Finding Genius Podcast

The development of power systems and wireless technology has without a doubt revolutionized human life and activity, in many ways for the better. But these technological advents have been made possible only with the use of non-natural electromagnetic field (EMF) radiation—a type of radiation that exists somewhere between the natural, nearly static magnetic field of the Earth and the extremely fast field generated by the sun. Over the past few decades, humans have increased levels of non-natural EMF by a very large factor of about 1.0×1018 (that's one with 18 zeros behind it!). The question naturally arises: when such a significant change is thrust upon the environment of living systems, how will those living systems respond? This is the question that Dr. Paul Héroux from the Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Occupational Health at McGill University has been trying to answer through a series of experiments in his lab. He has shown that when these fields are eliminated from and then reintroduced to the environment of biological cells, there is a very clear and decisive response by those cells. Specifically, he explains that low-frequency magnetic fields which are contained in power systems fields and cell phone signals directly influence cancer cells of all types by generating free radicals. In addition to cancer, there are numerous conditions and diseases that are very sensitive to free radicals, including infertility, Alzheimer's, diabetes, and Parkinson's. As our environment has becoming increasingly enriched with non-natural EMF radiation over the past century, these conditions and diseases have become increasingly common. Dr. Héroux explains the precise biological mechanism triggered by exposure to this type of radiation, referring to multiple recent studies supporting the hypothesis that technology radiation is having an impact on our cells, and not a beneficial one. These studies, however, won't be given much credit by the industry supporting technological products. "Industry likes to push the bar of proof very, very high…but industry is not a specialist in health, industry is a specialist in making product and making profit…but while this happens, people can get sick and people can die from the exposure," says Dr. Héroux. So, what's the solution? While any solution will first necessitate industry's acknowledgement of the problem, Dr. Héroux lists several simple ways of reducing or eliminating exposure. Tune in to learn what they are and what you can do to start mitigating your exposure today.

Scott Young, author of the exciting new book, Ultra learning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career, delivers a thought-provoking analysis of the methods and ways in which we learn, and how we can learn more efficiently and faster if we put our mind to it. Young discusses his path of discovery that led to an interest in ultra learning and motivated him to write extensively on the subject in his new book. As he recounts it was his own personal struggle to learn the French language that pushed him toward ultra learning techniques. Young talks about other ultralearners who inspired him, and how their impact was something he simply needed to share with his readers. As Young explains, ultra learning is not just a technique for the elite, it is something we all can apply. In Young's book, Ultra learning: Master Hard Skills, Outsmart the Competition, and Accelerate Your Career, Young outlines the ways that we can all improve our learning process and skills. If you want to master a new talent, or stay relevant, perhaps even totally reinvent yourself, or smoothly shift with the rapid changes in your work environment, Ultra learning provides nine solid principles that can help anyone master difficult skills quickly. As Young details, ultra learning can help us to maximize our competitive advantages in a changing economic and technically-oriented business landscape. Staying ahead, staying on top of things, mastering the newest ideas and vital skills, is necessary in today's world. Young talks about the ways that ultra learning can be applied. Ultra learning is, at its core, a highly self-directed process. Those who engage in ultra learning must be motivated, without question, but a benefit comes from the fact that projects are geared toward exactly the kinds of information and skills that an ultralearner is most interested in overall. It's a combination of aggressive learning tactics that immerse the learner into the core of a subject, tackling the most difficult elements first; it's demanding, sometimes uncomfortable, but almost always more productive when applied with planning and intense self-motivation. The Ultra learning author elaborates on how much information we miss in traditional learning practices. Young states that when we think of learning, we need to understand that books and classes are not the only means to learn, but that learning is the practice of building up many tiny subconscious skills that bring together the big or overall concept. In explaining this concept, he utilizes an example of cracking an egg when preparing a meal. The many and various skills that our brain is commanding during the cracking—forming the hand around the egg properly, tapping with just enough force to crack it but not get eggshell in the bowl, and separating the eggshell so that the egg flows into the bowl—are all sophisticated skills that demonstrate complex learning. And thus simply reading a book about something may not deliver enough real information necessary to provide that immersive experience where ultra learning can thrive.

