The Future of Everything

Stanford Engineering

Host Russ Altman, a professor of bioengineering, genetics, and medicine at Stanford, is your guide to the latest science and engineering breakthroughs. Join Russ and his guests as they explore cutting-edge advances that are shaping the future of everything from AI to health and renewable energy. Along the way, “The Future of Everything” delves into ethical implications to give listeners a well-rounded understanding of how new technologies and discoveries will impact society. Whether you’re a researcher, a student, or simply curious about what’s on the horizon, tune in to stay up-to-date on the latest developments that are transforming our world.

  • 31 minutes
    The future of fashion and dress codes

    Legal expert Richard Ford studies the intersection of dress codes and the law. Clothing and hairstyles communicate power, identity, and social status, he says. Legal restrictions on dress stretch at least to the Middle Ages when “sumptuary laws” stipulated what one could wear by rank. Today, written rules have given way to unwritten codes that are in many ways more powerful culturally. Fashion is not trivial, he says, and no less worthy of study than high art or music. Clothing shapes everything, Ford tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Russ Altman introduces guest Rich Ford, a professor of law at Stanford University.

    (00:02:21) From Law to Fashion

    Rich Ford explains the legal roots of dress code disputes.

    (00:03:42) The Origins of Dress Codes

    Sumptuary laws and how clothing signaled social hierarchy.

    (00:05:06) Formal vs. Informal Dress Codes

    The shift from written laws to social norms and cultural expectations.

    (00:06:28) Teenagers & Self-Expression

    How people push boundaries within strict dress codes.

    (00:08:01) Masculine Renunciation

    Why men abandoned flashy fashion in the 1700s.

    (00:09:42) The Feminization of Fashion

    The gender shift in clothing and style expectations.

    (00:10:57) Controlling Dress Codes

    The effectiveness and consequences of imposed dress standards.

    (00:12:44) Hair, Identity, & Regulation

    The cultural and legal significance of hairstyles in dress codes.

    (00:14:40) Civil Rights & Clothing

    How dress became a tool for dignity and resistance.

    (00:18:29) Dressing for Respect

    How lived experience shaped Rich’s interest in fashion

    (00:20:40) Reverse Snobbery

    Why dressing casually can function as a marker of social standing

    (00:22:28) Gender Inequality in Fashion

    How clothing has historically limited women.

    (00:24:46) The “Midtown Uniform”

    How informal norms create uniformity even in the absence of rules.

    (00:26:03) Uniforms & Social Equality

    The benefits and limitations of uniforms in educational settings

    (00:27:44) The Future of Dress Codes

    Why fashion won’t disappear but is becoming more casual.

    (00:28:49) Future In a Minute

    Rapid-fire Q&A: young people, time, and studying tailoring.

    (00:30:10) Conclusion

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    20 March 2026, 2:00 pm
  • 33 minutes 41 seconds
    The future of vaccines

    Epidemiologist Yvonne “Bonnie” Maldonado is an expert in vaccine research and public health. Look back centuries, and the story is always the same, she says: Death rates from viruses have plummeted, especially in children and the elderly. And yet, millions of children die each year from vaccine-preventable diseases. Vaccines need a return of public confidence, and that starts with better messaging and greater support of nongovernmental messengers like herself. The bottom line is that vaccines are safe, she says. Vaccines work and we have saved many lives because of them, Maldonado reminds host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Russ Altman introduces guest Yvonne “Bonnie” Maldonado, a professor of pediatrics, epidemiology and population health at Stanford University.

    (00:03:01) Career in Vaccines

    Bonnie shares what led to her career in vaccine research.

    (00:04:53) How Vaccines Work

    How vaccines train the immune system to recognize and fight pathogens.

    (00:06:46) Why Vaccine Responses Vary

    The variability in immune responses and breakthrough infections.

    (00:09:22) Risk vs. Benefit in Vaccines

    How researchers evaluate side effects versus disease severity.

    (00:11:53) How Viruses Evolve

    The evolutionary dynamics that shape viral behavior.

    (00:13:59) Vaccine Boosters

    Why some vaccines last for life while others require multiple doses.

    (00:17:14) Herd Immunity

    How community protection works and why vaccination rates matter.

    (00:21:22) Vaccine Controversy

    The controversy surrounding vaccines and what led to it.

