The Most Important Question
Important, Not Important
Science for people who give a sh*t.
Want to feel better AND unf*ck the world? The 6-time Webby nominee delivers deep conversations with the world's smartest people (scientists, doctors, CEO's, farmers, and more!), and digestible news updates every single week, to help you answer the world's most important question: What can I do?
We're talkin' clean energy and coral reefs, COVID vaccines and pediatric cancer research, clean water and carbon capture tech, asteroid deflection and artificial intelligence ethics.
"A vital service in an era where important truths, outright fiction and mere trivia all compete for your attention.” - Craig Mazin, creator, writer, and executive producer of HBO's Chernobyl
Hosted by Quinn Emmett
Want to feel better AND unf*ck the world? The 6-time Webby nominee delivers deep conversations with the world's smartest people (scientists, doctors, CEO's, farmers, and more!), and digestible news updates every single week, to help you answer the world's most important question: What can I do?
We're talkin' clean energy and coral reefs, COVID vaccines and pediatric cancer research, clean water and carbon capture tech, asteroid deflection and artificial intelligence ethics.
"A vital service in an era where important truths, outright fiction and mere trivia all compete for your attention.” - Craig Mazin, creator, writer, and executive producer of HBO's Chernobyl
Hosted by Quinn Emmett
Episodes
Mentioned books
Nov 6, 2018 • 1h 9min
#42: What Happens When You’re Almost an Astronaut... And What Comes Next?
Dr. Sian Proctor tells us how we can all help get more women and more people of color into space, one way or another.Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!
Oct 30, 2018 • 2min
Trailer -- The Most Important Question
Science for people who give a sh*t. Want to feel better AND unf*ck the world? The 6-time Webby nominee delivers deep conversations with the world's smartest people (scientists, doctors, CEO's, farmers, and more!), and digestible news updates every single week, to help you answer the world's most important question: What can I do?We're talkin' clean energy and coral reefs, COVID vaccines and pediatric cancer research, clean water and carbon capture tech, asteroid deflection and artificial intelligence ethics."A vital service in an era where important truths, outright fiction and mere trivia all compete for your attention.” - Craig Mazin, creator, writer, and executive producer of HBO's ChernobylHosted by Quinn Emmett and produced by Willow Beck
Oct 30, 2018 • 1h 4min
#41: Outsmarting Cholera
Our guest is Dr. Minmin Yen, the CEO and co-founder of medical startup PhagePro, where she and her team are developing viruses specifically designed to kill bacteria and prevent bacterial infections.Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!
Oct 26, 2018 • 1h 3min
Bonus: The #1 thing you can do to fight climate change
Hi. So you read the IPCC climate change report. Not great, Bob. We get it. Now you want to do something about it. We get that, too. So here’s a re-run of one of our favorite episodes, “What’s the #1 Thing You Can Do To Affect Climate Change?” Enjoy. -- On the mic and down the street, Peter Kalmus, an atmospheric scientist at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California. Peter wrote a book called Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution and also he’s got chickens and no longer a motorcycle (BRIAN). Links: Peter Kalmus on Twitter Becycling.life Trump’s Book Club: Being the Change: Live Well and Spark a Climate Revolution by Peter Kalmus Carbon footprint calculator Citizens Climate Lobby Vipassana Meditation Headspace How to compost Wirecutter’s Best Composter for Kitchen Scraps Quinn Emmett on Twitter Brian Colbert Kennedy on Twitter Intro/outro by Tim Blane Subscribeto our newsletter at ImportantNotImportant.com! Like and share us on Facebook! Check us on Instagram! Follow us on Twitter! Pin us on Pinterest! Tumble us or whatever the hell you do on Tumblr! Ok that’s enough good lord
Oct 23, 2018 • 1h 18min
#40: What Takes a Young Woman from Art School to NASA... & Why Might That Change Everything Forever, for Everyone?
Our guest is Ariel Waldman, the author of What's It Like in Space? Stories from Astronauts Who've Been There, the founder of Spacehack.org, the global director of Science Hack Day, and a member of the council for NASA Innovative Advanced Concepts.
Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!
Oct 16, 2018 • 1h 13min
#39: Is The Ocean Running Out of Oxygen? Is That Bad?
Our guest is Dawn “Deepsea Dawn” Wright, Ph.D., the Chief Scientist of the Environmental Systems Research Institute (AKA Esri) and a Professor of Geography and Oceanography at Oregon State University.Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!
Oct 9, 2018 • 47min
#38: Is It Harder to Build Clean Power Plants or Play in a Reputable Cover Band?
Our guest is Sean Casten, a scientist, clean energy entrepreneur, and cover band member who is running for Congress in Illinois’ 6th district.Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!
Oct 2, 2018 • 53min
#37: Why Does Congress Need a Female Air Force Officer / Engineer / Chemistry Teacher / Mom?
Our guest is Chrissy Houlahan, a candidate for Pennsylvania District 6 on Nov. 6th.
Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!
Sep 25, 2018 • 1h 19min
#36: Can Latinos Save the Planet?
Our guest is Mark Magana, the Founding President & CEO of GreenLatinos, a national coalition of Latino environmental, natural resources, and conservation advocates.Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!
Sep 18, 2018 • 1h 11min
#35: Can These Scientists Really Save Congress?
Our guest is Shaughnessy Naughton. She is the President & Founder of 314 Action, an organization founded by members of the STEM community; grassroots supporters and political activists who believe in the power of SCIENCE!Want to send us feedback? Tweet us, email us, or leave us a voice message!
