William Crookes: Spirits, Plasma, and Thallium

Jyoti tells her first story! Join the OG storyteller as she dives into life of and overlooked Indian polymath who helped pave the way for wireless communication, and fought for recognition from a world that was desperately trying to ignore him. Support the showFor more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Halloween energy, but make it scientific! Aarati tells the story of a chemist who discovered thallium and the fourth state of matter, plasma. But he also used science to investigate spirits, believing he could explain the unexplainable supernatural phenomena he observed.Support the showFor more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Boo! When you feel frightened, angry, or other strong emotions, your brain signals your body to prepare for drastic action. Aarati tells the story of the physiologist who coined the term "fight or flight" and defined "homeostasis". Support the showFor more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Finding a drug that works is only half of the challenge. Understanding WHY it works can open up paths to entire families of drugs that treat a myriad of diseases. Aarati tells the story of the Nobel Prize winning scientist who defied all expectations and created treatments for cancer, organ transplants, viral infections and more.Support the showFor more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

The man behind E. coli, one of the most well-known bacteria in the world was actually a renowned pediatrician in his time. Aarati tells the story of how this celebrated physician became fascinated with microbes in the gut and how they affected the health of infants. Support the showFor more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Can a splash of ink really reveal secrets about your inner soul? Aarati tells the story of the psychiatrist behind the inkblot test and how art, emotion, and psychology came together in one of history’s most iconic tools.Support the showFor more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Anyone can be a scientist as long as they are curious and persistant! Aarati tells the story of a farmer turned astronomer, who discovered Pluto when he was just 24 years old. Support the showFor more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

It's never too late to become a scientist! Aarati tells the story of Ynes Mexia, the shy yet adventurous woman who became a botanical collector at the age of 51 and  discovered over 500 new plant species by going places no one had ever been before. Support the showFor more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

The Silicon Valley boom in the early 2000s was only possible when computers could execute orders more efficiently and computer chip design became more accessible. Special guest, Maria Sisneroz tells the story of Lynn Conway, a pioneer in computer engineering and trans-activism.Support the showFor more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com. 

Earning the reputation of "Crazy Count Zeppelin", Ferdinand was always up for an adventure. Aarati tells the story of the military man turned balloonist and his never ending thirst for excitement. Support the showFor more information and sources for this episode, visit https://www.smartteapodcast.com.