Unfold

About Unfold

Unfold, a UC Davis podcast about science, innovation and discovery, unfolded through storytelling. We make complex topics relatable and reveal answers to questions you’ve always been curious about. Each episode takes you into the field with leading researchers who are working to tackle big picture problems – like how we’re going to feed a growing population, adapt to climate change and improve the health of people, animals and the planet. Hosted by public radio veteran Amy Quinton. Co-hosted by Kat Kerlin and Marianne Russ Sharp. Sponsor free. Learn more at ucdavis.edu/unfold.

Publisher

UC Davis

Category

science

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

8 Aug 2019

Latest episode

26 May 2026

Latest episodes

2 of 68 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   26 May 2026TRANSCRIPT

   The Fires that Changed Fire Science

   UC Davis scientists Alessandro Ossola and Michael Kleeman, and UC Agriculture and Natural Resources advisor Chris Shogren, explore how recent wildfires are reshaping fire science and its environmental impacts in this interview.

2. 

   14 Apr 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Where Science Meets the Herd

   What does the world look like to a cow and why do goats spook so easily? New tools are helping people experience how livestock perceive and respond to their surroundings—leading to safer, lower-stress handling for animals and the people who raise them. UC Davis researchers and veterinarians are bringing these tools to ranchers and others, showing how understanding animal behavior improves welfare in real-world settings. In this episode of Unfold, we explore where science meets the herd. In this episode: Cassandra Tucker, professor with the UC Davis animal science department and co-founder of Kinder Ground Fauna Smith, assistant professor of livestock herd health and reproduction, UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine Thandi Nixon, third-year veterinary student at UC Davis Weill School of Veterinary Medicine Temple Grandin, professor of animal science, Colorado State University Jen Walker, co-founder of Kinder Ground and herd health veterinarian Nathan Medlar, owner, NM Ranch Ashlynn Kirk, program manager for the Humane Handling Institute at the University of Wisconsin—River Falls Want to see what it looks like through the eyes of a cow?

3. 

   25 Nov 2025

   Sip Happens: What’s Behind Wine’s Decline

   This holiday season, that glass of wine on your table comes with a surprising backstory. Global wine consumption is down. And the reasons are far more complicated than you might expect. The industry is facing a convergence of challenges unlike anything in recent memory. In this episode of Unfold, UC Davis experts unpack what’s behind the trend, what it means for growers, and whether wine’s place on the holiday table is changing. In this episode: Daniel Sumner, agricultural economist with the UC Davis Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics Ben Montpetit, microbiologist and chair of the UC Davis Department of Viticulture and Enology Learn more about UC Davis wine sales at Hilgard631.org

Inside a recent episode

The Fires that Changed Fire Science

Published 26 May 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] But as Alessandro told me, everyone should care about trees. Plants and trees are providing, you know, many, many benefits. Shade, they are providing cooling benefits, they are providing benefits in terms of your mental well-being and your, you know, general health. So we need to strike a balance between having a landscape that is green enough, but also safe, so communities, you know, they can be fire resilient for the future. Alessandro is also running experiments to learn which plants are highly flammable and which ones might help slow a fire. It's all important information to know with a changing climate. […]

Who has been a guest on Unfold

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Alessandro Ossola
• Chris Shogren
• Michael Kleeman

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.9 / 5

50 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

3 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 27 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

20

Social presence

0

YouTube

0

Engagement

85

Contact Unfold

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Unfold