Best Joseph Saunders Podcasts (2025)

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Ep. 73 - Joseph Cella 33:22

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21h ago33:22

33:22

Former U.S. Ambassador Joseph Cella returns to The China Desk Podcast to expose the growing threats posed by the Chinese Communist Party at home and abroad. From Michigan universities tied to Beijing and smuggling attempts involving dangerous biological materials, to the risks of agro-terrorism against America’s food supply, Cella details how local…

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Interview: What actually causes high cholesterol? | Hei Man Chan 29:32

1d ago29:32

29:32

In 1968, the American Heart Association made an announcement that would influence people’s diets for decades: they recommended that people avoid eating more than three eggs a week. Their reasoning was that the cholesterol packed into egg yolks could increase cardiovascular disease risk. So, what exactly is cholesterol? And is it actually bad for yo…

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Ep. 72 - Andrew Phelan 49:27

8d ago49:27

49:27

On this episode of The China Desk Podcast, host Steve Yates speaks with Andrew Phelan—Australian entrepreneur and writer—about the rise and transformation of China from Deng Xiaoping’s reforms to Xi Jinping’s wolf warrior diplomacy. Phelan shares his personal experiences living and working in China, explains how offshoring hollowed out Western indu…

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Do you really need to take 10,000 steps a day? | Shannon Odell 6:49

8d ago6:49

6:49

For years, Jean Béliveau walked from country to country, with the goal of circumnavigating the globe on foot. While few people have the time or desire to walk such extreme lengths, research shows that adding even a modest amount of walking to your daily routine can dramatically improve your health. So, what exactly happens to your body when you inc…

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Interview: A parent's guide to raising kids after loss | Andy Laats 41:41

15d ago41:41

41:41

Andy Laats had the textbook fairytale family setup ... a great job, a happy marriage, three wonderful kids and everything going for them. Until one day, they didn't anymore. In this tender, wise and unexpectedly funny talk, Laats describes the profound lessons he's learned over the years as a father, offering insights that will resonate with anyone…

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China Desk Weekly: U.S. Military Signals, North Korea, and Beijing’s Calculus 2:58

19d ago2:58

2:58

Stay ahead of the shifting balance between the United States and China with China Desk Weekly. In this episode, host Steve Yates unpacks a striking New York Times story hinting at a covert U.S. special operation on North Korea’s coast. From secret missions in Iran to bomber flyovers during high-stakes summits, America continues to flex its reach. W…

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Ep. 71 - Peter Mattis 55:05

20d ago55:05

55:05

Peter Mattis, president of the Jamestown Foundation and former CIA counterintelligence analyst, joins host Steve Yates on The China Desk to unpack the Chinese Communist Party’s strategic intentions, intelligence operations, and United Front influence campaigns. From the roots of his career to lessons from Taiwan, Mattis explains how Beijing wields …

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I'm an adult! Why do I have acne? | CBC's The Dose 23:27

22d ago23:27

23:27

While most people think of acne as a skin condition for adolescents, it can also develop in adults. In this bonus episode from CBC’s The Dose, host Dr. Brian Goldman speaks with the head of dermatology at Dalhousie University, Dr. Kerri Purdy. She shares some of the risk factors for acne (genes and hormones, not necessarily diet) as well as the lat…

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Ep. 70 - Bret Manley 49:51

29d ago49:51

49:51

China’s Rare Earth Gamble: Bret Manley on Energy, Trade & U.S. Security:In this episode of The China Desk Podcast, host Steve Yates speaks with Bret Manley, Executive Director of the Energy Fair Trade Coalition, about America’s dependence on China for rare earth minerals, the risks to U.S. national security, and what real fair trade looks like in t…

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Interview: Why daylight is the secret to great sleep | Christine Blume 31:21

29d ago31:21

31:21

Does the type and amount of light you’re exposed to during the day change how well you sleep at night? Diving into the effects of daylight on your internal biological clock, sleep scientist Christine Blume shares practical tips for making natural light part of your daily routine — and shows why stepping outside might be the simplest, most impactful…

