and typography designer with Adobe, Phinney’s expansive knowledge of font, typography, and the history of print has proven useful for another industry all together: detective work.
Capturing Air Pollution to Create Ink
Guest: Anirudh Sharma, Co-Founder, Graviky Labs, and creator, Air-Ink
Anirudh Sharma captures CO2 emissions from tailpipes and turns it into artists' ink.
Track the Mysterious Great White Shark with Body Cams
Guest: Oliver Jewell, marine scientist, spatial ecologist, shark researcher, and PhD candidate, at Murdoch Univesity in Australia
This intrepid researcher studies sharks by luring them in and attaching cameras to their fins. What he’s found out could help us better understand the role that great white sharks play in the ocean ecosystems. Because if we lose this threatened species, other species suffer, too.
How a Confederate Journal Could Help Fight Drug-Resistant Bacteria
Guest: Cassandra Quave, Assistant Professor of Dermatology and Human Health, Emory University, and Curator, Emory University Herbarium
When we look back at the medical profession in the 19th Century, the picture we get from literature and history is of a profession often fumbling in the dark. Before the discovery of germ theory, modern hygiene, and antibiotics —doctors were as likely to do you in as save you. But a medical handbook from the Confederate Army might help researchers fight drug-resistant bacteria today.
Remote Island's Biodiversity and Ecosystem
Guest: Matteo Garbelotto, Professor, Environmental Sciences and Forest Pathology, and Mycology Lab Director, University of California, Berkeley
Moorea, one of the most remote locations in the world, is home to an incredible ecosystem that offers valuable insights into how plant microbes work with and against each other.
Cuyahoga River Fire
Guest: David Stradling, Professor, History, University of Cincinnati, and co-author, “Where the River Burned: Carl Stokes and the Struggle to Save Cleveland”
From 1868 to 1969, the Cuyahoga River, which cuts through Cleveland, Ohio, burst into flames 13 times. 2019 marks the 50th anniversary of her last spontaneous combustion. This is a success story.
Ivory Chess Piece Purchased for £5 Could Fetch £1m in July Auction
Guest: Alexander Kader, Senior Director & Head of the European Sculpture and Works of Art Department, Sotheby's London
Interested about its value, a family in the UK brought their mother's prized ivory chess figure in for appraisal. In a shocking turn of events, the appraiser Alexander Kader immediately recognized the piece as one of the Lewis Chessman and estimated the piece's worth to be as much as £1m, a pretty good return on investment for a piece that the family's grandfather had purchased for only £5. We'll explore why the Lewis Chessmen are so valuable.
Two New Species of Peanut-Butter-Hating, Hopping Shrew-Rats
Guest: Eric Rickart, Curator of Vertebrate Zoology, National History Museum, The University of Utah.
Two new species of shrew-rats were discovered in the Philippines. Shrew-rats that hop on their hind legs and eat with toothless mouths. How did they stay hidden for so long? They just aren't fans of peanut-butter bait.
If Dogs Are Man's Best Friend, Then Why Are Wild Dogs Man's Worst Enemy?
Guest: Sy Montgomery, author, "How to be a Good Creature: A Memoir in Thirteen Animals"
Why is it that we hate wild dogs so much? They're so like our own dogs they can even interbreed with them. The qualities that we hate so much in wild dogs we love in our own. Do we have a double standard when it comes to wild dogs? And what problems does our hatred of wild dogs cause?
Microbots, Move Out!
Guest: Eric Diller, Assistant Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Lead, Microrobotics Labratory, University of Toronto
Innovation in tiny robot technology has resulted in microbots the size of a pinhead; they are remarkable for their minisculity (which could possibly allow them to move through tiny passageways in the human body), their ease of construction, and their precise maneuverability.
The First Revolutionary Abolitionist
Guest: Marcus Rediker, Distinguished Professor, Department of History, University of Pittsburgh, and author, "The Fearless Benjamin Lay: The Quaker Dwarf Who Became the First Revolutionary Abolitionist"
We think of Quakers as being the consummate pacifists and rightly give them enormous credit in abolishing slavery. But that didn't happen by chance. Did you know that Quakers used to own slaves? It took the ferocious efforts of a little known man of small stature and of enormous heart to mobilize his own people to do the right thing.
Retired Gastroenterologist Help Budding Musicians
Guest: Arnold (Arnie) Rosen, founder of Band Grandpas
Dr. Arnold Rosen was in the middle of performing a colonoscopy when he suddenly thought, “When I retire, I want to be a ‘Band Grandpa.’” He met with Rockford Public Schools and helped coordinate other volunteers to start Band Grandpas, a program that allows Arnold and other adults to come help teach music to middle school students.
Coaching Actors on Their Accents
Guest: Eliza Simpson, dialect coach
The way we speak says a lot about us. So just as important as clothing and poise are accent and dialect when an actor wishes to assume a role. Enter the dialect coach.
Word Story: Quisling
Guest: Eric Schulzke, producer, "Constant Wonder"
One of the strangest words in the English language, but very useful if you're playing Scrabble and get stuck with a "Q," is “quisling.” But you'd never want to be accused of being one, or would you?
What’s in This: Wild Salmon Season Is On
Guest: Ivy Manning, cooking instructor and author, “Instant Pot Miracle 6 Ingredients or Less”
Salmon is attractive, healthy, and delicious. Wild salmon is all that, but better—so let’s talk about why, and how to cook it best.
Time Capsules: the Warsaw Ghetto Holocaust
Guest: David Roskies, cultural historian and author, "Voices from the Warsaw Ghetto: Writing Our History"
From 1940-1943, an underground group of Jews lived in the Warsaw ghetto Oyneg Shabes. They put together an archive—not only of crimes committed by Nazis but also of their life stories. Those records were buried underground in metal containers during World War II. David Roskies, a cultural historian and Jewish scholar, has compiled the stories that remain from “a civilization responding to its own destruction.”
The Truth About the Mad Monk of Russia
Guest: Douglas Smith, historian, translator, and author, "Rasputin: Faith, Power, and the Twilight of the Romanovs"
This year marks the 150th birthday of “The Mad Monk of Russia,” but what is the true story of Grigori Yefimovich Rasputin? And why is it so hard to separate fact from fiction?
The Curious History of Head Binding
Guest: Robert Martin, Emeritus Curator, The Field Museum of Natural History, and Adjunct Professor, Anthropology, The University of Chicago
Cultures all around the world independently practiced head binding, permanently changing the shape of their children’s heads.
The Infamous Cures of Two Astrologer-Physicians in Elizabethan England
Guest: Lauren Kassell, Professor, History of Science and Medicine, University of Cambridge, and Head of Cambridge’s Casebooks Project
Two infamous astrologer-physicians in late 16th century England, Simon Forman and Richard Napier, left behind a record of about 65,000 clients they saw to, offering remedies ranging from bloodletting to spells to wearing pigeons on your feet. These records provide a fascinating insight into the daily lives and personalities of the 16th and 17th century English.
Aquaterra
Guest: Jerome Dobson, Professor Emeritus, University of Kansas, and President, American Geographical Society
Imagine: We’ve discovered a new continent, sunken and flooded by ocean waves, covered for millennia, and just now ready to whisper its secrets. Collective humanity would fly into action to explore, discover, and understand the people who had lived there, the flora and fauna that had been lost. Well, in essence, we have. Aquaterra, the collective landmass covered by rising tides since the Pleistocene, is the size of North America, and holds countless clues about our human story.
The Dog Mayor of Idyllwild
Guest: Phyllis Meuller, Chief of Staff, Office of Mayor Max Mueller
Maximus Mighty-Dog Meuller II has been serving loyally as the Mayor of Idyllwild for five years. Impressive for a golden retriever who is only five-and-a-half years old.
How the Bicycle Changed American History
Guest: Margaret Guroff, author, “The Mechanical Horse: How the Bicycle Reshaped American Life”
Two hundred years ago, in 1819, the precursor to the modern bicycle first arrived in America.
Revealing Art Forgeries
Guest: Thiago Piwowarczyk, Co-Founder, with Jeffrey Taylor, New York Art Forensics
Trained as a chemist, Thiago Piwowarczyk identifies art forgeries in a market surprisingly saturated by them.
Sand –The World’s Most Valuable Solid
Guest: Vince Beiser, journalist and author, “The World in a Grain: The Story of Sand and How It Transformed Civilization”
Just as sand finds its way into every nook and cranny after a sunny trip to the beach, so too has sand found its way into every facet of modern life. We depend upon sand for the creation of our roads, buildings, windows and even the processors in our phones. But what happens when we start to run out?
Seal and Penguin Excrement Fuels Antarctic Ecosystem
Guest: Professor Peter Convey, British Antarctic Survey
The massive amounts of nitrogen from penguin and elephant seal excrement fuel a surprisingly vibrant ecosystem in Antarctica.
Learn more at: https://www.bas.ac.uk/media-post/seal-and-penguin-poo-is-major-driver-of-antarctic-terrestrial-biodiversity/
Cats Don’t Actually Hate You
Guest: Maren Huck, Behavioural Ecologist, University of Derby
The caricatures of domestic cats run from lazy and self-centered to downright hostile. A recent study published by researchers out of the University of Derby challenges those stereotypes, relying on hundreds of hours of footage from tiny cameras attached to 16 cats over a period of years.
Pun Generator
Guest: He He, Applied Scientist, Amazon Web Services, and incoming Associate Professor of Computer Science, New York University
Siri doesn’t really get sarcasm. Which is typical of computers, since when you say, in anger, “I thought you were a genius,” you mean exactly the opposite. Context is everything, the words aren’t enough.
Artificial intelligence researcher He He programs computers to produce humor, specifically to generate puns, and, it turns out, teaching computers humor is sometimes no laughing matter.
The World’s Most Interesting Desert
Guest: Richard Francaviglia, Associated Scholar at Willamette University, and author, "Imagining the Atacama Desert"
If you didn’t grow up near the desert, the first time you saw one in person might have felt like arriving on another planet: the dry air you can feel sucking the moisture from your skin, the big sky and bright, bright sun, the sheer vastness of a land that seems to have no life on it. For centuries, that was the view explorers and merchants took of the Atacama Desert in Chile. It was curious place to observe as their ships sailed by, or an inhospitable place to hustle through on the way to a seaport. But this driest of deserts actually holds a lot of secrets and a rich history.
A Cave Sealed Up for Five Million Years
Guest: Rich Boden, Associate Professor of Microbial Physiology and Taxonomy, University of Plymouth
In 2010, microbiologist Rich Boden, who was then at the University of Warwick in Coventry, UK, became roughly the 29th person to explore Movile cave, an untouched ecosystem devoid of light for 5.5 million years.
Compassion-Focused Therapy
Guests: Gary Burlingame, Professor & Chair of Psychology, Brigham Young University, and Kara Cattani, Associate Clinical Professor and Clinical Director, BYU Counseling and Psychological Services
Compassion-Focused Therapy helps people reduce psychiatric distress by learning to give and receive compassion, which increases well-being and leads to higher levels of long-term achievement.
Fetal Surgery
Guests: Stephen Emery, Director, Center for Innovative Fetal Intervention, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Magee-Womens Hospital, and Stephanie Greene, Director of Vascular and Perinatal Neurosurgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center Children’s Hospital
Advances in medical procedures allow surgeons to operate on infants while they are in the womb to help treat birth defects like spina bifida before these babies are born. Dr. Emery and Dr. Greene collaborated on a recent in-utero surgery and are expanding the field of fetal intervention.
Find out more about Pitt's Fetal Medicine program here.
The Last True Hermit
Guest: Michael Finkel, author, "The Stranger in the Woods"
Let's explore social isolation -- complete social alienation -- by focusing on a single, highly unusual, and actual quite baffling story. It’s baffling because we social creatures can hardly imagine it: a man disappears from society for twenty-seven years. He lives in utter isolation, in the woods. Not far from people, but in a place where they can’t ever see him. He’s in hiding. In all those 27 years he exchanges words with another human being apparently only once.
Special Collections: International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum
Guest: Jeff Simpson, BYUradio
Jeff explores the International Swimming Hall of Fame and Museum in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It's got lots of famous people, but not necessarily the ones you'd expect.
Paleomedicine
Guest: Karen Hardy, ICREA Research Professor, Prehistory Department, Autonomous University of Barcelona
Prehistoric humans probably used plants not only for clothing, food, and tools, but also for medicinal purposes.
Thank the French Revolution for your Pearly Whites
Guest: Colin Jones, Professor of History, Queen Mary University of London
Nothing is more universal than smiling . . . or so you might think. Like everything else, smiles have a history, and this one involves quite a bit more painting, politics, and revolution than you might expect.
The Navy Considers Reopening Military UFO Investigations
Guest: Iain Boyd, Professor of Aerospace Engineering, University of Michigan
The Navy has a problem. Seemingly super-powered, highly agile, aircrafts are flying around like they own America’s airspace. These UFOs startle even the most experienced and level-headed of pilots.
Bringing Back Helpful Gut Worms
Guest: William Parker, Professor of Surgery, Duke University School of Medicine
Things that we think of as harmful to our bodies may actually be crucial to our health. Bacteria were once labeled as the universal enemy, but we now know some of them to be helpful. This might be the case for some parasites such as intestinal worms.
BBQ Meets High School Sports
Guest: Tommy Copeland, Teacher of Horticulture, and founder, Competitive Barbecue Team, Ennis High School
As far as sports go, football reigns as arguably the most popular. To join in the action, fans tailgate, grilling and chilling before the game begins. Tailgating, and specifically barbequing, has become so popular that Texas has all-day high school barbeque competitions with awards for best beans, desserts, brisket, chicken, ribs. But for barbeque instructors like Tommy Copeland, teaching his team life lessons means a lot more than the meat.
Are your allergies worse because of botanical sexism?
Guest: Tom Ogren, horticulturalist, and author "The Allergy-Fighting Garden"
You’ve heard the phrase “toxic masculinity"? We don’t do much with politics on Constant Wonder, but suffice it to say that a lot of people are worried that our culture puts too much emphasis on toughness, and doesn’t encourage young men, and the adults they become, to listen, to have empathy, to nurture. Now, politics is not our things here. But we are going to talk about toxic masculinity today – but we will be looking at trees, not humans.
What’s in This? Slow-Roasted Barbacoa
Guest: Nick Zukin, owner of Mi Mero Mole in downtown Portland, Oregon
Nick Zukin explains where barbacoa comes from and what makes the real deal so good.
Lava Lamps are Hard at Work Protecting Your Data From Hackers
Guest: Nick Sullivan, Head of Cryptography, Cloudflare
A wall of colorful lava lamps in San Francisco has been secretly encrypting around 10 percent of the whole internet.
Tiniest Babies Registry
Guest: Edward Bell, MD, Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Iowa, and curator, Tiniest Babies Registry
Last month a baby nicknamed Saybie made headlines when she was released from a San Diego hospital. She had arrived in this world weighing just more than a half pound. A half pound, that’s how much two sticks of butter weigh, or a couple oranges. Babies that size often don’t survive. But Saybie made it, and she was discharged weighing five healthy pounds. Many of us will never see a baby that small in person, but Dr. Bell is quite familiar with these tiny survivors.
How to write about the life and legacy of someone you’ve never met?
