Episodios

  • Episode 9.7: Understanding African ecosystems through antelopes and elephants

    Episode 9.7: Understanding African ecosystems through antelopes and elephants
    Apr 7 2025
    Question: What is your favorite African animal? Meet Ryan Long (go.uidaho.edu/4l9hrvI), an associate professor of wildlife sciences in the Department of Fish and Wildlife Sciences (go.uidaho.edu/44dwZIK) at University of Idaho. In Disney’s “The Lion King,” all the regional animals show up to honor Simba’s birth. Now that’s obviously fictitious, but lots of large animals do live alongside each other in Africa. Long is working to understand how that works and how those animals interact with humans. Visit our website uidaho.edu/vandaltheory. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu. Time stamps (0:00) Introduction (1:01) What is your favorite African animal? (1:52) Meet Ryan Long (2:53) Why large mammals? (3:41) Why Africa? (4:24) Gorongosa National Park history (6:24) Spiral-horned antelope (14:55) Tuskless elephants (20:55) Crop-raiding elephants (26:51) Curiosity and observation Music “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5). “Find The Good” by Zach Sundwall (go.uidaho.edu/4jcr1fw) via Amphibious Zoo Music.
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    30 m
  • Episode 9.6: Politics and polarization

    Episode 9.6: Politics and polarization
    Mar 31 2025
    Question: What drives people to the polls? Markie McBrayer (go.uidaho.edu/43rzyqw) is an assistant professor of political science in the Department of Politics and Philosophy (go.uidaho.edu/423Gc3F) at University of Idaho. Her research focuses on American politics and policy with a focus on political institutions, representation and social inequality. Today she’s discussing takeaways from the recent presidential election, polarization and what to do if you’re overwhelmed by the news. Visit our website uidaho.edu/vandaltheory. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu. Music “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5). “Apprentice” (go.uidaho.edu/4hRKKjR) by Darwin Music, via Amphibious Zoo. Chapters (00:00) Introduction (00:56) On politics (02:55) Getting to know Markie (03:44) 2024 election takeaways (09:40) Did Kamala lose because she’s a woman? (12:52) Women’s impact on policy (16:29) The need for better data (19:12) What to do about polarization (23:38) Subscribe to a newspaper and pet a dog (27:57) Conclusion
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    30 m
  • Episode 9.5: Incorporating artificial intelligence into universities

    Episode 9.5: Incorporating artificial intelligence into universities
    Mar 24 2025
    Question: Do you use ChatGPT or another AI program? Meet Barrie Robison (go.uidaho.edu/3E34kvn), a professor in the Department of Biological Sciences (go.uidaho.edu/4kwcihb) and director of the Institute for Interdisciplinary Data Sciences (go.uidaho.edu/43TLX6C) at University of Idaho. Artificial intelligence seems to be infiltrating all aspects of our lives. Robison will discuss the ways U of I is supporting its researchers, including a story of translating old educational texts, and how he hopes his team can improve how the university is run. Visit our website uidaho.edu/vandaltheory. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu. Time stamps (0:00) Introduction (1:02) Have you used AI? (2:07) Meet Barrie Robison (4:34) What is AI? (7:49) What assumptions do people make about AI? (9:17) Translating a German cello book (13:42) AI for research administration (19:07) Finding a professor (23:36) Making the arts searchable (26:53) U of I on the AI frontier Music “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5). “Andromeda Spiral” by Matthew Robert Mateau and Jeremy Robert Chatelain (go.uidaho.edu/42eqUdI) via Amphibious Zoo music.
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    30 m
  • Episode 9.4: Solutions to life’s mechanical problems

    Episode 9.4: Solutions to life’s mechanical problems
    Mar 16 2025
    Question: Have you ever had a problem you just lived with because you assumed it couldn’t be fixed? John Crepeau (go.uidaho.edu/41ufl0H) is a professor in the Department of Mechanical Engineering (go.uidaho.edu/4iSt4oS) at University of Idaho who has had a hand in making all sorts of things, from a nuclear-powered Mars hopper to reimagined medical equipment. In this episode, he talks about his experiments and the role he’s playing in the future of sustainable jet fuel. Music “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5). “Fun and Games” (https://go.uidaho.edu/41TxhBS) by Darwin Music, via Amphibious Zoo. Chapters (00:00) Introduction (03:51) Getting to know John (07:27) Mars hopper (10:55) Medical devices (15:55) Stefan problem (17:35) Sustainable jet fuel (23:00) Joys of academia (24:25) Conclusion
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    27 m
  • Episode 9.3: Beef, it’s what’s for dinner and for science

