I am SO excited to share this episode with you! While having my own brother on my show screams of favoritism, I promise you that you will not want to miss this one. Gerrit is a teacher and literacy expert who inspires children all around the world to love reading, he's an incredible athlete (marathons! triathlons! iron mans!), and he is actually *doing* something about climate change by re-wilding and re-greening New Orleans (and, eventually, you know, the world). While I know him...

Kasha Patel was recently named one of the top undiscovered comedians in the United States. She's also an accomplished science journalist with expertise in climate change. She's also ALSO one of the pioneers of the growing field of science comedy! Join us to hear about how she came to combine her two worlds, why it's so powerful (and fun), and who can get involved (hint: everyone!). I'm so grateful Kasha joined the show -- and I'm biased of course, but science comedy truly is one of the few...

If you're already a fan of the popular Skeptics' Guide to the Universe (SGU) podcast (and books, and live shows, and more), then you already know that Jay Novella is completely awesome. If you're not already familiar, well, get ready to meet your new favorite person! Jay is a brilliant podcaster, producer, author, and promoter of critical thinking -- among so much more. I'm so honored he joined the show -- tune in to admire his journey from poetry major to world-traveling performer and...

I am SO honored that the brilliant Lisa ('Lisbug') Schwartz joined us here at MIE to talk about her many lives and talents! Lisa is a YouTube star who was one of the very first adopters of the platform back way before it was cool in 2007, and now has two million subscribers and counting. We talk about the highs and lows of life in the spotlight -- and truly the importance (and ongoing challenge) of being authentic. In addition to posting new videos *every* day, she's also an actor, host of...

Chris Duffy is a comedian, TV writer, and podcast host -- and he has some great advice for all of us looking to forge our own paths. Tune in to hear how he parlayed early employment challenges(!) into an exciting and multidimensional career in comedy, media, performance, education, and more! To give just a flavor of his impressiveness: Chris currently hosts TED's podcast, How to Be a Better Human, he wrote for both seasons of Problem Areas with Wyatt Cenac on HBO, and he hosts (and created)...

Talking with Natalia always energizes and inspires me to be more courageous in my own life -- and this conversation is no exception. Tune in to hear her stunning story of realizing what she wants to do in life -- and being brave enough to make it happen -- and her brilliant reminders of the power of unconventional paths. Any time you feel like you're doing the "wrong" thing by having more than one interest, I urge you to listen to Natalia. I, for one, am so grateful she's out there being...

Stephanie Humphrey was an accomplished engineer at a big deal company, but something felt off in her life. Tune in to learn how she discovered a more fulfilling path for herself, how she found the courage (and made the plans!) to change her life, and how she now combines her skills in engineering and public speaking to empower others to use technology to improve their lives. Follow Stephanie on instagram and twitterWatch her 10-minute-tech break series.Buy her book!And learn more (including...

Dean Obeidallah is a radio host, comedian, journalist, political analyst, activist, co-producer of "Stand Up for Peace", CNN contributor, and a former lawyer, and SNL page -- and he's about to be your new favorite person! Join us to learn why I have finally become moved to go to law school (don't worry, I won't); how his interests in law, comedy, and politics helped him get where he is today; and why it's so important to stay active in politics even when (especially when) it's totally...

The hosts of the World's Smartest Podcast Network (WSPN) get together to save the world once again! In this bonus episode, we talk Billy Eichner, film, and higher education. All the important stuff! Subscribe to our partner podcasts, The Political Orphanage and Lost in America at https://www.worldssmartestpodcastnetwork.com! And follow our World's Smartest Hosts: Andrew Heaton (the Political Orphanage) Turner Sparks (Lost in America)Michael Ira Kaplan (Lost in America)And me :). Majoring in...

If you're a fan of Tyler Whitman, you already know he's one of the kindest, wisest, and inspiring people out there. If you aren't yet a fan, (a) where have you been?! and (b) congratulations, you're about to meet your new favorite person! I'm so grateful to Tyler for joining us for this candid conversation about his journey -- with all its twists and turns -- and for sharing his thoughts on the importance of -- and challenges around -- being true to yourself. If you can't get enough (and I...

Turner Sparks is an internationally-touring standup comedian who spent 12 years in China as an entrepreneur -- he brought Mister Softee ice cream to the country and was foundational to building China's standup comedy scene. Join us to hear how his experience in business has helped him make a living in comedy. And pre-order his new (hilarious) standup album, Double Happiness, at https://www.turnersparks.com/buy-my-album! Let's get it to #1! Follow Turner: Insta, Twitter, and YouTube!Pre-order...

Hello friends! We've come to (finally) the final (for real) episode of season 1 of Majoring in Everything! One of the best things about having a podcast with the word "everything" in the title is that we can literally talk about it all. This episode is no exception: I (someone who is pro-choice) had a conversation with J.M. Jennings (someone who is pro-life) about abortion because I wanted to understand what on Earth is going on on the other side of this debate. I'm so grateful to Andrew...