Guest: Adam Bernstein, Obituary Editor, The Washington Post, and President, The Society of Professional Obituary Writers
Gary Vaynerchuk once wrote “please think about your legacy because you are writing it every day.” In the smash Broadway musical "Hamilton," Alexander Hamilton says that a legacy is “planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” But how do you go about literally writing a legacy, especially if it's not your own? There is an art to writing about someone’s life after their death.
Forest Hibernation
Guest: Troy Magney, Research Scientist, NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory and California Institute of Technology
Understanding how our forests work is important to recognizing changes in our world. Researchers at NASA have recently discovered a better way to track evergreen forests' carbon consumption, in order to better care for the Earth.
Most Store-Bought Tomatoes are Actually Missing the “Flavor Gene” Present in Wild Tomatoes
Guest: Professor James Giovannoni, Molecular Biologist, USDA, and Professor, Boyce Thompson Institute, Cornell University
There’s a rare “flavor gene” in wild tomatoes called TomLoxC that’s actually missing in most modern, domesticated tomatoes. No wonder store-bought tomatoes are less flavorful! Can we get back the flavor gene?
Why Zebras Have Stripes
Guest: Tim Caro, evolutionary ecologist, and Professor of Wildlife, Fish and Conservation Biology, University of California, Davis
Tim Caro has dedicated nearly a decade of his life trying to definitively solve the mystery of why zebras have stripes. Earlier this year, he published what looks like proof of the answer he was searching for: horseflies hate stripes.
Animating Art on Greek Vases
Guest: Sonya Nevin, ancient historian, author, and Art Director, Panoply Vase Animation Project
Sonya Nevin is part of the duo that runs the Panoply Vase Animation Project, combining her knowledge and expertise of ancient Greek culture with her husband’s animation skills to create entertaining and educational videos that literally bring ancient artifacts to life.
From the Tongue to the Tail: The Incredible Evolutionary Prowess of Snakes
Guest: Kurt Schwenk, Professor of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Connecticut
After 40 years in the fields of ecology and evolutionary biology, Kurt Schwenk has had numerous run-ins with a huge number of fascinating snake species. He researches the tongues of snakes, and he's also studied some weird adaptations of the tail: like the one that looks like a spider. A snake and spider all in one! Yikes!
Holocaust Story
Guest: Jeff Jacoby, Columnist, The Boston Globe
Jeff Jacoby’s father, Mark Jacoby, is a Holocaust survivor. More than that, though, he is a father, a husband, a practicing Jew, and a happy man. This is the story of the triumph of faith and the human spirit.
DARPA Investing Millions into Telepathic Headsets
Guest: Jacob Robinson, Associate Professor of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Rice University
What if you could know what they know, and they know what you’re thinking, and you both have utter confidence that you’ve shared information and you’re not even in the same room or space, or maybe you're even miles apart? That would indeed be telepathy. Is telepathy possible? As in science and nothing New Age-y or mystical. Can science help two brains connect over distances with no sensory contact, at least not in the usual way?
The Last Male Sumatran Rhino in Malaysia Dies
Guest: CeCe Sieffert, Deputy Director of the International Rhino Foundation
Tam, the last male Sumatran rhino in Malaysia has just died. After unsuccessful attempts to have him breed in captivity, what does his passing mean for the state of rhino conservation efforts worldwide?
The Loudest Underwater Sound Vaporizes Water
Guest: Claudiu Stan, Assistant Professor, Department of Physics, Rutgers University Newark
Scientists have found the loudest possible underwater sound, and it's so loud vaporizes water.
Photographing Mongolia’s Eagle Trainers
Guest: Palani Mohan, photographer, author of "Hunting with Eagles: In the Realm of the Mongolian Kazakhs"
If there was an edge of the earth, or an end, it would be the Altai mountains at the intersection of Kazakhstan, Mongolia and Russia. Here the last of an ancient group of falconers still hunt foxes and wolves with trained Golden Eagles . . . while on horseback . . . on the top of the mountains. Palani Mohan is a photographer who flew to Mongolia to document the last 50-60 of these men and their extraordinary lifestyle.
"The Creativity Code: Art and Innovation in the Age of AI"
Guest: Marcus du Sautoy, Charles Simonyi Professor for the Public Understanding of Science and Professor of Mathematics, Oxford University, and author, "The Creativity Code: Art and Innovation in the Age of AI"
Mathematician Marcus du Sautoy has dedicated the last few years of his life to studying creativity and artificial intelligence. Is artificial intelligence truly creative? What does it mean to be creative? And what would the future look like if our algorithms could really create art?
What does your playlist say about you?
Guest: David M Greenberg, musician, and psychologist, University of Cambridge and the City University of New York
What do your music preferences say about your personality? And what do we do with this information? Psychologist and musician David Greenberg has been studying the relationship between music and personality for years and has found some striking correlations.
Why We Love to Be Fooled by Magic
Guest: Gustav Kuhn, head of the MAGIC lab at Goldsmiths University in London, and author, “Experiencing the Impossible: The Science of Magic”
The bad news is that Hogwarts does not exist. The good news is that the MAGIC lab at Goldsmiths University in London does. A surprising new area of study has been gaining popularity amongst psychologists seeking to unlock the secrets of the mind—the science of magic.
The Spot Where Country Music’s First Hit Was Recorded Faces Demolition
Guest: Steve Goodson, Associate Professor of History, University of West Georgia, and author, "Highbrows, Hillbillies, and Hellfire: Public Entertainment in Atlanta, 1880-1930"
The spot where country music’s first real hit was recorded in 1923 is marked for demolition to make way for a high-rise timeshare and an outlet of the Jimmy Buffett-inspired Margaritaville restaurant.
Humans Could Use All Resources in the Solar System in 400 Years
Guest: Martin Elvis, Senior Astrophysicist at the Center for Astrophysics at Harvard University
As Jeff Bezos and Elon Musk set their sights on space colonization, astrophysicist Martin Elvis is raising question of mining in space. What’s out there? How much is there? What will we use it for? And most importantly, what happens when we run out?
Scientists Have Fun Naming Things in Space
Guest: Gareth Williams, astronomer, Harvard Smithsonian Center for Astrophysics, and Secretary, IAU’s Working Group for Small Body Nomenclature
Did you know that there’s a committee that gets together just to name things we discover in space? Asteroids like one named after David Bowie, another after Jimi Hendrix, and another named after a cat itself named after Mr. Spock. Just a few of the thousands of creatively named things in space.
Who Are We, Really?
Guest: John Horgan, author, "Mind-Body Problems: Science, Subjectivity & Who We Really Are," science journalist, and Director of the Center for Science Writings at Stevens Institute of Technology
The mind-body problem, a classic dualism that questions the connection between the immaterial mind and the physical body, has been discussed by philosophers and scientist since Socrates. Science journalist John Horgan interviews experts on the topic and concludes that we are all, in the end, free to decide for ourselves who we are: science can’t tell us.
The White-Lace-Collar Crimes of the 19th Century
Guest: Tammy Whitlock, Associate Professor of History, University of Kentucky
When you think “white-collar crime” you may think Charles Ponzi of the Ponzi scheme, or Bernie Madoff, or maybe even Neal Caffrey from the 2009 TV Show “White Collar.” What's less likely to come to mind is the crinolines and lace collars of Victorian England. But some of the first professional con artists as we know them were scheming women of the 19th century.
Human/Computer Jazz Piano Duets
Guest: Dan Tepfer, jazz pianist and composer
Dan Tepfer, a trained astrophysicist, computer programmer, and jazz pianist, spent over a decade performing with the iconic saxophone player Lee Konitz. Now, Tepfer performs duets with his piano, literally. Through his musical and programming know-how, Tepfer has taught his piano how to play alongside him, opening the door to musical possibilities that he and others are just beginning to explore. His new album is “Natural Machines.”
New Stretchy Squid-Inspired Material Could be the Clothing of the Future
Guest: Alon Gorodetsky, PhD, Professor of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering at the University of California, Irvine
Why is this engineering professoris fascinated with cephalopods? Because he thinks he can learn from their superpowers. Can we create camouflage that adapts in real time? Can we build materials that mimic the flexibility of a squid?
Finding the Ancient Honduran Civilization That Mysteriously Vanished
Guest: Douglas Preston, journalist, "National Geographic," and author, "The Lost City of the Monkey God: A True Story"
One of the greatest discoveries of our generation was made a few years ago when an archaeological team went to the jungles of Honduras and discovered an ancient civilization whose ruins have been left completely untouched for centuries.
Your Emotions Aren’t Hard-Wired Chemical Responses
Guest: Lisa Feldman Barrett, author, "How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain," and Professor of Psychology & Director of the Interdisciplinary Affective Science Laboratory, Northeastern University
Lisa Feldman Barrett challenges the idea that emotions are hard-wired and uncontrollable brain reactions and explains how our brains predict rather than experience emotions.
When a Tiger Comes Tea
Guest: Jill Nicholls, documentary filmmaker
If you’re not familiar with the Judith Kerr’s children’s books, you need to get yourself a copy of “The Tiger Who Came to Tea” and listen to this conversation with Jill Nicholls, who made a documentary of Kerr’s dramatic life and her whimsical fiction.
The Dangers Behind the Romanticizing of Twins
Guest: Joan Friedman, twin expert, psychologist, and author, “Twins in Session”
There’s always been a mystique around the idea of twins. Have you ever wondered what it would be like to have an identical twin? Have you sometimes watched twins interacting and wondered, Am I missing something? Is there some deep human connectedness that only they get to experience? Friedman says we should spend less energy romanticizing the special relationship between twins and focus instead on how well twins bond with their parents.
King Arthur and the Knights of the Evergreen Table
Guest: Leah Tether, a faculty member and Co-Director of the Centre for Medieval Studiesat the University of Bristol
Perhaps no legend in the English language has been as enduring as the story of King Arthur. Thousands of off-shoots and iterations of the central Arthurian ideas have led to story after storyof chivalry, conquest, love and magic that could’ve filled the lifetime of a hundred different Arthurs. My professor must have known them all, because he seemed to know everything ... and also because he seemed fairly ancient himself. Where do the Arthurian tales come from? Who is the real Arthur? And why are we still talking about him, the original Arthur that is, the original legend?
Elusive, Extraordinary and Potentially Endangered, The Platypus Swims On
Guest: Josh Griffiths, Senior Wildlife Ecologist at CESAR
Children’s TV shows love to feature animals. If the main character isn’t an animal, then chances are that animals are one of the primary features of the show. You could talk about Shawn the Sheep, Paw Patrol, Backyardagains, Arthur, Spongebob, Wonder Pets, eventually leading up to Phineas and Ferb. Phineas and Ferb have a pet Platypus named Perry that doubles as a secret agent that goes on escapades to protect the city from the evil Dr. Doofenshmirtz. “Where’s Perry?”Is one of the oft repeated lines of the tv show and is actually very true to actual platypuses because they’re terribly difficult to find.
Yes, We Did Actually Walk on The Moon
Guest: Roger Launius, consulting historian in air and space history, Launius Historical Services
1969 was a wild year: the final battles of Vietnam, the depths of the cold war, the height of the hippie movement, Woodstock, and most notably the moon landing.
Diving Sea Nomads
Guest: Melissa Ilardo PhD an Evolutionary Genomicistwho works in molecular medicine at the University of Utah and in integrative biology at UC Berkeley
The Bajau have mind-blowing diving capabilities, and Dr. Ilardo’s study which examined spleen size and genetic comparisons shows that these abilities can be credited to natural selection for a few certain traits, which may also have medical significance for treating conditions such as hypoxia.
Word Story- Sassafras, Sarasparilla
Guest: Eric Schulze
The Heart-Tugging Story of WWII’s Forgotten Battle
Guest: Mark Obmascik, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and author, "The Storm on Our Shores"
Paul Nabuo Tatsuguchi didn’t fit the mold of a soldier in the Japanese Royal Navy. As a Christian pacifist and licensed American surgeon, he had more in common with his American “enemies” than his Japanese compatriots. Dick Laird, on the other hand, fled to the US Army in a desperate attempt to free himself from the depression-stricken coal mines that he was born into. Neither man wanted to be on Attu Island in May of 1943, thousands of miles from their wives or newborn daughters. But their meeting in the heat of the final days of the battle would affect the lives of thousands.
Rescue Dogs Are Sniffing Out Poachers and Endangered Species
Guest: Megan Parker, Co-founder & Director of Research, Working Dogs for Conservation
Megan Parker is a wildlife biologist and conservation-detection dog expert who has pioneered training methods to use dogs to sniff out and find endangered species, invasive plants, or even illegal poachers, while giving a home to dogs left in shelters.
How Biocrust Holds It All Together
Guest: Sasha Reed, Research Ecologist, United States Geological Survey
Our skin is the largest organ of the human body, and the Earth has her own skin too--and it’s a living, breathing, and surprisingly vital part of the environment called the biocrust. Research ecologist Sasha Reed explains exactly how important this “organ” is and why we should pay attention to the soil beneath our feet.
Making Windows Out of Wood
Guest: Céline Montanari, Materials Science Engineer, KTH Royal Institute of Technology
A group of Swedish researchers has discovered a way to make wood transparent. More durable, renewable, safer, and better at insulation, transparent wood could one day replace glass as the go-to material for windows. But that’s not all: now they’ve made it so the new wood material can absorb heat when it’s too hot and release it when it’s cold.
Marsquakes
Guest: Tom Hoffman, Project Manager of the NASA Mars InSight Mission
For the first time in history, we have a sound recording of a Marsquake. Like earth, Mars has a molten core and geologic and volanic activity. NASA recently placed a lander there specifically to study the interior life of the red planet. Check out the sounds that it sent back to Earth.
The Legacy of I.M. Pei
Guest: Peter Rosen, Director, “First Person Singular: I.M. Pei”
On May 16, the world lost one of its most famous contemporary architects: I.M. Pei died at the age of 102. You’ll know him as the architect of that famous glass pyramid right in the center of the Louvre courtyard. Putting that modern design smack in the center of a two-hundred-year-old palace was a gutsy move, and it stoked quite a bit of controversy at the time.
But I.M. Pei was not a brash man, not someone who was trying to be in-your-face. Peter Rosen learned this first-hand when he made a documentary of I. M. Pei’s life.
Why We're Always Forgetting What We Came Into a Room For
Guest: Gabriel Radvansky, Professor of Psychology, University of Notre Dame
Have you ever wondered why you totally forget what you were doing when you walk into a new room? It turns out this is a real psychological process called the “doorway effect.”
Professor Channels His Own OCD into a Novel
Guest: Spencer Hyde, author, "Waiting for Fitz" and Professor of Creative Writing, Brigham Young University
This creative writing professor takes on his own OCD and turns it into a debut novel.
Diving Sea Nomads
Guest: Melissa Ilardo, Evolutionary Genomicist, University of Utah, and Integrative Biologist, UC Berkeley
Humans have adapted to live in some of the most extreme environments on earth, from the high altitude of the Tibetan Himalayas to the dry wasteland of the world’s deserts. The Bajau, a people of the Malay Archipelago, spend almost all of their lives at sea. These sea nomads, who live on floating houses, have prodigious diving capabilities.
The Apple Seed
Guest: Sam Payne, host of the Apple Seed, BYUradio
Catch up on all your favorite stories! Weekdays at 8 pm ET/ 5pm PT on BYUradio.
World’s First Civilization
Guest: Eckart Frahm, Professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations/Assyriology, Yale University
There are striking similarities between our modern lives and those of the Mesopotamians thousands of years ago: they sang lullabies, kept cookbooks, complained about their parents. Their leaders wanted to build walls to keep out foreigners. Find out how that went.
