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Can science, philosophy, and religion work together to address humanity's biggest questions? What lessons can the cosmos teach us about our place in the universe and the future of humanity? And how do we bring back that sense of curiosity that seems to have faded among professionals?

Here today to invite us into her daring quest to decode the universe’s secrets is the brilliant Kelsey Johnson. Kelsey is an accomplished astronomer, professor, and science communicator known for her groundbreaking work in astrophysics and her unique approach to blending science with philosophy and existential inquiry. She is a faculty member at the University of Virginia, where she has made significant contributions to the understanding of starburst galaxies, molecular clouds, and magnetic fields in the universe. Kelsey also founded the Dark Skies, Bright Kids program, which introduces rural communities to the wonders of astronomy. 

Tune in to learn more about curiosity, the intersection of science and philosophy, and the universe’s mysteries. 

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00:00 Intro
• 00:13:06 What inspired Kelsey to write Into the Unknown 
• 00:16:23 Why scientists lose their curiosity 
• 00:18:33 Judging a book by its cover
• 00:24:18 Balancing science and philosophy 
• 00:31:55 The role of religion in understanding science
• 00:37:21 The cosmic marshmallow test 
• 00:47:04 Dark Skies, Bright Kids
• 00:50:53 The Fermi paradox and the search for extraterrestrial life
• 01:00:55 Changing perspectives in cosmology 
• 01:05:48 Starburst galaxies
• 01:08:03 Molecular clouds and feedback 
• 01:10:38 Magnetic fields 
• 01:12:59 Arthur C Clarke’s three laws
• 01:19:31 Outro

Additional resources: 

➡️ Learn more about Kelsey Johnson: 

📚 Get Into the Unknown on Amazon: https://a.co/d/5XW0bmG 

✖️ Follow Kelsey on Twitter: https://x.com/ProfKelsey

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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Simulations today are powerful tools for exploring the mysteries of our universe, but how close can they come to replicating reality? Can we recreate everything through simulations, or are there limits we can’t overcome? And how do today’s powerful simulations shape our understanding of everything from galaxies to climate change?

Here today, to answer all of these questions and more, is none other than Andrew Pontzen. Andrew is a cosmologist and professor known for his expertise in using computer simulations to understand the universe. He’s the author of The Universe in a Box, where he unpacks the complexities of cosmic simulations and their surprising limitations. Pontzen’s work is at the cutting edge of how we model and predict phenomena ranging from galaxy formation to climate change, bridging theoretical physics with practical, big-picture questions about reality.

As we head toward an era where simulations and AI are central to scientific discovery, these questions are more important than ever. 

Tune in to learn about the power and limitations of simulation! 

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:44 Is it possible to simulate reality? 
• 04:49 Early simulation experiments 
• 10:30 Fluid dynamics and weather simulations 
• 13:51 Judging a book by its cover 
• 16:01 End of the universe
• 19:13 Cosmic microwave background and spinning universes
• 24:11 Verification and validation
• 27:34 Big Bang controversy and the JWST
• 31:35 Galaxy simulations 
• 42:23 Multiverse and quantum computing 
• 48:58 Ethics and energy impact of high-performance computing
• 55:34 Outro

Additional resources: 

➡️ Learn more about Andrew: 

📚 Get The Universe in a Box: https://a.co/d/2V7vuFR 

✖️ Follow Andrew on Twitter: https://x.com/apontzen

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 

🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1 

📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list 

✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 

🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast 

Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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Is reality fundamentally mathematical? Is our universe just one of many? And will we ever discover extraterrestrial life? 

This week on Into the Impossible, I sit down with renowned physicist and machine learning expert Max Tegmark to discuss some of the most fundamental questions of our time! Tegmark has dedicated his career to uncovering the mathematical fabric of reality, proposing that our universe itself might be a vast mathematical structure and that we could be living in a multiverse of endless possibilities. His work goes beyond physics to tackle the transformative power and ethical challenges of artificial intelligence, an area where he believes humanity must tread carefully.

In the first part of this mind-bending interview, we discuss his mathematical universe hypothesis, the search for extraterrestrial life, and AI’s role in science. Tune in!

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00 Intro
• 00:49 The multiverse and mathematical structures 
• 02:33 Theory of inflation and the multiverse
• 06:52 Levels of multiverses and mathematical structures 
• 11:19 Quantum mechanics and classical mechanics
• 14:21 The relationship between theory and experiment  
• 21:48 The search for extraterrestrial life 
• 37:15 UFOs and military surveillance technology 
• 41:19 Outro

Additional resources: 

📚 Our Mathematical Universe by Max Tegmark: https://a.co/d/03qjhLD 

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 

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✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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What if the secret to saving millions of lives was hidden for years—overlooked, dismissed, and even rejected?

