PODCAST · society
The Unfinished Mind
by The Unfinished Mind
Welcome to The Unfinished Mind, where Polymaths can freely follow their curiosities! Polymaths are intensely curious about everything and are knowledgeable in a wide range of diverse topics. We love to learn more, and we love to have fun while doing so. So tune in every week to learn about anything from climate change to superstitions and other curiosities! Cover art by Emily Pearson and original theme by Simran Shah.
Episodes
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Hindu Festivals and the Humanity of Celebration
With many Hindu Festivals coming up in the months of March and April, we wanted to do a deep dive into the roots of such festivities and the overarching humanity of celebration!
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Athitiya's Story: On Neurodivergence
Athitiya's Story: On Neurodivergence
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The Power to Create: On the Reality of Innovation
What will happen tomorrow? Where are the flying cars and robot housemaids? Dive into this podcast episode for a reality check of the future!
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Your Austin Hauntings
Looking for something to spook your nerves this Halloween? You're in luck, because this episode is the perfect blend between scary and science! We'll be looking at the creepiest hauntings and some humanistic and scientific undertones of such experiences... rest assured, you'll go to bed soothed…
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All About ACL!
Earlier this month, Austin hosted its annual ACL Festival - the very heart and soul of early October! Dive into this podcast episode to learn more about the history of the festival and how it all comes together for thousands of festival goers!
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Bleeding Orange For The World With Alisha Gupta
In this podcast episode, we have a very special guest with us, and the very first UT alumni on our podcast- Alisha Gupta! Since graduating, Alisha has been busy working at the intersection of strategy consulting at Accenture, entrepreneurship, and creative community-building. She founded the…
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Conspiracy Spirals
Welcome to The Unfinished Mind Podcast! Join our new co-host Ayush on his very first episode appearance along with Sowmya and Athitiya as they interview Dr. Reese and explore the history and intricacies of conspiracy theories! We promise, you'll be spiraling to learn more! Listen now on spotify...
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Funding the Future
Join our hosts, Sowmya and Athitiya, as they explore the real-world consequences of federal research funding cuts and why protecting scientific research matters for our future.
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Ben on the Bench
Join our hosts, Sowmya and Athitiya, as they discuss all things sports with Ben Tomasic, a senior Polymathic Scholar who writes about sports and sports stats (Ben on the Bench: https://benonthebench.substack.com/).
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Organic Matters
Join our hosts, Sowmya and Athitiya, as they discuss organic chemistry research and teaching with Dr. Brent Iverson, a Professor of Chemistry, innovator, and true polymath.
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Neuroscience Talk With Professor Michael Mauk
Join our hosts, Sowmya and Athitiya, as they discuss neuroscience and learning with Dr. Michael Mauk, a Professor of Neuroscience and Faculty Director of the Polymathic Scholars Honors Program.
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History of Science
Join our hosts, Sowmya and Athitiya, as they discuss the history of science with Dr. John Lisle, an author and UT Lecturer in History and Core Texts and Ideas.
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Our Minds on the Moon
Join our hosts, Sowmya and Athitiya, as they discuss planetary science and science education with Dr. Perera, a UT Assistant Professor of Instruction in Physics.
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Water
Water is at the heart of science, culture, and life. Join our hosts, Sowmya and Athitiya, as they discuss the many roles water plays on this Earth and its future.
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Plants
Plants are often underappreciated; over the course of history, they've provided us with food, shelter, and water. Join our hosts, Sowmya and Athitiya, as they discuss how plants figure into our everyday lives and were instrumental to many scientific advances. Bonus tips on plant care for college...
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Longhorn Landscapes: The 40 Acres Over Time
Over the years, the Forty Acres (UT Austin's campus) have changed tremendously. Join our hosts, Sowmya and Athitiya, as they discuss how UT has transformed over time and exciting new developments on campus.
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Branding
We see brands everywhere. But why? Join our hosts, Sowmya and Athitiya, as they discuss the historical development of branding, branding's effect on consumer behavior (especially during the holidays!), and how corporate branding may be changing in the future.
