Best Stephen Bates Podcasts (2025)

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Emmys Final Predictions from the Awards Circuit Mega Roundtable; Host Nate Bargatze Previews Sunday’s Ceremony 1:08:06

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7h ago1:08:06

1:08:06

Will it be ‘The Pitt’ or ‘Severance,’ ‘The Studio’ or ‘Hacks’? The Awards Circuit Roundtable gives its final Emmy picks in all of this Sunday’s major categories. Also: Emmys host Nate Bargatze discusses what to expect on Sunday’s show, including his expensive plan to keep acceptance speeches short. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.…

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Arabella Weir: At nine my mum said, “I can’t bear the sight of you” 1:00:56

19h ago1:00:56

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Actor, comedian and bestselling author Arabella Weir grew up in a family that prized intellect and appearances but struggled to offer love. In this episode of Full Disclosure, she tells James O’Brien how an unsettled childhood shaped her fearless streak, her need to perform, and her instinct to turn pain into comedy. From the brutal remarks of her …

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One Take #17: The Mold-Asthma Connection 7:57

8h ago7:57

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Send us a text Ever wondered if that tiny spot of mold in your bathroom corner actually matters? A study from France just answered this question with a resounding yes – and the findings should make us all reconsider how we think about household mould. Mouldy area size and asthma symptom score and control in adults: the CONSTANCES cohort Drawing fro…

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#88 Richard Blakeway: Damp, Mould, and the Balance of Power and Fairness 53:18

1d ago53:18

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Send us a text Richard Blakeway, Housing Ombudsman for England, takes us on a profound journey through the evolving landscape of social housing complaints and the critical issue of damp and mould that has transformed the sector. "Home is a really emotional place," Richard explains, capturing the essence of why housing complaints differ from those i…

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Natalie Haynes: Greek Myths, Medea and the Comedy of Classics 1:04:23

4d ago1:04:23

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Natalie Haynes has never been easy to categorise. A stand-up comedian turned broadcaster and best-selling author, she has built a career out of making the ancient world vivid, funny and urgent. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien talks with the presenter of Stand Up for the Classics about her unusual path from Birmingham bookshops to …

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One Take #16 - The False Promise of Indoor Comfort: Why Current Building Standards May Be Harming Our Health 8:34

8d ago8:34

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Send us a text What if the very standards designed to keep us comfortable in buildings are actually making us unhealthy? This provocative question lies at the heart of groundbreaking research from Delft University of Technology. It challenges the fundamental assumptions that have guided building science for decades. Even when our buildings meet all…

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#87 - Maxime Interbrick: Street-Level Intelligence Is Changing How We See Cities 2:01:31

10d ago2:01:31

2:01:31

Send us a text Is world of ambient air quality monitoring is in a deadlock. Despite having targets and technology, air pollution remains a persistent urban challenge. Why aren't things changing? This question drives Maxime Interbrick, co-founder of Sparrow Analytics, whose company is pioneering a revolutionary approach to environmental intelligence…

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From The Vault: Brian Cox 1:09:05

11d ago1:09:05

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From a childhood in Dundee marked by loss, poverty and resilience, to becoming one of the most respected actors of his generation, Brian Cox’s life and career have been defined by an unrelenting pursuit of truth on and off stage. In this in-depth conversation with James O’Brien, the Emmy and Golden Globe winner reflects on the death of his father a…

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One Take #15 - Questioning the Questionnaire 10:02

12d ago10:02

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Send us a text Have you ever wondered how researchers measure something as subjective as your comfort in a building? The latest episode of Air Quality Matters takes a surprising step back from specific pollutants to examine one of the most fundamental yet overlooked tools in indoor environmental research: the questionnaire. When scientists ask you …

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#86 - Sir Stephen Holgate: Beyond the Lungs: How Air Pollution Affects Your Entire Body 1:41:58

15d ago1:41:58

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Send us a text When we talk about air pollution, we often think of it as an environmental issue – something that affects our skies and lungs. But the reality is far more complex and concerning. What if I told you that the particles you breathe in right now could be traveling through your bloodstream to every organ in your body? Sir Stephen Holgate,…

