In this unscripted episode, we take a look at the announced results from the Muon g-2 experiment recently performed at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory. We examine what it means for the Standard Model of Particle Physics along with th

Science, Pseudoscience, and Snake Oil

Mar 28th, 2021 1h 18m

A look at pseudosciences and their characteristics through the lenses of critical thinking and inquiry.

Boundaries of Empire

Mar 14th, 2021 48m 30s

In this episode, we begin our exploration of the Chinese cartographic tradition.

Solstice 2020: A Winter's Journey

Dec 25th, 2020 1h 29m

In this special solstice episode fo the podcast, we embark on a winter journey through the writings of John Muir and David Henry Thoreau among others.

Solstice 2020

Dec 25th, 2020 1h 29m

In this special solstice episode fo the podcast, we embark on a winter journey through the writings of John Muir and David Henry Thoreau among others.

Itineraries

Dec 10th, 2020 49m 28s

In this episode, we conclude our examination of cartography in the Roman Empire by looking at the development of itineraries and travel maps from the period of the late Antonines to the Byzantine Empire.

Silverado Squatters-Part 1

Oct 28th, 2020 1h 17m

For many of the crew of the Scientific Odyssey, the next couple of weeks promises to be stressful with the coming US Presidential elections, a rising number of CoVID-19 cases, and many difficult decisions related to school, work, and family. To

The 200th Episode

Jul 26th, 2020 50m 17s

In this anniversary celebration of our journey, we turn the canvas over to other voices to explore the intersection between inquiry in the sciences and the humanities.

Understanding Conspiracy Theories

Apr 26th, 2020 1h 31m

In this episode, we look at applying the tools of good critical thinking and skepticism to analyzing conspiracy theories.

Barriers to Good Critical Thinking

Apr 18th, 2020 1h 27m

In this episode of our series on "Science as Inquiry" we look at those things that keep people from engaging in good critical thinking practices and how to overcome them.

Characteristics of Good Critical Thinking

Apr 11th, 2020 1h 14m

"The fox knows many little things, but the hedgehog knows one big thing."-Archilochus We trace this quote from the Archaic Greek poet through the work of the philosopher Isaac Berlin to see how it applied to create good practices of critical th

Introduction to Critical Thinking

Apr 1st, 2020 38m 58s

In this episode we broaden our focus to consider critical thinking in a more comprehensive way by looking at what it is, why its such a valuable habit of mind to have and what types of activities contribute to making it such a powerful process.

Surveying an Empire

Mar 22nd, 2020 57m 19s

One of the pillars of the Roman Republic and Empire was its ability to survey, divide, assign and tax land. In this episode of the podcast, we look at processes, people and tools that made such precise surveying possible.

The Scientific Odyssey Unscripted: The CoVID-19 Global Pandemic

Mar 17th, 2020 1h 12m

Wherein your Navigator discusses the CoVID-19 virus, the global pandemic, how public health and public policy response is formulated, and how to engage with the information and misinformation that's coming through various media channels.

All Roads Lead to Somewhere

Feb 2nd, 2020 1h 1m

In this episode, we trace the development of roads from their pre-historic roots (or routes) to the development of the massive arterial network of the Roman Empire.

The Scientific Odyssey Unscripted: Betelgeuse-Is He Going to Blow?

Jan 9th, 2020 1h 10m

Some recent media accounts have speculated that the red supergiant star in the constellation of Orion is about to explode in a cataclysmic supernova based on recent observations of the star's dimming brightness. We examine the evidence and off

Heaven and Earth

Dec 24th, 2019 1h 16m

In this episode, we trace the development of Hellenistic geography from the work of Polybius, through Strabo, to its conclusion with Claudius Ptolemaeus.

How Big is Our Word?

Oct 29th, 2019 54m 24s

In this episode we examine the development of a more empirically based geography in the Hellenistic period from the voyage of Pytheas to the map of Eratosthenes.

Ocean Around a Wine-Darkened Sea

Oct 1st, 2019 47m 7s

Beginning with Homer's Iliad, we look at the development of Greek geographical models of the Earth through the Classical Period.

The Cassini Dynasty

Aug 27th, 2019 52m 21s

For 220 years, the Cassini family was among the most powerful and influential scientific dynasties of Europe. In we look at their work and lives in the period of Louis XIV, the sun King, through the end of the Bourbon monarchy.

The Centered Universe

Jun 10th, 2019 45m 33s

In this episode we look at cartography in the ancient cultures around the Mediterranean Basin with an eye to understanding the role and purpose of maps and mapping.

Emerging From Connections

May 23rd, 2019 43m

We explore the connection between maps and other cultural ideas and technologies such as language, writing and time to see how the physical artifacts arise out of abstract conceptual constructs.

Dead Reckoning

May 8th, 2019 1h 12m

In this episode, we discuss the development and use of basic navigational tools and how they lead to map knowledge in ancient cultures.

Defining Space

Mar 25th, 2019 1h

Wherein we look at mapping as a human activity and begin our exploration of the evidence of the earliest maps known.

Interview with Todd Timberlake

Mar 14th, 2019 1h 53m

In this episode we interview Dr. Todd Timberlake about the book he co-authored with Dr. Paul Wallace: Finding Our Place in the Solar System, A Scientific View of the Copernican Revolution (Available March 28th, 2019 from Cambridge University Pr