412 episodes

Globetrotting and mind exploring comedian Shane Mauss interviews scientists each week on journey to answer the biggest questions about the meanings of life (as well as a bunch of other random stuff you never imagined you would care about). Favorite topics include: psychology, biology, evolution, cognitive biases, behavioral economics, mating, animal behavior, neuroscience, and the subconscious

Here We Are Starburns Audio

    • Science
    • 4.9 • 1.1K Ratings

Globetrotting and mind exploring comedian Shane Mauss interviews scientists each week on journey to answer the biggest questions about the meanings of life (as well as a bunch of other random stuff you never imagined you would care about). Favorite topics include: psychology, biology, evolution, cognitive biases, behavioral economics, mating, animal behavior, neuroscience, and the subconscious

    Hibernation w/ Frank van Breukelen

    Hibernation w/ Frank van Breukelen

    This episode comes from a conversation with the Director of Life Sciences here at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas.



    His research focuses on hibernation! Why do animals do it? What's the difference between say... torpor and taking a nap? Could humans ever hibernate?



    Plus, we get to dive into some other fascinating research about fish species, specifically, the very cute pupfish, which somehow live in the desert!



    Learn more about Frank's work: https://www.unlv.edu/news/expert/frank-van-breukelen



    https://www.shanemauss.com/⁠



    Thank you for watching and for being an inquisitive being.

    • 1 hr 6 min
    Astronomy and Planetariums w/ Andrew Kerr

    Astronomy and Planetariums w/ Andrew Kerr

    Today, I sit down with Andrew Kerr, head of the Dale Etheridge Planetarium in Las Vegas! 



    Andrew is an astronomer and physicist who received his PhD for his work on the Gravito-Electromagnetic Effect and the Cosmological Constant.



    In this episode, we talk about the state of planetariums, seek to understand the utility of constellations and star classifications, try to grasp the milestones and timescales that make up our universe, and project into the future of our solar system!



    Learn more: https://www.csn.edu/student-life/discover-csn/planetarium 



    https://www.shanemauss.com/



    Thank you for watching and for being an inquisitive being.

    • 1 hr 6 min
    Dung Beetles! w/Kimberly Sheldon

    Dung Beetles! w/Kimberly Sheldon

    Today I'm at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville speaking with Kimberly Sheldon all about dung beetles!



    Kim studies the patterns and processes that determine the distribution of species and use this information to predict impacts of anthropogenic change on species and ecological communities. 



    Learn more about Kim's work: http://www.biogeographyresearch.org/
    https://eeb.utk.edu/people/kimberly-sheldon/

    To find out how you can learn more, be involved, and maybe even help, head to http://www.nimbios.org/

    • 1 hr 3 min
    Virtual Education w/Shalaunda Reeves

    Virtual Education w/Shalaunda Reeves

    Today I'm learning about virtual education and how technology is helping teach students about otherwise complex topics.
    Shalaunda Reeves holds a PhD in curriculum and instruction and her research interests focus on how people learn in virtual environments.

    Learn more: https://tpte.utk.edu/people/shalaunda-reeves-phd/

    https://www.shanemauss.com/

    Thank you for watching and being an inquisitive being.

    • 1 hr 12 min
    A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth w/Henry Gee

    A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth w/Henry Gee

    Henry Gee is the author of ‘A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth’ - winner Royal Society Science Book Award 2022 and more notably, one of Shane's favorite books :)

    Henry is a paleontologist, evolutionary biologist, and editor at Nature.  He is also a hilarious, charming, wonderful guy who articulates the story of our existence in a poetic and accessible way.

    Learn more about him, his books, and his other writings here https://occamstypewriter.org/cromercrox/about-henry-gee/ 

    The paperback version of this book is available for preorder now

    Listen to Henry's first appearance on the show here: https://www.herewearepodcast.com/episodes/episode-360-46-billion-years-in-2-hours-henry-gee 

    • 1 hr 38 min
    Birdsong and City Noise

    Birdsong and City Noise

    Birds, animal communication, evolution, environmental pressures, and human impacts.  This conversation was very much in the Here We Are wheelhouse which made for a loose, funny, and fascinating episode!

    It was such a treat to talk with Associate Professor Elizabeth Derryberry in person at The University of Tennessee Knoxville https://eeb.utk.edu/people/elizabeth-derryberry/ .  Her work on animal communication integrates behavioral and evolutionary ecology.  We talked about how changes in city noise impact bird communication and what life in our modern world will mean for future migrations.

    Professor Derryberry also works with the National Institute for Mathematical and Biological Synthesis which has been working with our show to present more of their scholars and give listeners insights into what transdisciplinary approaches in mathematics and biology can mean for making a global impact.  Check out their website to learn more http://www.nimbios.org/

    Support the show on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/shanemauss where you can join game nights and other meetups.  There you can join the community on discord and be the first to know about all things related to Shane’s many projects.

    Shane has some very special announcements next week regarding live shows!  Make sure to tune in for Henry Gee’s second appearance as we discuss what roles mass extinctions, the Triassic period, and the evolution of the anus had in shaping life as we know it.

    • 1 hr 10 min

Customer Reviews

4.9 out of 5
1.1K Ratings

1.1K Ratings

TysonWencl14 ,

Excellent Podcast for Wide Range of People

I absolutely love this podcast. It hits so many different audiences with science, comedy, philosophy, psychedelics and a wide variety of topics. Extremely informative podcast in a very engaging and digestible way. Some podcast have great information but told in such a way that can become boring or sleep inducing. Shane Mauss has nailed conveying wide and deep talks in a fun way that makes you want to listen to the next episode immediately. Thank you Shane for committing to doing this for us and widening our perspectives every week!

spacecadet29 ,

Great podcast

I have been listening for years! Nuanced and interesting conversations with experts in a vast array of scientific disciplines. Great balance - neither too dense nor too simplistic.

HairyWhiteP ,

Great show

He was somewhat annoying with his schilling for the shots, despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary of their effectiveness.
Still, he’s quite smart and the guests are interesting more often than not.
I wish he’d leave his political views out of a “ science” show. He alienated several former fans I know.

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