Episodes

  • Inside Kelsey Johnson’s Daring Quest to Decode the Universe’s Secrets

    Inside Kelsey Johnson’s Daring Quest to Decode the Universe’s Secrets
    Nov 24 2024
    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 Can science, philosophy, and religion work together to address humanity's biggest questions? What lessons can the cosmos teach us about our place in the universe and the future of humanity? And how do we bring back that sense of curiosity that seems to have faded among professionals? Here today to invite us into her daring quest to decode the universe’s secrets is the brilliant Kelsey Johnson. Kelsey is an accomplished astronomer, professor, and science communicator known for her groundbreaking work in astrophysics and her unique approach to blending science with philosophy and existential inquiry. She is a faculty member at the University of Virginia, where she has made significant contributions to the understanding of starburst galaxies, molecular clouds, and magnetic fields in the universe. Kelsey also founded the Dark Skies, Bright Kids program, which introduces rural communities to the wonders of astronomy. Tune in to learn more about curiosity, the intersection of science and philosophy, and the universe’s mysteries. Key Takeaways: 00:00:00 Intro 00:13:06 What inspired Kelsey to write Into the Unknown 00:16:23 Why scientists lose their curiosity 00:18:33 Judging a book by its cover 00:24:18 Balancing science and philosophy 00:31:55 The role of religion in understanding science 00:37:21 The cosmic marshmallow test 00:47:04 Dark Skies, Bright Kids 00:50:53 The Fermi paradox and the search for extraterrestrial life 01:00:55 Changing perspectives in cosmology 01:05:48 Starburst galaxies 01:08:03 Molecular clouds and feedback 01:10:38 Magnetic fields 01:12:59 Arthur C Clarke’s three laws 01:19:31 Outro Additional resources: ➡️ Learn more about Kelsey Johnson: 📚 Get Into the Unknown on Amazon: https://a.co/d/5XW0bmG ✖️ Follow Kelsey on Twitter: https://x.com/ProfKelsey ➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms: ✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1 📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list ✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known. Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 21 mins
  • Is the Universe a Simulation? Andrew Pontzen

    Is the Universe a Simulation? Andrew Pontzen
    Nov 17 2024
    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 Simulations today are powerful tools for exploring the mysteries of our universe, but how close can they come to replicating reality? Can we recreate everything through simulations, or are there limits we can’t overcome? And how do today’s powerful simulations shape our understanding of everything from galaxies to climate change? Here today, to answer all of these questions and more, is none other than Andrew Pontzen. Andrew is a cosmologist and professor known for his expertise in using computer simulations to understand the universe. He’s the author of The Universe in a Box, where he unpacks the complexities of cosmic simulations and their surprising limitations. Pontzen’s work is at the cutting edge of how we model and predict phenomena ranging from galaxy formation to climate change, bridging theoretical physics with practical, big-picture questions about reality. As we head toward an era where simulations and AI are central to scientific discovery, these questions are more important than ever. Tune in to learn about the power and limitations of simulation! Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 00:44 Is it possible to simulate reality? 04:49 Early simulation experiments 10:30 Fluid dynamics and weather simulations 13:51 Judging a book by its cover 16:01 End of the universe 19:13 Cosmic microwave background and spinning universes 24:11 Verification and validation 27:34 Big Bang controversy and the JWST 31:35 Galaxy simulations 42:23 Multiverse and quantum computing 48:58 Ethics and energy impact of high-performance computing 55:34 Outro Additional resources: ➡️ Learn more about Andrew: 📚 Get The Universe in a Box: https://a.co/d/2V7vuFR ✖️ Follow Andrew on Twitter: https://x.com/apontzen ➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms: ✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1 📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list ✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known. Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 16 mins
  • Is Our Universe Just a Math Problem? Max Tegmark’s Shocking Theory on Reality

