Inquiring Minds
Each week, Inquiring Minds explores the intersection of science and society, delving into topics where scientific inquiry meets public discourse. The podcast aims to foster critical thinking and understanding of the world through evidence-based reasoning. Hosted by Indre Viskontas, it covers what's true, what remains to be discovered, and why these questions matter.
Episodes
Unlocking the Mysteries of the Social Brain with Dr. Bruce Miller
In this powerful episode of Inquiring Minds, host Indre Viskontas reconnects with her longtime mentor, Dr. Bruce L. Miller—one of the world’s foremost authorities on dementia, empathy, and the neuroscience of human behavior. Dr. Miller is a Distinguished Professor of Neurology and Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), where he founded both the UCSF Memory and Aging Cent
Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer's with Charles Piller
In this episode of Inquiring Minds, host Indre Viskontas speaks with investigative journalist Charles Piller about his explosive new book, Doctored: Fraud, Arrogance, and Tragedy in the Quest to Cure Alzheimer's. Piller unearths the troubling reality behind decades of Alzheimer's research, exposing how fraudulent data, unchecked ambition, and institutional failures have shaped the field—and wasted
Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality and Politics and How to Find Common Ground with Kurt Gray
In this episode of Inquiring Minds, host Indre Viskontas speaks with Kurt Gray, a professor of psychology and neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and director of the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding. Gray’s groundbreaking new book, Outraged: Why We Fight About Morality in Politics and How to Find Common Ground, delves into the psychological roots of moral o
The Purpose Code: How To Unlock Meaning, Maximize Happiness, and Leave A Lasting Legacy with Jordan Grumet
In the wake of the devastating fires in Los Angeles where people have lost their homes and all their worldly possessions and when many are questioning their purpose it was a timely moment for host Indre Viskontas to sit with hospice physician, financial independence expert, and author Jordan Grumet to discuss his transformative new book, The Purpose Code: How to Unlock Meaning, Maximize Happiness,
Journey to 2125: One Century, One Family, Rising to Challenges with Gary F. Bengier
In this episode of Inquiring Minds, host Adam Bristol sits down with Silicon Valley tech expert, philosopher, and acclaimed science fiction author Gary Bengier to discuss his new novel, Journey to 2125: One Century, One Family, Rising to Challenges. As a prequel to his celebrated book Unfettered Journey, this latest work delves into the pivotal technological, political, and societal challenges hum
Power Metal: The Race for the Resources That Will Shape the Future with Vince Beiser
In this episode of Inquiring Minds, Indre Viskontas sits down with award-winning journalist and author Vince Beiser to delve into the environmental, social, and ethical implications of our growing reliance on electronics and artificial intelligence. Drawing from his new book, Power Metal: The Race for the Resources That Will Shape the Future, Vince sheds light on the often-overlooked competition
Thrive: Maximizing Well-Being in the Age of AI with Ravi Bapna
Indre sits to chat with co-author of "Thrive: Maximizing Well-Being in the Age of AI" and chair of business analytics at the University of Minnesota, Ravi Bapna, to explore the complex relationship between artificial intelligence and society.They talk about the potential benefits and risks of AI and how we need to be aware and balance both narratives, how we need to understand the various types of
Living on Earth: Forests, Corals, Consciousness, and the Making of the World with Peter Godfrey-Smith
In this episode of Inquiring Minds, Indre Viskontas sits down with Peter Godfrey-Smith, Professor of History and Philosophy of Science at the University of Sydney and author of Living on Earth: Forests, Corals, Consciousness, and the Making of the World.Peter takes us on an enthralling journey through the evolution of culture and its impact on consciousness and society. Together they explore the c
Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, and Ourselves with Nicola Twilley
Did you know that many apples sold in stores are nearly a year old by the time you get to buy them?Indre sits down once again to talk with science journalist and non-fiction author and co-host of the award-winning Gastropod podcast, Nicola Twilley, about a project she has been passionately working on for the last 15 years, her new book “Frostbite: How Refrigeration Changed Our Food, Our Planet, an
The Most Delicious Poison with Noah Whiteman
Indre welcomes evolutionary biologist and UC Berkeley professor, Noah Whiteman unto the Inquiring Minds Show to delve into the world of nature’s toxins and Whiteman’s new book."Most Delicious Poison: The Story of Nature's Toxins from Spices to Vices.” explores the adaptations that have enabled various organisms to not only survive but thrive in environments laden with toxic substances, such as the
Revealing the Secrets of Supercommunicators with Charles Duhigg
In this intriguing episode, Indre chats with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and renowned author of The Power of Habit and Smarter, Better, Faster, Charles Duhigg, to discuss his latest book “Supercommunicators”.
