Where did the universe come from? What is it made of? What about the elements? UC Davis Professor Lloyd Knox joins us to discuss some 'minor' questions about the Cosmos. Watch the episode now: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4yoXN5O Apple: https://apple.co/4gCbuI4 Spotify: https://bit.ly/44tjaoF

The universe keeps surprising us. Every new discovery has the potential to reshape what we know about space, time, and the origins of everything. In our latest episode, cosmologist Lloyd Knox explores the mysteries of the cosmos — and why the biggest questions in science are far from settled.

Where do you normally get your news? Political media expert Amber Boydstun has some thoughts. She shares her opinions on social media and news, as well as some advice on training your algorithm. YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QoDhAU Spotify: https://bit.ly/4gnpGEJ Apple: https://bit.ly/44jZTpH

Is there anything we can really do about climate change? This week, we're joined by sedimentary geochemist and paleoclimatologist Isabel Montañez, whose research suggests the guide to our future may lie in climates of the past. YouTube: https://bit.ly/4fbVJW2 Apple: https://apple.co/4pb2U5e

Whether we're happy, sad, angry, or afraid, our emotions shape how we experience the world — and how we assess the quality of our lives. But what exactly are emotions? Where do they come from? And what can science tell us about how they develop over a lifetime? Discover the science of feeling:

Emotions

Our emotional state at any given moment is how we assess the quality of our lives. Whether we're happy, sad, angry, depressed ... that's who we are. But where do emotions come from? Do we own them or do they own us? Today's guest, Eliza Bliss-Moreau, is...

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Amber Boydstun, professor of political science at @ucdavis.bsky.social joins us to discuss how media coverage influences public understanding of policy issues, political events, and elections — and why the same story can lead to very different conclusions. Listen: https://bit.ly/3QoDhAU

How do we navigate the digital wilderness of modern communication? Carl Whithaus, noted author and expert on writing technologies and digital cultures, joins us for a conversation about the evolving landscape of how we connect, communicate, and create meaning in an age of satellites and networks.

Is wellness really for sale? Dr. Scott Fishman of @ucdavishealth.bsky.social joins us to discuss the true meaning of wellness, and shares his vision for an improved health system in America. Watch more: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4utwwMP Spotify: https://bit.ly/4mMnSWQ Apple: https://bit.ly/4eJhxJH

What are the implications of an intoxicated army? This week's guest, Adam Zientek, joins us to discuss the French army’s use of wine during World War I, exploring what it means for a government to chemically modify the behavior of its fighting force. Watch now: https://bit.ly/3PC21Fo

Expert economist Chris Meissner joins us to discuss the current state of the economy and what could lie ahead. Watch: bit.ly/4ukZ7Uh Spotify: bit.ly/48w7Nic Apple: bit.ly/49iazYy

Dr. Emily Merchant, a historian of science, technology, and medicine at @ucdavis.bsky.social, joined us to discuss the history, potential, and current state of genetic sciences. Watch her full episode: YouTube: https://bit.ly/4sUaPEg Spotify: https://bit.ly/41VhQcT Apple: https://bit.ly/4t0dgFt

The world has certainly seen its share of economic crises before...but have we ever seen anything like this? We sat down with noted economist Chris Meissner to discuss his insights and expertise. Watch: https://bit.ly/4ukZ7Uh Spotify: https://bit.ly/48w7Nic Apple: https://bit.ly/49iazYy

The Global Economy

The world has certainly seen its share of economic crises before. But have we ever seen anything like this? How did we get here? How long might this last? What might it look like on the other side? And what's with all the tariffs? Today's guest, noted e...

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What is "wellness," and is it really something that can be bought? This week, Dr. Scott Fishman joins us to discuss the true meaning of wellness and the vast scope of influences that affect our well-being — many of which can't be purchased. Watch or listen:

Wellness

The word “wellness” has been appropriated by a handful of for-profit industries, each with an interest in branding the concept as something achievable through their products or services. The upside of this branding is that wellness is much closer to the...

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The short answer? Yes.

