Episodes Archive
Frankenstein's Cat #206
March 29, 2013
This week, we’re looking at how biotechnology is super-charging the toolkit for customizing our pets, affecting the use of animals in medicine and livestock, and changing our relationship with the animal world. We’re joined by science writer Emily Anthes, to talk about her book Frankenstein’s Cat: Cuddling Up to Biotech’s Brave New Beasts. And guest host Rachelle Saunders talks to futurist George Dvorsky, Director of the Rights of Non-Human Persons program at The Institute for Ethics and Emerging Technologies, about legal and scientific efforts to expand basic rights to animals other than humans. Read More
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Rat Island #205
March 22, 2013
This week, we’re looking at invasive predators, changing ecosystems, and the ethical questions raised by killing one species to save another. We’ll speak to science journalist Will Stolzenburg, about his book Rat Island: Predators in Paradise and the World’s Greatest Wildlife Rescue. And researcher and blogger Bug Girl returns to educate us about insect conservation. Read More
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Mars Rocks! #204
March 15, 2013
This week, we’re looking one orbit outward, at the little red planet that’s inspired so much science and science fiction. Guest host Marie-Claire Shanahan talks to University of Tennessee geologist Linda Kah, about her work as part of NASA’s Mars Science Laboratory mission, analyzing the images sent back by the Curiosity rover. And she’ll speak to geologist Chris Herd, curator of the University of Alberta’s meteorite collection, about using rare meteorites from Mars to study the planet’s composition and atmosphere. Read More
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The Genius of Dogs #203
March 08, 2013
This week, we’re taking a look at man’s best friend through the lens of current research. We’ll talk to Brian Hare, director of the Duke Canine Cognition Center and co-founder of Dognition, about his book The Genius of Dogs: How Dogs Are Smarter than You Think. Science writer Virginia Hughes breaks down the genetic history separating dogs from wolves. And author Deborah Blum explains why chocolate is so dangerous for our canine companions. Read More
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The Altruism Equation #202
March 01, 2013
This week. we’re looking at what science has to say about the origins of selfless – and even self-sacrificing – behavior. We’ll speak to biology professor Lee Alan Dugatkin, about his book The Altruism Equation: Seven Scientists Search for the Origins of Goodness. And we’ll discuss altruism from a neurological perspective, with Duke University Neuroscientist Steve Chang, whose research in monkeys looks at how their brains process and record helpful inclinations. Read More
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Bad Pharma #201
February 22, 2013
This week, we’re taking a look at the questionable practices and suspect science employed by the companies that make our most widely used prescription drugs. We’ll speak to Dr. Ben Goldacre, about his book Bad Pharma: How Drug Companies Mislead Doctors and Harm Patients. And we’re joined by Dr. Steven Novella, to talk about the practical pitfalls of using animals to test drugs and procedures meant for humans. Read More
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The Science of Beer #200
February 15, 2013
This week, we’re pouring over the science of that most beloved beverage, beer! Guest host Rachelle Saunders is joined by Dr. Charlie Bamforth, Professor of Malting and Brewing Sciences at UC Davis. We’ll take an in-depth look at the chemistry of the brewing process, and everything from flavor to foam. And Dr. Rob Tarzwell explains why an effective hangover cure continues to elude us. Read More
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Fate of the Species #199
February 08, 2013
This week, we’re looking at the ways that people are changing the planet, and the consequences for all of us if we don’t start doing it responsibly. We’re joined by Fred Guterl, Executive Editor at Scientific American, to discuss his book The Fate of the Species: Why the Human Race May Cause Its Own Extinction and How We Can Stop It. From climate change to superbugs, we’ll talk about the ways humanity could take itself out, and how (or if) we can stop it before it’s too late. And we’ll talk to John Cook, creator of Skeptical Science, about the political arguments... Read More
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Nature's Compass #198
February 01, 2013
This week, we’re looking at some of the amazing abilities exhibited by our animal cousins. We’ll speak to James Gould, co-author of Nature’s Compass: The Mystery of Animal Navigation, about the varying strategies animals use to find their way across all kinds of distances. And biological anthropologist Greg Laden discusses new research on the surprising reasoning abilities of some extremely intelligent crows. Read More
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Future Bioethics #197
January 18, 2013
This week, we’re looking at the debates over the ethics of medicine and medical research, and the future of new medical technology. We’ll talk bioethics and public policy with Center for Inquiry CEO Ronald Lindsay. And we’re joined by Dr. Rob Tarzwell, to discuss Nootropics, the so-called “smart drugs” that might make designer brains a reality. Read More
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World Changing Ideas 2012 #196
January 11, 2013
This week, we team up with Scientific American, to learn more about the technologies profiled in their World Changing Ideas feature article. We talk to Sci-Am editors and writers about cutting edge research. From artificial life forms to new ways to measure sustainability, these technologies just might shape our collective future. Read More
