A Song Called Life

Daniel Nation is a Professor of Gerontology and Medicine, holding the Merle H. Bensinger Professorship in Gerontology at USC Leonard Davis. His research focuses on vascular risk factors and biomarkers of cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease, including markers of cerebrovascular dysfunction, blood-brain barrier breakdown, and endothelial progenitor cell depletion.

Kevin Heisinger is a comedian and writer based in Los Angeles. He hosts a weekly open mic night at The Roost in Atwater Village and has graced the stages of top comedy venues, including the Comedy Store and Laugh Factory.

Cassie Mogilner Holmes is a chaired professor at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management, an award-winning teacher and researcher on time and happiness, and bestselling author of Happier Hour: How to Beat Distraction, Expand Your Time, and Focus on What Matters Most . Cassie’s research examines such questions as how focusing on time (rather than money) increases happiness, how the meaning of happines...

Kyle Kondik analyzes American campaigns and elections and is frequently cited by national and international media outlets. He is based in Washington D.C. and is the managing editor of Sabato’s Crystal Ball, the University of Virginia Center for Politics’ authoritative, nonpartisan newsletter on American campaigns and elections. He is the author of "The Long Red Thread," a history of the...

In Episode #159, political scientist Dr. Bruce Cain joins Osi to discuss the latest developments in the upcoming presidential election. They delve into the behind-the-scenes strategy that led to Biden's decision to end his run for President, the importance of the Democratic Party unifying behind Kamala Harris as the nominee, and what it will take for Harris to have a chance against Trump. Bruc...

In Episode #158, Dr. Benny Forer joins Osi to provide an in-depth analysis of criminal prosecution. They discuss the distinctions between white-collar crimes, organized crime, and street crime, while also exploring the unique challenges posed by cybercrime. Benny Forer is a veteran criminal prosecutor specializing in complex cyber and sex crimes, including child pornography and solicitations of mi...

Mason LeCompte is a multi-talented stand-up comedian, actress, and filmmaker based in Los Angeles, California, originally from Virginia Beach, Virginia. She is best known for her work in "Childrens Hospital" (2008), "Minotaur" (2013), and "Comedy Parlour Live: Quarantine Edition" (2020). Catch her upcoming stand-up shows in Los Angeles: Kinks of Comedy at Legacy Studi...

In Episode #156, post-disaster expert and former lead Homeland Security advisor Dr. Stephen Flynn joins Osi to analyze the assassination attempt on Donald Trump. They break down the incident, examine the failures, explore the demanding nature of a Secret Service agent's role, and more. Dr. Stephen Flynn is the Founding Director of the Global Resilience Institute at Northeastern University and...

In Episode #155, Dr. Lynn Vavreck joins Osi to discuss the latest developments in the upcoming presidential election. They explore the likelihood of Joe Biden stepping aside and opting not to run in the 2024 election, potential candidates to replace Biden, and address circulating rumors about Biden's health, among other critical topics. Lynn Vavreck is an American political scientist, a contri...

In Episode #154, Dr. Melissa Durham joins Osi to discuss the ongoing opioid crisis in the United States. They explore the history of opioid use in the U.S., the role pharmaceutical companies have played in the crisis, the unique aspects of opioid addiction compared to other addictions, and much more. Dr. Durham is a clinical pharmacist at the USC Pain Center, where she established and runs a pharm...

In Episode #153, propaganda expert Dr. Nick Cull joins Osi to explore the history and current use of propaganda by various regimes to influence public opinion and behavior. They also delve into the impact of social media on propaganda and discuss methods to identify it. Nicholas J. Cull (born 1964) is a historian and professor in the Master's in Public Diplomacy program at the Annenberg School...

In Episode #152, Egyptologist Kara Cooney provides insights into contemporary society through the lens of Egyptian history and culture. The discussion explores how history often repeats itself and highlights the few aspects of today's world that are genuinely unique. Kathlyn M. (Kara) Cooney is an Egyptologist, archaeologist, professor of Egyptian Art and Architecture at UCLA and chair of the...

