How much of our personality is bound to our genetic makeup, and how much can we actually change about ourselves? Is there any hope for the notoriously unconscientious personalities in the world? What can we learn about the evolutionary motivators built-in to our goal-directive behaviors? Dr. Colin DeYoung, associate professor of psychology at the University of Minnesota, joins the show to discuss all of that and more. https://deyoung.psych.umn.edu/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megapho...
Sep 08, 2021•1 hr 33 min
Emily Willingham joins me today to talk all about the evolutionary pressures that lead to the variety of penis designs we find in nature. Her new book, "Phallacy: Life Lessons from the Animal Penis" is available to purchase along with her other fascinating books on her website at http://www.emilywillinghamphd.com/ Thank you for watching and being an inquisitive being. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 25, 2021•1 hr 24 min
Today I'm speaking with returning guest, Rob Brooks! Rob is a Scientia Professor of Evolution at the University of New South Wales. He studies human mating preferences how cutting edge technologies are manipulating our evolved human nature and impacting culture. We also talk about political polarization, status and inequality, the conflict between societal and biological influences, creativity, and his new book "Artificial Intimacy: Virtual Friends, Digital Lovers, and Algorithmic Matchmakers". ...
Aug 19, 2021•1 hr 49 min
Marcy Souza is an Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Veterinary Medicine. We talk about the rapidly changing world of agriculture, zoonotic diseases of exotic animals, how to get people interested in epidemiology, the mislabeling and overuse of phrases such as "free range" and "organic", disease spillover, and tons more! Marcy J. Souza: https://publichealth.utk.edu/people/msouza/ One Health Initiative: https://onehealth.tennessee.edu/ H.A.B.I.T. : https://h...
Aug 11, 2021•1 hr 30 min
Gordon Burghardt studies comparative behavior and psychology in animals. We talk about the evolution of 'play', anthropomorphism and anthrodenialism, thrill-seeking behavior, embodied cognition, and what he learned from raising bears! "The Secret Social Lives of Reptiles" https://amzn.to/3xlCrFH https://eeb.utk.edu/people/gordon-burghardt/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Aug 05, 2021•1 hr 32 min
Astrobiofuturist and designer, Billy Almon is joining me today! Billy is an inventor who aims to reach the next generation of inventors, designers, scientists and engineers and showing them how to design the future they wish to see. In addition to speaking and hosting workshops, Billy also co-hosts the “Little Giants” show on Animal Planet. We talk about biomimicry, circular economies, space farming, and how to get people more interested in science. Check out Billy's site to learn more: https://...
Jul 28, 2021•1 hr 25 min
Today I'm speaking with one of my favorite Standup Science guests, Clive Wynne, Director of the Canine Science Collaboratory at Arizona State University. We talk about the complex minds of dogs, the history of the human-to-dog relationship, and the unique hypersocial skills of domesticated dogs. Is the popular training style we often see on TV really the best way to have a mutually beneficial relationship with our best friends? What can we learn from dogs? Clive Wynne: https://twitter.com/canine...
Jul 21, 2021•1 hr 38 min
Today I speak with returning guest, Athena Aktipis, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University and co-Director of The Human Generosity Project. We talk about how viruses can hijack behavior, the diversity of cancers, and what a real apocalypse could look like. http://www.athenaaktipis.org/ Listen to Athena's podcast :https://www.zombified.org/ Read Athena's new book: https://amzn.to/3yXv8F4 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Jul 14, 2021•1 hr 28 min
In this first ever 4-person episode of Here We Are, I get to geek out all about cicadas with Barrett Klein (who is a good friend of mine and very popular Here We Are guest), Joseph Yoon (Executive Director of Brooklyn Bugs), and Gene Kritsky (Entomologist and cicada expert). We discuss the origin of cicadas, the cultural aversion to eating insects in West, the interesting relationship cicadas have with prime numbers, and more! Barrett Klein: https://www.pupating.org/ https://www.uwlax.edu/profil...
Jul 07, 2021•2 hr 3 min
In this episode of Here We Are, Shane gets the latest on vaccine information and reopening after the pandemic from returning guest, Jessica Brinkworth. Jessica Brinkworth is an assistant professor in the department of anthropology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research addresses the physiological consequences of the human experience and evolutionary past, particularly those that affect innate immune system function. Jessica’s current projects focus on the functional diverge...
