Heidi Olinger and the Power of Young People

 Hello Readers! 

Today is a real treat as I get to brag about Heidi Olinger, a powerful voice within the Colorado community. Heidi is the founder of Pretty Brainy, a non-profit organization that encourages young women to pursue careers within a STEAM (Science Technology Engineering Art and Math) field. Heidi started Pretty Brainy back in 2008 when she noticed a large gap in toys and clothes for young girls that were science-themed. She wanted to empower young girls by giving them examples of science as well as science-themed toys and activities. From there, Pretty Brainy was born and has continued to flourish as a non-profit. 

I have been fortunate enough to work with Heidi in one Pretty Brainy yearly program called MISSion Innovation. This program gets a bunch of young women together, from middle school to college-age, and challenges them to find ways to empower others to better their local environment. This past September, MISSion Innovation launched its first app, which you can find in any app store. This app gives you tools and ways to help save energy and be more environmentally conscious within your own home. I've personally used it and loved it! 

While the interview below does cover Heidi's work at Pretty Brainy, it was Heidi's recent middle-age book, Leonardo's Science Workshop, that I wanted to talk to her about. Heidi wrote this book to lead children through a series of interactive science activities to teach them more about science. As we discuss below, Heidi designed and did many of these activities herself, as well as got many of the Pretty Brainy young members to help her. 

This book is for young people of all ages, not just children. The activities inside are easy and fun to do. Heidi's book also goes a bit into the history of Leonardo Da Vinci, his work, and his impact on our society. If you're stuck inside looking for something fun or new to do, I'd highly recommend getting this for yourself or your kiddos. You can find a copy here. 

Heidi is still working hard at Pretty Brainy, pivoting the programs to be fully online due to COVID-19. She's also currently working on a book for encouraging young people to use meditation. Her passion for her community, as well as her drive for the young people around her to succeed, is something I admire and respect. I highly recommend listening to the interview below, as Heidi's passion comes across clear and strong. 

Robert Charles Wilson and the Importance of Science Fiction

 Happy Monday Readers!     

This blog is one that I thought I would never write, just because I thought I would never interview this author. Robert Charles Wilson, who I will be talking about today, is a well-known and award-winning science fiction writer. His work has spanned decades, with book titles such as Gypsies, Darwinia, and Spin. While this blog covers popular science writers, I also wanted to interview a science fiction writer, as science fiction is a surprising but impactful way that science can be communicated. Many scientists around the world will tell you they became interested in science due to reading science fiction. Even amateur scientists and science lovers will agree that science fiction has played an important role in how the general public has viewed science. 

Before I discuss the interview, I must give a notice that I did not interview Robert Charles Wilson in person, but rather over email. Robert is a very private individual, and with respect to his wishes, the interview below was voiced by myself and my fellow science fiction reader, Austen Hughes. Robert gave us permission to read the interview this way, and I am grateful for him taking the time to share his thoughts with us. 

  Robert's books all contain strains of science within them, making them integral to certain storylines. In the interview below, I discuss Robert's book Spin, which won the Hugo Award for best science fiction novel in 2006. Spin discusses changes in time and humans' perceptions of time, as well as space travel, Martians, and even cults. The few books of Robert's I have read offer new perspectives on how science impacts society, from Victorian botany to alien politics. Robert's books hook you in from the beginning and keep you entertained as well as challenged. As you'll hear in the interview below, Robert is an expert on plot twists, so you'll find a surprise ending by the time you finish his book. You can find your own copy of Spin here. 

Robert hasn't been writing for a while, but his most recent work is a short story that you can find in the sub-Terrain magazine here. 

In the interview below, you'll find Austen Hughes and I talk about Robert's books Spin and Darwinia specifically, but also the common themes within his work. Even if you're not a Robert Charles Wilson fan, or have read very little science fiction, have a listen below, as it's important to see how science fiction impacts our world today.