    (00:24:27) Global Vaccine Hesitancy

    How declining trust and past outbreaks influence vaccination globally.

    (00:27:07) The Future of Vaccines

    Why vaccines are essential and how outbreaks shape public response.

    (00:29:08) Preparing for Future Pandemics

    How healthcare systems prepare for new threats after COVID-19.

    (00:30:43) Future In a Minute

    Rapid-fire Q&A: hope, public trust, and the future of health.

    (00:32:54) Conclusion

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    13 March 2026, 2:00 pm
  • 37 minutes 2 seconds
    Best of: The future of sleep

    For many of us, this coming weekend marks the start of Daylight Saving Time, when we “spring forward” and move our clocks ahead by an hour. While the extra evening daylight can be one of the joys of the summer months, the time change has been known to disrupt our sleep. 

    Last year we sat down with neurobiologist Jamie Zeitzer, a leading expert on sleep, to talk about practical strategies for getting a better night’s rest. As we approach this transition, it’s the perfect time to revisit that conversation. We hope you’ll add this episode to your podcast queue and give it another listen this weekend.

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    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Russ Altman introduces guest Jamie Zeitzer, professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University.

    (00:02:01) Understanding Circadian Rhythms

    How the biological clock regulates sleep and other body functions.

    (00:03:45) The Mystery of Sleep’s Purpose

    What is still unknown about the fundamental need for sleep.

    (00:04:49) Light & the Circadian Clock

    The impact light exposure has on the body’s internal sleep timing.

    (00:07:02) Day & Night Light Contrast

    The importance of creating a light-dark contrast for healthy rhythms.

    (00:10:06) Phones, Screens, & the Blue Light

    Whether blue light from screen use affects sleep quality.

    (00:12:37) Defining & Diagnosing Sleep Problems

    How stress and over-focus on sleep quality worsen insomnia.

    (00:14:50) Sleep Anxiety & Wearables

    The psychological downsides of sleep data from tracking devices.

    (00:16:03) CBT-I & Rethinking Insomnia

    Mentally reframing sleep with cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia

    (00:19:50) Desynchronized Sleep Patterns

    Studying student sleep patterns to separate circadian vs. sleep effects.

    (00:22:37) Shift Work & Circadian Misalignment

    The difficulty of re-aligning circadian clocks in rotating shifts.

    (00:25:14) Effectiveness of Sleep Medications

    The various drugs used to promote sleep and their pros and cons.

    (00:28:34) Circadian “Sleep Cliff” & Melatonin

    The brain’s “wake zone” before sleep and the limited effects of melatonin.

    (00:31:41) Do’s & Don’ts for Better Sleep

    Advice for those who want to improve their sleep quality.

    (00:33:44) Alcohol and Caffeine Effects

    How metabolism influences the effects of alcohol and caffeine on sleep.

    (00:36:13) Conclusion

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    6 March 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 36 minutes 26 seconds
    The future of coronary heart disease

    Heart disease should be treated just like cancer, says guest Mike McConnell, an author and expert in preventive cardiology at Stanford: Detect and stage early, then treat aggressively. In his practice, McConnell focuses on using low-dose CT imaging for detecting early coronary artery disease. He also helped pioneer the use of AI to infer cardiovascular risk from retinal scans. Such non-invasive, consumer-friendly tools could expand prevention, personalize therapy, and cut heart attacks and strokes across the board, he says. “Everybody also deserves a proactive preventive cardiologist in their phone,” McConnell tells host Russ Altman of the latest approaches to heart disease on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Russ Altman introduces guest Michael McConnell, a professor of cardiology at Stanford University.

    (00:03:02) Reframing Heart Disease

    Why coronary disease should be approached the same as cancer.

    (00:05:46) Core Risk Factors

    The key drivers of cardiovascular disease, and life’s essential eight.

    (00:07:18) Coronary Artery Calcium Scoring

    How low-dose CT scanning detects disease before symptoms develop.

    (00:08:57) The Limits of Stress Testing

    Why traditional stress tests often miss early coronary disease.

    (00:10:18) AI in Cardiac Imaging

    Using AI to identify hidden risks in routine chest scans.

    (00:11:30) Retinal Imaging

    How AI analysis of retinal blood vessels can predict heart disease risk.

