Originally recorded February 4, 2018. Never one to avoid a challenge, Nature Boy steps well outside of its area of expertise to discuss neuroscience. However, as all hosts possess brains as well as nervous systems, they can be considered well qualified to tackle this subject. This episode provides an overview of the many disciplines which fall under this field, as well as some interesting research investigating the workings of the mind. Save yourself the time it would take to look this up on Wik...
Feb 26, 2018•59 min
Originally recorded January 7, 2018. Veteran fans may be aware that all hosts of the Nature Boy podcast are PhD students at UC Riverside, specifically in the department of plant biology. Often when explaining our work, the question of marijuana is brought up; mostly relating to either breeding, mechanisms of action in the body, or our future career aspirations as producers of the plant. While none of the crew plans on working in the field, it is such an interesting economic crop that we all have...
Feb 26, 2018•1 hr
This episode was originally recorded December 3, 2017. The Nature Boy podcast has been scientifically demonstrated to improve mood, reduce anxious behavior, and increase attention from potential romantic partners. These statements have not been approved by the FDA and may, in fact, be lies. Anxiety and depression affect many people at some point in their life. Coping strategies often focus on psychological approaches, but what do scientists know about the causes and potential treatments of these...
Feb 26, 2018•1 hr
Oops! This episode was recorded in July of 2017, but was never posted for reasons of pure ineptitude. Many apologies, but enjoy this discussion of synthetic biology. Your favorite fabulous foursome goes beyond genetic modification of plants, and explores this complex field which involves the modification of living organisms. Many apologies for the ongoing issues with the upload schedule, we appreciate all of our amazing fans who have stuck with us and look forward to many great episodes to come!...
Feb 26, 2018•1 hr 1 min
Hey all! Jon here, your occasional co-host and creator of podcast descriptions, to let you know that I was not present for this week's episode. From what I understand, the mighty 3 discussed bioremediation. The resilience of natural systems to disruption by human action is well established, but what do we do when the system is pushed too far and becomes disrupted? Often the same mechanisms by which the natural state is maintained can be exploited to address environmental concerns. What do these ...
Nov 10, 2017•1 hr
After a September hiatus, the Nature Boy crew returns to brighten your day! Our heartfelt thanks go out to those of you who continue to be patient with this erratic release schedule, rest assured we will continue to post these episodes until the inevitable water wars require us to flee California. This month, your intrepid hosts eschew the cliché 'Why are we here?' and instead ask 'How are we here?'. Come with us now on a journey through time and space, to answer these and other questions! Plus,...
Nov 10, 2017•1 hr
Jon and Jess, everyone's favorite feuding philanderers, were blessed with this episode. Usually this show is considered as a service to our blessed listeners, but this one is just for us! Listen as their excitement grows through discussions of blood tubes, semen, and grizzly murder. Apologies to their parents, as well as any listeners with delicate sensibilities, but we should always find joy in the pleasure of others if we aim to become actualized human beings. This description may come off as ...
Aug 18, 2017•1 hr 3 min
Jon's incredible powers of procrastination cause exasperation when the podcast nation can't hear this station! Apologies for the delayed upload, and for the absence of your favorite co-host and composer of episode descriptions, the J Train! The geneclock genetics and genetocs, and this episode focuses on the former. Can genetic research save us from starvation? Will it rid us of disease? Or will it be leveraged by powerful corporations to impose claims of ownership on entire species? Maybe these...
Jul 12, 2017•59 min
Open your ears and we'll speak of the smells, like freshly baked pie or the sulfur in hell. Such wonderful senses help put up some fences to keep us from things that will make us unwell. And who can you count on to shine a bright light on the sense that serves as an animal's sight? Why, it's your faithful friends from the Nature Boy show, whose names don't fit easily into this poem.
May 10, 2017•1 hr 1 min
It has been said that the most important difference between a beast and human is the comprehension of one's own mortality. An awareness of death and its inevitability, along with the fear it engenders, has resulted in the creation of religions and empires. God takes the place of the parent, and death represents the first betrayal by that trusted provider. People seek some form of immortality either by denying the reality of death, or through the creation of some legacy. In spite of its influence...
May 10, 2017•56 min
Whoosh! Boom! Blam-Oh! The Nature Boy crew becomes death, the destroyer of worlds, to discuss military technology and the wonderful things it brings and takes! In a surprise appearance Jon, number one bad-boy and author of episode descriptions, calls in to discuss lasers and domes! Truly, if you are going to miss one episode of a podcast this summer, do not make it this one!
Mar 13, 2017•1 hr 1 min
We are sincerely honored to have this week''s episode featured in the KCHUNG radio residency at the J. Paul Getty Museum. Information regarding the residency as well as links to this and other featured KCHUNG programs can be found at http://www.getty.edu/museum/programs/performances/kchung_radio.html . This week, we address questions and concerns regarding recently inaugurated President Trump and his attitude towards scientific research. What views on this topic did Mr. Trump express during his ...
Feb 19, 2017•53 min
As a listener of Nature Boy: The Podcast you know that genetic modification is the way of the future, and that all critics of genetic engineering are misinformed, backwards luddites dragging us back from the precipice of a golden age of food security. You may also be aware that two of your hosts conduct research using the most modern gene editing techniques. THRILL as the biase-free three (and Jon) introduce you to the intricacies of genetic research! WATCH as Jon introduces a hilarious crisper ...
