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The Vandal Theory

University of Idaho
University Of Idaho
Idaho
Agriculture
America 250
Biochar
Plein Air Painting
Generative Artificial Intelligence
Aquaculture
Constitution
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Medical Education
Mythology
Tendon
Soil Moisture Sensors
Micron
Idaho Water Resources Research Institute
Jazz
Semiconductors
Special Collections and Archives
Educational Technology

“The Vandal Theory” podcast asks, “What gets University of Idaho researchers’ brains buzzing ... besides coffee?” These award-winning stories showcase researchers exploring and solving real-world problems. With interviews on all things Vandal, discover the world of U of I research with hosts Leigh Cooper and Danae Lenz.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes102Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Science

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Artwork for The Vandal Theory

Latest Episodes

How did you get to school as a kid? Every morning, school buses stop traffic and parents circle the school drop-off line. And there are engineering experts who specialize in moving people and products safely, efficiently, reliably and sustainably alo... more

How has AI helped you solve a problem? Artificial intelligence is reshaping how people work, learn and conduct research. At University of Idaho, researchers can use AI and advanced computing resources while keeping greater control over their data, co... more

Do you play any instruments? From the military rat-a-tat-tat of a single snare drum to the 30- or 40-piece drum kits played by some rock drummers, the drum kit has come a long way. While the individual pieces of the kit trace their origins around the... more

A new season of “The Vandal Theory” returns Tuesday, Oct. 6, with more stories about science and research at University of Idaho. Season 12 explores how researchers are putting artificial intelligence to work and what wildfire smoke means for dairy c... more

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Recent Guests

Luke Sheneman
Director of Research, Computing and Data Services at U of I
University of Idaho
Episode: Episode 12.2: Building AI infrastructure for ambitious research
Dan Bukvich
University distinguished professor of percussion and theory
University of Idaho, Lionel Hampton School of Music
Episode: Episode 12.1: History of the American drum set
Dulce Kirsting-Lark
Head of Special Collections and Archives at University of Idaho Library
University of Idaho Library
Episode: SS 2.4: Understanding the past to better understand today
Barbara Petty
Associate Dean in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences; Director of University of Idaho Extension
University of Idaho
Episode: SS 2.3: Bringing research-based solutions to every corner of the state
Ross Warren
Career consultant at University of Idaho; former Army ROTC program leader
University of Idaho
Episode: SS 2.2: Preparing generations of Idahoans for military service
Mario Pile
Student ombuds, retention specialist in the College of Letters, Arts and Social Sciences, and a member of U of I's America 250 committee
University of Idaho
Episode: SS 2.1: Expanding access to education in the American West
Erin James
Professor of English, Director of Sustainability Certificate, Co-director of the Confluence Lab
University of Idaho
Episode: Episode 11.8: Decoding science through storytelling
Nathan Schiele
Associate Professor of Chemical and Biological Engineering at University of Idaho
University of Idaho
Episode: Episode 11.7: Combining biology and engineering to build stronger tendons
Richard Seamon
Professor of Law, University of Idaho College of Law
University of Idaho
Episode: Episode 11.6: How an old Constitution applies to modern life

Hosts

Danae Lenz
Host of The Vandal Theory; external communications coordinator at University of Idaho
Leigh Cooper
Science writer and editor at University of Idaho; host of The Vandal Theory

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 21 ratings
  • I like but the music…

    This is a cool podcast I like learning about the research going on at U of I while I am a graduate student there, but all the music used as kind of obnoxious not only the choice in music but there’s way too much of it.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Heather the grad student
    United States5 years ago
  • Great, short intros to UI scholars!

    Just discovered this podcast! Apparently it’s been running for three years? Anyway, I’m impressed- I really appreciate learning more about the UI scholars around campus. Thanks, Leigh Cooper!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Tim 2015
    United States6 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Guests are well-aligned with campus research and public-interest topics.
Listeners appreciate quick, accessible introductions to UI scholars and research.
A few listeners note music volume/tempo as a minor distraction at times.
The show benefits from clear explanations of complex topics and local relevance.

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Episode 12.1: History of the American drum set
Q: Can you just tell us a little bit about yourself before we dive in?
Dan Bukvich describes his 50-year tenure at the University of Idaho, starting as a graduate student and eventually teaching percussion and theory at the Lionel Hampton School of Music, providing context for his expertise on drums and their history.
Episode 10.1: The hidden costs of keeping Idaho’s water flowing
Q: How do these population trends affect financing and regulation?
Growth pressures systems to expand capacity while federal funding rules sometimes constrain when growth can be considered in financing, leading to tough choices about rate impacts and affordability for residents.
Episode 10.1: The hidden costs of keeping Idaho’s water flowing
Q: What population challenges are there out there?
Idaho is one of the fastest growing states, with population rising by about 54 percent since 2000, creating demand that outpaces prior infrastructure planning and complicates financing and planning for future needs.
SS 1.4 Stopping wildfires before they spark
Q: What is the project?
The project involves identifying vegetation under power lines that is most at risk for igniting wildfires, using lab ignition testing and field sampling to create practical tools for utilities.
SS 1.3 Training Idaho’s next wave of tech talent
Q: To start us off, can you just give us a quick overview of what you research?
I work on high-temperature electronics using wide-bandgap materials like silicon carbide and gallium nitride to design, fabricate, and package chips that can operate at temperatures up to 600 degrees Celsius, with applications from space to geothermal energy and beyond.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Vandal Theory

What is The Vandal Theory about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A science-focused interview show from a university studio, featuring researchers, educators, and campus insiders. Episodes center on translating complex scholarship into accessible stories, with topics spanning archives, extension work, constitutional history, biology-engineering intersections, and environmental storytelling. Notable strengths include high-quality guests from multiple U originally Idaho departments, practical examples of research impact, and a consistent emphasis on accessibility and public engagement. The format often blends archival context, hands-on research, and real-world applications, making it valuable for listeners who want up-to-date university science, history, and innovation storytelling.

Potential listeners lik... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Vandal Theory?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Vandal Theory:

1. Vandal Insider
2. The Ranch Podcast
3. Science Vs
4. Wait Wait... Don't Tell Me!
5. Revisionist History

How many episodes of The Vandal Theory are there?

The Vandal Theory launched 7 years ago and published 102 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 The Vandal Theory?

Recent guests on The Vandal Theory include:

1. Luke Sheneman
2. Dan Bukvich
3. Dulce Kirsting-Lark
4. Barbara Petty
5. Ross Warren
6. Mario Pile
7. Erin James
8. Nathan Schiele

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.

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