The Debrief Weekly Report | A Science and Technology News Podcast

Hosted by The Debrief

Technology Science

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Apr 2025

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About the show

Get your weekly burst of scientific illumination from The Debrief's network of rebellious journalists as they warp through the latest breaking science and tech news from the world of tomorrow. Every Tuesday, join hosts Stephanie Gerk, Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, and MJ Banias as they roundup the latest science and tech stories from the pages of The Debrief. From far-future technology to space travel to strange physics that alters our perception of the universe, The Debrief Weekly Report is meant for the dreamers who love the science and technology of the future. Visit The Debrief at: https://thedebrief.org/ Follow The Debrief on X https://twitter.com/Debriefmedia Follow MJ Banias on X: https://twitter.com/mjbanias Follow Stephanie Gerk on X: https://twitter.com/stephgerk Follow Kenna Hughes-Castleberry on X: https://twitter.com/kennaculture Have something to tell us? Email the show at: weeklyreport@thedebrief.org

Listen to episodes

60 recent

April 29, 2025Episode 1528 min

Frankenstein's Electric Organism | Burnt Ancient Scrolls, Sleeping While Awake, and a Shocking New Organism Discovery

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna, Steph and their producer Beemo, unravel ancient burnt scrolls, and explore how AI can be used to read them. They then zone out a bit and discuss a new study related to our brains and what is going on when we "blank." Finally, they get zapped by a new organism that can conduct electricity like a wire. Shocking! Every Tuesday, join hosts Stephanie Gerk, Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, and MJ Banias as they round up the latest science and tech stories from the pages of The Debrief. From far-future technology to space travel to strange physics that alters our perception of the universe, The Debrief Weekly Report is meant for the dreamers who love the science and technology of the future. Follow the Debrief on X: https://twitter.com/Debriefmedia Follow Stephanie Gerk on X: https://twitter.com/stephgerk Follow Kenna Hughes-Castleberry on X: https://twitter.com/kennaculture Have something to tell us? Email the show at weeklyreport@thedebrief.org

April 22, 2025Episode 1430 min

Lucy in the Sky with Asteroids | NASA's Trojan Flyby, Self-Healing Fungal Building Material, and Historical Colossal Squid Footage

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna, Steph and their producer Beemo, look for Jupiter's Trojan asteroids with Lucy, NASA's far-out spacecraft. They then dive into a news story about a self-healing fungus that can be used as a building material, and then swim down into the depths to discuss the historic footage that captured our first glimpse of a colossal squid. Every Tuesday, join hosts Stephanie Gerk, Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, and MJ Banias as they round up the latest science and tech stories from the pages of The Debrief. From far-future technology to space travel to strange physics that alters our perception of the universe, The Debrief Weekly Report is meant for the dreamers who love the science and technology of the future. Follow the Debrief on X: https://twitter.com/Debriefmedia Follow Stephanie Gerk on X: https://twitter.com/stephgerk Follow Kenna Hughes-Castleberry on X: https://twitter.com/kennaculture Have something to tell us? Email the show at weeklyreport@thedebrief.org

April 15, 2025Episode 1327 min

"Psycho Salmon, Qu'est-ce que c'est?" | Pharmaceutical Water Pollution, 3D Interactive Holograms, and E-Taste

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna and Steph, along with their feline producer, Beemo the Cat, run far far far far away from the "psycho salmon" that seem to be appearing due to pharmaceutical pollution in waterways. Next they play with some 3D holograms that have becoming interactive, and taste the latest research into 'digital flavour." Every Tuesday, join hosts Stephanie Gerk, Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, and MJ Banias as they round up the latest science and tech stories from the pages of The Debrief. From far-future technology to space travel to strange physics that alters our perception of the universe, The Debrief Weekly Report is meant for the dreamers who love the science and technology of the future. Follow the Debrief on X: https://twitter.com/Debriefmedia Follow Stephanie Gerk on X: https://twitter.com/stephgerk Follow Kenna Hughes-Castleberry on X: https://twitter.com/kennaculture Have something to tell us? Email the show at weeklyreport@thedebrief.org

April 9, 2025Episode 1229 min

The Night is Dark and Full of Dire Wolves | De-extinction, AI, and Space Miso

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna and Steph howl about dire wolves, de-extinction, and the recent news that the long lost species has just been brought back to life. They then talk artificial intelligence and their knack for humanlike bias. Lastly, they take a big bite out of space miso aboard the ISS. Every Tuesday, join hosts Stephanie Gerk, Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, and MJ Banias as they round up the latest science and tech stories from the pages of The Debrief. From far-future technology to space travel to strange physics that alters our perception of the universe, The Debrief Weekly Report is meant for the dreamers who love the science and technology of the future. Follow the Debrief on X: https://twitter.com/Debriefmedia Follow Stephanie Gerk on X: https://twitter.com/stephgerk Follow Kenna Hughes-Castleberry on X: https://twitter.com/kennaculture Have something to tell us? Email the show at weeklyreport@thedebrief.org

April 1, 2025Episode 1121 min

Pew Pew Pew! | Lasers Transform Matter, Cannabis Catastrophe, and Transparent Wood