UC Davis College of Letters & Science@ucdlands.bsky.social · 5mo ago

A new study co-authored by Robert Faris at @ucdavis.bsky.social finds structural racism is linked to shorter life expectancy. People most impacted died more than two years sooner than the average American adult, with neighborhood blight having especially strong effects. Read more:

EXCLUSIVE: The Middle East with Keith David Watenpaugh During a recent trip to Syria to study the post-civil war healing process, Keith Watenpaugh found himself in the midst of a fresh conflict — a war declared by the United States and Israel on Iran. Watch more:

MOM Exclusive: The Middle East

YouTube video by Minds Over Matters

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Climate change affects us all in one way or another, but how does it change our oceans? Dr. Tessa Hill joins us to discuss just that and shares one of the things you can do to make a difference. Watch more: https://bit.ly/46wSXXT Spotify: https://bit.ly/3ZYvhIf Apple: https://apple.co/46vpZHK

Dr. Katharine Burnett shares one of the most memorable things she learned from her father, "They can take your money, they can take your things, but they can't take your education. They can't take your experiences." Watch more: https://bit.ly/3N4D3NI

Could LSD help treat schizophrenia without the hallucinations? Led by professor David Olson, this groundbreaking work reflects a growing field of “psychoplastogens," compounds that promote brain plasticity and may offer a safer path to mental health treatments. Read more: https://bit.ly/4rwqklM

This week, renowned theoretical cosmologist and physicist Andreas Albrecht joins us for a conversation that sheds some light on the mysteries of the quantum world and clears up a few of the blurry lines between real science and the Hollywood version. Watch more:

Quantum

YouTube video by Minds Over Matters

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Imagine if neighborhoods were designed for intentional living, with sustainability, energy-efficiency, community, and safety at the forefront. It may seem like a stretch to some, but not Tim McNeil, Director of the UC Davis Design Museum and resident of Village Homes. Check out our latest episode:

Utopia

YouTube video by Minds Over Matters

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ICYMI: On this week's episode, we take a deeper look at the impact of tea with Katharine Burnett, Director of the Global Tea Institute at UC Davis. Watch more:

Tea

YouTube video by Minds Over Matters

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Ahead of the Global Tea Institute's Annual Colloquium, GTI Director Katharine Burnett joined for a conversation on the scope of tea’s impact and its current resurgence in U.S. culture. Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0xt...

UC Davis College of Letters & Science@ucdlands.bsky.social · 7mo ago

Tea has shaped history, culture, and science for centuries. Later this month, UC Davis’ 2026 Global Tea Institute Colloquium will explore the art of tea through research, ritual, and global perspectives, bringing together scholars across the humanities and sciences. @ucdavis.bsky.social

"This trend of rising income inequality is one of the most important social phenomena of the last fifty years." The United States is one of the world’s wealthiest nations, yet millions of families struggle to make ends meet. Find out why: https://bit.ly/3NqthVU

Why is it that the United States is one of the world’s wealthiest nations, yet millions of families struggle to make ends meet? This week, Marianne Page joins us for an eye-opening chat about poverty in the United States, breaking down its causes, effects, and possible remedies. Watch now:

Poverty

YouTube video by Minds Over Matters

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Happy New Year! Our team wishes you a safe and celebratory welcome to the new year 🥳

"Engineering can tell us how to build a nuclear bomb, but the humanities provide us with the guidance and ethical framework to know never to use it." Watch more: https://youtu.be/8VD75w7oR4s?si=PnFGS1DcLx_Lavqj

This week, Keith David Watenpaugh, a leading expert on human rights, joins Ed Kiggins for a deep discussion on the history of genocide. • Watch on YouTube: youtu.be/8VD75w7oR4s?... • Spotify: open.spotify.com/episode/1qPr... • Apple: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...

The Binary of Genocide

YouTube video by Minds Over Matters

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How did our economy become what it is today? Historian Ellen Hartigan-O'Connor joins us to discuss how auctions in early America shaped the way we buy and sell everything today. Learn more: https://bit.ly/3Y8xeRu Spotify: https://bit.ly/3MXOtCp Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3LfwV4f

This week, we sit down with Jae Yong Suk to discuss lighting, smart homes, and energy resiliency in the 21st century. How does lighting affect our health? And how are our energy technologies evolving to meet the growing needs of decarbonization, grid resiliency, and community well-being?

A Beacon for An Energy Resilient Future

YouTube video by Minds Over Matters

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How does deportation affect the economy? Expert economist Giovanni Peri joins us to discuss the numbers behind deportation and what he thinks is important for people to know. Watch or listen to the full episode: https://youtu.be/SC2hASkuIp8