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The Importance of Emmy Campaigning, Jimmy Kimmel’s Colbert Support; Jason Segel (“Shrinking”) 1:02:41

21d ago1:02:41

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Emmy contenders were everywhere last weekend,as the teams behind shows like “Severance” tubthumped everywhere in hopes forEmmy gold. Also on this episode: “Shrinking” star and executive producer JasonSegel previews Season 3 (including working with Michael J. Fox and JeffDaniels) and talks about how his take on his career has changed as he’s grown. …

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From The Vault: Miriam Margolyes 1:00:08

18d ago1:00:08

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From a childhood in Oxford shaped by unconditional love, Jewish heritage and a keen sense of curiosity, to a career spanning stage, screen, voice work and bestselling memoir, Miriam Margolyes’ life has been anything but ordinary. In this candid conversation with James O’Brien, the beloved actor reflects on the security of her early years, the sting…

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One Take #14 - Healthy Buildings Command Higher Rents, But Location Matters More 8:37

19d ago8:37

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Send us a text What's the true financial value of a healthier workplace? This episode of Air Quality Matters dives into research from the University of Cambridge that quantifies exactly how much companies are willing to pay for healthier office environments. The research reveals a significant "health premium" of 4-6% for buildings certified under h…

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#85 - Liam Bates : Clean Air, Clear Vision: Inside Air Quality Monitoring 2:07:21

24d ago2:07:21

2:07:21

Send us a text The journey from visible smog in Beijing to sophisticated indoor air quality monitoring systems spans just a decade, but the transformation has been remarkable. In this eye-opening conversation, Liam Bates, CEO and co-founder of Kaiterra, shares how personal experience with air pollution sparked a mission that evolved from consumer d…

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As Emmy Voting Begins, What Are the Tightest Races?; Martin Short (“Only Murders in the Building”) 54:12

29d ago54:12

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Emmy voting kicks off on Monday, and there are several races that are still super competitive — which ones should we be keeping an eye on? Meanwhile, “Only Murders in the Building” star Martin Short on how much longer the comedy might continue, plus what convinced him to try out his new game show host gig on “Match Game”? Learn more about your ad c…

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Cariad Lloyd: Talking About Grief Changed My Life 1:01:05

26d ago1:01:05

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Cariad Lloyd never set out to become the voice of modern grief, but after losing her father at just fifteen, the silence around death stayed with her. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien speaks with the actor, comedian and creator of Griefcast podcast about how turning her personal loss into public conversation has transformed both he…

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One Take #13 - Clean Air Crisis: A Breath Of Fresh Air Report 10:56

30d ago10:56

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Send us a text What happens when the UK's medical establishment declares air pollution a public health emergency? The Royal College of Physicians' latest report "A Breath of Fresh Air" delivers a wake-up call that transforms how we understand pollution's impact on our bodies and minds. The science has evolved dramatically since their 2016 assessmen…

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#84 - Sarah Daly: Building Better: The Future of Sustainable Housing and Healthy Buildings 1:07:15

1M ago1:07:15

1:07:15

Send us a text The gap between what we know and what we build has never been more troubling. While we have centuries of construction knowledge at our fingertips, today's housing often fails at the most fundamental levels of health, comfort, and efficiency. Sarah Daly, Head of Strategic Partnerships and Sustainable Communities at Agile Homes, brings…

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Emmys Drama Series Race Heats Up; Adam Scott and Britt Lower (“Severance”) 55:43

1M ago55:43

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The Emmy drama race remains too close to call, as “Severance” and “The Pitt” are two frontrunners campaigning hard for the Emmy gold. Speaking of which, “Severance” stars Adam Scott and Britt Lower drop by to talk about that stunning Season 2 ending, and whether those innie lovebirds Mark S. and Helly can make it work. Learn more about your ad choi…

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Kevin Rowland: Beyond Come On Eileen 59:08

1M ago59:08

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From a shifting childhood split between Wolverhampton, rural Ireland and London, to fronting one of the most distinctive and uncompromising bands of the 1980s, Kevin Rowland’s life has been defined by defiance, vision and resilience. In this in-depth conversation with James O’Brien, the Dexys Midnight Runners frontman reflects on the lasting impact…

