MIndy Kay Bricker

Each of the millions of Syrian refugees who have fled their brutalized, unrecognizable homeland did so for uniquely personal reasons — the regime bombarding cities, the Islamic State threatening a return to the dark ages, the loss of jobs in a crumbling economy. Yet their quests cohered around one purpose: They all wanted better lives.

In this week’s Global Thinkers podcast, Duke’s Miguel Nicolelis and Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory’s Anthony Zador explore the significant discoveries of the past year that have brought the world one step closer to understanding the most perplexing part of the human body: the brain. FP Executive Editor for Print Mindy Kay Bricker hosts. Miguel Nicolelis is a 2015 Global Thinker, neuroscientist, and professor at Duke University.

In this week’s Global Thinkers podcast, 2014 Global Thinker and atmospheric scientist Katharine Hayhoe joins 2009 Global Thinker and activist Bill McKibben to discuss climate change, denialism, faith, and what to expect from the upcoming Paris conference. Mindy Kay Bricker, FP executive editor for print, and FP energy reporter Keith Johnson host.