Finding Genius Podcast

In this episode, we connect with therapist Isaac Smith. Isaac is the founder and Executive Director of Whole Wellness Therapy, a private therapy collective that specializes in addiction, anxiety, grief, and loss.  Isaac began working in this field in 2012, and since then, he has helped people in a wide assortment of settings – from dialectical behavior therapy agencies to hospice organizations. Or...

Farming in the 21st century comes with its own set of unique challenges, and people like Jonathan Dysinger have committed their time to the innovation of this process. Jonathan is the Owner and CEO of Farmers Friend, a company that develops tools and supplies to make small farms more efficient and profitable – and he joins the podcast today to tell us just how they do this. With a history of farmi...

Education only for the wealthy? In the 1860s, that's what most people believed. A crucial turning point for public education was establishing the public land grant educational system, which has brought the best, newest research to the people – regardless of status. Today, you'll benefit from this simply by pressing play.  Tune in to explore: Why New Jersey is an ideal place to grow fruits and vege...

Joining us today is Matthew Helmers, the Director of the Iowa Nutrient Research Center, the Dean's Professor in the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, and a Professor in the Department of Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering at Iowa State University.  Since 2003, Matthew has been on the faculty of Iowa State studying how water moves across our landscape – specifically in agricultural are...

In this episode, we sit down with Richard L. Mulvaney, a Professor of Soil Fertility at the University of Illinois. He joins us today to discuss the use of nitrogen and carbon in the fertilization of plants and soil. As an Illinois native, Richard has had a long history of connection to the region's agricultural field. His immense interest in soil science led him to get three degrees in it – recen...

We should have the right to practice whichever religion suits us, but what happens when this freedom is regulated? Sociologist Roger Finke joins the podcast today to discuss the relationship that religion has with the state – and the consequences of restricting religious freedom… Roger Finke is a Distinguished Professor of Sociology and Religious Studies at The Pennsylvania State University and Di...

We hear the term "sustainable" a LOT these days. But what does it really mean when it's applied to agriculture? Joshua Earl Arnold, professor of sustainable agriculture at Warren Wilson College, explains.  Press play to learn more about:    Socioeconomic to biophysical challenges faced by urban farmers Sustainable agriculture's reliance on ecosystem services, including insect and plant activity an...

Dr. Eric Thomas Stafne joins the podcast to discuss fruit and nut crops – and what it takes to enhance them. With more than 17 years of experience as a horticulturist, Dr. Stafne has greatly refined his understanding of fruit and nut crops, enabling him to uncover factors that are creating issues for growers. Dr. Stafne is an Extension and Research Professor at Mississippi State University and the...

The human microbiome has been a hot topic recently, especially as it relates to our physical and mental health. And just like humans, plants host complex microbiomes of fungi and bacteria, which play crucial roles in their health, productivity, survivability, and more. Michelle Afkhami shares her insights. Press play to learn: How plant microbiomes impact plant drought resistance What habitat frag...

Do policymakers make assumptions about how the public feels without genuinely understanding the public? How can communication between policymakers and the people be improved for everyone? These questions are at the center of Steven Kull's work as Founder and President of Voice of the People, a nonpartisan organization dedicated to amplifying the voice of "the people" in government. Press play to e...

Nita Sweeney returns to the podcast to discuss her new boo k, Make Every Move A Meditation: Mindful Movement for Mental Health, Well-Being, and Insight . As an award-winning author, meditator, and mental health advocate, Nita's teachings have helped countless individuals across the globe develop a new relationship with their psychological well-being…  Whether you have anxiety, depression, or any o...

Dr. Brandon M. Collins joins the podcast today to discuss fire dynamics and forest management. As an adjunct professor at UC Berkeley and the lead scientist at Berkeley Forests, Dr. Collins spends his time researching how fire influences forest ecosystems – and how management in these ecosystems influences fire and forest health.  Wildfires have been an ongoing problem that seems to be getting wor...

What we put in our bodies greatly affects our overall health and wellness. With the industrialization of food production, healthy food has become harder and harder to come by. Fortunately, people like Blaine Hitzfield and his family are bringing humane and nutritious farming values to the world when it seems to need them most… Blaine oversees daily marketing and distribution activities at Seven So...

