Big Brains

In recent years, a judge in one state had gained the power to halt policies across the entire United States. Known as nationwide or universal injunctions, these actions have become one of the sweeping tools in the federal court—affecting cases ranging from student loan forgiveness to environmental policies to birthright citizenship. How did universal injunctions become such a central feature of modern constitutional battles? And should one judge really be able to block a policy for the entire country? In this episode, UChicago legal scholar Samuel Bray explains the history and legal debate behind such actions, including his research which was cited more than a dozen times in the 2025 Supreme Court case Trump v. Casa, which examined how courts use this remedy—and whether injunctions fit within the Constitution’s design. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Andrew Chien, a University of Chicago computer scientist who studies large-scale and sustainable computing. He explains why data centers concentrate compute and how AI drives huge energy needs. He describes factory-like facilities, cooling and water challenges, grid stress risks, and ideas like using surplus renewables to lower carbon.

Mohamad Bydon, University of Chicago neurosurgeon known for pioneering spinal reconstruction and stem cell work. He recounts a life‑saving multi-stage surgery on a child with a catastrophic skull‑spine separation. He discusses robotic and minimally invasive spine techniques, AI in surgical planning, and advances that are helping some paralyzed patients regain function.

Edward Awh, cognitive neuroscientist at the University of Chicago who studies attention and working memory. He discusses why our conscious capacity is so limited. He describes neural markers that track memory load and why some people are more consistent than others. He explains practical ways to support focus like exercise, cautions about brain-training apps, and how to monitor momentary cognitive capacity.

Eric Oliver, University of Chicago political scientist and author of How to Know Yourself, blends philosophy, psychology, and science in a search for identity. He discusses treating the self as a process, how biology and neural habits shape who we are, and the role of language, storytelling, and recognition in personal change. Short, practical classroom insights drive the conversation.

What if we could precisely measure a cell at its most fundamental level? In this episode, we talk with the University of Chicago scientist Peter Maurer about how he and his colleagues made the breakthrough discovery of turning a protein found in living cells into the first biological quantum bit, also known as a qubit.Maurer explains how quantum systems—once thought to be too fragile for real-world use—are becoming some of the most powerful sensors ever built, and what they could teach us about the brain, the body and more. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

James Doty, a clinical professor of neurosurgery at Stanford and founder of the Center for Compassion and Altruism Research, dives into the neuroscience of manifestation. He shares his journey from a difficult childhood, guided by a mentor in mindfulness, to uncovering how our brain networks enable goal realization. Doty explains concepts like the default mode network and the 'green zone'—a state where mental clarity overcomes past limitations. He emphasizes the importance of compassion and altruism in achieving genuine happiness and effective manifestation.

The internet and social media have transformed the way in which we hear and understand music today—and online communities and platforms from YouTube to TikTok have changed how music circulates and ultimately goes viral. Why do some pop stars have more success creating hit songs and building online following than others?In this episode, we speak with Paula Clare Harper, a musicologist and assistant professor at the University of Chicago. Harper co-edited the book Taylor Swift: The Star, The Songs, The Fans, which explores the online musical cultures that produced and propelled the image of megastar Taylor Swift. Harper unpacks how gendered narratives around "the fangirl" continue to influence which musical practices we take seriously—and how studying music on the internet helps us understand contemporary cultural power. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Pedro Lopes, an associate professor at the University of Chicago and director of the Human-Computer Integration Lab, dives deep into the future of wearable technology. He explores how devices could reshape human abilities, from teaching musical skills through electrical muscle stimulation to transforming our senses with haptics. Lopes discusses the ethical implications of integrating tech into our bodies and how these innovations might redefine what it means to be human, challenging our perceptions of agency and augmentation.

Peggy O'Donnell Heffington, an Assistant Instructional Professor at the University of Chicago and author of "Without Children," delves into the long history of non-motherhood. She explains how societal factors, economic pressures, and historical events have influenced declining fertility rates. The discussion touches on the political shaming of childless women, the impact of workplace policies, and the importance of supportive family policies in making parenthood viable. Peggy also highlights that many women today simply choose not to have children, reflecting a shift in personal priorities.