The best 86 podcasts from a larger group of 222 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 9000 similar podcasts grouped by topic can be downloaded here, but you will be 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 three free large volumes at this link and are updated quarterly. Even more diversity is possible using a podcast aggregator loaded with this opml file of 280 sources so even the discarded podcasts can be downloaded.
Abusive Relationships 25 mins – “Canada’s troubling responses to domestic violence are exposed in a new documentary and how the judicial system fails when charging in cases of gender-based violence.” At the link find the title, “The War At Home: documentary looks at Canada’s failure to help women flee partner violence,” right-click “Media files current_20160317_61154.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Active Shooter Drills 37 mins – “Disaster Podcast hosts Jamie Davis, the Podmedic and Sam Bradley sat down after EMS Today 2016 to talk more about the excellent Active Shooter Drill conducted at the conference. Sam and Jamie were joined by Dr. Joe Holley to discuss how the event was perceived by the students and what future students and attendees can do to prepare and learn the most from the conference sessions that Paragon Medical Education Group puts on. The Paragon Active Shooter Drill at the conference included a little bit of classroom time, a cadaver lab, and time going over new tools on the market like hemorrhage control devices and other trauma treatment devices. Then the drill itself was run with both live and cadaver victims to lend realism to the situation….” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As’ from the pop-up menu.
Addiction Cure 44 mins – “The Centers for Disease Control this week issued the first national guidelines on prescribing opioids. Abuse of these powerfully addictive painkillers has become a public health crisis. More than 40 Americans die every day from overdoses related to prescription opioids. And the drugs have fueled a nationwide heroin epidemic. Congress and some states are attempting to address the crisis through legislation. The non-binding CDC guidelines were welcomed by many in the medical community as a step in the right direction. But addiction specialists say more needs to be done. Join our discussion on efforts to stem the abuse of prescription painkillers.” (4 guests) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Addiction in Canada 22 mins – “As the number of methadone patients grows, some say the cure is becoming worse than the disease — do recovering addicts need another treatment option?” At the link find the title, “Methadone treatment overused in Ontario, addiction experts warn,” right-click “Media files current_20160318_30129.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Argentina Finances 16 mins – “Argentina decided that it could take on the world. They had a bunch of debt and said, ‘we’re not paying.’ Then a group of hedge funds took the entire country to court.” AT the link find the title, “#689: A Hedge Fund, A Country, And A Big Sailboat, Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files 20160311_pmoney_podcast031116.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Artificial Intelligence 27 mins – “Like all change, Artificial Intelligence brings with it dangers and opportunities. But does the increasing capacity of computers to approximate human thinking mark a possibly catastrophic change too far? Stephen Hawking is very worried. He has said that Artificial Intelligence could spell the end of the human race. It may sound far off and fanciful, but before we reach that terminal point might AI more immediately herald the end of work, and even social care?” At the link right-click “Download MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Banana Fungus 42 mins – “Fifty years ago, a deadly fungus attacked banana plants around the globe, wiping out the Gros Michel, what was then the most popular export banana. Luckily, growers had a replacement at the ready – the Cavendish, which was resistant to the disease. Though considered by many an inferior fruit, the Cavendish took over as the commercial banana of choice. Now, a new strain of the fungus is infecting banana plants throughout Asia and has made the jump to Africa and the Middle East. Experts say if the fungus reaches Latin America, the banana that fills our supermarket shelves may be no more. A look at the uncertain future of the world’s most popular banana. (3 guests) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Bedlam 47 mins – “Melvyn Bragg and guests discuss the early years of Bedlam, the name commonly used for the London hospital of St Mary of Bethlehem outside Bishopsgate, described in 1450 by the Lord Mayor of London as a place where may “be found many men that be fallen out of their wit. And full honestly they be kept in that place; and some be restored onto their wit and health again. And some be abiding therein for ever.” As Bethlem, or Bedlam, it became a tourist attraction in the 17th Century at its new site in Moorfields and, for its relatively small size, made a significant impression on public attitudes to mental illness. The illustration, above, is from the eighth and final part of Hogarth’s ‘A Rake’s Progress’ (1732-3), where Bedlam is the last stage in the decline and fall of a young spendthrift,Tom Rakewell. With Hilary Marland Professor of History at the University of Warwick Justin Champion Professor of the History of Early Modern Ideas at Royal Holloway, University of London and President of the Historical Association And Jonathan Andrews Reader in the History of Psychiatry at Newcastle University Producer: Simon Tillotson.” At the link find the title, “Bedlam,” right-click “Media files p03n0nz6.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Bioengineering Ethics 46 mins – “Researchers are now capable of creating a human embryo from the DNA of three people. A scientific panel recently concluded it is ethically permissible to pursue further research – aimed at helping women with defective genes produce healthy babies. Others oppose the panel’s findings, saying the risks are too great. They’re concerned new genetic material might inadvertently create diseases that could be passed down for generations. And some view it as an unwelcome step toward creating designer babies. The FDA is reviewing the panel’s report, but is not allowed to approve new research at present. A discussion about the science, ethics and politics of three-person embryos.” (4guests) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Blind Service Ends 20 mins – “Peter White speaks to the RNIB [Royal Institute of blind People] about the closure of its talking newspaper and magazine service in Heathfield, East Sussex. We explore the world of accessible computer gaming with listener Daisy and her family.” At the link right-click “Download MLP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Broadband Infrastructure in Louisville 26 mins – “When we asked Ted Smith, Chief Innovation Officer of Louisville, Kentucky, to join us for episode 193 of the Community Broadband Bits Bits podcast, we expected to talk about the one touch make ready policy they had enacted (and AT&T has since sued to stop). We did, but we ended with a focus on how networking is already improving the city.We start off by focusing on the problem of adding new fiber networks to existing poles (many of which are owned by telephone company incumbents that are not particularly inclined to make life easy for new competitors). One touch make ready simplifies the process, resulting in many benefits for communities in addition to lowering the cost to build new networks. We explore that topic to start. But at the end of the discussion, Ted and I discuss what Susan Crawford has termed a responsive city approach – Louisville is using all kinds of network attached devices to improve city services in some of the lowest income neighborhoods.” At the link right-click “…download this Mp3 file….”and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Campaign Money 52 mins – “Money in U.S. politics was once a straightforward thing, but we’re now in the era of dark money. The dollars changing hands run well into the billions, and corporations and hedge fund moguls spend freely behind a veil of secrecy. Enter Mad Men: This heap of money is fueling a barrage of political ads. Messages, which have cost more than $300 million so far, are being designed specifically for you – popping up in your Facebook feed or streaming into your living room during commercial breaks. In this hour of Reveal, we collaborate with The Center for Public Integrity’s campaign finance reporting team and WAMU in Washington to look at who’s spending, how much, where the money’s flowing and what it’s paying for.” At the link find the title, “When Mad Men meet dark money, Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files, When Mad Men meet dark money, podcast_master_v2.