Important, Not Important

The Most Important Question

Science EN ↓ 462 episodes

You already know things are broken. You read the news, you listen to the analysis, you've got the outrage. What you don't have is a plan. The Most Important Question — 6x Webby-nominated, 2x Signal Award-nominated — is a weekly conversation with one person who stopped asking "what can I do?" and went and found out. Not pundits. Not commentators. The scientists, doctors, nurses, journalists, farmers, activists, and policymakers who are doing the actual work on the frontlines of climate, public health, democracy, AI, food, water, medicine, and justice. Host Quinn Emmett goes deep with each of th...

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Important, Not Important

Episodes

#12: Can algorithms predict the next major pandemic? 10.04.2018 1:22:40

In Episode 12, Quinn and Brian ask: Can algorithms predict the next major pandemic? Pretty please? Joining us: Dr. Sam Scarpino, Assistant Professor of Marine & Environmental Sciences and Physics and a core faculty member in the Network Science Institu...

#11: Can carbon capture be a building block in climate action? 03.04.2018 1:14:38

In Episode 11, Quinn & Brian ask with fingers crossed: Can carbon capture be a building block in climate action? On the mic: David Hawkins, director of the climate program at the National Resources Defense Council, and the man basically responsible for...

#10: The Tantrum That Saved The World 27.03.2018 1:14:28

In Episode 10 (we made it!), Quinn & Brian read a picture book. And a damn good one. Introducing The Tantrum That Saved The World. On the mic: Megan Herbert, Aussie co-author and illustrator of the popular new children’s book about climate change activ...

#9: How do we stay safe from infectious disease (zombies)? 20.03.2018 1:25:09

In Episode 9, Quinn and Brian cower under the desk and ask: How do we stay safe from infectious disease (zombies)? Please meet Dr. Nahid Bhadelia, an infectious diseases physician, Assistant Professor at Boston University, and the Director of Infection...

#8: How do we safeguard science in American schools? 13.03.2018 1:21:01

In Episode 8, Quinn and Brian ask: How do we safeguard science in American schools? Here to answer: Don Duggan-Haas, a lifetime advocate for science education standards (he literally wrote the textbook, and yes, this is the correct use of “literally”),...

#7: How can we use the ocean without using it up? 06.03.2018 1:30:27

In Episode 7, Brian and Quinn ask: How can we use the ocean without using it up? Meet Dr. Ayana Elizabeth Johnson, marine biologist, policy expert, and conservation strategist extraordinaire. And like a hundred other things, because her hobbies include...

#6: The queer female volcanologist who wants to change Congress 27.02.2018 1:24:09

In Episode 6, Quinn and Brian meet the queer female volcanologist who wants to change Congress Today's guest is the one and only Jess Phoenix, volcanologist, geologist, and Congressional candidate for CA-25. We discuss her experience in the field, her ...

#5: Is climate action worth getting kicked out of Congress? 20.02.2018 1:08:25

In Episode 5, Quinn and Brian conclude (for now!) their conversations with conservative climate activists, asking: Is climate action worth getting kicked out of Congress? Uniquely qualified to answer is former Congressperson Bob Inglis of South Carolin...

#4: What does the bible say about climate change? 13.02.2018 1:14:02

In Episode 4, Quinn and Brian continue with the second in their "trilogy" of conversations with conservative climate activists, and ask: What does the bible say about climate change? Here to answer: Reverend Mitch Hescox of the Environmental Evangelica...

#3: A professional climate denier changes his mind 09.02.2018 1:06:35

In Episode 3, Quinn and Brian host the first of three conversations with conservative climate activists. In the first, a professional climate denier changes his mind. Meet Jerry Taylor, former professional climate denier turned good guy. Like Darth Vad...

#2: Can this boat full of women save the world? 06.02.2018 1:12:35

In Episode #2, Quinn introduces his co-host, Brian Colbert Kennedy, the mad genius (ugh) behind IMNIM’s infographic game. Together, they ask the question: Can this boat full of women save the world? Join Quinn and Brian as they have a conversation with...

#1: Sixteen Minutes to Live 17.01.2018 36:33

In this impromptu first episode of the Important, Not Important podcast, host Quinn Emmett is joined by childhood friend David Schmidt for a conversation about the longest thirty-eight minutes of David’s life — what he said, did, and feared the morning...