Best Gavin Ward Podcasts (2025)

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Fromology (CHEESE) Part 1 with Kyra James 1:11:26

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18h ago1:11:26

1:11:26

Soft. Hard. Fresh. Aged. Stinky. Illegal. Let’s talk cheese with Certified Cheese Professional (CCP) and Fromologist, Kyra James. We chat about proprietary bacterial slurries, basement caves, cheese knife etiquette, rind eating, vegetarian versus vegan cheeses, cheese history, different warm-blooded animals whose milk is used for cheese, American c…

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Show 359. Louise Haigh - LIVE 1:00:36

7h ago1:00:36

1:00:36

Louise Haigh - LIVE Recorded live at the Crossed Wires festival in Sheffield, Louise Haigh reflects on Labour's first year in power. Louise is on top form and has a unique perspective, having served in Cabinet and now sitting on the backbenches. How did the government get itself in a mess over welfare? Where can Labour improve? Plus why Louise got …

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Lampyridology (FIREFLIES) aka Sparklebuttology Updated Encore with Sara Lewis 1:07:49

8d ago1:07:49

1:07:49

Let’s light up your life and butt. World-renowned firefly expert Dr. Sara Lewis of Tufts University gives us some updates to her 2021 episode, sharing her love of a bug that many think is merely mythological. Learn how these tiny animals illuminate the night, the dos and don’ts of firefly observation, how to take good firefly photos, femme fatales,…

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Show 358. Sonia Kumar 45:58

10d ago45:58

45:58

Sonia Kumar Sonia has been an MP for almost a year and has used her platform to lead the first ever Parliamentary debate on incontinence. It's a subject very close to Matt's bladder and Sonia tells him how her career as a physiotherapist led her to raising it as an issue and standing for Parliament in the first place. Plus Sonia explains her positi…

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Crotalology (RATTLESNAKES) with Emily Taylor 1:21:11

15d ago1:21:11

1:21:11

Fangs. Rattles. Misconceptions. Crawl out from under your rock for the angelic rattle of one of the world’s most maligned, misunderstood, gorgeous, mysterious, efficient creatures. Herpetology professor, rattlesnake scientist and thus, Crotalologist Dr. Emily Taylor discusses why rattlesnakes deserve our love, the parenthood strategies of rattlers,…

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Former DHCS Leader Athena Chapman and Elizabeth Evenson Provide an Update on Medi-Cal Transformation and CalAIM 41:26

16d ago41:26

41:26

Former DHCS leader Athena Chapman, President of Chapman Consulting, and Chapman's VP Elizabeth Evenson join host Gavin Ward to give an update on Medi-Cal Transformation/CalAIM, including touching on the 2024 annual report recently released by DHCS on Community Supports.

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Show 357. Mims Davies 56:56

17d ago56:56

56:56

Mims Davies Prepare to be blown away. Mims has had to deal with so many astonishing life events. Not only that, she's handled them with remarkable humour. What made her a Conservative? Why didn't she think party membership was for people like her? How do the Tories stave off the threat from Reform and assert their dominance as the party of the righ…

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Aquaculture Ecology (SUSTAINABLE OCEAN FOODS) with Ben Halpern 1:25:05

22d ago1:25:05

1:25:05

Farmed versus wild. Basement shrimp hustles. Mangrove drama. Anthropology. Animal welfare and plant-based diets. Climb aboard to meet UCSB’s super cool dude, researcher and Aquaculture Ecologist, Dr. Ben Halpern. You’ll hear about sustainable food sources, land vs. sea farming, bycatch, shellfish guilt, salmon who wear makeup, global marine populat…

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Show 356. Nick Thomas-Symonds 58:22

24d ago58:22

58:22

Nick Thomas-Symonds Nick has just negotiated the UK/EU Trade Deal. So what's in the deal and what impact will it have? And did he have to drink Slovakian red wine to get the deal done? This is a superb behind-the-scenes account of high-level negotiations. COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE! 6 July: Andy Burnham (in Sheffield) https://www.sheffie…

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Bonus Episode: THE U.S. CONSTITUTION. Let's read it together. 1:25:02

26d ago1:25:02

1:25:02

Have you ever read every word of The U.S. Constitution? You don't have to, because I read it with my mouth into your brain in this weird but vital episode on civil liberties. And of course, there are little sidenotes to make sure we both understand it. There has never been a better time to know what your legal protections are. This episode is a fol…