Their conversation delves into he crucial role of effective communication in building meaningful relationships and enhancing quality of life.
Duhigg shares insights from the Harvard
“The Good Stuff” about Quanta and Fields with Sean Carroll
Indre welcomes Sean Carroll, Homewood Professor of Natural Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University and host of the Mindscape podcast, back to Inquiring Minds today for an engaging exploration of his latest book, "The Biggest Ideas in the Universe: Quanta and Fields." Together, they delve into the intricacies of quantum mechanics and field theory, unpacking the critical roles of quanta and fields wi
Understanding and Expanding Consciousness with Dr. Christof Koch
In yet another thoroughly intriguing episode, Indre engages with renowned neuroscientist Christof Koch this week to explore the complexities of consciousness and its impact on our understanding of self and free will. Koch, a pivotal figure in the field who worked alongside the legendary Francis Crick to pioneer the study of neural correlates of consciousness, shares a wealth of both personal exper
Are Flukes Actually the Norm?
Indre examines the realm of randomness and its undeniable sway over our lives and the fabric of society, as she welcomes global politics luminary, Brian Klaas, to the podcast today. An Associate Professor in Global Politics at University College London, affiliate researcher at the University of Oxford, contributing writer for The Atlantic, creator of the award-winning Power Corrupts Podcast, and p
Capitalizing on The Neurodiversity Edge with Maureen Dunne
Globally recognized neurodiversity expert, thought leader, and public policy professional and champion, Maureen Dunne, joins Indre today to discuss the evolving perceptions of neurological diversity within our society. Centering their discussion around Maureen's recent publication, The Neurodiversity Edge, they delve into the profound benefits of welcoming neurodivergent individuals into workplace
Making the Mundane Magic with Dan Winters
In this latest installment of Inquiring Minds, Indre explores the intricate world of photography with the renowned Dan Winters, whose career spans the realms of celebrity portraiture, scientific documentation, and beyond. Winters' journey from a childhood captivated by the narratives of Star Wars to his status as a National Geographic Explorer and award-winning artist underscores his unique abilit
Why We Die with Venki Ramakrishnan
Among his many achievements, the esteemed Venki Ramakrishnan has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth, served as the President of the Royal Society, and shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Today, he adds being a special guest on the Inquiring Minds podcast to this impressive list of accomplishments as he joins Indre to tackle the age-old question: Is there a biological limit to human lifespan? D
“X”-amining the Battle for the Bird with Kurt Wagner
Join Indre and guest Kurt Wagner, renowned business and technology journalist and author of Battle for the Bird: Jack Dorsey, Elon Musk, and the $44 Billion Fight for Twitter's Soul, as they embark on an insightful exploration of Twitter's evolution. From Jack Dorsey's humble beginnings to the platform's global prominence, pivotal themes of visionary leadership and the balance between profit and p
Revealing Why We Remember with Charan Ranganath
Welcome back to Inquiring Minds, where, after a brief hiatus, host Indre Viskontas returns withyet another memorable episode, this time featuring Charan Ranganath, Director of the Memoryand Plasticity Program and a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University ofCalifornia at Davis. Over his illustrious career, Dr. Ranganath has received innumerabledistinguished awards, edited major n
Don’t Panic, but Robert Sapolsky Says There’s No Free Will
This week we talk to Robert Sapolsky—MacArthur “Genius” Fellow and professor of biology, neurology, and neurosurgery at Stanford—about his new book Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Science of Allergies and Why We Have Them
This week we talk to medical anthropologist and science writer Theresa MacPhail about her new book Allergic: Our Irritated Bodies in a Changing World. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Why It’s Important to Know What’s Actually in Your Clothes
This week we talk to journalist and sustainable fashion expert Alden Wicker about her book To Dye For: How Toxic Fashion Is Making Us Sick—and How We Can Fight Back. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
How You Could Have Survived History’s Disasters
This week we talk to writer Cody Cassidy about his new book How to Survive History: How to Outrun a Tyrannosaurus, Escape Pompeii, Get Off the Titanic, and Survive the Rest of History's Deadliest Catastrophes. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
How to Stop Your Brain from Falling for Lies
This week we talk to psychologists Daniel Simons and Christopher Chabris about their new book Nobody's Fool: Why We Get Taken In and What We Can Do About It. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
How Society Created “You”