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cancer in the Family 20 mins – “Oncologist Theodora Ross discusses the hereditary nature of cancer and her own predisposition to breast and ovarian cancer, which led her to have a double mastectomy and to have her ovaries removed.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Career Changes 47 mins – “Maybe it’s just me, but right now I have people I care about in their 20s, 30s, 40s, 50s, 60s and 70s, all thinking about reinventing their lives, their work, their careers. For some, it’s a new economy forcing change. For some, it’s dreams on hold. For some, it’s just an itch that “there must be something better.” How do people make those transitions? Successfully? That’s our subject. This hour On Point, reconfiguring, reinventing, your life, your career.”At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up panel.
Cherry Domestication 42 mins -”Cherries are a perennial favorite fruit. However, they are a tree, so their genetic improvement is slow. Episode 27 features Dr. Amy Iezzoni, as she discusses cherry genetic origins and efforts to improve cherry through traditional breeding. In part two, your questions are answered, namely questions about reports of glyphosate in urine, breastmilk and Germans.” At the link right-click “Download” and select” save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Citizenship Changes 47 mins – “Slate Money with Stacey Vanek-Smith on buying citizenship, women on investor boards, and why we work so much.” At the link right-click “The Professional Identity Edition, Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files SM3746731020.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Coal Jobs 57 mins – “Ohio’s coal workers are hanging up their hard hats and learning new trades as layoffs pile up in Appalachia’s coal mines. International Business Times Energy and Environment Reporter, Maria Gallucci, examines the human side of our nation’s shift away from coal. She joins us on Go Green Radio today to discuss how coal miners and their families are coping with job loss, and what the future holds for fossil fuel industry workers. You can read her article here.” At the link right-click “Download MP3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Community Living 25 mins – “Millennials are attracting attention for their creative living arrangements, which have been popping up in big cities across North America. Are these community homes millennial communes?’ At the link find the title, “Are millennials hacking housing with community homes? Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160314_89830.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Corruption in Brazil 28 mins – “Over a million Brazilians have taken to the streets this week to protest President Dilma Rousseff for what they say is the biggest corruption scandal in the country, which has cost the population jobs.” aT the link find the title, “Brazilians protest against ‘corrupt’ government, Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160318_51870.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Creativity 40 mins – “Dr. David Burkus is a highly regarded and increasingly influential business school professor who challenges many of the established principles of business management. Drawing on decades of research, Burkus has found that not only are many of our fundamental management practices wrong and misguided, but they can be downright counterproductive. These days, the best companies are breaking the old rules. At some companies, e-mail is now restricted to certain hours, so that employees can work without distraction. Netflix no longer has a standard vacation policy of two to three weeks, but instructs employees to take time off when they feel they need it. In this episode. Dr. Burkus explains why companies are leaving behind decades-old management practices and implementing new ways to enhance productivity and morale. His new book is Under New Management: How Leading Organizations Are Upending Business as Usual.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cyber Security 58 mins – “Podnutz – The Computer Repair Podcast #174 – Morgan Wright/CyberSecurity Expert A Show for Your Computer Repair Business Jeff Halash from TechNutPC.com Interviews Experts in the Computer Repair Field. Morgan Wright is an internationally recognized authority on cyberterrorism, cybersecurity, identity theft and US law enforcement.” At the link right-click ““Direct MP3 download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Debating 58 mins – “Unclasp your briefcase. It’s time for a showdown. In competitive debate future presidents, supreme court justices, and titans of industry pummel each other with logic and rhetoric. But a couple years ago Ryan Wash, a queer, Black, first-generation college student from Kansas City, Missouri joined the debate team at Emporia State University. When he started going up against fast-talking, well-funded, “name-brand” teams, it was clear he wasn’t in Kansas anymore. So Ryan became the vanguard of a movement that made everything about debate debatable. In the end, he made himself a home in a strange and hostile land. Whether he was able to change what counts as rigorous academic argument … well, that’s still up for debate.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Dental Implants 89 mins – “Loss of teeth has many associated problems. Arun Sharma, BDS, explores the implications of lost teeth and different implant strategies that might help. Recorded on 10/29/2015. (#30145)” (Impressive visual aids in the video version.) At the link right-click “Download MP4” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Desalination in Calif 27 mins – “Transforming ocean water into potable drinking water seems so remarkably cool on so many levels. But alas, desalination remains both expensive and energy intensive. Up to this point, it has only been tried in relatively wealthy, arid nations like Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Australia. But with the serious threat that the ongoing drought poses to the nation’s breadbasket, it’s possible that desalination technology could soon be arriving on the golden shores of California. This week on Sea Change Radio, host Alex Wise speaks with energy reporter from The Desert Sun, Sammy Roth. He recently researched a piece about efforts to make desalination more commonplace in California.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Dreams of India 21 mins – “ZBS is a not-for-profit arts organization. We have been in existence since 1970. For 35 years we’ve been producing radio/audio stories. These are comic and cosmic adventures, science fiction, mystical mysteries – some with spiritual wisdoms woven within. Our intention has always been to raise consciousness by using the media, radio and audio. Of course, some of these stories are just down right fun, fine family entertainment. Laughter is a great healer, as you know. We’re all living in the Cosmic Joke, and one day we may actually “get” the punch line. But in the meantime, remember, kindness to others, people, plants, animals, even the earth and the clouds, we can all do. It makes us feel better, it probably even makes the clouds feel better. We hope you enjoy our stories. Please consider making a tax deductable donation to ZBS Foundation.” At the link right-click “Episode 29” and select “Save Link As from the pop-up menu.