Dec 06, 2016•1 hr
In celebration of Labor Day the Nature Boy crew profiles some of their favorite American scientists. We all know that America is the best country and that only her peoples are worthy of discovering the great truths, but just how great are those chosen few advancing the cause of American exceptionalism? Find out in this episode. Also, learn why love is dead according to our charming co-host.
Sep 07, 2016•1 hr 1 min
The gang's all here again and life couldn't be better. Or could it? Is this the best of all worlds as Voltaire's Pangloss would say, or is evolution as an engineer not a perfectionist but an opportunist, as according to Stanislaw Lem? Listen close, listen hard, and learn the specificities of natural selection on this week's Nature Boy: The Podcast!! *fanfare*
Jun 09, 2016•1 hr 1 min
Jon doesn't show up for this one, I'd probably just skip it. If unwary travellers do not heed these words, they shall find within a trove of wonders not of this world, phantasmagoric visions which will drive you to the brink of madness. DREAMS!
Jun 06, 2016•1 hr
Nature Boy panders, throwing all scientific integrity out the window and bending to the will of the inebriated masses. Drugs are the topic of discussion bro, making Nature Boy the hippest, most with it podcast in town!
May 27, 2016•56 min
Birth, from the Latin Big Bertha, meaning an obese sideshow woman at ancient carnivals. Enjoy this in-depth discussion of birth, the beginning of beginnings, the bloody painful emergence into a world which promises nothing more than blood and pain.
May 27, 2016•52 min
In celebration of Valentine's Day the Nature Boy crew discusses the biggest lie we joyfully tell our children about besides Santa Claus. Love. Jon was unable to attend this episode, and is replaced by Jess Toth, our second female guest and expert on matters of the heart. Jon writes these descriptions, and didn't bother listening to this episode prior to writing this, but I'm aware that there is no mention of my absence. But that's love for you. Go choke on a chocolate.
Mar 02, 2016•1 hr
Jon runs late today, throwing the broadcast into a tumultuous frenzy of panic. How will the remaining pioneers of podcasting handle this greatest of injustices? And what about colors and the hosts' favorite races? Listen close and listen hard, for all this and more awaits you in this month's Nature Boy!
Dec 08, 2015•1 hr 2 min
In the most ironically titled episode of Nature Boy technical issues abound! This month's episode is shorter than usual due to technical difficulties, but so packed with fun you'll hardly notice the difference! Come along with us under butterflies and bees, and see how the Nature Boy crew deals with stresses of their own. Scientific topics are also discussed.
Dec 08, 2015•20 min
What is communication, and how does it differ from language? This question is at the center of this week's Nature Boy, in which forms of communication, both verbal and non-verbal, are compared and discussed. As a special surprise, we are joined by the lovely Jessica Toth, a PhD student at UC Riverside. So shut your mouth and listen up as we demonstrate the finest in communicative abilities!
Oct 14, 2015•58 min
Nature Boy changes it's format slightly for this week's episode, critiquing a contemporary documentary 'Seeds of Freedom'. This short film describes the current state of food security, focusing on the resource of seeds. Does industrial agriculture intentionally "hook" uninformed farmers on their seeds and chemicals? Do small-scale independent farmers have the capacity to feed the world? Is the diversity of the food we produce diminishing to a dangerous point? We may not answer these questions, b...
Sep 29, 2015•58 min
The sauciest episode of Nature Boy yet discusses sexuality, reproduction, and killing lions for some reason. Turn the lights down low, spark a bunsen burner, and enjoy as the mellodious voices of Michael, Marschal and Jon carry you off to new heights of excitement, pleasure, and awkward moments.
Aug 28, 2015•56 min
This week your intrepid team delves ever deeper into the unknown with a discussion of black holes, relativity, and whether or not collaboratory is word (it is not). Michael's triumphant return highlights this week's episode with the vivacity and verve which could only be described as Michaelish.
Jul 16, 2015•1 hr 4 min
The final episode in this run of Michael-free shows, your stalwart heroes soldier on with a discussion of extraterrestrial life. Is it out there? We certainly don't provide any concrete answers, but enjoy our discussion! Also, read Alan Moore's Swamp Thing comic book series, as Jon will advised in this weeks episode. It's a great idea!
Jul 05, 2015•1 hr
The most important sceintific laws are respected and accepted as true by most, in fact our view of the world is often unintentionally shaped by our acceptance of these laws. In its strictest sense, even the law of gravity has been disproved, yet laws so ingrained in our consciousness as this cannot even be dispelled by their falsification. How does any one person convince an entire population of any belief to this degree? The answer is, they do not. Behind every theory there is an entire populat...
May 05, 2015•56 min
It's an inconvenient truth (get it?) that our rapidly growing population is outpacing our ability to produce the resources they require. Or is the real issue the amount of resources each individual requires? The Nature Boy gang will tackle this and other hard-hitting questions in this episode of your favorite podcast!
May 01, 2015•1 hr 2 min
Scope this episode out! Evolution is the topic of this episode of Nature Boy, and that first line is a reference to the Scopes monkey trial, in which substitute teacher John Scopes was found guilty of violating a Tennessee law forbidding the teaching of our topic in public schools. Have things changed? Has the modern public's understanding of this topic evolved? Well, naturally select play on your listening device and find out!
May 01, 2015•59 min
For this episode of Nature Boy, the fearless three tackle sustainability and alternative energy options. Can we support our growing population with current technologies, or are we doomed to descend into a desperate anarchistic state as we deplete the world's already scant resources? Listen close and listen well and all your doubts will be dispelled in this week's episode!
Mar 10, 2015•1 hr 3 min
