The best 77 podcasts from a larger group of 231 for the week are shown below. Double or ctrl-click individual highlighted titles to get single podcasts and explore the source, although it’s easier to get all of them as a zip file here for the next four months. A collection of over 8000 similar podcasts grouped by topic can be downloaded here, but are limited to a 4GB maximum per download, so twelve of those will be needed to get all files, which total over 45GB and will take awhile. The first entry of that collection is a text file listing all the titles for quick searches and researching. All these abstracts have also been assembled alphabetically in two large free volumes at this link and are updated quarterly. Even more diversity is possible using a podcast aggregator loaded with this opml file of 270 sources so even the discarded podcasts can be downloaded and you can make your own selected list.
Agriculture Subsidies 69 mins – “Daniel Sumner of the University of California talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about agricultural subsidies in the United States, the winners and losers from those subsidies, and how the structure of subsidies has changed from the New Deal to the present. Sumner also explains how American policies have affected foreign farmers.” At the link find the title, “Daniel Sumner on the Political Economy of Agriculture, Feb, 2015,” right-click “Media files SumnerDagriculture.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Altruism Effectiveness 61 mins – “Almost all of us want to make a difference in our lives. So we give to charity, recycle, volunteer, or cut down our carbon emissions. But are we getting it right? In a world where ever more data is available, shouldn’t we be paying closer attention to the measurable effects of our altruistic actions? Why, for example do we spend so much time and effort researching hotels and restaurants online while we rarely bother to investigate the effectiveness of the charities we donate to? Are we more concerned with feeling good about ourselves than actually doing good? Enter William MacAskill, rising star philosopher at Oxford University and co-founder of the Effective Altruism movement. MacAskill’s new book ‘Doing Good Better’ has won acclaim from the likes of Peter Singer and Steven Pinker. Bill Gates, perhaps the world’s greatest philanthropist, has even described him as ‘a data nerd after my own heart.’ By crunching the numbers, MacAskill has shown that the standard ways of doing good often turn out to be less effective than we think.” At the link find the title, “Effective Altruism: A Better Way to Lead an Ethical Life,” right-click “Media files 236073952-intelligence2-effective-altruism.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Amazon Corp Team 57 mins – “Diego Piacentini, Senior VP of International Retail for Amazon, discusses the company’s growth-centered business model, its global presence, and the strides it takes to sustain a successful customer experience. Piacentini also describes Amazon’s innovative approaches to operations, mergers and acquisitions, and labor practices.” At the link click “Podcast,” right-click Download MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
American Religions 52 mins – “In this hour of BackStory, the History Guys will consider religions that originated or transformed in America, from Christian Science to Scientology. They’ll find out how the threat of colonization briefly united 18th-century Native Americans under a single deity, and how the Nation of Islam found converts among African-Americans in the civil rights era. What makes a religion “American”? Why do so many new faiths sprout from American soil? And what role will 21st century America play in the history of religious innovation?” At the link find the title, “American Prophets: Religions Born in the U.S.,” right-click “Play Now “ and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Art Museum Failures 63 mins – “Michael O’Hare of the University of California, Berkeley talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the management of art museums. O’Hare suggests a number of changes that would allow museums to be more effective and to justify their non-profit status–lower admission prices, selling part of their substantial unseen inventory to other museums, and broadening the activities of the museum to include educational exhibits on the creation of art and the commercial side of art. He encourages trustees of museums to see their job more as tough-minded advisors and less as financiers of museum budgets.” At the link find the title, “Michael O’Hare on Art Museums, May 2015,” right-click “Media files Ohareart.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Biomedical Engineer 41 mins – “Dr Joe Smith is the Chief Medical & Science Officer at the West Health Institute and President of The West Health Policy Center. Originally trained in Medical Engineering and Physics he then pursued his MD training at Harvard. After 20 years as a practicing Electrophysiologist he became Chief Medical Officer for Guidant and Boston Scientific’s Cardiac Rhythm Management Division. Named as one of the “Twenty People Who Make Healthcare Better’ he also serves as faculty advisor to the University of Southern California, Johns Hopkins, Harvard & MIT and The Wellcome Trust. In this discussion we delve deep into the motivations to pursue a career in medicine, how the arc of your career can take many paths and the skills that physicians are valued most for in roles outside of traditional clinical care.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Black Girls Code 27 mins – “Bola Mosuro travels to Ghana to meet the women who are making their mark in the male dominated world of technology, and inspiring young girls to follow in their footsteps.” At the link find the title, “Young, Geeky and Black: Accra,” right-click “Media files p03b0mbg.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Blind Story 24 mins – “After a Seattle businessman left his fortune to a San Francisco blindness organization, its director went in search of an explanation. He found a secret the two men had shared.” At the link find the title, “Episode 3: When a Stranger Gives You $125 Million,” right-click “Media files TheLeap3.