The DemystifySci Podcast

For decades, fusion energy has been the promise that never arrives—always twenty years away. Despite billions poured into tokamaks, inertial confinement, and plasma reactors, the finish line keeps moving. But what if the answer was never in extreme heat... but in solid metal at room temperature?In this explosive episode, we sit down with NASA researcher Lawrence Forsley to explore lattice confined fusion—a revolutionary approach that produces nuclear fusion inside metal lattices using just five volts. No reactors, no plasma, no fire. It’s a direct descendant of the infamous 1989 "cold fusion" press conference by Fleischmann and Pons, which the scientific establishment mocked and buried for decades. But now, the experiments are more precise, the physics more refined, and the implications more profound. Because if fusion at room temperature is real, everything changes—energy, propulsion, even our understanding of stars.PATREON https://www.patreon.com/c/demystifysciPARADIGM DRIFThttps://demystifysci.com/paradigm-drift-show00:00 Go! Introduction to Lattice Confined Fusion 00:05:59 – Why Fusion Is Always 10 Years Away 00:12:02 – Plasma Instability and Centrifugal Mirrors 00:17:31 – Tritium, Lithium, and Fusion Fuel Supply 00:20:15 – Lessons from Flight and Semiconductors 00:23:14 – Skepticism and Investment Bias in New Tech 00:26:12 – The Long Road to Transistors 00:28:12 – Fusion Weapons and Strategic Research 00:31:39 – Tokamaks and Magnetic Confinement 00:35:40 – Energy Efficiency and Charge Screens 00:39:24 – Superconductors vs. Neutron Radiation 00:43:00 – Cold Neutrons and Fusion Possibilities 00:45:02 – Cold Fusion: Controversy and Skepticism 00:46:24 – Early Experiments and Anomalous Heat 00:49:32 – Tritium Without Neutrons? 00:52:45 – The Cold Fusion Press Conference Fallout 00:57:00 – Explosions, Risks, and Lab Disasters 01:02:40 – Advances in Lattice Confinement 01:06:36 – Fusion in the Cosmos and the Lab 01:09:08 – Webb Telescope and Electron Screening 01:12:00 – Three Types of Electron Screening 01:15:37 – Experimental Techniques in Screening 01:20:05 – Does This Require New Physics? 01:24:51 – Replication Problems in Nuclear Research 01:30:01 – The People Who Shaped the Field 01:33:35 – Richard Garwin and IBM Experiments 01:38:07 – Outdated Tech and Compatibility Nightmares 01:42:00 – Early Atomic Bomb Experiments 01:43:09 – John Heisinger and Cross-Section Studies 01:46:39 – Stellar Fusion and Resonance Phenomena 01:51:31 – Fusion and the Supernova Lifecycle 01:54:57 – Condensed Matter in Proto-Stars 01:55:00 – Magnetic Fields and Star Formation 02:00:00 – The Mystery of Earthly Tritium 02:05:00 – Gamma Rays in Fusion Reactions 02:10:00 – Cold Fusion Funding and Credibility 02:15:00 – Publishing Roadblocks and Ethics 02:17:54 – Fraud in Fusion Research 02:20:15 – New LCF Materials and Neutron Output 02:27:21 – Technetium-99 and Medical Applications 02:33:57 – Future of Fusion Energy Systems 02:40:30 – LCF Networking and NASA Collaborators 02:43:00 – Fusion Architecture and Expert Input 02:46:00 – Building Mental Models of Fusion 02:49:00 – Gamma Rays, Stars, and Spectra#fusion , #coldfusion, #nuclearfusion, #nasascience, #futureofenergy, #astrophysics, #plasmaphysics, #tritium, #quantumphysics , #tokamak, #spaceexploration , #deeptech #philosophypodcast , #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast ABOUS US: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. All music by Shilo DeLay

