The Most Important Question

Let’s say you get sick. Diabetes. Cancer. Heart disease. Long COVID. PTSD. MS. Depression. Alzheimer’sDespite the best efforts of your physician, nothing’s working. They’re out of answers, and you’re out of questions. You might both be increasingly out of time. Where do you turn?There must be someone, somewhere, working on your problem. Working to better understand it, at least, maybe to treat it, maybe cure it, or prevent it for the next person who might be susceptible to getting it. How do you find out if they exist? And if they do, how do you find them? How could you volunteer for their work, knowing they might not have the answers – but knowing you won’t know and they won’t know – until you try?For almost twenty-five years the best answer has been to visit a government-run website called clinical trials dot gov. I know because I’ve sent tens of thousands of people to it, for help. But even if you are able to sort through a Windows 95-era database and find the trial that’s right for you – what if it’s hundreds of miles away?So many of us could benefit from better awareness and better access to cutting-edge research that could save the lives of people we love. And so many researchers are frustrated by the inability to sign people like you, your daughter, or your dad up for their trial.It’s 2022. We can Do Better Better.My guest today is Brandon Li.Brandon is the co-founder of Power, the new and arguably most patient-friendly platform for clinical trials ever made. Brandon and his team are making it easy for all patients to use Power to discover promising clinical trials and get in touch with the researchers – directly.My mission is outcome-based – to connect you with the most measurable ways to take action, feel better, and drive systemic change. There’s so much we can do to rebuild public health, to do the basic shit we need to do to take care of one another. But simultaneously, by increasing the success of vastly more inclusive clinical trials, we can accomplish all of those goals at the same time.-----------Have feedback or questions? Tweet us, or send a message to questions@importantnotimportant.comNew here? Get started with our fan favorite episodes at importantnotimportant.com/podcast.-----------INI Book Club:Open: An Autobiography by Andres AgassiFind all of our guest recommendations at the INI Book Club: https://bookshop.org/lists/important-not-important-book-clubLinks:Find a clinical trial near you with PowerFollow Brandon on TwitterAre you a PI, sponsor, or CRO looking to work with Power? Connect with Brandon.Factcheck:The following stat from the episode: "self-directed research into clinical trials has grown 22X in the last seven years" was determined using the web analytics tool, ahrefs.Follow us:Subscribe to our newsletter at newsletter.importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ImportantNotImpFollow Quinn: twitter.com/quinnemmettEdited by Anthony LucianiProduced by Willow BeckIntro/outro by Tim Blane: timblane.comArtwork by Amrit Pal

This week: What's happening with cars and micro-mobility in AmericaBrain fogA food system rundownThe corporations backing a national abortion banBorder agents are taking your phone dataAction StepsWatch this short about Statiq, the Indian startup electrifying transportation, then check out Ride Review to find an e-bike or scooter (here's Quinn's beloved e-bike)Read about the success of the new COVID boosters, then get boostedDonate to or volunteer with World Central KitchenRead this article listing the corporations backing a national abortion ban, then share it everywhereCall your senators and insist they support S.2957, Senator Wyden's "Protecting Data at the Border Act"Get more:Get more news, analysis, and Action Steps at importantnotimportant.com/newsletterGot feedback? Email us at questions@importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter at @importantnotimpGet fun merch at importantnotimportant.com/storeTake a nap you deserve itAdvertise with us: https://www.importantnotimportant.com/sponsors

Curious about the climate? Then there’s a show I want to tell you about—A Matter of Degrees, where Dr. Leah Stokes and Dr. Katharine Wilkinson tell stories about the powerful forces behind climate change — and the tools we have to fix it.You know climate change is a problem. So what can we do about it? The new season of A Matter of Degrees kicks off with a mini-series to answer that question. What can we do personally, professionally, and politically? Episode four is a favorite…it’s about coping with our emotions about the climate crisis. And there’ll be more expert interviews and compelling narratives that touch on everything from crypto to Indigenous stewardship. Find A Matter of Degrees wherever you listen to podcasts. The new season launches on September 15!-----------Have feedback or questions? Tweet us, or send a message to questions@importantnotimportant.comNew here? Get started with our fan favorite episodes at importantnotimportant.com/podcast.-----------Links:Listen to A Matter of DegreesFollow us:Subscribe to our newsletter at newsletter.importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ImportantNotImpFollow Quinn: twitter.com/quinnemmettEdited by Anthony LucianiProduced by Willow BeckIntro/outro by Tim Blane: timblane.comArtwork by Amrit Pal

