Groks Science Radio Show and Podcast

The fragility and weak points in societal structures may cause worry and consternation in most. But, some individuals respond instead by building. On this episode, Bradley Garrett discussed his new book, Bunker: Building for the End Times.

The Manhattan Project represents one of the most scientifically innovative, yet ethically challenged endeavors of our time. On this episode, Stephen P. Kiernan discusses the human dimensions of this project in his new book, Universe of Two.

Alcohol use can be problematic if individuals are unable to control their intake. This can be made more difficult living in a culture that promotes drinking. On this episode, Lisa Boucher discussed her book, Raising the Bottom.

Harmony in relationships is often sought as the ideal state of affairs, but can discord be even more powerful in building healthy relationships? On this episode, Dr. Claudia M. Gold discussed her new book, The Power of Discord.

With the mandated quarantines affecting children and their peers, bullying and cyberbullying have taken on new forms. On this episode, Dr. Elizabeth Englander discussed her book, 25 Myths About Bullying and Cyberbullying.

Our appreciation for the natural world is influenced by great nature writing. However, the contribution of women to this genre has often been unappreciated. On this episode, Kathryn Aalto discussed these writers in her new book, Writing Wild.

Although medical science has advanced cancer treatment, it has not been well implemented throughout the world, especially in developing countries. On this episode, Dr. B.S. Ajaikumar discussed his new book, Excellence Has No Borders.

The incredible ubiquity of Amazon in our current economy has influenced not just online retailing, but other areas as well. What is the data driven approach employed by this company? On this episode, Brian Dumaine discussed his new book, Bezonomics.

The world is full of chaotic and unexpected events. So, what is the best method for dealing with a crisis? On this episode, Dr. Jim Taylor discussed his new book, How to Survive and Thrive When Bad Things Happen.

Longevity is often discussed in terms of good diet and exercise, but the role of kindness, happiness, and sociability are often overlooked. On this episode, Marta Zaruska discussed her new book, Growing Young.

The world would be a very different place had FDR, Churchill, and Stalin not been the leaders during World War II. This almost would have happened had a Nazi assassination plot succeeded. On this episode, Howard Blum discussed his new book, Night of the Assassins.

Being prepared is a motto that is often easier said than done. How do we prepare for the extraordinary situations that we may encounter in our lives? On this episode, Judith Matloff discussed her book, How to Drag a Body.

Modern genetics is changing many aspects from society from criminal justice to medicine. On this episode, Joshua Z. Rappoport discussed his new book, Mapping Humanity.

The remarkable behavior of birds is sometimes confounding when viewed from an anthropomorphic lens. What is the bird way? On this episode, Jennifer Ackerman discussed her new book, The Bird Way.

Free speech is often touted as a guiding principle of American civic life, but is this truly the case? What is guaranteed under the first amendment to the constitution? On this episode, Prof. Stanley Fish discussed his book, The First.

Of the many issues with the health care system in the United States, the lack of transparency for costs and patient's health data may be among the most pressing issues. On this episode, Cynthia A. Fisher discussed advocating for the rights of patients.

Can a literary work be untranslatable, especially if the work is meant to highlight the uniqueness of a language itself? On this episode, Michael Cooperson discussed his new translation of the works of the Silk Merchant, Impostures: Fifty Rogues Tales Translated Fifty Ways.

Public urban spaces are central to civic life, but the revitalization and upkeep of these spaces is critical to their success. On this episode, Andrew Manshel discussed his book, Learning from Bryant Park.

The goods and foods that are produced and manufactured around us contain both natural and unnatural chemicals. How much is known about the chemistry of everyday goods? On this episode, George Zaidan discussed the chemistry of what we put on us and in us.

Eating disorders are characterized by more than just the physiological processes in the body, but also importantly the mental health process involved. On this episode, Robyn Cruze discussed her book, Making Peace with Your Plate.

The H.L. Hunley was a civil war submarine whose recovery raised more questions than answers. On this episode, Rachel Lance discussed her investigation of this subject in her new book, In the Waves.

The story of Jackie Cochran and Jerrie Cobb is a fascinating tale of two accomplished pilots fighting for the future of women in space. On this episode, Amy Shira Teitel discussed her book, Fighting for Space.

The history of women in the space age is captured in a fascinating exhibit featuring collections of images from this past. On this episode, Dr. Julie Wosk discussed her exhibit, Imaging Women in the Space Age.

Brainwaves may seem like the subject of science fiction, but the study of these brainwaves is at the forefront of modern neuroscience. On this episode, R. Douglas Fields discussed his book, Electric Brain.

