Exercise your ears: the 99 podcasts shown below present the best ideas, information and stories from a larger group of 600 for the week, to hear while your hands and eyes are busy. Get all the files as a group for the next four months here, or double (ctrl-click) individual titles to get single podcasts and explore the source. A collection of 23,035 podcasts, listed alphabetically and grouped by topic, can be downloaded piecemeal, with files A-B at this link, files C-E link, and the remainder here. You’ll be limited to a 4GB maximum per download at the last place, so multiple group downloads will be needed to get all files, totaling over 140GB and may take a few hours. The first entry in the collection is a text file with just titles for quicker reference. A collection of abstracts for all the podcasts is available at this link and updated quarterly. Get the discarded material, too, using a podcast aggregator loaded with this opml file of the 496 sources. And try PodcastRE from the University of Wisconsin with over 150,000 titles. Exercise your ears and relax the rest.
African Medicine 27 mins – “Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation CEO Sue Desmond-Hellmann talks about the just-issued Goalkeepers Report, tracking progress against poverty and disease even as the population keeps rising.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow at the end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Americans in Combat 28 mins – “In his new book The Fighters, C.J. Chivers explores the human cost of U.S. foreign policy following the 9/11 attacks – the price paid by the low-ranking soldiers that were sent to fight in Iraq and Afghanistan.” At the link find the title, “War erases what a human life could be, says Pulitzer Prize-winning war correspondent, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-i8YCEVCS-20180911.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Arctic Shipping 22 mins – “Almost all of the Canadian Arctic is unmapped. Researchers are hoping to fill the uncharted gaps with a new Canadian technology, to keep the increasing ship traffic passing through the territory out of danger.” At the link find the title, “Researchers use ‘HydroBall’ technology to chart Arctic waters missing on maps, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-PRBFTXfy-20180911.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Birth Order Issues 26 mins – “Could the overlooked middle-born child really become obsolete? A recent study suggests families are no longer having more than three kids.” At the link find the title, “Smaller families are pushing ‘the middle child’ into extinction, study suggests, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-28lHReWq-20180912.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Black Klansman 19 mins – “Ron Stallworth was the first African-American detective in the history of the Colorado Springs Police Department – and he also ran a sting operation that infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan.” At the link find the title, “The true story behind BlacKkKlansman: How a black police detective infiltrated the Ku Klux Klan, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-qTA6MMK2-20180926.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Blood Pressure Control 60 mins – “High blood pressure is an important risk factor for heart attacks and strokes. A recent change in guidelines urges doctors to treat people whose blood pressure would not have been considered particularly high a few years ago. (Here is a link to the guidelines, published in March 2018.) Most of the time, that treatment consists of prescription medications, all of which have some potential side effects. Is there a different way? The European Society of Cardiology and European Society of Hypertension have just published their new guidelines. Unlike the American medical societies, the Europeans declined to lower the threshold for treatment. It remains at 140/90 for most patients.” At the link left-click “Download the mp3,” select “Choose CD or mp3” from the next screen to get the free podcast.
Brazil Museum Fire 26 mins – “After Brazil’s National Museum lost 90 per cent of its collection in a devastating fire earlier this month, museum expert Robert Janes suggests culling collections so that resources can be devoted to protecting irreplaceable material.” At the link find the title, “Brazil’s museum inferno signals a need to better manage collections, says expert, “ right-click “Media files current-WrkR3KN4-20180910.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Brazil Politics 26 mins – “As Brazilians head to the polls Sunday, a dramatic election campaign – where one candidate is in prison, and another was stabbed – could deliver a watershed moment in the country’s history.” At the link find the title, “Could Brazil be about to elect ‘the Tropical Trump’?, Oct, 2018,” right-click “ Media files current-0wTd49fE-20181005.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Canada and Mexico Trade Agreement 15 mins – “Trade experts from all three countries weigh up the wins, losses, and the fine detail of the new United States-Mexico-Canada deal.” At the link find the title, “Who are the real winners and losers in the USMCA deal?, Oct, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-8Pxom2zH-20181002.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Canada Trade Agreement Discussion 21 mins – “As details of the new USMCA trade deal emerge, one Canadian dairy farmer argues that the stability of Canada’s supply management system is being eroded.” At the link find the title,”’Death by a thousand cuts’: Canadian dairy farmer disappointed by USMCA deal, Oct, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-9QQ8lITF-20181001.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Canadian Politics 26 mins – “Parties outside the federalist-sovereigntist axis are expected to make gains in the Quebec provincial election, which some experts argue will mean a reshaping of the political landscape.” At the link find the title, “Quebec politics moving away from sovereignty debate, says pollster, Oct, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-AGSO2Hrm-20181001.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cancer in Dense Breasts 18 mins – “Most women aren’t routinely informed if they have dense breasts, but the condition can mean cancers are less likely to show up on mammograms. Kathy Kaufield, a cancer survivor and advocate, wants doctors to be mandated to tell women.” At the link find the title, “Telling women they have dense breasts could save lives, says cancer survivor, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-1nfyFj8B-20180912.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cancer in Dense Breasts 27 mins – “More than 40 per cent of Canadian women have dense breasts that increase the risk of breast cancer and render many of those cancers invisible on a mammogram. It’s a surprisingly common problem that experts say should be getting much more public attention.” At the link find the title, “The hidden dangers of dense breasts, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files whitecoat-9fsYSX1X-20180914.