Episodes

  • Episode 16 - Federal Funding of Science

    Episode 16 - Federal Funding of Science
    Dec 22 2025
    This episode we are discussing federal funding of science. Proposals from the Trump Administration recommended cutting science funding among many other government services which lead to the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. Although a continuing resolution was passed until Jan 30th and largely Congress seems opposed to cutting science funding, the new budget for the year still hangs in the balance. This episode, we talked to Dr. Laura Hernandez, a dairy and women’s health researcher, Katie Barnes and Roma Broadberry, two graduate students at The University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Becky Jacobs, a writer for the Cap Times. This episode was produced by Colin Hemme and Freyja Moser with music by John Leja. Thank you to Dr. Hernandez, Katie, Roma, and Becky for the interviews. Sources and descriptions for key words for this podcast can be found here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1_q1oZTCr8c2L7G3_WGlFcZvwWphnv9zUTGm72KyEws0/edit?usp=sharing This podcast is funded in part by an Associated Students of Madison viewpoint neutral grant. Contact request@asm.wisc.edu for accommodation information.
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    1 hr and 17 mins
  • Episode 15 - Getting Wisconsin a State Microbe

    Episode 15 - Getting Wisconsin a State Microbe
    Aug 9 2025
    Today we have three interviews all related to the effort in Wisconsin to make Lactococcus lactis our state microbe. We have Dr. Jo Handlesman, the director of the Wisconsin Institute of Discovery, professor at the Howard Hughes Medical Institution, previous Director for Science at the White House under Obama and a major supporter of the 2009 state microbe efforts. After Jo we have Representative Wittke member of the Wisconsin Assembly and co-author on the state microbe bill in 2023. Finally, we end off with an interview with Mark Johnson who works at the Wisconsin Center for Dairy Research to talk about the importance of cheesemaking and its critical role in Wisconsin’s economy. This episode was edited by Colin Hemme. Our hosts are Natalie Wieber, Isabella Whitworth (joined by Austin Hall), and Vii Pszczolkowski. Music is by John Leja. Thank you to Jo Handelsman, Representative Wittke, and Mark Johnson for their time and interviews
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Episode 14- Health in all Policies

    Episode 14- Health in all Policies
    Mar 23 2022
    Today we’re going to hear an interview about the need for a “Health in All Policies” approach for UW-Madison. Wisconsin Advocates for Public Health is a grassroots organization who collaborates with community organizations and advocates for public health policy and system changes. This episode was produced by Emily Tran and Maia Gumnit with music by John Leja. Thank you to Amina Maamouri, Nova Tebbe, and Chris Unterberger for the interview.
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    39 mins
  • Episode 13- Wisconsin's Green Fire

    Episode 13- Wisconsin's Green Fire
    Feb 15 2022
    Today we’re talking with Terry Daulton, the board president of Wisconsin’s Green Fire. WGF is a non-partisan, independent nonprofit with a mission to support the conservation legacy of Wisconsin by promoting science-based management of Wisconsin's natural resources. This episode was produced by Maia Gumnit with music by John Leja. Thank you to Terry Daulton for the interview and Jenny Oren for help with the episode.
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    25 mins
  • Episode 12- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report with Dr. Gregory Nemet

    Episode 12- Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Report with Dr. Gregory Nemet
    Oct 18 2021
    Today we’re talking with Dr. Gregory Nemet, a Professor of Public Affairs at the Wisconsin Energy Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, about the IPCC report. This episode was produced by Emily Tran, Maia Gumnit, and Isabella Whitworth, with music by John Leja. Thank you to Dr. Gregory Nemet for answering our questions.
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    24 mins
  • Episode 11- Green Gentrification in Wisconsin

    Episode 11- Green Gentrification in Wisconsin
    Sep 29 2021
    Today's episode will focus on Green Gentrification and the unintended consequences of expanding sustainable infrastructure options in Wisconsin. This episode is based on a policy memo written by CaSP members Julie Davis, Brittany Baur, Sarah Alexander, and Ben Bachman. You can read the full memo here: https://www.sciencepolicyjournal.org/article_1038126_jspg180409.html This episode was produced by Chris Unterberger and Maia Gumnit. Thank you to Julie Davis and Brittany Baur for the interview.
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    22 mins
  • Episode 10- Paid Sick Leave During Pandemics with WI Rep. Sondy Pope

    Episode 10- Paid Sick Leave During Pandemics with WI Rep. Sondy Pope
    Aug 12 2021
    Today we’re talking about the importance of expanding paid sick leave in Wisconsin, from both a public health and racial equity perspective. This episode features an interview on the topic with Wisconsin Rep. Sondy Pope. This episode was produced by Maia Gumnit, Lauren Schrader, and Chris Unterberger, with help from Katie Pereira. Thank you to Representative Sondy Pope for answering our questions.
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    40 mins
  • Episode 9- COVID-19 Testing

    Episode 9- COVID-19 Testing
    Feb 15 2021
    Today we’re talking about the early development of COVID-19 tests, and how a major university started its own testing program to reopen their campus in the Fall of 2020. This episode was produced by Maia Gumnit and Lauren Schrader, with help from Sebastian Manzo, Chris Unterberger, Kevin Lauterjung, and Robbie Frank. Thank you to Dr. Keith Poulsen and Dr. David O’Connor for answering our questions.
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    35 mins