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  • Sunrise Challenge

    Sunrise Challenge
    2026/07/23
    Hunting the Sunrise: What Happens When You Live by the Sun?Most of us instinctively believe we know the difference between indoors and outdoors. But while a typical indoor space might provide 300 lux of light, even an overcast sky can expose us to around 10,000 lux. On a bright summer’s day, that figure can rise to 100,000 lux.Our eyes adapt so effectively that the difference may not feel dramatic. Our bodies, however, know exactly where we are.In this episode of Sunlight Matters, Shadowmap’s Georg puts his own body to the test. For three weeks, he is getting up before dawn, travelling across Vienna to watch and film the sunrise, and examining what happens when he begins living in closer alignment with the natural cycle of light and darkness.Guiding the experiment is daylight and sleep researcher Nicholas Witton, whose work explores how visible and non-visible light affect human sleep, behaviour and biology.The experimentGeorg has committed to watching the sunrise outdoors every morning for three weeks. Alongside a detailed personal diary, he is using: A wearable light sensor recording different wavelengths of light every 30 seconds, including melanopic light and near-infrared exposure Salivary cortisol and melatonin testing Continuous monitoring of sleep, heart rate, heart rate variability, stress and physical activity Blood tests taken before and after the experiment Established sleep and chronotype assessments The experiment also coincides with a highly restricted diet that excludes meat, salt, sugar, heated oils, tobacco and stimulants. That makes this citizen-science project fascinating, although not a controlled clinical trial: any changes cannot necessarily be attributed to morning light alone.What Georg has experienced so farAfter an initially difficult adjustment, Georg describes noticeable changes in his energy, productivity and relationship with sleep.On his best morning, after a particularly good night’s rest, he watched the sunrise, meditated, swam and cycled back into Vienna feeling almost “high” with energy. He is procrastinating less, working more efficiently and organising his day around protecting his bedtime.Perhaps the most profound change is psychological. After years of unreliable sleep and sometimes dreading bedtime, Georg is beginning to look forward to it and trust that he will sleep well.There are trade-offs. Rising at around 4.30 am makes evening socialising almost impossible, and the early days brought fatigue, sleep debt and the occasional need for a substantial nap. But after his first week, the routine is already beginning to feel more natural.Are our cities designed to keep us from the Sun?One of the experiment’s unexpected findings is just how difficult it can be to see the sunrise in a city.Buildings obscure the horizon. Parks and cemeteries remain locked until long after sunrise. Rooftops are inaccessible, and many of the best views belong to people living in elevated apartments or on the outskirts.Georg uses Shadowmap to identify the parts of Vienna that will receive direct sunlight shortly after dawn. He then works out whether he can physically reach them, sometimes successfully and sometimes not. One failed attempt involved a locked cemetery, climbing onto a hut and a characteristically Austrian encounter with a member of staff.His experience raises a serious question for architects and urban planners: if access to morning light is important for our health, should cities provide places where everyone can experience it?As Georg puts it, sunlight should not become a privilege reserved for those living on the upper floors.What we discuss Why modern humans spend roughly 90% of their lives indoors The enormous difference between indoor and outdoor light How artificial lighting disrupted our relationship with the solar day Why morning light helps synchronise our biological clock Cortisol, melatonin and the body’s transition between sleep and wakefulness Whether morning people and night owls once helped protect early human communities How industrialisation imposed standard working and sleeping times The effects of “social jet lag” Why sleep is usually the first thing we sacrifice The value of short power naps and complete 90-minute sleep cycles Georg’s changing mood, energy, productivity and attitude towards sleep Why viewing the sunrise may offer something beyond simply being outdoors The difficulty of finding direct morning sunlight in a modern city How Shadowmap can help people hunt for accessible sunrise locations The responsibility of architects and planners to design more sunlight-conscious cities What the team hopes to discover when Georg’s biological and light-exposure data arrive A tomato plant under the stairsNicholas offers a memorable description of modern life: we have become like tomato plants kept beneath the stairs rather than beside the window.We can alter what we eat, how ...
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    52 分
  • Shooting the Sun: Andrew McCarthy on Astrophotography, Icarus and the Artemis Moonde

    Shooting the Sun: Andrew McCarthy on Astrophotography, Icarus and the Artemis Moonde
    2026/07/09

    If you've ever seen a photo of the Sun that stopped you in your tracks, there's a very good chance Andrew McCarthy took it. His image of our star is the first thing you see when you open the Shadowmap story, and it's the artwork behind Sunlight Matters itself. So this one is personal.