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The Penis Panel #195
January 04, 2013
This week, we’re taking a closer look at the variety of organs that evolved to deliver reproductive cells. Evolutionary biologist John Logsdon, biologist and YouTube sensation Carin Bondar and blogger and researcher Scicurious return to the show to talk about penises (and penis-like organs) of every shape, size and species. Read More
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Spider Silk (REBROADCAST) #146
December 28, 2012
This week, we’ll listen back to an episode featuring some of nature’s most accomplished materials scientists, and the amazing substance they produce. We’re joined by Leslie Brunetta, co-author of Spider Silk: Evolution and 400 Million Years of Spinning, Waiting, Snagging, and Mating. We’ll discuss the form, function and uses of the sticky wonder material, and the ways that its study can help us understand evolution. And science writer EdYong tells us about silkworms with spider genes and the hybrid silk they spin. Read More
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Year In Science 2012 #194
December 21, 2012
This week, we’re looking back at some of the most important science news of 2012. Writers Maryn McKenna and David Dobbs, BoingBoing Science Editor Maggie-Koerth Baker, and paleontology blogger Brian Switek join us to share the stories that made headlines, and others that made an impact, without receiving as much attention. Read More
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Science Books for Your Gift List #193
December 14, 2012
Whether you’re dropping a last-minute hint to a relative, or buying science books for the people you love, Skeptically Speaking has you covered. We’ve enlisted two dozen scientists, science writers and bloggers, including some of our favorite past guests. They’ll bring you their favorites from 2012, and some classics to help fill out anyone’s science library. Happy holidays! 2012 Science Book Suggestions Mastermind: How to Think Like Sherlock Holmes by Maria Konnikova Recommended by Scott Huler The Whale: In Search of the Giants of the Sea by Philip Hoare Recommended by Leslie Brunetta Gravity’s Engines: How Bubble-Blowing Black Holes Rule... Read More
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The Particle at the End of the Universe #192
December 07, 2012
This week, we’re looking at one of the biggest science stories of 2012, and one of the largest instruments in the history of science. Guest host Marie-Claire Shanahan spends the hour with theoretical physicist Sean Carroll, author of the new book The Particle at The End of The Universe: How the Hunt for the Higgs Boson Leads Us to the Edge of a New World. They’ll discuss the search for the particle that gives all the others their mass, the story of the Large Hadron Collider, and the challenge of communicating with a broad audience about difficult topics in cutting-edge physics. Read More
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More Current Controversies #191
November 30, 2012
This week, we’re looking at science stories driving headlines and causing conversation. We’ll speak to particle physicist James Pinfold about recent experiments that cast doubt on a possible explanation for dark matter, and new research that he’s conducting at the world’s largest experimental facility, the Large Hadron Collider. On the podcast, molecular pharmacologist David Kroll returns to explain the connection between high-caffeine energy drinks and health complications. And we’ll get some insight on the tension between societal conceptions of gender and the more nuanced reality, from Joel Baum, Director of Education and Training at Gender Spectrum. Read More
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Rabid #190
November 23, 2012
This week, we’re talking about a viral menace that’s one of the scariest – and deadliest – known to science. We’ll talk to WIRED editor Bill Wasik and veterinarian Monica Murphy about their book Rabid: A Cultural History of the World’s Most Diabolical Virus. And on the podcast, we’ll speak to post-doctoral researcher Elisabeth Whyte, about a crowd-funded project to use computer games to help adolescents with autism improve social skills and face processing abilities. Read More
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Science and Culture (REBROADCAST) #106
November 18, 2012
This week, we’re listening back to an episode which examines the ways that society and science inform and influence each other. Frequent guest host Marie-Claire Shanahan, Professor of Science Education at the University of Alberta, and President of the Canadian Science Education Research Group, discusses how science fits into the broader framework of our common culture. And we talk to science writer Mike McRae, author of the book Tribal Science: Brains, Beliefs and Bad Ideas, which looks at how brains that evolved to maintain social connections can manage to make objective observations. Read More
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Gay, Straight, and the Reason Why #189
November 11, 2012
This week, we’re looking at the science of sexual orientation, where debates over nature vs. nurture have influenced law, policy and equal rights. We’re joined by neuroscientist and writer Simon LeVay, to talk about his research on the topic, and his book Gay, Straight, and the Reason Why: The Science of Sexual Orientation. And on the podcast, astrophysicist Ethan Siegel returns to the show, to tell us about a new project using the information aggregation service TrapIt to improve learning in the classroom. Read More
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