That Science and Nature Show

Aired 1/23/2024. For the premiere episode of the Spring semester, the cast discusses the rising risk of earthquakes, how insect wings evolved from gills, and solving crimes through forensic entomology. With it being the dead of Winter, topic of the show cover extreme cold and wintertime traditions.

Recorded 1/10/2024. For our Winter Break episode, the cast (Jeremy, Becky, Webster, and a returning Ray) reviews the 2023 critical and commercial darling, Oppenheimer, discussing major plot points, how science and scientists are depicted, and other various themes of military secrecy, communism and geopolitics, and research and ethnic/religious background. Full Spoilers for the movie Oppenheimer (and also the HBO series Veep at one point).

Recorded 12/12/2023. For the last episode of 2023, the cast discusses a found tomato on the International Space Station, robotic cells, climate change and foodstuffs, and saving sick corals with antibiotic paste in the news. In the spirit of the holiday season, topic of the show covers science and nature holidays. We cover a handful of obscure science and nature holidays, if they hold any significance or are just silly, and how these holidays can be used to promote better awareness of environmental issues. (Technical Note: There was some mic issues the first few minutes of the host's mic, but after a few minutes, the wonkiness clears up).

Aired 12/5/2023. On this week's episode, the cast partakes in the 2nd science and nature trivia challenge competition. Fellow PhD student Raj Prasaj guests on this episode, having just returned from Ecuador with his field research, also recounts his time there.

Aired 11/28/2023. This week on the podcast, Jeremy, Becky, and an eventual Webster, interview Dr. Minsoo Kang, a history professor at UMSL about his research on the history of the mad scientist. The conversation covers the origin of the moniker, traits of the mad scientist, depictions throughout history and pop culture, and how the stereotype is harmful to the progression of science as a whole.

Aired 11/14/2023. This week on That Science and Nature Show, Garrett Behrends guest on the show! News this week covers the CDC and increasing voluntary disease surveillance for travelers, dying from laughter, and research linking the state you reside in and personality. Topic of the show covers animal stereotyping, including how animals are oftentimes put into boxes like people, examples of media that reinforce these stereotypes, and the good and bad of the preconceived notions on animals.

Original Lost Recording 11/7/2023. This recording is a recap and memento to Episode 21 of the podcast on Alternative Medicine, which unfortunately did not properly record.

Aired 10/31/2023. On a very spooky themed episode of That Science and Nature Show, the cast talks about re-animating spider corpses, scientists exploring what makes a place "haunted", and horror movie museum exhibits. Topic of the show is about fear and phobias, our interactions with fear and horror, and some of the research done on the physiological sensation.

Aired 10/24/2023. This week on the show, the cast is joined by two special undergraduate guests from UMSL Sustainability, Jenn Voss and James Ott. News this week tackles hurricanes increasing in danger, recycling reforms in England, and the United States updating electric grid for future generations. Topic of the show this week is about about sustainability, discussing what is sustainability, what does UMSL sustainability do, the challenges of going green, and ways we can be more sustainable in our lives.

Aired 10/17/2023. This week on the show, the cast is joined by our first post-doc guest, having moved to St. Louis all the way from Australia, Dr. Tom Hagan! In the news this week is how the brain can create false memories, DARPA and puking headsets, and clothing waste. Topic of the show covers invasive species, and how they can cause a lot of problems for the natural world.