Fusion energy week is happening during the first week of May! To get ready, Dr. Diem is talking about a new design that may improve the Stellarator design and a new record for the KSTAR. We're also talking about our experience during the 2024 solar eclipse, and we have a strange new milk that will be sure to haunt your dreams. Your Hosts James Reed…

Its Anatomy Connected 2024!!! James and Jason are in Toronto, but that doesn't mean we won't be churning out that sweet sweet content. This week, we're talking to Valerie DeLeon and Jason Mussell about the recently released recommendations for legacy collections from the American Association of Anatomy. Your Hosts James Reed Steffi Diem Jason Organ…

This week Matt Sauers is back and we're looking we're looking at the shiny new technological idea that could turn back the clock on climate change...or it could fundamentally alter the atmosphere setting in motion a series of events that renders the planet unlivable. So let's ask the question, is it better to invest in solar engineering? Or would w…

This week we're going back to the moon! It's a very spacey episode as we talk about a dark matter mirrorverse, and the search for Planet IX, and in the second half we go on a Lunar Odyssey. Along the way, we talk about the problem with pre-print servers and the growing distrust of science by the general public. Your Hosts James Reed Steffi Diem Jas…

This week, we're joined by the host of the In Plain English podcast, Jamie Moffa! Together we talk about how cannabis affects hunger...in mice, and whether or not a new, tiny VR rig...designed for mice, is worth the hype. We also talk at length about the horrors of St. Louis pizza. Our Guest Jamie Moffa is an MD/PhD student studying the science beh…

This week we're attempting to answer the age-old question...if there is a possibility for a sensational story involving aliens, will social media just run with it? We're also checking our DARTs, and hearing about the newly upgraded KSTAR tokamak from our favorite fusioneer. Your Hosts James Reed Steffi Diem Jason Organ Credits Editing-James Reed Ma…

This week we're tackling what could be the most controversial and polarizing topic to date. How to properly load a dishwasher! Knives up or down? Where do you put your egg yolk-encrusted plates? All this and so much more in our Dishwasher Discourse. We're also in search of some Wandering Water and looking at an Expansive Exoplanet Your Hosts James …

This week we're talking about some out-of-this-world science!! The aliens have arrived at Science Night! We're talking about ancient alien evidence, UAP FAQs, and we walk through a dark forest to talk about why we're so afraid of visitors from another planet. Your Hosts James Reed Steffi Diem Jason Organ Credits Editing-James Reed Mastering- James …

This week, as we head into the spooky season, the veil is beginning to thin, and we gather round the parlor table to summon the spirits, wherever they're at. That's right, we're talking about spiritualism and those wacky Victorians that came to count on mediums to help ease their grief. Your Hosts James Reed Steffi Diem Jason Organ Credits Editing-…

Science Night returns with a new season, a new logo, but the same great scicomm!!! This week, we have three stories that don't appear to have an obvious application to our lives, but who knows what the future will bring. We're talking about projects that are created and funded for the sake of discovering something about our world...its science for …

This week, we have the recording of our annual presentation of the science behind our favorite sci-fi franchises. This year we talked about two video games, Portal and Fallout. We got moon dust, super mutants, and of course a big helping of plasma. Be sure to check out our friends at Indiana Sciences (indianasciences.org) for more fun scicomm. Your…

This week, we're bringing you our favorite moments from the best 4 days of gaming, GENCON!!!! We played games, made new friends, and spent lots of time walking the convention floor learning about games and the people who play them. Be sure to check out the page for this episode on our website for links to all the games we mention. Special thanks to…

With homo naledi, the rising star caves, and human evolution trending, we decided to revisit one of our favorite episodes. We're looking back at James' conversation with Dr. Jerry DeSilva, talking about the evolution of upright walking, science communication, and all kinds of bioanthro goodness. From the original episode: What does it mean to be bi…

This week, we have the triumphant return of one of our favorite guests! Prof. Lee Berger is back to talk about some amazing new finds coming out of the Rising Star cave system. We're talking about symbolism, culture, and how it all applies to homo naledi. And don't miss Unknown: Cave of Bones, available right now on Netflix Your Hosts] James Reed S…

This week, Jason is talking to Brian Skerry, a photojournalist and film producer that specializes in underwater wildlife, about his new documentary "The Return of the White Shark! A film that you can see RIGHT NOW on Disney+ as part of National Geographic's Sharkfest!!!!! Your Hosts: Steffi Diem Jason Organ James Reed Our Guest: Brian Skerry is a p…

This week, we're continuing our Summer Scicomm adventure on Nikumaroro Island. What do coconut crabs have to do with a famous flyer? Why does this story keep popping up? How do regular people become legendary? We attempt to answer these questions and more! Your Hosts: Steffi Diem Jason Organ James Reed Credits Editing-James Reed Mastering- James Re…

It seems like turtles are popping up all over the place so we're revisiting one of our most popular episodes. This week we look back to our conversation with Dr.Beth Reinke from a few years ago. We talk about why painted turtles are so colorful, but also how species use color in nature. Your Hosts: Steffi Diem Jason Organ James Reed Credits Editing…