This week we talk to social psychologist and Stanford professor Brian Lowery about his new book Selfless: The Social Creation of “You”. In it, he proposes that what you think of as “you” is actually a social construct created by your relationships and affected by every interaction you have. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use o
The Science of Silo with Hugh Howey
This week we talk to Hugh Howey, author of the bestselling Silo series of books and executive producer of the new Apple TV+ series of the same name. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Improbable Experiments That Changed the World
This week we talk to accelerator physicist Suzie Sheehy about her most recent book The Matter of Everything: How Curiosity, Physics, and Improbable Experiments Changed the World. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
The Perilous Combination of Brain Wave Data and Generative AI
On the show this week we talk to Nita A. Farahany, distinguished professor of law and philosophy at Duke University and the founding director of the Duke Initiative for Science & Society, about her new book, "The Battle for Your Brain: Defending the Right to Think Freely in the Age of Neurotechnology."Many people choose to give up unprecedented levels of privacy in exchange for convenience. So why
Everything you need to know about that fusion breakthrough
Last December, a team of scientists made history by creating a fusion reaction that—for the first time ever—gave off more energy that it took to start. It’s a groundbreaking milestone.We talked to two researchers who were part of that team—Sabrina Nagel and Matthias Hohenberger—about what exactly happened, why it’s been decades in the making, and why it’s such a big deal. This is everything you ne
Art can make you live longer
This week we talk to pioneering art & science researcher Susan Magsamen along with vice president of design for hardware products at Google, Ivy Ross, about their new book Your Brain on Art: How the Arts Transform Us.While sometimes considered opposites, art and science are unequivocally linked in ways we’re still figuring out. Not only does our way of thinking and living impact our art, but art a
Plants have been listening to us this whole time
This week, with guest co-host Majel Connery, we talk to author and researcher Karen Bakker about her new book The Sounds of Life: How Digital Technology Is Bringing Us Closer to the Worlds of Animals and Plants. The book explores stories of nonhuman sound and the often overlooked impact our own sound has on the natural world. Plus, things like: What do plants hear? How likely is interspecies commu
How is it possible that we can’t yet explain consciousness?
This week we talk to neuroscientist and author Patrick House about his new book Nineteen Ways of Looking at Consciousness. The book explores the complexity of consciousness and how it’s possible that it has thus far eluded explanation. To do so he examines one single study about consciousness nineteen different ways. It’s unorthodox, accessible, and remarkable. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz com
The Science of Why You Fall in Love With Music
This week we talk to cognitive neuroscientist and multi-platinum record producer Susan Rogers about her new book This Is What It Sounds Like: What the Music You Love Says About You. In this episode:The science behind how we perceive and process music and how it can affect our emotions and sense of selfHow our brains develop the ability to process sound and how formal music training can help us bec
The Powerful Ways Secrets Shape Your Life
This week we talk to behavioral scientist Michael Slepian about secrets: keeping them, telling them, and the powerful ways in which they influence our lives. His new book is The Secret Life of Secrets: How Our Inner Worlds Shape Well-Being, Relationships, and Who We Are. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for
The Psychology of Getting Conned
The show this week features an interview with science writer Maria Konnikova about her book The Confidence Game: Why We Fall for It . . . Every Time. We recorded this interview back when the book first came in out in 2016, but it is, perhaps depressingly, still as relevant as ever. While it hasn’t always involved pillow salesmen and crypto billionaires, there have always been people trying to con
Understanding the Biggest Ideas in the Universe Without Being a Physicist
This week we welcome back theoretical physicist and philosopher Sean Carroll to talk about how his most recent book, The Biggest Ideas in the Universe: Space, Time, and Motion, attempts to bridge the gap between how scientists talk about physics and how they usually go about explaining it to non-scientists. The goal is to help you understand what physicists are talking about—equations and all—with
The Overlooked Gifts of Visual Thinkers with Temple Grandin
This week we’re joined by returning guest, animal behavior scientist, and autism rights advocate Temple Grandin to talk about her latest book Visual Thinking: The Hidden Gifts of People Who Think in Pictures, Patterns, and Abstractions. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
Up to Date | Nanoparticle toothbrushes and a promising Alzheimer's drug
