Breaking Math Podcast

In this episode, Historian and author Marc Dunkelman to explain why the 19th-century fight over railroad power is the exact fight we're about to have over algorithms and AI. Drawing on his acclaimed book Why Nothing Works: Who Killed Progress — and How to Bring It Back (a Best Book of the Year in the Financial Times and The Economist), Marc unpacks the two competing tools America has always used a...

In this conversation we chat with Julia Angwin — Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, founder of Proof News, and former Wall Street Journal and ProPublica reporter — to make the case that journalism should function more like mathematical proof than anecdote. We cover how Angwin's team at The Markup used a decision-tree model to prove Amazon was favoring its own products in search results by an 8-to-...

In this episode, Autumn and Noah talk with Kevin Hartnett about why mathematicians are willing to spend years reducing an idea to a level of detail a machine can check, whether formal verification can catch an AI that's technically correct but fundamentally misaligned, the cold-start problem that kept earlier theorem-provers niche, and what it means for the future of mathematical trust once AI can...

What happens when the evidence of injustice is buried in messy, redacted, or inaccessible data? Mathematician and data scientist Chad Topaz joins Breaking Math to discuss his book Unlocking Justice . Together, we explore policing, sentencing, public records, Rikers Island, algorithmic risk, and the limits of quantifying human lives. This is a conversation about math, power, transparency, and the s...

This conversation explores the profound impact of AI and automation on the future of work, economy, and society. Featuring Martin Ford, author of 'Rise of the Robots,' the discussion covers technological progress, economic implications, policy ideas like universal basic income, and the evolving nature of jobs in an AI-driven world. Key Topics Impact of AI on employment and economy Potential of uni...

Dr. Emma Chapman explains radio astronomy using the fruit bowl metaphor, explores the emotional and scientific aspects of space exploration, and discusses future technologies like the Square Kilometre Array and lunar radio telescopes. The conversation highlights the poetic beauty of the universe, the importance of connection, and the role of math and AI in understanding the cosmos with her book th...

This episode explores how AI, specifically OpenAI's recent breakthrough in solving an 80-year-old math conjecture, is transforming the field of mathematics. Featuring insights from Professor Daniel Litt, the discussion covers the implications of AI in mathematical research, the value of human verification, and the future of mathematical practice. Key topics AI solving long-standing mathematical pr...

In this episode with award-winning journalist and author Maia Szalavitz challenges the idea that addiction is simply about pleasure or willpower. Instead, she explains addiction as compulsive behavior that continues despite negative consequences — and shows why withdrawal, dependence, and addiction are not the same thing. The conversation explores “wanting” versus “liking,” why dopamine is misunde...

In this episode of Breaking Math , Autumn and Noah speak with Ron Wasserstein, Executive Director of the American Statistical Association, about what statistics means in a world increasingly shaped by AI, misinformation, and fragile public trust. Wasserstein argues that statistics is not merely a “bag of tools,” but a way of thinking: asking where data comes from, what it leaves out, how uncertain...

What if ransomware did not begin with criminals, but with curiosity? In this episode of Breaking Math, Autumn and Noah talk with Anja Shortland, professor of political economy at King’s College London and author of Dark Screens. This conversation explores how playful hacking evolved into professionalized cybercrime, why ransomware gangs operate like morally questionable internet startups, how cryp...

What does it actually mean for a number to be “big”? In this episode of Breaking Math , Autumn chats with mathematician Richard Elwes to explore how huge numbers reveal the limits of human intuition, language, and even mathematics itself. The discussion moves from exponential growth in pandemics and finance to numbers larger than the universe itself, emerging in games like chess and abstract possi...

In this episode we sit down with Sheamus McGovern, founder of the Open Data Science Conference (ODSC AI), to unpack what AI actually looks like. Sheamus shares what’s really happening behind the scenes of the AI boom and why the biggest shift isn’t job loss, but a complete transformation of skills. From explaining why AI is reshaping—not replacing—jobs, to breaking down the gap between hype and re...

