Finding Genius Podcast

How can we ensure our coastlines remain around for the long haul? By paying attention to the wave climate, we can begin to take protective measures. Press play to learn: The meaning of wave climate The typical diurnal sand movement How artificial structures can become "natural" Dr. Will Bateman, CEO of CCell Renewables Ltd., shares his experience taking measures to protect our coasts and the diverse ecosystem they contain. While climate change has been recognized as a significant threat moving forward in human history, but coastal erosion may be a silent killer. However, by examining new factors and taking preventative and retroactive action, we may be able to hope to turn back the clocks and restore our coasts.  Through the restoration of coastlines through natural and manufactured means, very promising results have been recorded. For example, natural rock can form after implementing a structure into the coastline, and marine organisms will attach, only bolstering the effort.  To learn more, visit https://www.ccell.co.uk/ Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

What makes the secrets to raising money so complex? Not only must the business end be considered, but psychology and human motivation must also be regarded. Listen up to learn: What makes a good fundraiser How people can be compelled to donate The average length of time it takes to run a campaign Jim Lord, the author of The Raising of Money, shares his experience in the philanthropic world and the reasons why his book has become the most successful guide to philanthropy.  Philanthropy is a cornerstone for organizations and nonprofit groups and their longevity when making a difference in the world. However, convincing others to donate to the cause can be more complicated than you may think. While it may initially seem that folks can be convinced simply on a financial or business basis, this is not always the case. In reality, many components like morality, psychology, and education are all integral components to a successful philanthropic effort. To learn more, visit https://leadershipphilanthropy.com/ Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

How has the opioid epidemic exploded so quickly in the United States? Purdue Pharma may be behind one of the most prevalent causes of patient exploitation in world history. Listen up to learn: How the opioid epidemic began Ways in which non-addicts can become trapped through medical negligence The valid uses for opioid pain killers An expert speaker on the opioid crisis, Chris Johnson shares his experience making proactive steps forward to curb the opioid epidemic.  The introduction of OxyContin over two decades prior realistically marks the beginning of the opioid epidemic as it stands today. Sadly, with the degradation of medical morals and practices, increasing numbers of moderate pain patients have been led down the path to addiction.  The intertwining of big pharma and medical practices on all levels has caused over-prescribing of opioid pain management to skyrocket. With pills being harder to come by and increasingly expensive, many patients who were merely facing moderate or chronic pain have sought alternatives like heroin and fentanyl.  Visit endtheopioidcrisis.com for more resources and information. Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C  

How can being able to image tinnitus help patients who struggle with the chronic issue? Since it is not truly understood in its origins, treatment can be challenging to develop. Listen up to learn: Why brain imaging can lead to more clues What tinnitus sounds like to different people Where tinnitus may originate Mehrnaz Shoushtarian, a Project Leader in Tinnitus Imaging, shares her work attempting to image the brain regions that may lead to the origin or progression of tinnitus. Tinnitus is a chronic issue widely experienced worldwide, which leaves a lasting sound perceived constantly in those who suffer from it. However, since we do not yet completely understand the origins, a consistently effective treatment has not yet been identified.  With an increased focus on imaging the brain regions thought to be the source of tinnitus, new clues about possible treatments are being discovered. However, since the condition is so variable and can present differently for each individual, nailing down specifics remains challenging.  To learn more, visit https://www.bionicsinstitute.org/dr-mehrnaz-shoushtarian. Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

The debate of time immemorial surrounding science and Christianity continues to rage, but could they both be correct? When examining issues of life, taking diverse and sometimes contradictory stances can lead to new solutions. Listen up to learn: What Christian apologetics relates to  What is offered through Christianity How math plays into religion and Christianity John Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University (emeritus), shares his view of the Christian faith and how it can intertwine with science and math to uncover some of the enduring mysteries of our species. Different from what it sounds, Christian apologetics offers an opportunity to add the science of spirituality to many debates. Specifically, approaching obstacles in life, especially catastrophic divides, can give new additional context to previously contentious issues surrounding faith. Despite the various opinions of theologians and philosophies worldwide, Christianity offers an opportunity for hope and collaboration. For example, mathematics and Christianity often find themselves at odds with proponents for both sides staunchly disagreeing, but in reality, both can offer answers to benefit the other. Visit johnlennox.org to learn more! Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C  

“In psychiatry, the idea is that if you’re anxious or depressed, you’ve got some sort of brain disease that requires lifelong medication; in psychology…it’s a matter of unskillful behavior and unskillful choices that lead to anxiety and depression, and that brings about the brain changes we see,” says Brant Cortright. Which perspective would you side with? According to Cortright, you don’t need to pick a side. We are both physical and psychological beings, and neither side can be reduced to the other. Press play to discover: How exposure to glyphosate leads to leaky gut and leaky brain, and the possible connection between smog and Alzheimer’s disease The four pillars of the “healthy brain diet” and which exercises have positive neurogenic effects The definition of neurogenesis, neuroplasticity, neurogenic rate, and what they mean for mood and cognition Cortright is a psychologist, author, speaker, and former Professor Emeritus with the California Institute of Integral Studies. He discusses his philosophy on mental, physical, and overall health. This includes an examination of the ways in which our brains are under attack by an unprecedented number of toxins in our environment, and how this contributes to unprecedented rates of anxiety, depression, and cognitive decline. Is it possible to restore mental health through diet and exercise changes? What foods should you eat (or not eat) in order to protect your cognitive and emotional health? Is psychotherapy always necessary? Can spiritual practices actually influence our mood and cognition? These are just a few of the questions Cortright explores in today’s show. Tune in, and check out Cortright’s books: Functional Psychology for Anxiety, Depression, and Cognitive Decline The Neurogenesis Diet and Lifestyle: Upgrade Your Brain, Upgrade Your Life Integral Psychology: Yoga, Growth, and Opening the Heart Psychotherapy and Spirit: Theory and Practice in Transpersonal Psychotherapy Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

