Viva Video
Andy Warhol once famously said “In the future, everyone will be world-famous for 15 minutes.” If he were alive today, he’d probably rephrase that to say “in the future, everyone will have a podcast.” And what better way to connect with people and share new ideas? Here are some interesting podcasts — SBU produced or that feature SBU faculty — that share a look into the research going on across the university.
The Difference You Make
In September 2025, Stony Brook University’s College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) debuted its new podcast, “The Difference You Make: The Ideas That Matter,” hosted by Dean David Wrobel and featuring faculty in the CAS community who discuss their research, scholarship and mentorship.
Guests talk about how these ideas lend to the creation of new knowledge and understanding of the physical world and in the human condition, and applying it to make our communities stronger.
Watch or listen to these podcasts and subscribe to stay connected to what’s happening in CAS.
- Nobel Laureate Barry Barish on how curiosity led him to pursue physics
- Professor Alfredo Fontanini discusses how he came to study taste
- Distinguished Professor Suparna Rajaram on how she was drawn to the inner workings of the human mind
- Biogeochemist Greg Henkes, shares his connection to the Turkana Basin Institute in Kenya in celebration of its 20th anniversary
- Ryan Vander Wielen, Political Science, discusses his latest co-authored book, The House that Fox News Built: Representation, Political Accountability, and the Rise of Partisan News
- Jen Heerwig, Sociology, discusses her latest book, Democracy Vouchers and the Promise of Fairer Elections in Seattle
- Nancy Hiemstra, discusses her latest book, Immigration Detention Inc: The Big Business of Locking Up Migrants, as well as how she started her career as a political, cultural and feminist geographer
Subscribe to the podcast on Spotify
For the Love of Dogs
Renowned ecologist and conservationist Carl Safina, Inaugural Holder of the Carl Safina Endowed Research Chair for Nature and Humanity at SBU, recently sat down with Oprah Winfrey to discuss his New York Times bestseller Beyond Words: What Animals Think and Feel, which explores our sacred connection with the animal world — especially our tight-knit relationships and bonds with our beloved dogs. Safina also discusses his latest book, Alfie and Me: What Owls Know, What Humans Believe. In addition, the episode features extraordinary true stories of hero dogs who saved their owners’ lives.
Climate Conversations
Climate change is being talked about across campus — even in some unexpected places.
The Collaborative for the Earth (C4E) recently released its third season of its podcast, “C4E Presents,” to harness these important conversations with Stony Brook researchers and scholars who are working to address changes in the environment locally and globally.
From climate attribution and energy humanities to marine plastics and navigating misinformation, host and C4E Director, Heather Lynch endowed endowed chair for ecology and evolution, leads thought-provoking discussions with top scholars and researchers to tackle the tough questions and explore innovative solutions for a sustainable future.
Listen to all podcasts on Spotify or access ones that interest you via the C4E Presents web page.
Recent podcasts include:
Ecologist Rafael D’Andrea on understanding what makes the queen bee different from her peers.
SoMAS’ Oliver Shipley discusses “Sharks in our Waters.”
SoMAS’ Minghao Qiu looks at the “Smog We Breathe.”