Best Oxford Sparks Podcasts (2024)

1
ChatGPT runs for president, with Pedro Domingos 49:23

1h ago49:23

49:23

Our guest today is Pedro Domingos, who is joining an elite group of repeat guests – he joined us before in episode 34 in April 2023. Pedro is Professor Emeritus Of Computer Science and Engineering at the University of Washington. He has done pioneering work in machine learning, like the development of Markov logic networks, which combine probabilis…

1
Oxford School-Shooting Uncovering The Truth (interview with Melissa) 2:59

5d ago2:59

2:59

Just a 1 minute clip from her episode (part 1 of 2) Part 2 drops on Thursday on Spotify/Apple, on Friday on YouTube. Welcome to the VIDEO PODCAST "School To Embassy Project." In each episode, I’ll be talking with experts and individuals directly impacted by school shootings to find real solutions & understand the factors driving these tragic events…

1
Children trafficked by their grandmother, Light vs Dark... 1:42:17

2d ago1:42:17

1:42:17

Summary This conversation explores the topics of human trafficking, anti-trafficking efforts, and the importance of community and leadership. The guest, Dottie Groover-Skipper, shares her personal journey from being a Miami Dolphins cheerleader to becoming a prominent voice in the fight against human trafficking. She emphasizes the need to address …

1
Naval Officer & Retired FBI SWAT - Rich Worms shares unifying message 1:24:47

2d ago1:24:47

1:24:47

Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 08:15 The Influence of Family History 11:31 The Value of Military Service 21:04 Making Informed Decisions 29:04 Choosing a Different Path 33:13 Surrounding Yourself with Positive People 40:42 The Variety of Jobs in the Military 41:40 Taking Responsibility and Owning Up to Mistakes 47:58 Recognizing the Val…

1
The rise of digital pandemics, with James Ball 39:31

1h ago39:31

39:31

Our guest in this episode is the journalist and author James Ball. James has worked for the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, The Guardian, WikiLeaks, BuzzFeed, The New European, and The Washington Post, among other organisations. As special projects editor at The Guardian, James played a key role in the Pulitzer Prize-winning coverage of the NSA…

1
Thinking more athletically about the future, with Brett King and Rob Tercek 55:24

1d ago55:24

55:24

In this episode, we have not one guest but two – Brett King and Robert Tercek, the hosts of the Futurists Podcast. Brett King is originally from Australia, and is now based in Thailand. He is a renowned author, and the founder of a breakthrough digital bank. He consults extensively with clients in the financial services industry. Robert Tercek, bas…

1
2 STAR MARINE GENERAL Scott Hartsel shares his wisdom & experience with us 1:29:02

18d ago1:29:02

1:29:02

In this inspiring episode of the "On Switch" we are honored to sit down with Retired Major General Scott Hartsel, a two-star Marine with a wealth of experience and wisdom. General Hartsel shares profound life lessons and the difficult times he has overcome throughout his distinguished military career. His insights are invaluable, offering guidance …

1
The low-cost future of preserving brains, with Jordan Sparks 37:55

11d ago37:55

37:55

Our guest in this episode is Jordan Sparks, the founder and executive director of Oregon Brain Preservation (OBP), which is located at Salem, the capital city of Oregon. OBP offers the service of chemically preserving the brain in the hope of future restoration. Previously, Jordan was a dentist and a computer programmer, and he was successful enoug…

1
LOST 500lbs lost! 2 Inspiring Stories for those struggling in 2024 1:34:42

30d ago1:34:42

1:34:42

🎥 Incredible Weight Loss Transformation: Interview with Ally Murphey! 🌟 (Follow @AllyMurpheysJourney on Instagram) Get ready to be inspired! In this powerful episode, we sit down with Ally Murphey, a remarkable personal trainer who has achieved an extraordinary transformation by losing over 200 lbs through sheer dedication and hard work—without the…

1
Surveillance and diversity: surprising insights from the Gulf, with Holly Joint 35:36

1M ago35:36

35:36

Our guest in this episode is Holly Joint, who was born and educated in the UK, but lives in Abu Dhabi in the UAE. Holly started her career with five years at the business consultancy Accenture, and then worked in telecomms and banking. The latter took her to the Gulf, where she then spent what must have been a fascinating year as programme director…

1
Police Stress/Trauma: Experiences That Shaped Us 1:19:20

2M ago1:19:20

1:19:20

We dive into navigating law enforcement experience with Doug White – Part 2 (Best of the two parts, in Doug and my opinion). Welcome back to the "School To Embassy Project" for the highly anticipated 2nd half of our conversation with Doug White, a 25-year law enforcement veteran from Hillsborough County in Tampa, Florida. In this episode, we dive e…

