Lab Coat Optional

Arizona State University

Lab Coat Optional is the show where research is made relatable. Each episode, we dive into the research, the people behind it and why it matters. Tune in for smart, accessible conversations on the latest research from Arizona State University, released every other Wednesday. We are a production of Knowledge Enterprise at ASU. Learn more at research.asu.edu.

  1. Staying human in the age of AI with Andrew Maynard

    MAR 18

    Staying human in the age of AI with Andrew Maynard

    As AI and emerging technologies reshape daily life, Andrew Maynard — scientist, author and professor in the Rob Walton College of Global Futures — discusses how we navigate disruptive innovation responsibly — and how we can hold onto our humanity in a rapidly changing world. Further reading: Andrew’s SubstackAI and the Art of Being HumanFuture RisingListen to Andrew’s show, Modem Futura wherever you get your podcasts. Learn more about Andrew’s Future of Being Human Initiative, and the Rob Walton College of Global Futures, part of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at ASU. Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research and discovery at ASU on Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky or visit us at research.asu.edu. Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice! Get in touch with us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. Episode credits Executive produced by Kate Howells Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka Shot and edited by Alexander Chapin Original music from Patrick Cheung Motion graphics by Andy Ramos Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz Editorial support from Diane Boudreau Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

    48 min
  2. The future of medical research with NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya [BONUS]

    MAR 6 ·  BONUS

    The future of medical research with NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya [BONUS]

    Director of the National Institutes of Health Dr. Jay Bhattacharya joins the show to discuss his priorities for the agency, building trust with Tribal communities, his advice to young researchers — and some of his favorite board games. Jay's board game recs: AzulCastles of BurgundyAnything by Vital Lacerda!Specifically: On Mars or VinhosLab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research and discovery at ASU on Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky or visit us at research.asu.edu. Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice! Get in touch with us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. Episode credits Executive produced by Kate Howells Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka Shot and edited by Alexander Chapin Original music from Patrick Cheung Motion graphics by Andy Ramos Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

    44 min
  3. Our rising energy demand, explained, with Kelly Barr and Gary Dirks

    MAR 4

    Our rising energy demand, explained, with Kelly Barr and Gary Dirks

    Energy demand is surging. To understand what’s driving it and how we’re going to meet it, I’m joined by energy veterans Kelly Barr and Gary Dirks from the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory. They explain the complicated nature of energy planning, why nuclear energy is getting another look and why when it comes to navigating our energy future — reliability is king. Further reading: Analysis from the International Energy AgencyReports from the U.S. Energy Information AdministrationRMI research and analysisEPRICalifornia Burning by Katherine BluntLearn more about Energy Forward, a unit of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory at Arizona State University. Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research and discovery at ASU on Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky or visit us at research.asu.edu. Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice! Get in touch with us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. Episode credits Executive produced by Kate Howells Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka Hosted by Pete Zrioka Shot by Alexander Chapin Edited by Alexander Chapin Original music from Patrick Cheung Motion graphics by Andy Ramos Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz Social media by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson Clips The growing environmental impact of AI data centers’ energy demands — PBS News Hour How AI is driving a sharp rise in electricity bills — PBS News Hour NBC 5 Responds: Soaring energy bills — NBC 5 Chicago POWER CRISIS: Electricity demand SURGES as AI takes over — Fox Business Inside the numbers: How data centers are increasing energy use — ABC15 Arizona

    46 min
  4. The hidden side of national security — and not stealth planes! with Nadya Bliss

    FEB 18

    The hidden side of national security — and not stealth planes! with Nadya Bliss

    Nadya Bliss — executive director of the Advanced Capabilities for National Security Institute — explains how national security is more than tanks and battleships. She breaks down the vital role university research plays behind the scenes to anticipate emerging needs, strengthen infrastructure, accelerate innovation and quietly prevent conflict. Further reading: Listen to Sources & Methods, NPR’s nat sec podcastCheck out Phantom Orbit: A Thriller, by David IgnatiusLearn more about the Advanced Capabilities for National Security Institute at Arizona State University. Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research and discovery at ASU on Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky or visit us at research.asu.edu. Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice! Get in touch with us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. Episode credits Executive produced by Kate Howells Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka Shot by Alexander Chapin Edited by Alexander Chapin Original music from Patrick Cheung Motion graphics by Andy Ramos Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz Editorial support from Diane Boudreau Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson Disclosure: Opinions expressed on this show reflect the views of the individuals only, not the policy or opinion of Arizona State University.