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cold Case Deaths P1 39 mins – “Three boys kick over a mysterious barrel in the woods. A small town cop fishes for answers. Evidence is buried, and the case goes cold.” At the link find the title, “EP 1: Hide and Seek, Oct, 2018,” right-click “Media files PPY5870933706.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Comic Books in School 11 mins – “Comic books and graphic novels belong in every teacher’s toolkit, says cartoonist and educator Gene Luen Yang. Set against the backdrop of his own witty, colorful drawings, Yang explores the history of comics in American education — and reveals some unexpected insights about their potential for helping kids learn.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Communicating with Alan Alda 27 mins – “Alan Alda is best known for his 11 seasons on MASH but he’s also forged a second career as an expert in communication. He tells Dr. Brian Goldman it began with hosting Scientific American on PBS, where he talked to some of the world’s smartest people and helped them get their ideas across. About a decdade ago the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science was established. It’s trained more than 13,000 doctors and health professionals, using improvisation as a key tool. Alda also talks about his new podcast, Clear and Vivid which is all about human relationships, and he reveals why he went public with this diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease this summer.” At the link find the title, “How Alan Alda went from playing a doctor on TV to teaching doctors about empathy, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files whitecoat-9XFINDeK-20180921.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Con Man of the 1920s 24 mins – “Edgar Laplante was a world-class grifter. It won him world-class women; adulation from royalty and presidents, and it eventually landed him in prison.” At the link find the title, “King Con: Man successfully impersonates Indigenous leaders his whole life, acquiring riches and fame, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-8TkzCzzC-20180921.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cooling with Outer Space 13 mins – “…Cooling systems today collectively account for 17 percent of the electricity we use worldwide. This includes everything from the air conditioners I so desperately wanted during my summer vacations, to the refrigeration systems that keep our food safe and cold for us in our supermarkets, to the industrial scale systems that keep our data centers operational. Collectively, these systems account for eight percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. But what keeps me up at night is that our energy use for cooling might grow sixfold by the year 2050, primarily driven by increasing usage in Asian and African countries….” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Crime Scenes and Vultures 11 mins – “Can a bird that symbolizes death help the living catch criminals? In this informative and accessible talk, forensic anthropologist Lauren Pharr shows us how vultures impact crime scenes — and the assistance they can provide to detectives investigating murders. (This talk contains graphic images.)” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
CRISPR Gene Editing 92 mins – “CRISPR is a family of DNA sequences in bacteria and archaea that are a part of these organisms’ cellular defense system. A recent discovery showed how this mechanism can be used to edit genes much more easily than legacy methods. In this episode I chat with Sam Sternberg about the naturally occuring CRISPR systems, how they work, and how CRISPR together with its associated enzymes can be used to cut, and subsequently, edit, DNA. We conclude the episode with an outlook on the potential use in medicine. Check out Sam’s book A Crack in Creation: Gene Editing and the Unthinkable Power to Control Evolution.” At the link right-click “Download MP3 File Directly” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Cybercrime Stalking 25 mins – “The rise of technology has created new avenues for domestic abusers to target victims. An Edmonton woman shares her story of how her ex-boyfriend sent men to her house for sexual encounters by setting up a fake online dating account.” At the link find the title, “How domestic abusers are leveraging technology to harass, control, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-aFDlsqTC-20180917.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Dealing with Death 16 mins – “With her signature wit and wisdom, Emily Levine meets her ultimate challenge as a comedian/philosopher: she makes dying funny. In this personal talk, she takes us on her journey to make friends with reality — and peace with death. Life is an enormous gift, Levine says: “You enrich it as best you can, and then you give it back.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Digital Arms Race 21 mins – “Charlie Angus, the NDP MP questioning a Canadian company’s role in the Brexit vote, has warned that Canada is not immune to efforts to undermine elections.” At the link find the title, “’Very naive’ to think election interference can’t happen in Canada, says MP Charlie Angus, Oct, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-C2Nf9FIP-20181004.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Digital Arms Race 24 mins – “A new study about Star Wars: The Last Jedi suggests the rhetoric that surrounded its release in 2017 was in part the product of organized twitter campaigns by activists, bots and even Russian trolls trying to advance wider political agendas.” At the link find the title, “Russian trolls ‘pushed their agenda’ with Star Wars critiques, study suggests, Oct, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-8Tre5uo1-20181008.