University of California Video Podcasts (Video)

The human body has traits that evolved at different times, from 1.5 billion to 2 million years ago, each bringing health benefits and risks. Multicellularity enabled organs and cancer. The immune system defends us but can cause inflammation. Breastfeeding supports infant health but relates to breast cancer risk. Menstruation and invasive placentas improved reproduction but led to pain and cancer risks. Human-specific traits like bipedalism and aging brought new issues like back pain and childbirth problems. Hair loss and sweat glands helped us stay cool but increased skin cancer risk. Our hunter-gatherer past shaped our microbiome and health, but also made us prone to modern diseases from lifestyle changes. Series: "CARTA - Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny" [Humanities] [Science] [Show ID: 40701]

As part of the 2025 Developmental Disabilities Conference, Dr. Adiaha Spinks-Franklin provides a brief overview of fetal alcohol spectrum disorder. Series: "Developmental Disabilities Update" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40608]

In this excerpt, Dr. Natalie Marshall discusses the central importance of exercise to improve chromosomal and telomere health. Series: "Osher WISE: Well-being and Integrative Science for Everyone" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40683]

The Moon and Back marks the feature‑length directorial debut of UCSB Film & Media Studies alumnus Leah Bleich. The film follows high‑school senior Lydia Gilbert (Isabel May) as she grapples with her father’s death and mounting family challenges. When she discovers a space‑opera screenplay her dad left behind, Lydia assembles a low‑budget crew—armed only with a VHS camera—to bring his story to life. Shot in just nine days on a $50,000 budget through the Six Feet Apart Experiment, the project won “Best Women’s Film” at the 2022 San Diego International Film Festival and screened at numerous festivals. Bleich returns to UCSB for a conversation with moderator Ross Melnick, sharing insights into the making and inspiration behind her heartfelt coming‑of‑age drama. Series: "Carsey-Wolf Center" [Humanities] [Show ID: 40543]

Fadel Zeidan, Ph.D., discusses the science of mindfulness and how meditation can change the brain. He explains what happens in the brain during stress, how mindfulness helps us become more self-aware, and why it's important to pay attention on purpose. Zeidan shares easy ways to bring mindfulness into daily life, even in small moments. The video includes guided meditations led by Zeidan. Viewers can follow along as he teaches simple breathing techniques and short practices designed to build focus and calm the nervous system. Whether you’re new to meditation or looking to deepen your practice, this program offers useful tools backed by science. Series: "Stein Institute for Research on Aging" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40267]

In our latest Earth Serenade, enjoy this orbital 6,000 mile journey at dawn from the Atlantic Ocean to the Bay of Bengal. We pass over Europe, Asia and India, to dusk over Bay of Bengal courtesy of the crew of the ISS 40. The beautiful music of Bach's Toccata and Fugue in F Major is performed by Laura Bottei in her official Master of Music Recital on the Fisk organ at Indiana University. Series: "Earth Serenade" [Arts and Music] [Show ID: 40787]

Yaron Singer, Vice President of AI and Security at Cisco, co-founded a company specializing in artificial intelligence solutions, which was acquired by Cisco in 2024. They developed a firewall for artificial intelligence, a tool designed to protect AI from making critical mistakes. No matter how sophisticated AI is, errors can still happen, and these errors can have far-reaching consequences. The product is designed to detect and fix such mistakes. This technology was developed long before ChatGPT and its competitors burst onto the scene, making it the hottest industry in tech investment. Join Singer as he sits down with UC San Diego professor Mikhail Belkin to discuss his work and the continued effort to make artificial intelligence secure. Series: "Data Science Channel" [Science] [Show ID: 40265]

As part of the 2025 Developmental Disabilities Conference, Sneha Dave talks about future healthcare as young adults with chronic and rare medical conditions grow older. Series: "Developmental Disabilities Update" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40606]

As part of the 2025 Developmental Disabilities Conference, Season Goodpasture, Founder and Executive Director, Acorns to Oak Trees, talks about improving access and equity in tribal communities. Series: "Developmental Disabilities Update" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40607]

Dr. Terence Friedlander reviews the various patient outcomes after hip fracture surgery. Series: "Excerpts" [Health and Medicine] [Show ID: 40752]