Mayim Bialik's Breakdown

• Famous Inorganic Chemist on Why He Believes Aliens Exist, The Revolutionary Experiments That Could Create Life & How AI Companies Are Deceiving Us

  Are aliens already among us? Are we even looking in the right way to find them? Renowned chemist, molecular visionary, and University of Glasgow Regis professor Lee Cronin joins Mayim and Jonathan to explore the science behind alien life, consciousness, and the very definition of biology itself. Known for his groundbreaking work in assembly theory and abiogenesis, Dr. Cronin dives deep into the possibility of non-carbon-based life, why the Fermi Paradox might be misleading, and how we could soon detect extraterrestrial civilizations through the mathematics of complexity. As one of the world’s leading voices in origin of life research, Dr. Cronin offers bold counterpoints to other guests on alien intelligence and reveals why he believes some exoplanets may already harbor advanced technology. He explains how chemical complexity could be the key to recognizing life in the universe, and why traditional astrobiology might be looking in the wrong place. The conversation also takes a turn toward the dark side of AI: how artificial intelligence may already be used by powerful institutions for dangerous, even covert purposes and why Cronin thinks we should rethink our fear of it. From the dream of building living machines to redefining what counts as life or consciousness, this episode is a mind-bending journey into the future of science, philosophy, and alien discovery. Learn more about The Cronin Group: https://www.chem.gla.ac.uk/cronin/ Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/ BialikBreakdown.comYouTube.com/mayimbialik

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• Is America For Sale? The Truth Behind Trump’s Meme Coin, Why Social Media Makes Us Feel More Divided Than We Actually Are & How Both Sides of the Aisle Are Wrong About the Deficit

  Jon Favreau, former Obama speechwriter, co-host of Pod Save America, and founder of Crooked Media and Vote Save America, joins us to break down the most urgent issues in U.S. politics 2025. Mayim and Jonathan unpack what “The Big Beautiful Bill” means for health insurance, the dark side of crypto, and the role of political outsiders in undermining trust in government. Plus: Jon Favreau’s take on the 2024 election aftermath, and why Democrats and Republicans are more divided than ever. From political hope to stock scandals, this conversation exposes what’s broken—and where we might still find hope. Check out the POD SAVE AMERICA Podcast: https://crooked.com/podcast-series/pod-save-america/ Offline with Jon Favreau Podcast: https://crooked.com/podcast-series/offline/ Crooked Media: https://crooked.com/ Vote Save America: https://votesaveamerica.com/ Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/ BialikBreakdown.comYouTube.com/mayimbialik

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• Part Two: Neurosurgeon Breaks Down the Science of Dreaming, The One Dream That Predicts The Future, How to Lucid Dream, and The Incredible Things Your Brain Does As You Die

  What if your dreams could predict disease, unlock creativity, reveal hidden trauma—and even be controlled? Dr. Rahul Jandial, MD, PhD (dual-trained neurosurgeon and neuroscientist, founder of the Jandial Lab at City of Hope Cancer Center in Los Angeles, and bestselling author of This is Why You Dream) takes you inside the wild, cutting-edge world of dream neuroscience and the sleeping brain. Discover how this top brain surgeon can create a memory of a nightmare during awake brain surgery, what the brain does just before death, and how dream patterns may predict neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Learn why erotic dreams occur, how lucid dreaming can enhance your waking life, what happens during sleep paralysis, and why some people don’t remember their dreams—plus expert sleep tips to improve dream recall. Dr. Jandial also explores the deep links between trauma and nightmares, depression, and the eerie science of precognitive dreams and near-death experiences (NDEs). From the universal themes of falling and flying dreams to the latest on how AI might already be hacking your dreams, this is everything your brain’s doing while you sleep—and why it matters more than ever. Dr. Rahul Jandial's book, THIS IS WHY YOU DREAM: What Your Sleeping Brain Reveals About Your Waking Life: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735627/this-is-why-you-dream-by-rahul-jandial-md-phd/ Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/ BialikBreakdown.comYouTube.com/mayimbialik

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  56:36
• Neurosurgeon Breaks Down the Science of Dreaming, The One Dream That Predicts The Future, How to Lucid Dream, and The Incredible Things Your Brain Does As You Die

  What if your dreams could predict disease, unlock creativity, reveal hidden trauma—and even be controlled? Dr. Rahul Jandial, MD, PhD (dual-trained neurosurgeon and neuroscientist, founder of the Jandial Lab at City of Hope Cancer Center in Los Angeles, and bestselling author of This is Why You Dream) takes you inside the wild, cutting-edge world of dream neuroscience and the sleeping brain. Discover how this top brain surgeon can create a memory of a nightmare during awake brain surgery, what the brain does just before death, and how dream patterns may predict neurological disorders like Parkinson’s disease. Learn why erotic dreams occur, how lucid dreaming can enhance your waking life, what happens during sleep paralysis, and why some people don’t remember their dreams—plus expert sleep tips to improve dream recall. Dr. Jandial also explores the deep links between trauma and nightmares, depression, and the eerie science of precognitive dreams and near-death experiences (NDEs). From the universal themes of falling and flying dreams to the latest on how AI might already be hacking your dreams, this is everything your brain’s doing while you sleep—and why it matters more than ever. Dr. Rahul Jandial's book, THIS IS WHY YOU DREAM: What Your Sleeping Brain Reveals About Your Waking Life: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/735627/this-is-why-you-dream-by-rahul-jandial-md-phd/ Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/ BialikBreakdown.comYouTube.com/mayimbialik

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  1:07:31
• Why We Need to Change The Way We Think About Race & How DEI, Identity Politics & Wokeness Have Likely Furthered Racial Divides

  What if everything you thought you knew about race, racism, and social justice was only part of the story? In this explosive episode, Coleman Hughes, (Free Press writer, podcast host of Conversations with Coleman, and author of The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America) joins Mayim and Jonathan for a deep, nuanced discussion about identity, equality, and the role of technology in shaping cultural narratives. From the rise of critical race theory and the decline of race relations post-2013 to the algorithmic outrage fueled by social media, Hughes breaks down the data behind America’s polarization and makes the case for true colorblindness. Is DEI making things better or worse? Are inherited trauma and systemic racism scientifically valid concepts? Hughes tackles how identity politics gave rise to Donald Trump, the difference between neo-racism and old-school racism and why he believes we need to talk about race less, not more. Whether you agree or disagree, this is a must-watch for anyone grappling with today’s culture wars. Don't miss this thought-provoking dialogue. Conversations with Coleman Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/conversations-with-coleman/id1716338488 Coleman Hughes' Book, The End of Race Politics: Arguments for a Colorblind America: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/671726/the-end-of-race-politics-by-coleman-hughes/ Follow us on Substack for Exclusive Bonus Content: https://bialikbreakdown.substack.com/ BialikBreakdown.comYouTube.com/mayimbialik

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  1:17:29

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