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Macrophycology (SEAWEED) with Patrick Martone, Charles Yarish, Danielle McHaskell, Angela Jones, and Becky Swerida 1:30:20

29d ago1:30:20

1:30:20

Moonlit seaweeds. Dreamy underwater forests. Mounds of beach debris. Not plants. Let’s talk about where seaweed grows and whether or not it will save us all. Macrophycology means “big-ass algae” so let’s join five dazzling seaweed enthusiasts: guest-in-chief Dr. Patrick Martone of the University of British Columbia, UConn Professor Emeritus and “gr…

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Show 395. Kemi Badenoch 1:17:13

29d ago1:17:13

1:17:13

Kemi Badenoch The Conservative leader is on top form in this personal and funny interview. Kemi outlines the challenges her party faces in opposing Labour as well as trying to stave off Reform and the resurgent Lib Dems. It's a fascinating hour assessing how the Conservatives move on from their record in government. We tackle all the big questions.…

1
Cryptology (SECRET CODES) with Simon Singh 1:15:17

1M ago1:15:17

1:15:17

Secret ciphers. Hidden treasure. Enigma breakers. Mysterious manuscripts. And … hog Latin. Cryptology expert and author of “The Code Book,” Simon Singh finally lets me ask him about the small mistakes that lost huge battles, the prison plots of Mary Queen of Scots, a cryptology reality show that I wish existed, the legacy of Alan Turing, Indigenous…

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Show 394. Guto Harri 1:07:42

1M ago1:07:42

1:07:42

Guto Harri Guto has done it all. From covering domestic and international politics for the BBC, to working for Boris Johnson in Number 10. He's got some great stories from his varied career, including the storm surrounding him taking the knee live on GB News. An optimist, he's drawn to positive characters and despairs at the state of all the major …

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Urocyonology (LITTLE GRAY FOXES) with Bill Leikam 1:13:01

1M ago1:13:01

1:13:01

Bushy tails! Stinky butts! Faces so cute you weep! Let’s talk foxes – specifically the little gray ones you never knew you loved. Fox behavioral expert, researcher, conservationist, author of “The Road to Fox Hollow” and Urocyonologist Bill Leikam chats about fuzzy foxes, baby names, parental strategies, where they live, what they eat, advice for p…

1
Health Net and Vivant Health Partner to Improve Patient Care in Dignity Health Sacramento Hospitals 40:17

1M ago40:17

40:17

Health Net's Regional Medical Director Dr. Anshul Dixit and Vivant Health's Utilization Management Review Supervisor Kathleen Loredo share how they partner together with Dignity Health's greater Sacramento hospitals, including one recent effort that reduced unnecessary hospital stays by 400 while increasing provider show up rates by 20% after disch…

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Show 393. Dr Michelle Clement 50:37

2M ago50:37

50:37

Delivery. It's a popular word in politics, but how to Prime Ministers ensure it happens? Michelle is Researcher in Residence at 10 Downing Street and Lecturer in Government Studies at The Strand Group, King's College. She has written a new book 'The Art of Delivery: The Inside Story of How the Blair Government Transformed Britain’s Public Services'…

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Maritime Archaeology (SHIPWRECKS) Encore with Chanelle Zaphiropoulos 1:39:08

2M ago1:39:08

1:39:08

Shipwrecks. Treasure. Sunken planes. Scuttled submarines. New life forming around old machinery. There’s an -ology for that -- just ask Maritime Archaeologist and wreck nerd Chanelle Zaphiropoulos. This absolutely charming and passionate scuba diver, history buff and antiquities scholar dishes about pirates, warships, admirals worth admiring, and s…

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Show 392. Alan Rhodes 59:55

2M ago59:55

59:55

Alan Rhodes A few weeks ago Reform took control of Nottinghamshire County Council on a landslide. How did this happen and why didn't Nottinghamshire vote Labour instead? Alan Rhodes has been a Labour councillor in Nottinghamshire for nearly 40 years. He understands the shifting politics of the county and the country. This is a fantastic analysis of…

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Araneology (SPIDERS) with Marshal Hedin 1:33:05

2M ago1:33:05

1:33:05

Why would a spider have a frog best friend? Why do they love your shower? Does lemon repel them? Should you rehome them outside? Why so hairy? How do you identify the harmless ones? Which ones get kinky? Hey. This will be fun. If you’re afraid of spiders, this is the best first step to conquering that fear forever. If you love spiders, you’re in go…

