With the current popularity of direct to consumer genetic testing, it was only a matter of time until the Nature Boy crew came along to spoil the fun. Learn along with the gang as they discuss the technologies and ethical dilemmas involved in this industry!

When the human race ends, will it be with a whimper or a bang? This question as well as many others will not be discussed in this episode of Nature Boy. Rather, the group gets excited for the holidays, delves into politics, and avoids the topic of extinction for the vast majority of the episode. However, Jon does make his triumphant return via Skype and that classic Nature Boy chemistry is as charming as ever! So come in here boy, have a cigar, you're gonna go fart.

Bank on this episode being the brightest part of your week! The Nature Boy crew discusses those defenders of diversity, those sanctums of seeds, those guardians of genetics, seed banks. Additional alliteration includes: Bastions of bulbs, caretakers of creation, shepherds of stems, friends of flowers, arbiters of achenes, saviors of samaras, root revolutionaries, stockpilers of stolons, fighters for fronds, etc. Make learning time fun time by coming up with your own!

This episode represents one of the rare topics falling in line with your hosts' field of study. Flowers, they're pretty, listen to us talk about them.

Another episode without Jon, meaning that this description comes from a completely uninformed place as I am he and I write publish the podcast. Apparently the fabulous 3 discuss a lot of Easter-related topics, so dive on in and discover where they go with it!

Our listeners are well acquainted with addiction, constantly needing a fix of the Nature Boy crew. Irregular posting may lead to some withdrawal symptoms, but this new batch is pure, uncut gold. So sit back, close the blinds and squander your future with the latest episode Nature Boy!

Originally recorded February 4, 2018. Never one to avoid a challenge, Nature Boy steps well outside of its area of expertise to discuss neuroscience. However, as all hosts possess brains as well as nervous systems, they can be considered well qualified to tackle this subject. This episode provides an overview of the many disciplines which fall under this field, as well as some interesting research investigating the workings of the mind. Save yourself the time it would take to look this up on...

Originally recorded January 7, 2018. Veteran fans may be aware that all hosts of the Nature Boy podcast are PhD students at UC Riverside, specifically in the department of plant biology. Often when explaining our work, the question of marijuana is brought up; mostly relating to either breeding, mechanisms of action in the body, or our future career aspirations as producers of the plant. While none of the crew plans on working in the field, it is such an interesting economic crop that we all...

This episode was originally recorded December 3, 2017. The Nature Boy podcast has been scientifically demonstrated to improve mood, reduce anxious behavior, and increase attention from potential romantic partners. These statements have not been approved by the FDA and may, in fact, be lies. Anxiety and depression affect many people at some point in their life. Coping strategies often focus on psychological approaches, but what do scientists know about the causes and potential treatments of...

Oops! This episode was recorded in July of 2017, but was never posted for reasons of pure ineptitude. Many apologies, but enjoy this discussion of synthetic biology. Your favorite fabulous foursome goes beyond genetic modification of plants, and explores this complex field which involves the modification of living organisms. Many apologies for the ongoing issues with the upload schedule, we appreciate all of our amazing fans who have stuck with us and look forward to many great episodes to...

Hey all! Jon here, your occasional co-host and creator of podcast descriptions, to let you know that I was not present for this week's episode. From what I understand, the mighty 3 discussed bioremediation. The resilience of natural systems to disruption by human action is well established, but what do we do when the system is pushed too far and becomes disrupted? Often the same mechanisms by which the natural state is maintained can be exploited to address environmental concerns. What do...

After a September hiatus, the Nature Boy crew returns to brighten your day! Our heartfelt thanks go out to those of you who continue to be patient with this erratic release schedule, rest assured we will continue to post these episodes until the inevitable water wars require us to flee California. This month, your intrepid hosts eschew the cliché 'Why are we here?' and instead ask 'How are we here?'. Come with us now on a journey through time and space, to answer these and other questions! ...