How the Swarming Bacteria in Your Gut Might Save a Life
Guest: Justin O’Sullivan, Associate Director for Research, Liggins Institute, University of Auckland
Ever wanted to be a super hero? In our world, of flightless and fragile humans, that may not be possible—for you. Your fecal matter, on the other hand, might just have super powers.
Seeing the Colors of Music and Hearing the Sound of Light
Guest: Annie Dickinson, musician, composer and singer
Synesthesia is a neurological condition where people can literally hear colors and see sounds, and it affects approximately 4 percent of the population. Annie Dickinson is a high school student who has been able to use her synesthesia to compose and perform music that she can actually see.
What Does Sci-Fi Get Right?
Guest: Sidney Perkowitz, author, "Physics: A Very Short Introduction"
Some sci-fi movies are openly ridiculous ("Attack of the Killer Tomatoes," anyone?), but in many other films there's a lot of grey in the spectrum between accurate portrayals of science and scientists and complete fiction. In a world where superheros and science fiction reign at the cinema, what are the consequences of inaccurate sci-fi?
Extreme Adventurer Victor Vescovo Makes History, Again
Guest: Victor Vescovo, American private equity investor, retired naval officer, and undersea explorer
Not satisfied with climbing the highest peak on each of the seven continents, Victor Vescovo has now set a depth record, going to the lowest point on earth, piloting a submarine to bottom of the Mariana Trench in the Pacific.
After all These Years, Is Our Moon Suddenly a Hot Property?
Guest: Leonard David, author, "Moon Rush: The New Space Race"
Been there, done that? Humans last set foot on the moon 47 years ago. And all we got for our efforts was a bunch of gray rock and some nice travel photos. Why go back? The answer may be resources: water, hydrogen, helium, oxygen, fuel for rockets, rare earth metals for cell phones and military uses. It may not be long, Leonard David argues, before battles for resources on the moon become major drivers of economics and diplomacy here on earth. Are we ready?
The Statue of Liberty
Guest: Francesca Lidia Viano, Fellow, Weatherhead Center for International Affairs, Harvard
There is one monument that stands out more than any other on the East Coast. It represents freedom, liberty and to many early European immigrants, hope. Yet, there is more to the Statue of Liberty than most of us have ever realized.
A Hug Helps You More Than You Think
Guest: Tiffany Field, Director of the Touch Research Institute, Department of Pediatrics, The University of Miami School of Medicine
Give me a hug! Wrapping your arms around someone shows love, stops the flow of tears, and makes your bond stronger. So why are we doing it less these days?
The Hot Zone
Guest: Richard Preston, author, "The Hot Zone"
Ebola is one of the most dangerous viruses on earth. Highly contagious, it kills 90 percent of those infected and has no effective cure. Not only that, but it continues to reappear despite efforts to eradicate it. Where did it come from and what is the story of those who have risked their lives to contain it? Join us as we discuss the extraordinary story of this mysterious disease with Richard Preston, whose book, “The Hot Zone,” is becoming a National Geographic mini-series that premieres Monday, May 27.
Listen, You Can Hear the Health of a Forest
Guest: Zuzana Burivalova, incoming Assistant Professor, The Nelson Institute for Environmental Studies, University of Wisconsin Madison
The world’s biggest cities are explosions of noise and voices, of hundreds of lives lived close together, accustomed to the competition of being heard. The world’s biggest forests are no different, and scientists are learning how to use the musical cacophony of tropical forests to tell exactly how much life is actually in there.
Coastal Cities Expand Into the Ocean
Guest: Gil Wang, Naval Engineer, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Israel Institute of Technology
Here’s a surprising statistic for you: approximately 70 percent of the world’s largest cities are coastal cities. This presents a problem when you consider the exponential population growth that our world is experiencing. How do you prevent the overpopulation of our cities? According to Gil Wang and others, you build on water.
Discovering the World Through Stamps
Guest: Graham Beck, philatelist and YouTube host
Perhaps nothing is quite as synonymous with the stereotyped image of an eclectic collector as that of the philatelist, or stamp collector. Since 1774 when John Bourke first started the practice, dedicated individuals have hunted down and been captivated by the humble postage stamp. Beck takes this obsession one step further and uses stamps as a lens on the world.
This Couple is Out to Regrow the Indian Rain Forest
Guest: Pamela Gale-Malhotra, Co-founder, SAI (Save Animals Initiative) Sanctuary
Chances are, you’ve probably watched a video or two in your lifetime about the dangers of deforestation. You heard about the sad tales of the millions of acres of rain forest destroyed around the world. You were probably asked to donate to help the preservation effort. But you probably didn’t do what Pamela and Anil Malholtra did: move to India and replant 300 acres of rain forest yourself.
Archeologists Shed New Light on Ancient Jewish Life
Guest: Jodi Magness, Professor of Early Judaism, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and Director, Huqoq Excavation Project
In an ancient mural of Jonah, the poor prophet is swallowed by a succession of three fish. What could that possibly mean? We’ll ask the expert who just recently found this unusual mural in a remote town in Israel.
See Huqoq murals here.
Learn more about the Huqoq excavation here.
When Getting a Physical Means Mapping Your Genome
Guest: Michael Snyder, Stanford B. Ascherman Professor and Chair of Genetics, Director of Genomics and Personalized Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine
The task of mapping the human genome began in 1990 and took over a decade to complete, finishing in 2003. Now, Stanford professor and entrepreneur Michael Snyder can scan your genome in two weeks and use the information to predict your future health. But is that worth a few thousand dollars?
Word Story- Jalopy
Guest: BYUradio Producer Eric Schulzke
Jalopy is a word for a beat up old car. For some reason, the authors of the Hardy Boys were particularly fond of it, as a description of the yellow vehicle driven by their friend, Chet. But the word burst onto the scene in the 1930s. No one is quite sure how or why, by the best bet is that it derives from the Mexican state of Xalapa, and it therefore related to the word Jalepeno.
Surprising Forgiveness in Rwanda as Killers Return Home from Prison
Guest: Laura Frizzell, PhD candidate in sociology at The Ohio State University
25 years ago, Hutus slaughtered their neighbors, the Tutsis, in Rwanda. Convicted killers have served their time and are coming home. What are they finding? Forgiveness, actually.
Scotland's Recumbent Stone Circles
Guest: Neil Ackerman, freelance archaeological consultant
Everyone’s heard of Stonehenge, but have you heard of Scotland’s recumbent stone circles? An archaeological wonder, these stone circles have been around for literally thousands of years, but this is the story of a replica stone circle that nearly had the experts fooled.
How did an 18-year-old's gap year turn into a nonprofit helping children in Nepal?
Guest: Maggie Doyne, founder of the BlinkNow Foundation and the Kopila Valley Children’s Home, School, and Women’s Center
Do-it-yourself projects are all the rage online--you can learn how to create practically anything, from crafting plush poodles out of pom-poms to slapping a jet engine onto your Port-a-Potty! But you don’t usually run across instructions on how to DIY a nonprofit. Tune in to learn about a college student who used her gap year to help hundreds of orphans in Surkhet, Nepal.
Chernobyl's Untold Story
Guest: Adam Higginbotham, author of" Midnight in Chernobyl: The Untold Story of the World’s Greatest Nuclear Disaster"
Everyone who’s gotten past 8th grade has heard of Chernobyl and the accident at the nuclear power plant. But author Adam Higginbotham introduces a new perspective on what happened there, telling stories that have literally never been told before.
From Mother's Little Helper to Psychiatric Scandal
Guest: Robert Whitaker, journalist, author, "Mad in America" and "Anatomy of an Epidemic"
50 years ago, a pill for controlling anxiety and insomnia called Valium climbed to the top of the ranks of prescription drugs. Valium remained the most prescribed medication until the news broke that Valium was pretty ineffective after a couple weeks, but still highly addictive. After falling out of favor, the drug returned to popularity with a new packaging and a new name, Xanax.
The Mollusk that Build New York
Guest: Mark Kurlansky, journalist, historian and author of "The Big Oyster: History on the Half Shell"
Oysters are a deliciously controversial food—exquisitely slippery and tasting of the sea, but maybe not for everyone. But for New Yorkers, from the city's birth until the early 1900s, they played an unquestionably important role.
The World's Deadliest Pathogen is Devastating Frogs
Guest: Dan Greenberg, PhD candidate in Biological Sciences at Simon Fraser University
Scientists have discovered the world’s deadliest pathogen. It eats through skin, it spreads through water, it can be passed to victims through touch. The good news is that it doesn’t affect humans. The bad news is that it’s killing the world’s amphibians.
City Lost in the Jungle for 500 Years
Guest: Tom Weinberg, author, "Chasing the Lost City: Chronicles of Discovery in Honduras"
We talk to a real-life Indiana Jones who spent 20 years studying the legends of a lost civilization and finally, in his 70s, got to unearth the city’s remains.
Fighting Slavery After the Civil War, in San Francisco's Chinatown?
Guest: Julia Flynn Siler, author, "The White Devil’s Daughters: The Women Who Fought Slavery in San Francisco’s Chinatown"
Slavery was formally abolished in the state of California with the 13th Amendment in 1865. But despite the abolition of slavery, there were still people being sold in the twentieth century. Not African-Americans—these were young Chinese women and girls trafficked as domestic servants and sex workers in San Francisco. This is the story of the women who escaped from and fought the practice.
Life as a Turkey
Guest: Joe Hutto, naturalist, wildlife artist, and author of "Illumination in the Flatwoods," the book that inspired the documentary film "My Life As a Turkey"
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a wild turkey? Perhaps not, but naturalist Joe Hutto did and he found out. By adopting a brood of turkeys, Joe became their mother and they became his personal wildlife tour guide, showing him a side of the wilderness that few people have ever experienced before.
From catastrophic asteroids to terminal constipation, how did the dinosaurs get wiped out?
Guest: Mike Benton, Professor of Vertebrate Paleontology, University of Bristol
I’m sure you have that one friend on Facebook who bombards your feed with conspiracy theories about the moon landing, secret societies, government testing, and so on. But stop me if you’ve heard the one about dinosaurs going extinct due to terminal constipation. Yikes. That and more dinosaur extinction theory.
Honoring the Dead in the 21st Century
Guest: Candi K. Cann, Associate Professor and Faculty of Residence at Baylor University
Death is an overwhelming topic, perhaps only second to love and life in literature and media, but more overwhelming still is the process of mourning for those left behind. Once described as “a special sort of madness,” defining mourning and studying its many facets is a difficult business, one which Candi K. Cann is deeply engaged in. Listen to her describe how modern cultures are changing, and remaining consistent, by incorporating ancient forms of mourning.
America Connected by the Golden Spike
Guest: David Haward Bain, Senior Lecturer in English and American Literatures at Middlebury College, and author, "Empire Express: Building the First Transcontinental Railroad"
Taking a train ride across the country today might seem like a romantic adventure—one you take if you have the time, because, of course, flying is so much faster. But when the first transcontinental railroad was built 150 years ago this month, taking a train felt that much faster than the alternative—horse and cart. In fact, the train turned a couple months’ journey into days.
How the Railroad Transformed America
Ryan Lee, Curator of 19th Century Mormon and Western Manuscripts, Brigham Young University
We’ve just heard how the transcontinental railroad was built, and now we’re going to hear about how the railroad changed life in America forever. After May of 1869, travel that once took months now only took days, but that’s really just the beginning.
At Brigham Young University, Special Collections has mounted an exhibition titled “Since the Golden Spike: 150 Years of Utah Railroad History” and we have its curator here in studio to talk about the impact the railroad made on America, on trade, tourism, and also, on what it meant to consider oneself American.
A Modern Huckleberry Finn
Guest: Jemma Craig, creative director, destination marketer, and conservationist
Meet Jemma Craig. From feeding the world's largest captured crocodile to growing up as only one of a handful of permanent residents on a tropical island off the coast of Australia, Jemma had a unique childhood. In the years since then, she has dedicated her life to exploring, sharing and preserving the Great Barrier Reef.
Maslow's Pyramid Is a Fake
Guest: Todd Bridgman, Associate Professor, School of Management, Victoria University of Wellington
Of the few things that people remember from years of going through glossy textbooks and graphic-filled PowerPoints in school, one diagram stands out, Maslow’s famous hierarchy of needs displayed in an upright pyramid.
Need motivation to exercise? How about a fitter mind?
Guest: J. Carson Smith, Associate Professor of Kinesiology and Director of the Exercise for Brain Health Laboratory, University of Maryland School of Public Health
Many of us struggle to get the motivation to exercise daily. The lack of motivation is compounded by the fact that physical results are never immediate. If physical results aren’t enough to motivate us, well maybe mental results would be. In recent years there have been increasing studies that show a positive relationship between exercise and cognitive function. Even just a single workout session can help!
Wild Spring Weather: So What Will Summer Bring?
Guest: Russ Schumacher, Associate Professor of Atmospheric Science and Colorado State Climatologist, Colorado State University and Director of the Colorado Climate Center
Skiers have had an amazing winter, but what does all that snow in the mountains mean for spring? We’ll look at flood risk in the mountain and the plains, and we'll look at the connection to flooding in the Mississippi delta.
What is it like to travel 1000 miles with a team of 10 dogs on the Iditarod trail?
Guest: Debbie Clarke Moderow, author, "Fast Into the Night: A Woman, Her Dogs, and Their Journey North on the Iditarod Trail"
Groucho Marx once said that “outside of a dog, a book is a man’s best friend. Inside of a dog, it’s too hard to read.” Well, dogs truly are man’s best furry friend, and puppies and pooches will stick by your side… even for 1000 miles!
How to Save Endangered Butterfly Species
Guest: Nick Haddad, Professor of Integrative Biology, Michigan State University, and author of "The Last Butterflies: A Scientist's Quest to Save a Rare and Vanishing Creature"
When you think of endangered animals you might think of tigers or pandas or eagles, but what about butterflies? Butterfly conservationist Nick Haddad talks about the struggle to track and protect endangered butterfly species on the brink of extinction.
Let’s Debunk Some Baby Myths
Guest: Emily Oster, Associate Professor, Economics, Brown University, and author, "Cribsheet, a Data-Driven Guide to Better, More Relaxed Parenting From Birth to Preschool"
Economics—or the dismal science, as it is sometimes called—is anything but attractive to most of the world. But what happens when you pair economic techniques with babies?
Fairy Tales and Retold Tales
Guest: Rachel Wadham, Education and Juvenile Literature Librarian at the BYU Library and host of Worlds Awaiting, a weekly program for grownups who care about children’s literacy
Everyone knows the classic fairy tales--Beauty and the Beast, Cinderella, Snow White--but sometimes authors will retell these beloved fairy tales in new ways. Now there's a sci-fi Cinderella story in space, a musical gangster version of Romeo and Juliet, and more. Find out how fairy tales and their retelling help us understand our humanity through a new lens.
A New Generation Learns about the Trail of Tears
Guest: Adrienne Smith, Coordinator, imagiNATIONS Activity Center, Smithsonian National Museum of the American Indian
When a small group of Cherokee Indians agreed that ALL Cherokees would give up their lands and move west, we ended up with the Trail of Tears, and the country was forever altered for both natives and whites. Listen to the whole story.
Why Can’t We See the Far Side of the Moon?
