Big Brains Podcast

Determining the age of the universe is one of the biggest mysteries in science. On the Big Brains Podcast, UChicago Prof. Wendy Freedman explains how new data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope could help resolve controversy around the discrepancies in this measurement—known as the “Hubble tension.” Learn more: http://ms.spr.ly/6048mUPJG

Determining the age of the universe is one of the biggest mysteries in science. On the Big Brains Podcast, UChicago Prof. Wendy Freedman explains how new data from NASA's James Webb Space Telescope could help resolve controversy around the discrepancies in this measurement—known as the “Hubble tension.” Learn more: http://ms.spr.ly/6048mUPJG

The devastation from Hurricane Helene is a tragic reminder of how a warming world is intensifying tropical storms and hurricanes. Revisit this past episode with climate scientist Michael Wehner of Berkeley Lab, whose research examines how much worse these types of extreme weather events could become. http://ms.spr.ly/6048mo5y8

It's International Podcast Day, a celebration of the power of podcasts. Big Brains would be honored if you tagged a friend and considered leaving a review on Apple Podcasts. #InternationalPodcastDay

Welcome Class of 2028! Start the academic year with these must-listen episodes from the Big Brains podcast: How Language Shapes Our Thinking with John List (Economics) Revolutionizing Organ Transplants with Jeffrey Hubbell (Molecular Engineering) Providing Basic Health Insurance For Every American with Provost Katherine Baicker What We Really Know About the Brain with David Freedman (Neuroscience) The Future of Cities and Sustainability with Sabina Shaikh (Environmental Economics) Phonics vs. Whole Word: The Science of Reading with Adrian Johns (History) Start the year with ideas that will spark your curiosity: Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.

How will Gen Z and millennials shape the future of U.S. politics? On Big Brains Podcast, UChicago Prof. Cathy Cohen shares new research on young Americans' voting patterns and political priorities, with a particular focus on voters of color. http://ms.spr.ly/6044mj4co

Young voters could tip the balance in the 2024 election, but what are they thinking? On the Big Brains Podcast, UChicago Prof. Cathy Cohen discusses results from the GenForwardsurvey, which examines Generation Z's thoughts on issues ranging from inflation to housing to racism and violence. Listen here: http://ms.spr.ly/6044mnQZy

Are declining global fertility rates a new phenomenon? On Big Brains Podcast, UChicago scholar Peggy O'Donnell Heffington outlines the history of non-motherhood and reveals that women have actively controlled their fertility for centuries. http://ms.spr.ly/6041mpVjt

Congratulations to Prof. Ben Zhao, who was named to the prestigious TIME100 AI list. Listen to a recent Big Brains, in which the UChicago computer scientist explains his pioneering work in creating programs to protect content against generative AI.

Last year the fertility rate in the U.S. reached the lowest number on record. On the Big Brains Podcast, UChicago scholar Peggy O'Donnell Heffington explores the complicated history of why more young Americans are opting out of motherhood—the topic of her book "Without Children." Learn more and listen to the podcast: http://ms.spr.ly/6044mE4O2