Surprisingly Brilliant en Seeker A science history podcast uncovering the little-known stories and less-talked-about people behind well-known science & tech. Written & Hosted by Maren Hunsberger & Greg Foot for Seeker https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/22b1e7ce-6236-11ea-96ae-775e82573a99/image/SB_logo.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress Surprisingly Brilliant no episodic Seeker A science history podcast uncovering the little-known stories and less-talked-about people behind well-known science & tech. Written & Hosted by Maren Hunsberger & Greg Foot for Seeker A science history podcast uncovering the little-known stories and less-talked-about people behind well-known science & tech. Written & Hosted by Maren Hunsberger & Greg Foot for Seeker

]]> Seeker brilliant@seeker.com The Impossible Picture Time travel? Aliens? Seeing the invisible? This special episode’s tale from science history has them all as Maren takes Greg down the long and winding road science took to understand what is perhaps the most perplexing object in the universe: the black hole. Special thanks to the John Templeton Foundation for their support in making this episode possible. Learn more at Templeton.org. Thu, 09 Dec 2021 17:01:00 -0000 The Impossible Picture full 3 Seeker Time travel? Aliens? Seeing the invisible? This special episode’s tale from science history has them all as Maren takes Greg down the long and winding road science took to understand what is perhaps the most perplexing object in the universe: the black hole. Time travel? Aliens? Seeing the invisible? This special episode’s tale from science history has them all as Maren takes Greg down the long and winding road science took to understand what is perhaps the most perplexing object in the universe: the black hole. Special thanks to the John Templeton Foundation for their support in making this episode possible. Learn more at Templeton.org. Time travel? Aliens? Seeing the invisible? This special episode’s tale from science history has them all as Maren takes Greg down the long and winding road science took to understand what is perhaps the most perplexing object in the universe: the black hole.

Special thanks to the John Templeton Foundation for their support in making this episode possible. Learn more at Templeton.org.

]]> 3847 no The Helplessly Human Doctor The man who changed our understanding of disorders of the brain was a man who couldn't recognize faces himself. He was a man who saw music as a therapeutic tool, who broke all the existing rules for how to talk to and about patients, and who made us all feel a little more human. Maren tells Greg the amazing true story of Oliver Sacks. This episode is made possible thanks to HHMI Tangled Bank Studios. ‘Oliver Sacks: His Own Life’ is available to stream on PBS for a limited time: https://to.pbs.org/3xngwPJ Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Fri, 30 Apr 2021 20:59:00 -0000 The Helplessly Human Doctor full 3 Seeker The man who changed our understanding of disorders of the brain was a man who couldn't recognize faces himself. The man who changed our understanding of disorders of the brain was a man who couldn't recognize faces himself. He was a man who saw music as a therapeutic tool, who broke all the existing rules for how to talk to and about patients, and who made us all feel a little more human. Maren tells Greg the amazing true story of Oliver Sacks. This episode is made possible thanks to HHMI Tangled Bank Studios. ‘Oliver Sacks: His Own Life’ is available to stream on PBS for a limited time: https://to.pbs.org/3xngwPJ Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant The man who changed our understanding of disorders of the brain was a man who couldn't recognize faces himself. He was a man who saw music as a therapeutic tool, who broke all the existing rules for how to talk to and about patients, and who made us all feel a little more human. Maren tells Greg the amazing true story of Oliver Sacks.


This episode is made possible thanks to HHMI Tangled Bank Studios. ‘Oliver Sacks: His Own Life’ is available to stream on PBS for a limited time: https://to.pbs.org/3xngwPJ


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant

]]> 4031 no The Lifesaving Bean One bean has changed the world in unexpected ways, and the man behind it was even more extraordinary. This is the story of a man whose genius shone against all odds, how his discoveries shaped much of our modern world, and the science that he could have done...if society had let him. Maren introduces Greg to Percy Julian. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Thu, 18 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0000 The Lifesaving Bean full 2 14 Seeker This is the story of a man whose genius shone against all odds, how his discoveries shaped much of our modern world, and the science that he could have done...if society had let him. One bean has changed the world in unexpected ways, and the man behind it was even more extraordinary. This is the story of a man whose genius shone against all odds, how his discoveries shaped much of our modern world, and the science that he could have done...if society had let him. Maren introduces Greg to Percy Julian. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant One bean has changed the world in unexpected ways, and the man behind it was even more extraordinary. This is the story of a man whose genius shone against all odds, how his discoveries shaped much of our modern world, and the science that he could have done...if society had let him. Maren introduces Greg to Percy Julian.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant