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Show 391. Wes Streeting - LIVE 1:21:20

2M ago1:21:20

1:21:20

Wes Streeting - LIVE The Health Secretary is on cracking form as he defends Labour's progress so far but demonstrates a clear impatience to deliver change as quickly as possible. We discuss all the big questions: What is Labour getting right? Are the government scared of Reform? What is that cucumber for? It'll all make sense... COME AND SEE THE PO…

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Dr Harriet Etheredge, Gordon Bedford, Suzalee Blair-Gordon and Suzannah Kinsella: How do people feel about using genomic data to guide health across a lifetime? 30:35

2M ago30:35

30:35

In this episode of Behind the Genes, we explore the hopes, concerns and complex questions raised by the idea of a lifetime genome — a single genomic record used across a person’s life to guide healthcare decisions. Drawing on conversations from Genomics England’s Public Standing Group on the lifetime genome, our guests explore what it might mean fo…

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Artificial Intelligence Ethicology (WILL A.I. CRASH OUT?) with Abeba Birhane 1:15:32

2M ago1:15:32

1:15:32

Who’s babysitting AI? Will it steal your job? What happens when you’re rude to a chatbot? Cognitive scientist, Trinity College professor and Artificial Intelligence Ethicologist Dr. Abeba Birhane lets me ask her not-smart questions about legislation around AI, auditing datasets, environmental impacts, booby traps, doorbell narcs, commonly used fall…

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Show 390. John McTernan 45:54

2M ago45:54

45:54

Local Elections Analysis with John McTernan Why were the local elections so bad for Labour and how do they reverse their fortunes? Is there a ceiling on Nigel Farage's popularity? Does Labour lack confidence? This is a dose of mega political strategy with Tony Blair's former Political Secretary. It's electric. COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE!…

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Special Announcement The Matt Forde Focus Group 0:39

2M ago0:39

0:39

The Matt Forde Focus Group is my new comedy series for Radio 4 and tickets are now available! We are recording a run though on May 7th at The Bush Hall is London. For tickets visit sroaudiences.com or click on this link The Matt Forde Focus Group See you there! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

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Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES) Part 2 with Julia Hotz 53:44

2M ago53:44

53:44

It’s Part 2 of how to fix your life with hobbies! Pretty much. Journalist/author of “The Connection Cure” Julia Hotz explains the science behind forest bathing, how privilege affects accessibility to hobbies and what to do about it, how to figure out what lights you up, how to schedule time for hobbies if you have no time to do hobbies, why I used …

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Med-Cal Eligibility Update with Medi-Cal Expert Lisa Ramsey 34:57

2M ago34:57

34:57

Lisa Ramsey, a former Medi-Cal worker who created Medi-Cal Consulting Services, joins the show to share about updates on Medi-Cal eligibility, including reminders about some often misunderstood limits on income requirements.

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Show 389. Julie Bindel 1:07:47

2M ago1:07:47

1:07:47

Following the unanimous Supreme Court ruling that a woman is defined by biological sex under equalities law, Julie tells us how and why we got here. This is a fascinating history not just of women's rights, but of the distinct needs of the lesbian and gay communities. If you've wondered how this issue became so big and how it's come to dominate so …

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Dr Natalie Banner, Paul Arvidson, Dr Rich Gorman and Professor Bobbie Farsides: How can we enable ethical and inclusive research to thrive? 42:02

3M ago42:02

42:02

In this episode of Behind the Genes, we explore how ethical preparedness can offer a more compassionate and collaborative approach to genomic medicine. Drawing on insights from the EPPiGen Project, our guests discuss how creative storytelling methods, like poetry, have helped families and professionals navigate the complex emotional, ethical and pr…

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Salugenology (WHY HUMANS REQUIRE HOBBIES) Part 1 with Julia Hotz 1:06:35

3M ago1:06:35

1:06:35

Crafting. Motorcycle repair. Banjo lessons. Hobbies aren’t a reward, but tools to save your mental and physical health. Journalist/author of “The Connection Cure,” — and professional Salugenology expert — Julia Hotz explains the science behind going outside, rediscovering what makes you happy, scheduling time for hobbies if you have no time for hob…

