Curious by Nature

Newswise Inc.

Welcome to Curious by Nature, presented by Newswise. The podcast for curious people.

In each episode, listeners can travel briefly into the fascinating world that comes with years of dedication to one field of study. Be inspired by the many amazing things that are going on right now, some may have a major effect on our lives.

Enjoy this concentrated knowledge from experts. We hope you can take inspiration from glimpses of innovation, dedication, and discovery.

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109 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes109

Newest first

Sep 26, 2025 · 16 min
Dr. Claire Raphael – The Hidden Reason for Heart Attacks in Younger Women
Dr. Claire Raphael, Interventional Cardiologist at Mayo Clinic, studies the hidden causes of heart attacks that often go undetected, particularly in younger adults and women. Heart attacks are the leading cause of death worldwide, but many people don’t realize that younger adults, especially women, are also at risk. Too often their symptoms are dismissed, or the real cause is missed entirely. In a 15-year study, Dr. Raphael uncovered several hidden causes of heart attacks, including artery tears, coronary spasms, and other conditions that standard tests don’t always detect. These findings help explain why many young women are misdiagnosed and why some cases are missed until it’s too late.
Sep 19, 2025 · 24 min
Dr. Gregory Tarlé and Dr. Kevin Croker – Challenging Einstein: Black Holes and Dark Energy
Dr. Gregory Tarlé, Professor Emeritus of Physics at the University of Michigan, and Dr. Kevin Croker, Assistant Research Scientist at Arizona State University and Affiliate Faculty at the University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa, are exploring a bold new theory about black holes that could reshape our understanding of the universe. Their research examines the extreme physics that occurs when massive stars collapse and form black holes, regions of space where gravity is so powerful that not even light can escape. By studying the interactions between gravity and matter on these enormous cosmic scales, they are asking new questions about the origins and evolution of the universe. In this episode, we discuss their revolutionary ideas about black holes, what scientists can learn from the collisions of these mysterious objects, and how new observations may help explain one of the biggest puzzles in cosmology: why the universe appears to be expanding faster and faster over time.
Sep 12, 2025 · 28 min
Dr. Sahen Gupta – Three Steps to Develop Resilience
Dr. Sahen Gupta, Senior Lecturer in Applied Sport Psychology at the University of Portsmouth and a PhD in Sport and Performance Psychology from Glasgow Caledonian University, studies how people perform and recover under pressure. Sports psychologists often examine the intense demands placed on professional athletes because sports provide a natural setting to study how humans respond to failure, pressure, and constant evaluation. In these environments, mistakes happen frequently and resilience often determines who thrives and who burns out. Dr. Gupta discusses how resilience develops in high-pressure environments, not only in sports but also among musicians, pilots, and other high performers. His research explores how emotional control, mindset, and recovery from setbacks can help individuals perform better and build resilience that extends far beyond the game.
Sep 5, 2025 · 18 min
Dr. Christopher Roos – Tree Rings Can Teach Us About Forest Fire Reduction
Dr. Christopher Roos, Professor of Anthropology at Southern Methodist University, studies the long history connecting people, fire, and landscapes. Wildfires are often seen only as destructive, but history tells a more complex story. For centuries, Indigenous communities used fire intentionally to shape ecosystems and manage the land. Using tree-ring science and archaeology, Dr. Roos examines how the Western Apache used controlled burning to help landscapes adapt to drought and climate extremes. In this episode, we explore how this deep history of Indigenous fire management offers important lessons for today, as communities search for better ways to live with fire rather than simply fight it.
Aug 29, 2025 · 23 min
(RE-RELEASE) Dr. Phoebe Hughes – What Taylor Swift’s Music Really Tells Us
