Might Ramble Podcast

**Note: The video version kicks in around 16:13. Before that, only Brittanie's video is working.**Brittanie Winfield is a PhD candidate in Bioinformatics and Computational Biology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where she works in Dr. Sarah Linnstaedt’s lab in collaboration with the UNC Institute for Trauma Recovery. Her research uses longitudinal whole-blood RNA sequencing and multi-omic data from the AURORA Study to ask one of the most consequential open questions in trauma science: why do some survivors recover while others develop chronic post-traumatic symptoms? Before graduate school, she earned a BS in Microbiology from the University of Minnesota and spent two years in genomics R&D at 3M developing liquid-biopsy assays.Nearly everyone will live through a potentially traumatic event. Most people recover. A substantial number don’t, and go on to develop chronic pain, PTSD, depression/anxiety, and other persistent symptoms. Brittanie studies the difference between those two groups not just psychologically but biologically, as a molecular, measurable reality: how the immune system and hormone signaling respond in the early aftermath of trauma, and what separates the people whose bodies resolve that response from the people whose bodies never mount it at all.It’s a question she also comes at personally. She talks about her own years in therapy, and more recently in somatic experiencing, and what that work has taught her about the difference between understanding something analytically versus processing it in the body. We get into her current study with the AURORA cohort, what the data is showing, and what it might mean for how trauma gets treated.A NOTE OF THANKSBrittanie is the first guest to ever travel to Austin for this show. Shetook time away from a PhD, got on a plane, and sat across from me for hours — generous with her science, and more generous with herself. An episode like this only happens when someone decides the conversation is worth the trip. She did, and I’m grateful for it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

Carla Sharp, PhD, is the John and Rebecca Moores Professor of Clinical Psychology and Associate Dean for Faculty and Research at the University of Houston, where she directs the ADAPT Center and the Developmental Psychopathology Lab. She holds adjunct appointments at University College London and the University of the Free State in South Africa, and completed her PhD at the University of Cambridge. She has published more than 300 peer-reviewed papers and eight books, serves as an associate editor of Personality Disorders: Theory, Research and Treatment, and is a member of the workgroup updating the American Psychiatric Association's practice guidelines for borderline personality disorder.Dr. Carla Sharp has spent two decades proving two things the field resisted: that you can diagnose personality pathology in adolescents — as early as 12 or 13 — and that "borderline" may not be a separate box at all, but the clearest window we have into the core of personality dysfunction itself. We get into both, plus the question underneath all of it: what does it actually mean to have a coherent sense of who you are, and to make yourself understood by another person?Books by Dr. Carla Sharp* Mentalizing in Psychotherapy: A Guide for Practitioners (with Dickon Bevington; foreword by Peter Fonagy) — Guilford Press, 2022* Handbook of Good Psychiatric Management for Adolescents with Borderline Personality Disorder (with Lois Choi-Kain) — American Psychiatric Association Publishing, 2021* Developmental Psychopathology (with Amanda Venta, Peter Fonagy, Jack Fletcher) — Wiley Blackwell, 2021* Growing Up Resilient: The Mediational Intervention for Sensitizing Caregivers (MISC) (with Lochner Marais) — Routledge, 2022* Handbook of Borderline Personality Disorder in Children and Adolescents (with Jennifer Tackett) — Springer, 2014* Social Cognition and Developmental Psychopathology (with Peter Fonagy, Ian Goodyer) — Oxford University Press, 2008* Midbrain Mutiny: The Picoeconomics and Neuroeconomics of Disordered Gambling (with Don Ross, Rudy Vuchinich, David Spurrett) — MIT Press, 2008Also referenced* I Hate You, Don’t Leave Me: Understanding the Borderline Personality — Jerold J. Kreisman & Hal Straus* The DSM-5 Alternative Model for Personality Disorders (Section III), and the dimensional approach in ICD-11A note on a hard subjectThis episode discusses suicide and self-harm. If you’re struggling, you can reach the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline (call or text 988 in the US). If you’re recovering from a relevant relationship that left you reactive, hypervigilant, or doubting your own memory of events — that’s an injury, not a character flaw, and it does fade. Always happy to talk. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

