Best Systems Ecologist Podcasts (2025)

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Special Episode: Dr. Lindsey Fitzharris and Adrian Teal & Dead Ends! 54:41

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3d ago54:41

54:41

Science doesn’t always get it right the first time (or the second, or the third, or even the ninety-ninth!). And while we may chuckle at the outlandish things people believed or the goofy experiments they tried, we forget two things: 1) those failures helped us get where we are today and 2) a hundred years from now, people will probably be laughing…

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Ep 191 Famine: More than starvation 1:10:02

10d ago1:10:02

1:10:02

As we learned last week, starvation extends far beyond hunger and what a lack of food does to the human body. Similarly, famine is much more than a food shortage and starvation on a population-level scale. This week, we’re picking up where we left off last episode to explore the definitions, drivers, and many dimensions of famine. We trace famines …

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How next gen home solar can help save the grid with Pete Reese of Energy ReLeaf 57:13

14d ago57:13

57:13

As AI and electrification surge, America’s power grid is under pressure. Energy ReLeaf founder Pete Reese joins Justin Baker and Ian C. Williams to explore how next-generation home solar could help stabilize the grid and accelerate the clean-energy transition. Pete breaks down the challenges slowing solar adoption—cost, aesthetics, and interconnect…

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Ep 190 Starvation: More than hunger 1:04:09

18d ago1:04:09

1:04:09

Deprived of food, our bodies do the best they can to keep us alive and functioning as long as possible. As the days pass, the rhythms of our lives change: our metabolism, our heartbeats, our hormones, even our thoughts shift to adjust to this period of scarcity. This response is evolutionarily engrained, following a variable but fairly prescribed p…

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Special Episode: Antonia Hylton & Madness 56:32

24d ago56:32

56:32

By Exactly Right and iHeartPodcasts

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Ep 189 Newborn screening: The future is here 1:18:14

1M ago1:18:14

1:18:14

Every year, millions of babies around the world are screened for dozens of treatable conditions within the first day or two of life. What it takes is a few drops of blood on some filter paper, and what it gives is profound: potentially life-saving information. The advent of newborn screening is one of the greatest public achievements of the 20th ce…

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Ep 188 Candida yeast: Here, there, and everywhere 1:17:17

1M ago1:17:17

1:17:17

None of us are ever truly alone. Our bodies are home to untold numbers of microbes, chilling on our skin, in our guts, throughout our respiratory tract, inside our bellybuttons, under our fingernails, and beyond. For the most part, we live in harmony with these critters, never giving them a second thought. But occasionally, they may grow a bit too …

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Special Episode: Mary Roach & Replaceable You 48:02

2M ago48:02

48:02

When your car breaks down or your fridge goes on the fritz, you can order a replacement part and get things back up and running in no time. The same cannot always be said for another intricate machine: the human body. For centuries, scientists have grappled with making or transplanting suitable replacements for nearly every body part, from hearts t…

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Ep 187 Hypothermia Part 2: How it helps 1:05:37

2M ago1:05:37

1:05:37

Last week, we took you through all the ways that cold can harm us and the harrowing history of humans perishing at its icy hands. Ending the story there would be skipping over the parts where cold gets to play the hero, rather than the villain. In the second installment of this frosty miniseries, we explore the situations in which we might use cold…

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Ep 186 Hypothermia Part 1: How it hurts 57:35

2M ago57:35

57:35

For all our wondrous adaptations as a species - our big brains, our capacity for language, our opposable thumbs - we humans are not well-equipped to deal with the cold. Take us out of our insulated dwellings, take away our winter clothes, and things can get dicey fast. From frostbite to hypothermia, the cold can settle into our bones, leading us do…

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Special Episode: Lina Zeldovich & The Living Medicine 51:44

2M ago51:44

51:44

The development of antibiotics was one of the greatest turning points in the history of medicine. Bacterial infections that were once death sentences were cured within a matter of days after administration of these lifesaving compounds. But the honeymoon didn’t last long, as resistant bacterial strains emerged and spread. Now, antimicrobial resista…

