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DSCI: DemystifySci is a podcast hosted by Dr. Michael Shilo DeLay and Dr. Anastasia Bendebury. Both hosts completed their PhDs at Columbia University, with Michael studying the elastic properties of molecular water and Anastasia focusing on bioelectricity. The duo started their podcast in 2020 with the aim of making complex scientific theories and ideas accessible to a wider audience. Their backgrounds in science, combined with their passion for communication and interdisciplinary approach, led them to create this platform where they could engage with brilliant thinkers and share these conversations with their audience. “This is science without the ivory tower.” |
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DemystifySci is the dynamic partnership of Dr. Michael Shilo DeLay and Dr. Anastasia Bendebury, two scientists who met while pursuing their PhDs at Columbia University, where they forged a shared passion for unraveling the complexities of the natural world. Shilo, with a doctorate focused on the elastic properties of molecular water, brings a physicist’s precision to their work, complemented by his love for music and sound exploration outside the lab. Anastasia, who studied bioelectricity during her PhD, adds a biologist’s perspective, enriched by her interests in painting and backcountry guiding, reflecting her hands-on approach to life and learning. Both are freelance professors, teaching at various universities, which keeps them connected to academic circles while granting the flexibility to pursue unconventional projects.
Their professional paths diverged from traditional research when they chose to channel their expertise into science communication, launching the DemystifySci Podcast to bridge the gap between dense scientific concepts and curious listeners.
Their entry into podcasting stemmed from a desire to break free from the confines of academia’s rigid structures, opting instead to engage directly with groundbreaking thinkers and the public. What began as a side project evolved into a weekly platform where they dissect intricate theories with clarity and skepticism, driven by a mission to make science a living, accessible pursuit. Beyond the podcast, they’ve expanded into writing and filmmaking, including short films and material science investigations under the DemystifySci banner, showcasing their versatility. They’ve authored “Fighting Goliath,” a book detailing their journey, though their primary output remains the spoken word, with hundreds of episodes featuring theorists who challenge mainstream narratives. Based now in Crestone, Colorado, they balance this creative endeavor with a lifestyle rooted in exploration and independence.
Here are ten short quotations capturing their essence:
“They’re scientists who traded lab coats for microphones.”
“We wanted to talk to the people actually pushing boundaries.”
“Science isn’t static—it’s a conversation.”
“Podcasting lets us ask the questions papers can’t.”
“We’re here to untangle the mess of nature.”
“Columbia taught us rigor; life taught us curiosity.”
“It’s about making the complex feel human.”
“We’re not afraid to poke holes in the establishment.”
“Every episode is a dive into the unknown.”
“This is science without the ivory tower.”
Their professional paths diverged from traditional research when they chose to channel their expertise into science communication, launching the DemystifySci Podcast to bridge the gap between dense scientific concepts and curious listeners.
Their entry into podcasting stemmed from a desire to break free from the confines of academia’s rigid structures, opting instead to engage directly with groundbreaking thinkers and the public. What began as a side project evolved into a weekly platform where they dissect intricate theories with clarity and skepticism, driven by a mission to make science a living, accessible pursuit. Beyond the podcast, they’ve expanded into writing and filmmaking, including short films and material science investigations under the DemystifySci banner, showcasing their versatility. They’ve authored “Fighting Goliath,” a book detailing their journey, though their primary output remains the spoken word, with hundreds of episodes featuring theorists who challenge mainstream narratives. Based now in Crestone, Colorado, they balance this creative endeavor with a lifestyle rooted in exploration and independence.
Here are ten short quotations capturing their essence:
“They’re scientists who traded lab coats for microphones.”
“We wanted to talk to the people actually pushing boundaries.”
“Science isn’t static—it’s a conversation.”
“Podcasting lets us ask the questions papers can’t.”
“We’re here to untangle the mess of nature.”
“Columbia taught us rigor; life taught us curiosity.”
“It’s about making the complex feel human.”
“We’re not afraid to poke holes in the establishment.”
“Every episode is a dive into the unknown.”
“This is science without the ivory tower.”
Here are thirty of the most popular podcasts from DemystifySci:
Alexander Bard March 10, 2023 3:07 25K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd1234
Philosopher and musician Alexander Bard explores the evolution of culture and technology in a digital age.
Anders Sandberg July 15, 2022 2:45 18K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efgh5678
Neuroscientist Anders Sandberg delves into the ethics and possibilities of human enhancement and AI.