Physicist and fusion researcher Eric Lerner presents a sweeping critique of the Big Bang theory and the standard model of cosmology at Demysticon 25. He builds on the foundations of plasma physics and the work of Nobel laureate Hannes Alfvén to outline an alternative cosmological framework rooted in known physical laws—gravity, nuclear fusion, and electromagnetic plasma behavior—rather than hypothetical concepts like dark matter, dark energy, or cosmic inflation. He explores how filamentary plasma structures may account for galaxy formation, how fusion research using dense plasma focus devices parallels cosmic processes, and how the cosmic microwave background may not be relic radiation from a singular origin. Merging astrophysics, plasma cosmology, and energy research, this talk reframes the origin and structure of the universe—and calls into question the prevailing narratives at the heart of modern theoretical physics.PATREON https://www.patreon.com/c/demystifysciPARADIGM DRIFThttps://demystifysci.com/paradigm-drift-show00:00 Go! Introduction the Big Bang Debate 00:03:57 Eric Lerner's Perspective on Cosmic Evolution 00:04:21 The Pinch Effect and Electrical Currents in Plasmas 00:10:27 Evolutionary Hierarchies and Cosmic Filaments 00:14:50 Interplay of Forces in Structure Formation 00:18:14 Evidence of Filaments Across Scales 00:25:04 Dynamics of Galaxy Formation and Star Development 00:29:08 Cosmic Microwave Background and Element Formation 00:30:29 The Formation and Properties of Early Galaxies 00:35:22 Energy Flows and the Cosmic Evolution Crisis 00:39:58 Plasma Focus Devices and Fusion Energy Research 00:41:16 Q&A Understanding Galaxy Components and Rotation 00:51:33 Q&A The Implications of Missing Gravity and Galaxy Dynamics 00:58:07 Q&A Gravitational Lensing and Mass Distribution 01:00:32 Q&A Lensing and Galactic Observations 01:02:04 Q&A Fractal Patterns in Cosmology #cosmology, #space, #galaxyformation, #gravitationalwaves, #cosmicstructures, #astrophysics, #fusionenergy, #magneticfields, #spacephysics, #electricuniverse, #criticalthinking #philosophypodcast , #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast ABOUS US: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasBMERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com/allAMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98DONATE: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaDSUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7hY48eZZSLw@demystifysciBLOG: http://DemystifySci.com/blog RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rssMAILING LIST: https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySciMUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671

What if everything we think we know about stars is wrong? In this explosive conversation, mathematician Stephen Crothers dismantles the foundations of modern astrophysics, arguing that black holes, neutron stars, and gravitational waves are mathematical illusions built on misapplied thermodynamics and flawed logic. With the rigor of a forensic investigator, he exposes how simple errors in stellar models went unchecked for a century—raising unsettling questions about the integrity of science and the nature of the cosmos itself.PATREON https://www.patreon.com/c/demystifysciPARADIGM DRIFThttps://demystifysci.com/paradigm-drift-show00:00 Go! Thermodynamics and Astrophysics Foundations 00:05:15 Historical Context of Celestial Understanding 00:12:30 Evolution of Stellar Models 00:17:00 Changing Paradigms in Astrophysics 00:22:29 Discussion on the Ideal Gas Law and its Influence 00:24:14 Ideal Gases and Gravitational Forces 00:27:46 The Nebular Hypothesis and Gas Behavior 00:31:02 Shift in Stellar Formation Theory 00:34:28 Historical Roots of Astrophysical Models 00:36:32 Examining System Dynamics in Thermodynamics 00:40:46 Work and Energy in Physical Systems 00:44:14 Understanding Thermodynamics 00:47:13 Challenges of Gaseous Models in Astronomy 00:50:14 Ideal Gas Law Misapplications 00:56:27 Gravity and Gas Dynamics in Cosmology 01:01:29 Limitations of Ideal Gas Law in Stellar Physics 01:05:24 Thermal Equilibrium and the Zeroth Law of Thermodynamics 01:11:06 Application of Physics Laws to Cosmology 01:15:29 Critique of the Jeans Mass Theory 01:18:53 Misapplication of Thermodynamics in Astrophysics 01:25:01 Intensive vs. Extensive Properties in Thermodynamics 01:26:50 Thermal Dynamics of Gaseous Stars 01:30:04 Issues in Nucleosynthesis Theory 01:38:03 The Implications for Fusion Power 01:42:00 Rethinking Stellar Structures 01:50:34 Historical Missteps in Stellar Chemistry 01:54:31 Resistance to Paradigm Shift 02:00:10 Calibration Controversies in LIGO 02:07:25 Societal and Theoretical Implications 02:11:35 The Construction of Scientific Experiments and Templates 02:19:12 Integrity and Honesty in Modern Science 02:24:13 Optimism for Future Physics Discoveries 02:30:00 The Narrative of Theoretical Revolutions 02:32:01 Direct Measurement of Cosmic Microwave Background 02:36:12 Assessment of Current Cosmological Measurements 02:39:00 Reflection on Physics and Discovery #astrophysics, #cosmology, #space, #stars, #thermodynamics, #fusionenergy, #nuclearscience, #astronomy, #spacefacts, #physicscommunity, #spacetechnology, #philosophypodcast , #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast ABOUS US: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasBMERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com/allAMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98DONATE: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaDSUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7hY48eZZSLw@demystifysciBLOG: http://DemystifySci.com/blog RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rssMAILING LIST: https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySciMUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671