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Disaster Preparation 77 mins – “We just had one hell of a hurricane in the Carolinas and the problems there are far from over. Storm season is still upon us and there will likely be at least one more major storm impact this year. Next up, well winter is on the way, blizzards and ice storms are soon to follow. Next thing you know it will be spring, time for mudslides, tornadoes and other “fun stuff”. Then back to summer, forest fires, more storms and it just goes on. If you think about it we don’t have a disaster season, we have seasons with disasters that are more common during them, and even that rule gets broken. You don’t think of winter and tornadoes but in 2015 in the three days following Christmas we had the December 2015 North American storm complex. In three days we had a total of 32 tornadoes confirmed, 60 people died and hundreds of homes were destroyed. To be blunt, shit happens! And depending on the size of the shit, you are going to be your own first responder for hours, days or at times even weeks. As I say in Spirko’s 7th Law of Life. “Preparedness for hard times, is nothing more than being a responsible adult.” Today we talk about the most basic preps that every grown ass adult should put into place for themselves and their family.” At the link right-click “Download’ and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Economic Growth Goals 16 mins – “What would a sustainable, universally beneficial economy look like? “Like a doughnut,” says Oxford economist Kate Raworth. In a stellar, eye-opening talk, she explains how we can move countries out of the hole — where people are falling short on life’s essentials — and create regenerative, distributive economies that work within the planet’s ecological limits.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Education Technology 71 mins – “…If we had a show title based on the show conversations, it would likely be Miguel’s comment, “The boy turned away from Linux, I thought he was doomed!” Miguel and Wes also discussed the importance of students learning how to effectively and responsibly create video today, the recent European Human Rights Court ruling finding the mass surveillance of Great Britain’s GHCQ intelligence organization illegal that was originally highlighted by Edward Snowden, and the prospect of worldwide surveillance through drone monitoring. The Australian government’s new anti-encryption legislation, an FBI alarm on student data privacy, the launch of FireFox’s “Privacy Monitor,” and the feared demise of Evernote as a notetaking cloud platform were also discussed. Miguel set a new global record for podcast “Geek of the Week” shares, including Paranoia Works for personal encryption of data, the book Kill Decision by Daniel Suarez, Glary Utilities for WindowsOS management, an Amazing 1Note Link from Microsoft, the TCEA TechNotes Blog, and Joplin Notes. Wes’ Geek of the Week was “Learning Creative Learning,” a Free online course by MIT Media Lab starting 9 Oct 2018.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Evidence Based Medicine 60 mins – “How well do doctors follow the evidence in choosing treatments? Might they be swayed by their relationship with a pharmaceutical or device manufacturer? …Doctors have been advocating evidence-based medicine for a few decades, but a surprising amount of medical practice is based on tradition. How can you sort out the value of evidence-based medicine from eminence-based medicine? (That is, what the most influential experts recommend, based on their own experience or beliefs.)” At the link left-click “Download the mp3,” select “Choose CD or mp3” from the next screen to get the free podcast.
Execution Drug Cocktails 28 mins – “Fearing a public backlash that could harm their sales, pharmaceutical companies have increasingly tried to block U.S. officials using their drugs for lethal injections. That has left states “scrambling” for an alternative, says one advocate.” At the link find the title, “Use of fentanyl to execute U.S. death row prisoners a risk to public safety: advocate, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-AJrW2F9v-20180910.mp3” and select ”Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
FDIC Functions 48 mins – “Sheila Bair was the head of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC) during the 2008 financial crisis. She warns that American democracy may not be able to withstand another bank bailout.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Fighting Online Extremism 14 mins – “Can technology make people safer from threats like violent extremism, censorship and persecution? In this illuminating talk, technologist Yasmin Green details programs pioneered at Jigsaw (a unit within Alphabet Inc., the collection of companies that also includes Google) to counter radicalization and online harassment — including a project that could give commenters real-time feedback about how their words might land, which has already increased spaces for dialogue. “If we ever thought that we could build an internet insulated from the dark side of humanity, we were wrong,” Green says. “We have to throw our entire selves into building solutions that are as human as the problems they aim to solve.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Financial Crisis of 2008 Impacts 24 mins – “Ten years after the financial crash, many people are still struggling with the aftermath. One man’s dream home turned into a nightmare that lasted ten years.” At the link find the title, “The financial crisis happened 10 years ago – that’s how long it took this man to sell his house, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-gvE3hjzF-20180914.mp3”and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Financial Crisis of 2008 Book 49 mins – “It’s been 10 years since Lehman Brothers collapsed and the nightmare of the global financial crisis. The author of the book “Too Big to Fail” takes us back to those frightening days. At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow under the play button and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Food Research Questioned 19 mins – “Brian Wansink, an expert in eating behaviour, became a daytime TV darling that used science to promote eating smaller portions. Now his theories are being questioned after 6 studies were retracted in one day.” At the link find the title, “Brian Wansink, researcher behind 100-calorie snacks, discredited after 13 papers retracted, Sept, 2018,” right-click”Media files current-4L6edYtd-20180921.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Fossil Blackmarket 49 mins – “A true crime story 70 million years in the making. We’ll go inside the perilous and riveting world of fossil hunters.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Frankenstein and Zombies and Medicine 27 mins – “This week: The surprising intersection between the worlds of medicine and monsters” At the link find the title, “Of Monsters and Medicine, Oct, 2018,” right-click “Media files whitecoat-JAw15uDs-20181004.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Functional Medicine 53 mins – “This week we interview Dr. Elizabeth Boham. Dr. Elizabeth Boham is a physician and nutritionist who practices Functional Medicine at The UltraWellness Center is Lenox, MA. Through her practice and lecturing she has helped thousands of people achieve their goals of optimum health and wellness. Her DVD, Breast Wellness: Tools to Prevent and Heal from Breast Cancer explores the functional medicine approach to keeping your breasts and whole body well.” At the ink right-click “Download” and select ‘Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Gender Bias in Medicine 19 mins – “Canadian Donna Strickland became the third woman ever to win the Nobel Prize in Physics on Tuesday. A UBC professor explains how she’s working toward inspiring more underrepresented young students to pursue the field.” At the link find the title, “3 women have a Nobel Prize in Physics. This UBC professor aims to eliminate the gender bias, Oct, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-rfD2TuKS-20181003.