Aislinn Williams, MD, PhD is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Iowa and Associate Director for Research at the Iowa Neuroscience Institute. Her lab uses transgenic mouse models and patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to study how psychiatric risk genes (particularly voltage-gated calcium and sodium channels) alter neurodevelopment and behavior, with relevance to bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, depression, and autism. She is a board-certified psychiatrist who sees patients in the inpatient hospital and supervises residents in psychotherapy. She earned her MD and PhD (Neuroscience) at the University of Iowa, and completed psychiatry residency at the University of Michigan.* Williams Lab: williams.lab.uiowa.edu* Iowa Neuroscience Institute: medicine.uiowa.edu/INI(A note on audio: some source files were corrupted in production, so had to use lesser backups, apologies for the reduced quality. An infographics and animation pass is coming to visually unpack the science we cover. Stay tuned.) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

Paul Abbott is 60 and was raised on the move. His father’s career relocated the family every three years or so through Paul’s childhood. He attended Washington and Lee, started his career at Milliken & Company working night shifts in textile plants in the South, eventually built a “rollercoaster ride” of a career across real estate and finance. Today he’s based in Austin, and calls this stage of his life “Act Three.” He’s been married to his wife Lynn for thirty-nine years. People call him Chief.Michael Lombard, 36, is the great-great-grandson of Nicholas Lombard, who with his brother started Lombard Bros. in Waterbury, Connecticut, in 1923. It was one of the first motor carriers in the United States, and one of the largest in the Northeast before it was sold in 1984. Mike served in the United States Marines as a Fire Direction Controlman in the artillery, deployed to Afghanistan from 2010 to 2011. After the Marines he attended the University of New Haven on the GI Bill. In 2020, he moved to Texas with his wife, got his CDL, and became the first Lombard to drive a truck since the company sold. Today he is Partner Development Manager at Truck Parking Club, hosts The Lombard Trucking Show podcast, advocates for trucker health through the nonprofit Project 61, and has completed three Ironmans. He’s also seriously into history, especially Napoleon.We had no shared agenda going in. What emerged over two and a half hours was a conversation about identity and the cost of refusing the boxes you’ve been put in. Mike talks about losing a hundred pounds, the death of a fellow Marine that triggered it, and what it’s like to carry a family name that built and lost an empire. Paul talks about a nomadic childhood, the identity crisis he says he’s been in his whole life, and the framework that’s helped him navigate it — “you are the currency”: the idea that who you are is the thing you actually bring to a room, not the title, the résumé, or the credentials.Paul Abbott Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chief_abbottMichael Lombard Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lombardtruckingThe Lombard Trucking Show: Companion Substack Piece: https://mitchellpenningroth.substack.com/publish/post/198163382Note: My first multi-guest episode in-person. Production quality is still a work in progress here. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

Brad Womack, 53, is a two-time lead on ABC’s The Bachelor (Seasons 11 and 15, 2007 and 2011, respectively). He grew up in Atlanta, GA, and later Livingston, TX, is an identical twin, worked the oil fields following high school, and eventually got into the bar business in Austin — before stumbling into the lead role of one of the most-watched franchises on television after a chance conversation. Five days later, he was in a room with the president of ABC.But this episode isn’t about The Bachelor. It’s about what it does to a person’s interior to become a national projection screen — to have millions of people think they know who you are. It’s about being a twin, and how identity works under pressure.Being the Bachelor is one of the most psychologically singular experiences a person can have. There is essentially no comparable template for it. You are simultaneously a private person, a romantic protagonist, and a public figure, all at once, for an audience of tens of millions. Most people never have to reckon with the gap between who they are and who the world has decided they are. Brad had to do it twice. That gap, and what it does to a person’s sense of self, is what I wanted to explore.I’m also a fraternal twin, from Tipton, IA — a town of about 3,000 people. Brad grew up in Livingston, TX, population around 6,500. There’s something specific about coming from a place that small that I don’t think you fully understand unless you’ve lived it, and the same goes for being a twin. That shared context made for an unusually honest conversation.The “Double Take” in the title refers to the dualities at play. Brad as The Bachelor twice; two twins talking to each other; two people from small towns; Brad as others defined him versus Brad defining himself; Brad under the national microscope versus Brad in retrospect. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

