Polymath World Channel

Samuel McKee

Join us on our quest for the extraordinary! Sam McKee (@polymath_sam) has 9 university qualifications across 4 subjects including doctorates in history and philosophy of science and molecular biology. He researches both at two British universities and contributes to both space science and cancer research. Meet fellow polymaths and discipline leaders working on the frontiers of research from all over the world. Be inspired to pursue knowledge and drive the world forwards. Watch and share interviews with professors, lecturers, researchers, engineers, scientists and astronauts, right here! We talk to the most extraordinary people working on the frontiers for humanity, driving research forwards and changing the world that we live in. We dive deep with thinkers, academics and true icons - many of whom you won't yet have heard of. Listen to us here and on podcast whilst you drive, exercise, do chores, and be inspired to pursue extraordinary in your own life. www.sam-mckee.co.uk

  1. 2 days ago

    Polymath World Episode 62 NASA Astronaut Steve Swanson

    Episode Title: ISS Commander Steve Swanson on Spacewalks, Soyuz, and Space Lettuce Description:What does it take to command the International Space Station? In this episode, Dr. Steve Swanson—a veteran of three spaceflights and over 170 days in orbit—joins us to share the real stories behind the headlines. Steve reveals how a "not-so-perfect" start in college and a year of construction work eventually led him to NASA. He discusses the intense reality of his first EVA (Extravehicular Activity), the "vertigo" of looking down at Earth 250 miles below, and the surprising emotional connection he formed while growing lettuce in space. We also cover the grit required to fix a broken spacesuit pump mid-mission, the unique culture of launching from Kazakhstan, and why NASA's shift toward commercial partners like SpaceX is the key to getting humanity to Mars. Now a professor at Boise State, Steve is paying it forward by helping students build the tools for future lunar missions. Key Topics: [00:00] Intro & Childhood Influences (Star Trek)[03:30] The "Penguins" Astronaut Class[15:00] First Spaceflight (STS-117) & The Heaviest Payload[22:00] The Reality of Spacewalks: Vertigo & No Water Drag[35:00] Launching on a Soyuz: Russian Traditions & "Urinating on the Tire"[41:00] The Veggie Experiment & Sneaking a Taste[48:00] Fixing Spacesuits & The Science of Aging in Space[55:00] The Future: Artemis, Commercial Space, and Lunar Robotics

    Polymath World Episode 62 NASA Astronaut Steve Swanson
  2. 24 Jun

    Polymath World Episode 59 - Glen Scrivener

    CHRISTIANITY What is Christianity? Does it work? How does it shape the Western world? Glen Scrivener, author of the award-winning book "The Air We Breathe", director of the 321 course on Christianity and CEO of the organisation Speak Life comes to talk about the world's biggest religion and answer my questions. I met Glen a decade ago and we have crossed paths a few times for Premier Unbelievable. Given my own complicated past with Christianity he answers my questions and sheds light on many of the issues people can have over the faith. The Polymath World Channel brings you interviews with extraordinary researchers and academics working on the frontiers of their disciplines. Meet and hear from scientists, professors, lecturers, researchers, engineers, philosophers and astronauts.   Don’t forget to like and subscribe. New episodes every Wednesday. #PolymathWorldChannel #PursueExtraordinary #Christianity #Religion #PhilosophyOfReligion #Apologetics #Church #Atheism #Agnosticism #Belief #Faith #GlennScrivener #CSLewis #FaithJourney #Jesus #Theology #Philosophy #Oxford #ModernChristianity #SpokenWord #Unity #Forgiveness #PersonalExperience #RationalFaith #Community #Diversity #ChristianMovement #Deconstruction #SpiritualExperience ---------- Socials: Spotify:  https://tinyurl.com/PolymathWorld Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/polymath_sam/ Tik Tok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@polymath_sam YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@UCuG7pQHkUJjc9WO56lcW47g  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-mckee/ Website:  https://sam-mckee.co.uk/