Guest: Wayne Schlingman, Director, Arne Slettebak Planetarium, The Ohio State University
We have all looked up and been stunned by the beauties of the night sky. But we actually see much less than we think we do. We have only ever seen one side of the moon from the earth!
From Endangered to Excessive: a Plague of Canada Geese
Guest: Blair Stringham, Migratory Game Bird Coordinator for Utah Division of Wildlife Resources
The once-rare Canada goose has quickly become an invasive species. Now what do we do?
Milk's Surprising Impact on History
Guest: Justin Cook, Assistant Professor of Economics, UC Merced
Milk is a staple drink in all of Western culture, but not so in Eastern. The ability of Westerners to ingest and digest milk may have been a major factor in allowing Europe to rise as a world power.
A Museum Full of Dummies
Guest: Lisa Sweasy, Curator and Director of the Vent Haven Museum
There’s a place in Kentucky where you can go to visit hundreds of dummies, and it’s not your old high school. It’s Vent Haven, the only museum in the world dedicated entirely to ventriloquism.
Can We Communicate Just With Touch?
Guest: Keith Kirkland, WearWorks Co-founder
Imagine being able to communicate purely based on the sense of touch – no need for language. This innovative company have taken the first steps to develop this "haptic" language, or language based entirely on touch.
Are You Afraid of the Dark?
Guest: Will Hunt, Author, "Underground: A Human History of the Worlds Beneath Our Feet"
Caves and underground tunnels are the stuff of nightmares, legends, dreams and death. Most of all, the world beneath our feet is a mystery.
The Psychology and History Behind Spicy Food
Guest: Paul Rozin, Professor of Psychology, The University of Pennsylvania
Spicy food actually makes our body react as if it were being attacked. A phenomenon called “benign masochism” helps explain why humans find something negative, like spicy food, enjoyable.
Folklore and the Future
Guest: Simon Bronner, author, “Folklore: The Basics” and Maxwell C. Weiner Distinguished Professor of Humanities at Missouri University of Science and Technology & Distinguished Professor Emeritus of Folklore at Pennsylvania State Harrisburg
From the tales of the Brothers Grimm to memes floating around your Facebook and Instagram, folklore has always been a critical part of culture. But how has folklore evolved from tortoises and hares to cat videos and Snapchat? And what can folklore teach us that history books can’t?
Modern Folklore Teaches Us to be Human
Guest: Tok Thompson, Associate Professor of Anthropology and Communication, University of Southern California
Ursula le Guin wrote that “There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that didn’t tell stories.” Folklore and storytelling is something integral to human culture and civilization, but do animals and robots have their own stories to tell? How do beatboxing and birdsongs reflect non-human culture?
MLB Shipped 12 Tons of Dirt to Japan
Guest: Murray Cook, MLB field and facilities coordinator and BrightView Sports Turf Division President
In sports, everyone knows about the “home court” or “home field” advantage. Imagine being able to play on the same field no matter where you go in the world! Well the MLB thinks the literal home field advantage is worth it, and they moved American stadium dirt all the way to Tokyo to help US players feel at home.
Nurses, Doctors & Thinking About Death
Guest: Theresa Brown, hospice nurse in Pittsburgh, PA, and author, "The Shift: One Nurse, Twelve Hours, Four Patients' Lives," New York Times contributing columnist
If you've spent any time in a hospital you know that nurses are the front line of patient care. Step inside a day in the life of a hospice care nurse who thinks that if we better understood what they see every day we might think of medicine--and dying--quite differently.
Leonardo's Universe, 500 Years Later
Guest: Bulent Atalay, author of “Leonardo’s Universe,” artist, and Professor Emeritus of Physics, University of Mary Washington
This month marks the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci’s death. The scientist, inventor, and artist is arguably one of the most important painters in Western art, as the massive crowds in front of the Mona Lisa at the Louvre will attest. Leonardo da Vinci invented robotics 500 years ago and, without his discoveries, modern manufacturing wouldn’t be the same. ??
John Brown and John Wilkes Booth, Two Sides of the Same Coin
Guest: John Stauffer, Professor of American and African American Studiesat Harvard University
After his failed attack on Harper’s Ferry, the abolitionist John Brown was hung in front of a small crowd composed entirely of soldiers and one out-of-place actor named John Wilkes Booth, the future assassin of Abraham Lincoln.
Highway Overpasses Paved With Grass, Rocks and Trees Save Lives
Guest: Tony Clevenger, Senior Wildlife Research Scientist, Montana State University
Our roads and highways are great connectors. But for animals, they’re potentially lethal barriers. What prevents animal movement? Dams on salmon rivers. Highwalls and fences. Any major man-made thoroughfare. Are there ways for us to be more accommodating of animals that need to migrate to survive?
Tuberculosis Makes You Beautiful
Guest: Carolyn A. Day, Assistant Professor at Furman University, and author, “Consumptive Chic”
If people today were to make a list of attributes that they find most beautiful, things like health or vivacity might appear on the list. Disease, on the other hand, likely wouldn’t. If that list of attributes were written by someone in England in the early 1800’s, however, disease, and specifically, tuberculosis, would’ve been at the top.
Unlikely Spy
Guest: Sonia Purnell, author "A Woman of No Importance: The Untold Story of the American Spy Who Helped Wind World War II"
Some things that should not be forgotten are lost. Such is the tale of Virginia Hall, Baltimore socialite, amputee, and the most dangerous Allied Spy of WWII. Come join us as we remember her story of heroism, self-sacrifice, and grit.
Social Media & Loneliness
Guest: Brian A. Primack, Director, The Center for Research on Media, Technology, and Health, University of Pittsburgh
People will tell you social media is killing all relationships, others will say it makes connecting easier, but how much do we actually know about the effects of social media? Is it even, really, social?
How a Japanese Paper Art Form Found its Way Into American industrial Design
Guest: Larry Howell, Professor and Associate Dean, Mechanical Engineering, Brigham Young University
What if a boat could fit on your back? Or an umbrella in your wallet? Thanks to the unexpectedly powerful principles of origami, engineers at Brigham Young University are coming up with new ways to fold, shrink, and invent technology that will change our world.
Back from the Dead? Resurrecting Extinct Species
Guest: Ben Novak, Lead Scientist, Revive and Restore
The gears are in motion to bring extinct species back to life. We may not have Jurassic Park any time soon, but the revival of animals such as the wooly mammoth, the New Zealand moa or the Passenger Pidgeon are closer than you think. Ben Novak is a scientist and a pioneer of de-extinction research and application. Hear him describe the process of de-extinction and just how close we are to accomplishing it.
Does Mountain Climbers Drive to Get to The Top Make Them Selfish?
Guest: Francis Sanzaro, Authorand Editor
“We cannot hold mortality’s strong hand,” says King John in Shakespeare’s tragedy. Few know this better than climbers, who live constantly at the edge of mortality’s precipice. Do they, and other extreme sports enthusiasts, have a responsibility to live safer and eliminate the risks they take so often?
Why, After a Century of Research, We Still Know Very Little About Curing Mental Illness?
Guest: Anne Harrington, Professor of the History of Science, Harvard University, Author of“Mind Fixers: Psychiatry’s Troubled Search for the Biology of Mental Illness”
We talk about outer space as the last frontier. Maybe we have another yet to conquer. Let’s call it inner space. Few of us, today, have not been touched in some way by mental health crisis, and few have not been beset with fears about what we could or should have done differently. Just like the families of those affected, the mental health profession has struggled for over a century to figure out causes and cures for depression, bipolar, schizophrenia, autism, and other brain maladies. The brain has still not yielded its secrets. And we still aren’t even really sure how the mind and brain –and even the soul connect. Even the human genome still mocks our futility on this front. At some level, we know that mental illness has biological roots. But we still don’t know what this means or what to do about it.
Everyone Wants To Help You Help Yourself. Should You Let Them?
Guest: Joseph M. Reagle Jr. Associate Professor of Communication Studies at Northeastern University and author of“Hacking Life: Systemized Living and its Discontents”
Ice cubes in the dryer gets out wrinkles; spicy food may help you lose weight; you can test if an egg is raw by spinning it. There are a million ‘hacks’ for making your life more efficient, but what happens when we view life as a system? Tune into Constant Wonder as we talk with Joseph Reagle Jr. About the joys and discontents of systemized living.
Reforestation with Robots
Guest: Irinia Fedorenko, Co-Founder BioCarbon Engineering
The end of the world is going to need a rain check, if the folks at BioCarbon Engineering have anything to say about it. Instead of climate change and a robot apocalypse, they’re using drone technology to do some serious robot reforestation.
Why do Smart People Make Dumb Decisions?
Guest: David Robson, science journalist and author of “The Intelligence Trap”
The great escape artist Houdini once said, “As a rule, I have found that the greater brain a man has, and the better he is educated, the easier it has been to mystify him.” Does this hold true today? Why are smarter people at risk for making poor decisions?
How to Wipe a Disease Off the Earth
Guest: Walter Orenstein, Professor, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases, Emory University School of Medicine and Director, Emory-UGA Center of Excellence for Influenza Research and Surveillance (CEIRS)
Thanks to modern medicine and vaccines, there’s a very good chance that you’ve never met anyone who has suffered from polio or the black plague, but that doesn’t mean the disease is truly gone. Actually eradicating a disease is incredible difficult, and we talk to Dr. Walter Orenstein to find out why.
Zebrafish: the New Lab Rats?
Guest: Randall Peterson, Dean, College of Pharmacy, University of Utah
Some researchers consider zebrafish to be superior to mice and rats for laboratory study. What’s a zebrafish, and how in the world is its body like mine?
The Boston Typewriter Orchestra
Guest: Chris Keene, Musician, The Boston Typewriter Orchestra
Now, of course, typewriters have become museum pieces, collectors items. They’re kind of retro-hipster now. Tom Hanks collects them. He narrated an award-winning documentary on typewriters. And in the hands of some very creative people with possibly too much time on their hands, typewriters have been turned into musical instruments.
How We Look at the World Changes Everything
Guest: Emily Balcetis, Associate Professor of Psychology, New York University
Ever notice how much of a difference a good strong dose of motivation can make? It may be all in your head but it’s a real phenomenon that can literally change the way you perceive reality.
Why You Might Need a Pillow with an Ant Print
Guest: Clint Penick, Assistant Research Professor, The Biomimicry Center, Arizona State University
You’ve heard of animal prints: leopard, zebra, giraffe, but have you heard of ANT prints? Learn more about the surprisingly fashion-forward insects living in your front yard.
The Magnetic North Pole is Shifting
Guest: Arnaud Chulliat, Research Scientist at University of Colorado Boulder and NOAA (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration) and NCEI (National Centers for Environmental Information)
Santa and his elves better be on the move. The magnetic North Pole has been shifting east for years, and a few months ago it jumped very suddenly. What does that mean for our whole planet?
Happiness and our Physical Environment
Guest: Gretchen Rubin, author, “The Happiness Project”
Your personality type is a clue to how you deal with your stuff: what you buy, how you treat it, when you get rid of it. How can we de-clutter and still be true to who we are?
Is There an Insect Apocalypse?
Guest: Brian Lovett, PhD Candidate in Entomology, University of Maryland
You’ve heard of the fire and brimstone prophesied to rain down when the end of times is upon us, but have you heard about the controversy over the “insect apocalypse?” Or how about engineering fungi that can wipe out malaria? We're getting down and dirty with things that creep and crawl.
Why the Days Seem Shorter as We Get Older
Guest: Adrian Bejan, J.A. Jones Professor of Mechanical Engineering at Duke University and author of “The Physics of Life”
Why does it feel like time passes faster as we age? There is physics behind our perceptions of time, and it changes with age.
How Can Computers Change The Way We Read?
Guest: Brian Croxall, Assistant Research Professor of Digital Humanities, Brigham Young University
Computer scientists crunch numbers to reveal new insight about your favorite authors.
The Soul of an Octopus
Guest: Sy Montgomery, author, “The Soul of an Octopus: A Surprising Exploration into the Wonder of Consciousness”
Sy Montgomery has spent years literally soaking in the world of the octopus, and she shares the wonder of these smart, social creatures with us today.
Backpacking the Safe Way
Guest: Cordell M. Anderson, hiking guide and author, "The High Uinta Mountains: A Complete Guide to High Adventure in Utah's Alpine Wonderland"
Cordell Anderson is 84 and has been hiking for decades, but he didn't start out on his adventure to hike every drainage of the Uinta mountains until he was 67. We hear his story and get some tips on hiking safety for the young and the young-at-heart.
You can buy his book here.
Historic Spires
Guest: Rob Bork, Professor of Art History, University of Iowa, and author, "Great Spires: Skyscrapers of the New Jerusalem"
We'll explore Notre Dame's famous spire that was lost in the tragic blaze. Then we'll branch out to assess what spires have meant to us throughout their relatively short architectural history, and why they draw our eyes, our attention, and our hearts.
With No Easy Escape, Cold Water Ocean Species are Already Suffering
Guest: Malin Pinsky, Associate Professor, Department of Ecology, Evolution, and Natural Resources, Rutgers University
Prof. Pinsky studies disrupted habitats and population changes among sea animals, specifically cold-blooded animals, who apparently can’t get out of Dodge fast enough, but for whom there’s no new place to go. No new place even remotely like Dodge.
Smellscapes
Guest: Kate McLean, Designer, Senior Lecturer and Program Director Graphic Design, School of Media, Art & Design, Canterbury Christ Church University, Canterbury, UK
Kate McLean creates smell maps of cities. She leads "smellwalks," sketches smells and incorporates smell into graphic design. To learn more about her work, click here.
Physics and Dance(Originally aired 4/10/19)
Guests: Emily Coates, Associate Professor and creator of Dance Studies curriculum, Yale University; Sara Demers, Horace D. Taft Associate Professor of Physics, Yale University
When a noted physicist collaborates with a choregrapher and dancer, we get a whole new perspective on both friction, gravity, torque and momentum.
Ancient Mesopotamia Speaks
Guest: Eckart Frahm, Professor of Near Eastern Languages and Civilizations, Yale University
There are striking similarities between our modern lives and those of the Mesopotamians thousands of years ago: they sang lullabies, kept cookbooks, complained about their parents. Lucky for us, they recorded their thoughts on clay tablets, which last a lot longer than paper.
For a look inside “Ancient Mesopotamia Speaks” exhibit at Yale’s Peabody Museum of Natural History, click here.
Dispelling the Breakfast Myth
Monique Trello, Harvard Medical School
Of course you know that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day.” You've heard it a million times. But is it true? Is breakfast even necessary? It turns out that both the cereal industry and the bacon industry helped create the mythos of breakfast.
Using Bacteria to Control Ice and Seed Clouds
Guest: Valeria Molinero, Professor of Theoretical Chemistry, the University of Utah
As the earth warms, scientists are figuring out the perfect recipe to make it rain or snow in areas hit by drought. Right now, we battle over who owns the rivers. Will we soon be battling over who own the clouds?
Did Scientists Really Bring Dead Pig Brains Back to Life?
Guest: Khara Ramos, Director of the Neuroethics Program at the U.S. National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health
Death is one of the only things in life that we can all count on – once you’re dead, that’s it. But recently news stories excitedly announced that researchers had brought parts of dead pig brains back to life. Did they really? And if so, why?
Life Chapters
Guest: Kristina Steiner, Assistant Professor of Psychology at Denison University
Journals have been an invaluable historical resource for millennia but recent research suggests that recording your life stories has ulterior benefits as well. Find out why writing your own journal should mean more to you than just preserving your legacy.
