Physics Myths Busted: 5G, Airplane Toilets, and Cats with Toast
A few weeks ago, we had the amazing physicist, science writer, and communicator Laurie Winkless on the podcast. She was so great, one episode wasn’t enough... so she’s back to do some mythbusting!In this episode we talk about:If glass is really a liquidA bunch of physics myths that have been debunkedWhat 5G actually is and whether 5G towers kill or control peopleHow microwaves work and if they are safeWhether you can use your mobile phone at petrol stationsIf you really need to turn off your phone on a planeWhether a plane toilet could suck your innards out (yes, really)If you are safe in a car during a lightning stormWhat would happen if you dropped a coin from a building... would it slice through someone?And even what happens if you stick toast to a catQuotes from the episode:“People want simple answers, and the reality is that few things are simple.”“The less you know, the more arrogant you are about the little bit you know.”More about LaurieFind her via her website or on social media.You can get involved with the podcast online too of course.Find our full podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallgreenYou can follow me on socials on the below accounts.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/
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Animals you hate that are actually awesome - with Bethany Brookshire (Part 2)
Welcome back to Part 2 of a fascinating kōrero with science journalist and author Bethany Brookshire. This one gets a smidge more controversial...We talk about the animals we hate because they’re successful (looking at you, pigeons), the cultural weirdness of how we define pets vs pests, and how control - or our lack of it - shapes our relationship with the natural world. Plus, there's a story involving Burmese pythons and a pair of trousers (you’ve been warned) and yes, we talk about cats in Aotearoa. In this episode we cover: The rise and fall of the humble pigeon - and why we hate them nowCats and conservation in New Zealand (yes, it’s a problem)Pets vs pests - what’s really the difference?Why “invasive species” is more about us than the animalsThe real reason we hate common animalsEmpathy, ethics, and ice cream trucks on every cornerAnd the man who hiked pantless through the Everglades with snakes in his trousersFor more about Bethany find her via her website And don’t forget to head to our Instagram for a chance to win her book Pests: How Humans Create Animal VillainsYou can get involved with the podcast online too of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallgreenYou can follow me on socials on the below accounts.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/
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Animals you hate that are actually awesome - with Bethany Brookshire
You know when you see someone on social media and you just KNOW they'll be amazing to chat to? Well, that's Bethany Brookshire for you. Bethany is a science journalist, animal behaviorist and author who writes about the animals most people hate. Rats, cockroaches, spiders, pigeons... And how our feelings about them are mostly cultural, not scientific.We talked about where fear and disgust come from and how cute a mouse eating a fruit loop is. Also, how US science funding is collapsing and how bad that's going to be long term, why postgrad burnout is real, and how she wrote a brilliant book.Part two gets a little more controversial, as we talk cats in Aotearoa. What we cover:Bethany’s journey from academic to science journalist.Fear and disgust; how we learn what animals to hate.Rats, lab mice, cockroaches, snakes, spiders… and Fruit Loops.The collapse of US science funding and what that means long term.Quotes from Bethany:“I always tell people my life is an entire story of failing upwards. Or at least failing sideways.”“There is a feeling of disgust and fear around animals like spiders and snakes that we think is evolutionary. It’s not.”“Startlement can become joy, or it can become fear. It depends who’s around you when it happens.”“I have the self-confidence of a mediocre white man.”“Giving a mouse a Froot Loop is like watching a human try to eat a car tyre.”You can find more about Bethany at https://bethanybrookshire.com/.
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How to tell science stories that make people care, with physicist Laurie Winkless.
Today's guest is Laurie Winkless. She's a physicist, a science writer and she's the only person I know who's actually made writing about friction interesting. You could say she's a science friction writer...She’s appeared everywhere from Forbes to Wired to BBC, and she has written two books. Oh and she won a scholarship to do some training at NASA. As you do.I am very excited to talk about her transition from scientist to science communication and why she thinks that's so important.In this episode she shares:- Her background and how she got into physics- What actually is a PhD and if she'll ever get one- What science communication is, how she got into it and why we need more people in it- Why she brings creativity into her job and why sexism prevented her from doing it earlier- Her (brilliant) books and what you should know about them- How she wrote her first book- Her very interesting favourite friction fact.- One science myth that she wishes would die- What shark inspired swim suits are and why they help swimmingKey Quotes“Most of the noise that we hear on the roads is not actually from the engines it’s from the interaction between the tyre and the tarmac.”“So much of the universe is defined by the interaction between surfaces.”“I think sometimes people are afraid to be a bit weird.”More about LaurieFind her via her website or on social media.And don’t forget to head to our Instagram for a chance to win one of her signed books.You can get involved with the podcast online too of course. Find our full podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatwhatsicall.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallgreenYou can follow me on socials on the below accounts.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwest Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/
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Politics and Positivity with Dave Richards
I wanted to talk about politics and combating polarising opinions… but I didn’t want to get dark about it.So, to help, I’ve called in my friend and optimism security blanket, Dave Richards. He’s one of those people who has realistic but optimistic insight into the world. He’s lived all over the world, has a deep cultural understanding, and just makes me feel better about the state of things.So I thought I’d have him join me for a bit of a wide-ranging, mostly optimistic chat about the state of the world.In this episode we talk about: The importance of maintaining optimism amid global and local challengesWhy politics often seems theatrical, but politicians may genuinely care about making changeThe fact that environmental progress over decades shows improvement, even if it’s hard to see in the short termThe significance of media literacy, critical thinking, and recognising manufactured divides and misinformationThe potential of podcasts and open dialogue to foster understanding across political and ideological linesWhy we should meet people where they are, find common ground, and avoid polarisationThe myth of political and societal "us vs them" dividesThe importance of science-based policies and genuine conversations, even with those holding opposing viewsHow media, algorithms, and social platforms influence polarisation and radicalisationIf you want to check out Dave’s incredible photography head along to his Instagram. Giveaway! This week, I'm giving away copies of Talking Across the Divide, by Justin Lee. It’s a brilliant read on how to actually talk to people you disagree with - something we all probably need a bit more of. Join me over on Instagram to enter.Find our full podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatswhaticall.com/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nowthatswhaticallgreen/You can follow me on socials on the below accounts.Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/briannemwest/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@briannemwestLinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/briannemwest/For our latest big project, find out more about Incrediballs here: https://incrediballs.com/
Join Brianne West, environmentalist and social entrepreneur, as she wanders through the world of 'sustainability'. "Now, That's What I Call Green" busts myths, shares the science, and talks about the amazing world we live in (with lots of cute animals). Does rewilding help? But what can I do? Are electric cars better? Is it too late to do something about climate change? Why don't sharks have bones? For those curious about the environment and eager to make a difference, tune in for a non-judgmental, evidence-based approach that is all about progress over perfection.
New Zealand