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Artwork for Bridging the Gaps: A Portal for Curious Minds

Bridging the Gaps: A Portal for Curious Minds

Dr Waseem Akhtar
Migration
Nobel Prize
Two Great Ideas
Climate Change
Racism
Social Change
Panpsychism
Consciousness
Artificial Intelligence
Language
Archaeology
Domestication
Neanderthals and Denisovans
Public Image Of Science
Science Communication
Subjectivity
AI Fairness
Metaverse
Moon
Ethics Of Space Colonization

In-depth conversations with researchers, explorers and thought leaders from around the world, on cutting edge research and original ideas.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes97Founded11 years ago
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TechnologyScience

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Artwork for Bridging the Gaps: A Portal for Curious Minds

Latest Episodes

Evolution is often described as a process of constant improvement. Yet many features of human biology challenge this assumption. Genetic diseases remain common. Large parts of our DNA appear to serve no clear purpose. Pregnancy is also highly ineffic... more

The universe may appear chaotic. Yet beneath this apparent disorder lies a vast network of rules. These rules shape patterns of action, force, and consequence. In “Ten Patterns That Explain the Universe”, popular science writer Brian Clegg examines t... more

How does the brain produce consciousness? Why should electrical and chemical activity in the brain give rise to thoughts, emotions, colors, sounds, and the feeling of being alive? Despite major advances in neuroscience, the inner nature of experience... more

Achieving meaningful and sustainable social change is a complex task and a demanding challenge. Many of the most urgent problems, such as climate change, racism, and poverty are structural. They arise from collective practices, including laws, econom... more

We are entering a new era of space exploration—one in which, for the first time, large numbers of people may travel beyond Earth. Some may even choose to remain there. This raises important questions: how will the extreme conditions of space affect t... more

The idea that evolutionary theory applies far beyond biology is not new. Yet one major obstacle to the broader acceptance of a generalised evolutionary theory is our tendency to begin with biology and extend outward from it. This approach obscures an... more

The metaverse is no longer a distant concept. It is unfolding now, driven by advances in artificial intelligence, big data, and immersive digital technologies. As it reshapes how we work, interact, and create value, it presents significant opportunit... more

Our ability to live for many decades is often viewed as a modern luxury made possible by clean water, improved living conditions, and advances in medicine. Yet, human longevity is actually part of our deep evolutionary history. The long-standing beli... more

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Recent Guests

Brian Clegg
Science writer and author of Ten Patterns That Explain the Universe and Ten Days in Physics That Shook the World
Independent author / science communicator
Episode: “Ten Patterns That Explain the Universe” and “Ten Days in Physics That Shook the World” with Brian Clegg
Philip Goff
Philosopher and consciousness researcher at Durham University
Durham University
Episode: “Galileo’s Error: Foundations for a New Science of Consciousness” with Professor Philip Goff
Alex Madva
Professor of Philosophy at Cal Poly Pomona; Director of the California Center for Ethics and Policy and Co-Director of the Digital Humanities Consortium
California State Polytechnic University, Pomona
Episode: “Somebody Should Do Something: How Anyone Can Help Create Social Change” with Professor Alex Madva
Scott Solomon
Biologist, science communicator, teaching professor at Rice University
Rice University; Smithsonian Institution
Episode: “Becoming Martian: How Living in Space Will Change Our Bodies and Minds” with Prof. Scott Solomon
Mark Vellend
Professor of Biology at University of Sherbrooke, fellow of the Royal Society of Canada
University of Sherbrooke
Episode: “Everything Evolves” and the Generalised Evolutionary Theory with Professor Mark Vellend
Dr. Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio
Expert on AI and big data, behavioral science and future of work
Harvard Law School; Kennedy School of Government; UN ITU; People Culture Data Consulting Group
Episode: Building a Thriving Future: Navigating the Metaverse and Multiverse with Dr Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio
Michael Gurven
Distinguished Professor of Anthropology, University of California, Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Barbara
Episode: “Seven Decades: How We Evolved to Live Longer” with Professor Michael Gurven
Derek Leben
Professor of Business Ethics at the Tepper School of Business, Carnegie Mellon University
Carnegie Mellon University, Tepper School of Business
Episode: “AI Fairness: Designing Equal Opportunity Algorithms” with Professor Derek Leben
Linda Zagzebski
Professor Emerita and the Kingfisher Chair of the Philosophy of Religion and Ethics Emerita at the University of Oklahoma
University of Oklahoma
Episode: “How Our Grasp of the Universe and Our Minds Changed Everything” with Professor Linda Zagzebski

Host

Dr. Vasim Akhtar
Host of Bridging the Gaps

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

“Ten Patterns That Explain the Universe” and “Ten Days in Physics That Shook the World” with Brian Clegg
Q: How do you view the role of science communication in today's world?
Science communication should make complex ideas accessible and accurate, helping the public discern real data from misinformation, while highlighting the human context and history behind scientific advances.
“Ten Patterns That Explain the Universe” and “Ten Days in Physics That Shook the World” with Brian Clegg
Q: Which pattern in the book do you find most fascinating and why?
The number line fascinates me because it underlies arithmetic and foundational mathematics, yet also reveals surprising behaviors when extended to infinity and higher dimensions, linking simple concepts to broad mathematical structures.
“Somebody Should Do Something: How Anyone Can Help Create Social Change” with Professor Alex Madva
Q: What practical steps can listeners take to contribute to social change without becoming cynical or burnt out?
Focus on cultivating attention to structural factors, engage with others to form groups, maintain humility about what can be achieved, and build meaning through social roles and long-term commitments that balance hope with pragmatic action.
“Somebody Should Do Something: How Anyone Can Help Create Social Change” with Professor Alex Madva
Q: How do online and offline activism relate, and can online actions lead to real-world change?
Online activism can mobilize and connect people, especially in isolated communities, but it can also trigger negative spillover if it substitutes for deeper engagement; the book argues for using online activity as a first step that leads to broader organizing and sustained action.
“Somebody Should Do Something: How Anyone Can Help Create Social Change” with Professor Alex Madva
Q: What sparked the authors to write a book about individual actions mattering alongside structural change?
A realization that people were being trained into an overly individualistic view, and that while structural change is essential, those individual actions and everyday habits can be coordinated to support and amplify larger goals.

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

What is This Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This series features deep conversations with researchers, scientists, and thought leaders tackling big questions at the frontiers of science, technology, and human knowledge. Episodes frequently explore space biology, evolution, artificial intelligence ethics, science communication, aging and longevity, and philosophy of mind, often tying empirical findings to practical implications for policy, governance, and society. A notable strength is the rigorous integration of research with accessible storytelling, including interdisciplinary threads that connect biology, technology, culture, and future-focused challenges. Listeners can expect thoughtful, evidence-based discussions with prominent academics and researchers, along with provocations ab... more

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1. The Joe Rogan Experience

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this podcast launched 11 years ago and published 97 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Brian Clegg
2. Philip Goff
3. Alex Madva
4. Scott Solomon
5. Mark Vellend
6. Dr. Paola Cecchi-Dimeglio
7. Michael Gurven
8. Derek Leben

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