Insights: Recent Episodes
Insights: An Interview Series
Insights is an interview series aimed at breaking down the careers of today's leaders in the arts and sciences. Each week, we interview individuals who have broken barriers, revolutionized concepts, and redefined their fields. Guests have included Nobel Prize recipients, Palme d'Or winners, deans and department chairs from major institutions, Oscar winners, government health officials, best-selling authors, and more.
David Chase is the Emmy award winning creator of The Sopranos. Nathan Goldrich and David discuss how he found his way into show business, the screenwriting goals and tactics behind The Sopranos, and advice for future filmmakers. Enjoy this David Chase interview.
Dr. David Buss is one of the founders of evolutionary psychology. His research focuses on the psychological basis of human mating and conflict between the sexes. Nathan Goldrich and David discuss the role of technology in altering these processes, his early interest in evolutionary psychology, and his advice for future psychologists.
Peter Bogdanovich is the Academy Award nominated director of movies such as The Last Picture Show and Paper Moon. In this audio only interview, Nathan Goldrich and Peter discuss his early interest in cinema, stories behind the making of his films, and advice for future filmmakers.
Sir Fraser Stoddart won the 2016 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for the design and synthesis of molecular machines. Sir Fraser and Nathan Goldrich discuss his path to becoming a scientist, the state of STEM education today, and his advice for future scientists.
Ellen Burstyn is an Academy Award winning actress behind The Exorcist, Alice Doesn't Live Here Anymore, and Requiem for a Dream. Nathan Goldrich and Ellen discuss her road to acting, share stories of the making and reception of The Exorcist, and offer advice for young actors.
Dr. Joachim Frank won the 2017 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for developing cryo-electron microscopy for the high-resolution structure determination of biomolecules in solution. Nathan Goldrich and Joachim talk about the function of ribosomes, his discovery, and his early interest in science.
Sheldon Whitehouse currently serves as the Junior Senator of Rhode Island. In this conversation, Nathan Goldrich and Senator Whitehouse discuss climate change, pandemic response, and advice for future politicians.
John Turturro is a Cannes award winning actor of movies such as Barton Fink, Do the Right Thing, and The Big Lebowski. Nathan Goldrich and John discuss his early desire to become an actor, how he selects his characters, and advice for future actors. Enjoy this John Turturro interview.
Professor Henry Reynolds explains how he pioneered studies of the Australian aboriginal people, the impact of British colonization, and the role of the historian today.
Dr. David Baltimore won the 1975 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for his discoveries concerning the interaction between tumor viruses and the genetic material of the cell. We talk about his discovery of reverse transcription, the nature of the novel coronavirus, and the potential of RNA vaccines.
Tim Robbins is an Academy Award winning actor of movies such as The Shawshank Redemption, Mystic River, and The Player. We talk about the responsibilities of a film and theatre actor, how stories get selected by movie studios, and potential of art to bring about empathy and change.
Enjoy this Tim Robbins interview.
Dr. Charles Rice won the 2020 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for the discovery of Hepatitis C virus. We talked about the nature of the Hepatitis C virus, the novel coronavirus, and his developing interest in science.
Dr. J. Michael Kosterlitz is the 2016 Nobel Prize winner in physics for theoretical discoveries of topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter. We discuss condensed matter physics, rock climbing, and advice for future scientists.
Dr. Owen Brian Toon is the founding chair of the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at the University of Colorado Boulder. We talk the footprint of carbon dioxide emissions, the dangers of coal and natural gas, and advice for future scientists.
Dr. Russell Foster is a professor of circadian neuroscience at Oxford. We talk about the various types of biological rhythms, what happens if the clock is thrown off, and his early interest in science.
Dr. Robert Harrington was the president of the American Heart Association from 2019-2020. We talk about trends in heart disease, COVID-19 cardiac complications, and getting involved with the American Heart Association.
Dr. Jim Al-Khalili is a professor of theoretical physics and chair in the public engagement in science at the University of Surrey. We talk about the applications of quantum physics, the emergence of quantum biology, and the role of science in today's culture.
Dr. Kelly Brownell is the director of the World Food Policy Center. We discuss public health with regard to how and what we eat today. We also talk about how public policy could be used to promote healthier eating habits.
Filmed on December 8, 2020.
Dr. Avi Loeb is the former chair of Harvard's astronomy department and the New York Times best-selling author of Extraterrestrial. We talk about the possibility of life outside Earth, the UFO sightings, and the necessity of space exploration.
Link to his best-selling book, Extraterrestrial https://www.amazon.com/Extraterrestri...
Link to some of his opinion pieces https://lweb.cfa.harvard.edu/~loeb/Op...
Dr. Daniel Gilbert is a psychology professor at Harvard and author of the best-selling book Stumbling on Happiness. We talk about the scientific basis of imagination and how it relates to our understanding of happiness.
Sarah Ramey is the author of The Lady's Handbook for Her Mysterious Illness. Buy her memoir using the link below.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0385534078?pf_rd_r=46Q1T9QV0J79820EQ3QP&pf_rd_p=5ae2c7f8-e0c6-4f35-9071-dc3240e894a8&pd_rd_r=e87ce030-dd89-49e6-873f-80262ad2bd38&pd_rd_w=p1cix&pd_rd_wg=pWj4u&ref_=pd_gw_unk
Dr. Michael Lim is the chair of neurosurgery at Stanford University's School of Medicine. We talk the step-by-step process of treating brain tumors and general fascination of oncology.
