Science 101

Doug Ell Science AND Faith Author Douglas Ell, a former atheist, says “I’ve spent more than 30 years reconciling science and God, because I needed scientific evidence to believe in God.” In our time, the pursuit of scientific and philosophical knowledge has largely been the domain of narrowly focused professionals and academics. Ell’s work represents a return to the more open-minded, broad thinking of the Renaissance and Scientific Revolution, when intelligent people of diverse backgrounds exchanged information not to further professional careers, but as part of a collective effort to advance science and reason. Douglas Ell grew up in Connecticut, and graduated early from MIT, where he double majored in math and physics. He then obtained a masters in theoretical mathematics from the University of Maryland. After graduating from law school, magna cum laude, he became a prominent attorney. Ell drafted the first 401(k) plan in professional sports and has represented a number of nationally recognized corporations, unions and pension plans. He has litigated nationally with great success and persuaded Congress to make important changes in employee benefits laws. As a lawyer Ell learned how to sift through competing arguments and the importance of carefully considering different points of view, skills which he has now used to untangle the confused and often emotional relationship between science and religion. His legal training and work, combined with his academic science background and a lifetime of independent study, has given him a uniquely grounded approach to science, religion, and philosophy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Science 101, in its third season, features Mark Christensen in an insightful episode titled The Power of Curiosity: How Science Explains Our World. This conversation explores curiosity as the driving force behind scientific discovery, innovation, and human progress, showing how asking the right questions leads to deeper understanding of the natural world. Mark Christensen breaks down complex scientific ideas into accessible insights, demonstrating how observation, experimentation, and critical thinking shape everything from everyday phenomena to groundbreaking breakthroughs. The Power of Curiosity invites listeners to see science not as a collection of facts, but as an ongoing journey of inquiry—one that empowers us to better understand, navigate, and appreciate the world around us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Chris Philbrook is the creator and author of Adrian’s Undead Diary, The Reemergence, Colony Lost, the fantasy world of Elmoryn and the upcoming horror series The Darkness of DIggory Finch. Chris has several years of experience working in game development and editing as well as writing fiction for several major game design companies. He has a business degree as well as a psychology degree. Chris has authored twelve novels in the horror/post-apocalyptic series Adrian’s Undead Diary, as well as five urban fantasy novels in The Reemergence series and three dark fantasy novels in The Kinless Trilogy. His first science fiction novel; Colony Lost has received stellar reviews.. He has also edited two anthologies, and has had numerous short stories and novellas published in the horror world. He writes young adult science fiction under the pen name W.J. Orion, and has two books released in The Dry Earth series. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dalton Sizemore Biology with Heart, Humor, and a Drawl I’m Dalton — a molecular biologist, science communicator, and caregiver. I hold a BS and MS in Cell and Molecular Biology from Appalachian State University, where I focused on cancer biology, virology, and immunology. My research explored how viruses like VSV might be used to disrupt the immune processes that help cancer metastasize. I also hold a graduate certificate in clinical psychology, which helps me bridge the gap between the science of the body and the realities of the human experience. But the truth is, everything I’ve done in science is rooted in something far more personal. I’m a survivor of childhood abuse. My father left when I was young, and my mother — who raised me on her own — endured two severely abusive relationships: one during my childhood, and another while I was in high school and starting college. Those years shaped me deeply. They taught me what it means to live in chaos and still push forward, to carry pain and still protect others, and to learn, even when nothing in your life feels safe. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode examines how curiosity fuels observation, experimentation, and innovation, transforming everyday questions into breakthroughs that reshape our understanding of nature, technology, and human life. By connecting simple wonder to complex scientific principles, the discussion highlights how science demystifies the universe—revealing patterns, causes, and connections that govern everything from microscopic particles to vast cosmic systems. The Power of Curiosity reinforces the idea that science is not merely a collection of facts, but a living process—one that empowers humanity to question boldly, think critically, and continually expand the boundaries of what we know about the world we inhabit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices