Best Brain Scramblies Podcasts (2025)

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How Everyday People Power Big Science 20:15

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25m ago20:15

20:15

Whether you call it citizen science, participatory science, or community science, research conducted by everyday people has led to major discoveries across a wide range of fields. This episode, host Dr. Samantha Yammine is joined by Dr. Caren Cooper to discuss the benefits and mechanics when it comes to public participation in science. Dr. Cooper i…

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Season 2: Episode 58: Free Up an Entire Day with Charles Alexander’s Time Freedom Community 35:30

2h ago35:30

35:30

Like a lot of my guests, I got to know Charles Alexander through the Membership Freedom mastermind that I’m a member of. It’s like a braintrust of talent. Charles specializes in helping busy people get back their time so they don’t miss life’s most important moments. I guarantee if you listen to this episode you’ll find several ways to rescue hours…

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Paola Velez and the Guy Fieri FaceTime 55:30

2h ago55:30

55:30

From fixing radios and writing slam poetry as a kid in the Bronx, to becoming one of the most celebrated pastry chefs and community builders of her generation, 2021 Food & Wine Best New Chef Paola Velez has never followed the expected path. Along the way, she’s embraced subcultures that gave her belonging, built spaces where strangers connect over …

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Who Says Science Can’t Be Silly? 23:23

6d ago23:23

23:23

Some of society’s greatest scientific achievements were made based on research that might sound silly or bizarre to the average person. But curiosity-driven exploration is just as important to science as research that starts out with clear-cut applications in mind. So, this episode, host Dr. Samantha Yammine is joined by Dr. Carly Anne York. Dr. Yo…

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Season 2: Episode 57: Nerding Out on Coffee with Ron Scadina from Earth First Organics 26:06

7d ago26:06

26:06

Awhile back I did some video commercials for EarthFirst Organics vitamins for my buddy Michael Fineman, one of the principals at the company. Then Michael sent me some EFO coffee, and it was amazing. But then it got even better. He oput me in touch with Ronald Scadina, the chief coffee guru and another one of the principals at EFO. I was excited ab…

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Tavel Bristol-Joseph and the Backyard Coal Pot 53:10

8d ago53:10

53:10

From three-mile walks to school in Guyana and “punishment baking” with his aunt to becoming the first pastry chef named a Food & Wine Best New Chef, Tavel Bristol-Joseph has never followed the expected path. In this episode, he shares the chaos and music of landing in Brooklyn, the quiet ritual he keeps each birthday to honor his late father, and w…

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Mapping Minds is the White Whale of Brain Science 25:23

16d ago25:23

25:23

Understanding exactly how the billions of neurons and trillions of connections in our brains could be one of the greatest scientific breakthroughs in history. And, surprisingly, we’re not as far off from that as you might think. In episode 2 of our brain series, host Dr. Samantha Yammine is joined by Dr. Forrest Collman who helped create the most d…

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Season 2: Episode 56: One Hundred Thousand Dollars to One Million Dollars: Building a Business with Omat Kharbat 34:40

14d ago34:40

34:40

Omar Kharbat is back again dispensing some amazing advice on going from nothing to a one million dollar business. This is a three part series so check in for all three episodes: Zero to One Dollar One Dollar to One Hundred Thousand Dollars One Hundred Thousand Dollars to One Million Dollars He made his first appearance on episode 32 to talk about B…

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Dana Cowin, Hunter Lewis, the Rose, and the Thorn 54:03

14d ago54:03

54:03

Food & Wine’s longest-serving editors in chief, Dana Cowin and Hunter Lewis, invite you into a revealing conversation about the history and impact of the Best New Chefs accolade since it started in 1988. From the early days of scouting talent with notebooks and stringers to today’s rigorous process shaped by mentorship, community, and culture, they…

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Is a Lab-Grown “Brain” Conscious? 16:39

