SciComm Hotline

There is a lot of uncertainty around communicating uncertainty. Despite that, there are a lot of good strategies that we have confidence in. Join Steph and Rey as they discuss the topic with their BFF, Dr. Alex Dainis, who has spent a decade grappling with it and working to identify effective strategies to address uncertainty, such as communication about the Covid pandemic.   Share your hot takes...

How can Jujutsu, Muay Thai and Kendo teach us communication?! Listen to your favorite martial arts girlies, Rey and Steph, and their superstar guest, Dr. Samantha Yammine, talk about how doing these sports has not only taught them to be better communicators but also kept them sane! Dr. Samantha Yammine, PhD (she/her), is a Neuroscientist-turned-Science Communicator better known as Science Sam. She...

Out of fear that their favorite content is propaganda, Rey and Steph go down a rabbit hole to understand what persuasion and propaganda are. Join their spiral to leave the episode even more confused than when you started. You’re welcome.  References  What Is Propaganda, and How Does It Differ From Persuasion? https://us2.sagepub.com/sites/default/files/upm-binaries/11847_Chapter1.pdf How Hitler’s...

There is lots of content out there about the science of the Hail Mary Project movie, but not much really about the science communication side of the movie! Listen to Rey and Steph talk about (some unexpected) SciComm ideas that showed up in the movies, from emotional flow and trust-building principles to the importance of bad science!  References  Listen to our friend from opinion Science talk to...

In this candid conversation, hosts Reyhaneh and Stephanie explore the complex issues of creepiness, harassment, and boundaries within academic and social settings. They share personal stories, analyze social dynamics, and offer advice on handling uncomfortable situations with humor, assertiveness, and support.

The deficit model of communication, strategic messaging, and “THE EVIL BIG APPLE INDUSTRY” are all things Steph and Rey talk about in this episode. Listen to them discuss examples of how communicators could strategize to have impactful messages and break down strategic SciComm principles.     Deficit model of communication https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Information_deficit_model Strategic Science C...

The world is chaotic; there is grief and heartbreak. And in the midst of it all, we’re dealing with misinformation and conflicting perceptions. Listen to Steph and Rey trying to make sense of the world based on their identities as immigrants, science communicators, and weirdos. Learn about confirmation bias, cognitive dissonance, motivated reasoning, and tools that can help you understand your aud...

Another episode of Rey and Steph oversharing. You’re welcome. Listen to the two catch up after a mini-hiatus, chatting about all things from TMI health updates and science communication of taboo topics, to relieving grad school trauma and lessons learned. *Correction: it wasn’t an award, it was Sagan’s nomination rejection to the National Academy of Sciences. Check out these resources they mention...

In this conversation, Reyhaneh and Stephanie discuss the importance of authenticity and self-awareness for personal and branded science content. We emphasize the need to recognize and embrace one's true values rather than projecting a false image. The discussion highlights how individuals can leverage their unique traits, such as humor and vulnerability, to create a genuine connection with oth...

AI: Rey and Steph are a bit embarrassed to admit they use it, but they do. Listen to them talking about all the ways AI comes in handy in media production, research, and job search. They also talk about the dark side of AI, some of the pitfalls and philosophical thoughts around it!  Learn more about Rey and Steph at: http://scicommhotline.com Message your hot takes to drama@scicommhotline.com   Mo...

Steph and Rey go down a rabbit hole of their comedy grievances. With lots of examples from social media, they dissect what it is that annoys and worries them about how we consume comedy, while also discussing what they hope for in comedy.

How much does your audience know about you? How much should they know about you? In this episode, Rey and Steph discuss a listener’s experience of discovering a science influencer’s PR strategy and how that connects with a new paper on trust in science: "Lying Increases Trust in Science."   Learn more about Rey and Steph at: http://scicommhotline.com Message your hot takes to drama@scicommhotline....

Who are we, truly, without our friends and communities? This week, Steph and Rey share some stories from the heart: Rey reflects on her trip to Hiroshima and the forming of an unlikely friendship. Steph shares how a scene from Avatar: The Last Airbender broke her (in the most wholesome way possible). Listen to the podcast and learn more about Steph and Rey’s principles of SciComm community buildin...

Yes, another episode of Rey and Steph nag about job-search miseries, but hey, that’s just life. However, they also delve into a discussion of vulnerability, its benefits and pitfalls, and conclude with the research-based principles of storytelling: recall, fluency, and framing.   Learn more about Rey and Steph here: https://www.phuturedoctors.com/scicomm/hotline    This is Dr. Nathan Walter’s Lab....

Your SciComm friends, Steph and Rey, are tired. They are grieving the status quo, but they are also trying to find their place in the world of SciComm. Listen as they discuss their sadness, as well as digital media, its best practices, and how our algorithmic overlord makes it challenging to predict what content can be successful.  Learn more about Rey and Steph here: https://www.phuturedoctors.co...

Has anyone ever copied your SciComm content without crediting you? Has anyone ever been inspired by your content and created something new, and given you credit for it? In this episode, Rey and Steph discuss the challenges and nuances of content replication, intellectual humility, and existing in the SciComm world as a woman. Learn more about Rey and Steph here: https://www.phuturedoctors.com/scic...

In this episode, hosts Stephanie Castillo and Reyhaneh Maktoufi explore the complexities of competence in science communication. They delve into the importance of credibility and trust in the scientific community, particularly in the context of social media influencers who may misrepresent their expertise. They discuss the ethical implications of using valid science communication principles for ma...

In their first episode, Rey and Steph talk about being a hater, but in a productive way! Listen to their hot takes, their vision for this podcast, and requests for their audience. If you’re curious about the resources they mentioned, here’s the list: Learn more about Rey and Steph here: https://scicommhotline.com ComSciCon is the conference where Steph and Rey found a lasting SciComm community: ht...