Episode 17 — Dr. Lorenzo LeggioNote: At times, this conversation gets technical. I’ve tried to keep things accurate while also taking the time to explain what we’re talking about. The video version of this episode includes annotations that you may find helpful, along with links to relevant concepts, people, and ideas for anyone who wants to go deeper. Feel free to reach out in the comments or on social media — I’m happy to help.Dr. Lorenzo Leggio (MD, PhD) is among the most prominent addiction medicine researchers in the United States.His current roles at the National Institutes of Health: Clinical Director and Deputy Scientific Director of NIDA’s Intramural Research Program; Chief of the joint NIDA/NIAAA Clinical Psychoneuroendocrinology and Neuropsychopharmacology Section (which he founded in 2012); Chief of the NIDA Translational Addiction Medicine Branch (founded 2020). He holds adjunct professorships at Brown University, Johns Hopkins, and Georgetown.His research sits at the intersection of addiction neuroscience, endocrinology, and the gut-liver-brain axis. His lab’s work on GLP-1 receptor agonists — the drug class that includes semaglutide (Ozempic, Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) — as potential treatments for alcohol and substance use disorders is one of the most scientifically and culturally relevant areas in addiction medicine right now. It bridges the Ozempic story with addiction treatment in a way that has genuinely caught the public’s attention, and mine — I’ve been following this space for several years.Dr. Leggio trained in internal medicine in Rome, completed his postdoc at Brown University’s Center for Alcohol and Addiction Studies, transitioned into a faculty role at Brown, and was then recruited to the NIH, where he has primarily worked since.A special thanks to Max Dennis for helping coordinate this episode and for lending a hand setting up when I arrived.LinksIntegrating Psychological and Pharmacological Treatments for Addictive Disorders — book co-edited by Dr. LeggioConcepts Referenced in This EpisodeGLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1) — A hormone produced in the gut and certain brainstem neurons that regulates appetite, blood sugar, and insulin secretion. The basis for the current generation of obesity and diabetes drugs, and the central molecule in Dr. Leggio’s addiction research.GIP (Glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) — A related gut hormone and the other major incretin. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro, Zepbound) targets both GLP-1 and GIP receptors simultaneously.Incretin — The class of gut-derived hormones, including GLP-1 and GIP, that stimulate insulin release in response to food. The incretin concept is the pharmacological foundation that all of these drugs are built on.Nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) — A brainstem region that serves as a primary relay station for signals from the gut, cardiovascular system, and lungs. GLP-1 is produced by neurons here, and it plays a key role in how these drugs affect the brain.Blood-brain barrier — The selective barrier separating the brain’s circulation from the rest of the body. Relevant here because one of the open questions in GLP-1 research is exactly how and where these drugs act on the brain, and whether they cross this barrier directly or work through other pathways.GCG gene — The gene encoding proglucagon, the precursor protein that gets cleaved into GLP-1, GLP-2, glucagon, and related peptides depending on which tissue is doing the processing.Gila monster / exenatide — The origin story of the first GLP-1 drug. In the early 1990s, researchers discovered that the Gila monster’s saliva contained a peptide (exendin-4) structurally similar to human GLP-1 but far more stable. That peptide became exenatide (Byetta), the first FDA-approved GLP-1 receptor agonist, approved in 2005.Liraglutide — A second-generation GLP-1 receptor agonist (brand names Victoza and Saxenda) developed by Novo Nordisk. Once-daily injection; a major step forward from exenatide in terms of clinical manageability and efficacy.Ghrelin — A gut hormone often called the “hunger hormone.” Dr. Leggio’s lab has also studied ghrelin as a potential target in alcohol use disorder, making it part of the broader gut-brain axis story. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