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Why your body fights weight loss | Katherine Saunders 13:20

1M ago13:20

13:20

Why does losing weight often feel like an uphill battle? Physician Katherine Saunders unpacks how our bodies are wired to store fat, revealing that obesity isn’t simply a lack of willpower — it’s a complex, chronic disease rooted in evolutionary biology. She shares the science behind the latest breakthroughs in treatment, from lifestyle interventio…

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The science of taste and smell with Rachel Herz | from ReThinking with Adam Grant 35:18

1M ago35:18

35:18

Do you hate the taste of cilantro and chocolate? You might be a super taster! Rachel Herz is a neuroscientist at Brown University who specializes in taste and smell. In this episode, Adam, Rachel, and Adam’s wife Allison Sweet Grant investigate the sources of their different food preferences, uncover the overlooked power of smell, and analyze the e…

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Ep. 69 - Joel Wuthnow & Phillip Saunders 47:47

2M ago47:47

47:47

In this compelling episode of The China Desk, host Steve Yates speaks with leading experts Joel Wuthnow and Phillip Saunders about the rise of China's military power. Drawing from their new book China’s Quest for Military Supremacy, the discussion dives deep into the modernization of the PLA, the evolving role of the Chinese Communist Party in mili…

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Why social health is key to happiness and longevity | Kasley Killam 11:27

2M ago11:27

11:27

You know it's important to take care of your physical and mental health. But what about your social health? Social scientist Kasley Killam shows how feeling a sense of belonging and connection has concrete benefits to your overall health — and explains why it may be the missing key to living a longer and happier life. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com…

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Ep. 68 - Denis Mandich 41:26

2M ago41:26

41:26

In this explosive episode of the China Desk Podcast, former U.S. intelligence official and quantum security expert Denis Mandich joins Steve Yates to unpack the national security nightmare unfolding in plain sight. Mandich explains how China’s massive IP theft, covert operations in American universities, and advances in quantum computing could unde…

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How I make vegan food sexy | from TED Talks Daily 20:06

2M ago20:06

20:06

At the plant-based burger chain Slutty Vegan, Pinky Cole is flipping the script on vegan food with bold style. In conversation with host of "TED Radio Hour" Manoush Zomorodi, she shares the highs and lows of her entrepreneurial journey, from her roots in Baltimore to the grease fire that took her first storefront in Harlem. Learn more about the aut…

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Ep. 67 - Rod Martin 36:20

2M ago36:20

36:20

In this hard-hitting episode of The China Desk, host Steve Yates sits down with tech entrepreneur and policy strategist Rod Martin for a wide-ranging conversation on U.S.-China relations. From PayPal's early disruption to the dangers of authoritarian AI, Martin traces how America’s economic leverage—and spiritual clarity—can counter the CCP’s ambit…

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Interview: The razor-thin line between contagion and connection | Dan Taberski 29:37

2M ago29:37

29:37

After a mysterious wave of tics and twitches swept through a small-town high school in New York, documentary podcaster Dan Taberski set out to investigate what was really happening. Drawing on extensive research and intimate interviews with the people involved, he explores the roots of mass hysteria — and what it reveals about the line between illn…

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How to make anxiety your friend | David H. Rosmarin 15:42

2M ago15:42

15:42

When anxiety rears its head, we often just want it to go away. Clinical psychologist David H. Rosmarin asks us to consider instead the positive role anxiety can play in our lives, sharing four practical steps to transform it from your enemy into your ally. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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How to talk about your body without shame (w/ Anita Rao) | from How to Be a Better Human 34:58

3M ago34:58

34:58

Why is having the sex talk, admitting you passed gas, or being open about your body hair so seemingly uncomfortable for all of us? Journalist and host of the podcast, Embodied, Anita Rao, joins Chris this week to discuss why having open conversations about taboo topics like sex, relationships, and our bodies can help us understand ourselves better …

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Interview: 1 simple question that could improve women's health | Meryam Sugulle 34:47