Dr. Phoebe Hughes, Lecturer in Musicology at Binghamton University, studies popular music and how it reflects cultural and musical change. Taylor Swift is one of the most influential musicians of our time, but what exactly explains her impact? Dr. Hughes is the author of Cranking Up Taylor Swift: Her Musical Journey in 11 Songs, a book that explores Swift’s work not just to celebrate her success, but to understand why it resonates so strongly with audiences. We look at how Swift’s music reflects broader cultural shifts and what her career reveals about the evolving sound of country and pop music in the 21st century.
Aug 22, 2025 · 20 min
Professor Bruce Weinberg – Breakthroughs Are Old Ideas Made New
Professor Bruce Weinberg, Professor of Economics and Public Affairs at The Ohio State University, studies how scientific breakthroughs happen and the environments that help innovation thrive. “There are no new ideas, but there are novel ways of combining old ideas to create something new.” This concept lies at the heart of Professor Weinberg’s research. By analyzing the career paths of Nobel Prize winners, he and his colleagues discovered that where researchers work and the people they interact with can have a powerful influence on groundbreaking discoveries. Professor Weinberg explains how spending time in different research environments and collaborating with new communities can accelerate innovation and play a key role in the development of Nobel Prize–winning ideas.
Aug 15, 2025 · 16 min
Dr. Kathleen Casey – Why Do We Care About Purses
Dr. Kathleen Casey, Professor of History and Director of the Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program at Furman University, a small liberal arts college in South Carolina, studies how everyday objects can reveal deeper stories about culture, identity, and history. A purse isn’t just an accessory. It can be a story, a statement, and sometimes even a lifeline. In her book The Things She’s Carried: A Cultural History of the Purse in America, Dr. Casey explores how this seemingly ordinary object reflects powerful connections to gender, identity, privacy, and survival. In this episode, we discuss how purses have intersected with major moments in American history, from the civil rights movement to workplace struggles and personal memory, revealing how a simple item people carry every day can hold a rich tapestry of cultural meaning.
Aug 10, 2025 · 16 min
Dr. Steven Lee-Kong – High Protein Diet Risks
Dr. Steven Lee-Kong, Professor of Surgery and Colorectal Surgeon at Hackensack University Medical Center, studies colorectal diseases and emerging trends in colon cancer. Colon cancer has long been considered a disease that primarily affects older adults. But in recent years, doctors have noticed a troubling rise in cases among younger patients. While genetics play a role, researchers are increasingly exploring other possible contributors, including changes in diet, lifestyle, and the gut microbiome. One area receiving growing attention is the widespread use of protein supplements, particularly among teens and young adults. With protein shakes, bars, and high-protein diets often promoted as part of a healthy lifestyle, researchers are asking an important question: could there be hidden risks to long-term colon health?
Aug 1, 2025 · 15 min
Dr. Jacqueline Bober – How to Protect Your Children from Drowning
Dr. Jacqueline Bober, Pediatric Emergency Medicine Physician at Stony Brook University Hospital and the Stony Brook Children’s Hospital on Long Island, New York, works on the front lines treating childhood emergencies and preventing accidental injuries. Every summer, headlines warn about rising temperatures, air quality, and the need for sunscreen. But there is another silent danger that increases this time of year: drowning. It can happen quickly and is tragically common among young children. While many people think drownings only occur in oceans or rough waters, most actually happen in backyard pools, vacation rentals, or even bathtubs. In this episode, Dr. Bober shares what she has seen as a pediatric emergency physician and explains why she has made it her mission to prevent these tragedies before they happen. Through public awareness campaigns, community partnerships, and practical safety steps, she offers guidance every parent should know.
Jul 25, 2025 · 18 min
Dr. Dustin Scheinost – Can a Brain Scan Predict Psychosis?
Dr. Dustin Scheinost, Associate Professor in the Departments of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging at Yale School of Medicine, studies how brain imaging and artificial intelligence can help scientists better understand psychiatric disorders. What if brain scans could help explain the symptoms of a psychotic episode as they happen? And what if artificial intelligence could identify patterns in brain activity to help predict them? In this episode, Dr. Scheinost discusses a new frontier in mental health research that combines functional MRI and machine learning to study psychosis. By examining the brain not just through behavior but through networks, circuits, and connectivity, researchers hope to better understand how psychiatric illness unfolds and how future tools might help clinicians detect and treat these conditions earlier.
