Baloney Detection with Dr. K

Episode DescriptionWe are stepping away from our usual topics for a discussion of empathy with my colleague from the UW-Green Bay Psychology Department, Alison Jane Martigano. Alison Jane has been researching empathy in its various forms, with virtual reality as one of the important tools for measurement. Alison Jane describes her research, along with some important details about what empathy is, how it impacts our lives and relationships, and how levels of empathy have changes with university populations.  View the transcript for this episode.

Episode DescriptionI am very proud to share with you two interviews with my research students. Claire Bassett has been working with me throughout the current academic year, first getting more data for a project involving “liquid oxygen supplements”, and then some photochemical experiments that she developed. Grafton Smith and Logan Severns have been working with me for several years with various projects, but recently they have been exploring mechanochemistry with a rock tumbler. You read that right: a rock tumbler! All three students will explain their projects in their own words because as independent study students, I am just a guide. They developed their own ideas and have the results to show for it.  View the transcript for this episode.

Episode DescriptionThis is a topic that I have been thinking about for a very long time. Social media and YouTube have a litany of channels that create “debates” that allow for extremely controversial opinions and beliefs to be shared. This is very common on YouTube channels like Jubilee which generates a lot of views with shows like “Surrounded” and “Middle Ground”. But does this promotion of extremely controversial ideas really make us more understanding? Thinking back on how well-known scientists like Peter Hotez and Anthony Fauci and how they have been pushed aside for other less experienced voices who promote misinformation and conspiracy makes me question whether or not we should allow the fringe to share their views. I speak about these things, along with a Pseudoshort about research ideas in this episode.  View the episode transcript.

Episode 40 DescriptionVaccines are once again in the news and are a lightning rod for controversy. There are outbreaks of measles all around the United States and we are dealing with COVID and the flu every year. Mixes messaging from the current administration (to put it mildly) has no doubt caused a lot of people to do their own research about the components of vaccines. In this episode, Adrianna and I focus on two chemical elements that are involved in vaccines: mercury and aluminum. We dive deep into what forms of mercury and aluminum are in vaccines, what they do and why you should not be afraid of them. View the episode transcriptReach out to Dr. K!Send us an email, suggest a topic, or ask a question at baloneydetectionpodcast@gmail.com. Make sure to also follow us on Instagram!

Episode 39 DescriptionWhile I have spent several episodes and parts of others talking about how challenging and potentially negative social media can be, I still use it and probably more than I should. Amongst all the other dreck that fills my social media feeds, I do see other scientists and doctors fighting against misinformation just like I am, but they often have much higher profiles. In this episode, I name a few that I follow and discuss the challenges of being in such a position, the difficulties of talking with skeptics, having millions of followers and dealing with potential threats. This is a more reflective episode than we have done recently, and I am glad you will be able to hear my thoughts on this topic. Episode TranscriptReach out to Dr. K!Send us an email, suggest a topic, or ask a question at baloneydetectionpodcast@gmail.com. Make sure to also follow us on Instagram!

Episode 38 Description Adrianna and I talk about the life and legacy of Erin Brockovich, well known for the movie about her fight to bring money and justice to the victims of a chemical plume in Hinkley, California, starring Julia Roberts. Erin’s fight for clean water has gone far beyond that initial struggle and she now spends a lot of time and effort highlighting the problems with PFAS and other forever chemicals. However, her work is slightly complicated by the misinformation she shares about fluoride in drinking water sources, and it is important to share that part of her current life as well. We do so in this excellent conversation.Episode TranscriptReach out to Dr. K!Send us an email, suggest a topic, or ask a question at baloneydetectionpodcast@gmail.com. Make sure to also follow us on Instagram!