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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Jason Yeatman is an expert in the neurobiology of literacy whose lab is fostering a virtuous research cycle between academia and school communities, aligning scientific inquiry with real-world needs of students, parents, and educators. His lab has developed ROAR – the Rapid Online Assessment of Reading—a gamified, web-based dyslexia screening tool. ROAR provides fast, precise, and scalable assessments, helping educators identify and get support to struggling students. We’re aligning cutting-edge reading science with the challenges teachers face every day, Yeatman tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

Listen to the end to hear a question from one of our listeners for Professor Renee Zhao, as well as Professor Zhao's response. 

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Episode Reference Links:

• Stanford Profile: Jason Yeatman
• Rapid Online Assessment of Reading (ROAR)
• Jason and his team just launched ROAR@Home BETA, a parent research portal. Any parent who listens can sign up for ROAR here - https://roar.stanford.edu/signup/

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces Jason Yeatman, a professor of pediatrics education and psychology at Stanford University.

(00:03:12) Why Reading?

Why Jason dedicated his career to studying reading acquisition.

(00:04:12) Are We Built to Read?

How reading is a relatively new invention using older brain systems.

(00:06:41) Reading as a Continuum

Whether reading ability is distributed like other genetic human traits.

(00:07:53) Defining Dyslexia

Reframing dyslexia as a label for support, not a binary diagnosis.

(00:10:19) Phonological Awareness

Understanding how speech sound recognition underpins reading.

(00:13:37) Nature vs. Nurture

The influence of both genetics and environment in reading ability.

(00:16:40) The Origin of ROAR

An online reading assessment tool created during the pandemic.

(00:19:06) ROAR’s Effectiveness

The accuracy in which ROAR can assess reading capability.

(00:22:45) Reading Interventions That Work

Expanding support with evidence-based interventions for all ages.

(00:25:25) Personalized Diagnoses

Tailoring interventions based on detailed individual skill diagnostics.

(00:26:36) Scaling ROAR

Scaling ROAR via an academic research-practice partnership model.

(00:29:34) Infrastructure Behind ROAR

The team and technology required to scale ROAR in schools.

(00:31:54) Future of Reading Assessment

Expanding ROAR to include other dimensions of reading development.

(00:33:44) Reading Across Languages

Why English poses more reading difficulties than many languages.

(00:35:34) Listener Q&A

New segment answering audience questions from past episodes.

(00:37:46) Conclusion

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Neurobiologist Jamie Zeitzer is an expert on sleep – or, more accurately, an expert on why so many can’t sleep. He notes that, ironically, it’s often anxiety about sleep that prevents good sleep. In short, we lose sleep over lost sleep. Wearables and other tools can help but only to a point, and medications do not induce natural sleep. Instead, he counsels consistent routines, less stimulation at bedtime, and cognitive behavioral therapy to reduce worry about insomnia. Unfortunately, you can’t work harder to get better sleep – you have to learn to relax, Zeitzer 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 Jamie Zeitzer, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University.

(00:03:12) Understanding Circadian Rhythms

How the biological clock regulates sleep and other body functions.

(00:04:57) The Mystery of Sleep’s Purpose

What is still unknown about the fundamental need for sleep.

(00:06:00) Light and the Circadian Clock

The impact light exposure has on the body’s internal sleep timing.

(00:08:13) Day and Night Light Contrast

The importance of creating a light-dark contrast for healthy rhythms.

(00:11:18) Phones, Screens, and the Blue Light

Whether blue light from screen use affects sleep quality.

(00:13:49) Defining and Diagnosing Sleep Problems

How stress and over-focus on sleep quality worsen insomnia.

(00:16:02) Sleep Anxiety and Wearables

The psychological downsides of sleep data from tracking devices.

(00:17:14) CBT-I and Rethinking Insomnia

Mentally reframing sleep with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.

(00:21:21) Desynchronized Sleep Patterns

Studying student sleep patterns to separate circadian vs. sleep effects.

(00:23:49) Shift Work and Circadian Misalignment

The difficulty of re-aligning circadian clocks in rotating shifts.

(00:26:26) Effectiveness of Sleep Medications

The various drugs used to promote sleep and their pros and cons.

