The Spoondrift

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomunddiscusses the Gulf Stream and how it has been altered by climate change.   Here are citations to the articles that were referenced in theshow: M. Andres, M.Muglia, H. Seim, J. Bane, and D. Savidge, “Observations of Shelf-Ocean Exchangein the Northern South Atlantic Bight Driven by the Gulf Stream,” Journal ofGeophysical Research: Oceans , vol. 1...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund speaks with Jessie, a mechanical engineer who has taken a close look at how to bring diversity and inclusion into engineering. Here are links to the articles discussed in the show: Picture a Scientist: https://www.pictureascientist.com/https://www.pictureascientist.com/ Book: “Invisible Women: Data Bias in a World Designed for Men” by Caroline...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses Fast Radio Bursts before identifying different strategies to improve the workplace. Here are links to the articles discussed in the show: “Scientists have picked up a radio signal 'heartbeat' billions of light-years away”: https://www.npr.org/2022/07/14/1111471532/space-science-stars-radio-waves-signals-galaxy-lightyears-mit “One Adva...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses thermal radiation. Here are links to the articles discussed in the show: “What Causes Hot Things to Glow?”: https://letstalkscience.ca/educational-resources/stem-in-context/what-causes-hot-things-glow “What is a pyrometer?” [Video]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CcBPy9tQeYc “How Thermocouples Work - basic working principle + RTD” [V...

In this rerelease of The Spoondrift’s 20th episode of Season 1, host Asher Leomund discusses the question of whether or not you should suppress a sneeze (the short answer is no). He then talks about the Nobel Prize in chemistry awarded for research into CRISPR-Cas9. Here are links to the articles discussed in the show: Suppressing a Sneeze: https://time.com/3975363/sneezing/ Nobel Prize: CRISPR-Ca...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses the history of interracial marriage in the United States of America as well as the recent integration of mental health days into select public school systems. Here are links to the articles discussed in the show: “June 12 is Loving Day — when interracial marriage finally became legal in the U.S.”: https://www.npr.org/2021/06/12/100584...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses hydrogen fuel cells. Here are links to the articles discussed in the show: “How Does a Hydrogen Fuel Cell Work?”: https://www.ecobattsolutions.com/how-does-a-hydrogen-fuel-cell-work/ “Hydrogen Fuel Cell: How It Works” [Video]: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bFb5TKVPSiY “How Hydrogen Fuel Cells Work – GenCell” [Video]: https://www.you...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses how the James Webb Space Telescope will be using data to study exoplanets as well as how a company is using Artificial Intelligence to analyze data describing the sounds of whales and other marine mammals. Here are links to the articles discussed in the show: “A computer program designed to sort mice squeaks is also finding whales in...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses Boeing’s recent Starliner mission and the image that was recently published of the black hole at the center of the Milky Way galaxy. Here are links to the articles discussed in the show: “Boeing finally docks a capsule to the space station”: https://www.npr.org/2022/05/21/1100534373/boeing-docks-space-station-iss “This is the first im...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund goes over the differences between butterflies and moths. He then discusses an experiment that was recently conducted showing that growing plants in lunar soil is possible. Here are links to the articles discussed in the show: “What's the difference between a moth and a butterfly?”: h ttps://www.livescience.com/34472-difference-between-moth-butt...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses random words and phrases that he uses to spice up conversations.

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses exoplanets and the different types of engineering. Here are links to the videos that were referenced in the show: “There are more than 5,000 confirmed planets beyond our solar system, NASA says”: https://www.npr.org/2022/03/22/1088009414/there-are-more-than-5-000-confirmed-exoplanets-beyond-our-solar-system-nasa-says “What is engineer...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses the process of making decisions. Here are links to the videos that were referenced in the show: “How To Make Big Decisions In Your Business (Without Experience)”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYNlpPe7J9g “The Elements of Good Decision Making - Dave Ramsey”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUquj5onSVM “Before You Decide: 3 Steps To...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses the James Webb Space Telescope, NASA’s Artemis Mission, COVID-19 and its potential to become an endemic, and how to get better sleep. Here are links to the articles that were referenced in the show: “The James Webb Space Telescope is working as well as astronomers dreamed it would”: https://www.npr.org/2022/03/16/1086956505/james-webb...

In this re-release of Season 2 Episode 25 of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses nuclear thermal propulsion (NTP) and the impacts that this rocket technology could have on future space travel. Here is the link to the articles discussed in the show: NASA issues contracts for nuclear thermal propulsion studies: https://spacenews.com/nasa-issues-contracts-for-nuclear-thermal-propulsion-studi...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses the different work styles that many people may relate to. He also discusses his own work style and how it impacts his ability to complete tasks. Here are links to the articles and websites referenced in the show: “The 4 Working Styles and Why They're Important”: https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/working-styles 16...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses black diamonds and recent developments in the James Webb Telescope mission. Here are links to the articles that were referenced in the show: “Sotheby's unveils 555.55-carat black diamond thought to come from outer space”: https://www.npr.org/2022/01/17/1073703748/sothebys-unveils-555-55-carat-black-diamond-thought-to-come-from-outer-s...

In this brief interlude, host Asher Leomund comments on dad jokes. Regularly scheduled shows will resume on March 4th, 2022.

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses the science behind love. He talks about love from both a biological and a social perspective. Here are links to the articles that were referenced in the show: “The Science Of Love: Beyond Lust, Attraction And Attachment”: https://themindsjournal.com/science-of-love/ “The ‘biological bribery’ that explains why humans fall in love”: htt...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund speaks with three officers from the Osprey Robotics club at the University of North Florida. The discussion touches on robots, NASA, Python programming, remote control cars, and so much more.

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses the idea of carbon dioxide removal and the climate surrounding its market. Here are links to the articles that were referenced in the show: "Climeworks develops, builds and operates direct air capture machines": https://climeworks.com/co2-removal "As carbon removal gains traction, economists imagine a new market to save the planet": h...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses what it takes to be a good conversationalist – to be good at talking with people. Here are links to the articles that were referenced in the show: Celeste Headlee: 10 ways to have a better conversation | TED: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R1vskiVDwl4 7 Tips To Be A Better Conversationalist: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rwzmcg3d29...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses some of the most recent and intriguing space missions including NASA’s Parker Solar probe, the DART asteroid defense system, and the James Webb Space Telescope. Here are links to the articles discussed in the show: “A NASA spacecraft has flown into the sun’s atmosphere for the first time in history”: https://www.npr.org/2021/12/15/106...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses a useful (if maybe a slightly unsavory) way to detect the coronavirus using fecal matter. Here are links to the articles discussed in the show: “Coronavirus FAQ: Help me with omicron vocab. What's immune evasion? Epistasis?”: https://www.npr.org/sections/goatsandsoda/2021/12/03/1061219646/coronavirus-faq-help-me-with-omicron-vocab-wha...

In this episode of The Spoondrift, host Asher Leomund discusses coziness. He then talks a bit about various productivity strategies. Here are links to the articles discussed in the show: The Psychological Reason We Crave Cosiness: https://www.bustle.com/wellness/the-psychology-of-cosy 25 Productivity Hacks, According to Highly Productive People: https://www.bustle.com/life/best-productivity-hacks-...