This week: new research into using nanoparticles and programmable magnets to clean your teeth; a potentially breakthrough study on a drug for Alzheimer's disease featuring the first positive trial ever for a disease of aging; recapping NASA’s recent Double Asteroid Redirection Test mission; and a look into how much control you actually have over what Youtube decides to show you. Hosted by Simpleca
These Numbers Explain the Nature of Reality
This week we talk to theoretical physicist and cosmologist Antonio Padilla about his new book Fantastic Numbers and Where to Find Them: A Cosmic Quest from Zero to Infinity.It’s a book about nine unusual numbers that, once understood, can help you grasp how the universe actually works—from black holes, to gravity, to the passing of time itself. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.ads
The Science of How Your Dog’s Brain Works
This week we talk to Alexandra Horowitz from the Dog Cognition Lab at Barnard College about her new book The Year of the Puppy: How Dogs Become Themselves.
Horowitz’s book examines how a dog’s brain works and develops—how it dramatically changes during their first 12 months of life, her shifting perspective on dog cognition, and the vast differences between humans and dogs that we tend to overlook
The Neuroscience of What Makes You You
This week we talk to cognitive neuroscientist Chantel Prat about her new book The Neuroscience of You: How Every Brain is Different and How to Understand Yours. The book is the result of Prat’s decades of work on the biological basis of individual differences in cognition—what makes you you.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.a
What do animals dream about?
This week we talk to philosopher and animal ethicist David Peña-Guzmán about his new book When Animals Dream: The Hidden World of Animal Consciousness. David explores the idea that there really is a subjective world—a dream world—that lights up when animals sleep, what that actually looks like, and its moral implications.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds Hosted by Simplecast
The Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion
This week we’re joined by podcaster, journalist, and author David McRaney to discuss his latest book How Minds Change: The Surprising Science of Belief, Opinion, and Persuasion. It’s a deep look at what we know about what it takes to change someone’s mind and why it’s more complicated than you might think.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz com
The language of food, science, and critical thinking with J. Kenji López-Alt
This week we welcome back James Beard award winning food science writer J. Kenji López-Alt. He talks about growing up around science, studying architecture at MIT, and how, strangely enough, both subjects pertain to cooking. Kenji is the author of the bestselling The Food Lab and the recently released The Wok: Recipes and Techniques.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds Hosted
Derek Gow Is Turning His Farm Into an Ark for Lost Species
You might not be aware of it, but the UK is experiencing a wildlife crisis. Ecologist Derek Gow joins us this week to talk about what we ought to do about it and how he’s trying to rewild the country with his farm-turned-wildlife breeding center. Gow wrote the bestselling Bringing Back the Beaver and will soon release his latest book Birds, Beasts and Bedlam: Turning My Farm into an Ark for Lost S
Wild but Delicate: What Hawks Can Teach Us About Nature, Life, and Love
On the show this week we’re joined by naturalist, author, and returning guest Sy Montgomery. Throughout her career, Montgomery has repeatedly shown an incredible ability to understand, befriend, and interact with animals. We last heard from her in episode #128 where she talked about her 2016 book The Soul of an Octopus, but she’s written about everything from tigers to snakes to hummingbirds. In t
Can Fish Count? What Animals Reveal About Our Uniquely Mathematical Minds
On the show this week we’re joined by Brian Butterworth, emeritus professor of cognitive neuropsychology and author of the new book Can Fish Count? What Animals Reveal About Our Uniquely Mathematical Minds. He’s spent his career looking at the genetics and neuroscience of mathematical ability—and not just in humans. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds Hosted by Simplecast, an
The Science of Creativity and How It Can Help You
How do you feel fear and be creative anyway? How is letting your mind wander key to coming up with, and following through on, creative ideas? Returning to the show this week is journalist Matt Richtel, winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for National Reporting for a series on distracted driving, and author of numerous books. His latest book, Inspired: Understanding Creativity: A Journey Through Art,
The Misunderstood Nature of Pain with Haider Warraich
How do you define how painful something is? On the show this week we welcome back physician, writer, and clinical researcher Haider Warraich to talk about his new book The Song of Our Scars: The Untold Story of Pain. Warraich explores the idea that far from being something objective and easily defined, pain is complex, misunderstood, and culturally influenced. The book delves into the history of p
The Untold Story of the Neuron with Benjamin Ehrlich
This week we’re joined by Benjamin Ehrlich, author of The Brain in Search of Itself: Santiago Ramón y Cajal and the Story of the Neuron.