1
The double-edged sword of technology, with Wendell Wallach 53:53

1M ago53:53

53:53

How do we keep technology from slipping beyond our control? That’s the subtitle of the latest book by our guest in this episode, Wendell Wallach. Wendell is the Carnegie-Uehiro fellow at Carnegie Council for Ethics in International Affairs, where he co-directs the Artificial Intelligence & Equality Initiative. He is also Emeritus Chair of Technolog…

1
How do I keep my house cool without air conditioning? 13:52

27d ago13:52

13:52

Summer is here, and with heatwaves forecast, how do we keep our homes cool without relying on air conditioning? In the UK, soaring summer temperatures can be brief but powerful. So, what can we do? Nicole Miranda, from the Department of Engineering, shares practical, energy-efficient and eco-friendly strategies to help you stay comfortable during t…

1
Helped Roll-out Active-Shooter Prog Tampa, FL (Part 1 of 2) 1:05:19

2M ago1:05:19

1:05:19

In this engaging episode of the "School To Embassy Project," we are joined by Doug White, a seasoned law enforcement professional with 25 years of experience in one of the nation's largest agencies, Hillsborough County in Tampa, Florida. As a lead bomb-squad technician and SWAT team member, Doug has faced high-stress situations with remarkable comp…

1
Stop cryocrastinating! with Emil Kendziorra 40:05

1M ago40:05

40:05

Our guest in this episode is Dr. Emil Kendziorra. Emil graduated summa cum laude, which means, with the highest honours, from the University of Göttingen in Germany, having previously studied at the University of Pécs in Hungary. For several years, he then devoted himself to cancer research with the hope of contributing to longevity science. After …

1
What time is it on the moon? 14:45

2M ago14:45

14:45

Scientists are returning to the moon, but when they get there, what time is it? Dr Carly Howett from the Department of Physics explains the basics: what time is, and how we found a globalised way of understanding time zones so we can meet for a 3pm coffee or international video call, and everyone is in the right place at the right time. But how doe…

1
Introducing Conscium, with Daniel Hulme and Ted Lappas 42:01

2M ago42:01

42:01

This episode is a bit different from the usual, because we are interviewing Calum's boss. Calum says that mainly to tease him, because he thinks the word “boss” is a dirty word. His name is Daniel Hulme, and this is his second appearance on the podcast. He was one of our earliest guests, long ago, in episode 8. Back then, Daniel had just sold his A…

1
Taming the Machine, with Nell Watson 45:07

2M ago45:07

45:07

Those who rush to leverage AI’s power without adequate preparation face difficult blowback, scandals, and could provoke harsh regulatory measures. However, those who have a balanced, informed view on the risks and benefits of AI, and who, with care and knowledge, avoid either complacent optimism or defeatist pessimism, can harness AI’s potential, a…

1
How can origami help make energy? 12:37

2M ago12:37

12:37

Discover how the ancient art of origami is revolutionising sustainable energy! Researcher Jingyi Yang, from the Department of Engineering Science, has loved origami since childhood. Now she’s channelling that passion to tackle engineering challenges. Using the intricate papercraft to develop clam-like models, Jinyi’s creative engineering may be the…

1
AI Impacts Survey - The key implications, with Katja Grace 33:21

3M ago33:21

33:21

Our guest in this episode grew up in an abandoned town in Tasmania, and is now a researcher and blogger in Berkeley, California. After taking a degree in human ecology and science communication, Katja Grace co-founded AI Impacts, a research organisation trying to answer questions about the future of artificial intelligence. Since 2016, Katja and he…

1
How do you fossilise a brain? 11:46

3M ago11:46

11:46

When you think of fossils, you probably imagine dinosaurs. But did you know that soft body parts, like the brain, can become fossils too? In this episode, forensic anthropologist Alexandra Morton-Hayward explores the science of brain fossilisation. Skeletons have been found in wells, Incan temples, salt mines and many other unusual locations, often…

1
Cryonics, cryocrastination, and the future: changing minds, with Max More 48:52

3M ago48:52

48:52

Our guest in this episode is Max More. Max is a philosopher, a futurist, and a transhumanist - a term which he coined in 1990, the same year that he legally changed his name from O’Connor to More. One of the tenets of transhumanism is that technology will allow us to prevent and reverse the aging process, and in the meantime we can preserve our bra…