Ecoshock Trends 60 mins – “Hey kids, let’s go out to the garage and make some new life forms! Get ready, because it’s already happening. We’ll talk with Pat Mooney, founder of the ETCgroup about crazy new technology on the loose. Then well-known journalist Steven Kotler takes us on a tour of ecopsychology in ten easy steps. Is it a diversion for comfortable coffee shops or “the answer”. Radio Ecoshock 160316” At the link right-click either “Lo-Fi” or the down-pointing arrow at the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Elephants and Whales 4 mins – “…Whales and elephants have the largest brains of any creature. (By the way, large brains don’t necessarily go with large body sizes. Dinosaurs had much smaller brains than whales or elephants. So too does the huge rhinoceros.) A recent article in the American Scientist magazine tells us that whale and elephant behavior is not only complex, it’s also alike in both species. ….” At the link right-click “Click here for audio….” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Endurance Science 53 mins – “Professor Tim Noakes is one of the most widely respected authorities on exercise and fitness, and he’s built his career by challenging conventional beliefs, including his own. The idea of carb-loading before endurance races: he came up with that. These days he promotes a high-fat low-carb diet, even for athletes. And he’s not a big fan of sports drinks. Noakes joins us Thursday to talk about eating better, drinking less, and running against the grain to achieve better athletic performance. Timothy Noakes is the retired Discovery Health professor of exercise and sport science at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, where he is currently professor emeritus. He is also the founder of the Noakes Foundation and the author of several books, including The Lore of Running, Waterlogged, and his latest, Real Meal Revolution”. At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Engineer Work Cycles 93 mins – “…Our guest for this episode is Mike O’Connor, a retired civil engineer who spent over four decades in the fields of construction and project management, working in both the private and public sectors… A bet between a foreman and his crew led to Mike’s introduction to the construction business. Of all things, learning about concrete specifications ignited a desire within Mike to become an engineer… As Mike was graduating with his engineering degree in 1975, computer automation was emerging with the Georgia Tech Structural Design Language (STRUDL)… Mike notes that each engineer has a “shelf life,” and one has to be aware of the decreasing interest companies will have in older individuals. Everyone makes career missteps; our guest estimates it takes 3 to 5 years to recover from each such course correction… In the early 1990s, Mike shifted his career trajectory once again, overseeing contracts for the Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) commuter transportation system. Paraprofessionals are already integrated into other professional fields, such as medicine and law; our guest believes they will soon start being introduced into the engineering industry… Having an interest in engineering preservation, our guest has started the Fredrick and Pennsylvania Line Railroad Museum. Mike can be reached via email: Mike -=+at+== fplmuseum dot org….” At the link find the title, “Episode 104 — Downturn,” right-click “Media files TheEngineeringCommons-0104-Downturn.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Ethics 46 mins – “If you are reading this post, chances are good that you have tried a cognition enhancing substance, or at least considered it. (Heck, for the sake of inclusiveness, this could even include caffeine.) I wonder, before you popped that little brain booster — did you consider the ethics of your action? Did it matter that your performance-enhanced brain was operating at a higher level than that of your non-enhanced peers? As the popularity of smart drugs and cognitive enhancement technologies becomes more widespread, questions of fairness rise to the surface. We remember that along with the scientific question of can we is the ethical sibling question should we? This week, Jesse and Professor-Philosopher Rebecca Roache — who lectures at Royal Holloway, University of London — explore the ethics of cognitive enhancement, beginning with questions of access to these new technologies.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Fasting Value 42 mins – “We’ve all heard the striking statistic that your humble brain, weighing in at just 2-3% of your total body weight, consumes almost a quarter of your energy expenditures. For an organ that’s such an energy hog, it’s surprising to learn that cutting off your incoming energy supply — in the form of food — can offer significant benefits. But the brain is full of surprises and counterintuitive or not, the cognitive benefits of Intermittent Fasting seem to be real. (Animal studies certainly lend evidence in this direction.) In Episode #120, I speak with Dr. Mark Mattson, a neurologist at Johns Hopkins University and the National Institute of Health (NIH) about his decades of work in the fields of nutrition and brain health, and the complex interplay between diet, exercise, “feeding windows” (we’re not talking McDonald’s drive-thru), and macronutrient ratios.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Financial Fitness 26 mins – “Paul reads from Financial Fitness Forever, “Will You Try to Beat the Market?”, which focuses on how trying to beat the market has had a terrible impact on investors’ returns. This Chapter 4 includes important studies, from DALBAR and Morningstar, suggesting that more than half of all investor returns are lost to bad personal behavior, like being influenced by natural feelings of fear and hope (some call greed). Much of Financial Fitness Forever is dedicated to Paul’s attempt to protect investors from their own unproductive behavior. The evidence in this chapter should help investors see how serious this problem can be. We hope you will share this podcast with friends and family who might have experienced this challenging behavior.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
