The Stowers Institute for Medical Research and KCUR, Kansas City’s public radio station, announce the return of their acclaimed science podcast, Seeking A Scientist for its second season. Hosted by Dr. Kate Biberdorf, known as Kate the Chemist, the podcast continues its mission to blend science fiction with reality, exploring the cutting-edge research of today's scientific pioneers.

In Season 2, which will be comprised of 12 new episodes, Dr. Biberdorf delves into the fascinating realms of space exploration, plant cognition, and much more. Joined by esteemed experts from around the globe, each episode of Seeking A Scientist delivers meaningful conversations to inspire wonder and ignite curiosity.

The podcast is made possible with support from the Stowers Institute for Medical Research.

“As a scientist deeply rooted in the pursuit of understanding life's mysteries, I enjoy supporting efforts that engage us all in the exploration of science,” said Alejandro Sánchez Alvarado, President and Chief Scientific Officer of the Stowers Institute. “The conversations between Kate and her guests are always as fascinating as they are inspiring, weaving enthusiasm and wonder through the realms of science. This podcast illuminates the profound ways in which scientific discoveries shape our understanding of ourselves and the world we inhabit.”

"I am thrilled to be doing this again with a second season of Seeking A Scientist and can't wait to share fun, personal conversations with brilliant scientists, like Nancy Chabot or Paco Calvo,” Biberdorf said. "As a scientist, getting to host a podcast that highlights the work of my peers and celebrates them is a dream come true.”

In the first episode, Dr. Nancy Chabot, a planetary scientist at the Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory, discusses the groundbreaking DART mission, also known as the Double Asteroid Redirection Test. DART was a NASA space mission aimed at testing a method of planetary defense against near-Earth objects. Listeners can expect to hear what a real-life Armageddon could look like. Biberdorf and Chabot discuss the mission's critical role in planetary defense, exploring the science behind potential asteroid redirection.

Listen to the first episode here or wherever you listen to podcasts. New episodes will be added monthly.

In May, the second episode, “What Do Plants Know?” will include a conversation with Dr. Paco Calvo, a cognitive scientist and philosopher of biology, who will help unravel the mysteries of plant intelligence. Renowned for his groundbreaking research and acclaimed book, "Planta Sapiens," Dr. Calvo offers profound insights into the remarkable abilities of plants, challenging conventional wisdom and sparking new perspectives on cognition in the natural world.