This episode of Books and Ideas is an interview with David Shariatmadari author of "Don't Believe a Word: The Surprising Truth About Language." We explore some of the common myths about language. This includes a follow up of our recent discussi

Jeremy Sherman, author of "Neither Ghost or Machine"

Mar 15th, 2020 1h 19m

Several years ago I interviewed Terrence Deacon about his fascinating book Incomplete Nature: How Mind Emerged from Matter. His goal was to propose a theory of how purpose evolved in a universe without purpose. His argument was persuasive, but

Amand Poppei on the Humanist tradition within Unitarian Universalism

Feb 15th, 2020 35m 54s

This episode of Books and Ideas is a follow up of my previous interview of Becky Hale, past-president of the American Humanist Association (AHA). I am fascinated by the relationship between modern Humanism and Unitarian Universalism. Listen to

Brian Keating author of "Losing the Nobel Prize"

Jan 15th, 2020 55m 44s

This month's episode of Books and Ideas is an interview with astronomer Brian Keating about his memoir Losing the Nobel Prize: A Story of Cosmology, Ambition, and the Perils of Science's Highest Honor. His book is a first hand look at the hard

Susan Schneider, author of "Artificial You: AI and the Future of Your Mind"

Dec 15th, 2019 55m 1s

This episode of Books and Ideas is an interview with Susan Schneider, author of a fascinating new book called Artificial You: AI and the Future of Your Mind. Schneider's book goes beyond the question of whether AI might become conscious to issu

Adele Brand explores The Hidden World of Foxes

Nov 15th, 2019 40m

This episode of Books and Ideas features Adele Brand, author of the new book The Hidden World of the Fox. Foxes are surprisingly widespread even in urban areas. This episode reveals their surprising story. Links and References: The Hidden Worl

Ginger Campbell Reflects on 13 Years of Podcasting

Oct 15th, 2019 32m 59s

This episode is an adapted version of the talk I gave last week at the first annual She Podcasts Live event, which was held October 10-13, 2019, in Atlanta, Georgia. I was asked to share my experience of podcasting "through life's rollercoaster

Historian Liz Covart talks about her early American History podcast "Ben Franklin's World"

Sep 16th, 2019 38m

This is an interview with historian Liz Covart about her highly respected podcast "Ben Franklin's World." We explore what it means to be an historian in the 21st Century and the challenges of sharing early American history via podcasting. Links

Dr Pamela Gay from Astronomy Cast

Aug 15th, 2019 49m 15s

This episode of Books and Ideas features the return of Podcasting Hall of Famer, Dr. Pamela Gay. Dr. Gay is co-host of the long running show Astronomy Cast. As a professional astronomer she has dedicated her career to public outreach and she is

Dr. Peter Etchells author of "Lost in a Good Game: Why we play video games and what they can do for us"

Jul 15th, 2019 1h 13m

Books and Ideas 68 is an interview with psychologist Dr Pete Etchells about his new book Lost in a Good Game: Why we play video games and what they can do for us. We explore both the myths and the science behind video games and consider why the

Lillian Faderman talks about her biography of Harvey Milk

Jun 15th, 2019 51m 32s

In honor of Pride month I am sharing an interview I recorded earlier this year with LGBT historian Lillian Faderman about her latest book Harvey Milk: His Lives and Death. Milk was the first openly gay man elected to public office, but unfortun

Sarah Rhea Werner: writer and podcaster

May 15th, 2019 39m 40s

One of the things I love about Books and Ideas is that it gives me the chance to interview people from a wide variety of fields. In BI 66 I talk with Sarah Rhea Werner, a very talented young writer and podcaster. She is the author of Girl in Sp

Jody Cole Founder of Wild Rainbow African Safaris

Apr 15th, 2019 21m 51s

This is an interview with my friend Jody Cole, founder of Wild African Rainbow Safaris. We explore how she built her business from the ground up based on her love of Sub-Saharan Africa. I think you will find her story inspiring. Note: a slightl

