Why are cats and dogs so similar in many ways yet markedly different in particular traits like speed vs endurance, short vs long faces, solo vs pack hunters? I discuss with my guest Jeff Thomason (Professor Emeritus at Ontario Veterinary College, and Department of Biomedical Sciences) the evolutionary pressures that create the important physiological features of cats and dogs and the animals that they hunt. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-lanagan/support

Glass, crystals, and ceramics are likely somewhat mysterious materials to many people. In many cases they are chemically similar, but structurally very different. What gives these materials they're special properties? I discuss with my guest (Professor of Engineering Science and Mechanics at Penn State University) the science and engineering of these basic materials. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-lanagan/support

Battery technology is already transforming our transportation infrastructure. What are the implications and challenges of this transformation? Why are we so resource limited in this area? I discuss with my guest Linda Gaines (Environmental Scientist/Systems Analyst in Argonne National Laboratory's Energy Systems and Infrastructure Analysis) basics of the battery supply chain and how we are building these new technologies into our society. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-lanagan/support

Why are stories such powerful tools to communicate ideas? And how do different media effect the kinds of stories we can tell? I discuss with my guest David Dowling (Professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Iowa) the modern media landscape and how it might look in the future. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-lanagan/support

Understanding and improving methods of healing is one the most fundamental human endeavors, and has advanced greatly with technological progress. How does it work? I discuss with my guest Karen Crawford (Professor of Biology at St, Mary's College of Maryland) some amazing experiments underlying our understanding of healing and regeneration. --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-lanagan/support

Modern consumption practices create an enormous strain on ocean ecosystems. How bad is the problem? I discuss with my guest Mercedes Rosello (Senior Lecturer at Leeds Beckett University Law School, and Director at House of Ocean) the possible solutions and methods of creating a sustainable fishing industry. Associated links for Mercedes: https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/staff/dr-mercedes-rosello/https://houseofocean.org/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-lanagan/support

Sports are a huge part of culture. They can promote both social and physical well-being. I discuss with my guest Colin Pennington (Assistant Professor and Coordinator of Health and Physical Education at The City University of New York, York College) the myriad benefits of educating youth in sports and ways to include more people in healthy participation --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-lanagan/support

What is money and how does it function in society? Why did the US change from the gold standard to fiat currency, and what are the implications of that for banking and politics? I discuss with my guest Max Gillman (Friedrich A. Hayek Professor of Economic History; University of Missouri - St. Louis) the history of money in the US and it's function throughout it's history of financial crisis. Associated links for Max: book: https://www.amazon.com/Spectre-Price-Inflation-Max-Gillman/dp/1788212371 website: https://maxgillman.com/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-lanagan/support

How do social social movements work to create political change? I discuss with my guest Elizabeth Borland (Department of Sociology and Anthropology at The College of New Jersey) how these groups organize and what strategies do they employ based on their goals and political environment. Associated links for Liz: https://socanth.tcnj.edu/faculty-profiles/dr-elizabeth-borland/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-lanagan/support

What are learning algorithms good at, what are their limitations, and how might they be used in the future? I discuss the many applications of artificial intelligence and how they learn and create with my guest Timothy Miller (Professor in the School of Computing and Information Systems at The University of Melbourne, and Co-Director for the Centre of AI and Digital Ethics). Associated links for Tim: Centre for AI and Digital Ethics: https://www.unimelb.edu.au/caide School of Computing and Information Systems: https://cis.unimelb.edu.au/ --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/matthew-lanagan/support