448 episodes
Inquiring Minds Indre Viskontas
-
- Science
-
-
4.4 • 821 Ratings
-
Each week we bring you a new, in-depth exploration of the space where science and society collide. We’re committed to the idea that making an effort to understand the world around you though science and critical thinking can benefit everyone—and lead to better decisions. We want to find out what’s true, what’s left to discover, and why it all matters.
-
Are Flukes Actually the Norm?
Indre examines the realm of randomness and its undeniable sway over our lives and the fabric of society, as she welcomes global politics luminary, Brian Klaas, to the podcast today. An Associate Professor in Global Politics at University College London, affiliate researcher at the University of Oxford, contributing writer for The Atlantic, creator of the award-winning Power Corrupts Podcast, and prolific author, Brian shares details from his most recent publication, FLUKE: Chance, Chaos, and Why Everything We Do Matters. In doing so, he unravels the conventional tapestry of predictability, highlighting the omnipresence of chance in dictating the courses of personal lives, scientific endeavors, and political landscapes. Today’s episode not only shatters the illusion of control fostered by historical data but also prompts a profound reevaluation of the role randomness plays in the intricacies of artificial intelligence, the methodologies of scientific research, and the foundations of political science.
Links:
Inquiring Minds Homepage: https://inquiring.show/
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds
See https://omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information
Get to know more about Brian and his work: https://brianpklaas.com/ -
Capitalizing on The Neurodiversity Edge with Maureen Dunne
Globally recognized neurodiversity expert, thought leader, and public policy professional and champion, Maureen Dunne, joins Indre today to discuss the evolving perceptions of neurological diversity within our society. Centering their discussion around Maureen's recent publication, The Neurodiversity Edge, they delve into the profound benefits of welcoming neurodivergent individuals into workplaces and educational settings. Bolstered by insights into Gen Z's growing acknowledgment of neurodivergent identities and the critical importance of supportive settings, Maureen offers actionable advice for organizations of all sizes to excel in this area. In essence, today’s crucial conversation emphasizes the essential role diverse cognition plays in driving innovation and success, advocating for a reevaluation of traditional views and embracing a society that values diversity in every aspect.
Links:
Inquiring Minds Homepage: https://inquiring.show/
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds
See https://omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information
Learn more about Maureen and The Neurodiversity Edge: https://www.maureendunne.com/ -
Making the Mundane Magic with Dan Winters
In this latest installment of Inquiring Minds, Indre explores the intricate world of photography with the renowned Dan Winters, whose career spans the realms of celebrity portraiture, scientific documentation, and beyond. Winters' journey from a childhood captivated by the narratives of Star Wars to his status as a National Geographic Explorer and award-winning artist underscores his unique ability to see beyond the lens, using photography to explore the world and connect with subjects on a deeply personal level. His conversation here today offers details of his appearance on National Geographic’s new series, Photographer, and reveals how photography acts as a powerful medium for storytelling, capable of capturing the essence of human experience and the natural world with profound depth and emotion. As the episode unfolds, it becomes clear that photography, in Winters' hands, transcends mere visual capture to become a conduit for exploration, conservation, and the immortalization of memory, challenging us to perceive the world with renewed wonder and empathy.
Links:
Inquiring Minds Homepage: https://inquiring.show/
Support the show: https://www.patreon.com/inquiringminds
See https://omnystudio.com/policies/listener for privacy information
Experience Dan’s magic: https://danwintersphoto.com/ -
-
“X”-amining the Battle for the Bird with Kurt Wagner
-
Customer Reviews
Offspring of Elevatorgate
“Inquiring Minds” began in 2013 when Chris Mooney and Indre Viscontas quit their jobs as hosts of the Center for Inquiry podcast “Point of Inquiry” in protest over remarks by CFI chief Ron Lindsey that were critical of skeptic personality Rebecca Watson, the central figure of the “Elevatorgate” brouhaha that marked the beginning of the end of the New Atheist movement of the aughts. After leaving PoI at the behest of the show’s producer—who was Watson’s boyfriend—Mooney and Viscontas started this podcast. Mooney didn’t stick around for long, but Viscontas has kept the show going for eight years. The show currently consists primarily of interviews with the authors of popular science books. Viscontas is a decent interviewer. I sort of wish that she and Mooney hadn’t dropped the religious skepticism aspect of the “Point of Inquiry” show when they started this show, but that decision probably helped the show last this long.
Love the Topics and Guests!
As a practicing therapists specializing in Addiction and Trauma, I’ve loved every episode I’ve listened to so far! You marry psychology, neuroscience, and anthropology/ cultural influence in such a seamless beautiful way to present oversimplified topics with the breadth and depth they deserve.
I particularly appreciate your episode on Addiction with Carl Erik Fisher (The Urge is phenomenal!) and the Science of Opinion. They both bring to mind Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs which is something I use a lot in my practice… may be a good topic at some point.
Thank you for such a great podcast, I’ve been looking for this for a long time!
Fantastic show.
This show has been one of my favorites for a long time. Science, research based material is what the world needs more of. Indre does an amazing job.