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Rivalries
Why do we see rivalries everywhere (in sports, business, science, etc)? Join our hosts, Sowmya and Athitiya, as they discuss the reason we have rivalries, their effects on society, and some of the most contentious rivalries in history.
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The Thanksgiving Tapestry
How did the Thanksgiving traditions many of us observe begin? What is the presidential turkey pardon? Join our hosts, Sowmya and Athitiya, as they discuss the history of Thanksgiving and the tapestry of perspectives that enrich our understanding of this event.
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Space Exploration
How did we get to the moon and where do we plan to go next? Join our hosts, Sowmya and Athitiya, as they discuss historical and recent developments in space travel. To infinity and beyond!
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Conversations on Comedy
What makes jokes funny? Join our hosts, Sowmya and Athitiya, as they discuss the history and theory behind comedy. Be ready for dad jokes!
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Austin Apartment Hunting
Join our hosts Sowmya and Athitiya as they discuss apartment hunting in Austin, from A to Z. This episode is tailored to UT Austin students!
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Food Truck Frenzy
Join our hosts Sowmya and Athitiya as they discuss street food, food truck culture, and some of the best street food in Austin!
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Unmasking Superheroes: A Cultural Revolution
Join our hosts Akshi and Sowmya as they discuss the heroes that capture our imagination. From the iconic Iron Man to the Amazing Spiderman to the antiheroes we see today, this episode takes a look at what makes superheroes so prominent in pop culture.
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Unsolved Mysteries
What happened to Malaysian Airlines flight 370? Who is the Zodiac Killer? Join our hosts Akshi and Sowmya as they discuss all the unsolved mysteries that keep us asking questions to this day.
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Undergraduate Research
Join our hosts Akshi and Somya as they discuss different undergraduate research opportunities.
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The Science of Learning
Midterm season is upon us! Join our hosts Sowmya and Akshi as they discuss the science of learning.
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Scientific Disasters
Join our hosts Akshi and Sowmya as they discuss different scientific disasters.
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Urban Transportation
Join our hosts Akshi and Sowmya as they discuss the history and future of urban transportation. From subways to light rails to self-driving cars.
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Health Communication
Join our hosts as they welcome a special guest Dr. Michael Mackert. Dr. Mackert is a professor at UT Austin in the Department of Population Health and is the director of the Center for Health Communication.
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Unearthing World Heritage
Our hosts discuss world heritage.
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The History of Polymaths, Part 2
This episode is a follow-up to one of our first episodes, The History of Polymaths. Here, Akshi and Sowmya discuss famous polymaths throughout history.
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Cultivating Digital Culture
In 1993, the World Wide Web was launched to the public. Since then, digital culture has grown and evolved, with social media giving a level of connection that the world had never seen. Join our hosts as they take a tour through 30 years of our digital culture, from Facebook adults, to Snapchat...
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Pop: Past and Present
Join us as we explore the sonic landscapes that have shaped generations, igniting movements and inspiring change across the globe. How is it that these iconic pop anthems sparked social justice movements, played roles in presidential campaigns, and moved people to put millions of dollars toward a...
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Pawsome Professionals
Join us this week as we explore the indispensable and unique roles animals play in our society, from therapy dogs offering comfort to those in need, to rats detecting land mines, to elephants being used in warfare. Our hosts visit the highs and lows of how animals are used for the benefit of...
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Eastern Medicine
Join our hosts as they welcome special guest Aaditi Mahajan in exploring eastern medicine. Mahajan is a doctor of Ayurveda, a medical art originating in India that focuses on natural wellness based around five elements. Ayurveda involves treatments that have been used for thousands of years, with...
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The Edge of Knowing
Chemistry! Philosophy! Archaeology! And more! Join our hosts this week for a special episode on the annual Chautauqua event hosted by the Polymathic Scholars. This event is one of many based in tradition that celebrates lifelong learning. This year’s theme was “Edge of Knowing,”where a panel of...