Michael Palser is a functional training specialist with over 25 years in the fitness and wellness industry and the creator of the Human Hybrid Project — a training philosophy and way of life built on three pillars: function, mindset, and purpose. The Human Hybrid Project is his distillation of 50,000+ hours of training, every book he’s read, every seminar he’s attended, and perhaps most importantly, every mistake along the way.Michael is also the author of BECOMING, a book structured around what it means to become a whole man. And he’s a musician — the vocalist and guitarist behind T E N Ǝ T, a concept-driven rock project created alongside producer and visual architect Khary Alexander. T E N Ǝ T blends guitar-driven modern rock with cinematic depth and dark emotional weight. “It is the sound of transformation unfolding.” The debut single “GHOSTS” is the opening chapter of a larger narrative exploring identity, the Hero’s Journey, shadow, and the process of becoming. Michael performs “Ghosts” live at the end of the episode.I wrote a bit about this episode ⁠here⁠.Links to Michael’s stuff:* ⁠T E N Ǝ T⁠* ⁠Human Hybrid Project​⁠* ⁠BECOMING⁠* ⁠BECOMING: 8 Week Journal⁠* ⁠Instagram⁠Books & Concepts Mentioned:* ⁠4 stages of competence⁠* ⁠Mirror Theory (psychological idea)⁠* ⁠The Hero’s Journey (mythological narrative)⁠* ⁠The Hero with a Thousand Faces by Joseph Campbell⁠* ⁠The Way of the Superior Man by David Deida⁠ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

Michela Marinelli obtained her Ph.D. in Pharmacology and Neuroscience at the University of Bordeaux 2 (France). After a postdoctoral fellowship in the United States, she was hired as an Assistant Professor by the INSERM (the French equivalent to the American NIH). Three years later, in 2003, she was recruited by the Dept. of Cellular & Molecular Pharmacology at Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine & Science, in North Chicago. After ten years at that University, she moved to the University of Texas at Austin, where she currently works as an Associate Professor.Dr. Marinelli’s main research seeks to understand the neurobiological bases of drug addiction. The team uses a “systems approach,” which means that they examine and integrate information across multiple levels of analysis. These variables are studied in rodent models, and they range from the cellular level (neuronal activity, using electrophysiological techniques), to the molecular level (protein expression), to the whole animal level (behavioral studies, such as drug self-administration). Dr. Marinelli is also involved in two additional projects. The first examines errors in published data. The second focuses on alternatives to restraints and seclusions in schools, and on the lack of evidence-based science for currently employed de-escalation techniques in schools and psychiatric settings. Dr. Marinelli has published over 50 publications in peer-reviewed journals and her work has been cited over 8,000 times.In addition to her research, Dr. Marinelli is invested in service, having served over 20 times on study sections and on NIDA’s Board of Scientific Counselors. Dr. Marinelli also has a passion for teaching. She was the Director of the Graduate Program in Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology at Rosalind Franklin University, and is currently a Graduate Student Advisor for Graduate Students in Neuroscience at UT Austin. Dr. Marinelli also directs and teaches numerous courses to medical, graduate, and undergraduate students. These include communication skills, interprofessional education, experimental design and data analysis, neurological and psychiatric conditions, neuropharmacology, pharmacology, and physiology. The undergraduate course “Analytical Skepticism” earned her the “Texas 10” teaching award, which is given to the ten most-inspiring professors at UT Austin.Links:- ⁠https://sites.utexas.edu/marinelli/**⁠- ⁠https://www.texasscientist.cns.utexas.edu/articles/futile-punishment**⁠- ⁠https://cns.utexas.edu/news/accolades/neuroscience-professor-wins-prize-promoting-scientific-rigor⁠- ⁠https://cns.utexas.edu/news/features/misinformation-brain-and-tricks-analyzing-data-accurately⁠- ⁠https://medium.com/the-alcalde/introducing-the-2020-texas-ten-b4dadc2c0eb3⁠⁠ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