(00:29:46) Circadian “Sleep Cliff” and Melatonin

The brain’s “wake zone” before sleep and the limited effects of melatonin.

(00:32:52) Do’s & Don’ts for Better Sleep

Advice for those looking to improve their sleep quality.

(00:34:55) Alcohol and Caffeine Effects

How metabolism influences the effects of alcohol and caffeine on sleep.

(00:37:24) Conclusion

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Deborah Kado is a geriatrician who believes her field is misunderstood. Her interest in the science of aging began with a childhood encounter in a nursing home but recently resulted in intriguing work in which Kado linked microbes in the gut to vitamin D metabolism and poor sleep. Kado refuses to blame aging alone for health problems, advocating for better care regardless of age. It’s never too late to strive for better health, Kado 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 Deborah Kado, a professor of medicine and epidemiology at Stanford University.

(00:03:22) Origin Story in Geriatrics

How a childhood encounter led to Deborah’s career in geriatrics.

(00:06:04) Geriatrics vs. Gerontology

The clinical and research distinctions between the two related fields.

(00:06:58) Rethinking Aging

Reframing aging as a lifelong process rather than decline and loss.

(00:08:34) Patient Care Approach

Why symptoms should be investigated, not dismissed as inevitable aging.

(00:11:33) Linking Bone Health, Gut, and Brain

The surprising relationship between microbiomes, bones, and cognition.

(00:14:34) Vitamin D: Storage vs. Active Form

Why only the active form of vitamin D correlates with microbiome health.

(00:17:22) Gut Health and Sleep

How better sleep quality is linked to healthier microbiomes.

(00:21:20) Medical Education & Geriatric Training

The shortage of geriatrics training in U.S. medical schools.

(00:23:08) Measuring Geriatric Knowledge

The challenges and efforts to measure student knowledge about aging.

(00:27:24) Takeaways for Medical Professionals

Two anecdotes where symptoms were misattributed to old age.

(00:30:51) Empowering Aging Patients

Advice to aging individuals: agency, purpose, and not settling for less care.

(00:34:02) Conclusion

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It's teacher appreciation week and along with schools across the country, we here at The Future of Everything want to send out a heartfelt thank you to the teachers who make a difference every day in the lives of our children and in society as a whole. In light of this, we’re re-running an education related episode, and more specifically one on the future of educational technology with the Dean of the Stanford School of Education, Dan Schwartz. Dan is exploring effective ways to use AI in the classroom to support teachers–not to replace them–and to enhance student learning. We hope you’ll take a moment to tune in again and enjoy.

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

Host Russ Altman introduces guest Dan Schwartz, Dean of the School of Education at Stanford University.

(00:01:44) The Role of AI in Modern Education

The widespread reactions and implications of AI in education.

(00:02:59) Technology in the Classroom

The historical and evolving relationship between technology and education.

(00:04:51) Engaging Students with AI

How AI can enhance engagement through innovative teaching.

(00:07:45) Impact of AI on Student Learning

The balance between AI tools and maintaining educational standards.

(00:13:21) Challenges with EdTech Collaboration

Concerns about industry prioritizing speed over creativity in learning tools.

(00:15:23) Teachers Adapting to AI

The role of teachers in effectively integrating AI into the classroom.

(00:18:21) Assessment and Grading with AI

The potential and concerns of using AI for educational assessment

(00:22:16) AI and Conceptual Understanding

How AI can shift focus from task completion to true understanding.

(00:24:49) Physical Activity and Learning

The connection between physical activity and improved learning outcomes.

(00:28:59) Conclusion

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Lisa Patel is a pediatrician and an expert in environmental health who says that pollution is taking an increasing toll on children’s health. Pollution from wildfires, fossil fuels, and plastics can cause asthma, pneumonia, and risks dementia in the long-term. But, she says, all hope is not lost. Solutions range from DIY air filters to choosing induction stoves over gas, cutting down on meat consumption and plastics use, and pursuing clean energy, among other strategies. If we all take local action, we can solve this problem globally, Patel 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 guest Lisa Patel, a professor of pediatrics at Stanford University.

