Life Slices

Some people fear that computers and virtual reality are robbing us of our humanity, and our interconnectivity with other humans who share our world. What if someone were to argue that we’re not being robbed, we’re being given new avenues, new technology to communicate with those others? Sara Guisto is doing that through her creations, virtual humans. She joins host Steve Fisher to talk about Designing Humanity.

What if someone could build a house that is not only sustainable itself, but can meet all its inhabitants' needs sustainably? Sounds like science fiction? How about science fact? Michael Reynolds is a biotect in Taos, New Mexico, who says he’s got the answer. Earthships. He talks to host Steve Fisher about what they are, what they do and how he's trying to make them affordable for all.

You may have seen a TV show called Survivor. Contestants are taken to some exotic locale and asked to do a task or stunt. At the end of the day, the players may make it to the next round of competition or be eliminated. Heidi Hamels was on that show.  She’s here as the founder of a non-profit organization called Uplift Malawi, along with it’s executive director, Alaina Baker, trying to help the children of that country survive. They join host Steve Fisher to talk about the issues plaguing Malawi and how you can help.

When you go to a musical show or concert you tend to look at the person standing in front of the orchestra, waving their arms, and think, I can do that. Chances are, you can’t. It takes a very particular set of skills. Larry Blank is a composer, orchestrator and conductor, based in Los Angeles, New York and London, who has worked with some of the most respected names in theatre, film, television and music. He has those skills and then some.  He’s a true Music Man and joins host Steve Fisher to talk about his work on Broadway, film, TV and concert stages around the world.

What would you do if a member of your family was in danger? I hope you’d say you would do everything you could to save them. I’m not talking about your human family. Did  you know that orangutans are among our closest relatives, sharing 97% of our DNA. They’re intelligent, inquisitive, very observant and very much in danger of going extinct in the wild. Leif Cocks, founder of The Orangutan Project, is devoted to keep that from happening. He joins host Steve Fisher to talk about Saving Orangutans. This is Lifeslices!

If you’ve dwelt on this planet long enough, you’ve likely picked up a lot of wisdom and knowledge. That would make you what’s called a senior citizen. If you choose to put that experience and your surrounding musings on paper, you’re a philosopher. David M. Perkins might not cop to the latter but he definitely acknowledges the former. He’s certainly someone worth listening to as he talks to host Steve Fisher On Life.

Nazi. Originally the name for a political movement, today, it’s a synonym for evil. Over the course of their Reign of Terror, they destroyed populations and countries, including their own. Joanne Intrator grew up the daughter of German refugees. Her parents were among the lucky ones to escape but it wasn’t unscathed. On his deathbed, her father challenged her to a mission in his old homeland. It would change her life in many ways. Joanne joins host Steve Fisher to talk about her Summons to Berlin.

ADHD. Four little letters that can spell big problems for children around the world. While some of those children may outgrow the disorder, millions more won’t and, in fact, may never have been diagnosed to begin with, creating many issues for those adults who are missing the chance for treatment. Dr. J. Russell Ramsey is one of the most preeminent psychologists in the research and treatment of adult ADHD and talks to host Steve Fisher about what it is, how it's diagnosed and how it's treated.

When Mother Nature created beavers, she proved to have a sense of humor. These funny-looking oversized members of the rodent family have buck teeth and large paddle-like tails, perfect for cartoon characters. But she also had a plan, imbuing them with an ecological purpose. Unfortunately, man came along and didn’t see it that way. Farmers and ranchers, not to mention fur traders, drove the beavers away and close to the point of extinction. Now, thanks to organizations like Defenders of Wildlife, beavers are making a comeback. Peggy Darr is one of their Defenders and talks to host Steve Fisher about the pros and cons of adding more beavers to our environment.

Beer has been around almost as long as mankind, popping up in disparate cultures, not connected in any way. Travis Rupp is an assistant professor of the classics and beer. He's The Beer Archaeologist, searching the world for evidence of ancient brews (and their recipes) and helps host Steve Fisher kick off the 5th season of Lifeslices.