    43 min
  5. ASU-Science Prize winners talk transforming messy datasets into solutions [BONUS]

    FEB 17 ·  BONUS

    ASU-Science Prize winners talk transforming messy datasets into solutions [BONUS]

    Bonus episode! Guest host Dr. Lara Ferry, vice president for research at ASU Knowledge Enterprise, talks with Meha Jain, of the University of Michigan and Mayank Kejriwal, of the University of Southern California, the inaugural winners of the ASU-Science Prize for Transformational Impact, presented by ASU and Science. Further reading: Environmentality by Arun AgrawalDevelopment as Freedom by Amartya SenTaking Down Backpage by Maggy KrellScience as a Vocation by Max WeberThe Information by James GleickLearn more about AAAS and follow on LinkedIn, Instagram and Bluesky. Consider becoming a member, too! Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at ASU’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research at ASU on Instagram, LinkedIn and Bluesky or visit us at research.asu.edu. Get in touch with us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. Episode credits Executive produced by Kate Howells Produced by Alexander Chapin, Pete Zrioka and Carrie Herrera Niesen Hosted by Lara Ferry Shot by Alexander Chapin Edited by Quinton Kendall and Alexander Chapin Original music from Patrick Cheung Motion graphics by Andy Ramos Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz Social media by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson Special thanks to Sally C. Morton

    29 min
  6. The power — and limits — of labor action with Michael McQuarrie [BONUS]

    FEB 6 ·  BONUS

    The power — and limits — of labor action with Michael McQuarrie [BONUS]

    Bonus episode! You might’ve heard about a “shutdown” last week on January 30. Organizers urged people in the U.S. not to work, go to school or spend money at all to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But what is a shutdown, really? How is it different from a strike, or a protest — and what effect do these actions have? In this bonus episode, sociologist and director of ASU’s Center for Work and Democracy Michael McQuarrie explains the significance of the labor action stemming from Minneapolis, and how it fits into the historical context of the American labor movement. Disclaimer: Opinions expressed on this show reflect the views of the individuals only, not the policy or opinion of Arizona State University. Further reading: Strike! by Jeremy BrecherStreet Rebellion: Resistance Beyond Violence and Nonviolence by Benjamin CasePopular Contention in Great Britain by Charles TillyBreaking the Barrier: The Rise of Solidarity in Poland by Lawrence GoodwinThe last two books are out of print and therefore quite expensive — check your local library! Learn more about the Center for Work and Democracy at Arizona State University. Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research and discovery at ASU on Instagram and LinkedIn, or visit us at research.asu.edu. Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice! Get in touch with us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. Episode credits Executive produced by Kate Howells Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka Shot by Alexander Chapin Edited by Alexander Chapin and Quinton Kendall Original music from Patrick Cheung Motion graphics by Andy Ramos Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz Editorial support from Diane Boudreau Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

    25 min
  7. Why 2026 will decide the future of water in the West, with Rhett Larson

    FEB 4

    Why 2026 will decide the future of water in the West, with Rhett Larson

    Water law expert Rhett Larson explains why 2026 is a make-or-break year for the 40 million people who depend on the Colorado River for drinking water, power, agriculture and so much more. What happens if states can’t agree on how to share this resource going forward, and what do we have to give up to ensure a sustainable future for us all? Further reading Explore the Kyl Center’s Arizona Water Blueprint to find out the source of your water: azwaterblueprint.asu.edu Read Rhett’s book, Just Add Water: Solving the World's Problems Using its Most Precious Resource. Look out for Rhett’s next book, Day Zero, a comparative legal analysis of the water crises faced in recent years by Cape Town, Chennai, and Mexico City, and draws water policy lessons from those crises for other cities. Learn more about the Kyl Center for Water Policy and the Sandra Day O’Conner College of Law at ASU. Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research and discovery at ASU on Instagram and LinkedIn, or visit us at research.asu.edu. Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice! Get in touch with us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. Episode credits Executive produced by Kate Howells Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka Shot by Alexander Chapin Edited by Quinton Kendall and Alexander Chapin Original music from Patrick Cheung Motion graphics by Andy Ramos Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson Disclaimer: Opinions expressed on this show reflect the views of the individuals only, not the policy or opinion of Arizona State University.

    51 min

  8. TRAILER

    Get ready for another season!

    We're back and bigger than ever! Okay, well, we're exactly the same size, But we are definitely back!!! This time around, we’ll take you on a trip... to explore psychedelics as a form of therapy! Into deep space, to understand the evolution of galaxies. We're digging into our growing energy demand, what happens when the rules governing the Colorado River expire and how music shapes our emotions. All this and more coming soon! New episodes every other Wednesday starting Feb. 4. Follow ASU Research: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/asu-knowledge-enterprise Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asuresearch/ Learn more about our work: https://research.asu.edu Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice! We are at the mercy of the mighty, fickle algorithms and reviews help new listeners find our show. Do you have thoughts or questions for us? Email us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. We’d love to hear from you! As long as you are nice. Be nice.

    1 min
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Trailer

4.5
out of 5
12 Ratings

About

Lab Coat Optional is the show where research is made relatable. Each episode, we dive into the research, the people behind it and why it matters. Tune in for smart, accessible conversations on the latest research from Arizona State University, released every other Wednesday. We are a production of Knowledge Enterprise at ASU. Learn more at research.asu.edu.

Information

  • Creator
    Arizona State University
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    18
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Arizona State University
  • Show Website
    Lab Coat Optional

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