    Is Our Universe Just a Math Problem? Max Tegmark’s Shocking Theory on Reality
    Nov 11 2024
    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 Is reality fundamentally mathematical? Is our universe just one of many? And will we ever discover extraterrestrial life? This week on Into the Impossible, I sit down with renowned physicist and machine learning expert Max Tegmark to discuss some of the most fundamental questions of our time! Tegmark has dedicated his career to uncovering the mathematical fabric of reality, proposing that our universe itself might be a vast mathematical structure and that we could be living in a multiverse of endless possibilities. His work goes beyond physics to tackle the transformative power and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence, an area where he believes humanity must tread carefully. In the first part of this mind-bending interview, we discuss his mathematical universe hypothesis, the search for extraterrestrial life, and AI’s role in science. Tune in! Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 00:49 The multiverse and mathematical structures 02:33 Theory of inflation and the multiverse 06:52 Levels of multiverses and mathematical structures 11:19 Quantum mechanics and classical mechanics 14:21 The relationship between theory and experiment 21:48 The search for extraterrestrial life 37:15 UFOs and military surveillance technology 41:19 Outro Additional resources: 📚 Our Mathematical Universe by Max Tegmark: https://a.co/d/03qjhLD ➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms: ✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1 📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list ✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known. Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    44 mins
  • The mRNA Breakthrough That Changed Medicine Forever with Nobel Laureate Katalin Karikó [Ep. 464]

    The mRNA Breakthrough That Changed Medicine Forever with Nobel Laureate Katalin Karikó [Ep. 464]
    Nov 3 2024
    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 What if the secret to saving millions of lives was hidden for years—overlooked, dismissed, and even rejected? That’s the story behind the groundbreaking mRNA technology used in COVID-19 vaccines. Today’s remarkable guest, Dr. Katalin Karikó—a Nobel laureate whose persistence and vision changed the course of medical history—shares how she overcame countless setbacks to drive one of the biggest breakthroughs in modern medicine. Discover how a humble butcher’s daughter from Hungary developed the foundation for the COVID-19 vaccine and why mRNA could hold the key to curing cancer and other deadly diseases. Tune in to learn more about the mRNA revolution that almost didn’t happen! Key Takeaways: 00:00:00 Intro 00:01:06 Origin of the Hungarian phrase “Marslahok” 00:02:11 Judging a book by its cover 00:05:40 The definition of life and extraterrestrial life 00:09:28 Katalin’s early life and scientific curiosity 00:18:00 Understanding RNA and mRNA 00:24:43 Development of the COVID vaccine 00:28:44 The COVID vaccine controversy 00:35:41 Overcoming adversity and advice for young scientists 00:54:10 The future of mRNA research and dealing with pandemics 01:01:08 What was Katalin wrong about? 01:02:15 Outro Additional resources: 📚 Get “Breaking Through: My Life in Science” by Dr. Katalin Karikó: https://a.co/d/cZjaFCw ➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms: ✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1 📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list ✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known. Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Is Earth Truly One of a Kind? Exploring Exoplanets with Josh Winn [Ep. 463]

    Is Earth Truly One of a Kind? Exploring Exoplanets with Josh Winn [Ep. 463]
    Oct 27 2024
    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 Is Earth truly one of a kind? This question has fascinated humans for decades, and with today's advanced technology, we're finally able to explore it scientifically. In this episode, renowned astrophysicist Josh Winn joins us to discuss the fascinating world of exoplanets, planetary systems, and the quest to discover other habitable planets. Josh shares the latest breakthroughs in exoplanet research, from unexpected discoveries like hot Jupiters to the ongoing efforts to detect Earth-like planets around distant stars. He also explores the challenges of studying planets light-years away and the exciting future missions that could reveal more about the universe beyond our solar system. Tune in to learn more about exoplanets and life beyond our solar system! Key Takeaways: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:34 Rare Earth Hypothesis 00:06:04 The role of stars in exoplanet habitability 00:13:23 Judging a book by its cover 00:16:50 Could aliens detect Tokyo? 00:19:42 The Habitable Worlds Observatory 00:22:06 Methods for detecting exoplanets 00:25:21 The lazy method 00:30:03 Avi Loeb and Oumuamua 00:36:08 The nuts and bolts of Josh's work 00:44:29 The role of technology in detecting exoplanets 00:52:48 Why should young people be interested in exoplanets? 00:57:22 Outro Additional resources: 📚 Get The Little Book of Exoplanets by Josh Winn: https://a.co/d/9PK4XFV ➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms: ✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1 📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list ✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known. Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 1 min
  • What’s Holding Back Your View of the Stars? Common Eye Deficiencies Explained

