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Hosted by Arizona State University · 🇺🇸 US · EN · 25 episodes
Established thought leaders with verified media credentials.
Lab Coat Optional is the show where research is made relatable. Each episode, we dive into the research, the people behind it and why it matters. Tune in for smart, accessible conversations on the latest research from Arizona State University, released every other Wednesday. We are a production of Knowledge Enterprise at ASU . Learn more at research.asu.edu.
Arizona State University hosts Lab Coat Optional, a science show with 25 episodes published.
Something a little different this week! While we're busy getting our next season ready, we're bringing you an episode of a podcast we all enjoy: The Ongoing Transformation . The Ongoing Transformation is a show from Issu
ASU computer scientist Hannah Kerner explains how the combination of machine learning and satellite data help map farms, monitor disasters and understand climate impacts — turning decades of Earth observation data into t
What does sound feel like? Music theorist Lindsey Reymore explores timbre — the “color” of sound — and why the way we describe music might be more shared than subjective. Further reading and listening: Learn more about t
We trade data for convenience every day. But at what cost? Rakibul Hasan breaks down how everyday tech became a surveillance network that determines what we see, what we pay — and maybe even what we think. Resources Try
Astrophysicist Skylar Grayson explains how she uses supercomputer simulations to study black holes, how scientists can piece together a picture of phenomena billions of light years away and why communicating science clea
Plastic is everywhere. The same material that makes modern life easier has also become a persistent environmental pollutant. Charlie Rolsky — ASU alumnus and executive director of the Shaw Institute in Blue Hill, Maine —
As AI and emerging technologies reshape daily life, Andrew Maynard — scientist, author and professor in the Rob Walton College of Global Futures — discusses how we navigate disruptive innovation responsibly — and how we
![The future of medical research with NIH Director Dr. Jay Bhattacharya [BONUS] episode artwork](https://media.rss.com/lab-coat-optional/ep_cover_20260304_090306_8e4d352670434f15ee7e4016d7dbdd1b.png)
Director of the National Institutes of Health Dr. Jay Bhattacharya joins the show to discuss his priorities for the agency, building trust with Tribal communities, his advice to young researchers — and some of his favori
Energy demand is surging. To understand what’s driving it and how we’re going to meet it, I’m joined by energy veterans Kelly Barr and Gary Dirks from the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory. They explain the com
Nadya Bliss — executive director of the Advanced Capabilities for National Security Institute — explains how national security is more than tanks and battleships. She breaks down the vital role university research plays
![ASU-Science Prize winners talk transforming messy datasets into solutions [BONUS] episode artwork](https://media.rss.com/lab-coat-optional/ep_cover_20260212_090240_1494c18e56a7f82fe42bd06547400eaa.png)
Bonus episode! Guest host Dr. Lara Ferry , vice president for research at ASU Knowledge Enterprise, talks with Meha Jain , of the University of Michigan and Mayank Kejriwal , of the University of Southern California, the
![The power — and limits — of labor action with Michael McQuarrie [BONUS] episode artwork](https://media.rss.com/lab-coat-optional/ep_cover_20260206_110209_d4402b39237f2fe734cff53aea9bc28b.png)
Bonus episode! You might’ve heard about a “shutdown” last week on January 30. Organizers urged people in the U.S. not to work, go to school or spend money at all to protest Immigration and Customs Enforcement. But what i
Water law expert Rhett Larson explains why 2026 is a make-or-break year for the 40 million people who depend on the Colorado River for drinking water, power, agriculture and so much more. What happens if states can’t agr
We're back and bigger than ever! Okay, well, we're exactly the same size, But we are definitely back!!! This time around, we’ll take you on a trip... to explore psychedelics as a form of therapy! Into deep space, to unde
From grant strategy and infrastructure to indirect costs, university research relies on a complex, fast-moving system to pursue discoveries and deliver real-world impact. Lara Ferry, vice president of research for ASU Kn
Jane Austen’s enduring legacy is a bit like a lace doily: a frilly decoration that covered over the grime of real life in Regency-era Britain. But it turns out Austen was much less mild and more wild than public percepti
“Seeing is believing” doesn’t ring as true as it once did. With the advent of generative artificial intelligence, the line between what’s real and not online has become blurred. This episode we’re examining generative AI
Addiction and substance use disorder isn’t simply the result of “bad choices” — it’s caused by brain chemistry, relationships and the environments we live in. In this episode, Professor of psychology Lani Shiota delves i
In this episode, we examine how stories and narratives can influence global affairs. P.J. Allin explains how China is using narratives to shift the balance of power in Southeast Asia. P.J. is a research analyst at the Ce
How often do you think about where your water comes from? Lee Voth-Gaeddert spends a lot of time doing just that — as well as how clean that water is. In this episode, the engineer from the Biodesign Institute takes us a
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Lab Coat Optional is hosted by Arizona State University. The show is categorised under science (education) and has published 25 episodes.
Lab Coat Optional has published 25 episodes.
Lab Coat Optional regularly covers science, education. It sits in the science category, with a education focus.
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Episodes of Lab Coat Optional average 37 minutes. a focused format where a clear narrative arc and tight preparation matter most.
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