Here We Are

Hibernation w/ Frank van Breukelen

31 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

This episode comes from a conversation with the Director of Life Sciences here at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. His research focuses on hibern...

Astronomy and Planetariums w/ Andrew Kerr

17 Jul 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today, I sit down with Andrew Kerr, head of the Dale Etheridge Planetarium in Las Vegas!  Andrew is an astronomer and physicist who received his PhD...

Dung Beetles! w/Kimberly Sheldon

13 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville speaking with Kimberly Sheldon all about dung beetles! Kim studies the patterns and processes tha...

Virtual Education w/Shalaunda Reeves

02 Mar 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm learning about virtual education and how technology is helping teach students about otherwise complex topics. Shalaunda Reeves holds a PhD ...

A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth w/Henry Gee

23 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Henry Gee is the author of ‘A (Very) Short History of Life on Earth’ - winner Royal Society Science Book Award 2022 and more notably, one of Shane...

Birdsong and City Noise

11 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

Birds, animal communication, evolution, environmental pressures, and human impacts.  This conversation was very much in the Here We Are whee...

La Crosse Virus

02 Feb 2023

Contributed by Lukas

I've got some major life updates including a residency in Vegas at https://area15.com/ Sundays starting April 23.  Tickets and details should be ...

Modeling a way out of Extinction

30 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm at The University of Tennessee, Knoxville speaking with Dr. Paul Armsworth.  Paul examines how conservation investment strategies and n...

Modern Humans w/David and Douglas Kenrick

23 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking with David and Douglas Kenrick about their new book "Solving Modern Problems With a Stone-Age Brain: Human Evolution and the Seven ...

Horticultural Therapy w/Dr. Derrick Stowell

16 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville speaking with Dr. Derrick Stowell, who is the Education and Horticultural Therapy Program Admini...

Transdisciplinary Synthesis w/Dr. Nina Fefferman

09 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Nina Fefferman is back! Today, I'm at the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. We talk about beauty and utility of math and how to get young learners...

The Human Network w/Tamas David Barrett

02 Nov 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking with evolutionary behavioural scientist, Tamas David Barrett. His work focuses on how the structure of social networks change ...

Casual Apocalypse w/Athena Aktipis

26 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week I went Arizona State University to talk with Athena Aktipis about the potential of apocalyptic events, both natural and human-caused, and ho...

Counterfactual Thinking w/ Dr. Keith Markman

19 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm hanging out with Dr. Keith Markman! Keith was one of the scientists that gave a talk at this year's Mind Under Matter Campout Festival. Keit...

The Truth About the Middle Ages w/ Daniele Cybulskie

13 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking with Daniele Cybulskie, who is a historian, writer, and podcaster. Daniele has written several books about medieval history, which ...

Thriving in the End Times w/Athena Aktipis

05 Oct 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week I'm talking with Athena Aktipis about the gradients of apocalyptic events and how humans cope with the end times. Athena is an Associate Pro...

Phosphorus and The Environment w/ Dr. Jim Elser

28 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today we're talking phosphorus, from exploding stars to urine. Dr. Jim Elser is a limnologist, Director of Flathead Lake Biological Station at Yellow ...

Here We Are LIVE with Herman Pontzer

23 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This episode of the Here We Are podcast was recorded live at the Mind Under Matter Campout Festival in Raleigh, NC at the beautiful Lakeside Retreats....

Humility w/Daryl R. Van Tongeren

07 Sep 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking with Daryl R. Van Tongeren, who is an associate professor of psychology at Hope College. We discuss some of the topics he writes ab...

Human Productivity w/Tara Behrend

31 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking with Tara Behrend, who is an Assoc of Industrial-Organizational Psychology at Purdue University. We discuss productivity and effici...

Happier Hour w/Cassie Holmes

25 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking with Cassie Holmes, professor at UCLA’s Anderson School of Management. We talk about her new book "Happier Hour: How to Beat Dist...

Human Factors w/Anne McLaughlin

17 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I am speaking with Anne McLaughlin, who is a psychology professor at North Carolina State University. We discuss her book "All Too Human", which...

Emotional Intelligence w/Hillary Anger Elfenbein

04 Aug 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking with Hillary Anger Elfenbein, who is a professor at the Olin School of Washington University. We discuss the parallels between stan...

Set and Setting w/Cole Marta

28 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm hanging out with my good friend, Cole Marta. Cole is the Co-founder, Medical Director, and Clinician at California Center for Psychedelic Th...

Michael Garfield

21 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I catch up with my good friend, Michael Garfield. Michael is the host of the Future Fossils podcast and the Complexity podcast. In hi...