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Ep 185 The Great Smog of London: “Thick, drab, yellow, disgusting” 1:14:18

2M ago1:14:18

1:14:18

Some things just go together: peanut butter and jelly, bacon and eggs, milk and cereal, London and smog. Or at least, that’s the way things used to be until the Great Smog of 1952. (Don’t worry, the first three pairings are safe). If you’ve watched The Crown, you may remember an early episode in which a thick, noxious smog surrounded the entire cit…

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Ep 184 The Gallbladder: Humor us 1:22:41

3M ago1:22:41

1:22:41

For most of us, there probably hasn’t been a good reason for you to think about your gallbladder. Ever. Much of the time, it sits there, silently storing, concentrating, and, when needed, churning out bile every day. But occasionally, this unassuming organ will announce itself through waves of unceasing, excruciating pain brought on by a blockage o…

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Leading in the Messy Middle: Nick Reinke on Translating Climate Science for Impact 1:24:18

3M ago1:24:18

1:24:18

How do you scale climate solutions without losing sight of what really matters? In this episode of The Turning Point, we sit down with Nick Reinke, CEO of HabiTerre, to explore what it means to lead in the "messy middle"—the space between innovation, complexity, and real-world systems change. Nick’s journey from crop insurance to startup leadership…

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Special Episode: Carl Zimmer & Airborne 49:04

3M ago49:04

49:04

In the first years of the COVID pandemic, a debate raged: was the virus transmitted via respiratory droplets, or was it airborne? For some, this distinction seemed overly technical, pedantic even. But for others, it represented decades of dismissal and missed opportunities - opportunities that had cost untold lives. In this week’s TPWKY book club e…

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Ep 183 SSRIs Part 2: Action 1:10:26

3M ago1:10:26

1:10:26

Last week, we took you on a journey of discovery and innovation, and this week we’re gonna tell you how the heck it all works. That means a deep dive into the nitty gritty of SSRIs, from what serotonin does (A LOT, as it turns out), to why blocking its uptake has the effects it does, from the different side effects of SSRIs, to how effective they r…

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Ep 182 SSRIs Part 1: Origin 1:02:00

3M ago1:02:00

1:02:00

Since first hitting the shelves nearly 40 years ago, SSRIs have become one of the most commonly prescribed classes of antidepressants around the world, as well as one of the most discussed and misunderstood. This and next week, we tell the story of SSRIs in two parts. In Part 1, we explore the origins of these medications and their predecessors, a …

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Rebuilding the food system: David Leon on Soil, Story, & “Ecological” Investing 47:01

4M ago47:01

47:01

David Leon—former co-founder of Farmer’s Footprint and Principal at Esso Partners—joins us to unpack a bold, systems-level approach to transforming our broken food system. Drawing on deep experience in regenerative agriculture and finance, David explains how ecological investing can unlock more than just profit—it can regenerate soil, ecosystems, a…

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Special Episode: Wendy Chin-Tanner & King of the Armadillos 56:21

4M ago56:21

56:21

We’ve got a very special episode of the TPWKY book club this week! We’re featuring our very first fiction book: King of the Armadillos by Wendy Chin-Tanner. This novel tells the story of a young man named Victor, who is sent from his home in New York City to a federal treatment facility in Carville, Louisiana after a diagnosis of Hansen’s disease (…

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Ep 181 PCOS: Beyond the cysts 1:26:36

4M ago1:26:36

1:26:36

What’s in a name? What can you really tell from a label like “polycystic ovarian syndrome”? And how much of that is more misconception than truth? The answer, as it turns out, is the former. In this episode, we delve into the world of PCOS, a world that shows us how preconceived notions of health and disease, gender and sexuality can do far more ha…

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Big Goals, Tight Margins: HabiTerre CEO Nick Reinke on How to Scale Regenerative Agriculture 51:57