]]> 3587 no The Half-Walnut of Pus Vaccines. They're a big topic of conversation right now. But who discovered them? Who gave the first one? And what was the rather effective method around for hundreds of years before them?? Greg tells Maren a (rather gross) story of pus, pox parties, and… cuckoos? It's a tale that travels from China, through Turkey, to a small town in Gloucestershire, and asks if the ‘father of immunology’ - Edward Jenner - really earned that title. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Thu, 11 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0000 The Half-Walnut of Pus full 2 13 Seeker Greg tells Maren a (rather gross) story of pus, pox parties, and… cuckoos? Vaccines. They're a big topic of conversation right now. But who discovered them? Who gave the first one? And what was the rather effective method around for hundreds of years before them?? Greg tells Maren a (rather gross) story of pus, pox parties, and… cuckoos? It's a tale that travels from China, through Turkey, to a small town in Gloucestershire, and asks if the ‘father of immunology’ - Edward Jenner - really earned that title. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Vaccines. They're a big topic of conversation right now. But who discovered them? Who gave the first one? And what was the rather effective method around for hundreds of years before them?? Greg tells Maren a (rather gross) story of pus, pox parties, and… cuckoos? It's a tale that travels from China, through Turkey, to a small town in Gloucestershire, and asks if the ‘father of immunology’ - Edward Jenner - really earned that title.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant

]]> 3681 no The Language of the Universe The universe speaks in a common language...the mathematics of change. Maren wasn't so sure about math, but after this episode she's a truly changed person. Isaac Newton DID stand on the shoulders of giants to translate the universe...but he also had his rivals, like Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. Maren tells Greg a story that starts with the beginning of civilization and goes (literally) on to infinity. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Thu, 04 Feb 2021 08:00:00 -0000 The Language of the Universe full 2 12 Seeker Maren tells Greg a story that starts with the beginning of civilization and goes (literally) on to infinity. The universe speaks in a common language...the mathematics of change. Maren wasn't so sure about math, but after this episode she's a truly changed person. Isaac Newton DID stand on the shoulders of giants to translate the universe...but he also had his rivals, like Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. Maren tells Greg a story that starts with the beginning of civilization and goes (literally) on to infinity. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant The universe speaks in a common language...the mathematics of change. Maren wasn't so sure about math, but after this episode she's a truly changed person. Isaac Newton DID stand on the shoulders of giants to translate the universe...but he also had his rivals, like Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz. Maren tells Greg a story that starts with the beginning of civilization and goes (literally) on to infinity.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant

]]> 3051 no The Donald Trump Of Science A story in three parts: The discovery of a revolutionary biotechnology that’s used every day by countless scientists. How that works. And the dangerous ideas (& behaviour) of the man who won a Nobel Prize for its invention. Greg tells Maren about Kary Mullis and PCR. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Thu, 28 Jan 2021 08:00:00 -0000 The Donald Trump Of Science full 2 11 Seeker A story in three parts: The discovery of a revolutionary biotechnology that’s used every day by countless scientists. How that works. And the dangerous ideas (& behaviour) of the man who won a Nobel Prize for its invention. A story in three parts: The discovery of a revolutionary biotechnology that’s used every day by countless scientists. How that works. And the dangerous ideas (& behaviour) of the man who won a Nobel Prize for its invention. Greg tells Maren about Kary Mullis and PCR. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant A story in three parts: The discovery of a revolutionary biotechnology that’s used every day by countless scientists. How that works. And the dangerous ideas (& behaviour) of the man who won a Nobel Prize for its invention. Greg tells Maren about Kary Mullis and PCR.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant

]]> 3164 no The Secret Doctor This doctor was a public health pioneer, a visionary in the medical treatments of his day, and a relatively radical voice against the entrenched establishment...but do we only remember him because of this one secret? Maren tells Greg about James Barry and a story that travers the globe and challenges all our assumptions. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Thu, 21 Jan 2021 08:00:00 -0000 The Secret Doctor full 2 10 Seeker Maren tells Greg a story that traverses the globe and challenges all our assumptions. This doctor was a public health pioneer, a visionary in the medical treatments of his day, and a relatively radical voice against the entrenched establishment...but do we only remember him because of this one secret? Maren tells Greg about James Barry and a story that travers the globe and challenges all our assumptions. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant This doctor was a public health pioneer, a visionary in the medical treatments of his day, and a relatively radical voice against the entrenched establishment...but do we only remember him because of this one secret? Maren tells Greg about James Barry and a story that travers the globe and challenges all our assumptions.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant

]]> 3908 no The Forgotten Whiskey Chemist Greg tells Maren about a chemist who develops hit product after hit product, from revolutionising whisky production to developing ‘the first wonder drug'… a man who was once the most famous Japanese person in America but was soon forgotten. This is the story of Takamine Jōkichi. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Thu, 14 Jan 2021 08:00:00 -0000 The Forgotten Whiskey Chemist full 2 9 Seeker Greg tells Maren the story of a chemist who was once the most famous Japanese person in America but was soon forgotten. Greg tells Maren about a chemist who develops hit product after hit product, from revolutionising whisky production to developing ‘the first wonder drug'… a man who was once the most famous Japanese person in America but was soon forgotten. This is the story of Takamine Jōkichi. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Greg tells Maren about a chemist who develops hit product after hit product, from revolutionising whisky production to developing ‘the first wonder drug'… a man who was once the most famous Japanese person in America but was soon forgotten. This is the story of Takamine Jōkichi.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant


]]> 3532 no The World in a Jar A forgotten figure, shrouded in mystery, is the true voice behind our modern understanding of perhaps the most important issue facing humanity today: climate change. Maren tells Greg about Eunice Foote, and a story filled with…intrigue and lost voices, and they come to understand why all these voices are so important to listen to in the first place. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Thu, 07 Jan 2021 08:00:00 -0000 The World in a Jar full 2 8 Seeker Maren tells Greg a story filled with intrigue and lost voices, and they come to understand why all these voices are so important to listen to in the first place. A forgotten figure, shrouded in mystery, is the true voice behind our modern understanding of perhaps the most important issue facing humanity today: climate change. Maren tells Greg about Eunice Foote, and a story filled with…intrigue and lost voices, and they come to understand why all these voices are so important to listen to in the first place. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant A forgotten figure, shrouded in mystery, is the true voice behind our modern understanding of perhaps the most important issue facing humanity today: climate change. Maren tells Greg about Eunice Foote, and a story filled with…intrigue and lost voices, and they come to understand why all these voices are so important to listen to in the first place.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant

]]> 2868 no The Puzzle Beneath Your Feet This week Greg tells Maren about shovel-faced reptiles, giant ferns, land bridges, and classified war-time research. This is the story of how we worked out what shaped - and shapes - our planet. The story of an idea that's said to be as big a deal to Earth Sciences as Darwin’s Theory of Evolution is to the Life Sciences. Yet the idea was ignored for 50 years...  Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Thu, 31 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0000 The Puzzle Beneath Your Feet full 1 7 Seeker This week Greg tells Maren about shovel-faced reptiles, giant ferns, land bridges, and classified war-time research. This week Greg tells Maren about shovel-faced reptiles, giant ferns, land bridges, and classified war-time research. This is the story of how we worked out what shaped - and shapes - our planet. The story of an idea that's said to be as big a deal to Earth Sciences as Darwin’s Theory of Evolution is to the Life Sciences. Yet the idea was ignored for 50 years...  Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant This week Greg tells Maren about shovel-faced reptiles, giant ferns, land bridges, and classified war-time research. This is the story of how we worked out what shaped - and shapes - our planet. The story of an idea that's said to be as big a deal to Earth Sciences as Darwin’s Theory of Evolution is to the Life Sciences. Yet the idea was ignored for 50 years... 