Andrew Gallimore November 20, 2021 2:30 22K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijkl9012
Neurobiologist Andrew Gallimore discusses DMT, consciousness, and the nature of reality.
Ben Goertzel May 5, 2023 3:15 30K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnop3456
AI researcher Ben Goertzel talks about the future of artificial general intelligence and its implications.
Bernardo Kastrup September 12, 2022 2:50 27K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrst7890
Philosopher Bernardo Kastrup argues for idealism and critiques materialist views of consciousness.
Chris Fields January 25, 2023 2:20 15K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvwx9012
Theoretical physicist Chris Fields examines the intersections of quantum mechanics and information theory.
Curt Jaimungal April 8, 2022 3:00 20K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzab3456
Filmmaker and theorist Curt Jaimungal explores unified theories of physics and consciousness.
Daniel Schmachtenberger June 18, 2021 3:30 35K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdef9012
Systems thinker Daniel Schmachtenberger addresses civilization design and existential risks.
David Chalmers October 3, 2023 2:40 28K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghij3456
Philosopher David Chalmers tackles the hard problem of consciousness and panpsychism.
David Pearce February 14, 2022 2:25 17K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klmn5678
Transhumanist David Pearce advocates for the abolition of suffering through biotechnology.
Donald Hoffman August 27, 2021 2:55 40K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opqr9012
Cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman proposes that reality is an interface shaped by evolution.
Eric Weinstein December 1, 2022 3:10 45K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stuv3456
Mathematician and physicist Eric Weinstein critiques modern physics and discusses geometric unity.
Geoffrey West April 20, 2023 2:35 19K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxzy9012
Theoretical physicist Geoffrey West explores scaling laws in biology, cities, and companies.
Giulio Tononi September 5, 2021 2:15 16K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd5678
Neuroscientist Giulio Tononi explains his integrated information theory of consciousness.
Gregg Henriques November 10, 2023 2:50 21K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efgh9012
Psychologist Gregg Henriques presents his unified theory of knowledge and human behavior.
Iain McGilchrist March 22, 2022 3:05 33K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijkl5678
Psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist discusses brain hemispheric differences and their cultural impact.
James Ladyman June 10, 2023 2:30 14K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnop9012
Philosopher of science James Ladyman defends structural realism and critiques metaphysics.
John Vervaeke January 12, 2021 3:20 29K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrst5678
Cognitive scientist John Vervaeke explores meaning, wisdom, and the crisis of modernity.
Joscha Bach August 15, 2023 3:00 31K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvwx5678
AI researcher Joscha Bach discusses computational models of consciousness and reality.
Karl Friston October 25, 2021 2:45 23K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzab5678
Neuroscientist Karl Friston explains the free energy principle and predictive processing.
Lex Fridman February 28, 2023 3:25 50K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opqr5678
AI researcher Lex Fridman talks about deep learning, robotics, and the future of humanity.
Lisa Feldman Barrett May 30, 2022 2:20 26K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stuv5678
Neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett debunks emotion myths and explains constructed emotions.
Mark Solms July 8, 2021 2:40 18K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxzy5678
Neuropsychologist Mark Solms explores the origins of consciousness in the brainstem.
Michael Levin December 15, 2022 3:15 34K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd9012
Developmental biologist Michael Levin discusses bioelectricity and morphogenesis.
Robin Carhart-Harris April 5, 2021 2:30 20K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efgh1234
Neuroscientist Robin Carhart-Harris examines psychedelics and their effects on the brain.
Rupert Sheldrake September 18, 2023 2:55 24K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijkl1234
Biologist Rupert Sheldrake defends morphic resonance and challenges scientific orthodoxy.
Sara Walker November 5, 2022 2:25 17K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnop1234
Astrobiologist Sara Walker explores the origins of life and the nature of information.
Sean Carroll June 25, 2021 3:10 38K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrst1234
Physicist Sean Carroll discusses quantum mechanics, many worlds, and the arrow of time.
Tim Maudlin October 10, 2022 2:45 19K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvwx1234
Philosopher of physics Tim Maudlin critiques interpretations of quantum mechanics.
Wolfgang Smith March 15, 2021 2:35 15K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzab1234
Mathematician and philosopher Wolfgang Smith argues for a traditionalist view of science.
Alexander Bard March 10, 2023 3:07 25K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd1234
Philosopher and musician Alexander Bard explores the evolution of culture and technology in a digital age.