“One of the reasons I named my book Mental Illness is an Asshole is because…it is…It’s so mean and cruel; not only does it make you hate yourself, but it makes all the people that you love hate you too.” Press play for powerful insight into bipolar and anxiety disorders, and learn: How memory is affected by the manic state of bipolar disorder How anxiety and depression encourages abusive and negative perceptions by the experiencer The similarities and differences in the way bipolar disorder manifests in different people When and how to seek help for someone who may be suicidal or in a mental health crisis Author, speaker, and award-winning podcast host, Gabe Howard, was diagnosed with bipolar and anxiety disorders in 2003. At the time, weighing the pros and cons of suicide was a daily activity, and life existed in a constant state of vacillation, from the highest highs to the lowest lows. Howard lost friends and jobs, and his family members were mad at him. On top of it all, he was confused. Confused as to what was wrong with him, confused as to why he would do and say certain things, and confused as to why he had trouble even remembering things.   Howard gives listeners insight into his own experience with bipolar disorder, illustrating the delusions that would convince him of the worst-case scenarios in almost all aspects of life. He talks about his journey through the depths of this illness, to the beginning of wellness, to where he is today. He also shares advice for loved ones of someone who may be suffering from bipolar disorder or is showing signs of suicidal ideation. One of the most important things to remember is that understanding the illness isn’t necessary before seeking help. As soon as there is suspicion, take action. “So often, we wait until there is a crisis or until it gets really, really bad before we do any sort of intervention, and that makes it so much more difficult than if you caught it more towards the beginning,” says Howard. Check out Howard’s book, Mental Illness is an Asshole, and listen to Inside Mental Health: A Psych Central Podcast. Tune in and visit https://www.gabehoward.com/ to learn more. Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C

About 300,000 whales and dolphins are killed every year as a result of human activity. Why is this allowed to continue? Roger Payne asked that same question before deciding to put his expertise toward this issue. He would eventually become well-known as the person who discovered that humpback whales sing songs. Tune in to learn: At what distances whale sounds can be heard, and how the increase in sound pollution has changed this The likely function of repeated patterns of “clicks” made by whales Why beluga whales are sometimes called “sea canaries” Founder and President of Ocean Alliance, Roger Payne, has spent decades studying the function and nature of the sounds that animals make and hear.  As the environmental crisis became increasingly serious, Payne wanted to shift his research efforts toward an animal that is actively threatened by the state of the environment. He chose whales—which, at the time, he knew absolutely nothing about. Payne began studying whales and whale songs at Rockefeller University. He explains what it means to say a whale (or other animal) "sings a song," the insight he’s gained from observing whale behavior over the years, and so much more.   Visit https://whale.org/ to learn more.

How can the body's immune system play a role in cancer therapy? By exploring treatment that relies on the immune system, new solutions continue to be found. Press play to learn: How vaccines could be used to treat cancer How the immune system is downregulated What else may be done to characterize cancer Brendon Coventry, an Associate Professor of Surgery in Adelaide, South Australia, shares his work looking into the profound part the immune system can play in fighting cancer. By examining the evolutionary roots of cancer, we have found out that it can track back to how bacteria proliferate and reproduce. Since this raised questions about cancer development, new lines of thinking were introduced, allowing for revolutionary new treatment techniques. By characterizing a cancer patient's cancer more specifically, treatment may be more effectively tailored to better fight the cancer. In addition, the body's immune response will be able to better assist and fight the tumors as they evolve in conjunction with growth. To learn more, visit https://www.adelaide.edu.au/directory/brendon.coventry.

What does the future hold for us in the scope of near-future climate change? From drought to fire, new solutions are needed now more than ever. Listen up to learn: The difference between El Niño and La Niña The California crops which significantly affect its climate How groundwater recharge can help reverse adverse effects Dr. Steven Ostoja is the director of the USDA California Climate Hub and has joined the conversation to share his experience battling climate change and to share a dire warning on what is to come.  Climate change has been an ongoing and widely known issue but has been altogether ignored for far too long. From the prospect of serious drought to the increasing severity of fires, the consequences will only continue to grow if no action is taken.  Using new technologies that can sense the areas of greatest benefits, groundwater recharge may hold the promise of protection from drought and pad our reserves moving forward. However, if fire management is not improved or rethought, relief may be difficult to come by, especially if suppression remains the primary solution. Visit https://www.climatehubs.usda.gov for more information. Episode also available on Apple Podcast: http://apple.co/30PvU9C