The Helium Crisis
Guest: Phil Kornbluth, President of Kornbluth Helium Consulting, LLC
Your contact with helium quite possibly has been limited to birthday balloons, so you may not realize that helium is a rare and valuable element. It's also under increasing pressure for important uses in science and health. Our guest today is a helium broker. We find out what helium is used for, where it comes from, and how it gets distributed.
Why You Need Another Language
Guest: Marek Kohn, author, "Four Words for Friend"
English is seen as the world language today, and native English speakers often don't feel motivated to learn or retain a second language. Kohn, who learned Polish from his parents as a child in England but largely lost his ancestral language, argues that fighting to get or retain pieces of a foreign language helps sharpen our thinking and enrich our lives.
Fun with Spiders
Guests: Christopher Buddle and Eleanor Spicer Rice, co-authors, "Dr. Eleanor’s Book of Common Spiders"
Do spiders make your skin crawl? According to the Sioux City Journal 2018 survey of phobias, nearly one third of Americans struggle with arachnophobia, or the fear of spiders. But despite all that we have to fear about spiders—those long legs and staring eyes and how they sneak up on you when you’re on the toilet—spiders really are wonderful little critters.
Finding the Sacred in Everyday Life (Originally aired 4/10/2019)
Guest: Reverend Dr. Andrew Teal, Chaplain and Fellow, Pembroke College, and Lecturer in Theology and Religion within Oxford University
We're used to seeing the Holy Family featured prominently in sacred art. So when Pieter Bruegal the Elder crammed his paintings with ordinary people and took the spotlight off traditional subjects, what was he telling us about the relationship of ordinary people with the divine?
Why do you enjoy food that sets your mouth on fire?
Guest: Paul W. Bosland, Professor of Horticulture and Director of Chile Pepper Institute, New Mexico State University
Many pregnant moms have this internal debate: If I love spicy food, and I order that hot salsa or that Indian vindaloo curry, will it hurt my baby? Or at the very least, maybe irritate the baby? Or, on the other hand, will the baby be born with a love for onions and chilepeppers?
Chile peppers are a staple in many cuisines, but some people really can’t tolerate them at all. Why is that?
A Refugee Gives Back, and How You Can Help
Guest: Leonard Bagalwa, Founder and Executive Director, Utah Community and Refugee Partnership Center
Leonard Bagalwa has defied kidnappers, run for his life through the African jungle, and ultimately made an entirely new life for himself in America. But instead of resting comfortably and forgetting his past, he has taken on a mission to help other refugees naviate life in America.
What can you do, in your community, to help the refugees you may not even know are there?
Find out more about the Utah Community and Refugee Partnership Center here.
Has Gene Therapy Cured the Bubble Boy Disease?
Guest: Dr. Anthony Fauci, head of National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases
Back in the 70s, there was a made-for-tv movie starring John Travolta called “The Boy in the Plastic Bubble.” It was the story of a boy who lived in a small sanitized room behind a plastic sheet because his immune system couldn’t fight infection. It was heartbreaking, because the boy eventually died and heartbreaking because it was based on a true story. Since then many other “bubble boys” have been born . . . and they are usually boys. But now there may be new hope that the immune systems of these children can be fixed, maybe even cured.
Scientists Discover the First Evidence of Dinosaur Dandruff
Guest: Mike Benton, Professor of Vertebrate Palaeontology, University of Bristol
When you have a chance to visit a dinosaur museum, it’s easy to feel small next to a 20- to 30-foot long skeleton of, say, a stegosaurus. But it’s fun to imagine paleontologists assembling all those massive bones and plates to solve the puzzle of what dinosaurs looked like. Except, the puzzle isn’t really complete once the skeleton is put back together again. Because, there’s the skin to consider . . . and feathers. And, scientists now even look at dinosaur dandruff to figure out how these creatures moved. Because something as small as a flake of skin can actually be just as important to understanding these creatures as a skull, or a leg bone.
The Future of Meat(Originally aired April 9, 2109)
Guest: David Welch, Director of Science and Technology at the Good Food Institute
Science may have the answer to creating meat alternatives that can provide the same nutritional value and textures, aromas, and flavors of your favorite protein dish but require about 100 square feet inside a lab instead of 100 acres of land. This future is closer than you think.
Curse of Oak Island: the World's Longest Treasure Hunt (Originally Aired 4/17)
Guest: Randall Sullivan, author, "The Curse of Oak Island: The Story of the World’s Longest Treasure Hunt"
The legendary buried treasure on Oak Island, Nova Scotia has confounded searchers for more than 200 years, killed six people, and contains booby traps that no engineers have been able to figure out or dismantle, even with millions of dollars of today’s cutting edge technology. What is the true story behind this cursed, real life treasure hunt – which is also the subject of a hit TV show on the History Channel?
Why the World Needs Dung Beetles (Originally Aired 4/17)
Guest: Marcus Byrne, Professor of Entomology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa and author of “Dance of the Dungbeetles”
Small phenomena on this planet quite possibly make the world go round, as they say. The fundamental small stuff on which everything else depends. And in the case of dungbeetles, many of them make the world go round by rolling little balls of dung around, as we’ll learn. We’ll learn of their importance in the world’s various ecologies, about how they do their business, and why you should care in the first place.
Kumari: Time to Say Good-bye to a Goddess? (Originally Aired 4/17)
Guest: Isabella Tree, author, "The Living Goddess: A Journey Into the Heart of Kathmandu"
In recent years in Nepal, the practice of designating a young girl as a Kumari, a goddess, has come under scrutiny as an archaic practice. The problem, is that getting rid of of the practice would mean, essentially, the demise of a goddess. Take away the practice, and you destroy what some have deemed to be a fundamental pillar of the society. Who are these girls called Kumari? What is the tradition? Just how old is the practice and how essential is it, or is it not, to the cultural identity and political stability of a country?
How to Write about the Life and Legacy of Someone You've Never Met (Originally Aired 4/17)
Guest: Adam Bernstein, obituary editor for "The Washington Post"
Gary Vaynerchuk once wrote “please think about your legacy because you are writing it every day.” In the smash Broadway musical "Hamilton," Alexander Hamilton says that a legacy is “planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” But how do you go about literally writing a legacy?
The Museum Heist That Netted . . . Bird Feathers
Guest: Kirk Wallace Johnson, author, “The Feather Thief: Beauty, Obsession and the Natural History Heist of the Century”
A thrilling tale of a major museum heist of rare bird feathers. Featuring a Hollywood-style break-in and an unlikely cast of otherwise genteel characters.
To catch the author on his book tour, click here.
Eight-five Years Later, the Reichstag is Still Burning
Guest: Benjamin Hett, Professor of History, Hunter College and the Graduate Center of the City University of New York, author, "Burning the Reichstag"
The Reichstag fire in 1933 resulted in both an ending and a beginning for the country of Germany. Ending was the democratic Weimar republic, but just beginning was Nazi rule. How did arson aid the Nazis in starting their dictatorship over Germany, and why does the Reichstag fire matter today?
Your Life Depends on Horseshoe-Crab Blood
Guest: Jay Bolden, Senior Consultant Biologist, Eli Lilly and Company
Horseshoe crabs have been around since the dinosaurs. They lived through the mass extinction that killed almost everything else, not to mention the subsequent 65 million years. And yet, possibly the strangest experience they’ve been subjected to is that of being pulled out of the ocean by soft, fleshy hands, lined up in buildings miles from shore, and drained of their blood.
Nurturing Nature in Urban LA
Guest: Irma Muñoz, President, Mujeres de la Tierra
Los Angeles is famous for tough streets, bad air, frozen freeways and fake body parts, so the idea of connecting with nature in the heart of LA's urban neighborhoods may sound counterintuitive. We celebrate Earth Day today by talking with a woman whose job is to help women and children do just that.
How to Walk on Water and Climb up Walls: Animal Movement and the Robots of the Future
Guest: David Hu, PhD, associate professor of mechanical engineering and biology, Georgia Institute of Technology and author of “How to Walk on Water and Climb up Walls: Animal Movement and the Robots of the Future”
Have you ever wondered how a snake slithers? Or how do certain insects walk on water? What about the ability that certain species have to navigate on both water and land? What is it about these animals that allows them to move, and why should we care? What can animal motion tell us about the future of robotics?
Making Music with Icestruments
Guest: Tim Linhart, Founder of Ice Music in Luleå, Sweden
What does it take to make a cello or guitar? Probably some suitable wood. String of some kind would be good. And a fair amount of know-how. But what if you were to make them out of water instead of wood? Water would trickle away … so maybe snow and ice instead? Tim Linhart makes icestruments, and they make an amazing sound.
When Medical Marvels and Movie Magic Collide
Guest: Gregory Loan, Simulation Engineer for the Boston Children’s Hospital Simulator Program
Gregory Loan helped build lifelike models for films like Jurassic Park. He now works at Harvard making props so realistic that doctors can perfectly practice surgeries before getting to a live patient.
Building a Garden of Eden
Denise Devynck, Founder, Utah Valley Permaculture Classroom Gardens & Greenhouse
We’re going to teach you how to design a garden that recirculates water, maintains and fertilizes itself, attracts native pollinators and produces a bountiful harvest. Your very own Garden of Eden.
The Appleseed: My Days in a Youth Gang
Guest: Sam Payne, host, BYUradio's The Apple Seed
Creepy Clowns
Guest: Frank T. McAndrew, Professor of Psychology at Knox College
Purveyor of horror, Stephen King holds our fascination with his stories. Yet there is one case where he has managed to enhance his readers creep factor. "It" was a phenomenon that drove the world to second guess their childhood birthday parties and love of fast food. Did fear of clowns originate with King or have we always had an aversion to them? Beyond horror novels and the 2016 infestation of clowns, do you know why we’re creeped out by them?
Women Warriors in History Are More Common Than You Might Think
Guest: Pamela D. Toler, author, "Women Warriors: An Unexpected History"
Did you know that Cyrus the Great of Persia was defeated on the battlefield by a women warrior named Queen Tomyris? Thanks to Disney, you’ve heard of Mulan. And you know who Joan of Arc was. But there are thousands of other women warriors who you've probably never heard of before. Pamela Toler aims to fix that.
A Quick Tour Through the 9,000-Year History of Cheese
Guest: Paul Kindstedt, Professor of Food Science and Nutrition, University of Vermont
One of the workhorses of the Western diet comes from fermented or curdled milk in various colors, flavors, textures and smells that range from the sweet to the savory to the downright disgusting. Our guest is a cheese historian from Vermont, the heart of American cheese country. Who discovered it and when, and where did all these varities come from?
How Piquant Cheddar Became a Booming Family Business
Guest: Hayden Welsh, Beehive Cheese Company, Uintah, Utah
Cheese is a huge staple in American cuisine, usually it's mass produced. But for some people, cheese is an art form, not a mass comodity. We’re joined on Constant Wonder by Britton Welsh, a second generation artisanal cheesemaker who operates from his family’s creamery in Utah, which is making a name for itself with wheels of flavorful "rubbed" cheddars.
Curse of Oak Island: the World's Longest Treasure Hunt
Guest: Randall Sullivan, author, "The Curse of Oak Island: The Story of the World’s Longest Treasure Hunt"
The legendary buried treasure on Oak Island, Nova Scotia has confounded searchers for more than 200 years, killed six people, and contains booby traps that no engineers have been able to figure out or dismantle, even with millions of dollars of today’s cutting edge technology. What is the true story behind this cursed, real life treasure hunt – which is also the subject of a hit TV show on the History Channel?
Why the World Needs Dung Beetles
Guest: Marcus Byrne, Professor of Entomology, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa and author of “Dance of the Dungbeetles”
Small phenomena on this planet quite possibly make the world go round, as they say. The fundamental small stuff on which everything else depends. And in the case of dungbeetles, many of them make the world go round by rolling little balls of dung around, as we’ll learn. We’ll learn of their importance in the world’s various ecologies, about how they do their business, and why you should care in the first place.
Kumari: Time to Say Good-bye to a Goddess?
Guest: Isabella Tree, author, "The Living Goddess: A Journey Into the Heart of Kathmandu"
In recent years in Nepal, the practice of designating a young girl as a Kumari, a goddess, has come under scrutiny as an archaic practice. The problem, is that getting rid of of the practice would mean, essentially, the demise of a goddess. Take away the practice, and you destroy what some have deemed to be a fundamental pillar of the society. Who are these girls called Kumari? What is the tradition? Just how old is the practice and how essential is it, or is it not, to the cultural identity and political stability of a country?
How to Write about the Life and Legacy of Someone You've Never Met
Guest: Adam Bernstein, obituary editor for "The Washington Post"
Gary Vaynerchuk once wrote “please think about your legacy because you are writing it every day.” In the smash Broadway musical "Hamilton," Alexander Hamilton says that a legacy is “planting seeds in a garden you never get to see.” But how do you go about literally writing a legacy?
Exoplanets and Aliens
Guest: Donald Goldsmith, Author of “Exoplanets: Hidden Worlds and the Quest for Extraterrestrial Life”
Is E.T. out there somewhere? Or are we really alone in this vast place we call our universe? We explore space and other planets that have been discovered outside of our solar system. We may even discover life.
Is There Such Thing as Privacy Anymore?
Guest: Sarah Igo, Professor of History and Director of American Studies, Vanderbilt University
If someone were to ask you what your social security number was, you would probably balk and would have no problem turning me down, because, PRIVACY! Yet, when making your social media profile you have no problem giving your contact info, birthday, and even your relationship status. So what is privacy? What should be kept private? What should be transparent?
Whose Story Gets Told in Museums?
Guest: Ariana Curtis, Curator, Latinx Studies, Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture
When you go to a museum, you’re looking to find out how life really was long ago or far away. But who gets to choose which artifacts make the cut and which are ignored?
Parrot Intelligence
Guest: Irene Pepperberg, Research Associate and Lecturer, Harvard University
For years, humans have looked to the stars in search for alien intelligence, but Irene Pepperberg found something like it much closer to home. African Grey Parrots are as intelligent as a five-year-old child, as proved by Alex, Dr. Pepperberg’s world famous parrot. Join Prof. Pepperberg as she describes the groundbreaking research in the field of animal intelligence.
Is Online Convenience Worth the Trade-Off for Less Cybersecurity?
Guest: Bruce Schneier, Security Technologist
Just because it has a little padlock symbol next to its web address doesn’t mean a website is safe. Find out where hackers can get in and how to really keep your information safe online.
Pasta Grannies
Guest: Vicky Bennison, creator of “Pasta Grannies” YouTube channel
Every week, 400,000 food lovers wait anxiously for a new video from their favorite youtubers: authentic Italian grandmothers.
This is Your Brain on Team Sports
Guest: Lisa Gorham, undergraduate student at Washington University in St. Louis
Undergraduates may not be expected to have done important work yet, but tell that to Lisa Gorham! She researched how team sports help combat depression.
How the Antislavery Movement Created America's First Poster Child
Guest: Jessie Morgan-Owens, Dean of Studies at Bard Early College in New Orleans
Mary Mildred Williams was America’s first poster child. Her innocent face, the unique face of a white slave, helped catapult support for the abolition movement in the 1850s, but she was quickly lost to history. Here's her story.