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Goal Setting 12 mins -”Our leaders and institutions are failing us, but it’s not always because they’re bad or unethical, says venture capitalist John Doerr — often, it’s simply because they’re leading us toward the wrong objectives. In this practical talk, Doerr shows us how we can get back on track with “Objectives and Key Results,” or OKRs — a goal-setting system that’s been employed by the likes of Google, Intel and Bono to set and execute on audacious goals. Learn more about how setting the right goals can mean the difference between success and failure — and how we can use OKRs to hold our leaders and ourselves accountable.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Hearing Test By Cellphone 5 mins – “Children who live in rural areas can have a hard time getting to the doctor — much less to an audiologist’s clinic for expensive, complex tests to check their hearing. The result for too many kids is hearing loss caused by ear infections and other curable or preventable problems. That’s why ear surgeon and TED Fellow Susan Emmett is working with 15 communities in rural Alaska to create a simple, low-cost test that only requires a cell phone. Learn more about her work and how it could change the lives of children who don’t have access to hearing care.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Human History 58 mins – “With the international sensation, critical favorite, and New York Times bestseller Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind, Yuval Noah Harari unleashed a global phenomenon. His electrifying debut resonated with notable public figures: the book was lauded by President Obama, Bill Gate, Sebastian Junger, and Mark Zuckerberg. In this episode we discuss Sapiens, as well as his newest endeavor, Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow. In Sapiens, Harari showed us how the human race came to rule the planet. In Homo Deus: A Brief History of Tomorrow, he offers a spellbinding glimpse of the (near) future. A future in which the zeal to upgrade humans into gods could threaten humanity’s supremacy, meaning, and very existence. And not even rabid science fiction fans will be prepared for Harari’s vivid, original, and endlessly surprising vision of tomorrow. This is the shape of the new world as Harari envisions it, where the gap between those who get onboard and those left behind will be bigger even than the gap between Sapiens and Neanderthals. This is the next stage of evolution.” At the ink right-click “Download” and select ‘Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Holocaust Tattooist 27 mins – “During his time in Auschwitz, Lale Sokolov was forced to tattoo other prisoners with their concentration camp serial numbers. Despite the horror that surrounded him, Sokolov fell in love, and survived. But it wasn’t until decades later that he told his story to the writer Heather Morris.” At the link find the title, “The Tattooist of Auschwitz, and the love that helped him survive, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-UkbryHQx-20180925.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up up menu.
Homesteading Updated 67 mins – “…Computers are continuing to become better, smarter, faster and cheaper. Anything you want from lobster tails to fine silk can be delivered to your home in 12-24 hours from the almighty Amazon. You can understand when it comes to homesteading why some people are like, why bother? The other side though is pretty amazing. We have people on YouTube documenting their homesteading journeys with hundreds of thousands of people following them. A few such people have more than a million followers. Sites like Pinterest and Instagram are full of pictures and short videos of everything from “square foot gardens” to urban chicken tractors. Celebrity Chefs like Guy Fieri show off their backyard flocks and compost piles. Yes even in a world of high speed processors and “Door Dash” food delivery the back yard homestead is thriving in 2018. Today we discuss ways to be a practical homesteader in the modern world.” At the link right-click “Download’ and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Identity Podcasts 54 mins – “We’ve got a story of self-discovery that begins with a blonde wig, a pastor who created her own city of refuge and a journalist who helped revolutionise the newsroom. Featuring: It’s Not a Race, Politically Re-active, The Mortified Podcast, Bitchface, Remade in America with Bassem Youssef, RUDE podcasts, The Stoop.” At the link find the title, “Podcasts about identity: How who we are shapes our world,” right-click “Download Podcasts about identity: How who we are shapes our world” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Immigrant Family Separation 49 mins – “The Trump administration wants to end limits on how long they can hold migrant children in custody. Instead of 20 days, they now want to hold them indefinitely.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Immigrants Value 8 mins – “Michael Rain is on a mission to tell the stories of first-generation immigrants, who have strong ties both to the countries they grew up in and their countries of origin. In a personal talk, he breaks down the mischaracterizations and limited narratives of immigrants and shares the stories of the worlds they belong to. “We’re walking melting pots of culture,” Rain says. “If something in that pot smells new or different to you, don’t turn up your nose. Ask us to share.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Immigration Restrictions 49 mins – “So why is Reihan Salam, executive editor of National Review and the son of immigrants calling for tighter restrictions on immigration? We’ll ask him.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Investment Guidance 59 mins – “As Paul is preparing to release a new investment strategy, in this podcast he discusses the nature of hypothetical returns. What numbers can we trust and what numbers might be unfairly biased? Also, he addresses 7 questions from his readers and listeners.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Investment Strategies 52 mins – “This is the first of a three-part series, laying the foundation for the upcoming “2 Fund for Life” strategy. In this podcast, Paul discusses the mutual fund, index fund and target date fund, which have been responsible for some of the greatest wealth building for the average investor. In the case of the mutual fund and the index fund, Paul talks about the advantages and disadvantages of each. In the case of the target date fund, he focuses on the advantages. The next in the series (in two weeks) will cover the advantages and disadvantages of the target date fund.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Ivory Burning in Canada 27 mins – “The creators of the Anthropocene project are using large-scale photography, film and installations to illustrate just how much impact humans are having on the planet – documenting landscapes many people normally don’t see.” At the link find the title, “Anthropocene project highlights the apocalyptic beauty of humans’ effect on the planet, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-8BnR8UEj-20180926.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