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One Take #12 - Pandemic Air Math: When Average Just Won't Cut It 10:49

1M ago10:49

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Send us a text We explore the scientific approach behind ASHRAE Standard 241, developed to address airborne infection control in buildings during profound uncertainty. The standard represents a paradigm shift in how engineers design ventilation systems to manage risks from infectious aerosols. • Confronting the challenge that viral emissions from i…

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#83 - Andrew Sutton: The Long Game: Quality, Risk, and Scaling Sustainable Housing 1:25:33

1M ago1:25:33

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Send us a text Simon Jones sits down with Andrew Sutton, co-founder and Chief Innovation Officer at SERO, to explore the challenges and opportunities in retrofitting UK housing stock and how these parallel the challenges in ventilation and air quality. • Current retrofit efforts suffer from political cycles creating boom-bust patterns that make sca…

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Comic-Con Wrap; Whether Episodic Selections Make Any Difference for Nominees; Julianne Nicholson (“Paradise,” “Hacks”) 45:06

1M ago45:06

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Comic-Con was huge, but the news coming out of it wasn’t — except for that “South Park” panel. Meanwhile, the Roundtable discusses whether which episode a nominee submits for consideration makes a difference. And dual nominee Julianne Nicholson (“Paradise,” “Hacks”) talks about her two very different roles as Sinatra and Dance Mom. Learn more about…

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Irvine Welsh: We’re More Addicted Now Than in Trainspotting 1:01:43

1M ago1:01:43

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From the high-rises of Muirhouse to the heart of countercultural Britain, Irvine Welsh has built a literary universe fuelled by punk energy, dancefloor euphoria, and radical empathy. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien meets the novelist and cultural icon to trace a life shaped by rebellion, recovery, and relentless storytelling. They…

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One Take #11 - Turning Low-Cost Air Quality Sensors into Compliance Tools 8:41

1M ago8:41

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Send us a text Lidia Morawska's paper provides a pragmatic framework for using low-cost PM2.5 sensors in regulatory indoor air quality monitoring, solving the longstanding problem of affordable compliance without sacrificing accuracy. This clever calibration system transforms inexpensive sensors into reliable monitoring networks by using yearly ref…

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#82 - Vinod Kumar Sekar: From Healthcare to Hyderabad: Hosting ISIAC 2025 1:20:28

2M ago1:20:28

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Send us a text Microbiologist Vinod Kumar Sikar shares his journey of bridging the gap between microbiology and engineering to improve indoor air quality, particularly in healthcare settings throughout India. He explains how the Healthy Buildings Conference coming to Hyderabad this August will foster multidisciplinary collaboration and knowledge-sh…

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Stephen Colbert’s Cancellation: What Is Politically Motivated, and What’s the Future of Late Night?; Bella Ramsey (“The Last of Us”) 52:15

2M ago52:15

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The news that “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert” has been canceled is still stunning, and the reasons still murky. Also, “The Last of Us” star Bella Ramsey on making Emmy history, and what they know about Season 3. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesBy Variety

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David Lammy: I’ve had imposter syndrome my whole life- until now 54:57

2M ago54:57

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From a working-class childhood in Tottenham to the Cabinet table, David Lammy’s path to becoming Foreign Secretary was anything but straightforward. Raised by a single mother after his father disappeared when he was twelve, David’s early life was shaped by absence, ambition and a fierce sense of justice. In this deeply personal conversation with Ja…

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One Take #10 - Invisible Danger, Visible Results: Democratizing Radon Measurement 8:54

2M ago8:54

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Send us a text Can you trust those affordable radon detectors? Do you really need to wait a whole year to know if your home has dangerous radon levels? The latest episode of Air Quality Matters tackles these critical questions through a deep dive into groundbreaking research by Joan F. Ray and colleagues. Their paper, "Performance Evaluation of Rad…

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#81 - Nathan Wood: The Ventilation Crisis Nobody's Talking About And How We Fix It? 1:34:54

2M ago1:34:54

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Send us a text "The lungs of our buildings are failing us." These sobering words from ventilation expert Nathan Wood capture the essence of a critical conversation about the silent crisis happening behind our walls. After inspecting countless ventilation systems across the UK, Nathan reveals the disturbing reality that approximately 75% of resident…

