Best Robin Duncan Podcasts (2025)

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197. It Doesn't Have to Be This Way with Drs. Risa Adams, Elizabeth Parsons, Robin Beardsley 45:15

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8h ago45:15

45:15

In this conversation, I sit down with three physician–psychotherapists—Dr. Elizabeth Parsons, Dr. Risa Adams, and Dr. Robin Beardsley—co-authors of a book that asks us to consider: It Doesn’t Have To Be This Way. We explore Internal Family Systems (IFS), self-energy, and the “U-turn” as practical tools for reclaiming agency, setting boundaries, and…

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Long Story Short Ep-16: Storytelling Traditions, with Marve Michael Anson 1:00:37

3d ago1:00:37

1:00:37

Robin & Pam are joined by Marve Michael Anson, whose eagerly anticipated debut fantasy novel Firstborn of the Sun released this month. Come learn about ‘an epic world of courtly intrigue and forbidden power’, and the important work Marve does for the BFS on Outreach & Inclusion. https://britishfantasysociety.org/blog/bfs-podcast-long-story-short/ A…

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196. Weaving All of Your Sparks into Your Medical Career with Dr Katherine Raffensperger 1:06:10

9d ago1:06:10

1:06:10

This week I sit down with Dr. Katherine Raffensperger, a psychiatry resident with an MD/MBA who sees medicine and business as parallel, interwoven paths. We get into how policy has reshaped mental health care, why leadership and communication should be explicitly taught in training, and what price transparency might mean for real people. Katherine …

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169. Decoding the World’s First Writing 49:35

10d ago49:35

49:35

Irving Finkel is an expert on cuneiform — the oldest known writing system. He tells Steve the amazing story of how an ancient clay tablet unlocked the truth about Noah’s ark (and got Finkel in trouble with some Christians). SOURCES: Irving Finkel, curator in the department of the Middle East at the British Museum. RESOURCES: "How to write cuneiform…

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Shadows Of Conflict: Why Some Emergencies Get Left Behind. A Quick-exchange with Desiree Ketabchi from OXFAM 15:58

10d ago15:58

15:58

The global humanitarian landscape is marked by stark contrasts: while some crises like Ukraine dominate international attention and resources, others such as Sudan, the Sahel, and Haiti struggle in the shadows. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam had a lightning interview with Désirée Ketabchi, Head of Humanit…

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195. From Overwhelm to Efficiency with Dr. Adam Stewart 1:06:08

16d ago1:06:08

1:06:08

I sit down with Dr. Adam Stewart—rural Ontario family doc and self-described efficiency nerd—to swap real-world systems for making primary care saner. We dig into EMR hacks, delegation to people and tech, AI scribes, block fees, and the “reset the clock” approach to slashing prescription-renewal chaos. Adam walks through protected time, inbox-zero …

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Is There a Fair Way to Divide Us? (Update) 1:00:06

17d ago1:00:06

1:00:06

Moon Duchin is a math professor at the University of Chicago whose theoretical work has practical applications for voting and democracy. Why is striving for fair elections so difficult? SOURCES: Moon Duchin, professor of mathematics at Cornell University. RESOURCES: "Gerrymandering: The Origin Story," by Neely Tucker (Timeless: Stories from the Lib…

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Long Story Short Ep-15: So You Think You're A Disaster Mage, with Annabel Campbell 1:00:23

18d ago1:00:23

1:00:23

Annabel Campbell, whose debut novel The Outcast Mage released in January, joins Robin & David to talk mages of many varieties. How would you shape up as a wizard? Would you use your power for good, or be tempted to the Dark Side where - we are given to believe - there are cookies? Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: h…

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Episode 176 - Next Lawyer Up with Ron Sykstus featuring Jack Duncan 42:47

18d ago42:47

42:47

Attorney Jack Duncan is an exceptional creditors rights lawyer who is highly respected throughout the state of Alabama. Jack is a partner at the large regional firm of McCalla Raymer. As an aside, here is a previous podcast I did with another McCalla partner, Mike McComick. Jack started his education with an eye toward engineering, but with three i…

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194. Being a Good Team Player 48:36