Nature vs Nurture? w/ Marlene Zuk

14 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking with one of my very first guests on the Here We Are podcast, Marlene Zuk. Marlene is a Professor of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior...

Restrictive Mating Strategies w/Martie Haselton and Jaimie Krems

08 Jul 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking with Martie Haselton and Jaimie Krems. Martie is the world's leading researcher on how ovulatory cycles influence women's sexuality...

Ancestral Cousins w/Steven E. Churchill

22 Jun 2022

Contributed by Lukas

In this first ever in-person video episode of Here We Are I talk with human paleontologist, Steven E. Churchill in his lab at Duke University. We talk...

Solo Travel w/ Peter McGraw

26 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm talking with my very close friend, Peter McGraw. We talk about the pros and cons of being single vs being in a relationship, traveling as a ...

Special Announcements | Solo Episode

12 May 2022

Contributed by Lukas

I have a couple special announcements and updates to share with you in this short solo episode.  Check out the latest Mind Under Matter episode t...

Culture + Cognition w/ Helena Miton

28 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Helena Miton is a cognitive anthropologist and complexity postdoctoral fellow at the Santa Fe Institute. She investigates how culture is mai...

Internet Gurus w/ Dr. Chris Kavanagh

20 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking with Dr. Christopher Kavanagh, who is a postdoctoral researcher at the Institute of Cognitive & Evolutionary Anthropology....

Philosophy + Emotion w/Cecilea Mun

13 Apr 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I am speaking with Cecilea Mun, who is a Visiting Assistant Professor of the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics program, with the Department of...

Sustainable Living W/ Dave Ader

31 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week I’m talking with Dave Ader, an interdisciplinary scholar in the fields of sustainable agriculture and rural development. He currently work...

Genetics + Evolution w/ Itai Yanai

23 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week I am talking with Itai Yanai, Director of the Institute for Computational Medicine and Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Pharmacology ...

Conversational Science w/ Susanna Harris

17 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week I’m talking all about science communication with Susanna L Harris. Susanna earned her PhD in microbiology at UNC-Chapel Hill and is now wo...

Robert Sapolsky

09 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

My biggest hero Robert Sapolsky returns to the show for an exceptionally important conversation about stress during a time where many of us have exper...

Ayahuasca + The Rainforest w/ Sophia Rokhlin

03 Mar 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week I am talking with Sophia Rokhlin, co-author of the book “When Plants Dream”. Sophia Rokhlin is an author, speaker and nonprofit organize...

Amphibians w/ Matthew J. Gray

23 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week I’m talking with Matthew Gray, associate director of the University of Tennessee Knoxville, Center for Wildlife Health about amphibians. ...

Covid-19 + Emergency Rooms w/Graham Walker

16 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week Shane is talking with Graham Walker, an Emergency Room Physician in San Francisco, CA. They discuss how Covid has effected hospitals and st...

Gurus Decoded w/ Matthew Browne

10 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking with Matthew Browne, who is a Professor of Psychology researching gambling in Australia. Matthew also cohosts the podcast "Decoding...

Child Rearing Across Cultures w/Melanie Martin

02 Feb 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week I’m talking with Melanie Martin, a biological anthropologist investigating evolutionary and ecological influences on growth and developmen...

Nutrition w/Hollie Raynor

27 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week Shane chats with Hollie Raynor, Professor in the Department of Nutrition at The University of Tennessee Knoxville.  Hollie is the Director ...

Diet + Evolution w/Herman Pontzer

19 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm hanging out with returning guest, Herman Pontzer. Herman is the author of "Burn: New Research Blows the Lid Off How We Really Burn Calories,...

Butterflies! w/ Emilie Snell-Rood

12 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

This week I talk with Associate Professor of Ecology, Evolution and Behavior at The University of Minnesota, Emilie Snell-Rood. Emilie’s lab takes b...

Omicron? w/Jessica Brinkworth

05 Jan 2022

Contributed by Lukas

Jessica Brinkworth returns to Here We Are for her 4th time to give us an update on COVID! We talk about the spread of misinformation, vaccine hesitanc...

The Tailored Brain w/Emily J Willingham

30 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I talk to returning guest, Emily J Willingham, about her book "The The Tailored Brain: From Ketamine, to Keto, to Companionship, A User's Guide ...

Science + Mysticism w/ Duncan Trussell

22 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On a very special episode of Here We Are, I talk with wonderful friend and fellow comedian, Duncan Trussell. Check out Duncan’s Podcast, The Duncan...

Peace Making w/Doug Noll

15 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week I am speaking with Douglas Noll, author of the book *De-Escalate: How to Calm an Angry Person in 90 Seconds or Less* which was the winner of...

