Is a “Severance” Split Brain possible? How Are Memories Formed? Can Different Aspects of Personality Be Isolated Inside the Brain? Memory, Identity, and Neuroplasticity with David Eagleman

More from Unobtainium Podcast All episodes →

1. 

   S1 · E114 · 25 Aug 2026 · 42 min

   Could the Rage Virus in 28 Days Later actually happen? Dr. Seema Yasmin joins us to unpack the terrifying real science of viruses, outbreaks, R-naught, and why this horror classic hits very differently after COVID.

   Is the "Rage Virus" in 28 Days Later scientifically plausible? Amy and Adam sit down with Dr. Sima Yasmin—medical doctor, former CDC Epidemic Intelligence Service officer, author and disease detective! – to separate the real science of viruses and pandemics from one of cinema’s most frightening fictional outbreaks. What exactly is a virus—and is it even alive? Could scientists really use a virus to alter human behavior? Why are viruses used as vectors in cutting-edge gene therapies (like CAR-T cancer therapy)? They also discuss incubation periods, the math of R-naught, split-brain…

2. 

   S1 · 18 Aug 2026 · 10 min

   More on Astrobiology with Dr. Betül Kaçar

   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

3. 

   S1 · E113 · 11 Aug 2026 · 35 min

   Why We Deny Scientific Warnings? A Deep Dive into the Science of Climate Change, Searching for Hope, and the Art of Integrating Science into Emotional and Evocative Storytelling

   Episode Description What begins as a discussion of climate change expands into a deep dive into the science as well as the misinformation, political inertia, corruption and the psychology behind why societies struggle to respond to existential threats—even when the evidence is clear. McKay discusses the real-world inspiration for the film, Leonardo DiCaprio's performance, and why science and storytelling must work together if humanity hopes to solve its greatest challenges. Full Summary The Holocene Epoch & The Greenhouse Effect Host Dr. Amy Mainzer (UCLA astrophysicist) and director Adam…

4. 

   S1 · E112 · 4 Aug 2026 · 28 min

   What’s our plan for a planet-killer comet? The facts about NASA’s Planetary Defense (Kinetic Impactors vs Armageddon Nukes) and more in Adam McKay’s film "Don’t Look Up."

   Episode Description How do long-period comets (like Comet NEOWISE) actually move, how NASA’s real-life Planetary Defense Coordination Office operates, and whether kinetic impactors (like the DART mission) or nuclear explosives could divert a planet-killing object? They also dive into why the film serves as a sharp allegory for climate change, pandemic responses, corporate greed, and the politicization of science. Full Summary Amy Mainzer (UCLA astrophysicist and science advisor on Don't Look Up ) and Adam Sigel (Hollywood writer/producer) welcome writer/director Adam McKay to discuss…

5. 

   S1 · E111 · 28 Jul 2026 · 40 min

   How Real is the Science in Star Trek? Amy and Adam Talk Terraforming, Genetic Engineering, and Trekkie Love for the Wrath of Khan

   Episode Description In this episode of The Unobtainium Podcast , Amy shows her true Trekkie colors as she and Adam unpack the science and themes of the beloved TOS cast film Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan . Together, they explore the ethical dilemmas of genetic engineering, eugenics, and CRISPR, along with the real-world science behind planet and star formation and the possibilities of terraforming dead planets. They also discuss why Khan Noonien Singh remains one of the franchise's best villains. Whether you're a lifelong Trekkie, a casual science fiction fan, or simply curious about the…

6. 

   S1 · E109 · 14 Jul 2026 · 42 min

   Mining on the Moon? Explore the possibilities of Fusion Using Helium-3, a New AI Computer in Space, and the Ethics of Reaching Humanity's Next Frontier with Lunar Expert Dave Paige

   Is the 2009 movie Moon pure fiction, or is lunar mining the future of clean energy? Could automated harvesters actually strip-mine the lunar surface regolith (moon soil)? Could we really harvest enough helium-3 to power nuclear fusion reactors on Earth? Is it possible to build a permanent moon base via NASA's Artemis missions? In this episode of the Unobtainium podcast, hosts astrophysicist and UCLA Professor Dr. Amy Mainzer and writer/producer Adam Sigel dive into a fascinating Moon movie breakdown. Directed by Duncan Jones (David Bowie’s son) on a modest $5 million budget, the outstanding…

7. 

   S1 · E108 · 7 Jul 2026 · 36 min

   Why is a parasitic alien so terrifying? From Facehuggers to Xenomorphs, we dissect Space Travel, Exoplanets, and the Enduring Nightmares Implanted Within This Sci-Fi Masterpiece .

   What makes the deep-space horror classic film Alien (1979) one of the scariest science fiction movies ever made? Amy and Adam explore science, psychology, and the enduring power of Ridley Scott’s masterpiece. In space, no one can hear you scream—but there’s plenty to talk about. Full Summary In this episode of the Unobtainium podcast, astrophysicist and planetary scientist Dr. Amy Mainzer (UCLA) and Hollywood writer-producer Adam Sigel break down Ridley Scott’s 1979 cinematic masterpiece, Alien in search of an answer to why this movie is one of the most terrifying sci-fi horror movies of all…

8. 

   S1 · E107 · 30 Jun 2026 · 41 min

   Is Godzilla Fission or Fusion? From Radiation Mutation to Blue Atomic Breath, Nuclear Physicist Stephanie Diem Unpacks This Superb Homage Monster Movie.

   Episode Description Is Godzilla Minus One just a wonderful homage to the classic monster movies or is it the ultimate warning about nuclear energy? 🦖⚛️ In this episode of Unobtainium, Adam and Amy break down the real science, historical context, and emotional power of Godzilla Minus One . Joining the conversation is Professor Stephanie Diem , a nuclear physicist and engineer, and Professor of Engineering Physics at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, to separate nuclear facts from the King of the Monsters science fiction. Along the way, they discuss the difference between fission and…

9. 

   S1 · E106 · 23 Jun 2026 · 39 min

   Can Robots Feel? Roboticist Hiro Ono joins us to explore consciousness, mortality, AI Robots, and what it means to be human as we discuss Ridley Scott’s thought-provoking sci-fi film Blade Runner.

   Episode Description Blade Runner is famous for its flying cars, neon cyberpunk skylines, and bioengineered replicants—but its most enduring questions are about what it means to be human. In this episode of the Unobtainium podcast, hosts Adam and Amy are joined by renowned roboticist Hiro Ono to explore the cutting-edge science and philosophy behind Ridley Scott's sci-fi masterpiece. How close is modern technology to creating truly humanoid robots? Can Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) or large language models (LLMs) achieve actual machine consciousness? What role do memory, emotion, and…

10. 

    S1 · E105 · 16 Jun 2026 · 47 min

    Alien Intelligence, Physics of Space, a Homicidal AI, and More with UCLA planetary scientist (and discoverer of the Kuiper Belt) Dave Jewitt on Kubrick’s Masterpiece

    In this episode of Unobtainium , Amy, Adam, and UCLA planetary scientist Dave Jewitt (discoverer of the Kuiper Belt) explore Stanley Kubrick's masterpiece 2001: A Space Odyssey —a film that remains one of the most scientifically realistic depictions of humans in space and a transformational moment for sci-fi cinema. From the physics of artificial gravity and existing in vacuum to HAL 9000, human evolution (what’s the story with those actors playing the apes?), and the search for alien intelligence, the conversation examines what the movie gets right and where it bends the rules. And…