    Andrew is the Arizona-based astrophotographer behind some of the most iconic space images of recent years, including Icarus, his jaw-dropping shot of a skydiver falling in front of the sun, named one of the photos of the year. In this episode, he tells the full story of how it was pulled off: an ultralight plane, a dry lake bed in the Arizona desert, months of maths, and one last-chance jump.

    We also get into:

    • How a cheap Dobsonian telescope and a blurry photo of the Orion Nebula changed his life
    • Why space isn't grey, and the misconceptions that almost everyone (including Andrew) starts with
    • What you can actually see with a pair of binoculars, from the Andromeda galaxy to the Large Magellanic Cloud
    • How he photographs the sun in hydrogen alpha to reveal the chromosphere, convection cells the size of Texas, and plasma jets thousands of miles long
    • The moon photo that went viral, ended up on the side of NASA's Artemis I rocket, and led to an extraordinary collaboration with Artemis II commander Reid Wiseman, which showed the hidden colours of the moon, revealed for the first time from photos taken in lunar orbit, and the print release that raised $40,000 for cancer research at MD Anderson
    • Why watching a Starship launch hits you like a ton of bricks (literally), and his advice for anyone who wants to see a rocket launch for themselves
    • His plans for the 2026 total solar eclipse over Iceland and Spain, which he intends to shoot from a boat
    • And a few tips for my own 4 am sunrise photography habit

    Andrew's mission is simple: to show you the universe as if you had superhuman vision, and to inspire the next generation of astronauts, engineers and stargazers. Job done, frankly.

    Follow Andrew

    • Instagram: @cosmic_background
    • Website: cosmicbackground.io
    • X: @AJamesMcCarthy

    Sunlight Matters is a podcast exploring the role of the Sun in human health, architecture, cities, and everyday life.

    Through conversations with scientists, architects, and technologists, the series examines how natural light shapes our bodies, our buildings, and the way we live indoors.

    Hosted by Dave Wallace, Sunlight Matters asks a simple but overlooked question: what happens when we disconnect from the Sun?

    Because sunlight isn’t optional. It matters.

    Please do not forget to Like and Subscribe.

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    57 分
  • In Defense of Sunlight with Rowan Jacobsen

