Send us a text

What if we could simulate the future of farming—and make smarter choices now?

In this episode, systems modeler and agroecologist Delphine Derrien breaks down how regenerative agriculture can be scaled intelligently through computational modeling. Her work connects carbon sequestration, regional realities, and global food systems in ways that challenge conventional thinking.

We explore:

• How modeling can predict the climate impact of regenerative farming
• Why “best practice” varies by region, culture, and ecosystem
• How better data leads to more grounded decisions for both growers and policymakers

This is systems thinking in action—practical, scalable, and rooted in the complexity of real land, real people, and a changing planet.

Send us a text

We often think of T cells as the body’s defenders—but what happens when they can’t move where they’re needed?

In this episode, immunologist Dr. Jessica Lancaster breaks down the overlooked role of fibroblasts—the structural cells that help (or hinder) T cell movement—and how this relationship impacts aging, immune function, and disease outcomes.

We explore:

• Why aging immune cells don’t just slow down—they get stuck
• The role of tissue environments in T cell surveillance and mobility
• How manipulating fibroblast–T cell interactions could unlock better therapies for cancer, infection, and age-related decline

This conversation zooms in on one of the most dynamic frontiers in immunology—and makes it accessible, without watering it down.

Send us a text

What if we could map the healing signals our bodies already use—and turn them into targeted therapies?

In this episode, Dr. Hanadie Yousef, co-founder and CEO of Juvena Therapeutics, walks us through how her team is using stem cell systems biology and protein mapping to develop a new class of regenerative medicines.

We explore:

• How secreted proteins mapping helps identify potential therapeutics
• What it takes to go from protein signals to actual therapy
• Why this approach could unlock treatments that are safer and more directed to specific conditions and possibly even individuals.

Dr. Yousef shares the science—but also the bigger vision: a future where healing isn’t forced, but guided by biology itself.

Send us a text

Conservation isn’t just about protecting land—it’s about understanding it. And in this episode, Heidi Peterson from the Sand County Foundation helps us explore how healthy land management starts with local knowledge, long-term thinking, and partnerships that actually work.

We talk about:

• The real-world tension between productivity and sustainability
• Why the best conservation efforts are co-created, not handed down
• What being a steward of soil health looks like in the industry and as a consumer.

If you care about food, farming, or the future of the land we live on, this episode offers a practical, hopeful look at conservation that’s not just ecological—it’s personal.

Send us a text

From contaminated farm runoff to pulling moisture straight from sea air, hydrologist Dr. Praveen Kumar explores the future of water—how we’re wasting it, how we can reclaim it, and why smarter infrastructure might just change everything.

Send us a text

We rely on insects more than we realize—until they become a problem. In this episode, entomologist Dr. Christelle Guédot helps us untangle the delicate balance between pests we fight and pollinators we depend on.

From fruit crops to backyard gardens, Dr. Guédot breaks down how insect behavior shapes our food system, what happens when we tip that balance, and how farmers and researchers are working with—not just against—nature.

We explore:

• Why pollinator health is declining (and why it matters)
• How we monitor and manage agricultural pests
• The future of farming in a world of changing ecosystems

Whether you grow food or just eat it, this episode will change how you think about the smallest creatures doing the biggest work.

Send us a text

In a world flooded with headlines, hashtags, and health advice, how do you actually reach people—and help them change?

Dr. Sarah Bass has spent her career studying that question. As a professor of public health communication, she works at the intersection of science, trust, and human behavior—helping health campaigns move from ignored to impactful.

In this episode of Trying 2 Learn, we dig into what separates effective messaging from noise, how culture and context shape communication, and why effective public health is about both sharing accurate information and helping people feel empowered to act.

Whether you’re a health pro, a policymaker, or a normal human confused about our current health communication, this conversation will give you a fresh lens on how we talk about public health.

Send us a text

If you're interested in sustainable agriculture, land management, or the intersection of farming and ecology, this episode of Trying 2 Learn is for you. I sit down with Dr. Lisa Norton, a landscape ecologist and agroecologist at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology . Dr. Norton has spent over two decades studying the intricate relationships between agriculture, ecology, and land management. Her work focuses on sustainable land use practices that support biodiversity and ecosystem services.

We delve into the differences between organic and conventional farming systems, discussing how organic practices can enhance biodiversity and landscape complexity . Dr. Norton shares insights from her research on the ecological impacts of farming practices and the importance of integrating ecological principles into agricultural policy and practice.