Why Magic of the Mind?
The human brain is the most complex thing known to mankind. While there's still plenty of mysteries to be discovered, a multitude of fields are uncovering secrets every day. Magic of the Mind explores the science of the mind through a radical new lens: audio fantasy.
Part 1: The Fantasy Story
Each episode follows the story of Eve, a sixteen-year-old scribe traveling the Forgotten Realms of Dungeons and Dragons in search of a place to call home. Written into the plot of each episode is a different topic in cognitive science, that is explored in detail in Part 2.
Part 2: The Interview
Released simultaneously with developments in the fantasy story are interviews with female scientists who study the topics explored in each episode. In the interviews, the writer explains the theories she wove into the narrative, and the scientists expand on what these look like in the real world.
Why is this important?
This show was created as a way to help reconnect scientists and the citizens who actually fund scientific research. We're taking a different approach than most science education and communication outlets by making a story we think people will actively engage with, and using the power of narrative to amplify the excitement of scientific discovery. Not only are we trying to show the role science can play in everyday life, we're also trying to demonstrate the true nature of science, as an approach instead of a steadfast body of knowledge.
What does my contribution do?
On a fundamental level, your contribution expresses your support for a future where science is a dynamic process that is open to a larger number of people from a wider demographic. On a more pragmatic level, your contribution supports the people who are making this podcast possible. Between writing, editing, composing music, hiring voice actors, recording equipment, editing software, website hosting, and graphic design, it takes a village to run a show, and each person deserves to be paid for their time.
What else can I do?
Sometimes it's easy to feel like we're creating in a vacuum. Reaching people who like what we're doing is truly why we do this! If you could share the podcast with others who you think might enjoy the show, that would make us feel truly fulfilled, like our work is really going somewhere. Any support you can give truly means the world to us, whether a donation or a kind word.
