The Vandal Theory

University of Idaho
  • 4.7 (20)
  • SCIENCE

“The Vandal Theory” podcast asks, “What gets University of Idaho researchers’ brains buzzing ... besides coffee?” These award-winning stories showcase researchers exploring and solving real-world problems. With interviews on all things Vandal, discover the world of U of I research with hosts Leigh Cooper and Danae Lenz.

  1. Coming soon: Season 11 of “The Vandal Theory”

    1D AGO

    Coming soon: Season 11 of “The Vandal Theory”

    A new season of The Vandal Theory returns Monday, March 2, with bold questions and unexpected connections. From decoding what animal migration reveals about life on the move to taking a closer look at the U.S. Constitution, Season 11 dives into the forces that shape our world. You’ll also hear how scientists build fungicides from the ground up to protect Idaho’s signature potatoes — and why beef prices rise and fall with the market. New episodes drop weekly, so follow along wherever you get your podcasts and join us for another season of curiosity-driven discovery at University of Idaho.

    1 min
  2. Episode 10.8: Inside the science driving Idaho’s thriving fish industry

    11/17/2025

    Episode 10.8: Inside the science driving Idaho’s thriving fish industry

    Question: How much do you know about where the fish you eat come from? Brian Small (go.uidaho.edu/4oLfkzy) is the director of the University of Idaho Aquaculture Research Institute (go.uidaho.edu/49wNXVx) and a professor of fish physiology in the College of Natural Resources (go.uidaho.edu/4hZSZMq). In this episode, he explains how research on fish nutrition, alternative fish diets and sturgeon caviar supports both the aquaculture industry and conservation efforts. He also shares what it’s like to raise millions of fish in Idaho’s spring-fed waters. Visit our website go.uidaho.edu/thevandaltheory​. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu.  Music  “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5).  “Seaside at Dusk” by Michael Dowdle (go.uidaho.edu/4r1nt4L) via Amphibious Zoo.   Chapters (0:00) Where do the fish you eat come from? (3:38) Getting to know Brian Small (4:11) Inside the Aquaculture Research Institute (7:30) Life as a fish at the hatchery (11:35) Inside the science shaping Idaho’s sustainable aquaculture (17:01) Sturgeon, caviar and conservation (21:08) Why aquaculture matters in Idaho (23:28) Final thoughts

    26 min
  3. Episode 10.7: From classroom to trading floor — How students learn to lead in finance

    11/10/2025

    Episode 10.7: From classroom to trading floor — How students learn to lead in finance

    Question: Did you ever learn about investing in school? Meet Duff Bergquist (go.uidaho.edu/47Ud6rE), Barker Capital Management and Trading Program (go.uidaho.edu/3JGcSLs) director and senior instructor of finance. The Barker program along with its sister club, teach students about investing using real money. The students work with industry partners and alumni to learn about wealth management, risk management and financial analyses. Bergquist walks us through what research means for the Barker students, what life is like for participants and how the Girls Who Invest Program opens new opportunities for women in finance.  Visit our website go.uidaho.edu/thevandaltheory​. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu.  Music  “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5).  “Apricot Twist” by Gregory Joseph Carrozza (go.uidaho.edu/43aRLYv) via Amphibious Zoo.   Chapters (0:00) Did you learn about investing in school? (2:55) Getting to know Duff Bergquist (7:12) What does research look like in Barker? (14:04) How are PNW businesses involved? (15:37) What do competitions in investing look like? (17:52) What is Barker like for the students? (20:52) What is Girls Who Invest? (24:20) Final thoughts

    27 min
  4. Episode 10.6: What tiny snails can teach us about evolution

    11/03/2025

    Episode 10.6: What tiny snails can teach us about evolution

    Question: What’s your favorite example of evolution? Christine Parent (go.uidaho.edu/3WOPJtz) is a professor in the College of Science (go.uidaho.edu/4oJww8r) who studies the evolutionary biology of snails. In this episode, she shares how she earned the nickname “Snail Hunter,” what it’s like tracking these tiny creatures across the rugged landscapes of the Galápagos and what they can teach us about how life evolves. She’ll even drop a few fun snail facts that might just change the way you think about them. Learn more about the snail hunters — and watch a short film about their adventures — at go.uidaho.edu/snailhunters. Visit our website go.uidaho.edu/thevandaltheory​. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu.  Music  “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5).  “Lemonade and Lollipops” (go.uidaho.edu/49o1E8Y) by Matthew Trent Cropper via Amphibious Zoo.