Dr. Harvey Alter is the 2020 Nobel Prize winner in Physiology or Medicine for his role in the discovery of the Hepatitis C virus. We talk the step-by-step by which he made this discovery, similarities between Hepatitis and COVID-19, and much more.
Dr. Andra Blomkalns is the chair of emergency medicine at the Stanford School of Medicine. She provides an inside look as to how Stanford has coped with the pandemic and what traits are needed to be an effective emergency department physician.
Professor Brian Greene, chairman and co-founder of the World Science Festival, breaks down topics from the origin of the universe, existence of the multiverse, and interplay of science and religion.
Mike Leigh is the Palme d'Or and Golden Lion winning director of classic films such at Naked, Secrets & Lies, and Vera Drake. We discuss his perspective on film, how he works to create authentic characters, and his journey to becoming the director he is today.
Dr. George Daley is the Dean of the Harvard Medical School. We talk about the therapeutic potential of stem cells, managing HMS during the pandemic, and advice for students aspiring for careers in research and medicine.
Valerie Jarrett was the Senior Advisor to President Obama. We talk about her experience in the White House and how you can engage in public policy as a citizen of the United States.
Kathleen Sebelius was the Secretary of Health and Human Services during the Obama Administration. We talk about how party polarization, funding, and communications influence the implementation of health policy.
Dr. Janet Woodcock is the acting commissioner of the FDA. We talk about the drug screening process leading up to FDA approval, Operation Warp Speed, and how she became in charge of the FDA.
Dr. Zia Mian is co-director of Princeton's Program in Science & Global Security. We talk about the implications of the Iran Deal today, what would happen if a nuclear weapon were dropped, and who the major threats are.
Dr. Anthony Fauci is the director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases. We talk about how his early experiences with science, sports, and religion influenced his exemplary career in public health from HIV/AIDS to COVID-19.
Dr. James Doty is the director of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research and Education at Stanford. We talk keys to happiness, the biological basis of compassion, and how to temper stress with empathy.
Dr. Melissa Bondy is the department chair of Epidemiology and Population Health at the Stanford School of Medicine. We speak on topics ranging from why minorities are disproportionally affected by COVID-19 to commercial genetic testing.
Dr. Joe Wu is the director of the Stanford Cardiovascular Institute. We talk about the burden of heart disease; the therapeutic potential of drugs, genome editing, stem cells, and 3D printing; and his path to cardiac medicine.
Dr. Nancy Brown is dean of Yale Medical School. We talk about the effects of COVID-19 on medical school, the process of increasing representation of women and minorities in STEM, and her experience as the first female dean of Yale.
Dr. Michael Snyder is chair of the department of genetics at the Stanford School of Medicine and the director of the Stanford Center for Genomics and Personalized Medicine. We talk about how wearable technology (such as Apple Watches) can provide information about our health, and indicate when sickness such as COVID-19 may be looming ahead.
Dr. Anne Schuchat is the Principal Deputy Director of the CDC. She also served as director of CDC’s National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases from 2006 to 2015 and Chief of the Respiratory Diseases Branch from 1998 to 2005. We talk the COVID-19, SARS, MERS, H1N1, Ebola, bioterrorism, and more.
Dr. Quynh-Thu Le is the department chair of the Stanford School of Medicine. We talk head & neck cancer, cancer treatments, and her interest in radiation oncology.
Dr. Robert Lefkowitz won the 2012 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his breakthroughs in G protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) - targets for up to 50% of prescription drugs. We talk the medical relevance of GPCRs, how prescription drugs work, and how the Vietnam War influenced his decision to pursue science.
Dr. Brian Kobilka won the 2012 Nobel Prize in chemistry for his contributions to for studies of G protein coupled receptors. We talk G proteins, his upbringing, and advice for students interested in entering STEM.
Dr. Francis Collins is the current and longest serving director of the NIH. We talk COVID-19, the Human Genome Project, music, and faith.
Dr. David Wineland won the 2012 Nobel Prize in physics for his contributions to quantum systems. We talk quantum physics, motorcycle racing, and the education system.
Dr. Kip Thorne won the 2017 Nobel Prize in Physics for his work on the LIGO detector, and is one of the world's leading experts on black holes, wormholes, and time travel. He also served as an Executive Producer on the Academy Award winning film, "Interstellar", and wrote its companion book: "The Science of Interstellar". He discusses the physics of warped spacetime, the accuracy of science in movies, and the importance of STEM in today's world.
Dr. Jim Allison won the 2018 Nobel Prize in physiology or medicine for his discoveries of cancer treatment using T cells. He breaks down the science of immunology, discusses his high school teacher who refused to teach evolution, and illustrates the fact that cancer is curable.
Dr. Barry Barish won the 2017 Nobel Prize in physics for his work as principal investigator and director of LIGO. He breaks down particle physics, discusses his early novelist aspirations, and illustrates the importance of curiosity for students looking pursue a career in STEM
Dr. Rainer Weiss is a Nobel Prize winning physicist for his conception of the LIGO project. Through LIGO, a gravitational wave was observed for the first time in history. He shares stories and advice for students who are interested in entering the sciences.