Finding Genius Podcast

Chess is a game of strategy that takes years to master – but what if you could significantly improve your skills by following simple, yet practical advice? Joining us today to provide 3 lessons from his lifetime of chess playing is Richard Jacobs, the host of the Finding Genius Podcast.  From developing patience to thinking ahead, you'd be surprised how chess skills can also benefit your everyday...

In this episode, we sit down with psychologist Daniel Willingham to discuss his upcoming book, Outsmart Your Brain: Why Learning is Hard and How You Can Make It Easy. On top of his work as an author, Daniel is a professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Virginia, where he focuses his research on applying cognitive psychology and neuroscience discoveries to K–12 education. Dani...

Today we connect with Michael Selden, the CEO and Co-founder of Finless Foods. Finless Foods is a company that works towards building a future for seafood where the ocean is preserved and protected. With a background in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michael has dedicated his life to climate justice and science advocacy, and Finless Foods is a major part of this mission… Seafood production is...

Dr. Robert Twilley joins us today to discuss global blue carbon estimates of mangroves, and how nature-based solutions are used to combat climate change. Dr. Twilley is the Executive Director of Louisiana Sea Grant College, and a Professor in the Department of Oceanography and Coastal Science at Louisiana State University. For decades, Dr. Twilley has been researching carbon sequestration – with a...

In this episode, we connect with food science and safety specialist Dr. Elsa Murano. Presently, Dr. Murano serves as the Director of the Norman E. Borlaug Institute for International Agriculture and Development at Texas A&M University's Agriculture and Life Sciences program.  For years, Dr. Murano has been lending her expertise to developing countries around the world – from Sub-Saharan Africa to...

John Droz returns to the podcast to discuss his mission to defend our rights and the field of science – particularly in relation to education.  John is a physicist that educates people on subjects such as COVID, the U.S. elections process, "green" energy, and more. In addition to this, he also recently put out a four-part series on the U.S. education system, where he outlines the downfalls – and w...

Tom Kirkham joins the podcast once again to discuss issues surrounding cybersecurity. Tom is the founder and CEO of IronTech Security and Kirkham IT , where he provides cybersecurity defense systems and educates organizations on the importance of protecting their information. In addition to his work at IronTech Security and Kirkham IT, Tom also recently authored Hack the Rich , a book that outline...

How are researchers addressing issues that arise in plant cultivation? Extension Vegetable Specialist Dr. Rachel Rudolph joins us today to discuss her distinct approach to horticulture – and her aim to develop alternative approaches to challenges that arise both in the field and with high tunnel systems. Dr. Rudolph has always been interested in the environment, and as a college student, she becam...

Does the quality of water you drink impact your overall health? Mario Brainović of Analemma Water joins the podcast today to discuss this distinct question, and whether or not you are giving your body the water it needs to thrive. As the CEO of Analemma Water, Mario has dedicated his expertise to transforming "regular tap and bottled water from its depleted, chaotic and lesser state into its supre...

In this episode, we connect with Martin Bidartondo, a Professor of Molecular Ecology who works in the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College London. Martin is immensely interested in fungi and plant interactions, which has led to his innovative research on the "evolutionary ecology of the diverse plants that cheat mycorrhizal mutualisms". As someone that has always had a fascination with...

In this episode, we discuss all things related to aquatic systems and coral reefs with Christopher D'Elia. Christopher is Dean and Professor at Louisiana State University's College of the Coast and Environment, where he has been refining his knowledge in marine science and biology since 2009.  Christopher began studying coral reefs in the early '70s, and since then, he has been recognized for his...

Today we connect with Tanya Phillips, a Director at Texas Honey Bee Farm based in Austin, Texas. In addition to her work at the bee farm, Tanya is also the author of Beginning Beekeeping: Everything You Need to Make Your Hive Thrive! , a book that outlines how to foster and maintain healthy, vibrant colonies. Tanya has always found bees fascinating, and her initial interest blossomed into an immen...