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Broadband in Maine 18 mins – “Eleven months ago, we noted the incredible energy in the Maine Legislature around improving Internet access. Maine State Representative Norm Higgins joins us this week for Community Broadband Bits Podcast episode 180. Rep. Norm Higgins, a newcomer to the Legislature, pushed hard for legislation to encourage municipal open access networks as well as removing barriers to increased investment including a tax on the Three-Ring Binder project. He was part of a large majority that moved some key bills forward despite fierce opposition from Time Warner Cable and others. We talk with Rep. Higgins about the various bills, including LD 1185, which would have created planning grants for community owned open access networks but passed without any funding.” At the link right-click “…download this Mp3 file…” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Campus Diversity 48mins – “The Supreme Court hears arguments today on admissions policies at the University of Texas which allow for racial preferences. A ruling against UT would have broad implications for affirmative action programs in institutions across the country. This fall racial unease has led to protests on dozens of campuses including the University of Missouri,Claremont McKenna College, Yale and Princeton. At many colleges student activists have called for the removal of references to controversial historical figures, mandatory cultural sensitivity training and in some cases administration resignations: Please join us to discuss race relations on campus and the future of affirmative action.” (Five guests.) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Campus Integration 49 mins – “The U.S. Supreme Court is back in the middle of affirmative action. It’s the University of Texas case again. White Abigail Fisher says she was cut off from admission by policies that consider race. And not, she says, in her favor. Oral argument was testy yesterday. Justice Scalia saying straight up that some black students might be better off at “slower track” schools. Nobody likes that affirmative action was needed. Is it needed now? Is there a better way, in this year of racial tension on American college campuses? This hour On Point, race, America, and affirmative action before the high court.” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cargill Corp 62 mins – “Greg Page, former CEO of Cargill, the largest privately-held company in America, talks to EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the global food supply and the challenges of running a company with employees and activity all over the world. Page talks about the role of prices in global food markets in signaling information and prompting changes in response to those signals. Other topics include government’s role in agriculture, the locavore movement and genetically modified organisms (GMOs).” At the link find the title, “Greg Page on Food, Agriculture, and Cargill, Jan, 2015,” right-click “Media files Pageagriculture.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Chinatown San Francisco 24 mins – “For Americans, the sight of pagoda roofs and dragon gates means that you are in Chinatown. Whether in San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles, or Las Vegas, the chinoiserie look is distinctive. But for those just arriving from China, the Chinatown aesthetic can feel surprisingly foreign. San Francisco’s Chinatown originally looked quite a lot like the rest of the city: brick homes with Victorian Italianate facades. Chinese immigrants banded together in the area not for any love of its architecture, but out of political, social and economic necessity. Then, in 1906, a devastating earthquake and the resulting fires leveled much of San Francisco. Residents of Chinatown were largely unaided by their neighbors during and after the disaster. The fire department, for instance, focused available resources on the wealthy residents of nearby Nob Hill, dynamiting buildings in Chinatown in an (unsuccessful) attempt to stop the flames from spreading….” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Chinese Legalism 45 mins – “Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the origins and rise of Legalism in China, from the start of the Warring States Period (c475 – 221 BC) to the time of The First Emperor Qin Shi Huang (pictured), down to Chairman Mao and the present day. Advanced by the Qin statesman Shang Yang and later blended together by Han Fei, the three main aspects of Legalism were the firm implementation of laws, use of techniques such as responsibility and inscrutability, and taking advantage of the ruler’s position. The Han dynasty that replaced the Qin discredited this philosophy for its apparent authoritarianism, but its influence continued, re-emerging throughout Chinese history. With Frances Wood Former Curator of the Chinese Collections at the British Library Hilde de Weerdt Professor of Chinese History at Leiden University And Roel Sterckx Joseph Needham Professor of Chinese History at the University of Cambridge. Producer: Simon Tillotson.” At the link find the title, “Chinese Legalism,” right-click “Media files p03bq0gj.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Climate and Reindeer 5 mins – “Nearly 200 countries have official delegations at the UN climate negotiations this week in Paris. As they race to finalize an agreement by Friday, getting everyone to agree on a final document will be a Herculean task. But for every national diplomat with a seat at the negotiations, there are many more perspectives that aren’t directly represented in the talks...Javo is the president of the Saami Council, a non-governmental organization representing the Sami people, who span four countries across northern Scandinavia and Russia. Javo is from Norway, but her clothes signal her concern that Norway’s delegates aren’t fully representing the Sami people…. Saijets is from a reindeer-herding family in northern Finland and, like Javo, he has one main objective at the conference. “The most important thing for me is to keep the winters as cold as possible,” Saijets said. “The Sami livelihoods like reindeer herding and the river fishing, they are totally dependent on the climate that we have. We already see effects.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Climate Change Refugees 4 mins – “Some 26 million people are being displaced by natural disasters worldwide — roughly one person per second — three times the number of people displaced by war and violence. And most natural disasters are related to climatic conditions (although scientists can’t tie a specific climatic event, like a hurricane, directly to the changing climate)….” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select “Save link As” from the pop-up menu.
