Best Normal Curves Podcasts (2025)

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P-Values: Are we using a flawed statistical tool? 1:13:26

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13d ago1:13:26

1:13:26

P-values show up in almost every scientific paper, yet they’re one of the most misunderstood ideas in statistics. In this episode, we break from our usual journal-club format to unpack what a p-value really is, why researchers have fought about it for a century, and how that famous 0.05 cutoff became enshrined in science. Along the way, we share st…

1
Vote for Marc(k)! Marks, Mentors and Making Normal Happen 36:28

19m ago36:28

36:28

Two Marks trade friendly jabs while making a serious case for APWA: vote, get involved, and mentor the next generation. Join Mark Ray and me, Marc Culver, as we walk through the Minnesota chapter ballot, unpack what the board actually does, and share practical ways to lead well and care for yourself. • APWA Minnesota election overview and why turno…

1
Exercise and Cancer: Does physical activity improve colon cancer survival? 49:04

28d ago49:04

49:04

Exercise has long been hailed as cancer-fighting magic, but is there hard evidence behind the hype? In this episode, we tackle the CHALLENGE trial, a large phase III study of colon cancer patients that tested whether prescribed exercise could improve cancer-free survival. We translate clinical jargon into plain English, show why ratio statistics ma…

1
Age Gaps: How much does age matter in dating? 49:42

1M ago49:42

49:42

Are we all secretly ageist when it comes to dating? We put the stereotype that older men prefer younger women under the microscope using data from thousands of blind dates. What we found surprised us: the “age penalty” was real but microscopic, women wanted younger partners too, and hard age cutoffs weren’t so hard after all. Along the way, we unpa…

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Your Brain on AI: Is ChatGPT making us mentally lazy? 1:14:07

2M ago1:14:07

1:14:07

ChatGPT is melting our brainpower, killing creativity, and making us soulless — or so the headlines imply. We dig into the study behind the claims, starting with quirky bar charts and mysterious sample sizes, then winding through hairball-like brain diagrams and tens of thousands of statistical tests. Our statistical sleuthing leaves us with questi…

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The Backfire Effect: Can fact-checking make false beliefs stronger? 58:26

2M ago58:26

58:26

Can correcting misinformation make it worse? The “backfire effect” claims that debunking myths can actually make false beliefs stronger. We dig into the evidence — from ghost studies to headline-making experiments — to see if this psychological plot twist really holds up. Along the way, we unpack interaction effects, randomization red flags, and wh…

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Dating Wishlists: Are we happier when we get what we want in a mate? 1:05:31

3M ago1:05:31

1:05:31

Loyal, funny, hot — you’ve probably got a wish list for your dream partner. But does checking all your boxes actually lead to happily ever after? In this episode, we dive into a massive global study that put the “ideal partner” hypothesis to the test. Do people really know what they want, and does getting it actually make them happier? We explore s…

1
Stats Reunion: What have we learned so far? 56:00

3M ago56:00

56:00

It’s our first stats reunion! In this special review episode, we revisit favorite concepts from past episodes—p-values, multiple testing, regression adjustment—and give them fresh personalities as characters. Meet the seductive false positive, the clingy post hoc ex, and Charlotte, the well-meaning but overfitting idealist. Statistical topics Bar c…

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Storm Warriors: Managing Private Stormwater Infrastructure with Ryan Johnson from the City of Roseville, MN 1:08:28

4M ago1:08:28

1:08:28

I'm excited to welcome my good friend and former colleague Ryan Johnson to the show. Ryan is the Environmental Manager for the City of Roseville in Minnesota and is my favorite storm water and water resources guru. Ryan joins me in this episode to talk about the underappreciated role of making sure that private stormwater BMP's are properly maintai…

1
HPV Vaccine: How close are we to wiping out cervical cancer? 1:15:57

4M ago1:15:57

1:15:57

Could a preteen vaccine wipe out a global cancer? In this episode, we examine the bold claim that cervical cancer could be eradicated in much of the world by the end of the century—thanks to the highly effective HPV vaccine. We unpack statistical modeling, microsimulations, and how Markov chains make good date-night conversation. We also explore wh…

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Equipment Size: What is average? 54:20

