Uncontrolled Variables Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:27:22 -0400 http://www.uncontrolledvariables.com en-us © 2026 Uncontrolled Variables yes 49c08125-22e9-5abe-91ec-fd2625c55027 Uncontrolled Variables episodic true A comedy podcast about the lives of scientists. Hosted by scientist and comedian Alex Berr.

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) science, comedy, sciencecommunication Uncontrolled Variables https://storage.buzzsprout.com/ocdqvod8aq27ozcpxnsgce1o4tha?.jpg Uncontrolled Variables http://www.uncontrolledvariables.com Alex Berr 9. Pain Came Up to Me Accidentally (Dr. Marianne Reddan and Jeff Braun) 9. Pain Came Up to Me Accidentally (Dr. Marianne Reddan and Jeff Braun) Today, Alex is joined by comedian guest Jeff Braun to interview Dr. Marianne Reddan. Dr. Reddan is a Lecturer in Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Glasgow (formerly Assistant Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine). Dr. Reddan tells us about her research on pain, how she got interested in the brain, and how she heroically saved a squirrel's life during grad school. Jeff experiences emotional pain firsthand and learns about Mr. Magoo.

Check out more of Dr. Reddan's work here: https://www.socioecologicalneuroscience.com/

Follow Jeff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeff_braun_/ 

www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> Today, Alex is joined by comedian guest Jeff Braun to interview Dr. Marianne Reddan. Dr. Reddan is a Lecturer in Psychology and Neuroscience at the University of Glasgow (formerly Assistant Professor at Albert Einstein College of Medicine). Dr. Reddan tells us about her research on pain, how she got interested in the brain, and how she heroically saved a squirrel's life during grad school. Jeff experiences emotional pain firsthand and learns about Mr. Magoo.

Check out more of Dr. Reddan's work here: https://www.socioecologicalneuroscience.com/

Follow Jeff on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jeff_braun_/ 

www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> Uncontrolled Variables Buzzsprout-18946149 Thu, 02 Apr 2026 14:00:00 -0400 4271 full true 8. The Chewing Machine (Dr. Kristin Krueger and Gena Gephart) 8. The Chewing Machine (Dr. Kristin Krueger and Gena Gephart) Today, Alex is joined by comedian guest co-host Gena Gephart to interview Loyola University Chicago Professor Kristin Krueger. Professor Krueger is the Chair of the Anthropology department and conducts research in the field of dental paleoanthropology. Professor Krueger tells us about her custom chewing simulator, her favorite fieldwork sites, and a toxic postdoc advisor who thought he was Bob Dylan. Give it a listen to find out what body cavity Gena once pH tested!

Keep up to date with Dr. Krueger's work here: www.chewlab.net

Follow Gena on Instagram: www.instagram.com/genagephart
Listen to Gena's podcast, Ladylike: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ladylike-podcast/id1444238301 

www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> Today, Alex is joined by comedian guest co-host Gena Gephart to interview Loyola University Chicago Professor Kristin Krueger. Professor Krueger is the Chair of the Anthropology department and conducts research in the field of dental paleoanthropology. Professor Krueger tells us about her custom chewing simulator, her favorite fieldwork sites, and a toxic postdoc advisor who thought he was Bob Dylan. Give it a listen to find out what body cavity Gena once pH tested!

Keep up to date with Dr. Krueger's work here: www.chewlab.net

Follow Gena on Instagram: www.instagram.com/genagephart
Listen to Gena's podcast, Ladylike: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-ladylike-podcast/id1444238301 

www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> Uncontrolled Variables Buzzsprout-18434437 Thu, 01 Jan 2026 00:00:00 -0500 3400 full true 7. Get High on Science! (Dr. Cheryl Hurst and Peter Jones) 7. Get High on Science! (Dr. Cheryl Hurst and Peter Jones) DOCTOR Cheryl Hurst and MISTER Peter Jones join Alex on the pod today to discuss Cheryl’s life as an organizational psychologist. Cheryl’s career has followed many twists and turns– in undergrad, she failed chemistry but ended up majoring in neuroscience, then got her PhD and became a university lecturer, until ultimately leaving academia for a job in the banking world. Uncontrolled Variables briefly becomes a relationship podcast when Cheryl tells us about her chance meeting with her husband in an elevator in Greece. At Peter’s insistence, Cheryl definitively reveals what’s wrong with comedians (from a behavioral science perspective).

