Finding Genius Podcast

In this episode, we connect with Martin Bidartondo, a Professor of Molecular Ecology who works in the Department of Life Sciences at Imperial College London. Martin is immensely interested in fungi and plant interactions, which has led to his innovative research on the “evolutionary ecology of the diverse plants that cheat mycorrhizal mutualisms”. As someone that has always had a fascination with interactions between different species, Martin began investigating the symbioses between...

In this episode, we discuss all things related to aquatic systems and coral reefs with Christopher D'Elia. Christopher is Dean and Professor at Louisiana State University’s College of the Coast and Environment, where he has been refining his knowledge in marine science and biology since 2009. Christopher began studying coral reefs in the early ‘70s, and since then, he has been recognized for his poignant research on nutrient pollution by nitrogen. What has he found in his more than five...

Today we connect with Tanya Phillips, a Director at Texas Honey Bee Farm based in Austin, Texas. In addition to her work at the bee farm, Tanya is also the author of Beginning Beekeeping: Everything You Need to Make Your Hive Thrive!, a book that outlines how to foster and maintain healthy, vibrant colonies. Tanya has always found bees fascinating, and her initial interest blossomed into an immense passion for their preservation. Are you thinking of keeping a bee colony of your own? Tanya...

Does psychedelic medicine have health benefits? If so, what are they? Benjamin Lightburn joins the podcast today to address these questions – and discuss what his company is doing to enrich the growing field of alternative medicines. Benjamin is the CEO and Co-Founder of Filament Health, a clinical-stage natural psychedelic drug discovery and development company. Benjamin has been working in the field of botanical extraction throughout his whole career, and with his most recent...

In this episode, we connect with Dr. Chris Rinke, an ARC Future Fellow, and Senior Lecturer at the Australian Centre for Ecogenomics (ACE), University of Queensland, Australia. He joins us today to discuss a very interesting topic: plastic-eating superworms. Dr. Rinke’s research centers around microbial biology – specifically looking into the metabolic diversity of uncultured microbes and how they contribute to bacterial plastic degradation. How could this area of investigation affect our...

Miriam Diamond joins the podcast today to discuss chemical contaminants in the environment – and viable strategies she is investigating to reduce them. Miriam is an environmental chemist and professor in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Toronto, where she has been teaching for over 10 years. Miriam has always been interested in the environment, and over the years, she has developed a deep passion for the reduction of chemical contaminants within it. She accomplishes...

Think you’re too old to improve your physique or even reach your fitness peak? Intimidated by the young bodybuilders at the local gym? If so, you’re not alone. Peter Murano was 63 when he realized just how out of shape he felt and looked. Despite fleeting thoughts that perhaps he was too old to make a real change, he joined the gym, got a personal trainer, and started completely changing his life. Although he encountered discomfort along this journey – mainly because...

Animal species have been going extinct since the dawn of time – which begs the questions: why is it happening, and which ones are next? Professor Corey Bradshaw joins the podcast to address this interesting research topic and convey his perspective as a global-change ecologist. Corey is the Matthew Flinders Professor of Global Ecology at Flinders University where he studies how human endeavor and climate fluctuations have altered past, present, and future ecosystems. Using methods such as...

Joining us today to discuss mushroom-forming fungi is Dimitrios Floudas, a researcher and principal investigator at BECC (Biodiversity and Ecosystem services in a Changing Climate). Through his work at BECC, Dimitrios is researching how mushroom-forming fungi break down organic matter produced by other organisms. While studying at the University of Athens, Dimitrios became very fascinated by fungi – particularly in their diversity and metabolic versatility. Since then, he has studied fungal...

Today we connect with Thomas Purifoy, a filmmaker who is devoted to developing unique learning resources to advance the Kingdom of God. Thomas has been involved in many thought-provoking films, including Is Genesis History?, Samaritan, and more… Thomas oversees three companies: Compass Cinema, Compass Classroom, and Compass Creative. Using outlets such as documentaries, schooling curriculums, and marketing, he is on a mission to educate people from all walks of life. Join us now to...