John Dean 49 mins – “Former President Richard Nixon’s White House counsel John Dean is back in the spotlight with a warning about unchecked presidential power. He’s with us. Guests John Dean, former White House counsel for President Richard Nixon from 1970 to 1973. Best known as a key witness for the prosecution in the Watergate scandal. (@JohnWDean)” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Kavanaugh vs Ford 90 mins – “Jon, Dan, and Erin Ryan discuss the testimony of Dr. Christine Blasey Ford and Judge Brett Kavanaugh before the Senate Judiciary Committee. Then Katie Couric talks to Jon about her new podcast documentary that reflects on the tenth anniversary of her famous interviews with Sarah Palin.” At the link find the title, “”We believe Christine Blasey Ford.”, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files fe1bf614-1117-4d75-b1b3-325f16de4225.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Leadership Failure 61 mins – “This program is part of our Good Lit series, underwritten by the Bernard Osher Foundation.John Hennessy has been called the “godfather of Silicon Valley.” From his early days as a computer scientist to serving as the 10th president of Stanford University, Hennessy reflects on the core elements of his leadership philosophy. Focusing on the journey rather than the destination, Hennessy details the pivotal role that humility, authenticity, courage, collaboration, innovation and curiosity have all played in his successful career as a tech entrepreneur, academic and administrator.” At the link find the title, “John Hennessy: Why Leading Matters,Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files cc_20180927_FEA_John Hennessy for podcast.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
LNG in Canada 24 mins – “The liquefied natural gas project announced for B.C. has been hailed by some as an economic boon, but one environmentalist warns that energy development could overtake its usefulness.” At the link find the title, “China’s development could undermine $40B natural gas investment, warns environmentalist, Oct, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-7utr4GfR-20181003.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Marijuana Podcasts 53 mins – “Part two of our two part series about recreational substances. Weed is going to be legal in Canada very soon. So, let’s take a closer look at the controversial plant with fascinating stories from Stoner, Endless Thread and Unladylike. Planet Money: The Indicator, Stoner, Unladylike, Stance, Sickboy, 2 Dope Queens, Endless Thread.” At the link find the title, “Podcasts about Marijuana, right-click “Download Podcasts about Marijuana” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Marijuana Investing 26 mins – “Cannabis companies have had a wild ride on the stock market, with share prices soaring and plummeting before legalization next month. One investor has enjoyed huge success, but experts warn the odds are against average individuals.” At the link find the title, “This man made $1M investing in cannabis – but expert warns it’s a lottery, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-cAzVFTZI-20180927.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Me Too Movement 52 mins – “Today’s podcast focuses on what’s next in the Me Too conversation – for the victims, the accused, and the movement itself? Anna Maraia Tremonti was joined by Maclean’s Anne Kingston and criminology professor Neil Boyd. We have also included highlights from today’s national call-in portion.” At the link find the title, “Where should the #MeToo conversation go next?, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-3I8Fs3Oy-20180924.mp3” and select ‘Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Minimal Life Style 26 mins – “Joshua Fields Millburn & Ryan Nicodemus help over 20 million people live meaningful lives with less through their website, books, podcast, and documentary. The Minimalists have been featured in the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Boston Globe, Forbes, TIME, ABC, CBS, NBC, BBC, CBC, and NPR.” At the link find the title, “#26 – The Minimalists, Sept, 2018,” right-click “ right-click “Media files ed8063f3.mp3”and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Minimalist Living 25 mins – “In a world of stuff, there’s a movement that sells the idea of space as a path to happiness. But some critics see this lifestyle trend as self-centered, and say it includes its own kind of consumerism that only people with money can afford.” At the link find the title, “Minimalism: Upper-class luxury or liberating lifestyle?, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-j8r0snDC-20180919.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Mountaintop Removal Problem 14 mins – “Research investigator Michael Hendryx studies mountaintop removal, an explosive type of surface coal mining used in Appalachia that comes with unexpected health hazards. In this data-packed talk, Hendryx presents his research and tells the story of the pushback he’s received from the coal industry, advocating for the ethical obligation scientists have to speak the truth.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Muslims in China 27 mins – “Uighurs who have made refugee claims in Canada are anxiously waiting to find out if they’ll be deported back to China, now that the country is doubling down on its suppression of Uighurs and other Muslim minorities.” At the link find the title, “Uighurs in Canada fear deportation after China’s crackdown on Turkic Muslims, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-J5CMSPjc-20180913.mp3”and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Myers-Briggs Tests 24 mins – “Using the Myers-Briggs personality test is a way to engineer a workforce while appearing to care about employees’ self fulfillment, says Merve Emre, the author of The Personality Brokers: The Strange History of Myers-Briggs and the Birth of Personality Testing.” At the link find the title,”Myers-Briggs tests in the workplace help the employer, not the employee, says author, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-pjKADs79-20180926.