Curiously Dustin Grinnell

About 450 million years ago, plants started to colonize the planet. Unable to hide from challenging environmental conditions or run away from insects or herbivores, plants had to get creative to manage diverse ecological pressures. To deal with these challenges, plants exploited their own metabolic systems to produce natural chemicals that helped them survive, from attracting pollinators to deterring herbivores and fighting pathogens.



Some of the natural compounds found in plants possess medicinal properties capable of addressing human health issues. In Traditional Chinese Medicine, natural plant products have been used medically for thousands of years usually in the form of herbs mixed into cocktails that contain a diverse array of natural compounds. Today, a significant portion of prescription drugs have origins in plants or are directly derived from natural compounds found in plants.



Jing-Ke Weng, PhD, is a plant biologist and biochemist who studies the origin and evolution of specialized metabolic systems in plants and seeks to use the chemical diversity found in the plant kingdom for the benefit of human health. Dr. Weng’s research could lead to a better understanding of complex diseases and inform the development of new medicines.



Dr. Weng received his PhD in Biochemistry from Purdue University in 2009. He did his postdoctoral research with Dr. Joseph Noel at the Salk Institute for Biological Studies and Howard Hughes Medical Institute. In 2013, he joined the faculty of the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, and the biology department of MIT as an assistant professor. In the fall of 2023, Dr. Weng became the founding director of the new Institute for Plant-Human Interface at Northeastern University.



Learn more about Dr. Weng’s work on his website, or his research page at Northeastern University, and follow him on LinkedIn.


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In the first episode of Season Two of Curiously, I’m breaking away from the traditional interview format. After sharing a recent podcast appearance I'd made to discuss my new book, The Healing Book, I unexpectedly touched a chord with my longtime designer, Kaitlyn Gilbert.

Intrigued by the interview, Kaitlyn shared her personal journey with me—a tale of her parents' divorce, emotional scars, and the healing power found within the pages of The Bible. Through daily readings, Kaitlyn found solace but also unlocked profound wisdom that rejuvenated her spirit and kindled her entrepreneurial drive.

Although non-religious, I’m spiritually curious, and decided to go on a journey with Kaitlyn to unearth the insights she found within The Bible’s verses. In this episode, we delve into themes of faith, resilience, and the universal power of healing through reading.

Learn more about Kaitlyn’s design web agency, DKDesigns, which she founded with her husband.


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To end season one, I invited Jeanne Mayell back to the show to pick up where we left off in episode #4. Jeanne is an intuitive counselor and author who gives private life readings, intuitive guidance, and offers tools to help people develop their intuitive abilities. In our follow-up conversation, Jeanne describes the mechanism she believes drives the process of intuition. It’s a phenomenon in quantum physics called quantum entanglement in which two or more particles become connected in such a way that the state of one particle instantly influences the state of the other, regardless of the distance between them. We discuss what this phenomenon has to do with intuition and love and how it plays a role in the plot of the movie, Interstellar. Learn more about Jeanne Mayell on her website, www. jeannemayell.com. Support the podcast here.   









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In this podcast episode, I talk with Samantha Cooke, author of the 2023 young adult novel, Love Always, Bailey. Sam is a Florida native who writes stories set in her home state. As a playwright, her work has appeared on stage at The Orlando International Fringe Festival, The University of Central Florida, and Rocky Mountain Theatre for Kids in Denver, Colorado. She holds an MFA in Creative Writing for Young Adults from the Solstice MFA Program. She lives in Massachusetts where she works as a communications manager for KIPP Massachusetts Public Charter Schools. Learn more about Sam and work on her website. Follow her on Instagram at @samanthaecooke. Read a recent interview with her in YA Books Central. Support the podcast on Patreon.





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In this podcast episode, I read a short story, “Searching for Meaning in the Stars," from my book, The Healing Book (Finishing Line Press). The story is about a theoretical physicist who writes a memoir about overcoming an existential crisis on an island on New Hampshire’s Lake Winnipesaukee.

The episode was produced by Chris Potter, a sound editor/mixer, who has edited all of my episodes, and has been working in audio since the late 70s. Chris has produced thousands of commercials for national ad agencies and worldwide automotive, hospitality, travel, beverage, cosmetic, and entertainment brands. He’s tracked live orchestras in Europe, directed celebrity narrations for IMAX movies, recorded for kids’ toys, video games, theme park attractions, TV series, and radio shows.

A particular passion of his is creating soundtracks for narrative and documentary programs, and he’s enjoying the growth and variety in podcasting. See Chris’ portfolio on his website. Learn more about The Healing Book on Amazon. This short story appeared in the Feb/Mar 2024 issue of Utopia Science Fiction Magazine.


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In this episode, I speak with Bob Smith (not his real last name), a 73-year-old American man from Massachusetts. Bob isn’t a public figure. He hasn’t held high positions in society, or appeared on TV or radio. He’s a decidedly un-famous person. But that doesn’t mean he isn’t important or worth speaking to. He’s lived a rich and interesting life, and he’s deeply important to his friends, family, and colleagues. In this episode, I sit down with Bob to talk—with no predetermined structure or preparation—about nothing.


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