Groks Science Radio Show and Podcast

Are current trends in food production and consumption sustainable? On this episode, Junko Habu discusses findings from the Jomon civilization and its implications for global climate change.

Humans seem very distinct from other animals, but what is it about the human mind that truly defines as uniquely human? On this episode, Prof. Thomas Suddendorf discussed the gap between humans and other animals.

Dr. Dwayne Godwin contributes regularly to Scientific American in the form of neuroscience comics. On this episode, he discusses his creative process and goals for the series.

The population of the world continues to grow, but can the earth sustain it? On this program, Alan Weisman discussed sustainable population growth.

Evolution has created a wide range of bird species, many of which have not been characterized. On this episode, Ben Winger discusses his research on how new species of birds evolve and his work in the Peruvian cloud forests

The range of mental conditions is part of daily life, but at what point do downturns become pathological? On this program, Dr. Steven Walker discussed weighing therapy and pharmaceutical treatments for mental conditions.

We have learned a great deal about the surface of Mars, the moons of Saturn, and the origins of our universe. On this episode, Chris Impey discussed unmanned space exploration of distant worlds.

Climate change often seems massive, yet remote. However, the impacts are being felt around the globe. On this program, Elizabeth Gaylynn Baker discussed the impact of climate change.

The subject of mathematics often seems dry and removed from reality. On this episode, Prof. Edward Frenkel discussed the hidden reality of math and the Langlands program.

Brain plasticity happens not only early in life but also in adulthood, as well as in response to traumatic brain injury. On this episode, Dr. Michael Merzenich discussed the biology of brain plasticity.

What happens when old friends meet again? Wildness ensues. On this episode, our man on the street Vikram Kulkarni, joins us to talk about the science of Oakland.

Anxiety disorders are a part of life for people around the world, but there has been a revolution in our understanding of these disorders. Dr. Mazen Kheirbek discusses anxiety disorders, adult neurogenesis, and the hippocampus.

Human behavior is often viewed as being eminently rational. However, modern psychology has shown that behavior is often guided more by evolutionary constraints. On this program, Prof. Douglas T. Kenrick discussed the evolutionary basis of human thinking.

As the internet expands, the barriers to spreading scientific knowledge falls. Yet, there is never enough science education. On this program, James Dunbar talks about the Universe Verse

Several car companies promising to release nearly self driving cars in the next decade. On this episode, Dr. Steve Underwood discusses self driving cars.

Hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, has been lauded as the solution to the peak oil problem, and will provide hundreds of years of cheap energy. But, the reality is very different. On this program, Richard Heinberg discussed the false promises of franking.

You might think that sharks are the strangest animals in the ocean. In fact, they have so many peculiarities that they seem almost alien! On this episode, biologists Carrie Albertin and Judit Pungor discussed these bizarre and wonderful animals.

The Standard Model aims to explain phenomena of the very small and the very large. Yet, not quite everything in the universe can be explained by it. On this program, Thomas Buckholtz discussed complementary mathematics to bridge gaps in the Standard Model.

Most scientific articles are not published in open access journals. On this program, Dr. Patrick Brown and Dr. Michael Eisen discussed the state of the publishing system, the shift towards open access, and the story of PLoS.

Although critical thinking is essential for effective communication and problem solving, the techniques for critical thinking are often not employed effectively. On this program, Dr. Linda Elder discussed how to think critically.

Sudden wealth can be a blessing and a curse, especially if the wealth is mismanaged. On this episode, Mr. Irvin Schorsch discussed dealing with sudden wealth syndrome.

Fossil Lake is a fascinating place in terms of the insight it gives us into communities of long extinct animals. On this episode, Dr. Lance Grande discussed his new book, The Lost World of Fossil Lake.

Exposure to radiation gave us Spiderman and the Incredible Hulk but what really happens when people are exposed to it? On this program, Dr. Charles Limoli discusses radiation and brain cells.

Less than a half a million African elephants live in the wild and more than 25,000 of those are poached every year. On this episode, Dr. Kevin Uno discussed carbon, ecology, elephants, and conservation

Although sex is an integral part of human existence, there is still that most of us are in the dark about. On this program, Dr. Robert Martin discussed the evolution of sexual behaviors in humans.