The Unfinished Mind

For many people, the best taco, gyro, or dumplings they’ve ever had didn’t come from a fancy restaurant. This week’s episode explores the cultural history of street food, from food trucks to night markets. Join Akshi and Ren for a deep dive into how different cultures have adapted to mobile dining, and why this has become such a popular experience worldwide.

Slow down this week as our hosts meet with Asha Nayaswami, a prominent spiritual teacher and disciple of Paramhansa Yoganada. Learn about her journey into meditation, Yoga, and spirituality in a fast-paced world.

Where is the shred of truth in Dexter, CSI, Bones, and Criminal Minds? Forensic science has been practiced since the 6th century and has recently enraptured the public eye with crime shows, podcasts and documentaries. Join Akshi and Ren this week to discover what forensic science is, how it’s done, and who it’s helped capture.

Discover the alternate meanings of “Twilight” in American and global culture. How does the word “Twilight” reflect psychological states, depths of the ocean, paranormal activity, aerospace travel, or religion? Find out more about the history, definitions, and significance behind this word in this weeks episode.

When thinking of this word, things like Halloween costumes and the wicked witch of the west may come to mind. But what is the actual history of witchcraft? How do cultures, locations, movements, and roles of power influence this topic? How is the concept of witchcraft still alive in American culture today?

Spooky season is officially here, and the Unfinished Mind is exploring all things macabre, haunted, creepy, and chilling. This week, Akshi and Ren explore the world of creepypasta, which began as an online scary story-telling community in 2007 and continues to this day. Discover how creepypasta continues the age-old narrative of horror and learn about some of the most popular stories.

What is the meaning of life? What truly matters? Is my life significant? These are the questions one asks when going through an existential crisis. These crises have been represented in literature, theatre, and showcase how societies and circumstances psychologically affect individuals. Join Akshi and Ren this week to learn more about this topic through works like “Hamlet,” “Absurdism,” and more....

Wii sports, tic-tac-toe, wheel of fortune. These are all seen as fun games that do not require a lot of critical thinking or learning. But what if these games were used to to teach? Video game designers, educators, and psychologists have experimented with this idea. If a topic that students might find hard to grasp or not incredibly interesting is put into a game format, it has been discovered tha...

Potatoes have made their way from their origin in the Andes into beloved comfort foods all around the world. In addition to their popularity, they have also become the center of political controversy regarding the rise of GMOs.

Humans have invented all kinds of doors: automatic, revolving, doggy, decorative, and more, made of anything from solid steel to thin paper. Even in video games, doors control how we move about in the world and discover new spaces. This weeks episode shines a light on how doors can reflect how open or closed we really are.

Since the rise of commercialized agriculture, the number of apple species has dropped 80%. This week, we learn the story of Tom Brown, who dedicated his life to restoring lost apple species in the U.S., and discuss how seed banks work to preserve plant diversity.

Tune in as Akshi and Ren give a virtual tour of Austin, detailing the best hangout spots, museums, and spots to grab a bite. If you’re a UT student, make sure to tune in and hear about restaurants that give student discounts!

The laws of U.S. citizenship have reflected values in American society since the country’s beginning. Join Akshi and Ren this Friday to unravel the complicated web of laws that define who is and who is not able to be a legal, voting citizen.

What comes to mind when we hear “nuclear?” Danger? Energy? Medicine? War? Our understanding of radiation has grown since Marie Curie isolated pure radium in 1910, and the rhetoric surrounding nuclear power has changed with time.

Join Akshi and Ren as they explore the cultural and architectural inspirations for the art of world-building and storytelling.

Join Akshi and Ren as they kick of a new season by exploring the history of collectibles and why our brains love accumulating all kinds of rare objects, from physical to digital.

Join Arya and Ren as they celebrate Earth Day and discuss the growing importance of addressing the problems that threaten our planet.

Join Arya and Ren as they discuss the present and future of our own ATX in Part 2 of “The Austin Series"

Join Arya and Ren as they talk about the people who respond to the emergencies of life and the hazards of the field

Join Arya and Ren as they talk about the 5 senses and how the lines between them can blur in this week’s episode on perception and synesthesia

Join Arya and Ren as they discuss the history of our own ATX as Part 1 of “The Austin Series”

Join Arya and Ren as they explore the long history of humans using pictures in language, from hieroglyphics to emojis.

Join Arya and Ren as they discuss the history and future of unions, and the role they’ve played in the present day.

Join Arya and Ren as they explore the role of science on the big screen, as well as the times when the producers didn’t exactly do their research.

As the Texas weather continues to keep us on our toes, join Arya and Ren this week as they discuss the history, science, and superstitions behind weather predictions