Although food is essential for survival, eating the wrong types of food may be deleterious to our health. What is the role of hormones in our food supply and our health? On this episode, Dr. Neal Barnard discussed his book, Your Body in Balance.

International competition for technological resources often leads to intellectual espionage, even over a resource as seemingly mundane as corn. On this episode, Mara Hvistendahl discussed her book, The Scientist and the Spy.

There is a question of a periodic table analogue for elementary particles and the nature of dark energy and dark matter. On this episode, Thomas Buckholtz joins us to discuss these classic problems and unified approaches for explaining them.

Our emotional health is intimately related to the proper operations of evolutionarily ancient parts of our brain. How can our sex lives be a window into these critical aspects of our brains? On this episode, Dr. Nan Wise discussed her book, Why Good Sex Matters.

Friendship is an important part of maintaining a healthy mental life, but can it also improve our biological health? On this episode, Lydia Denworth discussed the new science of friendship.

The success of humans as a species is often attributed to the profound increase in brain size. However, does culture have a more important role? On this episode, Gaia Vince discussed her new book, Transcendence.

Aging may seem like an inevitable deterioration of our bodies, but is there a routine way to prevent it? Can exercise help? On this episode, Judy Foreman discussed her book, Exercise is Medicine.

The polar region continues to be a mysterious and unexplored region of the earth. One of the first to explore the area was an expedition led by Adolphus W. Greely. On this episode, Buddy Levy discussed the Greely Polar Expedition.

How can a scientific perspective on the world inform us about non-scientific issues? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson discussed his new book, Letters from an Astrophysicist.

Navigating the medical system can be daunting, but even more so for parents caring for the well-being of their children. On this episode, Dr. Jacqueline Jones discussed the issues of medical parenting.

The development of the planets and the solar system has continued to intrigue scientists. Recent advances in planetary science have broadened our perspective on the issue. On this episode, Dr. Erik Asphaug discussed his book, When the Earth had Two Moons.

Charts and graphical displays of information are essential to the modern age, but they are only as useful if one is prepared to us them. On this episode, Prof. Alberto Cairo discussed his book, How Charts Lie.

What is the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe? How much closer are we to determining this issue? On this episode, Professor Michael Summers discussed the possibility of extraterrestrial life in his book, Imagined Life.

Hearing is one of the basic senses that is often ignored until something goes wrong. What can we do to protect our hearing and what are the current treatments for hearing problems? On this episode, David Owen discussed his book, Volume Control.

The scientific study of consciousness continues to be plagued by a gap in understanding that may be traced to the foundations of modern science. On this episode, Philip Goff discussed the foundations for a new science of consciousness.

Although modern medicine has improved health outcomes in the past century, it continues to overlook hidden factors for human health, such as kindness. On this episode, Dr. Kelli Harding discussed the Rabbit Effect.

The modern world has often forced us to become divorced from our connections with nature. On this episode, Gary Ferguson discussed eight master lessons of nature.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly outpacing the human ability to control it. How can we design human compatible AI systems? On this episode, Stuart Russell discussed the design of human compatible AI.

Among all of the self recovery programs, alcoholics anonymous may be the most influential and the foundation for all those that followed. On this episode, William Schaberg discussed Writing the Big Book: The Creation of A.A.

How does the brain give rise to subject feelings and is this the basis for consciousness? On this episode, Dr. Christof Koch discussed his research on consciousness.

Dogs may be unique in the capacity to form emotional bonds. What are the biological underpinnings of this behavior? On this episode, Dr. Clive Wynne discussed his book, Dog is Love.

The universe is filled with uncertainty, from the fundamental to the uncalculable. But, how can we deal with uncertainty in our predictions of the future. On this episode, Prof. Ian Stewart discussed Do Dice Play God.

How do the operations of the brain result in the mind? And, how has the study of the two been influenced by early medical cases? On this episode, Drs. Allan H. Ropper and Brian Burrell discussed how the brain lost its mind.

What is the best way to solve an everyday problem? On this episode, Randall Munroe, creator of xkcd, discussed his new book, How To: Absurd Scientific Advice for Common Real-World Problems.

The opioid epidemic continues to affect countless lives, but how did it get to this point? What is the history of opium and its derivative opioids? On this episode, Dr. John Halpern discussed how an ancient flower shaped and poisoned our world.

Can your bathroom mirror show more than your reflection? On this episode, Thomas Serval discusses an operating system that works behind your mirror to enhance our digital lifestyle.