12 episodes
Seeking A Scientist KCUR Studios
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- Science
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5.0 • 91 Ratings
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The future is scary, but it doesn’t have to be! Host Dr. Kate Biberdorf (aka Kate the Chemist) is seeking scientists to guide us into the great unknown. From fungus zombies to feeling young forever, we’re puzzling out what our world could look like — and how we can get ready. A podcast from KCUR Studios and the NPR Podcast Network. Supported by The Stowers Institute For Medical Research.
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Your burning questions about fireworks, answered
Fireworks have been used to dazzle and entertain for centuries. These spectacles can seem out of this world, and they’re directly related to Kate the Chemist’s favorite subject: chemistry. Kate answers your questions about fireworks, including what causes their sound, colors and even smell.
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Plants may be more intelligent than we think
We haven’t been giving the Plant Kingdom enough credit. Plants can move, attack, communicate, and adapt — even though they don’t have what's normally defined as a brain. But do plants meet the criteria for intelligent life? That’s the question Paco Calvo and Natalie Lawrence explore in their book “Planta Sapiens: Unmasking Plant Intelligence.”
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Can we stop an asteroid from hitting Earth?
Asteroids heading straight for planet Earth aren’t just a scenario out of a Hollywood thriller. Luckily, scientists around the world have long been preparing for such an “Armageddon” scenario.Kate The Chemist speaks with Nancy Chabot, one of the leaders behind NASA’s planetary defense missions, about destroying asteroids in space before they reach our atmosphere.
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Breaking down the Nobel Prize-winning discovery of quantum dots
Ever since the 2023 Nobel Prize was awarded for the discovery of quantum dots, Kate’s phone has been ringing off the hook. Everyone wants her to explain what these tiny clusters of atoms are — and how they relate to the budding field of nanotechnology. In essence, she says, quantum dots are helping chemists make our world brighter, healthier and more energy efficient.
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Seeking... your thoughts
Seeking A Scientist is returning for a second season! But before we head back to the lab, Kate The Chemist wants to hear from YOU. What episode was your favorite? What do you want to hear more about from us? Leave us a review and comment on your favorite podcast platform, or email Kate directly at Kate@seekingascientist.org.
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Does the multiverse actually exist?
Over the last few years, the box office has been dominated by films like "Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse" that explore ideas of parallel universes, quantum worlds and alternate lives. There's some real science behind those ideas, but they may not look exactly how we imagine. Theoretical physicist Sean Carroll helps us untangle the madness from the multiverse.
Customer Reviews
Very informative and entertaining
Every episode is a blast
Podcast review.
Kate,
I will try to be bright, brief and gone. I enjoyed your podcast, short season though. I’m glad you embraced the last one with Sean Carroll, you did a good job with it. I have all of his books, I listen to his podcast, and support it ..
The one that moved me, and I’m not sure I’ve ever quite had that experience listening to a Podcast, the ocean plastic trash. I’m not gonna remember his name, but I remember how it made me feel. He was talking about the calamity and the horribleness of the plastic trash pile, and walking on it. You appeared to want to move quickly through the calamity / topic and get into the solution of fixing it. He would not let you. He brought you back to to confronting and contemplating the severity and the fact we will be living with plasric forever. Probably some of it coursing through my blood now. Your voice was shaken. You were stumbling in a very real and personal way that brought forth the reality of that severity. He made you confront it, It was real, you were real. I thought that was one of the most incredible moments I’ve ever heard on a podcast. It was deeply moving for everyone. Well done Kate!
Maybe you’re in the process of capturing lightning in a bottle. I wish you the best.
George
Great science podcast
This is so great! Kate is pleasant and a natural. The subjects are fascinating and the information is delivered in relatable way. More please!