What is "pro-social behavior" and the neurological basis behind it? Dr. Inbal Ben Ami Bartal joins the podcast today to lend her expertise to this fascinating research subject – drawing from her comprehensive background as a psychobiologist… Dr. Bartal is interested in gaining insight into what leads to the complex behaviors that we see in humans, and she is using rats to study this phenomenon. As...

Our guest today is Brian Burzynski, the Founder and CEO of Intelligent Threads and expert recovery coach. With Intelligent Threads, Brian developed a new type of energy field that communicates with the muscular and skeletal system in order to provide pain relief, muscle relaxation, posture improvement, increased blood flow, and a plethora of other health benefits. With over 20 years of practicing...

California is not only the first U.S. state but the first government in the world to mandate the development of regulations for microplastics in drinking water. What is getting into California's drinking water?  This will be the first line of investigation as soon as this mandate is implemented. Once we know what we're being exposed to, we'll have a much better idea of the problem we face, the hea...

In this episode, we connect with Jaime F. Cardenas-Garcia, a Visiting Research Scientist in the Department of Mechanical Engineering at the University of Maryland, and a Member of the Academy of Sciences of Ecuador. He joins the podcast today to discuss his work in info-autopoiesis – a subject that investigates the relationship between human consciousness and its environment. With a background in...

Health and wellness can be approached in a variety of ways, and recently, "taboo" substances like cannabis are being more widely researched and accepted – much to the benefit of those who are using it as a form of therapeutic medicine.  Joining us today to discuss his work in this booming industry is Joseph Sheehey. Joseph is the Founder and CEO of Cured Nutrition, a company that uses cannabinoids...

The next time you enjoy a cup of tea, a bottle of water, or anything else that involves the use of plastic, you might consider the impact of thousands of tiny particles being released and likely consumed by you. Tune in for an eye-opening look at the role of plastic in our lives and bodies, and learn: The primary factors causing the release of nanoplastics and microplastics from products What happ...

Our world's economic landscape is always changing, but how will society adapt? Today, we sit down with Rana Foroohar to discuss the potential fall of globalization – and the new economic era that could take its place moving forward. Rana is an author, business columnist, associate editor at the Financial Times, and CNN's global economic analyst. She joins us in this episode to discuss her new book...

When you think of a college campus cafeteria, do you think about fresh-picked veggies like leafy greens, tomatoes, cucumbers, and peppers? Probably not! But at Auburn University, that's what you'd find. Along with familiar favorites like pizza and burgers, students can find a wide variety of local fresh food to fuel their bodies and minds. Glenn Loughridge is the director of campus dining and conc...

In this episode, we sit down with scientist and entrepreneur Daniel J. Mandell, Ph. D. Daniel is the Chief Executive Officer, Co-Founder, and Director of GRO Biosciences, a genome engineering, computational biology, and therapeutic development company that is expanding the amino acid alphabet to make better medicines.  Originally trained in AI and machine learning at Stanford University, Daniel we...

In this episode, we discuss all things peach-related with horticulturist Dario J. Chavez. Dario is an Associate Professor in the University of Georgia's Department of Horticulture. Specializing in peach physiology and breeding, Dario is constantly uncovering new ways to maximize plant production and profit for the growers in the industry. Originally from Ecuador, Dario comes from four generations...

Joining us in this episode to discuss homesteading is Dawn Gallop. Dawn is a mother of nine children, a farmer, nurse, artist, cheesemaker, canner, soapmaker, and beekeeper. As someone who wants to share her knowledge with others, Dawn has also taken on the role of an educator. She teaches people her skills both in person and online with her Youtube channel – fostering a whole new generation of ho...

Water is the backbone of human life, and professionals like Anacleto Rizzo are committed to preserving it. As a hydraulic civil engineer, Anacleto works on sustainable water management, nature-based solutions for wastewater treatment, climate change adaptation policies, sustainable drainage systems, and more…   With a Ph. D. in environmental engineering, Anacleto has focused his expertise on the n...