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Emmy Nominations: Mega Roundtable Edition 52:46

2M ago52:46

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Variety’s Awards Circuit Podcast Roundtable discussesthe 2025 Emmy nominations: The snubs, the surprises, the odds and much more. “Severance” was the most-nominated series this year, with 27 noms, followed by “The Penguin” with 24 and “The White Lotus” and “The Studio,” with 23 each. Who’s the front runner? Are more surprises to come? Learn more ab…

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Grace Dent: Almost Everything I’ve Done, I’ve Been Told No First 1:02:35

2M ago1:02:35

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Before she was a MasterChef judge and one of Britain’s most distinctive food writers, Grace Dent was a Carlisle kid eating crispy pancakes and dreaming of life beyond beige dinners. In this episode of Full Disclosure, she joins James O’Brien to talk about blagging her way into London media, finding her voice through food, and why she still can’t be…

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One Take #9 - What Makes People Actually Use Air Quality Apps 9:35

2M ago9:35

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Send us a text What makes someone download an air quality monitoring app and actually keep using it? The answer might surprise you. In this eye-opening exploration of a fascinating study from Indonesia, we dive deep into the psychology behind environmental technology adoption. The research, published in the International Journal of Human-Computer I…

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#80 Abigail Whitehouse: When a child can't breathe, everything else stops. 1:26:06

2M ago1:26:06

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Send us a text What really happens in a child's body during a severe asthma attack? Dr. Abigail Whitehouse, pediatric respiratory consultant, takes us on a sobering journey through the physiology of asthma, beginning with a paramedic's memory of a late-night emergency. The conversation reveals the hidden mechanisms of respiratory distress—airways b…

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Graham Fellows: Playing John Shuttleworth Came at a Cost 59:30

2M ago59:30

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Before he became known as the quirky, banana-snacking John Shuttleworth, Graham Fellows was a kid from Sheffield with dreams of classical acting and a knack for writing unforgettable songs. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien meets the man behind the cult characters to trace the unpredictable path from Jilted John to Chicken Town. The…

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One Take #8 - Passive House Reality Check 11:27

2M ago11:27

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Send us a text Gabriel Rojas and colleagues' comprehensive review examines indoor air quality in over 600 Passive Houses, revealing that properly-designed mechanical ventilation systems generally outperform conventional housing for background pollutants like CO2, VOCs and radon. Quality control makes a dramatic difference - a UK study found 100% of…

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#79 - Stefan Flagner: Clean Air Economics 1:39:21

2M ago1:39:21

1:39:21

Send us a text The economic value of healthy buildings represents one of the greatest untapped frontiers in our quest for better indoor environments. While we've mastered the technical aspects of creating healthier spaces, convincing decision-makers to invest remains challenging without clear financial metrics. Stefan Flagner, an economics research…

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Jon Culshaw: The Impressionist Who Fooled the Prime Minister 1:00:26

2M ago1:00:26

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Long before Dead Ringers or Spitting Image, Jon Culshaw was a schoolboy with a knack for mimicry and a fierce determination to escape into voices- finding freedom, fun, and a future through the radio dial. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien sits down with Jon to explore how a shy kid from Lancashire became one of the UK’s best-loved …

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One Take #7 - Formaldehyde, Damp, and Mold in English Housing 9:06

2M ago9:06

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Send us a text We dive into a fascinating paper that quantifies respiratory disease burden from formaldehyde, damp and mold in English housing. Using Disability Adjusted Life Years (DALYs) as a metric, researchers reveal the hidden health costs of poor housing conditions while highlighting significant data gaps that could mean we're vastly underest…

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#78 Rob McLeod: 1,200 Classrooms Later: What We Learned About Air Quality in Schools ImpAQS 1:44:10

2M ago1:44:10

1:44:10

Send us a text The landmark ImpAQS study examining ventilation and air quality in 1,200 Austrian schools reveals widespread failure to meet minimum standards, with at least 25% of classrooms unable to maintain acceptable CO2 levels during operational hours. Professor Rob McLeod discusses how this comprehensive year-long study uncovered significant …

