Microbiologist Anne Madden, cognitive scientist Lera Boroditsky, former educator YeYoon Kim, and former industrial engineer and Zen Buddhist monk Bart Weetjens discuss the surprising strength of all things minuscule and fleeting. Topics include the presence of microorganisms on our faces, the impact of COVID on our understanding of microbes, the influence of language on perception and cognition, the power of independence, and the use of rats to clear landmines and detect tuberculosis.