That’s the story behind the groundbreaking mRNA technology used in COVID-19 vaccines.

Today’s remarkable guest, Dr. Katalin Karikó—a Nobel laureate whose persistence and vision changed the course of medical history—shares how she overcame countless setbacks to drive one of the biggest breakthroughs in modern medicine.

Discover how a humble butcher’s daughter from Hungary developed the foundation for the COVID-19 vaccine and why mRNA could hold the key to curing cancer and other deadly diseases.

Tune in to learn more about the mRNA revolution that almost didn’t happen!

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00:00 Intro
• 00:01:06 Origin of the Hungarian phrase “Marslahok”
• 00:02:11 Judging a book by its cover
• 00:05:40 The definition of life and extraterrestrial life 
• 00:09:28 Katalin’s early life and scientific curiosity 
• 00:18:00 Understanding RNA and mRNA
• 00:24:43 Development of the COVID vaccine
• 00:28:44 The COVID vaccine controversy 
• 00:35:41 Overcoming adversity and advice for young scientists 
• 00:54:10 The future of mRNA research and dealing with pandemics 
• 01:01:08 What was Katalin wrong about?
• 01:02:15 Outro

Additional resources: 

📚 Get “Breaking Through: My Life in Science” by Dr. Katalin Karikó: https://a.co/d/cZjaFCw 

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 

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📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list 

✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 

🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast 

Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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Is Earth truly one of a kind? 

This question has fascinated humans for decades, and with today's advanced technology, we're finally able to explore it scientifically. In this episode, renowned astrophysicist Josh Winn joins us to discuss the fascinating world of exoplanets, planetary systems, and the quest to discover other habitable planets.

Josh shares the latest breakthroughs in exoplanet research, from unexpected discoveries like hot Jupiters to the ongoing efforts to detect Earth-like planets around distant stars. He also explores the challenges of studying planets light-years away and the exciting future missions that could reveal more about the universe beyond our solar system. 

Tune in to learn more about exoplanets and life beyond our solar system!

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00:00 Intro
• 00:00:34 Rare Earth Hypothesis 
• 00:06:04 The role of stars in exoplanet habitability 
• 00:13:23 Judging a book by its cover 
• 00:16:50 Could aliens detect Tokyo? 
• 00:19:42 The Habitable Worlds Observatory 
• 00:22:06 Methods for detecting exoplanets 
• 00:25:21 The lazy method 
• 00:30:03 Avi Loeb and Oumuamua
• 00:36:08 The nuts and bolts of Josh's work 
• 00:44:29 The role of technology in detecting exoplanets 
• 00:52:48 Why should young people be interested in exoplanets?
• 00:57:22 Outro

Additional resources: 

📚 Get The Little Book of Exoplanets by Josh Winn: https://a.co/d/9PK4XFV 

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 

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📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list 

✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 

🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast 

Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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Have you ever looked up at the night sky and wondered if your eyes were enough to capture all it has to offer? Spoiler alert: They’re not!

While our eyes are absolutely amazing, they are also full of flaws. Nearsightedness, astigmatism, and even pesky floaters! But did you know these same flaws are mirrored in the world’s most advanced telescopes?

In this episode, I discuss common eye deficiencies and explain how they affect our ability to observe the stars. I compare them to the optical imperfections in telescopes, such as chromatic and spherical aberration. 

Tune in to learn more about nature’s first telescopes! 

This episode is part 2 of a series where we’ll uncover even more intriguing insights about the connections between our eyes and telescopes, so stay tuned!

Check out part 1: https://youtu.be/lSbyohV1XSE

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00 Intro 
• 01:29 Deficiencies of the human eye
• 05:42 Deficiencies in telescopes 
• 13:59 Conclusion 
• 15:37 Outro

Additional resources: 

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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What are the leading theories of everything, and are we any closer to discovering the one true theory of everything?

In this 90-minute summit, some of the world’s top physicists—Max Tegmark, James Beacham, Stephon Alexander—go beyond the hype to explore the very heart of physics. 

Einstein began the monumental task of unifying quantum mechanics with general relativity, but will we ever succeed in unifying all the forces of the universe? Can it be done? If so, when?

Join us for this thought-provoking discussion and find out!

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00:00 Intro 
• 00:00:45 What is a theory of everything?
• 00:05:25 State of the field and personal perspectives 
• 00:20:42 Experimental challenges 
• 00:34:13 Mathematical foundations, the multiverse, and theoretical beauty 
• 01:05:12 Where do we go from here?
• 01:14:23 Audience questions
• 01:25:35 Outro

Additional resources: 

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/DrBrianKeating

🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1

📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list

✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/

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✨ Member's only playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=UUMOmXH_moPhfkqCk6S3b9RWuw

Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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How can embracing mistakes, challenging common assumptions, and daring to be wrong lead to groundbreaking discoveries in cosmology?

