Nearly 20 years ago senior coral reef ecologist Dr. Nancy Knowlton struck a note for optimism with her “Beyond the Obituaries” symposium for ocean conservation. She talks with us about the bigger Earth Optimism Summit in 2017 it led to with the Smithsonian and how her message of hope burns bright. Nancy Knowlton https://twitter.com/SeaCitizens Earth Optimism: https://earthoptimism.si.edu/ Nancy's Book: Citizens of the Sea: Wondrous Creatures From the Census of Marine Life - https://www.amazon.co...
Jan 31, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 32
David H. Freedman wrote the article, “Lies, Damned Lies and Medical Science” for The Atlantic in 2010 which is still used in epidemiology courses across the nation. He is our #1 favorite science journalist here at this podcast. He talks at length about false positives, pandemic mass communication, and how we lost Canada to the British in the Revolutionary War because so many soldiers were anti-vaccination to smallpox. David H. Freedman https://twitter.com/dhfreedman Wrong: Why experts* keep fail...
Jan 20, 2022•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 31
We are producing a series of books applying “The Narrative Gym” to different disciplines. BUSINESS was released in September with coauthor Park Howell. POLITICS will be released in January with coauthor Dave Gold. In this episode we discuss the current release of LAW with coauthor Doug Passon. Doug Passon https://www.dougpassonlaw.com/ https://twitter.com/dougpassonlaw Randy Olson https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about the ABT Framework Course:...
Dec 21, 2021•56 min•Season 1Ep. 30
Adam Welz is South African and a prolific nature writer, photographer and filmmaker whose work has appeared frequently in The Guardian and Yale 360. He speaks passionately in this discussion about the worldwide decline of freshwater fish diversity — the most threatened group of vertebrates. He also predicts increasing conflict within the environmental community between wildlife activists and climate activists. Adam Welz https://twitter.com/AdamWelz http://www.adamwelz.net/ https://www.inaturalis...
Dec 07, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 29
Team Unclenchable (Randy Olson with Aussies Jen Martin, Jayde Lovell, and Rod Lamberts) holds its third assembly to discuss the future of humanity and our fate as eventual slaves to A.I., along with special guest surf photographer and part-time nuclear physicist-wannabe Brian Bielmann. Rod Lamberts https://twitter.com/rodl Jayde Lovell https://twitter.com/JaydeLovell Randy Olson: https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about the ABT Framework Course:...
Nov 15, 2021•55 min•Season 1Ep. 28
30 years ago Randy Olson and “Cultural Liaison” Ed Leydecker filmed, “Salt of the Earth: A Journey to the Heart of Maine Lobster Fishermen,” with Brian, Stevie, and Steve Robbins, Sr. Last year Stevie passed away at age 76. This is a conversation with Brian, Ed and Randy talking about lobster fishing, bridging cultures, and trust. BACKGROUND ON ED’S T.G.A.: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transient_global_amnesia LOBSTAHS VIDEO (1990): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52RPYJIMwh0 WEBSITE: http://sa...
Oct 31, 2021•2 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 27
Learn how Dr. Shirley Malcom and Dr. Randy Olson are “Parking Lot Soul Mates,” as well as fellow Good Troublemakers. Randy Olson https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about the ABT Framework Course: http://storycirclestraining.com/ Jen Martin https://twitter.com/scidocmartin https://www.instagram.com/scidocmartin/ Science Communication at the University of Melbourne: https://blogs.unimelb.edu.au/science-communication/ Jen's Blog: https://espressosc...
Oct 18, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 26
Dr. Maryanne Garry, Professor of Cognitive Psychology at University of Waikato in New Zealand talks to Randy and Jen about the teaching of psychology, neuro-skepticism, and and the results of the two Story Circles (narrative training) that they ran in 2019. Maryanne Garry https://twitter.com/drlambchop https://www.garrylab.com/ Randy Olson https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about the ABT Framework Course: http://storycirclestraining.com/ Jen Mar...
Oct 11, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 25
Randy Olson has a tremendous discussion with one of his all-time journalist heroes, Mark Dowie as they dive deep into the history of the American environmental movement (Mark’s 1995 book “Losing Ground”) then explore indigenous sovereignty with Mark's 2017 book, “The Haida Gwai Lesson: A strategic playbook for indigenous sovereignty.” Mark Dowie “Empowering the Grassroots” - interview with Mark Dowie, originally posted on Grist https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h5CWHt3HSr8 Losing Ground: American ...
Oct 04, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Season 1Ep. 24
Actors Julie Carmen and Jose Angel Santana discuss everything from the intensity of Meisner acting training to working with Madonna to Julie’s landmark performances in “Milagro Beanfield War,” and “Gloria.” Randy Olson https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about the ABT Framework Course: http://storycirclestraining.com/ Jen Martin https://twitter.com/scidocmartin https://www.instagram.com/scidocmartin/ Science Communication at the University of Mel...