Most living creatures sleep. It’s natures way of saying it’s time to chill. But perhaps no other species beyond humans think about it so much. And study it. Ok, maybe not all. Most of us take it for granted. Until that night we’re tossing and turning and our minds won’t shut off. That’s when we turn to experts like Dr. Michael Grandner as Lifeslices did in part one of our conversation. We had so many questions that we couldn’t fit them all in one episode. Dr. Grandner returns to answer host Steve Fisher's questions about sleep, naps and dreams.

Technology. Love it or hate it, it’s here to stay. And evolve. Each year, creators, sellers and buyers gather in Las Vegas to share what’s new, what’s better and what’s different at the Consumer Electronics Show or CES. Return guest Marc Saltzman covers the tech industry and chats with host Steve Fisher about What's in Store for 2024.

Sleep. As humans, we know we need it and we know that when we don’t get enough, it can affect us all day long, if not longer. But what do we really know about it? What happens to our bodies and brains when we sleep, perchance to dream. Thankfully, there are scientists around the world studying all the things about it the rest of us don’t even think about. Dr. Michael Grandner of the University of Arizona, Director of the Sleep and Health Research Program, and Director of the Behavioral Sleep Medicine Clinic, joins host Steve Fisher to talk about what happens when we sleep.

One of mankind’s goals for the 21st century is to boldly go where no one has gone before. More specifically, our sister planet Mars. But to prepare our brave new class of astronauts for what they might encounter in that challenging environment and how to look for signs of life, historically or presently, scientists are studying previously unexplored regions of earth. One of them is Dr. Brian Hynek of the University of Colorado at Boulder. He joins host Steve Fisher to share his experiences.

Merry Christmas, Happy Hanukkah, and Happy Kwanzaa from all of us at Lifeslices!

Climate change is ubiquitous. Our planet has always been subject to it. But since the 1800s, most of it has been fueled by human activity, primarily the burning of fossil fuels like coal, oil and gas. Temperatures are rising threatening our ability to grow food, melting our arctic regions to raise sea levels and leading to weather changes that are creating more deadly events such as hurricanes and tornados. Scientists have been warning us for decades that if we don’t act now, it will prove to be an existential threat to life as we know it. Some believe we are already there. Anna Lilgedahl is a scientist who is studying climate change. She's using AI to help sift through decades of data to find solutions and joins host Steve Fisher to talk about it.

Our planet holds many places that exude mystery and capture our fascination. Egypt has the pyramids and the Sphinx. Nevada has Area 51. The Atlantic Ocean has the Bermuda Triangle. But perhaps nowhere on Earth has the lure of Loch Ness in Scotland. It’s main attraction is the possible existence of a Loch Ness monster, affectionately called Nessie. Alan McKenna leads regular explorations of the lake, welcoming people to join in. He joins host Steve Fisher to talk about what the loch has to offer.

Throughout time, and across cultures, mysterious creatures have been sighted by everyday humans. Big Foot, Nessie, Mothman. These beings have yet to be substantiated by science, or debunked. So a field of study, cryptozoology, was born. A long time practitioner of the pseudoscience is Andy McGrath, who was drawn to it as a child.  He’s been at it in print, podcast and TV for 30 years. And he joins host Steve Fisher to talk about the Beasts of the World. 

There’s no telling how many other intelligent civilizations exist in the universe. Whether they or we can ever master the ability to travel light years, once we connect, how will we communicate? Behavioral ecologist Dr. Arik Kershenbaum and professor of linguistics Dr. Ian Roberts, both of the University of Cambridge, join host Steve Fisher to talk about Communicating with Aliens.

In 1938, a character was born that would endure to this very day, appearing in comic books, movies, TV and radio shows, video games, and one Broadway musical. That musical was “It’s a Bird, It’s a Plane, It’s Superman.” And while 11 actors have played the role in TV, radio and film, only one wore the cape and tights on Broadway. That actor was Bob Holiday. Although Bob may not have been a household name, and the show had a short-lived run, to those of us who were lucky enough to see him in the role, he was our Superman. Toni Collins saw the show when she was 11 and had the chance to meet Bob backstage.  Many years later, she ended up building and managing his website. She talks with host Steve Fisher about Befriending Superman.