4M ago54:20

54:20

Today’s deep dive: the surprisingly serious science of penis size. Using self-report surveys, objective measurements, and a healthy dose of old-school statistics, we ask: How do you get clean data on gentlemen’s goods?Along the way, we explore social desirability bias, survey design tricks, and what happens when science meets insecurity. You’ll nev…

1
Sugar Sag: Is Your Diet Aging You? 1:08:27

5M ago1:08:27

1:08:27

Wrinkles and sagging skin—just normal aging, or can you blame your sweet tooth? We dive into “sugar sag,” exploring how sugar, processed foods, and even your crispy breakfast toast might be making you look older than if you’d said no to chocolate cake and yes to broccoli. Along the way, we encounter statistical adjustment, training and test data se…

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Talking Asset Management: Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow with Jon Kremer from OpenGov 59:32

5M ago59:32

59:32

This episode a great deep dive into asset management with arguably the premier asset management system on the market today. I've been working with Cartegraph since 2010 and have been very impressed with their software and vision for constant improvement. Join me as I welcome Jon Kremer, self proclaimed Product CEO for the Cartegraph Asset Managemen…

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Hookworms: Can parasites improve your health? 1:08:00

5M ago1:08:00

1:08:00

What if you could treat your prediabetes with . . . worms? Regina and Kristin dive into a surprising early-phase clinical trial on hookworm therapy—that’s right, intentionally infecting yourself with parasitic worms—to treat metabolic conditions. They dig into the biological rationale (inflammation, abdominal fat, and gut immunology), the clever st…

1
PFAS: Responding to the forever chemical in our drinking water supplies - Episode 1 1:01:11

5M ago1:01:11

1:01:11

We really nerd out in this episode as we are joined by Steve Nelson and Ryan Stempski, both from WSB & Associates, to talk about PFAS in our drinking water supplies. There is much to unpack about this complex and important issue, and this is just the first hour in likely several hours of conversation on this topic in the months ahead. Enjoy! AI Gen…

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Alcohol: Are happy hours good for your heart? 1:05:31

6M ago1:05:31

1:05:31

Does a daily glass of wine really keep the cardiologist away? It’s a claim we’ve all heard: light to moderate drinking is good for your heart. But is it science or just a convenient excuse for happy hour? In this episode, we dive into the history behind this claim, discuss the challenges of observational studies and statistical adjustment, and expl…

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Rosemount's Public Works and Police Campus 1:06:05

6M ago1:06:05

1:06:05

A deep dive into the City of Rosemount's newly completed Police and Public Works Facility with Public Works Director Nick Egger and Oertel Architects President Andrew Cooper. They share insights on the planning, design, and construction of this $58 million, 160,000 square foot joint facility that addresses decades of space needs while planning for …

1
The Red Dress Effect: Are women in red sexier? 1:08:45

6M ago1:08:45

1:08:45

Wear red and drive men wild with lust – or so says scientific research on color’s role in human mating. But can a simple color swap really boost a woman’s hotness score? In this episode, we delve into the evidence behind the Red Dress Effect, from a controversial first study in college men to what the latest research says about who this trick might…

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Season 3 Kicks Off with Mark Ray: Bridges, Bathtub Curves, and Global Public Works Insights. 42:05

6M ago42:05

42:05

Marc Culver returns with Season 3 of Public Works Nerds, sharing his career transition to Brooklyn Park City Engineer and welcoming back Mark Ray to discuss his recent professional journey to Australia. • Mark Ray's Australian Small Bridge Conference experience featured fascinating insights into bridge inspection methods • Australia uses standardiz…

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Vitamin D Part 2: Good for more than just your bones? 1:09:19

7M ago1:09:19

1:09:19

Can you really sit on your couch, pop vitamin D pills, and shave seconds off your 5k? Touted as a miracle cure-all, vitamin D is claimed to slash cancer and infection risks while boosting mood, cognition, and athletic performance. But does upping your vitamin D really make you healthier and happier? In this episode, we’ll follow the epidemiologic e…

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Vitamin D Part 1: Is the Deficiency Epidemic Real? 1:23:09