It’s a book about the discoveries and life of Spanish neuroscientist Santiago Ramón y Cajal, who has been called the ‘father of modern neuroscience.’
While today relatively unknown outside of his field, Cajal’s discoveries about the brain changed the field of ne
Up to Date | Cell Adaptation, Creativity Measurement, and Visual Perception
This week, we examine a recent discovery that certain types of cancer cells may allow us to better understand how cells adapt to the intracellular environment (and explain what the intracellular environment is). Indre discusses how she and her students have recently been working on methods of measuring creativity. And we look at some new research focusing on the hunting method used by archerfish i
How to Make Use of Our Limited Time in This Tiny Part of Space with Sean Carroll
During the pandemic, one thing we’ve had a little more of--at least sometimes--is time. Time to panic and stress and worry, but also time to think and reflect.
This week, in the spirit of reflection, we’re revisiting a conversation with theoretical physicist Sean Carroll recorded back in 2016. At the time he had just written a book called The Big Picture: On the Origins of Life, Meaning, and the U
Why You Can’t Know What It’s Like for a Bat to Be a Bat with Jackie Higgins
We can never know what it’s like for a bat to be a bat. Or even if there is something that it is like for a bat to be a bat. But if there is something, we would speculate that the bat has some kind of consciousness or sentience. That’s the argument Jackie Higgins makes in her new book Sentient: How Animals Illuminate the Wonder of Our Human Senses, in which she takes us on a deep dive into the sen
Exploring the Extended Mind with Annie Murphy Paul
One of the fascinating things about neuroscience is that it gives us something tangible to study in the biology of the brain that can tell us something about the mind, which is so intangible. But what if that approach leaves us missing a big piece of the puzzle? What if the mind actually extends far beyond the biology of the body? Today, Indre is joined by Annie Murphy Paul, an acclaimed science w
Space Rocks, Star Stuff, and Tom Selleck's Mustache with Greg Brennecka
More than a hundred million people watched the Netflix movie Don’t Look Up, which focused on our fear that something could crash into our planet from space and destroy it. But what if things that come from space don’t just have the potential to destroy life but also to create it? That’s Greg Brennecka’s argument, and he joins Indre on today’s episode to talk all about it. Greg is a staff scientist
Defining and Treating Addiction with Carl Erik Fisher
In this week’s episode, Indre revisits a topic that has been covered a couple of times on the podcast: addiction. This time, she’s joined by addiction physician and bioethicist Carl Erik Fisher, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychiatry at Columbia University. Carl works at the intersection of law, ethics, and psychiatry and has had his own struggles with addiction, which he documents in his new
2021 Wrap-Up
In this last episode of 2021, Adam Bristol joins Indre to talk about the major highlights of 2021, one being the journey through COVID. They map out the key episodes of Inquiring Minds throughout 2021, talk through their personal highlights, and recommend books to read. Recapping episodes touching on the history of quarantine, food and science, the interaction between nature and humans, and quant
The Evolution of Life and the ‘Dead Species Walking’ with Henry Gee
The holidays are a time for storytelling, and what better story to re-experience than the greatest one of all: the history of the universe and life on Earth. In today’s episode, Indre is joined by writer and editor Henry Gee to discuss this most epic of all stories and how it’s depicted in Henry’s new book, A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth. Henry is a senior editor at Nature and the author
Sizing Up the Notion of Tailoring Your Brain with Emily Willingham
In this episode, Emily Willingham joins Indre to talk about tailoring the brain, a subject on which she’s an expert and about which she writes extensively in her book The Tailored Brain: From Ketamine, to Keto, to Companionship, A User's Guide to Feeling Better and Thinking Smarter. Emily is a journalist, a science writer, the author of previous books, including Phallacy: Life Lessons from the Ani
Updates from the Past and the Future