The long-awaited and much-anticipated part 2 of our season finale is finally here! Join me for the second half of this inspiring, fun, emboldening, and, gosh, downright delightful conversation with my father, the Peabody award-winning filmmaker, Robert Rooy! Learn about taking risks, trusting your interests, shining a light on important things, and how to get started in filmmaking, no matter your beginning point. Thank you again to my father, dO, for this special episode (I love you!), and to...

Ok, I might be a *little* bit biased, but our guest in this episode is one heckuva guy: my father! I've long admired his work in filmmaking -- from Hollywood to nonprofits to being an independent (multi award-winning!) documentary director/producer/editor/gaffer/craft services/cinematographer -- as his daughter, but in this episode, I talk with him as a podcast host about his career, ambitions, and advice to young filmmakers (and everyone else). This is a really special episode to me, and I...

Get ready to meet your new favorite power couple! I've known Andrew Gerhan and Kathryn Musilek for a few years (they might have been the last new people I met before lockdown?!) as PR experts, and only recently learned of their whole other lives as musicians -- both as part of a killer rock band and as film scorers! As if that weren't all, during the conversation I learned even more about their many talents, from physics to painting to founding and running one heckuva small business. They are...

Brace yourself, because Paula Croxson is a force to be reckoned with! Neuroscientist, storyteller, flautist, and (very) open water swimmer, Paula might actually need a word bigger than "everything" to describe her many talents. I am so grateful for everything I learned in this episode -- from the different types of memories we have, to how we manage anxiety without realizing it, to the fact that I might actually want to swim in the Hudson River, and more. I hope you are as inspired by this...

We're back with another roundtable episode! Your favorite world's smartest podcast hosts are back with some policy, political, business, and all-around-awesome ideas about how to save the world. I hope you enjoy the discussion, and be sure to check out our partner podcasts & hosts! Partner podcasts: Lost in America: https://www.turnersparks.com/lost-in-america-podcastThe Political Orphanage: https://politicalorphanage.libsyn.com Partner hosts: Turner: https://twitter.com/TurnerBSparksKap:...

We're coming in hot with the bonus episodes these days! As you may know, Majoring in Everything is a proud member of the World's Smartest Podcast Network (WSPN). My fellow WSPN hosts -- Turner Sparks & Michael Ira Kaplan of Lost in America and Andrew Heaton of the Political Orphanage -- join forces every now and then to put our heads together and solve the world's problems. This episode is no exception -- enjoy! Come see Turner and me live (or live-streaming)! Get tickets to Turner's live...

Zain Sharif is a consultant, standup comedian, Bollywood dancer, and all-around super nice, thoughtful, and generous guy. I'm so honored that he joined me for this conversation to share how he found his path, how to figure out what to do next, and what the point of all this is, anyway. This is an extra existential one (and that's a lot coming from this podcast), and I am so here for it. Thank you, Zain, and, enjoy, everyone! Follow Zain: https://www.instagram.com/zainsharifcomedy/ Get tickets...

In this bonus episode, I put on my trusty old political scientist hat to have a nice chat with some of my favorite political thinkers, Andrew Heaton (The Political Orphanage) and Jeremiah Johnson (The Neoliberal Podcast) to talk about what "identity politics" means, how our identities influence our political behavior, and what identity even is. Also, some of the great political science research we mention (from superstars like Professors Ashley Jardina and Morris Fiorina) is linked...

How do you know what to do with your life? Learning to trust yourself is probably one of the most important and difficult lessons out there, and I am so grateful to Kyle Marian for joining us to talk so candidly about how she navigated finding her path. She now, among many things, expertly wields the power of dark comedy to talk about tough and important subjects. Be sure to follow all her goings-on, and thank you, Kyle! Follow Kyle on Twitter: https://twitter.com/kylemarianFollow Kyle on...

Jonathan Nosan is a contortionist, ceramicist, scholar of sacred spaces, polyglot, juggler, magician, teacher, and more -- and also your new favorite person! He's been my contortion coach for many years, and I'm so honored he sat down with us to share his secrets, wisdom, and humor. I hope you love this conversation as much as I did. Learn alllllllll about Jonathan: https://www.jonathannosan.comAdmire his beautiful ceramics: www.nosanceramics.comFollow him on IG:...

It's hard to overstate how much of a fan I am of Andrew Heaton, and this episode only served to make my fandom more intense! Heaton is a comedian, author, political satirist, policy analyst, and more, and just might be our best bet for understanding one another across political divides. Plus, his answer to the question of the meaning of life will be at the forefront of my brain for a very long time. Follow Heaton on Twitter: https://twitter.com/mightyheaton Follow him on Insta:...

This is a show for everyone who is interested in more than one thing. This week we talk to the everything major to outdo all everything majors (not that it's a competition, but if it were..!). Dr. Moiya McTier is an astrophysicist, folklorist, science communicator, and all-around hero. Tune in to learn why uniting stories and science will save us, what astrophysicists know that we don't about the meaning of life, and how to know if you're on the wrong path. Learn more about Dr. McTier:...