
Breaking Math Podcast
Hosted by Gabriel Hesch and Autumn Phaneuf, who have advanced degrees in electrical engineering and industrial engineering/operations research respectively, come together to discuss mathematics as a pure field all in its own as well as how it describes the language of science, engineering, and even creativity. Breaking Math brings you the absolute best in interdisciplinary science discussions - bringing together experts in varying fields including artificial intelligence, neuroscience, evolutionary biology, physics, chemistry and materials-science, and more - to discuss where humanity is headed.website: breakingmath.io linktree: linktree.com/breakingmathmediaemail: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com
Latest episodes

Aug 16, 2024 • 12min
The Black Hole Heist
Surprise! It's a Friday episode for you! Yes, yes it is a rerun, but we wanted to share it anyways. We can't wait for our fall lineup because it's packed with surprises. See you back on Tuesday. Keywords: Black holes, gravity, universe, physics, ai, machine learning, education, statistics, engineering, humanitySubscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of Breaking Math for as little as a buck a monthFollow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Website, YouTube, TikTokFollow Autumn on Twitter and InstagramFollow Gabe on Twitter.Become a guest hereemail: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com

Aug 13, 2024 • 1h 18min
Black Holes: The Abyss Part 3
It's the last week of our summer break and we have 2 episodes this week for you as a little treat. So check out our show on Friday too for a little bit more fun. We can't wait for our fall lineup because it's packed with surprises. If you have not listened to the last two episodes, then we'd highly recommend going back and listening to those. We're choosing to present this information this way because otherwise we'd waste most of your time re-explaining concepts we've already covered.Black holes are so bizarre when we measured against the yardstick of the mundanity of our day to day lives that they inspire fear, awe, and controversy. In this last episode of the Abyss series, we will look at some more cutting-edge problems and paradoxes surrounding black holes. So how are black holes and entanglement related? What is the holographic principle? And what is the future of black holes?Keywords: Black holes, gravity, universe, physics, ai, machine learning, education, statistics, engineering, humanitySubscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of Breaking Math for as little as a buck a monthFollow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Website, YouTube, TikTokFollow Autumn on Twitter and InstagramFollow Gabe on Twitter.Become a guest hereemail: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com

Aug 6, 2024 • 56min
Black Holes: The Abyss Part 2
Happy Summer! We have another week of our summer break after this episode from 2018. We will be back shortly with more content and surprises! Black holes are objects that seem exotic to us because they have properties that boggle our comparatively mild-mannered minds. These are objects that light cannot escape from, yet glow with the energy they have captured until they evaporate out all of their mass. They thus have temperature, but Einstein's general theory of relativity predicts a paradoxically smooth form. And perhaps most mind-boggling of all, it seems at first glance that they have the ability to erase information. So what is black hole thermodynamics? How does it interact with the fabric of space? And what are virtual particles?Keywords: Black holes, gravity, universe, physics, ai, machine learning, education, statistics, engineering, humanitySubscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of Breaking Math for as little as a buck a monthFollow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Website, YouTube, TikTokFollow Autumn on Twitter and InstagramFollow Gabe on Twitter.Become a guest hereemail: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com

Jul 30, 2024 • 53min
Black Holes: The Abyss Part 1
Happy Summer! Check out part one of our three part series on black holes from 2018. Enjoy! The idea of something that is inescapable, at first glance, seems to violate our sense of freedom. This sense of freedom, for many, seems so intrinsic to our way of seeing the universe that it seems as though such an idea would only beget horror in the human mind. And black holes, being objects from which not even light can escape, for many do beget that same existential horror. But these objects are not exotic: they form regularly in our universe, and their role in the intricate web of existence that is our universe is as valid as the laws that result in our own humanity. So what are black holes? How can they have information? And how does this relate to the edge of the universe?Keywords: Black holes, gravity, universe, physics, ai, machine learning, education, statistics, engineering, humanitySubscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of Breaking Math for as little as a buck a monthFollow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Website, YouTube, TikTokFollow Autumn on Twitter and InstagramFollow Gabe on Twitter.Become a guest hereemail: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com

Jul 23, 2024 • 12min
What are Journal Rankings? The basics: a minisode.
In this minisode, Autumn explores the basics in the world of journal rankings and metrics. She discusses the importance of journal rankings and how they are determined, focusing on metrics like impact factor, mathematical citation quotient (MCQ), and publication power approach (PPA). She explains how these metrics provide insights into a journal's influence and performance, but also emphasizes the need for a comprehensive evaluation of research beyond just metrics.Keywords: journal rankings, journal metrics, impact factor, mathematical citation quotient, publication power approach, research evaluation, math, physics, ai, machine learning, education, publishing, academic journalsSubscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of Breaking Math for as little as a buck a monthFollow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Website, YouTube, TikTokFollow Autumn on Twitter and InstagramFollow Gabe on Twitter.Become a guest hereemail: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com

Jul 16, 2024 • 40min
Why Machines Learn: The Math Behind AI
Anil Ananthaswamy, an esteemed author and science writer, delves into the beautiful intersection of mathematics and machine learning. He discusses his book, highlighting how storytelling and history can illuminate complex concepts. The conversation covers the evolution of key algorithms like neural networks and support vector machines, emphasizing the backpropagation algorithm's role in AI. Anil stresses the importance of societal understanding as a gatekeeper for AI, making a compelling case for why embracing the math behind machine learning matters.

