State of the Pod
by Student Podcasters at Cornell University
Cornell's Student Driven Podcast Production
Episodes
-
704: Blitzed! The Medical, Societal, and Economic Consequences of Football
America loves it. But does it love America back? Courtney and Annalisa (Cornell ‘29) discuss the ramifications of a society that glorifies football and minimizes its detrimental effects. Produced and Edited by Courtney Cole and Annalisa Raji Special thanks to the Investigative Biology Lab @…
more -
703: The $10 Billion Question: How OBBBA Is Reshaping Healthcare
$10 billion is cut from Medicaid each year, leaving around 10 million people uninsured. These outcomes correlate with the passing of the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, or OBBBA. What are the policy changes enacted by OBBBA, and how are these policy changes affecting millions of people insured on the...
-
702: Bridging Cultures: The Art of Medicine
We live in a world with a myriad of cultures, which are integral to shaping our perspectives. From two books published at different times to differing reactions to healthcare across ethnic groups, we explore how our diverse cultures shape our viewpoints in fields like medicine. We also uncover…
more -
701: Tracked, Flagged, Filtered: How AI Decides What You See (and What You Don’t)
Artificial intelligence is no longer just a tool; it’s an observer. In this episode, we uncover how AI-driven surveillance and content moderation shape public life across governments, campuses, and the platforms we use every day. From China’s massive “A.I.+ Action Plan” to U.S. immigration tools...
-
609: Who Wants to Live Forever?: What it Means to Age in the 21st Century
Is the fountain of youth finally in our grasp? From fictitious movies to ancient mythologies, the desire for immortality has permeated almost every facet of human society. Today, an increasingly powerful anti-aging industry has instilled the idea that growing old is undesirable. But does living...
-
608: iKids: Beyond the Camera
Child and family influencers are some of the hottest channels on YouTube. But what are the risks of living your childhood on camera? We argue, child influencing is child labor, and with this comes a myriad of unethical conditions and potential childhood trauma. Tune in to explore the mechanisms...
-
607: Environmental Issues faced by the Shinnecock Nation
This podcast discusses the many environmental issues the Shinnecock Nation on Long Island currently faces and how they may worsen as climate change becomes more severe. It covers topics ranging from ocean acidification and shoreline erosion to cultural practices that have suffered as a result of...
-
606: Health or Hype? The Supplement Industry’s Deficiencies
Join us as we dive into the unregulated world of the vitamin and dietary supplement industry. With over 85,000 supplement products on the market and minimal FDA oversight, learn about the hidden dangers lurking in your daily pills and powders. We talk to Harvard researcher Dr. Pieter Cohen to...
-
601: Sex Sells: But at what cost?
The portrayal of women in media is strikingly one-dimensional, often reduced to either objects of desire or figures to be fetishized. This phenomenon extends across diverse platforms—from your go-to fashion magazines to the grittiest video games, where women frequently find themselves cast as...
-
602: Brushes of Light
One of the first concepts we learn as children is the colors of the rainbow. Color is all around us, affecting the way we feel, think, and behave. But how do we actually see color? How can our perception of light influence our emotions? During our conversation, we’ll explore the science behind...
-
603: Antibiotic Resistance: A Double-Edged Sword
Nobody likes being sick. Modern medicine and the discovery of antibiotics has turned lethal illnesses into three day colds. We’ve grown accustomed to this prescription lifestyle, but what if one day our antibiotics no longer work? Overuse of antibiotics has uncovered a dangerous problem…
more -
604: The Marvelously Muddled World of Remembering
Chances are, we’ve all forgotten about an assignment or to take out the recycling. What happens when our memory becomes shaky when we depend on it most, like if we serve as a witness in a legal courtroom? Our memory miraculously enables us to do everything–from walking, to learning, to…
more -
605: Unlocking Minds: The Hidden Dimension of Personality
In the intricate labyrinths of the human mind lies a realm as vast and varied as the stars in the night sky. Imagine a key that could unlock the secrets of why we are the way we are — our quirks, fears, passions, and dreams. Welcome to the realm of personality psychology, where science meets the...
-
513: Solar Energy: New York’s Power Move
One problem. Many solutions. Three experts. In this episode, we cover the greatest environmental threat of our time: climate change. We examine New York’s quest to decarbonize, and the rapidly growing field of agrivoltaics. Produced and edited by Ananda Kalukin and Adam Vinson Art by Savannah...
