Finding Genius Podcast Richard Jacobs

Sustainable agriculture is a concept that takes an immense amount of attention and commitment. The disconnect between society and our food sources is staggering – and in this episode, we get familiar with food origins from the ground level… 
Andy Smith joins the podcast today to discuss his work as the Farm Manager at Kwantlen Polytechnic University (KPU). Here, he informs students on sustainable farming practices and provides hands-on agricultural education.
Join us now to explore:
Why rural communities are becoming less sustainable. Andy’s role as Farm Manager at KPU. The importance of looking at a farm as an integrated whole. How peat moss is being used in small-scale farming operations. With a dedication to functional farming, Andy has played a major role in enriching KPU’s Department of Sustainable Agriculture. Wondering how he’s accomplishing this? Tune in now!
Want to find out more about Andy and his work with KPU? Click here now!
Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

Returning to the podcast to discuss water desalination is Mark Holtzapple. Mark is a Professor of Chemical Engineering at Texas A&M University where he researches technologies that improve sustainability.
With close to 30 years of experience as a researcher, Mark is constantly finding new ways to turn waste into useful products. So what’s his take on obtaining fresh water from saltwater? 
In this episode, you will learn about:
What desalination is, and how Mark got started working with it. Techniques used to desalinate water, and how they have evolved over the years.  How reverse osmosis contributes to water desalination.  What vapor compression technology is, and why this may be the future of energy-efficient water desalination. Imagine a world where freshwater is as plentiful as seawater… With the work that researchers like Mark Holtzapple are doing, this idea may be more realistic than you may think!
To find out more about Mark Holtzapple and his work, you can visit gfrc.tamu.edu.
Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

Have you ever wondered how alcohol contributed to the origins of our civilization? Well, look no further. In this episode, we explore how our ancestors used alcohol and other intoxicants – and why humans have been innately drawn to drunkenness throughout history…
Joining us to address this topic and others like it is Edward “Ted” Slingerland. Ted is a professor at the University of British Columbia, where teaches and researches East Asian studies, religious history, philosophy, and psychology. 
Ted is the author of the recent book, Drunk: How We Sipped, Danced and Stumbled Our Way to Civilization. Here he dives into “the alcohol-soaked origins of civilization — and the evolutionary roots of humanity’s appetite for intoxication.”
In this episode, you will uncover:
The intersection between chemical intoxicants and spiritual experience. The difference between stimulants and intoxicants. Dangers that have arisen as alcohol consumption has evolved.  The importance of understanding the function of alcohol. Want to find out more about Ted and his work? Visit www.edwardslingerland.com now!
Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

Joining us in this episode is physicist and astrophysicist Marco Castellano. Marco is a researcher at Osservatorio Astronomico di Roma-INAF, where he investigates galaxy formation – specifically looking at the early galaxies that formed right after the Big Bang. 
Our universe is estimated to be 13.7 billion years old, and the James Webb Space Telescope has been using infrared technology to explore the ancient history of our cosmos. This revolutionary device is illuminating an array of mysteries that astronomers have been guessing at for centuries… 
Tune in now to hear Marco discuss:
What the James Webb Space Telescope is telling us about extragalactic origins. When the first galaxies were formed, and why it took so long for them to do so following the Big Bang. What the very first stars may have looked like. We are living in an exciting time for astronomy, and Marco is among the integral researchers that are at the forefront of these fascinating discoveries. Join the podcast now to find out more about this scientific revolution!
Click here to learn more about Marco and his work!

In this episode, we sit down with two expert agriculturalists: Jim Kamas and Jacy L. Lewis. Both Jim and Jacy reside in Texas, where they lend their horticultural insight to Texas A&M University and various other education programs.
Jim is an Assistant Professor and Extension Fruit Specialist in the Department of Horticultural Sciences, and is stationed in Fredericksburg, TX. He works as a farm advisor to fruit growers across Texas and devotes his time to understanding the needs of both commercial and home fruit producers.
Jacy is the Program Manager in the Viticulture and Sustainable Fruit Lab at Texas A&M and is also stationed in Fredericksburg. She serves the Texas wine industry with her involvement in a number of sustainable research projects for wine grapes and perennial fruit crops. 
Tune in now to hear Jim and Jacy discuss:
What Jacy’s lab is doing to control diseases in wine grapes. How long it typically takes for wine grapes to come to full maturity. Why sustainability is so important in perennial cropping systems.  The science behind wine grape production is fascinating. Want to learn about this subject for yourself? Jump into the conversation now to gain a better understanding of viticulture, and how it informs grape production!

Click here to find out more about Jim and Jacy’s work with Texas A&M’s Department of Horticulture!
Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

Our planet provides everything for us, and it’s our job to ensure that it is appropriately taken care of. By coming together and creating technology that supports this effort, we will be able to enjoy the resources Earth provides for generations to come. 
Manik Suri is the Founder and CEO of Therma, a technology startup with a mission to help preserve our planet, food, and health. Therma fulfills this vision by building “safety and sustainability tools to eliminate food waste, improve energy efficiency, and reduce refrigerant emissions.”
Protecting consumers and battling climate change is Manik’s calling – and in this episode, we explore all he is doing to accomplish this goal…
Click play to learn about:
Why refrigeration is a critical area of infrastructure that is often overlooked, and how Therma is making it more intelligent.  How wireless sensors are making refrigeration more efficient. The importance of refining refrigeration technology, and how it impacts food and energy sustainability.  Thanks to organizations like Therma, we are taking steps towards more sustainable refrigeration practices. Join the conversation now to hear how this impacts the future of our environment!
You can find out more about Manik by visiting his website at maniksuri.com! 
Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C