Watch Cheryl’s video on why she left academia: https://www.youtube.com/@cherylhurst 

Follow Chery on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cherylhurstcomedy 

Follow Peter on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thepeterthejones 


www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> DOCTOR Cheryl Hurst and MISTER Peter Jones join Alex on the pod today to discuss Cheryl’s life as an organizational psychologist. Cheryl’s career has followed many twists and turns– in undergrad, she failed chemistry but ended up majoring in neuroscience, then got her PhD and became a university lecturer, until ultimately leaving academia for a job in the banking world. Uncontrolled Variables briefly becomes a relationship podcast when Cheryl tells us about her chance meeting with her husband in an elevator in Greece. At Peter’s insistence, Cheryl definitively reveals what’s wrong with comedians (from a behavioral science perspective).

Watch Cheryl’s video on why she left academia: https://www.youtube.com/@cherylhurst 

Follow Chery on Instagram: www.instagram.com/cherylhurstcomedy 

Follow Peter on Instagram: www.instagram.com/thepeterthejones 


www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> Uncontrolled Variables Buzzsprout-15704320 Fri, 06 Sep 2024 01:00:00 -0400 3088 full true 6. Zebras and Elephants and Dwarf Mongooses, Oh My! (Dr. Alice Morrell and Mustafa Yasin) 6. Zebras and Elephants and Dwarf Mongooses, Oh My! (Dr. Alice Morrell and Mustafa Yasin) Alex is joined by guest co-host Mustafa Yasin and Dr. Alice Morrell, a wildlife biologist and comedian, today on Uncontrolled Variables. Alice is a self-described animal stalker, studying species ranging from sheep to elephants. Alice takes us through a day in the life studying dwarf mongooses (yes, that’s the correct plural) in South Africa, tells us about a near death experience involving bison on a small Danish island, and shares why she decided to move back into a position in academia. Mustafa asks what type of scientist is most likely to win in a fight– let us know if you think we made the right call.


Watch Alice’s documentary on bison here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aej-_4cwOL4


Follow Alice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralicemorrell/?hl=en

Follow Mustafa on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mustafayasinfitness/?hl=en


www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> Alex is joined by guest co-host Mustafa Yasin and Dr. Alice Morrell, a wildlife biologist and comedian, today on Uncontrolled Variables. Alice is a self-described animal stalker, studying species ranging from sheep to elephants. Alice takes us through a day in the life studying dwarf mongooses (yes, that’s the correct plural) in South Africa, tells us about a near death experience involving bison on a small Danish island, and shares why she decided to move back into a position in academia. Mustafa asks what type of scientist is most likely to win in a fight– let us know if you think we made the right call.


Watch Alice’s documentary on bison here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aej-_4cwOL4


Follow Alice on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dralicemorrell/?hl=en

Follow Mustafa on Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/mustafayasinfitness/?hl=en


www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> Uncontrolled Variables Buzzsprout-15521515 Fri, 02 Aug 2024 15:00:00 -0400 3211 full true 5. ChatGPT Girly (Dr. Niloufar Sarvian and Kate Sharp) 5. ChatGPT Girly (Dr. Niloufar Sarvian and Kate Sharp) Today Alex and guest co-host Kate Sharp are joined by Dr. Niloufar Sarvian, a climate scientist based in London. Nilou tells us about creating a startup in Paris, how she deals with the climate change blues, and using AI to figure out the definition of “fly tipping.” We make Kate come up with a solution to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and they actually do a pretty good job!

Follow Kate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katesharpisfunny/

www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> Today Alex and guest co-host Kate Sharp are joined by Dr. Niloufar Sarvian, a climate scientist based in London. Nilou tells us about creating a startup in Paris, how she deals with the climate change blues, and using AI to figure out the definition of “fly tipping.” We make Kate come up with a solution to remove CO2 from the atmosphere and they actually do a pretty good job!

Follow Kate on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/katesharpisfunny/

www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> Buzzsprout-15477576 Thu, 25 Jul 2024 19:00:00 -0400 3074 full true 4. The Refractive Index of Pickle Juice (Dr. Anneliese Jarman and Danika Thibault) 4. The Refractive Index of Pickle Juice (Dr. Anneliese Jarman and Danika Thibault) Alex is joined by guest comedian Danika Thibault today on Uncontrolled Variables. Together, they interview Dr. Anneliese Jarman, whose scientific journey has included astrophysics, dietetics, and now, microscopy. Anneliese tells us about growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness, a life-changing encounter in a chip shop, and her work studying painting restoration (including work on the Last Supper– yes, that one!). Danika asks us to identify the Jo Koy of science and, along the way, queers the microscopy space.