Jul 9, 2024 • 1h 2min
The Intersection of Mathematics and Democracy
This discussion Autumn and Gabe delves into Ismar Volic's personal background and inspiration for writing the book, “Making Democracy Count” as well as the practical and theoretical aspects of voting systems. Additionally, the conversation explores the application of voting systems to everyday decision-making and the use of topological data analysis in understanding societal polarization. The conversation covers a wide range of topics, including data visualization, gerrymandering, electoral systems, and the intersection of mathematics and democracy. Volic, shares insights on the practical implications of implementing mathematical improvements in electoral systems and the legal and constitutional hurdles that may arise. He also discusses the importance of educating oneself about the quantitative underpinnings of democracy and the need for interdisciplinary discussions that bridge mathematics and politics.Keywords: math podcast, creativity, mascot, background, Matlab, ranked choice voting, elections, author's background, inspiration, voting systems, topological data analysis, societal polarization, mathematics, democracy, data visualization, gerrymandering, electoral systems, interdisciplinary discussions, practical implications, legal hurdles, constitutional considerationsYou can find Ismar Volic on Twitter and LinkedIn @ismarvolic. Please go check out the Institute for Mathematics and Democracy and Volic’s new book “Making Democracy Count”Subscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of Breaking Math for as little as a buck a monthFollow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Website, YouTube, TikTokFollow Autumn on Twitter and InstagramFollow Gabe on Twitter.Become a guest hereemail: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com

Jul 2, 2024 • 48min
Math Lounge: Celebrating 101 Episodes
In this conversation, Gabe and Autumn celebrate the 101st episode of Breaking Math and discuss the evolution of the podcast. They highlight the importance of creativity in teaching mathematics and share their plans to expand Breaking Math into Breaking Math Media. They also discuss the history of physics and the big questions that inform the podcast. The hosts express their desire to collaborate with listeners and explore practical applications of math in different fields. They also mention books like 'A Quantum Story' and 'Incomplete Nature' that delve into the mysteries of quantum mechanics and consciousness. The hosts highlight the unique and creative nature of their podcast, inviting listeners to join them in the Math Lounge, a metaphorical nightclub where math and creativity intersect.Keywords: Breaking Math, podcast, creativity, mathematics, Breaking Math Media, physics, history, quantum mechanics, book discussion, double-slit experiment, quantum mechanics, interdisciplinary discussions, machine learning, neuroscience, gamification of math, collaboration, practical applications, consciousness, Math LoungeSubscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of Breaking Math for as little as a buck a monthFollow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Website, YouTubeFollow Autumn on Twitter and InstagramFollow Gabe on Twitter.email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com

Jun 18, 2024 • 20min
Minisode: Absolutely Nothing
In this episode of Breaking Math, Autumn and Gabe explore the concept of nothingness and its significance in various fields. They discuss the philosophical, scientific, mathematical, and literary aspects of nothingness, highlighting its role in understanding reality and existence. They mention books like 'Incomplete Nature' by Terence Deacon and 'Zero: The Biography of a Dangerous Idea' by Charles Seife, which delve into the concept of absence and zero. The episode concludes by emphasizing the complexity and versatility of nothingness, inviting listeners to think deeper about its implications.Keywords: nothingness, philosophy, science, mathematics, literature, reality, existence, absence, zeroSubscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of Breaking Math for as little as a buck a monthFollow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, WebsiteFollow Autumn on Twitter and InstagramFollow Gabe on Twitter.Have suggestions or want to come on the show? Fill out the form here.email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.com

May 28, 2024 • 34min
Can We Survive on Mars? Hot Tips with Zach Weinersmith (Part 2)
In this conversation, Autumn Phaneuf interviews Zach Weinersmith, a cartoonist and writer, about the feasibility and implications of space settlement. They discuss the challenges and misconceptions surrounding space colonization, including the idea that it will make us rich, mitigate war, and make us wiser. They explore the potential of the moon and Mars as settlement options, as well as the concept of rotating space stations. They also touch on the physiological effects of space travel and the need for further research in areas such as reproduction and ecosystem design. The conversation explores the challenges and implications of human settlement in space. It discusses the lack of data on the long-term effects of space travel on the human body, particularly for women. The conversation also delves into the need for a closed-loop ecosystem for sustainable space settlement and the legal framework surrounding space exploration and resource extraction. The main takeaways include the importance of addressing reproductive and medical challenges, the need for a better legal regime, and the debunking of misconceptions about space settlement.Follow Zach Weinersmith on his website and TwitterSubscribe to Breaking Math wherever you get your podcasts.Become a patron of Breaking Math for as little as a buck a monthFollow Breaking Math on Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, WebsiteFollow Autumn on Twitter and InstagramFolllow Gabe on Twitter.Have suggestions or want to come on the show? Fill out the form here. email: breakingmathpodcast@gmail.comA City on Mars, Keywords space settlement, feasibility, challenges, misconceptions, moon, Mars, rotating space stations, reproduction, ecosystem design, space settlement, human reproduction, closed-loop ecosystem, space law, resource extraction, logistics, math.