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Artwork for Heliox: Where Evidence Meets Empathy 🇨🇦‬

Heliox: Where Evidence Meets Empathy 🇨🇦‬

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Climate Change
Covid-19
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Long COVID
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Neuroplasticity
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Celestial Holography

We make rigorous science accessible, accurate, and unforgettable.

Produced by Michelle Bruecker and Scott Bleackley, it features reviews of emerging research and ideas from leading thinkers, curated under our creative direction with AI assistance for voice, imagery, and composition. Systemic voices and illustrative images of people are representative tools, not depictions of specific individuals.... more

PublishesDailyEpisodes443Founded2 years ago
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Society & CultureScience

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Artwork for Heliox: Where Evidence Meets Empathy 🇨🇦‬

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Dr. Aronson puts it plainly: we should not be striving merely to avoid being old. We should be striving to become vibrant, respected elders. Wisdom has a different texture than information. Perspective has a different wei... more

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helioxpodcast.substack.com/archive?sort=new

On aging, elderhood, and the third act we abandoned

There is a moment, somewhere around your mid-forties, when you start to notice them differently. The older woman on the bus wi... more

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The Underground Internet: How Fungi Hack Plant DNA

What if the line between one organism and another was never real to begin with?

In this episode, we decode a landmark 2026 Nature Plants paper that reveals one of biology's most e... more

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Recent Guests

Joe Nagai
10-year-old entomologist from Kobe, Japan
Self-described backyard researcher
Episode: 🦋 How Life Remembers: From Metamorphosis to Simulation
Mohamed Yagubi
Researcher at McGill University
McGill University
Episode: đź§ Your Brain Is Lying to You (And That's Why You're Still Alive)
Sabrina Pasterski
An inspirational figure in theoretical physics with a childhood fascination in aerospace, known for her work on low-energy particles and gravitational theories.
Episode: 🌌 Celestial Holography: Who, What, Why, & How
Andrew Strominger
A key contributor to the field of theoretical physics, known for connecting the structure of gravity with gauge theory.
Episode: 🌌 Celestial Holography: Who, What, Why, & How
Keith Humphreys
PhD professor of psychiatry at Stanford
Stanford Medicine
Episode: An Ancient Brain in a Modern World: Addiction Isn't About Willpower
Anna Lembke
MD, professor of psychiatry at Stanford and author of Dopamine Nation
Stanford Medicine
Episode: An Ancient Brain in a Modern World: Addiction Isn't About Willpower
Jody Pracoska
Clinical psychologist studying tobacco addiction at Stanford
Stanford Medicine
Episode: An Ancient Brain in a Modern World: Addiction Isn't About Willpower
Dr. Prochaska
Medical professional specializing in tobacco cessation
Episode: An Ancient Brain in a Modern World: Addiction Isn't About Willpower
Dr. Pertasko
Episode: An Ancient Brain in a Modern World: Addiction Isn't About Willpower

Hosts

Michelle Bruecker
Host and producer, Heliox; co-host with a focus on evidence-based storytelling and science communication.
Scott Bleackley
Co-host and producer, Heliox; co-host with a focus on rigorous science communication and engaging discussion.

Reviews

3.5 out of 5 stars from 15 ratings
  • This is AI Hosted

    AI hosted. Atleast be honest about this fact in description.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    seinunzeit
    United Statesa year ago
  • AI mispronounced HIV and gave itself away

    I recently listened to the podcast on H5N1. I appreciated the discussion of some recent scientific studies. And then during a broader discussion, the female AI host mispronounced HIV. She said “hive” like “the hive virus”. Hahahahahaha. Unless there is actually a person who doesn’t know how to pronounce HIV, the slip up made me laugh so hard I couldn’t take the rest seriously.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Kate JN
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners often value the host's empathy and ability to connect complex ideas to real-world impact.
Some listeners appreciate the rigorous, research-forward approach and clear explanations.
A few critics note moments where production or AI-assisted elements distract from content quality.
A small set of reviews mention pronunciation or AI-generated aspects affecting perceived authenticity.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#97
Argentina/Science
Apple Podcasts
#240
Israel/Science

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Dog Study: Costs and Benefits of Living with a Different Species
Q: Any advice on how someone can realistically prepare for the financial burden of vet care?
Knowledge is power; researching pet insurance options and setting up a dedicated savings account for vet expenses can help.
Dog Study: Costs and Benefits of Living with a Different Species
Q: How do we know if dog ownership is actually the right fit for us?
It's about whether your lifestyle and personality truly align with the needs of a dog.
Research Integrity & the Future of Scientific Publishing
Q: So what is a paper mill?
Paper mills are businesses that industrialize the production of fake research, exploiting the pressures on academics to publish.
America's Healthcare: Why It's The Most Expensive, And Least Effective
Q: What are some things we could actually do to change things?
Promising ideas include price transparency, allowing Medicare to negotiate drug prices, and moving away from fee-for-service to value-based care.
America's Healthcare: Why It's The Most Expensive, And Least Effective
Q: What are some explanations for why we're spending so much but not living longer?
The organization and delivery of healthcare in the U.S. is fundamentally different from other countries, affecting both costs and outcomes.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

A rigorously scientific yet accessible show that translates peer-reviewed research and cutting-edge ideas into clear, story-driven conversations. Across episodes, the hosts explore topics from biology and neuroscience to archaeology, climate, AI governance, and the social implications of science, often reframing complex concepts with developmental, historical, or ethical contexts. Noteworthy is the thoughtful balance between deep-dive analysis and approachable storytelling, plus an emphasis on how evidence matters in real-world decisions. The format often centers on the researchers' work and its significance, with a tone that is independent, global, and community-minded, making it appealing to listeners who crave substance without sacrifici... more

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1. Acid Horizon
2. Dateline NBC
3. Macro Hive Conversations With Bilal Hafeez

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this podcast launched 2 years ago and published 443 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. Joe Nagai
2. Mohamed Yagubi
3. Sabrina Pasterski
4. Andrew Strominger
5. Keith Humphreys
6. Anna Lembke
7. Jody Pracoska
8. Dr. Prochaska

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