Site • RSS • Apple PodcastsDescription (podcaster-provided):
Science Distilled is a podcast based on the lecture series of the same name, where we break down concepts from cutting edge science and research and learn how they apply to the world around us. The podcast is hosted by KUNR's Paul Boger and Michelle Matus. This show is for science nerds and novices alike. We'll geek out on robots, dive into astrobiology, and take a deeper look at the world around us. With every topic we cover, you'll hear conversations from scientists doing the research and learn how that research impacts you and the world around us. This podcast is a production of KUNR Public Radio, in partnership with the Desert Research Institute and the Terry Lee Wells Nevada Discovery Museum in Reno, Nevada.Themes and summary (AI-generated based on podcaster-provided show and episode descriptions):
➤ accessible science research conversations • diversity and inclusion impacts • healthcare equity • groundwater use and pollution • climate change, drought, resiliency • robots and automation • perception and vision science • astrobiology, search for extraterrestrial life • wildfire decision-makingThis podcast distills research-driven science into accessible conversations that connect current scholarship to everyday life. Guided by hosts who frame each topic for both newcomers and longtime “science nerds,” the show draws on experts to explain how scientific methods, data, and evolving evidence shape decisions in society, technology, and the environment.
A recurring focus is how complex systems—whether ecosystems, human organizations, or public infrastructure—respond to stress and change. Listeners encounter themes tied to climate impacts, drought, and resource management, including what happens when vital freshwater supplies are strained or contaminated. The podcast also explores resilience and risk in the face of hazards, looking at how people make high-stakes choices under uncertainty and what those real-world experiences can teach about decision-making, safety, and preparedness.
Another thread centers on science and technology as they move from speculation to reality. Topics touch on robotics and the broader implications of automation, alongside the scientific search for life beyond Earth and what astronomical data can and cannot tell us about habitability and the likelihood of finding organisms elsewhere in the universe.
The show also examines human perception and cognition, questioning the reliability of what we see and how belief, evidence, and interpretation interact. In addition, it engages with social science and health research by considering diversity and inclusion—how these concepts are commonly approached, what research suggests about outcomes, and why representation can matter in sectors such as healthcare, where disparities can affect real-world results.
Across these areas, the unifying aim is to translate specialized research into clear takeaways, highlighting not just what scientists are learning, but how that knowledge can inform public understanding and personal decisions.
| Episodes: |
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Diversity: Are We Thinking About It All Wrong? 2020-Feb-05 17 minutes |
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Diversity In Healthcare Can Save Lives 2019-Dec-18 13 minutes |
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What's In The Water? 2019-Nov-14 24 minutes |
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Is The Robotic Revolution Upon Us? 2019-Aug-14 21 minutes |
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Is Seeing Really Believing? 2019-Jul-17 25 minutes |
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Searching For Life 'Out There' 2019-Jun-12 23 minutes |
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What Firefighters' Stories Can Teach Us 2019-May-15 17 minutes |
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Resiliency In The Face Of Climate Change 2019-Apr-17 21 minutes |
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Introducing Science Distilled, A New KUNR Podcast 2019-Apr-10 1 minute |