Climate “hushing” (start time: 5:41) Since President Trump began his second term as president in January, 2025, his administration, at a dizzying pace, has attacked climate change as a Democratic elite “hoax” and gutted federal funding for climate-related research and institutions. Partly in response to these attacks, and in an attempt to appeal to more … Continue reading "Moving Beyond Climate…
In her new book, The Power of the Pause: 90 Seconds to Calm, Reset, and Reconnect, Jillian Pransky teaches readers how a brief 90-second break can help regulate the nervous system and stop automatic, reactive habits. Today, we get into some of the science underlying the utility of the pause, but further, we can easily … Continue reading "Take a Pause – With Jillian"
A heart attack forced Boulder community leader and journalist Sam Fuqua to need emergency care. While being wheeled into the operating room, Sam hoped to soothe his anxiety by hearing some favorite music. His hope had scientific merit. Studies like this indicate that surgery patients who get to choose what music plays during surgery, … Continue reading "Operation Music – Why or Why Not?"
Colorado River Water (starts 1:00) Steep cuts are ahead in the use of Colorado River water by Arizona and California. But what about Colorado? For answers, we talk with CU-Boulder’s Doug Kenney, water law expert and chair of the Colorado River Project. Ghostbots (starts ) AI apps offer to help people “talk” with the dead. … Continue reading "Colorado River // Ghostbots"
What is a wilderness, really? Here in the US we think of it as undeveloped land, put aside to appreciate its beauty and remoteness. In other lands and cultures, wilderness is a powerful, ancient concept, at the intersection of landscape, philosophy, and ecology. For thousands of years, people have sought out uncontrolled, unknown, or uncharted … Continue reading "Just What is Wilderness?"
Gardens are popping up everywhere, from community plots to elementary school yards to vertical plantings. A unique approach proposed by award winning British landscaper, Harry Holding, is integrating the edible aspect of vegetable gardens with the esthetic side of flower, bush and tree landscapes. Harry is a renowned garden designer known for his award-winning creations … Continue reading "Eat…
Microplastics: Health Concerns, Solutions (start time: 6:02) The Environmental Protection Agency recently issued a new rule related to monitoring 30 unregulated chemicals in drinking water that could pose human health risks. While the list includes pesticides and so-called “forever” substances, it omits microplastics, as well as pharmaceuticals. That’s despite pressure from Democratic politicians,…
Poking the Squid – Good Reads calls author and illustrator Perrin Roosevelt Ireland’s new book a brilliantly funny, beautifully illustrated graphic nonfiction book that shatters our puritanical and binary notions of nature.. Hosts/Producers/Engineers: Shelley Schlender, Joel Parker Executive Producer: Beth Bennett
Parenting Across the Animal Kingdom (start time: 5:02) As humans, we tend to think that we raise our children with more care than any other animal on the planet. After all, human kids depend on their parents on average for much longer than do those of any other species. But are we really so unique … Continue reading "Childrearing Tips (and Cautionary Tales) From the Animal Kingdom"
Global conflicts are revealing vulnerabilities in the global reliance on imported fossil fuels and centralized power. Energy Analyst Kyle Datta says energy security needs may speed the adoption of renewables and “as a side effect,” reduce the rise of global warming. For Datta’s full speech, which he presented with videos at the 2026 Gold Lab … Continue reading "Kyle Datta – Energy Security, War &…
Complex Animal Networks (start time: 7:17) As humans, we’re all familiar with, as we live in and are members of, nations. But most of us don’t think of non-human species, be they tiny ants or beavers or bears, in this context. But Ryan Huling does, and he hopes you will, too. In this week’s How … Continue reading "Hidden Nations of Animals"