3M ago34:47

34:47

There's a reliable indicator of a woman's future likelihood of cardiovascular disease — but it rarely gets asked about, says obstetrician and researcher Meryam Sugulle. She delves into the role of the placenta in pregnancy, how it can predict health outcomes and the single question that should be worked into routine health screenings. After the tal…

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Why do some bodies respond differently to disease? | Erika Moore 5:42

3M ago5:42

5:42

TED Fellow and equity bioengineer Erika Moore investigates how cells controlling inflammation behave differently depending on a patient's background. By focusing on the "who" behind the disease, Moore is uncovering why certain diseases disproportionately affect certain ethnicities, paving the way for more inclusive and effective health care. Hosted…

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Information Inoculation: Defending Against Medical Myths: The real reason polio is so dangerous | Dan Kwartler 34:45

3M ago34:45

34:45

In 1952, polio was everywhere: killing or paralyzing roughly half a million people annually. Yet just 10 years later, paralytic polio cases in the US dropped by 96% and we were on track to get rid of polio for good. But in recent years, the virus started striking back. So, what’s behind these recent spikes? Explore the dangers of poliovirus and the…

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Information Inoculation: Defending Against Medical Myths: Why do you need to get a flu shot every year? | Melvin Sanicas 30:33

4M ago30:33

30:33

All year long, researchers at hospitals around the world collect samples from flu patients and send them to top virology experts with one goal: to design the vaccine for the next flu season. But why do we need a new one every year? Vaccines for diseases like mumps and rubella offer a lifetime of protection with two shots early in life; what’s so sp…

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Ep. 66 - Keyu Jin 46:58

4M ago46:58

46:58

In this episode of The China Desk podcast, host Steve Yates interviews Keyu Jin, professor at the London School of Economics and author of The New China Playbook. With deep academic expertise and personal insight as a Chinese economist, Jin unpacks the myths, realities, and misunderstood dynamics driving China’s modern economy.They cover the role o…

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Information Inoculation: Defending Against Medical Myths: Why we need to fight misinformation about vaccines | Ethan Lindenberger 44:23

4M ago44:23

44:23

Ethan Lindenberger never got vaccinated as a kid. So one day, he went on Reddit and asked a simple question: "Where do I go to get vaccinated?" The post went viral, landing Lindenberger in the middle of a heated debate about vaccination and, ultimately, in front of a US Senate committee. Less than a year later, the high school senior reports back o…

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Ep. 65 - Kerry Brown 44:41

4M ago44:41

44:41

Steve Yates speaks with Kerry Brown, professor of Chinese Studies at King’s College London and author of Why Taiwan Matters. With decades of experience as a diplomat, scholar, and author of nearly 20 books on Chinese politics, Brown breaks down the complex geopolitical puzzle of Taiwan’s past, present, and uncertain future.Brown shares his journey …

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What happens as we die? | Kathryn Mannix (re-release) 23:19

4M ago23:19

23:19

Have we lost the practical wisdom of what happens as people die? With lessons from a career witnessing thousands of people's final breaths, palliative care expert Kathryn Mannix urges us to demystify the experience of death, sharing how a better understanding of what actually happens can reduce fear in the final days, for you and your loved ones. A…

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Ep. 64 - David Lin 38:24

4M ago38:24

38:24

Steve Yates sits down with David Lin, Senior Director for Future Technology Platforms at the Special Competitive Studies Project and former CIA analyst, to discuss the evolving U.S.-China technology competition.Lin shares insights from his 12 years in government service, including his time at the State Department and the CIA, and explains why he tr…

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Why smell matters more than you think | Paule Joseph 6:56

4M ago6:56

6:56

TED Fellow and chemosensory researcher Paule Joseph unveils the hidden power of a sense that's too often overlooked: smell. She delves into the science behind smell — from how it evokes memory and emotion to its potential for early disease detection — and advocates for the creation of a baseline test for taste and smell that could open the door to …

