Science for the People

We talk to Sherman K. Stein, mathematician and author of Survival Guide for Outsiders: How To Protect Yourself From Politicians, Experts, and Other Insiders. What makes us so susceptible to social influence, and how can we guard against being manipulated? And on Speaking Up we talk to Matthew Linsdell on Personal Training.

We sit down with Vancouver rapper Baba Brinkman, the artist behind The Rap Guide to Evolution, and the new rationalist anthem Off That. And on Speaking Up, we talk with Jason Brown with skepticator.com.

How are today's teachers sharing the wonders of science and critical thinking with the next generation of students? With cognitive psychologist and university lecturer Barbara Drescher, and Mike McRae, former science teacher and current science writer for the education division of Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization. And on Speaking Up, we talk to Taylor Proctor with SkeptiBOOTcamp.

We'll be joined by journalist and bestselling author David Shenk, to discuss his new book, The Genius in All of Us: Why Everything You've Been Told About Genetics, Talent, and IQ Is Wrong. We'll dig into the relationship between intelligence, talent and genetics. When it comes to the brain, does DNA always equal destiny, or can hard work mean more than heredity? On Speaking Up we talk to Steve Thoms of Skeptic North on Homeopathy Awareness Week.

Researcher and writer Peter Janiszewski joins us to discuss the science of obesity, and the latest research on weight loss and human health. And on Speaking Up we talk with Carrie Iwan of Skepchick on Skepchicon.

We speak to Miriam Goldstein, doctoral student at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography about her research expedition to the Great Pacific Garbage Patch. And on Speaking Up, we talk to Greg Fish from worldofweirdthings.com on Transhumanism.

While we were on air, some wonderful listeners decided to post a "Happy First Radioversary" fan page. If you'd like to see for yourself what almost made Desiree speechless on live radio, visit here.

In honor of Ada Lovelace Day, author Sharon Bertsch McGrayne joined us to discuss the lives, careers and Nobel Prize-winning research of women scientists. And on Speaking Up we talk to Heidi Anderson previews She Thought.

We spoke to Jonathan Strickland, senior writer and "TechStuff" for howstuffworks.com, about the importance of critical thinking when examining new technology, and when determining whether the tech we use now does what it claims. And on Speaking Up we talk to Tyson Wozniak on skeparent.com.

Biologist John Logsdon joins us to discuss the genetic and evolutionary aspects of sexual reproduction. Why do we have sex, anyway? Why do some creatures reproduce sexually, while others don't? And beyond the simple act of making other humans, what role does sex play in the survival of our species? And on Speaking Up, we talk to Don Riefler about the Gen Con Guerilla Skeptical Symposium.

We looked at the increasing focus on interactivity at science and skeptical conferences. Science Online 2010 organizer Bora Zivkovic discusses the evolution of that conference model, and his experience putting together a massive multi-day, participant-driven gathering of scientists and science enthusiasts. And on Speaking Up, we talk to Skepticamp founder Reed Esau talks about the creation of the Skepticamp interactive conference.