CONVERSATIONS
Join host Eric R Olson for conversations with scientists, journalist, authors and more.
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Exploring the Human Need for Connection with Neuroscientist Mark Williams
Mark Williams is a professor of cognitive neuroscience with over 25 years of experience conducting behavioral and brain imaging research. His latest book “The Connected Species: How the Evolution of the Human Brain Can Save the World” explores how humanity’s ability to connect and cooperate has made us a successful species, but is also responsible…
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The Keys to Creativity with Author and Journalist Hilde Østby
Do you want to be more creative? Learn how you can unlock your own natural powers of creativity as Norwegian author and journalist Hilde Østby discusses her latest book “The Key to Creativity: The Science Behind Ideas and How Daydreaming Can Change the World.”
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In the Shadow of the Dark Cloud with Journalist Guillaume Pitron
Have you ever wondered what happens when you hit the like button on Facebook or other social media apps? Come take a journey with us into the hidden infrastructure that supports all of our online activities with investigative journalist Guillaume Pitron.
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Discovering Nature-Inspired Innovation with Science Journalist Kristy Hamilton
Join us as we delve into the world of technological innovation inspired by nature with award-winning author and science journalist Kristy Hamilton.
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The Power of Poo with journalist Bryn Nelson
Bryn Nelson is a Seattle-based journalist who specializes in scientific, environmental, medical, and travel-related stories. His crappy new book is called “Flush: The Remarkable Science of an Unlikely Treasure” and it’s all about humanity’s relationship to our poop.
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The Evolution of Humor with evolutionary biologist Jonathan Silvertown
Jonathan Silvertown is a professor of evolutionary ecology at the Institute of Evolutionary Biology at the University of Edinburgh. He is the author of numerous books on ecology and evolution. His most recent book is called “The Comedy of Error: why evolution made us laugh.”
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How Language Made Us Human with linguist Simon Prentis
Simon Prentis is the author of “SPEECH! How Language Made Us Human”, an acclaimed exploration of human history through the lens of language. He is an experienced translator and interpreter who has worked with different cultures and languages in over fifty countries.
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The Swedish Experiment with journalist Johan Anderberg
Johan Anderberg is a Swedish journalist and writer who has been a regular contributor to a number of Swedish and international media outlets, including Fokus, Sydsvenskan,andTheWall Street Journal. His book “The Herd: how Sweden chose its own path through the worst pandemic in 100 years” will be published in the U.S. this month.
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Preventing Childhood Allergies with
Gastroenterologist Vincent Ho
Vincent Ho is an academic gastroenterologist who works as a researcher and senior lecturer at Western Sydney University in Sydney, Australia. He is also a practicing doctor who sees patients with all kinds of gut problems. In his spare time he created a website and YouTube channel called Gut Doctor and is the author of…
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The Fantastic World of Fungi with Mycologist Keith Seifert
Mycologist Keith Seifert discusses his new book “The Hidden Kingdom of Fungi: Exploring the Microscopic World in Our Forests, Homes, and Bodies.”
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Restoring the World’s Forests
with Environmental Journalist Fred Pearce
Fred Pearce is an English author and journalist based in London. Over his 20-year career, he has traveled to 87 countries to write about the environment, science, and development issues. In this episode of The Sciencentric Podcast, he spoke about his upcoming book “A Trillion Trees: Restoring Our Forests by Trusting in Nature.”
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Wildlife and the Next Pandemic with Investigative Journalist Dina Fine Maron
Our guest in this episode is Dina Fine Maron, an Investigative Reporter for National Geographic covering Wildlife Crime. Dina was previously a health editor for Scientific American magazine and holds a master’s degree in public health. In short, she knows a lot about wildlife trafficking and public health, and those appear to be two important…
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All About Bears with Author & Filmmaker Rémy Marion
Our guest in this episode is Rémy Marion — author, photographer, and documentary filmmaker. Rémy is a member of France’s national society of geographers and explorers, and an authority on bears. In particular, brown bears and polar bears, which he has been observing in the wild since the 1980s.
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Chemistry & Communication with YouTuber Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim
Our guest in this episode is German chemist, journalist, author, TV host and YouTube star Mai Thi Nguyen-Kim. Her first book, “Chemistry for Breakfast: The Amazing Science of Everyday Life,” has recently been translated into English It follows a typical day in Mai’s life, drilling down into the molecules that make it all happen.
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Inside Wildlife Trafficking with Journalist Rachel Nuwer
In our inaugural episode, we spoke with science and environmental journalist Rachel Nuwer about her book “Poached: Inside the Dark World of Wildlife Trafficking.” We talked about her process for writing the book, the time she spent with actual wildlife traffickers, and what can be done to stop the illegal wildlife trade–particularly in Asia. DISCUSSED…
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Talking Sexes with Video Creator
and Author Zach Elliott
Zach Elliott is an architecture student, author, and creator of the YouTube channel “The Paradox Institute.” In this episode, we talk about how he got interested in the topic of sex and gender as a non-scientist, how intersex conditions are misused in discussions of transgender rights, his step-by-step guide for writing an article that muddies…
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Rare Metals War with Journalist and Filmmaker Guillaume Pitron
In this episode, we’re speaking to award-winning French journalist and documentary filmmaker Guillaume Pitron. For the last decade or so, Guillaume has been following the global trade in rare earth metals. There are around 30 of these metals and they can be found in virtually all of our electronic devices and in green technologies like…
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Sharing Ingredients with
Producer and Author George Zaidan
George Zaidan is the executive producer for the American Chemical Society and a former co-host of CNBC’s “Make Me a Millionaire Inventor.” Most recently, he authored the book, “Ingredients: The Strange Chemistry of What We Put in Us and On Us”.
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Sex & Monogamy with Biologist Carin Bondar
In this episode, we speak with Carin Bondar, a biologist, writer, TV host, and public speaker. Carin is probably best-known for covering the topic at the forefront of everyone’s mind: sex. In various forms, she has documented all the strange and fascinating ways that animals approach enterprise reproduction–including us.
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Into the Abyss with Neuropsychiatrist Anthony David
Anthony David is Director of the University of College London Institute of Mental Health. For twenty-eight years he was a consultant psychiatrist at the Maudsley Hospital in London. He is a fellow of the Royal College of Physicians, the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Academy of Medical Sciences. His new book, “Into the Abyss:…