Today’s guest is Cassandra (Casey) Toural, originally from Spain, whose story is a powerful testament to the human capacity for change. Through deep self-reflection, discipline, and a relentless commitment to growth, she has rebuilt her life from the inside out.At 17, Casey was told she would never walk again. She defied the odds and is now an avid athlete. At 19, she moved to the United States, where her journey took an unexpected turn. Immersed in drinking culture, she eventually confronted a deep-seated struggle with alcohol. Rather than allowing that chapter to define her, Casey reclaimed her agency and transformed her life.Today, she channels her experiences into helping others navigate their own challenges — particularly through the power of movement, community, and inhabiting an embodied resilience.Casey is based in Austin, TX. You can find Casey on Instagram @ ⁠caseytoural⁠. If you’re interested in working with her, you can start the process here: ⁠https://form.typeform.com/to/v1OJvGsr⁠A special thanks to Neto Flores of Round Window Studios for helping me produce this episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

Peyton Knight grew up in Missouri and was signed as a model at age 11. She graduated high school at 16 and has lived much of her adult life at an accelerated pace. She eventually worked and lived in New York City for four years before spending six in Los Angeles. Along the way, she’s worn a lot of hats as a model, photographer, and content creator. Her content has shifted toward comedy in recent years, with memes emerging as her most effective and resonant format to date, per Peyton.Peyton works at Ladder, a personal training app and Apple App of the Year nominee. She’s spent the past four years in brand social and marketing, previously working with multiple startups, including time working for Paris Hilton before launching her own media agency in LA.Outside of work, Peyton is an avid lifter and has taken up running over the past several months as a way of grounding herself physically and mentally.Links:⁠https://www.wmagazine.com/story/peyton-knight-model-hair⁠⁠https://www.vogue.com/article/model-peyton-knight-interview⁠⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peyton_Knight⁠https://www.instagram.com/peytonknight⁠https://models.com/models/peyton-knight/featured This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

My guest for this episode is Alexis Quiterio. Alexis is an entrepreneur, a public speaker, a published author, a former competitive gymnast and pole vaulter, and a standout communicator.Alexis and I explore the nuances of communication, the importance of living in the present, and the ongoing journey of self-discovery. Alexis shares her perspective on unwavering positivity, gratitude, and the art of communication. We discuss the balance between speaking and listening in meaningful conversations, as well as the contrast between speaking aloud and writing as tools for self-reflection, among other themes.Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1U2rhdcuTph2Hrs7ozvxAdaOR0z5BEOSd This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

My guest for today had to reschedule, but I still wanted to talk. I start by sharing what I’ve been up to with keto lately, and the back half of the episode is a conversation with a friend of mine who’s a student at Brown University, where a shooting occurred last weekend. At the time of recording, the shooter had still not been identified several days after. That conversation starts around 30 minutes into the episode. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

In this conversation, Tash shares her journey from growing up in a drinking culture in the UK to her struggles with addiction and eventual path to sobriety. She discusses her early experiences with alcohol, the progression of her addiction, and the impact it had on her life and family. Tash reflects on her rock bottom moment, the turning points that led her to seek help, and the importance of community and personal growth in maintaining sobriety.You can find Tash on instagram @soberhappytashTash hosts The Clear Head Club podcast, available here: ⁠https://open.spotify.com/show/6LTGLKDjjPtg7RHdf4RmhX⁠ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

This conversation with Alex Bradley explores themes of friendship, loss, and mental health through the lens of a personal journey. Alex is currently in the midst of walking 2560 miles to pay tribute to his late friend, and to raise money for suicide prevention and mental health resources. This conversation was recorded as we walked and ran in the Nevadan desert.If you wish to contribute to Alex's cause, here is the link: https://www.gofundme.com/f/the-next-step-movementOther links:https://www.fox7austin.com/news/austin-man-walking-2500-miles-raise-mental-health-awareness-honor-best-friendhttps://www.scdailypress.com/2025/09/27/austin-man-walks-cross-country-speaks-suicide-prevention/https://www.stgeorgeutah.com/life/health-wellness/texas-man-walks-across-southern-utah-during-2-500-mile-trek-for-suicide-prevention/article_efa15f91-ee95-4c66-87ad-ffe242ae138d.htmlhttps://www.firstalert7.com/2025/09/16/i-need-your-support-man-walks-through-odessa-2560-mile-awareness-trek/ This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

