logo
episode-header-image
May 2024
58m 31s

Ep. 474 - Untangling Cryptic Diversity

IN DEFENSE OF PLANTS
About this episode
Sometimes the differences between species are vast (e.g., a maple and an oak) but other times they are subtle to the point of requiring a trained eye and essentially learning a new language. So-called cryptic species are extremely challenging to understand, but that is why spending time in the field can be so rewarding. Moreover, to understand cryptic specie ... Show More
Up next
Today
Ep. 575 - Endemic Plants of the Gulf Coast
The Gulf Coast of southeastern North America is a biodiversity hotspot brimming with cool plants. Everywhere you look, there are plants that grow nowhere else in the world. Why is this region so diverse? How do we try and understand the origins of endemic plants? These are the ki ... Show More
51m 30s
Apr 19
Ep. 574 - Of Alumroots & Coral Bells: Hybridization in Heuchera
Whether you call them alumroots or coral bells, there is no denying the genus Heuchera is both beloved by gardeners and those who know where to find them in the wild. The closer you look at this genus, the more interesting things you will uncover. Just ask Dr. Ryan Folk who is ve ... Show More
59m 14s
Apr 12
Ep. 573 - Great Lakes Climate Refugia
Climate refugia can provide unique opportunities for plants (and more) to persist for long periods of time in otherwise inhospitable areas. They have and will continue to shape biodiversity across the globe but understanding them isn't easy. Join me and Dr. Ashley Hillman as we l ... Show More
51m 16s
Recommended Episodes
Oct 2025
The Science of Godzilla, Zombies & Other Monsters, with Charles Liu
<p>Would Godzilla be structurally sound or too big for its own weight? Neil deGrasse Tyson, Matt Kirshen, and astrophysicist Charles Liu, takes a look at monsters that have terrified us, like zombies in <i>The Last of Us</i> or Godzilla, and the scary speculative science behind t ... Show More
52m 52s
Jun 2025
The Science of Revenge with James Kimmel Jr.
<p>Are we addicted… to revenge? Neil deGrasse Tyson, Chuck Nice, and Gary O’Reilly break down the neuroscience behind revenge-seeking, what motivates violence, and how science can help stop it with James Kimmel Jr., lawyer, psychiatry lecturer at Yale School of Medicine, and auth ... Show More
1h 3m
Jan 2021
"Hide and Seek" by Imogen Heap
<p>Where are we? What the hell is going on? Oh right, we're here with our podcast device, listening to an episode of Strong Songs.</p><p>On this episode, Kirk dives into Imogen Heap's one-woman choral masterwork "Hide and Seek," taking a closer look at the technologies and proces ... Show More
58m 22s
Aug 2025
Joel Feigenbaum
This man is tied for the most episodes directed in Charmed history. Such an incredible storyteller, mentor and friend. Family, please take time and really savor this one... his stories are one of a kind and add a depth that you all will love so much. The House of Halliwell would ... Show More
15m 42s
Sep 2025
Cosmic Queries – Grabby Aliens with Charles Liu
<p>What would happen if the speed of light were infinite? Neil deGrasse Tyson, joined by co-hosts Chuck Nice, Gary O’Reilly, and astrophysicist Charles Liu, answers questions about quantum entanglement, qubits, higher dimensions, grabby aliens, and more!</p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Pat ... Show More
50m 47s
Oct 2025
Things You Thought You Knew – Quantum Cat
<p>What happens when you fall into a black hole? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice give us the step-by-step on spaghettification, explain Schrodinger's cat, and explore quantum tunnelling… Or do they? </p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-fr ... Show More
46m 35s
Nov 2020
Year Two, In Review
<p>As Year Two of Strong Songs draws to a close, it's time to take a look back.</p><p>SCHEDULING NOTE: Strong Songs will be off for the month of December, and will be back for Year Three at the start of January, 2021.</p><p>But before that! Let's go back, back, back in time one h ... Show More
57m 48s
Sep 2025
The New Space Race with Jeff Thornburg
<p>What will the future of space look like? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice explore the engineering challenges and scientific questions shaping the next era of aerospace with aerospace engineer Jeff Thornburg.</p><p>NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this enti ... Show More
1h 7m
Sep 2025
Building Life from Scratch with Kerstin Göpfrich
<p>What is the origin of life in the universe? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Matt Kirshen explore how life got its start, the Miller-Urey experiment, and synthetic biology with molecular biologist Kerstin Göpfrich. Could the first alien life we find be the one we make? </p><p>NOTE: Sta ... Show More
43m 51s
Apr 2025
Explosive Science with Kate the Chemist
<p>What are chemical reactions like in space? Neil deGrasse Tyson and Chuck Nice team up with Kate the Chemist to explore how cesium helps us tell time, the elusive quest for the periodic table’s “island of stability,” how AI is revolutionizing chemistry, and more!</p><p>NOTE: St ... Show More
54m 29s