Balancing The Future
Science and technology play a key role in solving many of the world’s toughest problems. Balancing the Future introduces listeners to the people and innovations addressing these challenges. We explore wide-ranging creative solutions that are changing our world for the better. You will hear directly from people making an impact in science and technology. Like how cultivated foods could shake up both our diets and traditional agriculture, the ways AI could help us find a cure for Alzheimer's, and how tiny 3D ‘organoids’ are already changing the way we test new drugs. Each episode offers hopeful conversations with scientists, leaders, and communicators who are making a difference in their fields. Join us as we decode the mechanisms behind impactful developments and new ways of thinking. Subscribe or follow us to be sure you never miss an episode.
Episodes
It’s widely recognized that many persistent chemicals pose risks to both environmental and human health. Addressing this significant global challenge requires innovative solutions. One of these is the groundbreaking concept of ‘Treatable by Design’.
In this episode of Balancing the Future, Chai and Micah sit down with Dr. Gabriel Sigmund, Associate Professor at Wageningen University & Research to dis...
By 2026 80% of the 500 pharmaceutical and industrial crystals produced in space exhibited better structure, greater consistency, and fewer defects. So, what does that tell us about the rapidly growing space economy — and how far could microgravity take manufacturing?
In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah sits down with Mari Anne Snow, CEO and Co-Founder of Eascra Biotech. Eascra is a US-based company developing ...
Medical devices range from simple fillings to highly sophisticated robotics, with more than half a million available in the EU alone. However, regulations differ widely across regions and countries. What does this mean for medical device development around the world?
In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai interview Dr. Dominik Lysek, Executive Board Member and CEO of PharmaTrail, a software company that he...
Around 2 billion people enjoy chocolate and coffee every single day. But growing enough of these crops uses a huge number of resources. For example, making just one cup of coffee takes about 140 litres of water. In West Africa, an estimated 70% of illegal deforestation is linked to cocoa farming. And with demand only expected to rise, the question is: what can we do to stop the environmental impact of these crops?
In this ...
Roughly 80% of funding, research, and equipment ends up in the 10 wealthiest countries. This means most people around the world have fewer opportunities to work on scientific problems. It affects which issues get attention and which don’t. So, how can we make access to science fairer?
In the first episode of Season 3 of Balancing the Future, hosts Micah and Chai talk with Dr. Melissa Wu, CEO of Seeding Labs. This nonprof...
Join Chai Nussbaumer and Micah Schweizer on June 16th for a brand-new season of Balancing the Future. This time, we’re exploring the science and technology innovations and solutions that are changing the world today.
Everything from the global lab equipment program that's tackling scientific access disparity to lab-grown coffee and cocoa that could positively impact the environment.
In every episode, you’ll h...
Neuroscience and artificial intelligence were once distant disciplines that have been brought together in technological advancement and access to high-quality data. At Dementia Research Oxford, these worlds are coming together to accelerate discoveries in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease.
In the final episode of Season 2 of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Dr. Alejo Nevado-Holgado, Associate Professor ...
Laboratories are the engines of scientific discovery, but they’re also a very resource-intensive workplace. In fact, the average lab produces around 20 tons of carbon emissions every year. Yet the same scientists driving innovation also hold the keys to making their work more sustainable.
In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Raj Patey, Business Development Director at My Green Lab, an organi...
Rainwater around the world now contains detectable levels of PFAS or ‘forever chemicals.’ Found in everything from waterproof mascara to firefighting foam, PFAS now accumulates in our bodies, soils, and water systems.
In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Dr. Alissa Cordner, Professor of Sociology at Whitman College and Co-Director of the PFAS Project Lab, and Dr. Kimberly Garrett, Assi...
What happens when you volunteer to be the first human injected with mRNA? For Dr. Steve Pascolo, it meant glowing skin, but it took many years for this technology to hit the mainstream.
In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Dr. Steve Pascolo, a senior scientist in the Department of Dermatology at the University of Zurich and co-founder of CureVac, about his groundbreaking role in testing mRNA back ...
What happens when you build sustainability into a business from day one? For Russ Wakeham, co-founder of Two Drifters Distillery, the answer is a rum that’s not just delicious but also carbon negative. His approach could help rewrite the rules for how companies think about profit, planet, and scale.
In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Russ about how his background in chemistry and carbon ca...