4M ago51:57

51:57

Scaling regenerative agriculture is harder than it looks. Nick Reinke, CEO of HabiTerre, joins us to unpack the real economic and logistical roadblocks—from transition risk on the farm to the limitations of carbon credit markets. He offers a systems-level perspective on how climate tech, data infrastructure, and aligned incentives can create change…

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Ep 180 Food Dyes: It’s all marketing 1:25:32

4M ago1:25:32

1:25:32

This episode, we aren’t asking you to taste the rainbow, but we are scrutinizing the artificial dyes that give it its color. When you’re munching on brightly colored candies or dipping a french fry in purple ketchup, what exactly is it you’re tasting? In this episode, we take you through the story of food dyes, from their serendipitous discovery to…

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Special Episode: Professor Steven Mithen & The Language Puzzle 49:29

4M ago49:29

49:29

From the earliest grunts and gestures to the complex sentences we use today to convey a multitude of concepts, language has evolved to become one of humanity’s most powerful tools. It allows us to connect, create, conspire, control, console, catch up, and so much more. How did we come to have this uniquely human trait? What anatomical changes or cu…

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Why Burning Medical Waste Is Still a Thing—and What Hospitals Can Do Instead 49:16

4M ago49:16

49:16

Burning medical waste is harmful, expensive, and still surprisingly common in 2025. In this episode of The Turning Point, we explore why—and what mission-driven healthcare leaders can do about it. Kelly Prchal, CEO of Clean Waste Systems, shares how her company’s ozone-based waste treatment system is disrupting the status quo. With no heat or water…

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Ep 179 Fluoride 2: Fighting tooth and nail 1:03:56

5M ago1:03:56

1:03:56

In last week’s episode, we traced the history of fluoridation (and the anti-fluoridation movement) to its roots in the early 20th century, but we left you wondering whether there’s anything to back up the health claims that anti-fluoridationists make. Today, we get deep into the weeds of the fluoride literature, explaining how this mineral works, t…

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Ep 178 Fluoride 1: The real tooth fairy 1:02:39

5M ago1:02:39

1:02:39

Is it just us, or does it seem like every other week there’s a new headline about some state or town banning water fluoridation? As it turns out, this has been going on for decades, basically since fluoride was first introduced. Why are some people opposed to fluoride? Is there any basis to their fears? What does fluoride actually do? And how the h…

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Special Episode: Dr. Wendy Kline & Exposed 56:56

5M ago56:56

56:56

For many of us, pelvic exams are a routine part of our healthcare. Of course, that doesn’t mean we don’t await them with some dread or anxiety; naturally, these exams evoke a wide range of emotions. But they are a cornerstone in gynecological preventative care - a relatively new one at that. In this TPWKY book club episode, we sit down with Dr. Wen…

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Batteries are not optional: Zahra Hargens Iliff of Vessyll on building the energy future 45:18

5M ago45:18

45:18

Battery storage is one of the most critical — and misunderstood — components of the clean energy transition. In this episode, Zahra Hargens Iliff, founder and CEO of Vessyll, joins us to talk about how her company is helping businesses cut costs and reduce grid strain by deploying on-site battery systems. We explore why battery storage is essential…

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Ep 177 Toxic Shock Syndrome: A shock to the system 1:25:20

5M ago1:25:20

1:25:20

If you’ve ever read the little instructions pamphlet included in a box of tampons, you probably came across a paragraph calling attention to a condition called toxic shock syndrome (TSS). It describes the association between TSS and tampon use, symptoms of TSS, and guidance on how to reduce risk. This legally mandated warning label has formed an in…

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Ep 176 Strychnine: The WD-40 of Victorian Medicine 1:19:33

5M ago1:19:33

1:19:33

This week, we’re coming at you with a classic TPWKY episode on one of the most notorious poisons out there: strychnine. Although strychnine might not flash across too many headlines these days, it was once imported by the ton in certain regions of the world. What did people want with so much strychnine? Depends on who you ask. Maybe it was for a re…

