American Museum of Natural History Podcast

Humans have domesticated plants and animals for agriculture for thousands of years. What is less well-known is that plants and the chemicals they produce for defense have also had a significant effect on human biology and evolution. Join anthropologist Fatimah Jackson to discuss the fascinating story of co-evolution between plants and humans, and learn how the new field of epigenetics is helping us understand how these interaction over time have altered the course of human history. This SciCafe took place at the Museum on December 4, 2013.

In this Frontiers Lecture, renowned astrophysicist Ray Jayawardhana takes us on a thrilling journey into the world of neutrinos and the colorful lives of those who chase them, as discussed in his new book “Neutrino Hunters: The Thrilling Case for a Ghostly Particle to Unlock the Secrets of the Universe.” This lecture took place at the Museum on December 9, 2013. Support for Hayden Planetarium Programs is provided by the Schaffner family.

As the human species evolved from Paleolithic to modern times, our bodies have changed to fit the world around us. But with the human landscape moving quickly from the Agricultural and Industrial Revolutions to the modern day of smartphones and junk food, are our bodies able to keep up? In this SciCafe, join evolutionary biologist Daniel Lieberman as he discusses how human bodies evolved from our ape ancestors, and how this evolution continues to affect our bodies and their ailments to this day. This SciCafe took place at the Museum on November 6, 2013. To watch the accompanying video, visit the AMNH Live section of AMNH.tv.

Birds of paradise, a group of birds found mainly in New Guinea, have captivated onlookers for centuries with their bright colors and elaborate displays. To cap off a day-long celebration of the life of Alfred Russel Wallace, a naturalist and co-founder of evolutionary biology along with Charles Darwin, celebrated wildlife filmmaker Sir David Attenborough speaks about his and Wallace’s shared passion for these beautiful birds. This special lecture took place at the Museum on November 12, 2013.

Thirteen years ago, genome scientist J. Craig Venter announced that his team, along with the government’s Human Genome Project, was the first to successfully sequence the entire human genome. Later, his researchers were the first to successfully create a synthetic cell by transplanting synthetic DNA into a bacterial cell. In a special lecture, Venter describes his current work and new book, Life at the Speed of Light, which illuminates this emerging field of synthetic genomics by detailing its origins, controversies, and potential effects on our future, as well as providing us an opportunity to revisit the age-old question “What is life?” This lecture took place at the Museum on October 21, 2013.

For nearly four decades, the Margaret Mead Film Festival, has encompassed a broad spectrum of film works, from indigenous community media to experimental nonfiction. In this podcast, listen in on two selections from the 2013 Film Festival's events. The first features Mary Catherine Bateson, Margaret Mead's daughter, as she addresses the festival-goers at the opening night ceremony. The second features a panel led by Jim Enote, director of A:shiwi A:wan Museum and Heritage Center, on the 1923 silent film, "The Shalako Ceremony at Zuni, New Mexico," where panelists Dr. Peter Whitely, Museum curator of North American Ethnology, Barbara Mathe, Museum Archivist, and Curtis Quam and Octavius Seowtewa from Zuni discuss the cultural meaning of archival films to communities such as the Zuni. The Margaret Mead Film Festival occurred at the Museum from October 17 to October 20, 2013. The Museum gratefully acknowledges the New York State Council on the Arts with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the New York State Legislature for longstanding support of the Margaret Mead Film Festival. The American Museum of Natural History gratefully acknowledges HBO for its generous support of the Mead Films and cultural programming for New York City Public High Schools. Additional support provided by the Consulate General of Finland and India Tourism.

Current conservation efforts strive to prevent our world’s endangered species from going extinct. But with new biotechnologies emerging, will it ever be possible to bring back extinct species from previous centuries? In this SciCafe, join Museum curator Ross MacPhee as he discusses the amazing but controversial scientific advances that may help to bring about the return of the woolly mammoth, passenger pigeon, and other extinct species. This SciCafe took place at the Museum on October 2, 2013. The SciCafe series is proudly sponsored by Judy and Josh Weston.

The great melting pot that is New York City has always been known for its vibrant immigrant cultures - and many of these cultures are now reflected in the city's finest restaurants. In this podcast, Chef Daniel Humm and General Manager Will Guidara of acclaimed restaurant Eleven Madison Park discuss their method of melding Jewish, Italian, Irish, and other cultures' culinary traditions into contemporary fine dining. Humm and Guidara are joined in conversation by Mitchell Davis, Executive Vice President of the James Beard Foundation. The event "Adventures in the Global Kitchen: Exotic Flavors in Fine Dining," took place at the Museum on June 6, 2013. The talk was presented in conjunction with the exhibition "Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture," on view from November 17, 2012 to August 11, 2013.