    What’s Holding Back Your View of the Stars? Common Eye Deficiencies Explained
    Oct 24 2024
    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered if your eyes were enough to capture all it has to offer? Spoiler alert: They’re not! While our eyes are absolutely amazing, they are also full of flaws. Nearsightedness, astigmatism, and even pesky floaters! But did you know these same flaws are mirrored in the world’s most advanced telescopes? In this episode, I discuss common eye deficiencies and explain how they affect our ability to observe the stars. I compare them to the optical imperfections in telescopes, such as chromatic and spherical aberration. Tune in to learn more about nature’s first telescopes! This episode is part 2 of a series where we’ll uncover even more intriguing insights about the connections between our eyes and telescopes, so stay tuned! Check out part 1: https://youtu.be/lSbyohV1XSE Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 01:29 Deficiencies of the human eye 05:42 Deficiencies in telescopes 13:59 Conclusion 15:37 Outro Additional resources: ➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms: ✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1 📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list ✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known. Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    19 mins
  • Searching for a Theory of Everything with Max Tegmark, James Beacham & Stephon Alexander (2020)

    Searching for a Theory of Everything with Max Tegmark, James Beacham & Stephon Alexander (2020)
    Oct 23 2024
    What are the leading theories of everything, and are we any closer to discovering the one true theory of everything? In this 90-minute summit, some of the world’s top physicists—Max Tegmark, James Beacham, Stephon Alexander—go beyond the hype to explore the very heart of physics. Einstein began the monumental task of unifying quantum mechanics with general relativity, but will we ever succeed in unifying all the forces of the universe? Can it be done? If so, when? Join us for this thought-provoking discussion and find out! Key Takeaways: 00:00:00 Intro 00:00:45 What is a theory of everything? 00:05:25 State of the field and personal perspectives 00:20:42 Experimental challenges 00:34:13 Mathematical foundations, the multiverse, and theoretical beauty 01:05:12 Where do we go from here? 01:14:23 Audience questions 01:25:35 Outro Additional resources: ➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms: ✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/DrBrianKeating 🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1 📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list ✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast ✨ Member's only playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUMOmXH_moPhfkqCk6S3b9RWuw Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known. Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 34 mins
  • How Being Wrong in Science Can Lead to Great Breakthroughs w/ Rocky Kolb [Ep. 462]

    How Being Wrong in Science Can Lead to Great Breakthroughs w/ Rocky Kolb [Ep. 462]
    Oct 20 2024
    Please join my mailing list here 👉 https://briankeating.com/list to win a meteorite 💥 How can embracing mistakes, challenging common assumptions, and daring to be wrong lead to groundbreaking discoveries in cosmology? Here to talk about why being wrong might actually be a good thing is the legendary astrophysicist Rocky Kolb. Rocky, a professor at the University of Chicago, is known for his work on the early universe and dark matter. With decades of experience under his belt, Rocky explains the tricky balance between confidence and humility in science. Tune in to learn more about the interplay of ego, humility, and science! Key Takeaways: 00:00 Intro 01:55 Judging a book by its cover 04:29 Humility, ego and science 14:50 Controversies in cosmology 21:06 Neutrinos and dark matter 24:26 The role of data in cosmology 35:46 Ethics and responsibility in science 43:48 Arthur C Clarke questions 48:01 Outro Additional resources: ➡️ Learn more about Rocky Kolb: 📚 Blind Watcher Of The Sky: https://a.co/d/aw0qZDt ➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms: ✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1 📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list ✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known. Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
    Show More Show Less
    53 mins