Groks Science Radio Show and Podcast

Becoming a military pilot is not an easy task, and one that has additional obstacles for a woman in Afghanistan. On this episode, Niloofar Rahmani discussed her life as the first female fixed-wing aviator in Afghanistan.

Perspiration is a trait that is relatively unique for humans and one where science is making new discoveries. On this episode, Sarah Everts discussed her new book, The Joy of Sweat.

Although consumerism appears to be embedded in our modern society, would the environment and ourselves be changed should it cease to exist? On this episode, J.B. MacKinnon discussed his book, The Day the World Stopped Shopping.

The final Apollo missions were aided by the invention of the lunar lover, which greatly expanded the exploration of the moon. On this episode, Earl Swift discussed his book, Across the Airless Wilds.

Transplant medicine is one of the most challenging areas of medicine that is rapidly evolving. On this episode, Dr. David Weill discussed his book, Exhale.

Information may seem to be constantly increasing in our increasingly complex world, but what if it is actually a fundamental part of the universe? On this episode, Caleb Scharf discussed his new book, The Ascent of Information.

Plagues have beset humankind since the dawn of history, but our understanding of the disease causing agents has greatly advanced. On this episode, Dr. John Froude discussed the history of pandemics in his new book, Plagued.

Recycling may seem as easy as placing items in the appropriate bin, but there are many caveats that limit what can be recycled. On this episode, Jennie Romer discussed her book, Can I Recycle This?

Capturing an image of a black hole may seem impossible, but it was accomplished through an incredible global scientific effort. On this episode, Dr. Heino Falcke discussed the story of capturing the image of a black hole.

What are the advantages that humans have over machines in the age of technology and turmoil? On this episode, Kenneth Cukier discussed his new book, Framers.

The neutrino is a fundamental particle that might never have been discovered were it not for Nobelist Frederick Reines. On this episode, Dr. Leonard Cole discussed the life and science of Frederick Reines.

The conservation movement owes its existence to the history of the individuals that were instrumental in its formation. On this episode, Michelle Nijhuis discussed her book, Beloved Beasts.

The healthcare system in the United States undergoes continuing scrutiny. Can a market-based approach work? On this episode, Dr. Deane Waldman discussed Statescare and market-based medicine.

Traversing a career in science can be somewhat daunting, even for those who reach the highest levels. On this episode, Dr. Robert Lefkowitz discussed his adventures as an accidental scientist.

The changes to the global environment often seem to be beyond the ability of an individual to positively affect. How can individuals help the global environment? On this episode, Kimberly Nicholas discussed her book, Under the Sky We Make.

The human brain is one of the most remarkable biological creations in nature, but its natural history is unknown to most. On this episode, Bret Stetka discussed his book, A History of the Human Brain.

The diversity of life on earth continues to astound zoologists, such that some may begin to ponder what it means for the possibility of life on other planets. On this episode, Arik Kershenbaum discussed the diversity of life.

Volcanoes may be some of the most fearsome, yet fascinating places on earth. What can they tell us about the geology of the planet? On this episode, Jess Phoenix discussed the science of volcanology.

The problems facing the American health care system are perhaps nowhere else more evident than in small rural hospitals. On this episode, Brian Alexander discussed his book, The Hospital.

What is life? At the boundaries of science, the definition of what constitutes life remains ill-defined. On this episode, Carl Zimmer discussed the scientific quest to define life.

A good diet and exercise are important for optimal health, but are they equally important for weight loss? On this episode, Dr. Herman Pontzer discussed these issues and his new book, Burn.

The world of espionage is filled with individuals that one may not think would be a spy. On this episode, Larry Loftis discussed the story of Aline Griffith in his book, The Princess Spy.

The opioid epidemic continues to have severe repercussions in society, enabled by both giant pharmaceutical companies and unscrupulous physicians who profited from these drugs. On this episode, Charlotte Bismuth discussed her book, Bad Medicine.

How can enduring change be implemented through psychotherapeutic practices? How can the neuroscience of memory inform these clinical approached? On this episode, Dr. Richard Lane discussed his book, The Neuroscience of Enduring Change.

The history of women would be quite different were it not for the pioneering work of Elizabeth and Emily Blackwell. On this episode, Janice Nimura discussed their story and her new book, The Doctors Blackwell.

Wisdom is a trait that appears to increase with age, but what are the scientific roots of these changes and can they be facilitated? On this episode, Dr. Dilip Jeste discussed his new book, Wiser.

