Our Complex Relationship with the Nearest Star

Guest: Linda Geddes, freelance science and medical journalist, and author, "Chasing the Sun: The New Science of Sunlight and How it Shapes Our Bodies and Minds"

Sunlight is essential to human health for a variety of physiological and psychological reasons. 

 

Christmas: Light in the Darkest Time of Year

Guest: Ben Abbott, Assistant Professor, Ecosystem Ecology, Brigham Young University

We celebrate Christmas, a symbol of hope and light, at the darkest time of the year. Christ's light is like the sun, but unlike it as well, since it is constant even in times of spiritual darkness in our lives. 

 

Food Safety: Bacteria

Guest: Roger Clemens, biological chemist, University of Southern California Schools of Pharmacy and Medicine

How bacteria grows in food and how to purify food, including what a "cold press" is.

 

The Micronation of Outer Baldonia

Guest: Kara Arundel, education reporter and editor, based in Washington, D.C., and author, "Raising America’s Zoo: How Two Wild Gorillas Helped Transform the National Zoo"

Outer Baldonia was a tiny island nation, complete with a declaration of independence, constitution, and its own currency. It was created and led by its “Prince of Princes,” Russell Arundel, a Washington businessman and lobbyist. It supported freedom for fishermen and opposed the communist bloc. 

 

The Art of Counterintelligence

Guest:  James M. Olson, former Chief of CIA Counterintelligence, and current Professor, Counterintelligence, Bush School of Government and Public Service, Texas A&M University

Someone must spy on the enemy's spies. This is the role of counterintelligence agents, who track down and identify spies in their midst, and try to prevent them from getting there in the first place.