Smart People Get Curious

About Smart People Get Curious

Brilliant people-CEOs, entrepreneurs, artists - a r e often known for one big thing. But behind the headlines, they're just as curious as the rest of us. What internet rabbit holes, childhood fascinations, or weird obsessions keep them up at night? In each episode, a high-profile guest gets to nerd out with a real expert in a field they're fascinated by - but know nothing about. They ask al their "dumb" questions, and listeners get to learn alongside them. It's unscripted, surprising, and refreshingly human.

Publisher

Tania Zaparaniuk

Category

society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

23 Sept 2025

Latest episode

30 Dec 2025

Latest episodes

12 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   30 Dec 2025

   Most Replayed Moment: "Every year, we add more carbon to the atmosphere."

   In this most replayed moment, Ross asks Molly: what if we put all of our efforts towards fusion? Or if not fusion, what is the ONE thing could solve the climate crisis? If we're adding more carbon to the atmosphere every year, how can we reverse that? Molly Wood (http://mollywood.co) is a longtime journalist turned climate tech investor. She is the founder and CEO of Molly Wood Media, a climate solutions media company, where she hosts the podcast EverybodyInThePool (http://everybodyinthepool.com). The podcast and newsletter by the same name focus on the startups, business practices, and everyday consumers who are working on real solutions to the climate crisis. Molly also scouts and advises climate tech startups as a venture partner at the investment firm Amasia. Previously, she was a managing director at LAUNCH, an early-stage venture capital firm, and was a writer and broadcaster at CNET/CBS, the New York Times, and a host at Marketplace on NPR. Ross Richmond (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossrichmond/) is the COO at HAVN and the former Co-Founder at Arrive Recommerce. On Smart People Get Curious, hosted by Tania Zaparaniuk, high-profile guests get to nerd out with real experts in fields they’re fascinated by—but know nothing about. They ask their “dumb” questions, and listeners learn alongside them. It’s unscripted and refreshingly human.

2. 

   9 Dec 2025

   Climate Moonshots: Fusion, Solar, Kelp—What Really Moves the Needle?

   If the climate crisis keeps you up at night, it might help to ask the dumb (and intermediate) questions. Entrepreneur Ross Richmond talks climate solutions with journalist-turned-tech investor Molly Wood. There’s hope for us yet—but we’re gonna have to get really clear on the plan. Get curious about: - How the average consumer can influence climate consciousness - How we get carbon out of the atmosphere - The future of fusion - The (massive) potential of solar power Guest Links Molly Wood (http://mollywood.co) is a longtime journalist turned climate tech investor. She is the founder and CEO of Molly Wood Media, a climate solutions media company, where she hosts the podcast Everybody In The Pool (http://everybodyinthepool.com). The podcast and newsletter by the same name focus on the startups, business practices, and everyday consumers who are working on real solutions to the climate crisis. Molly also scouts and advises climate tech startups as a venture partner at the investment firm Amasia. Previously, she was a managing director at LAUNCH, an early-stage venture capital firm, and was a writer and broadcaster at CNET/CBS, the New York Times, and a host at Marketplace on NPR. Ross Richmond (https://www.linkedin.com/in/rossrichmond/) is the COO at HAVN and the former Co-Founder at Arrive Recommerce. Chapter Codes: 00:00 – Climate moonshots & the big hope question 01:53 – Meet Molly Wood: from tech journalism to climate solutions 04:55 – Climate Change 101: greenhouse gases & an unstable planet 08:23 – Extreme weather, wildfires & attribution science 11:57 – Can science save us, or do we have to change? 15:31 – Carbon capture explained: methods, costs & controversies 19:37 – Why carbon removal needs massive clean energy 23:14 – The price per ton: how expensive is pulling carbon from the sky? 24:44 – Net zero vs carbon removal (and why we need both) 27:38 – Fusion energy: where we are and what’s blocking it 32:08 – Should we bet everything on fusion? One-voice vs “kitchen sink” strategy 40:31 – The overlooked moonshot we already have: solar + batteries 46:12 – Microgrids, power islands & decentralizing energy 47:48 – Where to find Molly & Ross + further resources 54:00 – Why this show exists On Smart People Get Curious, hosted by Tania Zaparaniuk, high-profile guests get to nerd out with real experts in fields they’re fascinated by—but know nothing about. They ask their “dumb” questions, and listeners learn alongside them. It’s unscripted and refreshingly human.