    In Defense of Sunlight with Rowan Jacobsen
    2026/06/25
    What if sunlight isn't the enemy we've been told it is? In this episode of Sunlight Matters, science writer Rowan Jacobsen discusses his new book, In Defence of Sunlight, and explores the growing body of research linking natural light exposure to improved health, longevity, sleep, and well-being. From heliotherapy and vitamin D to infrared light, circadian rhythms, green light therapy, and modern light deficiency, this conversation challenges conventional assumptions and reveals why sunlight analysis and understanding our daily lightscape may become increasingly important for human health in the future. Discover how natural solar exposure, outdoor environments, and the rhythms of daylight continue to shape our biology in ways we're only beginning to understand.Key Topics DiscussedWhy Rowan Wrote In Defence of SunlightHow a research fellowship at MIT introduced Rowan to emerging studies linking sunlight exposure with improved longevity, cardiovascular health, and cognition.Discovering that sunlight exposure was often associated with better health outcomes despite decades of messaging encouraging people to avoid the sun.The gap between public health messaging and the broader body of scientific evidence surrounding sunlight and health.The Forgotten History of Sunlight as MedicineThe role sunlight played in treating rickets and tuberculosis during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.The rise of heliotherapy and mountain sanatoriums where patients were prescribed sunlight and fresh air.How sunlight was once considered a mainstream medical treatment.The shift from sunlight as medicine to sunlight as a health risk emerged with concerns about skin cancer.How "Sunlight is Dangerous" Became the Dominant NarrativeThe rise of ultraviolet lamps and excessive sun exposure in the 1930s–1950s.The public health response to increasing skin cancer rates.Why public health campaigns became increasingly forceful in promoting sun avoidance.Whether the pendulum has swung too far away from balanced sunlight exposure.The Modern Light Deficiency ProblemWhy today's children spend dramatically less time outdoors than previous generations.The health implications of spending most of life indoors.COVID-19's impact on outdoor habits and sunlight exposure.The concept of "light deficiency" as a modern environmental challenge.Infrared Light: The Hidden Half of SunlightInfrared light accounts for approximately half of the solar spectrum.Research suggesting infrared wavelengths may influence mitochondrial function and cellular efficiency.Why trees appear to "glow" in infrared imagery.How modern indoor lighting provides almost no infrared exposure compared with natural environments.Light, Science and Research BiasWhy sunlight benefits have often been discovered accidentally rather than through direct research.The role funding structures play in shaping scientific inquiry.Examples where studies focused on disease risk unexpectedly revealed benefits associated with sunlight exposure.The growing community of researchers connecting findings across multiple disciplines.UV Light: Risks and BenefitsVitamin D production and nitric oxide release.Richard Weller's research into sunlight and cardiovascular health.Sunlight's role in inflammation regulation.The challenge of identifying optimal exposure levels for different individuals.Future research into obtaining the benefits of UV without excessive skin cancer risk.The Rise of Light MedicineRed light therapy and its expanding use in healthcare.Emerging applications of green light for migraines and anxiety.New UV technologies designed to stimulate vitamin D production while minimizing risk.The possibility of personalized light-based treatments in the future.Understanding "Lightscapes"Rowan's concept of "lightscapes" — the unique combination of light conditions that surround us at any moment.How different light environments may influence physiology, mood, and wellbeing.The importance of considering both place and time when thinking about light exposure.Potential future applications for tools such as Shadowmap.Living Without Artificial LightRowan's month-long experiment in the Arizona desert.Eliminating artificial light after sunset.The profound effect of darkness, natural dawns, and gradual sunsets on sleep quality.Why the contrast between bright days and dark nights may be more important than total light exposure.Circadian Rhythms and Modern LightingThe role of blue light in regulating melatonin production.How LED lighting differs from traditional incandescent bulbs.The effects of light pollution and evening screen exposure.Why modern lighting environments may disrupt sleep and circadian health.Green Light and Human EvolutionEmerging evidence linking green light to migraine relief.Why forests and tree canopies create distinctive light environments.The relationship between green light, infrared light, and plant biology.How natural environments may provide complex light exposures humans evolved ...
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    47 分
  • Real Estate & Why Sunlight Matters in Property Search

    Real Estate & Why Sunlight Matters in Property Search
    2026/06/18

    In this episode of Sunlight Matters, Dave is joined by product leader Dave Masters, former product executive at Realtor.com, to explore the future of real estate search, consumer behavior, and why sunlight data could become an essential part of buying a home.

    From AI-powered property discovery to the overlooked importance of natural light, shade, and home orientation, this conversation dives into how technology is reshaping the way we search for homes — and what’s still missing.

    Dave Masters also shares the story behind Tiny Pauses, a mindfulness app he’s building with his son to help children regulate emotions through short moments of reflection.

    In this episode, we cover:

    ☀️ Why sunlight matters in home buying

    • How sunlight influences wellbeing, comfort, and the lived experience of a home
    • The hidden reality of seasonal light exposure and why many buyers overlook it
    • Why “sunny” means different things in different climates — from the UK to Phoenix, Arizona
    • How sunlight affects energy bills, cooling costs, and daily living patterns

    🏡 The evolution of real estate search

    • Dave Masters’ experience leading product teams at Realtor.com
    • How property platforms have evolved beyond simple filters
    • Why too much choice can overwhelm buyers
    • The balance between useful data and decision fatigue in home search experiences

    🤖 AI and the future of property platforms

    • The shift from traditional search filters to conversational AI
    • Why future home search may feel more like speaking to an expert
    • How richer property data creates better recommendations
    • The growing role of personalization in real estate experiences

