Women, Life and Science

Send us a text What if everything material possesses a spark of individual consciousness? From plants and cells to atoms, the idea challenges the long-held belief that consciousness requires a complex brain, like those of humans or mammals. Recent research suggests that basic forms of awareness or cognition might emerge even in simple organisms—or systems without brains at all. But what about artificial systems, like large language models? Could consciousness arise in machines? Join me and our guest, Dr. Francisco Aboitiz, as we delve into this fascinating theory and uncover fresh perspectives on the nature of consciousness and cognition. About Dr. Francisco Aboitiz Francisco Aboitiz is the director of the Interdisciplinary Center for Neuroscience and professor of psychiatry at the Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. His research includes the evolution of the brain and cognition, and the neurocognitive underpinnings of conditions such as ADHD, autism, multiple sclerosis, and epilepsy. He is also involved in social projects, such as implementing robotics workshops for children in schools of social risk and screening resilience signatures in adolescent mothers. Dr. Aboitiz has authored more than 140 scientific articles and is the author of A Brain for Speech. A View From Evolutionary Neuroanatomy and A History of Bodies, Brains, and Minds: The Evolution of Life and Consciousness.

Send us a text When Diane was just 16, her world turned upside down—her mother left her and her father. But not in the way you’d expect. She didn’t move far… she moved next door. In this intriguing yet heartfelt conversation, Diane Simmons opens up about her incredible journey—from conquering the corporate world as an international executive by the age of 27, embracing the joys and challenges of motherhood, to navigating her way to co-parenting. Listen now!

Send us a text A desperate need for change - How about travel The Great Loop, a six-thousand-mile adventure down inland rivers, around the Gulf and Atlantic coasts, and across the Great Lakes? Sounds like a transformative journey, isn’t it? Let’s hear from our guest herself, Maggie Tate as she shares her nine month nautical journey to the Great Loop with his husband, Bruce and how they returned energized and optimistic. This podcast introduces Maggie and Bruce's adventure, the community of Loopers they met, and the lessons they learned from this incredible journey. Let’s listen to this extraordinary adventure — you never know, it might just inspire you to embark on your own journey after listening to the podcast!

What if I told you that YOU already possess everything you need for transformation and fulfillment? Imagine being deeply self-aware and recognizing the immense power you hold to shape the life you've always dreamed of. It's that time of the year again – a time to reflect on how we’ve treated ourselves, our growth, and our accomplishments throughout the year. Join us for a special year-end episode of Giving Yourself Permission with Cortney McDermott, where we dive deep into self-reflection, celebrate our wins, and set empowering intentions for the new year. In this episode, we’ll: Let’s take this moment to honor our journey and prepare for an even more amazing year ahead 4o

This holiday season, it's all about celebration and reuniting with friends and loved ones! It's also a time to reflect on how the year has both challenged and blessed us. With only a few days left until we enter 2025, are you ready to embrace the opportunities the new year has to offer? Here's a special holiday message from our founder, Cecilia. Let's take this moment to create an inventory of the lessons we've gained this year as we prepare for 2025 with clear intentions. To our amazing listeners, we are incredibly grateful for your unwavering support of the Women, Life, and Science community! Wishing each and every one of you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Stay fabulous and true!

Send us a text Join me and my co-host Wendy as we begin our journey to interpreting the book The Courage to Be Disliked - the Japanese Phenomenon that shows you how to change your life and achieve real happiness - authors are Ichiro Kishimi and Jumitake Koga.Part 2 - Discusses the 2nd night of discussion between the elder philosopher and the young philosopher. This book will surprise you as the reader - it's not what you think it is about, but rather delves into a deeper conversation on perception; both internal and external.

We are encoring this episode to celebrate Deborah Heiner's new book The Mentorship Edge - out now and can be found at anywhere you buy your books. **You find yourself at a pivotal moment, having amassed years of experience and expertise. Now, you're eager to pass on your knowledge to the next generation. Today’s show is dedicated to The Mentor Project and CEO, Deborah Heiser.Introducing The Mentor Project:We've identified a vast community of educators, scientists, engineers, technology specialists, and corporate professionals who have considered mentoring but were unsure how to begin.The Mentor Project bridges this gap by inviting the crème de la crème to create a lasting legacy for future generations. One of the most remarkable outcomes is that many mentees eventually become mentors themselves, perpetuating a continuous cycle of inspiration and education.We extend an invitation to schools seeking to connect with our mentors and programs, community organizations, and students from kindergarten to university level who have questions for our mentors. If you are interested, please reach out to us!