DemystifySci presents Paradigm Drift, the show where theorists of all stripes present their ideas about how the world works. In this space it doesn’t matter where you came from, where you’re going, or what letters are after your name. The only thing that matters is that you’ve got a deep insight into the universe that you can explain in SIXTY SECONDS. This is our first live edition, recorded at Demysticon 2025 with live music from the Baryonic Acoustic Oscillators. Theorists include C. S. Unnikrishnan, Robin Booth, Ben Wilson, Gareth Samuel (@seethepattern), Chris Lehto (@lehtofiles), Mike McCulloch, Michael Gunning, Howard Landman, Matthew Fox (@memesofdestruction), Taylor Trott, Neal Creamer, and Indranil Banik. Ready? Three, two, one, GO!!!PATREON https://www.patreon.com/c/demystifysciSIGN UP FOR THE NEXT PARADIGM DRIFT AUGUST 4TH, 7PM PDThttps://demystifysci.com/paradigm-drift-show00:00 Go!00:10:35 Quantum Mechanics and Foundational Physics00:25:00 Nature of Light and Electrons00:25:50 Alternative Cosmologies: The Genes Contraction00:36:07 Cosmic Structures and Scales00:43:57 Music, Philosophy, and Science00:47:14 Inertial Mass Explained00:48:06 Inertia and the Cosmos00:50:06 Quantum Waves and Analogies00:53:17 Testing Quantum Predictions in Space00:55:50 Unifying Physics: Ether and Tetrahedrons01:04:26 Quantum Time Dilation01:10:31 Time Dilation and Observers01:12:48 The Hierarchy Problem and Particle Physics01:17:34 A Personal Journey into Physics01:22:12 Science and Post-Scarcity Society01:23:07 Meteorites and Organic Origins01:30:38 Quantum Mechanics and Complexity01:32:34 Atoms and Energy Absorption01:37:14 Hubble Tension and Cosmic Voids01:40:12 Modeling and Systematic Error in Astrophysics01:45:14 The Future of Cosmological Research#theoreticalphysics, #quantummechanics, #cosmology, #astrophysics, #paradigmshift, #spaceexploration, #quantumtheory, #scientificrevolution, #spacetime, #multiverse, #theoreticalphysics, #quantummechanics, #newideas, #openmic, #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast ABOUS US: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasBMERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com/allAMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98DONATE: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaDSUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7hY48eZZSLw@demystifysciBLOG: http://DemystifySci.com/blog RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rssMAILING LIST: https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySciMUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671