    📍 The overlooked data buyers really need

    • Cell phone coverage, neighborhood amenities, walkability, and sunlight
    • Why “lived experience” signals matter more than ever
    • Lessons from the success of Walk Score and how simple scoring systems help buyers make decisions
    • Why SunScore could become a meaningful signal for serious homebuyers

    🌱 Building products that matter

    • The story behind Tiny Pauses, Dave Masters’ mindfulness app for children
    • Designing technology that supports emotional regulation instead of more screen dependence
    • What it means to build products that genuinely improve people’s lives

    Key Takeaways

    “You live it and you learn it — but can we bring those learn-it experiences earlier into the search process?” — Dave Masters


    This episode highlights a powerful idea: the best property technology helps people understand not just the house itself, but what life in that house will actually feel like.

    Whether it’s sunlight, walkability, or neighborhood fit, the future of real estate search is becoming more human, more personal, and far more intelligent.

    About Dave Masters

    Dave Masters is a long-time product leader with deep experience in real estate and consumer technology, including senior product work at Realtor.com. Today, he consults with real estate businesses and builds new products, including Tiny Pauses, a mindfulness app for kids developed alongside his son.


    Sunlight Matters is a podcast exploring the role of the Sun in human health, architecture, cities, and everyday life.

    Through conversations with scientists, architects, and technologists, the series examines how natural light shapes our bodies, our buildings, and the way we live indoors.

    Hosted by Dave Wallace, Sunlight Matters asks a simple but overlooked question: what happens when we disconnect from the Sun?

    Because sunlight isn’t optional. It matters.

    Please do not forget to Like and Subscribe.

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    38 分
  • Editing the Sun — How Indoor Light Lost Touch With Biology

    Editing the Sun — How Indoor Light Lost Touch With Biology
    2026/06/08

    In this fascinating and deeply thought-provoking episode of Sunlight Matters, Dave Wallace sits down with four leading thinkers from radically different disciplines to explore a provocative new scientific theory.

    The discussion centres on a groundbreaking new paper, Editing the Sun: How Indoor Light Lost Touch with Biology, which explores how changes in modern lighting — particularly the shift away from sunlight and infrared-rich light — may be influencing metabolism, mitochondrial function, ageing and chronic disease.

    Joining Dave are:

    • Bob Fosbury
    • Glenn Jeffrey
    • Roger Seheult
    • Scott Zimmerman

    Together, they explore an extraordinary idea: that sunlight may play a direct role in supporting mitochondrial function — not by providing energy in the same way plants use photosynthesis, but by acting more like a “lubricant” for metabolism.

    The conversation ranges from mitochondrial biology and quantum chemistry to hospital design, chronic disease, sunlight deficiency, LEDs, evolution and why our bodies may be far more tuned to the Sun than we realise.

    Could modern lighting be contributing to rising metabolic disease? Why do patients recover better with sunlight? And have we accidentally designed environments that are biologically mismatched to human health?

    This episode explores the science, the implications and why this emerging field could fundamentally reshape how we think about buildings, health and public policy.

    In this episode we discuss:

    • The theory behind Editing the Sun and what “photometabolism” means
    • Why mitochondria may be biologically tuned to sunlight
    • How infrared light could influence energy production in cells
    • Why sunlight may help reduce metabolic damage over time
    • The relationship between light, diabetes, obesity and chronic disease
    • What astronauts can teach us about life without sunlight
    • The unintended health consequences of modern LED lighting
    • Why hospitals are beginning to rethink sunlight access for patients
    • The concept of biological “Goldilocks zones” for human health
    • Why interdisciplinary science may unlock major future breakthroughs

    Key Takeaway

    The panel argues that sunlight is not merely something we see or feel — it may be a deeply embedded biological requirement, woven into the evolution of life on Earth. While more research is needed, the implications for health, architecture, medicine and everyday life could be profound.

    Is sunlight one of the missing foundations of modern health?

    Sunlight Matters is a podcast exploring the role of the Sun in human health, architecture, cities, and everyday life.

    Through conversations with scientists, architects, and technologists, the series examines how natural light shapes our bodies, our buildings, and the way we live indoors.

    Hosted by Dave Wallace, Sunlight Matters asks a simple but overlooked question: what happens when we disconnect from the Sun?

    Because sunlight isn’t optional. It matters.