(00:03:39) Climate Advocacy Journey

The personal events that drove Lisa’s focus to environmental health.

(00:04:53) Fossil Fuels and Clean Air Act

How fossil fuels and weakened regulations harm public health.

(00:07:20 Long-Term Health Impacts

Links between pollution to asthma, cancer, and early Alzheimer’s.

(00:10:12) Air Quality Guidance for Families

Advising parents on air quality monitoring and precautions.

(00:13:04) Indoor Cooking and Gas Pollution

How pollution from gas stoves impacts indoor air quality.

(00:14:37) Lead in Water and Health Risks

Current issues with lead exposure in water for children.

(00:16:24) Microplastics and Early Health Damage

Evidence showing widespread microplastics are harmful to health.

(00:19:12) Clean Energy Progress and Setbacks

Benefits of renewable energy and dangers of policy rollback.

(00:21:22) Active Transport and Better Air

The environmental impact of increasing public transit.

(00:22:44) Benefits of Electric Vehicles

How electric vehicles are linked to cleaner air and healthier kids.

(00:23:51) Plant-Forward Diets for Health

Whether plant-forward diets aid personal and planetary health.

(00:25:33) Kids Leading Dietary Changes

Children’s reactions and adaptations to plant-forward diets.

(00:28:12) Taking Local Action

The local actions that can offer real solutions for change.

(00:31:01) Conclusion

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Michael Wara is a lawyer and an expert in wildfire policy who says that solutions are out there, but face financial, political, and cultural resistance. What’s needed, he says, are “whole-of-society” approaches that raise wildfire risk to the community level. In this regard, the devastation in Los Angeles in 2025 could provide the spark needed for smarter communication, better policies, and renewed urgency on wildfires, Wara 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 guest Michael Wara, a wildfire expert and professor of law at Stanford University.

(00:03:17) Journey to Wildfire Research

How Michael’s clean energy work led to wildfire research.

(00:04:48) Communities at the Frontlines

The community-level challenges and responsibilities in fire prevention.

(00:07:05) Shifting Community Perspectives

How awareness is rising but state efforts remain misaligned.

(00:09:28) Legacy Homes, Modern Risk

Why older homes pose a major risk and retrofitting is crucial.

(00:11:06) The Limits of Utility-Led Safety Efforts

The significant but insufficient progress utilities have made.

(00:14:35) Targeting High-Risk Areas

How utilities now prioritize high-risk areas for safety upgrades.

(00:15:42) Insurance Industry Realities

Why insurers can't price risk without crashing markets.

(00:18:24) Urban Wildfires

How today's major fires in suburbs are mostly fueled by homes.

(00:23:24) The Climate Change Multiplier

The impact of atmospheric dryness and fuel moisture on fire risk.

(00:25:57) New Fire Regulations

Recent mandates that have been implemented to decrease fire risk.

(00:30:58) Hollywood’s Role in Culture Change

Michael’s suggestion to showcase fire-safe landscaping.

(00:33:04) Conclusion

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Physician and psychologist Heidi Feldman is a pioneer in the field of developmental behavioral pediatrics who says that the world’s understanding of childhood disability is changing and so too are the ways we approach it. Where once institutionalization was common, today we find integrative, family-centered approaches, charting a more humane, hopeful path forward. For example, for children born prematurely with increased likelihood of disability, increasing skin-to-skin contact – what is called  “kangaroo care” – can literally reshape that child’s brain development, 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 guest  Heidi Feldman, professor of pediatrics at Stanford University.

(00:03:26) Path to Developmental Pediatrics

Heidi’s journey from education to developmental-behavioral pediatrics.

(00:05:10) The Emergence of Developmental Pediatrics

How developmental disabilities entered the medical mainstream.

(00:07:30) Common Disorders in Children

The most prevalent disabilities seen in practice and diagnostic trends.

(00:09:46) Preterm Birth and Disability Risk

Why premature birth is a major risk factor for developmental challenges.

(00:13:53) Brain Connections and Outcomes

How white matter and brain circuitry impact development.

(00:17:09) Kangaroo Care’s Potential

How skin-to-skin contact positively influences brain development.

