It’s summertime, and for many of us that means a recreational trip to the beach or coast. Worldwide, billions of people live year-round near a coastline, and these settings can be responsible for everything from buffering storms and preventing sea-level rise to fishing, flourishing tourism, and trade. For all these reasons, the acceleration of coastal erosion is an important topic to understand. A couple years ago, we sat down with Jane Willenbring, a geoscientist who says that by studying what coastlines looked like long ago, we can better understand where they are headed and how to protect them. No matter where you live, we hope you’ll tune in to better understand the forces behind coastal erosion.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Jane Willenbring, a professor of Earth systems at Stanford University.

(00:01:30) What Causes Coastal Erosion

The natural processes that build up or break down coastal regions.

(00:02:58) When Coastlines Grow

Where and how coastal buildup can still occur, especially near rivers.

(00:04:11) Measuring Coastal Erosion

The technological and geological measurements used to track change.

(00:06:12) Dating Coastal Rock

Using cosmic radiation to help measure long-term erosion rates.

(00:07:48) Archaeology & Shifting Settlements

How ancient coastal settlements reflect environmental change.

(00:09:03) Tectonics vs. Erosion

Differentiating between sea level rise and tectonic land uplift.

(00:10:09) Infrastructure at Risk

The dangers of coastal erosion to critical infrastructure.

(00:12:12) Science Meets Policy

Why long-term erosion timelines complicate policymaking.

(00:14:11) Real-World Responses

Examples of successes and failures due to policy inaction.

(00:15:14) Disadvantages of Building Bridges

The unintended effects of building bridges and barriers.

(00:16:11) “Unzipping” Landscapes

How rivers and streams carve landscapes from the inside out.

(00:17:47) Sea Level Rise & Coastal Changes

The mechanics of sea level rise and how it increases erosion.

(00:19:25) Beaches as Natural Defenses

Why wide beaches are crucial to the protection of coastlines.

(00:20:42) Cliff Collapse & Beaches

What happens when sand is lost due to erosion or human intervention.

(00:22:11) The Social Impacts of Coastal Erosion

The effects of coastal erosion on different socioeconomic classes

(00:24:11) Public Health Risks of Coastal Erosion

The different health and infrastructure risks posed by unmanaged erosion.

(00:26:05) Vegetation, Kelp, & Green Solutions

The potential for vegetation and kelp to help soften coastal impact.

(0028:43) Conclusion

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Chemical engineer Beth Sattely studies the intricate chemistry of plant life. Plants are more than food, she says: They are living chemical factories churning out molecules that help plants do everything from adapting to climate change to fighting infections – or even producing valuable new cancer drugs. Lately, Sattely’s lab is working on ways to make crops more resilient to engineer more sustainable foods and environments. Some of our most exciting technologies already exist in nature, we just have to find them, Sattely tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Beth Sattely, a professor of chemical engineering at Stanford University.

(00:03:10) Path to Plant Metabolism

How chemistry and gardening led to a career in plant science.

(00:03:54) Environmental and Human Health

Using plants to improve both the planet and people’s well-being.

(00:04:53) Engineering Climate-Resilient Crops

Making crops more sustainable and nutritious amid global change.

(00:05:58) Old vs. New Crop Engineering

Comparing traditional breeding with modern molecular tools.

(00:08:04) Industry and Long-Term Food Security

The gap between short-term market goals and long-term environmental needs.

(00:09:13) Tomato Chemistry

Tomatoes reveal how plants produce protective molecules under stress.

(00:12:26) Plant “Vaccines” and Immune Signaling

How plants communicate threats internally and mount chemical defenses.

(00:14:14) Citrus Greening and Limonoids

The potential role of limonoid research on citrus greening.

(00:16:59) Plants Making Medicine

How plants like Yew trees naturally produce cancer drugs like Taxol.

(00:21:19) Diet as Preventative Medicine

Identifying plant molecules to understand their preventative health effects. 

(00:24:36) Food Allergies and Plant Chemistry

Why the immune system tolerates some foods and rejects others.