    (00:14:55) Detecting Risk Before Symptoms

    Why retinal and vascular changes occur long before clinical signs appear.

    (00:15:58) Staging Coronary Disease

    Using calcium scores to stage coronary disease and personalize treatment.

    (00:19:36) Direct-to-Consumer Prevention

    The rise of mobile health records, wearable devices, and AI tools.

    (00:22:23) Opportunities & System Challenges

    Balancing accessibility, guideline-based care, and healthcare system capacity.

    (00:25:26) AI-Powered Health Record Analysis

    The potential of automated reviews to identify silent risk factors.

    (00:27:41) Physician Adoption & System Friction

    Barriers to integrating early detection tools into clinical practice.

    (00:30:12) Advances in Treatment

    Overview of current cholesterol therapies and plaque stabilization.

    (00:33:31) Future In a Minute

    Rapid-fire Q&A: prevention, implementation science, and future hopes.

    (00:35:38) Conclusion

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    27 February 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 32 minutes 50 seconds
    The future of eating disorders

    Psychiatrist Jennifer Derenne specializes in eating disorders. Most eating disorders begin in adolescence, but they can appear much earlier – or later – in life, too. To begin healing, Derenne works with an interdisciplinary team to first stabilize and renourish her patients and uses evidence-based psychotherapy that incorporates strong family involvement. Recent clinical studies are exploring the use of psychedelics to open new avenues for treating these notoriously hard-to-treat illnesses. Eating disorders are a life-threatening medical condition, Derenne asserts, telling host Russ Altman that “food is the best medicine” on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Russ Altman introduces guest Jennifer Derenne, a professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University.

    (00:03:11) Studying Eating Disorders

    Jennifer’s path from pediatrics to psychiatry and studying eating disorders.

    (00:03:44) Types of Eating Disorders

    A breakdown of the main diagnoses and what distinguishes them.

    (00:04:59) Who Gets Eating Disorders?

    The age ranges of those affected and when symptoms first appear.

    (00:05:46) Disordered Vs. Normal Eating

    Distinguishing common weight concerns from dangerous dysfunction.

    (00:07:15) Treating Teen Eating Disorders

    Why family involvement is crucial and treatment focuses on behaviors.

    (00:08:56) Genetics & Social Media

    The different risk factors that can contribute to disordered eating.

    (00:10:08) Smartphones & Mental Health

    The impact of smartphones on the development of coping mechanisms.

    (00:12:32) Transitioning to College

    Why mental health can destabilize during the move to independence.

    (00:15:51) Treating Eating Disorders

    The multidisciplinary approach to treating disordered eating.

    (00:18:39) Supervision & Safety

    The importance of supervision and medical follow-ups to help prevent relapse.

    (00:21:03) AI in Adolescent Psychiatry

    ​​The pros and cons of AI tools in adolescent mental health support.

    (00:25:21) The Limits of Medication

    How medications often target comorbidities rather than the eating disorder itself.

    (00:27:08) Psychedelics Research

    Emerging studies on using psychedelics in the treatment of eating disorders.

    (00:29:47) Future In a Minute

    Rapid-fire Q&A: curiosity, treatment optimism, and becoming a book editor.

    (00:31:48) Conclusion

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    20 February 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 36 minutes 29 seconds
    Best of: The future of allergies

    Spring is right around the corner and as the weather changes and things begin to bloom, that also means the onset of allergy season. Last fall, we sat down with Tina Sindher who shared that while allergies may be affecting more people worldwide, prevention is playing catch up. If you’re someone or know someone who lives with environmental or food allergies, we hope you’ll tune into this episode to hear some of Tina’s strategies for better managing these conditions.

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    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Russ Altman introduces guest Tina Sindher, a professor of medicine and allergy at Stanford University.

    (00:01:50) Inside the Immune Response

    Why our immune systems trigger allergic reactions.

    (00:03:31) Genes vs. Environment

    Whether genetics or environment drive allergy risks.

    (00:06:39) The Microbiome Factor

    The role of the microbiome and early exposures in prevention.

    (00:07:51) A Global Allergy Surge

    How global allergy trends reveal rising health challenges.

    (00:10:29) Potent Food Triggers

    Why some foods cause stronger and faster reactions.