The Body Farm--A Different Way to Give Your Body to Science
Guest: Dawnie Steadman, director of the Forensic Anthropology Center at the University of Tennessee Knoxville
If you've thought about donating your body to science, you might consider the Body Farm. Examining donated bodies leads to hands-on forensic training to solve crimes.
Therapist Uses Eye-Tracking to Help Patients Overcome Trauma
Guest: Deany Laliotis, Director of Training for EMDR Institute
We talk to a therapist who retrains how her patients’ brains process trauma using the tracking of eye movements. Sound like hypnosis? What’s the science behind the practice?
How a Weird Bug Found in Canada might Revolutionize Zoology
Guest: Alastair Simpson, Professor of Biology, Dalhousie University in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
After centuries of evading biologists' ever-expanding knowledge of life on earth, a number of hemimastigotes, tiny microscopic organisms, have been captured by a group of biologists in Nova Scotia. After a bit of study, the biologists realized they weren't just dealing with a new kingdom like animals or fungi, but an entirely new branch on the tree of life.
Where did the Polynesian People Really Come From?
Guest: Christina Thompson, Harvard Review editor, author of "Sea People: The Puzzle of Polynesia" and "Come On Shore and We Will Kill and Eat You All: A New Zealand Story"
How did the earliest Polynesians conquer the largest ocean on our planet? How did they manage to colonize virtually every habitable island in the vast, watery triangle between Hawaii, New Zealand and Easter Island? It’s quite the historical puzzle--a puzzle we’ll try to solve.
Modern-Day Barrel Making
Guest: Darold Francis, Cooper
Darold Francis decided later in life to learn the traditional art of being a cooper and took up making barrels and baskets. Along the way, he gained a greater appreciation for this occupation that his forefathers had done for generations.
If you're interested in purchasing one of Francis' handmade products, please call 801.979.8200.
Civil War Photo Sleuth
Guest: Kurt Luther, Assistant Professor of Computer Science & Director of Crowd Intelligence Lab at Virginia Tech
They say a photo is worth a thousand words. But if we don’t know who the people in the photo are, do we lose their stories? We talk to a computer scientist who uses crowdsourcing to identify Civil War soldiers.
A Wild Ride through Dead-and-Gone Amusement Parks
Guest: Kevin Perjurer, author of "Defunctland" and creator of the "Defunctland" Youtube channel
Discover the history of extinct and long-lost amusement parks.
Exploring Tiny Worlds in the Antarctic Ice
Guest: Pacifica Sommers, Research Associate in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology, University of Colorado, Boulder
At some point you’ve probably wondered about our whole idea of size and space. Is there any reason that an enormous galaxy could not be contained in little natural test tubes lodged in the ice of Antarctica? Our guest spends her winters basking in the Antarctic sun to explore communities of life in the ice.
Dancing with Physics
Guests: Emily Coates, Associate Professor and creator of Dance Studies curriculum, Yale University; Sara Demers, Horace D. Taft Associate Professor of Physics, Yale University
When a noted physicist collaborates with a choregrapher and dancer, we get a whole new perspective on both friction, gravity, torque and momentum.
Custom Homes
Guest: Brian Capt, Associate Teaching Professor, School of Technology, Brigham Young University
Ever wondered if you should buy that dream home? Is it really as perfect as it seems? If it's not, would you be able to tell? We’ll be discussing custom homes, how to detect defaults, and looking for what makes a home great.
The Bitter Fight over the First General Anesthesia
Guest: Roger Thomas, Professor Emeritus, Psychology, University of Georgia
In 1842 a young doctor who had gotten high off ether, just for kicks, decided to use it on a surgery patient, which became the first case of generalized anesthesia. But the credit for his discovery went to someone else. Giving credit where it's due.
Finding the Sacred in the Mundane: Lessons from the Painter Pieter Bruegal the Elder
Guest: Reverend Dr. Andrew Teal, Chaplain and Fellow at Pembroke College and Lecturer in Theology and Religion within Oxford University.
We're used to seeing the Holy Family featured prominently in sacred art. So when Pieter Bruegal the Elder crammed his paintings with ordinary people and took the spotlight off traditional subjects, what was he telling us about the relationship of ordinary people with the divine?
The Nation's Only Black Women's Military Band
Guest: Jill Sullivan, Professor of Music at Arazona State University
Rosie the Riveter famously rolled up her sleeves and went to work during World War II, epitomizing a common slogan of the day:"Free a Man to Fight." For the first time on such a wide scale, women did jobs that today they do all the time, including striking up a marching band. And one special band came to be during WWII, an all-black female marching band, which turned out to be the only one in military history. Their story is an inspiration as many of their superiors protested their very existence. This year marks the 75th annaversiery of their founding and we hear from someone who's spoken personally to some of these band members.
Connecting Adopted Chinese Children to their Native Culture
Guest: Brian Stuy, Founder and Owner of Research-China.org
China is the number one country for international adoption in the entire world, and over a third of these children are adopted by families in the United States. However, many families of adoptees have practically no information available to contact the birth families of their children and connect them back to their heritage. Research-China.org aims to fill that gap.
The Lost Civilization Buried in Lake Titicaca
Guest: Charles Stanish, Executive Director at the Institute for the Advanced Study of Culture and the Environment at the University of South Florida
Buried underwater near an island at the center of a Lake Titicaca at 12,500 feet above sea level, archeologists recently found a trove of ritual objects from a lost civilization. The find includes gold, pottery and sacrificial llama bones. We speak with one of the archeologists who led the project.
Future of Meat
Guest: David Welch, Director of Science and Technology at the Good Food Institute
When we talk about the future of food, I bet you imagine a kitchen, not a lab. But the future of meat isn’t a new cookbook – it’s a new genetic recipe for producing alternative and sustainable sources of meat. Here's a conversation about the future of meat and the world of plant-based and clean meat research with David Welch, the Director of Science and Technology at the Good Food Institute. To find out more about the work they do and how your diets may be changing in the coming years, be sure to visit www.gfi.org.
How Fading Biodiversity Threatens the Future of Your Favorite Foods
Guest: Simran Sethi, author of "Bread, Wine, Chocolate: The Slow Loss of the Foods We Love"
You think your grocery store is full of variety? It’s not actually that diverse. In fact, 95 percent of the world’s calories come from the same 30 species. And that number is getting smaller. We’re losing food biodiversity, and this loss may even affect, perish the thought, our chocolate.
Why Home Cookin' Ain't Always All That
Guests: Sinikka Elliott and Sarah Bowen, coauthors with Joslyn Brenton, of "Pressure Cooker: Why Home Cooking Won't Solve Our Problems and What We Can Do About It"
Everyone knows that if more people cooked from basic ingredients at home the planet would be greener and families would be healthier and happier. Right? But what if that's simply not true? What if the "joy of cooking" was always overblown? And what if chasing that myth actually harms many families?
America's Tangled Relationship with Zoos and the "Wild" Animals Within
Guest: Daniel Bender, Professor of History, University of Toronto, Scarborough
Viewing animals in steel cages is kind of an odd way to learn about wildlife, but zoos have always played a key role in how Americans have learned about exotic creatures and their habitats. Zoos have increasingly become a battleground, however--an anachronism in the eyes of animal rights activists. But they're undeniably also a means of preserving threatened species. What is the zoo's role in modern society? Entertainment, preservation, or education?
Promoting Religious Collaboration at the G20 Summit
Cole Durham, Professor of Law, Brigham Young University and Fouding Director of the G20 Interfaith Forum
When the G20 economic meetings convene in Tokyo in June, the focus will be mainly on immigration, trade, antipoverty efforts, and economic development. But successsful societies often rely heavily on cooperation among religious groups and between those groups and governments. The G20 Interfaith Forum, Cole Durham explains, aims to make sure that the vital role of faith groups continues.
Your Earliest Memory May Be Fake
Dr. Catriona Morrison discusses how memory is much more imperfect than we think and how to improve our uses of it.
The Future of Reading the Clouds
Richard Alley teaches us about how our weather and climate predictions have improved in accuracy and what else to expect from advances in forecasting.
Landscape Music
Director Nell Shaw Cohen explains the process of creating landscape music and why this can make us better in tune with our environment.
The Science of Shopping
Paco Underhill talks about how retail spaces are designed to encourage consumers to shop more.
Acclaimed physician and writer Dr. James Maskalyk speaks about his experience caring for patients all around the world. Trina Boice, an expert on online family history, offers the best tips on finding information about your ancestors. Rachel Plotnick explains the mechanics and psychology of buttons. Finally, we talk with Sandra Rey, the founder of a company dedicated to harnessing the power of bioluminescence to light our world.? (Originally aired February 28, 2019)
Ramon Lobato, author of Netflix Nations, explains how Netflix really impacts how we consume media. Spencer Case shows us how important the words we choose can be in conversation. Anne Lusk discusses how we can help transform our community to be more bike-friendly. Don Ross explores what humanity means through the eyes of an elephant.
Francesca Lidia Viano uncovers deeper meanings to the symbolism and art behind the Statue of Liberty. We rewind a segment on Greek mythology with Sarah Johnston. Valerie Galder raises mental health awareness and support through melodramatic sweets. Chip Colwell explains the importance of repatriation and why museums should return artifacts to their original homes.
Smell historian, Caro Verbeek, talks about our most underrated of the five senses; Professor Lawrence Bonassar shares why we can't seem to grow our own limbs back; Dr. Keith Hampton complicates the narrative of social media lonliness; and Rebecca Helm talks about the organisms living on the ocean's plastic islands.
Roy Bahat from Bloomberg Beta talks about the meaning of work and how that can change with advances in technology. Melissa Campbell from Campaign for a Commercial-Free Childhood describes the impact advertisements have on children and ways to eliminate marketing from a child's environment. Tom Mole from the University of Edinburgh goes into the life of books, from gnawed corners to torn covers, and the value of tangible reading. Madeline Levine gives advice to teaching children to do things on their own and avoid "snowplowing" paths for their children.
Youtuber and TED speaker Jia Jiang discusses the art of overcoming rejection, Denise Herzing talks about what she learned after 30 years of studying dolphins, volcano expert Jess Phoenix talks about blueprinting ecosystems, and Nick Chater, author of The Mind is Flat, shares new ways of understanding our own behavior.
Writer, poet, and photographer Mike Rutter looks at how something as simple as using your smartphone to take pictures of nature can inspire and uplift your life. Kristina Deligiannidis, one of the lead investigators for the first NIH-approved drug to treat postpartum depression discusses causes and treatment for postpartum depression. President of the American Kite Association Nic O'Neil talks with us about the surprisingly innovative and transformative power of kite flying. Hansika Kapoor explores how things like trouble-making may actually be kids expressing a different side of creativity.
Mac Barnett, a children's book author, talks about balancing imagination and reality when engaging with children. Read Montague gets into the nitty-gritty of how disgust influences our decision-making. Peter Reinhart, Founder of award winning Brother Juniper's Bakery, shares the transformative life of bread. Spencer Hyde, Creative Writing professor at BYU and author of the recently released novel, "Waiting for Fitz" talks about the sensitive journey of writing characters who struggle with their mental health.
Noelani Kamalu reconnects with her ancestors by reenacting the kinds of trips ancient islanders would take sailing the Pacific Ocean. Tom Kapitany tells the story of Rosie the taxidermied shark, who was found in an abandoned wildlife park in 2018 and now has a new home. Noella Moshi discusses the challenges and opportunities facing West Africans wanting to pursue higher education. Sandra Rey, CEO of startup Glowee, shares how natural bio-luminescence used by animals can revolutionize urban lighting.
Catherine Price helps identify signs of being addicted to your phone and how to avoid being constantly plugged in. Maggie Pitts teaches us how to appreciate the big and little moments through the art of savoring. Rupal Patel explains her technology to design unique synthetic voices for those that rely on computers to speak for them. Meredith Broussard discusses the limits of artificial intelligence.
Jevin West and Carl Bergstrom teach us about how to see through misinformation and fake news, educating their students and the public on how to identify and sort through falsehoods. Adam Day shares his love for violins and talks us through the intricacies of making these instruments. Dan Buettner describes his research in examining communities where people live longer, happier lives. Lee Humphreys examines the connections we make online in her new book "The Qualified Self: Social Media and the Accounting of Everyday Life."
Kevin Kelly, Senior Maverick for Wired.com looks at the fast-approaching "Mirror World", an augmented virtual reality that can be superimposed on our regular, physical reality. Dr. Charles Limb talks about the way all audio but especially music affects our brain. Rupal Patel is on the forefront of creating individual, unique voices for those who have lost the ability to speak instead of the same computer voice people like Stephen Hawking had to use. Professor Meredith Broussard breaks down what all new technology and Artificial Intelligence can do, but more importantly everything that it can't.
Read Montague gets into the nitty-gritty of how disgust influences our decision-making. Juliana Schroeder teaches us the beauty behind connecting with strangers. Laura Morelli distinguishes between what constitutes a form of art versus a type of craft and the importance of both in an increasingly unartistic world. Mac Barnett, a children's book author, talks about balancing imagination and reality when engaging with children.
Maggie Pitts talks about ways to slow down and savor the precious moments amidst the frenzied pace of everyday life. Catherine Price explains how to analyze your relationship with your phone and identify signs that you may need to get some distance from screens. Michael Atkins from Friends of the Los Angeles River tells us about how residents are restoring their environment. Michael Batty covers cities, their changes and growth, and how best to adapt to an urban future
Eileen Kennedy-Moore explains why children develop imaginary friends and explores the long term effects of this phenomenon. Tom Kapitany tells us the story of the YouTube sensation Rosie the Shark. Ramon Lobato covers the ways that Netflix has changed how we consume television and its continuing impact on entertainment. Spencer Case describes "concept inflation" and how the overuse of words can damage our rhetoric and even the quality of our language.
Carmel O'Shannessy is on the air to talk about the new language he found developing in Australia. Brian Brooker talks about his eclectic, Revolutionary War-themed Brooker's Founding Flavors ice cream shop. Paul Freedman discusses what makes American cuisine inherently American with so many foreign influences. Finally, Barbara Finamore looks at how China could be showing us the answer to solve pollution problems.
Richard Wrangham explores how the differences between chimpanzees and bonobos may help us understand the human impulses towards both violence and peace. Urban planner Michael Batty discusses how cities are changing and what they might look like in the future. Daniel Bender talks about the history of American zoos and the place they have in our culture and our perception of faraway places. Hansika Kapoor explores how creativity, generally considered to be a good thing, can be used for darker purposes.
Maggie Pitts talks about ways to savor moments of your daily life to increase satisfaction and positivity.
Michael Atkins is the Communications and Impact Manager of the Friends of the LA River, seeking to help the LA River regain its natural beauty.
Ariana Nedelman is the producer for podcast Harry Potter and the Sacred Texts. She seeks to use sacred reading practices on ordinary texts like Harry Potter to have a higher level of spirituality in life.
Holly Christensen, Co-founder of the Magic Yarn Project, sews yarn wigs for cancer patients who have lost their hair from chemo.
Eileen Kennedy-Moore explains why children develop imaginary friends and the effects of this long-term. Tom Kapitany tells us the story of the YouTube sensation Rosie the Shark. Danae Wolf teaches us about the beauty of bugs through her photography. Irma Muñoz describes the importance of families and environmental stewardship with her nonprofit Mujeres de la Tierra.