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Special Episode: Dr. Adam Ratner & Booster Shots 52:32

6M ago52:32

52:32

For the past few months, measles has been in regular rotation in the news cycle here in the US, with outbreaks occurring across the country in regions with low vaccine uptake. These outbreaks represent a worrying trend in the rejection of scientific and medical expertise, with long-term consequences not only for those individuals refusing vaccines …

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From Burnout to Breakthrough: Dr. Justin Baker on Mindful Leadership & Systemic Change 52:50

6M ago52:50

52:50

Former athlete and advertising exec Dr. Justin Baker joins Ian C. Williams to share his journey through burnout, meditation, and a PhD in Human Factors. What starts as a personal healing story evolves into a deeper exploration of why self-awareness alone isn’t enough to create meaningful organizational change. Justin breaks down the flaws in the “m…

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Ep 175 What’s the deal with raw milk: Part 2 1:00:27

6M ago1:00:27

1:00:27

Last week, we started this two-parter with a big picture view of pasteurization and the raw milk movement. In this episode, we address the alleged health claims made by proponents of raw milk and dive into the very real risks carried by its consumption. Is raw milk actually better for you? Does it have more vitamins or prevent allergies? What deadl…

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Ep 174 What’s the deal with raw milk: Part 1 1:09:33

6M ago1:09:33

1:09:33

Seriously, what’s the deal? Lately, it seems like raw milk has started to pop up more and more frequently in our feeds, with influencers touting the alleged health benefits of raw milk over pasteurized milk. In this and next week’s episode, we explore the raw milk phenomenon as it has grown over the past few decades. We start this two-parter with a…

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Special Episode: John Green & Everything Is Tuberculosis 56:46

6M ago56:46

56:46

Tuberculosis, or consumption as it was once known, might conjure up images of huge sanitoriums or writers and artists from the late 1800s (Moulin Rouge, anyone?). But this deadly disease is far from an illness of the past. In many parts of the world, tuberculosis remains an insidious killer, despite the fact that we’ve had effective drugs to treat …

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Personal & Planetary Transformation with Ian C. Williams 35:13

7M ago35:13

35:13

In this episode of The Turning Point, Ian C. Williams discusses the critical connection between personal transformation and planetary transformation. He emphasizes the urgency of addressing the sixth mass extinction and the need for individuals to take responsibility for their actions. Ian explores the concept of discipline as a means of learning a…

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Welcome to The Turning Point 0:52

7M ago0:52

0:52

Start here to learn what The Turning Point Podcast is about.By Still Point Insight

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Ep 173 Childhood Vaccine Schedule 2: Who’s making the call? 57:12

7M ago57:12

57:12

After last week’s episode, we all know about each of the diseases that we’re protected against thanks to our childhood vaccine schedule here in the US. And after this week’s episode, we’ll understand more about the schedule itself - why it might look different from other schedules around the world, how it gets made, and who makes the recommendation…

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Ep 172 Childhood Vaccine Schedule 1: Let’s give it a shot 1:07:43

7M ago1:07:43

1:07:43

We’re already back with our first episode of season 8! This week and next, we’re exploring childhood vaccine schedules - what diseases they protect us from, how the schedule is arranged, and who decides on the vaccines to include and the timing of vaccinations. In this first episode, we start with a refresher on how vaccines work before running thr…

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Ep 171 Pregnancy: Act 4 1:57:33

7M ago1:57:33

1:57:33

Content Warning: This episode includes mentions of miscarriage, pregnancy loss, pregnancy complications, traumatic birth experiences, and other potentially disturbing topics related to childbirth, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. We close out our pregnancy series with a big picture view of how the childbirth experience has changed over the pas…

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Ep 170 Pregnancy: Act 3 1:55:06

7M ago1:55:06

1:55:06

Content Warning: This episode includes mentions of miscarriage, pregnancy loss, pregnancy complications, traumatic birth experiences, and other potentially disturbing topics related to childbirth, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. In Act 3 of our pregnancy series, we arrive at the big moment: childbirth. We begin the episode with a closer look …

