Interesting Things with JC #1158: "Ambivalence - The Push and Pull of Human Emotions" – Explore the thrilling tension of opposing emotions and find strength in the complexity.

Interesting Things with JC #1157: "SuperAlignment" – As artificial intelligence advances, how do we ensure it works in humanity's best interest? This episode exposes the concept of superalignment, the challenges of aligning AI with human values, and the global efforts to make advanced AI safe and ethical.

Interesting Things with JC #1156: "Erik the Red - A Legacy of Exploration and Connection" - Turning exile into conquest, while founding Greenland, and forging a path for Norse exploration.

Interesting Things with JC #1155: "The Scent of Apples Eases Claustrophobia" – Trapped in fear? Unlock the surprising power of apples to bring calm in confined spaces. A quick listen could change how you see anxiety forever.

Interesting Things with JC #1154: "Pronoia" - Is the world secretly on your side? Discover the electrifying concept of pronoia and how it might transform your outlook on life.

Interesting Things with JC #1153: "The Law of Large Numbers" - From Bernoulli’s 17th-century insights to today’s casinos, see how this law reveals order in chaos. This episode was inspired by John C. Dvorak.

Interesting Things with JC #1152: "Antikythera Mechanism" – Hidden for centuries in a shipwreck, this 2,000-year-old device could predict eclipses, track planets, and model the heavens. The Antikythera Mechanism showcases a level of innovation that reshaped our understanding of ancient Greek science.

Interesting Things with JC #1151: "Derinkuyu Turkey" – Journey into Cappadocia’s underground city that sheltered 20,000 people. Discover its advanced engineering, hidden networks, and the mystery of why most of it remains unexplored!

Interesting Things with JC #1150: "Second Sleep" – What if waking up at night wasn’t insomnia, but a link to an ancient rhythm? Long before electric lights, humanity followed two distinct phases of sleep. Discover how this practice shaped cultures and what science reveals about its benefits today.

Interesting Things with JC #1149: "The Hidden Language of the Brain: Intrinsic Traveling Waves"

Did you know your brain has its own hidden ripples that shape how you experience the world?

In this episode, we dive into the groundbreaking research on intrinsic traveling waves—patterns of neural activity that prime your senses and may hold the key to new therapies for neurological disorders.

This episode was inspired by “AJ”

Ref: Davis ZW, Busch A, Steward C, Muller L, Reynolds J. Horizontal cortical connections shape intrinsic traveling waves into feature-selective motifs that regulate perceptual sensitivity. Cell Rep. 2024 Sep 24;43(9):114707. doi: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114707. Epub 2024 Sep 6. PMID: 39243374; PMCID: PMC11485754.

Interesting Things with JC #1148: "A Breath Between Seconds - A New Year Story" – Celebrate the New Year with a heartfelt story of reflection, hope, and the quiet moments that remind us of life’s infinite possibilities.

Interesting Things with JC #1147: "Nereids & the Corinthian Gulf" – Explore the fascinating mythology of the Nereids, sea nymphs who guarded the Corinthian Gulf and inspired ancient Greek reverence for the sea.

Interesting Things with JC #1146: "Sassoon Jeans – The Denim Revolution" – In the late '70s, Sassoon Jeans transformed denim into high fashion, blending luxury with style. Discover the story behind this cultural icon and how it changed fashion forever.

Interesting Things with JC #1145: "The Library of Ashurbanipal: The World's First Repository of Knowledge" - King Ashurbanipal’s library in Nineveh preserved ancient wisdom on clay tablets, from myths to medicine. Discover its story and lasting legacy.

Interesting Things with JC #1144: "The Power Source of Voyager 1" - Discover how radioisotope thermoelectric generators power Voyager 1’s 50-year mission and interstellar journey.

Interesting Things with JC #1143: "E-4 Nightwatch" - Often called the “Doomsday Plane,” is a marvel of engineering and strategic preparedness. Designed as a secure, mobile command post, this aircraft ensures continuity of U.S. leadership during nuclear war or disaster. Discover the extraordinary capabilities of this flying fortress.

Interesting Things with JC #1142: "The Wonder of Christmas Morning" – There’s nothing like it...the hush of a still house, the glow of lights, the quiet joy in the air. But the true wonder isn’t found beneath the tree...

Interesting Things with JC #1141: "The Christmas Eve Escape of the S.S. Vega" - On Christmas Eve 1944, the S.S. Vega arrived in the Channel Islands, bringing relief after years of German occupation. Discover the powerful story of survival, aid, and hope in the midst of war.

Interesting Things with JC #1140: "Operation Christmas Drop" - What began in 1952 as a small act of kindness has become a cherished holiday tradition. Operation Christmas Drop, the world’s longest-running humanitarian airlift, brings essential supplies and festive cheer to remote Pacific islands. Learn how this annual mission exemplifies the true spirit of the season.

Interesting Things with JC #1139: "Captain Santa and the Christmas Tree Ship" - Captain Herman Schuenemann (Captain Santa) was more than a sailor—he was a holiday hero, braving Lake Michigan to deliver Christmas trees to Chicago families. This episode tells the bittersweet story of his dedication, the tragedy that struck his final voyage, and the legacy of the Christmas Tree Ship that continues to inspire.