    (00:12:23) Emerging Risks

    Whether Alpha-Gal signals new emerging allergy risks.

    (00:14:21) Multi-Food Allergies

    How multi-food allergies complicate diagnosis and treatment.

    (00:17:36) Preventing Allergies Early

    Why early food introduction may help prevent allergies.

    (00:19:28) Skin’s Role in Allergies

    The importance of infant skin health in allergy development.

    (00:22:13) Testing Limitations

    The limits of current testing methods to truly diagnose allergies.

    (00:23:47) Standard Testing Procedure

    The current methodologies deployed when testing for allergies.

    (00:26:02) New Therapies

    How new therapies like OIT and Xolair are reshaping treatment.

    (00:30:24) The Future of Allergies

    The potential of combined therapies to aid in allergy treatment.

    (00:33:07) Managing Seasonal Allergies

    How to manage seasonal allergies effectively at home.

    (00:35:41) Conclusion

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    13 February 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 41 minutes 46 seconds
    The future of entrepreneurship

    Chuck Eesley, a professor of management science and engineering, studies entrepreneurship across diverse contexts – from refugee entrepreneurs in Uganda to semiconductor startups navigating U.S.-China economic policy. His research on recent export controls revealed a counterintuitive outcome: Rather than solely strengthening U.S. semiconductor innovation, these policies accelerated Chinese investment in its own domestic chip industry, boosting startups there as much as – or more than – here. This finding underscores how global technology markets are deeply interconnected: Barriers can produce unintended consequences that accelerate innovation abroad rather than protecting it at home. Open technology trade and investment create larger markets for American innovations, strengthen collaborative partnerships, and demonstrate that interconnected markets drive progress for all participants. “Entrepreneurial talent exists everywhere,” Eesley tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Russ Altman introduces guest Chuck Eesley, a professor of management and engineering at Stanford University.

    (00:03:04) Why Study Entrepreneurship?

    Chuck explains why entrepreneurs are drivers of modern economic growth.

    (00:03:30) Defining Entrepreneurship

    Broad vs. narrow entrepreneurship, from startups to large organizations.

    (00:04:33) Institutional Environments

    How policies and culture both shape entrepreneurial outcomes.

    (00:05:44) Studying Institutions & Entrepreneurship

    Measuring ​institutional shifts to isolate entrepreneurial outcomes.

    (00:08:12) Founder & Talent Incentives

    What’s needed for high-opportunity-cost talent to start companies.

    (00:09:36) AI Entrepreneurship

    The impact of data and compute concentration on startup dynamism.

    (00:11:28) Designing AI Regulation

    Historical examples of regulation enabling startups to compete fairly.

    (00:13:43) Incentives Inside Big Tech

    Why some incumbents support startups while others tilt the playing field.

    (00:15:28) Ad Placement & Misinformation Funding

    How digital advertising can unintentionally fund low-credibility content.

    (00:21:24) Misinformation Market Solution

    The disclosure mechanisms that may reduce misinformation incentives.

    (00:25:23) Semiconductors & Entrepreneurship

    The importance of startups in a field often dominated by large incumbents.

    (00:29:30) Unintended Policy Effects

    How U.S. policy may be accelerating Chinese semiconductor investments.

    (00:31:09) Competing Industrial Policies

    Why evaluation and iteration are essential for effective policy design.

    (00:32:31) Global Entrepreneurship

    Emerging entrepreneurship models spreading across regions and contexts.

    (00:36:26) The Universal Entrepreneurial Mindset

    Shared entrepreneurial traits across cultures, contexts, and countries.

    (00:37:14) Future In a Minute

    Rapid-fire Q&A: democratizing entrepreneurship, context, and equitable inclusivity.

    (00:41:02) Conclusion

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    6 February 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 34 minutes 23 seconds
    The future of substance abuse in youth

    Developmental psychologist Bonnie Halpern-Felsher specializes in teenage health-related decision-making, especially in their use of tobacco, alcohol, cannabis, and other substances. Young people, she says, value immediate social benefits over long-term risks. In response, she supports bans on flavored nicotine products and has developed nationally and internationally used evidence-based substance use prevention and intervention programs, including some that are culturally targeted, such as her vaping prevention curriculum in Hawaii zeroing in on popular flavors like mango and poi. The reward, she says, is reduced substance use and better mental health. “Talk to your kids. Don’t lecture. Have a conversation,” Halpern-Felsher tells host Russ Altman of the best way to break through on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Russ Altman introduces guest Bonnie Halpern-Felsher, a developmental psychologist at Stanford University.

