For a long time, the prevailing perspective on evolution has been that it follows a vertical pathway, where genetic information is passed down from one generation to the next in a linear fashion, resembling a "tree of life." This classical view suggests that species evolve through a process of divergence from common ancestors, resulting in a branch…

Contrary to the widespread belief that all technology is sleek, flawless, and cutting-edge, much of it isn’t designed to meet such high standards or be revolutionary. In many environments, the goal isn’t always to create perfect, futuristic products. Instead, the focus is often on functionality—producing tech that is good enough to meet immediate n…

The news about emerging technologies often sounds alarming as well as discouraging. Headlines talk about how algorithms control and oppress people. There are fears that AI could harm democracy, damage our social connections, or even cause human extinction. While these fears come from real concerns, it’s also important to recognize the good that tec…

Since the Enlightenment, humanity has turned to science to answer profound questions about who we are, where we come from, and where we’re headed. However, we've become stuck in the belief that we can fully understand the universe by viewing it from a detached, external perspective. In focusing solely on external physical realities, imagined from t…

Dr. James R. Gregory is the founder of NYLAQ Advisors. He is also chairman emeritus of Tenet Partners, a global brand innovation and marketing firm based in New York, NY. One of the key secrets to his success was his passion for writing. Over the next four decades, he wrote a series of business books that helped build not only our business brand bu…

Author and podcast host, Jacob Goldstein and I talk about "The White Album" by Joan Didion. As a San Diego born, New York City journalist, Jacob and I compare and contract Los Angeles and New York as described by Didion and ourselves. We talk about our nostalgia for the past and the uncertainty of the future as we stray on and off topic of this thr…

Chicago based poet, Campbell McGrath talks to me about the difference in reading verses watching a movie, gives writing advice, and reads some of his own poetry in this riveting episode. Nouns and Verbs: https://www.amazon.com/Nouns-Verbs-Campbell-McGrath-ebook/dp/B07BK5LS9Z/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3PW8A8HUNH709&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.1qfSeNSYOZIt05ulFxXyn8_QiiR…

Director of the Office of Paranormal Investigations and President of the Forever Family Foundation, has been in the field for over 40 years focusing on education and field investigation. He is the author or co-author of 10 nonfiction books and one novel, and teaches online Parapsychology courses through the Rhine Education Center. He is on the Boar…

Adam Dorr is the Director of Research at the independent think tank RethinkX. He is an environmental social scientist and technology theorist whose recent RethinkX publications have focused on the disruption of the global energy sector by new energy generation and storage technologies, as well as the implications of the energy, transportation, and …

Adam Dorr is the Director of Research at the independent think tank RethinkX. He is an environmental social scientist and technology theorist whose recent RethinkX publications have focused on the disruption of the global energy sector by new energy generation and storage technologies, as well as the implications of the energy, transportation, and …

As fresh algorithms and new analytical methods emerge, existing datasets can uncover insights beyond their original purpose. Regardless of their intended use, data often possess hidden potentials and always have a “secret life”. “How this data will be used, by other people in other times and places, has profound implications for every aspect of our…

Siix time Emmy award winning, Bob Kealing, talks with me about "Good Day Sunshine State" and the Beatles history in Florida. Why does this state hold a special place in the hearts of those four lads from LIverpool? Hear us discuss this and "Once Upon A Time in Florida" by Jacki Levine. Good Day Sunshine State https://www.amazon.com/Good-Day-Sunshin…

Moral and Political philosopher, Elizabeth Cripps talks to us about individual and parental duties toward climate change. We touch on her book, "Parenting on Earth" as well as "The Book You Wish Your Parents Had Read (and Your Children Will Be Glad That You Did)" by Philippa Perry in an insightful conversation about parenting and climate change. Pa…

Rocket Scientist Erika Nesvold and I talk about Mary Doria Russell's The Sparrow all while she answers some of my dumb space questions. We touch on mining astroids, prison and capitalism in space, and whether we should even settle space? The Sparrow: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=the+sparrow+book&crid=27WWOJ6JYAAQH&sprefix=the+sparrow+book%2Caps%2C163…

As humanity sets its sights on venturing beyond the confines of Earth, it is immensely important to acknowledge that the journey to space is not merely a technological feat, but a profoundly human endeavour. From pinpointing destinations to preparing flight plans, from developing generational ships to designing habitats, from selecting teams to est…

University of Arizona Astronomy professor Chris Impey and I talk about "Wonderful Life" by Stephen Jay Gould. This is book was way over my head but i still learned a lot. Hear Professor Impey dumb things down for me and share things like how fossilization is rare and evolution is a lottery. Wonderful Life: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=wonderful+life+…

University of Arizona Astronomy professor Chris Impey and I talk about his book, "Worlds Without End: Exoplanets, Habitability, and the Future of Humanity". This is a fun episode because I get to geek out and ask all of the questions I've had about space and life on other planets that I want. Come back next week to hear us talk about "Wonderful Lif…

Winner of the 2022 National Jewish Book Award, author Stephen Mills and I discuss his book, "The Chosen - A Memoir of Stolen Boyhood" after touching on Vladimir Nabokov's "Lolita". We talk about how Nabokov's writing should be read by all adults and transition to sharing personal testimonies of sexual abuse in this highly emotional episode. The Cho…