23d ago48:36

48:36

“Good team player” is often code for “do more, say yes, don’t rock the boat.” In this solo episode, I reframe teamwork entirely: the best teammate is rested, resourced, grounded—and only plays games worth winning. I unpack collaboration vs compliance, share a real-life specialist request I partly declined (kindly!), and offer language, mindsets, an…

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168. Chemistry, Evolved 56:53

24d ago56:53

56:53

Frances Arnold pioneered the process of directed evolution — mimicking natural selection to create new enzymes that have changed everything from agriculture to laundry. SOURCES: Frances Arnold, professor of chemistry at the California Institute of Technology. RESOURCES: "Innovation by Evolution: Bringing New Chemistry to Life," by Frances Arnold (N…

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Navigating the Aid Front Lines with Head of OCHA's UAE office Sajeda Shawa 31:11

26d ago31:11

31:11

World Humanitarian Day 2025, observed globally on August 19, stands as a solemn tribute to the courage and sacrifice of aid workers delivering hope amid crises. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Sajeda Shawa, head of the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) in…

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193. The Case for Scheduling Nothing with Dr. Duncan Rozario 1:06:56

1M ago1:06:56

1:06:56

In this episode, I sit down with general surgeon, startup advisor, and all-around “human in many hats,” Dr. Duncan Rozario, to talk about purpose, product–market fit in medicine, and why scheduling nothing might be the most sustainable strategy of all. We dig into happiness “proxies” (status, money, likes) vs. the real drivers of meaning, and a hum…

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Long Story Short Ep-14: Walking on the Moor, with Sam K. Horton 48:22

1M ago48:22

48:22

David & Robin chat with author Sam K. Horton, whose second novel Ragwort releases in November. We talk maps, book tour costumes, and the love of wild places. David discovers that Friday also is a business day. Plus, hear about the Top 10 reasons to attend Fantasycon from Ben and Nico of the Tiny Bookcase podcast. Are you a member of the British Fan…

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Could a Golden Vagina Actually Save the World (Kind of) 1:07:34

1M ago1:07:34

1:07:34

Send us a text The headlines felt relentless, the feed louder than my own thoughts—so I grabbed a paintbrush, hit record, and chose a different kind of response. What followed was part art session, part reckoning: we talk about gun violence and responsibility, the way doomscrolling hijacks our nervous systems, and why joy might be the most subversi…

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192. Living Your Childhood Dreams with Dr. Ryan Montoya 1:10:19

1M ago1:10:19

1:10:19

In this episode of The Other Human in the Room, I meet Dr. Ryan Montoya—family physician, graphic novelist, and luggage design consultant—joining us from his current post in Russia. Ryan shares how life as a U.S. diplomat’s spouse has taken him around the world, and how embracing planned transitions has actually buffered him from burnout. Ryan also…

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167. The Secret of Humanity? It’s Common Knowledge. 58:45

1M ago58:45

58:45

Steven Pinker’s new book argues that all our relationships depend on shared assumptions and “recursive mentalizing” — our constant efforts to understand what other people are thinking. He and Steve talk about the psychology of eye contact, the particular value of Super Bowl ads, and what it’s like to get cancelled. SOURCES: Steven Pinker, professor…

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Transparency to the Bone: Rethinking Remote Aid with Ina Bluemel 34:19

1M ago34:19

34:19

The hard truth of modern humanitarian action was this: access had closed, risks had risen, and remote delivery had become unavoidable. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast (Season 3), host Hisham Allam spoke with Ina Bluemel—a veteran of emergency health, WASH, and logistics leadership across WHO, IFRC, and multiple NGOs—about wh…

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Ronnie and Friends with Bill Seymour 54:36

1M ago54:36

54:36

Affectionately known as Bill Harvey or William Harvey, I have known Bill since we met as law school classmates at the age of 22. In fact, we became roommates for our 2L and 3L years. As you'll hear, I like to take credit for introducing Bill to the most important person in his life, his long-time spouse Kathy, but Bill is somewhat reticent to give …

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191. Enjoy Your Difficulties—Lessons from Nashville 53:50

1M ago53:50

53:50

When a much-anticipated Nashville trip collided with a looming airline strike, zero sleep, and a nasty URTI, I leaned on a practice that’s changed my life: enjoying my difficulties. In this solo debrief, I walk through two core buckets—changing my relationship to hard things and building my capacity for joy. From buying a backup flight to taking po…