    (00:03:52) Focus on Youth Substance Use

    Bonnie explains her focus on studying substance behaviors in adolescents.

    (00:05:32) Current Trends in Youth Health

    The mixed indicators across behavior and mental health in youth.

    (00:08:46) Effective Health Communication

    Why long-horizon risk messaging often underperforms in adolescents.

    (00:11:16) Policy Translation & Advocacy

    How Bonnie translates research findings into policy advocacy.

    (00:13:54) School-Based Prevention Programs

    An overview of evidence-based curricula and target age groups.

    (00:15:04) Measuring Program Impact

    The evaluation approaches and challenges of the prevention programs.

    (00:16:41) Youth Dependence & Cessation

    Why addiction develops quickly and the limited treatment options.

    (00:18:18) Program Adaptation Across Contexts

    How curricula are localized without redesigning core methods.

    (00:21:00) Youth-Oriented Product Marketing

    The strategies used by substance industries to market to youth.

    (00:23:38) Cannabis Potency & Health Risk

    The link between higher THC concentrations and medical outcomes.

    (00:26:48) Patterns of Cannabis Use

    The common modes of cannabis use and related exposure risks.

    (00:28:10) Early Exposure & Prevention Needs

    The reports of substance exposure and use at increasingly early ages.

    (00:29:10) Guidance for Caregivers

    Practical guidance for caregivers concerned about substance use.

    (00:31:23) Future In a Minute

    Rapid-fire Q&A: asking for help, substance regulation, and alternate degree.

    (00:33:37) Conclusion

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    30 January 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 30 minutes 17 seconds
    Best of: The future of depression care

    As 2026 gets underway we know that many take time around this new beginning to improve not only their physical, but also their mental health. With that in mind, we’re rerunning an episode with Leanne Williams on the future of depression care. Leanne is an expert on clinical depression and is working on new ways to more precisely diagnose depression in order to develop more effective treatment. For anyone who has suffered from depression or knows someone who has, it’s an episode that provides hope for what’s on the horizon. We hope you’ll take another listen and also share this episode with anyone who you think may benefit from the conversation. 

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    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Russ Altman introduces guest Leanne Williams, a professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science at Stanford University.

    (00:01:43) What Is Depression?

    Distinguishing clinical depression from everyday sadness.

    (00:03:31) Current Depression Treatment Challenges

    The trial-and-error of traditional depression treatments and their timelines.

    (00:06:16) Brain Mapping and Circuit Dysfunctions

    Advanced imaging techniques and their role in understanding depression.

    (00:09:03) Diagnosing with Brain Imaging

    How brain imaging can complement traditional diagnostic methods in psychiatry.

    (00:10:22) Depression Biotypes

    Identifying six distinct biotypes of depression through brain imaging.

    (00:12:31) Cognitive Features of Depression

    How cognitive impairment plays a major role in certain depression biotypes.

    (00:14:11) Matching Treatments to Biotypes

    Finding appropriate treatments sooner using brain-based diagnostics.

    (00:15:38) Expanding Treatment Options

    Personalizing therapies and improving treatment outcomes based on biotypes.

    (00:19:03) AI in Depression Treatment

    Using AI to refine biotypes and predict treatment outcomes with greater accuracy.

    (00:22:15) Psychedelics in Depression Treatment

    The potential for psychedelic drugs to target specific biotypes of depression.

    (00:23:46) Expanding the Biotypes Framework

    Integrating multimodal approaches into the biotype framework.

    (00:27:29) Reducing Stigma in Depression

    How showing patients their brain imaging results reduces self-blame and stigma.

    (00:29:38) Conclusion

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    23 January 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 32 minutes 58 seconds
    The future of ADHD

    Pediatrician Yair Bannett studies and treats ADHD in preschool-age children. His interests stem from watching too many families struggle to understand their child’s behavior. He now focuses on improving frontline care using artificial intelligence to analyze electronic health records. One recent study explored whether doctors are making appropriate non-drug interventions before choosing to medicate children. Through his research, he hopes to raise the standard of ADHD care for thousands – and perhaps millions – of children. Early diagnosis and better care can prevent later problems, Bannett tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Russ Altman introduces guest Yair Bannett, a developmental behavioral pediatrician at Stanford University.