(00:26:42) Understanding Tolerance in Immunity

Possibility of reintroducing tolerance through partial molecular exposure.

(00:28:02) Engineering Healthier Plants

Potential for designing plants to enhance micronutrient content.

(00:29:04) Training the Next Generation

Beth celebrates her students’ role in shaping a sustainable future.

(00:30:39) Conclusion

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Biologist Lauren O’Connell studies poisonous frogs, but not just the toxins that make them dangerous. She also studies the neuroscience of their complex parenting. She’s learned that tadpoles recognize their mothers by smell and do a “begging dance” when hungry, and that the frogs produce a protein that protects them from their own poisonous chemistry.  That protein could help treat overdoses in humans, O’Connell tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Lauren O’Connell, a professor of biology at Stanford.

(00:03:34) Why Poison Frogs?

Lauren shares what led her to focus her research on poison frogs

(00:05:16) Parenting Styles in Frogs

The diverse parental strategies across frog species.

(00:08:36) The Role of Opioids in Parenting

The signalling factors in the frog brain that regulate bonding,

(00:10:05) Hormones & Gender Roles

The influence of testosterone and estrogen on caregiving behaviors.

(00:11:34) Implications for Human Research

How studying frogs reveals basic neural blueprints of parenting.

(00:13:23) Tadpole’s Communication

The neural circuits behind tadpole communication and behavior.

(00:15:10) Autism Gene Experiments in Tadpoles

How genetic changes can alter tadpole social communication

(00:17:47) Transparency & Tadpole Biology

Observing tadpole behavior and neural activity via their transparency.

(00:20:59) Tracking Frogs in the Wild

Research on how frogs navigate back to their tadpoles

(00:24:31) Male vs. Female Navigation

Testosterone’s influence on the ability to navigate more efficiently.

(00:25:38) Toxin Tolerance Mechanisms

A toxin-binding protein that allows frogs to avoid self-poisoning.

(00:29:01) Origin of the Toxins

The origin and mechanisms of the toxins found in frogs.

(00:31:15) The Value of Basic Science

How studying fundamental science can lead to unexpected applications.

(00:33:10) Conclusion

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We’re in the midst of summer and we know that power outages can happen more frequently during this season due to higher temperatures and an increased demand for electricity. A couple years ago we sat down with Ram Rajagopal, an expert in the future of electrical power. He shared a few ways our existing system of massive power plants is slowly but surely giving way to a much leaner, decentralized system of small-scale power generation. Ram refers to this as a move from an “infrastructure-centric” model to a “human-centric” grid — one that will be much smarter, more inclusive and better able to adapt to the needs of individual users. It’s a topic that impacts all of us and we hope you’ll tune in again for a refresher on how the electric grid works and how it’s evolving.

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Ram Rajagopal, a professor of engineering at Stanford University.

(00:03:47) What is Powernet?

Outline of Powernet—a decentralized, user-focused power grid vision.

(00:05:34) Behind-the-Meter Intelligence

Aiming to align supply and demand by understanding consumer needs.

(00:07:58) Smart Dimmers & Data Privacy

Balancing energy efficiency with privacy concerns in home automation.

(00:10:05) Aggregators & Local Control

Future energy sharing may rely on local devices and trusted middlemen.

(00:11:50) Human Motivation & Energy Behavior

Why both ethics and cost will drive user participation in energy decisions.

(00:14:02) Teaching Energy Awareness

A program teaching middle-schoolers to analyze home energy use.

(00:16:17) Automating Energy Use

Behavioral and systems changes to help align wellness with grid needs.

(00:18:58) Grid Shift: Renewables & Storage

How evolving the grid demands real-time monitoring and local resilience.

(00:19:57) Sensors & Operational Safety

The sensing technology that ensures transformers and lines stay within limits.

(00:21:27) Smart Dairy: Cooling Cows with AI

How smart fans and storage reduced a dairy farm’s energy output.

