Groks Science Radio Show and Podcast

The goods and foods that are produced and manufactured around us contain both natural and unnatural chemicals. How much is known about the chemistry of everyday goods? On this episode, George Zaidan discussed the chemistry of what we put on us and in us.

Eating disorders are characterized by more than just the physiological processes in the body, but also importantly the mental health process involved. On this episode, Robyn Cruze discussed her book, Making Peace with Your Plate.

The H.L. Hunley was a civil war submarine whose recovery raised more questions than answers. On this episode, Rachel Lance discussed her investigation of this subject in her new book, In the Waves.

The story of Jackie Cochran and Jerrie Cobb is a fascinating tale of two accomplished pilots fighting for the future of women in space. On this episode, Amy Shira Teitel discussed her book, Fighting for Space.

The history of women in the space age is captured in a fascinating exhibit featuring collections of images from this past. On this episode, Dr. Julie Wosk discussed her exhibit, Imaging Women in the Space Age.

Brainwaves may seem like the subject of science fiction, but the study of these brainwaves is at the forefront of modern neuroscience. On this episode, R. Douglas Fields discussed his book, Electric Brain.

Although food is essential for survival, eating the wrong types of food may be deleterious to our health. What is the role of hormones in our food supply and our health? On this episode, Dr. Neal Barnard discussed his book, Your Body in Balance.

International competition for technological resources often leads to intellectual espionage, even over a resource as seemingly mundane as corn. On this episode, Mara Hvistendahl discussed her book, The Scientist and the Spy.

There is a question of a periodic table analogue for elementary particles and the nature of dark energy and dark matter. On this episode, Thomas Buckholtz joins us to discuss these classic problems and unified approaches for explaining them.

Our emotional health is intimately related to the proper operations of evolutionarily ancient parts of our brain. How can our sex lives be a window into these critical aspects of our brains? On this episode, Dr. Nan Wise discussed her book, Why Good Sex Matters.

Friendship is an important part of maintaining a healthy mental life, but can it also improve our biological health? On this episode, Lydia Denworth discussed the new science of friendship.

The success of humans as a species is often attributed to the profound increase in brain size. However, does culture have a more important role? On this episode, Gaia Vince discussed her new book, Transcendence.

Aging may seem like an inevitable deterioration of our bodies, but is there a routine way to prevent it? Can exercise help? On this episode, Judy Foreman discussed her book, Exercise is Medicine.

The polar region continues to be a mysterious and unexplored region of the earth. One of the first to explore the area was an expedition led by Adolphus W. Greely. On this episode, Buddy Levy discussed the Greely Polar Expedition.

How can a scientific perspective on the world inform us about non-scientific issues? On this episode, Neil deGrasse Tyson discussed his new book, Letters from an Astrophysicist.

Navigating the medical system can be daunting, but even more so for parents caring for the well-being of their children. On this episode, Dr. Jacqueline Jones discussed the issues of medical parenting.

The development of the planets and the solar system has continued to intrigue scientists. Recent advances in planetary science have broadened our perspective on the issue. On this episode, Dr. Erik Asphaug discussed his book, When the Earth had Two Moons.

Charts and graphical displays of information are essential to the modern age, but they are only as useful if one is prepared to us them. On this episode, Prof. Alberto Cairo discussed his book, How Charts Lie.

What is the possibility of life elsewhere in the universe? How much closer are we to determining this issue? On this episode, Professor Michael Summers discussed the possibility of extraterrestrial life in his book, Imagined Life.

Hearing is one of the basic senses that is often ignored until something goes wrong. What can we do to protect our hearing and what are the current treatments for hearing problems? On this episode, David Owen discussed his book, Volume Control.

The scientific study of consciousness continues to be plagued by a gap in understanding that may be traced to the foundations of modern science. On this episode, Philip Goff discussed the foundations for a new science of consciousness.

Although modern medicine has improved health outcomes in the past century, it continues to overlook hidden factors for human health, such as kindness. On this episode, Dr. Kelli Harding discussed the Rabbit Effect.

The modern world has often forced us to become divorced from our connections with nature. On this episode, Gary Ferguson discussed eight master lessons of nature.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly outpacing the human ability to control it. How can we design human compatible AI systems? On this episode, Stuart Russell discussed the design of human compatible AI.

Among all of the self recovery programs, alcoholics anonymous may be the most influential and the foundation for all those that followed. On this episode, William Schaberg discussed Writing the Big Book: The Creation of A.A.