Laura Warrell is back to praise Julia Otsuka's "The Swimmers". We specifically talk about how difficult is to write in third person plural but we both couldn't put the book down. The Swimmers: https://www.amazon.com/Swimmers-novel-Julie-Otsuka/dp/0593466624/ref=sr_1_1?crid=HTD04TIH3JME&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.4NaEfZ2_fThQKp51HQYfO3tojtO-OKvYCsK1Cu5scz02W-…

Artificial intelligence (AI) has emerged as one of the most remarkable advancements of our time. It is a powerful evolving technology that has transformed the way we interact with machines and perceive the capabilities of computer systems. However, with this newfound power comes a natural apprehension. There is a noticeable fear surrounding the uni…

Laura Warell is an award winning author and professor of creative writing and literature at various institutions including Berklee College of Music. Being a musician myself, we talk about how accurate her book, "Sweet Soft Plenty Rhythm" is to the modern musician's journey. Come back next week to hear us discuss, "The Swimmers" by Julia Otsuka Swee…

Katie Davis and I talk about Jake Ward's "The Loop" and the future of our human agency. Hear what Katie Davis thinks about one of my favorite books. Check out my episode with Jake if you liked this as well! Episode with Jake: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6WMvQKT3Tz4H3V4amt9Lql?si=7b9f64f3da954fc2 The Loop: https://www.amazon.com/Loop-Technology…

Associate Professor at the University of Washington, Katie Davis walks us through the struggles of raising children in a day and age where technology is at the forefront. She gives tips and tricks she touched on in her book, "Technology's Child". Come back next week to hear us discuss Jacob Ward's "The Loop". Technology's Child: https://www.amazon.…

Piggybacking off of our conversation last week about racism and whiteness in Professor Mirzoeff's "White Sight", this week we talk about Dan Hick's "The Brutish Museums". The Brutish Museums: https://www.amazon.com/Brutish-Museums-Colonial-Violence-Restitution/dp/0745346227/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2MIJDIGF910WV&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.AYtAKi1AxTXrO-8f3cVYj7TSXliW…

Has human behaviour pushed our world to the edge, especially the mistaken belief that the earth’s resources are infinite? And can a shift in human behaviour rescue us? The challenges we face, from collapsing social structures to the climate crisis, have been centuries in the making. It is immensely critical that we take immediate and decisive actio…

With a background in Art history, Nick Mirzoeff is an NYU professor and author who had a fascinating chat with me about his book, "White Sight". Check it out here and come back next week for our chat on Dan Hick's "Brutish Museums". White Sight: https://www.amazon.com/White-Sight-Politics-Practices-Whiteness-ebook/dp/B0B2MJKCQV Brutish Museums: htt…

Author and New Yorker writer, Tony Hiss and I discuss what the Half-Earth project is, why it matters, and many more issues he writes about in his book, "Rescuing The Planet: Protecting Half The Land to Heal The Earth". We then shift into discussing "Life On The Mississippi" by Mark Twain and how we all need to rewire our brains like a Mississippi p…

Wilke's University professor and author Laurie Loewentein and I discuss discuss "Housekeeping" by Marilynne Robinson and how it compares to her book, "Funeral Train". Funeral Train: https://www.amazon.com/Funeral-Train-Dust-Bowl-Mysteries/dp/B0B2S6C29H/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1LT9JVO9W7FWK&keywords=funeral+train+laurie+loewenstein&qid=1707164667&sprefix=fu…

The most powerful tool often comes with the greatest challenges. In recent times Machine learning has emerged as the world's leading general-purpose technology, yet its implementation remains notably complex. Beyond the realm of Big Tech and a select few leading enterprises, many machine learning initiatives don’t succeed, failing to deliver on the…

Wilke's University professor and author Laurie Loewentein and I discuss the dust bowl, and her book, "The Funeral Train". Come back next week to hear us discuss "Housekeeping" by Marilynne Robinson. Funeral Train: https://www.amazon.com/Funeral-Train-Dust-Bowl-Mysteries/dp/B0B2S6C29H/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1LT9JVO9W7FWK&keywords=funeral+train+laurie+loewe…

Science communication plays an important role in bridging the gap between researchers and the general public, fostering understanding, engagement, and appreciation for scientific explorations and advancements. In an era where science and technology shape every aspect of our lives, effective communication of research findings is more critical than e…

Professor Andrew Mangham and I discuss Charles Dickens' Great Expectations after discussing Mangham's We're All Monsters last week. Hear us talk about the good and bad of life's daily struggles through this classic coming of age novel. We Are All Monsters: https://www.amazon.com/We-Are-All-Monsters-Organisms/dp/0262047527/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2KG0NQYCV0…

Literary critic and professor, Andrew Mangham and I discuss his book, "We Are All Monsters" which goes into why there is no template human and how we all have peculiarities. Come back next week to hear us discuss Charles Dickens' "Great Expectations". Get his book here: https://www.amazon.com/We-Are-All-Monsters-Organisms/dp/0262047527 Great Expect…