Jul 18, 2025 · 34 min
Professor Angus Fletcher – Why Creativity Beats Anxiety
Professor Angus Fletcher of The Ohio State University’s Project Narrative, a Professor of Story Science, studies how storytelling, creativity, and imagination affect the brain and emotional well-being. Parents of children with anxiety are often willing to try anything that might help their kids feel better. Many traditional approaches focus on calming an overactive mind to reduce intense emotions. But Professor Fletcher’s research suggests a different path. Instead of quieting the brain, his work explores how activating the brain through creativity and imagination-based play may help unlock the brain’s natural ability to regulate itself. In this episode, we discuss how storytelling and creative thinking might be powerful tools for helping children and adults manage anxiety and build resilience.
Jul 11, 2025 · 20 min
Dr. Bradley Cannon – Friends with Money Benefits
Dr. Bradley Cannon, Assistant Professor of Finance at Binghamton University, studies how social networks and personal relationships influence financial behavior. Many people feel uncomfortable talking about money with friends. For some, financial topics are almost taboo in everyday conversation. But Dr. Cannon’s research suggests that these conversations may actually play an important role in shaping financial outcomes. By studying the social networks of high-income individuals, he found that friendships can influence financial knowledge and opportunities. In particular, being connected to wealthier individuals, and openly discussing financial decisions, may help people learn strategies that improve their own financial well-being.
Jul 4, 2025 · 33 min
Dr. Megan Buning – How to Be Mentally Tough
Dr. Megan Buning, Clinical Associate Professor at Florida State University and instructor in the FSU Coach Interdisciplinary Center, studies mental performance and helps athletes and professionals perform under pressure. She is also a Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CMPC) through the Association for Applied Sport Psychology. Exceptional athletic performance often depends on mental toughness. While some people seem to develop this naturally, the good news is that these skills can also be taught. A former professional softball pitcher herself, Dr. Buning understands what it takes to get “into the zone.” In this episode, she explains the science behind staying calm and focused under pressure, whether on the playing field or in high-stakes moments like presentations and leadership decisions. Her insights show how mental performance training can help anyone perform better in sports, careers, and everyday life.
Jun 27, 2025 · 20 min
Dr. Leda Kobziar – How Wildfires Spread Bacteria
Dr. Leda Kobziar, Professor of Wildland Fire Science at the University of Idaho, is a pyroaerobiologist studying the surprising biological components of wildfire smoke. Last January, as heavily populated parts of Los Angeles burned, images of the disaster brought the destructive power of wildfires into the public consciousness more than ever. Today, as thousands of acres burn in the Pacific Northwest and in Canada, wildfire smoke is causing hazy skies and air quality warnings across much of North America. But beyond the danger of flames and pollution, Dr. Kobziar’s research asks a surprising question: what if there is something alive in that smoke? Her work examines how microbes such as bacteria and fungi can be lifted from burning forests and soils and carried through the air, potentially affecting ecosystems, agriculture, and human health hundreds of miles away.
Jun 19, 2025 · 23 min
Dr. Phoebe Hughes – What Taylor Swift’s Music Really Tells Us
Dr. Phoebe Hughes, Lecturer in Musicology at Binghamton University, studies popular music and how it reflects cultural and musical change. Taylor Swift is one of the most influential musicians of our time, but what exactly explains her impact? Dr. Hughes is the author of Cranking Up Taylor Swift: Her Musical Journey in 11 Songs, a book that explores Swift’s work not just to celebrate her success, but to understand why it resonates so strongly with audiences. We look at how Swift’s music reflects broader cultural shifts and what her career reveals about the evolving sound of country and pop music in the 21st century.