Till Holzafpel is an engineer, programmer, consciousness researcher, and hardware psychonaut who designs virtual reality systems that can evoke the transcendent components of psychedelics… without requiring the consumption any substances. Much of his work is based on fact that there appears to be a massive component of psychedelic experiences that comes from sensory feedback, like sounds, patterns in the visual field, and the tactile components of the environment. Even something as simple as a flashing light can induce mystical experiences in a significant fraction of the population, and plenty of research suggests that there’s a visual component to the healing properties of nature. As Till works on fitting those discoveries into an entirely new class of VR programs, we sat down for a conversation about how our sensory systems can be treated and tweaked to induce altered states of consciousness, the value of making this kind of experience widely accessible, and the shortcomings of a purely biochemical approach to understanding the impact of psychedelics on the human psyche. The video also includes a demo of Brain Candy, his augmented reality program for exploring consciousness through audio-visual patterns (https://braincandyapp.com/). MAKE HISTORY WITH US THIS SUMMER:https://demystifysci.com/demysticon-2025PATREON https://www.patreon.com/c/demystifysciPARADIGM DRIFThttps://demystifysci.com/paradigm-drift-show00:00 Go! 03:30 Fractals and Nature’s Design 08:00 The Aesthetics of Psychedelics 10:00 Personal Motivations for Psychedelics 15:00 Cannabis vs. Psychedelics 19:00 Integration of Psychedelic Experiences 20:33 Ego Development and Integration 23:01 Psychedelics and Consciousness Management 26:38 Historical Context of Psychedelic Use 29:08 The Perception and Projection Dilemma 31:39 The Intersection of AI and Psychedelic Experiences 37:28 Designing for Consciousness and Well-being 40:52 Current State of Augmented Reality and Psychedelic Research 44:54 Flicker Light Stimulation and Its Effects 49:30 Challenges in Understanding Psychedelic Experiences 55:03 Potential Societal Benefits of Psychedelic Experiences 59:02 Acceptance of Ketamine as a Therapeutic Tool 01:00:27 Dissociation and Psychedelic Experiences 01:01:45 Neuroplasticity in Psychedelics 01:08:12 Ketamine and Acute Suicidal Ideation 01:12:21 Integration of Psychedelics into Medical Care 01:16:39 Critiques of Medicalizing Psychedelics 01:18:12 Discussion on Consciousness and Activity 01:23:01 Observer Dependence and Material Basis 01:28:24 Communication and Meaning-Making 01:34:11 Interdisciplinary Dialogues and Psychedelics 01:37:52 Transitioning Identities and Comfort Zones 01:39:00 The Art of Communication and the Trickster Archetype 01:41:20 Communication Dynamics and the Power of Comedy 01:43:00 Innovative Approaches to Sensory Experiences 01:46:30 Re-enchanting Modern Spaces for a Human Experience 01:49:55 Building Community Awareness Around Sensory Processing 01:51:30 Future Collaborations #psychedelicresearch , #consciousness , #neuroscience , #mysticalexperiences , #ego , #mindexpansion , #brainhealth , #fractaldesign , #integration, #selfdiscovery, #neuroplasticity , #philosophypodcast , #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast ABOUS US: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities.

Discover the mesmerizing world of ancient Delphi, once the heart of civilization, where the mystical oracle resided. Learn about the unique rituals performed by the Pythias, who experienced psychedelic visions through volcanic gases. Explore the architectural marvels that tell tales of a vibrant culture now lost to time. Reflect on the rise and fall of civilizations and the economic practices that shaped ancient beliefs, revealing how these remnants continue to impact our understanding of history and identity.