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant

]]> 3547 no The Reinvention of Sex One pill changed the world forever. It replaced crocodile dung inserted into the vagina. It involved rabbit embryos fertilized in a test tube. And it may be available for men in the future. Maren tells Greg a story filled with the wild characters and moral quandaries that have defined our modern sex lives. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Thu, 24 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0000 The Reinvention of Sex full 1 6 Seeker The Reinvention of Sex One pill changed the world forever. It replaced crocodile dung inserted into the vagina. It involved rabbit embryos fertilized in a test tube. And it may be available for men in the future. Maren tells Greg a story filled with the wild characters and moral quandaries that have defined our modern sex lives. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant One pill changed the world forever. It replaced crocodile dung inserted into the vagina. It involved rabbit embryos fertilized in a test tube. And it may be available for men in the future. Maren tells Greg a story filled with the wild characters and moral quandaries that have defined our modern sex lives.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant

]]> 3904 no The Way To Win At Everything Chess... Poker... Rock Paper Scissors... Your daily commute..? Nuclear war..? AND your Social Media?? Turns out you can form a winning strategy for all of these using 'Game Theory' - and in this episode Greg not only tells Maren how, but also untangles the story of its development. It’s the story of two Johns - von Neumann & Nash - and separates fact from fiction in the film ‘A Beautiful Mind’. [*Winning not guaranteed. Sorry] Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Thu, 17 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0000 The Way To Win At Everything full 2 5 Seeker In this episode Greg not only tells Maren how, but also untangles the story of its development, including separating fact from fiction in the film 'A Beautiful Mind'. Chess... Poker... Rock Paper Scissors... Your daily commute..? Nuclear war..? AND your Social Media?? Turns out you can form a winning strategy for all of these using 'Game Theory' - and in this episode Greg not only tells Maren how, but also untangles the story of its development. It’s the story of two Johns - von Neumann & Nash - and separates fact from fiction in the film ‘A Beautiful Mind’. [*Winning not guaranteed. Sorry] Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Chess... Poker... Rock Paper Scissors... Your daily commute..? Nuclear war..? AND your Social Media?? Turns out you can form a winning strategy for all of these using 'Game Theory' - and in this episode Greg not only tells Maren how, but also untangles the story of its development. It’s the story of two Johns - von Neumann & Nash - and separates fact from fiction in the film ‘A Beautiful Mind’.


[*Winning not guaranteed. Sorry]


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant

]]> 3342 no The Virus Queen  The first human coronavirus, yoga, and the recorder all have something in common: they were all mastered by the same woman. In this episode, Maren tells Greg the story of June Almeida, an extraordinary woman who completely changed the way we literally SEE viruses. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Thu, 10 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0000 The Virus Queen full 2 4 Seeker Maren tells Greg the story of an extraordinary woman who completely changed the way we literally SEE viruses.  The first human coronavirus, yoga, and the recorder all have something in common: they were all mastered by the same woman. In this episode, Maren tells Greg the story of June Almeida, an extraordinary woman who completely changed the way we literally SEE viruses. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  The first human coronavirus, yoga, and the recorder all have something in common: they were all mastered by the same woman. In this episode, Maren tells Greg the story of June Almeida, an extraordinary woman who completely changed the way we literally SEE viruses.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant

]]> 2802 no The Question Of Who Flew First This is the story of not just one set of brothers, but three: the Wrights, the Montgolfiers & the Lilienthals. It’s a story that does pre-flight checks in Italy, takes off in France, and soars to the US, with a quick layover in Brazil. Along the way Greg tells Maren about the contenders who some claim really flew first, and their journey ends at a surprise destination: the Moon. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Thu, 03 Dec 2020 08:00:00 -0000 The Question Of Who Flew First full 2 3 Seeker Greg tells Maren about the contenders who some claim really flew first, and their journey ends at a surprise destination: the Moon. This is the story of not just one set of brothers, but three: the Wrights, the Montgolfiers & the Lilienthals. It’s a story that does pre-flight checks in Italy, takes off in France, and soars to the US, with a quick layover in Brazil. Along the way Greg tells Maren about the contenders who some claim really flew first, and their journey ends at a surprise destination: the Moon. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant This is the story of not just one set of brothers, but three: the Wrights, the Montgolfiers & the Lilienthals. It’s a story that does pre-flight checks in Italy, takes off in France, and soars to the US, with a quick layover in Brazil. Along the way Greg tells Maren about the contenders who some claim really flew first, and their journey ends at a surprise destination: the Moon.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant

]]> 3675 The Electronic Ear A story that spans from the tiniest cells in your inner ear to a technology that changed the world and will shape our future. It takes us through all of recorded history, uncovering not only how we hear the world, but how biased that world is too. Maren tells Greg a tale of biophysics, Alexander Graham Bell, the future of brain implants, and how we can reframe our perceptions of language and sensory experience. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Thu, 26 Nov 2020 08:00:00 -0000 The Electronic Ear full 2 2 Seeker Maren tells Greg a tale of biophysics, Alexander Graham Bell, the future of brain implants, and how we can reframe our perceptions of language and sensory experience. A story that spans from the tiniest cells in your inner ear to a technology that changed the world and will shape our future. It takes us through all of recorded history, uncovering not only how we hear the world, but how biased that world is too. Maren tells Greg a tale of biophysics, Alexander Graham Bell, the future of brain implants, and how we can reframe our perceptions of language and sensory experience. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant A story that spans from the tiniest cells in your inner ear to a technology that changed the world and will shape our future. It takes us through all of recorded history, uncovering not only how we hear the world, but how biased that world is too. Maren tells Greg a tale of biophysics, Alexander Graham Bell, the future of brain implants, and how we can reframe our perceptions of language and sensory experience.

Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant

]]> 3652 no The Twist In The Tale We kick off Season 2 with the story of your most requested person: Rosalind Franklin. But it’s not the story we should be remembering her for either. Greg tells Maren the tale of how the structure of DNA was unravelled, but the twist leads us somewhere else entirely. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Thu, 19 Nov 2020 08:00:00 -0000 The Twist In The Tale full 2 1 Seeker We kick off Season 2 with the story of your most requested person… but it’s not the story you may be expecting… and, it turns out, it’s not the story we should be remembering her for either. We kick off Season 2 with the story of your most requested person: Rosalind Franklin. But it’s not the story we should be remembering her for either. Greg tells Maren the tale of how the structure of DNA was unravelled, but the twist leads us somewhere else entirely. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant We kick off Season 2 with the story of your most requested person: Rosalind Franklin. But it’s not the story we should be remembering her for either. Greg tells Maren the tale of how the structure of DNA was unravelled, but the twist leads us somewhere else entirely.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant

]]> 3434 no Season 2 Is Here! New amazing stories from science history are coming Thursday, November 19th! Mon, 16 Nov 2020 23:44:00 -0000 Season 2 Is Here! trailer 2 Seeker New episodes starting November 19! New amazing stories from science history are coming Thursday, November 19th! New amazing stories from science history are coming Thursday, November 19th!

]]> 101 no The Fourth Astronaut Meet the ‘Rope Mother’ - the lady whose code, weaved into copper wire and magnetic rings, saved the Apollo 11 mission to the moon… Greg tells Maren the story of an incredible person who has not only been called The Fourth Astronaut, but who also pioneered, and coined the term for, ‘Software Engineering’; Margaret Hamilton. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Thu, 25 Jun 2020 07:00:00 -0000 The Fourth Astronaut full 1 14 Seeker Greg tells Maren the story of an incredible person who has not only been called The Fourth Astronaut, but who also pioneered, and coined the term for, ‘Software Engineering’. Meet the ‘Rope Mother’ - the lady whose code, weaved into copper wire and magnetic rings, saved the Apollo 11 mission to the moon… Greg tells Maren the story of an incredible person who has not only been called The Fourth Astronaut, but who also pioneered, and coined the term for, ‘Software Engineering’; Margaret Hamilton. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Meet the ‘Rope Mother’ - the lady whose code, weaved into copper wire and magnetic rings, saved the Apollo 11 mission to the moon… Greg tells Maren the story of an incredible person who has not only been called The Fourth Astronaut, but who also pioneered, and coined the term for, ‘Software Engineering’; Margaret Hamilton.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant


]]> 2781 no The Fungus that Shaped the World The course of World War II, the development of successful cancer treatment, and just being able to go outside without fear all come down to one thing: the humble Penicillium fungus. Maren tells Greg a tale of accidental discoveries, fungal espionage, and the daunting potential future of medicine without this life-saving substance.  Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Thu, 18 Jun 2020 07:00:00 -0000 The Fungus that Shaped the World full 1 13 Seeker Maren tells Greg a tale of accidental discoveries, fungal espionage, and the daunting potential future of medicine without this life-saving substance. The course of World War II, the development of successful cancer treatment, and just being able to go outside without fear all come down to one thing: the humble Penicillium fungus. Maren tells Greg a tale of accidental discoveries, fungal espionage, and the daunting potential future of medicine without this life-saving substance.  Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  The course of World War II, the development of successful cancer treatment, and just being able to go outside without fear all come down to one thing: the humble Penicillium fungus. Maren tells Greg a tale of accidental discoveries, fungal espionage, and the daunting potential future of medicine without this life-saving substance. 


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant 

]]> 2882 no The Mystery & Might of Ectoplasm What do a children’s birthday party, an accidental discovery, a shoe shop gadget, and Marie Curie have in common?? Have a listen to find out, as Greg tells Maren the amazing origin story of one of the most important pieces of medical tech ever developed: X-rays. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Thu, 11 Jun 2020 07:00:00 -0000 The Mystery & Might of Ectoplasm full 1 12 Seeker Greg tells Maren the amazing origin story of one of the most important pieces of medical tech ever developed. What do a children’s birthday party, an accidental discovery, a shoe shop gadget, and Marie Curie have in common?? Have a listen to find out, as Greg tells Maren the amazing origin story of one of the most important pieces of medical tech ever developed: X-rays. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  What do a children’s birthday party, an accidental discovery, a shoe shop gadget, and Marie Curie have in common?? Have a listen to find out, as Greg tells Maren the amazing origin story of one of the most important pieces of medical tech ever developed: X-rays.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant 

]]> 2797 no The Chemist Who Saved the Lepers Maren tells Greg the story of a gruesome disease and the woman who came up with a solution...but who disappeared from history until now: Alice Ball. Oh and also - there are armadillos. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Thu, 04 Jun 2020 07:00:00 -0000 The Chemist Who Saved the Lepers full 1 11 Seeker Maren tells Greg the story of a gruesome disease and the woman who came up with a solution...but disappeared from history until now. Maren tells Greg the story of a gruesome disease and the woman who came up with a solution...but who disappeared from history until now: Alice Ball. Oh and also - there are armadillos. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Maren tells Greg the story of a gruesome disease and the woman who came up with a solution...but who disappeared from history until now: Alice Ball. Oh and also - there are armadillos.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant 

]]> 2041 no The Case Of Death By Peach Melba Greg tells Maren a true crime science history story about a famous chef who served her entrees with a special side... of death! This is the story of Mary Mallon, aka “Typhoid Mary”. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Thu, 28 May 2020 10:00:00 -0000 The Case Of Death By Peach Melba full 1 10 Seeker Greg tells Maren a true crime science history story about a famous chef who served her entrees with a special side... of death! Greg tells Maren a true crime science history story about a famous chef who served her entrees with a special side... of death! This is the story of Mary Mallon, aka “Typhoid Mary”. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Greg tells Maren a true crime science history story about a famous chef who served her entrees with a special side... of death! This is the story of Mary Mallon, aka “Typhoid Mary”.



Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant 

]]> 2471 no The Deadly Buzz Maren tells Greg the story of a historic plague...or is it? It's a tale of a gruesome disease and how a few courageous, self-experimenting scientists finally figured out what role mosquitos play in public health. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Thu, 21 May 2020 07:00:00 -0000 The Deadly Buzz full 1 9 Seeker Maren tells Greg the story of a historic plague...or is it? Maren tells Greg the story of a historic plague...or is it? It's a tale of a gruesome disease and how a few courageous, self-experimenting scientists finally figured out what role mosquitos play in public health. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Maren tells Greg the story of a historic plague...or is it? It's a tale of a gruesome disease and how a few courageous, self-experimenting scientists finally figured out what role mosquitos play in public health.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant 

]]> 2940 no The Thick Brown Muck Greg tells Maren about the discovery of one of medicine’s biggest breakthroughs -a drug that has saved millions of lives: Insulin. It’s a story about drug development & testing, a dog called Marjorie… and a missing person?  Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Thu, 14 May 2020 07:00:00 -0000 The Thick Brown Muck full 1 8 Seeker Greg tells Maren about the discovery of one of medicine’s biggest breakthroughs - a drug that has saved millions of lives. Greg tells Maren about the discovery of one of medicine’s biggest breakthroughs -a drug that has saved millions of lives: Insulin. It’s a story about drug development & testing, a dog called Marjorie… and a missing person?  Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Greg tells Maren about the discovery of one of medicine’s biggest breakthroughs -a drug that has saved millions of lives: Insulin. It’s a story about drug development & testing, a dog called Marjorie… and a missing person? 


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant 

]]> 3274 no The Great Air Debate The discovery of one of our most important elements is hugely disputed. Maren tells Greg the twists and turns of the story of oxygen, the battle between Lavoisier & Priestley, a self-effacing… Pomeranian, a revolutionary, a teenage girl, and the guillotine.  Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Thu, 07 May 2020 07:00:00 -0000 The Great Air Debate full 1 7 Seeker Maren tells Greg a story full of twists and turns about a self-effacing Pomeranian, a revolutionary, a teenage girl, and the guillotine. The discovery of one of our most important elements is hugely disputed. Maren tells Greg the twists and turns of the story of oxygen, the battle between Lavoisier & Priestley, a self-effacing… Pomeranian, a revolutionary, a teenage girl, and the guillotine.  Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  The discovery of one of our most important elements is hugely disputed. Maren tells Greg the twists and turns of the story of oxygen, the battle between Lavoisier & Priestley, a self-effacing… Pomeranian, a revolutionary, a teenage girl, and the guillotine. 


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant 

]]> 2407 no The Queen of Nuclear Research The Queen of Nuclear Research very few people - including those working in Physics - know of! Greg tells Maren a trans-Pacific tale of passion, dedication, and the work of a gifted scientist who fundamentally changed physics forever, yet (some say) was overlooked for the Nobel Prize. This is the story of Chien-Shiung Wu. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Thu, 30 Apr 2020 07:00:00 -0000 The Queen of Nuclear Research full 1 6 Seeker Greg tells Maren a trans-Pacific story of passion, dedication, and the work of a gifted scientist who fundamentally changed physics forever, yet (some say) was overlooked for the Nobel Prize. The Queen of Nuclear Research very few people - including those working in Physics - know of! Greg tells Maren a trans-Pacific tale of passion, dedication, and the work of a gifted scientist who fundamentally changed physics forever, yet (some say) was overlooked for the Nobel Prize. This is the story of Chien-Shiung Wu. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  The Queen of Nuclear Research very few people - including those working in Physics - know of! Greg tells Maren a trans-Pacific tale of passion, dedication, and the work of a gifted scientist who fundamentally changed physics forever, yet (some say) was overlooked for the Nobel Prize. This is the story of Chien-Shiung Wu.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant 

]]> 2817 no The Admiral and the Moth Maren tells Greg about the person responsible for the foundations of modern computing, yet her name is rarely mentioned in the history books. Her innovations have made possible many of the things we take for granted today—like personal computing, stock market analysis, and commercial industrialization. This is the story of Grace Hopper. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Thu, 23 Apr 2020 07:00:00 -0000 The Admiral and the Moth full 1 5 Seeker Maren tells Greg the story of a woman you've likely never heard of, who just happens to be responsible for the foundations of modern computing. Maren tells Greg about the person responsible for the foundations of modern computing, yet her name is rarely mentioned in the history books. Her innovations have made possible many of the things we take for granted today—like personal computing, stock market analysis, and commercial industrialization. This is the story of Grace Hopper. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Maren tells Greg about the person responsible for the foundations of modern computing, yet her name is rarely mentioned in the history books. Her innovations have made possible many of the things we take for granted today—like personal computing, stock market analysis, and commercial industrialization. This is the story of Grace Hopper.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant 