    Please do not forget to Like and Subscribe.

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    1 時間 25 分
  • The Sun Has a Score — Introducing Sunscore from Shadowmap

    The Sun Has a Score — Introducing Sunscore from Shadowmap
    2026/05/15
    Sunlight Matters Podcast

    Episode:

    In this special episode of Sunlight Matters, David Wallace sits down with Shadowmap founder and CEO Georg Molzer to reflect on the journey behind Shadowmap, humanity’s relationship with the Sun, and the launch of a genuine world first: Sunscore — the first property-specific sunlight metric, now live on Redfin.

    Together, they explore:

    • Why sunlight profoundly shapes health, wellbeing, and human experience
    • How Shadowmap began from a simple craving for winter sunlight in Vienna
    • The philosophy behind visualizing sunlight and shadow in 3D
    • Why Sunscore could fundamentally change real estate search
    • The future of environmental intelligence, AI, and sunlight-aware living
    • Startup lessons, luck, and building breakthrough technology from Austria

    This episode is both a reflection on the past and a look into the future — where sunlight becomes measurable, searchable, and central to how we design and choose the spaces we inhabit.

    Key Topics Covered

    ☀️ Why the Sun Matters

    Georg shares his deeply personal relationship with sunlight and explains why he increasingly sees the Sun not simply as light, but as the core energy source for life itself.

    🏙️ The Origins of Shadowmap

    The story begins in wintertime Vienna, where dense urban shadows and limited winter sunlight inspired Georg to build a tool that could help people find sunlight anywhere in the world.

    🗺️ What Shadowmap Actually Does

    A discussion about Shadowmap as a global 3D sunlight visualization platform:

    • Real-time shadow mapping
    • Sun-path analysis
    • Seasonal sunlight simulation
    • Solar exposure visualization
    • Environmental intelligence for the built world

    🏡 Introducing Sunscore

    The major announcement:
    Shadowmap and Redfin have launched Sunscore — the world’s first property-specific sunlight score.

    The episode explores:

    • How Sunscore works
    • Why sunlight matters to homebuyers
    • The value of natural light in real estate
    • Why Redfin recognized sunlight as a missing property metric
    • The future potential of sunlight-based property intelligence

    🧠 AI, Conversational Search & Environmental Data

    The conversation explores how Sunscore transforms sunlight into structured, machine-readable data that can power:

    • AI systems
    • Conversational real estate search
    • Property recommendation engines
    • Environmental analytics

    🌱 Health, Circadian Biology & Morning Light

    David and Georg discuss:

    • Morning sunlight
    • Circadian rhythms
    • Skin adaptation to sunlight
    • Infrared light
    • Sunlight as a health input rather than simply an aesthetic feature

    🚀 Building a Startup Around the Sun

    Georg shares candid reflections on:

    • Entrepreneurship in Austria
    • Raising investment for unconventional ideas
    • Finding alignment with investors and teams
    • Why mission-driven startups require deep conviction

    🌍 The Bigger Mission

    The episode closes with Shadowmap’s long-term vision:

    Reconnecting humanity with the Sun.



    Sunlight Matters is a podcast exploring the role of the Sun in human health, architecture, cities, and everyday life.

    Through conversations with scientists, architects, and technologists, the series examines how natural light shapes our bodies, our buildings, and the way we live indoors.

    Hosted by Dave Wallace, Sunlight Matters asks a simple but overlooked question: what happens when we disconnect from the Sun?

    Because sunlight isn’t optional. It matters.

    Please do not forget to Like and Subscribe.

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    54 分
  • Sensing Light with Lys Technologies

    Sensing Light with Lys Technologies
    2026/04/30

    In this episode, our guest is Christina Friis Blach, co-founder of Lys Technologies, about how light shapes our health, performance, and daily lives.

    They explore how sunlight exposure and circadian rhythms influence sleep, hormones, and energy—and why modern indoor environments often disrupt this balance.

    Christina shares how her company is helping bridge the gap between science and real life through wearable light technology and sunlight analysis tools.

    ☀️ About Lys Technologies

    Lys Technologies develops wearable sensors that measure the light you’re actually exposed to throughout the day—close to the eye, where it matters biologically.