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Dr. Arturo De Lozanne
Tune in for a very special episode as our hosts welcome Dr. Arturo De Lozanne as a guest. Dr. De Lozanne is a professor in the Department of Molecular Biosciences and has played an integral role in the Polymathic Scholars program. Join the hosts as they honor him, his stories, and his…
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Poison
What is the difference between poisons, toxins, drugs, and venoms? Is alcohol a poison, and could allergies be considered a form of poisoning? Find the answer in this week’s episode.
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History of Film and the Development of Cameras
The film industry had to come a long way before we were able to watch our favorite actors and actresses win Oscars or see film trailers at SXSW. Tune in today to explore the history and diversity of the world of film.
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Trees
Sacred, inspiring, fascinating, dying - why do we see trees this way? Join our hosts this Friday as they discuss why trees hold such cultural significance, as well as what forest loss might mean for the Earth.
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Reality TV
Why is our society enraptured by shows like The Bachelor, Survivor, and Hell’s Kitchen? Join our hosts this Friday as they discuss the psychology behind reality TV, and why the success and humiliation of strangers draws in an audience in the hundreds of millions.
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Space Travel
Discover both the real and fantastical world of space travel in this week’s new episode. Join out hosts as they talk about how it’s possible to survive in space, from Star Trek to the Space Race.
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The Impact of Sports on Society
What is a sport? Is chess, pool, or gaming a sport? Join our hosts for today’s episode on the impact of sports on society, from cornhole to the Super Bowl.
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Flight
One of the most famous polymaths, Leonardo Da Vinci, designed his “ornithopter” flying machine in 1488. In 1903, the Wright Brothers completed the first successful powered flight. In 1947, the Bell X-1 was the first aircraft to break the sound barrier. Join our hosts in this week’s episode to...
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Body Modifications
From tattoos, to piercings, to lip plugs, to corsets, humans use their body as a canvas for expression. With the help of archaeological evidence, we know that people have been modifying their bodies for over 5000 years. Tune in to join our hosts in discussion the history and significance of these...
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Ethical Dilemmas in Artificial Intelligence
AI is becoming increasingly present in our lives, from using ChatGPT to write an essay to talking with a customer service chatbot. Join The Unfinished Mind this week to explore the unexpected ways AI is being used today as well as the moral and ethical dilemmas that is poses.
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Round Earth
Aristotle, NASA, and anyone with access to the Internet have all made their arguments for a round or a flat earth. How did people come to believe what they believe? Learn how humanity, from ancient times to modern day, from have come full circle (no pun intended) from flat, to round, to flat.
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Disabilities and Accessibility: Part 2
Join Akshi and Ren as we explore accessibility in Austin, as well as the future of inclusivity in our city! Marc Pereira discusses his work about making Austin a better place to live for everyone.
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Disabilities and Accessibility
This week our hosts meet with Marc Pereira, Assistant Director of Texas LEAD and Director of Project Advance Austin. Join in the discussion about the role of disability as an identity and diversity, equity, and inclusion on the UT campus. Tune in now to learn about the direction of accessibility…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to The Unfinished Mind, where Polymaths can freely follow their curiosities! Polymaths are intensely curious about everything and are knowledgeable in a wide range of diverse topics. We love to learn more, and we love to have fun while doing so. So tune in every week to learn about anything from climate change to superstitions and other curiosities! Cover art by Emily Pearson and original theme by Simran Shah.
HOSTED BY
The Unfinished Mind
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Unfinished Mind have?
The Unfinished Mind currently has 87 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Unfinished Mind about?
Welcome to The Unfinished Mind, where Polymaths can freely follow their curiosities! Polymaths are intensely curious about everything and are knowledgeable in a wide range of diverse topics. We love to learn more, and we love to have fun while doing so. So tune in every week to learn about anything...
How often does The Unfinished Mind release new episodes?
The Unfinished Mind has 87 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to The Unfinished Mind?
You can listen to The Unfinished Mind on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Unfinished Mind?
The Unfinished Mind is created and hosted by The Unfinished Mind.
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