Climate Change Summit 25 mins – “Changing Climate, Changing Policy (start time: 7:06): As political leaders are still hammering out an accord at the UN Climate Summit, or COP21, in Paris, to rein in global warming, today we discuss the underlying scientific facts about climate change, and the policy promises and challenges for our future. Hosts Susan Moran and Daniel Glick interview two Colorado scientists at the intersection of science and policy. Dr. Waleed Abdalati is a geoscientist and director of the Cooperative Institute for Research in Environmental Sciences (CIRES), a partnership between the University of Colorado-Boulder and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration….” At the link right-click “Download” and select”Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Climate Common Sense 59 mins – “Welcome to Radio Ecoshock. I have lots for you in this program. Two reports direct from Paris, plus an interview on the best, maybe the only, way to really save the future. But first I want you to hear 10 minutes from the former NASA scientist who warned us all about climate change, back in 1988. Here is Dr. James Hansen speaking December 2nd, at a press conference at COP21, the big climate summit in Paris, as posted on You tube by envirobeat.com “ Mention is made of bio char and carbon farming. At the link right-click “Lo-Fi” near the page top and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Climate Wives 5 mins – “…They call themselves Climate Wise Women, and this week, the people who they say need to hear them are the national leaders assembled here in Paris for COP21 — the latest high-stakes global climate summit. “Our people are losing their homes,” says Okollet’s friend Thilmeeza Hussain. She’s from the Maldives, a group of tiny, low-lying Islands south of India, where the water is rising fast… Hussain is voluntarily displaced from her home these days. But she says others there have no choice. “We live in very close proximity to the ocean, so the people who are living closest to the ocean are losing their homes,” she reiterates. The fresh water is being contaminated by salt water intrusion. It’s becoming harder to grow food. And in the Maldives, there’s nowhere to run from rising seas. The highest point in the country is barely eight feet above sea level. The average elevation is about four feet…..” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the right end of the sound bar and select “Save link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cool Universe 39 mins – “The Cool Universe is the name astronomers give to the matter between the stars.These great clouds of dust and gas are not hot enough to be detected by optical telescopes.But over the last few decades, they have increasingly become the focus of infrared telescopy.Astronomers had long encountered dark, apparently starless patches in the night sky. When they discovered that these were actually areas obscured by dust, they found a way to see through these vexing barriers, using infrared telescopes, to the light beyond.However, more recently, the dust itself has become a source of fascination.The picture now being revealed by infrared astronomy is of a universe that is dynamic.In this dynamic universe, matter is recycled – and so the dust and gas of the Cool Universe play a vital role. They are the material from which the stars are created, and into which they finally disintegrate, enriching the reservoir of cool matter from which new stars will eventually be formed. As a result of the new research, we are now beginning to see first-hand the way our planet was formed when the solar system was born. With:Carolin Crawford Member of the Institute of Astronomy, and Fellow of Emmanuel College, at the University of” Cambridge Paul Murdin Visiting Professor of Astronomy at Liverpool John Moores University’s Astronomy Research Institute Michael Rowan-Robinson Professor of Astrophysics at Imperial College, London Producer: Phil Tinline.” At the link find the title, “The Cool Universe,Sep 2007” right-click “Media files p02q5qb4.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Consumerism Culture 52 mins – “…On this episode of BackStory, the Guys jump headlong into the history of shopping in America—the glitz and glamor, the overflowing shelves, and the cheesy Muzak. They’ll consider the role consumption played in the revolutionary politics of the colonies, look at the curious rash of shoplifting among well-heeled women in the country’s first department stores, and reveal the connection between the Wizard of Oz and window shopping….” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cuban Medicine 27 mins – “The Cuban health service delivers some impressive results, for a fraction of the amount spent on healthcare in wealthier countries. But it also faces serious problems. Cubans no longer die of infectious illnesses – free, universal healthcare and a countrywide vaccination programme have put an end to that – but they are dying of heart disease, stroke and cancer, the same diseases that claim lives in high-income countries. It has been said that Cubans live like the poor and die like the rich. In this second of two special programmes from Havana, Claudia Hammond reports on how the Cuban health service is responding to these new challenges.” At the link find the title, “Why Cubans are Dying of Rich Peoples Diseases,” right-click “Media files p03bmh55.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Deepak Chopra 41 mins – “Dr Deepak Chopra is the Founder of the Chopra Center for Wellbeing, the author of more than 22 New York Times bestsellers and has trained in Internal Medicine and Endocrinology. He is best known for his alternative medicine practices and a global focus on well being. In addition to his work with The Chopra Foundation he is also an adjunct Professor of Executive Programs at the Kellogg School of Management at Northwestern and a Senior Scientist at the Gallup organization. In this episode we deep dive into the struggles Dr Chopra faced during the early ‘melodramatic’ days as a resident, how smoking was ok at Grand Rounds and that in order to address the dissatisfaction of physicians in healthcare there needs to be a much greater emphasis placed on making sure trainees feel appreciated and heard. This was a fascinating conversation with one of the most well known physician figures of our time.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Deportation and Reintegration 64 mins – “Hundreds of thousands of Central Americans, deported from Mexico and the United States, have arrived back in the Northern Triangle countries of El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras in the past five years. Often facing conditions that are worse now than when they departed, this rapidly growing population of deportees—including tens of thousands of children—are in danger of entering a revolving door of migration, deportation, and remigration. As deportations have increased in recent years, finding successful ways to disrupt the revolving-door phenomenon by providing more and better opportunities for Central America’s people, including through reception programs and reintegration services, is crucial to Central America, Mexico, and the United States.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Doctor Burnout 47 mins – “Dr Pamela Wible is a Family Medicine physician in Eugene, Oregon who runs one of the most unique medial practices in the United States today. It is a healthcare center designed not by doctors, but by patients. She is the author of ‘Pet Goats and Pap Smears’ and founder of the site IdealMedicalCare.org. Having spoken at TEDMED and Tedx she is truly a unique and passionate voice for physicians who are struggling in todays healthcare infrastructure. This is an enlightening conversation on topics from why you shouldn’t think of yourself as having ‘burnout’ and how to create your ‘Ideal Clinic’.”
