Episodes

  • Plants Count Events, But Can They Think?

    Plants Count Events, But Can They Think?
    Mar 27 2026
    Psychological sciences professor ⁠Peter M. Vishton⁠ reveals how ⁠plants can count, and that they can track the number of events they experience⁠. David calls Peter a plant psychologist and asks, "Are plants people, too?" Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    11 mins
  • Ferret Catching WonderDog

    Ferret Catching WonderDog
    Mar 27 2026
    For Vet Talk or Pet Talk, veterinarian ⁠Dr. Cliff Redford⁠ covers stories: Pharmacies fill pet prescriptions, sparking debate among veterinarians⁠; How an island became ferret free – thanks, in part, to Woody the wonderdog⁠; and Be wary of these metal-related toxicities for pets⁠. Cliff quizzes David with some veterinary trivia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    21 mins
  • Possible Evils Lurking in Your Router

    Possible Evils Lurking in Your Router
    Mar 27 2026
    On It's Time For Technology Time, tech analyst ⁠Carmi Levy⁠ covers the following news stories: The US government just banned consumer routers made outside the country⁠; OpenAI announces plans to shut down its Sora video generator⁠; Teens are using AI to create 'slander' videos of their teachers⁠; Judge says witness wore smart glasses to sneakily inform their testimony⁠; and Publisher pulls novel over AI concerns⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    20 mins
  • Could Star Eating Microbes Exist?

    Could Star Eating Microbes Exist?
    Mar 27 2026
    Computational biologist ⁠Nicholas Chia⁠ discusses whether the fictional star-eating 'astrophage' bacteria from sci-fi movie Project Hail Mary could plausibly exist out in the cosmos. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    11 mins
  • Dating Simulator Helps With Romance

    Dating Simulator Helps With Romance
    Mar 27 2026
    Psychology professor ⁠Ghayda Hassan⁠ details her testing of ⁠an AI dating simulator to help chronically single men practice romantic skills⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    11 mins
  • FULL EPISODE: Have You Considered Dating a Robot? - March 26, 2026

    FULL EPISODE: Have You Considered Dating a Robot? - March 26, 2026
    Mar 27 2026
    On It's Time For Technology Time, tech analyst Carmi Levy covers the following news stories: The US government just banned consumer routers made outside the country; OpenAI announces plans to shut down its Sora video generator; Teens are using AI to create 'slander' videos of their teachers; Judge says witness wore smart glasses to sneakily inform their testimony; and Publisher pulls novel over AI concerns. Psychology professor Ghayda Hassan details her testing of an AI dating simulator to help chronically single men practice romantic skills. Computational biologist Nicholas Chia discusses whether the fictional star-eating 'astrophage' bacteria from sci-fi movie Project Hail Mary could plausibly exist out in the cosmos. Bursting with contagious excitement for the ordinary, elevator enthusiast Andrew Reams – of popular YouTube channel DieselDucy – talks about his love of elevators, living with autism, and running an elevator museum. Psychological sciences professor Peter M. Vishton reveals how plants can count, and that they can track the number of events they experience. David calls Peter a plant psychologist and asks, "Are plants people, too?" For Vet Talk or Pet Talk, veterinarian Dr. Cliff Redford covers stories: Pharmacies fill pet prescriptions, sparking debate among veterinarians; How an island became ferret free – thanks, in part, to Woody the wonderdog; and Be wary of these metal-related toxicities for pets. Cliff quizzes David with some veterinary trivia. Segments: (00:00) Introduction (01:46) Carmi Levy pt. 1 (10:00) Carmi Levy pt. 2 (20:00) Ghayda Hassan (30:00) Nicholas Chia (39:50) Andrew Reams (DieselDucy) (49:50) Peter M. Vishton (59:50) Dr. Cliff Redford pt. 1 (1:09:50) Dr. Cliff Redford pt. 2 (1:19:19) Sign-off Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 28 mins
  • An Astrobiologist on Project Hail Mary

    An Astrobiologist on Project Hail Mary
    Mar 26 2026
    Straight from outer space (not actually), astrobiologist ⁠Sarah Rugheimer⁠ shares her take on ⁠blockbuster Project Hail Mary⁠ with David. Check out Sarah's upcoming course Experiencing James Webb on Great Courses here⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    10 mins
  • Neutrality Improves Group Decisions

    Neutrality Improves Group Decisions
    Mar 26 2026
    Professor of mathematical biology and public engagement ⁠Kit Yates⁠ dives into what locusts teach us about how ⁠neutrality can speed up and stabilize collective decisions⁠. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    11 mins