Rephonic
Artwork for Solve for X: Innovations to Change the World

Solve for X: Innovations to Change the World

MaRS Discovery District
Climate Change
Solar Energy
Healthcare
Plastic Pollution
Sustainable Agriculture
Canadian Tech Sector
Microplastics
Circular Economy
Lab-Grown Meat
Innovation Economy
Sustainable Alternatives
Artificial Intelligence
Canada
Renewable Energy
Food Technology
Mars
Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC)
IV Bags
Environmental Health
Brain-Computer Interface

Solve for X uncovers what’s next. Join journalist Manjula Selvarajah as she dives into the latest tech innovations shaping our world. How are satellites revolutionizing the fight against climate change? Could music be the medicine we need? What will it take for Canada to lead the global tech scene and achieve a zero-emission future? Discover the answers to these questions and more in the next seas... more

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes40Founded4 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
TechnologyScienceEarth Sciences

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for Solve for X: Innovations to Change the World

Latest Episodes

There are few neurodegenerative diseases as devastating as Huntington’s. It’s sometimes likened to having Parkinson’s, ALS and Alzheimer’s all at the same time, with symptoms that include progressive motor dysfunction, cognitive decline and behaviour... more

YouTube

Brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) have been allowing humans to control objects with their minds for nearly half a century. But in recent years, thanks partly to advances in AI, the technology has evolved dramatically; wearable and implantable devices ... more

YouTube

The fashion industry has its fair share of dirty secrets, but one of the lesser-known is how much it pollutes our waterways. Every year, garment factories use as much as 2 trillion gallons of water to dye clothes, and most of that water, now filled w... more

YouTube

There’s no denying that technology plays — and will continue to play — a critical role in addressing the climate crisis. But could super-intelligent AI actually solve the problem for us, as several tech billionaires claim? Or is this over-reliance on... more

YouTube

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast
NerdWallet's Smart Money PodcastNerdWallet Personal Finance
The Dr. Hyman Show
The Dr. Hyman ShowDr. Mark Hyman
The Gargle
The GargleThe Bugle

Recent Guests

Adam Kirton
Pediatric neurologist, Alberta Children's Hospital (Calgary)
University of Calgary / Alberta Children's Hospital
Episode: Mind over matter: Could brain-computer interfaces lead to a new era of innovation and healing?
Anne Vanhoestenberghe
Professor of Active Implantable Medical Device Technology
King's College London
Episode: Mind over matter: Could brain-computer interfaces lead to a new era of innovation and healing?
Dion Kelly
Co-founder and CEO of Possibility Neurotechnologies
Possibility Neurotechnologies
Episode: Mind over matter: Could brain-computer interfaces lead to a new era of innovation and healing?
Stephanie Sonnenberg
Mother of Claire Sonnenberg, a child using BCI
Private individual
Episode: Mind over matter: Could brain-computer interfaces lead to a new era of innovation and healing?
Macarena Cataldo
Chemical engineer, CEO and co-founder of Viridis
Viridis
Episode: Colour block: When it comes to water, can the textile industry clean up its act?
Adam Becker
Astrophysicist, science journalist, author of More Everything Forever, AI Overlords, Space Empires, and Silicon Valley's Crusade to Control the Fate of Humanity
Independent writer/researcher
Episode: Infinity quest: Is the hubris of tech billionaires endangering the planet?
Dana Tizya-Tramm
Chief of the Vantakwtjinn First Nation
Vantakwtjinn First Nation
Episode: The grid: Is it time to rethink our power systems? (Replay)
Josh Wong
Founder and CEO, Opus One Solutions
Opus One Solutions
Episode: The grid: Is it time to rethink our power systems? (Replay)
Destenie Nock
Energy equity expert and professor
Carnegie Mellon University
Episode: The grid: Is it time to rethink our power systems? (Replay)

Host

Manjula Selvarajah
Journalist and host focusing on innovative technology and climate change solutions.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 48 ratings
  • This podcast is really well researched and put together. Super underrated!

