Emotions researcher Jeff Larsen returns to the show to explain exponential growth and how exponential growth distinguishes the threat of a pandemic like the Corona Virus up against the threat of the flu. Even more importantly, we exam the importance and difficulty of cognitive reflection. We also explore a mix of emotions.

Jeff is a Professor of Psychology at The University of Tennessee Knoxville

This feels like one of the most important podcasts I have ever done.

Nina Fefferman has spent a career working on mathematical models of pandemics. I cannot express how reassuring it is to have a mind like this working to help us all. Nina's ability to communicate such complex topics in a way that a child could understand makes this a MUST LISTEN episode.

In a time of hoarding, Caroline Roux is one of the precious few experts on scarcity. We talk about why people hoard, and what happens when everyone takes a little more than they need. If you don't leave enough hand sanitizer for your neighbor, you endanger yourself and everyone else.

We also get some related marketing tips for your business and more importantly, I find out how I can dupe more people into supporting my podcast.

Kari Nixon is a disease loving, well-read oddball with a contagious interest in contagion and a wonderful sense of humor. She also has some pretty amazing timing on the release of her first book “Kept from All Contagion:” Germ Theory, Disease, and the Dilemma of Human Contact.

We discuss diseases through history, what literature, and how they have appeared in pop culture in the past. We talk about her favorite diseases and some truly horrifying fails in the history of science.

Return guest Athena Aktipis is an author, professor and podcaster. She is also the chair of the (wait for it...) Zombie Apocalypse Medicine Meeting (ZAMM) an interdisciplinary conference where art, science and medicine come together with the aim of solving complex issues.

Jennifer Verdolin joins me as I apologize for not heeding her early prophetic warning and ask her to take a whack at how long we will have to be physical distancing.

It's a charming, fun, and educational conversation about how animals deal with illness, responsible pet care during a pandemic, and why cues of scarcity are making us buy 80 year supplies of toilet paper.

Tired of the same news on a loop? On these special episodes, we discuss unique pandemic related scientific perspectives.

On this episode, authors of the book 'Objection: Disgust, Morality, and the Law' discuss how evolution shaped our disgust system. We expand on how this disgust systems which was originally adapted for other tasks has influenced our moral judgements, societies, and laws.

Shane talks about cognitive psychology, teaching and learning with Assistant Professor of Psychology at Rhode Island College, Megan Sumeracki.

Shane is joined by special guest Steve Gillespie to talk about bird brains with Associate Professor of Psychology at The University of Tampa, Scott Husband.

Shane talks with cognitive neuroscientist Evelina Fedorenko about how minds and brains create language.

This week Shane talks about bias with Professor of Marketing and Everett W. Lord Distinguished Faculty Scholar at Boston University, Carey Morewedge. What is the "Bias Blind Spot" and can we be de-biased?

Shane talks with Picower Professor of Neuroscience at M.I.T. about the pattern recognition computer and black box known as the human brain. Earl Miller has a PH.D. in Psychology and Neuroscience; he has 1 of the top 5 most cited papers in Neuroscience and is also a Professor in the Department of Brain & Cognitive Sciences at M.I.T.

Part 3 of Shane's trip to the Fort Worth Zoo! Shane and special guest Sophia Rokhlin talk with Veterinarians Tara Reilly and Kim Rainwater about the challenges of providing medical care to hundreds of different animals.

Shane is once again joined by Anthropologist Sophia Rokhlin to talk about animals, insects, flying and breathing with Paleophysiologist at Midwestern University, John VandenBrooks.

Shane is joined by Steven Gillespie and Rhianna Andrews. The three of them talk about their experiences at the 3rd Here We Are Myco Meditations Psilocybin retreat in Jamaica. What role do the facilitators play and what might one experience during a garden variety trip?

This week, in Part 2 of Shane's trip to the Fort Worth Zoo, Shane and special guest Sophia Rokhlin talk with Amy Coslik and Rebecca Gonzales about native milkweed and the lessor known pollinator: the Monarch Butterfly. Listen to hear about The Monarch Project and Zoo Summercamp.

Shane is once again joined by Antrolopogist Sophia Rokhlin, this time to talk about ecology and animal nutrition with Fort Worth Zoo Staff members Adam Reppert and Ann Ward.

Shane talks with Social Psychologist Shira Gabriel about watching television, social needs, and social connections. What can researching TV watching tell us about parasocial relationships with Reality TV stars and why sharing your favorite TV Series strengthens relationships.

Here We Are 2019 Highlights

This week, Shane interviews nine Psychedelic Scholars and Enthusiasts recorded live from the Psychedelic Symposium at The University of Michigan. They discuss Psychedelic Therapy, DMT, Consciousness and Neuroscience.