Jon and Jess, everyone's favorite feuding philanderers, were blessed with this episode. Usually this show is considered as a service to our blessed listeners, but this one is just for us! Listen as their excitement grows through discussions of blood tubes, semen, and grizzly murder. Apologies to their parents, as well as any listeners with delicate sensibilities, but we should always find joy in the pleasure of others if we aim to become actualized human beings. This description may come off...

Jon's incredible powers of procrastination cause exasperation when the podcast nation can't hear this station! Apologies for the delayed upload, and for the absence of your favorite co-host and composer of episode descriptions, the J Train! The geneclock genetics and genetocs, and this episode focuses on the former. Can genetic research save us from starvation? Will it rid us of disease? Or will it be leveraged by powerful corporations to impose claims of ownership on entire species? Maybe...

Open your ears and we'll speak of the smells, like freshly baked pie or the sulfur in hell. Such wonderful senses help put up some fences to keep us from things that will make us unwell. And who can you count on to shine a bright light on the sense that serves as an animal's sight? Why, it's your faithful friends from the Nature Boy show, whose names don't fit easily into this poem.

It has been said that the most important difference between a beast and human is the comprehension of one's own mortality. An awareness of death and its inevitability, along with the fear it engenders, has resulted in the creation of religions and empires. God takes the place of the parent, and death represents the first betrayal by that trusted provider. People seek some form of immortality either by denying the reality of death, or through the creation of some legacy. In spite of its...

Whoosh! Boom! Blam-Oh! The Nature Boy crew becomes death, the destroyer of worlds, to discuss military technology and the wonderful things it brings and takes! In a surprise appearance Jon, number one bad-boy and author of episode descriptions, calls in to discuss lasers and domes! Truly, if you are going to miss one episode of a podcast this summer, do not make it this one!

We are sincerely honored to have this week''s episode featured in the KCHUNG radio residency at the J. Paul Getty Museum. Information regarding the residency as well as links to this and other featured KCHUNG programs can be found at http://www.getty.edu/museum/programs/performances/kchung_radio.html. This week, we address questions and concerns regarding recently inaugurated President Trump and his attitude towards scientific research. What views on this topic did Mr. Trump express during...

As a listener of Nature Boy: The Podcast you know that genetic modification is the way of the future, and that all critics of genetic engineering are misinformed, backwards luddites dragging us back from the precipice of a golden age of food security. You may also be aware that two of your hosts conduct research using the most modern gene editing techniques. THRILL as the biase-free three (and Jon) introduce you to the intricacies of genetic research! WATCH as Jon introduces a hilarious...

In celebration of Labor Day the Nature Boy crew profiles some of their favorite American scientists. We all know that America is the best country and that only her peoples are worthy of discovering the great truths, but just how great are those chosen few advancing the cause of American exceptionalism? Find out in this episode. Also, learn why love is dead according to our charming co-host.

The gang's all here again and life couldn't be better. Or could it? Is this the best of all worlds as Voltaire's Pangloss would say, or is evolution as an engineer not a perfectionist but an opportunist, as according to Stanislaw Lem? Listen close, listen hard, and learn the specificities of natural selection on this week's Nature Boy: The Podcast!! *fanfare*

Jon doesn't show up for this one, I'd probably just skip it. If unwary travellers do not heed these words, they shall find within a trove of wonders not of this world, phantasmagoric visions which will drive you to the brink of madness. DREAMS!

Nature Boy panders, throwing all scientific integrity out the window and bending to the will of the inebriated masses. Drugs are the topic of discussion bro, making Nature Boy the hippest, most with it podcast in town!

Birth, from the Latin Big Bertha, meaning an obese sideshow woman at ancient carnivals. Enjoy this in-depth discussion of birth, the beginning of beginnings, the bloody painful emergence into a world which promises nothing more than blood and pain.

In celebration of Valentine's Day the Nature Boy crew discusses the biggest lie we joyfully tell our children about besides Santa Claus. Love. Jon was unable to attend this episode, and is replaced by Jess Toth, our second female guest and expert on matters of the heart. Jon writes these descriptions, and didn't bother listening to this episode prior to writing this, but I'm aware that there is no mention of my absence. But that's love for you. Go choke on a chocolate.