Lulu Miller

This week, we flip the Disney story of life on its head thanks to a barrel of seawater, a 1970s era computer, and underwater geysers. It’s the chaos of life. Latif, Lulu, and our Senior Producer Matt Kielty were all sitting on their own little stories until they got thrown into the studio, and had their cherished beliefs about the shape of life put on a collision course. From an accidental study of sea creatures, to the ambitions of Stephen J Gould, to an undercooked theory that captured the world’s imagination, we undo the seeming order of the living world and try to make some music out of the wreckage. (Bonus: Learn how Francis Crick really thought life got started on this planet). This episode was reported by Latif Nasser, Matt Kielty, Heather Radke, Lulu Miller and Candice Wang. It was produced by Matt Kielty and Simon Adler. Sound and music from Matt Kielty, Simon Adler, and Jeremy Bloom, and dialogue mix by Arianne Wack.Special thanks to Alan and Alida Goffinski for giving our chaos musical life in the song at the end of the episode. Radiolab is on YouTube! Catch up with new episodes and hear classics from our archive. Plus, find other cool things we did in the past — like miniseries, music videos, short films and animations, behind-the-scenes features, Radiolab live shows, and more. Take a look, explore and subscribe! Support Radiolab by becoming a member of The Lab today.  Citations in this episodeScientific Papers:Elisa Beninca, Reinhard Heerkloss, et al, “Chaos in a long-term experiment with a plankton community” Nature (2008)Hendrik Schubert, Reinhard Heerkloss, et al, “Chaos theory discloses triggers and drivers of plankton dynamics in a stable environment” Scientific Reports (2019) Books:Nick Lane, The Vital Question: Energy, Evolution, and the Origins of Complex LifeFrancis Crick, Life Itself: Its Origin and NatureStephen Jay Gould: Full House: The Spread of Excellence from Plato to Darwin, and The Mismeasure of ManDavid M. Raup, Extinction: Bad Genes or Bad Luck?David Sepkoski, Rereading the Fossil Record: The Growth of Paleobiology as an Evolutionary Discipline  

Lulu Miller, an award-winning NPR science reporter and co-host of Radiolab, dives into the intriguing world of coyotes. She explores their historical role in American culture, revealing the complex relationship humans share with these adaptable canines. The podcast highlights the enchanting sounds of nature, drawing parallels between coyote behavior and urban life. Themes of resilience shine through, encouraging listeners to embrace adaptability in both wildlife and human experiences. Expect a thoughtful reflection on coexistence and our connection to nature.

Fly with us, lesbian seagull. This week Radiolab’s Lulu Miller brings us a story of queer nature and scientists in denial, featuring seagulls, penguins, rams, swans, dolphins, and—maybe the gayest animal of all—humans. To learn more about the seagulls, and hear much more of Lulu’s story, check out Radiolab’s amazing new episode. You can find Lulu on Twitter here. Support You're Wrong About:Bonus Episodes on PatreonBuy cute merchWhere else to find us:Sarah's other show, You Are Good[YWA co-founder] Mike's other show, Maintenance PhaseLinks:https://radiolab.org/podcast/seagullshttp://patreon.com/yourewrongabouthttps://www.teepublic.com/stores/youre-wrong-abouthttps://www.paypal.com/paypalme/yourewrongaboutpodhttps://www.podpage.com/you-are-goodhttp://maintenancephase.comSupport the show

Lulu Miller, a Peabody Award-winning journalist and co-host of Radiolab, delves into the intersection of science and storytelling. She shares her personal journey from woodworking to radio, highlighting how creative pursuits shape her narrative style. The discussion explores the complex legacy of taxonomists and the chaos of nature, emphasizing the importance of diversity. Miller also reflects on her decision to pursue a creative writing MFA amid personal challenges, capturing the essence of vulnerability and growth in her work.

Author and journalist Lulu Miller discusses navigating tasks with ADHD, artistic journey in pursuit of identity, reflecting on personal struggles, embracing self and ADHD diagnosis, and expressing gratitude for support in creation.