This week we're starting our summer scicomm adventure by talking about the wildfires that are tearing through the True North and choking out the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States. Spoilers, it's climate change...it's always climate change Your Hosts: Steffi Diem Jason Organ James Reed Credits Editing-James Reed Mastering- James Reed Music: I…

It's time to say goodbye to season 3, but not before we bring you a little more scicomm. This week we're revisiting our first story from the relaunch era, but this time there's a wrinkle in the AlphaFold. It wouldn't be Science Night without something to make you simultaneously horrified and fascinate, this time it's a soft robot that can wrap your…

This week we're talking about the single most anxiety-inducing part of working in science...publication (cue thunderclap). Why do e-versions cost so much? how long does it take to review an article? We’re answering those questions and way more! But first, we're uncovering the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. Then we talk about anxiety, burnout, and…

This week, we're building a flexible scicomm mind. First, we gather strands of a long shredded star pulled into not so dreamy house, it's a super-massive blackhole called Scary Barbie. Next, we'll weave a network of nano-wires that seem to work a lot like living neurons Finally, we'll look at a project that is attempting to explain how our brains a…

Coming up to bat, we have four scicomm stories from the news. First, we talk about psychedelic substance use in the Bronze Age. Next, we're re-examining the origin of horses in indigenous communities in North America. To round out the first half, we have our favorite new segment where Dr. Diem clears up the fusion confusion. In the second half, we'…

This week we're talking about two of our favorite things, science advocacy, and fusion energy. First, James, Jason, and Steffi talk about their recent trip to D.C. Next, we talk about science advocacy across the pond. In the second half, we talk about the recent news about carbon capture, and a hot new fusion energy company is building a stellarato…

This week, we're joined by our friend and yours, Dr. Bill Sullivan, so of course we had to talk about some of the science behind The Last of Us! We're talking about the very real cordyceps fungus, and how one species can create a zombie apocalypse while another changes the economy of the Tibetan plateau. We're also looking at Keanumycin, the bacter…

This week friend of the show, engineer, and fantasy physicist Matt Sauers joins us! In the first half, Matt answers the age-old question "why engineering" and talks about how he brings science to a fantasy world. In the second half, we talk about the recent train derailment and chemical spill near East Palestine, OH. Your Hosts] James Reed Steffi D…

This week, Dr. Alexis Katsis from the Luxesci podcast is joining us to talk about her work as an immunologist during the COVID-19 pandemic and her shift looking at the more luxurious side of science. In the news, we're talking about some cyborg cells that could change the way we treat certain diseases (or usher in the end of humanity...) and James …

We're back with another look back at the year in fusion energy. Join us as our friendly fusioneer Steffi Diem and special guest Arturo Dominguez talk about the highlights and high temps from an exciting year. Your Hosts] James Reed Steffi Diem Our Guest Dr. Arturo Dominguez is the head of Science Education at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory…

This week Kirk Mona from the Strange by Nature podcast joins us to talk about podcasting, science communication, and what it takes to be a modern naturalist. In the news, we're talking about twisted metal, a core issue, and whether or not either of these stories will cause the downfall of civilization. Your Hosts] James Reed Steffi Diem Jason Organ…

This week, we're closing out 2022 with a scicomm roundup. First, we're talking about the new hot supergroup that's taking the Tree of Life by storm, next, we crown new science royalty, and finally, we ignite a conversation about the future of energy. Also, be sure to check out our social media accounts so you don't miss our top 5 countdown of our m…

This week we’re looking at three bits of science news with special guest Kate Miller. First we ask, “do we really need an ai diarrhea detector”? Then we watch a light show 8.2 billion years in the making. In the second half, we gather round the fire to talk about a new discovery from the Rising Star in South Africa. Your Hosts] James Reed Steffi Di…

This week, Rufus Cochran from Indiana Sciences stops in to talk about AI, deep learning, and how it probably won't lead to the end of civilization as we know it. In the news, we're talking about the loss of the leap second and Meta's AI malarky. Be sure to follow Indiana Sciences on social media so you'll never miss out on their content. Your Hosts…

This week Dr. Yasmeen Mezil makes her triumphant return to the show! She joins James, Jason, and Steffi to talk about three scicomm stories. Join us as we cover a new Pew Research poll, a bash at the Biosphere, and a new sciart exhibition. Your Hosts] James Reed Steffi Diem Jason Organ Our Guest Yasmeen is a scientist, educator, and illustrator. Sh…

This week, we're bringing you our annual Halloween Spectacular! Our intrepid hosts begin by talking about the cryptids! Specifically what they are, how they work, and their purpose in society. We then go in-depth with our favorite friend from the New Jersey Pine Barrens, the Jersey Devil. In the second half, we bring you a chilling tale from Pulp! …

This week we're talking to two instructors from the New Hampshire Academy of Science about informal STEM education and inspiring the future of science. In the news, we're talking about dynamic droplets and chaotic cetaceans. Your Hosts] James Reed Steffi Diem Jason Organ Our Guests Kelly Salmon has a background in biochemistry and cell biology. She…