This week: Corporate clean energy purchases go down as temperatures go upThe current status of COVID-19 vaccinesMoving towards a healthier, climate-friendly dietA promising new malaria vaccineBack to the drawing board for a federal online privacy billAction StepsLearn how to talk to kids about climate change with Science MomsGet BioBot to get your county's wastewater treatment plant access to free COVID-19 wastewater testingShare your ideas with the White House before the Conference on Hunger, Nutrition and Health, and apply to submit your organization as a stakeholderDonate to Against MalariaRead and contribute to The MarkupGet more:Get more news, analysis, and Action Steps at importantnotimportant.com/newsletterGot feedback? Email us at questions@importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter at @importantnotimpGet fun merch at importantnotimportant.com/storeTake a nap you deserve it

This week: The cost of electrificationThe end of free COVID testsThe water crisis in JacksonMinimizing cancer treatment side effectsThe companies selling your location data to the policeAction StepsRead Rewiring America's home electrification guide, and then share it with your apartment/HOA/city councilUse BioBot to get your county's wastewater treatment plant access to free COVID-10 wastewater and variant testingDonate to Cooperation Jackson, a local cooperative ensuring water access for the homeless, elderly, and those with limited access to transportationJoin INI's Team in the "10th Annual Million Mile" from Alex's Lemonade Stand FoundationRead the WIRED coverage of data brokers (5m) and then donate to the EFFGet more:Get more news, analysis, and Action Steps at importantnotimportant.com/newsletterGot feedback? Email us at questions@importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter at @importantnotimpGet fun merch at importantnotimportant.com/storeTake a nap you deserve it

This week: Heat in China ramping up a clean economy arms raceHow to learn more about Long COVIDCleaning up after coalMagic mushrooms and depressionBetter data for pregnant peopleAction StepsCheck out CTVC's rundown on Ira's impact on capital costsIf you or someone you love is suffering from Long COVID, sign up to participate in the RECOVER studyDonate to EarthJusticeSign up for a psilocybin mental health studyListen to my conversation with Representative Lauren Underwood about better maternal health in AmericaGet more:Get more news, analysis, and Action Steps at importantnotimportant.com/newsletterGot feedback? Email us at questions@importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter at @importantnotimpGet fun merch at importantnotimportant.com/storeTake a nap you deserve it

This week: What IRA means for carsCentralizing data for the next pandemicA parched EarthBig Pharma is Big Mad about IRAFingers crossed that Big Tech will protect democracyAction Steps:Listen to a very-Ira episode of "The Coolest Show" podcastCheck out this COVID dataset of sequences by variant and countryDonate to bring clean drinking water to people in developing countriesCall your senators to urge them to support the INSULIN ActSign up to be paired with a cybersecurity expertGet more:Get more news, analysis, and Action Steps at importantnotimportant.com/newsletterGot feedback? Email us at questions@importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter at @importantnotimpGet fun merch at importantnotimportant.com/storeTake a nap you deserve it