Does psychedelic medicine have health benefits? If so, what are they? Benjamin Lightburn joins the podcast today to address these questions – and discuss what his company is doing to enrich the growing field of alternative medicines. Benjamin is the  CEO and Co-Founder of Filament Health, a clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug discovery and development company. Benjamin has been working in the...

In this episode, we connect with Dr. Chris Rinke, an ARC Future Fellow, and Senior Lecturer at the Australian Centre for Ecogenomics (ACE), University of Queensland, Australia. He joins us today to discuss a very interesting topic: plastic-eating superworms . Dr. Rinke's research centers around microbial biology – specifically looking into the metabolic diversity of uncultured microbes and how the...

Miriam Diamond joins the podcast today to discuss chemical contaminants in the environment – and viable strategies she is investigating to reduce them. Miriam is an environmental chemist and professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Toronto, where she has been teaching for over 10 years. Miriam has always been interested in the environment, and over the years, she has deve...

Think you're too old to improve your physique or even reach your fitness peak? Intimidated by the young bodybuilders at the local gym? If so, you're not alone. Peter Murano was 63 when he realized just how out of shape he felt and looked. Despite fleeting thoughts that perhaps he was too old to make a real change, he joined the gym, got a personal trainer, and started completely changing his life....

Animal species have been going extinct since the dawn of time – which begs the questions: why is it happening, and which ones are next? Professor Corey Bradshaw joins the podcast to address this interesting research topic and convey his perspective as a global-change ecologist.  Corey is the Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology at Flinders University where he studies how human endeavor and...

Joining us today to discuss mushroom-forming fungi is Dimitrios Floudas, a researcher and principal investigator at BECC (Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate). Through his work at BECC, Dimitrios is researching how mushroom-forming fungi break down organic matter produced by other organisms.  While studying at the University of Athens, Dimitrios became very fascinated by fung...

Today we connect with Thomas Purifoy, a filmmaker who is devoted to developing unique learning resources to advance the Kingdom of God. Thomas has been involved in many thought-provoking films, including Is Genesis History?, Samaritan, and more… Thomas oversees three companies: Compass Cinema, Compass Classroom, and Compass Creative. Using outlets such as documentaries, schooling curriculums, and...

With technology rapidly improving, modern therapeutic devices are coming in many shapes and sizes. Researchers are using all sorts of alternative approaches to healing the body – including sound frequencies. Joining us today to discuss his work in this intriguing field is James Bare, the inventor of the Rife and Bare System.  Trained as a chiropractor, James has always had an interest in electroni...

What does it mean to have a metaphysical understanding of the world around us? Dr. Wolfgang Smith, a mathematician, physicist, philosopher of science, and metaphysician, joins the podcast to discuss this intriguing topic and others like it… Born in 1930, Dr. Smith has seen the world of physics develop and change before his very eyes. Not only has he personally met the great Albert Einstein himself...

How do emerging pollutants such as microplastics and pesticides affect aquatic ecosystems? Ecotoxicologist Susanne M. Brander joins the podcast today to discuss her work on this poignant topic of research… Susanne is an Associate Professor at Oregon State University in the College of Agricultural Sciences, in the Fisheries and Wildlife Department, and at the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Statio...

In this episode, we connect with Angelos Deltsidis, Ph. D., an Assistant Professor and Post-harvest Extension Specialist at the University of Georgia. As an expert in the field of horticulture, Angelos focuses his research on an intriguing area of specialization: post-harvest fruit and vegetable physiology. So, what happens to fruits and vegetables once they are harvested? Angelos is determined to...

Mitch Hunter joins the podcast today to discuss plant diversity, sustainability, and more. As the Associate Director of Forever Green Initiative and Adjunct Assistant Professor at The University of Minnesota, Mitch is interested in developing cropping systems that promote greater diversity, resilience, and sustainability. Mitch is a Minnesota native, and his work at U of M greatly centers around h...

Why can some plants survive in cold climates, but others cannot? Al Pacheco Kovaleski, an expert in cold hardiness and dormancy in plants, joins us today to discuss his perspective on this intriguing topic… Al is an Assistant Professor, in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Here, he researches how plants control their cold hardiness and dormancy during the winte...