Sep 30, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 23
Dr. John Sterman of the M.I.T. Sloan Management School shares his CLIMATE INTERACTIVE World Climate Simulation group exercise that he’s run with everyone from the UN to members of Congress to the COP Climate Conferences, but this time he’s faced with a challenge — making it understandable to The Fool (Dr. Patty Limerick). Dr. John Sterman https://www.climateinteractive.org/tools/en-roads/ Patty Limerick Blog: https://www.colorado.edu/center/west/about/patty-limerick/blog-not-my-first-rodeo Randy...
Sep 17, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 22
Randy tries to draw lines of debate about slogans and terminology with Jen and Rod, but they step over his lines and say “we agree.” Jayde never did disagree. Guest John Small tells about his years of work with Australian ocean scientists, manufacturing equipment for their research, and staging some of the funniest Christmas parties in human history. Rod Lamberts: https://twitter.com/rodl Jayde Lovell: https://twitter.com/JaydeLovell Randy Olson on the Web: https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's...
Sep 09, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 21
Legendary coral reef ecologist Dr. Jeremy Jackson ended his landmark 1996 paper, “Reefs Since Columbus” by hoping he had “put to rest two dangerous stupidities.” Legendary historian of the American West, Dr. Patty Limerick, begins this grand, synthetic discussion wishing she had coined that term (“dangerous stupidities”) herself. The topics range from shifting baselines to restoration to what is “pristine” as we see the parallels between two truly great careers. Patty Limerick Blog: https://www....
Sep 02, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 20
Joe Newman, author of, “Raising Lions: The Art of Compassionate Discipline,” long time surf buddy of Randy Olson, and a 2019 graduate of the Story Circles Narrative Training program talks about training PARENTS (not children). His hugely popular “protocol” is widely used and studied. Connections are made between his method of training and the ABT Framework. "Raising Lions": https://www.amazon.com/Raising-Lions-Joe-Newman/dp/1453639683/ Joe Newman: https://twitter.com/raisinglions Randy Olson htt...
Aug 25, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Season 1Ep. 19
The filmmakers, Brent Storm, director, and producers Julie Romaniuk, Brian Bielmann and Randy Olson, cover everything from story development with the ABT Narrative Template to bluebird conditions, French women, and making a film that kicks ass. Be sure to stay to the end so you can hear Brian get yelled at by the lady upstairs who tells him to quit talking so loud. Movie website: https://www.whiterhinosurfmovie.com Brian Bielmann: https://brianbielmann.com/ Brent Storm: https://www.imdb.com/name...
Aug 20, 2021•1 hr 9 min•Season 1Ep. 18
To talk "Bruce Block” in filmmaking means to discuss the 7 Elements of Visual Expression (space, line, shape, tone, color, movement, rhythm) in the creation of movies. Bruce is a living legend in Hollywood and has been teaching his iconic Visual Expression course at U.S.C. for 44 years. My film school classmates (now Hollywood directors) Jason Ensler, Greg Tillman and I all had his course in the mid-90’s. It was literally life altering. Our discussion with Bruce is THE best thing on this podcast...
Aug 10, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 17
Eight years ago Park Howell discovered the ABT and thought it might be useful. It’s now the centerpiece of all his communications training in the business world and he’s become one of the core members of our team for the ABT Framework Course. All of which makes for a great discussion as we launch our new co-authored book. Buy "The Narrative Gym for Business" on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Narrative-Gym-Business-Introducing-Communication-ebook/dp/B09B1WP2JX Park Howell: https://twitter.com/Par...
Aug 05, 2021•47 min•Season 1Ep. 16
We have the tool for bridging the cultural divide between different programs and departments of institutions and organizations (Silo Busting). In this episode we dive deep into this challenge with one of the all-time great Silo Explorers, historian, MacArthur Fellow and co-founder of the Center for the America West at the University of Colorado, AND Official Fool, Dr. Patricia Limerick. Patty Limerick Blog: https://www.centerwest.org/about/patty/blog-not-my-first-rodeo Randy Olson on the Web: ht...
Jul 28, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 15
It’s time for the Great Aussie Unclenching with Dr. Rod Lamberts, host of The Wholesome Show podcast, Jayde “The Estoner of Estonia” Lovell, and cohost Jen Martin. Together they bring all the wit and charm of a kangaroo to ABT Time as the lone Yank, Dr. Randy Olson, tries to keep up, but as usual, stumbles. Rod Lamberts: https://twitter.com/rodl Jayde Lovell: https://twitter.com/JaydeLovell Randy Olson on the Web: https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn m...
Jul 22, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 14
It’s Narrative Fitness Workout Time at the Narrative Gym with the ABT Trivia Contest (5 contestants), plus 2 ABT Build Exercises, combined with riotous laughter and non-stop hijinx, hilarity and horseplay. Randy Olson on the Web: https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about the ABT Framework Course: http://storycirclestraining.com/ Jen Martin: https://twitter.com/scidocmartin https://www.instagram.com/scidocmartin/ Science Communication at the Unive...