First Nation Suicides 28 mins – “A mental health crisis is taking place in indigenous communities as the number of suicides grow alongside calls for support from the government to address the issue.” At the link find the title, “Indigenous communities call for a national strategy as suicides rise. Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160316_61848.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Fluorescein 5 mins – “…Similar in its properties to naturally-occurring fluorescent molecules made by certain species of bacteria, fluorescein was first artificially synthesised by Nobel prize-winning German chemist and dye wizard Adolf von Baeyer in 1871. Since then, it’s been widely used in all kinds of applications ranging from lab research to healthcare, oilfields to air-sea rescue. In fact, if you’re a contact lens wearer, you’ve probably had fluorescein – or at least its salt, fluorescein sodium – put in your eyes when you go for your checkup at the optician, usually by gently touching a piece of blotting paper steeped in the stuff against your eye. What they’re looking for are tiny scratches on the surface of the eyeball. And because fluorescein pools in these marks, they show up as green traces when seen under blue light (UV isn’t used here, because it’s too damaging to your vision)…It’s fluorescein’s ability to dissolve easily in water that also makes it suitable for applications on a much larger scale. Because there’s a certain amount of UV in the sun’s rays, it will glow green in regular sunlight, as well as under the beams of a UV lamp. So it’s used to trace the flow of water in drains and other water courses, as well as highlighting leaks of nasty stuff like sewage. In world war two, Nazi planes were equipped with fluorescein ‘flares’ – small packages of the chemical that would be released if the plane crashed into water – revealing the location of the wreckage. In the 1960s, spacecraft splashing down in the ocean released fluorescein tracers, enabling rescuers to spot the craft – and its astronaut occupants – bobbing on the waves.” At the link right-click beside “Download:…” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Food Production Issues 53 mins – “Want to get people fired up and yelling for no reason – mention raw milk…which we did here and this episode dissects the fun that follows. But before we got to that conversation we talked about spring planting plans and the beehives!” At the link right-click beside “Direct download:…” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Food Shoots 26 mins – “Gluten-free? Olive or coconut oil for cooking? Mediterranean or paleo? If nutrition is a science, why does the research vary so wildly, and why all the zany correlations between who we are and what we eat? On today’s show, faith, party affiliation and other fictions from food science. Plus, truth in advertising? Think again. From TV ads, to menus and billboards, we all know food photography looks too good to be edible- today we’ll hear the truth behind those perfectly crisped turkeys, immaculately sculpted ice cream cones, and more.” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Free Trade 73 mins – “David Autor of MIT talks with EconTalk host Russ Roberts about the fundamentals of trade and his research on the impact on workers and communities from trade with China. Autor’s research finds large and persistent effects on manufacturing jobs and communities where those jobs once were. Autor and Roberts discuss whether these results capture the full impact of increased trade with China and what the policy response might be that could help workers hurt by trade.” At the link find the title, “David Autor on Trade, China, and U.S. Labor Markets, Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files Autortrade.mp3”and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Genomics 33 mins- “There are over 2 metres of DNA inside every one of our cells, encoding roughly 20,000 genes. They’re the “recipes” instructing cells how to make the building blocks of life, along with control switches to turn them on and off at the right time. It’s a major challenge to explore how it all works, and one person tackling it head on is Kat Arney in her new book, Herding Hemingway’s Cats. Kat joins Nicola Davis in the studio. Speaking from Edinburgh is Chris Ponting from the Medical Research Council. And from Cambridge is Ewan Birney, joint Director of the European Bioinformatics Institute, and previously part of the Encode consortium, the research project aiming to identify all the functional elements in the human genome.” At the link right-click “DownloadMP3” and select”Save Link As”from the pop-up menu.