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Interview: Aging, menopause, and rethinking fashion for comfort in midlife | Stacy London 52:11

4M ago52:11

52:11

“My lens around style doesn’t have anything to do with style anymore — it’s about physicality,” says stylist and fashion consultant Stacy London. “What do I want to be able to do? How do I keep myself strong?” Stacy’s message has resonated for many women, and for this episode, she joins Dr. Shoshana Ungerleider, host of TED Health, at TED2025 for a…

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Ep. 63 - Barbara Demick 44:49

5M ago44:49

44:49

Award-winning journalist Barbara Demick joins host Steve Yates on The China Desk Podcast for a powerful and emotional conversation about China's one-child policy, forced adoption, and the story behind her latest book, Daughters of the Bamboo Grove. Demick, a former Beijing bureau chief for the Los Angeles Times, shares her investigation into the br…

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Interview: Why you shouldn't trust boredom | Kevin H. Gary (re-release) 27:16

5M ago27:16

27:16

Are you actually bored, or is something else going on? Educator Kevin H. Gary shares three practical takeaways to deal with the doldrums, so you can take control of your attention, figure out which feelings to trust and name the real problem. After the talk, join Shoshana for a sweeping conversation with Dr. Elizabeth Harstad on the relationship be…

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Interview: 3 reasons why medications are so expensive in the US | Kiah Williams 28:56

5M ago28:56

28:56

A century after its discovery, insulin remain essential in treating diabetes, and has a relatively low production cost, with a vial generally costing less than $6 to make. But those in the US pay on average 10 times more than those in other countries— leading some patients to take less than prescribed. Kiah Williams takes a look at the US supply ch…

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Ep. 62 - Susan Crabtree 47:20

5M ago47:20

47:20

In this episode of The China Desk Podcast, host Steve Yates welcomes Susan Crabtree, national political correspondent for RealClearPolitics and co-author of Fool’s Gold: The Radicals, Cronies, and Traitors Who Killed the California Dream and Now Threaten Us All. Susan shares her personal journey from a military family upbringing to a career in inve…

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A hospital in the cloud bringing health care anywhere in the world | Mohamed Aburawi 6:57

5M ago6:57

6:57

What if AI could help connect you with the right medical care, exactly when you need it? Health systems entrepreneur, surgeon and TED Fellow Mohamed Aburawi explores how his digital health platform, Speetar, uses AI to bridge the healthcare gap in underserved regions, like his native Libya, by connecting patients with doctors who truly understand t…

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Ep. 61 - Luke de Pulford 53:31

5M ago53:31

53:31

In this episode, Steve Yates sits down with Luke de Pulford, co-founder and Executive Director of the Inter-Parliamentary Alliance on China (iPAC). From his early inspiration by William Wilberforce to launching an international coalition of lawmakers, Luke shares his remarkable journey in human rights, modern slavery advocacy, and China policy.They…

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What are those colors you see when you rub your eyes? | Paul CJ Taylor 7:06

5M ago7:06

7:06

In the 1600s, Isaac Newton conducted a series of experiments to better understand the lights and colors that sometimes appear when your eyes are closed. If you’ve ever sat around an evening campfire or unintentionally glanced at the Sun, you may have noticed illuminated patterns briefly dance along your vision. So how do these visual illusions form…

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Does your heartbeat shape your sense of time? | Irena Arslanova 11:35

6M ago11:35

11:35

Do you ever feel like time slows down when you’re bored but flies when you’re having fun? Cognitive neuroscientist Irena Arslanova explores the ways your brain and heart shape your perception of time, revealing how your heartbeat doesn’t just keep you alive — it also influences whether moments feel fleeting or stretched. Hosted on Acast. See acast.…

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Interview: How do kidney transplants work? | Alexander H. Toledo 23:31

6M ago23:31

23:31

In 1954, Joseph Murray attempted a type of kidney swap that no doctor had tried before. The surgery was a success, and the patient would go on to live with the transplanted organ thanks to one key factor: it came from his identical twin. 70 years later, nearly 100,000 kidneys are transplanted annually in the US alone. So how does this surgery work …