Economic Growth 62 mins – “Robert Solow, Professor Emeritus at Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Nobel Laureate, talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about his hugely influential theory of growth and inspiration to create a model that better reflected the stable long-term growth of an economy. Solow contends that capital accumulation cannot explain a significant portion of the economic growth we see. He makes a critical distinction between innovation and technology, and then discusses his views on Milton Friedman and John M. Keynes.Robert “ At the link find the title, “Solow on Growth and the State of Economics, Oct 2014” right-click “Media files Solowgrowth.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Economic Modeling Issues 61 mins – “Paul Pfleiderer, C.O.G. Miller Distinguished Professor of Finance at the Graduate School of Business at Stanford University, talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about his recent paper critiquing what Pfleiderer calls “Chameleon Models,” economic models that are thought to explain the real world with little analysis of the accuracy of their assumptions. Also discussed are Akerlof’s market for lemons model, Friedman’s idea that assumptions do not have to be reasonable as long as the model predicts what happens in the real world, and the dangers of leaping from a model’s results to making policy recommendations.” At the link find the title, “Paul Pfleiderer on the Misuse of Economic Models, Sept, 2014,” right-click “Media files Pfleiderermodels.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Electronics Tactics 81 mins – “Michael of Programming Electronics Academy and Dan of Rheingold Heavy join Chris to talk about getting started in electronics. It’s mind over matter and consistently working towards a goal, people! Welcome to our two guest hosts! … Michael recommends only “Kind of knowing something”, because it forces people to be comfortable with discomfort. Dan has been working on “Arduino From Scratch” posts, spec’ing cap for output and wondering about the ESR of capacitors (Chris had no idea) Mentors are critical for learning electronics.Niche communities like /r/arduino and various stack exchange sites are great resources. Forums can be dicey (especially if you ask rookie questions without searching first…) but are a great localization of experts. Thinking about getting started tomorrow for the first time? Michael recommends starting with a soldering kit. The recently announced ($5) Raspberry Pi Zero kit will bring in new people to the hobby/field. Thanks to Dan and Michael for joining Chris on the show this week! Follow @RheingoldHeavy and @ProgElecAcademy on twitter for more!” At the link right-click “Download” and select”Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Empathy 46 mins – “Dr Dan Siegel is Professor of Psychiatry at the UCLA School of Medicine, where he serves also as faculty of the Center for Culture, Brain and Development and is founding co-director of the Mindful Awareness Research Center. In addition to being an Executive Director of the Mindsight Institute he has also published several books including the New York Times bestseller No-Drama Discipline. He regularly speaks to audiences across the globe on mindfulness. Although he completed his Medical training at Harvard he left medical school part way through his training to seek out the best way to become a salmon fisherman!” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
EV Charging 56 mins – “Transitioning our nation’s transportation infrastructure to support electric vehicles won’t happen overnight, but it may happen quite rapidly thanks to a new not-for-profit trade association, the Electric Vehicle Charging Association. Leaders from the electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure, technology and services industry have joined forces to advocate for policies to advance clean transportation, and focus on creating an environment that maintains the highest levels of innovation and maximum value for electric vehicle drivers. Today we’ll be joined by the President & CEO of Envision Solar, Desmond Wheatley; President of EV Connect, Jordan Ramer; the Vice President of Government Market Development for Volta, Dr. Abdellah Cherkaoui; and the Vice President, West Region for NRG EVgo, Terry O’Day.” At the link right-click “Download MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Failure Value 70 mins – “Megan McArdle of Bloomberg View and author of The Up Side of Down talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about her book. McArdle argues that failure is a crucial part of success in personal life and in the large economy. Topics covered include the psychology of failure, unemployment, and bankruptcy and parole” At the link find the title, “McArdle on Failure, Success, and the Up Side of Down, Apr 2014” right-click “Media files McArdlefailure.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Financial Literacy 20 mins – “Reese May is an Iraq veteran and financial literacy advocate for survivors of natural disaster. He talks to SuChin Pak about how to make a living from a life of service. For more inspirational stories, visit madetogrow.com.” At the link find the title, “In The Face of No-Matter-What, ‘ right-click “Media files OA_Ep6_Reese_May_FINAL.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Financial Tactics 49 mins – “This weekend on Marketplace, actress Alicia Witt tells us about how she tricked her father into saving money, band Future Islands explains the unexpected side of hitting it big (taxes, lots and lots of taxes) and artist Big Freedia takes us to the church where she learned to sing” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Food Bank Distribution 63mins – “If you have 250 million tons of food to give away every year to local food banks how should you do it? Canice Prendergast of the University of Chicago’s Booth School of Business talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about how he and a team of economists created an artificial currency and a daily auction for the national food bank Feeding America so that local food banks could bid on the types of food that were the most valuable to them. Prendergast explains the results of the new system and the cultural and practical challenges of bringing prices, even artificial ones, to a world accustomed to giving things away.” At the link find the title, “Canice Prendergast on How Prices Can Improve a Food Fight (and Help the Poor), right-click “Media files Prendergastfood.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Forensic Myths 18 mins – “Thanks to modern technology most crimes these days can be neatly solved in under an hour. At least that’s what fictional TV shows like CSI seem to suggest. We wanted to address the so-called “CSI Effect,” caused by the simplification of forensic science in popular culture. CSI and likeminded TV shows–with their heroic investigators solving crimes in mere minutes–mislead viewers and affect real court cases. The reality of investigation is much slower and more complex, but no less fascinating. Hosts Michal Meyer and Robert Kenworthy speak with experts Anna Dhody, a physical and forensic anthropologist, and Lisa Rosner, a historian. They discuss the early days of solving crime and the on-going chemistry of the human body throughout life and death.