Inquiring Minds

In this intriguing episode, Indre chats with Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and renowned author of The Power of Habit and Smarter, Better, Faster, Charles Duhigg, to discuss his latest book “Supercommunicators”.

Their conversation delves into he crucial role of effective communication in building meaningful relationships and enhancing quality of life.

Duhigg shares insights from the Harvard Study of Adult Development, emphasizing the importance of close relationships for happiness and health as well as categorizes conversations into practical, emotional, and social types, explaining how understanding these can improve communication skills.

Exploring further into the contents of Duhigg’s new book, they talk about the neuroscience behind communication and strategies for navigating difficult conversations.

This episode is packed with practical advised and prize-winning insights and ideas for anyone who wants to learn how to improve their communication skills, build deeper relationships, and have more meaningful interactions with the people around them.

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Inquiring Minds Homepage: https://inquiring.show/

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Indre welcomes Sean Carroll, Homewood Professor of Natural Philosophy at Johns Hopkins University and host of the Mindscape podcast, back to Inquiring Minds today for an engaging exploration of his latest book, "The Biggest Ideas in the Universe: Quanta and Fields." Together, they delve into the intricacies of quantum mechanics and field theory, unpacking the critical roles of quanta and fields within modern physics. In his trademark style, Sean blends his expertise in both physics and philosophy to render these complex topics thoroughly accessible and relevant not only to specialists but to all who are captivated by the frontiers of scientific understanding. Venturing beyond the book’s content, he and Indre also examine how these theories permeate daily scientific conversation and enhance our understanding of fundamental principles. There’s a very good reason why Sean Carroll has an open invitation to return to the Inquiring Minds podcast whenever he chooses, and it becomes readily apparent in today’s enlightening discussion that both educates and inspires while illuminating the ongoing journey towards unraveling the universe’s most profound mysteries.

Links:

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In yet another thoroughly intriguing episode, Indre engages with renowned neuroscientist Christof Koch this week to explore the complexities of consciousness and its impact on our understanding of self and free will. Koch, a pivotal figure in the field who worked alongside the legendary Francis Crick to pioneer the study of neural correlates of consciousness, shares a wealth of both personal experiences and scientific insights here today. Together with Indre, he introduces concepts discussed in his latest book, Then I Am Myself the World: What Consciousness Is and How to Expand It, and also examines the practical applications of these theories in comprehending human cognition and the futuristic possibility of an 'uber mind' through technological innovations. As will become readily apparent, today's episode invites listeners to rethink the limits of their own minds and the interconnectedness of all conscious entities, promoting a profound inquiry into the expansive universe of the mind as well as its significant influence on both our perception of reality and our role within it.

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Indre examines the realm of randomness and its undeniable sway over our lives and the fabric of society, as she welcomes global politics luminary, Brian Klaas, to the podcast today. An Associate Professor in Global Politics at University College London, affiliate researcher at the University of Oxford, contributing writer for The Atlantic, creator of the award-winning Power Corrupts Podcast, and prolific author, Brian shares details from his most recent publication, FLUKE: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters. In doing so, he unravels the conventional tapestry of predictability, highlighting the omnipresence of chance in dictating the courses of personal lives, scientific endeavors, and political landscapes. Today’s episode not only shatters the illusion of control fostered by historical data but also prompts a profound reevaluation of the role randomness plays in the intricacies of artificial intelligence, the methodologies of scientific research, and the foundations of political science.

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Globally recognized neurodiversity expert, thought leader, and public policy professional and champion, Maureen Dunne, joins Indre today to discuss the evolving perceptions of neurological diversity within our society. Centering their discussion around Maureen's recent publication, The Neurodiversity Edge, they delve into the profound benefits of welcoming neurodivergent individuals into workplaces and educational settings. Bolstered by insights into Gen Z's growing acknowledgment of neurodivergent identities and the critical importance of supportive settings, Maureen offers actionable advice for organizations of all sizes to excel in this area. In essence, today’s crucial conversation emphasizes the essential role diverse cognition plays in driving innovation and success, advocating for a reevaluation of traditional views and embracing a society that values diversity in every aspect.