23d ago16:39

16:39

Neuroscience is tricky… to say the least. Dedicated scientists have been exploring the organ since ancient times but there is still so much we don’t know about what goes on between our ears. In part 1 of our brain series, host Dr. Samantha Yammine speaks with neuroscientist Dr. Daniel Toker about his research on consciousness through experimenting …

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Hunter Lewis and the Road to the 2025 Best New Chefs 54:55

21d ago54:55

54:55

Food & Wine editor in chief Hunter Lewis shares the untold story behind the magazine’s iconic Best New Chefs list and reveals the 2025 class. From the intense debates that shape each year’s BNC decisions to the lessons he’s carried from his days as a three-sport "prep jock," line cook, and local journalist, Lewis reflects on the long, strange trip …

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Season 2: Episode 55: One Dollar to One Hundred Thousand Dollars: Building a Business with Omat Kharbat 52:45

21d ago52:45

52:45

Omar Kharbat is back again dispensing some amazing advice on going from nothing to a one million dollar business. This is a three part series so check in for all three episodes: Zero to One Dollar One Dollar to One Hundred Thousand Dollars One Hundred Thousand Dollars to One Million Dollars He made his first appearance on episode 32 to talk about B…

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Connection and Play Can Keep the Doctor Away 22:03

27d ago22:03

22:03

There’s no real replacement for traditional medicine, but what if there was an intuitive way to prevent the effects of things like depression, anxiety, and chronic pain? Social prescription is the act of being prescribed activities that center around connection with community, art, and nature. And it’s backed by science! Dr. Samantha Yammine is joi…

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Season 2: Episode 54: Zero to One Dollar: Building a Business with Omat Kharbat 1:03:31

28d ago1:03:31

1:03:31

Omar Kharbat is back again dispensing some amazing advice on going from nothing to a one million dollar business. This is a three part series so check in for all three episodes: Zero to One Dollar One Dollar to One Hundred Thousand Dollars One Hundred Thousand Dollars to One Million Dollars He made his first appearance on episode 32 to talk about B…

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Edward Lee and the Worst Lunch Service Ever 51:31

28d ago51:31

51:31

From poring over cast-off food magazines in a Brooklyn laundry room to opening a New York restaurant at 25 and being nearly undone by a single New York Times mention, Edward Lee has lived through the exhilarating highs and bruising lows of the kitchen. On this episode, he goes deep about the worst lunch service of his life, how moving to Kentucky a…

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How to Not Raise an iPad Baby 25:58

1M ago25:58

25:58

Our attention spans are… not doing so great these days. With copious amounts of technology, apps, news articles, and social media posts at our fingertips, it makes sense that a lot of people are noticing how much more difficult it is to get into a state of deep reading. On part two of our literacy series, editorial correspondent Teresa Carey speaks…

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Season 2: Episode 53: Home-Based Business Tax Savings Strategies Part 5 29:03

1M ago29:03

29:03

Taking the occasional break from interviews to cover some sessions to help you save money on your taxes as an entrepreneur. The way I look at it, saving money on taxes is like a side hustle all on its own. These shows were originally produced for the education section inside the Passive Income Engines membership program. The book Home Business Tax …

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Samin Nosrat and the Very Nerdy Socks 1:01:39

1M ago1:01:39

1:01:39

Samin Nosrat has changed the way so many of us think about food, cooking, and connection. You may know her as the bestselling author of Salt Fat Acid Heat, her joyful Netflix series of the same name, or her wildly popular podcast Home Cooking. But in this conversation, she goes far beyond recipes. Samin opens up about growing up as a book-loving ou…

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A is for Apple… Or is it AI? 22:50

1M ago22:50

22:50

Literacy is murkier than we think. This episode, as a part one of our literacy series, we explore recent research related to one of the most important milestones in our academic lives: learning to read. Host Dr. Samantha Yammine is joined by Emily Wood, a speech language pathologist who studies the methods we use for testing literacy in kids. She s…

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Season 2: Episode 52: This Lady Knows Everything About Birthing Babies- Meet the Combat Midwife! 53:20

1M ago53:20

53:20

Jessica has been affectionately dubbed The Combat Midwife by the over 100,000 Army combat medics, flight medics, and special operations medics she has taught. She’s a Midwife, Paramedic, & EMS educator with a passion for Ob-Gyn and pediatric emergencies. More importantly to me, she’s also a friend. I think she’s the only podcast guest so far that’s…

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Regina King and the Wine That Stops Time 47:39

1M ago47:39

47:39

You know Regina King from her decades of extraordinary performances — from her teenage roles on the sitcom 227 and the movie Friday to Watchmen, The Leftovers, The Boondocks, If Beale Street Could Talk, and so many more. But a conversation at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen showed a different side of the Oscar-winning actress: the daughter, the si…

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And Just Like That, You Have Nostalgia 22:19

2M ago22:19

22:19

Every parent has wondered if their baby’s crying is normal at some point or another. While there is no “normal,” evidence shows that genetics might actually have a part to play in how long babies cry for. And another universal experience, harking back to “the good old days” in pop culture and our personal lives. Senior Producer, Teresa Carey, speak…

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Season 2: Episode 51: Beautiful Woman (Nina Nelson) Approaches a Homeless Bum (Me) and Strikes Up a Friendship 26:55

2M ago26:55

26:55

My friendship with Nina has got to be the most unique way I’ve ever made a friend. You gotta listen to the story and see what happened and why I was a bum or at least looked like one. Nina is pretty awesome and leads retreats, coaches, empowers women, and used to live in a bus. She also has a pet mini horse. And her husband is a firefighter. I hope…

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Ayesha Curry and the 5 Night a Week Pineapple Fried Rice 49:52

2M ago49:52

49:52

2025 Food & Wine Game Changer Ayesha Curry is such a surprise of a human being. On paper, it's natural to wonder how someone can be an actress, cookbook author, restaurateur, founder of a skincare line and lifestyle brand, winemaker, and co-creator of a foundation that helps kids get fed in a million different ways. But as soon as she starts talkin…

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The La Brea Tar Pits Are a Climate Crime Scene! 27:52

2M ago27:52

27:52

Los Angeles is home to the only place in the world where ancient fossils are being actively excavated in the middle of the city: The La Brea Tar Pits. Today, host Dr. Samantha Yammine speaks to the deputy director and assistant curator of the La Brea Tar Pits and Museum, Dr. Regan Dunn. They talk about what makes this site so fascinating and what w…

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Season 2: Episode 50: Is your brain scattered or scrambled? If so, check out Bryan Fink, the ADHD Expert 29:15

2M ago29:15

29:15

Bryan Fink is the guy to go to if you have ADD, ADHD, or just feel like you’re all over the place. He can help you find focus and use your uniqueness as a superpower. Find Bryan Fink at Scattered- https://linktr.ee/brianfinkscattered Check out his new book- https://amzn.to/3IUoUQY Things mentioned in the show: John Schuchman and the Real Estate Sur…

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Antoni Porowski and the Right Time to Leave a Party 47:10

2M ago47:10

47:10

"Queer Eye" and "No Taste Like Home" star Antoni Porowski joins Tinfoil Swans live at the Food & Wine Classic in Aspen for a heartfelt and humorous conversation about identity, vulnerability, and finding meaning through food. He opens up about his path from actor and caterer to TV host and storyteller, the emotional layers of cooking, navigating fa…

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Ozempic & Prescribed Quiet with Dr. Emma Beckett 18:09

2M ago18:09

18:09

Ozempic and other GLP-1 medications are everywhere. But with so much information available about this category of drug, it can be hard to know what to trust. Today, host Dr. Samantha Yammine speaks with Dr. Emma Beckett, a food and nutrition scientist, to unpack the facts and fictions behind GLP-1s and how we talk about them. Sam also talks with a …