-
512: From Wild to Mild: The Fascinating Tale of Domestication Syndrome
To begin, we’ll explore the concept of domestication and how Russian experiments with foxes have grown our understanding and interest in the factors behind domestication. Covering the research that has been done on domestication syndrome in humans, we’ll touch upon how it may have played a role…
more -
511: Time to Unwind: Decoding CRISPR and Genome Editing
Join our hosts as they dive deep into the history, development, application, shortcomings, and potential of the groundbreaking gene-editing technology, CRISPR. You’ll want to tune in as they explore how CRISPR is already changing the world around us, how it may one day transform the very fabric…
more -
510: Xenotransplantation Through The Ages
Xenotransplantation, the process of using animal organs for human treatment, is outlandish even today. But when and where did such an idea find its origins, and what does it mean for the future of medicine? Take a listen as we jump from patron saints of medicine, to Icarus’s wings, to pig heart...
-
509: Art-ificial Intelligence: Blurring the Lines Between Creativity and Code
Artificial intelligence has allowed people to become artists at the click of a button. We’re on the cusp of a digital art renaissance in the form of AI Art, a “rebirth” of art as we know it. Can AI replace human creativity? Does AI deserve credit for the art it makes? In this episode, we explore...
-
508: Autism Awareness
Misinformation about Autism Spectrum Disorder is rampant. The rise of social media has enabled this misinformation to spread to a wide audience. Join State of the Pod in interviewing Autism expert and research at Weill Cornell Medicine Dr. Kim So Hyun. Dr. Kim talks about her research and ways to...
-
507: What the heck is an NFT?
When you hear the word NFT, what comes to mind? Drawing a blank, or utterly confused? Tune in to learn what the heck an NFT is, why people are buying them, and how the technology behind it is fueling this new market. Produced by: Adele Williams & Isabella Ciocca Edited by: Adele Williams...
-
506: Holistic Medicine
Everyone seems to have some experience with Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM), whether that’s through regular yoga practice, daily meditations, or even just deep breathing exercises. It’s become a standard part of western culture, with heavy presences in social media and among certain...
-
505: Dreaming of Better Sleep
Have you ever wondered what happens when you sleep and how dreams come to be? Join us as we explore the science behind sleep, an activity that consumes ⅓ of the average person’s life. Learn about global habits that impact sleep, explore different theories about dreams, and (sleep!) walk away with…
more -
504: Psyched on Psychedelics
Psychedelics: once viewed as emblematic of the countercultural revolution, these drugs may now be crucial to fighting rising mental illness rates. Take a trip with us to learn about both the controversy, and promise, of the growing field of psychedelics research. Produced/Edited by Mike Solazzo,...
-
503: TikTok Doc
In recent years, an app called TikTok, intended for sharing 15-second dance videos, has diversified considerably. This episode delves into the new development on TikTok that is involved with mental health and self-diagnosis. Videos like “Put a finger down ADHD edition” present viewers with…
more -
502: Mean Media, Mean World, Mean People
Media conglomerates play a crucial role in shaping how we view, interpret, and navigate the world we live in. So, what happens when these depictions are violent or negative? We bring you an episode on Mean World Syndrome, which describes a cognitive bias in which the media leads people to…
more -
501: ASMR, A Modern Sensation
Has someone ever whispered in your ear, and it sent chills down your back? Did you like it? This sensation is known as ASMR, the snazzy new phenomenon that has swept over contemporary media platforms. In this episode, State of the Pod explores the breadth and depth of this emerging field as well…
more -
408: HealthIT Unplugged
The healthcare industry has evolved immensely over the years, and much of that change has been driven by technology and future technological innovations are going to keep transforming healthcare. Specifically, wearable fitness technology has weaved itself into society so much so that FitBits and...
-
407: Investigating Work From Home
This episode features Jeffrey Li and Chad Rubin discussing the concept of working from home. In this podcast, Jeffrey and Chad hear thoughts from professor Dave Roberts at Cornell University and discuss the implications and effects of working from home. Produced by Jeffrey Li and Chad Rubin....
-
406: The Healthy Food Fallacy
In today’s food market, we are offered more options than ever. However, not all foods are created equal. When faced with the choice of a bag of potato chips or carrots, which one would you choose? And is the choice really yours? Marketing, varying prices, our household eating habits, and more all...
-
405: Pheromones: Our Sixth Sense?
Have you ever heard someone talk about this secret potion to love, called a “pheromone perfume”? Such a crazy claim is bound to illicit doubt and confusion, so we created our episode to help answer any questions you may have. Do human pheromones exist? Can they be bottled and then used to seek…
more -
404: Deja Vu: False or True?