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Ep 169 Pregnancy: Act 2 1:46:07

8M ago1:46:07

1:46:07

Content Warning: This episode includes mentions of miscarriage, pregnancy loss, pregnancy complications, traumatic birth experiences, and other potentially disturbing topics related to childbirth, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. The second episode in our pregnancy series kicks off with a tribute to one of the most amazing organs: the placenta…

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Ep 168 Pregnancy: Act 1 1:38:15

8M ago1:38:15

1:38:15

Content Warning: This episode includes mentions of miscarriage, pregnancy loss, pregnancy complications, traumatic birth experiences, and other potentially disturbing topics related to childbirth, pregnancy, and the postpartum period. With this and the next three episodes, we’re delivering a four-part series on pregnancy, trimester by trimester. We…

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Special Episode: Rachel Gross & Vagina Obscura 48:48

8M ago48:48

48:48

For much of history, female reproductive anatomy has been studied only in the context of or in comparison to male reproductive anatomy. This shows in clinical trial design, in healthcare disparities, in the research questions we ask (or fail to ask), it’s even apparent in our language - the word “vagina” means “sheath”, as if vaginas only exist to …

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Ep 167 Viagra/Sildenafil: Raising the bar 1:13:51

8M ago1:13:51

1:13:51

Has a name brand prescription medication ever shot to notoriety as quickly as Viagra did? Within a few months of its arrival on the market, it seems like everyone knew about the little blue pill, whether through commercials featuring celebrity spokespeople or from endless jokes on late night talk shows. But while everyone understood that this medic…

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Ep 166 Amanita poisoning: Death Cap-tivating 1:10:27

9M ago1:10:27

1:10:27

In forests, in lawns, in city parks across the world lurks a small, pale, unassuming mushroom whose inconspicuous appearance belies its deadly nature. For within this mushroom dwelsl one of the deadliest poisons known to humans: amatoxin. It’s because of this toxin that the aptly-named ‘death cap mushroom’ (Amanita phalloides) is responsible for th…

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Ep 165 Fish Tongue Parasite: Parasite Appreciation Hour 1:02:31

9M ago1:02:31

1:02:31

Okay everyone, think about your tongue. Maybe move it around a bit, check in with it, consider what it means to you. Now imagine that your tongue suddenly shriveled up and fell off and that in its place is a tongue-sized isopod aka rollie pollie aka pillbug. Just there, hanging out, forever. How are you feeling? Horrified? Disgusted? Hey, we get it…

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Ep 164 Rift Valley Fever: Ruminating on ruminants 1:15:27

9M ago1:15:27

1:15:27

Hemorrhagic virus? Check. Deadly disease? Check. Mosquito-borne? Check. Affected by animal movement, human activity, and environmental change? Check. Rift Valley Fever has all the markings of a classic TPWKY episode. This week, we’re doing a deep dive on this deadly virus, taking a One Health approach to explore the intricate relationships between …

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Ep 163 Circadian Rhythm: Live from Perth, Australia 1:12:21

9M ago1:12:21

1:12:21

We are coming at you with our very first live episode from Perth, Australia! Here at the 2024 Australian Institute of Occupational Hygienists Annual Scientific Conference and Exhibition, occupational hazards and exposures get top billing. And one of the most ubiquitous hazards, experienced by nearly every industry is fatigue, specifically fatigue c…

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Special Episode: Robert Alpert, Merle Eisenberg, Lee Mordechai & Diseased Cinema 46:15

9M ago46:15

46:15

Everyone’s got a favorite disease movie. What’s yours? Does it feature zombies like 28 Days Later (2002), or is it more grounded in reality, like Contagion (2011)? Does it end with a glimmer of hope or with a dose of despair? Who are the bad guys and who are the good guys? From the early days of disease movies like Panic in the Streets (1950) to mo…