Jun 16, 2025 · 29 min
Dr. Resh Gupta – Worry vs. Goals
Dr. Resh Gupta, Postdoctoral Research Associate with the Mindfulness Science and Practice Cluster and the Cognitive Control and Psychopathology Laboratory at Washington University in St. Louis, studies how mindfulness practices affect the brain. Mindfulness practices are more popular than ever, from transcendental meditation to yoga and breathing exercises. But with so many options available, an important question remains: does the type of mindfulness practice actually make a difference? Some techniques focus attention on a single object, like the breath, while others encourage open awareness, allowing thoughts and feelings to come and go without judgment. In this episode, Dr. Gupta explains how researchers are using functional MRI to observe brain activity in people with anxiety as they practice different forms of mindfulness, helping scientists understand why certain techniques may work better than others.
Jun 6, 2025 · 21 min
Dr. Michael Adler – What the Genome Reveals About Picuris Pueblo
Dr. Michael Adler, Chair of the Anthropology Department and Associate Professor of Anthropology at Southern Methodist University, studies the archaeology and history of Indigenous communities in the American Southwest. We explore research conducted alongside the New Mexico community of Picuris Pueblo, one of the smallest and oldest Indigenous groups in the United States. A recent study published in Nature established a clear ancestral link between Picuris Pueblo and the ancient peoples of Chaco Canyon. The discovery represents a landmark in archaeological genetics, not only for its scientific findings but also for how the research was conducted. The work was carried out at the invitation of the tribe, under their direction, and with their sovereignty fully respected. Dr. Adler discusses why archaeology today involves a continuing reckoning with history, and how meaningful partnerships with Native communities require not just new research methods, but a new mindset.
May 30, 2025 · 32 min
Dr. David Fajgenbaum – One Doctor’s Battle to Save Himself and Others
Dr. David Fajgenbaum, Physician-Scientist at the University of Pennsylvania and Co-Founder and President of Every Cure, studies how existing medicines can be repurposed to treat diseases they were not originally designed for. What if the cure for a deadly condition is already sitting on a pharmacy shelf, just waiting to be matched to the right disease? A growing field of research focuses on drug repurposing, finding new uses for medications that are already approved and available. With the help of artificial intelligence, researchers can now scan billions of possible drug-disease combinations, dramatically accelerating the search for life-saving treatments.
May 23, 2025 · 21 min
Dr. Edward Kelly – What Happens After We Die?
Dr. Edward Kelly, Professor in the Division of Perceptual Studies (DOPS) within the Department of Psychiatry and Neurobehavioral Sciences at the University of Virginia School of Medicine, studies the scientific investigation of consciousness and unusual mental phenomena. For more than a century, scientists have explored the edges of human consciousness, asking difficult questions about the relationship between the mind and the brain, and whether aspects of consciousness might persist beyond death. While research in areas such as near-death experiences, reincarnation cases, and experimental parapsychology has produced intriguing findings, these topics still sit uneasily at the margins of mainstream science. Dr. Kelly discusses the long history of research into these phenomena and why studying the mysteries of consciousness continues to challenge conventional scientific thinking.
May 16, 2025 · 22 min
Dr. Brian Button – Taking Mucus from Disgusting to Fascinating
Dr. Brian Button, Professor in the Department of Biophysics and Biochemistry at the University of North Carolina and a member of the Marsico Lung Institute, studies the biology of the lungs and the mechanisms behind lung disease. We often take our lungs for granted. It’s one of those remarkable examples of how the brain places many of the body’s essential functions on autopilot. As we go about our day, our lungs quietly expand and contract, pulling in the oxygen that sustains life. But beneath that simple rhythm lies an incredibly complex biological system. In this episode, Dr. Button explains how the lungs function at the cellular level and how understanding these processes can help scientists better understand and treat a variety of lung diseases.