Jul 15, 2021•1 hr 16 min•Season 1Ep. 13
Randy Olson and co-host Jen Martin dive into coral reefs with legendary coral reef fish ecologist Dr. Peter Sale, author of the new book, “Coral Reefs” from Yale University Press. Supplementing the discussion is long time marine ecologist buddy Dr. Bob Steneck of University of Maine as we discuss underwater agoraphobia, lobster traps, and stochasticity. Dr. Peter SaleDr. Sale's new book, "Coral Reefs: Majestic Realms under the Sea": https://www.amazon.com/Coral-Reefs-Majestic-Realms-under/dp/030...
Jul 06, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 12
Cohosts Randy Olson and Jen Martin (in Australia) lead the discussion of the second half of The Narrative Blitz that took place initially on April 14, run again on June 9. Joining them are Liz Foote, Dianna Padilla, Mike Strauss, Rick Nelson, Julie Claussen, Marlis Douglas, and Mike Backes. Randy Olson on the Web: https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about the ABT Framework Course: http://storycirclestraining.com/ Jen Martin: https://twitter.com/s...
Jul 01, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 11
8 veteran ABT voices come together to synthesize a decade of experience in how to teach the ABT. If you’re interested in teaching the ABT, this 90 minute special is the very best resource to date. It features our 3 Step Teaching Model, then two in-depth Case Studies of professors now teaching the ABT Framework and having great success. Show Notes: The Dave Gold article that was referenced about the Christmas Tree. The intro to the ABT video that was referred to by Jen and Randy. Randy Olson on t...
Jun 24, 2021•1 hr 27 min•Season 1Ep. 10
Randy Olson sets up the reality, perception and communication of ocean destruction, Jen Martin compares “My Octopus Teacher” to “Seaspiracy” (bottom line: it’s a lot more fun to watch), then Jennifer Jacquet and John Hocevar reveal they kinda liked a lot of things about “Seaspiracy,” despite the uproar it caused in the ocean conservation community. Show Notes: http://scienceneedsstory.com/2021/06/17/912-narrative-analysis-of-seaspiracy-ocean-documentary-our-podcast-episode-broken-down/ Randy Ols...
Jun 17, 2021•1 hr 4 min•Season 1Ep. 9
Cohosts Randy Olson and Jen Martin (in Australia) lead a 90 minute high energy, post-event discussion among 6 of the Narrative Blitz speakers: Shirley Malcom, Rick Nelson, Julie Claussen, Liz Foote, Marlis Douglas, and Mike Backes. Randy Olson on the Web: https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about the ABT Framework Course: http://storycirclestraining.com/ Jen Martin: https://twitter.com/scidocmartin https://www.instagram.com/scidocmartin/ Science ...
Jun 10, 2021•1 hr 30 min•Season 1Ep. 8
Randy Olson talks with two of his USC film school classmates about Bruce Block’s “Visual Storytelling,” Frank Daniel’s “Critical Thinking vs Creative Thinking,” and how 2 + 2 can equal eleven. Randy Olson on the Web: https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about the ABT Framework Course: http://storycirclestraining.com/ Jen Martin: https://twitter.com/scidocmartin https://www.instagram.com/scidocmartin/ Science Communication at the University of Melb...
Jun 02, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Season 1Ep. 7
Brian Palermo, long time collaborator of Randy Olson, joins Randy and Jen Martin to talk about improv training for scientists, why he doesn’t like “The Herald,” and donut shops. Randy Olson on the Web: https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about the ABT Framework Course: http://storycirclestraining.com/ Jen Martin: https://twitter.com/scidocmartin https://www.instagram.com/scidocmartin/ Science Communication at the University of Melbourne: https://...
May 26, 2021•1 hr 5 min•Season 1Ep. 6
Randy Olson and Jen Martin are joined by fisheries biologist Julie Claussen to discuss four narrative elements in last week’s episode: 1) Narrative structure, 2) Message discipline, 3) Simplicity, and 4) Argumentation. Randy Olson on the Web: https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about the ABT Framework Course: http://storycirclestraining.com/ Jen Martin: https://twitter.com/scidocmartin https://www.instagram.com/scidocmartin/ Science Communication...
May 20, 2021•1 hr 1 min•Season 1Ep. 5
Fire ecology experts Dr. Christy Brigham (National Park Service, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks) and Dr. Euan Ritchie (Wildlife Ecology and Conservation, Deakin University) join hosts Jen Martin and Randy Olson in an ABT-structured discussion of the issue of wildfire (California) and bushfire (Australia). Here’s a teaser: their Dobzhansky term is “Misguided Confidence." Randy Olson on the Web: https://twitter.com/ABTagenda Randy's Blog: http://scienceneedsstory.com Learn more about th...
May 13, 2021•1 hr 28 min•Season 1Ep. 4
Randy Olson and newly appointed Australian Correspondent Jen Martin discuss the idea of “Dobzhansky Checking,” have fun with stories about Richard Dawkins, and examine a science communication study that “isn’t even wrong.” Episode References AAAS Video: ABT Framework/Story Circles: https://youtu.be/ungl-jozHLA The Narrative Blitz Event sign up: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-narrative-blitz-redux-tickets-151542249949 Assessment by Audiences Shows Little Effect of Science Communication Training...
May 06, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Season 1Ep. 3