1
Unflinching Forgiveness in the face of a seemingly Unforgivable Crime 41:43

3M ago41:43

41:43

01:51 Learning Lessons and Remembering the Victims 04:50 Finding Out About the Shooting and Locating the Injured 06:14 The Tragic Loss of Life: Five Girls Killed 08:07 The Amish Community's Response: Forgiveness and Support 10:09 Remembering the Victims: Honoring Their Lives 18:02 Finding Solutions to Prevent School Shootings 21:32 The Role of Fait…

1
Christchurch Mosque Shooting - David Long 1st responder 57:14

3M ago57:14

57:14

In this impactful episode of the "School To Embassy Project," we are privileged to have David Long, a New Zealand Army veteran, as our guest. David currently dedicates his expertise to training teams traveling to high-threat areas, stunt teams for movies, and individuals seeking top-notch personal security training. On the tragic day of the Christc…

1
ProtectED with Peter F. (STEP podcast Premiere Episode) 1:14:49

3M ago1:14:49

1:14:49

In this compelling episode of the "School To Embassy Project," we are honored to welcome Peter, a distinguished Special Operations Master Breacher from the 75th Army Ranger Regiment. Peter's extensive career involved training and instructing on how to make entry into a variety of structures, from the most fortified to the everyday. Drawing from thi…

1
Stem cells, lab-grown meat, and potential new medical treatments, with Mark Kotter 34:33

3M ago34:33

34:33

Our guest in this episode is Dr. Mark Kotter. Mark is a neurosurgeon, stem cell biologist, and founder or co-founder of three biotech start-up companies that have collectively raised hundreds of millions of pounds: bit.bio, clock.bio, and Meatable. In addition, Mark still conducts neurosurgeries on patients weekly at the University of Cambridge. We…

1
How do earworms work? 13:32

3M ago13:32

13:32

Have you ever had a song stuck in your head that you just can't shake? A few bars or lyrics that just keep looping all day long? Well, we have delved into the science behind 'earworms' with Dr Jacob Kingsbury Downs from the Faculty of Music. A melodic mix of musical imagery, auditory neuroscience, memory and impressive compositions can leave a litt…

1
The economic case for a second longevity revolution, with Andrew Scott 41:04

3M ago41:04

41:04

The public discussion in a number of countries around the world expresses worries about what is called an aging society. These countries anticipate a future with fewer younger people who are active members of the economy, and a growing number of older people who need to be supported by the people still in the workforce. It’s an inversion of the usu…

1
How are seals affecting fishing catches? 13:11

4M ago13:11

13:11

Are seals the fishermen's friends or foes? The UK is home 35% of the world’s grey seals and we know they like to get their flippers on many of the same fish as we do. So, how are seals impacting the fishing industry? In our latest podcast, Dr Claire Tanner from the Department of Biology explores the unseen conflict beneath the waves and the complex…

1
Can AI be conscious? with Nicholas Humphrey 45:43

3M ago45:43

45:43

In this episode we return to the subject of whether AIs will become conscious, or, to use a word from the title of the latest book from our guest today, whether AIs will become sentient. Our guest is Nicholas Humphrey, Emeritus Professor of Psychology at London School of Economics, and Bye Fellow at Darwin College, Cambridge. His latest book is “Se…

1
Why am I killing my house plants? 14:48

4M ago14:48

14:48

House plants can be a cheerful pop of colour in your home. But do you find after the initial burst of life, your plants start to fade, looking sad and unhealthy? M Garrido Davies, from the Department of Biology, shares top tips for helping house plants to flourish, starting with learning more about the biology of how plants grow in their natural en…

1
Progress with ending aging, with Aubrey de Grey 40:52

4M ago40:52

40:52

Our topic in this episode is progress with ending aging. Our guest is the person who literally wrote the book on that subject, namely the book, “Ending Aging: The Rejuvenation Breakthroughs That Could Reverse Human Aging in Our Lifetime”. He is Aubrey de Grey, who describes himself in his Twitter biography as “spearheading the global crusade to def…

1
What’s it like to be an AI, with Anil Seth 44:20

4M ago44:20

44:20

As artificial intelligence models become increasingly powerful, they both raise - and might help to answer - some very important questions about one of the most intriguing, fascinating aspects of our lives, namely consciousness. It is possible that in the coming years or decades, we will create conscious machines. If we do so without realising it, …

1
How are volcanoes formed on other planets? 13:59

5M ago13:59

13:59

Volcanoes are pretty amazing! But how do they work on other planets? Take Mars – it has the largest volcano in the solar system! But volcanologist Tamsin Mather reveals that the red planet is now considered geologically dead, with no volcanic activity for around 500 million years. How do we know how this volcano formed then? Well, space missions ha…

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