3. 

   2 Dec 2025

   Most Replayed Moment: The Brain Without REM—What Society Loses When We Don’t Sleep

   The most-replayed clip of the episode is Dr. Ribeiro explaining why strangers on opposite sides of the world can share the same dream. He then dives into how being disconnected from our dreams makes it harder to grasp the ripple effects of our choices — or the possibilities waiting for us. Shannon Race, founder and CEO of Bio.me, poses her pressing questions about sleep and dreaming to Brazil-based neuroscientist Sidarta Ribeiro—and the conversation takes a few dreamy twists and turns. Our takeaway? Start talking about your dreams. Get curious about: What REM sleep is and why we need it Lucid dreaming Finding the meaning and purpose of a dream How to get better sleep How our dreams can build a better society Shannon Race is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bio.me (http://bio.me), a groundbreaking line of gut health supplements designed to optimize digestion, reduce bloating, restore the microbiome, and support immunity. Shannon has worked with industry-leading brands such as Bulletproof, Poppi, Beekeeper’s Naturals, and Native Pet, and has shared her expertise as a featured speaker at events like Create & Cultivate, BeautyCon, and BevNET. Instagram - http://bit.ly/4oBgU7E (http://bit.ly/4oBgU7E) Sidarta Tollendal Ribeiro is a dreamer, a capoeira practitioner, father of Ernesto and Sergio, and partner of Luiza. He is a full professor of Neuroscience and one of the founders of the Brain Institute at UFRN (Brazil), and a researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies at Fiocruz. He is the author of more than 100 scientific articles and 6 books, including The Oracle of Night (Penguin) and most recently The Flowers of Good (Soft Skool). He is currently a columnist for Sumauma - Journalism from the Center of the World. On Smart People Get Curious, hosted by Tania Zaparaniuk, high-profile guests get to nerd out with real experts in fields they’re fascinated by—but know nothing about. They ask their “dumb” questions, and listeners learn alongside them. It’s unscripted, surprising, and refreshingly human.

4. 

   25 Nov 2025

   The Sleep-Deprivation Epidemic: Screen Time, Anxiety & Lost Dreams

   You’re not imagining it: your dreams are trying to tell you something. Shannon Race, founder and CEO of Bio.me, poses her pressing questions about sleep and dreaming to Brazil-based neuroscientist Sidarta Ribeiro and the conversation takes a few dreamy twists and turns. Our takeaway? Start talking about your dreams. Get curious about: What REM sleep is and why we need it Lucid dreaming Finding the meaning and purpose of a dream How to get better sleep How our dreams can build a better society Guest Info: Shannon Race is the Co-Founder and CEO of Bio.me (http://bio.me), a groundbreaking line of gut health supplements designed to optimize digestion, reduce bloating, restore the microbiome, and support immunity. Shannon has worked with industry-leading brands such as Bulletproof, Poppi, Beekeeper’s Naturals, and Native Pet, and has shared her expertise as a featured speaker at events like Create & Cultivate, BeautyCon, and BevNET. Instagram - http://bit.ly/4oBgU7E (http://bit.ly/4oBgU7E) Sidarta Tollendal Ribeiro is a dreamer, a capoeira practitioner, father of Ernesto and Sergio, and partner of Luiza. He is a full professor of Neuroscience and one of the founders of the Brain Institute at UFRN (Brazil), and a researcher at the Center for Strategic Studies at Fiocruz. He is the author of more than 100 scientific articles and 6 books, including The Oracle of Night (Penguin) and most recently The Flowers of Good (Soft Skool). He is currently a columnist for Sumauma - Journalism from the Center of the World. Chapter Codes: 00:00 – Intro & weird sleep behaviors 02:28 – Meet our guest Dr. Siddhartha Ribeiro 05:05 – REM sleep, neuroplasticity & dreams 09:33 – What happens when you miss REM sleep 14:01 – Dreams & memory: add, subtract, evolve 15:29 – Lucid dreaming: real, rare & trainable 22:51 – Sleepwalking vs dreaming: what's the difference 25:16 – Trauma, sleep & healing: what dreams reveal 27:17 – The importance of sharing your dreams 34:45 – Personal story: dream insight & life decision 38:56 – How to improve sleep & dream recall 44:02 – Screens, stress & dream disruption 48:23 – Dreams as a mirror of society 53:16 – Closing thoughts: connect, share, dream On Smart People Get Curious, hosted by Tania Zaparaniuk, high-profile guests get to nerd out with real experts in fields they’re fascinated by but know nothing about. They ask their “dumb” questions, and listeners learn alongside them. It’s unscripted, surprising, and refreshingly human.