You find yourself at a pivotal moment, having amassed years of experience and expertise. Now, you're eager to pass on your knowledge to the next generation. Today’s show is dedicated to The Mentor Project and CEO, Deborah Heiser.Introducing The Mentor Project:We've identified a vast community of educators, scientists, engineers, technology specialists, and corporate professionals who have considered mentoring but were unsure how to begin.The Mentor Project bridges this gap by inviting the crème de la crème to create a lasting legacy for future generations. One of the most remarkable outcomes is that many mentees eventually become mentors themselves, perpetuating a continuous cycle of inspiration and education.We extend an invitation to schools seeking to connect with our mentors and programs, community organizations, and students from kindergarten to university level who have questions for our mentors. If you are interested, please reach out to us!

Send us a text From Doubt to Do: Navigating Your Path to Possibility is an essential guide for anyone at a crossroads, grappling with uncertainty about what lies ahead, regardless of their life stage. Kat asserts that when life presents us with change, it’s an opportunity to create something extraordinary. By embracing this change, we unlock new horizons of possibility.In the first part of the book, Kat weaves together stories of personal and professional metamorphosis, inspirational quotes, and provocative questions designed to embolden you to transition from DOUBT to ACTION. This section not only offers hope, motivation, reassurance, and support, but also outlines a clear strategy, plan, and practical tools to aid you in your journey from impossible to possible.The second part, Your Transformational Journal, is filled with prompts aimed at deepening your self-reflection, encouraging you to ponder the insights you've gained, the questions that arise, and the further research that could assist you as you chart your course towards possibility.

Send us a text When a state trooper arrived at Rachel Zimmerman's doorstep to inform her that her husband had leaped to his death from a nearby bridge, she collapsed to the ground, struggling to comprehend the shocking news. How could her husband—a devoted father and an MIT robotics professor with no history of mental illness—commit such an act? How would she explain this tragedy to their young daughters? And could she have done anything to prevent it?As a seasoned journalist, Rachel delved deeply into her investigation, convinced that finding answers would help her endure. She interviewed doctors and suicide experts. She even spoke with a man who had survived a jump from the same bridge. While she uncovered many insights, the ultimate question of why her husband took his own life remained unanswered. Thus began her journey of learning to find peace with uncertainty.Us, After is a book that explores domestic turmoil and recovery, the tension between our public and private selves, the evolving nature of life, the challenges of motherhood, and the secrets we harbor. It confronts the unimaginable and finds solace in what remains.

Send us a text Famine, severe climate change, global conflict, and vast wealth inequalities threaten our survival. Philosopher Jon Mills explores the potential for apocalypse in his urgent book, examining the crises that could end civilization. He argues that humanity's passive attitude towards these threats could be due to a collective desire for self-destruction, analyzing psychological and societal factors that contribute to our perilous situation.

Send us a text The inception of modern biotechnology—encompassing genetic engineering and cellular manipulation—traces back to 1973, when it was first demonstrated that genes from disparate organisms could be recombined and cultivated within Escherichia coli. Over half a century later, biotechnology has emerged as a defining force of the 21st century. As a fledgling scientist, Tim Harris dedicated himself to this burgeoning field. Now, as a seasoned researcher and accomplished biotech executive, he has penned a memoir detailing the industry's origins and its development into a ubiquitous presence in modern life.Dr. Tim Harris weaves together narratives of scientific breakthroughs and setbacks with his personal journey of ambition, challenges, and discoveries. From the groundbreaking days of gene cloning and monoclonal antibodies to the present forefront of cell therapy, gene editing, and personalized medicine, Harris offers an insider's perspective on biotechnology's extraordinary evolution and its significant influence on healthcare. He documents the achievements, trials, and victories that unfolded in laboratories and boardrooms across various companies eager to harness the technology, revealing the vibrant personalities behind these endeavors. The memoir is a captivating fusion of science, business, and ethics, exploring the intricate dynamics of rapid technological advancements and the ethical obligations of scientists in steering the future.