Jun 30, 2021•1 hr 55 min
Today I'm speaking with returning guest, Denita Hadziabdic Guerry. Denita's research focuses on population genetics of fungal plant pathogens, population biology, forest health, forest pathology, and diversity and conservation efforts of native plants. We discuss the importance of accurate science communication, what's going on with wood prices around the world, and Thousand Cankers Disease complex, which primarily affects black walnut. https://epp.tennessee.edu/people/directory/dr-denita-hadzia...
Jun 23, 2021•1 hr 8 min
Today I speak with returning guest, Kari Nixon, who is the author of the brand new book "Quarantine Life from Cholera to COVID-19: What Pandemics Teach Us About Parenting, Work, Life, and Communities from the 1700s to Today". Dr. Kari Nixon is an assistant professor of English at Whitworth University. She teaches medical humanities, Victorian literature, and is forever interested in death, disease, risk, and why we fear them. Dr. Nixon’s work has been shared on Huffington Post, March for Science...
Jun 16, 2021•1 hr 34 min
Jordan Ellenberg is a mathematician and author of the new book "Shape: The Hidden Geometry of Information, Biology, Strategy, Democracy, and Everything Else". He shares how mathematical thinking can help make elections more fair and how we can use math to better plan for pandemics. Mentioned formula: Infected tomorrow = Infected today + (0.2) x infected (today) x Susceptible(today)/Total population – (0.1) x Infected (today) https://people.math.wisc.edu/~ellenber/ Learn more about your ad choice...
May 26, 2021•1 hr 35 min
This week I learn all about what happens to your body after you die! Environmental microbiologist, Jennifer DeBruyn, researches microbiomes at the "body farm" of the University of Tennessee. Should you get cremated, turned into a tree, or fall over and let maggots eat your eyes? https://utianews.tennessee.edu/jennifer-debruyn-presented-with-agresearch-mid-career-faculty-research-excellence-award/ https://onehealthinitiative.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 19, 2021•1 hr 36 min
In this episode, I talked with the authors of the book "Blindsight: The (Mostly) Hidden Ways Marketing Reshapes Our Brains". Prince Ghuman has taught consumer science, behavioral economics, and experiential marketing as a professor of neuromarketing. Matt Johnson is a consumer neuroscience professor at Hult International Business School. Their website https://www.popneuro.com/ makes learning and implementing ethical neuromarketing accessible for all. Patreon shout out to Mad Scientist Saahil She...
May 12, 2021•2 hr 19 min
Am I buying into mainstream science? Is anti-conformity a form of conformity? How does the evolutionary mismatch between our parasympathetic responses and our modern environment affect our beliefs about the world? Joanne Miller, PhD explains how humans fall into fringe explanations of reality and why people trust different sources of information. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
May 05, 2021•1 hr 46 min
This is one of the goofiest Here We Are episodes to date. Anytime a scientist wants to goof around and keep things loose, I'm way up for it. One of my biggest goals with this show is to humanize scientists and on this one we had a lot of very silly laughs. Like myself, Scott Barry Kaufman wasn't considered the best student in his youth. But his love of science had him flying over every roadblock in his path. He's a real inspiration. Read his books at https://scottbarrykaufman.com/books/ Listen t...
Apr 28, 2021•1 hr 20 min
In this special episode, Shane is joined by Ramin Nazer in a reverse role interview where C Shawn Green asks both of them about their experiences as standup comedians. Shawn Green is an associate professor of cognitive neuroscience at The University of Wisconsin-Madison. His work focuses on perceptual, motor, and cognitive domains in human learning. Learn more about Shawn's work here: https://psych.wisc.edu/staff/green-c-shawn/ Thank you for watching and being an inquisitive being. Learn more ab...
Apr 21, 2021•2 hr 6 min
Have you ever thought about specific stressors that farmers face? Me EITHER! And it is damn fascinating. Did you know that you aren’t a real baller until you have a combine tractor? Heather Sedges Wallace is an Assistant Professor of Family and Consumer Sciences at UTK https://cfs.utk.edu/heather-sedges-wallace/ . Heather has received one of only two national Early Career Achievement awards from the Institute of Youth, Family and Community Heather is also working with the https://onehealthinitia...
Apr 13, 2021•1 hr 32 min
Shane talks with long-time friend and host of the Podcast: Solo - A Single Person's Guide to a Remarkable Life, Peter McGraw. They talk about everything from lasting friendships and jealousy in relationships to being incredibly honest and motivating yourself. Peter is a marketing and psychology professor at the Leeds School of Business and the Department of Psychology and Neuroscience at University of Colorado Boulder. He teaches a PhD seminar in behavioral economics and courses in marketing man...
