A podcast about the many paths into science—and the people who take them. Each episode explores the ideas, stories, and detours that shape discovery.
Season 2
Episode 5: Twitter, X, and the Science of Staying Connected
How do scientists actually use social media? In this episode of The Journey of Science, we talk about the role social platforms play in our daily work—from staying productive to sharing papers to finding our communities.
Episode 6: TMS – Science or Snake Oil?
Curious about Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation (TMS)? In this episode of The Journey of Science, we dive into what TMS is, how it works, and why it’s gained traction as a treatment for depression and other neurological conditions.
Want to read more? Check out our show notes with direct links to primary studies.
Episode 7: FND and TMS with Dr. Chadrick Lane, MD
Functional Neurological Disorder (FND) is increasingly understood as a disruption in how the brain predicts and processes sensory input. Instead of reacting to the world, our brains constantly anticipate what’s coming next—but in FND, that system breaks down. Dr. Lane shares how predictive coding helps explain real symptoms like tremors or non-epileptic seizures, even without structural brain damage—and how treatments like TMS may help reset these faulty circuits.
A powerful conversation about neuroscience, healing, and how context shapes recovery.
Episode 8: AI in Academia
Artificial intelligence has entered the academic workflow. Can we trust it? In this episode, we share how we use large language models (LLMs) like ChatGPT in our daily work: from drafting emails, organizing messy thoughts, and processing large datasets, to searching through the overwhelming flood of new research. We ask the big question: Is AI the next step in how we process and synthesize science, or just another imperfect tool we’ll have to learn to manage?
Episode 9: Substance abuse and the neurobiology of addiction
Substance abuse and addiction affect everything from how we live to how we think about choice. But what is addiction, and how do scientists study it? In this episode, Gopu shares what he’s been learning as he steps into the field of addiction neuroscience. A casual between friends about the science of substance use, the questions researchers ask, and the early steps of a journey into addiction neurobiology.
Season 1
Episode 1: Musings of 2 Early Career Scientists
Hello everyone! Gopu and Zane here. With this episode, we kickstart our podcast talking about our experience in completely changing the field of research after PhD and starting a new - all that in the heights of pandemic! It will be a fun ride. Do join us!
Episode 2: Science and the art of a balanced life
In this episode we have Dr. Aswathy Ammothumkandy, a postdoctoral researcher from the Bonaguidi lab at the University of Southern California, joining us to discuss her Journey of Science spanning from Southern India to Southern California. We also talk about her research, and how we (try to) achieve the day-to-day art of living a life while being a full time scientist. Do join us :)
Episode 3: The Hulk has 7 PhDs, where are his pubs?
Today we join Dr. Tou Yia Vue, an assistant professor of Neuroscience at the University of New Mexico Health Science Center, in celebrating of his first R01! He shares his Journey of Science from Southeast Asia to the Southwest. We chat about the importance of resourcefulness in science and starting a lab. And we settle the debate, "Who is the best Marvel scientist?" Do join us :)
Episode 4: The improbable journey
In this episode, CJ shares with us her improbable journey that begins with an initial fear of undergraduate chemistry class and grows into a career designing and building state of the art microscopes at Janelia Research Campus. We chat about resilience and facing challenges head on, something CJ has learned to embrace. Do join us :)