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Forensic Science Issues 35 mins – “In this episode of Digital Detectives, Sharon Nelson and John Simek interview Judge David Waxse about the 2009 report by the National Academy of Sciences (NAS), the relationship between bad science and wrongful convictions, and how to improve the use of forensic science in the criminal justice system. The NAS report, Strengthening Forensic Science in the United States: A Path Forward, found that with the exception of DNA, no forms of forensic science comply with scientific methodology. Waxse discusses the jury’s confidence in unproven science experts and witness testimony and the resulting wrongful convictions. He explains why people are just now becoming concerned with the 2009 report and discusses why The Willingham Case is relevant. Waxse plans to hold a symposium in April 2015 at Northwestern Law School in Chicago to consider with experts how to educate judges and lawyers in the criminal justice system about this issue.” At the link find the title, “Forensic Science in the Criminal Justice System: What is Admissible?” right-click “Media files forensic-science-dna-criminal-justice-system.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Gambling 27 mins – “The world of in-game betting where gamblers test their skill and luck almost as the action happens is growing fast as the lucrative new frontier for the betting world, and is particularly popular in the huge Asian market. Does it pose a threat to the integrity of some our most popular sports?” At the link find the title, “Does the House Always Win?” right-click “Media files p03bj66y.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Healthcare Future 28 mins – “Dr. Eric Topol is the Director of The Scripps Translational Science Institute and the Editor-in-Chief of Medscape. He has been described by GQ Magazine as one of the ‘Rockstars of Science‘ and is one of the most cited researchers of all time. Previously he has served as the Chairman of Cardiovascular Medicine at the Cleveland Clinic where he was responsible for some of the most seminal trials in interventional cardiology. His interests now span a range of topics including Genomics, Digital Medicine and Patient Advocacy. He is the author of two books: The Creative Destruction of Medicine and The Patient Will See You Now. In this episode we delve into the challenges of a healthcare system in transition and the exciting future of medicine.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Heat Science 10 mins – “Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the history of scientific ideas about heat. As anyone who’s ever burnt their hand will testify – heat is a pretty commonplace concept. Cups of coffee cool down, microwaves reheat them, water boils at 100 degrees and freezes on cold winter nights. Behind the everyday experience of hot things lies a complex story of ideas spread across Paris, Manchester and particularly Glasgow. It’s a story of brewing vats and steam engines, of fridges, thermometers and the heat death of the universe. But most importantly, it was the understanding and harnessing of heat that helped make the modern world of industry, engineering and technology. With Simon Schaffer, Professor of History of Science at the University of Cambridge and Fellow of Darwin College; Hasok Chang, Professor of Philosophy of Science at University College London and Joanna Haigh, Professor of Atmospheric Physics at Imperial College London. At the link find the title, “Heat , Dec, 2008,” right-click “Media files p02q5w9y.mp3” and select”Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
House of Wessex 33mins – “When we left off last time, we were taking a look at the problem facing Europe that no one wanted to talk about. And this wasn’t like plague of people mistaking tights for pants. In that situation, the only solution is to ignore it until it retreats back to the darkest recesses of fashion. The viking raids worked differently, ignoring them only made them stronger… to make matters worse, the European nobility have been hiring bands of vikingrs as mercenaries in their own personal squabbles, bringing the vikingr bands deeper into European territory and leaving the peasantry completely defenseless. However, not every noble house was sitting on their hands, or pouring fuel on the fire. The West Saxons had managed to get their act together just in time… and that incredible luck is why the House of Wessex remains such a big deal in British history, whereas Northumbria and Mercia are now mere footnotes despite their earlier dominance. Because Wessex wasn’t spared the wrath of these northmen… they just fared better, and when you look at what was going on in their government (and contrast it with other kingdoms) you can start to see why they were so successful….” AT the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Immigration Act 1990 134 mins – “On November 29, 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed into law the Immigration Act of 1990. The law increased immigration levels by redesigning admissions categories and restructuring employment-based entry provisions for both permanent and temporary admissions, with the aim of increasing emphasis on the skills, education, and investment of these immigrants. The bill also revised the grounds of inadmissibility and deportation, expanded the definition of aggravated felony, and established administrative naturalization and Temporary Protected Status (TPS). To mark the 25th anniversary of the 1990 Act, MPI hosted a discussion examining the history of the legislation, how it was accomplished politically, and the stakeholders and issues that were critical to its passage. Panelists will recount the goals of the legislation, assess whether they have been met, examine the unintended consequences, and discuss the relevance and lessons of the Act for current immigration debates.” At the link right-click “Download” and select”Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Innovation Panel 60 mins – “This special presentation features a panel of Stanford alumni reflecting on their personal entrepreneurial experiences at Stanford and in the vibrant Silicon Valley ecosystem. This conversation follows a presentation of remarkable results from the Stanford Innovation Survey, measuring the economic impact of Stanford alumni engaged in entrepreneurial activity.” At the link hover over “Podcast,” right-click “Download MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Invasive Species 60 mins – “This week, we’re discussing ecosystems, biodiversity, and whether or not “invasive” outside species are really as bad as they’re made out to be. We’ll spend the hour speaking to Dr. Ken Thompson, lecturer in the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences at the University of Sheffield, about his book “Where Do Camels Belong? Why Invasive Species Aren’t All Bad.” Read the companion post on Skepchick.” At the link find the title, “#347 Where Do Camels Belong?” right-click “Media files Science for the People 347 Where Do Camels Belong.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Invest for Your Kids 48 mins – “Paul’s article on building a $3000 investment into $50 million in distributions and gifts has attracted many readers and generated a lot of questions. In this Q&A session, Paul answers these questions: how reasonable are your assumptions? Which is the very best small cap value fund? When should bonds be added to this portfolio? What to do if you just started your career and want to do this for yourself? How to help the children of friends? How to keep a young person’s hands off the money that is put aside for the long term? And which of the Vanguard small cap value funds or ETFs offer the best long term returns?” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
