The Alcor Podcast

In this episode, Daniel Walters sits down with Dr. Greg Fahy, past president of the Society for Cryobiology and one of the most respected figures in the field, to discuss landmark new research on brain preservation.

The paper, Ultrastructural and Histological Cryopreservation of Mammalian Brains by Vitrification, provides some of the first direct evidence that mammalian brains can be vitrified with preservation of their ultrastructure. It's the result of decades of work, an extraordinary collaboration with Alcor, and the final wish of a scientist who chose to make his own brain part of the study.

In this conversation:

• How Dr. Fahy came to cryobiology and his path through organ preservation research
• The science behind vitrification and what makes M22 a sixth-generation cryoprotectant
• Why Stephen Coles, a leading biogerontologist, wanted his brain to be part of the study
• A daring experiment that could have produced some very unfavorable results
• What the research revealed about ultrastructure, shrinkage, and cracking during cryopreservation
• What this means for the cryopreservation vs chemo-fixation debate
• A look at what's next, including additional human cases, blood-brain barrier research, and an open question Dr. Fahy and his team are exploring. 

Join us for this in-depth discussion of this landmark research. 

Click here to view the full paper.

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This is Part 2 of our DART series with Alcor's Medical Response Director, Shelby Calkins. If you haven't listened to Part 1, you should --> listen to it here <--  before continuing.

Episode Overview 

In this essential continuation of our DART series, Alcor's Medical Response Director Shelby Calkins dives deep into the operational realities of the Deployment and Recovery Team. This second part explores how DART executes their critical no-fail mission, from team composition and strategic positioning to equipment deployment and regulatory navigation. Discover the dramatic growth in case volume, the meticulous planning behind each deployment, and the vital role members play in ensuring optimal cryopreservation outcomes.

Key Topics Discussed

• DART's successful transition from contractor model to in-house operations
• Strategic team positioning and recruitment priorities
• Dramatic increase in case volume from 5-7 to 23-24 annual cases
• Comprehensive equipment deployment 
• Emergency notification protocols and member communication best practices
• Regulatory challenges and compliance across different states
• Post-case debrief processes for continuous improvement
• Essential member preparedness recommendations and health monitoring

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• Build Out Alcor's Science Lab 

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Episode Overview

In this very important episode, Alcor pulls back the curtain on one of its most critical operations: the Deployment and Recovery Team (DART). Join medical response director Shelby Calkins as she provides an in-depth look at the DART team's crucial work. This is the first part of a two-part series that offers unprecedented insight into the inner workings of Alcor's medical response team, providing a comprehensive understanding of the complex and critical role the DART team plays in Alcor's mission.

Key Topics Discussed

• The history of Standby Stabilization and Transport (SST)
• Creation and evolution of Alcor's DART model
• Alcor's strategic shift towards in-house SST operations
• Insights into team recruitment and training
• Addressing common misconceptions about the DART team

Alcor Members: Don't forget to take our member readiness survey by clicking here.

Support Alcor with Directed Donations:

• Build Out Alcor's Science Lab 

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In this episode of The Alcor Podcast, we take a look at how the newly formed Alcor Canada is making cryonics more accessible. Their donor-supported model isn’t just for Canada—it’s an approach that could work anywhere, bringing cryonics resources closer to those who want them. No matter where you are, this episode offers valuable insights into setting up local cryonics resources - worth your time!

Highlights:

• The Birth of Alcor Canada – Why the need for a dedicated Canadian entity became clear and how it took shape.
• How the Canadian DART Team Works – A deep dive into how the team is structured, how they respond to cases, and why their model can be replicated anywhere.
• Training for Cryonics Deployments – The essential skills and specialized knowledge that make DART teams effective
• Funding Local Expansion – How donor-supported initiatives are creating local cryonics resources and what it takes to bring a team to your doorstep.
• Whats Next - The future ambitions for Alcor Canada 

Support Alcor with Directed Donations:

• Build Out Alcor's Science Lab 

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In this episode of The Alcor Podcast, I sit down with Alcor's new International Development Coordinator, Jeremy Wiggins, and Alcor CEO, James Arrowood, to discuss the recently announced Alcor Europe. 

• Click Here to Help us Bring Alcor to Europe with our directed donation fund!

Episode Highlights:

• Why Alcor is expanding into Europe
• Lessons from Alcor Canada’s success
• Demand from European members
• Benefits of dual locations
• Recruitment and training challenges
• Why Sweden is the top choice
• Financial needs and funding goals
• Timeline tied to fundraising speed
• How to support making Alcor Europe a reality

Support Alcor with Directed Donations:

• Build Out Alcor's Science Lab 

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In this inaugural episode of The Alcor Podcast, I sit down with Alcor CEO James Arrowood to discuss the organization's largest expansion in its history. From a growing research team to international development, we explore the significant changes happening at Alcor and what they mean for the future of the organization.

Episode Highlights:

• The story behind Alcor's largest team expansion, bringing on eight new team members
• Introduction of new research initiatives 
• Improvements in emergency response capabilities and record-breaking response times
• Details about Alcor's international expansion into Canada and future European plans
• Discussion of new member services and communication initiatives
• Inside look at how Alcor is funding and managing this growth

Support Alcor with Directed Donations:

• Build Out Alcor's Science Lab 

Stay Connected:

• Follow Alcor on our social media
• Learn more about Alcor on our website
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