Have you ever walked into a room, and experienced this unsettling feeling that you’ve been in it before? Is this proof of reincarnation, or even a parallel universe? In this episode, State of the Pod explores this collective sensation that is known as deja vu—specifically what causes it, the…
more -
403: MBTI vs Astrology: Is the Fault in Our Stars or Ourselves?
What’s your sign? What about your MBTI type? In this episode, we explore astrology and the trending personality test, the Myers-Brigg Type Indicator (MBTI). Our discussion considers what about these two makes them so appealing to so many people as well as the history of them. We then have a...
-
402: What’s Funny & What’s Bot?
Artificial intelligence (AI) has come a long way in terms of communication, being able to converse with us on a daily basis through Alexa, Siri, and even Cortana. But is AI capable of understanding human emotion? Can they break down the intricacies of comedy and make us laugh? In this episode,...
-
401: Untying the Sneaker Industry
The aftermarket resale of limited-edition streetwear and sneakers has become a booming industry worldwide. In this episode, we will dive into the history of the hype, how these resellers operate, and the challenges within the industry. Through interviews, we will explore sneakers reselling...
-
304: Can You Repeat That?
Diving into the lived experiences of speakers with accents, we explore how they navigate their personal and professional life as linguistic outsiders, how and why they code switch between accents and languages, and what language means to them. Guests: Laura Staum Casasanto, Lecturer, Cornell...
-
303: Your English is Very Good
The way we speak has always been a powerful marker of identity. Listening to someone’s accent, we often jump to conclusions about who they are. How much of our cognitive and emotional responses to different accents and dialects can be explained by science, and what else might shape our behaviour?...
-
302: An Insight into the COVID-19 Eye
We all know the many nefarious detriments that COVID-19 has caused those afflicted with the disease, but do we know the startling effects it has on our eyes behind the scenes? This episode delves into the causes and consequences of heightened eyestrain during the pandemic. With interviewee Dr....
-
301: So Sioux Me
Co-produced by Jen Yi and Nick Xu In this episode, we examine the infamous case of the Dakota Access Pipeline (DAPL). We discuss the storyline of the DAPL controversy, the backlash and protests that spread like wildfire, and what it all means in the context of environmental justice. Finally, we...
-
203: Do Not Disturb
Co-produced by John Yoon and Yunyun Wang. How much do you value a picture? What if it was a picture of you? Is it a snapshot in time capturing a fond memory, or rather a photo used for identification purposes? In this episode of State of the Pod, we examine 21st century technologies used by law...
-
202: Nature’s Prescription
Produced by Macy Smith. Do you ever wish there were more natural and accessible forms of medicine that will save you the grief and expense of dealing with pharmacies? This episode, featuring an interview with professor Dr. Giulia Friso, looks into how humans use plants, particularly for medicinal...
-
201: Of Monks and Machines
Produced by Blake Gallay. All around us, jobs are being outsourced to metal muscles and silicon brains. From Gutenberg’s printing press, to assembly lines, to deep-learning algorithms, what can history teach us about the automated future? This episode is an exploration of where we’ve come from…
more -
108: Our AI Overlords
Produced by Jarrett Coleman The post 108: Our AI Overlords first appeared on State of the Pod.
-
107: Bury the Coffin
Produced by Carolyn Roche The post 107: Bury the Coffin first appeared on State of the Pod.
-
106: Haute Pollution
Produced by Bailey Willett The post 106: Haute Pollution first appeared on State of the Pod.
-
105: My Baby is Gucci
Produced by Aditya Rao The post 105: My Baby is Gucci first appeared on State of the Pod.
-
104: Numbers That Lie: A Conversation with Vivian Kiniga
Produced by Yunyun Wang Google has a racism problem. And nearly three years after an incident where software engineer Jacky Alciné reported that Google Photos’ image recognition algorithms were misclassifying black people as “gorillas”, Google has since blocked the gorilla identifier altogether...
-
103: Math Incarceration– Racial Bias in AI
produced by Michelle Gery The post 103: Math Incarceration– Racial Bias in AI first appeared on State of the Pod.
-
102: Hot and Dangerous
produced by Monica Cramer Episode art by Nicole Fung The post 102: Hot and Dangerous first appeared on State of the Pod.
-
101: Rise of the Juul
Co-produced by Yunyun Wang, Michael Sun and Evan Kravitz Ever wonder how an e-cigarette company founded on a mission to provide a “healthy alternative” for heavy smokers found their primary audience in a young demographic of former non-smokers? In this first episode of Cornell University’s brand...
About this show
Cornell's Student Driven Podcast Production
Hosted by
Student Podcasters at Cornell University
Categories