    Episode 9.3: Beef, it’s what’s for dinner and for science
    Mar 8 2025
    Question: Have you ever butchered animals, such as while hunting or at a farm or ranch? Meet Phil Bass (go.uidaho.edu/3XubJdD), associate professor of meat science in the Department of Animal, Veterinary and Food Sciences (go.uidaho.edu/4kpnzjc) at University of Idaho. Whether as hamburger, filet mignon, ribeye or T-bone, beef is a staple on many American dinner tables. Listen as Bass discusses the growing size of cattle, the creation of dry-aged beef and the impact of the meat industry on the economy. Visit our website uidaho.edu/vandaltheory. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu. Music “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5). “Drive ’Em” by Sam Cardon (go.uidaho.edu/4hgikzn) via soundstripe. (0:00) Introduction (1:18) Have you butchered an animal? (1:37 Introduce Phil Bass (3:35) Why beef? (4:15) What is meat science? (7:36) Cows have gotten bigger (12:28) Dry aged beef (17:37) Meat economics (22:45) Why go into meat science?
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    28 m
  • Episode 9.2: Surviving toxic meals and treacherous ticks

    Episode 9.2: Surviving toxic meals and treacherous ticks
    Mar 3 2025
    Question: Have you ever gone hiking and got a tick? Janet Rachlow (https://go.uidaho.edu/43lwo7B) is a professor of wildlife ecology in the College of Natural Resources (https://go.uidaho.edu/3QOqHr7) at University of Idaho. She has studied mammals both large and small, and in this episode, she discusses two on opposite ends of the size spectrum. Music “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5). “Good Vibes Everywhere” (uidaho.edu/4h50RKs ) by Darwin Music, via Amphibious Zoo. Chapters (00:00) Introduction (3:30) Getting to know Janet (4:00) Pygmy rabbit survival techniques (14:46) Moose's tick troubles (25:10) Implications for conservation (26:48) Conclusion
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    29 m
  • Episode 9.1: From suffragettes to dragon riders

    Episode 9.1: From suffragettes to dragon riders
    Feb 22 2025
    Question: Growing up, did you ever ride horses? Meet Rebecca Scofield (go.uidaho.edu/414paCk), chair of the University of Idaho’s Department of History (go.uidaho.edu/418fGpC) specializing in American history. Bicycles, horses, mechanical bulls and dragons — Scofield brings new insights to the visuals of women riding astride beasts and machines throughout history and how that informs our current economy. Visit our website uidaho.edu/vandaltheory. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu. Music “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5). “Riding Out” by Magnum Opus Music Library (go.uidaho.edu/4kh15ku) via Amphibious Zoo. (0:00) Introduction (1:32) Do you ride? (2:14) Introduce Rebecca Scofield (3:29) What intrigues you? (5:36) Suffragettes (10:10) Horse girls (13:41) Mechanical bull riding (16:24) Dragon riders (24:04) Why is women’s history important? (26:37) Culture is important
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    30 m
  • Episode 8.8: Taming the huckleberry

    Episode 8.8: Taming the huckleberry
    Nov 15 2024
    Question: Can you tell us about your first huckleberry hunt? Steve Cook (go.uidaho.edu/3O6hc5u) is the head of the Department of Entomology, Plant Pathology and Nematology (go.uidaho.edu/3UKfCKj) at University of Idaho. He researches huckleberries and today he’s going to discuss why they’re so hard to domesticate and what he and his team are doing to solve that problem. If we’re lucky, he might give us some huckleberry hunting tips as well. Visit our website uidaho.edu/vandaltheory. Email us at vandaltheory@uidaho.edu. Learn about Idaho’s premier research university, University of Idaho, at uidaho.edu. More U of I stories Professor brings mindfulness home (go.uidaho.edu/3AEVaDE) A career of thrills (go.uidaho.edu/4hNLQ0X) Girls who invest (go.uidaho.edu/3Z2BGCj) Music “Young Republicans” by Steve Combs (go.uidaho.edu/3U3MNHs) via freemusicarchive.org, not modified (go.uidaho.edu/3Q6LeY5). “Happy Go Chillin’” (go.uidaho.edu/40JbnCj) by Matthew Trent Cropper via Amphibious Zoo. Chapters (00:00) Introduction (4:06) Getting to know Steve (5:38) Taming huckleberries (14:13) Pest control (19:05) Huckleberry hunting tips (21:00) Huckleberry species (21:55) Best huckleberry foods (22:35) Huckleberry frustrations (24:32) Conclusion
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    27 m