Life Slices

There was a time when towns and villages thrived on the talents of local craftspeople who could produce the necessities of everyday needs. Much of those skills have been lost in the era of mass production and are being undermined further with the advent of robotics. But there’s a small group of humans who are keeping those analog skills alive. One of them is Leanne Corcoran, a master shoemaker in Seattle, WA. She’s gone from artist to artisan and proves to host Steve Fisher that The Shoe’s Afoot.

81-year old Benjamin Franklin was leaving the Constitutional Convention in 1787 when he was approached by people asking what sort of government the delegates had created. His answer was: "A republic, if you can keep it." We’ve been fighting to keep it for almost 250 years but, perhaps, it has never been challenged before like it’s being challenged today. Bill Ayres has been fighting for democracy for most of his 81 years. One of the founders of the Weather Undergound, Bill has been fighting to Make Things Right ever since. He joins host Steve Fisher to share his views on how to weather the current anti-democratic storm. 

Estimates of when dogs became domesticated range from 20,000 to 130,000 years ago. Cats 9,000-10,000 years ago. What’s next? According to Raffaella Lesch, an assistant professor of Biology at the University of Arkansas, Little Rock, it just might be raccoons. Dr. Lesch joins host Steve Fisher to talk about why we might just be seeing new Raccoon Friends Among Us.

Whether we’re musical or not, we’ve all got rhythms. Circadian rhythms. Those are our internal biological software that keeps all the magical devices in our bodies functioning in a 24-hour day. All creatures have them, yet humans tend to abuse theirs. Emily Manoogian is a Chronobiologist and Clinical Researcher at The Salk Institute. She’s a Circadian evangelist and joins host Steve Fisher to explain why we need to dance to our internal music.

The robotic era is here. All over the world, companies and individual engineers are working to improve the scope of what they can do and their efficiency. One of those is Rich Walker and his company Shadow Robot, which makes dexterous hands. Rich joins host Steve Fisher to talk about his Helping Hands, where we are and where  we’re not.

Steve Jobs said, “I think the biggest innovations of the 21st century will be at the intersection of biology and technology. A new era is beginning.” A quarter of the way through the 21st century, it’s happening. [Fred Jordan quote] That’s Dr. Fred Jordan, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Final Spark with Dr. Martin Kutter. They’re delivering on the promise of Living Computers. Jordan joins host Steve Fisher to talk about them.

Scientists estimate there are millions of fungi species, including mushrooms, with only a fraction identified so far. Other than being great on pizza and in omelettes and stews, do you know how much they have to offer? Jana Harris is a Fungi Finder and joins host Steve Fisher to talk about one of nature's greatest creations.

Philosophers and science fiction writers have speculated about the existence of planets outside our solar system for generations, but it wasn’t until the 1990s that we actually began to find and identify them. [Annelise quote] That’s Dr Annelies Mortier of the University of Birmingham in the UK, who’s here with Dr. Christopher Watson from Queen’s University in Belfast to join host Steve Fisher, talking about Hunting Exoplanets

Long before the world would learn about the horrors of Adolf Hitler, one man surmised the threat and tried to alert his fellow countrymen. Bruce Neuberger traced his grandfather's story in his book, Postcards to Hitler. He joins host Steve Fisher to talk about his family’s tale and how it pertains to today’s world.

In the United States, and around the world, people seem to be as far apart, politically, as the North Pole is from the South. But, in matters that are important to all of us, just how far apart are we? Professor Lawrence Torcello of the Rochester Institute of Technology joins host Steve Fisher to discuss why we're so polarized when we're so alike.

CES. The Consumer Electronics Show. Every January in Las Vegas, hundreds of companies show up to exhibit gadgets, software and services to more than 140,000 attendees. One of those is Marc Saltzman, tech reporter for many popular publications and media outlets. Marc brings host Steve Fisher up to date on what's up to date in tech.

Oceans cover almost 70% of Earth’s surface. They hold more life than anywhere else. Yet, man has barely scratched the surface. Diver Phil Short and a company called Deep are creating a deep-sea habitat where scientists can live where they work. Phil joins host Steve Fisher to talk about Life Underwater.

Can you teach a rat to drive? Then again, why would you want to? Well, if you’re a neuroscientist like the University of Richmond’s Dr. Kelly Lambert, the challenge was too great and the real-life implications too rich. She joins host Steve Fisher to talk about the study and how it translates to humans.

From all of us at Lifeslices to all of you. Video available on You Tube, Tik Tok, Facebook and more.

How much do you know about the universe? If you’re like me, not much. There are stars and galaxies and planets and asteroids and meteors. But there’s a lot more you don’t see. Dr. Mustapha Ishak Boushaki is a theoretical physicist, cosmologist and professor at the University of Texas at Dallas. In this episode he's Explaining the Universe to host Steve Fisher.

In the late 60’s hit, Up, Up and Away, The Fifth Dimension sang, “Would you like to ride in my beautiful balloon?” Captain Crystal Stout has been singing it ever since. She’s a true Ballooning Maven. Captain Crystal has logged more air miles than she can count and she’s spreading the gospel of Ballooning to people who may not have otherwise had the opportunity with her Dreamcatcher balloon. She joins host Steve Fisher to talk about her years flying and now bringing it to special needs people.

When Burmese Pythons were introduced into Florida as part of the exotic pet trade, most owners didn’t realize what they were in for. Burmese pythons can grow to around 20 feet long. Some owners reconsidered their choice of pet and released them into the wild, mostly in the Everglades. Now, with tens of thousands of Burmese Pythons on the loose, the Everglades ecosystem has taken a major hit and a new profession has arisen. Donna Kalil is a Python Elimination Specialist and talks to hos Steve Fisher about the daunting task.

Twins. How they occur is a mystery, but how they behave once they get here, not so much. Thanks to the work of people like Dr. Nancy Segal. She’s been Studying Twins for decades and joins host Steve Fisher to share some of her insights.

Most people might simply go to the local drug store, herbalists will head into the vast outdoors to fix what ails them. Jim McDonald and Nathan Wright are topnotch Herbalists and teachers. They join host Steve Fisher for an Herbalism 101.

Do you like chocolate? How about coffee? To many, they are two of nature’s treasures. But between climate change, deforestation and human demand, these precious resources are endangered. A startup company called California Cultured is working to sustainably improve on Mother Nature. Alan Perlstein is the company’s CEO. He joins host Steve Fisher to talk about The Future of Chocolate and Coffee.