    Unlike traditional light meters used in architecture, their technology focuses on human-centric lighting, tracking how light impacts:

    • Circadian rhythms and sleep
    • Hormone regulation (melatonin, cortisol)
    • Daily energy and performance

    Their tools are used globally across research, healthcare, workplace design, and even elite sports—helping drive better sunlight analysis, building design, and behavior change.

    ☀️ Key Takeaways

    • Light is a biological signal, not just for vision
    • Modern lighting can disrupt circadian rhythms
    • Wearable sensors enable real-world solar exposure tracking
    • Natural light is critical in real estate and building design
    • Shadow mapping and sunlight analysis are shaping healthier spaces

    Sunlight Matters is a podcast exploring the role of the Sun in human health, architecture, cities, and everyday life.

    Through conversations with scientists, architects, and technologists, the series examines how natural light shapes our bodies, our buildings, and the way we live indoors.

    Hosted by Dave Wallace, Sunlight Matters asks a simple but overlooked question: what happens when we disconnect from the Sun?

    Because sunlight isn’t optional. It matters.

    Please do not forget to Like and Subscribe.

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    48 分
  • Sunlight, Health & Rethinking Modern Medicine

    Sunlight, Health & Rethinking Modern Medicine
    2026/04/16

    In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with Jonathan Jarecki, a 20-year-old pre-med student exploring the frontier of light biology, mitochondrial function, and the hidden impact of our modern indoor lifestyle.

    What begins as a conversation about holistic health quickly evolves into a powerful exploration of how sunlight exposure, artificial lighting, and our disconnection from nature may be influencing everything from energy levels and brain function to chronic disease and mental health.

    Jonathan shares his personal journey, from being raised in a household focused on lifestyle-based healing to diving into the scientific literature to understand why these approaches work. Along the way, he uncovers a missing piece in modern health conversations:

    👉 Light is not just important—it may be foundational.

    🌞 Sunlight vs Modern Living

    We live in a world where:

    • Most of our time is spent indoors
    • Artificial LED lighting dominates our environment
    • Morning sunlight exposure is rare
    • Screen time is constant

    Yet human biology evolved under full-spectrum natural sunlight.

    This episode explores how that mismatch may be contributing to:

    • Rising chronic disease
    • Hormonal disruption
    • Poor sleep and circadian misalignment

    ⚡ The Mitochondria Connection: Are We Light-Powered?

    One of the most fascinating parts of the conversation dives into the science of mitochondria—the energy engines of our cells.

    Jonathan breaks down complex biology into simple ideas, explaining how:

    • Mitochondria convert food into usable energy (ATP)
    • Light—especially red and infrared wavelengths—interacts directly with these systems

    This raises a profound idea:

    👉 Humans may not just run on food—we may also be deeply influenced by light as an energy source.

    🧠 Light, Brain Function & Attention

    The conversation also explores how light shapes:

    • Brain chemistry
    • Cognitive performance
    • Mood and perception

    From morning sunlight exposure to outdoor environments, we discuss how something as simple as getting outside early in the day can:

    • Improve focus and clarity
    • Regulate dopamine
    • Reduce dependence on screens
    • Support long-term mental health

    In contrast, modern habits, like waking up and immediately scrolling, may be working against our biology.

    🔬 Questioning Modern Science & Medicine

    This episode doesn’t just explore light—it challenges how we think about health itself.

    Jonathan highlights:

    • The limitations of reductionist science
    • The ongoing replication crisis in research
    • The need for open-minded, systems-based thinking

    Rather than viewing the body as separate parts (brain, gut, heart), we explore a more integrated model:

    👉 The body as an interconnected energy system, influenced by light, environment, and lifestyle.

    Sunlight Matters is a podcast exploring the role of the Sun in human health, architecture, cities, and everyday life.

    Through conversations with scientists, architects, and technologists, the series examines how natural light shapes our bodies, our buildings, and the way we live indoors.

    Hosted by Dave Wallace, Sunlight Matters asks a simple but overlooked question: what happens when we disconnect from the Sun?

    Because sunlight isn’t optional. It matters.

    Please do not forget to Like and Subscribe.

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    59 分