Growth Rate Changes 33 mins – “As sexy as the digital revolution may be, it can’t compare to the Second Industrial Revolution (electricity! the gas engine! antibiotics!), which created the biggest standard-of-living boost in U.S. history. The only problem, argues the economist Robert Gordon, is that the Second Industrial Revolution was a one-time event. So what happens next?” At the link click the dots beside “Listen,” right-click “Download this audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Hip and Knee Pain 8 mins – “Sven Trelle discusses a meta-analysis which aims to shed light on the best non-steroidal anti-inflammatory treatments for common knee and hip pain….Among maximally approved daily doses, diclofenac 150 mg/day (ES −0·57, 95% credibility interval [CrI] −0·69 to −0·46) and etoricoxib 60 mg/day (ES −0·58, −0·73 to −0·43) had the highest probability to be the best intervention, both with 100% probability to reach the minimum clinically important difference. ” At the link find the title, “NSAIDs for osteoarthritic knee and hip pain: The Lancet: March 17, 2016,” right-click “Media files 17march.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Homeless in Canada 24 mins – “Montreal’s homeless have been ticketed by the local police for years, but this punitive act is more common than you may think across the country.” At the link find the title, “Homeless in Montreal charged thousands of dollars in tickets. Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160315_51058.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Immunity Research 76 mins – “In this episode, how parasitic worms alter in immunomodulatory effects of the gut microbiome. Also, Kate expresses her distaste for large datasets and animal experiments, and Matt proposes a weight loss company that will only market to identical twins.” At the link right-click “Download” at the right side of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Infectious Diseases 8 mins – “In the modern world, the spread of diseases like MERS, SARS, avian flu, Ebola, and Zika virus seems almost unavoidable. But to stop outbreaks spiralling out of control into global disasters, researchers, doctors and public health professionals need to know what’s happening and where in real time. That’s where ProMED comes in. PROMED is an online early warning system for emerging diseases that can be used by anyone in the world. People in the field report on disease outbreaks that are happening close to them, so that information about new threats can be rapidly disseminated online, and people at all levels can start to take the steps that could ultimately save lives.” At the link right-click “Download Episode” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Investment Strategies 47 mins – “Paul explores the question, “How much can you take out of your investments in retirement?” He focuses on people who want to invest with an amount of money that will last a lifetime but is just “enough.” This scenario is often considered by people who are eager to retire, even if it means living on less. There are five tables that should be downloaded to view while listening to the podcast. These are the Fine Tuning Your Asset Allocation Tables and Table 1 (3% distribution), Table 2 (4% distribution), Table 3 (5% distribution) and Table 4 (6% distribution).” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Investment Withdrawal Types 39 mins – “Paul compares the fixed distribution strategy he discussed in the last podcast with the flexible distribution strategy. Generally, the flexible strategy is for investors who have saved more than they need to meet the minimum financial needs in retirement. The key points to consider are: How much have you have saved for retirement? What combination of equities and fixed income investments do you hold? How much will you take out of your investments in retirement? How you take more when you need it can make millions of dollars in difference between how much you have to spend and how much you have to leave to others.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Ivory Trade Shame 40 mins – “Wildlife crime is the fourth largest transnational organised crime in the world. It comes in after trade in weapons, drugs and human trafficking. The trade is worth about $20 billion annually. It comes from the slaughter of 50,000 African elephants each year. Just 450,000 elephants remain in Africa….The major market for ivory is Japan where despite a worldwide there is wholesale open trade. The country has over 300 ivory manufacturers, nearly 900 wholesalers and over 8,000 retailers of ivory products. Certificates for legally acquired ivory are openly traded and swapped, making any authenticity worthless. Japan’s failure to control its ivory trade is thought to be at the heart of the problems facing elephants in Africa.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Ketchup War 25 mins – “This week Canada got a glimpse into the marketing behind the products with prime spots on supermarket shelves after the pulling and restocking of French’s ketchup in Loblaws stores.” At the link find the title, “French’s, Loblaws ketchup war reveals complex battle for shelf space, Mar, 2016” right-click “Media files current_20160318_93386.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Latino Activist 44 mins – “After years of reading the headlines on the nightly news, Jorge Ramos became a headline last summer when he challenged Donald Trump over his plan to deport illegal migrants — and got thrown out of a press conference. It was the first time many Americans heard of Ramos, but Latino audiences have known him for decades. Ramos anchors Univision’s nightly news with a viewership that rivals – and often beats — the English-language competition. Probably the most influential Latino journalist in the United States, he’s an outspoken critic of U.S. immigration policy and works on a project to get out the Latino vote. In a new book, he says reporters aren’t doing their duty if they don’t take a stand.” At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Lebanon Novel Excerpts 52 mins – “This week we have a reading and conversation with Elias Khoury, Global Distinguished Professor of Middle Eastern and Arabic Studies at New York University. Moderating is Jocelyne Cesari, Professor of Religion and Politics at the University of Birmingham, UK, and, Senior Research Fellow at Georgetown University’s Berkley Center on Religion, Peace and World Affairs. Our talk is presented by the Boston University Center for the Study of Europe, and is co-sponsored by the Institute for Iraqi Studies, the Institute for the Study of Muslim Societies and Civilizations, the Middle East and North African Studies Program, and the literary journal AGNI.” At the link right-click “Download this episode” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Mercenary History 28 mins – “When we left off last week we spoke about King AEthelberht’s ascension to the throne of Wessex in 860 and how, despite the insistence of the Chroniclers that his rule was marked by peace and tranquility, on that same year we had records of a Viking raid that struck the heart of the Kingdom of Wessex, Winchester…The Vikings managed to successfully loot the wealthy town, and they may have pushed into Berkshire Downs… but their success also slowed them down. That loot was heavy – and what’s the point of victory if you don’t do a bit of celebrating? This delay gave Ealdorman Osric time to raise the warriors of Hampshire to his banner, and Ealdorman AEthelwulf of Berkshire (who was Mercian), time to raise his warbands. Ealdorman Osric was no stranger to defeating Viking bands. He had long experience fighting with the Northmen, having defeated a Danish army in Dorset over a decade earlier. And before the Vikings could reach their ships and escape, the combined forces of Berkshire and Hampshire swooped down on them. It was likely a great victory for the Anglo Saxons, a feather for the caps of these two Ealdormen, and a glorious moment for Wessex. I imagine for the warbands it would have felt pretty awesome. But feeling awesome is different from feeling peaceful and tranquil, which is what the Chronicle is trying – really hard – to convince us was the state of the South. So why the contradiction?” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Micro-Plastics 29 mins – “Although microbeads from rinse off cosmetics have received a lot of attention lately, the tiny plastics most often being found in our seafood is a different kind of synthetic. We look into marine life in the US and Australia, to find out what plastics escape our household drains and what kind of damage they can do.” At the link right-click, “MP4” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Mid Life Issues 53 mins – “After a visit to the ER coincided with the death of her father, journalist Barbara Bradley Hagerty had a sudden realization. She was at the bottom of life’s U curve, sagging between a dying generation and a younger one raring to go. In other words, she’d reached midlife. It’s a time supposedly defined by crisis. But as Hagerty learned during a two-year exploration, midlife is really a time of renewal, a time to shift gears. She joins us Tuesday to discuss the science, art, and opportunity of midlife. Barbara Bradley Hagerty spent nearly 20 years as a correspondent for NPR, covering law and religion. Her new book is called Life Reimagined: The Science, Art, and Opportunity of Midlife…. ” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Mosquitoes Background 54 mins – “We talk to Anthony James, distinguished professor of molecular biology and biochemistry at UC Irvine about the most deadly animal to human beings: the mosquito.” At the link find the title, “125 Anthony James – How Deadly Are Mosquitoes?,” right-click “Media files 5dde6676-fca1-4225-b07e-7ef13d4ef33b.mp3” and select “Save link As” from the pop-up menu.