5. 

   18 Nov 2025

   Most Replayed Moment: The U.S. Exports Coca Cola, Hip Hop... and Mass Incarceration

   Tune into the most replayed moment on this episode, and learn how the U.S. prison system influences systems around the world. Salt & Straw CEO and Co-Founder Kim Malek has questions about the US prison system, and there’s perhaps no one better to answer them than academic and activist Dr. Baz Dreisinger. It’s never too late to get informed and get involved—and this episode is a great place to start. About Kim MalekKim Malek is the CEO and Co-Founder, along with her cousin Tyler Malek, of Salt & Straw ice cream. Prior to launching Salt & Straw, Kim held positions at Starbucks Coffee, Yahoo!, Adidas and Gardenburger, specializing in marketing, community outreach, and product management and global innovation. Kim has been featured in Entrepreneur and Forbes, among many others. She has been recognized by Basic Rights Oregon as an Equality Advocate Honoree and has received the Portland Business Journal’s 2023 Executives of the Year award. Kim has also been named to Inc Magazine’s 100 Female Founders list of entrepreneurs, the Cherry Bombe 100 list featuring female leaders in the culinary space, and Nation’s Restaurant News’ Power List. Instagram - bit.ly/3Lrlne0 About Dr. Baz Dreisinger Dr. Baz Dreisinger is the Founding Executive Director of Incarceration Nations Network, a global network that promotes prison reform and justice reimagining worldwide; a Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York; the founder of John Jay’s groundbreaking Prison-to-College Pipeline program, which provides university-level educationand reentry assistance to incarcerated and formerly incarcerated people throughout New York State; the author of the critically acclaimed book Incarceration Nations: A Journey to Justice in Prisons Around the World, named a notable book for 2016 by the Washington Post; and the director of Incarceration Nations: A Global Docuseries, which had its world premiere at the Tribeca Film Festival 2021. A 2018 Global Fulbright Scholar and current Fulbright Scholar Specialist, Dr. Baz speaks regularly about justice issues on international media and in myriad settings around the world, and has also worked as a journalist, writing and producing for such outlets as The New York Times and National Public Radio (NPR). Instagram - http://bit.ly/4hGLbia

6. 

   11 Nov 2025

   Why the U.S. Exports Mass Incarceration: Salt & Straw CEO Kim Malek & Prison Reform Expert Baz Dreisinger