www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> Alex is joined by guest comedian Danika Thibault today on Uncontrolled Variables. Together, they interview Dr. Anneliese Jarman, whose scientific journey has included astrophysics, dietetics, and now, microscopy. Anneliese tells us about growing up as a Jehovah’s Witness, a life-changing encounter in a chip shop, and her work studying painting restoration (including work on the Last Supper– yes, that one!). Danika asks us to identify the Jo Koy of science and, along the way, queers the microscopy space.

www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> Uncontrolled Variables Buzzsprout-15437829 Fri, 19 Jul 2024 01:00:00 -0400 4095 full false 3. Big Boy Journals (Dr. Joshua Stoolman and Joey Bednarski) 3. Big Boy Journals (Dr. Joshua Stoolman and Joey Bednarski) Mitochondria– it’s not JUST the powerhouse of the cell, folks! At least that’s what Dr. Josh Stoolman tells Alex and guest co-host Joey Bednarski (@joeybednarski) on this week’s episode of Uncontrolled Variables. Josh shares stories about finding scientific inspiration while playing with his kids, the state of academic publishing, and the role of academia in the pharmaceutical industry. Joey pitches us a private prison business venture and reveals that he almost majored in environmental science (but it was too much of a bummer).


Follow Joey on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joeybednarski/ 

Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/



www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> Mitochondria– it’s not JUST the powerhouse of the cell, folks! At least that’s what Dr. Josh Stoolman tells Alex and guest co-host Joey Bednarski (@joeybednarski) on this week’s episode of Uncontrolled Variables. Josh shares stories about finding scientific inspiration while playing with his kids, the state of academic publishing, and the role of academia in the pharmaceutical industry. Joey pitches us a private prison business venture and reveals that he almost majored in environmental science (but it was too much of a bummer).


Follow Joey on Instagram: www.instagram.com/joeybednarski/ 

Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/



www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> Uncontrolled Variables Buzzsprout-15401106 Fri, 12 Jul 2024 01:00:00 -0400 2836 full true 2. Brookstone’s Best Employee (Dr. Gregory Matthews and Kristi Durkin) 2. Brookstone’s Best Employee (Dr. Gregory Matthews and Kristi Durkin) What happens when you bring together a tenured professor and an alternative comedian? We have the answer this week on Uncontrolled Variables! Alex’s guest cohost, Kristi Durkin (@kristigirl), labels statistician Greg Matthews (@statsinthewild) “English professor vibes with a stats mind.” We learn how Greg navigates working at a Catholic institution, discuss the syntax of “Jerk-off circle” versus “circle jerk,” and discover how professors get hired.



www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> What happens when you bring together a tenured professor and an alternative comedian? We have the answer this week on Uncontrolled Variables! Alex’s guest cohost, Kristi Durkin (@kristigirl), labels statistician Greg Matthews (@statsinthewild) “English professor vibes with a stats mind.” We learn how Greg navigates working at a Catholic institution, discuss the syntax of “Jerk-off circle” versus “circle jerk,” and discover how professors get hired.



www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> Uncontrolled Variables Buzzsprout-15364057 Fri, 05 Jul 2024 00:00:00 -0400 4180 full true 1. A Room with a Typewriter (Diya Basrai and Jeff Brumfield) 1. A Room with a Typewriter (Diya Basrai and Jeff Brumfield) Alex is joined by guest cohost Jeff Brumfield (@senseijefe26) to help interview comedian and neuroscience PhD student Diya Basrai (@diyabasrai). Together they learn how Diya narrowly avoided becoming a film major, share stories of bombing on stage in front of colleagues, discuss cringe scientists on TikTok, and learn Diya’s strategy for not being addicted to your phone. Diya reveals his morning routine and Alex can’t decide if she finds it disturbing or inspiring.

www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> Alex is joined by guest cohost Jeff Brumfield (@senseijefe26) to help interview comedian and neuroscience PhD student Diya Basrai (@diyabasrai). Together they learn how Diya narrowly avoided becoming a film major, share stories of bombing on stage in front of colleagues, discuss cringe scientists on TikTok, and learn Diya’s strategy for not being addicted to your phone. Diya reveals his morning routine and Alex can’t decide if she finds it disturbing or inspiring.

www.uncontrolledvariables.com 

Follow the show on Instagram: www.instagram.com/uncontrolledvariables/
Follow Alex on Instagram: www.instagram.com/al.berr/ 

Music by Cameron Gillette (@camgillettefan)

Art by Doomsday LLC (@doomsdayllc)


If you liked the show, please tell a friend and rate us on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

]]> Alex Berr Buzzsprout-15156332 Wed, 29 May 2024 08:00:00 -0400 3316 full true