Welcome to the home of AMSEcast, STEM of History and the AMSE Science Report

Episodes

April 2, 2025

Marie Curie’s Legacy with Dava Sobel

Award-winning science writer Dava Sobel returns to AMSEcast to discuss her latest book, The Elements of Marie Curie. She and host Alan explore Curie’s groundbreaking research, her struggles against societal barriers, and her enduring impact on...

Listen to the Episode
March 26, 2025

Innovation & Policy with Sudip Parikh

With support from the Institute of Museum and Library Services, AMSEcast is celebrating 250 years of American innovation with expert interviews. CEO of the American Association for the Advancement of Science and executive publisher of Science, Dr....

Listen to the Episode
March 19, 2025

Taking Risks and Innovating Along the Way with Al Romig

Executive Officer of the National Academy of Engineering, Dr. Al Romig joins this special edition of AMSEcast, recorded at the National Academy of Sciences Building in Washington. Dr. Romig has led a distinguished career including leadership roles at...

Listen to the Episode
March 12, 2025

The World of Uranium with Tom Zoellner

Tom Zoellner, award-winning writer and Chapman University professor, joins AMSEcast to discuss his book Uranium: War, Energy and the Rock that Shaped the World. He and Alan discuss the discovery of uranium, its radioactive nature, and its historical...

Listen to the Episode
March 5, 2025

Exhibiting the Best of the Smithsonian with Jennifer Collins and Nico…

Alan takes a trip to the Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History to speak with Nicole Webster, the Manager of School and Teacher Programs, and Jennifer Collins, Learning Experience Manager for Exhibits and Initiatives. Broadcasting from the...

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 26, 2025

Materials and All Matters of Science with Mark Miodownik

Materials scientist and BBC presenter Dr. Mark Miodownik joins AMSEcast to discuss his latest book, It’s a Gas. He explores the hidden world of gases, from steam’s role in electricity production to methane’s surprising history. The conversation...

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 17, 2025

AMSE Science Report with guest Keith Houston

Empire of the Sum: The Rise and Reign of the Pocket Calculator author Keith Houston joins us

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 14, 2025

AMSE Science Report with guest Saul David

Author Saul David talks about this book, Crucible of Hell: The Heroism and Tragedy of Okinawa, 1945

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 12, 2025

Nuclear Safety Innovation with Ashley Stowe

Dr. Ashley Stowe is the director of the Oak Ridge Enhanced Technology and Training Center (ORETTC) at Y-12 National Security Complex, and he joins AMSEcast to discuss his career and the mission of Y-12. With a PhD in chemistry and an MBA, Dr. Stowe...

Listen to the Episode
Feb. 2, 2025

AMSE Science Report with Katie McKissick

The DNA that makes you who you are

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 29, 2025

Building the Empire of the Sum with Keith Houston

Keith Houston is the author of Empire of the Sum: The Rise and Reign of the Pocket Calculator. He joins Alan on this episode of AMSEcast to discuss the history of calculating. From the ancient Lebombo bone to mechanical calculators, Keith covers the...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 15, 2025

AMSEcast Conversations: Climate Change Science from Eisenhower to Bush

Alan Lowe, Executive Director of the American Museum of Science and Energy, launches AMSEcast Conversations with a compelling discussion on Jay Hakes’ book, The Presidents and the Planet: Climate Change Science from Eisenhower to Bush. The panel,...

Listen to the Episode
Jan. 2, 2025

A Theory of Everyone with Michael Muthukrishna

Dr. Michael Muthukrishna, Associate Professor at LSE, joins Alan to explore his book, A Theory of Everyone. It reveals how cultural evolution—our “software” of beliefs, language, and logic—shaped humanity's unique trajectory. He explains the...

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 21, 2024

AMSE Science Report The Physics of Santa

Santa's madcap meteoric flight

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 18, 2024

The Hidden Lives of Ants with Susanne Foitzik

Alan, an ant enthusiast since childhood, is joined by Susanne Foitzik, author of Empire of Ants: The Hidden Worlds and Extraordinary Lives of Earth’s Tiny Conquerors. She explains that while queens start colonies and lay eggs, they don’t control...

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 14, 2024

AMSE Science Report with guest Eric Jay Dolin

Author Eric Jay Dolin discusses topics from his book, A Furious Sky: The 500 Year History of America’s Hurricanes

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 4, 2024

Finding a Lab of One’s Own with Dr. Rita Colwell

Dr. Rita Colwell is a pioneering scientist and professor at the University of Maryland and Johns Hopkins who has made groundbreaking contributions to microbiology and public health. She joins AMSEcast to discuss her experiences being the first woman...

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 3, 2024

AMSE Science Report with guest Camper English

Doctors and Distillers: The Remarkable Medicinal History of Beer, Wine, Spirits, and Cocktails by author Camper English

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 3, 2024

The Wonders of Psychological Science with Joel Levy

Renowned author and science historian, Joel Levy, shares his expertise on consciousness, intelligence, and the delicate dance between nature and nurture. Through his latest work, "Psychology for Busy People," the discussion traverses psychology's...

Listen to the Episode
Dec. 3, 2024

AMSE Science Report with Carl Zimmer

The Search for What It Means to Be Alive with author Carl Zimmer

Listen to the Episode
Nov. 20, 2024

Finding Balance Between Tightness & Looseness with Dr. Michele Gelfand

Dr. Michele Gelfand is a cultural psychologist and author of Rule Makers, Rule Breakers. She joins us to discusses how “tight” and “loose” cultures shape societies. Tight cultures, like Japan’s, respond to threats with strict rules and...

Listen to the Episode