So Curious!

Join us for a special bonus episode of So Curious! as we explore the intersection of science, technology, and health in celebration of The Franklin Institute’s new Body Odyssey exhibit. Host The Bul Bey dives into thought-provoking conversations with three incredible guests. Dr. Harvey Rubin sheds light on how artificial intelligence is transforming medicine, from diagnosing rare diseases to desig...

In a special bonus episode of So Curious, Bey and Kirsten are joined by Derrick Pitts, Chief Astronomer and Director of the Fels Planetarium at the Franklin Institute! The three discuss how Derrick came to be in the field of astronomy, what being in space would actually be like, how sci-fi shapes our understanding of outer space, and so much more. Be sure to check out Derrick's new podcast, The Cu...

Hope you have your dancing shoes on, because in this final episode of So Curious' 4th season, Bey and Kirsten explore the science behind why music makes us dance! First, they sit down with McMaster post-doctoral fellow Dr. Daniel Cameron to learn about his research into rhythm and the brain. Then, the two are joined by Dr. Jayatri Das, Chief Bioscientist of The Franklin Institute, to explore the i...

This week, So Curious takes to the stage! Exploring how and why humans play and perform music. First, Bey and Kirsten sit down with jazz educator and researcher Dr. Martin Norgaard to learn about jazz improvisation, and what happens in the brain while musicians are improvising. Then, the two are joined by Dr. Jayatri Das for another Body of Knowledge segment, this time to explore the physiology of...

This season of So Curious, we've talked plenty about the music humans make. But what about the music made by other animals? First, Bey and Kirsten sit down with birdsong researcher Dr. Stephen Nowicki to learn the surprising science behind how and why birds sing. Then, the two are joined by Dr. Lori Marino to explore the songs and sounds of dolphins and whales. And to close the episode, inter-spec...

We all have memories closely tied to music in our life - but why are those connections so strong? In today's episode of So Curious, Bey and Kirsten look to get to the bottom of this question. First, the two sit down with memory expert Dr. Andrew Budson to learn how memory works in the brain, and the many ways music interacts with that. Then, they speak with head of Northern Illinois University's M...

We've all heard the phrase "music is the universal language," but what if that music/language connection went deeper than we thought? First, hosts Kirsten and Bey speak with Dr. Ani Patel, the leading expert on the link between language and music in the brain, to learn about his research and the surprising links that have been found between the two. Then, our hosts sit down with Philly-based hip h...

This season, we've already looked at how music can affect our mental health, but what about our physical health? To explore this question, Bey and Kirsten sit down with sports psychologist Professor Costas Karageorghis to learn how music can improve athletic performance, including how to build your ideal workout playlist, according to science! Then, professional musician and Curtis Institute profe...

In the future, how will we make and experience music? In today's episode, Bey and Kirsten speak with some of the folks inventing that future. First, they sit down with with Dr. Jason Freeman to learn about (and hear samples from!) Georgia Tech's annual Guthman Musical Instrument Competition, an international contest showcasing newly invented instruments. Then, it's time for a field trip! So Curiou...

The human brain is amazingly complex, and full of fun little oddities when it comes to how it interacts with music! To explore some of these quirks, Bey and Kirsten sit down with one of the founders of the field of music cognition, Dr. Robert Zatorre from McGill University, to talk everything from perfect pitch to how we can hear songs in our head. Then, they're joined by Dr. Jayatri Das, chief bi...

We've all had music affect our mood, but how can the emotional power of music be harnessed to treat mental health? Today, Bey and Kirsten speak with two mental health professionals to learn about how music is incorporated into their practices. First, the two sit down with Dr. Marisol Norris to explore the field of music therapy, even trying out an exercise together! Then, they speak with intergene...

The hills are alive... with curiosity! Why do instruments "sound" different from one another, and how do we respond to the different sounds we hear? To explore these questions, Bey and Kirsten speak with music perception researcher Dr. Stephen McAdams, going in depth about timbre, orchestration, and the ways we perceive tone qualities. Then, the two sit down with electronic musician and educator B...

