The Future of Everything

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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• Stanford Profile: Lisa Patel

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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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• Stanford Profile: Michael Wara

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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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• Stanford Profile: Heidi M. Feldman

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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.

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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• Stanford Profile: Nora Freeman Engstrom

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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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Physician Tina Stankovic is an ear, nose, and throat specialist and a lover of music whose seemingly disparate pursuits — medicine and music — have led her to a groundbreaking career in hearing research. She recently worked with music legend Paul Simon during his well-publicized battle with hearing loss and he has become a vocal advocate for hearing research. New understandings and new approaches like regenerative medicine have put the once-impossible dream of hearing restoration within reach, Stankovic 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].

Episode Reference Links:

• Stanford Profile: Konstantina M. Stankovic
• Stanford Researchers Assist Paul Simon with his Return to the Stage
• Inside the Stanford Initiative to Cure Hearing Loss: Cutting-Edge Science and Innovation

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Tina Stankovic, a professor of otolaryngology and neurosurgery at Stanford University.

(00:03:36) Why Hearing Loss

What inspired Tina’s lifelong journey into hearing science.

(00:04:17) Treating Hearing Loss

Limits of current options and lack of FDA-approved therapies.

(00:05:23) Causes of Hearing Loss

The two main categories of hearing loss: conductive vs. sensorineural.

(00:07:47) Inside the Inner Ear

The complexity of the inner ear, and why diagnosis is so difficult.

(00:09:22) Tinnitus & Hearing Loss

Why ear damage can cause phantom sounds in the brain.

(00:10:28) Emerging Technologies in Hearing Research

New technologies that are evolving treatment approaches.

(00:15:19) Recreating the Ear in the Lab

Challenges the inner ear’s unique composition pose to researchers.

(00:20:02) AI Applications in Hearing Diagnosis

The ways AI is transforming diagnosis and genetic analysis.

(00:21:31) Can Ears Regrow?

Why humans don’t regenerate ear cells—but mice might help.

(00:23:55) Emotional & Social Toll of Hearing Loss

How hearing loss can lead to isolation, stigma, and cognitive decline.

(00:26:06) Born Deaf vs. Later Hearing Loss

Experiential differences between those with early and late hearing loss.

(00:27:52) Paul Simon’s Role and Advocacy

How the artist got involved with Tina’s work and the initiative at Stanford.

(00:29:44) Protecting Your Hearing

Best practices for protecting your hearing.

(00:33:21) Conclusion

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Michael Rau is a professor, theater director, and tech innovator in one. He says that today’s technologies – AI, gaming, interactive storytelling, and even email – are reshaping what performers can do on stage and how audiences experience those performances. The best of the stage has always been about reflecting life, and technology is part of how we live today. It belongs on the stage, as Rau 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 quest. You can send questions to [email protected].

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• Stanford Profile: Michael Rau

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Michael Rau, a professor of theatre and performance studies at Stanford University.

(00:03:16) Why Theater Needs Technology

How AI and digital media are reshaping live performance.

(00:05:15) AI & Emerging Theater Tech

AI scripts, machine learning, AR, and interactive storytelling.

(00:07:28) Theater as Food

How both classic and experimental theatre styles can coexist.

(00:10:13) The Relationship Between Theater & Gaming

Theatrical storytelling and its deep connection to gaming.

(00:14:40) The Debate on Liveness

Whether live actors are necessary to theatre performances.

(00:20:2) Temping: A Play Without Actors

Rau’s theatrical piece where the audience becomes the protagonist.

(00:25:38) AI’s Role in Theater

AI-generated visuals and scripts reshape storytelling and performance.

(00:30:44) AI-Driven Improv

AI-driven improv requires new skills, blending structure with spontaneity.

(00:33:44) Should Audiences Know AI Is Involved?

How transparency increases audience engagement and appreciation

(00:35:30) Conclusion

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We've been thinking a lot about culture recently, and reflecting on how–whether or not we’re aware of it–culture is a force that’s always exerting influence on us. It’s typically only when we get outside of our daily routine, our city or even our country, and are confronted with new ways of doing things that we can clearly see the values, norms, and practices that make up the culture we live in. Today, we’re re-running a thought-provoking conversation we had with Michele Gelfand about notions of what she calls “tight” and “loose” cultures. It’s a conversation that helps illuminate some of the invisible forces of culture, and also sheds light on how understanding these forces helps us better navigate the world. We hope you’ll take another listen and enjoy. 

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Episode Reference Links:

• Stanford Profile: Michele Gelfand 
• Mindset Quiz

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces Michele Gelfand, a professor of psychology and business studies at Stanford University.

(00:02:22) What is Culture?

Defining culture as a set of norms, values, and beliefs.