(00:23:28) Building Trust with Farmers

The collaborative process behind deploying the grid tech at the farm.

(00:25:01) Smart Ventilation at Scale

Scaling the ventilation tech tested on farms to improve public health spaces.

(00:26:06) Equity in the Human-Centered Grid

How price signals risk overburdening the most vulnerable communities.

(00:28:22) Conclusion

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Law professor Daniel Ho says that the law is ripe for AI innovation, but a lot is at stake. Naive application of AI can lead to rampant hallucinations in over 80 percent of legal queries, so much research remains to be done in the field. Ho tells how California counties recently used AI to find and redact racist property covenants from their laws—a task predicted to take years, reduced to days. AI can be quite good at removing “regulatory sludge,” Ho tells host Russ Altman in teasing the expanding promise of AI in the law in this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected].

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces Dan Ho, a professor of law and computer science at Stanford University.

(00:03:36) Journey into Law and AI

Dan shares his early interest in institutions and social reform.

(00:04:52) Misconceptions About Law

Common misunderstandings about the focus of legal work.

(00:06:44) Using LLMs for Legal Advice

The current capabilities and limits of LLMs in legal settings.

(00:09:09) Identifying Legislation with AI

Building a model to identify and redact racial covenants in deeds.

(00:13:09) OCR and Multimodal Models

Improving outdated OCR systems using multimodal AI.

(00:14:08) STARA: AI for Statute Search

A tool to scan laws for outdated or excessive requirements.

(00:16:18) AI and Redundant Reports

Using STARA to find obsolete legislatively mandated reports

(00:20:10) Verifying AI Accuracy

Comparing STARA results with federal data to ensure reliability.

(00:22:10) Outdated or Wasteful Regulations

Examples of bureaucratic redundancies that hinder legal process.

(00:23:38) Consolidating Reports with AI

How different bureaucrats deal with outdated legislative reports.

(00:26:14) Open vs. Closed AI Models

The risks, benefits, and transparency in legal AI tools.

(00:32:14) Replacing Lawyers with Legal Chatbot

Why general-purpose legal chatbots aren't ready to replace lawyers.

(00:34:58) Conclusion

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Psychiatrist Carolyn Rodriguez studies hoarding disorder and says that all of us have attachments to our possessions. But for many, these attachments can disrupt daily life and even pose health risks. For those with loved ones who struggle with hoarding disorder, she says treatments exist, including cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT). Lately, she’s been studying how virtual reality can augment CBT through virtual discarding practice and ways brain stimulation may improve symptoms. But, Rodriguez says, never underestimate the value of empathy for those in need of help, as she tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected].

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces Carolyn Rodriguez, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral science at Stanford University.

(00:02:47) Motivation to Study Hoarding Disorder

Why Carolyn chose to focus her research on hoarding disorder.

(00:03:44) Collecting Versus Hoarding

Distinguishing between normal behavior and clinically significant hoarding.

(00:05:47) Prevalence of Hoarding Disorder

The universality and pervasiveness of hoarding disorder.

(00:07:11) The Brain Science Behind Hoarding

Early neuroscience findings on attachment and discarding behavior.

(00:08:47) Dopamine and Excessive Acquisition

The connection between hoarding and potential dopamine reward pathways.

(00:09:55) Risk Factors and Cognitive Challenges

Personality traits, genetics, and processing difficulties involved in hoarding.

(00:11:14) Gender Differences and Insight Issues

Gender prevalence in treatment-seeking and the concept of anosognosia.

(00:12:35) The “Why” Behind Hoarding

How motivations and emotional attachments influence behavior.

(00:13:50) Onset and Progression of Disorder

Typical onset age, aging effects, and early warning signs.

(00:15:05) Historical References to Hoarding

Accounts from ancient literature of hoarding-like behavior

(00:17:16) Attachment to Objects

The emotional, aesthetic, and identity-based reasons people retain objects.

(00:20:45) Current Treatment Options

The treatment landscape, including lack of medications and focus on CBT.