“What can I do?” This is the question I get most often. It’s the question that early on pivoted our newsletter and then this podcast towards measurable action steps that help you feel better and drive systemic change.I don’t have anywhere near all the answers to basically anything, so I usually answer people with “What CAN you do?”…to stall for time, but also to open up the conversation.Because the answer to what CAN you do is usually best found at the intersection of your interests or passions or skills, and the eleventy billion problems and opportunities we have before us.And so, almost a hundred and fifty published conversations later and ten times as many offline, some of my favorites remain talking to young people about their lived experiences and how they’re directing it towards a problem and solution, towards a radically better world, however ambitious and however much I am a moron and don’t understand the basic science behind it.But on the other hand, somebody’s gotta support these folks. And so those of us with privilege, with a mic or a checkbook or both have to – at the very least – step up and ask a slightly different version of that question, which is:“How can I help?”My guests today are Lissie Garvin and Laura Stieghorst.Lissie is the Foundation and Fellowship Director at the new 776 Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the venture capital firm with the same name, both founded by Alexis Ohanian.Lissie helped run Reddit, was chief of staff at Initialized Capital, working alongside Alexis.Laura Stieghorst is one of the first 776 Fellows. She is the co-founder and CEO at BASICO2, where they are working to understand how we can safely rebalance ocean chemistry using natural mechanisms to remove CO2 from the ocean and restore coral reefs. No biggie, right?Combined, these two humans are a shining example of humanity’s young people, our most affected, our most ambitious, doing hard things. Because we have to, because they want to, because, in the end, some of these things might be possible, and might change the world. -----------Have feedback or questions? Tweet us, or send a message to questions@importantnotimportant.comNew here? Get started with our fan favorite episodes at podcast.importantnotimportant.com.-----------INI Book Club:The Wild Trees by Richard PrestonClimate: A New Story by Charles EisensteinLessons from Plants by Beronda L. MontgomeryFind all of our guest recommendations at the INI Book Club: https://bookshop.org/lists/important-not-important-book-clubLinks:Follow Lissie and the 776 Foundation on TwitterFollow Laura and BASICO2 on TwitterDonate to BASICO2Apply to the 776 Fellowship ProgramFollow us:Subscribe to our newsletter at newsletter.importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ImportantNotImpFollow Quinn: twitter.com/quinnemmettEdited by Anthony LucianiProduced by Willow BeckIntro/outro by Tim Blane: timblane.comArtwork by Amrit Pal

This week: Ira’s here and ready to fund the futureIt’s back to school and the air’s still not cleanOur relationship with water is changing everywhereMonkeypox folks are helping each otherFacebook’s liable for a whole lot of dataGet more:Get more news, analysis, and Action Steps at importantnotimportant.com/newsletterGot feedback? Email us at questions@importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter at @importantnotimpGet fun merch at importantnotimportant.com/storeTake a nap you deserve it

In a world where trust in institutions and in news is falling and the role of influencers is growing, finding the connective tissue between you and your audience is key to, well, connecting. To establish a rapport, which can if nourished, lead to trust, which can lead to a genuine connection. And for the creator to go further, to push deeper, to find meaning and bearing in places we as consumers or readers or listeners might not otherwise look or expect, like in local news or video game reviews or recipes.I think that matters a lot. We’re not only losing trust but feeling that loss. With so much coming at us, we notice and feel a lack of connection, we feel adrift and unmoored. I am moved by people whose work and art I can connect with, whether I’m seeking it out or not.Because connection matters. Who we get our COVID information or our weather forecasts from matters, but also who helps us understand where we can find comfort, and why.My guest today is Swapna Krishna.Swapna is a writer and journalist covering space, science, tech, and pop culture. She writes everywhere from Fast Company to StarWars.com, from StarTrek.com to Business Insider, the LA Times, Bitch Magazine, Bustle, Mental Floss, and more.She’s appeared on a million excellent podcasts, at Comic-Con, and is the co-host of her own show, the Desi Geek Girls podcast, and the new host of PBS’s show Far Out.Swapna often writes some of the most empathetic tech and pop culture commentary on the web. She has this unique ability to say “this is what this big thing means to me” and make you feel like “yes, me too!” or “Wait I didn’t think about that”.We have very different backgrounds and lives but I trust her writing and thoroughly enjoy her new show, and her efforts to try and meet people where they are, on science issues and pop culture fandoms big and small.-----------Have feedback or questions? Tweet us, or send a message to questions@importantnotimportant.comNew here? Get started with our fan favorite episodes at podcast.importantnotimportant.com.-----------INI Book Club:Sword Stone Table by Swapna Krishna and Jenn NorthingtonStay tuned for Roshani Chokshi's new bookFind all of our guest recommendations at the INI Book Club: https://bookshop.org/lists/important-not-important-book-clubLinks:Follow Swapna on Twitter and InstagramFollow Swapna on TikTokWatch PBS Terra's Far Out on Youtube or their websiteListen to and follow Desi Geek GirlsCheck out NASA SocialFollow us:Subscribe to our newsletter at newsletter.importantnotimportant.comFollow us on Twitter: twitter.com/ImportantNotImpFollow Quinn: twitter.com/quinnemmettEdited by Anthony LucianiProduced by Willow BeckIntro/outro by Tim Blane: timblane.comArtwork by Amrit Pal