The award winning writer and psychotherapist, David Santos Donaldson and I discuss "Greenland" a story that is magical realism but totally contemporary. We compare it to "Seasons of Migration To The North" by Tayeb Salih in this episode and you can find both books below: Greenland: https://www.amazon.com/Audible-Greenland-A-Novel/dp/B09JY2HKZR/ref=…

Not only does she write for amazing television shows like, "Glow", "The Carrie Diaries", "The Bold Type", and "Huge In France" but two time Emmy winning Sascha Rothchild has also written an amazing novel, "Blood Sugar". Check out her and I discussing Madeline Miller's, "Circe". after talking bout "Blood Sugar". Circe: https://www.amazon.com/Circe-M…

Not only does she write for amazing television shows like, "Glow", "The Carrie Diaries", "The Bold Type", and "Huge In France" but two time Emmy winning Sascha Rothchild has also written an amazing novel, "Blood Sugar". Check out her and I talking about the novel and come back next week to hear us discuss Madeline Miller's, "Circe". Blood Sugar: ht…

Speaker and author, Etgar Keret and I talk about his memoir, The Seven Good Years, and his other work whether written or spoken. The Bus Driver Who Wanted To Be God & Other Stories: https://www.amazon.com/Bus-Driver-Wanted-Other-Stories/dp/159463324X/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3R6QA6F44P308&keywords=bus+driver+that+wanted+to+be+god&qid=1703810317&sprefix=busd…

Award winning Chicagoan writer, Joe Meno and I talk about Italo Calvino's novel, "The Baron In The Trees" and how it relates to each other lives and work. The Baron In The Trees https://www.amazon.com/Baron-Trees-Italo-Calvino/dp/0544959116/ref=sr_1_1?crid=JYFX8M7ZDTY3&keywords=baron+in+the+trees+by+italo+calvino&qid=1702623639&sprefix=baron+in+the…

Award winning Chicagoan writer, Joe Meno and I talk about his novel, "Book Of Extra Ordinary Tragedies", staying positive in the midst of tragedy, and our shared hearing loss as we get older. Book Of Extraordinary Tragedies https://www.amazon.com/Book-Extraordinary-Tragedies-Joe-Meno/dp/1636140610/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2GZO42FXNGIAQ&keywords=joe+meno+boo…

We live in a society driven by a relentless pursuit of greatness, where we are constantly pushed to attain the highest levels of wealth, power, and fame. This relentless fixation on greatness leads to stress and anxiety, strains our interpersonal connections, fosters extensive political and economic disparities, and contributes to the deterioration…

We experience, thus we exist. Our conscious perceptions form the foundation of our self-awareness. They play a vital role in shaping our understanding of ourselves as sentient beings: present, alive, and significant. However, what is the origin of consciousness, and how does the process of experiencing sensations and developing a sense of awareness…

Smartness has permeated our lives in the form of smartphones, smart cars, smart homes, and smart cities. It has become a mandate, a pervasive force that governs politics, economics, and the environment. As our world faces increasingly complex challenges, the drive for ubiquitous computing raises important questions. What exactly is this 'smartness …

It is difficult to imagine a not-so-distant past when deadly diseases were a routine part of life. Even more astonishing is the fact that during that time, prevailing medical beliefs attributed these diseases to harmful miasmas, bodily humors, and divine dyspepsia. However, a groundbreaking revelation occurred with the discovery of the world of mic…

Kendall Square, situated in Cambridge, Massachusetts, has earned the reputation of being "the most innovative square mile on the planet." It serves as a vibrant epicentre for life sciences, housing renowned companies such as Biogen, Moderna, Pfizer, Takeda, and many others. Additionally, it stands as a prominent hub for technology, with giants like…

When considering the long-term survival and sustainability of human civilization, two developments hold significant implications. Firstly, humanity has been recklessly depleting resources, causing species extinctions, and degrading essential elements for life on Earth for centuries. Secondly, advancements in the science of discovering habitable pla…

Sergio and I talk about his book and about the Latino experience in the US... Nepantla. https://sergiotroncoso.comBy Lucas Cantor

The future of technology is a subject of debate among experts. Some predict a bleak future where robots become dominant, leaving humans behind. Others, known as tech industry boosters, believe that replacing humans with software can lead to a better world. Critics of the tech industry express concern about the negative consequences of surveillance …

Sergio Troncoso and I talk about Mark Twain's classic, Huckleberry Finn. It was a trip to read this book as an adult.By Lucas Cantor

David E Hoffman and I talk about Story of a Secret State by Jan Karski and about Give Me Liberty. Live from the Miami Book Fair! Story of a Secret State: https://www.amazon.com/Story-Secret-State-Penguin-Classics/dp/0241407389/ref=asc_df_0241407389/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=509360428472&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=13696059285196103915&hvpone=&h…

The ancient ambition of exploring the cosmos and possibly even inhabiting other planets may one day come true, as we discover more and more exoplanets and intend to develop innovative propulsion techniques suitable for interstellar travel. Projects like 100 Year Starship and Breakthrough Starshot enable us to study the challenges involved with a vi…