    Polymath World Episode 59 - Glen Scrivener
  3. 17 Jun

    Polymath World Episode 58 - Dr Shaun Stevenson

    CONTINENTAL PHILOSOPHY Dr Shaun Steveson is lecturer in philosophy at Manchester Metropolitan University. He is an expert of philosophy of death, which not many people realise is a subject. His specialism is in continental philosophy with a strong focus on the 20th century. Shaun came to philosophy through theology and has a very interesting story of coming through religion, before abandoning it, and returning again with a different shape to it. He also talks about the power of philosophy for identity and mental health struggles. The Polymath World Channel brings you interviews with extraordinary researchers and academics working on the frontiers of their disciplines. Meet and hear from scientists, professors, lecturers, researchers, engineers, philosophers and astronauts.   Don’t forget to like and subscribe. New episodes every Wednesday. #PolymathWorldChannel #PursueExtraordinary #Philosophy #ContinentalPhilosophy #Theology #PhilosophyOfReligion #LifeAndDeath #Meaning #Purpose #Faith #PersonalGrowth #Community #Transformation #Mysticism #Education #MentalHealth #Nietzsche #Creativity #Death #SelfCultivation #Compassion #Deleuze ---------- Socials: Spotify:  https://tinyurl.com/PolymathWorld Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/polymath_sam/ Tik Tok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@polymath_sam YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@UCuG7pQHkUJjc9WO56lcW47g  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-mckee/ Website:  https://sam-mckee.co.uk/

    Polymath World Episode 58 - Dr Shaun Stevenson
  4. 10 Jun

    Polymath World Episode 57 - Kelly Weinersmith

    A City On Mars Dr Kelly Weinersmith is a scientist, pop-sci author, and podcaster. She is on the biosciences faculty at Rice University, a research associate at the Smithsonian Environmental Research Center, the Vice President of the American Society of Parasitologists and President of the Helminthological Society of Washington. After undergraduate and masters degrees at Bowling Green, she did her PhD in ecology at the University of California Davis. Her award-winning books include 2023's "A City On Mars" which we talk about here. How do we sift through the optimism and scepticism about space exploration in general and living on the Moon and Mars in particular? How will we survive in the long term? What are the big questions about food, health, reproduction, travel, living together and becoming self-sufficient? Together with her husband Zach, "A City On Mars" is a funny, informative and accessible assessment of this challenge that everyone can enjoy. For more on Kelly, her website is Weinersmith | For her books, see here: Dr. Kelly Weinersmith For her Royal Society book prize, see here: Kelly Weinersmith: To Boldly Go? | Royal Society The Polymath World Channel brings you interviews with extraordinary researchers and academics working on the frontiers of their disciplines. Meet and hear from scientists, professors, lecturers, researchers, engineers, philosophers and astronauts.   Don’t forget to like and subscribe. New episodes every Wednesday. #PolymathWorldChannel #PursueExtraordinary #Mars #SpaceScience #SpaceExploration #NASA #ESA #SpaceX #BlueOrigin #SpaceTravel #Artemis #MarsSociety #Space #Moon #Ecology #ScienceCommunication #CityOnMars #KellyWienersmith #BehavioralEcology #Parasites #HumanReproductionInSpace #Artemis2 #MarsColonization #Regolith #Radiation #NuclearPower #Habitats #FoodProduction #Psychology ---------- Socials: Spotify:  https://tinyurl.com/PolymathWorld Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/polymath_sam/ Tik Tok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@polymath_sam YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@UCuG7pQHkUJjc9WO56lcW47g  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-mckee/ Website:  https://sam-mckee.co.uk/