Here to talk about why being wrong might actually be a good thing is the legendary astrophysicist Rocky Kolb. Rocky, a professor at the University of Chicago, is known for his work on the early universe and dark matter.

With decades of experience under his belt, Rocky explains the tricky balance between confidence and humility in science.

Tune in to learn more about the interplay of ego, humility, and science!

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00 Intro 
• 01:55 Judging a book by its cover
• 04:29 Humility, ego and science
• 14:50 Controversies in cosmology
• 21:06 Neutrinos and dark matter
• 24:26 The role of data in cosmology
• 35:46 Ethics and responsibility in science 
• 43:48 Arthur C Clarke questions 
• 48:01 Outro 

Additional resources: 

➡️ Learn more about Rocky Kolb: 

📚 Blind Watcher Of The Sky: https://a.co/d/aw0qZDt 

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 

🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1 

📝 Join my mailing list: https://briankeating.com/list 

✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 

🎙️ Follow my podcast: https://briankeating.com/podcast 

Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Have you ever wondered how your eyes compare to a telescope? 

The answer is more surprising than you might think! Today, we will look at the fascinating parallels between the human eye and one of the most powerful astronomical instruments - the telescope. 

From lenses and apertures to light detection and color vision, we will explore how these two systems, one biological and the other mechanical, have strikingly similar properties. 

Tune in to learn more about how nature's best telescope matches up with cutting-edge technology.

This episode is part 1 of a series where we’ll uncover even more intriguing insights about the connections between our eyes and telescopes, so stay tuned!

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00 Intro 
• 01:29 How telescopes inspired me as a kid
• 06:24 Comparing the anatomy of the human eye to a telescope
• 12:51 Light sensitivity and resolution in the human eye 
• 17:23 Color vision and polarization 
• 21:03 Historical contributions and confirmation bias
• 25:41 How to improve our astronomical observations 
• 28:39 Outro

Additional resources: 

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

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Can science and religion be reconciled to provide a deeper understanding of the universe? How do modern scientific discoveries, like quantum mechanics and cosmology, relate to ancient religious texts? And what role do consciousness and language play in bridging the gap between scientific knowledge and spiritual belief?

Here today, to challenge conventional narratives about the relationship between science and religion is host of the Young Heretics podcast, Spencer Klavan! Spencer is an acclaimed author and scholar specializing in classics and literature. He is known for his work on cultural and political commentary, often focusing on the intersection of Western civilization, literature, and contemporary issues. 

Tune in to discover ancient wisdom, modern science, and the long-lost link between the two! 

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00:00 Audio essay
• 00:24:31 Interview introduction 
• 00:26:10 Judging a book by its cover 
• 00:37:25 Reconciling the material with the immaterial 
• 00:43:31 The cosmological argument 
• 00:55:05 Is faith immune to falsifiability? 
• 01:05:31 Aristotle and modern science 
• 01:23:57 Audience questions 
• 01:34:26 Masculinity, conservatism and homosexuality 
• 01:41:16 Transgendarism, alchemy, and astrology 
• 01:52:44 Outro

Additional resources: 

➡️ Learn more about Spencer: 

✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/SpencerKlavan/ 

📚 Light of the Mind, Light of the World: https://a.co/d/fam2Tx5 

🔔 Young Heretics: https://www.youtube.com/@YoungHereticsShow 

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://twitter.com/DrBrianKeating 

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✍️ Check out my blog: https://briankeating.com/cosmic-musings/ 

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

Make sure to follow/subscribe so you never miss an episode!

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In 2022, I had the honor of delivering the commencement address at Brown University.

I used this incredible opportunity to talk about a personal hero of mine: Galileo Galilei. Galileo was a scientist like no other. He boldly challenged the status quo through his discoveries and relentlessly pursued the truth, even when persecuted for doing so. His journey offers timeless lessons for scientists today, especially for graduate students who will shape the future of science.

My goal with this lecture was to inspire the next generation of thinkers, and I hope it does the same for you.

Tune in to learn more about how Galileo set the gold standard for scientists.

Key Takeaways: 

• 00:00:00 Intro 
• 00:02:06 My early days at Brown University 
• 00:08:08 Galileo’s legacy 
• 00:24:18 Losing the Nobel Prize 
• 00:40:48 Interstellar dust and mistakes 
• 00:46:48 My motto 
• 00:48:29 Audience questions
• 01:03:39 Outro

Additional resources: 

➡️ Follow me on your fav platforms:

✖️ Twitter: https://x.com/DrBrianKeating

🔔 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/DrBrianKeating?sub_confirmation=1

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Into the Impossible with Brian Keating is a podcast dedicated to all those who want to explore the universe within and beyond the known.

Make sure to subscribe so you never miss an episode!

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices