Tai Asks Why CBC

Our brains aren’t wired to save the world. But if you’re ready to make changes that actually stick, 10 Minutes to Save the Planet will show you the way. Co-hosts meteorologist and climate reporter Johanna Wagstaffe and broadcaster Rohit Joseph work through the UN’s 10 actions for a healthy planet, but in a way that won’t shame, overwhelm or bore you. Think of each episode as a bite-size guide to fight climate change, rooted in behavioural therapy. More episodes are available at: https://link.chtbl.com/aiF1m9QH

Tai tries to do his part by recycling whenever he can. But it turns out just tossing stuff into the blue bin doesn't do a whole lot: less than 10 percent of our plastic waste actually gets recycled, with the rest either ending up in landfill, burned or shipped overseas! How did we get here? Tai turns to people looking for creative ways to tackle trash around the world, and learns how we can all be more mindful of what we decide to throw away.

In this episode Tai talks to:
- Calvin Lakhan, research scientist at York University
- Olivia Kwok, supervisor of Waste and Diversion Programs with the city of St. Albert
- Nate Maynard, Taiwan-based sustainability consultant and environmental researcher
- Andrea McKenzie, zero waste project engineer for the city of Vancouver

Laughing makes us feel real good, whether you’re in on the joke or not. But does it serve a specific purpose? Why do we find some jokes hilarious and others to be total groaners? In this episode, Tai peels the science and sociology of laughter down to its evolutionary roots.

In this episode Tai talks to:
- Sophie Scott, professor of cognitive neuroscience at University College London and stand-up comedian
- Andrew Phung, actor, improv comedian and creator of the sitcom Run the Burbs

So far, the only intelligent life we know of is right here on Earth — us! But could there be life on other planets just waiting to be discovered? In this episode, Tai goes deep in the cosmos to explore how scientists are searching for signs of life beyond our little blue dot, and what their work can tell us about our place in the universe.

In this episode Tai talks to:
- Nathalie Cabrol, astrobiologist and director of research at the SETI Institute
- Jacob Haqq-Misra, senior research investigator at the Blue Marble Space Institute of Science
- Heidi White, astrophysicist at the University of Toronto

For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/tai-asks-why-transcripts-listen-1.6747759

We know birds can travel large distances day or night, rain or shine, even if they’ve never migrated before. If you confuse a spiny lobster and drop it far from home, it can still find its way back. How do they do that? In this episode, Tai discovers the mysterious and mind-boggling ways animals navigate.

In this episode Tai talks to:
- David Barrie, researcher and author of Supernavigators: Exploring the Wonders of How Animals Find Their Way
- Ken Lohmann, biology professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
- Samantha Patrick, senior lecturer in marine biology at the University of Liverpool

For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/tai-asks-why-transcripts-listen-1.6747759

To listeners of this podcast, it’s no secret that Tai loves math. But he knows that a lot of people, including his friends, definitely don’t feel the same way. In this episode, Tai uncovers why math gets such a bad rap, and if there’s any truth to the well-worn phrase: “I’m just not a math person!”

In this episode Tai talks to:
- Sian Beilock, cognitive scientist and president of Barnard College at Columbia University
- Daniel Ansari, Canada Research Chair in Developmental Cognitive Neuroscience & Learning at Western University
- Mariam Hazhir, math teacher in Surrey, B.C.

For transcripts of this series, please visit: https://www.cbc.ca/radio/podcastnews/tai-asks-why-transcripts-listen-1.6747759