With further scientific breakthroughs and more accurate and widespread genetic testing increasingly available, it is becoming much more common to detect genetic abnormalities in a fetus during the early stages of pregnancy. As a consequence, conditions such as Down Syndrome are diagnosed much more frequently prenatally than in past decades. In parts of the world where abortion is still legal, more people are likely choosing to abort such fetuses with genetic abnormalities. So what does this mean?  Are the rates of Down Syndrome already decreasing dramatically? Will the rates continue to plummet with more genetic screening and subsequent abortions? And if this is the case, how do people in the Down Syndrome community feel about this?  Even if you are pro-choice, it’s a bit of a harrowing thought to think that a certain demographic of the population could decline so dramatically. 

Dr. Amy Redhead joins the podcast.

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When we contemplate the word ‘career’, it’s natural to think of one singular profession that someone pursues via education and then remains in for a long period of time. When you think of a doctor or an accountant, you usually think of them practicing that profession for decades, the majority if not all of their work years. In the ‘corporate world’, job changes are perhaps more common, but it sometimes seems like people are becoming more inclined to pivot in their professional lives. Professor Serge da Motta Veiga joins the podcast to share insights and recent trends in the workplace. 

Learn more about Serge Da Motta Veiga - https://www.edhec.edu/en/research-and-faculty/faculty/professors-and-researchers/serge-da-motta-veiga

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For millennia, there has been a deep fascination with outer space. But ever since Apollo 11 actually landed on the moon in 1969 and Neil Armstrong took his first steps on the moon, the interest in space and the moon has gone into unimaginable new gears. But for all the intrigue that humankind has with outer space and the moon, what is actually realistic? What the current ongoing operations at the moon? What are the most promising aspects of lunar research? And is the idea of ‘life on the moon’ actually a realistic thought? Derek Webber, author of 'Lunar Commerce', joins the podcast.

Lunar Commerce: A Primer by Derek Webber - https://www.amazon.ca/Lunar-Commerce-Primer-Derek-Webber/dp/3031534204

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What does it mean to be lazy? Is the term 'laziness' just a negative slant on 'relaxation', or does laziness accurately reflect a lack of motivation? And is laziness a 'bad' thing, or could it actually be viewed as a positive attribute? Todd McIlroy, author of 'The Science of Laziness: Achieving More by Doing less', joins the podcast.

Check out Todd's book 'The Science of Laziness' at https://www.amazon.ca/Science-Laziness-Achieving-More-Doing/dp/B0D6GFZZNT

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As a millennial myself, I know many in my generation struggle to fully understand the ethos, so to speak, of Gen Z. In many ways, it seems they’ve taken work-life balance to a whole new level. Yet while lifestyle is prioritized, it can seem as if financial expectations are still lofty. Many domains of society have become more liberal, and the idea of ‘woke-ism’, which probably has a negative connotation to many, is perhaps embraced by Gen Z. So what actually guides Gen Z? What are the philosophies, ethics, and beliefs that shape their lives?  Stanford's Roberta Katz, co-author of 'Gen Z, Explained: The Art of Living in a Digital Age', joins the podcast.

Check out 'Gen Z Explained' at https://www.amazon.ca/Gen-Explained-Art-Living-Digital/dp/022679153X

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They say people are more afraid of public speaking than they are of death. If that's the case, people must be terrified at the notion of performing stand-up comedy, which entails not only public speaking, but relying on people's laughs as validation that you're doing a good job! So what makes a good stand-up comedian? What goes into crafting an effective sketch? And while the well-trained comedian makes it all look 'off-the-cuff', how much of the sketch is prepared down to the exact word? Comedian Jacob Samuel joins the podcast.

Learn more about Jacob at www.jacobsamuelcomedy.com

Watch Jacob's comedy special, 'Horse Power', at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BD4l6ODKwCg

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Many people who've had near death experiences speak of similar sensations - a white light, a sense of calm, and a feeling of warmth Many come back from such experiences saying they've had a glimpse into the afterlife. So what exactly is occurring in during these near death experiences? Are people truly getting a glimpse into what happens after we die? Or are the experiences that people report a reflection of a biological process that's occurring? Or are these not mutually exclusive? Dr. Marieta Pehlivanova joins the podcast.

Learn more about Near Death Experiences at University of Virginia's Division of Perceptual Studies -

https://med.virginia.edu/perceptual-studies/our-research/near-death-experiences-ndes/

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