Groks Science Radio Show and Podcast

Matt Wilkinson discussed his book, Restless Creatures, an exploration of the diversity life though the lens of locomotion.

Joseph Henrich discussed his book, The Secret of Our Success, How Culture Is Driving Human Evolution, Domesticating Our Species, and Making Us Smarter.

How can Nordic society inform the construction of our own society in the United States? On this episode, Anu Partanen discussed the Nordic Theory of Everything.

In this interview with Marcelo Gleiser we talk about his 2014 book, The Island of Knowledge and then hear a little about his new book, The Simple Beauty of the Unexpected.

Is your inclination to socialize guided to your allergies? On this program, Anthony Filiano discusses how interferon, an immune molecule, is needed to socialize in a variety of different animals.

In this episode, Unjin and Ron discuss the second event detected by LIGO, gene changes in a cadaver, Space X and what Brexit means for Horizon 2020.

The Zika virus has become an epidemic in Brazil, so much so that it has caused many to question holding the Olympic games there. On this episode, Dr. Joe Alton discussed the Zika Virus and the Olympics.

Camera traps have enabled a fascinating view of animals in their native habitat. On this episode, Roland Kays discussed the creatures observed by camera traps.

Topics include gravitational waves, a potential pollution solution, resilience of coral in the Great Barrier Reef, and chiral molecules in space.

America is already great, but does the country have a strategy? On this episode, Joel Makower discussed the path to a brighter future in his new book, The Grand Strategy.

From extremophillic bacteria to the Search for ExtraTerrestrial Intellegence, there is a long history of fascination with weird life. On this episode, we discuss Weird Life with David Toomey.

Is risk taking a natural behavior? What are the biological underpinnings of risk behavior? On this episode, Kayt Sukel discussed the art of risk.

In our fast paced world of modern dating, what does it take to succeed? On this episode, Tanya Vacharkulksemsuk discussed how open postures improves the chance of getting a first date.

All living things are regulated from the molecules in our bloodstream to the populations of animals on the African Savanna. On this episode, Sean Carroll joins us to discuss the logic of regulation.

How can traumatic events be passed down to subsequent generations? On this episode, Mark Wolynn discussed identifying and treating generational trauma

are all born curious and a healthy sense of curiosity can benefit a person in many ways. On this episode, Ian Leslie tells discussed the benefits of this trait, why it is in danger, and how you can strengthen your own natural curiosity.

The evolution of microbial communities and viruses have broad implications on human health and how animals and plants change. On this episode, Michael Shapira and Lulan Wang discuss microbiota and Zika.

What is in a face? On this episode, Jason Rogers discussed the science of RBF.

Are child prodigies and those with autism related? On this episode, Kimberly Stephens discussed prodigies and autism.

Meat is a staple of the diet of many cultures, but its use may be outweighed by many factors. On this episode, Marta Zaraska discussed the history of our obsession with meat.

In January 2016, the World Health Organization predicted that Zika virus would spread through most of the Americas by the end of the year. On this episode, Dr. Brenda Wilson discussed the Zika virus.

For most grown ups, a foreign language may seem unintelligible. But, human languages may be more similar than one might think. On this program, Tanmoy Bhattacharya discusses a common structure underlying word meaning.

Predicted 100 years ago by Albert Einstein and his general theory of relativity, gravitational waves have finally been detected. On this episode, Dr. Marco Cavaglia explained these waves and what they can tell us about the universe.

Narcissism and psychopathy are not generally well regarded personality traits, but how do we identify those personality types. On this program, Dr. Frieda Birnbaum discussed these aberrant personality types.

While we may be born with some innate food preferences, most of our eating habits are learned and vary dramatically across cultures. On this episode, Bee Wilson discusses how we learn to eat and whether we can change our approach to food.

The recents events guided to terrorism have renewed the debate on balancing individual privacy and public security. On this program, Michael Kearns discusses algorithms that could ensure privacy while maintaining public security.

Nutrition research may have problems. On this episode, we talk with Christie Aschwanden about what she found when she used some common tools utilized in nutrition research.

How do con artists ply their trade? And, who is a potential victim? On this episode, Maria Konnikova discussed the confidence game.

The interaction between humans and animals has varied dramatically throughout human history. On this episode, Brian Fagan discussed how animals have shaped our history and how our conception of them has changed over time.

The international negotiations for addressing climate change has been fraught with rancor but the COP21 meeting in Paris last month marks a turning point. On this program, David Victor discusses the Paris Agreement.

The history of ancient human civilization is mysterious almost by definition. On this episode, Graham Hancock presents an alternative story of the past.

Are we prepared to cope with food shortages? On this episode, Margaret Nelson discusses how social factors plays a role determining the survivability of societies.

What does mythology tell us about the scientific environment of those who created them? On this episode, Matt Kaplan discussed the science of the magical.

Scientists can now make precise changes to the DNA of humans and animals thanks to recent advances in gene editing technology. On this episode, Dr. Hank Greely discussed the medical promises and perils of this technology.

What are the effects of climate change on forests? On this episode, William Anderegg discusses forest carbon dynamics.

Throughout history, physicians have made use of the placebo effect. On this episode, Professor John Kelley discussed the mechanisms of the placebo effect and its role in medicine.

Traumatic brain injury can result in the emergence of severe psychiatric symptoms. On this episode, Dr. Sandeep Vaishnavi discussed the diagnosis and treatment of psychiatic problems associated with traumatic brain injury.

The connection between scent and memory is powerful and can be startling. On this episode, Dr. Virginia Barry, Chicago psychoanalyst and discussed the neuroscience behind memory and scent.

How do aerosols, or tiny particles, affect the climate? On this program, John Moore discusses the science of dust in the sky.

n 1922, two famous men publically debated the nature of time. On this episode, Jimena Canales discussed the debate of Albert Einstin and Henri Bergson.

The history of neuroscience is still in a relative infancy compared with other sciences. On this episode, Tom Jackson discussed an illustrated history of the brain.

Richard Feynman is known as one of the most imaginative and beloved physicists in history. On this episode, Michelle Feynman discusses quotes from her father and memories she has of him.

When is a coincidence not a coincidence? On this episode, Dr. David Hand discusses his book, The Improbability Principle, and why miracles and coincidences happen much more often than we would expect.

Narcissism may have become more prevalent and even celebrated in society. On this episode, Dr. Joseph Burgo discussed the narcissist you know.

Mixed severity fires help to rejuvenate the forests, but how will current policy shifts affect the health of the forests. On this episode, Dominick DellaSalla discussed the importance of mixed severity fires.

Games are great at activating our motivation and putting us in a problem solving mindset. On this episode, Jane McGonigal discussed SuperBetter, a method of using a gameful mindset to approach challenges in life.

Scientists have long known and taught that mercury is a neurotoxin in humans and animals. On this program, Jennifer Cossaboon talks about a surprising source of mercury in the seas.

Despite increasing awareness about autism, it remains one of the most mysterious topics of this generation. On this episode, Steve Silberman addresses some of the mysteries of autism.

Several companies are getting very close to launching their first lines of unmanned vehicles. On this episode, Corey Clothier discussed the state of autonomous vehicles.

How much of the aging process is inevitable and how much can we control? On this episode, Dr. Michael Roizen discussed controlling the aging process.