Episode List

Episode

Celebrating our 100th episode

A behind-the-scenes look at world-changing ideas at UChicago and beyond

Big Brains podcast
A behind-the-scenes look at world-changing ideas at UChicago and beyond

Episode 99

Does Welfare Reduce Crime? with Manasi Deshpande

Groundbreaking study examines one program’s impact on employment and incarceration

A roll of bills on one side of a scale with people on the other
Groundbreaking study examines one program’s impact on employment and incarceration

Episode 98

The Crucial Race to Build a Better Battery with Shirley Meng

One scientist’s quest to improve technology as we transition to green energy

Lithium ion electric batteries
One scientist’s quest to improve technology as we transition to green energy

Episode 97

Do Animals Dream? with David M. Peña-Guzmán

Scholar explores the science behind animal consciousness

Dog sleeping
Scholar explores the science behind animal consciousness

Episode 96

Extreme Heat Waves: Why Are They Surging? with Noboru Nakamura

Research examines—and could help predict—extreme weather events around the world

Heat wave
Research examines—and could help predict—extreme weather events around the world

Episode 95

Why Air Pollution Is Cutting Years Off Our Lives, with Christa Hasenkopf and Anant Sudarshan

Scholars behind Air Quality Life Index report warn of threat to our global health

Haze from the Canadian wildfires covers the Chicago skyline
Scholars behind Air Quality Life Index report warn of threat to our global health

Episode 94

How tax dodging and corporate secrecy found a home in Delaware, with Hal Weitzman

Scholar examines how the wealthy, global corporations exploit tax loopholes in the tiny U.S. state

Welcome to Delaware sign
Scholar examines how the wealthy, global corporations exploit tax loopholes in the tiny U.S. state

Episode 93

Why Countries Choose War Over Peace, with Chris Blattman

Studying gangs and political enemies, scholar tries to understand why we fight—and how to stop conflict

Toy tanks on a map
Studying gangs and political enemies, scholar tries to understand why we fight—and how to stop conflict

Episode 92

From green burials to DIY funerals, how death in America is changing with Shannon Lee Dawdy

From green burials to DIY funerals, how death in America is changing

Metal urn at funeral

From green burials to DIY funerals, how death in America is changing

Episode 91

Why we need to invest in parents during a child's earliest years, with Dana Suskind

Big Brains podcast: Why we need to invest in parents during a child's earliest years

Parents sit with their children in school

Big Brains podcast: Why we need to invest in parents during a child's earliest years

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