In today's up to date episode, Adam Bristol is back to highlight three scientific papers that have caught his eye lately. The first two are about our evolutionary history of life on this planet, filling in some of the holes in the fossil record, and making some unexpected discoveries along the way. The third paper has us looking at potential biosecurity concerns in the distant future, which may ac
Inside the Race to the Coronavirus Vaccine with Brendan Borrell
In early 2020, experts predicted the development of the COVID-19 vaccine would take 12 to 18 months. Fast forward to today and there are at least five vaccines approved by the World Health Organization. Joining Indre today is Brendan Borrell, a health scientist and business journalist who’s written for The Atlantic, National Geographic, Wired, and The New York Times. He also happens to be the auth
Moving Your Way Through Cancer with Dr. Kathryn Schmitz
The topic of cancer is one that has been addressed more than once before on Inquiring Minds, and today Indre visits it once again, this time looking at the impact that exercise can have on those undergoing cancer treatment. Joining her for this revelatory discussion is Dr. Kathryn Schmitz, whose many, many accomplishments include holding the position of Distinguished Professor of Public Health Sci
Making Sense of Self with Anil Seth
Indre continues to pursue her fascination with the neural basis of consciousness in this week’s episode. In her never ending quest to understand how the biology of the brain gives rise to every experience we’ve ever had, ever will have, and everything in between, she has picked the brains of a number of experts in the field over the years. Today is no exception as she revisits this favorite topic
Up to Date | From the Microscopic to the Astronomic
On the show this week, Adam Bristol introduces Florida’s controversial genetically modified mosquito pilot program, and then delves into the details of the Dual Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), which should be launching in the near future. Indre also explains recent efforts to use music to help humans visualize proteins.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds Hosted by Simplecast
A Matter of Life, Death, or Maybe Somewhere in Between with John and Lois Crowe
We think of consistent water consumption as a necessary component for life… but then there are tardigrades. Adorable and tiny, tardigrades can survive intervals of extreme drying or dehydration and then later be revived. They’re amazing animals, and much of what is known about them comes from the work of John and Lois Crowe, two former UC Davis researchers who devoted much of their careers to stud
The Sound Mind with Nina Kraus
Nina Kraus, Ph.D., is a neuroscientist who has done groundbreaking research on sound and hearing for more than three decades. She's the Hugh Knowles Professor of Neurobiology, Communication Sciences, and Otolaryngology at Northwestern University, and she has been a frequent guest on Indre’s other podcast, Cadence: What Music Tells Us About the Mind. Nina has just released her first trade book call
Managing Our Criminal Nature with Mary Roach
Who among us hasn’t, at some point, wondered just what exactly a bear manager or a danger tree feller blaster does? Well, Mary Roach, America’s funniest science writer, TED 20 Most Watched list member, and increasingly frequent guest on this podcast has, and now she’s written a book for our collective enlightenment. In today’s episode, Mary discusses her latest offering, FUZZ: When Nature Breaks t
Unwrapping the Gifts of Good Anxiety with Wendy Suzuki
Anxiety has become a staple of modern life, particularly over the past year and a half. It can be debilitating, but it is at its core a necessary component of our lives—if it can be managed. Wendy Suzuki, Professor of Neural Science and Psychology at New York University, is best known for her extensive work studying areas in the brain critical for our ability to form and retain new long-term memor
Dastardly Deeds Perpetrated in the Name of Science with Sam Kean
This week we welcome back Sam Kean, the New York Times bestselling author whose previous books include The Bastard Brigade, Caesar's Last Breath, and The Tale of the Dueling Neurosurgeons. Sam joins the show to discuss his latest book, The Icepick Surgeon: Murder, Fraud, Sabotage, Piracy, and Other Dastardly Deeds Perpetrated in the Name of Science.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiri
Investigating The Memory Thief with Lauren Aguirre