Send us a text Many gifted young individuals embark on their educational journeys with the ambition to enact meaningful change in the world. However, they frequently encounter global institutions that are not only complex to comprehend but also challenging to access and navigate.In her insightful book, Let’s Change the World, Emiliana Vegas of Harvard Graduate School of Education presents an actionable and uplifting guide tailored for anyone—regardless of age—aspiring to effect positive change through their careers. From ensuring equitable access to quality education and clean water to enhancing healthcare systems and fostering safer communities, this guide is comprehensive in scope.The book is enriched with personal anecdotes from Dr. Vegas’s extensive professional experiences and is systematically divided into three segments. The first segment, “How You Get In,” delineates the various categories of international development organizations, the types of roles available within them, the essence of the work involved, and the requisite skills for gaining entry. The second segment, “How You Thrive,” delves into the intricacies of navigating these organizations. It covers how to utilize internal resources effectively, the dual role of being both a collaborative team player and an effective team leader, and strategies for career advancement within these entities. The final segment, “How to Make a Real Difference,” provides insights on identifying the right individuals to collaborate with, building and nurturing efficient teams, and balancing a rewarding professional life with personal and familial commitments.Aimed at both current and future changemakers, and penned by a seasoned expert with a fervent belief in the transformative power of education and over two decades of experience in international development, Let’s Change the World amalgamates insider knowledge, best practices, and precise advice. This book serves as a detailed blueprint for anyone committed to being a positive force in the world, offering a wealth of guidance and inspiration for those determined to make a significant impact.

Burnout is a real thing for physicians, we've heard that many times, but what have we learned? Physician suicides (especially in women physicians) are higher than ever. What do we need to do to arm our healers the tools they need to heal themselves:.Anthony Avellino, MD author of Finding Purpose A Neurosurgeon’s Journey of Hope and Healing tells us his story and journey to understanding key triggers and will show us some of the truths and tools that helped him - help him to not take his life.Join us on January 17th live on Voice America Empowerment Channel!

The prospect of our show drawing in additional listeners presents an exciting opportunity for us to expand our understanding of World War I and World War II particularly within the global intelligence community. Often, the stories we encounter in this realm are so astonishingly unbelievable that they read like works of fiction, but in reality, those involved in this line of work face considerable risk and danger. Thanks to the insights shared by Jason Bell, PhD, we will have the chance to delve deeper into the enigmatic world of a top-secret agent previously unknown to us.

In April, one of the panel discussion at the Women, Life, and Science Conference focused on navigating the early stages of your career. Discover diverse career trajectories and decision-making strategies as panelists share their personal journeys.Explore the myriad external and internal factors that shape career choices, including family dynamics, workplace environments, personal values, and fears.Gain an understanding of the profound influence mentorship and coaching have on career growth through compelling real-life anecdotes from our speakers.We tackle questions such as:Which career path should I follow?What internal and external factors influenced your career decisions?What advice can we offer to help the audience navigate the early stages of their careers in innovative ways?Reflecting on your journey, is there anything you would have done differently? What would have helped you better align with your true aspirations?

Disneyland is a universally beloved destination, offering a whimsical escape where even grown-ups can relive the wonder of childhood. However, few are aware that there was once a plan to build a Disneyland Ski Resort. On September 27th at 7 am PT/10 am ET, Greg Glasgow and Kathryn Mayer, authors of Disneyland on the Mountain, will join us to explore this controversial proposal and the protracted struggle that ultimately resulted to not happen.

The convergence of science and faith is a subject that evokes strong opinions and perceptions. But what exactly is this intersection and why is it so intriguing? Joining us today to shed light on this topic is Leslie Wickman, PhD, who is a renowned author, professor, aerospace and astro engineer, and also known as the Rocket Girl.

Send us a text You find yourself at a pivotal moment, having amassed years of experience and expertise. Now, you're eager to pass on your knowledge to the next generation. Today’s show is dedicated to The Mentor Project and CEO, Deborah Heiser.Introducing The Mentor Project:We've identified a vast community of educators, scientists, engineers, technology specialists, and corporate professionals who have considered mentoring but were unsure how to begin.The Mentor Project bridges this gap by inviting the crème de la crème to create a lasting legacy for future generations. One of the most remarkable outcomes is that many mentees eventually become mentors themselves, perpetuating a continuous cycle of inspiration and education.We extend an invitation to schools seeking to connect with our mentors and programs, community organizations, and students from kindergarten to university level who have questions for our mentors. If you are interested, please reach out to us!

Send us a text Join my co-host Wendy O'Shaughnessy as we dive into our final portion of Winning the War in Your Mind. Part 4 takes us from the beginning and leading us into the full practice of what it takes to Reframe our mindset and the principles behind the reframing. In the end, what we think we want isn't what we receive - or is it really different?It's a dynamic discussion!