Smart Tea

Bat echolocation opened up a whole new world of questions regarding animal behavior. Aarati tells the story of the scientist who first put forward the idea that many animals were self-aware, could strategize, and feel emotions just like humans do. Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Is intelligence something you are born with or is it a skill you can improve? Aarati tells the story of the self-taught psychologist who came up with the original IQ test to help people across the entire intelligence spectrum. Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

At the turn of the century, the world came together to ban chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) after scientists found evidence that they were destroying the Earth's protective ozone layer. Aarati tells the story of a chemist and Nobel Prize laureate who helped ring the alarm and continued to fight for environmental protections. Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit...

Dive into the extraordinary life of the marine biologist who transformed our understanding of the ocean and the animals that live in it. Aarati tells the story of Dr. Eugenia Clark's lifelong obsession with adventure, fish, and ocean conservation. Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Can you handle the heat? Aarati tells the story of the nature-loving scientist whose discovery of Thermus aquaticus, a microbe living in the hot waters of Yellowstone Park, helped make PCR one of the fundamental tools of biotech.    Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

An orange a day keeps the scurvy away! Aarati tells the story of the 18th century naval physician who set up the very first clinical trial to figure out what treatments for scurvy actually held (sea)water.  Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

So much of our modern life runs on batteries: laptops, cell phones, electric cars, watches, remotes, even toothbrushes! Aarati tells the story of the Italian scientist who settled a decade long debate about how electricity is generated and stored by building the first battery.  Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Travel back with us to Ancient Rome! Aarati tells the story of Pliny the Elder, who made it his mission to catalogue over 20,000 "scientific" facts, laying the framework for encyclopedias. Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Frances refused FDA approval of thalidomide for treating morning sickness until it was deemed safe... which it wasn't. Aarati tells the story of the FDA medical officer who held the line against a shady pharmaceutical company and saved American babies.  Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Even a Nobel Prize laureate couldn't stand in her way! Aarati tells the story of the first Indian woman to get a PhD in science and how she used it to help her country's people. Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

For someone who was literally blinded by science, Gustaf remained optimistic. And why shouldn't he have been? He saved countless lives and won the Nobel prize by improving lighthouses. And he set a new standard in home cooking! Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Meet the scientist whose discoveries led to him almost winning the Nobel Prize SEVEN times. From the Aurora Borealis, to electromagnetic cannons, to fertilizer, the impact Kristian Birkeland had on science cannot be overstated. Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

We spend about 33% of our lives sleeping but during that time, our brain is still incredibly active. In this episode, we talk about Dr. William Dement, the Stanford professor who set up the first sleep clinics to study what is goes on while we are dreaming. Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Any pilot will tell you, bird strikes are unfortunately a common occurrence. But thanks to Roxie's work, the skies are less dangerous for airplanes and our flying feathered friends. Aarati tells her story and introduces Maria, the new podcast co-host! Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

From wild child to a Nobel laureate! Aarati tells the story of the artistic scientist whose beautifully intricate drawings unraveled the secrets of the brain. Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Mind control is more than science fiction! Arpita tells the story of a scientist who could make charging bulls stop dead in their tracks and cats lick at invisible bowls of milk.  Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

What causes a quantum jump? Aarati tells the story of Dr. Elmer Imes, a Harlem Renaissance man who proved that the rotation and vibration of molecules is quantized.  Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

The Mariana Trench is the deepest and least explored part of our oceans. Hold your breath while Arpita tells the story of the first scientist to make the harrowing journey into the deep.  Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

From tiny tremors to catastrophic disasters, earthquakes are a difficult phenomenon to measure. Aarati tells the story of Charles Richter, a man who wanted to study the stars, but ended up studying the literal earth instead. Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Happy new year! We're starting 2025 with an EXPLOSIVE episode! Arpita tells the story of Jack Parsons, the founder of JPL, who had some dark and unexpected interests.  Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Taking photographs of microscopic snow crystals is an art. Aarati tells the story of the man who braved blizzards in his obsession to capture the beauty of snowflakes. Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

From antibodies to killer T cells, there isn't a part of the immune system Brigitte didn't study. Aarati tells the story of a true pioneer in immunology. Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Would you drink embalmed milk?! Arpita tells the story of the scientist who cracked down on harmful preservatives and additives in food and started the FDA. Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

As soon as X-rays were discovered, scientists realized the potential they had to revolutionize healthcare. Aarati tells the story of the very first physicist who won the Nobel Prize. Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

It's football season! Arpita tells the story of a pathologist who publicized some of the dangers facing NFL players. Come for the football, stay for Dr. Omalu's surprising motives.  Support the show For more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com.