Sleeping + Dreaming w/ Barrett Klein and Dr. Zlatan Krizan

08 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week, Shane is talking with Dr. Zlatan Križan, Professor of Psychology at Iowa State University, and Barrett Klein, Professor of Biology at UW-L...

Why I Started This Show (Solo Episode)

01 Dec 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Here We Are turns 8 years old! To celebrate, I decided to do record a solo episode talking about how I got into science and comedy, feeling out of pla...

Economics and One Health w/Charles Sims

18 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week I am speaking with Associate Professor of Economics at The University of Tennessee Knoxville, Charles Sims. We discuss the economics of covi...

4.6 Billion Years in 2 Hours w/Henry Gee

10 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I speak with evolutionary biologist and author, Henry Gee. We discuss the writing process, the replication crisis, the origin of the Universe an...

A Shot to Save the World w/Greg Zuckerman

04 Nov 2021

Contributed by Lukas

On this week's episode of Here We Are, I am talking with Gregory Zuckerman. Greg is a Special Writer at The Wall Street Journal. He's an investigative...

The Knowledge Illusion w/Steve Sloman and Phil Fernbach

28 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week I'm speaking with authors of The Knowledge Illusion, Steve Sloman and Phil Fernbach.  Steven Sloman is a cognitive scientist at Brown Univ...

Recreational Fear w/Mathias Clasen

20 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In celebration of Halloween I'm speaking with Mathias Clasen, a scholar of horror fiction and associate professor in literature and media at Aarhus Un...

Emotional Labor w/Nicholas Coles

15 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week I talk with Nicholas Coles, A research scientist at Stanford University. Nicholas is an experimental psychologist who conducts research in a...

Morbid Curiosity w/Coltan Scrivner

12 Oct 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I am speaking with Coltan Scrivner, who is a researcher at The University of Chicago in the Department of Comparative Human Development and a Fe...

Influencing Environmental Norms w/Adam Willcox

29 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking with Adam Willcox from The University of Tennessee, Knoxville. His lab focuses on the human dimensions of biodiversity conservation...

The Secret Social Lives of Reptiles w/Sean Doody

22 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking with Sean Doody, who studies reptiles and conservation biology theory! We talk about the evolution of reptiles, the difficulty with...

Well-being and Personality

08 Sep 2021

Contributed by Lukas

How much of our personality is bound to our genetic makeup, and how much can we actually change about ourselves? Is there any hope for the notoriously...

Phallacy w/Emily Willingham

25 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Emily Willingham joins me today to talk all about the evolutionary pressures that lead to the variety of penis designs we find in nature. Her new book...

Artificial Intimacy w/Rob Brooks

19 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking with returning guest, Rob Brooks! Rob is a Scientia Professor of Evolution at the University of New South Wales. He studies human m...

Backyard Chickens w/Marcy Souza

11 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Marcy Souza is an Associate Professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, College of Veterinary Medicine. We talk about the rapidly changing wo...

Science of Play w/Gordon Burghardt

05 Aug 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Gordon Burghardt studies comparative behavior and psychology in animals. We talk about the evolution of 'play', anthropomorphism and anthrodenialism, ...

Biomimicry + Space

28 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Astrobiofuturist and designer, Billy Almon is joining me today! Billy is an inventor who aims to reach the next generation of inventors, designers, sc...

Dog is Love w/ Clive Wynne

21 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking with one of my favorite Standup Science guests, Clive Wynne, Director of the Canine Science Collaboratory at Arizona State Universi...

Viruses + The Apocalypse

14 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I speak with returning guest, Athena Aktipis, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University and co-Director of...

Cicadas!

07 Jul 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this first ever 4-person episode of Here We Are, I get to geek out all about cicadas with Barrett Klein (who is a good friend of mine and very popu...

Vaccine Hesitancy

30 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Here We Are, Shane gets the latest on vaccine information and reopening after the pandemic from returning guest, Jessica Brinkworth...

Fungal Pathogens

23 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I'm speaking with returning guest, Denita Hadziabdic Guerry. Denita's research focuses on population genetics of fungal plant pathogens, populat...

Quarantine Life

16 Jun 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Today I speak with returning guest, Kari Nixon, who is the author of the brand new book "Quarantine Life from Cholera to COVID-19: What Pandemics Teac...

Geometry + Everything

26 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Jordan Ellenberg is a mathematician and author of the new book "Shape: The Hidden Geometry of Information, Biology, Strategy, Democracy, and Everythin...

Body Farm

19 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This week I learn all about what happens to your body after you die! Environmental microbiologist, Jennifer DeBruyn, researches microbiomes at the "bo...