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How to Have Great Conversations (Update) 44:24

2M ago44:24

44:24

The Power of Habit author Charles Duhigg wrote his new book in an attempt to learn how to communicate better. Steve shares how the book helped him understand his own conversational weaknesses. SOURCES: Charles Duhigg, journalist and author. RESOURCES: Supercommunicators: How to Unlock the Secret Language of Connection, by Charles Duhigg (2024). "20…

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Long Story Short Ep-13: The Pleasures & Perils of Indie Publishing, with William C. Tracy 58:04

2M ago58:04

58:04

David & Robin meet publisher, editor, & author William C. Tracy of Space Wizard Science Fantasy to chat about WorldCon Seattle, indie small press publishing, the bookselling market, and codifying magic systems. We also discuss cats, bees, and commas. (And yes, Robin did find ‘That Comma Video’ and if you absolutely must watch it… https://youtu.be/t…

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190. Give Yourself Permission with Dr. Anne Aspler 1:05:49

2M ago1:05:49

1:05:49

In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Anne Aspler to explore what it really takes to give yourself permission to create, to heal, and to exist as more than just a doctor. We talk about growing up in fundamentalist religion, finding parallels between dogma in faith and medicine, and the courage it takes to step outside of rigid systems. Anne sha…

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166. The World’s Most Effective Public Health Intervention Is Under Attack 1:01:47

2M ago1:01:47

1:01:47

Seth Berkley used to run the world's largest vaccine funding organization. He and Steve talk about the incredible value of vaccines, the economics of immunizing the developing world, and the current attacks on public health. SOURCES: Seth Berkley, epidemiologist at Brown University School of Public Health. RESOURCES: "Trump Administration Ends Prog…

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Beyond the Aid Cliff: Dr. Julius Sindi on What Comes After the Donor Exit 44:18

2M ago44:18

44:18

The age of abundant Western aid is ending—and this time, no rebound is guaranteed. In this episode of the DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Dr. Julius Kirimi Sindi, a systems innovator and director of the Gates Foundation–backed Catalyze Impact Initiative, about how global development must adapt before it unravels. Dra…

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189. Two Row Medicine with Dr. Karenna'onwe Karen Hill 1:02:02

2M ago1:02:02

1:02:02

In this episode of The Other Human in the Room, I sit down with Dr Karenna'onwe Karen Hill, a Mohawk Turtle Clan family physician from Six Nations of the Grand River. She shares her remarkable journey into medicine, the concept of two-row medicine—rooted in the Haudenosaunee Two Row Wampum—and how Indigenous and Western healing can travel side by s…

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Episode 175 - Next Lawyer Up with Ron Sykstus featuring Tim Semelroth 45:36

2M ago45:36

45:36

As I learned on this episode of the podcast, Attorney Tim Semelroth is an Iowa boy through and through! We talked a lot about wrestling because, if you grow up in Iowa, wrestling is pretty much in your blood. Tim has an interesting career arc and an impressive pedigree. He runs one of the largest personal injury practices in the state of Iowa. Also…

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Long Story Short Ep-12: Why Science Fantasy is the Best (Sub) Genre, with Lorraine Wilson 55:24

2M ago55:24

55:24

Robin & David converse with Lorraine Wilson, author of We Are All Ghosts in the Forest, about folklore, the future of identity, and the sea. In search of a response to the podcast’s title, literature, fantasy, magic and science all go into the growbag of genre. The efficacy of an ice-skating scoring system for panel responses is also assessed durin…

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188. Rediscovering Your Authentic Voice with Dr. Aditya Nellore 59:24

2M ago59:24

59:24

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Aditya Nellore, a physician and singer who shares how his hardest “failures” became the very doorway into a more authentic life. From failing out of college to going unmatched in the residency match, Aditya opens up about the stigma he faced—and how those painful moments ultimately reconnected him to music and l…

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165. The Economist Who (Gasp!) Asks People What They Think 53:14

2M ago53:14

53:14

Stefanie Stantcheva’s approach seemed like career suicide. In fact, it won her the John Bates Clark Medal. She talks to fellow winner Steve Levitt about why she uses methods that most of the profession dismisses — and what she’s found that can’t be learned any other way. SOURCES: Stefanie Stantcheva, professor of political economy at Harvard Univer…

