How To Academy Podcast

Where do the things we buy actually come from? And how did they become the products on our store shelves, the food in our pantries, and the familiar items in our homes? Cambridge Professor and expert in manufacturing and innovation Tim Minshall guides us down the intricate journeys within the world of manufacturing, revealing how everyday items find their way across the world to reach us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rutger Bregman, Dutch author and historian behind Humankind and the School for Moral Ambition, explores how small committed groups change history. He discusses wasted talent in lucrative industries, how movements scale, the role of elites and grassroots action, effective giving, and tech’s role in future change. Short, provocative, and focused on how to turn ambition into lasting social impact.

Amy Jeffs, historian, folklorist and illustrator who reimagines traditional British ballads, guides listeners through centuries-old tales. She explores how ballads lived in daily life, their supernatural and murder themes, and the challenge of turning fluid oral songs into fixed prose. She also traces motifs like witchcraft, agency, transformation, and why these stories still resonate today.

Data scientist Hannah Ritchie, from the University of Oxford, brings clarity to the often murky topic of climate change. She tackles pressing questions like 'Is it too late?' and highlights the rapid advancements in technologies like electric vehicles and solar energy. With effective data, she emphasizes the hopefulness of our situation and the necessity for collaboration across sectors. Ritchie also warns against misinterpretations of climate data, stressing the importance of context. Lastly, she provides strategies for individuals to make impactful changes while encouraging a focus on the bigger picture.

Sam Conniff, a best-selling author known for his work on cultural change, joins neuroscience consultant Katherine Templar-Lewis to tackle the complexities of uncertainty. They discuss transforming fear into emotional regulation and explore practical biohacks for decision-making, like gratitude exercises and interoception. The duo examines how understanding bodily signals and cultivating metacognition can alleviate anxiety. With insights on connection and personal growth, they provide a toolkit for leveraging uncertainty as a path to resilience and innovation.

Global security expert Mark Galeotti delves into the pervasive nature of organized crime and its deep-rooted connection to our daily lives. He explains how criminal organizations are often intertwined with legitimate institutions, making crime a fundamental aspect of society. Galeotti discusses the moral ambiguities surrounding criminality, the evolution of cybercrime, and how state weaknesses can empower gangs. He also explores the surprising ways criminals can influence politics and culture, revealing the complex interplay between crime and governance.

Paul Davies, a theoretical physicist, cosmologist, and astrobiologist, explores the second quantum revolution and its implications. He discusses why quantum theory remains puzzling despite its success, contrasting practical applications with unresolved foundational issues. Davies delves into wave-particle duality, entanglement, and how quantum fluctuations influenced the universe's early structure. He even speculates on the potential of quantum AI and its impact on self-identity and biology, advocating for rigorous mathematics to combat pseudoscientific interpretations.

Rebecca F. Kuang, an award-winning novelist known for works like Babel and Yellowface, delves into her latest novel, Katabasis. She discusses the dual meanings of katabasis—both a descent into the underworld and a metaphor for personal struggles, spurred by her own traumatic experiences. Kuang reflects on the burdens of immortality, the challenges of academic freedom, and the tension between artistic honesty and public scrutiny. With a rich tapestry of literary influences, she shares insights on writing, grief, and the importance of embracing life's ephemerality.

In a gripping discussion, filmmaker Andrew Jarecki and documentary collaborator Charlotte Kaufman share their harrowing experiences inside Alabama's prison system. They delve into the shocking realities faced by inmates, including the abuse and deaths like that of Stephen Davis. The duo reveals how prisoners used contraband phones to document their lives and organize protests, advocating for change in a corrupt environment. They explore parallels between U.S. and U.K. prison challenges, emphasizing the urgent need for accountability and reform.

Ingrid Clayton, a clinical psychologist and author of 'Fawning,' delves into the complexities of fawning as a trauma response. She redefines people-pleasing not as a moral failing but a survival strategy shaped by relational trauma. Ingrid shares insights on how this behavior can be habitual, especially for marginalized groups, and discusses the impact of gender conditioning. With practical tools for reclaiming one's self, she emphasizes the importance of authenticity and the ongoing journey of unfawning, aiming for richer relationships and self-discovery.