Ritualistic behaviors are not limited to humans, but abound in the animal kingdom. What can we learn from these ritualistic animal behaviors? On this episode, Dr. Caitlin O'Connell discussed her new book, Wild Rituals.

The problem of homelessness may seem insurmountable, but there are possible solutions requiring the will to implement them. On this episode, Dr. Marybeth Shinn discussed her new book, In the Midst of Plenty.

Medical care in the United States continues to face serious challenges in improving the health of the populace. What are the problems and solutions? On this episode, Dr. Michael J. Young discussed his book, The Illness of Medicine.

What are the essential features for growing a business? Are there methods to align these necessary features? On this episode, Dr. Phillipe Bouissou discussed his book, Aligning the Dots.

The travails that are part of our lives may sometimes seem insurmountable, but our ability to embrace these challenges may be trainable. On this episode, Brent Gleeson discussed his book, Embrace the Suck.

Exoplanets are now a common feature of astronomical discoveries, but what do some of these exoplanets look like? On this episode, Michael Carroll discussed his new book, Envisioning Exoplanets.

The concept of time is one whose physical theory continues to elude scientists. What are advances in the theories of time? On this episode, Dr. Julian Barbour discussed his book, The Janus Point.

The conduct of most meetings often leaves something to be desired. How can meetings be more effective, engaging and enjoyable? On this episode, Mamie Kanfer Stewart discussed her new book, Momentum.

The concept of sin is one that has evolved from the middle ages to the present day. How have we arrived at our current concept of sin? On this episode, Dr. David Salomon discussed his new book, The Seven Deadly Sins: How Sin Influenced the West from the Middle Ages to the Modern Era.

Tribalism is a pervading influence in the structure of society, but is it possible to mitigate the deleterious effects of this mentality? On this episode, Allen Buchanan discussed his book, Our Moral Fate: Evolution and the Escape from Tribalism.

Eating a healthy diet is important for maintaining optimum body health. But is the time when you eat as important as what you eat? On this episode, Dr. Michael Roizen discussed his new book, What to Eat When.

James Smithson may be best known as the namesake of the Smithsonian Institution, but his scientific accomplishments are often overlooked. On this episode, Steven Turner discussed his new book, The Science of James Smithson.

The sense of smell is of profound importance, but few may realize it until it is gone. The diversity of chemicals producing smells is even more astounding. On this episode, Harold McGee discussed his new book, Nose Dive.

Although the advances in artificial intelligence have been striking in recent years, has as much thought been given to the ethical issues surround the design of these systems? On this episode, Brian Christian discussed his new book, The Alignment Problem.

The natural history of the earth and solar system can be surprisingly gleaned from the study of meteorites. On this episode, Dr. Tim Gregory discussed his new book, Meteorite: How Stones From Outer Space Made Our World.

Bones may be some of the most remarkable biological structures in our bodies, but few may stop to realize their many functions. On this episode, Dr. Roy A. Meals discussed his book, Bones: Inside and Out.

Did the early Christian church inherit a psychedelic Eucharist from the Greeks? What evidence exist from the historical record and archeological chemistry? On this episode, Brian C. Muraresku discussed his new book, The Immortality Key.

Through advances in modern medicine and public health, infant mortality has been largely relegated to the past. On this episode, Dr. Perri Klass discussed how science and medicine gave children a future.

Artificial intelligence has expanded greatly, such that it has reshaped the modern world. What is the future of AI? On this episode, Michael Kanaan discussed his book, T-Minus AI.

Mental health issues often hides in the darkness, but what can we be done to increase understanding and awareness of mental health? On this episode, Terri Cheney discussed her book, Modern Madness: An Owner's Manual.

The internal narratives that form a basis for personality psychology may be a factor that distinguishes the 45th President of the United States. On this episode, Prof. Dan McAdams discusses his new book, The Strange Case of Donald J. Trump: A Psychological Reckoning.

Cancer is perhaps the oldest and most formidable disease that has plagued human history. How are new theoretical advances improving our understanding of how to treat cancer? On this episode, Kat Arney discussed her new book, Rebel Cell.

Of the many phenomena in quantum mechanics, perhaps none is as strange as quantum entanglement. What does this imply for the physical laws of the natural world as we know it? On this episode, Dr. Paul Halpern discussed his new book, Synchronicity.

How can a society be justly organized? Does it depend on the ability of the citizenry to self regulate? On this episode, Dr. Stuart Shanker discussed his new book, Reframed: Self Reg for a Just Society.