Not long ago, the idea of being able to edit DNA with the same precision as we edit a Word document or computer code was merely science fiction, but today it's reality, and it's having an impact on the world around us. Technology that's been in the making for the past three decades is now being implemented into everyday life, and holds the potential to completely transform the way we live our lives. Dr. Stephen Ekker is Dean of the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Director of the Office of Entrepreneurship, and professor of biochemistry and molecular biology at the Mayo Clinic. He's also a member of the Genome Writers Guild, a genome engineering society which promotes understanding, education, and awareness surrounding the value and implications of gene editing and genome engineering. He joins the podcast today to discuss the way in which this technology has already impacted the world, current research being done in the area of immunotherapy for cancer, how this technology could contribute to the development of truly customized therapies, and what to anticipate in the coming years. Learn more by tuning in and visiting genomewritersguild.org.

Preston J. MacDougall, Ph.D., author, and Professor of Chemistry at Middle Tennessee State University, delivers an overview of how atoms bond and the importance of quantum mechanical methods in modern scientific research. As the former doctoral researcher at Los Alamos National Laboratory, MacDougall studied the computational modeling of materials. At Middle Tennessee State University, MacDougall is an integral part of the Molecular Biosciences and the Computational Sciences Ph.D. programs. MacDougall specializes in theoretical chemistry and the innovative development of quantum chemistry-based design tools specifically for pharmacology and molecular electronics applications. MacDougall talks about quantum mechanical methods utilized to model the behavior of macroscopic systems such as plastics or enzymes, etc., systems that are too large to be treated by quantum mechanical theories that were developed for individual atoms. He discusses the modeling of bonds and when Newtonian mechanics can work versus when quantum mechanical methods become necessary. The Ph.D. discusses bonding and electrons, and modeling methods in detail, and how quantum mechanics find 'lumps' in valence shells. A valence shell is the outer shell of an atom in its natural, uncombined state, and as such contains the electrons that are most likely to account for the nature of any possible reactions that involve the atom and also of any bonding interactions it may have with other atoms as well. MacDougall explains that chemists are interested in atoms and ions as they exist in actual compounds. MacDougall talks about colliders, particle accelerators, and how they are used to fire electrons at targets, at nearly the speed of light. By studying how electrons scatter off after penetrating a nucleus, researchers can get a better idea of what the nuclear structure is like. MacDougall continues his discussion of bonds, which are mutual attractions between two atoms. He explains how atoms are attracted, and how some may come close together as they are attracted, but they won't change or disturb the shape of either. But some other bonds, in which two atoms come close together, may cause them to deform and form a new bond or wedding. And by understanding the structure of electron clouds, scientific researchers can better understand why bonds are as they are, and how they function.

Epigenetics is the science of how DNA is controlled and how it's affected by the environment and the lifestyles we choose; sleep hygiene, chronic stress, and diet are just a few examples of lifestyle factors that can directly affect the expression of our genes. This may sound scary at first, but the silver lining is that epigenetics is dynamic, which means that unlike the genetic information that is fixed from birth, epigenetic changes can be identified and changed before causing health problems. This means your epigenetic profile, when understood properly, can be used as an immensely powerful tool in redirecting the course of your genetic fate. Tom Stubbs is the CEO of Chronomics, a company that's not only giving people access to their epigenetic information, but providing them with an analysis of what it all means for their health and future, and connecting them with a team of coaches who will help them to meet their desired goals—or rather, to redirect the course of their genetic fate. Stubbs joins the podcast to discuss exactly how the product works, as well as the science behind epigenetics and various forms of DNA modification. Tune in, and learn more by visiting https://www.chronomics.com/.

Heart failure is a disease that currently affects nearly five million people in the U.S., and it's also a disease that's defined by cellular deficiency. What does this mean? According to Dr. Charles E. Murray, professor of cardiovascular pathology at the University of Washington, this means that there's actually a pretty simple solution to the problem: all we need to do is figure out a way to replenish the deficiency and promote heart tissue regeneration, and this is exactly what he's working on in his lab. By differentiating stem cells into human cardiac muscle cells, Dr. Murray has discovered a way to create an endless supply of heart cells. When injected into injured or dead portions of the heart, the cells begin doing exactly what they should—dividing, connecting with existing heart cells, and eventually beating right along with them. Re-muscularization of the heart in this way provides great promise for those who have heart attacks or deal with any variety of heart disease. Dr. Murray explains in detail the physiology of the heart, how differentiated stem cells are assimilated into existing heart tissue, the tools that are allowing for unprecedented research and new findings in the field, the relationship between the microbiome and heart function, and so much more. Tune in for all the details, and find a recent TED Talk on the topic at https://www.ted.com/talks/chuck_murry_can_we_regenerate_heart_muscle_with_stem_cells?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare.

