In this episode, I go on a journey of science with the charismatic, enigmatic, and downright beloved actor Brian Norris. We solve some of the most pressing matters concerning biological science, social science, and botany. We delve into which hats are socially acceptable to wear, which mushrooms in your garden might be poisonous, and the world of habitat overlap between grizzly bears and polar bears creating pizzly bears. We also discuss how to create a compelling character as an actor. And of course, Brian is given a pop quiz testing his ability to identify TV and film characters built off their head-gear-based attire.

In this episode, actress and ER nurse Eden Lee joins me to get to the bottom of a couple bizarre conspiracy theories, give great advice on writing fan fiction, and discuss how she balances her two very different careers. We talk about her Netflix limited series "Zero Day," where she acts alongside Robert De Niro as Special Agent Angela Kim. We also discuss the difficulties of creating media that directly reflects current events in a world where the media cycle is non-stop and overwhelming. I do a perfect impression of Robert De Niro and Eden takes a pop quiz on quotes by fictional presidents vs. real presidents.

In this episode, author Edward Ashton joins me to discuss the film Mickey 17, directed by Bong Joon Ho, based on Edward's book Mickey 7. The film and the book series explores themes of unfettered capitalism, whether or not people have souls, and the theoretical possibilities of colonizing other planets. In an earlier episode, I interviewed Edward Ashton about his book Mickey 7 and the sequel Antimatter Blues. At the time he had told me that Brad Pitt had picked up the rights to his film for Warner Brothers starring Robert Pattinson in the title role and costarring Toni Collete, Naomi Ackie, and Mark Ruffalo. Now that Edward is free from the NDAs he had signed during filming, we are able to discuss the exciting process of seeing his book turned into a new creative work.

In this episode, I am joined by explorer, innovator, storyteller, lawyer, and climate activist Tiffany Duong. She tells me the story of her experience holding onto a rock on the bottom of the ocean, deciding to let go and go with the drift, and how that one moment in her life helped her decide to leave her career in corporate law to become a leader, educator, and campaigner for the planet. We talk about swimming with orcas in the Arctic, as well as one of the most incredible and inexplicably thriving reefs in Honduras. We also discuss accidentally falling into a role on a movie set, working with former Vice President Al Gore, and some of the most exciting developments on the horizon for environmental protection.

Artist, musician, and rising star Paris Heart joins me on the podcast to discuss the modern music industry and how artists’ creative processes have evolved. Paris tells me about his experiences being born and raised on a Native American reservation, and we share which musician from any era we would choose to resurrect by performing a séance and then do a music collab with. We also talk about how to pick a side when your friends break up, how to deal with burnout, why being a positive person is contagious, and whether or not a coupé de ville is a cool car.

Spooky Season is upon us, and stand-up comedian Hunter Collins joins me on the podcast today as a foreign correspondent deeply embedded in the Czech Republic. If you love learning, get ready to learn. We discuss some of the most undiscussed news stories, such as the grand prize winner of the Python Florida Challenge in the Everglades. Things get a little bit more intense when we discuss that the Czech Republic is building the first soccer stadium larger than Hunter's hometown stadium in Montreal, Canada. We inform our listeners how, why, and if there are more vampires in the Czech r\Republic than Canada and then we get extremely scientific with Cryptid News. Guess what?? A dog's sense of impending disaster might just save your life. And of course, we have to talk about the upcoming release of Hunter Collins' sketch comedy horror album Monster Orgy.

This episode was originally published on January 31, 2023.

Nathaniel Stinnett is the Founder and Executive Director of the Environmental Voter Project, a non-partisan nonprofit that uses data analytics and behavioral science to mobilize environmentalists to vote. He joins me on the podcast today to discuss how the project was created, why some environmentalists don't vote, and why some people consider the environment to be a partisan issue. We also identify some of the largest obstacles to environmental protection, most notably billions of dollars spent by Citizens United and the fossil fuel industry to influence elections and hinder regulations. However this is one of the most optimistic conversations I've had on climate action and environmental conservation in a very long time. The Environmental Voter Project has mobilized millions of non-voting environmentalists to vote over the last few years. And environmentalists are on track to become an increasingly powerful and influential voter block that will be impossible to ignore in future elections.

In this episode, I am joined by professional diver, ocean and cave explorer, shark ecologist, photographer, speaker, writer, and conservationist Cristina Zenato to talk about shark behavior and how to care for these vital members of the ocean ecosystem. Cristina alone has pulled out over 300 fishing hooks from sharks' mouths with her own hands. She tells me how she first got started doing this and how she has developed close relationships with so many of the sharks she's helped in the reefs of the Bahamas. We discuss how certain sharks have personalities and Cristina dispels many of the widespread myths about sharks. We talk about her organization People of the Water and how she was able to make sharks a protected species in the Bahamas, which was a major legislative victory.

For more information about Cristina's work, visit https://cristinazenato.com/