   Why does the US lock up more people per capita than anywhere else on Earth? Salt & Straw CEO and Co-Founder Kim Malek has questions about the US prison system, and there’s perhaps no one better to answer them than academic and activist Dr. Baz Dreisinger. It’s never too late to get informed and get involved—and this episode is a great place to start. Get curious about: How the US influences global incarceration The lie of the “hardened criminal” Restorative justice The challenges of reintegration after imprisonment Kim Malek is the CEO and Co-Founder, along with her cousin Tyler Malek, of Salt & Straw ice cream. Prior to launching Salt & Straw, Kim held positions at Starbucks Coffee, Yahoo!, Adidas and Gardenburger, specializing in marketing, community outreach, and product management and global innovation. Kim has been featured in Entrepreneur and Forbes, among many others. She has been recognized by Basic Rights Oregon as an Equality Advocate Honoree and has received the Portland Business Journal’s 2023 Executives of the Year award. Kim has also been named to Inc Magazine’s 100 Female Founders list of entrepreneurs, the Cherry Bombe 100 list featuring female leaders in the culinary space, and Nation’s Restaurant News’ Power List. Instagram - bit.ly/3Lrlne0 (http://bit.ly/3Lrlne0) Dr. Baz Dreisinger is the Founding Executive Director of Incarceration Nations Network (https://incarcerationnationsnetwork.org/), a global network that promotes prison reform and justice reimagining worldwide; a Professor at John Jay College of Criminal Justice, City University of New York; the founder of John Jay’s groundbreaking Prison-to-College Pipeline program; the author of the critically acclaimed book Incarceration Nations: A Journey to Justice in (https://www.amazon.com/Incarceration-Nations-Journey-Justice-Prisons/dp/1590518993) Prisons Around the World (https://www.amazon.com/Incarceration-Nations-Journey-Justice-Prisons/dp/1590518993), named a notable book for 2016 by the Washington Post; and the director of Incarceration Nations: A Global Docuseries (https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLaIlrEFTtPyuI6E1gbMBFrmAAfVHdAwHg). A 2018 Global Fulbright Scholar and current Fulbright Scholar Specialist, Dr. Baz speaks regularly about justice issues on international media and has also worked as a journalist, writing for The New York Times and National Public Radio (NPR). Instagram - http://bit.ly/4hGLbia (http://bit.ly/4hGLbia) 00:00 – Intro: Why does the U.S. lock up more people than any other nation 00:52 – Ice-cream & incarceration: A conversation on mass incarceration 04:04 – Human stories behind U.S. incarceration 06:15 – Meet Dr. Baz Dreisinger: Incarceration Nations Network 08:11 – “Why do we lock up our most precious resource?” Salt & Straw CEO questions prison system 08:38 – Mass incarceration explained 09:46 – 5% of the world’s population, 25% of the world’s prisoners: U.S. incarceration statistics 12:04 – Challenging the “hardened criminals” narrative 17:43 – Bipartisan potential: reforming criminal justice across political divides 18:48 – The American dream myth vs. the prison reality 19:28 – International reform models: Argentina, Norway, and the open-prison paradigm 22:35 – California’s college-in-prison programs 24:45 – Why lived experience matters in re-introduction 27:10 – Community integration vs. warehousing: open prisons & reintegration 28:24 – From sleeping in a doorway to leading at work: a story of fair-chance hiring 29:15 – Fair chance hiring in action: dismantling barriers for formerly incarcerated 30:07 – Trauma, discrimination & rebuilding lives, re-entry after incarceration 34:44 – Privilege, race & community: who gets to ignore mass incarceration? 36:24 – “Do you want a smart justice system or a stupid one?” redefining justice outcomes 38:48 – What survivors of harm really need 40:12 – “Tough on crime is soft on crime” and the case for humane reform 42:11 – Survivors’ voices & the healing power of community 46:22 – Ice-cream flavor and prison reform? Creative collaborations On Smart People Get Curious, hosted by Tania Zaparaniuk, high-profile guests get to nerd out with real experts in fields they’re fascinated by—but know nothing about. They ask their “dumb” questions, and listeners learn alongside them. It’s unscripted and refreshingly human.

7. 