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Nuclear Weapons Use 51 mins – “In 1983, Soviet military officer Stanislav Petrov prevented what could have been a devastating nuclear war by trusting his gut instinct that the algorithm in his early-warning system wrongly sensed incoming missiles. In this case, we praise Petrov for choosing human judgment over the automated system in front of him. But what will happen as the AI algorithms deployed in the nuclear sphere become much more advanced, accurate, and difficult to understand? Will the next officer in Petrov’s position be more likely to trust the “smart” machine in front of him? On this month’s podcast, Ariel spoke with Paul Scharre and Mike Horowitz from the Center for a New American Security about the role of automation in the nuclear sphere, and how the proliferation of AI technologies could change nuclear posturing and the effectiveness of deterrence. Paul is a former Pentagon policy official, and the author of Army of None: Autonomous Weapons in the Future of War. Mike Horowitz is professor of political science at the University of Pennsylvania, and the author of The Diffusion of Military Power: Causes and Consequences for International Politics.” At the link left-click the down-pointing arrow at the end of the sound bar and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Nursing Home Deaths 27 mins – “’Provide good quality care, not just any care,’ nursing home advocate says of Wettlaufer inquiry lessons” At the link find the title, “What families can learn from Wettlaufer inquiry into nursing home care, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files whitecoat-bAGfbYkU-20180928.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Ocean Reserve Creation 13 mins – “What if we could save the fishing industry and protect the ocean at the same time? Marine ecologist Enric Sala shares his bold plan to safeguard the high seas — some of the last wild places on earth, which fall outside the jurisdiction of any single country — by creating a giant marine reserve that covers two-thirds of the world’s ocean. By protecting the high seas, Sala believes we will restore the ecological, economic and social benefits of the ocean. “When we can align economic needs with conservation, miracles can happen,” Sala says.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Ocean Twilight Zone 10 mins – “What will we find in the twilight zone: the vast, mysterious, virtually unexplored realm hundreds of meters below the ocean’s surface? Heidi M. Sosik of Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution wants to find out. In this wonder-filled talk, she shares her plan to investigate these uncharted waters, which may hold a million new species and 90 percent of the world’s fish biomass, using submersible technology. What we discover there won’t just astound us, Sosik says — it will help us be better stewards of the world’s oceans. (This ambitious plan is one of the first ideas of The Audacious Project, TED’s new initiative to inspire global change.)” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Online Shopping Trends 49 mins – “Are online shopping and all those deals turning us into a nation of hoarders? What you should know before clicking buy.” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Opioid Crisis in Libraries 12 mins – “Public libraries have always been about more than just books — and their mission of community support has taken on new urgency during the current opioid epidemic. After witnessing overdoses at her library in Philadelphia, Chera Kowalski learned how to administer naloxone, a drug that reverses the effects of narcotics, and she’s put it to use to save patrons’ lives. In this personal talk, she shares the day-to-day reality of life on the frontline of the opioid crisis and advocates for each of us to find new ways to keep our communities safe and healthy.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Pharmaceutical Conflict 57 mins – “Americans take a lot of medications. We appear to have adopted the advertising-based attitude that there is a pill for every ill. But while some medicines may be helpful or even essential in some circumstances, a lot of people end up taking too many of them. Sometimes doctors end up prescribing one drug to counteract the side effect of another. This prescribing cascade can really add up, especially for older adults who may be more susceptible to side effects. What can be done? Have you asked if you really need that pill?” At the link left-click “Download the mp3,” select “Choose CD or mp3” from the next screen to get the free podcast.
Populism Growth 27 mins – “As the West grapples with the rise of populism, experts argue that mainstream politicians should listen to the public’s grievances, even if they don’t adopt their solutions.” At the link find the title, “’A broken clock is right twice a day’: Politicians need to listen to their voters’ fears, says author, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-gJQXitrb-20180919.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Private Government P1 55 mins – “The U. of Michigan prof joins us to discuss Private Government: How Employers Rule Our Lives (and Why We Don’t Talk about It) (2017) and “What Is the Point of Equality?” (1999). What is government? Liz points to the historical use of the term to refer to not just the state, but any organized power relations, including the relation between a firm and its employees. What is it for something to be private? The term is relative, meaning that something is not private in itself but private with regard to some people: it’s not their concern. A state can be a public government if it’s nominally responsive to the concerns of the people, i.e., if it’s representative. A tyranny would be a private government. With these terms in place, Liz wants to describe companies as private governments, and hence we should use the scholarship of political science to evaluate them and try to make them more just, more accountable to the people whose lives they affect….” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Private Government P2 63 mins – “Continuing on Private Government: How Employers Rule Our Lives (2017) and “What Is the Point of Equality?” (1999). Should the amount of respect that a worker gets be proportional to his or her market value? Our guest tells us more about how all citizens have the right to have their interests considered and what this means for how the relationship between employers and employees might change. We talk health care, income inequality, Tyler Cowen, libertarianism, and more. Start with part one. We’ll do some post-guest discussion to more thoroughly cover the text in part 3, but you needn’t wait: Get the unbroken, ad-free Citizen Edition now.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Private Government P3 66 mins – “Mark, Wes, Seth, and Dylan continue to discuss “What Is the Point of Equality?” (1999) and how it lays foundations for Private Government (2017). We connect Anderson’s idea of democratic equality with Rawlsian liberalism, with luck egalitarianism, Kantian alienable autonomy, Adam Smith, communism, and more. Is her idea of the economy as “cooperative, joint production” sensible or creepy?” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Puerto Rico Hurricane Recovery 21 mins – “A year after Hurricane Maria devastated Puerto Rico, the population of the U.S. territory is in the grips of a mental health crisis.” At the link find the title, “One year after Hurricane Maria, Puerto Rico crisis hotline receiving 600 calls a day, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-Bqj8MzPU-20180917.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Random Selection of Officials 10 mins – “If you think democracy is broken, here’s an idea: let’s replace politicians with randomly selected people. Author and activist Brett Hennig presents a compelling case for sortition democracy, or random selection of government officials — a system with roots in ancient Athens that taps into the wisdom of the crowd and entrusts ordinary people with making balanced decisions for the greater good of everyone. Sound crazy? Learn more about how it could work to create a world free of partisan politics.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Reading Online Trends 49 mins – “Hours and hours of screen time. How much are digital distractions changing the way kids think, and even read?” At the link right-click the down-pointing arrow and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Refugee Children Separation – “An 11-year-old girl has been granted refugee status in Canada due to the risk of facing FGM in her native Sierra Leone. Her mother and young brother have not been granted permission to stay, leaving her mother with an impossible choice.” At the link find the title, “Facing FGM in Sierra Leone, girl wins refugee status, but her family could still be deported, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-8QrhP8cr-20180917.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Russian Fake News 5 mins – “When facts are false, decisions are wrong, says editor and TED Fellow Olga Yurkova. To stop the spread of fake news, she and a group of journalists launched StopFake.org, which exposes biased or inaccurate reporting in order to rebuild the trust we’ve lost in our journalists, leaders and institutions. Learn more about the fight against misinformation as well as two critical ways we can ensure we’re not reading (or sharing) fake news.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Russian Poisonings 24 mins – “The alleged poisoning of a member of Pussy Riot, along with the appearance of two alleged poisoners on Russian state TV, is a message to the West, says Putin critic.” At the link find the title ,“Allegedly poisoned Russian activist’s life could depend on Canada’s response: Browder,, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-fZxeS8fH-20180914.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Science Pushes Boundaries 14 mins – ““You do not mess with something so fundamental, so precious, as science,” says Kirsty Duncan, Canada’s first Minister of Science. In a heartfelt, inspiring talk about pushing boundaries, she makes the case that researchers must be free to present uncomfortable truths and challenge the thinking of the day — and that we all have a duty to speak up when we see science being stifled or suppressed.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Sex Harassment Apologies 21 mins – “Two prestigious platforms have garnered backlash in recent weeks after featuring personal essays penned by disgraced radio hosts, reflecting on the aftermath of sexual assault and harassment allegations in the era of #MeToo.” At the link find the title, “How publishers have ignited the debate on redemption in the #MeToo era, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-dV1lSxHL-20180918.mp3” and select “save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Sexual Harassment 8 mins – “The National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM) recently released a report on sexual harassment of women working in academic sciences, engineering, and medicine.1 Its findings are deeply disturbing: sexual harassment is common across scientific fields, has not abated, and remains a particular problem in medicine, where potential sources of harassment include not just colleagues and supervisors, but also patients and their families. To highlight one statistic, as many as 50% of female medical students report experiencing sexual harassment. Imagine a medical-school dean addressing the incoming class with this demoralizing prediction: “Look at the woman to your left and then at the woman to your right. On average, one of them will be sexually harassed during the next 4 years, before she has even begun her career as a physician.” At the link right-click “Download” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Slow Journalism 27 mins – “Journalist Paul Salopek has been trekking the world by foot retracing our ancestors journey out of Africa. The National Geographic Fellow estimates he’s walked 12,000 km in over five years – only a third of the way along his global walk.” At the link find the title, “How the daughter of an African revolutionary learned about racism in a Canadian playground, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-HWsD1WrY-20181001.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Social Media Destructiveness 26 mins – “He’s a Sillicon Valley pioneer and a scientist employed by Microsoft – but Jaron Lanier is calling on all of us to take back control and abandon social media for good. He says the catastrophic losses of personal dignity are not worth it.” At the link find the title, “Can this tech pioneer convince you to delete your social media accounts?, Oct, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-QmRQ8733-20181005.mp3” and select “save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Solar Power 99 mins – “Shawn became intrigued with self-sufficiency around the 2008 financial crisis. Working in and around the power generation market for 18 years led him to increase his knowledge of renewable energy generation. In 2012 he purchased an off grid home and he designed and installed his own off grid solar photovoltaic system. Shawn, his wife, and two daughters have lived off grid since 2012 in Middle Tennessee where they utilize solar pv, solar thermal, rainwater catchment, and other appropriate technologies to live a more self-sufficient and positive cash flow lifestyle. In 2017 he started a consulting business, Hack my Solar, to help others identify and implement ways to increase their personal energy independence. He joins us today to discuss when solar power makes sense and equally when it doesn’t.” At the link right-click “Download’ and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Soldiers and Scouts 93 mins – “An expert on rationality, judgement, and strategy, Julia Galef notes that “our capacity for reason evolved to serve two very different purposes that are often at odds with each other. On the one hand, reason helps us figure out what’s true; on the other hand, it also helps us defend ideas that are false-but-strategically-useful. I’ll explore these two different modes of thought — I call them “the scout” and “the soldier” — and what determines which mode we default to. Finally, I’ll argue that modern humans would be better off with more scout mode and less soldier mode, and I’ll share some thoughts on how to make that happen.” Galef is founder of the Update Project and hosts the podcast Rationally Speaking.” At the link find the title, “Julia Galef: Soldiers and Scouts: Why our minds weren’t built for truth, and how we can change that, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files salt-020180912-galef-podcast.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