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#29: Transformers for Recommender Systems with Craig Macdonald and Sasha Petrov 1:37:25

2M ago1:37:25

1:37:25

In episode 29 of Recsperts, I welcome Craig Macdonald, Professor of Information Retrieval at the University of Glasgow, and Aleksandr “Sasha” Petrov, PhD researcher and former applied scientist at Amazon. Together, we dive deep into sequential recommender systems and the growing role of transformer models such as SASRec and BERT4Rec. Our conversati…

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187. Pick Your Challenge 22:10

2M ago22:10

22:10

In this short summer episode, I share why the real power is in choosing the hard that aligns with your values. From charting to patient scheduling to new projects, I offer practical examples and a fresh mindset: pick your challenge on purpose. Book a call with me to register for Creating Space: http://joanchanmd.com/space Learn more about Hippocrat…

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Rick Rubin on How to Make Something Great (Update) 53:24

2M ago53:24

53:24

From recording some of the first rap hits to revitalizing Johnny Cash's career, the legendary producer has had an extraordinary creative life. In this episode he talks about his new book and his art-making process — and helps Steve get in touch with his own artistic side. SOURCES: Rick Rubin, music producer and record executive. RESOURCES: The Crea…

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Episode 174 - Next Lawyer Up with Ron Sykstus featuring Ralph Hornsby, Jr. 45:39

2M ago45:39

45:39

Ralph Hornsby, Jr., is a highly respected attorney who has been practicing law in North Alabama for a long time. He comes from great stock and he has an impressive pedigree! Ralph learned his craft, in large part, from his father, Ralph Hornsby and former Madison County Circuit Court Judge S.A. "Bud" Watson. All of Ralph's law firm information for …

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Self-Love Revolution with Aunty Robin with Moxie, Martinis, and Microsoft Vista 36:10

3M ago36:10

36:10

Send us a text Ready to become unfuckable with? That's the revolutionary ideals at the heart of Auntie Robin's new podcast direction. Saying goodbye to Kicked Can Generations Podcast, she's embracing a fresh path focused on fierce self-love and challenging beliefs that no longer serve us. Drawing inspiration from her great aunt who "gave zero shits…

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Long Story Short Ep-11: The Power of Community, with Jay McGuiness 59:28

3M ago59:28

59:28

Join David & Robin in conversation with Jay McGuiness, star of stage, screen & chart, as we talk about all manner of things including painting with watercolours rather than oils, love of Lemony Snicket, with a dramatic ‘Hollywood deal-making’ twist at the end. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasy…

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186. From Burnout to Coherence with Dr. Mitch Abrams 1:07:02

3M ago1:07:02

1:07:02

In this episode, I sit down with Dr. Mitchell Abrams, a radiologist whose personal health crisis and journey through burnout led him on a path of deep transformation—both personally and professionally. We talk about what happens when you start to actually *feel* your emotions, how ancient wisdom intersects with quantum science, and what a healthcar…

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164. Unravelling the Universe, Again 1:02:14

3M ago1:02:14

1:02:14

More than two decades ago, Adam Riess’s Nobel Prize-winning work fundamentally changed our understanding of the universe. His new work is reshaping cosmology for a second time. RESOURCES: Adam Riess, astrophysicist at Johns Hopkins University. SOURCES: "The Nobel Prize Winner Who Thinks We Have the Universe All Wrong," by Ross Andersen (The Atlanti…

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Episode 173 -Next Lawyer Up with Ron Sykstus featuring Brian White 47:25

3M ago47:25

47:25

Attorney Brian White is a highly respected attorney located in Decatur, Alabama where he has been practicing law for many years. I have known Brian by reputation, but this is my first opportunity to get to speak with him. He works throughout North Alabama and concentrates his practice especially in the counties of Morgan, Lawrence, Limestone and Cu…

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185. Medical Misinformation with Dr Kim Bretz ND 57:14

3M ago57:14

57:14

In this episode, I sit down with naturopath Kim Bretz to talk about one of the thorniest issues in healthcare today: medical misinformation. We explore what it means to practice in the messy, often misunderstood middle ground between allopathic and naturopathic medicine. Kim shares her experience as a bridge-builder—between professions, between pat…