Music Prodigies 27 mins – “Follow Ethan, a 10-year-old blind musician as he learns echolocation from Daniel Kish, a method used for navigating around objects using sound.” At the link find the title, “Batman and Ethan,” right-click “Media files p03mp86r.mp3” and select”Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Neighborhood Names 19 mins – “In San Francisco, the area South of Market Street is called SoMa. The part of town North of the Panhandle is known as NoPa. Around the intersection of North Oakland, Berkeley and Emeryville, real estate brokers are pitching properties as part of NOBE. An area of downtown Oakland is being branded as KoNo, short for Koreatown Northgate. But no one actually calls it that, or at least, not yet. There is not really a name for this naming convention. They are not quite acronyms, not quite portmanteaus, and not just abbreviations. We at 99% Invisible have been calling them acronames.” At the link right right-click “Download” and select “Save link As” from the pop-up menu.
Oil Price Impact 45 mins – “Oil prices have plunged more than 70% over the past two years. U.S. stockpiles of crude are at record levels and a slowing global economy is keeping demand for oil low. A proposal by a few members of OPEC to freeze production has gone nowhere and many economists say it wouldn’t significantly alter the oil glut. Several states dependent on oil revenue are facing strained budgets and job losses as the price crash continues. And a number of U.S. companies are at high risk of defaulting on loans, raising the specter of another financial crisis. Guest host Indira Lakshmanan and a panel of experts discuss the oil price crash and what it could mean for the global economy, geopolitics and efforts to limit carbon emissions.” (3 guests) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Pet Ethics 28 mins – “Today we travel to a future without pets. What would it take for us to give up our fuzzy, slithery, fishy friends? Should our pets get more rights? And if we didn’t have dogs or cats, would we domesticate something else to take their place?” At the link find the title, “Unpawful,, Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files media.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Physics Speculations 48 mins – “Some physicists claim that we may have reached the end of what physics can discover about the origins and structure of the universe. Neil Turok believes that the universe “invites” us to figure it out, by giving us clues about its composition.Some physici At the link find the title, “The Ultimate Simplicity of Everything, Mar, 2016,” right-click Media files ideas_20160314_46045.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Placebo Effect 25 mins – “Mind+Body Science (start time: 4:52): If you’ve ever struggled to decide whether to see a Western conventional doctor or an “alternative” medical practitioner for ailments ranging from a compromised immune system to irritable bowel syndrome, you are aware of a deep divide between the two camps. Dr. Jo Marchant, a British geneticist and science writer, has delved into the science and politics of mind-body connections in her new book. It’s called Cure: A Journey into the Science of Mind Over Body. She discusses this journey with host Susan Moran.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Poker Pros 18 mins – “We talk to a professional poker player who lost on the first day of poker’s most famous tournament–but went on to get a huge payout. Turns out there’s a game behind the game.” At the link find the title, “#690: All In, Mar, 2016” right-click “Media files 20160318 pmoney podcast031816.mp3 “and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Police Cameras 46 mins – “Police body cameras have been around for a number of years but it was after the shooting of Michael Brown in Ferguson, Missouri, in the summer of 2014 when interest in them really took off. President Obama promoted body cameras as a way to increase police transparency and accountability. Groups as disparate as police chiefs and civil libertarians see their value and many are advocating for wider adoption. But even those who support more police body cameras say implementing them in a way that gets it right is tricky — particularly when it comes to protecting people’s privacy. Guest host Tom Gjelten and his guests discuss the growing use of police body cameras.(4 guests) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Political Cartoons 56 mins – “Way back to the times when corrupt party bosses like William Tweed of New York’s Tammany Hall, American politicians have known to beware of cartoonists lampooning their greed and missteps. And while nowadays, constituents are more literate and able to read probing newspaper articles than they were in the nineteenth century, the power of editorial cartoons remains: as proved by routine imprisonment of cartoonists in some places of the world, as well as the grim killings at the French satirical weekly magazine Charlie Hebdo in Paris last January. And since then, there’s been greater global attention and awareness to the role political cartoons still play and the controversy they spark. And this week in the Granite State, New Hampshire Humanities is taking up the topic this week at an event called “Can’t Take a Joke?” that explores editorial cartoons, and the subjects of artistic freedom, first amendment rights, and censorship.” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Politics and Class-ism 50 mins – “For the first months of the Trump campaign, the media wondered incredulously, “What kind of person thinks he can act like that and get elected?” Now that Trump is the presumptive Republican nominee, a new question has arisen: “What kind of people could support a person who acts like that?” We take a look at how the media have attempted to understand (and suppress) the mythical Trump supporter — and how some of the more damning conclusions reflect a deep-seated discomfort with class in America. Plus, how a “broken” campaign finance system perpetually enriches the consultant class and how Trump 2016 is being received around the world.” (An interesting phrase, “Educational Industrial Complex”, is used!) At the link click the dots beside “Listen” right click “Download this audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Politics in Movies 20 mins – “Do you ever get the feeling that you’ve seen the dizzying rise of Donald Trump before? You’re not alone — Hollywood’s history of populist politicians on screen and what we can learn from the celluloid of the last century.” At the link find the title, “The rise of the great American dictator, coming to a theatre near you. Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160314_17146.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Poverty Evictions 44 mins – “Being evicted used to be rare decades ago. But today, millions of Americans are forced out of their homes each year for not paying the rent. This, according to Matthew Desmond, a sociology professor with the Justice and Poverty Project at Harvard. Desmond lived in a trailer park and a rooming house in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, to document what happens to people after they are evicted. He witnessed families forever changed as they were forced into shelters, lost jobs and taken out of school. Guest host Tom Gjelten talks with Desmond about how the lives of eight families were transformed by eviction and what they tell us about the relationship between poverty and housing in America.” (4 guests) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Primary Care Losses 11 mins – “Gareth Iacobucci talks to Candace Imison, director of policy at The Nuffield Trust, about the problems facing GPs, and how primary care could be changed.” At the link find the title, “’We’re pulling the rug out from under the feet of [Gps]’,” right-click “Media files 251790908-bmjgroup-were-pulling-the-rug-out-from-under-the-feet-of-gps.mp3”and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Rare Metals 23 mins – “New technologies like smart phones and wind turbines are increasing the diversity of elements that humanitiy is ustilising. Amongst them are the rare metals, which may not acutually be rare, but they often occur in such small amounts that the mining of them is often unprofitable. Some of them occur in only a very small number of mines. All this results in the use of them posing novel economic and environmental problems. These problems are the subject of Abraham’s book.” At the link right-click “Download:…” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Refugee Summit in Europe 46 mins – “Thirteen thousand refugees are currently trapped at the closed border between Greece and Macedonia. Yesterday, European leaders met with the prime minister of Turkey in a mini summit aimed at addressing the migrant crisis. The EU wants Turkey to help reduce the flow of migrants into Europe. Turkey wants more money in exchange for cooperating, plus visa-free travel for its citizens. While German Chancellor Angela Merkel is pressing for an agreement that would preserve her open-door refugee policy, Austria has closed its border and Britain says it might leave the EU altogether. Guest host Tom Gjelten and guests discuss the ongoing migrant crisis and what it means for the future of Europe.” (4 guests) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Refugees Locally 27 mins – “Maria Margaronis examines Hungary’s hardline response to migration in Europe and asks if it’s a symptom on the country’s troubled history and politics.” At the link find the title, “Hungary at the Cutting Edge, Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files p03msxn6.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Retirement Savings 46 mins – “On average, Americans are living longer than ever before, and yes, this is good news, but the bad news is that we have to figure out how to make sure our money doesn’t come to an end before we do. Long time personal finance expert Jane Bryant Quinn says although there is a lot of bad advice out there, there is also a growing body of research on the best ways to fill the gap between your expenses income during your later years, and she says, the plans can be quite simple. Jane Bryant Quinn joins us to explain the strategies that work and those that don’t and easy ways for people of all ages to make their money last for life.” At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Russian Life 48 mins – “Veteran NPR correspondent Anne Garrels takes us deep inside Russia, where citizens struggle with a shaky economy and widespread corruption, but seem supportive of their controversial president. Her book is ‘Putin Country.’ Also, jazz critic Kevin Whitehead reviews ‘Hidden Voices’ from Aruán Ortiz.” At the link find the title, “March 16, 2016 A Glimpse Inside ‘The Real Russia’,” right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Senate Value 41 mins – “From members of Congress more concerned about reelection than debating the real problems to a president espousing post-constitutional ideas, Americans need a renewed understanding of the Constitution. Senator Sasse discusses the issues plaguing Congress and how the current president ignores the Constitution when it suits him. However serious the challenges that America is facing, Senator Sasse believes it is not too late to restore the Constitution and thus Congress.” AT the link find the title, “Restoring the Constitution,” right-click “Media files 20160222.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Sex Assault Laws 44 mins – “Many victims of sexual assault do not immediately report the crime. In the allegations against Bill Cosby, his accusers came forward years later. And in the child sex abuse scandal within the Catholic Church, many victims did not come forward until decades after the fact. For most of these cases, the time to prosecute has run out. Now, a growing number of states are extending the time limits to allow cases to be heard in court. But criminal defense attorneys warn this will lead to innocent people being put behind bars. Diane Rehm talks with a panel of guests about the debate over extending the statutes of limitations for sexual crimes.” (4 guests) At the link you can listen, but not download; however, a copy is included in the blog archive.
