State of the Pod

America loves it. But does it love America back? Courtney and Annalisa (Cornell ‘29) discuss the ramifications of a society that glorifies football and minimizes its detrimental effects. Produced and Edited by Courtney Cole and Annalisa Raji Special thanks to the Investigative Biology Lab @ Cornell University for our recording equipment  Music from Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Sources: What is CTE...

$10 billion is cut from Medicaid each year, leaving around 10 million people uninsured. These outcomes correlate with the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or OBBBA. What are the policy changes enacted by OBBBA, and how are these policy changes affecting millions of people insured on the publicly-funded Medicaid? What will happen if the reforms are put into practice too late? This episode...

We live in a world with a myriad of cultures, which are integral to shaping our perspectives. From two books published at different times to differing reactions to healthcare across ethnic groups, we explore how our diverse cultures shape our viewpoints in fields like medicine. We also uncover the therapeutic aspects of art and how it can help us understand each other by celebrating our uniqueness...

Artificial intelligence is no longer just a tool; it’s an observer. In this episode, we uncover how AI-driven surveillance and content moderation shape public life across governments, campuses, and the platforms we use every day. From China’s massive “A.I.+ Action Plan” to U.S. immigration tools like Mobile Fortify and Palantir’s ImmigrationOS, we explore how algorithms track behavior, flag speech...

Is the fountain of youth finally in our grasp? From fictitious movies to ancient mythologies, the desire for immortality has permeated almost every facet of human society. Today, an increasingly powerful anti-aging industry has instilled the idea that growing old is undesirable. But does living longer really mean living better? Join us as we dive into the sociological and ethical implications of t...

Child and family influencers are some of the hottest channels on YouTube. But what are the risks of living your childhood on camera? We argue, child influencing is child labor, and with this comes a myriad of unethical conditions and potential childhood trauma. Tune in to explore the mechanisms that drive this industry, and how platforms benefit from this damaging cycle.  Written, Edited, and...

This podcast discusses the many environmental issues the Shinnecock Nation on Long Island currently faces and how they may worsen as climate change becomes more severe. It covers topics ranging from ocean acidification and shoreline erosion to cultural practices that have suffered as a result of global warming to local governments’ efforts toward mitigating these damages. Produced by: Rewa P...

Join us as we dive into the unregulated world of the vitamin and dietary supplement industry. With over 85,000 supplement products on the market and minimal FDA oversight, learn about the hidden dangers lurking in your daily pills and powders. We talk to Harvard researcher Dr. Pieter Cohen to uncover the shocking truth about supplement contamination, mislabeling, and overdosing risks that companie...

The portrayal of women in media is strikingly one-dimensional, often reduced to either objects of desire or figures to be fetishized. This phenomenon extends across diverse platforms—from your go-to fashion magazines to the grittiest video games, where women frequently find themselves cast as subservient and hypersexualized entities. In this episode, we dive into the pervasive nature of this hyper...

One of the first concepts we learn as children is the colors of the rainbow. Color is all around us, affecting the way we feel, think, and behave. But how do we actually see color? How can our perception of light influence our emotions? During our conversation, we’ll explore the science behind visual processing, how color has been effectively used throughout art history, and the ways we witn...

Nobody likes being sick. Modern medicine and the discovery of antibiotics has turned lethal illnesses into three day colds. We’ve grown accustomed to this prescription lifestyle, but what if one day our antibiotics no longer work? Overuse of antibiotics has uncovered a dangerous problem: antibiotic resistance. In this episode, we dive deep to uncover why resistance develops, its health and ethical...

Chances are, we’ve all forgotten about an assignment or to take out the recycling. What happens when our memory becomes shaky when we depend on it most, like if we serve as a witness in a legal courtroom? Our memory miraculously enables us to do everything–from walking, to learning, to reminiscing. But the human brain is naturally just as imperfect and unreliable, even without aging or disease. In...

In the intricate labyrinths of the human mind lies a realm as vast and varied as the stars in the night sky.  Imagine a key that could unlock the secrets of why we are the way we are — our quirks, fears, passions, and dreams.  Welcome to the realm of personality psychology, where science meets the soul.  In this episode of State of the Pod, we will unravel the mysteries and venture into the heart...