    Podcast Addict
    5
    Bastard_Bill
    5 months ago
  • Well done

    Good selection of guests. High production value. I always learn something new.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    FatRatTheThird
    Canada2 years ago
  • All about trees

    I learned stuff! Loved the botanist playing with airplanes in Thailand.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ConeNifer
    Canada4 years ago
  • Solve for X

    Great listen! Manjula bring to life in the most important topic of our generation with inspiring guests tackling climate change in innovative and simple ways!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    ksomask
    Canada4 years ago
  • Extremely informative and enlightening!

    Solve for X brilliantly describes the depths of issues pertaining to climate change. My kids are in a tech program and this is a must listen for all ages. As we sit presently in a heat wave with forest fires in part of the world, the topics definitely hit home!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Sam Sringistan
    Canada4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Several reviews highlight the podcast's refreshing, solution-oriented outlook on climate change, contrasting it with more typical doom-and-gloom narratives.
Overall, the discussions are described as enlightening, applicable to diverse audiences, and essential for understanding current innovations facing our world.
The informative nature of the series is frequently praised, emphasizing its focus on practical solutions in environmental conservation and healthcare.
Listeners appreciate the high production value and the selection of expert guests, often mentioning that they learn something new from each episode.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#67
United States/Technology
Apple Podcasts
#128
Canada/Technology

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Mind over matter: Could brain-computer interfaces lead to a new era of innovation and healing?
Q: Why have kids been left out of the early BCI space, and what changes do you see ahead?
Children's brains develop differently and are highly variable, so devices must account for individual neurodevelopmental trajectories; the field is gradually focusing more on pediatric inclusion to avoid leaving this population behind as implants become safer and more accessible.
Mind over matter: Could brain-computer interfaces lead to a new era of innovation and healing?
Q: What do you think we have to be careful about as we see this technology develop?
The most talked-about risk is trusting the interpretation of neural signals; as systems learn, they may start to represent intended communication in ways that diverge from the user's exact word choice, so safeguarding trust and ensuring the user maintains control are critical.
Infinity quest: Is the hubris of tech billionaires endangering the planet?
Q: What is the most important mindset shift for innovators, investors, and policymakers to make right now regarding climate action?
Embrace a realistic, system-level view that prioritizes evidence-based, scalable solutions over grandiose, carbon-intensive fantasies, and strengthen democratic oversight and regulation to align tech progress with the public good.
Infinity quest: Is the hubris of tech billionaires endangering the planet?
Q: Hi, this is Marcus Extavour. Is it valuable or possible to separate critiques of tech billionaires from critiques of the individuals doing the daily work to advance technology?
Yes, we can critique systems and leadership without condemning the many professionals who contribute to science and technology; the key is recognizing accountability, supporting workers, and ensuring diverse voices influence how technologies are developed and deployed.
Heat warning: Are we ready for a hotter climate?
Q: How do you think future generations will look back on our current handling of extreme heat?
They will likely view our inaction with frustration, recognizing that we had the knowledge but failed to act on it.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About This Podcast

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

This podcast focuses on innovative solutions to pressing global challenges, particularly those related to climate change and technology advancements. It features discussions with a variety of experts across several fields, including environmental science, medicine, and sustainable practices, exploring topics like solar energy, antimicrobial resistance, and environmental conservation. Unique solutions, creative interventions, and the intersection of science with everyday life are key themes, aiming to inspire listeners with practical approaches to critical issues. The optimistic tone of the episodes encourages engagement with complex problems while highlighting advancements and possibilities for a better future.

Where can I find podcast stats for this podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to this podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does this podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for this podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for this podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for this podcast, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does this podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers this podcast has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to this podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with this podcast:

1. Smart Travel: Upgrade Your Getaways
2. NerdWallet's Smart Money Podcast
3. The Dr. Hyman Show
4. Catalyst with Shayle Kann
5. The Gargle

How many episodes of this podcast are there?

this podcast launched 4 years ago and published 40 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact this podcast?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for this podcast?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for this podcast from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for this podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of this podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on this podcast?

Recent guests on this podcast include:

1. Adam Kirton
2. Anne Vanhoestenberghe
3. Dion Kelly
4. Stephanie Sonnenberg
5. Macarena Cataldo
6. Adam Becker
7. Dana Tizya-Tramm
8. Josh Wong

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days