Dr. Seth Shostak, senior astronomer at the SETI Institute, joins Kerry to discuss how, where, and why they’re looking for intelligent life beyond Earth. You know, the kind of life smart enough to build a radio transmitter and phone home if need be. And just what might happen if such a discovery were to occur? It’s the finale of Season One! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if we received a signal from intelligent life in outer space? When Astrid and Jules’ night out is derailed by the sudden news of alien contact, the couple realizes they have existential wrinkles to work through before they can fully commit to each other. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Molecular biologist Dr. Ting Wu joins Kerry to talk about the human genome, the ethical ramifications of altering our genes, and technology that could extend our lives…possibly indefinitely. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if we were able to halt the aging process? Cleo, a young woman raised in rural Tennessee, is faced with a difficult choice: eternal life chasing her dreams, or a relationship with her family. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Molecular biologist Dr. Tshaka Cunningham joins the show to guide us through the intricacies of both gene editing and gene therapy (and just what the difference between the two actually is!) From altering our physical traits to preventing or curing disease, we cover all things across the molecular board. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if we could design the genetics of our children? Jeanne’s parents edited her genes before she was born to prevent her from inheriting sickle cell disease, but that tiny change ends up having huge consequences for Jeanne’s future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kerry speaks with computer scientist Dr. Jen Golbeck about all things data. She expounds on ways to secure your digital presence in an ever-online world, to ways society may react if digital infrastructures were eliminated in the blink of an eye. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if a computer virus deleted all of the world’s digital data? When a hacker collective successfully deletes all the world’s digital data, Calvin, a megalomaniacal Silicon Valley CEO, and his assistant Ruby are forced to confront what this digital loss might mean for the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kerry gets into the hot and thick of it with Dr. Madison Myers, a volcanologist who details what occurred in the Earth’s past when supervolcanos erupted, and what we might expect if one were to become active today! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if a supervolcano erupted? When an earth-shattering supereruption interrupts Steve and Christina’s one on one date on a reality dating show, they are forced into an extreme situation where they might actually have to get to know one another. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Electrical engineer Dr. Emmanuel Taylor joins Kerry to discuss national power systems that are integral to the function of our everyday lives, and just what may happen in a best (and worst) case scenario involving power grids going powerless. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if a Hostile Attack Took Down the Nation’s Power Grid? When the US electrical grid is annihilated, Camilla, a NewYork City mother, must relearn the city and community she thought she knew while maintaining equilibrium for her young son. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Glaciologist Dr. Twila Moon joins Kerry for a special Earth Day conversation about ice... really big ice! They not only discuss the implications of melting ice and sea level rise, but touch on Dr. Moon's awe-inspiring study of glaciers in Nepal, and even how ice sheets in Antarctica can unexpectedly affect us all around the world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if sea levels rose by six feet? KC is a climate change refugee who moves to New York City and befriends Mel, an NYC native who introduces KC to a beloved island that will soon be underwater forever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Kerry sits down for a one-on-one interview with neuroscientist Dr. Patrick House to talk about the biggest thing on the top of their minds, the brain! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What if we could read minds? A young activist fighting for mind reading regulations in near-future Washington DC finds herself caught between her strict principles and her closest relationships. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Hosted by Kerry Bishé comes a new genre-bending science podcast that explores when WHAT IFS become NOW WHATS? From the producers that brought you ARRIVAL, THE BIG SICK, and PROMISING YOUNG WOMAN. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
From the company that brought you Arrival and The Big Sick comes a show that explores when WHAT IFS become NOW WHATS?
Marnee DeRider
There was such a profound misunderstanding of lifespans in the very beginning of this episode that I can not listen to this podcast anymore. The main reason for the higher average lifespan now is greatly lowered rates of children dying from childhood diseases and other now-preventable things. It's not as if people who made it past age 6 were routinely dying in middle age like they now die in their 70s or 80s. It's a myth that should have been discounted by this podcast, not reinforced.
Marnee DeRider
I could listen to this guy all day.
Marnee DeRider
I love this podcast in general. what an imaginative story. Seems so real. But I have one gripe. This guest scientist states that we think in words. Not everyone does, at least not all the time. I mainly do not think in words. I usually think in words only as a way of practicing how to put my thoughts to words to prepare for a discussion with someone else.