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Show 388. Gregor Poynton 56:20

3M ago56:20

56:20

Gregor was elected as the MP for Livingston in Labour's 2024 landslide. It was a full circle moment for the man who'd been the party's organiser in the 2005 Livingston by-election following the death of Robin Cook. He went on to work for Blue State Digital, the team who masterminded Obama's 2008 and 2012 campaigns. This is a masterclass is the art …

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Climate Fervorology (ECO-ADVOCACY WITHOUT IT BEING A BUMMER) with AJR’s Adam Met 1:19:58

3M ago1:19:58

1:19:58

Cleaner energy! Reasoning with climate deniers! Using fandom to pass policy! And not burning out. Adam Met, of the colossal indie pop band AJR is also a career climate activist, an International Human Rights Law PhD, adjunct professor at Columbia University, and the author of the upcoming book “Amplify: How to Use the Power of Connection to Engage,…

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Show 387. Jason Stockwood 50:02

3M ago50:02

50:02

Jason Stockwood Brace yourself, you're about to discover one of the most inspiring voices in politics. Jason is Labour's candidate to be the Mayor of Greater Lincolnshire. He's a hugely successful businessman from humble beginnings. But it's the way he talks about life, society and what the country can do, that makes him special. This is audio Red …

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Discard Anthropology (GARBAGE) Encore with Robin Nagle 1:30:27

3M ago1:30:27

1:30:27

Landfills! Treasures in the trash! Corporate conspiracies! Composting! An instantly classic conversation with the incredibly knowledgeable, frank and wonderful Dr. Robin Nagle of New York University’s Liberal Studies! She is a clinical professor, author, TED speaker and former New York City sanitation worker and truly the best person on Earth to tr…

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Show 386. Dr Scott Arthur 39:00

3M ago39:00

39:00

Dr Scott Arthur Scott is one the few lucky MPs who topped the ballot for Private Members' Bills. He wants to bring in a Rare Cancers Bill. But what would the Bill do? What difference would it make to someone diagnosed with a rare cancer? COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE! 12 May: Wes Streeting 9 June: Kemi Badenoch 14 July: Michael Gove Plus mo…

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Show 385. LIVE Anthony Scaramucci 1:25:22

3M ago1:25:22

1:25:22

Anthony Scaramucci - LIVE The Mooch is back and is on barnstorming form. He's full-throttle from the start and gives his expert (and hilarious) view on how other world leaders should deal with Trump. Plus an incredible revelation about what the President was trying to watch online in the Oval Office... COME AND SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE! 12 May:…

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Medieval Codicology (WEIRD MEDIEVAL MANUSCRIPT ART & MEMES & SNAILS) with Evan Pridmore 1:14:58

3M ago1:14:58

1:14:58

Medieval art memes! Human-faced animals! Drunk monks! And a preponderance of snails. Middle Ages manuscript expert, art history communicator, and Medieval Codicologist Evan Pridmore covers: what those golden illuminated Middle Ages manuscripts were made of, who drew them, why were people sometimes naked in them, what art trends came and went – and …

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Show 384. Claire Ward 53:12

3M ago53:12

53:12

Claire Ward Claire is the first ever Elected Mayor for the East Midlands. What does running the greatest region in the country involve? How does Claire manage any rivalry or resentment between Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire? Why is being a Mayor better than being an MP? And what does this all mean for Nottingham Forest? SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE…

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Domestic Phytology (HOUSEPLANTS) with Tyler Thrasher 1:33:57

4M ago1:33:57

1:33:57

Fungus gnats. Overloved cacti. Fiddle fig failures. $20,000 specimens. It’s house plants — and it’s wild, folks. Widely beloved author, artist, house plant expert and Domestic Phytologist Tyler Thrasher joins to talk about root rot, what to grow in a dark basement, the rarest plants in the world, the punishments for poaching them, grow lights for p…

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California Association of Area Agencies on Aging's Christina Mills on the Aging and Disability Communities 37:33

4M ago37:33

37:33

Chrisina Mills, a leading advocate for the disability community, was recently appointed to serve as the Executive Director for the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging. Christina, who was born with osteogenesis imperfecta (bones can easily break), has led a 25 year career in advocacy for the disabled community and looks forward to suppo…

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Show 383. Eluned Morgan 50:10

