Smart Girl Dumb Questions

Melanie Stansbury, U.S. Representative from New Mexico's 1st District and member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, discusses how contacting lawmakers is tracked and can shift priorities. Short, punchy takes cover oversight tools, how calls influence votes, constituent strategy, Capitol Hill theatrics, and even astrology as a bipartisan icebreaker.

Dr. Aditi Nerurkar, a Harvard physician studying stress, resilience, and brain‑body health. They talk neuroplasticity and how daily digital life reshapes attention and memory. The conversation covers popcorn brain, amygdala‑driven scrolling and revenge bedtime procrastination. Practical fixes include short breaks, digital boundaries, monotasking, and how small resets can rewire habits over weeks.

Mariana Atencio, a seasoned journalist covering Latin American politics, Joanna Hausmann, a comedic voice on Venezuelan identity, and Francisco Ramos, a stand-up comedian focused on Venezuelan-American life, discuss the complex landscape of U.S.-Venezuela relations. They unpack the nuances of U.S. intervention, expressing gratitude mixed with skepticism toward previous administrations. The trio also explores personal ties to Venezuela, fears about the future, and the critical need for sustainable change. Humor and heartfelt reflections create a captivating conversation.

Nayeema Raza welcomes Jay Bhattacharya, NIH Director and renowned physician-scientist, known for his critical views during the COVID-19 pandemic. They discuss vaccine trust post-COVID, the perplexing U.S. healthcare system, and the viability of new drugs like Ozempic. Jay highlights disparities in life expectancy, critiques health spending inefficiencies, and addresses public health mandates that fueled distrust. He also anticipates China's biotech advancements and shares optimism for breakthroughs in HIV and Alzheimer's research, emphasizing the importance of restoring trust in science.

Andrew Ross Sorkin, a prominent journalist and author of '1929', dives into the potential parallels between today’s financial climate and the turbulent 1920s. He examines the booming market of 2026 and questions whether we’re in an AI bubble or simply experiencing a hype cycle. Sorkin discusses the implications of U.S. debt and the risks of modern financial products, while linking today’s FOMO-driven money culture with historical crises. Can history repeat itself? Tune in for an engaging exploration of economic uncertainty!

Mark Cuban, billionaire entrepreneur and owner of the Dallas Mavericks, dives into the complex relationship society has with the ultra-rich. He discusses his journey from earning his first paycheck to managing billions, revealing how wealth reshaped his priorities. Cuban critiques the broken healthcare system and his mission to introduce transparency with Cost Plus Drugs, which aims to lower prices. He also explores the potential of market forces to drive change in healthcare and defends billionaires' ability to disrupt entrenched industries for the greater good.

Dr. Geoffrey Hinton, a Turing Award-winning pioneer in AI, delves into the intriguing question of whether AI is alive. He discusses concepts of consciousness and the potential for AI to become sentient, probing the implications of autonomy and emotional insight in machines. Hinton warns of AI misuse risks, such as job displacement and existential threats, while also advocating for designing AI systems that genuinely care for humanity. The conversation balances urgent safety warnings with the fascinating possibilities of human-AI collaboration.

Join Geoffrey Hinton, the 'Godfather of AI' and Nobel Prize winner, as he dives into the fascinating world of artificial intelligence. He discusses how AI compares to the industrial revolution, the differences between neural networks and logic-based AI, and the potential risks associated with powerful systems. Hinton explains how AIs learn and adapt, questioning whether they could possess self-preservation instincts. He even tackles the tantalizing idea of whether we can simply shut them down, revealing the complexities of modern technology.

In this lively discussion, Grammy-winning multi-instrumentalist Jacob Collier dives into the essence of music and creativity. He explores the concept of rhythm as a relationship to time and explains how emotional expression can be conveyed through sound. Jacob shares his innovative method of turning audiences into choir-like instruments and reflects on the power of creative constraints in his work. He also discusses the potential impact of AI on music, advocating for emotional resonance over sterile precision. Plus, don’t miss his whimsical thoughts on the anatomy of the 'weenus'!

Maria Avgitidis, a fourth-generation matchmaker and founder of Agape Match, dives into the fascinating economics of love. She explores the 12 Date Rule and why texting falls short in dating. Maria discusses the real costs of matchmaking, revealing insights into client expectations and power dynamics. She emphasizes the importance of conflict resolution and even suggests an unusual IKEA test for couples. With a rich family history in matchmaking, Maria shares her thoughts on modern dating—including the best matchmakers being community members rather than friends.