This week we're looking back to the early days of the podcast. This remastered classic focuses on the life and work of the queen of paleoanthropology Mary Leakey. If you love this style of scicomm and want to hear more, let us know! Credits Editing-James Reed Mastering- James Reed Music: Intro and Outro- Wolf Moon by Unicorn Heads | https://unicorn…

This week we're talking to the team behind the creation of a new card game about cranial nerves and the boney openings that love them, Foramina! Mikaela Stiver and Zach London stop by to tell us what inspired the game and how they went about creating it. In the news, we're talking about doppelganger DNA & a spiderweb of misinformation. Your Hosts] …

This week we're finishing up our GenCon journey with a little help from our friends at Sun King Brewing. Join us as we learn about the blend of art and science that go into brewing beer. Visit our friends at Sun King Brewing at https://www.sunkingbrewing.com/ to learn more about their beer, and where to find them. Credits Editing-James Reed Masteri…

It's been a year since the Science Night podcast transformed into the show you've come to know and love. To celebrate we're looking back at our favorite moments from the relaunch era. Your Hosts] James Reed Steffi Diem Jason Organ Our Guests Over the past year we've been lucky enough to have talked to some amazing scientists and science communicato…

This week we have another special episode from our recent trip to Gen Con in Indianapolis, IN. This time, its some of the audio from both nights of the Science of SciFi panel presented by Indiana Sciences. First up, the Science Night crew talks about the science of the Mass Effect and Fallout series. In Night two, Dr. Bill Sullivan, Matt Sauers, an…

This week we're talking to Carolyn Dugas, a forager and content creator who is teaching people to reconnect with the food in their backyards safely and sustainably. In the news, we're talking about underground infernos, space sausage, and poison control. Your Hosts] James Reed Steffi Diem Jason Organ Our Guest Carolyn has been foraging and preparin…

In the first of three Gen Con specials, we're sharing our thoughts on the Greatest Four Days in Gaming and sharing some of the sounds and conversations from the con floor. Be sure to check out our website for links to all the game makers featured in the episode. Your Hosts] James Reed Steffi Diem Jason Organ Credits Editing-James Reed Mastering- Ja…

This week Dr. Yasmeen Mezil fills us in on her work as an anatomist and illustrator. She talks about her path in finding a way to combine the many facets of her life, and how to bring creativity into science. In the news, we're talking about some animal antics that have been in the headlines, and charting the foggy shores of "Covid brain". Your Hos…

This week we're talking about disinformation, misinformation, and effective communication with David Goldstein, chief strategist at We Defend Truth. In the news, we're revisiting our favorite protein-analyzing AI, learning about quarks in their many forms, and talking about the dos and don'ts of finding things in the brave wilderness. Your Hosts] J…

Tonight, we welcome back Dr. Jen Ma to talk about her recent event where she brought together people with different viewpoints and have them actually listen to each other. It’s a great conversation about communication, empathy, and re-building our listening skills. We even got Jen to join us in the news segment to talk about synthetic skin and a re…

This week we're talking to the host of the Nature is Gay podcast Camryn Martin. We talk about mating behaviors in nature, and how species after species don't fit in the "binary". In the news, we're covering terrific turbines, wonderful worms, and ancient asteroids. Your Hosts] James Reed Steffi Diem Jason Organ Our Guest Camryn is the host of the N…

This week we're extremely excited to bring you our conversation with the incredible Prof. Lee Berger. He shares stories from his work, and we talk about his efforts to include new people in his discipline and make his science more accessible to everyone. In the news, we talk about a sharcano, and dynamic dinos. Your Hosts] James Reed Steffi Diem Ja…

This week, we have the triumphant return of those marvelous mollusks, the cone snails! We're talking to Bea Ramiro from the Safavi Lab at the University of Copenhagen, who is looking at a potential medical use for cone snail venom. In the news, we hop aboard the de-hype train, talk about fusion fuel, sing a black hole song, and explore a secret gar…

This week we’re talking to chemist and tik tok star Dr. Andre Isaacs. We talked about mentorship, creating the proper learning environment, the importance of creating a more diverse and inclusive STEM landscape, and much much more. Plus we have a news segment covering oceans of open data, malleable metal, and creepy crawlers. Check out links to the…

It’s Star Wars Day and we’ve gathered a plucky team to talk about the science of this beloved saga. We have four great pieces of Star Wars scicomm covering lightsabers and blasters, languages, midichlorians, and Wookie anatomy, plus so much more. Don’t forget to checkout scinight.com for links to learn more about the topics we cover in this episode…

This week we're featuring a conversation with Dr. Alma Cristal Hernandez Mondragon, a science policy advocate from Mexico City that is paving the way for a generation of science advocates in Mexico. In the news, we're talking about troubling transmissions, frog tinder, and anti-venom achievements. Your Hosts] James Reed Steffi Diem Jason Organ Our …