   4 Nov 2025

   Most Replayed Moment: Can Consciousness Survive Death

   Have you ever wondered who you’ve been? Did you know there are signs that consciousness can survive death? Tune into this most replayed moment of the reincarnation episode of SPGC ft. MomsFirst founder Reshma Saujani and Dr. Jim Matlock. Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First, talks past lives with reincarnation researcher Dr. Jim Matlock. Those “impossible” stories you’ve heard about kids remembering who they were before? There’s more to it than you think. Get curious about: Kids’ past life memories Where we go between lives Karma What consciousness really is Reshma Saujani (https://www.reshmasaujani.com/) is the founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First, and the host of My So-Called Midlife with Lemonada Media. She is a New York Times bestselling author of several books including PAY UP, Brave, Not Perfect, and the Girls Who Code series. Her 2025 Harvey Mudd commencement speech on gender division and her 2023 Smith College speech on imposter syndrome have been viewed over 20 million times, and her TED talk, “Teach girls bravery, not perfection,” has over 54 million views globally. In 2010, Reshma was the first Indian American woman to run for U.S. Congress. Instagram: http://bit.ly/48PJ9Ks (http://bit.ly/48PJ9Ks) Dr. Jim Matlock (https://jamesgmatlock.com/), referred to us by the UVA Division of Perceptual Studies, has worked at the American Society for Psychical Research in New York City and at the Rhine Research Center in Durham, North Carolina. He is a Research Fellow at the Parapsychology Foundation in New York, focusing on the postmortem survival of consciousness and reincarnation. His books include I Saw a Light and Came Here: Children’s Experiences of Reincarnation, co-authored with Erlendur Haraldsson (2016), and Signs of Reincarnation: Exploring Beliefs, Cases, and Theory, which won a Best Book of the Year Award from the Parapsychological Association (2019). Jim teaches a 15-week graduate level seminar on reincarnation research and theory and leads an active Facebook group called Signs of Reincarnation. On Smart People Get Curious, hosted by Tania Zaparaniuk, high-profile guests get to nerd out with real experts in fields they’re fascinated by—but know nothing about. They ask their “dumb” questions, and listeners learn alongside them. It’s unscripted, surprising, and refreshingly human.

8. 

   28 Oct 2025

   Reincarnation with Reshma Saujani and Dr. Jim Matlock

   Have you ever wondered who you’ve been? Reshma Saujani, founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First, talks past lives with reincarnation researcher Dr. Jim Matlock. Those “impossible” stories you’ve heard about kids remembering who they were before? There’s more to it than you think. Get curious about: Kids’ past life memories Where we go between lives Karma What consciousness really is Reshma Saujani (https://www.reshmasaujani.com/) is the founder of Girls Who Code and Moms First, and the host of My So-Called Midlife with Lemonada Media. She is a New York Times bestselling author of several books including PAY UP, Brave, Not Perfect, and the Girls Who Code series. Her 2025 Harvey Mudd commencement speech on gender division and her 2023 Smith College speech on imposter syndrome have been viewed over 20 million times, and her TED talk, “Teach girls bravery, not perfection,” has over 54 million views globally. In 2010, Reshma was the first Indian American woman to run for U.S. Congress. Instagram: http://bit.ly/48PJ9Ks (http://bit.ly/48PJ9Ks) Dr. Jim Matlock (https://jamesgmatlock.com/), referred to us by the UVA Division of Perceptual Studies, has worked at the American Society for Psychical Research in New York City and at the Rhine Research Center in Durham, North Carolina. He is a Research Fellow at the Parapsychology Foundation in New York, focusing on the postmortem survival of consciousness and reincarnation. His books include I Saw a Light and Came Here: Children’s Experiences of Reincarnation, co-authored with Erlendur Haraldsson (2016), and Signs of Reincarnation: Exploring Beliefs, Cases, and Theory, which won a Best Book of the Year Award from the Parapsychological Association (2019). Jim teaches a 15-week graduate level seminar on reincarnation research and theory and leads an active Facebook group called Signs of Reincarnation. Timecodes: 00:00 – Introduction: Consciousness, Reincarnation & Why We’re Here 01:49 – Guest Intros: Reshma Saujani & Dr. Jim Matlock 04:22 – Why Reincarnation? Rashma’s Spiritual Path 06:52 – Research Focus: Children & Past-Life Memories 08:12 – Case Study: Indian Child Remembers Past Life 10:05 – Intermission: Can Memories Fade Over Time? 12:34 – Beyond Humans: Animals, Transmigration & Species 15:43 – Karma, Science & What the Data Shows 18:02 – Deja Vu vs Past-Life Memory 20:11 – Regional Patterns: Why We Reincarnate Nearby? 21:04 – Scar Evidence: Trauma, Birthmarks & Past Lives 23:00 – How to Communicate With the Departed? 25:26 – Consciousness Outside the Brain: New Paradigms 26:56 – Brain vs Consciousness: What’s the Interface? 27:43 – AI, Hybrids & the Future of Consciousness 29:26 – Reincarnation in Animals? Familiarity Beyond Breed 32:43 – Origins: When Did Reincarnation Begin? 34:12 – Evolution, Microorganisms & Evidence of Memory 36:15 – Humans, Animals & The Bigger Picture of Life 37:11 – Listener Question: “Have I Lived Before?” 38:41 – Historical Trigger: The Search for Bridey Murphy 40:32 – Books & Further Reading: Explore the Field 41:57 – Wrap Up: Stay Curious, Subscribe & Share On Smart People Get Curious, hosted by Tania Zaparaniuk, high-profile guests get to nerd out with real experts in fields they’re fascinated by—but know nothing about. They ask their “dumb” questions, and listeners learn alongside them. It’s unscripted, surprising, and refreshingly human.