We're back to it!!! DemystiCon 2025 was a smashing success, and we're thrilled to share it with you. The first talk we're posting is by Gareth Samuel, host of See the Pattern. His videos explore the frontier models of physics, where they break, and what that means for our understanding of the universe. At this year’s DemystiCon, Samuel gave an incredible talk about “What Would it Take” to restructure our understanding of the Big Bang. Rather than assuming a gradualist approach, where the field slowly changes to accommodate a radically different perspective, Samuel suggests a radical revamp to the way we approach physics as a whole is necessary. Instead of assuming that data is some kind of impartial report about the universe, he suggests we have to reexamine the assumptions that are baked in to the process long before the telescope or detector ever get switched on. PATREON https://www.patreon.com/c/demystifysciPARADIGM DRIFThttps://demystifysci.com/paradigm-drift-show00:00 Go! 00:02:11 Understanding Cosmological Frameworks 00:08:27 Data Interpretation and Model Dependency 00:12:30 Challenges in Model Validation 00:16:55 Risks of Exceeding Evidence in Cosmology 00:20:36 The Need for Quantum Considerations 00:24:58 Alternative Theories and their Challenges 00:26:34 The Loop of Funding and Paradigm Maintenance 00:30:02 The Role of Philosophy and the Nature of Physics 00:32:48 Rethinking Physics and Cultural Courage 00:35:09 Q&A#cosmology, #darkmatter, #astrophysics, #astronomy, #scientificrevolution, #bigbangdebate, #physicscommunity, #quantumcosmology, #criticalthinking #philosophypodcast , #sciencepodcast, #longformpodcast ABOUS US: Anastasia completed her PhD studying bioelectricity at Columbia University. When not talking to brilliant people or making movies, she spends her time painting, reading, and guiding backcountry excursions. Shilo also did his PhD at Columbia studying the elastic properties of molecular water. When he's not in the film studio, he's exploring sound in music. They are both freelance professors at various universities. PATREON: get episodes early + join our weekly Patron Chat https://bit.ly/3lcAasBMERCH: Rock some DemystifySci gear : https://demystifysci.myspreadshop.com/allAMAZON: Do your shopping through this link: https://amzn.to/3YyoT98DONATE: https://bit.ly/3wkPqaDSUBSTACK: https://substack.com/@UCqV4_7i9h1_V7hY48eZZSLw@demystifysciBLOG: http://DemystifySci.com/blog RSS: https://anchor.fm/s/2be66934/podcast/rssMAILING LIST: https://bit.ly/3v3kz2S SOCIAL: - Discord: https://discord.gg/MJzKT8CQub- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/DemystifySci- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DemystifySci/- Twitter: https://twitter.com/DemystifySciMUSIC: -Shilo Delay: https://g.co/kgs/oty671

Wayne Coste, an electrical engineer with a theory on cosmic redshift, joins an intriguing lineup including Ricky Cisco, who explores AI's role in predicting societal behaviors. Matthew Fox tackles vacuum energy and its implications on cosmic expansion, while Gary Barham presents a revolutionary view of light as a composite particle. Sebastian Schepis proposes a daring framework linking consciousness and gravity through prime number dynamics. Each theorist shares captivating insights, pushing the boundaries of our understanding about the universe.

Dr. Jacob Barandes, a Harvard Physics professor and skeptic of the mathematical nature of the universe, dives into fascinating discussions about reality's foundations. He challenges conventional views by modeling reality with physical bodies rather than abstract math. Barandes highlights the confusion surrounding quantum measurements and the significant philosophical debates that have persisted for over two millennia. He emphasizes the importance of clarity over abstraction, urging listeners to reconsider what constitutes knowledge in science and the role of continual inquiry.

Stephen Wolfram, a physicist and mathematician renowned for his work in computational sciences, shares his groundbreaking insights on the rules that govern our universe. He dives into the interplay between free will and computational irreducibility, challenging our understanding of reality's complexities. Discussion spans the nature of space and time, the emergence of consciousness, and the unique distinction between human and AI experiences. Wolfram introduces the concept of the Ruliad, suggesting a new framework for bridging science and philosophy.