South African Transformation 24 mins – “The daughter of an ANC guerrilla in exile, Sisonke Msimang grew up moving from country to country. The author says it gave her an outsider’s perspective, and framed her understanding of “home.” At the link find the title, “How the daughter of an African revolutionary learned about racism in a Canadian playground, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-hLDpPgxB-20180928.mp3”and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Suicide Awareness 12 mins – “Is there someone in your life dealing with anxiety, depression or thoughts of suicide — but is too ashamed to talk about it? Jeremy Forbes saw this happening around him, and now he’s on a mission to teach people how to start a conversation about it. In this deeply personal talk, Forbes shares his approach to helping a group of traditionally silent men in his community open up about their struggles. “We can all be life preservers,” he says.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Syrian War at 7 Years 18 mins – “Syrian civilians in Idlib are preparing for the worst as Russian and pro-regime forces threaten an all-out bombing campaign to retake the region. Alaa Alakel, who lives in Canada but has family in the Syrian province, can only watch and wait in agony.” At the link find the title, “Ryerson student’s morning routine: Checking whether her family in Idlib are still alive, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-dar66F3h-20180910.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Team Building with Strangers 13 mins – “Business school professor Amy Edmondson studies “teaming,” where people come together quickly (and often temporarily) to solve new, urgent or unusual problems. Recalling stories of teamwork on the fly, such as the incredible rescue of 33 miners trapped half a mile underground in Chile in 2010, Edmondson shares the elements needed to turn a group of strangers into a quick-thinking team that can nimbly respond to challenges.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Theater Role in Democracy 13 mins – “Truth comes from the collision of different ideas, and theater plays an essential role in showing us that truth, says legendary artistic director Oskar Eustis. In this powerful talk, Eustis outlines his plan to reach (and listen to) people in places across the US where the theater, like many other institutions, has turned its back — like the deindustrialized Rust Belt. “Our job is to try to hold up a vision to America that shows not only who all of us are individually, but that welds us back into the commonality that we need to be,” Eustis says. “That’s what the theater is supposed to do.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Trump and Fear 27 mins – “Legendary U.S. journalist Bob Woodward described the interactions between Donald Trump and his inner circle in the White House as resembling ‘the absence of a reasonable logical process’ in a Canadian exclusive interview with The Current’s Anna Maria Tremonti.” At the link find the title, “Bob Woodward paints picture of chaotic White House under Donald Trump in new book, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-DtufMR6T-20180912.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Venezuelan Refugees 19 mins – “The economic situation in Venezuela is pushing civilians to the brink of desperation. As advocates warn that the exodus could rival the migrant crisis coming out of Syria, Venezuelans around the world fear for their loved ones back home.” At the link find the title, “Venezuelans ‘selling their hair’ to feed their families, says CBC reporter at border, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-dPMReq3j-20180911.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Veteran War Stories Needed 14 mins – “Wes Moore joined the US Army to pay for college, but the experience became core to who he is. In this heartfelt talk, the paratrooper and captain — who went on to write “The Other Wes Moore” — explains the shock of returning home from Afghanistan. He shares the single phrase he heard from civilians on repeat, and shows why it’s just not sufficient. It’s a call for all of us to ask veterans to tell their stories — and listen.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Voting Rights Concerns 46 mins – “In her new book, author and academic Carol Anderson explores the history of voter suppression in the U.S., and argues that a resurgence of those tactics affected the 2016 U.S. presidential election.” At the link find the title, “Laws to suppress black vote in U.S. are being drafted with ‘horrific efficiency,’ says author, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files current-15tu9JPv-20180918.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
West Virginia Stories 56 mins – “We’re excited to announce that West Virginia Public Broadcasting has invited Us & Them to be a regular part of their radio programming. Starting this week, West Virginia audiences are going to hear stories about America’s culture divides — many that our devoted podcast listeners have been enjoying since 2015 – but now… On The Radio!!! Can you tell that we’re excited?” At the link find the the title, And Now… on the Radio!, Sept, 2018,” right-click “Media files UsandThem 69_AndNowonthe Radio 09.27.18_PP_1.mp3” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
Wound Healing Invention 7 mins – “Working out of her garage, Anushka Naiknaware designed a sensor that tracks wound healing, becoming the youngest winner (at age 13) of the Google Science Fair. Her clever invention addresses the global challenge of chronic wounds, which don’t heal properly due to preexisting conditions like diabetes and account for billions in medical costs worldwide. Join Naiknaware as she explains how her “smart bandage” works — and how she’s sharing her story to inspire others to make a difference.” At the link left-click the share circle, left-click the download arrow, right-click “Download audio” and select “Save Link As” from the pop-up menu.
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Media Mining Digest 