Are you running on fumes and calling it productivity? In this episode of The Professor is Live!, Mark Salisbury and producer Rikko tackle one of the simplest ways to boost brainpower, optimism, and overall health — getting enough sleep. Neuroscientist Dr. Roxanne Prichard joins the conversation to reveal what your brain is really doing while you snooze, why modern life is sabotaging our rest, and how better sleep can help us think clearer, feel happier, and live healthier.

In this episode, Mark and producer Rikko are joined by Dr. Joel Schuessler, Associate Professor of Computer Science at Concordia University St. Paul (CSP), to tackle the big career question shaking up tech: can you still make a living coding when AI now writes roughly 25% of U.S. code at companies like Microsoft and Alphabet? A new Pew Research Center survey shows nearly half of Americans think software engineering will be among the jobs most disrupted by AI — even more than teaching or journalism. Tune in for a candid, lively conversation about what these trends mean for students, developers, and the future of coding itself.

Join Mark Salisbury and producer Rikko for a lively dive into what happens when our virtual and physical worlds overlap. From the familiar realms of virtual and augmented reality to the emerging frontier of contextual reality—dynamic, adaptive information that changes with who you are and where you are—this episode explores how technology is reshaping daily life, work, and even future jobs. Guest expert Scott Moody, IoT Software Architect and former Boeing Technical Fellow, shares insights on how contextual reality could transform homes and workplaces. Expect humor, big ideas, a live poll, and maybe even a jab or two at Mark’s ongoing battle with smart devices.

In this episode of The Professor is Live! with Mark Salisbury, psychologist Foster Cole shares how small, everyday acts of kindness—like offering a compliment, lending a hand, or volunteering a few hours—can make us more altruistic. He calls it Everyday Altruism: a mindset that boosts well-being, builds connections, and helps us make our world better one simple act at a time.

Where are we on the curve of AI adoption? In this episode, Mark and producer Rikko dive into Everett Rogers’ classic Diffusion of Innovations theory—exploring how AI is spreading from innovators and early adopters into the mainstream.

Special guest Dr. Bob Grassberger joins to explain the Technology Adoption Lifecycle and what it tells us about AI’s explosive growth. From the “cool kids” testing the boundaries to families using AI for homework help and professionals relying on it daily, we explore why the genie is out of the bottle and how AI is augmenting—not replacing—our work.

Join us for insights, stories, and a little humor about where AI is today and where it’s headed.

In this episode, we take on a big question: Is belief in God at odds with belief in science? Or, to put it another way—can you believe in the creator of the cosmos and the Big Bang?

In this episode, we dive into the story of the Luddites. Most people think they were just anti-technology rebels smashing machines because they feared progress. But, as we’ll discover, the truth is a lot more complicated—and way more relevant to our own lives than you might think.

This episode is about how advancements in technology are empowering individuals with significant disabilities to engage more fully with their surroundings. These innovations are not only breaking down barriers but are also opening a world of new possibilities, one that recognizes and celebrates people’s abilities rather than focusing on their disabilities.