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Michael Lewis: America Is Run by Bullies 1:01:03

2M ago1:01:03

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Before The Big Short, Moneyball or The Blind Side became bestsellers (and Hollywood hits), Michael Lewis was just trying to make sense of a world where things didn’t add up- from Wall Street to the government to the rules of sport. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien sits down with the celebrated writer to unpack the origins of his ou…

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One Take #6 - Maternal Air Pollution Exposure: How It Shapes Your Child's Respiratory Future 7:51

3M ago7:51

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Send us a text Research reveals that a mother's exposure to air pollution during pregnancy could significantly increases her child's risk of developing asthma, suggesting that our respiratory health journey begins before we take our first breath. The study conducted in China tracked mothers and their children from 2015-2018, analyzing exposure to v…

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#77 - Robert Bean: The Human Element and Building Better Spaces 1:56:00

3M ago1:56:00

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Send us a text Indoor environmental quality is about more than just air quality – it encompasses everything our sensory systems experience within built environments. This knowledge provides a framework for creating healthier, more human-centered buildings. • Indoor environmental quality encompasses thermal comfort, acoustics, lighting, vibration, o…

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Ellen Pompeo and Steve Carell: Picks for Limited Series, TV Movie Performance Emmys | Awards Circuit 9:32

3M ago9:32

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Inthe latest Variety Awards Circuit video presented by Paramount+, VarietyExecutive Editor Michael Schneider and Variety Senior TV Features Editor EmilyLongeretta discuss the Emmy contenders for television movie and limited seriesperformances. Variety Awards Circuit presented by Paramount+ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoi…

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As Emmy Voting Closes, What are the Last Minute Surprises?; Uzo Aduba and Randall Park (“The Residence”) 51:28

3M ago51:28

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With Emmy nomination voting ending on Monday,we look one more time at the major categories, how the number of submissionshas changed some of the competition and who didn’t bother to join in. Also, “TheResidence” stars Uzo Aduba and Randall Park talk about their series, theirtheories, their chemistry and their thoughts on a Season 2. Learn more abou…

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Amber Rudd: I resigned because I couldn’t defend the indefensible 59:24

3M ago59:24

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Former Home Secretary who chose principle over position, Amber Rudd has spent much of her life at the centre of power. From banking to frontbench politics, her career has spanned the high-stakes worlds of business, government and Brexit-era turmoil. In this episode of Full Disclosure, James O’Brien sits down with Amber to reflect on the decisions, …

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One Take #5 Clean Air, Full Classes 9:54

3M ago9:54

9:54

Send us a text Research establishes a direct link between classroom air quality and student attendance rates through a comprehensive study of 144 classrooms across 31 Midwestern elementary schools. The findings provide compelling evidence that improved ventilation and lower PM2.5 levels significantly reduce illness-related absences, even at polluti…

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Pedro Pascal and Kathy Bates: Picks for Best Drama Performance Emmy | Awards Circuit 9:55

3M ago9:55

9:55

Inthe latest Variety Awards Circuit podcast presented by Paramount+, VarietyExecutive Editor Michael Schneider and Variety Senior TV Features Editor EmilyLongeretta discuss the Emmy contenders for best drama performances. VarietyAwards Circuit presented by Paramount+ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices…

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Brett Goldstein (“Shrinking”/ “The Second Best Night of Your Life”); David Oyelowo (“Government Cheese”) 55:07

3M ago55:07

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As production on Season 3 of “Shrinking”wraps, Brett Goldstein is pinching himself for getting to work with icons like Michael J. Fox and Harrison Ford. Goldstein talks about his comedy special “The Second Best Night of Your Life,” and his recurring role on Season 2 of “Shrinking,” which he also co-created. Also on this episode, David Oyelowo talks…

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#76 - Erik Malmstrom: The Invisible Made Visible: Tracking Pathogens Through Buildings 1:50:21

3M ago1:50:21

1:50:21

Send us a text Imagine if you could actually see how viruses and bacteria move through the air in a building. That's exactly what Safe Traces technology allows us to do, and the implications for public health and building performance are profound. In this eye-opening conversation, CEO Eric Malmstrom reveals how his company's DNA-tagging technology …