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In this latest installment of Inquiring Minds, Indre explores the intricate world of photography with the renowned Dan Winters, whose career spans the realms of celebrity portraiture, scientific documentation, and beyond. Winters' journey from a childhood captivated by the narratives of Star Wars to his status as a National Geographic Explorer and award-winning artist underscores his unique ability to see beyond the lens, using photography to explore the world and connect with subjects on a deeply personal level. His conversation here today offers details of his appearance on National Geographic’s new series, Photographer, and reveals how photography acts as a powerful medium for storytelling, capable of capturing the essence of human experience and the natural world with profound depth and emotion. As the episode unfolds, it becomes clear that photography, in Winters' hands, transcends mere visual capture to become a conduit for exploration, conservation, and the immortalization of memory, challenging us to perceive the world with renewed wonder and empathy.

Links:

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Among his many achievements, the esteemed Venki Ramakrishnan has been knighted by Queen Elizabeth, served as the President of the Royal Society, and shared the 2009 Nobel Prize in Chemistry. Today, he adds being a special guest on the Inquiring Minds podcast to this impressive list of accomplishments as he joins Indre to tackle the age-old question: Is there a biological limit to human lifespan? Drawing upon information from his latest book, Why We Die: The New Science of Aging and the Quest for Immortality, Venki provides valuable insights on this topic, including the intricate dynamics of aging, DNA damage, stress, and so much more, as he unravels the underlying factors that shape human longevity. 

Links:

Inquiring Minds Homepage: https://inquiring.show/

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds

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Discover even more about Why We Die:

https://www.amazon.ca/Why-We-Die-Science-Immortality/dp/0063113279

 

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Join Indre and guest Kurt Wagner, renowned business and technology journalist and author of Battle for the Bird: Jack Dorsey, Elon Musk, and the $44 Billion Fight for Twitter's Soul, as they embark on an insightful exploration of Twitter's evolution. From Jack Dorsey's humble beginnings to the platform's global prominence, pivotal themes of visionary leadership and the balance between profit and purpose emerge, offering invaluable insights into the intersection of technology and entrepreneurship. As they delve into the transformative journey of social media, themes of algorithm-driven dynamics, the influence of key figures like Elon Musk, and the ethical considerations of moderation and misinformation take center stage. This episode offers a tantalizing glimpse into Kurt's compelling narrative, reflecting the ever-shifting landscape of digital innovation and the future of social media governance.

Show Links:

Inquiring Minds Homepage: https://inquiring.show/

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds

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Uncover more about the Battle for the Bird: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Battle-for-the-Bird/Kurt-Wagner/9781668017357

 

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Welcome back to Inquiring Minds, where, after a brief hiatus, host Indre Viskontas returns with

yet another memorable episode, this time featuring Charan Ranganath, Director of the Memory

and Plasticity Program and a Professor of Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of

California at Davis. Over his illustrious career, Dr. Ranganath has received innumerable

distinguished awards, edited major neuroscience journals, consulted for neuroscience research

funding agencies across the world, and has served on several review panels. In celebration of his

50th birthday, he has written a book for the masses, Why We Remember, which examines ‘the

powerful role memory plays in nearly every aspect of our lives’, and which also provides the

springboard for today’s lively discussion about the fascinating journey of memory in the human

experience. Be sure to download and enjoy this highly anticipated return of Indre’s Inquiring

Minds, and revel in the unforgettable insights into memory's intricate interplay with cognition

and society offered here today, courtesy of these two giants in the field.

Show Links:

Inquiring Minds Homepage: https://inquiring.show/

Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds

The Cadence Podcast: https://cadence.show/

Learn more about Charan and Why We Remember: https://charanranganath.com/

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This week we talk to Robert Sapolsky—MacArthur “Genius” Fellow and professor of biology, neurology, and neurosurgery at Stanford—about his new book Determined: A Science of Life without Free Will.

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