(00:03:36) The Tight-Loose Continuum

Tight versus loose cultures and their enforcement of social norms.

(00:06:20) Individual vs Societal Tight-Loose

The differences in tight-loose orientation across individuals and nations.

(00:08:25) Tight-Loose Across Societal Levels

How history, ecology, and mobility shape cultural tightness or looseness.

(00:11:25) Cultural Intelligence (CQ)

The role of cultural intelligence in negotiations and leadership.

(00:16:21) Tight-Loose in Personal & Professional Life

Negotiating cultural differences in relationships and organizations.

(00:19:53) Cultural Evolutionary Mismatch

Cultural responses to crises and the influence of perceived vs. real threats.

(00:23:45) Tight-Loose Differences in Business

Cultural differences in mergers, acquisitions, and financial performance.

(00:25:58) Improving Cultural Intelligence

Whether individuals can improve their CQ through practice and exposure.

(00:28:37) Tight-Loose in Politics

The growing tight-loose divide in political and social issues.

(00:31:09) Conclusion

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We are on the cusp of a materials revolution – in electronics, health care, and avionics – says guest engineer-scientist Eric Pop. For instance, silicon and copper have served electronics admirably for decades, he says, but at the nanoscale, better materials will be needed. Atomically thin two-dimensional semiconductors (like molybdenum disulfide) and topological semimetals (like niobium phosphide) are two candidates, but with AI tools to design new materials, the future is going to be really interesting, Pop 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 quest. You can send questions to [email protected].

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• Stanford Profile: Eric Pop

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ introduces guest Eric Pop, a professor of electrical engineering and materials science at Stanford University

(00:02:59) The Status of Electronics Today

The stability of silicon and copper and the challenges with miniaturization.

(00:06:25) Limits of Current Materials

How miniaturization has increased speed but also created new bottlenecks.

(00:10:29) Universal Memory

The need for faster, non-volatile memory that integrates directly with the CPU.

(00:14:57) The Search for Next-Gen Materials

Exploring better materials for chips, from silicon to copper alternatives.

(00:17:54) Challenges of Copper at Nanoscale

Issues with copper at the nanoscale and the potential of niobium phosphate.

(00:24:46) Two-Dimensional Semiconductors

The potential of carbon nanotubes and 2D materials as replacements for silicon.

(00:29:47) Nanoelectronics and Manufacturing

The shift to 2D materials and the challenges in scaling up production

(00:32:34) AI in Material Discovery

AI’s potential in discovering and manufacturing new materials.

(00:34:56) Conclusion

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Physician Ash Alizadeh has seen the future of disease diagnosis and monitoring. It is coursing through every patient’s veins. Traditionally, biopsies have required invasively gathering tissue – from a lung, a liver, or a fetus. Now it’s possible to look for disease without surgery. The DNA is sitting there in the bloodstream, Alizadeh tells host Russ Altman, as they preview the age of liquid biopsies on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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• Stanford Profile: Ash A. Alizadeh, MD/PhD

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Chapters:

(00:00:00) Introduction

Russ Altman introduces guest Ash Alizadeh, a faculty member at Stanford University in Oncology and Medicine.

(00:03:39) What is a Liquid Biopsy?

Accessing tissues non-invasively using bodily fluids.

(00:04:31) Detecting Cancer with Liquid Biopsies

How localized cancers can be detected through blood samples.

(00:06:32) The Science Behind Cancer DNA Detection

The differences between normal and cancer DNA

(00:09:51) How Liquid Biopsy Technology Works

The technologies behind detecting cancer-related DNA differences.

(00:12:36) Advances in Liquid Biopsy

New detection approaches using non-mutant molecules and RNA.

(00:14:10) RNA as a Real-Time Tumor Marker

How RNA reveals active tumor processes and drug resistance.

(00:15:55) Tracking Cancer Reccurence

Using tumor-informed panels to monitor cancer recurrence.

(00:16:28)  Adapting to Tumor Evolution

Why core mutations remain detectable despite cancer changes.

(00:17:57) Stability of DNA, RNA, and Methylation

Comparing durability and reliability of different biomarkers.

(00:20:49) Listener Question: Early Cancer Detection

Daniel Kim asks about pre-cancer detection and its potential impact.

(00:24:44) Liquid Biopsy in Immunotherapy

Using liquid biopsy to track and improve immune-based treatments.

(00:27:35) Monitoring CAR T-Cell Therapy

How liquid biopsy helps assess immune cell expansion.

(00:32:02) EPIC-Seq: Inferring RNA from DNA

Using DNA fragmentation to predict gene expression in tumors.

(00:34:49) Targeting Tumor Support Systems

Treatment strategies disrupting the tumor microenvironment.

(00:35:52) Conclusion

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