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Long Story Short Ep-10: Does the Balrog Have Wings? with Calah Singleton 1:07:22

3M ago1:07:22

1:07:22

In which David speaks to Calah Singleton about many things Middle Earth; the Hobbit, the trilogy, the movies, Rings of Power, where their own love of Tolkien’s work originated, their hot takes, and much, much more. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-bfs/become-a-member/ Lea…

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184. Medical Storytelling on Youtube with Dr Andy Nguyen 50:46

3M ago50:46

50:46

In this conversation, I sit down with Dr. Andy Nguyen to explore where healthcare and creativity meet. We talk about the power of storytelling in medicine, what it’s like to start a creative journey, and how social media can shape the narratives we tell about our work. Andy shares his own experience as a medical Youtube creator and offers insights …

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163. The Data Sleuth Taking on Shoddy Science 56:25

3M ago56:25

56:25

Uri Simonsohn is a behavioral science professor who wants to improve standards in his field — so he’s made a sideline of investigating fraudulent academic research. He tells Steve Levitt, who's spent plenty of time rooting out cheaters in other fields, how he does it. SOURCES: Uri Simonsohn, professor of behavioral science at Esade Business School.…

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Beyond the Flames and the Heatwaves: Robin Degron on Europe and the Mediterranean Basin’s Climate Crisis 36:03

3M ago36:03

36:03

Devastating wildfires and intense heatwaves are sweeping across continents—from Indonesia’s burning rainforests and Canada’s parched woodlands to Latin America and, of course, Europe’s Mediterranean coasts. The scale and frequency of these disasters are reminders that climate change is no longer a distant threat, but a global emergency demanding ac…

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183. Facts vs Story: Interpreting the new FHO+ Model 1:03:27

3M ago1:03:27

1:03:27

In this episode, I dive into the upcoming changes to the FHO funding model for family physicians in Ontario and explore how we respond to changes in ways that feel good to us. I talk about the mindset work that’s helped me navigate uncertainty, especially the importance of separating neutral facts from the thoughts we attach to them. I also share h…

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Arne Duncan Says All Kids Deserve a Chance — and Criminals Deserve a Second One (Update) 46:11

3M ago46:11

46:11

Former U.S. Secretary of Education, 3x3 basketball champion, and leader of an anti-gun violence organization are all on Arne’s resume. He’s also Steve’s neighbor. The two talk about teachers caught cheating in Chicago public schools and Steve shares a story he’s never told Arne, about a defining moment in the educator’s life. SOURCES: Arne Duncan, …

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Long Story Short Ep-9: Fun, Games & Medieval Combat with Adrian Tchaikovsky 56:44

3M ago56:44

56:44

Robin and David talk with the one and only Adrian Tchaikovsky about writing comedy, fighting in armour, TTRPGs, conventions and of course, books, in a wide-ranging chat covering the breadth and height of Adrian’s authorial career to date. Are you a member of the British Fantasy Society yet? Join us here: https://britishfantasysociety.org/about-the-…

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Can One Crisis Solve Another? Debt-for-Nature Swaps with Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine 31:41

3M ago31:41

31:41

As mounting debt strangles public services and climate disasters escalate, a provocative idea is gaining ground: what if countries could trade their debt burdens for environmental action? In this episode of DevelopmentAid Dialogues podcast, host Hisham Allam speaks with Sawsan Bou Fakhreddine, Director General of the Association for Forests, Develo…

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182. From Medicine to Memoirs and TV Scripts with Dr Tony Chin-Quee 1:07:51

4M ago1:07:51

1:07:51

In this episode, I speak with Tony Chin-Quee, an otolaryngologist turned writer, about his journey from medicine to storytelling. We talk about the challenges of professional identity in healthcare, the process of writing a memoir, and lifting the curtain on medical television writing (including what it was like working on Grey's Anatomy!). Tony sh…

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162. Will We Solve the Climate Problem? 57:56

4M ago57:56

57:56

Kate Marvel spends her days playing with climate models, which she says are “like a very expensive version of The Sims.” As a physicist she gets tired of being asked to weigh in on economics, geopolitics, and despair — but she still defends the right of scientists to have strong feelings about the planet. SOURCES: Kate Marvel, climate scientist and…