ISIS Budgets 22 mins – “What happens when ISIS takes over your city? Today on the show: We talk to a man who lived and worked in ISIS controlled territory. He tells us about how he paid taxes, where he kept his money and a $50 candy bar.” At the link find the title, “#667: Auditing ISIS,” right-click “Media files 20151204_pmoney_pmpod.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Jamie Foxx 152 mins – “Jamie Foxx (@iamjamiefoxx) is an Academy Award-winning actor, a Grammy Award-winning musician, and a famous standup and improv comedian. He is, without a doubt, the most consummate performer and entertainer I have ever met. In the 2.5 hours we spent together in his home studio, he blew my mind.Jamie Foxx on Workout Routines, Success Habits, and Untold Hollywood Stories….” At the link find the title, “Jamie Foxx on Workout Routines, Success Habits, and Untold Hollywood Stories,” right-click “ “Media files Tim Ferriss Jamie Foxx.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Lies and Lying 52 mins – “Donald Trump’s statements about Muslims cheering after 9/11 are just the latest in a long record of false claims. But if Trump is the most recent, maybe most flamboyant, falsifier to enter US politics, he’s not the first and won’t be the last. OTM takes a look at political lies, including a taxonomy and history of political untruths; a psychological examination of how and why we lie; and whether, at the end of the day, the most damaging lies aren’t the ones we tell ourselves about our fellow citizens.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Lockout Story 49 mins – “For two years, steelworkers in western Pennsylvania worked mountains of overtime, pushing to open a huge new state-of-the-art steel plant for Allegheny Technologies. Then in August, Allegheny locked them out. The company wanted big concessions in wages, health care coverage, retirement. The workers’ union, the United Steelworkers, said no. Now it’s getting cold. The workers are still locked out, almost four months later. And getting desperate. The company says it’s necessary to compete. The workers say it’s not. This hour On Point, a dramatic lockout, and the future of American wages”. At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.” At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Lung Spots 85 mins – “Dr. Brett Elicker discusses tools for lung cancer screenings that are helping reduce deaths form the disease. Elicker is an Associate Professor of Clinical Radiology and Chief of the Cardiac and Pulmonary Imaging Section at the University of California, San Francisco. Recorded on 10/13/2015.” At the link right-click “AudioMP3” and select”Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Marine Life Trends 30 mins – “Jeff Boehm, a veterinarian and the executive director of the Marine Mammal Center in Sausalito, CA discusses the adversities facing seals, sea lions, and marine mammals.” At the link find the title, “Jeff Boehm: Seal Salvation,” right-click “Media files SC-2015-12-08.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Medical Humanism 18 mins – “Pamela Wible, M.D., is a family physician born into a family of physicians. Her parents warned her not to pursue medicine, but she followed her heart only to discover that to heal her patients she had to first heal her profession. So she decided to lead a series of town hall meetings throughout Lane County, Oregon where she invited her community to design their own ideal clinic. Open since 2005, Dr. Wible’s community clinic has sparked a movement in which citizens are designing ideal clinics nationwide. Her model is taught in medical schools and featured in Harvard School of Public Health’s Renegotiating Health Care, a text examining major trends in American healthcare. Dr. Wible is the co-author of two award-winning anthologies and the author of the bestseller, Pet Goats & Pap Smears: 101 Medical Adventures to Open Your Heart & Mind. She has been interviewed by CNN, ABC, CBS, and is a frequent guest on NPR.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Medical Innovation 49 mins – “Dr Ravi Komatireddy is the Chief Medical Officer at Reflexion Health Inc, a med tech startup focused on using motion tracking technology to entirely redefine the field of home rehabilitation. Having completed his medical school training at Dartmouth University and Internal Medicine training at UCSD he went on to complete a Fellowship in Digital Medicine at The Scripps Translational Science Institute/West Health. An Associate Professor of Medicine at UCSD he has conducted research on the effects of microgravity on physiological monitoring systems with NASA and remains actively involved with continuing human suborbital flight research. On this episode we get into how to innovate in medicine, how clinical training is critical for understanding the realities of how healthcare changes and how being a pilot made him a better doctor.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Mental Illness 19 mins – “It started with a knocking sound, then whispers, then the strange conviction that he could read people’s minds. In this story, we meet Frankie as he sprints away from his history of mental illness and toward the “normal” life he always wanted.” At the link find the title, “Episode 5: Caught in a Pipe,” right-click “Media files TheLeap5.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Nuclear Power 6 mins – “…scientists are saying that renewables alone just can’t get us where we need to be. Martin Malin, executive director of the Project on Managing the Atom at the Belfer Center for Science and International Affairs at Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, understands why people are frightened by nuclear power. And he understands that tripling the amount triples the risks. So I asked him: Is nuclear worth it? “What’s worth it is to try and strengthen safety, strengthen security, address the proliferation problems, strengthen the institutions that regulate nuclear power…” To get there, Malin says there needs to be a better dialog between the public, industry and governments. He adds that people also need to understand the risks of continued reliance on dirtier energy sources, like coal, risks beyond simply generating more greenhouse gasses. “Something like 3 million people a year die prematurely from inhalation of fine particulates. Nothing like that number of people have died from nuclear accidents and radiation. So if you sort of compare those numbers, you think, well of course, why wouldn’t you want more nuclear?” Climate scientist James Hansen put things a bit more bluntly in Paris this week…. At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Palestine Book 21 mins – “I was a little hesitant to choose a controversial book, but after I read President Carter’s new book, Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid, I felt the ideas were too important not to share. I also feel that anyone who reads the book for themselves will agree that Jewish Americans are being unfair when they accuse President Carter of taking sides. It is true that he highlights the plight of the Palestinians in the occupied territories, but this hardly makes him biased. Episode 8 of Books and Ideas is only an introduction to the book. You will have to read it yourself to make your own decision.” At the link right-click “Listen Now” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu to get the podcast.