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Your relationship expectations could be holding you back | Stephanie R. Yates-Anyabwile 10:36

6M ago10:36

10:36

What if the secret to a happy relationship isn’t following the rules, but rewriting them? In this refreshing talk, couples therapist Stephanie R. Yates-Anyabwile explores why letting go of traditional societal expectations of romantic relationships — like sharing the same routines or even, in some cases, living together — can help couples embrace t…

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What staying up all night does to your brain | Anna Rothschild 15:29

6M ago15:29

15:29

You’re just one history final away from a relaxing spring break. But you still have so much to study! You decide to follow in the footsteps of many students before you, and pull an all-nighter. So, what happens to your brain when you stay up all night? And does cramming like this actually help you prepare for a test? Anna Rothschild explores how a …

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A menu of foods we might lose forever | Sam Kass 13:23

7M ago13:23

13:23

What does a warming planet mean for the foods you love? Hosting a dinner party that features a menu of foods that could disappear within our lifetimes, culinary entrepreneur Sam Kass invites us to chew on the reality of climate change by exploring the things — like chocolate and coffee — it puts at risk. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for m…

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Why don’t vampires cast reflections? | Eric Nuzum 12:22

7M ago12:22

12:22

Exploring the history and evolution of vampire lore, author Eric Nuzum traces the origins of these spooky stories, from misunderstandings of death to the sparkly pop culture icons we know today. Beyond the fangs and garlic, he digs into the deeper, everyday fears that vampires reflect. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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The science (and art) of creating lasting sexual connections | Emily Nagoski on TED Talks Daily Summer Book Club 32:21

7M ago32:21

32:21

This is an episode of TED Talks Daily, another podcast from the TED Audio Collective. It's a special episode of the TED Talks Daily Summer Book Club series. Join host Elise Hu as she interviews TED speakers about their books and their ideas beyond the page. As a sex educator and author, Emily Nagoski is renowned for dismantling the sexual myths tha…

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A medical mythbuster's mission to improve health care | Joel Bervell 28:27

7M ago28:27

28:27

Joel Bervell was one of the only Black students in his medical school program. After noticing how misconceptions about race were embedded in health care, he turned to social media to raise awareness about the harmful impact of biases in medicine. He unpacks the long history of race-based health care disparities — and shows what the medical field ca…

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What long COVID taught me about life (and data) | Giorgia Lupi 12:51

8M ago12:51

12:51

Data isn’t just about numbers or trends — it’s about capturing the stories that shape our lives, says information designer Giorgia Lupi. Following a long COVID diagnosis, she tracked her symptoms meticulously over four years, the data culminating in a visual “New York Times” narrative that resonated deeply with many others suffering from chronic il…

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Episode 4 Jessi Stegall and Ilya Vidrin 26:55

8M ago26:55

26:55

In this final episode of season two of Works in Progress, movement-based researchers Ilya Vidrin and Jessi Stegall join ArtLab Director Bree Edwards to discuss their dance-based collaborations at the ArtLab. Both are dancers and educators with graduate degrees from Harvard specializing in neuroscience and ethics. Ilya and Jessi make the invisible v…

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The hidden forces behind your food choices | Sarah Lake 10:20

8M ago10:20

10:20

What we eat is less about what we choose and more about what’s offered to us, says food and climate expert Sarah Lake. Unpacking how governments and companies have driven up meat consumption in the US through extensive marketing, she explains how we could employ these same forces to incentivize plant-based eating — for the sake of the planet, publi…

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Could psychedelics help patients in therapy? | Benjamin Lewis 32:03

8M ago32:03

32:03

It's time to make psychiatry more psychedelic, says psychiatrist Benjamin Lewis. Sharing results from his clinical trial on psychedelic-assisted therapy, he highlights how group therapy paired with the safe use of psilocybin, a compound found in magic mushrooms, has the potential to improve mental health conditions like depression and burnout. Afte…