Neuroscience and Ethical Marketing

12 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode, I talked with the authors of the book "Blindsight: The (Mostly) Hidden Ways Marketing Reshapes Our Brains". Prince Ghuman has taught ...

Illuminating Conspiracy Thinking

05 May 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Am I buying into mainstream science? Is anti-conformity a form of conformity? How does the evolutionary mismatch between our parasympathetic responses...

The New Science of Self-Actualization w/Scott Barry Kaufman

28 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

This is one of the goofiest Here We Are episodes to date. Anytime a scientist wants to goof around and keep things loose, I'm way up for it. One of ...

The Psychology of Comedy

21 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this special episode, Shane is joined by Ramin Nazer in a reverse role interview where C Shawn Green asks both of them about their experiences as s...

Farming + Stress

13 Apr 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Have you ever thought about specific stressors that farmers face?  Me EITHER!  And it is damn fascinating.  Did you know that you aren’t a rea...

Comedy + Business

27 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Shane talks with long-time friend and host of the Podcast: Solo - A Single Person's Guide to a Remarkable Life, Peter McGraw. They talk about everythi...

Covid-19: 1 Year Later w/Jessica Brinkworth

16 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

In this episode of Here We Are, Shane talks with return guest Jessica Brinkworth about covid-19 and what we’ve learned over the past year. They disc...

Multiple Sclerosis Research

10 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Shane talks with Multiple Sclerosis Specialist, May Han, about the new research being done on MS, the diagnosis process, and things patients can do to...

The New Science of the Human Metabolism

03 Mar 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Shane talks with evolutionary anthropologist, Herman Pontzer, about his new book "Burn" which breaks down the new understanding of human health. We di...

Kratom

23 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Shane talks with clinical psychologist, Dr. Mark Swogger, about his new research which focuses on the potential individual and public health benefits ...

Preparing for Climate Change

17 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Shane talks with science and technology writer, David Pogue, about his new book "How to Prepare for Climate Change: A Practical Guide to Surviving the...

Quench

09 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Shane talks with anthropologist, Gina Bria, and wellness doctor, Dana Cohen about their book "Quench" which explores the new science on hydration. Is ...

Lost Wallet Study

02 Feb 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Shane talks with behavioral economist, Alain Cohn, about his fascinating study that examines the trade off between honesty and self-interest. They pur...

Anthropomorphic Health

26 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

B. N. Horowitz, M.D., turns to the natural world for insights into health and development. She has faculty appointments at Harvard Medical School, Har...

Applied Cognition

19 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Return guest Joel Suss is so interesting and does really unique work.  His research interests focus on understanding and improving perceptual-cognit...

Gender Norms

12 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

I had this conversation with Dr. Beth A. Livingston last September and I'm finally releasing it today. We talk about gender norms and biases and how t...

Wearable Tech + Covid w/Prof. Michael Snyder

05 Jan 2021

Contributed by Lukas

Wearables can do so much more than count your steps. They can also be used for detecting abnormalities caused by Covid up to 10 days before symptoms a...

The Courage to Suffer

29 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Authors of ‘The Courage to Suffer: A New Clinical Framework for Life's Greatest Crises’ join me to talk about mental health, spirituality, what ha...

Comedy Sex God | Pete Holmes

22 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

This week I talk with my good friend and multi-talented Pete Holmes! I wanted to have a spiritual conversation with someone outside of academia for a ...

Holiday Covid Update w/Nina Fefferman

15 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Covid update with my favorite guest on the subject! Nina Fefferman has spent her career modeling future pandemics. Because of Covid, she’s gone fro...

Anthropologists on Witchcraft

08 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Take a peek inside the life of the people who get to peek inside the lives of others. This week I talk with two anthropologists about what it's like t...

Biodiversity Loss

01 Dec 2020

Contributed by Lukas

On this episode, we chat about biodiversity loss as a key issue in our modern world.  We emphasize the impact it has on increasing of disease in our...

The Economics of Covid | Solo Episode

27 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

In this rare solo episode, I explore what it's like as a comedian, show producer, and science communicator trying to navigate Covid, the economy, publ...

Your Brain on Birth Control w/ Dr. Sarah Hill

24 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Professor Sarah Hill of the Hill Evolutionary Social Psychology Lab at Texas Christian University returns to the show to talk about her new book ‘Th...

Do You Really Need Spine Surgery?

20 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

David Hanscom is author of the book ‘Do You Really Need Spine Surgery?’.  He is a renowned complex deformity spinal surgeon of 30 years and his ...

Underwater Volcanoes + Scallop Porn

09 Nov 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Volcanic activity, submarine adventures, and scallop porn are on today’s menu. If that is somehow not enticing enough, you’re also going to find o...