One problem. Many solutions. Three experts. In this episode, we cover the greatest environmental threat of our time: climate change. We examine New York’s quest to decarbonize, and the rapidly growing field of agrivoltaics. Produced and edited by Ananda Kalukin and Adam Vinson Art by Savannah Flores Music from Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio and Wave Saver @ Epidemic Sound Special thanks to the Milst...

To begin, we’ll explore the concept of domestication and how Russian experiments with foxes have grown our understanding and interest in the factors behind domestication. Covering the research that has been done on domestication syndrome in humans, we’ll touch upon how it may have played a role in the evolution of our species. Diving into the science of neural crest cells, we explore how changes t...

Join our hosts as they dive deep into the history, development, application, shortcomings, and potential of the groundbreaking gene-editing technology, CRISPR. You’ll want to tune in as they explore how CRISPR is already changing the world around us, how it may one day transform the very fabric of our existence, including you, all the way down to your DNA. By the end of this episode you’ll b...

Xenotransplantation, the process of using animal organs for human treatment, is outlandish even today. But when and where did such an idea find its origins, and what does it mean for the future of medicine? Take a listen as we jump from patron saints of medicine, to Icarus’s wings, to pig heart transplants. Produced and edited by Alice Lidman and Nimisha Gautam Art by Savannah Flores Music f...

Artificial intelligence has allowed people to become artists at the click of a button. We’re on the cusp of a digital art renaissance in the form of AI Art, a “rebirth” of art as we know it. Can AI replace human creativity? Does AI deserve credit for the art it makes? In this episode, we explore the world of AI-generated art and what it means for the future of the art world. We delve into the lega...

Misinformation about Autism Spectrum Disorder is rampant. The rise of social media has enabled this misinformation to spread to a wide audience. Join State of the Pod in interviewing Autism expert and research at Weill Cornell Medicine Dr. Kim So Hyun. Dr. Kim talks about her research and ways to uplift education about Autism. Whether you are interested in learning about how to combat misinformati...

When you hear the word NFT, what comes to mind? Drawing a blank, or utterly confused? Tune in to learn what the heck an NFT is, why people are buying them, and how the technology behind it is fueling this new market. Produced by: Adele Williams & Isabella Ciocca Edited by: Adele Williams Contributors: Kristen Moon, Hamida Mazmuder Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio Special thanks to Mr. Emi...

Everyone seems to have some experience with Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), whether that’s through regular yoga practice, daily meditations, or even just deep breathing exercises. It’s become a standard part of western culture, with heavy presences in social media and among certain demographics. But what exactly is this medicine, and what is the extent of its use? How is the western...

Have you ever wondered what happens when you sleep and how dreams come to be? Join us as we explore the science behind sleep, an activity that consumes ⅓ of the average person’s life. Learn about global habits that impact sleep, explore different theories about dreams, and (sleep!) walk away with a better understanding of the concept of sleep hygiene as we talk with Dr. Daniel Barone of the Weill...

Psychedelics: once viewed as emblematic of the countercultural revolution, these drugs may now be crucial to fighting rising mental illness rates. Take a trip with us to learn about both the controversy, and promise, of the growing field of psychedelics research. Produced/Edited by Mike Solazzo, Ananda Kalukin, and Campbell Key. Art By: Savannah Flores. Our sources are: https://news.cornell.edu/st...

In recent years, an app called TikTok, intended for sharing 15-second dance videos, has diversified considerably. This episode delves into the new development on TikTok that is involved with mental health and self-diagnosis. Videos like “Put a finger down ADHD edition” present viewers with example symptoms of mental health conditions, and the number of symptoms the viewer relates to di...

Media conglomerates play a crucial role in shaping how we view, interpret, and navigate the world we live in. So, what happens when these depictions are violent or negative? We bring you an episode on Mean World Syndrome, which describes a cognitive bias in which the media leads people to perceive the world as more dangerous than it is in reality. Further, we take a look at the intersection of thi...