9. 

   14 Oct 2025

   Obama’s Speechwriter Meets a Master Whisky Blender

   A former Obama White House speech writer and a Scotch whisky master blender walk into a podcast. Speech writer and messaging strategist Sarada Peri talks to Johnnie Walker Master Blender Emma Walker (no relation) about how Scotch whisky is made, the art of building a whisky flavor profile, and what Scotch pairs best with Indian food. Get curious about: What “single malt” means, and what separates grain whisky from malt whisky The chemistry of flavor How to innovate while staying true to a legacy brand Trends and biases in the whisky industry The best ways to enjoy Scotch whisky (spoiler: it’s ok to add water) Guest Info: Sarada Peri is a speechwriter and messaging strategist who has advised CEOs, nonprofit leaders, philanthropists, celebrities, and President Barack Obama. She runs Peri Communications, where she partners with leaders on message development, speeches, presentation training, crisis communications, and strategy. Johnnie Walker Master Blender Emma Walker has spent more than a decade working with the small team of 12 expert whisky makers at Diageo. She holds a PHD in chemistry from the University of Sheffield. Chapter Codes: 00:00 – Meet Obama’s Speechwriter, Sarada Peri 01:00 – The Curiosity Premise 01:40 – Meet Johnnie Walker’s First Female Master Blender: Dr. Emma Walker 03:20 – Why Scotch Whisky? 05:00 – Complicated Relationship with Scotch 06:30 – Peaty Scotch vs. Single Malts Explained 09:00 – Blended vs Single Malt Scotch 11:50 – The Science of Whisky Flavour 15:00 – Secrets of Different Whisky Blends 18:00 – Balancing Whiskey Tradition with Innovation 21:30 – Whisky Trends in 2025 24:00 – Emma’s Journey into Whisky 30:00 – How to Taste Whiskey Like a Pro 33:30 – Water, Ice, & Cocktails 35:30 – The Best Whisky & Food Pairing 39:00 – Whisky as a Legacy 42:00 – Fun Whisky Facts 47:00 – Music & Whiskey Culture 50:00 – Women in Whisky 54:00 – Whisky Is for Everyone 56:00 – Outro On Smart People Get Curious, hosted by Tania Zaparaniuk, high-profile guests get to nerd out with real experts in fields they’re fascinated by—but know nothing about. They ask their “dumb” questions, and listeners learn alongside them. It’s unscripted, surprising, and refreshingly human. Learn more about Emma via the Diageo Bar Academy: http://bit.ly/45MGvTE

10. 

    3 Oct 2025

    Most Replayed Moment: Time Moves Differently at Altitude

    Is there such a thing as nothing? What is our universe expanding into? And, most importantly, will Tania and Charlotte get through this episode without having panic attacks? In this most watched moment, Dr. O takes us through how time moves differently at altitude. Listen to the full episode here! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/46pV115vWmLsljuf8pzDUY?si=d4f36630a9454de7

11. 