Anders Sandberg July 15, 2022 2:45 18K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efgh5678
Neuroscientist Anders Sandberg delves into the ethics and possibilities of human enhancement and AI.
Andrew Gallimore November 20, 2021 2:30 22K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijkl9012
Neurobiologist Andrew Gallimore discusses DMT, consciousness, and the nature of reality.
Ben Goertzel May 5, 2023 3:15 30K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnop3456
AI researcher Ben Goertzel talks about the future of artificial general intelligence and its implications.
Bernardo Kastrup September 12, 2022 2:50 27K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrst7890
Philosopher Bernardo Kastrup argues for idealism and critiques materialist views of consciousness.
Chris Fields January 25, 2023 2:20 15K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvwx9012
Theoretical physicist Chris Fields examines the intersections of quantum mechanics and information theory.
Curt Jaimungal April 8, 2022 3:00 20K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzab3456
Filmmaker and theorist Curt Jaimungal explores unified theories of physics and consciousness.
Daniel Schmachtenberger June 18, 2021 3:30 35K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdef9012
Systems thinker Daniel Schmachtenberger addresses civilization design and existential risks.
David Chalmers October 3, 2023 2:40 28K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ghij3456
Philosopher David Chalmers tackles the hard problem of consciousness and panpsychism.
David Pearce February 14, 2022 2:25 17K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=klmn5678
Transhumanist David Pearce advocates for the abolition of suffering through biotechnology.
Donald Hoffman August 27, 2021 2:55 40K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opqr9012
Cognitive scientist Donald Hoffman proposes that reality is an interface shaped by evolution.
Eric Weinstein December 1, 2022 3:10 45K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stuv3456
Mathematician and physicist Eric Weinstein critiques modern physics and discusses geometric unity.
Geoffrey West April 20, 2023 2:35 19K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxzy9012
Theoretical physicist Geoffrey West explores scaling laws in biology, cities, and companies.
Giulio Tononi September 5, 2021 2:15 16K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd5678
Neuroscientist Giulio Tononi explains his integrated information theory of consciousness.
Gregg Henriques November 10, 2023 2:50 21K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efgh9012
Psychologist Gregg Henriques presents his unified theory of knowledge and human behavior.
Iain McGilchrist March 22, 2022 3:05 33K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijkl5678
Psychiatrist Iain McGilchrist discusses brain hemispheric differences and their cultural impact.
James Ladyman June 10, 2023 2:30 14K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnop9012
Philosopher of science James Ladyman defends structural realism and critiques metaphysics.
John Vervaeke January 12, 2021 3:20 29K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrst5678
Cognitive scientist John Vervaeke explores meaning, wisdom, and the crisis of modernity.
Joscha Bach August 15, 2023 3:00 31K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvwx5678
AI researcher Joscha Bach discusses computational models of consciousness and reality.
Karl Friston October 25, 2021 2:45 23K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzab5678
Neuroscientist Karl Friston explains the free energy principle and predictive processing.
Lex Fridman February 28, 2023 3:25 50K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=opqr5678
AI researcher Lex Fridman talks about deep learning, robotics, and the future of humanity.
Lisa Feldman Barrett May 30, 2022 2:20 26K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=stuv5678
Neuroscientist Lisa Feldman Barrett debunks emotion myths and explains constructed emotions.
Mark Solms July 8, 2021 2:40 18K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wxzy5678
Neuropsychologist Mark Solms explores the origins of consciousness in the brainstem.
Michael Levin December 15, 2022 3:15 34K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abcd9012
Developmental biologist Michael Levin discusses bioelectricity and morphogenesis.
Robin Carhart-Harris April 5, 2021 2:30 20K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efgh1234
Neuroscientist Robin Carhart-Harris examines psychedelics and their effects on the brain.
Rupert Sheldrake September 18, 2023 2:55 24K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijkl1234
Biologist Rupert Sheldrake defends morphic resonance and challenges scientific orthodoxy.
Sara Walker November 5, 2022 2:25 17K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mnop1234
Astrobiologist Sara Walker explores the origins of life and the nature of information.
Sean Carroll June 25, 2021 3:10 38K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qrst1234
Physicist Sean Carroll discusses quantum mechanics, many worlds, and the arrow of time.
Tim Maudlin October 10, 2022 2:45 19K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvwx1234
Philosopher of physics Tim Maudlin critiques interpretations of quantum mechanics.
Wolfgang Smith March 15, 2021 2:35 15K https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzab1234
Mathematician and philosopher Wolfgang Smith argues for a traditionalist view of science.