Innovation Hub

We learn the story of Ingvar Kamprad who revolutionized the furniture business, going from selling matches to selling matching bedroom sets.

Why does it seem like America’s more divided than ever? We turn to psychology for the answer.

Do you get nervous before every flight you take? This interview is for you.

On the surface, artificial sweeteners seem like a no-brainer for anyone trying to lose weight. But, before you reach for the Sweet’N Low, listen to the complex history, and possible negative health effects, of sugar substitutes.

On the surface, artificial sweeteners seem like a no-brainer for anyone trying to lose weight. But, before you reach for the Sweet’N Low, listen to the complex history, and possible negative health effects, of sugar substitutes.

Medical information stays between a patient and their doctor, right? Author Adam Tanner tells us that may not be the case.

Turns out, being famous online doesn’t always translate into a stable income. Author Brooke Erin Duffy and Youtuber Gaby Dunn explain.

Sorry nerds, popularity matters. Psychology professor Mitch Prinstein explains why.

Too busy to listen to this podcast? In America, your unavailability is a status symbol.

This week on Innovation Hub we’ll take a look at the science of popularity, the hard work that goes into making a living online, and the reason why we always say we’re busy.

TV dinners, popcorn bags, hot pockets… the story behind the invention that led to an entirely new cuisine.

Tree huggers might be onto something. Florence Williams explains how nature can make us healthier.

How did sea urchins help humanity figure out where babies come from? Science writer Edward Dolnick has the answer.

Scientists estimate that we could be losing thousands of species to climate change each year. But, take heart says ecologist Chris Thomas: there are also many new species being created.

We look at when humans learned where babies come from, why a walk in the woods can lower your blood pressure, and which species are adapting well to climate change. That’s all on this week’s Innovation Hub.

This week on Innovation Hub: A show on learning. First, do liberals really dominate academia? Then, if properly taught, everyone can grasp math. After that find out how reading links to health and longevity. Finally, Nancy Weiss Malkiel transports us to the moment when elite colleges finally started admitting women.

Judy Cockerton saw a problem and decided to do something about it. At 48, she shut down her toy store and created a village of sixty homes. The catch? They were reserved for seniors and families with foster kids. We visited Cockerton's village to learn how she built it.

From Delmonico's to Howard Johnson's: Yale Professor Paul Freedman walks us through 10 of the most influential restaurants in American history. What can a restaurant menu tell us about society? Turns out, a lot. Our host Kara Miller finds out while researching the Los Angeles dining scene. Judy Cockerton is building villages around the country to change foster care. We take a look at why. Next stop: Mars? A look at how private companies are taking the giant leap into space.

Space: The final frontier. Now, more and more big businesses are eyeing that frontier. We look at the what a competitive market could mean for the future of space travel.

Hungry for information? Then learn about the history of the American restaurant.