Mar 27, 2021•1 hr 43 min
In this episode of Here We Are, Shane talks with return guest Jessica Brinkworth about covid-19 and what we’ve learned over the past year. They discuss the history of vaccine technologies, the current covid-19 vaccines and how they work, as well as the things we’ve learned since the start of the virus in 2020. Jessica Brinkworth is an assistant professor in the department of anthropology at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. Her research addresses the physiological consequences of the ...
Mar 16, 2021•2 hr 21 min
Shane talks with Multiple Sclerosis Specialist, May Han, about the new research being done on MS, the diagnosis process, and things patients can do to help treat their symptoms. They are joined by special guest and personal friend of Shane's, Megan, who shares her personal journey through being diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Dr. Han is a Board-certified neurologist and a clinician-scientist who specializes in multiple sclerosis and central nervous system demyelinating diseases as well as the...
Mar 10, 2021•1 hr 22 min
Shane talks with evolutionary anthropologist, Herman Pontzer, about his new book "Burn" which breaks down the new understanding of human health. We discuss getting back to the basics of caring for our bodies while debunking fad diets and pseudoscience. https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/603894/burn-by-herman-pontzer-phd/ https://scholars.duke.edu/person/Herman.Pontzer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Mar 03, 2021•1 hr 27 min
Shane talks with clinical psychologist, Dr. Mark Swogger, about his new research which focuses on the potential individual and public health benefits of kratom use. He also studies interventions for individuals whose use of more dangerous substances is causing them harm, taking into account psychopathy and other moderators of successful treatment. Dr. Swogger's research background includes numerous studies of violence, suicidal behavior, and recidivism among justice-involved people. Consider sup...
Feb 23, 2021•1 hr 44 min
Shane talks with science and technology writer, David Pogue, about his new book "How to Prepare for Climate Change: A Practical Guide to Surviving the Chaos" which offers practical advice for how we should ready ourselves for the future of the planet. David talks about what to grow, what to eat, how to build, how to insure, where to invest, how to prepare your children and pets, and even where to consider relocating when the time comes. https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/How-to-Prepare-for-C...
Feb 17, 2021•1 hr 33 min
Shane talks with anthropologist, Gina Bria, and wellness doctor, Dana Cohen about their book "Quench" which explores the new science on hydration. Is water really the only source of hydration? How do humans in desert climates stay hydrated exclusively from the foods they eat? For over two decades, Dr. Dana Cohen has been on the leading edge of integrative and functional medicine, guiding thousands of patients through protocols that initiate cellular repair and restore balance to the body. Gina B...
Feb 09, 2021•1 hr 20 min
Shane talks with behavioral economist, Alain Cohn, about his fascinating study that examines the trade off between honesty and self-interest. They purposefully lost 17,000 wallets in 40 countries all around the world. Surprisingly, people were more likely to return wallets with more money in them! Alain shares some interesting and unexpected implications of his research. Alain Cohn is an Assistant Professor of Information at the University of Michigan School of Information. His research lies at ...
Feb 02, 2021•1 hr 32 min
B. N. Horowitz, M.D., turns to the natural world for insights into health and development. She has faculty appointments at Harvard Medical School, Harvard University’s Department of Human Evolutionary Biology, and is Professor of Medicine in the UCLA Division of Cardiology. She co-directs the UCLA Evolutionary Medicine Program. In her work she studies a diverse range of animals in their natural settings to uncover evolved adaptations with potential relevance to human health challenges. She has u...
Jan 26, 2021•1 hr 45 min
Return guest Joel Suss is so interesting and does really unique work. His research interests focus on understanding and improving perceptual-cognitive performance (e.g., anticipation, decision making) in complex and challenging operational settings (e.g., law enforcement, security, military command and control, aviation, and emergency medicine). For example, he investigates ways to train police officers to make better decision in stressful situations. Another project, in conjunction with colleag...
Jan 19, 2021•2 hr 5 min
I had this conversation with Dr. Beth A. Livingston last September and I'm finally releasing it today. We talk about gender norms and biases and how they impact career growth and perpetuate limiting beliefs for both men and women. This was a very enlightening discussion and it was a pleasure to learn from someone with such a vast understanding of these topics. Dr. Beth A. Livingston is an Assistant Professor in Management and Entrepreneurship at the University of Iowa's Tippie College of Busines...
Jan 12, 2021•1 hr 52 min