    (00:03:44) Why Study ADHD

    Yair’s path from primary care pediatrics to ADHD research.

    (00:04:32) Understanding ADHD

    The core symptoms and diagnostic criteria for ADHD.

    (00:05:57) Diagnosing ADHD in Youth

    Why diagnosis is challenging and relies on clinical judgment.

    (00:08:21) Known Causes of ADHD

    What is known about biological origins and environmental influence.

    (00:10:08) Geographic and Cultural Differences

    The variations in ADHD prevalence across regions and populations.

    (00:11:37) ADHD Across Countries

    Prevalence of ADHD globally and challenges with monitoring diagnosis.

    (00:12:23) Natural History of Untreated ADHD

    The lifelong persistence of ADHD and associated risks when untreated.

    (00:14:28) ADHD Diagnosis in Adults

    The challenges in identifying and diagnosing ADHD later in life.

    (00:16:27) ADHD Treatments

    An overview of the two treatment interventions used to treat ADHD.

    (00:18:16) Stimulant Medications

    The effectiveness and long-term benefits of stimulant treatments.

    (00:21:30) Non-Stimulant Medications

    When and why alternative medications for ADHD are used.

    (00:22:31) Non-pharmacological Interventions

    The alternative interventions used outside pharmacological treatments.

    (00:23:18) Reducing Household Chaos

    Strategies for structure and behavior management within the home.

    (00:24:55) Measuring Quality of ADHD Care

    Using electronic health records and AI to improve treatment.

    (00:28:10) Importance of Early Diagnosis

    The benefits of identifying ADHD before school entry.

    (00:29:29) Future In a Minute

    Rapid-fire Q&A: applying AI, collaboration, and theatre dreams.

    (00:31:55) Conclusion

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    Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website

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    Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook


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    16 January 2026, 3:00 pm
  • 32 minutes 5 seconds
    The future of alcohol

    Physician-scientist Randall Stafford studies the effects of alcohol use on population health – the true health impact, he emphasizes. Stafford explains how early research suggested that drinking is beneficial – or at least not bad – for people. That mindset produced decades of wishful thinking based on inconsistent science driven by social, emotional, and industry forces. The small cardiovascular benefits, he says, are far outweighed by the risks of cancer, liver disease, depression, and other ills. Although the harms of low-level consumption are small, there is no safe level of alcohol use, Stafford tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering’s The Future of Everything podcast.

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    Chapters:

    (00:00:00) Introduction

    Russ Altman introduces guest Randall Stafford, a professor of medicine at Stanford University.

    (00:03:35) Challenges in Alcohol Research

    Why cultural norms and study limitations complicate evidence.

    (00:03:56) Historical Perspectives on Drinking

    How early studies suggested benefits and why those conclusions shifted.

    (00:09:12) Risk, Dose, and Drinking Patterns

    The increased risks with binge drinking and higher doses of alcohol.

    (00:12:15) Health Benefits vs. Lifestyle Enjoyment

    Clarifying what alcohol does—and does not—provide medically.

    (00:13:37) Alcohol and Mental Health

    The bidirectional effects between alcohol use and mental health.

    (00:17:37) Broader Mental and Social Effects

    Alcohol’s connection to bipolar disorder, unemployment, and social harm.

    (00:20:12) How Alcohol Myths Persist

    Why simplified conclusions endured despite contradictory data.

    (00:22:46) Changing Cultural Attitudes

    Cultural trends toward reduced drinking and alcohol-free periods.

    (00:25:49) Alcohol and Liver Disease

    The effects of alcohol beyond heavy use, including metabolic disease.

    (00:27:29) Strategies to Reduce Harm

    Way to reduce alcohol consumption and avoid binge drinking.

    (00:29:25) Future In a Minute

    Rapid-fire Q&A: avoiding alcohol, research needs, and studying liver disease.

    (00:31:04) Conclusion

    Connect With Us:

    Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website

    Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon

    Connect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook


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    9 January 2026, 3:00 pm
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