Ryder Carroll explains the Bullet Journal Method

Mar 15th, 2019 44m 7s

Episode 64 of Books and Ideas is an interview with Ryder Carroll, author of The Bullet Journal Method: Track the Past, Order the Present, Design the Future. He describes how he developed this popular method that combines to-do lists and journal

Jonathan Losos: experimental evolutionary biology

Feb 15th, 2019 57m 52s

Books and Ideas is back with an interview of Jonathan Losos, author of Improbable Destinies: Fate, Chance, and the Future of Evolution. This fascinating book reveals the surprising world of experimental evolutionary biology. We explore how expe

Rhodes Perry, author of "Belonging at Work"

Jan 15th, 2019 59m 8s

This episode of Books and Ideas is an interview with Rhodes Perry, author of Belonging At Work: Everyday Actions You Can Take to Cultivate an Inclusive Organization. Human beings are wired to be social, which means feeling like we belong is act

Trailer

Books and Ideas Relaunch Trailer

Dec 26th, 2018 1m 22s

I had hoped to relaunch Books and Ideas before the end of 2018, but I want to relaunch with a return interview with Podcasting Hall of Famer, Dr. Pamela Gay of Astronomy Cast. Please stay subscribed so you won't miss it when the show returns.

BI 61 Mur Lafferty talks about "Six Wakes"

Mar 23rd, 2017 40m 18s

Books and Ideas #61 is an interview with author Mur Lafferty, who just published a new novel called Six Wakes, which she calls a "clone murder mystery." In this interview Mur reflects on her writing career so far and she also shares the surpris

BI 60 Matthew Cobb on "Life's Greatest Secret"

Dec 17th, 2015 1h 4m

Episode 60 of Books and Ideas is an interview with Matthew Cobb, author of Life's Greatest Secret: The Race to Crack the Genetic Code. We focus on some of the unsung scientists who made essential discoveries.Matthew Cobb was the first person I

BI 59 Phenomenology with Anthony Chemero

Oct 26th, 2015 1h 10m

This episode introduces Phenomenology, a philosophical tradition that focuses on the nature of experience. We talk with Dr. Anthony Chemero, co-author of Phenomenology: An Introduction, which is a new book that not only puts phenomenology into

BI 58 In Memory of Dr. Dennis G Smith

Aug 21st, 2015 16m 34s

Episode 58 of Books and Ideas is a short episode dedicated to my late husband Dr. Dennis G Smith, who died unexpectedly on July 25th 2015. We were married for 38 years and this is a celebration of our life together.Donations in his memory can

BI 57 Why Podcast? with Elsie Escobar

Jun 22nd, 2015 45m 35s

Episode 57 is the first episode of Books and Ideas that I have produced in 2015. It is a conversation with experienced podcaster Elsie Escobar. Elsie brings a unique perspective to the question Why Podcast? because she does it all: she hosts an

About Books and Ideas

Nov 29th, 2014

Dr. Ginger Campbell launched Books and Ideas in December 2006 to compliment her Brain Science Podcast. This podcast has evolved into an interview show featuring guests from a wide variety of fields including history, philosophy, other areas of

BI 56 Palliative Medicine with Dr. Amos Bailey

Nov 7th, 2014 1h

Episode 56 of Books and Ideas is an interview with Dr. Amos Bailey, one of the pioneers of Hospice and Palliative Medicine. We talk about the origins of the field and try to dispel some common misperceptions about what we do.Note: Dr. Campbell

BI 55 Dr. John Ratey Talks about his New Book

Jun 23rd, 2014 57m 50s

Episode 55 of Books and Ideas is an interview with Dr. John Ratey, co-author of "Go Wild: Free Your Body and Mind from the Afflictions of Civilization." There is considerable evidence that our hunter-gatherer ancestors were generally suprisingl