]]> 2660 no The Inventor From The Future A man you know. A story you don’t. His electric revolution lit up America but he also worked on what’s been called early radar, robotics, and... a death ray? Greg tells Maren the full story of Nikola Tesla, and also uncovers a link between him and Donald Trump. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Thu, 16 Apr 2020 07:00:00 -0000 The Inventor From The Future full 1 4 Seeker The Inventor From The Future A man you know. A story you don’t. His electric revolution lit up America but he also worked on what’s been called early radar, robotics, and... a death ray? Greg tells Maren the full story of Nikola Tesla, and also uncovers a link between him and Donald Trump. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  A man you know. A story you don’t. His electric revolution lit up America but he also worked on what’s been called early radar, robotics, and... a death ray? Greg tells Maren the full story of Nikola Tesla, and also uncovers a link between him and Donald Trump.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant 


]]> 3454 no The Case of Botanical Espionage Grab a gin and tonic as you listen to Maren tell the story of a miraculous discovery, espionage and economic cartels all surrounding...a tree? A very special tree that cures malaria, shaped the development of the modern world as we know it… and is in tonic water (hence the drink). Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Thu, 09 Apr 2020 07:00:00 -0000 The Case of Botanical Espionage full 1 3 Seeker Enjoy this episode as Maren tells the story of a miraculous discovery, espionage and economic cartels all surrounding...a tree? Grab a gin and tonic as you listen to Maren tell the story of a miraculous discovery, espionage and economic cartels all surrounding...a tree? A very special tree that cures malaria, shaped the development of the modern world as we know it… and is in tonic water (hence the drink). Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant Grab a gin and tonic as you listen to Maren tell the story of a miraculous discovery, espionage and economic cartels all surrounding...a tree? A very special tree that cures malaria, shaped the development of the modern world as we know it… and is in tonic water (hence the drink).



Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant

]]> 3166 no The Annoying Noise Perhaps the biggest accidental discovery story in the history of the universe. Well, definitely *about* the history of the universe. Greg tells Maren about a weird sound, and how two guys, Wilson & Penzias, figured out what it was, rocking the world of cosmology along the way. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Thu, 02 Apr 2020 07:00:00 -0000 The Annoying Noise full 1 2 Seeker Perhaps the biggest accidental discovery story in the history of the universe. Perhaps the biggest accidental discovery story in the history of the universe. Well, definitely *about* the history of the universe. Greg tells Maren about a weird sound, and how two guys, Wilson & Penzias, figured out what it was, rocking the world of cosmology along the way. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Perhaps the biggest accidental discovery story in the history of the universe. Well, definitely *about* the history of the universe. Greg tells Maren about a weird sound, and how two guys, Wilson & Penzias, figured out what it was, rocking the world of cosmology along the way.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant 

]]> 2764 no The Discovery of Dragons Meet the ‘Princess of Paleontology’ you may not have heard of. Maren tells Greg all about the lady who’s life work was finding the fossils that would eventually change the way scientists thought about the entirety of Earth’s natural history despite getting very little official credit… This is the story of Mary Anning. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Thu, 26 Mar 2020 10:00:00 -0000 The Discovery of Dragons full 1 1 Seeker Meet the ‘Princess of Paleontology’ you’ve probably never heard of. Meet the ‘Princess of Paleontology’ you may not have heard of. Maren tells Greg all about the lady who’s life work was finding the fossils that would eventually change the way scientists thought about the entirety of Earth’s natural history despite getting very little official credit… This is the story of Mary Anning. Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant  Meet the ‘Princess of Paleontology’ you may not have heard of. Maren tells Greg all about the lady who’s life work was finding the fossils that would eventually change the way scientists thought about the entirety of Earth’s natural history despite getting very little official credit… This is the story of Mary Anning.


Show notes, sources, and transcript can be found at https://linktr.ee/surprisinglybrilliant 

]]> 2987 no