This time on Life Unculturable, we welcome Dr David Westenberg into the studio. He's a seasoned professor in the department of Biological Sciences at Missouri University of Science and Technology, and talks to us about his adventures that led him to become a microbiologist and the importance of mentoring students. So, strap in for this rollercoaster ride of stories that include Carl Woese, agar art, a nuclear reactor and the therapeutic effects of dealing with biohazard waste!
If you're interested to learn more about Dave and his research, be sure to check out his website (https://sites.mst.edu/djwesten/)!
If you have any questions for Michael, Sam or Julia, let us know down in the comments below or on your favorite social media platform (Instagram, BlueSky, LinkedIn, YouTube, ..) @LifeUnculturable.
17 Sept 2026
Chippin' away (at the monolith of ignorance)
Life Unculturable is back! We're kicking things off after a short summer break with versatile guest with fascinating stories: Dr. Jack Gilbert, Professor at the University of California San Diego, Director of both the Microbiome and Metagenomics Center and the Microbiome Core Facility, and co-founder of the Earth Microbiome Project and the American Gut Project.
Jack takes us through the science behind FMTs — and the wild story of how he tried to cure dolphin diarrhea.
Want the latest from Jack? Check out his website (https://gilbertlab.ucsd.edu/our-team) or follow him on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/drjackagilbert).
If you have any questions for Michael, Sam or Julia, let us know down in the comments below or on your favorite social media platform (Instagram, BlueSky, LinkedIn, YouTube, ..) @LifeUnculturable.
23 Jul 2026
Out of the dark
In this episode of Life Unculturable, finally, Michael sits down in front of a microphone and chats with Sam and Julia about all things science communication and social media. For those of our listeners who always wondered who Michael is - this is the episode for you! You've seen his artwork, read his weird questions on LinkedIn, now be ready to hear him talk.
If you have any questions for Michael, Sam or Julia, let us know down in the comments below or on your favorite social media platform (Instagram, BlueSky, LinkedIn, YouTube, ..).
Interested in biobanks and biobank networks? Check out BBMRI-ERIC here: https://www.bbmri-eric.eu/
2 Jul 2026
What's under the scope
In this episode of Life Unculturable, Sam and Julia talk about one of their favorite methods: microscopy. Tune in to find out why they are doing microscopy and what microscopy techniques they like best - and you might also find out why Sam will never agree to teach an Intro Microbiology lab again!
If you have any questions for Sam, Julia, or Michael, drop a comment on YouTube, Spotify, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. or send us an email at lifeunculturable@gmail.com!
18 Jun 2026
Back*up*your*data!
In this episode of Life Unculturable, Sam and Julia talk all things data collection and then speculate about the yelp reviews on their bioinformatic performances and theorize on the dating profiles of anaerobes.
If you have any questions for Sam, Julia, or Michael, drop a comment on YouTube, Spotify, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. or send us an email at lifeunculturable@gmail.com!
4 Jun 2026
The profiling files
In this episode of Life Unculturable, Sam and Julia walk us through their process of how to characterize and describe novel microbes. Tune in to find out what steps are required, what they do first, and how to validly publish a novel organism.
If you have any questions for Sam, Julia, or Michael, drop a comment on YouTube, Spotify, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. or send us an email at lifeunculturable@gmail.com!
21 May 2026
Do better!
In this episode of Life Unculturable, Sam and Julia sit down with Dr Melanie Eldridge from Black Cat Microbiome Consulting to learn all about navigating the ups and downs of academia and industry. Mel is a seasoned captain who has sailed both waters and is now offering her expertise through her two companies Black Cat Microbiome Consulting and Black Cat and Black Cat Genetic Testing.
Get in touch with Melanie Eldridge on LinkedIn and check out her website (https://www.blackcatmicrobiomeconsulting.com/)!
If you have any questions for us, drop a comment on YouTube, Spotify, LinkedIn, Instagram, etc. or send us an email at lifeunculturable@gmail.com!
7 May 2026
The ramble-sode
In this episode, Julia and Sam set out to talk about the special equipment you can find in anaerobic microbiology labs - and then quickly go off the rails to ramble about all things science (and non-science)
23 Apr 2026
Home sweet hypoxia
In this episode of Life Unculturable, Sam and Julia talk about where anaerobes live and what vacation destination they would likely choose!
9 Apr 2026
No baby daddy sequencing
We are back with another exciting interview guest! This time Janet Rogers tells us all about Sanger sequencing, mass spectrometry and what had kept her at Oklahoma State University since 1978. Tune in to learn a bit about the history of the sequencing core facility at OSU, what it is like to work for and managing a core facilty and what reason Janet has to diligently keep working out at the Colvin Center.
If you have any questions for Janet, Sam or Julia, feel free to reach out on LinkedIn, Instagram, BlueSky, or YouTube @LifeUnculturable!
Life Unculturable is the number one podcast on anaerobic microbiology, (un)culturable microbes, and the real life of researchers, brought to you by Drs Sam Miller, Julia Vinzelj, and Michael Prattes!
12 Mar 2026
Road Trippin'
In this episode of Life Unculturable, Julia skedaddles away, exploring New Mexico and Arizona, while Sam stays in good 'ole Oklahoma holding down the fort. If you're looking for the science and the nitty gritty parts of anaerobic microbiology, this is not the episode for you! Today, it's all about road trips and childhood memories with a heaping helping of judgement.
Please excuse the sound quality of this episode! It really was recorded in a coffee shop and hence includes all the clanking and clinking and the occasional bark of coffee shop dog Hope! If you are in Winslow, Arizona, be sure to check out MOJO Coffee Roasting Co.& Cafe (not sponsored; Julia is just a fan).
26 Feb 2026
Enrich or die tryin'
In this episode of Life Unculturable, Sam and Julia are taking a deep dive into the 'bread and butter' of the lab: enrichment and isolation. Tune in to find out how they go about enriching for and isolating specific anaerobic organisms, how they identify their isolates, and what lab equipment they secretly prefer over others.
12 Feb 2026
Team work makes the dream work
In the first interview episode of Life Unculturable, Sam and Julia sit down with Drs. Noha Youssef and Mostafa Elshahed, as they chat about microbial ecology, anaerobic fungi, and offer up career advice. Along the way, Sam and Julia learn more about their bosses, determine who is the ‘best’ liar, and try to answer the ultimate question: do PIs ever actually leave the lab?
29 Jan 2026
Tale as old as time: aerobic versus anaerobic
In this episode of Life Unculturable, Sam and Julia are trying to describe what an anaerobe is, where you can find them and what sets them apart from aerobic organisms. And, as always, yapping included! Tune in to find out what they really think about their anaerobic organisms, and which extremophile they admire most.
15 Jan 2026
Gloved up and ready to roll
Roll up your sleeves, put on your gloves, and tune in to the second episode of Life Unculturable! This time, our sample procurement specialist, Sam, will spill his secrets on where and how he collects samples, and we will be doing an olfactory deep dive into our favorite and least favorite samples to work with. So, settle in and come along for the ride. And if you have any questions for us, hit us up on LinkedIn, Instagram, BlueSky, YouTube...!
1 Jan 2026
Buckle Up, Buttercup, 'Cause Here We Come
Welcome to the first episode of Life Unculturable! In this episode, you will meet your hosts, Sam & Julia, and be introduced to this new podcast.
So, pull up a chair, take out the oxygen, and join the discussion.
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Spotify
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