With technology rapidly improving, modern therapeutic devices are coming in many shapes and sizes. Researchers are using all sorts of alternative approaches to healing the body – including sound frequencies. Joining us today to discuss his work in this intriguing field is James Bare, the inventor of the Rife and Bare System. Trained as a chiropractor, James has always had an interest in electronics, resonances, and inventors that have made a difference in the world. By inventing the...

What does it mean to have a metaphysical understanding of the world around us? Dr. Wolfgang Smith, a mathematician, physicist, philosopher of science, and metaphysician, joins the podcast to discuss this intriguing topic and others like it… Born in 1930, Dr. Smith has seen the world of physics develop and change before his very eyes. Not only has he personally met the great Albert Einstein himself, but Dr. Smith has also contributed a plethora of important theories to the scientific...

How do emerging pollutants such as microplastics and pesticides affect aquatic ecosystems? Ecotoxicologist Susanne M. Brander joins the podcast today to discuss her work on this poignant topic of research… Susanne is an Associate Professor at Oregon State University in the College of Agricultural Sciences, in the Fisheries and Wildlife Department, and at the Coastal Oregon Marine Experiment Station. In addition to this, she is also an adjunct member of the OSU Environmental and Molecular...

In this episode, we connect with Angelos Deltsidis, Ph.D., an Assistant Professor and Post-harvest Extension Specialist at the University of Georgia. As an expert in the field of horticulture, Angelos focuses his research on an intriguing area of specialization: post-harvest fruit and vegetable physiology. So, what happens to fruits and vegetables once they are harvested? Angelos is determined to find out… Jump in to explore: after To find out more about Angelos and his research, click ...

Mitch Hunter joins the podcast today to discuss plant diversity, sustainability, and more. As the Associate Director of Forever Green Initiative and Adjunct Assistant Professor at The University of Minnesota, Mitch is interested in developing cropping systems that promote greater diversity, resilience, and sustainability. Mitch is a Minnesota native, and his work at U of M greatly centers around his expertise in the science of soil management and crop production. Using his deep knowledge of...

Why can some plants survive in cold climates, but others cannot? Al Pacheco Kovaleski, an expert in cold hardiness and dormancy in plants, joins us today to discuss his perspective on this intriguing topic… Al is an Assistant Professor, in the Department of Horticulture at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Here, he researches how plants control their cold hardiness and dormancy during the winter, and how that leads to bud break and flowering in the spring. Listen in now to...

What does it truly mean to walk with God? Daniel Krynzel, the Founder of Godspeed, joins the podcast today to share his perspective on this question, and others like it… Daniel has always known there was a God, and the economic crisis of 2008 made His presence clearer than ever. After losing everything and turning to alcohol, Daniel had truly hit rock bottom. It was at this point that God stepped in to help – and Daniel listened… Click play to uncover: How Daniel heard God’s voice, and...

Energy and food production is constantly evolving, and as resources seem to dwindle, experts are looking at alternative approaches to a multitude of ecological issues. Joining us today to discuss his perspective on this matter is Rob Avis, an expert in renewable energy and regenerative design. Rob is the Owner, Lead Instructor, and Engineer at Verge Permaculture – an internationally-recognized and award-winning regenerative design, consulting, and education center. With a background in the...

In this episode, we discuss microfossils, crystals, and more with geoscientist Juan Manuel García-Ruiz. Juan is a Research Professor of the Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC) at the University of Granada, where he explores the interconnectivity of crystals and the origins of life. As an internationally recognized expert in mineral genesis, Juan does extensive fieldwork visiting crystal sites hundreds of thousands of years old – and you would be surprised at what he has...

Geocentrism. Preformationism. Ice pick lobotomies cure depression. What do these ideas have in common? They were once accepted as true, influencing how people understood and interacted with the world around them. From our modern-day vantage point, we can laugh at the absurdity – at the foolishness of our forefathers. We might even consider them hoodwinked by holes in their own scientific knowledge. But we can also learn something, which is that humans love storytelling. Whether we tell...