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna and Steph talk a new development in laser technology, and how light may be able to transform matter. Next, they take a hit on some cannabis news and a recent finding that illegal pot contains some really nefarious chemicals. Lastly, they take a "voyage home" to find transparent wood? Every Tuesday, join hosts Stephanie Gerk, Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, and MJ Banias as they round up the latest science and tech stories from the pages of The Debrief. From far-future technology to space travel to strange physics that alters our perception of the universe, The Debrief Weekly Report is meant for the dreamers who love the science and technology of the future. Follow the Debrief on X: https://twitter.com/Debriefmedia Follow Stephanie Gerk on X: https://twitter.com/stephgerk Follow Kenna Hughes-Castleberry on X: https://twitter.com/kennaculture Have something to tell us? Email the show at weeklyreport@thedebrief.org

March 25, 2025Episode 1022 min

Way Down We Go | Most Accurate Ocean Map Ever, Fighting Pain, and a Revolutionary Stroke Medicine

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna and Steph dive deep into the darkness of the ocean with NASA and France's space agency to understand how they were able to build the tools to generate ocean floor maps with incredible accuracy and detail. They then play a few brain games a new study says we can use to master pain, and talk about a new drug that may have significant impact for healing those who have suffered from a stroke. Every Tuesday, join hosts Stephanie Gerk, Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, and MJ Banias as they round up the latest science and tech stories from the pages of The Debrief. From far-future technology to space travel to strange physics that alters our perception of the universe, The Debrief Weekly Report is meant for the dreamers who love the science and technology of the future. Follow the Debrief on X: https://twitter.com/Debriefmedia Follow Stephanie Gerk on X: https://twitter.com/stephgerk Follow Kenna Hughes-Castleberry on X: https://twitter.com/kennaculture Have something to tell us? Email the show at weeklyreport@thedebrief.org

March 18, 2025Episode 931 min

Can We 'Grow' Space Stations? | DARPA's Weird New Space Project, Mass Extinction, and How Sleep Impacts Beliefs

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna and MJ chat about the subtle art of growing space structures with living organisms. They then chuck an asteroid at Earth to test the latest mass extinction findings, and then take a nap because lack of sleep is directly correlated to belief in conspiracies. Every Tuesday, join hosts Stephanie Gerk, Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, and MJ Banias as they round up the latest science and tech stories from the pages of The Debrief. From far-future technology to space travel to strange physics that alters our perception of the universe, The Debrief Weekly Report is meant for the dreamers who love the science and technology of the future. Follow the Debrief on X: https://twitter.com/Debriefmedia Follow Stephanie Gerk on X: https://twitter.com/stephgerk Follow Kenna Hughes-Castleberry on X: https://twitter.com/kennaculture Have something to tell us? Email the show at weeklyreport@thedebrief.org

March 11, 2025Episode 823 min

A Billion Year Old Life Giving Mystery | Ancient Impact Craters, Autonomous Farming, and Robotic Arms

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna and Stephanie spelunk into a billion-year-old crater and discuss new theories regarding life on Earth. They then plow a quick news story regarding autonomous farming, and handle a great story about robotic arms being controlled by the mind. Every Tuesday, join hosts Stephanie Gerk, Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, and MJ Banias as they round up the latest science and tech stories from the pages of The Debrief. From far-future technology to space travel to strange physics that alters our perception of the universe, The Debrief Weekly Report is meant for the dreamers who love the science and technology of the future. Follow the Debrief on X: https://twitter.com/Debriefmedia Follow Stephanie Gerk on X: https://twitter.com/stephgerk Follow Kenna Hughes-Castleberry on X: https://twitter.com/kennaculture Have something to tell us? Email the show at weeklyreport@thedebrief.org

March 4, 2025Episode 731 min

When Brains Turn to Glass | Mount Vesuvius Remains, California's Bigfoot, and Lithium-Ion Recycling

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna and Stephanie exercise their little grey cells as they turn to glass in the fires of Mount Vesuvius. They then go squatching in California to understand why the state wants to have an official cryptid. Lastly, they recharge on a new process to efficiently recycle lithium-ion batteries. Every Tuesday, join hosts Stephanie Gerk, Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, and MJ Banias as they round up the latest science and tech stories from the pages of The Debrief. From far-future technology to space travel to strange physics that alters our perception of the universe, The Debrief Weekly Report is meant for the dreamers who love the science and technology of the future. Follow the Debrief on X: https://twitter.com/Debriefmedia Follow Stephanie Gerk on X: https://twitter.com/stephgerk Follow Kenna Hughes-Castleberry on X: https://twitter.com/kennaculture Have something to tell us? Email the show at weeklyreport@thedebrief.org

February 25, 2025Episode 626 min

Hydrogen Mining the Misty Mountains | Embryonic Robots, "Smartphone Brain," and Mining Mountains

On this week's episode of The Debrief Weekly Report, Kenna and MJ climb to the mountain top and talk about mining hydrogen. They also get weird with shapeshifting embryonic robots, and then remember a time before smartphones made us dumb. Every Tuesday, join hosts Stephanie Gerk, Kenna Hughes-Castleberry, and MJ Banias as they round up the latest science and tech stories from the pages of The Debrief. From far-future technology to space travel to strange physics that alters our perception of the universe, The Debrief Weekly Report is meant for the dreamers who love the science and technology of the future. Follow the Debrief on X: https://twitter.com/Debriefmedia Follow Stephanie Gerk on X: https://twitter.com/stephgerk Follow Kenna Hughes-Castleberry on X: https://twitter.com/kennaculture Have something to tell us? Email the show at weeklyreport@thedebrief.org