(00:22:30) Chronic Nature of Hoarding Disorder

Framing hoarding as a long-term condition with hopeful outcomes.

(00:23:08) Virtual Reality for Treatment

A study on using VR to safely practice letting go of personal items.

(00:25:58) Neuromodulation Research

Using non-invasive brain stimulation to reduce acquisition urges.

(00:27:00) Advice for Individuals and Families

The importance of empathy and self-care for individuals and caregivers.

(00:28:47) Conclusion

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Summer is in full swing and we hope you are enjoying it with family and friends. As we spend more time outdoors, it’s an opportune moment to revisit a conversation we had with Zakia Rahman, a dermatologist who shared a number of helpful measures we can take to care for our skin. She reminds us that skincare is about more than vanity — it’s about vitality. We hope you’ll tune in again and enjoy.

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• Stanford Center on Longevity

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Host Russ Altman introduces guest Zakia Rahman, a professor of dermatology at Stanford University.

(00:01:57) The Impact of Digital Technologies

How digital media shapes dermatology and self-perception

(00:03:13) Effects of Self-Image on Dermatology

Balancing vanity and vitality in modern skincare trends.

(00:04:38) The Role of Lasers in Dermatology

The uses and types of laser technology in dermatology.

(00:08:17) Lasers in Skin Cancer Treatment

How laser technology aids in the treatment and prevention of skin cancer.

(00:09:44) Progress in Skin Cancer

Skin cancer prevention and the effectiveness of sun protection measures.

(00:13:02) Effectiveness of Physical Sun Protection

Guidance on protecting from UV damage using physical sun protection.

(00:18:27) Ethnic Differences in Skin Health

Differences in skin health and sun exposure across ethnic groups.

(00:20:30) Tanning: Protective or Problematic?

The science behind tanning and the skin’s role as an endocrine organ.

(00:23:16) Aesthetics and Culture in Skin Care

How cultural perceptions of beauty intersect with skincare and health.

(00:25:38) Therapeutic Effects of Light

Potential benefits of red light exposure from masks and sunsets.

(00:28:28) Conclusion

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Guest Lisa Goldman Rosas is an authority on public health who says that food insecurity goes deeper than hunger and can lead to chronic diabetes, heart disease, and even anxiety and depression. Rosas champions a concept she calls “nutrition security,” which focuses on food’s health value over mere calories. She discusses her work with “Recipe4Health,” an Alameda County-led program that issues produce prescriptions, offers health coaching, and integrates electronic health records to improve diets and well-being. Food is medicine, Rosas tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected].

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• Recipe4Health

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces Lisa Goldman Rosas, a professor of epidemiology and population health, medicine and pediatrics at Stanford University.

(00:03:56) Journey Into Food & Health

Lisa’s path from environmental science to food security and medicine.

(00:05:54) Food Insecurity vs. Nutrition Security

Distinguishing between food insecurity and nutrition security.

(00:07:12) Food Choices Under Pressure

Factors that contribute to food insecurity in families.

(00:09:03) Health Impacts of Food Insecurity

Links between food insecurity, chronic illness and mental health issues.

(00:12:04) Government & Policy Support

How programs like SNAP and WIC support food access.

(00:14:15) Food as Medicine

A growing movement connecting healthcare with nutrition support.

(00:17:34) Trial Periods & Lasting Impact

Why short-term programs can help families discover healthier habits.

(00:21:27) What is Recipe4Health?

An outline of a clinic-based produce and behavior prescription program.

(00:24:07) When Disease Causes Food Insecurity

How expensive chronic disease can push people into food insecurity.

(00:24:23) Medicaid Waivers for Food Prescriptions

The state level policy shifts that allow food as a reimbursable health expense.

(00:26:27) Private Sector’s Role in Food Insecurity

How companies are getting involved in promoting healthy foods.

(00:27:34) Simple Tips for Eating Better

Strategies to make small but impactful changes for eating healthier.