7M ago1:23:09

1:23:09

Is America really facing an epidemic of vitamin D deficiency? While this claim is widely believed, the story behind it is packed with twists, turns, and some pesky statistical cockroaches. In this episode, we’ll dive into a study on Hawaiian surfers, expose how shifting goalposts can create an epidemic, tackle dueling medical guidelines, and flex o…

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Pheromones: Is sexy sweat the key to genetic diversity? 57:54

7M ago57:54

57:54

Sweaty t-shirt dating parties, sex pheromone dating sites, choosing your dating partner by sniffing them up — wacko fringe fads or evidence-based mating strategies? And what does your armpit stain have to do with your kids’ immune systems, or hormonal contraceptive pills, or divorce rates? In this episode of Normal Curves, Kristin and Regina reach …

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Normal Curves: Who are we and what is this podcast about? 13:31

8M ago13:31

13:31

Welcome to a lively conversation about science that's like a journal club, but with less jargon, more fun, and a touch of PG-13 flair. In this introduction, Professors Regina Nuzzo and Kristin Sainani share how they met in graduate school, what they’ve been doing since then, how they’ll choose edgy topics and journal articles to dissect, and a bit …

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Normal Curves Trailer 2:09

8M ago2:09

2:09

Normal Curves is a podcast about sexy science & serious statistics. Ever try to make sense of a scientific study and the numbers behind it? Listen in to a lively conversation between two stats-savvy friends who break it all down with humor and clarity. Professors Regina Nuzzo of Gallaudet University and Kristin Sainani of Stanford University discus…

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APWA Accreditation: Shakopee's Public Works Journey with Bill Egan, Alex Jordan, and Barb Kraemer 39:08

1+ y ago39:08

39:08

This week we start what will become a series of podcasts chronicling the journey of the City of Shakopee, MN through the APWA Accreditation process. Shakopee decided to take this on several months ago and a couple of months into the process at the time of this recording. This is a great conversation about why Shakopee decided to do this, how they f…

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Electrifying Edina: Noah Silver on EV Infrastructure and Fleet Transformation in Public Works 54:20

1+ y ago54:20

54:20

In our 32nd episode we are joined by the City of Edina's Master Electrician and Supervisor Noah Silver. Noah guides us through this nerd session on Electric Vehicles and the required infrastructure to support them. Join us for a transformative discussion on how the City of Edina is spearheading the future of electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastru…

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Becoming Parks and Rec Nerds - EAB and Park and Rec Accreditation with Matt Johnson and Bryce Shearen 1:00:33

1+ y ago1:00:33

1:00:33

This week we may have to temporarily rename the podcast "The Parks and Recreations Nerds" as we welcome Matt Johnson, Director of Parks and Recreation for the City of Roseville. Along with my guest co-host Bryce Shearan, a colleague of mine at Bolton & Menk and former Parks and Recreation Director at the City of Little Canada. Bryce also hosts anot…

1
Project Communications in Public Works with Sara Renney 49:55

1+ y ago49:55

49:55

We are back for our 30th episode here at The Public Works Nerds! Here is the AI Generated Description. I have to call it out because I can't take credit for this prose: Unlock the secrets to transforming public perception and securing project funding through masterful communication with our esteemed guest, Sara Renney, Carver County's communication…

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Nerds Unplugged: Take 2 with Deb Heiser and Richard McCoy 1:06:19

1+ y ago1:06:19

1:06:19

Join us for Take 2 of the Nerds Unplugged where I sit down with Deb Heiser, Engineering Director for the City of St. Louis Park, MN, and Richard McCoy, Public Works Director and City Engineer for the City of Robbinsdale, MN. We recap the last four episodes and chat about some random topics like college tours, bridge collapses, and infrastructure fu…

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Innovative Technologies in Pavement Management with Chris Evers 1:13:44

1+ y ago1:13:44

1:13:44

Episode 8 of Season 2 features Chris Evers, a 2023 APWA Top Ten Public Works Leader award winner. That's why I contacted Chris, but I'm so happy I did for many reasons. First of all, I was finally able to nerd out on pavement maintenance. But I was also able to meet a pretty funny, smart, and gracious person in Chris Evers. And since Chris brought …

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Technology in City Forestry with Minnetonka's City Forester Hannibal Hayes 1:08:34

