#083 - Homa Bahrami: Super-Flexibility, Agile Organizations, & The Evolution of Silicon Valley

In this episode, we talk with Homa Bahrami, Senior Lecturer at UC Berkeley’s Haas School of Business, about how leaders and organizations can thrive in constant change. We explore her concept of super-flexibility—the ability to balance stability with adaptability—through insights drawn from decades of research in Silicon Valley.

From the dot-com boom to the AI revolution, Homa breaks down what it takes to lead in a fluid world. Whether you're launching a startup or navigating a corporate career, her advice on mindset, mentorship, and agility is timely and actionable.

For more information about this episode, see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/homa-bahrami

This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only. Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

Feeling overwhelmed by the news? UC Davis Prof. Amber Boydstun explains "media storms" – why some stories dominate while others fade – and breaks down the challenges of getting reliable info from social media vs. traditional news. Learn why deep dives still matter in our fast-paced world.

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/amber-boydstun

This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only. Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

Why do humans everywhere tell stories, make music, and believe in the unseen? Professor Manvir Singh, an Assistant Professor of Anthropology at UC Davis, dedicates his research to understanding why human societies around the world develop such recurring traditions – from shamanism and religion to music and legal systems.

In this episode, join us on a journey through the heart of human culture as Professor Singh shares insights from his immersive fieldwork with the Mentawai people of Indonesia. We dive deep into his investigations into shamanism, exploring how these ancient practices help people create order out of chaos, and uncover the complex and significant role altered states of consciousness and psychedelics have played in human societies for millennia. Tune in to explore what makes these traditions stick and how these powerful experiences have profoundly shaped what it means to be human!

For more information, see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/manvir-singh

This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only. Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

Is free speech truly alive on college campuses? Rollins College President, and nationally recognized advocate for liberal arts education, Grant Cornwell tackles tough questions about academic freedom, why classrooms shouldn't be "intellectually safe spaces," and the enduring value of a liberal arts degree for tackling global issues and strengthening democracy.

For more information, please visit our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/grant-cornwell

This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only. Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

How do businesses price the risks of climate change, from wildfires to hurricanes? UC Davis Professor Paul Griffin breaks down climate risk, corporate responsibility, and how tech like AI is changing environmental accountability. Tune in to understand the future of sustainable business and why facing reality is key.

For more information about this episode, see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/paul-griffin

This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only. Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

Erin Kinnally is a biological psychologist and core scientist at the California National Primate Research Center. Her work explores how early life experiences—like maternal care or social stress—can shape biology, behavior, and even gene expression through epigenetic mechanisms.

In this episode, we unpack how Erin studies primates to better understand human development, discussing the ways stress can become biologically embedded, how maternal traits like "friendliness" or "impulsivity" affect infant outcomes, and how interventions during early life may support resilience. We also dive into the ethics of primate research, the nuance of working across disciplines, and why behavioral assessments matter for both monkeys and people.

For more information about this episode, see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/erin-kinnally

This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only. Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

What do sea urchins, disappearing kelp forests, and coral gene editing have in common? In this episode, we sit down with UC Davis professor Marissa Baskett to explore how science can help restore and protect ocean ecosystems in a changing climate. She explains why kelp forests off the Northern California coast collapsed, how disease wiped out key predators like sea stars, and what scientists are doing now—like reintroducing predators, removing urchins, and even selecting heat-tolerant coral for future restoration. We also talk about how math and modeling help guide conservation decisions, and why working with local communities is key to success. If you care about the ocean and want to understand how real solutions come together, this episode is for you.

For more information about this episode, see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/marissa-baskett

This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only. Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.

Today we talk with political scientist Lauren Young from UC Davis. She studies how people decide to dissent in the face of fear, repression, and uncertainty. Drawing from fieldwork in Zimbabwe, Nigeria, and Colombia, she breaks down what drives people to protest, how emotions like hope and anger shape political behavior, and how researchers can ethically study sensitive topics like political violence. From WhatsApp messages to mass movements, this episode explores how change begins—and what risks it carries.

For more information about this episode, see our website: https://www.discoveringacademia.com/episodes/lauren-young

This presentation is a service of Discovering Academia, and all information presented is for commercial and informational purposes only. Discovering Academia provides no assurances as to the accuracy or completeness of the information presented and possesses no actual knowledge of any topic presented. Any opinions expressed in this presentation are solely attributed to each individual asserting the same and do not reflect the opinion of Discovering Academia.