Ramon Lobato covers the ways that Netflix has changed how we consume television and its continuing impact on entertainment. Spencer Case describes "concept inflation" and how the overuse of words can damage our rhetoric and even the quality of our language. Anne Lusk talks about the potential of urban bicycling for social equality. Don Ross closes the show with a conversation about the personhood of elephants.
Alyssa Porter from SBSK discusses how her organization is normalizing neurodiversity. Gabe Barrett shares his passion for board games and talks about their design and appeal. Carmel O'Shannessy discusses the evolution of language and her discovery of a new language, Light Warlpiri. Wendy Kline talks about how midwives changed birth in America.
Bronwyn Tarr discusses how dance and music creates social bonds. Barbara Finamore explore the role of China in the global climate change conversation. Bernie Su talks about the potential of digital storytelling. Catriona Morrison talks about autobiographical memory formation and how our memories can sometimes be wrong.
Richard Wrangham uses anthropology to explain the curious circumstances that have allowed humans to evolve with innate capacities for good and evil. Sandra Matheson talks with us about New Cowgirl Camp. Cailin O'Connor helps identify why we believe things that may be objectively wrong and how to be more discerning consumers of information. Jamie Susskind discusses the potentials of technology in his new book "Future Politics."
Dan Slayback & James Garvin explore a new island that was born from a submarine volcanic explosion in Tonga. Jane Brox considers the power of silence to shape our minds and experience. Tren'ness Woods-Black, granddaughter of Sylvia Woods, who started the famous Sylvia's Restaurant in Harlem, talks about her grandmother's legacy and the power of food as a connector. Sarah Johnston discusses Greek myths and the power that stories have to influence our perception of the world and who lives in it.
Dr. Anne Lusk identifies the challenges of creating a truly bike-friendly city and how to make sure everyone has equal opportunity in our urban surroundings. Diego Rose talks to us about how to make our dietary choices more environmentally-friendly. Steve Young explains his fascination with industrial musicals in his recent documentary "Bathtubs Over Broadway." Loren Schoenberg discusses the indelible influence of jazz music in American history and his work at the National Jazz Museum in Harlem.
Acclaimed physician and writer Dr. James Maskalyk speaks about his experience caring for patients all around the world. Trina Boice, an expert on online family history, offers the best tips on finding information about your ancestors. Rachel Plotnick explains the mechanics and psychology of buttons. Finally, we talk with Sandra Rey, the founder of a company dedicated to harnessing the power of bioluminescence to light our world.
Brian Stuy talks about his research organization that attempts to connect Chinese adoptees to their heritage and parentage. Gabe Barrett discusses what makes a good board game. Laura Bairett talks about her robotic arm and the innovations in technology that make it possible. Stephen Pyne discusses how we came to see the Grand Canyon as a natural wonder.
Psychologist Stuart Vyse joins us to discuss the history and root of superstitions and considers possible benefits. Nathanael Stein uses philosophy to talk about how we teach children the differences between reality and make-believe. Ariana Nedelman chats about her podcast and how we can apply practices of reading sacred texts to other aspects of our lives. Wendy Kline talks about the role of the midwife and how that has changed throughout American history.
Dr. Catriona Morrison discusses how memory is much more imperfect than we think and how to improve our uses of it. Richard Alley teaches us about how our weather and climate predictions have improved in accuracy and what else to expect from advances in forecasting. Director Nell Shaw Cohen explains the process of creating landscape music and why this can make us better in tune with our environment. Paco Underhill talks about how retail spaces are designed to encourage consumers to shop more.
Author Jane Brox considers the positive and negative qualities of silence and how it has been used over time in her new book "Silence: A Social History of One of the Least Understood Elements of Our Lives." Foley artist Greg Barbanell talks about the art of making noise and how the sound effects you hear enhance your viewing experience.
Herpetologist Mark O'Shea shares his love for snakes. Paul Rogers talks about Pando, a quaking aspen grove and the world's largest living organism. Cailin O'Connor discusses why we persist in believing falsehoods. James Garvin & Dan Slayback talk about their research into a new island formed in Tonga and what we can learn from it about our planet and other planets.
Bernie Su talks about adapting literature for retelling on digital platforms. Steve Young and Dava Whisenant discuss the curious history of industrial musicals and their recent documentary, "Bathtubs Over Broadway." Jonathan Beever and Stephen Keubler discuss the application of ethics to robotics and self-driving cars. Leslie Hadfield discusses the history of Black History Month and its place in our culture.
Dr. Andrea Letamendi, a clinical psychologist, draws the connection between what lies behind the masks of superheroes and our own behaviors. Educator, and veterinarian Dr. Sandra Matheson tells us about the New Cowgirl Camp and their work to enable young women to pursue farming and ranching. Diego Rose chats with us about changes we can make to our diet to promote environmental sustainability. Professor of neuroscience Dr. William Klemm dives into the lost art of memorization.
Patrick Walton and Evan Jones from BYU's Spacecraft Research Lab discuss the Opportunity Rover and the wonder of satellites. Elaine Pagels explores the role of religious practice in helping humans overcome personal difficulties. Adam Day takes us behind the scenes of violin making. Bobby Cannon shares his fascination with wood and its place in our history.
Jada Yuan discusses her experience travelling for a year for the New York Times. Elspeth Penny shares the joy of handwritten letters. Bill Deely talks about the care and keeping of Punxsutawney Phil. Grant Eckstein discusses the things we do to add meaning to our communication outside of language alone.
Paco Underhill talks about retail spaces and what retailers use to encourage buying. Anthony Lacey discusses his experience taking strangers to dinner. Mark O'Shea shares his love for snakes and herpetology. Kristin Congdon discusses the enduring legacy of Bob Ross.
Dr. Rebecca Rundell from the Snail Extinction Prevention Program in Hawaii talks about the death of Lonely George, the last member of his species, and the importance of animal conservation. Laura Beirett from Kinova Robotics explores robotic assistive technology for those with limited mobility. Lee Humphreys from Cornell University examines the connections we make online in his new book "The Qualified Self: Social Media and the Accounting of Everyday Life." Nathanael Stein from Florida State University dives into the philosophy of reality.
Danae Wolf teaches us how to appreciate the role of bugs through her photography. Paul Rogers explores the largest living organism on earth - a group of quaking aspen trees called Pando. Robert Walker gives us a firsthand account of the threats faced by the Amazon basin. Stuart Vyse chats about the phenomenon of superstition and how uncertainty can drive some of our more irrational beliefs.
Dr. Andrea Letamendi, a clinical psychologist and comic-book extraordinaire, draws the connections between what lies behind the masks of superheroes and our own behaviors. Anika Price and Liz Hanks from the English Skills Learning Center discuss the importance of building bridges through language for refugees and immigrants. Lisa Smartt, author of "Words at the Threshold," talks about final words. Daniel Bender covers how zoos have shaped our global relationships.
Liad Weiss tells us about how our purchases can reflect our self-perception. Susan Schulten explains how we can use maps as a lens to understand our American history. Rebecca Helm informs us about the tiny ecosystems of organisms that live off of plastic islands in the ocean. Ralph Savarese discusses reading literature with those who have autism.
Robert Tyminski talks about the psychology of theft. Matt Moran shares the story of how American bison recovered from near extinction. Adam Day shares his love for violins and talks us through their intricacies. Phil Forsyth talks about the aims of the Philadelphia Orchard Project, which aims to convert unused land to food sources.
Tony Veale and Mike Cooke explore the wild world of Twitterbots. Anna Machin discusses what makes human fathers unique among mammals. Tyler Morgan shares his love for puppetry. Grant Eckstein explains the art of "pragmatics," or the things we do to convey meaning outside of words.
Richard Alley talks about remarkable advancements in weather forecasting accuracy. Matthew Atencio, Becky Beall, E. Missy Wright, and ZáNean McClain explore skateboarding's position as an increasingly mainstream youth pastime. Nick Uhas of Nickipedia talks us through a few of his experiments and the importance of curiosity. Kristin Congdon discusses Bob Ross's enduring legacy.
Danae Wolfe shares her love of photographing insects and spiders and discusses how to have a better relationship to bugs. Sophie Scott discusses the social value of laughing. Sandra Shapshay helps define the feeling of the sublime and how it informs our relationship with nature. Jason Farman explores the phenomenon of waiting and what good it can do us in a fast-paced world.
Liad Weiss discusses how the objects we buy and receive reflect our perception of ourselves. Carlton Christensen discusses the state of public transit and how he's convincing people to use it. Lisa Smartt takes us through the patterns and themes of the last words peoples say before they die. Jenny Giering talks about how her chronic illness influences the production of her art and connects her with a 12th Century abbess, Hildegard von Bingen.
Robert Tyminski discusses why we're compelled to steal and the place theft has in our culture. Jeff Meldrum discusses where science meets myth in the search for Sasquatch. Julia Wellner talks about her research into the Thwaites Glacier, Antarctica's most volatile glacier. John Shivik talks about the science of animal personalities and the evolutionary advantages of diversity within species.
New York-based artist Bradley Hart has been creating art out of bubble wrap, and we cover his inspiration, process, and the potential of this unusual medium. Garth Paine, an acoustic ecologist from Arizona State University, explores how we listen and learn from nature. Finally, we take a minute to study time with Tom Wilcox, the Director of the National Watch and Clock Collectors Association.
In honor of Holocaust Remembrance Day, educator Jennifer Rich talks with us about teaching and remembering history. Dr. Anna Machin combines evolution and anthropology to explain the anomaly of the human father. Regular guest Sharlee Glenn drops in to talk about how to raise good readers and good citizens. Philosopher and research professor Henrik Syse explores the role of memory in conflict and its potential for universal connectivity.
Dr. Rebecca J. Rundell from the Snail Extinction Prevention Program in Hawaii tells us the story of "Lonely George," the last member of his species, and the importance of preventing extinction. Lyman & Marilyn Momeny, the owners and designers of Escape in Time, teach us about the puzzle building and psychology behind escape rooms. Dr. Denise Stephens from BYU discusses how to encourage women in STEM fields. Rachel Plotnick tells us about buttons of all shapes and sizes.
Amaranth Borsuk chats with us about the history and future of books. Next, Dr. Deanne Long explains how hyperbaric therapy increases the amount of oxygen in the blood stream for healing. Dr. Shohini Ghose talks to us about how science fiction is becoming reality through quantum computers. Finally, we speak with author Dr. Jason Farman about his new book, "Delayed Response: The Art of Waiting From the Ancient to the Instant World."
Rebecca Helm talks about the organisms living on the ocean's plastic islands. Ralph Saverese shares his experience reading literature with people with autism. Amy Herman discusses how we can learn to see the world around us more clearly. Judith Schwartz talks about restorative principles and practices that can help the planet.
Tyler Morgan, a master puppeteer from the Utah Shakespeare Festival, dives into the surprising history and artistry of puppetry. Ingrid Fetell Lee discusses her new book "Joyful: the Surprising Power of Ordinary Things to Create Extraordinary Happiness." FLAP Canada director Michael Mesure talks about what his organization is doing to prevent bird collisions with windows. Asteroid hunter Carrie Nugent teaches us about how she researches ways to prevent asteroids from colliding with Earth.
Bronwyn Tarr discusses her research on how music and dance can help us form bonds. Alyssa Porter talks about her nonprofit, SBSK, which aims to help cultivate knowledge and appreciation for neurodiversity. Jeanne Theoharis joins the show to look at the ways we often misrepresent civil rights history and discusses how those misconceptions affect our present.
Julia Wellner talks about her expedition to Antarctica to study sea ice loss. Sophie Scott discusses laughter and how it helps us form social bonds. Adam Durfee takes us through the transactions of internet service and data use. Susan Linn talks about what true play looks like and why it's important to a child's development.
Tulinda Larsen discusses the drone revolution and its past and future. Engineering professors Randy Beard and Kevin Franke share innovations in drone technology and its uses. Tim Kasser shares how to make intrinsic goals and prioritizing values.The BYU Rocketry shares their love for building and launching rockets and share some of their best (and worst) launches.
Oxford evolutionary psychologist Bronwyn Tarr discusses her research on how music and dance can help us form bonds. Archeologist and historian Alexander Langlands discusses the value of craft and and working with our bodies. Princeton psychologist Alexander Todorov helps us understand the science of first impressions. BYU professor and educator Mike Rutter shares his wisdom about passing on knowledge to future generations.
Irish dance instructor Tina Shelley discusses the history and practice of Irish dance. Alyssa Porter talks about her nonprofit, SBSK, which aims to help cultivate knowledge and appreciation for neurodiversity. YouTube personality Mark Rober talks about a better way to view failure. BYU biologist Roger Koide discusses the important role of fungi in soil health.
Tom Wilcox, director of the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors, shares his love for the science of making and understanding timepieces. Oxford English professor Abigail Williams takes us back to a time when reading wasn't a solitary activity - in fact, it was a common social pastime. FLAP Canada director Michael Mesure talks about what his organization is doing to prevent bird collisions with urban windows. Jen Owen shares the story of e-NABLE, which is a group of volunteers that use their own resources to 3D print prosthetic hands for those in need.
Jennifer Jenkins from the Duke Center for the Study of the Public Domain talks through the ins and outs of intellectual property law, the public domain, fair use, happy birthday, and much more. Geologist David Montgomery talks about the value and importance of soil as a natural resource. Austin Taylor and Matt Jacobs talk about their work at the Provo Bicycle Collective. Mark Hineline discusses the value of observation and shares tips for tracking climate change at home.
Magician and author Allan Kronzek shares his lifelong enchantment with magic. Physicist Kenneth Libbrecht talks about the science of snowflakes. Religious historian Elaine Pagels explains why we still care about religion through the lens of her own personal tragedies. John Linstrom talks about the father of horticulture, Liberty Hyde Bailey, and Bailey's book "The Holy Earth."
Marcia Bjornerud discusses how thinking about time like a geologist can help us live better on the planet. Daniel Everett talks about the importance of learning other languages in school. Mohan Sudabattula shares the story of Project Embrace, which donates used medical equipment. Matt Miller talks about the value of planting trees that you might not see bear fruit.
Acoustic Ecology
Acoustic ecologist Garth Paine explains what we can learn by listening to nature.
Rediscovering Handwritten Letters
Elspeth Penny talks about the wonder of handwritten letters.
Literary Pilgrimage
BYU professor Paul Westover shares the story of an unusual literary pilgrimage.
The Science of Animal Personalities
Biologist John Shivik talks about the science of animal personalities and why they're important to biology.
The Wonders of Nature
Riley Nelson from BYU Life Sciences talks about how to find wonder in nature and his experience as a biologist.
Exploring Personhood
Philosopher Don Ross discusses what it means to be a person using elephants as a case study.
Technology & the Future
Barrister and writer Jamie Susskind explores how technology will shape our society and what the terms of that relationship should look like.
Discovering Dinosaurs
Paleontologist Brooks Britt shares his experience discovering a new dinosaur and the joys of exploration.
Linda Civitello discusses the history of cake and leavening agents. Jennifer Crandall talks about her documentary project "Whitman, Alabama," which combines documentary and the poetry of Walt Whitman to shed light on human connections and national identity. Susan Schulten discusses how we can use maps to view American history differently.
Nawal Nasrallah reflects on her relationship with Iraqi food and her experience translating a thousand year old cookbook. Anne Fishel discusses the importance of family dinners. Jill Gilkerson shares the key to effective communication with children.
