'Crobecast: an ITiMS podcast on microbial systems ITiMS Podcast

In the miniseries "Get the Dirt on Soil" we dive into the soil crisis by interviewing President Obama’s science advisor, Dr. Jo Handelsman, and an innovator in the green ag industry, Keith Heidecorn of Locus AG.

In this final episode of this mini series, we look to the future and investigate if there is hope we can combat the looming soil crisis. What are scientists and policy makers doing to address this problem? Will microbes save the day? What is our role as individuals in protecting our soils? Listen in as we “dig deep” and gain more insight from our guests, Dr. Jo Handelsman and Keith Heidecorn, on what we need to do to save the soil microbial communities who are fighting hard for their survival.



Producer: Emily Crossette

Co-hosts: Nicholas Medina and Freida Blostein

Guests: Jo Handelsman and Keith Heidecorn 



View transcript of episode 3



Music Attributions
“Little Idea” by Scott Holmes Music

“Wholesome” by Kevin MacLeod

“Hopeful Journey” by Scott Holmes Music



https://itims.med.umich.edu/podcasts/get-dirt-soil-ep-3

In the miniseries "Get the Dirt on Soil" we dive into the soil crisis by interviewing President Obama’s science advisor, Dr. Jo Handelsman, and an innovator in the green ag industry, Keith Heidecorn of Locus AG. 

In this episode, ecology PhD student Nicholas walks us through different topics about what life is like among microbes in the soil environment. We touch on soil decomposition and nutrient cycles, plant disease, biofilms, and patterns of biodiversity.



Producer: Nicholas Medina

Co-hosts:  Freida Blostein and Emily Crossette

Guest: Jo Handelsman, Keith Heidecorn



View Transcript of episode 2



References:
Bairey, E., Kelsic, E. & Kishony, R. High-order species interactions shape ecosystem diversity. Nat Commun7, 12285 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncomms12285.

Gabriel L. Lozano, Juan I. Bravo, Manuel F. Garavito Diago, Hyun Bong Park, Amanda Hurley, S. BrookPeterson, Eric V. Stabb, Jason M. Crawford, Nichole A. Broderick, Jo Handelsman. mBio Mar 2019, 10 (2) e02846-18; DOI: 10.1128/mBio.02846-18.

Kravchenko, A.N., Guber, A.K., Razavi, B.S. et al. Microbial spatial footprint as a driver of soil carbon stabilization. Nat Commun10, 3121 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-11057-4.

MacArthur RH, Wilson EO (1967). The theory of island biogeography. Princeton, N.J: Princeton University Press. ISBN978-0-691-08836-5.

Rillig, M., Muller, L. & Lehmann, A. Soil aggregates as massively concurrent evolutionary incubators. ISME J11, 1943–1948 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1038/ismej.2017.56.



Music: (YouTube Audio Library)
“Earth Bound” by Slynk

“Lobo Loco” by Bazar

“Mid-Air Machine” by Four Corners



https://itims.med.umich.edu/podcasts/get-dirt-soil-ep-2

In the miniseries "Get the Dirt on Soil" we dive into the soil crisis by interviewing President Obama’s science advisor, Dr. Jo Handelsman, and an innovator in the green ag industry, Keith Heidecorn of Locus AG.

In this episode, epidemiology PhD student Freida orients us to the ongoing soil crisis and introduces our guest, Dr. Jo Handelsman, Director of the Wisconsin Institute for Discovery at the University of Wisconsin, Madison and former science advisor to President Obama. We discuss how important soil is for our planet, touching on climate change, soil erosion and the Dust Bowl.



Producer: Freida Blostein

Co-hosts: Emily Crossette and Nicholas Medina

Guest: Jo Handelsman



View Transcript of episode 1.



References:
Arthi, V. “The Dust Was Long in Settling”: Human Capital and the Lasting Impact of the American Dust Bowl. The Journal of Economic History, Vol. 78, No. 1 (March 2018).



Music attributions:
“Open those bright eyes” by Kevin Macleod

“Loopster” by Kevin Macleod

“Happy boy end theme” by Kevin Macleod



https://itims.med.umich.edu/crobecast-itims-podcast