    30 min
  5. Episode 10.5: Monsters, meaning and media — A Halloween dive into horror cinema

    10/27/2025

    Episode 10.5: Monsters, meaning and media — A Halloween dive into horror cinema

    Question: What is your favorite horror movie? Meet Russ Meeuf (go.uidaho.edu/4nj1jI2), professor in the School of Journalism and Mass Media (go.uidaho.edu/48I6Wfb) at University of Idaho — and a scholar who knows monsters better than most. What makes a monster truly terrifying? What do these creatures reveal about our deepest fears, our society and ourselves? And why do monsters evolve as our cultural anxieties change? Russ will guide us through the haunted corridors of horror cinema, showing how monsters are more than just nightmares — they’re mirrors. So, grab your flashlight, lock the doors and tune to our Halloween episode...if you dare. Visit our website go.uidaho.edu/thevandaltheory​. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu.  Music  “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5).  “Dark Undercurrent” by Harold Schenk (go.uidaho.edu/3LoVlI8) via Amphibious Zoo. Chapters (0:00) Favorite horror movie? (3:50) Getting to know Russ Meeuf (5:40) What makes a good movie monster? (7:51) Two sides to every monster (12:49) What does a director or writer bring to a monster? (17:19) What do monsters reveal about ourselves? (20:06) Do monsters evolve over time? (25:08) Final thoughts

    28 min
  6. Episode 10.4: Exploring the hidden threads of mythology and making

    10/20/2025

    Episode 10.4: Exploring the hidden threads of mythology and making

    Question: Do you have a favorite myth? Rochelle Smith (go.uidaho.edu/3WaYWMi) is the humanities librarian for the U of I Library (go.uidaho.edu/48ru5Cx). In this episode, she discusses the surprising ways gods, goddesses and other beings across cultures are connected to crafting and making. She also shares why these stories still matter today and what they reveal about human creativity and imagination. Visit our website go.uidaho.edu/thevandaltheory​. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu.  Music  “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5).  “Daybreak Musing” (https://go.uidaho.edu/3LdpH0b) by Christian Richard Lloyd via Amphibious Zoo. Chapters (0:00) Do you have a favorite kind of myth? (4:50) Getting to know Rochelle Smith (5:55) Gods and their hobbies (7:45) What myths say about humanity (18:37) Smith’s favorite myths (21:20) Myths more people should know about (24:13) Engage with the past (27:23) Final thoughts

    30 min
  7. Episode 10.3: Creative professor teaches medicine with Pokémon and AI

    10/13/2025

    Episode 10.3: Creative professor teaches medicine with Pokémon and AI

    Meet Tyler Bland (go.uidaho.edu/3Vt7q0W), clinical assistant professor in the School of Health and Medical Professions (go.uidaho.edu/4nJgRFM). Medical students struggle to learn and retain the fire hose of information they need to become doctors. Bland explains how he is using ingenuity, imagination and AI to create Pokémon-esque monsters and medically-themed movies to help his students learn. Visit our website go.uidaho.edu/thevandaltheory​. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu. Music “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5). “Reach” by Sam Cardon (go.uidaho.edu/46LpVUE) via Amphibious Zoo. Chapters (0:00) Have you used mnemnic devices (2:36) Getting to know Tyler Bland (3:43) Medical education challenges (7:42) Introducing Medimon (13:01) Medimon video games (15:45) Case studies become AI movies with Hollywood stars (17:45) Shattered Slippers with Selena Gomez (21:48) Malaria through Alien (25:28) Are the students learning better? (28:34) Final thoughts

    30 min
  8. Episode 10.2: Building a sustainable wardrobe

    10/06/2025

    Episode 10.2: Building a sustainable wardrobe

    Question: Have you ever repaired clothing? Chelsey Byrd Lewallen (go.uidaho.edu/4gZXuWQ) is a senior instructor in the Margaret Ritchie School of Family and Consumer Sciences (https://go.uidaho.edu/3KrkCRR) at U of I and a sewist who’s rethinking the way we wear, care for and keep our clothes. In this episode, she discusses her new book, “Clothing Alterations and Repairs: Maintaining a Sustainable Wardrobe” (go.uidaho.edu/4o7syGp) and shares how small choices — like repairing instead of replacing and buying better garments from the get-go — can make a big impact on our closets, our wallets and the planet. Visit our website go.uidaho.edu/thevandaltheory​. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu.  Music  “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5).  “Bicycles And Backpacks” by Michael Dowdle (go.uidaho.edu/4o8Qx8d) via Amphibious Zoo.   Chapters (0:00) Have you ever repaired clothing? (2:55) Getting to know Chelsey Byrd Lewallen (3:55) On writing a book (5:55) Clothing manufacturing 101 (12:44) Building a sustainable wardrobe (17:44) Clothing repair basics (20:26) Building a sustainable mindset (24:32) Pick one small change (26:18) Final thoughts

    30 min
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4.7
out of 5
20 Ratings

About

“The Vandal Theory” podcast asks, “What gets University of Idaho researchers’ brains buzzing ... besides coffee?” These award-winning stories showcase researchers exploring and solving real-world problems. With interviews on all things Vandal, discover the world of U of I research with hosts Leigh Cooper and Danae Lenz.

Information

  • Creator
    University of Idaho
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    86
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved
  • Show Website
    The Vandal Theory