Inquiring Minds

By: Indre Viskontas
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  • Summary

  • Each week we bring you a new, in-depth exploration of the space where science and society collide. We’re committed to the idea that making an effort to understand the world around you though science and critical thinking can benefit everyone—and lead to better decisions. We want to find out what’s true, what’s left to discover, and why it all matters.
    2024 Inquiring Minds
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Episodes
  • The Most Delicious Poison with Noah Whiteman

    The Most Delicious Poison with Noah Whiteman
    Aug 14 2024

    Indre welcomes evolutionary biologist and UC Berkeley professor, Noah Whiteman unto the Inquiring Minds Show to delve into the world of nature’s toxins and Whiteman’s new book.

    "Most Delicious Poison: The Story of Nature's Toxins from Spices to Vices.” explores the adaptations that have enabled various organisms to not only survive but thrive in environments laden with toxic substances, such as the monarch butterfly's resistance to milkweed toxins, and the broader and intricate relationships between plants and animals, focusing on how certain organisms have evolved to resist or utilize toxins for survival.

    Their discussion highlights the potential medical benefits of plant-derived compounds, the importance of biodiversity, and how nature’s poisons aren’t all harmful but can be extremely beneficial to human health in the right contexts to be harnessed for therapeutic purposes. This duality underscores the importance of a nuanced understanding of toxins and their roles in nature.

    Listen in to get a rich insight into the intersection of science and society, as Whiteman articulates the broader implications of his research, the case studies mentioned in his new book, and an overall appreciation for the deep complexity of nature’s toxins and how they affect life on Earth for all living things.

    Links:

    Inquiring Minds Homepage: https://inquiring.show/

    Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds

    See https://omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information
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    39 mins
  • Revealing the Secrets of Supercommunicators with Charles Duhigg

    Revealing the Secrets of Supercommunicators with Charles Duhigg
    Aug 7 2024
    In this intriguing episode, Indre chats with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and renowned author of The Power of Habit and Smarter, Better, Faster, Charles Duhigg, to discuss his latest book “Supercommunicators”. Their conversation delves into he crucial role of effective communication in building meaningful relationships and enhancing quality of life. Duhigg shares insights from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, emphasizing the importance of close relationships for happiness and health as well as categorizes conversations into practical, emotional, and social types, explaining how understanding these can improve communication skills. Exploring further into the contents of Duhigg’s new book, they talk about the neuroscience behind communication and strategies for navigating difficult conversations. This episode is packed with practical advised and prize-winning insights and ideas for anyone who wants to learn how to improve their communication skills, build deeper relationships, and have more meaningful interactions with the people around them. Links: Inquiring Minds Homepage: https://inquiring.show/ Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds See https://omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information
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    45 mins
  • “The Good Stuff” about Quanta and Fields with Sean Carroll

    “The Good Stuff” about Quanta and Fields with Sean Carroll
    May 14 2024
    Indre welcomes Sean Carroll, Homewood Professor of Natural Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University and host of the Mindscape podcast, back to Inquiring Minds today for an engaging exploration of his latest book, "The Biggest Ideas in the Universe: Quanta and Fields." Together, they delve into the intricacies of quantum mechanics and field theory, unpacking the critical roles of quanta and fields within modern physics. In his trademark style, Sean blends his expertise in both physics and philosophy to render these complex topics thoroughly accessible and relevant not only to specialists but to all who are captivated by the frontiers of scientific understanding. Venturing beyond the book’s content, he and Indre also examine how these theories permeate daily scientific conversation and enhance our understanding of fundamental principles. There’s a very good reason why Sean Carroll has an open invitation to return to the Inquiring Minds podcast whenever he chooses, and it becomes readily apparent in today’s enlightening discussion that both educates and inspires while illuminating the ongoing journey towards unraveling the universe’s most profound mysteries. Links: Inquiring Minds Homepage: https://inquiring.show/ Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds See https://omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information Explore Sean’s Preposterous Universe: https://www.preposterousuniverse.com/
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    39 mins
Social Sciences Science
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