Castuner

Curious Conversations

Virginia Tech

Curious Conversations is a series of free-flowing conversations with Virginia Tech researchers that take place at the intersection of world-class research and everyday life. Produced and hosted by Virginia Tech Assistant Director of Marketing and Communications Travis Williams, university researchers share their expertise and motivations, as well as the practical applications of their work in a format that more closely resembles chats at a cookout than classroom lectures.

Podcast website

Listen in your app

Episodes

109 episodes

  1. S4 E9: Will AI replace human writing? 26:38
  2. S4 E8: How do we ensure authentic learning in the age of AI? 20:24
  3. S4 E7: Which critical AI questions are we often overlooking? 30:49
  4. S4 E6: How will data centers, microgrids, and renewable energy impact the power grid? 25:52
  5. S4 E5: S4 E5: Should we panic about the flesh-eating New World screwworm? 25:03
  6. S4 E4: Can a patch reverse a drug overdose? 14:00
  7. S4 E3: The reality of sports economics with Jadrian Wooten 29:48
  8. S4 E2: How can we defend against drone attacks? 22:24
  9. S4 E1: How can we best survive back-to-school season stress? 15:44
  10. Lifestyle choices and brain health with Ben Katz 20:46
  11. Cycling safety and infrastructure with Laura Hamm 25:30
  12. Fertilizer and the Iran war with Rory Maguire 13:46
  13. The connection between renting and education with Tom Mayock 23:31
  14. Food facts with Melissa Wright 26:09
  15. Fungi and cloud seeding with Boris Vinatzer 22:34
  16. Scams and cybercrime with Katalin Parti 25:22
  17. The Chesapeake Bay's blue catfish problem with Michael Schwarz 33:47
  18. Airborne pathogen detection and mitigation with Linsey Marr 18:23
  19. A new way to treat kidney stones with Adam Maxwell 21:21
  20. Antarctic Bottom Water with Brian Romans 19:39
  21. The mysteries of microplastics with Austin Gray 29:02
  22. The unknowns of sharks with Francesco Ferretti 23:54
  23. Data centers and water with Landon Marston 18:23
  24. Detecting dark matter with Patrick Huber 29:54
  25. Smart mobility and the future of transportation with Mike Mollenhauer 19:44
  26. Highlights from 2025! 5:36
  27. The history of Christmas music with Ariana Wyatt 31:14
  28. 3D printing homes with Andrew McCoy 33:08
  29. Banjo history with Patrick Salmons 26:23
  30. Knee injuries and recovery with Robin Queen 31:40
  31. Black bears and observing wildlife with Marcella Kelly 22:33
  32. The history of bed bugs with Lindsay Miles 21:01
  33. The cultural significance of ghosts with Shaily Patel 20:33
  34. Adolescent suicide, screens, and sleep with Abhiskey Reddy 15:42
  35. Drug discovery and weight loss with Webster Santos 22:04
  36. Exploring the mind-body connection with Julia Basso 20:54
  37. Controlled environment agriculture with Mike Evans 23:48
  38. Ecosystem forecasting with Cayelan Carey 19:53
  39. Building better with bamboo with Jonas Hauptman 22:34
  40. The future of 3D printing with Chris Williams 30:30
  41. Bacteriophages' role in the gut with Bryan Hsu 23:37
  42. Make sense of economic climates with David Bieri 32:40
  43. The magic of 'The Magic School Bus' with Matt Wisnioski and Michael Meindl 23:43
  44. Using virtual reality to explore history with Eiman Elgewely 20:54
  45. Ultra-processed foods with Alex DiFeliceantonio 29:00
  46. Technology’s impact on the Appalachian Trail with Shalini Misra 29:36
  47. The dangers of gaze data with Brendan David-John 25:50
  48. Community dynamics during and after disasters with Liesel Ritchie 19:47
  49. Drone regulation, detection, and mitigation with Tombo Jones 30:18
  50. Public perception of affordable housing with Dustin Read 16:49