1+ y ago1:08:34

1:08:34

This episode took some time to get out there! Blame vacations and some tech issues, but I am finally dropping the 7th episode in Season 2 - and its a good one! Super fan and Tree Nerd Hannibal Hayes from the City of Minnetonka, MN joins me to talk about using technology to better manage the urban forest. We go off on some tangents about Emerald Ash…

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Raleigh's Smart City Efforts with Jim Alberque and John Holden 1:06:11

1+ y ago1:06:11

1:06:11

This week I'm joined by a Smart Cities team from Raleigh, North Carolina. Jim Alberque is the GIS and Emerging Technology Manager for the City of Raleigh and John Holden is the Smart City Manager for Raleigh. We talk about what does Smart Cities mean for Raleigh and how is the City focusing on different efforts under this umbrella. We cover quite a…

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St Paul Public Works Director Sean Kershaw and his Unorthodox Path to a PW career 53:26

1+ y ago53:26

53:26

In this episode I sit down with my hometown Public Works Director, Sean Kershaw. As any public works nerd knows, we are at times over critical of those that serve us where we live, and we most likely have experienced that heightened scrutiny from current and retired public works professionals that live in our communities. It can be good, reaffirmin…

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Nerds Unplugged February 2024: CEAM Conference, Richard McCoy and Episode Recaps 1:08:42

1+ y ago1:08:42

1:08:42

Welcome to the first Nerds Unplugged episode! Deb Heiser, Michael Thompson and Mark Ray join me as a panel of opinionated Public Works professionals talking about random issues related to Public Works. This is planned to be a monthly or so feature where we recap recent podcast episodes, talk about public works issues in the news and give updates to…

1
Infrastructure Resilience with Russ Matthys - an APWA 2023 Top Ten Public Works Leader 1:02:22

1+ y ago1:02:22

1:02:22

Join us for our first of hopefully many conversations with an APWA Top Ten Public Works Leader. In this episode we are joined by a Public Works Nerds Podcast veteran, Russ Matthys. In 2023, Russ was one of 10 professionals named a Top Ten Public Works Leader by APWA. We talk to Russ about the award and what that means to him. We also talk about a n…

1
The State of Recycling with Eureka Recycling's Kate Davenport 1:09:38

1+ y ago1:09:38

1:09:38

Discover the transformative power of recycling and how it intertwines with community economics in our latest Public Works Nerds podcast episode. I, Marc Culver, am joined by the insightful Kate Davenport, co-President of Eureka Recycling, who not only shares her personal journey from climate activism to leading a nonprofit recycling enterprise but …

1
Challenges and Solutions for Water Service Line Inventory with Chelsea Alger and Dave Malm 51:36

2y ago51:36

51:36

Unlock the secrets of how cities are combatting the pernicious issue of lead in our drinking water, as Chelsea Alger and Dave Malm from Bolton & Menk join us to dissect the monumental task of lead service line replacement. With the Flint water crisis still fresh in our memories, we explore the complexities of updating water service inventories, the…

1
Season 1 Recap with Mark Ray 49:22

2y ago49:22

49:22

It's our 20th episode! Which is milestone in and of itself. Considering 90% of podcasts don't make it past 3 episodes, we're in pretty good company. I am joined by our first episode guest, Mark Ray, Public Works Director and City Engineer for the City of Crystal, MN. Mark, who is one of the most positive people I know, helps me review the season an…

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Solid Waste: Organized Collection, Recycling and Organics with Rachel Lindholm 57:56

2y ago57:56

57:56

This week we dive into the intricate world of waste management with Rachel Lindholm, the Sustainability Specialist from the City of Richfield, Minnesota. In this episode we talk about how Richfield implemented organized collection, managed recycling services and started both a drop off and curb side organics collection system. Listen in as we nerd …

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A Conversation with the MN Chapter of APWA: Events, Committees, Strategic Plans, and Professional Development 1:06:03

2y ago1:06:03

1:06:03

Join us and we talk with the Officers of the Minnesota Chapter of APWA. We talk about the history of the chapter, the committees, conferences, and their strategic plan. This is a lively and fun discussion with some very dedicated and devoted public works nerds! Our distinguished guests - President Monica Heil, Vice President Jupe Hale, Secretary/Tr…

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GIS and GeoAI in the world of Public Works with Adam Carnow and John Shain 1:03:12

2y ago1:03:12

1:03:12

In our 17th episode we talk to two GIS Nerds, Adam Carnow from ESRI and John Shain from Bolton & Menk. In the spirit of the AI movement, which we talk about in this episode, specifically GeoAI, I'm going to let the AI generated episode description say the rest - I usually consider this too wordy to use for the actual episode descriptions and end up…

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The City Engineers Association of Minnesota and how it helps distribute MN's gas tax with Deb Heiser 56:06

2y ago56:06

56:06

In this episode Deb Heiser and I nerd out about the City Engineers Association of Minnesota, a unique organization of municipal engineers. We talk about CEAM's mission, committees and purpose. We also dive into what role CEAM plays in the distribution of Minnesota's gas tax. We would love to hear from others about how your state's gas tax is distri…

1
Implementing Adaptive Level Control Systems for Stormwater Ponds with Ross Bintner 1:00:13

2y ago1:00:13

1:00:13

Meet Ross Bittner, Engineering Services Manager from Edina, Minnesota, who has an extraordinary passion for water resources and a knack for innovation. Ross and I nerd out in this episode about a new Adaptive Level Control System that the City of Edina is using to create additional storage in a stormwater pond in advance of rain events. Listen in a…

1
How To Handle A Public Works Crisis With Nick Egger 1:12:39

2y ago1:12:39

1:12:39

This week we are joined by Nick Egger, Public Works Director for the City of Rosemount, MN. Nick steps back to his time with the City of Hastings, MN and the management of a water contamination event in 2018. Nick talks about how they discovered the contamination, lessons learned about communication, and working with the state Department of Health.…

1
Exploring Pipe Condition Assessment and Trenchless Technologies with Paul Pasko 1:05:30

2y ago1:05:30

1:05:30

In this episode Marc and guest co-host Deb Heiser talk to Paul Pasko from Electro Scan, Inc. Paul talks about using new technologies to assess the condition of water and sewer pipes. We also talk about using trenchless techniques to rehabilitate pipes and how the future of pipe replacement will be finding small segments to replace/rehabilitate vers…

1
Traffic Engineering for Cities with Marc and Mike 58:05

2y ago58:05

58:05

Marc and Mike go solo in this episode focusing on Traffic Engineering for Cities. Leveraging Mike's years of compiling data and producing reports and guides for various traffic related issues at the City level, the Public Works Nerds tackle a couple of frequent complaints such as speeding, request for stop signs and crosswalks. We also touch briefl…

1
Exploring the Intersection of Drone Technology and Public Works with Brian Simmons 1:04:15

2y ago1:04:15

1:04:15

What happens when you merge the world of public works with drone technology? Our guest for today's episode, Brian Simmons, a Principal Engineer with Bolton & Menk, and tech enthusiast, shares his insights. A seasoned expert in the field, Brian provides us with an engaging primer on drones and UAVs, distinguishing between the two, and underscores th…

1
Upping your Social Media Game with Kevin Wright from the City of Chaska, MN 59:52

2y ago59:52

59:52

In this episode, Kevin Wright, Communications Manager for the City of Chaska, MN, talks to us about how to use Social Media for public works events and projects. We talk about how Chaska is using Social Media, what platforms they are on and where the public is engaging with the City on social media. We also talk about the recently released "20 Tips…

1
Mark Maloney: A Career Spanning Three Decades in Public Works 1:00:23

2y ago1:00:23

1:00:23

On Friday, July 21st, 2023 Mark Maloney will end his public works career after almost 29 years at the City of Shoreview, MN, and over 32 total years in the engineering and public works field. We are dropping this bonus episode one day before that official retirement to celebrate his remarkable career. Mark has been a role model for many of us in Mi…

1
American Public Works Association Update with CEO Scott Grayson 1:04:36

2y ago1:04:36

1:04:36

In this episode we talk with Scott Grayson, CEO of the American Public Works Association (APWA). Scott talks about the new strategic directions for APWA, value to public works professionals, and some challenges to the industry such as workforce and DEI initiatives. We also talk about the value of Accreditation, which is offered by APWA for public w…