SCIENCE FOR PEOPLE WHO GIVE A SHIT
The Most Important Question

Episodes

Dec. 28, 2020

Do Better Better #9: Georgia On My Mind

This episode was originally published in print on November 9, 2020. Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, the Do Better Better essays are now available in audio for the first time. You’ll lear...
Dec. 25, 2020

Issue #211: The 80/20 Problem of Our Time

Happy Holidays! In brief, this week: how to breathe in India. "Who Gets to Breathe Clean Air in New Delhi?" Find links from this newsletter and more at importantnotimportant.com/newsletter Got feedback? Email us at funtalk@im...
Dec. 24, 2020

Do Better Better #8: One Choice Determined the Last 400 Years

This episode was originally published in print on October 11, 2020. Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, the Do Better Better essays are now available in audio for the first time. You’ll lear...
Dec. 23, 2020

Do Better Better #7: Let's Measure How Exposed You Are, Shall We?

This episode was originally published in print on September 20, 2020. Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, the Do Better Better essays are now available in audio for the first time. You’ll le...
Dec. 22, 2020

Do Better Better #6: How to Spend The Next 10 Years

This episode was originally published in print on September 7, 2020. Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, the Do Better Better essays are now available in audio for the first time. You’ll lea...
Dec. 21, 2020

Do Better Better #5: How to Spend Your Time Right Now

This episode was originally published in print on August 29, 2020. Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, the Do Better Better essays are now available in audio for the first time. You’ll learn...
Dec. 18, 2020

Issue #210: Checking Your Clean Air Privilege, Fighting COVID Misinformation, & Starving for Capitalism

This week: Justice for Ella Kissi-Debrah; fighting COVID misinformation on Facebook; how often should your kids be on antibiotics?; and what hunger does to a nation (during a pandemic (during a climate crisis)). Applying to t...
Dec. 17, 2020

Do Better Better #4: How To Pass A Test

This episode was originally published in print on August 29, 2020. Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, the Do Better Better essays are now available in audio for the first time. You’ll learn...
Dec. 16, 2020

Do Better Better #3: This Is What Makes Us Exceptional

This essay was originally published in print August 2, 2020 Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, the Do Better Better essays are now available in audio for the first time. You’ll learn how to...
Dec. 15, 2020

Do Better Better #2: Why Do We Exist?

This essay was originally published in print July 26, 2020 Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, the Do Better Better essays are now available in audio for the first time. You’ll learn how to ...
Dec. 14, 2020

Do Better Better #1: Who Do You Want To Be? And Why?

This essay was originally published in print July 19, 2020 This week, we’re introducing Do Better Better: essays to plan for the future, today. Originally published to our community through our newsletter and blog, now availa...
Dec. 11, 2020

Issue #209: This is Definitely Important Probably, Guy Fieri Rescues the Restaurant Industry, When Water Meets Capitalism

This week: The 80-20 Rule works both ways; The incredibly timely importance of probably; We can learn a lot on how to think from a survey of 700 epidemiologists by the New York Times; The second-order effects of everything; A...
Dec. 4, 2020

Issue #208: Something new

We’re moving the audio version of our Webby and Shorty-nominated newsletter into our main podcast feed and we can’t wait to share it with you today. If you’re new to our community, welcome! This newsletter pairs the most vita...
Oct. 12, 2020

#101: Code Blue: Arizona Goes to The Emergency Room

In Episode 101 , Quinn & Brian ask: How did all of America end up in the emergency room? Our guest is: Dr. Hiral Tipirneni. She is an emergency room physician, mom, immigrant, cancer research advocate, and congressional candi...
Oct. 5, 2020

#100: A Conversation With (A) Future President of the United States

In Episode 100 , Quinn & Brian discuss: Why state elections matter not just for your state but for the future of our planet. Our guests are: Aimy Steele & Amanda Litman. Aimy is a candidate for the North Carolina House of Rep...
Sept. 28, 2020

#99: How You Doin’?

In Episode 99 , Quinn & Brian, with help from Inverse.com, ask: how are YOU feeling? Our guest is: Ali Pattillo , a health and science reporter at Inverse.com and co-producer of The Abstract podcast. Supplements, metabolism b...
Sept. 21, 2020

#98: How to Stop School Shootings in the USA

In Episode 98 , Quinn & Brian discuss: common sense solutions to prevent gun deaths and destroy the gun lobby. Our guest is: Fred Guttenberg , a gun safety activist and political troublemaker. 14-year-old Jaime Guttenberg was...
Sept. 14, 2020

#97: How Do We Rebuild Capitalism in a World on Fire?

In Episode #97 , Quinn digs into how we can rebuild capitalism for the world, for your company, and for yourself. Our guest is: Rebecca Henderson , Harvard professor behind the wildly popular class Reimagining Capitalism. Reb...
Sept. 7, 2020

#96: A Just Alternative to Climate Disaster *and* Gentrification

In Episode 96 , Quinn & Brian ask: How do we orchestrate a just energy transition for frontline low- and middle-income communities — from the inside out? Our guest is: Daphany Rose Sanchez , Executive Director of Kinetic Comm...
Aug. 31, 2020

#95: How to Upgrade Your Microbiome

In Episode 95 , Quinn & Brian ask: how can we upgrade our microbiome (also, what’s a microbiome (also, why does it need upgrading))? Our guest is: Raja Dhir, Co-Founder of Seed Health a microbiome company pioneering the appli...
Aug. 24, 2020

#94: Wait. Is Climate Science...Fashionable? It Is With Allbirds!

In Episode 94 , Quinn & Brian discuss: the most comfortable and sustainable shoes on the planet. Our guest is: Hana Kajimura , who leads the development and execution of the Allbirds sustainability program and strategy and is...
Aug. 17, 2020

#93: All The Fun Stuff (That Shouldn’t Be) in Your Drinking Water

In Episode 93 , Quinn & Brian ask: What can we do about all of this not-water in our water? Our guest is: Imari Walker , who is quite possibly the world’s preeminent Microplastics Bae. Imari is an Environmental Engineer, a Mi...
Aug. 10, 2020

#92: Your Invitation to Climate School at Terra.do

In Episode 92 , we're headed off to climate school! Our guest is Anshuman Bapna , the creator (and headmaster) of Terra.do , which is like Hogwarts but for fixing the broken Earth. Of course, unlike Dumbledore, you can trust ...
Aug. 3, 2020

#91: Why is Drinking Water So Unaffordable for So Many Americans?

We’re back! In Episode 91 , Quinn & Brian ask: Why is drinking water so unaffordable, or unavailable, or just filthy for so many people? Our guests are: Nina Lakhani & Mary Grant. Nina is environmental justice reporter for Th...