Jazz is very different from rock music- but does the brain of a jazz musician act differently than that of a rock musician? What about the brain of a painter, or a dancer? In this podcast join musician and surgeon Charles Limb, of the Peabody Conservatory of Music and Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, as he discusses musical creativity in the brain in this final SciCafe of the spring 2013 season. Dr. Limb both talks about his own research using functional MRI to measure brain activity in musicians as they play music, and also shows how his results have implications for our understanding of creativity of all kinds. The SciCafe "The Neuroscience of Creativity" took place at the Museum on June 5, 2013.

To err is human, even if you’re a scientist. In this podcast, astrophysicist Mario Livio discusses the interesting scientific mistakes made by famous scientists, the subject of his new book “Brilliant Blunders.” Livio illuminates the errors made by Charles Darwin, Linus Pauling, and Albert Einstein, among others, and argues that these errors are not only inevitable, they are also an essential part of progress in science. This “Frontiers” lecture took place at the Museum on June 10, 2013.

The oceans are home to about 80 species of whales, each unique and interesting in ways that fascinate of people of all ages. Learn more about these marine giants in this Milstein Science Series 2013 program, "Whales". In this podcast, hear scientists Howard Rosenbaum, director of the Ocean Giants Program at the Wildlife Conservation Society and research associate at the American Museum of Natural History, and Christopher Clark, the I.P. Johnson director of the Bioacoustics Research Program at the Cornell Laboratory of Ornithology, discuss current whale research and and issues surrounding the protection of whales. This program took place as a part of the Milstein Science Series program at the Museum on May 19th, 2013, and was presented in conjunction with the special exhibition "Whales: Giants of the Deep," on view from March 23, 2013 through January 5, 2014.

Finding your way from A to B is easy with modern GPS systems, but the natural abilities of navigation found in the animal world have piqued the interest of humans for centuries. In this podcast, join authors James Gould and Carol Gould as they discuss the unique directional sensitivities of animals explored in their latest book, "Nature's Compass". They also address the topic of the modern age and climate change's effects on migratory paths - and whether these effects endanger animal species. The lecture took place at the Museum on May 5, 2013.

On April 24, 2013, the Museum hosted its 23rd Annual Spring Environmental Lecture and Luncheon “Islands in a Changing World: Resilience and Recovery.” The event featured a panel of experts discussing island resiliency, including New York and surrounding areas’ recovery from Hurricane Sandy, and the effects of climate change on oceanic islands. Moderator Lynn Sherr, former “20/20” correspondent, was joined by panelists Stuart Gaffin, research scientist at the Center for Climate Systems Research at Columbia University; Philip Kramer, director of The Nature Conservancy’s Caribbean Program; and Seth W. Pinsky, president of the New York City Economic Development Corporation and leader of New York City’s Special Initiative for Rebuilding and Resiliency. Listen to a portion of this year’s lecture, and join the Museum next April for the 24th Annual Spring Environmental Lecture and Luncheon.

Japanese sake is getting more popular every year, but it remains an age-old wine with much mystery. In this podcast, join writer and sake “Samuari” Timothy Sullivan, as he reveals behind-the-scenes details about Japan’s famous Hakkaisan Sake Brewery. The event, “Adventures in the Global Kitchen: Behind the Scenes at Hakkaisan Sake Brewery,” took place at the Museum on May 16, 2013. The talk was presented in conjunction with the exhibition, “Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture,” which is open through August 11, 2013. The Presenting sponsor of the Museum’s cultural public programming is MetLife Foundation. The exclusive corporate sponsor for “Our Global Kitchen” Education Programs is Chase.

The process of fermentation—transforming foods to make them more digestible and more nutritious—is as old as humanity itself. In this podcast, join Dan Felder, head of research and development at the Momofuku Culinary Lab, and author and fermentation specialist Sandor Katz, in a lively discussion about kimchi, kefir, and other fermented delicacies. The event, “Adventures in the Global Kitchen: The Art of Fermentation,” was moderated by Eleanor Sterling, Director of the Museum’s Center for Biodiversity and Conservation. The talk was presented in conjunction with the exhibition, “Our Global Kitchen: Food, Nature, Culture,” which is open through August 11, 2013. The discussion took place at the Museum on April 24, 2013. The Presenting sponsor of the Museum’s cultural public programming is MetLife Foundation. The exclusive corporate sponsor for “Our Global Kitchen” Education Programs is Chase.