Why does music exist? It's a big question, so Bey and Kirsten turn to the past for answers! They sit down with evolutionary biologist Dr. David George Haskell, ethnomusicologist Dr. Carol Muller, and acoustician Philip Faraci, exploring the ways anatomy, culture, and physics have shaped music over time. Links for Today's Episode: Learn more about Dr. George Haskell and his book Sounds Wild and Bro...

So Curious is back! And to kick off this season on the science of music, we're looking at a question we've all asked before; why do we like the music we like? To get to the bottom of this, Bey and Kirsten sit down with three experts across the fields of music cognition, psychology, and audio engineering to explore the ways our brains, personality, and experiences help shape musical preferences. Li...

We all know the feeling of being moved by a song, but have you ever wondered why? The Bul Bey and Kirsten Michelle Cills get to the bottom of this mystery, interviewing experts in neuroscience, acoustics, biology, and musicology. And it’s not all serious - we’re here to entertain! Catch new episodes every Tuesday this summer! 

Just like anything else, the mental health world is susceptible to buzzwords. Lately, the term "wellness" has been tossed around everywhere, but what does that word even mean? In the last episode of this season, Bey and Kirsten do what they do best, and turn to science for some answers! First, the two sit down with cross-cultural wellness researcher Dr. June Kim for some definitions. Then, Dr. Gle...

Inevitably, we all deal with the loss of a loved one, but why is something as universal as grief still so difficult to process? To get some answers from science, Bey and Kirsten sit down with grief researcher Dr. Mary-Frances O'Connor to explore how grief affects our brains and bodies. Then, the two chat with creativity expert Natalie Nixon, looking at how creativity can help one to find meaning f...

Hope you're hungry! Today's episode is all about food, both how food impacts our mind, and how our mind impacts our relationship with food. To explore how what we eat impacts the way we feel, Bey and Kirsten sit down with psychiatrist Dr. Drew Ramsey to discuss nutritional psychology. Then, the two chat with self described anti-diet dietician and food writer Christine Byrne, investigating the ways...

From doom scrolling to video games, we're constantly hearing how digital technologies are ruining our mental health, but do these claims hold any credence? To try and get to the bottom of this question, Bey and Kirsten sit down with three different guests - trauma researcher Roxanne Cohen Silver, author Jordan Shapiro, and the Franklin Institute's own Dr. Jayatri Das - to investigate the 24 hour n...

We all experience stress, but what is it exactly? And how does it affect our mental health and behavior? Join Bey and Kirsten as they explore the topic with two experts in the field. First, they chat with Dr. Jeremy Jamieson to understand how stress can impact decision-making and even be beneficial at times. Then, they dive into the science behind stress with Dr. Jenna Rieder, learning how it inte...

For years, medication has been used to treat mental health conditions, but have you ever wondered how it actually works? In this fascinating discussion, Bey and Kirsten sit down with Dr. A. John Rush to dive into the world of antidepressants. From popular SSRIs to cutting-edge laser treatments, they explore how these drugs affect the brain and help people manage their mental health. Then, we turn...

In this episode, explore the intriguing world of hormones with Dr. Randi Hutter Epstein and learn about the link between genes and neurodevelopmental disorders with Dr. Michael Gandal. Discover how these impact our mental health and the new treatments being developed. Get ready for a fascinating journey! Links for Today's Epsiode: Learn more about Dr Randi Hutter Epstein and her witty writings exp...

Join us as we delve into the complex world of mental health and explore the meanings behind labels like PTSD, OCD, and ADHD. What do these terms really signify, and are they helpful or harmful? In this episode, Dr. Jayatri Das helps break down the definitions, while Becca Lane sheds light on how language can shape our perceptions of mental health. Get ready for a thought-provoking discussion on th...

Join us for an eye-opening discussion on the diverse forms of support for mental health! In this episode, we speak with Jerome Shabazz about the powerful impact of the environment on our wellbeing. From the air we breathe to the neighborhoods we live in, every aspect of our surroundings can play a role in our mental health. Then, Bey & Kirsten talk with service dog trainer Mark Ruefenacht to l...

In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the fascinating interplay between identity and mental health. Join Bey and Kirsten as they sit down with photojournalist Octavio Jones to discuss his powerful work on black men's mental health, and Grace Molloy, an LGBTQ-focused therapist, who sheds light on the unique challenges facing the queer community. Get ready for a deep dive into the complex wa...