Science & Technology

The future is in good hands with these innovators, and these stories of inventions, technology, and scientific ingenuity are changing not only the way we see the world, but also the world itself.

Image: One of the mushroom slabs that is cut to create mushroom bacon.

Mushrooms Could Start Replacing Leather, Bacon, and Styrofoam in the Next 5 Years

Have you ever tasted bacon made of fungi? Received a package cushioned by mushrooms? My guess is not yet… but probably soon! New York-based company Ecovative has created an alternative to plastic, which can save water, time, money, and the planet, too!

Image: Star Trek star Nichelle Nichols, whose work on the show grew to a diversity campaign within NASA

Boldly Going Where No Black Woman Had Gone Before: How Star Trek Changed NASA

Star Trek's Nichelle Nichols (Lieutenant Uhura) changed far more than the television game. As one of the only black women on the small screen at the time and with words of encouragement from Martin Luther King Jr., this champion for diversity changed not only the history of science fiction, but the history of space exploration. Her work became undeniable proof that if you can see it, you can be it.

Image: Two boys dressed as their favorite superheroes.

This App Lets Kids With Hearing Loss Enjoy Movies

This caring high school senior is improving accessibility for youngsters with hearing loss by creating an app that translates Disney movies into sign language.

Image: The Green Bank Observatory Telescope in the town with no WiFi

The Town with No Wi-Fi: Connecting With Others By Leaving Your Phone Behind

How could it be that a town with no Wi-Fi is more connected than the rest of us? Join us on a trip to West Virginia, where this tiny town is thriving without technology.

Are Automatons the Ancestors of Google? How Finding Inspiration in the Past Improves the Future

What can we learn from a mechanical humanoid that mesmerized people hundreds of years ago? Let’s see what the future can gain from peering into the past, at phenomenons known as automata.

The Magical Music of Trees: Artist Transforms Biology Into Song

Yes, trees sing! A special technology lets you hear this magical song. An artist is harnessing this technology to connect people with nature in an ethereal concert, increasing respect and awareness for majestic trees.

Is Happiness Just for Humans? Why Machines Should Love with Mo Gawdat (Episode #56)

Mo Gawdat, former Chief Business Officer of Google X, tells us that we can teach machines to work with remarkable Happiness, Love, and Compassion! And here’s why that could be really good news: Mo describes a possible future where Artificial Intelligence can amplify these three impulses a billion times over! In this episode, he shares with us exactly how to get there.

World’s First Underwater Farm is Growing Fruits and Vegetables

Nemo's Garden is not your typical farm. That's because this unique agricultural enterprise is located under the sea just off the coast of Italy. And the unique biosphere is teaching us tons about the future of sustainable agriculture.

Image: A senior couple standing in a field of yellow flowers, smiling at the camera.

This 81 Year Old Learned to Code to Create an App for Seniors

You're never too old to learn or try something new. Not ever. If you need proof, take a look at 81 year-old Masako Wakamiya, who after never touching a computer until she was 58, coded an entire app to help seniors in her community stay connected and live more fulfilling lives.

Image: A collection of three of Rosemary Mosco's comics

The Key to Learning? Make it Fun! Nature Comics with Rosemary Mosco

From ants with two butts to the weird and wonderful world of bird mating dances, there’s a lot of strange things going on in the natural world. This cartoonist is on a mission to make science approachable using a new medium: comics.

Cultivating Empathy For Our Planet: A Message From Space with MaryLiz Bender

During this intimate discussion we’ll also dive into the harrowing journey that took MaryLiz from the remote hills of Missouri all the way to Martian lava tubes and active launchpads.

Going Viral: An Environmental Activists Story with Nathan Robinson

In order to achieve more fulfillment, happiness and impact with our lives and careers, we need to first understand ourselves. The first step to any meaningful achievement is discovering core values.

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