Podcaster Escobar 46 mins – “Episode 57 is the first episode of Books and Ideas that I have produced in 2015. It is a conversation with experienced podcaster Elsie Escobar. Elsie brings a unique perspective to the question Why Podcast? because she does it all: she hosts and produces 2 shows, works for Libsyn, the company that hosts my shows and many others, and she listens to more podcasts than seems humanly possible.” At the link right-click “Direct download: 57-BI-Escobar-au.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Precautionary Principle 55 mins – “Nassim Nicholas Taleb, author of Antifragile, Black Swan, and Fooled by Randomness, talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about a recent co-authored paper on the risks of genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and the use of the Precautionary Principle. Taleb contrasts harm with ruin and explains how the differences imply different rules of behavior when dealing with the risk of each. Taleb argues that when considering the riskiness of GMOs, the right understanding of statistics is more valuable than expertise in biology or genetics. The central issue that pervades the conversation is how to cope with a small non-negligible risk of catastrophe.” At the link find the title, “Nassim Nicholas Taleb on the Precautionary Principle and Genetically Modified Organisms, Jan, 2015,” right-click “Media files Talebgmos.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Radiation Overview 38 mins – “Melvyn Bragg and guests Jim Al-Khalili, Frank Close and Frank James discuss the history of the discovery of radiation.Today the word ‘radiation’ conjures up images of destruction. But in physics, it simply describes the emission, transmission and absorption of energy, and the discovery of how radiation works has allowed us to identify new chemical elements, treat cancer and work out what the stars are made of.Over the course of the 19th century, physicists from Thomas Young, through Michael Faraday to Henri Becquerel made discovery after discovery, gradually piecing together a radically new picture of reality. Jim Al-Khalili is Professor of Theoretical Physics and Chair in the Public Engagement in Science at the University of Surrey; Frank Close is Professor of Physics at Exeter College, University of Oxford; Frank James is Professor of the History of Science at the Royal Institution.” At the link find the title, “Radiation, Nov, 2009,” right-click “Media files p02q5dlv.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the popup menu.
Right to Bear Arms 51 mins – “Arguing in favour of the motion was journalist, novelist and broadcaster Will Self. Arguing against the motion was author and Mail on Sunday columnist Peter Hitchens. Joining us via Google+ Hangouts were celebrated sociologist and Professor of International Affairs at The George Washington University, Amitai Etzioni and Attorney at Law and Research Fellow at the Independent Institute, Stephen Halbrook.. The debate was chaired by Editor-in-chief of The Week magazine and co-founder of Intelligence Squared, Jeremy O’Grady.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Salmon Farming 48 mins – “The Food and Drug Administration has approved the first genetically modified animal for human consumption – salmon. The FDA also ruled that when these GMO fish begin appearing in grocery stores in a couple of years, they don’t have to be labeled as such. The FDA says there’s no significant difference between the natural and engineered fish. Many consumers are angry they won’t necessarily know what they’re buying. Other opponents fear GMO salmon could have a negative impact on wild salmon. But supporters say the populations cannot mingle and the GMO version is more sustainable. Diane and her guests talk about the ongoing controversy over genetically modified salmon.” (Three guests.) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Salmonella 20 mins – “In the U.S., even chicken that has passed all federal food safety requirements still can make people sick. This proved true in 2013 after a massive salmonella outbreak linked to Foster Farms sickened hundreds of people in 29 states. But even with reforms in the works, the U.S. government still allows companies to sell chicken that is infected with salmonella. So how can you avoid it? Do you abstain from buying factory farm chickens and go for the local ones? How about raising chickens in your own backyard? Reporter Katharine Mieszkowski and producer Jillian Weinberger take us on a salmonella road trip and expose a massive gap in our food safety system.” At the link find the title, “The fowl business of salmonellahe fowl business of salmonella,” right-click “Media files The-fowl-business-of-salmonella.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Sharks 37 mins – “This story was originally broadcast in 2006 but remains as relevant as ever. Shark attacks. With summer coming, we all think about them. And when the surf’s up, I wonder if the precautions we’ve all heard about are fact or fiction. Like – do dogs really attract sharks? Are sharks kept away by dolphins? And should you be in the water around urine or blood?” AT the link right-click “download video: mp4” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Subarachnoid Hemorrhage 113 mins – “In October of 2010 the prestigious British Medical Journal published the largest, and by far the best, study ever done on the diagnosis of SAH in the ED. The data are revolutionary, and they prompted us to take a new look at the classic teaching and modern approach to this diagnosis. It’s always fun to deep dive on a new topic, and we hoped to combine the newest data with the classic data to find a safe, rational, and smart approach to the evaluation of high risk headache. What we found was more earth shaking than we could have imagined. Come take a journey to the center of the data, new and old… this changes everything” At the link right-click “Subarachnoid-Hemorrhage.m4a” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu. .Then in Part 2: “Subarachnoid hemorrhage is the bogeyman of headache—but it is real. This month we asked what may be medicine’s most fundamental question: how can we ferret out the bogeyman without creating so much collateral damage that we’ve done more harm than good? We have an answer that is simple, surprising, and scientific.” Right-click “SMART_SAH_LP_mp3.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Suffragism 40 mins – “Melvyn Bragg and guests Krista Cowman, June Purvis and Julia Bush discuss suffragism, a name for the various movements to get the vote for women in the 19th and early-20th century. On the 4th June 1913 the Epsom Derby was underway. King George V was there watching his horse Anmer, ridden by Herbert Jones. Also watching was a young woman called Emily Davison. As the horses thundered towards the finish line, Emily Davison stepped through the barrier and threw herself in front of the King’s horse and died of her injuries four days later. Davison was a suffragette, a campaigner for the woman’s right to vote and her death is perhaps the most powerful image of that entire movement. Emmeline Pankhurst and her Suffragettes are famous for their militant campaign of suicide, violence and direct action, but Suffragism was a broader movement involving letter writing, reasoned argument, journalism and parliamentary petition – all played out across biology, medicine, law, psychology, politics and the military amidst the rising tide of democratic ideas.” At the link find the title, “Suffragism, Apr, 2009,” right-click “Media files p02q5dx7.