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Season 2: Episode 49: From the German Air Force to Real Estate Mogul, Meet Dr. Axel Meierhoefer 53:25

2M ago53:25

53:25

Be sure to find my appearance on Dr. Axel’s show as well to hear the other side of all the stories. Dr. Axel is a pretty unique guy who has an interesting take on things because of his experience in the German Air Force and investing in real estate all over the world. We spoke shortly after the US bombing of the nuke sites in Iran, so he also has a…

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Tristen Epps and the Scrambled Egg Revelation 56:19

2M ago56:19

56:19

Growing up in a military family, Tristen Epps moved around a lot. But no matter where he was living, Friday nights were sacred. He got to dress up, go to a restaurant, not order from a kids menu, and feel like he was getting to know the place he was living — for now. At home, when his mom taught him to scramble an egg, he was mesmerized by the alch…

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DNA Doesn’t Always Solve Crime 26:23

2M ago26:23

26:23

Forensic DNA is supposed to be the end all be all when it comes to solving crime, so why are there so many false convictions when it comes to using DNA evidence? Today, Senior Producer Teresa Carey talks to Dr. Gregory Hampikian about forensic DNA, fingerprints, AI, and the limitations of scientific evidence in criminal investigations. Host, Dr. Sa…

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Season 2: Episode 48: Success Tips from Multiple Million Dollar Business Builder Omat Kharbat 44:18

2M ago44:18

44:18

Omar Kharbat is back again. He made his first appearance on episode 32 to talk about Boots and Ladders, a business going at it hard to change the lead generation practices for service-based businesses. Due to popular demand and because I just wanted to hang out again, he’s back to give us some of his business secrets. Check out Boots & Ladders at h…

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Chris Shepherd and the Hot Dog Pizza 57:08

2M ago57:08

57:08

Growing up in Oklahoma, school was not Chris Shepherd's thing. Traditional classrooms just aren't the right fit for some brains — but it turned out that restaurants were. In junior college, he picked up a job as a dishwasher at a sushi restaurant and on the day the tempura guy didn't show up, his culinary journey began. The 2013 Food & Wine Best Ne…

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Sharks Ghosted South Africa and Alison Towner Has the Receipts 29:59

3M ago29:59

29:59

Sharks are vanishing from South Africa’s coast and Alison Towner knows why. One of the world’s top great white experts and a leading woman in STEM, Alison joins Dr. Samantha Yammine to break down her new Shark Week specials: Air Jaws: Return of Colossus and Great White Assassins and reveal what’s really happening to these iconic predators. Then, Sa…

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Season 2: Episode 47: Don’t Start a Biz. Buy One! Learn How from Rich Potter at Franchise Hero 49:12

3M ago49:12

49:12

I met Rich through my Streams of Income Facebook group. I made a post about swimming instruction franchises, and he has some he can hook you up with. Not only that. He’s got franchise opportunities in so many areas that might be even better suited for you. Join in to learn about building a business life with a franchise. Find Rich Potter at Franchi…

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Run the Jewels and the Tuna Salad Battle 51:43

3M ago51:43

51:43

When Killer Mike and El-P were 10 years old, they both knew they wanted to be emcees, but it took a few decades for them to meet, form Run The Jewels, and go to war against one another over salad. The legendary rap duo joined Tinfoil Swans for a laugh-out-loud (and also cry a little) conversation about childhood meals, musical awakenings, midlife r…

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Shark Week Gets Toxic: Forrest Galante Tracks Alien Sharks 31:27

3M ago31:27

31:27

Shark Week returns July 20 on Discovery! This episode is the Shark Week audio companion Part 1! Dr. Samantha Yammine dives into the most surprising shark science of 2025, from sharks that make noise to the nano-scale ‘sharkitecture’ inside their skeletons. Sam also interviews Forrest Galante, wildlife biologist and featured Shark Week expert in Ali…