Of all the side effects of opioid use that exist, one that is only recently starting to get the attention it deserves is that of becoming amnestic. That doesn’t mean that this effect hasn’t been on the radar of some researchers over the years, though. As far back as 2016, Neurology Specialist, Dr. Jed Barash, brought some case studies to Indre’s attention, and today’s guest, Lauren Aguirre, has bu
How to Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes with Melinda Wenner Moyer
One side effect of the pandemic is that a lot of parents have spent more time than they were expecting to with their kids, and were sometimes left questioning their parenting decisions along the way. Melinda Wenner Moyer’s new book How To Raise Kids Who Aren’t Assholes: Science-Based Strategies for Better Parenting—from Tots to Teens could not be more timely, and she joins us on this week’s episod
Up to Date | Social Parrots; Empathetic Rodents; Microbiome Analyses
This week we delve into a study with a citizen science element regarding the evolution of a social behavior in parrots, followed by a collaborative study regarding empathy in rodents, particularly toward those with whom they were kin or had some sense of association. Our hosts share the results of their own recent microbiome analyses which leads into a study looking at the impact of dietary fibre
Opening Up the World of Quarantine with Nicola Twilley
In the summer of 2019—before Covid-19 had emerged—author, researcher, and ‘Gastropod’ co-host Nicola Tilley and her husband and co-author Geoff Manaugh told a rapt audience, “You and everyone around you is going to be quarantined, is going to experience quarantine in your lifetimes.” They had just presented their extensive research into quarantine that would ultimately become their new book, Until
Building Up Your Mental Health Immunity with Andy Norman
Among COVID-19’s many side effects are two that seem to be in direct conflict – on the one hand we’ve all become armchair epidemiologists, and on the other, conspiracy theories are at an all time high. In the common search for answers regarding the virus, some have put all their faith in the certainties of science while others are just as committed to making decisions based upon opinions and belie
Generating the Element of Harmonic Surprise with David Rosen
Over the years, music producers have tried to predict what audiences want to hear while at the same time advances in science and technology have taught us a lot about what happens in the brain when we listen to music that we love. Now, David Rosen, CEO and Co-founder of Secret Chord Labs, has brought these two fields together to explore the potential for artificial intelligence to generate guarant
Thinking about Thinking about Yourself with Iris Berent
What are your thoughts regarding the relationship between the mind and the brain? For that matter, what are your thoughts? Iris Berent has definitely done some deep thinking on these questions, unearthing the stories we tell ourselves about what we know and who we are as well as the impact these stories can have. She shares her thoughts here today in our eye-opening conversation about her book, Th
The Hidden Geometry of Information and Everything Else with Jordan Ellenberg
When was the last time you thought about geometry? Unless you're an architect or a kindergarten teacher, you probably don't spend a lot of time thinking about shapes. But mathematician Jordan Ellenberg wants to bring geometry back, and show us not just how shapes can measure the world, but how they can explain it. Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds Hosted by Simplecast, an Ad
‘The Untapped Science of Less’ with Leidy Klotz
Joining Indre on the podcast today is University of Virginia Professor, Leidy Klotz. A former professional soccer player, Leidy has gone on to pursue his interest in studying how we transform things from how they are to how we want them to be, and has written for a number of prominent publications including The Washington Post, The Globe and Mail, and The Behavioral Scientist. His new book, Subtra
Mom Genes: Abigail Tucker on the Science of Motherhood
We all know how babies are made, but science is only now exploring how mothers are. Abigail Tucker discusses her latest book, exploring the factors that shape the behaviors of mothers and other caregivers.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertisin
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Andy Weir, science fiction writer and author of The Martian, joins us to talk about his new book Project Hail Mary: A Novel.Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.
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