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Synesthesia 34 mins – “This week we take a deep dive into the world of Synesthesia – a unique quirk of evolution affecting around 4% of the population – whereby one or more of our senses are joined or coupled. Noted author and Professor of Neurology at George Washington University Dr. Richard E. Cytowic MD MFA guides Jesse down the rabbit-hole and beyond the trappings of urban legends and popular misconceptions. Talking about destroying myths, Jesse shatters a very popular one about happiness and longevity, making it easier for you to be Mr. Grumpy this holiday season (if you so choose).” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Syrian Fighters 5 mins – “More than 20,000 foreign fighters have fought in Syria, mostly for jihadist groups like Islamic State (IS), and North Africa has provided a large portion of these foreign fighters. The Small Arms Survey’s Security Assessment in North Africa (SANA) project has investigated the motivations and pathways that take North African fighters to Syria… In this Small Arms Survey podcast, the authors, consultant Laurent Vinatier and Arabic Outreach Coordinator Hasnaa El Jamali, discuss their research and its findings.” AT the link find the title, “There and Back: North African Fighters in Syria. Oct, 2015,” right-click “Media files SAS Podcast 35 There and Back Trajectories of North-African-Foreign-Fighters-in-Syria.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Terrorists and Social Media 32 mins – “Counter Extremism Project CEO Mark Wallace and Middle East Research Institute Vice President Alberto Fernandez discuss the role of social media in radicalizing and recruiting people to become terrorists.” At the link find the title, “Communicators with Mark Wallace and Alberto Fernandez,” right-click “Media files program.423598.MP3-STD.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Utopias 51 mins – “The U.S. has been a country shaped by migration, dating back to the days of the pioneers making their way West. But recently, this country has been seeing a different kind of migration, one motivated not by economic necessity, but lifestyle choices. More and more, people are moving to places where they’re surrounded by others like themselves. In this episode of SOTRU, we tell stories of this new kind of migration, of people moving to different corners of the country find (or build) themselves a haven.” At the link find the title, “The Sorting of America,” right-click “Media files SortingofAmerica_Podcast.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Venezuela Politics 48 mins – “Seventeen years ago, Hugo Chavez kicked off a socialist revolution in Venezuela. It took a dramatically unequal society and turned it upside down. On Sunday, Venezuelan voters may have turned it over again. May have set Chavismo up for a big fall. The ruling Socialist party – champion of the poor – was decisively defeated at the polls. The Venezuela of Chavez and his successor has struggled with an economy in shambles and criminality. A so-called “pink tide” of left wing politics in Latin America may be turning. This hour On Point, Venezuela’s big vote, and what now “ At the link right-click “Download this episode” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Weapons Identification for Journalists 8 mins – “In September 2014, in Istanbul, the Small Arms Survey held a weapons identification workshop for journalists reporting from conflict areas. Meeting the need for precise contextual information on the weapons used in conflict, and their origins, Small Arms Survey researchers introduced journalists to weapons identification techniques and practical considerations. By encouraging closer collaboration between journalists, researchers, and other specialists, the Survey contributes to better a understanding of the dynamics of weapons and conflict. In this episode project coordinator Benjamin King and consultant Damien Spleeters report on how the workshop unfolded, and announce plans for further action in this area.” The Small Arms Survey site also has many downloads about weapons and munitions identification and control. At the link find the title, “Reporting from the Frontline: Weapons identification for journalists,” right-click “Media files SAS-Podcast-28-Weapons-identification-for-journalists.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Wessex Creation 28 mins – “When we left off last time, we were taking a look at the problem facing Europe that no one wanted to talk about. And this wasn’t like plague of people mistaking tights for pants. In that situation, the only solution is to ignore it until it retreats back to the darkest recesses of fashion. The viking raids worked differently, ignoring them only made them stronger… to make matters worse, the European nobility have been hiring bands of vikingrs as mercenaries in their own personal squabbles, bringing the vikingr bands deeper into European territory and leaving the peasantry completely defenseless. However, not every noble house was sitting on their hands, or pouring fuel on the fire. The West Saxons had managed to get their act together just in time… and that incredible luck is why the House of Wessex remains such a big deal in British history, whereas Northumbria and Mercia are now mere footnotes despite their earlier dominance. Because Wessex wasn’t spared the wrath of these northmen… they just fared better, and when you look at what was going on in their government (and contrast it with other kingdoms) you can start to see why they were so successful.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Wine Guru 55 mins – “Gary Vaynerchuk builds businesses. Fresh out of college he took his family wine business and grew it from a $3M to a $60M business in just five years. Now he runs VaynerMedia, one of the world’s hottest digital agencies. Along the way he became a prolific angel investor and venture capitalist, investing in companies like Facebook, Twitter, Tumblr, Uber, and Birchbox before eventually co-founding VaynerRSE, a $25M investment fund.” At the link click “Download Options,” right-click “Audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Work Trends Panel 80 mins – “Andrew McAfee, Megan McArdle, and Lee Ohanian talk with EconTalk host Russ Roberts on the future of work. Recorded before a live audience at the 33rd Santa Barbara Economic Summit, the conversation begins with each participant making a brief set of remarks on the topic. Topics discussed include the traits that might be rewards in a world of smart machines, reforming the educational system to prepare people for the changing economy, reforming immigration, and policies that might help the labor market work more effectively.” At the link find the title, “McAfee, McArdle, and Ohanian on the Future of Work, Jun 2014” right-click “Media files McAfeeMcArdleOhanianwork.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
ZdoggMD 56 mins – “Dr Zubin Damania AKA ZDoggMD is the Founder of Turntable Health, a novel healthcare delivery model in Downtown Las Vegas. Trained as an Internal Medicine physician at Stanford University he also spent time being a stand up comedian which ultimately transformed him into the satirical healthcare star he is today. Over several years he has enlightened and entertained the healthcare community with videos ranging from ‘Manhood in the mirror‘ as a promotion for testicular cancer screening to ‘EHR State of Mind‘ which describes with hysterical precision the frustrations that physicians have with electronic health records. Dr Damania is the comedic parody voice we all wish we could have in collectively voicing our thoughts on healthcare today.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
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Media Mining Digest 