In this episode, mathematician and award-winning magician Matt Baker explores the fascinating intersection of mathematics and magic, revealing how mathematical principles, intuition, and storytelling create unforgettable illusions. From a mind-reading trick based on the classic concept of “casting out nines” to his groundbreaking research on the Riemann–Roch theorem for graphs, Baker demonstrates...

In this episode, Thomas Plümper and Eric Neumayer explore the hidden challenges in modern science, from outright fraud to the subtler practice of “tweaking” data that distorts results. They examine why the self-correcting nature of science often falls short, how incentives and academic pressure drive misconduct, and the double-edged role of AI in both enabling and detecting fraud. The conversation...

This Women in History Mini-Series episode with Dr. Victoria Bateman explores the inspiring story of Mary T. Washington Wylie, the first African-American woman CPA, her challenges, achievements, and legacy in breaking racial and gender barriers in the early 20th century. Mathematics is supposed to be objective—but access to it has never been equal. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Mary T. Washington...

In this episode of Breaking Math , we sit down with Dr. Hortensia Soto, former president of the Mathematical Association of America, to explore the role of mathematics in a world shaped by AI, education, and access. We discuss how debates in math are often really about opportunity and inclusion, how educators can navigate the rapid pace of AI, and why communication and human connection matter more...

This Women in History Mini-Series episode with Dr. Victoria Bateman explores the groundbreaking contributions of Florence Nightingale, highlighting her use of data and statistics to revolutionize healthcare and public health during the 19th century. Discover how her innovative use of data visualization and her perseverance against gender biases transformed modern nursing and public health policy....

Mathematics quietly shapes some of the most important decisions in public life, from redistricting and congressional apportionment to federal research funding and AI policy. In this episode, Autumn and Noah speak with Dr. Karen Saxe, Senior Vice President of Government Relations at the American Mathematical Society, about how mathematical ideas influence representation, fairness, education, and th...

This Women in History Mini-Series episode with Dr. Victoria Bateman explores the groundbreaking work of Anna Schwartz, a pioneering economist who transformed macroeconomics through data-driven research. Discover how her meticulous analysis of monetary history shaped economic policy and the legacy she left for future generations. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Anna Schwartz and Her Impact 01:45 The...

In this episode, Lauren Williams, professor of mathematics at Harvard University and a 2025 MacArthur Fellow, speaks about the surprising and often messy reality of mathematical research. The conversation begins with a turbulent moment in academia, when federal grants supporting her work were suddenly canceled—only months before she received the MacArthur “Genius Grant,” an unexpected recognition...

This Women in History Mini-Series with Dr. Victoria Bateman explores the life and contributions of Priscilla Wakefield, a revolutionary figure in financial literacy and women's empowerment during the Industrial Revolution. Wakefield's work in establishing savings banks and community insurance schemes for women highlights her belief in the practical application of mathematics for everyday life. The...

In this conversation, Dr. Bryna Kra discusses her journey in mathematics, focusing on her research, dynamical systems, the importance of collaboration, and the role of the American Mathematical Society. She emphasizes the need for better communication within the mathematics community and the challenges it faces, particularly regarding diversity and inclusion. Bryna shares her experiences in mentor...

In this conversation, Ian Stewart discusses the nature of mathematical inquiry, the motivations behind problem-solving in mathematics, and the importance of storytelling in making math relatable. He explores the relationship between nature and mathematics, emphasizing how patterns in nature inspire mathematical concepts. Stewart also addresses the role of AI in mathematical discovery and the impor...

In this conversation, Ravi Vakil discusses the beauty of mathematics, the impact of AI on the field, and the importance of human interaction in mathematical education. He emphasizes the social nature of mathematics and the potential dangers of AI-generated content flooding the mathematical community. The discussion also touches on the future of education, the role of leadership in mathematics, and...

Summary In this episode, Autumn and Noah explore the intersection of AI and mathematics, discussing why AI struggles with math, the differences between calculus and algebra, and the historical contributions of women in mathematics. They delve into the concept of infinity, the significance of pi, and the implications of dynamic pricing in today's economy. The conversation highlights the importance...