In this podcast, Dr. Paul Anderson of Anderson Medical Group discusses cancer treatment and the changing views toward integrative therapies. Dr. Anderson is an experienced naturopathic medical doctor who has devoted his life to helping patients via integrative therapies. As the founder of Anderson Medical Group, Dr. Anderson works with patients to help them on their journey to fight cancer and stay in remission. Dr. Anderson discusses the many options for cancer patients, in addition to the standard options of chemo, radiation, and surgery. He explains how diet, nutrition, clean eating, intermittent fasting, herbal extracts, intravenous therapies with natural substances, and exercise can all be considered as part of a comprehensive solution to help patients find their way back to good health. The naturopathic MD explains the approach they take with their patients. Dr. Anderson talks about the restrictive policies of the past in regard to how the oncology community was once quite unaccepting of different approaches to cancer treatment. Today, however, and fortunately for patients, oncology doctors are seeing the vast array of benefits that alternative type therapies can offer to their patients. Dr. Anderson talks about ways to help patients stay in remission, outlining the importance of diet, discussing other therapies, explaining why toxins need to be strictly avoided, and how cells are impacted.

After receiving a PhD in biomedical engineering, Jacob Koffler wanted to take what he'd learned into a new field where there was a big need for biomedical solutions and research. This desire led him into the field of spinal cord injury repair in 2010, when there wasn't much being done to advance treatments using the interdisciplinary approach of biomedical engineering. With a strong belief that tissue engineering could contribute to the development of a successful treatment for spinal cord injuries, Dr. Koffler has been working at UC San Diego with this goal in mind. On today's episode, he discusses the unique technique they're using to tackle this problem, which involves 3D printing, tissue engineering of scaffolds and longitudinal linear channels, implementation of stem cells to elicit nerve regeneration, and perhaps most importantly, a study of gene expression after regeneration has been elicited, in order to better understand it and promote additional regeneration. He describes the ins and out of the science behind this approach, and also touches on the difference between the peripheral and central nervous system when it comes to nerve regeneration, nerve growth and development in juveniles, the role of stem cells in spinal cord repair, the nature of ongoing studies in the field, and so much more.

Kim West, better known as The Sleep Lady, has been a family therapist for over 25 years and specializes in helping babies and children achieve healthy sleep, while ensuring that parents remain healthy and rested at the same time. She joins the podcast to discuss her book, Good Night, Sleep Tight, the path that led her to become a well-regarded resource in the area of sleep, and what she's learned along the way. She explains several methods for achieving healthy sleep patterns in babies under six months of age, including the controlled crying or graduated extinction, and full extension methods. But she also explains why neither method sits well with her, elucidating the benefits of her own method, which she refers to as parental fading or The Sleep Lady Shuffle. Kim West details why she doesn't recommend attempting any sleep coaching for children over the age of six, as it's critically important to first rule out generalized anxiety disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and the need for psychotherapy. Interested in learning more? Tune in, and check out sleeplady.com.

"We're not primarily about HRV [heart rate variability]; HRV is just a way of measuring the state that we help people get into. We are a transformation business…we help people learn how to increase their self-awareness, regulate their thoughts, their feelings, their emotions, their behaviors, and the state that we help people create or access can actually be measured with HRV," explains Gavin Andrews, managing director of HeartMath. While we go about our day, we encounter and respond to countless stimuli, some which slow our heart rate, some which speed it up, and some which seem to have no effect at all. And while most of us are acutely aware of what it feels like to have a pounding heart, few of us are aware of the constant fluctuation of our heart rate throughout the day. But according to Gavin Andrews, this variability in heart rate can reveal a tremendous amount of information about our physical, mental, and emotional states of health. HeartMath is a system of tools and strategies for improving our ability to respond healthfully to the world around us, which will in turn be evidenced and measured by our heart rate variability (HRV). The technology being offered by HeartMath teaches us different ways to relieve stress, practice balanced breathing, and increase our ability to identify and control our own moods. Andrews joins the podcast to discuss the ins and outs of what HeartMath has to offer, as well as insight into his experience using HeartMath techniques for over 10 years. Check out heartmath.co.uk to find out more.