Professor Richard L. Hasen is an internationally recognized expert in election law, writing as well in the areas of legislation and statutory interpretation, remedies, and torts. He is co-author of leading casebooks in election law and remedies. Hasen served in 2020 as a CNN Election Law Analyst and as an NBC News/MSNBC Election Law Analyst in 2022. He directs UCLA Law’s Safeguarding Democracy Pro...

Wändi Bruine de Bruin is Provost Professor of Public Policy, Psychology, and Behavioral Science at the Sol Price School of Public Policy at the University of Southern California (USC), and director of the  USC Behavioral Science and Well-Being Policy  initiative. Her research aims to understand and inform how people make decisions about their personal health, their carbon footprint, and their hous...

Davidson Boswell is a comedian, political commentator, and activist based in New York City. As the host of "The Davidson Boswell Show" on YouTube, Boswell combines humor with keen political insights, addressing current events and societal issues with a blend of satire and serious analysis.

In this episode, Osi is accompanied by Dr. Hengchen Dai as they explore the intricate science behind goal setting and motivation. They discuss effctive strategies for setting long term goals, the "Fresh Start" effect, how others’ behaviors and judgments shape people’s motivation, and more. Dr. Hengchen Dai is a distinguished scholar in the field of judgment and decision-making with a spe...

In Episode #147, Jess and Osi discuss the ongoing Israel-Hamas war, examining the allegations of genocide leveled against Israel in its actions toward the Palestinian population. They also cover the nationwide protests unfolding on college campuses like Columbia and NYU, the implications of this conflict on the upcoming presidential election, and various other related topics. Jess Peake is the Ass...

Dr. Daniel Swain is a climate scientist focused on the dynamics and impacts of extreme events—including droughts, floods, storms, and wildfires—on a warming planet. Daniel holds joint appointments as a research scientist within UCLA’s Institute of the Environment and Sustainability, a research fellow in the Capacity Center for Climate and Weather Extremes at the National Center for Atmospheric Res...

Dr. Helen Lavretsky is a Professor In-Residence in the Department of Psychiatry at UCLA and a geriatric integrative psychiatrist with federally funded research program in geriatric depression and integrative mental health (NIMH, PCORI, and NCCIH) using mind-body interventions. She is a recipient of the Career Development award from NIMH and the NCCIH, and other prestigious research awards. Her cur...

In Episode #144, Dr. Marcus Hunter engages in a thought-provoking discussion with Osi on the contentious topic of reparations for African-Americans. They explore the compelling arguments supporting reparations and encourage a reevaluation of our perspectives on this matter. Additionally, they analyze recent polling data indicating a notable shift among black voters, traditionally aligned with the...

Diana Winston, hailed as one of the nation's most prominent mindfulness teachers, joins Osi in Episode #143. They explore possible reasons behind why practices such as meditation and mindfulness haven't resonated as deeply with the Western world compared to other regions, common misconceptions surrounding mindfulness, Diana's firsthand experiences living as a Buddhist nun for a year, a...

In Episode #142, Osi welcomes Deepfake and AI expert, Dr. Wael AbdAlmageed, to cover the growing concerns surrounding deepfake technology. The discussion encompasses the formidable challenges posed by deepfakes, their potential impact on societal dynamics, especially in critical events such as elections, and the profound consequences of a future where visual trust becomes increasingly uncertain. D...

In Episode #141, musician Jake Ward joins the podcast to discuss all things music. Together with Osi, they challenge the notion of exclusively favoring one genre and explore the intriguing phenomenon of individuals limiting their music choices based on personal identity. Furthermore, they delve in the origins of music and ponder the hypothetical scenario of a world without this art form. Jake Ward...

In this week's podcast episode, futurist and musician Chad Gerber joins Osi to delve into the recent advancements in AI technology and their potential impact on film, music, and various industries. Additionally, they contemplate whether lawmakers and educators will be able to adeptly keep pace with the swiftly advancing field of AI. Chad Gerber is a dynamic figure at the forefront of music, te...

This week, Osi is joined by criminal justice expert Brad Rowe in a compelling episode centered around cannabis reform. Together, they explore the intricate history of cannabis in the United States, tackle the contemporary challenges confronting the cannabis industry, and delve into broader aspects of this complex issue. Brad Rowe has designed, researched, run and delivered a dozen public policy re...