    Polymath World Episode 57 - Kelly Weinersmith
  5. 3 Jun

    Polymath World Episode 56 - Patrick Rennie

    Nuclear Propulsion Can we travel further, faster in space with nuclear propulsion? As NASA gets ready to launch Space Reactor-1 Freedom (SR-1) in 2028 we explore the details of this technology. This mission aims to demonstrate a reactor generating over 20 kW of power, using HALEU (high-assay low-enriched uranium) fuel. People can get nervous about nuclear, but this technology can (and will) revolutionise everything about space technology, power and energy here on earth, and clean processes much needed on and off world. Patrick Rennie is a physicist and rocket scientist. He is a Fellow and board member of the British Interplanetary Society, president of the Mars Society, and a space engineer with experience in nuclear systems. Check out our previous episode on space planes here: Patrick Rennie on Rocket Science, Mars Exploration & Space Innovation |Polymath World #3 Check out our discussion on Mars here: Polymath World #50: The Mars Society UK | Exploring the Red Planet The Polymath World Channel brings you interviews with extraordinary researchers and academics working on the frontiers of their disciplines. Meet and hear from scientists, professors, lecturers, researchers, engineers, philosophers and astronauts.   Don’t forget to like and subscribe. New episodes every Wednesday. #PolymathWorldChannel #PursueExtraordinary #Nuclear #Physics #SpaceScience #SpaceExploration #HistoryOfSpace #Moon #Mars #Voyager #NASA #ESA #BritishInterplanetarySociety #MarsSociety #SpaceX #BlueOrigin #NuclearPropulsion #RTGs #NuclearThermalPropulsion #NuclearElectricPropulsion #SpaceTechnology #RocketScience #DeepSpaceMissions #SpacePowerSystems #NuclearPower #Radiation #NuclearFusion #NuclearFission #Artemis #Energy #SpaceColonization #CleanEnergy ---------- Socials: Spotify:  https://tinyurl.com/PolymathWorld Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/polymath_sam/ Tik Tok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@polymath_sam YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@UCuG7pQHkUJjc9WO56lcW47g  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-mckee/ Website:  https://sam-mckee.co.uk/

    Polymath World Episode 56 - Patrick Rennie
  6. 27 May

    Polymath World Episode 55: Dr Erika DeBenedictis

    GENE EDITING AND TERRAFORMING MARS Dr Erika DeBenedictus is CEO of Pioneer Labs. She is a computational physicist and synthetic biologist working at the intersection of space science and the life sciences. She studied at Caltech before moving to MIT and did her postdoc under 2024 Nobel Laureate David Baker. She also trained at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. At Pioneer Labs they use several methods, including CRISPR and other forms of gene editing, to engineer microbes such as cyanobacteria to help make Mars more hospitable to earth life. The Great Oxidation event saw cyanobacteria transform earth's atmosphere into a world inhabitable for us and the same could happen on Mars but much faster. Mars was once very earth like - could it be brought back to its life-supporting state? The Polymath World Channel brings you interviews with extraordinary researchers and academics working on the frontiers of their disciplines. Meet and hear from scientists, professors, lecturers, researchers, engineers, philosophers and astronauts.   Don’t forget to like and subscribe. New episodes every Wednesday. #PolymathWorldChannel #PursueExtraordinary #Mars #Terraforming #LifeSciences #SpaceScience #Microbes #PioneerLabs #Biotechnology #Astrobiology #EnvironmentalScience #SyntheticBiology #Photosynthesis #PlanetaryProtection #Engineering #Biosphere #Ethics #SpaceExploration #Climate #EvolutionaryBiology #Microbiology #PlanetaryScience #Science #DirectedEvolution #Genetics #GeneEditing #CRISPR ---------- Socials: Spotify:  https://tinyurl.com/PolymathWorld Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/polymath_sam/ Tik Tok:  https://www.tiktok.com/@polymath_sam YouTube:  https://www.youtube.com/@UCuG7pQHkUJjc9WO56lcW47g  LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/sam-mckee/ Website:  https://sam-mckee.co.uk/

    Polymath World Episode 55: Dr Erika DeBenedictis

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About

Join us on our quest for the extraordinary! Sam McKee (@polymath_sam) has 9 university qualifications across 4 subjects including doctorates in history and philosophy of science and molecular biology. He researches both at two British universities and contributes to both space science and cancer research. Meet fellow polymaths and discipline leaders working on the frontiers of research from all over the world. Be inspired to pursue knowledge and drive the world forwards. Watch and share interviews with professors, lecturers, researchers, engineers, scientists and astronauts, right here! We talk to the most extraordinary people working on the frontiers for humanity, driving research forwards and changing the world that we live in. We dive deep with thinkers, academics and true icons - many of whom you won't yet have heard of. Listen to us here and on podcast whilst you drive, exercise, do chores, and be inspired to pursue extraordinary in your own life. www.sam-mckee.co.uk