4M ago50:10

50:10

Eluned Morgan Eluned is the First Minister of Wales and the first female First Minister of Wales. What challenges does Wales face that other parts of the UK might not? How do leaders create economic growth? And can someone help get Eluned some Oasis tickets? SEE THE POLITICAL PARTY LIVE ON STAGE! 31 March: Anthony Scaramucci 12 May: Wes Streeting 9…

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Vivienne Parry, Alice Tuff-Lacey, Dalia Kasperaviciute and Kerry Leeson Bevers: What can we learn from the Generation Study? 34:03

4M ago34:03

34:03

As of February 2025, the Generation Study has recruited over 3,000 participants. In this episode of Behind the Genes, we explore what we have learnt so far from running the study and how it continues to evolve in response to emerging challenges. The conversation delves into key lessons from early recruitment, the challenges of ensuring diverse repr…

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Post-Viral Epidemiology (LONG COVID) Part 2 with Wes Ely 1:00:08

4M ago1:00:08

1:00:08

Long Covid Part 2: Treatments. Studies. Histamines. Hormones. POTS. Clots. Hearts. Hope. Highly-respected Long Covid expert, Dr. Wes Ely, is back for all of your listener questions. We also check in with Physics Girl Diana Cowern on her years-long struggle with the disease. So start with Part 1, and then finish up with this episode addressing all y…

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Show 382. Stewart McDonald 55:26

4M ago55:26

55:26

Everyone's favourite SNP politician tells Matt what Nicola Sturgeon's departure from Holyrood means for the SNP and for Scotland. Stewart also reflects on what the party has to do differently if it wants to gain independence. This is a funny, thoughtful and reflective conversation about Nicola Sturgeon's legacy and the future of Scotland. And the f…

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Post-Viral Epidemiology (LONG COVID) Part 1 with Wes Ely 55:30

4M ago55:30

55:30

What is Long Covid? Is it real? What does it feel like? Do you have it? And how do you cure it? With fatigue and brain fog, you don’t want to spend hours scrolling through conflicting opinions. So we’ve got you covered with the wonderful and highly-respected pulmonologist and intensive care physician and Long Covid expert, Dr. Wes Ely. So tuck in, …

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Show 381 Alastair Campbell - LIVE 1:30:05

4M ago1:30:05

1:30:05

Alastair Campbell - LIVE This is an absolute riot. Alastair Campbell is his vulnerable, doubting, bombastic best in one of the funniest episodes of the show ever recorded. How would he contain Trump? What is Labour getting wrong? Has he put on weight? This will all make sense once you've listened. Sort of. THE POLITICAL PARTY IS BACK ON STAGE! 31 M…

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Reality TV Sociology (‘TRASH’ TV) with Danielle Lindemann 1:14:24

4M ago1:14:24

1:14:24

Nude strangers. Icy roads. Brain rot. True love. Class warfare. Queer visibility. Scripted ad libs. Sociologist, professor, author of the book “True Story: What Reality TV Says About Us,” and straight up Reality TV Sociologist, Dr. Danielle Lindemann studies human behavior through the lens of pop culture and reality TV. Dr. Lindemann lays out the h…

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Show 380. Simon Hart 1:03:44

4M ago1:03:44

1:03:44

Simon was Chief Whip under Rishi Sunak and his explosive new book 'Ungovernable' documents the scandalous and tumultuous final term of the Conservative government. So what's his view of his fellow politicians and the system they inhabit? Is it impossible for any Prime Minister to truly get their way? And what's it like being mistaken for Brian Clou…

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Field Trip: Activism Art Panel Recorded at WonderCon 35:06

4M ago35:06

35:06

Exactly the inspiration you need. Exactly the perfect time. Pass it on to anyone who loves art and/or speaking up. I went to Comic-Con’s little sister, WonderCon, to moderate a panel on protest art with expert Carol Wells, the founder of the Center for the Study of Political Graphics and C. Andrew Hall, from the Spesh Ep: Functional Magic's Environ…

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Cardiology (THE HEART) with Herman Taylor 1:21:24

4M ago1:21:24

1:21:24

It beats. It throws blood. It breaks – but not if Dr. Herman Taylor can help it. He is a physician, professor and director of the Cardiovascular Research Institute at the Morehouse School of Medicine in Atlanta, and an absolute legend. Cardiology is a vast field but Dr. Taylor joined for a 101 on how the heart works, and how to take care of it. Get…