(00:30:39) Conclusion

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Everyone has goals — some are monumental, others modest — but every goal matters. Join guest Szu-chi Huang, an expert in sustaining enthusiasm for individuals, customers, and employees across global corporations and organizations, as she delves into the science of motivation. Discover how the gap between where you are and where you want to be is bridged by a dynamic blend of psychology, sociology, behavioral economics, neuroscience, and the latest in AI. The secret to achieving your goals? Stay adaptable. If one approach falters, switch gears to keep your drive alive, Huang tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to [email protected].

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces Szu-Chi Huang, professor of marketing at Stanford GSB.

(00:03:31) Studying Motivation

Szu-chi shares what led her to study motivational science

(00:04:03) Defining Motivation

Motivation as the drive to close the gap between current and ideal self.

(00:04:57) The Science of Motivation

Studying motivation through behavioral and neurological data.

(00:05:48) Why It Matters in Business

How motivation science applies to leaders, teams, and customers.

(00:06:39) Motivation Framework

The strategies needed in order to stay motivated over time.

(00:07:42) The Mindset of Motivation

The different mindsets needed throughout the stages of motivation.

(00:09:21) Motivating Kids to Choose Healthy

A Collaboration with UNICEF to study what motivates children.

(00:10:55) Gamified Coupons in Panama

A study using gamified coupons to influence children's food choices.

(00:14:26) Loyalty Programs as Motivation

How customer reward programs act as structured goal journeys.

(00:16:47) Progress Versus Purpose

The different incentives needed in each stage of loyalty programs.

(00:18:29) Retirement Saving Lessons

How financial institutions apply motivational science to long-term goals.

(00:21:12) Motivation in Social Context

The role of social connections in goal pursuit and sustaining motivation.

(00:26:10) Designing Apps for Motivation

How redesigning user interfaces can help users stay motivated.

(00:27:20) AI as a Motivation Coach

Using AI to personalize feedback across all stages of goal pursuit.

(00:30:09) Starting and Sustaining a Goal

Practical strategies for launching and sustaining a goal.

(00:31:57) Conclusion

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It’s graduation season here at Stanford and students are getting ready to collect their diplomas and take their education out into the real world. A couple years ago, we sat down with Tina Seelig, a professor in our Management Science and Engineering department who’s done a lot of research on how we can teach skills including imagination, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship — all things that can come in handy when you’re setting out to make a positive contribution to the world. We’re re-running this episode today, so whether you’re a new grad trying to figure out your next steps, or someone simply looking for a solution to a big challenge, we hope you’ll tune in again and be inspired. 

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces Tina Seelig, professor of management science and engineering at Stanford University.

(00:02:04) Is Entrepreneurship Teachable?

Whether entrepreneurial traits can be learned or are innate.

(00:04:22) Parsing the Creative Process

Differences between imagination, creativity, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

(00:05:52) Universality of Entrepreneurial Skills

How entrepreneurial skills apply to industries beyond tech.

(00:07:33) Teaching with Framestorming

A method to redefine problems before jumping to solutions.

(00:10:29) Framestorming vs Brainstorming

The concept of “framestorming” and why it’s critical for innovation.

(00:12:05) Inventing the Future Course

Tina’s course where students debate the ethics of emerging technologies.

(00:13:35) Creativity and Ethical Considerations

The importance of separating ideas from judgment while innovating.

(00:16:20) Anticipating the Downside

How students often identify ethical risks in technologies even experts miss.

(00:18:49) Creativity and Leadership

Why leaders need creative problem-solving and entrepreneurial thinking.

(00:19:42) Teaching Leadership

Cultivating leadership through values-driven education and training.

(00:21:01) Combatting Leadership Stereotypes

Creating diversity cohorts to show leadership comes in many forms.

(00:22:58) How to Engineer Your Own Luck

Outlining the differences between fortune, chance, and luck.

(00:25:50) The Micro-Decisions of Luck

How consistent effort and initiative lead to perceived “luck.”

(00:27:34) Conclusion

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