Clear+Vivid with Alan Alda

This season features an array of fascinating guests. Dr. Morgan McSweeney dives into how to communicate complex medical concepts in fun ways for social media. Marlo Thomas shares heartwarming stories about St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and her father's inspiring legacy. Mark Abrahams explains the quirky Ig Nobel Awards that celebrate humor in science. Elena Hoyker reveals how laughter in infants can foster social skills, while Michael Shermer discusses the elusive nature of truth, emphasizing evidence and open-mindedness.

Alex Pentland is a computer and social scientist at the forefront of studying the societal impacts of AI. He discusses how technology has shaped culture throughout history, drawing parallels with bees and their communication methods. Pentland addresses the echo chamber effect of social media, how AI can improve public discussions, and the importance of curiosity for healthier lives. He also emphasizes the role of personal AI agents in safeguarding consumer interests and explores the balance between exploration and tradition in societal change.

Jelani Cobb, a prominent journalist and Dean of the Columbia School of Journalism, dives into the evolving landscape of news. He highlights the decline of public trust in media and its impact on local news, which has left significant coverage gaps. Cobb also discusses the challenges posed by AI and the shift from traditional journalism to digital formats. Despite these hurdles, he emphasizes the resilience of journalism students and innovative strategies—like bundling news with engaging content—to attract readers and sustain the industry.

MASH changed Alan’s life as well as the lives of the rest of the MASH cast. In this revisit of a free-wheeling conversation recorded in 2019 Alan, and the gang reminisce about an extraordinary eleven years of connecting and communicating. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Alan revisits a conversation he had with Michael seven years ago, at a time when Fox had been grappling with Parkinson’s Disease for 27 years and Alan for three. As Alan says in this updated episode, both have been fighting Parkinson’s with attitude – plenty of attitude. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Bill McKibben, an influential environmental author and founder of 350.org, discusses the rapid growth of solar and wind energy, now cheaper than fossil fuels. He highlights grassroots efforts to accelerate climate action, even amid U.S. federal setbacks. McKibben shares innovative solutions like solar farms combating desertification and balcony solar for apartment dwellers. He emphasizes the importance of local action, the challenges posed by fossil fuel interests, and the global grassroots movement his organization promotes.

In a surprising shift in how we communicate about the climate crisis, Kate Marvel explores the feelings evoked by her research. Her new book tackles what’s happening to our changing planet, each chapter triggering in her a different emotional response – from wonder and anger, though guilt to love: using emotion along with facts to spur action. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Justin Evans, a seasoned data expert and author, passionately brings data to life, revealing its power to tell compelling human stories. He shares how data-driven heroes, like an epidemiologist in NYC, saved lives during COVID. Evans dives into the ethical dilemmas in data practices, referencing his run-ins with tech giants. From loneliness scores aiding seniors to historical examples like John Graunt mapping plague deaths, he illustrates data's critical role in society, emphasizing that it's about meaningful ideas, not just numbers.

Melanie Kaplan, a veteran journalist and travel writer, shares her heartfelt journey after adopting Hammy, a former lab beagle. She unpacks the troubling realities of animal research, revealing that over 95% of promising drugs fail in humans. Kaplan discusses the historical reasons behind beagles being used in labs and the welfare issues in commercial dog breeding. She advocates for innovative non-animal alternatives and emphasizes the importance of societal responsibility in animal research, all while recounting touching moments of Hammy's recovery and transformation.

Not only are non-violent protests more effective than armed resistance, but a surprisingly small percentage of the population – around three and a half percent – has been enough to change governments. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.