Stanford Radio

Stanford Professor Wiliam Damon, who made a startling discovery about his father later in life, explains how exploring your past can help you find purpose in your present.

Originally aired on SiriusXM on August 14, 2021.

Stanford Professor Emily Levine discusses her new book, Allies and Rivals: German-American Exchange and the Rise of the Modern Research University.

Originally aired on SiriusXM on August 14, 2021.

Full title: Stanford alum Rob Siegel, a venture capitalist and lecturer on staying competitive when combining digital and traditional business functions.

Rob Siegel, author of "The Brains and Brawn Company: How Leading Organizations Blend the Best of Digital and Physical" an eBook on maintaining a competitive business advantage in today's digital economy.

Originally aired on SiriusXM on July 7, 2021.

The Future of Everything with Russ Altman:

E158 | Emmanuel Candes: How to increase certainty in predictive modeling

Today’s predictive algorithms carry too much uncertainty says one mathematician, who is working to bring confidence to the models that, increasingly, rule our lives.

Anyone who’s ever made weekend plans based on the weather forecast knows that prediction – about anything – is a tough business. But predictive models are increasingly used to make life-changing decisions everywhere from health and finance to justice and national elections. As the consequences have grown, so has the weight of uncertainty, says today’s guest, mathematician and statistician Emmanuel Candès.

Candès knows this paradigm all too well. He is an expert in identifying flaws in today’s highly sophisticated computer models. He says the secret to better prediction rests in building models that don’t try to be right every time, but instead offer a high degree of certainty about things of real consequence.

In that regard, the old scientific maxim holds, he says. Correlation does not equal causation. The statistician’s job, therefore, is helping to sort through the noise to find the nuggets of truth in the things that really matter, as Candès tell listeners to this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast with host Russ Altman. Listen and subscribe here.

Psychologist Geoffrey Cohen discusses what teachers can do to help students feel a sense of belonging, and how that feeling propels learning.

Originally aired on SiriusXM on July 31, 2021.

Emma Seppala, expert in mindfulness, explains how teachers and parents can encourage restorative practices like meditation to help mental well-being as we emerge from the trauma of the pandemic.

Originally aired on SiriusXM on July 31, 2021.

Dr. Ying-Ying Goh, Director & Public Health Officer, City of Pasadena & Stanford alum talks public policy, research, and medicine.

Ying-Ying Goh leads the Pasadena Public Health Dept. in its dedication to the physical, social and mental well-being of all those who love, live, work, learn, and play in Pasadena.

Originally aired on SiriusXM on July 24, 2021.

Legal issues surrounding the elderly and mentally incapacitated have been making headlines lately, particularly the conservatorship for popstar Britney Spears. But why are these legal tools used? What are the alternatives? And what rights do people like Britney have? In this episode of Stanford Legal, Michael Gilfix , a leading authority in the field of law, aging, and estate planning, answers these questions and more.

Originally aired on July 17, 2021 on SiriusXM.

The Future of Everything with Russ Altman:

E157 | Srabanti Chowdhury: New forms of semiconductors are key to the future

An electrical engineer discusses how new materials for semiconductors could lead to smaller, faster, more powerful, more energy efficient, and more versatile electronics.

Electronics are everywhere these days, so much so that often we don't even register that we are using them. The use of electronics will only grow over time as engineers solve societal challenges through increased connectivity, faster computation, new high-tech gadgets, and energy sustainability. Against that backdrop, electrical engineers like Stanford’s Srabanti Chowdhury have been searching for new semiconductors that can expand the application space beyond the ubiquitous silicon. Among the options she’s exploring is an old familiar friend—diamond—and a few new ones, too, like gallium nitride.

The diamonds Chowdhury works with are a far cry from the sparkly gems a jeweler might prize. These diamonds are “doped” with other elements to achieve optimal electrical performance. Meanwhile, gallium nitride has shown promise in LEDs and lasers, as well as in cutting-edge radar systems—among other applications.

While these new semiconductors have raised hopes of scaling new heights where even silicon cannot reach, much work remains if they are ever to move from lab bench to laptops and myriad other electronic devices. The payoff, however, will be smaller, faster, more powerful, more energy efficient, and more versatile electronics, as Chowdhury tells listeners to this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast with host Russ Altman. Listen and subscribe here.

Private online team building facilitated by experts Michael McCarroll and Bob Sutton, both Stanford alums.

Blurb: Experts at Teamraderie discuss winning strategies on developing trust, commitment, and innovation through virtual team building.