Matt Russo shares his experience composing the music of the stars and planets. Daniel Stone shares the story of David Fairchild, the food explorer responsible for bringing us many of the fruits and vegetables we love today. John Branch talks about his experience with the Wright family, a rodeo and ranching family struggling to hang on to tradition in the changing West.
David Sloane examines our practices of burying and memorializing. Carrie Moore discusses how to help children grieve. Jill Jonnes shares the phenomenon of urban forests. Jock Brandis discusses the Full Belly Project and his innovations in agricultural technology.
Michael Rutter shares his lifelong passion for the natural world and how he's learned the language of nature. Jeff Nichols discusses the emerging field of mountain studies. Julia Lupton & Ellen Lupton share some practical advice for the well-designed life.
Julianna Gylseth and Susan Quebbeman discuss their experiences teaching music to elementary school children and the value of bringing music into schools and homes. Susan Linn discusses the remarkable nature of playtime. Rod & Carrie Shaw and Jared & Nicole Casey share their experiences raising children with Down Syndrome.
Clark Strand discusses the cultural shift to banish the dark and argues why we should instead embrace it. Jessica Dwyer talks about the benefits of dark skies. Dava Sobel shares the story of a group of women dedicated to uncovering the secrets of space at the Harvard College Observatory. Tim Slover shares the inspiration behind the Christmas Chronicles.
Paul Quast discusses the Beyond the Earth Foundation and humanity's cultural heritage. Don Ross shares his ideas about the similarities between humans and elephant. Asmud Asdal talks about his work at the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Johnathan Balcome discusses the inner lives of fish.
Yale professor Alexander Todorov talks about the science of first impressions. Coral Vita cofounder Sam Teicher talks about what his organization is doing to help revitalize damaged coral reefs. Activist Trebbe Johnson talks about the importance of encountering wounded places in our environment. Kassia St. Clair discusses the biographies of colors.
Mara Mintzer and Louise Chawla, co-authors of “Placemaking with Children and Youth,” realized that children were not integrated in the city planning process. They discuss how they were brave enough to start the integration process because they believe engaging children and youth in the urban design process largely benefits the city. Filmmaker Emmanuel Vaughan-Lee discusses his new documentary "Earthrise" and the impact of the famous photo.
We explore issues of rehabilitation and redemption with Curt Tofteland, founder and producing director of Shakespeare Behind Bars. SBB is an organization that offers theatrical encounters to incarcerate, post-incarcerated, and at-risk communities. Regular contributor Jerry Johnston joins Marcus Smith to reflect on the conversation.
Documentary filmmaker Jennifer Crandall talks about her documentary project "Whitman, Alabama," which combines documentary and the poetry of Walt Whitman to shed light on human connections and national identity. University of Denver historian Susan Schulten discusses how we can use maps to view American history differently.
Today we’re spending some time with guests who can open the door for us on the reality of living with serious mental and physical illness and how we can better understand and connect with those affected by it. Cecilia McGough is the founder and CEO of Students with Schizophrenia, and we talk about the stigma surrounding schizophrenia and what her organization is doing to empower college students who have schizophrenia. Jenny Giering is a musician and theater composer, and we go into how her chronic illness has informed her art and her life with her family.
Peter Christie, Ballet West’s Education and Outreach Director, discusses the “I CAN DO” program, an acronym for Inspiring Children About Not Dropping Out, offers fifth-grade students a hands-on dance education experience and several performance opportunities. Later, Jean Dixon Elliott of Jean’s Golden Girls, a senior citizen dance troupe for senior women based in Provo, Utah shares her story.
Art historian and critic Alison Pearlman dissects the inner workings of the restaurant menu. Restaurateur Jody Scaravella, owner of Enoteca Maria in New York City, discusses his unique business model of hiring grandmas, or "nonnas", in lieu of professional chefs. Yale historian Paul Freedman talks about the most influential restaurants in American history and the making of an American cuisine.
Austin Troy from University of Colorado Denver's Urban and Regional Planning Department joins Marcus Smith in a discussion about the relationship between city design and energy consumption and what individuals can do to improve their urban energy metabolism.
Glenn Adamson is an art curator, historian, and writer. We discuss what makes up material intelligence - the appreciation of and relation to the tangible objects that surround us - as covered in his newest book "Fewer, Better Things: The Hidden Wisdom of Objects." Next we talk about creativity and craftsmanship with Michael Sheetz, a woodworker, blacksmith, and owner of American Handcrafted Caskets and Coffins.
Jennifer Atkinson, author of "Gardenland: Nature, Fantasy, and Everyday Practice," discusses the fears, hopes, ideologies, and social movements that underlie the genre of garden writing. James Hunter, program manager of New Roots in Salt Lake City, talks about how the New Roots program connects refugees with gardens and farms and helps them the transition to a new community.
We talk to Jen Owen, the founder, owner, and primary writer and speaker of EnablingTheFuture.org, an international community of volunteers that use their own resources to 3D print free prosthetic hands for those who need them. Then, we talk to Dr. Albert-László Barabási, one of the world’s leading experts on the science of networks, about how he uses 3D printing to explore neural networks.
This is a repeat episode that originally aired on September 27, 2018.
Utah artist Jacqui Larsen joins the show to discuss her experiences taking notice of the world within a three-mile radius of her home and translating her observations into art.
Helping our society develop a greater appreciation and appetite for art can begin with instilling those values in young children through art education. Today we speak with a panel of art educators to learn more about their jobs and the importance of their field. Our guests are Rita Wright and Emily Larsen from the Springville Museum of Art and Virginia Catherall from the Utah Museum of Fine Arts.
In honor of the centenary of French composer Claude Debussy's death, BYU School of Music professors Luke Howard and Brent Yorgason join Marcus Smith in a discussion of Debussy's life and musical influence.
Geologist Marcia Bjornerud explains why thinking about time like a geologist could help us live more meaningful lives and care for our planet. Later, BYU geology professor Barry Bickmore discusses the importance of geoscience education.
Today we’re examining retirement and its relationship to personal identity. First, Michelle Silver, a sociology professor from the University of Toronto, discusses the culture of work and the disconnect many retirees feel between their expectations and their actual experience. Then we hear a personal reflection from David Geary on the transition from work to retirement.
First, Marcus and Sarah Smith ruminate on a few of their family cookbooks. Then, Sue Jimenez discusses how she came to claim the Guinness World Record for her cookbook collection and the cultural significance her cookbooks hold. Finally, a few guests from BYU Radio reflect on their personal and family heritage of using cookbooks and recipes.
Phillip Bimstein, an associate instructor at the University of Utah, composer, and former mayor of Springdale, Utah, talks with us about "Composing a Community," and how we can use a musical perspective to enhance our interactions with each other. April Clayton discusses Bimstein's piece "Half Moon at Checkerboard Mesa."
Nawal Nasrallah is a translator, author, and Iraqi food blogger. She talks with us about her book "Annals of the Caliphs' Kitchens", her translation of a tenth-century Baghdadi cookbook. Over 80 of the 615 recipes were written as poems that explore the relationship between the culinary and the divine. She explores her personal experience with Iraqi food.
Today, we’re examining the way we remember and teach Native American history in school. Marcus talks with Meredith Lam, Meredith Schramm, and Jeanie Groves, three representatives from Utah school districts, about the state of Native American education in our schools.
We evaluate the balance between beauty and utility. Marcus Smith will visit with Elizabeth Monoian and Robert Ferry, the co-founders of the Land Art Generator Initiative, or LAGI. LAGI aims to build a green future that is also beautiful. Then he’ll talk with Lorne Mlotek about the LEED Certifications, a rating system for green buildings.
Brent Crane, President of the Food and Care Coalition in Utah County, talks about their mission to "alleviate hunger and diminish the plights of poverty." Later, Ginette Bott, President of the Utah Food Bank, and other volunteers join us to discuss the Food Bank's ability to provide services in the fight against hunger. However, both companies depend largely on the help of their volunteers.
Matt Russo, co-founder of SYSTEM sounds, educator, musician, and astrophysicist joins us to verbally demonstrate how the rhythm of the cosmos can be converted into music. He states that there is a connection between astronomy and music. Following, Dr. Jeanette Lawler, physics professor at Brigham Young University, joins us to discuss what it is like to be the director of the BYU Planetarium.
Psychologist Christia Spears Brown discusses how gender affects an individual's childhood. Dr. Michael Goodman from the BYU Religion Department explains how he and his family split up household responsibilities without regard to male and female stereotypes.
Utah music educators Julianna Gylseth and Susan Quebbeman discuss their experiences teaching music to elementary school children and the value of bringing music into schools and homes.
Is it ethical to reach for Mars when people are starving on earth? First, economist Jeffrey Sachs examines the responsibility of the wealthy to take care of the poor. Later, Marcus Smith and regular guest Jerry Johnston discuss the idea of prosperity.
Samira Harnish, founder of the Women of the World Refugee non-profit organization, discusses her mission to educate and employ women refugees to achieve the goal of self-reliance. Second guest, Melissa Dalton-Bradford spokesperson and co-founder of This Is Our Story non-profit organization shares her experiences as she helps refugees to share their stories in authentic ways and ultimately find their voice.
Azza Karam is the senior advisor on social and cultural development at the United Nations Population Fund. On this episode, we talk about how she coordinates outreach with multi-religious collaborations and her focuses on international gender issues, democratization, human rights, conflict, and political Islam.
On the day before midterm elections in the United States, we host a panel discussion on the topic of voter engagement. Our guests are Justin Anderson and Andrew Richards, both from a Utah-based nonprofit called Voterise, and we also have Catherine Eslinger from Mormon Women for Ethical Government.
Dr. Orley Taylor talks with us about butterflies, conservation, and the research organization he founded, Monarch Watch. Dr. Riley Nelson talks to us about Wonder and Stone Flies.
Cait Flanders is an author, podcaster and traveler who writes about the intersection of mindfulness, minimalism, and money. We get to discuss her book "The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Gave Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store."
Author Kristen Rogers-Iversen discusses the shifting story of the juniper tree and its connection and importance to human history.
Food historian Linda Civitello takes us on a romp through the history of cake, incorporating yeast, baking powder, raisins, rectangular tins, and just about everything else. Later, cake decorator Tracie Smith discusses her craft.
Architecture and design critic Alexandra Lange discusses the crucial role that design plays in children's learning and development.
Marianne Krasny, Professor and Director of the Civic Ecology Lab in the Department of Natural Resources at Cornell University, discusses her involvement in several projects designed to connect civic action with environmental responsibility.
Mark Hineline, instructor in history, philosophy, and sociology of science at Lyman Briggs College at Michigan State University, discusses how we can see the effects of climate change just by paying a little better attention to the changes in what he calls our "dooryards."
Ingrid Fetell Lee explains how we can discover joy in the aesthetics of the world around us.
Amidst a barrage of cynical headlines pertaining to the climate change crisis, there are some powerful voices speaking up for positive restorative efforts. Our first guest is Judith D. Schwartz, an author who focuses on empowering society to repair the environment rather than succumb to the pessimism. Next we talk with Kate Schapira about coping with climate change related anxiety.
This episode explores the transition from having kids at home to having kids move away. Our first guest is family life specialist David Schramm, who discusses his research into the feelings and experiences of empty nesters. Our second guest, BYU School of Family Life professor Larry Nelson, discusses helicopter parenting and how parents can stay involved in the lives of their emerging adults.
Writer and speaker Alfie Kohn discusses how using control and coercion in the form of rewards and punishment is ineffective in helping children, students, and employees make long-lasting changes in behavior.
Urban planner David Sloane discusses how we've changed the process of memorializing our loved ones. Carrie Moore, executive director of The Bradley Center for Grieving Children and Families, speaks about grieving and the family.
BYU Global Women's Studies Coordinator Valerie Hegstrom describes her personal journey to becoming a feminst.
A two-part conversation with guests from the Scripps National Spelling Bee: Dr. Jacques Bailly and Vanya Shivashankar talk about their love of the English language. Tommy Hamby, shares his experiences of hosting the "Buzzword," an adult spelling bee, in SLC, Utah.
Mark Rober is a Science YouTuber and former NASA Engineer. We talk to him about The Super Mario Effect, and how we get the next generation to engage with science. Dr. Geoff Wright and Whitney Carlson discuss their kids book called Rainy Day Engineering.
Michael Rutter, writer, teacher, and outdoorsman, joins us to share his lifelong passion for the natural world, explaining how the same skills he used to learn how to read assist him in understanding the environment.
Sharlee Glenn shares the story of Mary Lemist Titcomb, a librarian who developed the bookmobile. Later on the show, Marlene Esplin, Cristin Drewes, and Sharlee Glenn discuss the phenomenon of Little Free Libraries.
Regular guest Jerry Johnston joins Marcus in a discussion about Fred Roger's life and legacy as depicted in Morgan Neville's documentary "Won't You Be My Neighbor?"
Kerry Soper, BYU humanities professor and author of "Gary Larson and The Far Side," discusses the cultural significance and lasting impact of Gary Larson's Far Side comics.
Political scientist Dr. Nicholas Tampio talks about his article "Look Up from Your Screen" and how children should be learning through interactive and tactile experiences.
Austin Taylor and Matt Jacobs talk to us about the Provo Bicycle Collective, and their ideal of a community focused on making a "cleaner, healthier, and safer society". We meet with Kira Johnson and Alexis at their weekly Women's Night.
Brett Herbst, founder of the agritainment consulting company “The MAiZE,” talks with us about how he oversees 280+ farms across the world to provide well-designed corn mazes for friends and families everywhere.
Charity Owens is a park ranger at Antelope Island, the largest island in the Great Salt Lake. She talks with us about the history of the island and the wonder of wildlife.
Quinn Peterson, craftsman and executive director at Downtown Provo, Inc., joins the show to discuss his experiences creating ties, literally and figuratively, in his community.
Utah artist Jacqui Larsen joins the show to discuss her experiences taking notice of the world within a three-mile radius of her home and translating her observations into art.
Psychologist and founder of The Family Dinner Project Anne Fishel joins the show to talk about the value of family dinners and their impact on children's development. Then, linguist Jill Gilkerson discusses how to communicate with children more effectively.
BYU humanities professor George Handley discusses his new book, American Fork, and his perspective on preserving the earth for future generations.
Ben Goldfarb, environmental journalist and author of "Eager: The Surprising, Secret Life of Beavers and Why They Matter," talks about the essential role that beavers play in maintaining a healthy environment. Heidi Perryman, founder of "Worth a Dam," shares the story of a community coming together to save beavers in Martinez, California.
Phillip Bimstein, an associate instructor at the University of Utah, composer, and former mayor of Springdale, Utah, talks with us about "Composing a Community," and how we can use a musical perspective to enhance our interactions with each other. April Clayton discusses Bimstein's piece "Half Moon at Checkerboard Mesa."
Sharlee Glenn joins the show to discuss her journey into accidental activism. Megan Rawlins Woods talks about how to balance personal convictions with social ties.
BYU Asian & Near Eastern Languages professor Dana Bourgerie discusses his work documenting the lives and stories of the Cambodian people through oral histories. Later, BYU history professor Leslie Hadfield shares the art of the oral history interview.
Naomi Watkins and Katherine Kitterman from Better Days 2020 talk about several public initiatives designed to increase awareness of women's history in Utah. One of these initiatives is an ongoing project to develop and introduce women's history curriculum to public schools in Utah.
In this inaugural episode, Deseret News columnist Jerry Johnston joins Marcus Smith to discuss the changing meaning of wonder and its place in our lives.