An estimated 220 million people worldwide are affected by arsenic exposure. So how can communities be empowered to create and implement solutions themselves?
In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Jagannath Biswakarma, Senior Research Associate at the University of Bristol, about the global threat of arsenic contamination in groundwater and food.
The conversation unpacks why arsenic exposure is...
Balancing the Future will be taking a break in August.
In the meantime, you can catch up on any episodes you’ve missed in your podcast app of choice.
Balancing the Future will return in September for the second half of Season 2.
LINKS
- METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions Website
- METTLER TOLEDO Laboratory Solutions on LinkedIn
- Balancing The Future Podcast Website
- Micah Schweizer on LinkedI...
What happens to electric vehicle batteries at the end of their life? The answer could help reshape not just battery recycling, but entire local economies.
In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai speak with Jake Entwistle, Lead Engineer at Altilium Clean Technology, about the UK pilot plant that's pushing the boundaries of EV battery recycling. Together, they explore how high-efficiency recycling can help creat...
What are “bugs as drugs?” These are live microbes used as therapies designed to help rebalance our microbiomes, offering hope against everything from antibiotic-resistant infections to chronic diseases. But working with living organisms isn’t as simple as formulating a pill. These therapies raise deep scientific, regulatory, and manufacturing challenges.
In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah and Chai...
Cultivated, or ‘lab-grown meat,’ offers a promising path for reducing climate impact and feeding a growing population. But what does this mean for the traditional agricultural industry? How can it embrace a technology that challenges a practice as old as civilization itself?
In this episode of Balancing the Future, hosts Micah Schweizer and Chai Nussbaumer speak with Illtud Dunsford, farmer, founder, and CEO of Cel...
Hydrogen has long played a behind-the-scenes role in industry, but could it become a frontrunner in the race toward a cleaner energy future?
In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah Schweizer and Chai Nussbaumer dive into hydrogen’s evolving role in the green transition. From color-coded classifications like green, blue, and even "sad" hydrogens like pink and black, to cutting-edge pilot projects in transportation ...
If you haven’t heard of GLP-1s, you’ve almost certainly come across the brand names: Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro. These drugs were originally developed to treat diabetes, but they’ve recently become household names thanks to their dramatic impact on weight loss. Beyond shedding pounds, early evidence also points to promising benefits for chronic kidney disease, certain liver conditions, and cardiovascular health...
In an age of constant scientific innovation and shifting public trust, how can science communication help bridge the gap between labs and lives? In this episode of Balancing the Future, Micah Schweizer and new co-host Chai Nussbaumer explore the powerful role that storytelling, emotion, and empathy play in making science more relatable and relevant to the public, grant funders and the media.
They’re joined by science com...
Science and technology are evolving faster than ever, and it's exciting to imagine where they might take us next. But which breakthroughs should we be paying attention to?
Join Micah Schweizer and new host Chai Nussbaumer on Balancing the Future as they dive into the innovations shaping our world. From the potential of hydrogen in powering a greener planet, to the rise of GLP-1s in weight loss, and the frontier of microbiome-b...
Popular Podcasts
Betrayal Weekly is back for a new season. Every Thursday, Betrayal Weekly shares first-hand accounts of broken trust, shocking deceptions, and the trail of destruction they leave behind. Hosted by Andrea Gunning, this weekly ongoing series digs into real-life stories of betrayal and the aftermath. From stories of double lives to dark discoveries, these are cautionary tales and accounts of resilience against all odds. From the producers of the critically acclaimed Betrayal series, Betrayal Weekly drops new episodes every Thursday. If you would like to share your story, you can reach out to the Betrayal Team by emailing them at betrayalpod@gmail.com and follow us on Instagram at @betrayalpod and @glasspodcasts. Please join our Substack for additional exclusive content, curated book recommendations, and community discussions. Sign up FREE by clicking this link Beyond Betrayal Substack. Join our community dedicated to truth, resilience, and healing. Your voice matters! Be a part of our Betrayal journey on Substack.
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
The Clay Travis and Buck Sexton Show. Clay Travis and Buck Sexton tackle the biggest stories in news, politics and current events with intelligence and humor. From the border crisis, to the madness of cancel culture and far-left missteps, Clay and Buck guide listeners through the latest headlines and hot topics with fun and entertaining conversations and opinions.
The official podcast of comedian Joe Rogan.