(00:21:30) Inclusive Family and Community Support

Why integrated care and inclusive classrooms benefit all children.

(00:23:37) Social and Economic Upsides

Cost savings and increased independence from inclusive care.

(00:24:33) Transitioning to Adult Care

Gaps and opportunities in supporting disabled youth into adulthood.

(00:27:12) Using AI to Improve Care Quality

AI models help track whether care guidelines are being followed.

(00:31:00) Conclusion

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The world of women’s sports is experiencing unprecedented growth, attention, recognition, and investment. Elite athletes including Simone Biles, Caitlin Clark, Serena Williams, and many others are having a significant impact on culture, and more women than ever are participating in both professional and recreational sports. Earlier this year, Russ sat down with Dr. Emily Kraus to talk about the future of female athletic health and we’re re-running the episode today. She shared a number of key differences between women and men in sport, and illuminates that these differences are vastly understudied, though she’s working to close that gap. This is an episode we shared with a number of athletes we know, and we hope you’ll do the same.

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].

Episode Reference Links:

• Stanford Profile: Emily Kraus  
• Emily’s Survey: Centering The Female Athlete Voice in a Sports Science Research Agenda
• Stanford FASTR Program
• Wu Tsai Human Performance Alliance

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces Dr. Emily Kraus, professor of orthopedics at Stanford University.

(00:01:55) Injury Trends in Female Athletes

Prevalent injuries and health issues unique to female athletes.

(00:03:34) Menstrual Health in Young Athletes

How training affects puberty, periods, and long-term health.

(00:06:30) Body Image & Mental Health

Navigating body composition, stigma, and disordered eating.

(00:08:30) Competing Through Motherhood

Postpartum athletes and the need for more scientific support.

(00:11:34) Sharing vs. Guarding Performance Data

Whether female athletes are sharing information or staying competitive.

(00:12:25) Fueling, Recovery & Modern Training

Nutrition, rest, and strength training as key performance tools.

(00:15:31) Gender-Based Nutrition Differences

How under-researched female athletes are fueling without guidance.

(00:18:55) The Female Athlete Voice Project

What elite athletes want researched—and what’s missing.

(00:21:21) FASTR & the Science of RED-S

New initiatives addressing energy deficiency and performance.

(00:24:05) Applying Elite Insights to All Women

How weekend warriors can benefit from elite research.

(00:25:11) Cultural Challenges in Sport

Sexism, inequity, and overlooked institutional barriers.

(00:27:03) Getting the Word Out

Finding ways to educate athletes, coaches, and clinicians more effectively.

(00:29:37) Conclusion

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Nora Freeman Engstrom is a professor of law who says that in three-quarters of cases one or more of the parties lacks legal representation. Worse yet, often the litigants are involved in high-consequence civil cases where there is no right to a lawyer and costs are prohibitive. Some states are looking at alternatives including non-lawyer representation, curated legal help for low-income citizens, and even AI, as Engstrom 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 Nora Freeman Engstrom, a professor of law at Stanford University.

(00:03:11) Path to Justice Work

Nora’s journey into legal ethics and justice reform.

(00:04:46) Misconceptions About Civil Court

How civil cases often involve one represented and one unrepresented party.

(00:08:40) Limits of Judicial Help

Why the U.S. adversarial system limits judicial involvement.

(00:10:40) Problems with Self-Help

The lack of reliable resources for people trying to represent themselves.

(00:13:41) The Cost of Legal Help

The high cost of representation and how legal aid is overwhelmed.

(00:15:20) A Missing Middle

How law lacks mid-level professionals to offer affordable legal help.

(00:17:41) Expanding Legal Access

Why law lacks mid-level roles and bans non-lawyer advice.

(00:22:22) New Models for Legal Support

The ways some states are testing trained non-lawyers to expand access.

(00:27:22) Legal Help in the Past

The history of legal access, including lawyers in banks and auto clubs.

(00:30:29) Legal Protectionism

How depression-era protectionism led to today’s lawyer-only model

(00:32:48) The Role of AI in Legal Access

The potential of AI for creating smarter legal tools for courts.

(00:35:52) Conclusion

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