Please read the following for additional information.Summary: This conversation explores the complex history and current dynamics of the Israel-Palestine conflict, touching on the historical presence of Jews in Israel, personal experiences of the speakers, the role of radicalism in Islam, accusations of genocide, and the unique relationship between the U.S. and Israel. The discussion also delves into political dynamics, the importance of education, and the need for an informed populace to navigate these issues effectively.Chapters:00:00 Introduction to the Conversation02:12 Historical Context of Jews in Israel06:29 Personal Experiences and Observations12:05 Understanding Radicalism in Islam13:22 Genocide Accusations and Civilian Casualties24:29 The Right to Exist: Israel and Palestine30:10 The Role of the U.S. in the Israel-Palestine Conflict32:40 The Unique U.S.-Israel Relationship40:46 Political Dynamics and Term Limits58:22 The Importance of an Educated PopulaceEpisode TranscriptAI-based fact checks This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

Summary: In this episode, the conversation revolves around the experiences of Lorenz, Mitchell, & Keith in the tech and job market, and the challenges of launching new products in a competitive landscape. They also delve into the complexities of misinformation in the digital age, the intricacies of the Jeffrey Epstein case, and the broader implications of media polarization and American politics from a global perspective.Chapters00:00 Introducing Lorenz Schimik & Keith Penningroth01:59 Job Market Challenges and Opportunities03:20 Mimo's New Product Launch and Market Competition07:25 Life in Austin: Culture and Community10:45 Podcasting Journey and Content Creation13:29 Exploring the Jeffrey Epstein Case22:04 Intelligence Connections and Media Polarization26:27 Global Perspectives on American Politics31:02 Navigating Misinformation in the Digital AgeLorenz Schimik Links:Mimo: https://mimo.org/ (learning to code)Instance: https://instance.so/ (vibe coding)Episode Transcript: https://drive.google.com/file/d/15SyqxsUGVEJjZfDyWk504SHCdze7juDM/view?usp=sharing This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

Hello Dad, welcome to my podcast! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

Recorded this in one take. No notes, off the cuff thoughts a week after Charlie Kirk's assassination. Note, I called Charlie Kirk racist here, and this was a mischaracterization on my part. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

Some impromptu thoughts on mental health research, treatment, my career journey, and what it’s meant to be a twin whose twin was diagnosed with schizophrenia two years ago — right as I was beginning graduate school as a research scientist at Brown.I touch on what it’s been like to walk beside him, what schizophrenia has taught me about powerlessness and presence, and why I believe we need to approach mental illness research with the same urgency we bring to diseases like Alzheimer’s.It’s a mix of personal story, professional experience, and scientific possibility.Let me know whatcha think!Editorial Notes:I inquired with my twin on whether this was okay to talk about, and they are good with it. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

I’m experimenting with how best to communicate this kind of information. Part of that experiment is learning to be transparent about my process. Transparency, to me, is what makes information trustworthy — something we, as a society, have been struggling with in the age of the internet.It also invites collaboration. The willingness to reveal methods, uncertainties, and even missteps is often what points us in the right direction — both scientifically and interpersonally. Transparency feels honest and authentic.This post is a small attempt to practice those principles. Consider it a trial run, and let me know what you think!Sources* Lithgow et al. 1995.* Link to unannotated paper: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1OrCcaNTF8yaSGxOm73CqsybjqUVp3ZlZ/view* Link to annotated paper:https://drive.google.com/file/d/1Zas57IKp3jbsstlhhdPVuS7RbCS0QpRi/view* Takeaway: A single mild heat shock in early adult C. elegans extends lifespan, demonstrating hormesis through stress-induced resilience. This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

Unlocking the vault of discovery, from Einstein to the biology of aging.Text version here: https://mitchellpenningroth.substack.com/p/on-the-boundary-of-knowledge This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com

A Journey Through Evolution, Trauma, and the Neurobiology of ChangeOriginally published on Substack.Link: https://open.substack.com/pub/mitchellpenningroth/p/why-i-run?r=64jkhr&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit mitchellpenningroth.substack.com