Sex Education 60 mins – “This week we’re talking about sex education: why we started teaching it in schools in the first place, how it’s changed over the years, and what it might – or should – look like in the future. We’ll speak with Jonathan Zimmerman, professor of education and history at New York University, about his new book “Too Hot to Handle: A Global History of Sex Education”. And we’ll speak with sex advice columnist, activist, and author Dan Savage about what sex education in schools should include and how advice columns, websites, youtube channels, podcasts, and other online sex education resources try…” At the link find the title, “#361 Too Hot To Handle, Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files Science for the People 361, Too Hot To Handle CLEAN.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Siege of Leningrad 3 29 mins – “The people of Leningrad take an affront to Nazi Germany invading their country. The men volunteer in droves for military service, the women are sent off to dig trenches. Though many of the men will die that summer of 1941, the Soviet Red Banner Baltic Fleet will undergo its own “Dunkirk” as a fleet of 228 vessels flee from Tallinn, Estonia, facing shore batteries, Finnish torpedo boats and miles of mines.” At the link right-click beside “Direct Download:…” and select”Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Social Media Application 45 mins – “ In her inaugural lecture, Professor Julie Barnett from the University’s Department of Psychology examines what can we learn from social media content and the way social media is used by individuals and organizations.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Solar Panels 47 mins – “Gliding out of what we now know was the warmest winter in the recorded meteorological history of the United States, a lot of people are wondering what next for energy policy. How we get off the global warming train. At a time of record low oil and gas prices, there’s no way alternative energy can compete with fossil fuels, right? Well, wrong. The way things are put together right now, solar is booming. On rooftops and by roadways and all over the place. This hou On Point, the warm winter, the solar boom.” (3 guests) At the link right-click “Download this story” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up panel.
Sprint Process 78 mins – “Hosted by Leo Laporte: Leo talks with Jake Knapp, the author of Sprint Designer Jake Knapp created the five-day sprint process at Google, a unique formula for solving tough problems, proven at more than a hundred companies.” At the link click “Download Options,” then right-click “Audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Syrian Life 28 mins – “Peace negotiations in Syria are at a critical do-or-die point as those living through the conflict are in dire need of humanitarian aid and security for the future.” At the link find the title, “Peace deal urgently needed as Syria’s humanitarian crisis persists. Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160315_55937.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Terrorism Handbook 52 mins – “Amid the emotion, fear, and confusion following an attack, a Breaking News Consumer’s Handbook for the coverage of terrorism. Plus, the semantics surrounding acts of war and terror, and a look back at lessons learned, and forgotten, in the years since 9/11.” At the link click the dots beside “Listen,” then right-click “Download this audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Trains 49 mins – “Trains and roads look like they have lots in common but the trade-offs in signalling and network design are completely different, and horrendously inconsistent.” At the link right-click “Download it” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Trump 27 mins – “Before he announced he would run to become the Republican Party presidential candidate Donald Trump was already known around the world. He had amassed a fortune through his real estate company and his career in reality TV which had made him famous. But what about his politics? The BBC’s former North America Editor Justin Webb has been to New York to explore Donald Trump’s political roots. How does an Ivy League educated billionaire manage to appeal to people from across the political spectrum? Justin hears from Mr Trump’s friends and former colleagues including the woman who built Trump Tower. “ At the link find the title, “Donald Trump: The People’s Billionaire,” right-click “Media files p03mbnw3.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Turkish Politics 20 mins – “Turkey enters another dark chapter in its history as attacks escalate and the government cracks down, which raises questions about how Canada should manage its ties to the NATO ally.” At the link find the title, “Will Turkey’s growing troubles affect Canadian relations with the NATO ally? Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160315_32765.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
UN Peace Keeper Sex Crimes 21 mins – “The counsel for the Independent Panel on Sexual Exploitation and Abuse by International Peacekeeping believes the new United Nations report on sexual assault by peacekeepers is inadequate as it does not address the culture that contributed to the scandal.” At the link find the title, “UN report on stopping peacekeeper sex crimes fails, say critics. Mar, 2016,” right-click “Media files current_20160314_96056.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
VA Crisis Recovery 4 mins – “Overhauling the health care system for Americans who answered the call of duty by serving in the military is a national priority. In the spring of 2014, the Veterans Health Administration (VA) faced a crisis with regard to veterans’ access to care. Systemic problems in scheduling processes had been exacerbated by leadership failures and ethical lapses. Demand for services was outstripping capacity. The result was that veterans did not have timely access to the health care they had earned….” At the link right-click “Download” below the author’s photo and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
YouTube Fame 29 mins – “Today, what’s the point of being internet famous if you can’t pay the bills? We’ll talk to a YouTube star about the sad economics of internet celebrity. Plus, “Cash for Your Warhol”, the story of a fake business that became surprisingly real.” At the link right-click the play button beside “Listen” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Zika Virus Study 28 mins – “’Juliet’, a woman living in London, was diagnosed with a mysterious illness in November 2015, Ian Cropley, a consultant in infectious disease from The Royal Free London NHS Foundation Trust, was there to investigate. In this podcast, we find out how Zika, once a little known virus causing a rash and fever, has subsequently become a global health emergency. How the infection is linked to microcephaly, and what we still need to understand to control the disease.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
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Media Mining Digest 