    30 Sept 2025

    From Sex Chocolate to the Cosmos: Alice Mushrooms Meets a NASA Astrophysicist

    Is there such a thing as nothing? What is our universe expanding into? And, most importantly, will Tania and Charlotte get through this episode without having panic attacks? Charlotte Cruze, co-founder and COO of Alice Mushrooms, talks to award-winning NASA astrophysicist and cosmologist Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi about the big questions of space, time, spacetime, and the cosmos. Get curious about: The Higgs boson particle How gravity and energy affect time Why “matter can’t be created or destroyed” isn’t actually true The birth of the universe The relationship between physics and mysticism Guest info Charlotte is the co-founder and COO of Alice Mushrooms (http://alicemushrooms.com), a wellness brand known for its functional mushroom chocolates for sleep, energy, and intimacy. Alice Mushrooms been named one of Fast Company’s Most Innovative Companies in Health. Charlotte was also recognized as one of Inc.’s Female Founders to Watch. Charlotte’s Instagram - http://bit.ly/4mGPc7C (http://bit.ly/4mGPc7C) Alice Mushrooms Instagram - http://bit.ly/45ywzf4 (http://bit.ly/45ywzf4) Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi holds a PhD in Physics from Stanford University. He is an award-winning journalist, educator, speaker, and author whose research has appeared in over 100 scientific publications. Hakeem's X: @HakeemOluseyi (https://x.com/HakeemOluseyi) Learn about Hakeem’s work as the CEO of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific at astrosociety.org (http://astrosociety.org). Listen to Hakeem on the Does It Fly? and Particles of Thought podcasts. Read Hakeem’s award-winning memoir, A Quantum Life, available in both Adult and YA versions. His latest book, Why Do We Exist? The Nine Realms of the Universe That Make You Possible, is available for preorder here (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1984819127?ref=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_2M1NCZS8TSWBZEP7VD6G_1&ref_=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_2M1NCZS8TSWBZEP7VD6G_1&social_share=cm_sw_r_ffobk_cp_ud_dp_2M1NCZS8TSWBZEP7VD6G_1&bestFormat=true). On Smart People Get Curious, hosted by Tania Zaparaniuk, high-profile guests get to nerd out with real experts in fields they’re fascinated by—but know nothing about. They ask their “dumb” questions, and listeners learn alongside them. It’s unscripted, surprising, and refreshingly human. 00:00 – Cordyceps mushrooms & “sex chocolate” 01:40 – Why time moves differently on Earth vs. in space 02:50 – Meet Dr. Hakeem Oluseyi (NASA astrophysicist, TEDx speaker, author) 05:00 – Childhood panic attacks about infinity 06:50 – Do we ever reach “nothingness”? 08:30 – Higgs boson & quantum fields explained 13:00 – Is time fundamental or emergent? 18:00 – The myth of conservation of energy 21:20 – Learning physics changes how you see the world 23:45 – Black holes, life in the universe, and time travel questions 28:00 – What lies outside our universe? 31:00 – Mysticism, intuition & unexplained phenomena 37:00 – Ancestors whispering answers — inspiration or science? 42:00 – Anti-aging, Everest & relativity 46:20 – Will we find life beyond Earth? 49:40 – Earth’s ancient mushroom forests 51:40 – Alice Mushrooms’ mission & products 52:40 – Dr. O’s work, memoir, and new projects

12. 

    23 Sept 2025

    Introducing Smart People Get Curious.

    The teaser. The trailer. The show is finally here! Introducing Smart People Get Curious, hosted by Tania Zaparaniuk. Brilliant people-CEOs, entrepreneurs, artists - are often known for one big thing. But behind the headlines, they're just as curious as the rest of us. What internet rabbit holes, childhood fascinations, or weird obsessions keep them up at night? In each episode, a high-profile guest gets to nerd out with a real expert in a field they're fascinated by - but know nothing about. They ask al their "dumb" questions, and listeners get to learn alongside them. It's unscripted, surprising, and refreshingly human.

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