Addiction and substance use disorder isn’t simply the result of “bad choices” — it’s caused by brain chemistry, relationships and the environments we live in.

In this episode, Professor of psychology Lani Shiota delves into what really drives addiction and how to prevent and treat it. From Nancy Reagan’s “Just Say No” campaign to medication-assisted treatment, she shares what science says does and doesn’t work — and why compassion may be our most powerful tool. Shiota also talks about SATRN, ASU’s statewide network connecting researchers, practitioners and policymakers to turn cutting-edge research into real-world impact.

Learn more about The Substance Use and Addiction Translational Research Network (SATRN) at ASU: https://satrn.asu.edu/

Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise.

Find more stories of research and discovery at ASU: http://research.asu.edu

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/asu-knowledge-enterprise

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/asuresearch/

Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice! We are at the mercy of the mighty, fickle algorithms and reviews help new listeners find our show.

Do you have thoughts or questions for us? Email us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. We’d love to hear from you! As long as you are nice. Be nice.

Episode credits

Executive produced by Kate Howells

Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka

Shot by Alexander Chapin and Christian Van Bebber

Edited by Alexander Chapin

Original music from Patrick Cheung

Motion graphics by Andy Ramos

Art by Andy Keena

Editorial support from Diane Boudreau and Sandy Leander

Research and reporting by Richard Harth

Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

Keyword research by Aditi Patel

Disclosure:

Lab Coat Optional is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. This show does not create a doctor-patient relationship, and the information provided is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health. In case of a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Opinions expressed on this show reflect the views of the individuals only, not the policy or opinion of Arizona State University.

In this episode, we examine how stories and narratives can influence global affairs. P.J. Allin explains how China is using narratives to shift the balance of power in Southeast Asia.

P.J. is a research analyst at the Center on Information and Narrative Complexity in the Global Security Initiative and a PhD candidate in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University.

Follow her work on LinkedIn.

Explore her publications:

• “China’s Columbus” Was an Imperialist Too: Contesting the Myth of Zheng He
• China's Double Zigzag Strategy for International Relations
• How China Conducts Influence Operations by Leveraging Culturally Nuanced Narratives in Three Southeast Asian Countries

Learn more about:

• What is Sharp Power?
• China’s claims on the South China Sea: The Nine-Dash-Line
• The Philippines Is Ever More Focused on Taiwan
• The Uphill Battle to Safeguard Rights
• Pentagon abruptly ends all funding for social science research

Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at ASU's Knowledge Enterprise. Follow us on Instagram and LinkedIn, or visit us at research.asu.edu.

Episode credits

Executive produced by Kate Howells

Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

Hosted by Pete Zrioka

Shot and edited by Alexander Chapin

Original music from Patrick Cheung

Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz

Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

Keyword research by Aditi Patel

Disclosure:

Opinions expressed on this show reflect the views of the individuals only, not the policy or opinion of Arizona State University.

How often do you think about where your water comes from? Lee Voth-Gaeddert spends a lot of time doing just that — as well as how clean that water is. In this episode, the engineer from the Biodesign Institute takes us along on his winding research journey ranging from water harvesting in the U.S. Virgin Islands and chicken slaughterhouses in Indonesia to agrarian communities in Guatemala. His work touches on water, microbes, gut health and malnutrition — the hidden systems that keep us all healthy.

Read more about Lee’s recent research:

• 🦠New ASU research hunts down drug-resistant microbes
• 🚰Water insecurity on the rise in American households

Learn more about the Biodesign Institute and the Center for Health Through Microbiomes at Arizona State University.

Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research and discovery at ASU on Instagram and LinkedIn, or visit us at research.asu.edu.

Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice! We are at the mercy of the mighty, fickle algorithms and reviews help new listeners find our show.

Do you have thoughts or questions for us? Email us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. We’d love to hear from you! As long as you are nice. Be nice.

Episode credits

Executive produced by Kate Howells

Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka

Shot by Christian Van Bebber and Alexander Chapin

Edited by Christian Van Bebber

Original music from Patrick Cheung

Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz

Research and reporting by Richard Harth

Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

Keyword research by Aditi Patel

Disclosure:

Lab Coat Optional is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. This show does not create a doctor-patient relationship, and the information provided is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health. In case of a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Opinions expressed on this show reflect the views of the individuals only, not the policy or opinion of Arizona State University.

In the lowlands of Bolivia, there is a hunter-gatherer population living among the headwaters of the Amazon. Despite infrequent access to medical care and constant exposure to parasites and pathogens, the Tsimane people have some of the lowest instances of heart disease and Alzheimer’s in the world. Listen as human biologist Ben Trumble talks about his quest to learn what we can from the Tsimane about healthy aging before industrialization — before it’s too late.

Research disclaimer:

Research involving the Tsimane is ethically approved by the researchers universities, the Universidad Mayor San Simon in Bolivia, and the Tsimane and Moseten governments. Each community, community leaders, and study participants approved all research protocols, and all participants provided informed consent in their native language. The study helps provide medical care and connection with Bolivian social support services, including for individuals who don’t participate in research. During a study, when incidental health findings arise, participants are advised and supported to receive medical treatment. This study is also partnered with the One Pencil Project, a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides scholarships and school supplies to Tsimane children.

Learn more about:

• School of Human Evolution and Social Change in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences
• The Institute of Human Origins
• Tsimane Health and Life History Project
• The Trumble Lab
• New research focused on the Tsimane

Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research and discovery at ASU on Instagram and LinkedIn, or visit us at research.asu.edu.

Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice! We are at the mercy of the mighty, fickle algorithms and reviews help new listeners find our show.

Do you have thoughts or questions for us? Email us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. We’d love to hear from you! As long as you are nice. Be nice.

Episode credits

Executive produced by Kate Howells

Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka

Shot by Alexander Chapin

Edited by Quinton Kendall and Alexander Chapin

Original music by Patrick Cheung

Motion graphics by Andy Ramos

Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz

Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

Keyword research by Aditi Patel

Intro music "Mission Cool" by Christopher Baron

Disclaimer:

Opinions expressed on this show reflect the views of the individuals only, not the policy or opinion of Arizona State University.

This episode we’re diving into the science of memory, aging, and what might be quietly shaping the health of aging minds.

Guest Ramon Velazquez explains what happens in the brain during Alzheimer’s disease and other forms of dementia — and more importantly, what might trigger them in the first place. From essential nutrients to common weedkillers, his research is uncovering how everyday exposures can influence lifelong brain health.

Read more about Ramon’s research on:

• 🧠Low choline levels and Alzheimer's disease
• 🌱Lasting effects of glyphosate on the brain

Learn more about the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University, the ASU-Banner Neurodegenerative Disease Research Center and Ramon’s lab.

Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research and discovery at ASU on Instagram and LinkedIn, or visit us at research.asu.edu.

Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice! We are at the mercy of the mighty, fickle algorithms and reviews help new listeners find our show.

Do you have thoughts or questions for us? Email us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. We’d love to hear from you! As long as you are nice. Be nice.

Episode credits

Executive produced by Kate Howells

Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka

Shot by Alexander Chapin and Christian Van Bebber

Edited by Quinton Kendall

Original music from Patrick Cheung

Motion graphics by Andy Ramos

Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz

Research and reporting by Richard Harth

Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

Keyword research by Aditi Patel

Disclaimer:

Lab Coat Optional is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. This show does not create a doctor-patient relationship, and the information provided is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health. In case of a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Arizona State University is committed to the ethical and humane treatment of animals in advancing research that benefits humans, animals and the environment. Learn more about ASU’s Animal Care and Use Program.

Amidst ever-increasing temperatures, how can we keep people safe from heat-related illness and death?

Listen as two experts from Maricopa County — home to the sweltering city of Phoenix — share how they work and collaborate to ensure everyone has a fighting chance when extreme heat strikes. This episode features Patricia Solís, executive director at the Knowledge Exchange for Resilience at Arizona State University and Dr. Nick Staab, chief medical officer at Maricopa County Department of Public Health.

Learn more about the Knowledge Exchange for Resilience and their mission to tackle interconnected problems with use-inspired research that builds community resilience. The Knowledge Exchange for Resilience is a unit of the Julie Ann Wrigley Global Futures Laboratory® at ASU.

Learn more about:

• Maricopa County’s heat reports
• The Heat Relief Network
• 211 Arizona

Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research and discovery at ASU on Instagram and LinkedIn, or visit us at research.asu.edu.

Love the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice! We are at the mercy of the mighty, fickle algorithms and reviews help new listeners find our show.

Do you have thoughts or questions for us? Email us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. We’d love to hear from you! As long as you are nice. Be nice.

Episode credits

Executive produced by Kate Howells

Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka

Shot and edited by Alexander Chapin

Original music by Patrick Cheung

Motion graphics by Andy Ramos

Art by Andy Keena and Sophia Franz

Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

Keyword research by Aditi Patel

Special thanks to Courtney Kreuzwiesner and Sonia Singh

Disclaimer

Lab Coat Optional is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. This show does not create a doctor-patient relationship, and the information provided is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health. In case of a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Opinions expressed on this show reflect the views of the individuals only, not the policy or opinion of Arizona State University.

Listen as guest Carlo Maley tells us about what biology and evolution can teach us about cancer suppression and all the interesting ways creatures big and small have evolved to combat cancer.

Read more about Carlo’s research on:

• 🧽 Sponges’ extreme radiation resistance
• 🐘 Cancer across the animal kingdom
• 🐉 Using evolution for fantasy world building

Learn more about the Biodesign Institute at Arizona State University and Carlo’s Arizona Cancer Evolution Center.

Lab Coat Optional is a production of the Strategic Marketing and Communications team at Arizona State University’s Knowledge Enterprise. Learn more about research and discovery at ASU on Instagram and LinkedIn, or visit us at research.asu.edu.

Like the show? Give us a five star review on the podcast app of your choice!

Do you have thoughts or questions for us? Email us at ke.podcast@asu.edu. We’d love to hear from you! As long as you are nice. Be nice.

Episode credits

Hosted and reported by Pete Zrioka

Executive produced by Kate Howells

Produced by Alexander Chapin and Pete Zrioka

Shot by Alexander Chapin and Christian Van Bebber, edited by Alexander Chapin

Original music from Patrick Cheung

Motion graphics by Andy Ramos

Art by Andy Keena

Editorial support from Diane Boudreau and Sandy Leander

Research and reporting by Richard Harth

Social media management by Lauren Hebing and Kyler Litson

Keyword research by Aditi Patel

Disclaimer:

Lab Coat Optional is intended for general knowledge and informational purposes only, and does not constitute medical advice. This show does not create a doctor-patient relationship, and the information provided is not a substitute for professional medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult with a qualified healthcare professional for any health concerns or before making any decisions related to your health. In case of a medical emergency, please call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room.

Arizona State University is committed to the ethical and humane treatment of animals in advancing research that benefits humans, animals and the environment. Learn more about ASU’s Animal Care and Use Program.